May 16, 2024

Today’s Forecast

72º | 10% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 5:37 a.m. | Sunset 8:37 p.m.
Full Weather Report | Traffic Report

⚡ E is for excitement

Red confetti falls in front of a crowd of Formula E fans cheering on the race. Almost every single person is holding their phones up in the air to try to take a video.

The atmosphere at Formula E races is quite literally, electric. | Photo via Formula E

Portland International Raceway has found a winning formula for drawing crowds out to the track each summer. Formula E, in fact.

The international, all-electric racing championship was founded in 2014 and has since gained a worldwide following thanks to its nonstop, adrenaline-inducing action. Imagine drivers jockeying for position, and yes, occasionally crashing, on challenging courses around the globe.

Last year, the inaugural Portland E-Prix came to town. This Saturday, June 29-Sunday, June 30, the event is taking a second lap. In that spirit, fans can expect twice the entertainment at a doubleheader weekend featuring two qualifiers, two races, and two live music performances.

Alternating photos show scenes from Formula E' fan village, including games, simulators, cars, and merchandise. — It’s all fun and games until you lap your best friend.
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Photos via Formula E

Buckle up, there’s more.

Challenge your friends in the gaming arena’s racing simulator to see who can cross the finish line first.
Guests will have access to the paddock, where drivers will be available for autograph sessions and meet-and-greets.
Exhibits in the kids’ area designed to encourage their curiosity around innovation and sustainability. The FIA Girls on Track is an opportunity for ages 12-18 to gain an inside line on a future motorsports career.
Local food and beverage vendors will be on-site when you need to refuel.

In 2024, the stakes are amped up, as Portland is the last stop before Formula E’s season finale in London this July. Tickets start at $20 for kids and $40 for adults.

Events

Thursday, May 16

The Craft Collective: A Premier Distiller Tasting Event Series | Thursday, May 16 | 5-7 p.m. | Migration Brewing - Craft Collective, 2425 SE 35th Pl., Portland | Free | Sip and sample a variety of spirits — this week features Mijenta Tequila.
Fruit Bats | Thursday, May 16 | 8 p.m. | Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie Ave., Portland | $30 | Spend an evening tapping your feet to Eric D. Johnson’s upbeat tunes like “When U Love Somebody,” “The Bottom of It,” and “Humbug Mountain Song.”

Friday, May 17

2nd Annual Willam Jam: A Benefit Concert for Climate Justice NOW! | Friday, May 17 | 6-10:30 p.m. | Green Anchors PDX, 8940 N. Bradford St., Portland | $25-$100 | Listen to local musical talent and support this multicultural benefit concert for the planet.
Dueling Piano Show | Friday, May 17 | 7 p.m. | Barrel Room, 120 NW Couch St., Portland | $15-$48 | Your requests create the setlist at this exciting back-and-forth performance style made famous in Las Vegas.

Saturday, May 18

Oregon Tradeswomen’s 2024 Career Fair | Saturday, May 18 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | NECA-IBEW Electrical Training Center, 16021 NE Airport Way, Portland | Free | Apprenticeships and debt-free training options in the construction field are on the table at this networking event.
Ulana, Hawaiian Cultural Practice: Celebrating Hawaiians in Oregon | Saturday, May 18 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Oregon Historical Society, 1200 SW Park Ave., Portland | $20-$25 | Enjoy free museum admission; add on a workshop where you’ll learn the cultural significance of weaving with coconut leaves and make your own hat.
Healing Herbs of the Arboretum | Saturday, May 18 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Hoyt Arboretum, 4000 SW Fairview Blvd., Portland | $20-$25 | Up your outdoor education by learning to identify medicinal trees, weeds, and native plants.
BOILED PDXNUTS Fifth Anniversary Party | Saturday, May 18-Sunday, May 19 | Times vary | The BeerMongers, 2415 SE 11th Ave., Portland | Free | Celebrate this Southern-style snack in salty and Cajun flavors and take some to go.

Wednesday, May 29

Active Path Mental Health Virtual Info Session | Wednesday, May 29 | 12:30-1 p.m. | Portland | Free | Join Active Path Mental Health’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Pritham Raj, as he answers questions about transcranial magnetic stimulation.*

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Number

$5.37 billion. That’s how much visitors spent in Portland in 2023 — a 4.1% increase — according to Travel Portland’s latest state of the industry report. Convention room night bookings also grew by an impressive 95%. (Portland Business Journal)

Try This

The balls didn’t bounce the Trail Blazers’ way in the NBA Draft, nevertheless, the team wants to celebrate the No. 7 and 14 picks with you today in Pioneer Courthouse Square. They’re hosting a pong pop-up party, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., with all kinds of fan festivities.

Festival

A UFO (unbelievably fun outing) is landing in McMinnville this weekend — the 24th annual McMenamins UFO Festival. Grab your passports and get ready for a cosmic parade, street fair, costume contests, extraterrestrial experts, and more.

Coming Soon

We all live in a yellow ice cream shop. Pronto Gelato set a date for its grand opening at 4205 NE Alberta St. — Saturday, May 25. Stop by 3-9 p.m. for small batch sweets and espresso.

Eat

How many of these iconic Portland dishes have you devoured? We’ve enjoyed five and have some work to do. From the white curry with brisket burnt ends at Eem to Kachka’s Herring Under a Fur Coat, these are the city’s memorable menu must-orders. (Eater Portland)

Community

If you’re part of the 90% of Oregonians who have yet to cast their ballots... this is not us shaming you, it’s a friendly reminder of how lucky we are to have mail-in voting. Find a local drop box to exercise your democratic right before Election Day (Tuesday, May 21).

Real Estate

A historic garden town home with a beautiful brick exterior and charming remodeled kitchen is on the market in the Hollywood District. Don’t let this condo fool you — its antiquated touches come with 1,449 sqft and three bedrooms. (Portland Monthly)

Sports

In a special crossover show, Mike Richman and Philip Rossman-Reich of Locked On Magic discuss how Orlando and the Portland Trail Blazers could arrange a trade centered around Anfernee Simons.

Kids

Whether your child is new to theater or ready to enhance their acting skills, Northwest Children’s Theater is offering summer camps for kids from June 17 to August 23. Half- and full-day options are available across five locations + include featured programming like comedy styles, role-playing, and more. Get the details.*

Outdoors

Do your part to keep waste out of waterways

SOLVE volunteers in bright vests use trash grabbers to pick up litter along the picturesque Willamette River.

On May 9, a team of 36 volunteers removed 100 pounds of trash from the Willamette River. | Photo courtesy of SOLVE

Oh clean water, keep on flowin’ — that’s the theme song for SOLVE and Clackamas Water Environement Services’ collaborative Waterway Cleanup Series, running now to September.

It’s a call for individuals, businesses, community groups, and organizations to host their own litter cleanups along our region’s rivers, streams, and creeks this summer. There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer or even lead events.

On Saturday, June 1, families are invited to Watershed Discovery Day at Mill Park in Milwaukie. From 9 to 11 a.m., volunteers will pitch in to clean up Johnson Creek with fun picnic activities and raffle prizes to follow.

The Buy

Lululemon’s fan-favorite running shorts in newly dropped colors. The Hotty Hot shorts have a built-in liner for secure coverage, and they still feel light as air.

Answered

What is your favorite part of the Rose Festival?

A historic color post card shows floral parade floats inside a packed Civic Stadium for judging. — Parade floats used to convene inside Civic Stadium for judging.
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Postcard by Angelus Commercial Studio

Parades were the runaway (or perhaps march-away) pick here, with 76% of our readers saying they looked forward to cheering on the floats. Next best were the dragon boat races at 13% and CityFair at 8%. The fireworks show also got a few shoutouts.

Add your voice to the crowd

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Ben

From the editor

I finally dusted off the barbecue to grill up some brawts a few days ago — and I think it might be time for an upgrade. I’ve been looking at both gas and charcoal, and there are even portable options for camping trips. Decisions, decisions...

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