Albina’s history

Reconnecting Albina

• Nature Night: For the Love of Hummingbirds | Tuesday, March 12 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Online | Free, donations accepted | Learn more about these tiny, frenetic birds (and how to attract them to your yard) with local photojournalist and “The Hummingbird Handbook” author John Shewey.
• Ryan Beatty | Tuesday, March 12 | 8 p.m. | McMenamins Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W. Burnside St., Portland | $28.50-$40 | Mix up your mid-week routine with this singer/songwriter’s smooth, soulful blend of R&B, pop, and multi-tracked vocals.

• Portland Trail Blazers vs. Atlanta Hawks | Wednesday, March 13 | 7 p.m. | Moda Center, 1 N. Center Court St., Portland | $5+ | Cheer on the home team and help them catch an updraft as they take on the No. 10 team in the Eastern Conference.
• Furs, Fashion, and the 49th Parallel: How Hats Made Oregon | Wednesday, March 13 | 7 p.m. | McMenamins Grand Lodge Theater, 3505 Pacific Ave., Forest Grove | $5 | History class is in session as Portlander Rob Guthrie explains how beaver pelts, labor disputes, and the king of England’s choice of companions shaped the Pacific Northwest.

• Pi(e) Day Crust Class | Thursday, March 14 | 6-8:30 p.m. | Food Innovation Center, 1207 NW Naito Pkwy., Ste. 154, Portland | $75 | Join the Portland Fruit Tree Project and classically trained pastry chef Emily Sablosky to learn how to make the perfect dough for pies, galettes, and hand pies.
• “The Godfather” in Concert | Thursday, March 14 | 7:30 p.m. | Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 SW Broadway, Portland | $46-$138 | Watch the classic Francis Ford Coppola film about the Sicilian clan’s rise to power as the Oregon Symphony performs the score — it’s an evening you can’t refuse.

• Portland and Multnomah County officials aim to house or shelter approx. 2,700 people by the end of 2025 through steps outlined in the new Homelessness Response Action Plan. The draft plan calls for expanding shelter and behavioral health beds, addressing racial disparities, and increasing affordable housing, among other goals. (KGW)

• When it opens later this year, Portland International Airport’s new main terminal will be a visual feast of new features, but the thing that may steal the spotlight isn’t new at all. We’re talking about The Carpet. All 5,865 sqft of it rolled onto the scene last week.

• Higgins is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a special menu all month long. “Oregon’s original farm-to-table restaurant” in downtown Portland is serving dishes featuring PNW ingredients, like tarte à l’oignon, mussels in riesling, and choucroute garnie. There’s also a five-course prix fixe option showcasing dishes from the past three decades.

• Hood River-based craft brewery pFriem will open its first Portland-area taproom in April 2025. The new location inside the Milwaukie City Hall building will feature a pergola-covered outdoor patio, more than 20 beers on tap, seating for 100+ guests, and upstairs space for private events.

• PDX airport expects to see more than 800,000 spring break travelers between Friday, March 22 and Sunday, April 7 — that’s an increase of nearly 7% compared to last year. March 28-29 and April 4-5 are expected to be the busiest days. Officials recommend arriving at least two hours early.

• “We’re trying to make good coffee approachable to anyone interested without being condescending,” says roaster Lauren Alameda-Reddell, who, with husband Jason Wahlberg, recently launched Dear Francis from their Northeast Portland home. They offer four standard coffee blends and limited-release specialty options by delivery only; check out their next pop-up. (Eater Portland)

• Drum roll, please… Our sister newsletter in Charlotte, NC will launch on Monday, March 18. From the latest news about developments and restaurants to fun events around town, we’re covering everything you need to know about Queen City. Just like this newsletter, it’s 100% free, 100% local, and 100% informative. Subscribe today.

• Hear analysis of the Trail Blazers’ weekend games and get excited about the return of Deandre Ayton and Scoot Henderson in this episode of Locked On Blazers.

• Apizza Scholls and Ranch | Previously named the No. 18 pizzeria in 50 Top Pizza’s US guide, Apizza Scholls serves pies with neo-Neapolitan crust that’s the stuff of legends. Ranch is a Sicilian-style square pizza trendsetter, serving thick pies with its eponymous house-made dressing.
• Escape From New York Pizza and Boxcar Pizza | “Portland’s first by-the-slice shop” slings classic New York-style slices (and whole pies) from its longtime seat on Northwest 23rd Avenue. Over at Boxcar, Portland’s vegan food scene fame merges with the city’s pizza prowess, resulting in Detroit-style pies that won’t leave plant-based/gluten-free eaters wanting for anything.