07.20.2023

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Today’s Forecast

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

Welcome to the jungle

Visit a new hidden spa at this plant and wellness shop in Northeast Portland

A room painted black with a plant wall and a neon yellow sign that says "The Jungle Room" contained a spa bed while a humidifier blows steam toward it.

That tension in your jaw is about to melt away. | Photo by Cambrie Juarez, PDXtoday

After visiting Bosk, you might return home with a new potted plant, a jar of farm-to-skin moisturizer, and a newfound sense of calm.

The latter is attainable at the shop’s new “hidden spa,” The Jungle Room. We were recently invited to check out the plant and wellness shop in Northeast Portland’s Beaumont-Wilshire neighborhood — and meet founder, holistic esthetician, and community visionary, Laura Norton.

Bosk shares a building with Everest M Market. Past owners of the space have used it to house everything from a barbershop to motorcycles. When Laura, who has lived in the area for several years, heard it was for sale, she saw her chance to take it in a different direction.

Plants, gifts, and various skincare products Laura sources from local woman- and BIPOC-owned businesses now fill the front of the store. In the back, The Jungle Room awaits those who book facials. For City Editor Cambrie, highlights of the hour-long experience included a hot towel treatment (who knew having your face wrapped in one could feel so good?), a gua sha face massage (thank you, instant tension relief), and a jelly mask.

Houseplants sit on shelves inside of a naturally-lit shop. — Bosk is plant party in the front, self-care business in the back.
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Photo by Cambrie Juarez, PDXtoday

The shop is a labor of love. Laura is continuously working toward the goals she has for the space — like transforming the back parking lot into a gathering place for outdoor movies and night markets. She already hosts pop-ups on the front sidewalk every Saturday to support other local small businesses.

Facials start at $65. Add-on treatments are $10 each. Bosk is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturdays. Spa services are offered every day but Sunday.

Events

Thursday, July 20

Larry Peace-Love Yes: Cartoons in My Mind Viewing | Thursday, July 20 | 6-9 p.m. | PAM CUT, 934 SW Salmon St., Portland | $22-$25 | See this pop-up immersive installation showcasing creations made over the course of 15 years by the Portland artist and performer known for his creativity and positivity.

Friday, July 21

Lily Flower Festival | Friday, July 21-Sunday, July 30 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | David Hill Farm, 45627 NW David Hill Rd., Forest Grove | Free | Enter an enchanted floral world where 75+ varieties of lilies thrive, shop for potted plants, bouquets, and bulbs, and enjoy wine tastings, charcuterie, and ice cream for sale.
4 Days of Aloha | Friday, July 21-Sunday, July 23 | Times vary | Esther Short Park, 605 Esther St., Vancouver | $8-$75 | Bring the whole ‘ohana (family) for workshops on weaving coconut frond hats and dying clothing using native Hawaiian plants, concerts, cultural performances, and mouth-watering island cuisine.
Washington County Fair | Friday, July 21-Sunday, July 30 | Times vary | Westside Commons, 801 NE 34th Ave., Hillsboro | Free | Take a bite out of an old-fashioned summer experience complete with amusement rides, live entertainment, food, livestock exhibits, and more.

Saturday, July 22

“Rupaul’s Drag Race” | Saturday, July 22 | 8 p.m. | Keller Auditorium, 222 SW Clay St., Portland | $45-$259.50 | Select finalists from Season 15 of the reality TV show will “werq” to impress at this staged drag competition.

Sunday, July 23

Pittock Mansion Picnic | Sunday, July 23 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Pittock Mansion, 3229 NW Pittock Dr., Portland | Free | Come as you are, or don a Regency-era costume and bring the works: a chair and table, lawn blanket, snacks, a bonnet, parasol for promenading, a historical lawn game, and your family.

Events calendar here

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News Notes

Community

Backyard burning and recreational fires are currently banned across Multnomah County. Officials issued the mandatory burn ban in response to deteriorating air quality caused by smoke from a paper mill fire in Longview and a large fire at a former Kmart store in Northeast Portland. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)

Legacy

The man credited with inventing coffee drive-thrus has died at the age of 74. Jim Roberts co-founded Coffee People in the early 1980s in Portland, providing many customers’ first tastes of quality espresso drinks at a time when Folgers dominated the industry. The shop still exists, but it’s now called Jim & Patty’s. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)

Environment

Clark County health officials are cautioning people and pets to avoid the water at Vancouver Lake. A harmful algae bloom “intensified” over the weekend, leading to swaths of green scum along the shoreline. Anglers should also avoid fishing in cloudy parts of the lake.

Biz

Attention, beer enthusiasts: Brewery 26 in the Buckman neighborhood is for sale. The business, which started as a nano-brewery in a garage in 2017, announced this week that its “7 barrel turn-key brewery” will be available after it closes at the end of September. The asking price wasn’t disclosed.

Real Estate

Picture this: a lakefront property with a boathouse and a restored, 6,400-sqft midcentury home with floor-to-ceiling windows, a sunken soaking tub, and “Mad Men” vibes. It could all be yours for $7.2 million. Located on the edge of Oswego Lake, the property offers privacy and plenty of entertaining opportunities. (Dwell + Portland Monthly)

Civic

After gathering community feedback for two years, Portland Parks & Recreation released its first Healthy Parks, Healthy Portland report. It includes a summary of the bureau’s updated organizational statements and how they will shape future projects, along with an assessment of ongoing disparities and opportunities for people to get involved.

Travel

Calling all readers and aspiring writers. Seabrook, the award-winning coastal beach town, will host three bestselling authors — Rachel Linden, Katherine Reay, and Marie Bostwick — for a free writer’s workshop on Friday, July 28, followed by a speaking session + book signing on Saturday, July 29. Reserve your spot and use the code BOOK15 for 15% off vacation rentals. After getting your fill of books, explore hiking and biking trails, beaches, restaurants, and more.*

City

🌆 Overlooks not to be overlooked

See Portland from a new perspective at these top viewpoints

A view looking over a river toward a city at sunset with a bridge and a pedestrian pathway jutting out over the water.

There are so many good reasons to move to Portland — stunning sunsets from the Eastbank Esplanade included. | Photo by @irenemayphotography

Not all cities can brag about having stunning views. But a place bisected by a large river, partially bordered by hilly forests, and within sight of snow-capped mountains surely can.

Portland boasts all of those vistas — the only question is finding the best viewpoints to see them. We looked high and low to find the top spots to take in the Rose City skyline and surrounding natural beauty.

Pittock Mansion

The historic property in the West Hills is one of the city’s most popular overlooks — and for good reason. Wander to the far end of the grassy lawn extending behind the mansion to see downtown Portland and Mount Hood laid out before you. Pro tip: Hike to the lookout to avoid paying for onsite parking.

Eastbank Esplanade

Stretching 1.5 miles long, the Eastbank Esplanade offers some iconic downtown Portland views. Gaze across the Willamette River at the blossoming cherry trees in Tom McCall Waterfront Park or get a clear view of the city lights at night.

What's your favorite viewpoint?

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Cambrie

From the editor

A little yellow flower native to the PNW that was once a rare sight has sprung back to life. The federal government removed the plant, known as golden paintbrush, from the Endangered Species Act this week — a conservation achievement befitting the ESA’s golden anniversary.

Just 20,000 golden paintbrush plants remained in the PNW by 1997; today, there are more than 325,000 ranging from southwestern British Columbia to the Willamette Valley.

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