06.20.2023

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Today’s Forecast

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

It’s a waterful life

Cool off at these pools, splash pads, and fountains in Portland

Summer officially starts tomorrow — and the weather seems to have received the memo. The summer solstice will chase away a recent spate of cool days and usher in the return of warmer temperatures, with some 80° days on the horizon.

But as the weather heats up, Portlanders may need a little help cooling down. Sitting inside a stuffy room without air conditioning is no one’s idea of fun, so the city of Portland operates splash pads, interactive fountains (the kind you can play in), and public pools where people of all ages can find relief.

A boy beams with delight as he runs through the Peninsula Park splash pad - a series of concentric circles where water sprays on participants. It's a sunny summer day. — Peninsula Park is home to Oregon’s oldest public rose garden — and a really fun splash pad.
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Photo by Portland Parks & Recreation

Splash pads

These free public water features have already been turned on for the summer season and will remain on through Labor Day weekend. All splash pads are open 10 a.m.-8 p.m. daily.

There are 18 splash pads at parks around the metro area with the highest concentrations in North and Northeast Portland. Find one near you using Portland Parks & Recreation’s online map.

holladay park fountain portland pdx.jpeg — Jets shoot gentle arches of water at Holladay Park’s interactive fountain.
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Photo by Portland Parks & Recreation

Interactive fountains

Not all public fountains allow toe dipping and splashing. The keyword is “interactive” — look for one of six interactive fountains spread across Portland, all of which are now turned on for the summer and free to enjoy. The Bill Naito Legacy Fountain at Waterfront Park is open 24 hours a day, while the rest have various hours.

A few dozen people play in an outdoor pool on a sunny day. — Wilson Outdoor Pool in Southwest Portland was renamed Ida B. Wells-Barnett Outdoor Pool in 2022.
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Photo by Portland Parks & Recreation

Pools

Portland operates 11 pools, seven of which are outdoors. Though their sizes, amenities, and accessibility features range, each location has fixed admission fees and is open Wednesday, June 21-Sunday, Aug. 27.

Outdoor pools cost $3.75-$4.75 for drop-ins, or visitors can buy 20-visit or season passes starting at $64 and $69, respectively. Residents can also register for an Access Pass to unlock ongoing discounts of up to 90% depending on financial need.

Events

Tuesday, June 20

The Hummingbird Family with Erin Law | Tuesday, June 20 | 6-7 p.m. | Portland Audubon, 5151 NW Cornell Rd., Portland | $20-$30 | Learn about the evolutionary history, anatomy, and physiology of these backyard pollinator powerhouses.

Wednesday, June 21

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” | Wednesday, June 21-Sunday, July 2 | 7:30 p.m. | Portland Center Stage, 128 NW 11th Ave., Portland | $25-$93 | Embark on a beguiling odyssey full of mistaken identities, misguided passions, love potions, and magic spells.

Thursday, June 22

“Stages of Beauty” | Thursday, June 22-Friday, June 23 | 7-8:45 p.m. | Patricia Reser Center for the Arts, 12625 SW Crescent St., Beaverton | $29-$33 | Guest artists from the Oregon Ballet Theatre will dance alongside Oregon International Ballet Academy students as they perform the second act of Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake” and debut Ye Li’s “Player.”

Friday, June 23

Tigard Festival of Balloons | Friday, June 23-Sunday, June 25 | 5:45 a.m. | Cook Park, 17005 SW 92nd Ave., Tigard | $15-$45 | Get up early to see 16 hot air balloons rise with the dawn, then stick around for a day of carnival rides, food, a beer garden, live music, shopping, and more.
Jurassic World Live Tour | Friday, June 23-Sunday, June 25 | Times vary | Moda Center, 1 N. Center Court St., Portland | $20-$150 | This live-action arena show will give you a newfound appreciation for the dinosaur-free era in which you live.
Venardos Circus | Friday, June 23-Sunday, July 2 | Times vary | Vancouver Mall, 8700 NE Vancouver Mall Dr., Vancouver | $16.95-$49.95 | Come one, come all to this Broadway-style, animal-free circus featuring original music, talented performers, stunning lighting, and dazzling costumes — all under a classic red-and-white tent.

Events calendar here

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Announced

Earn prizes for referring friends

Are you ready to get rewarded for spreading the word about the newsletter? | Graphic by 6AM City

We’re excited to announce that our referral program has been revamped. Yes, you can be rewarded for spreading the word about the newsletter.

How does it work? You can find the referral section near The Wrap in the newsletter. One referral is equal to one point. You’ll receive the point when your friends confirm they want to be signed up for the newsletter. It’s a tiered reward system — as you earn more points, you unlock bigger and more rewards. Look forward to receiving exclusive products you won’t find in our online store such as hats, mugs, blankets, a paid-for night out on the town, and more.

To celebrate our referral program, we’re hosting a giveaway until Wednesday, July 12, 2023. The top referrer will receive $500, and one additional person who refers at least one friend will automatically be entered for another $100 giveaway.

As part of our new and improved referral program, we’re offering all newsletter subscribers an additional 15% discount to our online store (Six & Main), just use coupon code REFTDY23 at checkout. The offer is good until Monday, July 24, 2023.

Questions? Send us an email here.

See giveaway terms & conditions.

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News Notes

Community

For the first time in 22 years, nurses in Portland have gone on strike. About 1,300 nurses at Providence Portland Medical Center walked off the job on Monday as both sides hit a stalemate in contract negotiations. Care centers will remain open and staffed during the five-day strike. (KOIN)

Sports

Portland Timbers defender Zac McGraw will play for the Canada men’s national team in this summer’s Concacaf Gold Cup. McGraw will miss three Timbers games while he plays for Canada; he’ll miss a fourth if the team advances to the tournament’s final round on Sunday, July 16. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)

Arts

See the works of Black women who photograph sporting events at a special exhibit at The Sports Bra (2512 NE Broadway). “ONE OF ONE: Sports Images from Black Women Photographers” is open now through Friday, June 30 in honor of Juneteenth.

Cause

The city of Portland will receive one of nine grants totaling $25 million through The Monuments Project. Municipalities were chosen across the US as part of the program’s goal to “transform the nation’s commemorative landscape through public projects that more completely and accurately represent the multiplicity and complexity of American stories.”

Eat

The Woodstock neighborhood has a new food cart pod. The Heist (its name is a nod to the former bank it occupies) is home to 14 different carts serving everything from waffles and barbecue to plant-based food and Himalayan cuisine. (KOIN)

Plan Ahead

The Portland author of “Fight Club” will talk about his latest novel Tuesday, Sept. 5, at Revolution Hall. Tickets are available now to hear Chuck Palahniuk discuss “Not Forever, But for Now” — a horror satire about a family of professional killers. Admission includes a hardcover copy of the book.

Travel

Wanna save 40-90% on flights? Sign up for Going — a free travel membership — and you can browse deals immediately (like a $300+ round trip to Barcelona).*

Eat

🍦 Scoop, there it is

Get a taste of Portland as a flavor of ice cream

Picnic approved ice cream | Photo via Salt & Straw

Recently, we asked you to come up with a unique ice cream flavor that describes Portland and utilizes one to three locally sourced ingredients. After reading all of your responses, it’s safe to say that our mouths are watering. Here were two of our favorites:

A chocolate ice cream infused with Great Notion Brewing’s Double Stack Imperial Stout and topped with Fressen Artisan Bakery pretzel bits and chopped chocolate salt caramels from Portland Caramel Company. Called “Killingsworth Cocoa Caramel Stout.” - Tim H.

A waffle cone coated on the inside with chocolate and filled with marionberry pie ice cream, drizzled with marionberry syrup, and topped with whipped cream and sliced hazelnuts. Called “Bursting Marionberry Blossom.” - Sandra J.

The only thing we need now is a local ice cream shop to make one of these flavors a reality. Cloud City Ice Cream, Salt & Straw, Fifty Licks — we’re looking at you.

Submit your Portland-inspired flavor

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Cambrie

From the editor

National Doughnut Day has come and gone, but Yelp is keeping the deep-fried fun going with its list of the top 100 doughnuts shops in the US. A handful of local locations made the cut: Pip’s Original Doughnuts & Chai, Donut Day, Doe Donuts, and Mikiko Mochi Donuts.

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