March 14, 2024

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63º | 10% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:23 a.m. | Sunset 7:15 p.m.
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Mid-century modernization

downtown portland 1953 Meier & Frank.png

Downtown Portland in 1953 was full of Chevrolet Bel Airs, suits, and bouffants. | Photo via Portland City Archives

Portland’s growth boom cooled in the 1950s as other large US cities passed policies driving post-war industrialization. The city grappled with organized crime, welcomed the era of broadcast television, saw one of its longest-serving mayors, and launched urban renewal projects that would inflict lasting damage on marginalized communities.

Population: 373,628

Mayors: Dorothy McCullough Lee (1949-1952), Fred L. Peterson (1953-1956), Terrence Doyle “Terry” Schrunk (1957-1972)

old concil crest streetcar.png — Two of the early streetcars were preserved by the Oregon Electric Railway Historical Society and the city of Portland.
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Photo via Portland City Archives

1950 — The last early streetcar lines (the Council Crest, Willamette Heights and 23rd Avenue lines) cease operations as buses rise in popularity and the nation fully embraces the era of automobiles.

1951 — A contentious Rose Festival queen campaign ends in the crowning of Hollywood hopeful Gloria Krieger. Life magazine throws everyone for a loop when it scraps plans to publish Krieger’s face on its Aug. 6 cover, instead spotlighting runner-up Carol Braun.

1952 — KPTV broadcasts three shows between 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 20 over the UHF frequency band from its Council Crest tower, becoming Portland’s (and Oregon’s) first television station.

1953 — Portland’s first television station operating on the VHF band — CBS affiliate KOIN — hits the airwaves on Oct. 15 with Art Kirkham as its first anchor.

1954 — Matthew Abram Groening is born on Feb. 15 in Portland to parents Margaret and Homer; his animated series “The Simpsons” debuts 35 years later featuring characters named after family members living in a fictional town resembling Portland in many ways.

1955 — An extortion plot reaches an explosive climax and captures nationwide attention when dynamite is ignited in the third floor restroom of downtown Portland’s Meier & Frank department store on April 15.

Civil Defense Emergency Operations Center portland oregon.png — The Civil Defense Emergency Operations Center housed microfilm files of 100 years’ worth of Portland historical data.
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Photo via Portland City Archives

1956 — Portland becomes the first city in the US to build an underground city hall. With 26-inch reinforced concrete walls buried up to 30 ft below ground, the Civil Defense Emergency Operation Center at Kelly Butte was designed to withstand nuclear fallout and shelter 250 emergency workers for up to two weeks.

The rest of the '50s

Events

Thursday, March 14

“Kinky Boots” | Thursday, March 14-Sunday, March 31 | Times vary | Winningstad Theatre, 1111 SW Broadway, Portland | $31.75-$61.75 | This Tony Award-winning musical about a reluctant heir to a struggling shoe factory who teams up with a charismatic entertainer will put some pep in your step.

Friday, March 15

The Art of Linocutting Workshop | Friday, March 15 | 12-3 p.m. | Vancouver Art Space, 8700 NE Vancouver Mall Dr., Ste. 283, Portland | $80 | Learn a new artistic skill (or brush up on what you were taught in high school art class) and take home your own beautiful print.
Cultivate Comedy Hour | Friday, March 15 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | HOLLA School, 14513 SE Stark St., Portland | $20 | Join local nonprofit Cultivate Initiatives for an evening of laughs with four comedians to support sustainable housing and employment efforts.

Saturday, March 16

Abby’s Closet 2024 Prom Dress Giveaway | Saturday, March 16-Sunday, March 17 | Times vary | Oregon Convention Center, 777 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Portland | Free | High school students are invited to pick out a dress from 7,000 donated options, both vintage and brand new, in sizes 0-20+.
Hollywood Farmers Market | Saturday, March 16 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Northeast Hancock Street between 44th and 45th avenues, Portland | Free | Explore 50+ local vendors selling fresh produce, hot food, handmade goods, and other products in the heart of the Hollywood District.
Blake Shelton: Back To the Honky Tonk Tour | Saturday, March 16 | 7 p.m. | Moda Center, 1 N. Center Court St., Portland | $39-$249 | The country music singer and former coach on NBC’s “The Voice” will have the City of Roses buzzing like a honey bee.

Sunday, March 17

St. Patrick’s Day Dinner | Sunday, March 17 | Times vary | Bethany’s Table, 15325 NW Central Dr., Ste J-1, Portland | Price of purchase | Chef/owner Janet O’Connor celebrates her Irish heritage with a special menu featuring soda bread, nettle soup, corned beef, and more, as musician David Ingerson serenades diners with Irish folk songs.

Events calendar here

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Wellness

Not your grandpa’s hearing device

a hand holds a hearing aid between two fingers

Cutting-edge German technology allows users to control these hearing aids with the Horizon App using precision smartphone connectivity and Bluetooth. | Photo provided by hear.com

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News Notes

Sports

The University of Portland women’s basketball team took Gonzaga to task this week, dashing the Bulldogs’ pursuit of an undefeated conference season with a 67-66 win. The Pilots clinched the West Coast Conference championship for the second consecutive year — a program record — and secured a bid in the NCAA Tournament. (KOIN)

Development

A new affordable housing complex opened this week in Northwest Portland’s Alphabet District. Emmons Place offers 144 studios at or below 30-60% of the area median income, with 48 of the units intended for unhoused people 55 and up. It’s the 11th development funded by the Portland Housing Bond to open. (KGW)

Plan Ahead

Don’t leave safety to luck this St. Patrick’s Day weekend. The Safe Ride Home program will offer transportation discounts — $20 off taxi rides (via paper coupon) or $10 off Lyft/Uber rides (via promo code) — valid 5 p.m. on Friday, March 15 through 3 a.m. on Monday, March 18.

Cause

Sign-ups are now open to join SOLVE’s annual Earth Day celebrations. Oregon Spring Cleanup events will be held across the region April 13-22, with opportunities to participate in beach cleanups, neighborhood litter pickups, natural habitat restoration, native tree plantings, and more.

Ranked

Portland is home to the best science museum in the United States, but you don’t have to take our word for it. The 2024 Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards crowned the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) No. 1 in the country, applauding its STEM exhibits, submarine tours, and year-round events. (Newsweek)

Stat

Anesthesiologist, radiologist, and ophthalmologist were the highest-paying jobs in the Portland metro area in 2022, according to a new analysis of federal data. Changes to the economic landscape between 2021 and 2022 also saw several jobs crest the $100,000 threshold. See how your occupation stacks up. (Portland Business Journal)

Sports

Nate Duncan of the Dunc’d On Basketball Podcast joined Locked On Blazers host Mike Richman to talk about Rip City’s present and future, including what could be in store for Shaedon Sharpe. Bonus: The Portland Generals got a shout-out.

Wellness

Whether you’re looking to expedite your couples counseling progress, or just add individual therapy to your wellness routine, the Couples Clinic of Portland has you covered. Therapists Scott Miller + Nicole Apted specialize specifically in individual therapy and have appointments available right away.*

Community

Bestselling author Kwame Alexander is set to host this year’s Oregon Book Awards ceremony on Monday, April 8. He’s the author of 30+ books, including his Newbery Medal-winning novel The Crossover + The Undefeated, winner of the Caldecott Medal and Newbery Honor. Grab tickets to this can’t-miss event.*

Shop

Check out the top 100 deals for spring on Nordstrom Rack — hello, dresses, jeans, and cute sunglasses.*

Try This

Indulge your crafty side (and your sweet tooth)

Rain or shine, crafting inside this airy space will leave you in a sunny mood. | Photo by Cambrie Juarez, PDXtoday

So you think you aren’t artistic, eh? “Challenge accepted,” says Creative Culture.

We were recently invited to visit the shop in Northeast Portland’s Sullivan’s Gulch neighborhood for a little DIY TLC. Customers choose a craft from a “menu” — options range from painting stenciled designs onto cutting boards to designing your dream wreath — and can also order a milkshake to enjoy.

When we say milkshake, we mean a monstrously decadent concoction topped with entire slices of cheesecake, a whole donut, and other treats that will unabashedly provoke sugar-fueled inspiration. (No, there are no dairy-free options.)

Most craft items can be taken home with you as soon as you’re done, though some — like the paint-your-own pottery options — will need to be picked up after they’re finished in a kiln. Walk-ins are welcome at Creative Culture, making it a must-do activity on a date, for a birthday, or on any day that ends in “y.”

The Buy

The Wedding Shower Gift Guide. From the card to the main attraction, you’ll be considered a gift-giving superhero.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Cambrie

From the editor

I had so much fun painting a very Portland-y design on a tote bag at Creative Culture. There are aprons available to protect your clothing, but I still recommend wearing clothes you don’t mind getting a little paint on.

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