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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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A light tan Labrador retriever lays on a rug
Culture
Golden Bond Rescue finds new homes for retrievers
The local nonprofit is in need of volunteers willing to foster, transport dogs, and work community outreach events.
February 22, 2023
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Ben McBee
A group of women with Rose City Self-Defense flexes for a group photo.
Culture
Learn to protect yourself with Rose City Self-Defense
The program coaches multifaceted skill sets to promote personal safety.
February 22, 2023
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Ben McBee
An overhead shot shows a messy table with cracked eggs and flower as a hand rolls fresh pasta.
Food
Where to take cooking classes in Portland
Feed your belly and your brain. Bon appétit.
February 20, 2023
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Ben McBee
A rendering shows people enjoying the future OMSI District
Development
OMSI District Master Plan gets the green light from the Portland Design Commission
The massive redevelopment in the Central Eastside will emphasize Indigenous connection to the land and promote economic growth.
February 20, 2023
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Ben McBee
A graphic with a city skyline and two people posing back to back.
Culture
Get your good (and goofy) side at Family Photo Studio
The contemporary take on the golden era of mall portrait photography opened in the Lloyd Center in November 2022.
February 14, 2023
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Ben McBee
A vehicle drives toward the viewer in a massive sewer pipe
Government
Understanding Portland’s Big Pipes
The vital infrastructure project has drastically reduced the amount and frequency of sewer overflow events in the Willamette River and Columbia Slough.
February 8, 2023
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Ben McBee
Two owners of Favela Brazilian Cafe pose behind the counter of a colorful shop with lots of products and a menu on the wall behind them
Business
6 resources for small businesses in Portland
Knowing where to look for help is often half the battle.
February 6, 2023
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Ben McBee
A view of the The Hoxton, Portland, with a Chinatown gate to the right of it
Food
Order room service from food carts at The Hoxton, Portland
The downtown Portland hotel’s ground-level restaurant, Lovely Rita, will host a rotation of food carts
February 6, 2023
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Ben McBee
A view looking straight across the St. Johns Bridge
Events
St. Johns Bizarre returns for its 14th year
Mark this neighborhood celebration on your calendar for Saturday, May 13
February 2, 2023
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Ben McBee
A close up shot of light brown gelato with citrus peels, star anise and pine nuts as garnish
Food
Fall in love with Rosita de cacao gelato
The week of Valentine’s Day just got sweeter with this flavorful collaboration from the culinary minds behind Pinolo Gelato and Clandestino.
February 2, 2023
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Ben McBee
PDXtoday_EvergreenCurling.jpg
Sports
Learn to curl at Evergreen Curling Club
The 501(c)(3) nonprofit provides a place for beginners to try the sport, while also sending teams to national competitions.
January 31, 2023
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Ben McBee
Portland's Hollywood Theater rises above the street in shadow
Arts
Find second-run movies with Revival Hub PDX
The calendar aggregates all of the “classic, cult, weird and wonderful films” showing at Portland’s independent theaters.
January 31, 2023
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Ben McBee
Chef Marcus Oliver cracks a smile during an interview with Feed the Mass
Food
Feed the Mass hosts FED Talks
The Portland nonprofit, which provides meal services and culinary education, is partnering with local chefs for fundraising dinners in 2023.
January 27, 2023
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Ben McBee
PDXtoday_ForestSpirits.jpg
Travel and Outdoors
Local photographer uses AI to create whimsical woodland creatures
It’s like “Where the Wild Things Are” meets “Ex Machina”
January 25, 2023
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Ben McBee
PDXtoday_McMenaminsPassport.jpg
Food
Bars and restaurants with prizes in Portland
From passports to stamp cards, these establishments incentivize eating and drinking with them.
January 25, 2023
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Ben McBee
Two people stand in an art museum looking at different paintings.
Arts
Where to see Isaka Shamsud-Din’s art around Portland
His murals span more than 50 years and can be found in public buildings and schools
January 23, 2023
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Ben McBee
A beer sits on a table with packed bookshelves in the background
Food
A visit to Rose City Book Pub
Read: Cozy nooks, hearty pasta and sandwiches, plus community events.
January 19, 2023
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Ben McBee
Wine being poured into a glass on a table adorned with flowers and string lights in the background
Food
Spontaneity is on the menu at Portland Secret Dining Society
Shhh — keep these dinners on the down low.
January 17, 2023
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Ben McBee
A woman wearing glasses and a black tank top with colorful, poofy earrings and a nose ring sits in front of a sign that reads Blue Lotus Henna
Arts
Q+A: Melanie Ooi of Blue Lotus Henna
Over her 17-year career, she has featured in Vogue India and at the Portland Saturday Market, while also advocating for henna education and safety.
January 17, 2023
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Ben McBee
PDXtoday_aerial_MultnomahStadium.JPG
History
Multnomah Field’s storied past
Now known as Providence Park, it is one of the most historic grounds used by any United States professional soccer team
January 13, 2023
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Ben McBee
Old time crowds walk along a lakeside boardwalk with palatial buildings in the background
History
Looking back at the Lewis and Clark Exposition
Portland’s first and only world’s fair drew more than a million visitors
January 11, 2023
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Ben McBee
A plate of puffy balls of dough with powdered sugar on top
Culture
23 ways to experience hygge in Portland
This Danish concept emphasizes all things comfortable and cozy.
January 9, 2023
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Ben McBee
A side by side collage shows three chefs' headshots
Food
ilani BrewFest is back with star power
Head to the casino Thursday, Feb. 16-Sunday, Feb. 19 for local brews, celebrity chefs, and more
January 9, 2023
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Ben McBee
PDXtoday_pinball.jpg
Culture
Where to play arcade games in Portland
It’s hard to define, but when you find the flashing lights and electric hum, you’ll know.
January 5, 2023
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Ben McBee
A skier launches through the air, skis crossed and left arm and pole facing forward, with powder falling below, off of a snowy jump with mountain forests and a lake laid out below.
Travel and Outdoors
Where to ski, snowboard, tube, and sled near Portland
Head to the nearby mountains for some downhill wintertime fun.
January 3, 2023
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Ben McBee
A California condor perches in the Oregon Zoo's Condors of the Columbia habitat
Travel and Outdoors
Oregon Zoo’s condors soar into new year with additional funding
The $2 million award will help “climate proof” the nation’s second-largest condor breeding facility
January 3, 2023
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Ben McBee
An aerial view of a neighborhood street where spaced out houses with manicured yards are surrounded by tall evergreen trees.
Real Estate
2023 predictions for Portland real estate
Real estate experts explain what Portland home buyers should know and predict whether we’ll see prices continue to rise in 2023.
December 22, 2022
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Ben McBee
A bridge spans a shaded grassy area with a person walking across the top.
Travel and Outdoors
Hike of the Month: Balch Canyon Loop
Explore a natural area rich in Portland history
December 20, 2022
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Ben McBee
Two people inspect a domed roof above drained pools
City
Columbia Pool to remain closed permanently
Officials found the 93-year-old North Portland facility presented serious safety hazards.
December 16, 2022
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Ben McBee
A Victorian era house surrounded by modern buildings and cars
History
History of the Ladd Carriage House
The building is all that’s left of a once grand estate.
December 14, 2022
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Ben McBee
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