A snowy Portland is quite a gorgeous thing, if you ask us. | Photo by @kateyblaire
Brrr-lieve it or not — Portland may be getting its first snow of the year in a few days.
As of right now, it’s not likely to stick, but we can’t deny that it won’t be at least pretty.
But if we do end up getting more than just a dusting, it’s best to be prepared for any power outages or road blockages.
Warm up the hot cocoa and let’s get to it.
Checking road conditions
The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) has a real-time map that show which roads and sidewalks have been plowed, when they were last treated, and which roads are currently out of commission.
Power outages
This is what none of us wants during a snowstorm — make sure you’re prepared for the worst and stock up on necessities.
School closures
If you’ve got kiddos that are dying to know if their inside-out pajamas worked, Portland Public Schools has a website dedicated to explaining its snow safety measures and announcing closures.
“Hairspray” | Thursday, Jan. 30-Sunday, Feb. 9 | Times vary | Winningstad Theatre | $36+ | Good morning, Portland — go join the nicest kids in town for a story about some 1960s teens who take a stand against racial discrimination.
Queer Horror: “Hiding Henry” | 8-10 p.m. | The Hollywood Theatre | $13+ | Filmed entirely on VHS, this creepy movie follows a house sitter as she discovers a boy who disappeared 30 years ago may be watching her.
Sunday, Feb. 2
Madrone Wall New Trail Construction Party | 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. | Madrone Wall Park and Climbing Area, Damascus | Free | Help make a few trails extra nice by installing rock steps, fixing washout areas, and removing overgrown brush.
Wednesday, Feb. 5
Paint Night | 6-8 p.m. | Portland Cider Co. | $30 | Let your creative side fly with a tasty pint of cider next to you.
Get your copy of “Solito” free from any Multnomah County Library branch (while stocks last) or get a discounted copy from the Literary Arts bookstore at 716 SE Grand Ave. | Photo courtesy of Literary Arts
For over two decades, Multnomah County Library’s Everybody Reads program has brought the community together through the shared reading of a single book, culminating in an event featuring a talk by the author courtesy of local nonprofit Literary Arts.
This year’s pick, “Solito” by Javier Zamora, recounts the author’s harrowing journey from El Salvador to the US at age nine, blending tales of hardship with moments of kindness + love he received from others along the way.
Hey there music lovers — beloved music festival Pickathon has launched a fundraising campaign aimed at preserving the big event. Organizers have announced they hope to raise $1 million for its partner Creative Neighborhoods. Those would like to support the cause may do so online. (KOIN)
Open
Tell the kiddos — a new East Portland park is now open with new foliage, playground, and splash pad. In addition, Mill Park now also has a community garden and the city’s first chinlone court, which is a traditional sport from Myanmar. Construction began on the project in 2023. (The Oregonian)
Sports
The Portland Pickles are bringing a new collegiate level soccer team to the Portland area. The new men’s team will be a part of the pre-professional USL2 league and keep up the same quirky energy the Pickles are known for. More details will be announced Wednesday, Feb. 5. (Portland Business Journal)
Feel Good
We’re officially on baby watch, Portland. Oregon Zoo’s elephant Rose-Tu is nearing her pregnancy term and may give birth anywhere between mid-February to mid-March. This will be Rose-Tu’s third baby. Keep a watch for any “awww” inducing announcements. (KOIN)
Community
Baaaahh — that’s “we need a forever home” in goat. The Belmont Goats, a local herd that’s made Portlanders smile for about a decade, are in need of a new home as their current University Park home is slated for redevelopment. The nonprofit hopes to keep them within city limits. (The Oregonian)
Coming Soon
Electric car company Rivian is getting ready to open its first Oregon showroom to go along with its already open demo center. The biz is building the new 3,793-sqft space in the Bridgeport Village shopping center where potential customers can go to take a look at the different car models + take test drives. Expect an opening date in late spring. (Portland Business Journal)
Listen
The Trail Blazers had quite the win against Milwaukee this week — how will they fare against Orlando Magic tonight? Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Trail Blazers with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Home
Is your house feeling stuffed after the holidays? We’ve got the perfect solution: Donate unwanted furniture, housewares, home décor, tools, appliances, building materials, and more to the Habitat ReStore. Simply schedule a donation pickup, and they’ll come get it from you.*
The Word
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy(okay, actually three words) is a well-studied depression therapy based on the simple principle that a person’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors all influence one another. Explore how this type of therapy helps those experiencing depression — and how to add it to your mental well-being toolbox.*
Finance
Did you know some credit cards can actually help you get out of debt faster? (It sounds wild, but it’s true.) The secret: Find a credit card with a “0% intro APR” period for balance transfers. This one even offers 5% cash back on your purchases, helping you save even more while you pay down your debt.*
Wellness
Simplify healthy living for your whole family. Thrive Market brings groceries free from 1,000+ harmful ingredients right to your doorstep. Sign up to get 30% off your first order, plus a free gift valued at $60.*
Category (Paid)
Tech
Snag an iPhone 13 for under $150
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Enjoy 12x faster speeds with “America’s Favorite Network.” | Photo by Total Wireless
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How do you make a few simple ingredients stand out? Ken’s Artisan Pizza can answer that. | Photo by @kensartisan
Whenever we’re feeling saucy, we like to dig into a slice of local pizza. Portland’s pizza scene is bubbling with options — and we keep finding ways to top ourselves. If you’re on the quest for the perfect slice, we’ve pie-oneered a list of 15 places to grab pizza that are definitely worth the dough.
Ken’s Artisan Pizza, 304 SE 28th Ave. Named the No. 3 pizzeria in the US by Italy’s 50 Top Pizza organization, this restaurant makes wood-fired oven pies with fermented dough and primo toppings like hand-pulled mozzarella and Italian tomatoes.
Lovely’s Fifty Fifty, 4039 N. Mississippi Ave., Ste. 101 The seasonal menu here means options frequently change, but with nearly all of the ingredients sourced locally, it’s hard to go wrong. (We’re talking about toppings like rainbow chard, gold potatoes, peaches, and chanterelle mushrooms.)
Pizzeria Stellina, 8000 SE 13th Ave. With a mouth-watering menu of thin-crust pies ranging from herby ricotta with prosciutto to poached pear with caramelized onion, it might be hard to save room for dessert — but you don’t want to miss the soft serve.
If you find yourself peckish this weekend, it’s a great time to go chow down on a hot dog. More than 40 local restaurants are participating in the Portland Mercury’s annual Wiener Week, which continues through this weekend.
