06.27.2024

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70º | 20% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 5:23 a.m. | Sunset 9:03 p.m.
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Preserving Portland’s diverse places

Celebrating Portland’s LGBTQ+ sites on the National Register of Historic Places

McMenamins Crystal Hotel’s original listing from 2009 has been amended to include the building’s LGBTQ+ associations between 1969 and 1985. | Photo via Steve Morgan

Since 1966, the National Register of Historic Places (NHRP) has pursued its mission to identify and preserve “districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects significant in American history, architecture, archaeology, and culture.”

It took until 2014 for the program to begin recognizing important sites for the LGBTQ+ community. A similar effort launched in Portland in 2022 and those efforts have recently paid off with the addition of two new entries — Erv Lind Field and McMenamins Crystal Hotel.

In addition to Darcelle XV Showplace, this means the city is now home to 10% of the country’s LGBTQ+ designations on the NHRP. Let’s explore these local landmarks.

McMenamins Crystal Hotel

Originally constructed in 1911 as the Hotel Alma, this lodging would go on to wear several names, eventually becoming the anchor to Portland’s Pink Triangle along West Burnside Avenue. As the Majestic Hotel from 1969 to 1985, the building also housed a men’s bathhouse and various bars and nightclubs, while providing health services to gay men.

Erv Lind Field

Normandale Park’s softball diamond was built in 1948 to host the national softball championship tournament. Until 1964, it was also home field for the two-time pennant winning Erv Lind Florists. Their games became a safe space for queer women to socialize and helped diversify public spaces during the period of intense anti-LGBTQ+ civic measures known as the “Lavender Scare.”

Darcelle XV Showplace

The long-running drag performance club was added to the NRHP in November 2020, honoring the legacy of Walter Cole, who converted the former hotel and tavern into an entertainment venue in 1967. Beyond its value as a sanctuary for self-expression, the business was and remains a base for LGBTQ+ activism throughout the city.

Asked

In 28 years as a manager, Erv Lind coached two World Championship teams. What years did they win those titles?

A. 1944 + 1964
B. 1948 + 1949
C. 1957 + 1962

Take a swing

Events

Thursday, June 27

Skatemobile at Lunch & Play | Thursday, June 27 | 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Gateway Discovery Park, 10520 NE Halsey St., Portland | Free | Keep the kids entertained at this free event which features food and skating fun.
Free Ice Cream Sandwiches | Thursday, June 27 | 12-1 p.m. | Pioneer Courthouse Square, 701 SW Sixth Ave., Portland | Free | Stop by for a frozen treat in flavors like mint chip, strawberry, and cookies and cream.
Street Bazaar at The Square | Thursday, June 27 | 5-9 p.m. | Pioneer Courthouse Square, 701 SW Sixth Ave., Portland | Free | Stick around to experience the vibrant energy of Portland’s food, beverage, art, and music scenes.

Friday, June 28

Comedy in the Park | Friday, June 28 | 6:30 p.m. | Laurelhurst Park, Southeast Cesar E. Chavez Boulevard + Stark Street, Portland | Free | Lay out a blanket and get comfortable as local and national comics crack their best jokes; content can be R-rated, so parent discretion is advised.
Leslie Stephens in Conversation With Satya Doyle Byock | Friday, June 28 | 7 p.m. | Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W. Burnside St., Portland | Free | Hear from the author of “You’re Safe Here,” a near-future novel centered around motherhood, wellness, and a tech company’s isolation pods floating in the Pacific Ocean.
The Murder Mystery Company Presents “A Dance with Death” | Friday, June 28 | 7-9:30 p.m. | The Old Spaghetti Factory, 715 S. Bancroft St., Portland | $59 | Play alongside professional actors as you work together to solve a sock hop crime with all kinds of 1950s flair.

Saturday, June 29

Lavender U-Pick | Saturday, June 29-Sunday, Aug. 11 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Wayward Winds Lavender Farm, 17005 NE Courtney Rd., Newberg | Free | Get lost in the twists and turns of a purple flower maze, shop products like essential oils, and bring home your own fragrant bouquet.
Portland Timbers vs. Minnesota United FC | Saturday, June 29 | 7:30 p.m. | Providence Park, 1844 SW Morrison St., Portland | $23-$242 | Let’s show the Loons that we’re serious about soccer and keep the winning streak going.

Events calendar here

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News Notes

Sports

Rip City has some new faces on the roster. Last night, the Trail Blazers selected center Donovan Clingan with the No. 7 pick in the first round of the NBA Draft. They also traded their No. 14 pick, Malcolm Brogdon, and future picks to the Wizards for forward Deni Avdija. (KGW)

Drink

Iconic New Orleans wine bar Bacchanal is bringing the party to Portland’s Division Winemaking Company for a pop-up Friday, July 19-Sunday, July 21. Guests can expect live jazz, grilled jumbo shrimp, and bottles and bottles of vino. Entry is free. (Portland Monthly)

Development

The largest affordable housing project to be constructed with Portland Housing Bond funds opened this week at the site of former strip club Safari Showclub. Hazel Ying Lee Apartments on Southeast Powell Boulevard cost approx. $87 million and will provide 206 units. (KGW)

Coming Soon

Japanese discount chain Daiso will open its first Oregon location in Hillsboro. A firm opening date remains unclear, however the company is hiring associates for the 5,415-sqft store near the intersection of Southeast Tualatin Valley Highway and 24th Avenue. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)

Regional

Can you guess the PNW’s most active volcano? No, it’s not Mount St. Helens — to find it, you have to head ~360 miles west of Portland and a mile down to the seafloor. The Axial Seamount has erupted three times in the last 25 years and it’s “getting a little frisky.” (OPB)

Civic

Metro’s plan to turn the Portland Expo Center into a sports-centered facility is coming into focus. Four scenarios, ranging from $225.9 million to $446 million, could bring ice rinks, basketball, volleyball, and pickleball courts, as well as an exhibit dedicated to the site’s history. Funding discussions are slated for December. (Portland Business Journal)

Outdoors

A new splash pad is coming to Kenilworth Park, but don’t hold your breath. The $1.7 million project will undergo community engagement and outreach in late 2025, with an estimated completion date for 2028 or 2029.

Sports

Flashy uniforms helped put Oregon football on the map, and as the team prepares to compete in the unfamiliar territory of the Big Ten, they’ll once again turn heads with the new Generation O gear. Here’s what Locked On Ducks thinks of the first revealed look.

Try This

Happy hour on the water? Count us in. This Portland Spirit cruise is great for families, out-of-town guests, or happy hour with friends. It takes place Monday-Saturday in July + August, and Saturday and Sundays in September (3:30-5 p.m.). Pro tip: Check out the happy hour menu + full bar.*

Civic

⚠️ Parking violators beware

Parking violators beware, Portland’s new enforcement officers are coming to your neighborhood

Portland Bureau of Transportation officers raise their right hand to swear into the office.

Enforcement officers will also focus on metered and parking districts. | Photo via PBOT

Have you been putting off renewing your car’s registration? Perhaps you are missing a license plate? About that...

Let’s just say it would behoove you to remedy that situation posthaste, because more stringent parking enforcement is coming to your neighborhood.

The Portland Bureau of Transportation recently expanded its operations by swearing in 22 new officers who will hit the streets on Monday, July 8 in the face of increasing citywide parking violations. Last month alone, officers issued citations for 2,400 vehicles with expired registration and 670 vehicles for missing license plates.

Expired tags, wrong-way parking, and blocking visibility at intersections are all areas of emphasis and could earn you a fine ranging from $55 to $145.

The Buy

The Buy 6.27.24 (Affiliate)

A great basic baseball cap to keep the sun off your face all season long, like ones from Life Is Good or Adidas.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Ben

From the editor

Between the Euro and Copa América, plus the Olympics on the horizon, I’m in soccer summer mode and loving it. Two Thorns — Sophia Smith and Sam Coffey — are heading to Paris to represent Team USA and you can bet we’ll all be cheering for them back home.

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