Plus: Remembering drag queen icon Darcelle XV
March 27, 2023 6AM-Top banner logo-small.png

SUBSCRIBE | REFER

Today’s Forecast

49º | Showers | 84% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:50 a.m. | Sunset 4:40 p.m.

 
Pika, I choose you
A small rodent with short round ears sits among rocky terrain holding a daisy in its mouth as the sun lights it from behind.
The Oregon Zoo is recruiting volunteers to seek out one of the Columbia River Gorge’s cutest residents this summer: the American pika. | Photo by Linda Steider
The Columbia River Gorge is home to a creature so cute and cuddly, it’s almost impossible not to “awww” if you encounter one while hiking.

Meet the American pika — pronounced “pie-ka” — not to be confused with a certain electric mouse Pokémon beloved by ‘90s kids. These potato-sized cousins of rabbits and hares spend their lives among the rocky slopes of the Cascades, squeaking by in spite of the harsh alpine conditions.

Only 30 miles or so east of Portland, the pika colony in the Gorge is a bit of an enigma, as they exist at much lower elevations (only a few hundred feet above sea level) than other populations. Cascades Pika Watch is dedicated to gathering more data this summer.

The volunteer group of citizen scientists conducts sitting surveys over several months to track and log the pika presence in the region. No special skills are required and all areas are accessible by public trails, though the Oregon Zoo will hold free crash courses both in-person and online, Thursday, May 11-Saturday, May 13.

American pika are an indicator species and particularly sensitive to temperatures at either extreme, which means they get extra attention from researchers studying the effects of climate change.

Even if you don’t have the time to commit to an official observation, hikers are encouraged to record sightings on the Pika Patrol mobile app.
 
POLL
 
How often do you go on vacation?

A. Once a year
B. 2-3 times a year
C. 4-5 times a year
D. 5+ times a year
E. What’s a vacation?

Congratulations to Tyler R. for winning a $50 gift card to our online shop, Six & Main. Did you know you could be our next winner? Answer this week’s survey questions for a chance to score a gift card!
 
 
Events
 
Monday, March 27
  • Junior Derby Spring Break Camp 2023 | Monday, March 27-Friday, March 31 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | Rose City Rollers, 7805 SE Oaks Park Way, Portland | $250-$275 | Ages 7-12 are invited to this wheely fun week at The Hangar at Oaks Park.
  • Portland Trail Blazers vs. New Orleans Pelicans | Monday, Mar. 27 | 7 p.m. | Moda Center, 1 N. Center Court St., Portland | $10+ | If Rip City wants to keep its hopes of playing in the post season alive, Chauncey Billups’ team just can’t afford to lose to the Pelicans.
Tuesday, March 28
  • “The Chinese Question: The Gold Rushes and Global Politics” | Tuesday, Mar. 28 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 SW Broadway, Portland | $46-$111 | In this lecture, author Mae Ngai explores the journeys of thousands of immigrants who left their homeland in search of wealth and a better life, ultimately reshaping the American West.
  • National Geographic Live: Deadliest Lifesavers | Tuesday, Mar. 28 | 7:30 p.m. | Newmark Theatre, 1111 SW Broadway, Portland | $25-$55 | Learn how toxic venoms can be turned into invaluable medicines, and delve into the world of undiscovered natural compounds in snakes, scorpions, jellyfish, and other creatures.
Wednesday, March 29
  • Cosmic Game Night | Wednesday, Mar. 29 | 4-7 p.m. | Cosmic Bliss, 207 NW 10th Ave., Portland | Free | A handmade, dipped waffle crisp is yours if you come out on top in Connect Four, UNO!, or any of the provided games.
Thursday, March 30
  • Yeat | Thursday, Mar. 30 | 8 p.m. | Moda Center, 1 N. Center Court St., Portland | $35.50-$135 | The TikTok rapper is taking the world by storm on his North America 2023 tour.
Friday, March 31
  • Portland Auto Swap Meet | Friday, Mar. 31-Sunday, Apr. 2 | Times vary | Portland Expo Center, 2060 Marine Dr. W., Portland | $5-$10 | Shop ~1,500 vendors for thousands of unique, original stock, antique, vintage, and custom vehicles and parts at the event that’s celebrating 59 years.
Plan ahead with our community events calendar below.
Click here to have your event featured.
 
 
News Notes
 

Weather
  • 58º | Cloudy | 9% chance of rain
Sunrise + Sunset
  • Rise: 7:00 a.m.
  • Set: 7:32 p.m.
Legacy
  • Last week, Walter W. Cole Sr., aka Portland’s iconic drag queen Darcelle XV, died from natural causes at 92. From the stage at Old Town’s Darcelle XV Showplace and out in the community, Darcelle was an unofficial ambassador for the city and LGBTQ+ rights for over half a century. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live + OPB)
Plan Ahead
  • New Southeast Portland food cart pod Lil’ America is planning a big celebration. We’re not fooling — its grand opening on Saturday, April 1, will feature music, food and drink specials, a bubble show, live DJ set, and drag show. Seafood boil-based The Drip’N Crab will also open for its first weekend.
  • The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry will hold extended Spring Break hours, 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m., now through Sunday, April 9. Highlights include the Marvel LEGO Display & Play Zone, performances from Science Circus with Rhys Thomas, and Marie Curie-inspired blueberry lemonade at Theory restaurant.
Sports
  • When members of the Trail Blazers travel to far-flung destinations to recharge this off season, the Moda Center will up its game. Rip City Management announced the venue will close sometime in early July until mid-September for a “significant capital investment project” that involves replacing the steel lower bowl and seat upgrades. (KOIN)
Arts
  • Portland Japanese Garden’s first artist-in-residence Rui Sasaki hails from Kanazawa — the wettest city in Japan. Her love for rain (she’s a self-proclaimed pluviophile) and its verdant by-products shows in her gallery “Subtle Intimacy: Here and There,” comprised of ghostly plants preserved in glass. See it until Monday, June 12. (Portland Tribune)
Outdoors
  • Did you hear about the wolverine sightings outside of Portland? No, not adamantium-boned Hugh Jackman, we mean the elusive carnivore related to weasels that’s known for its ferocity. One was spotted along the Columbia River and another was seen outside Damascus, marking the first sightings in Western Oregon in 30 years. (OPB)
Answered
  • If you’re wondering what Will Ferrell thinks of Portland, it’s a lot better than Ron Burgundy’s feelings toward San Diego. The actor was a recent podcast guest on “Office Ladies” when he sent Rose City some love, saying it has “great restaurants, little coffee places, cool bike paths, and walking trails.” (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)
Finance
  • Experts at The Ascent have sorted through hundreds of credit cards so far this year. And their top five bonus cards are (cue drumroll)... these five. *
Seasonal
The Word
 
Cause
 
Readiness. Response. Recovery.
A group of volunteers in reflective orange jackets and red had hats stand on a Portland street corner with police officers and an ambulance in the background.
NET members often work directly with law enforcement to provide support. | Photo by @portlandbem
If Portland’s winter storms have taught us anything, it’s to expect the unexpected. The same could be said about potential flooding or an earthquake in our region.

In the event of a major disaster, it’s possible that first-responders will be overwhelmed with calls, or even incapable of reaching you. Households, and entire neighborhoods, could become cut off. While it’s always good to be as prepared as possible to become self-sufficient, you can take heart knowing that rescuers with the city’s Neighborhood Emergency Teams will be ready to help when needed.

Each of the more than 3,500 volunteer members have received basic training from the Portland Bureau of Emergency Management and Portland Fire & Rescue to save lives and property until professionals arrive.

Free basic training is offered (28 hours over four Saturday sessions) and once you’re certified, the only requirement is 12 hours of volunteer time every calendar year.
 
The Wrap
 
Ben McBee headshot Today’s Edition By:
Ben
From the Editor
Raise the banner. Yesterday, I was at the Thorns’ season opener against Orlando Pride and the team celebrated its third championship with a ceremony before kickoff. Portland got off to a great start on the road to a fourth NWSL title with a 4-0 win.

Missed Friday’s newsletter? The saga of the Jantzen Beach Carousel has gone ‘round and ‘round, but the end of the ride is near.
Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback     
Subscribe     
Advertise     
Shop     
 
 

* This content is paid advertising, or contains links to our Six & Main marketplace, or affiliate partners which we may receive a commission from. ^ This content is created by our content studio.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

Copyright © 2023 6AM City Inc, All rights reserved.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | SHOP