Sauvie Island draws big crowds in the fall as Portlanders seek out the many farms slinging pumpkins, apple cider + all the cozy, crunchy-leaf vibes. But if you want to see the wilder side of the Columbia River’s largest island, you can check out Oak Island Nature Trail, part of the Sauvie Island Wildlife Area.
Follow the mowed loop path in a clockwise direction. | Gif by PDXtoday
🐄 Brief overview
You’ll walk through snowberry thickets surrounded by oak, willow + ash trees, before reaching grassy, open fields with views of West Sturgeon Lake, the Tualatin Hills, and Mount St. Helens. You’ll share the route with wildlife and pastured cattle(watch your step to avoid their pies).
Back at the trailhead, you can take a short trail that leads to a little cove called Wagonheel Hole on West Sturgeon Lake.
Learn how ideas from nature can help improve burn patient recovery + more. | Photo by PDXtoday
🦅 Why you should try it
Save the hiking poles for another day — this trail is a great way to spend some time soaking in the serenity of nature without having to trudge up an incline.
On this “biomimicry trail,” you’ll come across seven signposts with QR codes that you can scan with your smartphone to learn about ways nature has inspired human innovation, thanks to a project led by local students.
Birdwatchers will enjoy spotting sandhill cranes, osprey, pelicans + tundra swans, depending on the time of year. Also keep your eyes peeled for rabbits and black-tailed deer.
Dan Lambe | Tue., June 21 | 7 p.m. | Powell’s Books at Cedar Hills Crossing, 3415 SW Cedar Hills Blvd., Beaverton | Free | The author of “Now Is the Time for Trees” talks about nature-based solutions to climate change.
Pedalpalooza | Now-Wed., Aug. 31 | Times vary | Locations vary | Free+ | Join hundreds of public bike rides around the city for all ages and skill levels. 🚲
Wednesday
Liz Longley | Wed., June 22 | 8 p.m. | The Old Church Concert Hall, 1422 SW 11th Ave. | $18 | Known for her stop-in-your-tracks voice, this artist presents an intimate personal portrait through music.
Kenton Farmers Market | Wed., June 22 | 3-7 p.m. | North McClellan Street + North Denver Avenue | Free | Come for the fresh produce, stay for the live music. 🧺
Thursday
“The Cherry Orchard” | Thurs., June 23-Sat., July 9 | 7:30 p.m. | Reed College Center for the Performing Arts, Diver Studio Theatre, 3017 SE Woodstock Blvd. | Free+ | This re-telling of Chekhov’s play shows how people confront catastrophic change.
Movies At Dusk: “Office Space” | Thurs., June 23 | 7:30 p.m. | Pix Pâtisserie, 2225 E. Burnside St. | $8 | Brighten your summer with an uplifting classic film, plus all-you-can-eat popcorn, movie trivia, beer, cider + more. 🎥
Midsummer Tasting & Mini Market | Fri., June 24 | 4-8 p.m. | The Aimsir Distilling Company, 2117 NE Oregon St., Ste. 202 | Free | Celebrate a Scandinavian midsummer tradition with local food + drink vendors, craft makers, and DIY art — bring your dog, too.
Festival of Balloons | Fri., June 24-Sun., June 26 | Times vary | Cook Park, 17005 SW 92nd Ave., Tigard | Prices vary | Shop, eat, enjoy carnival rides + take a tethered hot air balloon ride before dawn. 🎈
We have amonthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
We’d never guess that these chic patio chairs are made from recycled water bottles. | Photo provided by Outer
If you hear the word “wicker” and think of a frumpy, broken piece of furniture, you’re not alone — but thanks to Outer, a company that crafts stylish outdoor furniture with an eye toward sustainability, it’s time to rethink wicker.
By using recycled water bottles as source material, Outer has created eco-friendly wicker furniture that not only looks ultra-modern, but is durable enough to last a decade.
Bonus: Each cushion uses triple memory foam for max comfiness.*
81º | Cloudy morning, some afternoon sun | 7% chance of rain
Sunrise + Sunset
Rise: 5:21 a.m.
Set: 9:03 p.m.
Today Is
… the summer solstice, AKA the official start of summer. Today, the Earth’s North Pole is at its maximum tilt toward the sun, resulting in the longest day + shortest nightof the year. Seems like the weather got the memo, too — temperatures could reach the 90s by this weekend. ☀️
Community
The US grew by 500 new citizens last week at a naturalization ceremony at the Oregon Convention Center. Among the immigrants who were sworn in was 92-year-old Olga Leontyeva, who moved to Portland from Korosten, Ukraine. “I hope for the best,” she said of her future as an American. 🇺🇸 (Portland Tribune)
Multnomah County Animal Services is waiving adoption fees for all shelter pets through the end of June. You don’t need to live in Multnomah County to qualify for the deal, but all potential pet owners will need to complete the application process online since in-person shelter visits are still unavailable. 🐶
Things look … a bit different … over at Wedgehead on Northeast Sandy Boulevard. That’s because a driver crashed through the bar’s front window last week, damaging a pinball machine + a booth. No one was hurt; the bar just boarded up the window and is open for business as usual. (Eater Portland)
Health
Oregon’s governor has endorsed the use of COVID-19 vaccines for kids as young as 6 months following the FDA + CDC’s approval. The Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup said the Moderna 2-dose and the Pfizer 3-dose vaccine series are safe for young children. Find a vaccine clinic in the Portland area. 💉
Plan Ahead
Ready for some fresh theater?Portland Center Stage’s annual JAW New Play Festival returns next month, giving playwrights, directors + actors the chance to gather and create new plays. Audiences are invited to hear “music stand readings” of playwrights’ finished work July 22-24 in the Ellyn Bye Studio; tickets are free. 🎭
Opening
After helping Multnomah County house 1,400+ peopleexperiencing homelessness between March 2020-May 2022, The Jupiter Hotel on East Burnside Street will reopen to the public on July 15. All 81 music-themed rooms got a “top-to-bottom refresh” with new carpeting, repainted walls + new furniture. 🎸 (Portland Monthly)
Award
Portland’s Amaterra Winery has been nominated for USA Today’s Readers’ Choice 2022 “Best New Winery.” You can vote for the vineyard every day until Mon., July 18; winners will be announced Fri., July 29. Some other nearby locations made the shortlist for “Best Wine Tasting Room” and “Best Winery Tour.” (USA Today) 🍷
Ranked
Need help narrowing down your dinner options? Stacker recently released a list of the 30 highest-rated Asian restaurants in Portland based on Tripadvisor reviews, with Thai Peacock, Bamboo Sushi on Southeast 28th Avenue, Thai Bloom!, Frank’s Noodle House, and Bamboo Sushi on Northwest 23rd Avenue rounding out the top five. 🥢 (Stacker)
History
Pittock Mansion was the home of one of Portland’s most influential families, but its grounds were also once prowled by some famous, non-human residents. Mac + Monty, two award-winning show cats belonging to the Skene family, were early tenants of the property’s Gate Lodge in the late 1940s. 🐈
Eat
Don’t just eat better — eat the best.Sunbasket’smeal kit service delivers delicious, healthy meals created by award-winning chefsstraight to your front door. Bonus: PDXtoday readers can get $100 off their first four deliveriesand more when they sign up. 🍽️ *
A health message from our sponsor
“I have a question for you: How often are you going to the bathroom? Too often? Not often enough? Maybe you’re like me — I used to go once or twice a week, which I thought was normal until I discovered this one trick to healthier bathroom habits.” *
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Ardent Coffee is waking up its customers in more ways than one. Co-founders Isaac Collmer + Joe Smith opened the shop at 5120 SE 28th Ave. in July 2020 to answer this question: “What good can we do in the world through a cup of coffee?” Customers pay what they can for their orders and the shop donates 100% of its profits to International Justice Mission (IJM), a nonprofit organization working to end global human trafficking.
To date, Ardent Coffee — which is run entirely by volunteers — has donated $55,079 to IJM. You can apply online if you’re interested in joining the team; no previous barista experience is required.
#DYK that your photos and quotes could be featured in our newsletter?
Editor’s pick: Ending human trafficking is something I’m passionate about, and I was recently given the opportunity to help the Trafficking Law Center raise funds to provide free legal services to local survivors by donating some of my photographs. Learn more about the nonprofit’s mission here.
Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Stop and smell your inner rose.
Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.
