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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.

A spoon in a bowl of clam chowder.
Food
Slurp-worthy soups for you in Portland, OR
Baby, it’s cold outside — warm up with some of our favorite soups around Portland.
December 11, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
A Portland street car makes its way through snowy conditions with the arch of the Fremont Bridge in the near background
Live
Bundle up for our winter 2024 weather forecast for Portland
Prepare for winter weather with these seasonal temperature and precipitation outlooks.
December 3, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
SATXtoday: pumpkins
Travel and Outdoors
Here’s what to do with your fall pumpkins and leaves in San Antonio
Learn how to dispose of old pumpkins and leaves ahead of the holidays.
December 3, 2024
 · 
Nicholas Caballero
A wintry background with snowflakes that reads "PDXtoday's 2024 Gift Guide."
Culture
PDXtoday’s 2024 holiday gift guide: 90+ gifts for everyone on your list
Including gifts for neighbors, foodies, significant others, homebodies, students, and gifts under $20.
November 21, 2024
 · 
Sarah Leonhardt
Vibrant orange and red fall foliage frames Pittock Mansion.
Real Estate
Portland houses that belong in a Halloween movie
Uncover ghoulish architecture features that make a house look haunting and find out where to see a few around town.
October 28, 2024
 · 
Katie Molck
Rose City Rollers Wheels of Justice team poses with their world championship medals in 2019.
Events
The roller derby world championships are coming to Portland
Veterans Memorial Coliseum will host 13 different teams from around the globe at the event Friday, Nov. 1-Sunday, Nov. 3.
October 28, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
A multi wall mural shows a Sandworm from the Beetlejuice movie and other pumpkin inspired paintings.
City
This is not a trick: New Central Eastside murals are a treat ahead of Halloween
The space will double as an edible garden and event space.
October 24, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
Mount St. Helens rises over a hazy horizon with a light dusting of snow on its peak. In front you can see the blue stripe of the Columbia River and falls colors that blanket Portland. The Fremont Bridge's white arch peeks just above the evergreen trees in the foreground.
Travel and Outdoors
Hike of the Month: Council Crest Park
Get your steps in as you climb to one of Portland’s tallest points, which offers vistas of five Cascade peaks as well as an off-leash dog park.
October 22, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
Two alien figurines work on a grotesque operating table where guests at the Freakybuttrue Peculiarium can stick their head for a pretend picture.
Culture
Try on these Portland-inspired Halloween costumes
Short on time and creativity? We’ve got you covered with some costume ideas that will help keep Portland weird.
October 22, 2024
 · 
Cambrie Juarez
A model shows Lawrence Halprin's design for a potential Pioneer Courthouse Square, involving rounded archies and lots of glass and trees.
City
Exploring the Pioneer Courthouse Square designs that never came to be
In an alternate universe, Portland’s Living Room could look very different.
October 18, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
A heavily laden quince tree bear numerous yellow and green fruit.
Events
Get to know a misunderstood fruit at Quince Fest
Bauman’s on Oak will host the first-of-its-kind event on Sunday, Nov. 3.
October 18, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
A woman jumps in the air with arms and legs outstretched, casting a shadow on a slope made of red earth at the Painted Cove hiking trail.
Play
Hit the Road: a Central Oregon road trip that rocks
For people who love geology — or anyone who just appreciates striking scenery — there should be no reluctance hopping in the car for a few hours to travel to the other side of the Cascades.
October 16, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
Trains sit on the tracks alongside Portland's Union Station.
Travel and Outdoors
All aboard: How to ride Amtrak in Portland
Taking the train isn’t just for commuters — it’s also a method of leisure travel that’s growing in popularity.
October 14, 2024
 · 
Brianna Williams
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.
October 14, 2024
 · 
Cambrie Juarez
Close up of hands holding a paper rainbow pride heart.
City
How you can contribute to Pride Northwest’s Community Resilience Drive
The giving campaign stretches through December and helps the local nonprofit provide warming + shelter resources, in addition to food for those in need in the LGBTQ+ community during the fall and winter months.
October 8, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
The yellow and blue pinwheel on a green background of Portland's flag paints the entire roof of a downtown building, next to the slogan "Portland is what we make it."
City
Prepare for Portland’s 2024 election with these education- and candidate-focused events
They are meant to help voters better understand their ranked-choice ballots, while giving potential mayor and city council picks the opportunity to share their vision with citizens.
October 8, 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.
October 7, 2024
 · 
Cambrie Juarez
Portland Old Town's waterfront has a dim golden glow of an early winter sunset.
Culture
Pick two of these options for your Portland dream life
We posed this question to our Instagram followers, now it’s your turn.
October 4, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
Teenagers dressed in traditional Greek garb dance in a half circle with hands and arms linked.
Events
The Portland Greek Festival is back for the 71st year
Dig into cuisine like gyros and spanakopita, enjoy traditional folk dance performances, church tours, and the Hellenic-American Cultural Center & Museum.
October 2, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
The Moda Center in Portland, Oregon is adorned with a sign that says we are all trail blazers.
City
New Zone V parking district protects residents and restricts Rose Quarter eventgoers
Signs in several Eliot neighborhood blocks will put a two-hour limit on evening parking from October through May.
October 2, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
A black and white photos shows the St. Johns Bridge during construction, missing it's deck with cables hanging down from the span between two arches.
City
Get in touch with history at Portland City Archives’ open house
On Saturday, Oct. 12, members of the public are invited to the “Building Bridges” event.
September 30, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
People hang out in the well furnished lobby of the Atticus Hotel. Behind, two people are checking in at the front desk.
Business
Authors to book a stay at Atticus Hotel through new Artist in Residency program
The McMinnville destination is accepting applications through Tuesday, Oct. 15.
September 30, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
Two people lean out over a zip line platform surrounded by trees and a suspension bridge.
Travel and Outdoors
Soar through fall colors at Pumpkin Ridge Zip Tour
The zip line course takes you on a high-flying adventure through the forest canopy.
September 29, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
A portrait of an iguana shows a lizard looking sullenly with spikes and scales ranging in color from grey and white to yellow and orange.
Business
Reptile in the rafters: Remembering the iguana that once called Next Adventure home
“Iggy” would often catch customers unaware from its lofty perch.
September 26, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
People involved with Friends of Frog Ferry stand a board a docked vessel on the Willamette River in Portland.
City
Frog Ferry jumps at fresh start with new Portland government
Proponents organized a media event on Tuesday, Sept. 24 to drum up support for the public passenger ferry initiative, calling the upcoming City Council transition an “inflection point.”
September 24, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
Older adults walk up to chairs and tables set up in Portland's Zidell Yards carrying their own camp chairs. In the background, the Tilikum Crossing rises.
Development
Portland Diamond Project to purchase Zidell Yards for future baseball stadium
The move marks a big step toward bringing an MLB team to the city.
September 24, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
Portland's Vista Bridge rises diagonally left to right in the foreground. In the background, you can see skyscrapers with snowclad Mount Hood looming behind.
City
Year 2 progress report published for Portland’s Climate Emergency Workplan
Multiple city bureaus are collaborating on 47 priority actions to meet 2030 and 2050 climate goals.
September 20, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
Two silhouetted figures stand next to a telescope that's pointed up toward a dark blue dusk sky.
Events
Get a glimpse of the stars at Glendoveer Golf Course
Metro Parks and Nature invites the community to a free, family-friendly night of stargazing on the green.
September 18, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
PDXtoday_ModaCenterArt.png
Sports
WNBA is officially expanding with a team in Portland
The announcement comes after several years of speculation and support from fans.
September 18, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
Portland ceramics artist Veronica Arquilevich Guzman holds one of her alebrijes pieces. On the right there is a top down view of her hands working on the pottery wheel.
Culture
Artist spotlight: Maya Ceramics & Paintings
Veronica Arquilevich Guzman draws on her experience living among many cultures and her love of nature to craft one-of-a-kind pieces from clay.
September 16, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
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