Plus: Watch the Super Bowl in Portland.
 
February 8, 2024 6AM-Top banner logo-small.png

SUBSCRIBE | REFER

Today’s Forecast

49º | Morning showers | 35% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:23 a.m. | Sunset 5:27 p.m.
 
You have now entered the Drone Zone
An aerial drone shot shows the Oregon Convention Center in the foreground as the sun sinks low over Portland's West Hills.
Portland looks pretty good from the air. | Photo by @skynoxaerials/@sanjay.pdx
So, you got a drone.

Perhaps it’s still in the packaging, or you flew it once… straight into a tree in your backyard and now you’re nervous to take it out again. Maybe you are just curious about the relevant rules for operating an unmanned aircraft system, or UAS?

Piloting a remote quadcopter with a camera can be a fascinating way to see the world from a different perspective, but it’s important to go through the correct steps to keep yourself and others safe. Let’s take a look at those before taking to the air.

Pre-flight checklist

Commercial drone operators — think real estate or cinematography — have more strict licensing qualifications, but as a hobbyist, your first step is to take The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST). It’s free and offered online by a variety of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved administrators; always carry proof of certification when flying.

Does your drone weigh 0.55 lbs or more? Then you are required to register it and ensure that it’s Remote ID compliant. It’s also highly recommended that you download the B4UFLY mobile app, which provides key information like interactive maps, airspace designations, and more.

A drone shot shows the Vista House at Crown Point wreathed in clouds with a cold Columbia River Gorge stretching into the background in the left of the frame.

The Columbia River Gorge can be a great place for drone pilots to stretch their wings — just watch out for wind gusts.

|

Photo by @datguy_eddy

Local regulations

Speaking of where you can/can’t fly a drone in Portland — the city has two codes which prohibit operating any remote controlled vehicles in, on, or over parks and pedestrian plazas. There are also restrictions extending 5 miles from the airport and other Port of Portland properties. Various other guidelines, like maintaining line-of-sight and not flying more than 400 ft above the ground should be followed.

Here are some great local places to fly.
 
 
Events
 
Thursday, Feb. 8
  • Portland Trail Blazers vs. Detroit Pistons | Thursday, Feb. 8 | 7 p.m. | Moda Center, 1 N. Center Court St., Portland | $6+ | It’s a battle of the bottom dwellers, when the last-placed team in the Eastern Conference comes to town — hey, at least tickets are cheap.
Friday, Feb. 9
  • Galentine’s Party | Friday, Feb. 9 | 6:30-10 p.m. | Punch Bowl Social, 340 SW Morrison St., Ste. 4305, Portland | $15 | Gather up your gals for a night of girl power, throwback board games, cocktails and a live DJ.
  • Mary J. Blige vs. Brandi Tribute Show | Friday, Feb. 9 | 9 p.m. | Alberta Street Pub, 1036 NE Alberta St., Portland | $20 | Celebrate two R&B/soul legends at this showdown featuring live performances from the talented Aléa Lorén, Talia Sampson, and LaRhonda Steele.
Saturday, Feb. 10
  • 5K Cider Run | Saturday, Feb. 10 | 10 a.m. | Portland Cider Co., 8925 SE Jannsen Rd., Bldg. F, Clackamas | $35 | Get out and get a sweat going before coming back to eat, drink, and try to win some prizes in the raffle.
  • Pour Your Heart Out — Candle Making Session | Saturday, Feb. 10-Sunday, Feb. 11 | Times vary | Mister OK’s Essentials, 1458 NE Alberta St., Portland | $44 | Smell that? It’s the scent of a good time.
  • Valentine Card Making | Saturday, Feb. 10 + Monday, Feb. 12 | Times vary | Vancouver Art Space, 8700 NE Vancouver Mall Dr., Ste. 283, Vancouver | $25 | Cut out some paper hearts to craft a thoughtful keepsake for the one who has your heart.
  • Lloyd Light It Up | Saturday, Feb. 10 | 6-10 p.m. | Lloyd Center Plaza, Northeast Ninth Avenue + Multnomah Boulevard, Portland | Free | Join a mural reveal followed by a bike ride — or head straight to the dance party — as part of the Portland Winter Light Festival.
Click here to have your event featured.
 
 
News Notes
 
Watch
  • Super Bowl Sunday is only a couple days away. If you’re still looking for somewhere to catch the Big Game (or Usher’s halftime performance), there are plenty of Portland pubs and sports bars hosting watch parties. The real question is how many times Taylor Swift will be shown on screen. We say... 13. (KOIN + USA Today)
Trending
  • There’s been a breakthrough in the ongoing investigation into Alaska Airlines Flight 1282’s ejected door plug. Four bolts were purportedly removed for repairs... and never replaced. The Boeing 737 MAX 9 made 154 flights (510 hours) before the incident — during the month prior, a pressure warning light came on three times. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live + KOIN)
Coming Soon
  • With the upcoming addition of Tokyo Sando and Bing Mi, the Midtown Beer Garden has reached capacity. The move marks a return to the neighborhood for both food carts — most recently, Tokyo Sando’s owner Taiki Nakajima closed the cart in December for a break in Japan. (Portland Business Journal + OPB)
Arts
  • Time is running out to see Portland-based artist Jessica Jackson Hutchins’ show “Ruined Windows,” at Adams and Ollman until Feb. 17. She sat down with Portland Monthly to discuss her creative process with media ranging from glass to couches, her obsession with tennis, and appreciation for Lawrence Halprin and Associates’ brutalist landscape architecture. (Portland Monthly)
Closing
  • Southeast Belmont Street’s bar The Sweet Hereafter is closing at the end of the month. You can enjoy mason jar cocktails and vegan bites until the last day, Feb. 29.
Sports
  • One of the Trail Blazers’ young stars is having surgery. Shaedon Sharpe, who last took to the court against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Jan. 11, will undergo a procedure to address a nagging core muscle injury. The timeline for his return will be determined afterward. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)
Travel
  • A friendly reminder to book spring + summer vacations (they’re just around the corner). Want beach time? This Hawaiian oceanfront property has two king beds. Prefer the mountains? Book this lakeside chalet in British Columbia. Craving luxury? This tropical cabana in Montecito, CA has an on-site masseuse.*
Community
  • ICYMI, author Charles Yu is set to speak at the Portland Arts & Lectures event on Thursday, Feb. 29. Interested in hearing from the award-winning author? Literary Arts only has a limited number of seats available left — secure your spot.*
The Word
 
Plan Ahead
 
🎤 Attention, League of Extraordinary Listeners
Live Wire Radio hosts Luke Burbank (right) and Elena Passarello (center) interview Ari Shapiro on stage in front of a bright red curtain. There are microphones in front of them, as well as a table laden with a water bottle, laptop, and a stack of books. Behind them, musicians sit in the dark.
Live Wire Radio hosts Luke Burbank (right) and Elena Passarello (center) interviewed Ari Shapiro in May 2023. | Photo via Live Wire Radio
Ahem... Is this thing on?

Welcome to Live Wire Radio, the groundbreaking live public radio show that started back in 2004. Since its start in Portland, it has gained a national following with a quirky recipe of sketch comedy, live music, and amplifying unique voices on the airwaves.

On Saturday, March 16, the production will celebrate its 20th anniversary with an all-day festival at Revolution Hall, 2-11 p.m. It will not only be a celebration of the past, but also a fundraiser for the nonprofit’s next 20 years.

Some highlights of the event include:
  • An interview with original host Courtenay Hameister and founders Kate Sokoloff and Robyn Tenenbaum
  • Appearances by writer Cheryl Strayed, comedian Mohaned Elsheiky, cultural commentator W. Kamau Bell, and soul band Ural Thomas & The Pain, with more guests to be announced soon
Want to be in the audience? VIP all-access passes ($150) ensure you won’t miss a second.
 
The Buy
 
The Giving Heart pillow — a cream, knitted, heart-shaped pillow that’s weighted to replicate the feeling of a real hug. It’s the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for loved ones who deserve some extra coziness and care.
 
Share PDXtoday
 
ReferralGIF1-PDX.gif

Share the good news. Get rewarded.

Have someone who needs to stay in the know? Get amazing rewards for every new subscriber you bring by sharing your unique referral link (below).

{{profile.vars.rh_reflink_20}}
Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email

{{profile.vars.rh_totref_20}} friends are looped into all things local because of you.
Claim your rewards
 
 
The Wrap
 
Today’s edition by:
Ben
From the editor
Nonprofit earth.fm has compiled a list of the world’s loudest cities — and the quietest places within them. Thankfully, Portland didn’t make the list, but it had me thinking... where does the hush hit the hardest close to home? Forest Park or inside Wilhelm’s Portland Memorial Funeral Home, perhaps? What do you think?
Missed our previous newsletter?     ›
Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback     ›
Become a Member     ›
Advertise     ›
Shop     ›
 
 

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

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 | THE BUY