What everyone’s talking about:

The games worth getting tickets to:

• First home game: vs. North American Stallions | Saturday, Sept. 16 | 1 p.m.
• Rival game: vs. Eastern Washington Eagles | Saturday, Oct. 28 | 1 p.m.
• Browse all home game tickets.

• Next home game: vs. Hawaii Rainbow Warriors | Saturday, Sept. 16 | 5 p.m.
• Rival game: vs. Washington Huskies | Saturday, Oct. 14 | TBD
• Browse all home game tickets.

• First home game: vs. UC Davis Aggies | Saturday, Sept. 9 | 6 p.m.
• Rival game: vs. Oregon Ducks | Friday, Nov. 24 | 5:30 p.m.
• Browse all home game tickets.

• Volunteer Expo 2023 | Thursday, Sept. 7 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Pioneer Courthouse Square, 751 SW Morrison St., Ste. 702, Portland | Free | Deciding on how to contribute to your community has never been easier than this free event that brings local nonprofits together.
• Cool Kids Patio Show | Thursday, Sept. 7 | 6-8 p.m. | Doug Fir Lounge, 830 E. Burnside St., Portland | Free | Hang outside and catch this comedy show that will leave you cackling.
• Hillsboro Hops vs. Spokane Indians | Thursday, Sept. 7 | 6:35 p.m. | Ron Tonkin Field, 4460 NE Century Blvd., Hillsboro | $8-$23 | Raise a glass to Hopstoberfest and the final home stand of the season, where you can take home a commemorative beer stein.
• “Grease 2" | Thursday, Sept. 7-Saturday, Oct. 14 | Times vary | Funhouse Lounge, 2432 SE 11th Ave., Portland | $25-$185 | Support this local theatrical rendition of the sequel set at Rydell High School, with musical numbers starring the Pink Ladies and T-Birds.

• Lose Yr Mind Festival | Friday, Sept. 8-Saturday, Sept. 9 | 5 p.m. | Multiple locations, Portland | $40-$135 | This two-day event showcases musical acts across a range of genres, from punk to country and everything in between.
• KLASK Tournament | Friday, Sept. 8 | 5:30 p.m. | Mayfly, 8350 N. Fenwick Ave., Portland | Free | Try your hand at the Danish board game involving magnets and air hockey style of play; Away Days Brewing Co. will bring swag for the winners.

• Ikebana International Chrysanthemum Show 2023 | Saturday, Sept. 9-Sunday, Sept. 10 | 9-10 a.m. | Portland Japanese Garden, 611 SW Kingston Ave., Portland | $15.95-$21.95 | Lay your eyes on creative arrangements of these radiant flowers made by local artists.
• Katt Williams: The Dark Matter Tour | Saturday, Sept. 9 | 8 p.m. | Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 300 Winning Way, Portland | $59-$250 | The comedian and actor is ready to make Portland laugh from the big stage.

• When BottleDrop facilitated the opportunity to help support wildfire recovery in Lahaina, HI, users of the recycling service said, “yes we can.” In total, $100,000 will go to Maui United Way, with additional donations heading to the Oregon chapter of the Wildland Firefighter Foundation. (KATU)

• Thorns forward Sophia Smith has been nominated for the Ballon d’Or, an award that honors the single best female (and male) soccer player in the world over the previous year. She may be sidelined as she recovers from an MCL sprain, but that can’t stop the recognition from rolling in. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live + CBS Sports)

• You can make escaping to Mount Hood in woodsy style a regular thing by purchasing this Steiner cabin that just hit the market. Listed at $595,000, the restored 1930 building sits on property beside the Zigzag River in Rhododendron — only cash offers will be accepted. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)

• Johnstoberfest is back, bringing beer, brats, and pretzels to all three John’s Marketplace locations on Saturday, Sept. 9. Snag your tickets and get ready to enjoy steinholding competitions, a ceremonial keg tapping, music, and festive costumes. (KOIN)

• Da Gathering began more than a decade ago as a low-key, monthly meet-up among Black men to keep Olive or Twist in the Pearl District busy during off nights. It’s since grown into a community building event recently attended by hundreds of people, including NBA star Ja Morant. (Portland Business Journal)

• In March 2024, Portland’s beloved cartoon artist Mike Bennett will turn the top floor of the Lloyd Center into “Painted Pines,” an immersive, 45,098-sqft exhibit inspired by national parks. You can expect to see 1,000 cutouts across four areas — Tall Tall Timbers, Geyser Gulch, Critter Canyon, and Acrylic Alps. (Portland Tribune)

• Following a failed legal challenge, Multnomah County’s ban on flavored nicotine products is expected to go into effect January 2024. The original motion was filed in late 2022 and covers menthol cigarettes and other non-tobacco flavored vape products. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)

• Looking for camping equipment or a gas mask for a Halloween costume? You’ll have to look somewhere else if you frequent Andy and Bax — the longtime military surplus and outdoors supplier is closing after 78 years. Through Saturday, merchandise is 20% off. (Willamette Week)

• This leading credit card touts 0% intro APR on balance transfers for guess how many months… with no annual fee. (Hint: The 0% intro APR period lasts until 2025.) Details revealed here.*

• Get your appetite ready, Portland — Heritage Fire is coming to Willamette Valley Sunday, Sept. 10 and bringing along 20+ top Portland chefs alongside local farmers, sommeliers, distillers, brewers + barkeeps for an unforgettable tasting experience. Snag tickets.*