05.20.2024

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Ways to meet new people in Portland

People sit on the lawn in left field at a Portland Pickles game. The sun is diffused into rays through trees in the background.

You read this article and next thing you know, you’ve got a buddy to go to Pickles games with. | Photo by Cambrie Juarez, PDXtoday

“How do you all make friends?” Someone asked that in our Instagram comment section recently and it had us thinking — that’s a great question.

It’s hard to nail down the exact ingredients for a friendship, but common interests or getting out of your comfort zone in a group setting are a good foundation. Here are suggestions we crowd-sourced from replies on social media.

Book clubs

Start a new chapter (see what we did there) by joining a literary discussion club. Don’t know where to find one? Meetup is a handy resource with a library-full of options depending on what you’re keen on reading.

Trivia

Portland is home to several companies that host trivia nights at bars and restaurants nearly every day of the week. There’s nothing better than bonding over obscure knowledge that no one else has.

Karaoke

Singing around strangers might not be everyone’s idea of a good time, but once you’ve gotten over any self-consciousness, you may find it easier to make connections on things like music preferences or going to concerts. Belt it out at The Alibi Tiki Lounge or Spare Room.

Tabletop games

Cooperation (and maybe a dash of competition) is the name of this game. Gather for a round of Catan at Mox Boarding House or unleash your inner mage on a Dungeons & Dragons quest at TPK Brewing Co.

Dog parks

Sometimes all you need to break the ice is a furry friend and room for them to roam. Might as well chat with the other pet owners while Fido chases a ball for the hundredth time, right? Routine is on your side, so you’ll likely start to see familiar faces.

Asked

The best way to meet new people in Portland is...

A. At the dog park
B. Trivia nights
C. Book club
D. Karaoke
E. Something else

Good friends respond to surveys

Events

Monday, May 20

Square Dancing with Caller Caroline Oakley | Monday, May 20 | 8 p.m.-12 a.m. | The Showdown, 1195 SE Powell Blvd, Portland | $10 | It doesn’t matter if you know how to do-si-do, you can still swing your partner ‘round and ‘round.

Tuesday, May 21

Lilly Dancyger in Conversation With Erica Berry | Tuesday, May 21 | 7 p.m. | Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W. Burnside St., Portland | Free | Hear from the author of “First Love,” a collection of essays on friendship, and all the grief, sadness, dreams, and desires that come with it.

Wednesday, May 22

Craft Mixology Class: Saké | Wednesday, May 22 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Straightaway Cocktails, 901 SE Hawthorne Blvd., Portland | $85 | Join special guests from SakéOne to learn how to create delicious drinks using the Japanese rice wine.

Thursday, May 23

Jenny Don’t & the Spurs Album Pre-Release Party | Thursday, May 23 | 7:30-10:30 p.m. | Cravin’ Gravy Social Club, 665 N. Tillamook St., Portland | $20 | Put on your stompin’ boots and support Portland’s own country music group as they reveal new songs.

Friday, May 24

Improvised “Love is Blind” | Friday, May 24 | 7-8 p.m. | Kickstand Comedy Space, 1969 NE 42nd Ave., Portland | $10-$15 | Get ready to enter the pods and and watch a comedic journey begin, where improv talents act out the hit Netflix reality show.

Saturday, May 25

Cultural Immersion Saturdays | Saturday, May 25 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Lan Su Chinese Garden, 239 NW Everett St., Portland | $0-$14 | Dive into AANHPI Heritage Month at this cultural spotlight — this weekend features educational talks, food, and interactive family activities centered around South Asia.

Sunday, June 16

Father’s Day Farm to Plate Picnic | Sunday, June 16 | 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | Topaz Farm, 17100 NW Sauvie Island Rd., Portland | $10-$110 | Enjoy a fun day on the farm with a five-course prix fixe meal for adults, brown bag lunches for kids, and family activities.*

Events calendar here

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News Notes

Community

Does Portland feel a little... roomier... to you? Well, it might be because our city’s population continues to decline, although at a slightly slower clip than before. According to the US Census Bureau, the Rose City lost 4,170 residents from 2022 to 2023. See how other Oregon cities fared. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)

Eat

Ride the wave to tasty seafood this summer at Mariscos con Onda, a new pop-up moving into The Houston Blacklight in early June. Chef Adán Fausto plans to whip up dishes like ceviche, shrimp flautas, and fried oyster tortas. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)

Number

$140 million. That’s how much the Portland Clean Energy Fund is looking to invest toward retrofitting 3,100 homes. Potential upgrades include insulation, high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, and heat pumps. City Council will vote on a search for program admins on Wednesday. (OPB)

Travel

As you set out on summer road trips, it’s always good to know where to refuel — your stomach, that is. This itinerary of drive-ins in all directions, like Eastwind Drive-In and Sugarpine Drive-In, will keep the tummy grumbles away on your travels. (Eater Portland)

Arts

Hopi artist Mikaela Shafer hauls her generator and sewing machine out into nature, letting the forest and ocean seep into her mixed-media pieces. You can see her work now through Thursday, June 6 at the Center for Native Arts and Cultures. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)

Portlander

Jenny Nguyen’s resume is long: women’s sports advocate, bar owner, and now, grand marshal of the Starlight Parade. The Sports Bra proprietor will lead the procession Saturday, June 1 at 8 p.m. — and you can do your part to support small businesses throughout the weekend. (Portland Tribune)

Sports

With perhaps the team’s most-talented wide receiver room preparing for the upcoming season, Oregon football coach Junior Adams isn’t resting on his laurels. Could five-star Dakorien Moore flip from LSU to become a Duck? Hear what Locked On’s Spencer McLaughlin thinks in this episode.

Home

You deserve beautiful, energy-efficient windows and doors. Renewal by Andersen^® is offering buy one, get one 40% off + $200 off your order for a limited time.*

Travel

Summer brings a surge in airport travelers

Direct flights from Portland International Airport

A plane flies near Portland International Airport with colorful clouds behind it.

You can park your car in PDX’s Economy lot for $15/day — the seventh day is free. | Photo by @_cr.visuals_

Memorial Day Weekend is in sight and officials at Portland International Airport are expecting a 17% increase in passengers compared to the same period last year. Friday could see 57,000 travelers alone.

That trend continues throughout summer with a 14.3% upswing predicted June-August; Thursdays in July (July 11, 18, 25) are the top three projected travel dates.

Wanderlust getting to you? Check out these nonstop flights for a change of scenery.

Orlando (MCO) | Alaska Airlines

Visit the land of Disney World, nature encounters with manatees and alligators, and plenty o’ sunshine. If you’re willing to fly a red-eye, you can find fares below $200.

Austin (AUS) | Alaska Airlines

Buckle up and say “yeehaw” on your ride to the Lone Star State’s capital city, where everything from the barbecue to the bats is bigger, but tickets are relatively low from $189 to $300. Say hi to our friends over at ATXtoday while you’re there.

5 more direct flights

The Buy

Group A, The Buy 5.20.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

An excellent summer hydration bottle: Hydro Flask’s 32-oz. stainless bottle with a flex straw lid. Color “Sugar Crush” is only available for a limited time, and it’s so cute and summery, we’ve got all the heart eyes for it.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Ben

From the editor

As an outgoing introvert, I only cringed a couple of times writing today’s lead story. Would I go out of my way to find social scenarios like that? Probably no, but once I’m in one, I thoroughly enjoy having a laugh and conversation. I mean, this isn’t Seattle...

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