01.24.2024

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Today’s Forecast

52º | Showers | 83% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:40 a.m. | Sunset 5:05 p.m.

🌹 Thorns spending green on Fleming

Portland Thorns to pay record fee to sign Canadian midfielder Jessie Fleming

Jessie Fleming stands on the sideline of a soccer field wearing a blue jersey next to a referee holding a digital board.

Jessie Fleming during the Women’s Super League match between Chelsea and Everton in September 2021. | Photo by Katie Chan

During an offseason that has seen many familiar faces leave the Portland Thorns, including fan favorites Rocky Rodriguez and Natalia Kuikka, the club’s front office has made its desire to win under the new ownership known — by splashing the cash for a record signing.

The Thorns will reportedly pay approx. £250,000 (or about $317,000) to Chelsea FC to acquire Canadian midfielder Jessie Fleming. It’s the largest-ever transfer fee for a club in the National Women’s Soccer League.

Fleming made her international soccer debut for Canada in 2013 when she was just 15 years old and was instrumental in Canada’s historic gold medal success at the 2020 Summer Olympics, where she scored the first goal in a penalty shoot-out against Sweden. Since signing with Chelsea in July 2020, Fleming has made over 100 club appearances and helped the Blues win three Women’s Super League titles and three Women’s FA Cups. But she hasn’t been a regular starter for Chelsea this season.

Jordyn Huitema, Kailen Sheridan, Jessie Fleming, Janine Beckie, and Nichelle Prince stand shoulder to shoulder, holding up gold medals and wearing red uniforms on a grassy field. — Members of the Canada women’s national soccer team (including Jessie Fleming, center) on their gold medal Celebration Tour in 2021.
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Photo by Douglas O’Brien

A move to Portland could see the now 25-year-old nail down a starting spot in the Thorns’ lineup. She’ll also play alongside former Canada captain — and all-time leading international goalscorer — Christine Sinclair, who just signed a one-year contract for the 2024 season.

So what can Thorns fans expect from Fleming? Aside from a proven knack for rocking a red jersey, we’ll leave you with a sneak peek of her skill in finding the back of the net.

Events

Wednesday, Jan. 24

Plant Fossils of Oregon | Wednesday, Jan. 24 | 6-7 p.m. | Online | $20-$30 | Dig into buried secrets of the past by learning about plant fossils and where you can find your own.

Thursday, Jan. 25

Tu Bishvat Forest Bathing | Thursday, Jan. 25 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Hoyt Arboretum, 4000 SW Fairview Blvd., Portland | $25-$30 | All are invited to honor the Jewish Tu Bishvat, or “New Year of the Trees,” through immersive outdoor therapy that will explore concepts of interconnectedness and what trees can teach us.

Friday, Jan. 26

Friday Night Themed Skate: Bailemos Sobre Hielo | Friday, Jan. 26 | 6 p.m. + 8 p.m.| Portland Winter Ice Rink, 499 SW Naito Pkwy., Portland | $12-$20 | Music from Latine DJs will heat up the ice rink at this final Friday night event featuring a curated marketplace and food trucks.
“Newsies” | Friday, Jan. 26-Sunday, Feb. 4 | Times vary | Brunish Theatre, 1111 SW Broadway, Portland | $16-$20 | See Disney’s theatrical take on the 1992 film (which was inspired by a true story) of teenage newsboys fighting unfair conditions in turn-of-the-century New York City.

Saturday, Jan. 27

Coffee Beer Fest | Saturday, Jan. 27 | 1-6 p.m. | Goose Hollow Inn, 1927 SW Jefferson St., Portland | $25 | Local brewers will share tasters of a dozen different kinds of beer made with coffee, from ales and stouts to lagers and ciders, paired with live music in a heated tent.
Letters from the Inside | Saturday, Jan. 27 | 4-6 p.m. | Rose City Book Pub, 1329 NE Fremont St., Portland | Free | Listen to readings of letters from adults in custody sharing their gratitude, experiences while incarcerated, or book requests at this fundraiser for the all-volunteer group, Books Through Bars.

Events calendar here

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News Notes

Edu

Some Portland Public Schools students won’t return to their classrooms until mid-February. While this month’s severe weather caused damages at several PPS schools, extensive water damage from busted pipes and flooding will keep two schools — Markham Elementary and Robert Gray Middle School — closed while crews make the necessary repairs. (KGW)

Development

The section of Lloyd Center that housed Nordstrom for 55 years until it closed in 2015 could turn into a two-story “multipurpose event structure.” Works Progress Architecture, a “100% woman-owned and a majority woman-staffed studio,” is in the early stages of mapping out the potential project. (Willamette Week)

State

Federal funding will pave the way for the Oregon Department of Transportation to repair or replace electric vehicle chargers. The $10 million grant from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is expected to boost the chargers’ reliability and accessibility, which, as Gov. Tina Kotek stated, will help Oregon reach its climate goals. (KOIN)

Opening

Tables are turning once again for a bar and music venue inside Northeast Portland’s Albina Arts Center. Turn! Turn! Turn! faced permanent closure at the end of 2023; a last-minute lease renewal will allow the venue, which has been closed most of January, to reopen Saturday, Feb. 10 — it’s 10th anniversary. (Willamette Week)

Watch

A familiar local face for “Jeopardy!” fans will return to the show next month. Mira Hayward, a Portland podcast host and the daughter of Oregon state Sen. Elizabeth Steiner, is scheduled to compete in the “Champions Wildcard” games on Monday, Feb. 5. Hayward won two games in February 2023. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)

History

The PNW was once home to “woolly dogs” — a unique breed prized and bred by Indigenous people for their crimpy coats that were sheared like sheep for woven goods. A new study sheds light on the dogs’ genetic history, which is thought to have ended because of disease and colonization. (OPB)

Eat

Lucky Cat Ramen is No. 62 on Yelp’s “Top 100 Places to Eat in the US 2024” list. The restaurant inside H Mart on Southwest Pacific Highway is popular for its tonkotsu, veggie, and beef shoyu ramen options — and also offers gluten-free noodles. Seating is limited and takeout is available. (Yelp)

Asked

🔮 Your 2024 local predictions

Answered: Our readers’ 2024 predictions

All it takes is three in a row for “bingo!” | Graphic by 6AM City

What’s on your bingo card for 2024?

We polled our readers, and here are some of your zaniest predictions for 2024:

“Potholes will finally disappear.” — Sue W.
“New zoo animal! Maybe a cheetah.” — Mia A.
“Problems from ice/wind storm continue.” — Sarah M.

It is anyone’s guess what happens over the course of this year — but we like your guesses best. This is your last shot to submit your predictions for 2024. Otherwise, we’ll check back in around December to see what actually happened.

The Buy

The Buy 1.24.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

The best baking supplies to cook up something cozy and comforting this winter. Think: a sourdough starter helper, lemon lavender scones baking mix, and Herbes de Provence focaccia mix.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Cambrie

From the editor

I’m off to Costa Rica to remember what sunshine feels like — and for a little break from wintry reality. Ben and our wonderful fill-in editor Emily have some exciting content planned for you while I’m away. Stay safe, stay warm, and I’ll see you back here next month.

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