09.11.2024

Today’s Forecast

66º | 50% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:45 a.m. | Sunset 7:27 p.m.
Full Weather Report | Traffic Report

A Message From Our Team

We’re hiring in our sister market, SEAtoday. If you’re someone who loves to identify and secure advertising partnerships, apply to join our team.

⏰ Totally tubular on the timeline

Portland decades: the 1980s

Three tiers of wooden observation decks cascade down to the Willamette River with the Burnside Bridge in the background.

These tiered observation platforms were located next to the Portland Saturday Market. | Photo via Portland City Archives

During the 1980s, Portland’s main stories were played out by a cast of characters straight from a TV drama.

Bud Clark, “The People’s Mayor,” was a jolly, bicycle-commuting politician who strove to revitalize a struggling city through downtown development. Nu Shooz took the world by storm with their punchy hit “I Cant’ Wait,” and there were even a few appearances from Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, the guru + cult leader with a penchant for Rolls Royces.

That’s not all that made headlines.

Population: 366,383

Mayors: Connie McCready (1979-1980), Frank Ivancie (1980-1985), Bud Clark (1985-1993)

A black and white aerial photo of the 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption shows a plume of ash rising from the peak. — When the north face of Mount St. Helens collapsed on May 18, 1980, it became the largest subaerial landslide in recorded history.
|
Photo via U.S. Geological Survey

1980: The decade starts with a bang, when Mount St. Helens erupts, killing 57 people, destroying 200 homes, and covering Portland in ash.

1981: A group of Portland police officers dump dead possums outside the Burger Barn, a Black-owned business in the Albina neighborhood. The incident inspires activists to march on City Hall; two officers are fired, but later reinstated.

1982: Wieden+Kennedy, the advertising agency that would go on to develop Nike’s iconic slogan “Just Do It” and Bud Light’s “Dilly Dilly” campaign, opens its office in the basement of a labor union hall with nothing but a borrowed typewriter and a pay phone.

1983: Construction on the U.S. Bancorp Tower, the city’s second-tallest skyscraper, is finished. Its nickname “Big Pink” comes from Modernist architect Pietro Belluschi’s use of pink Spanish granite and pink glazed plate glass.

1984: Pioneer Courthouse Square opens, converting a parking lot into “Portland’s Living Room.”

People are bent over looking for their names engraved on bricks after Pioneer Courthouse Square opens in 1984. — Let’s hope people at least got a hint toward where their brick was located when Pioneer Courthouse Square opened.
|
Photo via Portland City Archives

1985: “Portlandia,” the 35-ft-tall, 6.5-ton copper repoussé statue, arrives to the city after a cross-country journey and is installed on the side of the Portland Building.

1986: TriMet’s Metropolitan Area Express Light Rail begins service, revolutionizing public transportation for the region. First Thursday, a night where art galleries stayed open late to draw dwindling crowds, launches in the newly dubbed Pearl District.

Round out the decade

Asked

Do you have an unwritten Portland rule?

It could be “always thank the bus driver” or “never use an umbrella” — we want to know.

Share your local insight

Events

Wednesday, Sept. 11

Coraline’s Curious Cat Trail | Wednesday, Sept. 11-Sunday, Oct. 13 | All day | Locations vary | Free | Track down all 31 decorated sculptures of “Cat” inspired by LAIKA’s award-winning film scattered around downtown Portland; download the app to aid your journey.

Thursday, Sept. 12

Dan + Shay: Heartbreak On The Map Tour | Thursday, Sept. 12 | 7 p.m. | RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater, Ridgefield | $33+ | Spend an evening with this brother duo behind country hits like “Tequila” and “10,000 Hours.”
Mt Angel Oktoberfest | Thursday, Sept. 12-Sunday, Sept. 15 | Times vary | Locations vary, Mount Angel | $0+ | Be a part of this Bavarian tradition which attracts approx. 350,000 visitors every year.

Friday, Sept. 13

Portland Thorn vs. Chicago Red Stars | Friday, Sept. 13 | 7 p.m. | Providence Park | $20+ | The team could use an auspicious turn after a run of bad results, so help them get back on track by cheering your heart out.

Saturday, Sept. 14

Belmont Street Fair | Saturday, Sept. 14 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Locations vary | Free | One of Portland’s highest-attended street fairs is back with three performance stages, retail vendors, and a Kids Zone.
Portland Fire vs. Portland Police Charity Soccer Match | Saturday, Sept. 14 | 7 p.m. | Providence Park | Free with donation | Bring a canned food item or small toy to get in and support local charities Sunshine Division and Toy & Joy Makers.

Sunday, Sept. 15

The Do-Over Block Party | Sunday, Sept. 15 | 1-8 p.m. | Jackie’s | Free | Let your hair down at this legendary block party that took the world by storm; RSVP is required.
Domingueando | Sunday, Sept. 15-Sunday, Oct. 13 | 4-8 p.m. | Bar Carlo | Free | Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month and the art of leisurely Sundays with this series of Latin music, makers + cuisine.

More events this way

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Coming Soon

Jumbo’s Pickleball, which opened earlier this year in Beaverton, is expanding with eight courts in the Lloyd Center next month. The 45,000-sqft facility will be located at the former Regal Cinema site, offering league + open play, as well as lessons and an equipment store. (KGW)

Real Estate

You’ve got mail. Or are... you.. the mail? This is the existential question we imagine any potential buyers will have when considering this hillside Southwest Portland home, whose unique shape (and blue paint job) evoke a three-story U.S. Postal Service collection box. Take a 3D tour to explore it yourself. (Portland Monthly)

Eat

Pupusas are the star at Bicho’s, a new Salvadoran + Mexican restaurant opening Saturday, Sept. 21 on North Mississippi Avenue. The menu also incorporates 40+ years of family recipes curated by first-time restaurateur Josef Gonzalez. Expect staples like flautas and tacos, plus breakfast burritos + huevos rancheros. (Eater Portland)

Cause

Just over the hill from its 30th anniversary, the Community Cycling Center has hit a rough patch. The Northeast Portland nonprofit announced that it needs to raise $115,000 by Monday, Oct. 1 or it will shut down. An additional $234,000 in funding is required by January 2025. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)

Drink

Want to branch out beyond Portland’s suds scene? Head to wine... er... beer country in October to pick up your free passport and embark on the Yamhill Valley Beer Adventure. The new experience encourages participants to collect stamps at breweries and cideries for a prize and chance to win an all-expenses-paid trip to McMinnville.

Traffic

Today marks the first phase of paving along Southwest Fourth Avenue, between Lincoln and Mill. Expect delays, especially during morning/evening commute hours, as the street will go to one lane. I-405 northbound Exit 1B will also be closed until Wednesday, Sept. 25. Plan for future impacts through fall 2025.

Sports

It’s clear — Oregon football has issues. Can Dan Lanning fix them this year? Locked On Ducks host Spencer McLaughlin discussed that prospect with a special guest who’s accomplished a similar turnaround before — legendary coach Rich Brooks. Hear their discussion and more with the network’s daily podcasts.

Today Is

Remembering the lives lost on 9/11

Portland Fire & Rescue to honor the lives lost on 9/11

Portland firefighters stand with their arms folded in front of them and heads bowed in observance and commemoration of the lives lost during the 9/11 attacks.

Firefighters will bring their equipment out in front of the stations and stand at attention to commemorate the times when the towers fell. | Photo by Dennis Weis, Portland Frie & Rescue

On the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, each Portland Fire & Rescue station will recognize two moments of silence — at 6:58 a.m and 7:28 a.m. — in commemoration of the many lives lost when the South and North Towers fell.

PF&R Station 1 will also host a solemn remembrance ceremony at 10 a.m., featuring speakers from Portland City Council and the Portland Firefighters Association (IAFF Local 0043), as well as a bagpipe performance and fire boat display on the Willamette River.

For the 11th year, PF&R is partnering with the American Red Cross to host a blood drive at Station 1, which runs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Use code PortlandFire to register; walk-in donors are welcome but signing up online guarantees your spot.

The Buy

We’ve found the best game watching gear for your comfiest, rowdiest, most on-theme football season yet:

🏈 This chip and dip serving set is perfect for game night.
🏈 Impress guests with this novelty football ice cube mold for cocktails.
🏈 Create an instant couch cup holder with this no-spill drink holder.
🏈 Opt for a bamboo couch arm tray to hold snacks and drinks.
🏈 Shop this “Pardon the noise, we’re okay — it’s just football season” doormat.

More worth The Buy

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Ben

From the editor

Community Cycling Center isn’t the only local institution on the brink financially. Jim & Patty’s Coffee is looking to raise $250,000 through online fundraisers to avoid shuttering due to rising costs, debt incurred during the pandemic, and the 2023 death of co-founder Jim Roberts.

Missed our previous newsletter?

›

Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback

›

Advertise with us to stand out.

›

Games | Crossword, Sudoku, and More

›

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