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Ben McBee

Senior City Editor

Ben grew up in the Rogue Valley, attended the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism, and has written for publications like 1859 Magazine and Portland Monthly. He enjoys hiking the PNW, football and futbol, wildlife photography, any manner of libation exploration, and of course writing for PDXtoday.

People sit under a canopy by the sidewalk for outdoor dining at Montelupo in Northeast Portland.
Play
Outstanding outdoor dining in Portland
Make the most of good weather by taking your meals al fresco on one of Portland’s many beautiful patios.
July 26, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
Richland County Regulators.jpg
City
Unsanctioned Olympic events that Columbia would dominate
If these sports were approved by the International Olympic Committee, Soda City residents would surely take home the gold.
July 25, 2024
 · 
David Stringer
Members of the USA Beer Mile team pose at the finish line, holding beers and raising their hands.
Sports
Unsanctioned Olympic events that Portland would dominate
If these sports were approved by the International Olympic Committee, Rose City residents would surely take home the gold.
July 24, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
Break dancers posing on their hands at an Olympics demonstration.
Sports
New sports at the Paris 2024 Olympics and where to try them
Start training and who knows? One day you might go from Portland to the podium.
July 24, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske
A hand pulls a six pack of Migration Brewing's Straight Outta Portland out of a store refrigerator. The cans are a white/silver and another six pack to the right is light blue.
Food
Local libations: A round of Portland-centric craft beers
A turn of phrase here, a recognizable Portland nod there — these craft beers found around PDX take local pride seriously.
July 22, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske
A painting of a pigeon on top of a Benson Bubbler.
History
History of Portland’s Benson Bubblers
The first of the Rose City’s iconic drinking fountains was installed in 1912.
July 21, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
A red highland cow lifts its chin just above a wire fence looking for treats.
Travel and Outdoors
Head up to Highland Farms to meet a herd of ‘hairy coos’
The property on the way to Mount Hood offers animal tours, hosts private events, and has Airbnbs to reserve for your next getaway.
July 18, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
Cirque du Soleil performers form a human tower, while one in the foreground holds a large teeter totter.
Events
Catch high-flying acrobatics under the big top with Cirque du Soleil
The touring show “Kooza” will run from Wednesday, Aug. 21 to Sunday, Oct. 6 at the Portland Expo Center.
July 18, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
Artist Jack Kent poses with a flying V guitar, decorated with a cartoon seagull, slung over his shoulders. He also wears a black hat with Rip City in white and red lettering. His T-shirt says Fine Art & Jazz Festival from Newport, Oregon.
Culture
Artist Spotlight: Sketchy People
Jack Kent turned people watching into an art in Portland, capturing eight years (and counting) of the city’s unique scenes and quirky characters through his comics series.
July 16, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
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Development
‘Constellation of Connection’ design proposal will reimagine Portland State University’s campus
The university is partnering with Walker Macy Collaborative to activate street-level spaces “by bringing the energy from inside PSU buildings to outdoor locations.”
July 16, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
A family sits on the grass with Blue Lake in the background. Dad holds a fishing pole and sits in a camp chair.
City
Help Metro pick a design for the Blue Lake Regional Park remodel
Three options are available at the online survey, open until Aug. 15.
July 12, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
A person with pink braids plays a pink painted piano that says "Please Play Me!!" on its face. Abstract floral designs also cover it.
Culture
Piano. Push. Play. brings music to the people of Portland
The interactive project rescues unwanted instruments, turning them into one-of-a-kind works of art that are then dispersed across the city for anyone to play.
July 10, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
Ramona Falls, a 120-ft horstail falls, cascades in rivulets down a basalt column cliff.
Travel and Outdoors
Hike of the Month: Ramona Falls
This long yet not-too-arduous trek requires an intrepid spirit, but the reward is well worth it.
July 8, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
A blue cocktail is poured out of a traditional absinthe dripper.
Food
Take a sip of secrecy at these speakeasies and underground bars
When you’re looking to avoid the heat — in every sense of the word — quench your curiosity and your thirst at these upstanding but on-the-down-low establishments.
July 5, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
A newly finished rain garden shows young plants outside of a white home in Portland. .You can see a solid drainpipe that empties the downspout into the river rock French drain.
Real Estate
Q+A: How to build a rain garden in Portland
Misha Ashton, owner of Revive Gardens PDX, offers some tips on channeling excess water runoff into a vibrant natural area in your yard.
July 3, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
A Portland-style hot do with blackberries, hazelnuts, kale, tater tots, goat cheese, and mustard.
Play
Take a bite out of the Portland-style hot dog
Chicago’s got one and even Seattle has their own signature recipe, so we are planting our little biodegradable flag on the hot dog map.
July 2, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
The Portland Oregon Sign in Old Town.
Live
Portland’s most iconic landmarks
Consider these our Hollywood signs — though we actually have one of those too.
June 28, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
Portland Bureau of Transportation officers raise their right hand to swear into the office.
City
Parking violators beware, Portland’s new enforcement officers are coming to your neighborhood
The Portland Bureau of Transportation’s bolstered forces intend to better enforce vehicle registration, missing license plates, and other common infractions starting Monday, July 8.
June 26, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
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City
Celebrating Portland’s LGBTQ+ sites on the National Register of Historic Places
With the addition of Erv Lind Field and McMenamins Crystal Hotel, the city now contains 10% of such locations in the country.
June 26, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
Mill Ends Park Portland PDX
Play
Green means go to these parks in Portland
We’re highlighting the best parks that our city and it surroundings have to offer — complete with roses, fountains, forests, and sports fields.
June 24, 2024
 · 
Cambrie Juarez
A rendering shows a future mural with visages of Diego Valeri and Diego Chara on a green background. There are also stars, crossed axes, and sunflowers with a yellow and green radiating pattern.
Arts
‘Dos Diegos’ mural to honor a pair of Timbers legends
Local nonprofit Cada Casa will commemorate Portland’s soccer culture and bring the community together by painting two buildings this summer.
June 24, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
A red, white and blue hot air balloon rises in the morning sky just above a crowd of people
Events
Tigard’s Festival of Balloons
Up, up, and away to family fun.
June 21, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
A black and white illustration shows renderings of a massive domed stadium surrounded by sprawling parking lots that radiate outwards.
City
Remembering when Portland tried and failed to host the Olympics
Visions of a sprawling athletics complex fell apart when voters rejected the construction of the Delta Dome in 1964.
June 20, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
Plastic lawn flamingoes stand guard in front of a shiny Airstream trailer, which has a yellow bike in front. The sun is setting off to the right of the frame, casting a warm golden glow over everything.
Travel and Outdoors
Slip away for a stay at these luxurious Airstream parks
Portlanders can take a short trip to wine country or a farther getaway on the Oregon Coast.
June 18, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
A rendering of PDX NEXT at Portland International Airport.
City
Pre-flight checklist: Portland International Airport invites you to test out the new terminal
At this behind-the-scenes dress rehearsal on Saturday, Aug. 3, you’ll be able to try out new spaces and procedures.
June 18, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
Two adults show an educational booth to a child underneath Hoyt Arboretum's Stevens Pavillion. There are a microscope, papers, and book on the table.
Events
Find your BTF (Best Trees Forever) at Hoyt Arboretum’s Family Forest Days
Connect with nature in your neck of the woods at two events on Saturday, July 13 and Saturday, Aug. 17.
June 14, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
People walk down an aisle at the Portland Farmers Market, where canopies and vendors are set up on either side.
Live
Find fresh produce al fresco at farmers markets in Portland
Pack your reusable shopping bags, because we’ve rounded up 17 farmers markets around Portland, Oregon.
June 14, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
Two people install an air conditioning unit in the corner of a room.
City
Request a free air conditioning unit to stay cool during Portland’s summers
Those interested can apply for the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF) Cooling Portland program by dialing 311 or going online.
June 12, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
A group of people enjoy glasses of wine around a fire pit at Argyle Winery. The scene is set by verdant trees in the background. Golden light suggests a time just before sunset.
Play
Sip and savor the best of Portland’s wine scene
Don’t let enjoying our region’s wine overwhelm you — use this as a roadmap for discovering new tasting rooms and experiences close by and farther afield.
June 11, 2024
 · 
Cambrie Juarez
The house of author Ursula K. Le Guin rises three stories among trees. It's painted light blue and the round second floor balcony is a deep rust color.
City
Writers will have the chance to work on the next great novel from the home of Ursula K. Le Guin
The esteemed author wrote titles like “A Wizard of Earthsea” and “The Left Hand of Darkness” from the second-floor writing studio in her house in Northwest Portland.
June 10, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
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