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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.

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Full Stop Louisville
Work
Places to work outside in Louisville
When the sun’s out, the world is your workspace.
August 14, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
An adult jumps over a limbo line at Big Bounce America's bounce house.
Events
Jump into the ‘World’s Largest Bounce House’
The Big Bounce America’s massive inflatable theme park is coming to the Portland International Raceway, Saturday, Sept. 15-Sunday, Sept. 24.
August 11, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
A Google Street View photo of the retro Southgate sign and stores at the Southgate Shopping Center
Travel and Outdoors
Quiz: How well do you know Lakeland’s streets?
Take our 5-minute quiz to test your local street smarts.
August 11, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
A person in a striped polo shirt hits a golf ball with an iron down a tree lined fairway at Rose City Golf Club in Portland, Oregon.
Sports
Tee it up at these golf courses around Portland
Whether you’re a weekend warrior or the next Tiger Woods, these golf courses in the Portland area are sure to make for a good round.
August 11, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
Hundreds of people ride their bikes across the top deck of Portland's Marquam Bridge during the annual Bridge Pedal event.
Events
Bridge Pedal puts Portland cyclists on a lofty perch
Providence organizes the annual walk/ride to give participants car-free access to the city’s bridges and freeways and fundraise for Better Outcomes thru Bridges (BOB) regional behavioral health programs.
August 9, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
NOOGAtoday | working outside at Velo
Culture
Places to work outside in Chattanooga
When the sun’s out, the world is your workspace.
August 8, 2023
 · 
Haley Bartlett
Marcus Mariota and the Oregon Ducks line up against the Oregon State Beavers during the 2012 season.
Sports
What does the future hold for the UO-OSU rivalry?
With the University of Oregon swapping the Pac-12 for the Big Ten, the future of the Ducks’ storied college football matchup with the Oregon State Beavers is in doubt.
August 7, 2023
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Ben McBee
Players at Rose City Futsal
Sports
Get social and stay active by signing up for a rec sports league in Portland
From futsal to pickleball, there are plenty of teams that could use your talents and camaraderie.
August 3, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
A welder works on a bike frame.
Events
Inaugural bike building festival MADE rolls into town
The trade event, held at Zidell Yards from Thursday, Aug. 24, to Sunday, Aug. 27, invites industry members and consumers to celebrate the craftsmanship of building bicycles by hand.
August 3, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
A graphic of Mount Rushmore with the faces blurred out and question marks in their place.
City
Who would be on your Mount Rushmore of Portland?
Send in your picks to help carve out our poll.
August 1, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
A close up of a focaccia sandwich in someone's hands at Montelupo.
Food
Montelupo grows twofold, expanding to Sellwood
The Italian restaurant and market’s second location will move into the former BAES Fried Chicken space, in between PDX Sliders and Oaks Bottom Public House.
August 1, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
A view of the construction site inside Portland International Airport's future main terminal.
Travel and Outdoors
Tracking the progress of PDX NEXT at Portland International Airport
The $2-billion renovation is approx. 10 months away from completing the first phase, when the main terminal will reopen.
July 28, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
A table at Takibi with various colorful dishes.
Food
More ways to get a taste of Takibi
The Japanese restaurant now offers daily lunch and happy hour, featuring new cocktails and delicious small plates.
July 28, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
Two newly paved asphalt parking spots demonstrate carbon sequestration techniques used by Modern Hydrogen in Sherwood, Oregon.
City
Sherwood shows carbon sequestration success
Modern Hydrogen demonstrated the application of a technique that makes road construction and maintenance more cost-effective with a reduced impact on the environment.
July 26, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
People with a birthday party hold their crafty creations at DIY Bar in Portland.
Culture
How adults can celebrate birthdays like ‘big kids’ in Portland
Just because you’re further on in life doesn’t mean you can’t have fun to recognize another trip around the sun.
July 24, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
The storybook English cottage at 2208 NE 28th Avenue in Portland, Oregon, possess steep, rounded roof arches and a stained glass window in front.
Real Estate
Lay your eyes on this storybook English cottage in Grant Park
You can make this fantasy home your reality for $4 million.
July 24, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
CBUStoday skyline nature
Business
13 places to work outside in Columbus
When the sun is out in Columbus, Ohio, the city is your workplace.
July 21, 2023
 · 
Mitch Hooper
PDXtoday_TilikumCrossing.jpg
City
Portland climate action plan on pace to meet most goals by 2025
A recent progress report is optimistic despite only two items on the city’s 47-part list reaching completion in the first year.
July 20, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
A photo of the exterior of Montelupo Italian Market
Food
Go out and grab global flavors for your feast
These Portland area international markets and grocery stores stock their shelves with items you probably won’t find at Fred Meyer.
July 20, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
A view of Bridgeport Village's park-like green area.
Events
Family-friendly music and fun at Bridgeport Village all summer long
From local performers like Aaron Nigel Smith to movie deals and pop-ups, the season is filled with things to do at the Tigard mall.
July 14, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
A sign maker with Portland Bureau of Transportation guides prints of street signs off of a roller.
City
How Portland’s street signs are made
File this under “satisfying things to stare at for hours.”
July 12, 2023
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Ben McBee
Martin Skegg and Mallory Smith, founders of Alt Wine Fest, sit on the lawn sipping wine with lavender and vineyards in the background.
Food
Q+A: Mallory Smith, co-founder of Alt Wine Fest
Together with business partner Martin Skegg, she planted the seed of recognition for Oregon-grown wines that aren’t pinot noir. The event’s sprouted into a showcase of wonderful lesser-known grape varieties — and it’s back for a third year.
July 12, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
A fish eye photo beneather the St. Johns Bridge shows the sun shining through the branches of a tree.
Answered: ‘Would You Rather’ Portland edition
See how your fellow PDXtoday readers answered our either/or questions about the City of Roses.
July 10, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
A giant wooden troll sculpture sits on the edge of a stream with people on its legs.
Arts
Fee-fi-fo-fum: A troll is coming to Nordic Northwest
Through a partnership with the Scan Design Foundation and other partners, Danish environmental artist Thomas Dambo will create massive troll sculptures at six locations around the PNW, including Portland.
July 7, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
PDXtoday_BelieveInPortland.jpg
City
Old Town Pizza & Brewing launches ‘Believe In Portland’ campaign to support local nonprofits
Three different designs are available to purchase, with $10 of every T-shirt sale benefiting organizations like Word is Bond and Central City Concern.
July 6, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
A soft pink sunset casts on Mount Hood, which rises above the Columbia River and floating homes.
Culture
Play ‘Would You Rather’ with us, Portland
We whipped up some pretty tough questions. Feel free to use them at your next get-together.
July 6, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
People shopping at the grand opening of Portland Gear's new store in Washington Square.
City
Made in Portland: 18 things grown in the City of Roses
From brands to bands, Portland’s business scene is truly inspired.
July 1, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
Portland's Pioneer Courthouse Square is painted with large multicolored circles. People lounge in the sun in chairs scattered across the area.
City
Making sense of Portland’s proposed city council districts
A major component of Portland’s transition to the new city charter involves mapping four districts which will each elect three city councilors.
June 30, 2023
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Ben McBee
The Sports Bra owner Jenny Nguyen chats with patrons on the opening day of the women's sports bar.
Events
Cheer on the U.S. Women’s National Team in the World Cup from Portland’s ‘Living Room’
The Sports Bra, Portland Community Football Club, and Flicks on the Bricks are teaming up to host a watch party downtown on Friday, July 21.
June 28, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
takeout food by river
Outdoors
Best places to work outside in Columbia
When the sun is shining and the weather is perfect, pack a bag and head out to one of the many spots great for remote work in Columbia. From coffee shops to public parks, we have a plethora of places to refresh your mind and step away from your home desk.
June 26, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
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