04.12.2024

SUBSCRIBE | REFER

Today’s Forecast

66º | 20% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:29 a.m. | Sunset 7:53 p.m.
Full Weather Report | Traffic Report

🇿🇼 Making the way to Mutare

Portland’s sister city: Mutare, Zimbabwe

Trees frame a view of Mutare, Zimbabwe, which sits at the bottom of a verdant valley with high mountain peaks rising behind it on the horizon.

Christmas Pass (pictured) and Cross Kopje offer good vantage points of Mutare. | Photo by Seabifar

Portland’s reason for establishing a sister city relationship with Mutare in 1991 was different than its previous international connections — it wanted to offer humanitarian support to fight the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Zimbabwe.

Over the years, the Rose City has sent delegates (health care providers, teachers, civic leaders) in official and personal capacities, bringing school supplies and helping to build facilities. Back home, this mural serves as a poignant reminder of our kinship.

Cultural exchange is still an important part of the equation and there’s so much more to know about this beautiful place. Come with us on the journey.

Two people stand on a median in the middle of a road in Mutare, Zimbabwe. The steeple of the Customs House rises on the left with mountains and palm trees in the background. — Mutare is considered one of the cleanest cities in Zimbabwe, with some of the best drinking water too.
|
Photo by Fritz Joubert

Key facts

Among dueling British and Portuguese colonial interests Mutare was first established in 1890 on Chief Mutasa’s land as Fort Umtali, a base for gold prospectors. The city was moved several times before settling at its current location, closer to the railway.

Today, daily passenger trains connect Zimbabwe’s capital Harare with Mutare, which has earned the nickname “Gateway to the Eastern Highlands” thanks to its close proximity to the mountains that form the border with Mozambique (access to the Indian Ocean is also not far away on its neighbor’s coast).

Industries are mostly agricultural (tea, tobacco, livestock, and timber) with some manufacturing of automobiles and textiles.

A person poses with two arms up and pointing to the sky atop World's Rest in Zimbabwe — Visitors can take in a breathtaking panorama from World’s View, just outside of Nyanga National Park.
|
Photo by Fortune Chikuruwo

Main attractions

Incredible outdoor recreation can be experienced in nearby national parks (like Nyanga and Chimanimani) and botanical reserves (Vumba is picturesque). If you’re brave enough, thrill seekers can feel the spray of Zimbabwe’s tallest waterfall from the skywalk and zipline.

Back in town, see the region’s quintessential soapstone carvings, among other traditional artworks, at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe in Mutare. A stop by Mutare Museum is another must, where you’ll find natural history and geology displays, cultural artifacts, plus locomotives and cars in an extensive transportation exhibit.

Keep globetrotting

Asked

Which Portland sister cities would you like to visit?

A. Sapporo, Japan
B. Guadalajara, Mexico
C. Mutare, Zimbabwe
D. Other

Venture an answer

Events

Friday, April 12

University of Portland vs. University of San Diego Baseball | Friday, April 12-Sunday, April 14 | Times vary | Joe Etzel Field, 5000 N. Willamette Blvd., Portland | $6-$13 | Cheer for the Pilots as they take on the Toreros.
“Hexen” | Friday, April 12-Sunday, April 14 | Times vary | JaJa PDX, 819 SE Taylor, Portland | $30-$40 | Dreya Weber’s solo show tells narratives of three women representing witch archetypes through song, aerial dance, and audience interaction.
Sasha Colby: “Stripped Tour” | Friday, April 12 | 8 p.m. | Revolution Hall, 1300 SE Stark St., Ste. 203, Portland | $33-$53 | The drag performer and “RuPaul’s Drag Race” winner takes over the Buckman stage.
Wreckers: Cowboys vs. Aliens | Friday, April 12 | 8-10 p.m. | The Hangar at Oaks Amusement Park, 7805 SE Oaks Park Way, Portland | $17 | Roll into this roller derby show with a twist — which team will you root for?

Saturday, April 13

Cultural Demonstration: ASL Interpreted Tea Ceremony | Saturday, April 13 | 1:15 + 1:45 p.m. | Portland Japanese Garden, 611 SW Kingston Ave., Portland | Free | This demonstration of “Chado, the Way of Tea” is open to all guests but will feature American Sign Language interpretations.
Portland Timbers vs. LAFC | Saturday, April 13 | 1:30 p.m. | Providence Park, 1844 SW Morrison St., Portland | $44+ | Early in the season, points are already at a premium — and the gilded superteam is coming to town.

Sunday, April 14

NW Portland Makers Market & Bar Hop | Sunday, April 14 | 1-6 p.m. | Great Notion Brewing Co., 2444 NW 28th Ave., Portland | Free | Shop 40+ artists and makers with a drink in hand.
Pearl Jam “Dark Matter” Listening Party | Sunday, April 14 | 5-6 p.m. | Vinyl Resting Place, 8332 N. Lombard St., Portland | Free | Listen to the grunge band’s new album before it’s released.
Irish Craic Comedy Night with Katie Boyle | Sunday, April 14 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Integrity Beer Co., 6500 S. Virginia Ave., Portland | $20 | D&D Comedy presents this NYC-based comedian known for her album “I’ll Do It Myself.”

Thursday, April 18

2023/24 Portland Arts & Lectures: Aimee Nezhukumatathil | Thursday, April 18 | 7:30 p.m. | Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 SW Broadway, Portland | $40 | See Aimee Nezhukumatathil, bestselling poet and author of “World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, and Other Astonishments” speak at Portland Arts & Lectures on April 18.*

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Development

Portland officials announced plans to expand the Multnomah Safe Rest Village at the former SFC Jerome F. Sears Army Reserve Center in Southwest Portland. The city-run program site could add approx. 70 more small living units while the building would be used for administrative and counseling services. (Portland Tribune)

Community

Multnomah County is working to increase its library staff following employment changes that resulted in service reductions at six branches last month. The library system is hiring seven new supervisors, and the roles will focus on responding to security concerns. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)

Announced

The Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival will close for the season on Sunday, April 28 — a week earlier than expected. Wooden Shoe Farm attributes the decision to Mother Nature, but it expects to have 20 acres of colorful blooms through its final weekend.

Featured

Looking for some peace and quiet? Earth.fm ranked Portland the No. 23 noisiest US city, but identified The Grotto as the quietest spot in town. Other local places to escape the noise: Lan Su Chinese Garden, Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden, Portland Japanese Garden, Hoyt Arboretum, and Cathedral Park. (Here is Oregon + Earth.fm)

Number

$12,045. That’s the expected tuition price for a new full-time, in-state student at Oregon State University for the 2024-2025 year — 5.15% higher than the prior academic year. Continuing students and online undergrads can also expect to see their tuition charges increase by 4.65%. (KGW)

Ranked

Weed may be baked into Portland’s culture, but Denver has overtaken the city on Real Estate Witch’s “50 Best Weed Cities” list. The City of Roses still ranks at No. 2 in the study that analyzes factors like the number of marijuana shops and the price of an ounce. (Real Estate Witch)

Sports

University of Oregon’s recruitment strategies could look different after hiring assistant head coach Ra’Shaad Samples. Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Oregon Ducks with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Wellness

Having an experienced therapist like Josh Wilson on hand can help Portlanders improve their communication, resolve conflicts, and improve their family dynamics. Josh specializes in family + couples therapy and has experience working with different relationship types (think: ethical non-monogamy). Book a session or a free 15-minute consultation today.*

Eat

🧁 A super sweet 100

Helen Bernhard Bakery celebrating 100 years in Portland

A historic photo of Helen Bernhard and a baker in front of a case of baked goods at Helen Bernhard Bakery.

History can be seen, and tasted, at Helen Bernhard Bakery. | Screenshot via KGW

Helen Bernhard Bakery is going to need to bake itself a big cake, because it’s turning 100 this year.

This achievement is a wish come true for the namesake baker. When Bernhard opened the Northeast Portland shop in 1924, it was one of the first woman-owned businesses in Portland.

At first, the business was located inside the Bernhard family’s home, but it relocated to Northeast Broadway in 1939 — its current location. When Helen Bernhard died in 1968, ownership was transferred to her son, Ben.

The bakery remains a sweet staple in the community, though ownership has changed a few more times. To give customers a taste of its history, the bakery will offer special cakes each month this year at celebration prices. This month, you’ll find a Boiled Icing Cake, the first cake sold at the bakery.

The Buy

A ClassPass membership, which lets you use multiple local gyms, fitness studios, and spas with just one membership. We like: Getting 14 days free when you sign up — meaning you can finally see if that gym you’ve been eyeing is worth it.

Share PDXtoday

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).

Facebook

Twitter

{{profile.vars.rh_totref_20}} friends are looped into all things local because of you.

Claim your rewards

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Michael

From the editor

Hi Portland, I’m a national content editor, so you’ll see me helping with the newsletter every so often.

I’m based out of San Diego, so I can confirm that you ought to be excited for the In-N-Out Burger that’s coming to Southwest Washington. But, the restaurant always draws a crowd (even when it’s not new). Ironically, it’s almost never an in-and-out experience with the lines.

Missed our previous newsletter?

›

Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback

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.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY