We’re excited to announce that the PDXtoday Holiday Gift Guide will return this November. Want first dibs on a feature? Lock in your spot now + get 20% off with code EARLYBIRD20. Hurry — this offer ends Wednesday, Oct. 1.
Finance
DIY home inspo for fall
Presented by Unison
Let’s talk renovations (and how to get the dough to make them happen). | Photo via Pexels
Fall is in the air, and we’re feeling revived. Anyone else? If cooler temps (and hot coffee) have you ready to get creative and start a project or two, you’re not alone.
Whether you want to go big and increase your home’s value or just spruce things up before the holidays, it’s a great time to get started.
Starting small
From switching out light bulbs to replacing your cabinet knobs + drawer pulls, you can boost comfort and value without breaking the bank. Here are 10 low-lift, high-impact ideas, all under $100.
Getting cooking
When you think about home renovations, which room comes to mind first? For many, it’s the kitchen, and for good reason — upgrades can go a long way, both for your own enjoyment and your home’s selling potential.
Hungry for inspo? The National Kitchen & Bath Association’s annual Kitchen Design Trends report is a great resource. Here’s what’s in for 2025:
Statement colors for backsplashes, islands, cabinets, and walls
Biophilic design, aka bringing the outdoors in (think: large windows for natural light + herb gardens)
Multifunctional appliances and mood lighting
Making it happen
Considering major renovations? Even if you plan to DIY, the costs can add up. Luckily, there are options out there, like HELOCs (Home Equity Lines of Credit) and Equity Sharing Home Loans.
Backed by research, this skincare restores skin vitality. | Photo by Timeline
As we age, skin loses the firmness and elasticity that gives it a youthful appearance. A key reason? Skin cells lose energy, hindering essential functions like collagen production.
Enter: Mito-Biotic™ Skincare from Timeline, clinically proven to energize skin cells and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by up to 15%.‡
See benefits in as little as 15 days and save 20%while supplies last.
Khan and Nong’s Khao Man Gai both earned spots on the All-Time Eater 38 list, the food magazine’s round-up of the most influential American restaurants in the last 20 years. The only cities to receive more nods than PDX were New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, so we’re in good company.
Stat
15%. That’s how many more street trees Portland has compared to a decade ago, according to a new study from the city’s Urban Forestry team. That amounts to more than 252,000 street trees dotted around Rose City, 90% of which are in good or fair condition.
Traffic
Starting Wednesday, Oct. 1, the 100-year-old East Multnomah Viaduct will be closed to all traffic to allow for preservation and repairs. The viaduct is expected to reopen in the spring. (KGW)
Plan Ahead
Coming to a theater near you — The Official Release Party of a Showgirl. On Friday, Oct. 3 through Sunday, Oct. 5, you can see the world premiere of Taylor Swift’s “The Fate of Ophelia,” including the music video and behind-the-scenes footage. Get tickets to a screening in Portland.
Active
The first rule of Robot Fight Club is to read about it in the New York Times. As the artificial intelligence boom continues, humans are gathering to watch humanoid robots fight each other. No, we’re not joking. Make sure you stay ahead of the robots by training at a local gym.
Ranked
Portland General Electric, Adidas, and Cambia Health Solutions are three of “America’s Best Employers for Company Culture,” according to Forbes. The first edition of the list named 600 companies, including seven in Oregon.
Weather
With some states still experiencing record-breaking heat waves, the last thing you need is a $10,000 HVAC repair bill (no, we didn’t accidentally add an extra zero there). Luckily, this leading company is offering 50% off select plans — get your free quote. See disclaimers forimportant consumer information.*
Sports
The Trail Blazers hit the courts again for the preseason in just a few weeks. Ahead of their first home showing on Friday, Oct. 10, get the biggest stories from the local experts of the Portland Trail Blazers with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Seasonal
With autumn comes crowd-favorite fall festivals + so much live music (we’re ready to jam out to Lorde in October). Luckily, these hearing aids are the world’s first with multi-stream processing, designed to help you engage in conversations effortlessly (even in noisy environments).*
Discover your creative potential with Inward & Artward School of Creativity’s online classes this fall. Engage in courses like Creativity & Personal Mythology and Writers Accountability Groups to build resilience and sustain inspiration. Plus, apply for the 2026 hybrid Creative Facilitator Training for a unique learning journey. Enroll.*
Whether you’re a small business looking to grow your team or a large company filling a key role, PDXtoday Job Board can connect you with engaged, qualified locals who are ready to work. Post your open roles for free + watch the applications roll in.
Choose from eight whiskeys — served neat, on the rocks, sour, or with soda — for $5 at Pope House Bourbon Lounge. | Photo by @chaunceyii
For our glass-half-full kinda people, happy hours in Portland are where it’s at. Whether you’re looking to try out a new spot on the cheap or get together to decompress after work, these discounts on beer, wine, cocktails, and snacks will turn thatfrown upside down.
Beer lovers
Beer O’Clock | Daily, 3-5 p.m. | No need to ask Damian Lillard — you’ll always know what time it is at this taproom when the $5 happy hour pints are flowing.
Keeping spirits up
Pope House Bourbon Lounge | Daily, 4-7 p.m. | Cocktails are a steal at $8, but the Mix & Mash is where it’s at: for $7, you can choose from a selection of whiskeys served in a sour, neat, on the rocks, or with soda.
Hungry for meal deals
Bhuna | Daily, 4-6 p.m. | This Indian soul food restaurant has happy hour specials to comfort the soul, with $6 pav sliders and $1 off snacks + skewers (we love the Kashmiri mushroom naan and lotus root fries).
A HEPA air purifier that’s 60% off for a limited time. We love that style is not compromised for function — it features a sleek exterior + eliminates 99.97% of air particles so you can have an odor and dust-free environment.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
When you subscribed, you may have received an email asking for your favorite nearby restaurant — and yes, we’ve been reading every response. Here’s where our new readers like to eat:
Order up. Original Hotcake House is the most iconic diner in Oregon, according to Reader’s Digest. We can’t say we’re surprised — the local staple has been dishing up delicious bites since 1963.
If you’re hungry for more, check out our guide to the Portland’s newest restaurants.
‡Mito-Biotic™ Skincare from Timeline disclaimer: Based on an 8-week randomized controlled clinical trial of 36 healthy women aged 40 to 65 years.