Plus: Free school lunches and rockin' history.
 
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🖼️ Good ol’ Portland fun

17+ activities for retired locals in Portland
A group of older adults hiking with a waterfall behind them.
The city of Portland sponsors these Lifelong Recreation classes. | Photo via Portland.gov
Goodbye, 9-5. If you (or someone you know) recently retired, you might be looking for activities catering to older adults. Clock into our retirement guide, and find opportunities in Portland that work for you.

Get fit

If you’re not planning on slowing down in your retirement, keep moving with fitness classes designed for older Portlanders.
  • Portland Community College offers fitness classes for older adults, including strength training for seniors, yoga, and fencing. People 62+ receive 50% off tuition.
  • Check out Active Aging classes at the YMCA of Columbia-Willamette.
  • Portland Parks & Recreation hosts fitness classes for adults 60+ ranging from gentle chair yoga to advanced hiking.
There’s no wrong way to get fit. Your first step could be as easy as finding walking trails at a local park or exploring one of Portland’s easier hikes.

Two T-rex statues, one large and one small, outside OMSI.

Spending time with the grandkids is a prehistoric tradition at OMSI’s “Tyrannosaurus - Meet the Family.”

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Photo via @gotime76

Spend time with the grandkids

If you’re looking to spend time with the grandchildren, explore these 25+ kid-friendly activities in Portland and pick one that’s your speed. Pro tip: Don’t drive — kids under 18 and adults 65+ receive reduced TriMet fares.

Volunteer

Give back to the community by volunteering at a local organization. Whether you’re interested in supporting a community center or want to volunteer outdoors, check out our full list.

Take a class

It’s never too late to learn new skills while making friends. Elsie Stuhr Center offers art, dance, and fitness classes for adults 55+. Or, explore Friendly House’s events calendar for inclusive community events — many of them are focused on older adults.

Two older adults staring at a painting inside the Portland Art Museum

Weekday trips can be a work of art.

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Photo by Nina Johnson courtesy of @portlandartmuseum

Explore the arts

Beat the crowds and take a weekday trip to one of Portland’s many museums, and be on the lookout for senior discounts (we see you, Portland Art Museum and OMSI). Or, enjoy a performance. Older adults can receive discounts for shows at the Oregon Symphony, the White Bird, or the Oregon Ballet Theatre.
Asked

Do you plan on retiring in Portland?

A. Yes, there’s no place I’d rather be
B. I’m not sure yet
C. No, I’ll be somewhere else
D. I am retired in Portland
What's your plan?
Portland Art Museum
 
Events
Thursday, Aug. 15
  • “Calls from Home and Voices from Within” | Thursday, Aug. 15 | 7-9 p.m. | Clinton Street Theater | Free | Watch the documentary about the effort to free The Mississippi 5 followed by commentary from organizer Dean Spade.
  • Briscoe | Thursday, Aug. 15 | 8 p.m. | Show Bar | $15 | The Austin-based folk duo comes to the Buckman venue.
  • Matt McCusker | Thursday, Aug. 15 | 9:30 p.m. | Helium Comedy Club | $31-$44 | The comedian and host of “Matt and Shane’s Secret Podcast” brings his act to the Southeast Portland stage.
Friday, Aug. 16
  • Pasifika and Asian American Community Science Night | Friday, Aug. 16 | 6-9 p.m. | Oregon Museum of Science and Industry | $8-$10 | In its second annual edition, this family-friendly event showcases scientific achievements through demos, lectures, and cultural entertainment.
  • Comedy Bang! Bang! Live! 2024 | Friday, Aug. 16 | 9:45 p.m. | Revolution Hall | $50-$170 | Scott Aukerman, Paul F. Tompkins, and other CBB comedians host “The Bang! Bang! Into Your Mouth Tour.”
  • Disco Night | Friday, Aug. 16 | 10 p.m. | Loyal Legion | Free | Hustle over to this late night dance where DJ Double Vision will be spinning tunes.
Saturday, Aug. 17
  • PDX Yard Share | Saturday, Aug. 17 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | City-wide, locations vary | Free | Reduce food waste and pick up homegrown produce by exploring a map of local participants around the city.
  • Derby Daze Clinic | Saturday, Aug. 17 | 4-9 p.m. | Rose City Rollers Hangar | $65-$95 | Attend three sessions to learn the basics of roller derby, followed by a scrimmage to show off your newly acquired skills.
Sunday, Aug. 18
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
Outdoors

🛥️ Summer bucket list: Cruise the Columbia River Gorge on a jet boat
a jet boat cruising on a bright blue river on a sunny day
“7 Wonders of the Gorge,” which runs at 2 p.m., joins the “Bigfoot Adventure Cruise” (runs at 9 a.m.) as Portland Spirit’s second daily tour. | Photo by Aaron Greene
Did you know? Not only does the Portland Spirit have its own jet boat dedicated to cruising the Columbia River Gorge, but they’ve also launched a brand-new cruise experience.

Portlanders can hop aboard to experience “7 Wonders of the Gorge,” a new guided tour to learn about the gorge’s geography and its unique wonders, including:
  • Cape Horn
  • Multnomah Falls
  • Crown Point
  • Rooster Rock
  • Beacon Rock
  • Mount Hood
  • And more
Explorer Jetboat cruises run at 9 a.m. + 2 p.m., Wednesdays-Mondays (closed Tuesdays) now through September.*
Book your summer adventure
News Notes
Edu
  • All Portland Public Schools students will receive free meals for the 2024-2025 school year in an effort to address food insecurity. The state and federally funded effort will provide students with breakfast and lunch; students automatically qualify without filling out an application. (KGW)
Community
  • Locals are invited to try their hand at painting a mural in the Parkrose neighborhood — between Northeast Shaver Street and Prescott Drive — on Saturday, Sept. 21. Local children designed the display, and it’s part of the Portland Bureau of Transportation’s effort to slow traffic in the area.
Concert
  • Providence Park is getting ready to rock for the first time in nearly 20 years. Tomorrow, the Foo Fighters will turn the soccer stadium into a concert venue — the last time this happened was for Def Leppard in 2005. If you’re heading to the show, get familiar with the arena’s policies. (The Oregonian/OregonLive)
State
  • The US Department of Agriculture revealed some unhoppy news. For the second year in a row, Oregon’s hops harvest has declined, this time by nearly 20%. The decrease is attributed to several factors including slow craft beer sales and the rising cost of brewing ingredients. (KGW)
Watch
  • Portland local Bill Hernandez is 68 and looking for love. The retired videographer is one of 24 contestants vying for bachelorette Joan Vassos’ heart on “The Golden Bachelorette.” The show debuts on Wednesday, Sept. 18 on NBC and can be streamed on Hulu. (The Oregonian/OregonLive)
Plan Ahead
  • Halloween is getting scary close, but Oaks Amusement Park could help you avoid sticker shock. The Sellwood site will host its Halloween Swamp Meet on Saturday, Aug. 31, 12-7 p.m. Admission is free, and expect to see other haunted fun and local vendors.
Sports
  • Learn more about center Donovan Clingan’s skills and other young players on the Blazers’ roster. Mike Richman is joined by local expert Danny Marang to break down the Portland Trail Blazers on Locked On’s daily podcast.
    Pets
    • Don’t let big bills at the vet give you paws. Lemonade’s affordable, customizable, oh-so-easy-to-use Pet Insurance means you can head to the vet worry-free next time Fido’s feeling ruff.*
     
    Plan Ahead

    🛹 Skating into Portland

    Portland to host the inaugural Rockstar Energy Open
    Two skateboarders jumping over a metal screw in the ground with Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall's Portland sign in the background.
    The Rockstar Energy Open recognized Portland for its skateboarding community. | Image via Rockstar Energy Open
    A new skateboarding competition is getting ready to drop in to Portland — the inaugural Rockstar Energy Open will come to Tom McCall Waterfront Park Friday, Aug. 23-Sunday, Aug. 25.

    The competition selected Portland as its host due to the city’s skateboarding history and community. And, the event aims to further the city’s history with 100+ street and bowl skateboarders riding on custom-built courses to showoff their skills.

    The 3-day event will feature challenges, qualifiers, and semi-finals on Friday and Saturday, culminating in four final competitions on Sunday. It will also feature art and music. On Friday, electronic artists Surf Mesa will perform, and on Saturday, Dutch dance star Don Diablo takes the stage. Both shows are at 7:30 p.m.

    The Rockstar Energy Open is free to attend, including the concerts, though VIP tickets are available. It can also be streamed on PLATFRM’s site.
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    The Wrap
     
    Michael Beausoleil

    Today’s edition by:
    Michael
    From the editor
    I can’t believe Halloween is already creeping up on us, but it’s never too soon to start planning your costume. I’m leaning toward dressing up as PDX’s famous teal carpet. Now, I just need to find a store that has the right fabric.
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