The Bird Alliance of Oregon’s Wildlife Care Center does not treat non-native squirrels, such as the Eastern gray squirrel seen here. | Photo by Latoya Ralliford
There’s a chill in the air, leaves are falling, pumpkins line porches, and people are bundli — SQUIRREL.
Excuse us. That was embarrassing. There was a squirrel running across the fence just outside the window a moment ago and it was such a distraction.
Where were we? Oh yes, squirrels. As we were saying, these cheeky little creatures are in full-blown squirrel mode right now, doing what they do best: collecting food and stashing it for later. (And scolding passersby while they’re at it.)
Neighborhood streets across the Portland area have turned into highways for the little mammals as they shore up their winter stores. They’re also fulfilling vital roles in the natural environment by turning up soil, spreading beneficial fungal microbes, and burying seeds + nuts — many of which they never collect and are left to sprout.
The Portland metro area is home to five native squirrel species, according to the Bird Alliance of Oregon. But you may be more familiar with the invasive species that have taken up residence.
Native squirrels
Western gray squirrels are listed on the Oregon Conservation Strategy Species list.
Western gray squirrels, once the most common squirrels in Portland, are now a rare sight. They’re listed as endangered in Washington and are protected as such; in Oregon, they’re considered a “good introductory game species.”
Laurelhurst Park is home to some extra-friendly fox squirrels.
Photo by Cambrie Juarez, PDXtoday
Eastern gray and fox squirrels — two species native to the East Coast — are the most common squirrels in Portland. The former is smaller than the Western gray, while the latter is known for reproducing year-round.
Events
Events
Tuesday, Oct. 22
Spring Garden Park Volunteer Event | Tuesday, Oct. 22 | 9-11 a.m. | Spring Garden Park | Free | Get your hands dirty in the gardens, helping Portland Parks & Recreation with planting, removing litter + pulling invasive species.
Spooky Tour | Tuesday, Oct. 22 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | McMenamins Edgefield, Troutdale | $45 | Explore rooms where guests have reported paranormal activity + listen to spine-chilling stories as you travel around this property once home to a “poor farm.”
Wednesday, Oct. 23
Trees of Lloyd Walk | Wednesday, Oct. 23 | 4-5 p.m. | Holladay Park | Free | Join Urban Forestry, the city of Portland’s tree management branch, and learn about the neighborhood’s deepest-rooted residents.
Thursday, Oct. 24
“Kiss of the Spider Woman” | Thursday, Oct. 24-Sunday, Oct. 27 | Times vary | Winningstad Theatre | $36+ | See the Tony Award-winning musical about the trials and tribulations of two imprisoned men and the juxtaposition of liberating fantasy.
Friday, Oct. 25
Portland Fright Night Halloween Bar Crawl | Friday, Oct. 25 | 5-11 p.m. | McMenamins Blue Moon Tavern & Grill | $20+ | Come out to socialize at a ghostly gathering set to haunt multiple watering holes.
90s Halloween Glow Ball | Friday, Oct. 25 | 9 p.m. | Crystal Ballroom | $25 | Dance your undead heart out to the decade’s best music videos in a hauntingly whimsical atmosphere with a costume contest on the stroke of midnight.
Saturday, Oct. 26
Fall Celebration Pop-Up Market | Saturday, Oct. 26 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Glenhaven Park | Free | Get a start on holiday shopping, find seasonal produce, make apple cider to take home, and visit the Halloween photo booth with your pup.
Willamette Cove Field Day | Saturday, Oct. 26 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Cesar Chavez School | Free | Learn about the work being done to transform a former St. Johns industrial site into a natural sanctuary for people, plants, and animals.
This game-changing treatment helps teens fight depression
Presented By Active Path Mental Health
For adolescents and their families, TMS offers a lifeline to better mental health.|Photo provided by Active Path Mental Health
There’s a new treatment that opens up groundbreaking opportunities for younger individuals struggling with treatment-resistant depression.
Previously available only to 18+ adults, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is now available as a treatment option for adolescents ages 15-18 at Active Path Mental Health.
Depression in adolescents can have far-reaching effects on many facets of their lives (think: academic performance, relationships, and overall well-being), so early intervention is critical.
This painless, non-invasive, FDA-cleared therapy offers a new pathway to relief, allowing young individuals to take control of their mental health without the debilitating side effects often associated with medications. The adjunct therapy:
Uses targeted magnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain associated with mood regulation
Provides relief to individuals who haven’t found success with traditional treatment methods like medication or talk therapy
According to a study done by Neuronetics involving 1,000+ adolescent patients, 78% reported improvement in depression symptoms, and 48% experienced complete remission after undergoing TMS treatment.
Connect with Active Path to see if this treatment is a good fit for your teen + to ask about insurance and financial payment options.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will replace Delta’s direct flight service between PDX and Amsterdam starting Sunday, Oct. 27. The carrier will offer the route three times a week from November through March and five times a week from April through October. Browse more layover-free flights. (Portland Business Journal)
Read
Grand Gesture Books — Portland’s first romance-only bookstore and one of just a few Black-owned bookstores — will host its grand opening celebration this Saturday, Oct. 26, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Owner Katherine Morgan hopes the shop, located across from Central Library, inspires friendships + perhaps even proposals. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)
Feel Good
Five years ago, Zeke Wheeler asked his dad, “How can I contact an astronaut on the International Space Station?” The question launched a journey culminating in now-13-year-old Zeke (and his classmates) getting to talk to astronaut Sunita Williams using a home-built ham radio as the ISS orbited over McMinnville. (KGW)
Stat
Wine tasting room sales fell 3.6% by volume last year, according to the 2023 Oregon Vineyard and Winery Census, signaling lingering visitation impacts post-pandemic. However, the data shows wine club sales were up 52% compared to 2019. Oregon wine country is beautiful this time of year — plan a visit. (Portland Business Journal)
Keep Portland Weird
Do you have a good grasp on Portland’s ranked-choice City Council election? Test your knowledge (or improve it) by playing Rose City Hall — a new card game created by Portlander and MIT grad Sean Sweat. Players elect leaders, pass policies, and build their ideal Rose City. (Bike Portland)
Sports
The Trail Blazers wrapped up the preseason with a wallop over the Utah Jazz and a show of dominance by rookie Donovan Clingan. Listen to “Locked On Blazers” for a summary of all the exhibition season takeaways, plus current injury news.
It’s time to take a break from your high-interest debt. For one of the longest no-interest periods on a balance transfer card experts have seen in a while,check this out.*
Category
Cause
Call it de-vine justice
Lunch and local raffle prizes will be offered at Marquam Nature Park and Mount Tabor Park following the No Ivy Day work parties. | Photo by Portland Parks & Recreation
Pulling weeds is satisfying, perhaps even therapeutic. The act is particularly rewarding when you pull them with others.
This Saturday, Oct. 26 is Portland Parks & Recreation’s 21st annual No Ivy Day — a day that strikes fear into the roots of invasive vines growing across the metro area.
Ivy, you gotta go
English and Irish ivy are invasive species that can take over areas when left unchecked, carpeting the ground and climbing up trees. Ivy can eventually weaken a tree to the point of death, or add enough weight to topple it. The plants’ shallow roots can also contribute to erosion.
Lend a hand
Parks officials and partnering organizations will host more than a dozen No Ivy Day events across several neighborhoods on both sides of the Willamette River. Browse the event lineup + register online; if you can’t make it, consider joining a No Ivy League work party held the first Wednesday and the first + second Saturdays of each month.
The Buy
The Buy
This 4-in-1 car charger. It plugs into your car’s auxiliary power outlet and includes retractable USB-C and Lightning cables as well as USB-C and USB-A ports so you can charge up to four devices at once.
Frost incoming? The dahlias + tomatoes still hanging around my garden might reach the end of their road this Thursday morning when temperatures in the Portland area potentially dip to 36 degrees.
