March 11, 2024

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49º | 100% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:29 a.m. | Sunset 7:11 p.m.
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Minor leagues, major money

A rendering shows the new Hillsboro Hops stadium with fireworks over it.

The site for the new stadium currently contains three softball fields. | Rendering via Hillsboro Hops

It was the bottom of the ninth inning, bases were loaded with two outs and a full count, and the Hillsboro Hops’ very existence was at the plate.

Alright, in truth this drama played out in the Oregon State Legislature, but the fact remains — the minor league team needed a grand slam to keep its dreams of a new stadium alive. And, with the swing and crack of a wooden gavel (not a bat) that future became a reality.

You heard that right, folks. During the 2024 short legislative session, the Hillsboro Hops received the final $15 million needed to build upgraded facilities and meet the MLB’s updated requirements for feeder clubs, squeaking in just before the March 15 deadline.

Before securing full funding, the outlook was dire for the Hops, with the relocation of the Arizona Diamondbacks High-A affiliate on the table. Additional financial contributions to the project include $82 million in private funds, $18 million from the city of Hillsboro, $8 million from Washington County, and $2 million from Explore Tualatin Valley.

“This news means that the Hops are staying in Hillsboro with a new, year-round ballpark, where our community will all be able to gather for decades to come,” the team’s president and general manager K.L. Wombacher said.

Construction is set to break ground this summer with an estimated completion date before the 2026 season. Fans should expect little-to-no disruption to the upcoming season, which starts April 5.

Events

Monday, March 11

Spools ‘n Stitches Shop Hop | Monday, March 11-Sunday, March 17 | Times vary | Locations vary | Free | Embark on a quilt crawl to 11 businesses across the Portland metro area to get your passport stamped and receive a free kit for a six-inch block.
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Boston Celtics | Monday, March 11 | 7:30 p.m. | Moda Center, 1 N. Center Court St., Portland | $17+ | With the luck of the Mill Ends Park leprechauns (and your raucous support) Rip City might be able to pull off a win against the NBA’s best team.

Tuesday, March 12

Summer Career Fair with Portland Parks & Recreation | Tuesday, March 12 | 4:30-7:30 p.m. | East Portland Community Center, 740 SE 106th Ave., Portland | Free | Get more information about seasonal job openings in recreation, environmental education, and land stewardship.
Bernadette McDonald in Conversation With Graham Zimmerman | Tuesday, March 12 | 7 p.m. | Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W. Burnside St., Portland | Free | Hear from the author of “Alpine Rising,” a historic examination of the often-overlooked accomplishments of Nepali, Tibetan, and Pakistani climbers on mountaineering expeditions.

Wednesday, March 13

Leach Botanical Garden Volunteer Event | Wednesday, March 13 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Leach Botanical Garden, 6704 SE 122nd Ave., Portland | Free | Pitch in to help enhance the secret “Back 5" natural area which will one day become a native plant learning laboratory for the public.
“Quixote Nuevo” | Wednesday, March 13-Sunday, March 31 | Times vary | Portland Center Stage, 128 NW 11th Ave., Portland | $25-$98 | Don’t miss this modern retelling of “Don Quixote” as a professor battling dementia embarks on a quest to find his long-lost love.

Events calendar here

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Plan Ahead

📚 Add to cal: Everybody Reads 2024 featuring author Gabrielle Zevin

A person holds a copy of "Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow" in front of their face

The intricate novel spans 30 years and examines a variety of themes including games as artform, technology and the human experience, and above all, our need to connect: to be loved and to love. | Photo provided by Literary Arts

Whether you devoured it when it first came out, or it’s been sitting on your to-be-read list, “Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow” continues to make waves in the reading community — for a good reason.

Now, Portlanders have a chance to hear from author Gabrielle Zevin, who will be speaking about her instant New York Times Bestseller on Thursday, April 4 at 7:30 p.m. as the culminating event of Everybody Reads 2024.

Excited to hear more from Zevin? Grab tickets below.

Secure your seat

News Notes

Travel

You deserve sunshine on spring break, and although the week off is quickly approaching, there’s still time to book a last-minute trip to somewhere more vitamin D friendly. Pack your coolest shades and set a course for destinations like Phoenix, San Diego, or even Las Vegas. (Portland Monthly)

Holiday

The start of Ramadan, a month of reflection and fasting in Islam, depends on the sighting of the new moon. If you’re in search of a halal meal for iftar (the breaking of the fast following sunset), try these Portland restaurants. (Eater Portland)

Cause

Cascades Aids Project will celebrate 40 years of activism with its annual Cap Art Auction & After Party on Saturday, March 16. Festivities kick off with a red carpet reception followed by a multi-course dinner; attendees will also be able to bid on the fundraiser’s donated pieces. Tickets are $65.

Plan Ahead

The lid has been popped on the Portland Pickles’ upcoming season, which swings into action May 28 and features delightfully wacky promos. We have Cheeeeeeeese Night (June 4), Monty Python & The Holy Dill (June 30), and Strip City Night (July 6) — and that’s just a taste. (Portland Monthly)

Closing

Two mainstays on Portland’s food and beverage scene are saying goodbye. Southeast Clinton Street’s natural wine bar, Bar Norman, will soon be no more, pouring its last glass on April 6. Viking Soul Food is selling its trailer at The Bite on Belmont to focus on its Woodstock restaurant. (Eater Portland)

Sports

As the younger players with the Portland Trail Blazers look to improve their shooting proficiency, Mike Richman of Locked On Blazers discussed how league veteran Jerami Grant can provide the blueprint to becoming more accurate.

Shop

This cozy men’s sweatshirt has been climbing the sales ranks and we can see why — the brushed fleece makes this everyday essential super comfortable.*

Asked

📸 Pose for a pic

A color and black and white strip of photos show two people posing in a photo booth at Star Bar in Portland.

Pink sunglasses from The Venderia are the perfect photo booth prop. | Photo by Ben McBee, PDXtoday

Some of life’s most fun memories happen in a cramped booth with bright lights flashing in your face. We’re talking about photo booths, the dive bar cornerstone that provides you with tangible evidence of late nights you might otherwise forget.

Portland’s many watering holes are home to these friendly boxes (seriously, how many people can you squeeze in?), each with its own character. Oftentimes, they serve as a guestbook for the establishment itself, papered with black and white portraits of past patrons.

While we wax lyrical, we want to know — what are your favorite spots to snap a selfie the old-fashioned way? Help us chart a road map to the city’s best camera cubicles with your suggestions.

3... 2... 1... CHEESE

The Buy

Flower pots, solar lights, or lemon trees in QVC’s garden deals. “Love your garden” items are on sale until Thursday, March 28, meaning it’s the perfect time to start dreaming up this year’s outdoor spaces.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Ben

From the editor

In the past few years, wildfires have left local grapes with a smoky flavor, frustrating more than a few vineyard owners. Jim Anderson, owner of Patricia Green Cellars, teamed up with distiller Lynsee Sardell to convert thousands of gallons of unsellable wine into two whiskeys called Multifarious and Purple Karma Pinnacle.

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