ben-mcbee-headshot-2024.png

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.

Support Good Local News
A hanukkah menorah is fully lit with dradels and sufganiyot jelly donuts sit in the foreground
Culture
Public menorah lighting ceremonies
Celebrate the wintertime Jewish Festival of Lights in and around Portland.
December 14, 2022
 · 
Ben McBee
Five actors stand on stage in front of microphone wearing colored outfits
Arts
It’s a live radio play. “It’s a Wonderful Life”
The classic holiday tale of George Bailey comes to life on stage through impressive vocal performances, sound effects, and audience interaction.
December 12, 2022
 · 
Ben McBee
An above the table shot shows two people reaching to have their glass filled with cider. On the table is a feast of colorful and diverse produce and bread
Food
How to pair Northwest ciders at the holiday table
Northwest Cider Association Executive Director Emily Ritchie shares some pairing tips to make your feast the pick of the bunch.
December 12, 2022
 · 
Ben McBee
A freeway filled with semi trucks and cars with buildings in the background
Airports and Transportation
Portland to phase out the sale of petroleum diesel by 2030
The city is the first in the nation to do so.
December 8, 2022
 · 
Ben McBee
A cellist sits in a light living room playing his instrument
Arts
Monthly Melody brings live classical music to you
Founder Armon Lalo wants his company’s service to be like DoorDash but for Mozart and Tchaikovsky
December 8, 2022
 · 
Ben McBee
Two men in Moorish garb and one man in medieval leather sit around a chess table
Arts
Portland Revels’ musical solstice celebration
A cast of multi-generational, multi-cultural performers bring “Andalusian Night” to life on stage for four shows, Friday, Dec. 16-Sunday, Dec. 18.
December 6, 2022
 · 
Ben McBee
PDXtoday Portland anniversary birthday
Culture
A look back at one year of PDXtoday
We’re blowing out one whole candle on our virtual birthday cake and taking a walk down memory lane. It’s all thanks to you, Portland.
December 5, 2022
 · 
Cambrie Juarez
Purple flowers and green vegetation sit in the foreground, with a glassy lake, glacier. and mountains behind.
Travel and Outdoors
Great Escapes: Our guide to Cordova, AK
Pack your bags for wildlife viewing and wilderness adventure.
December 2, 2022
 · 
Ben McBee
A graphic shows for separate photos in colorful borders with their Instagram like counts
Culture
PDXtoday’s 2022 Instagram wrapped
Take a look at our four most-liked posts from the past year
December 2, 2022
 · 
Ben McBee
A waterfall plunges over the edge of a cliff surrounded by wintry conditions and snow
Travel and Outdoors
Winter Festival at Silver Falls State Park
Enjoy seasonal crafts, guided hikes, and nature education, plus take home a commemorative ornament.
November 30, 2022
 · 
Ben McBee
A giant smiley face design is revealed in a forest thanks to varying deciduous and evergreen trees
Travel and Outdoors
Where to find Hampton Lumber’s tree smiley face
It causes quite the double take when you’re driving in the fall and winter
November 21, 2022
 · 
Ben McBee
Groups of families sit in a train car decorated with holiday themed lights and garlands
Culture
All aboard The Holiday Express
The Portland tradition is hosted each year by the Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation
November 18, 2022
 · 
Ben McBee
A dog and a woman wearing winter clothes sit on a fallen tree in front of a lighthouse by the Columbia River
Travel and Outdoors
Hike of the Month: Warrior Rock Lighthouse Point
When mild winter weather and weekends (or weekdays) align, this meandering Sauvie Island trail offers the chance to fill your lungs with brisk air and see Mount St. Helens
November 13, 2022
 · 
Ben McBee
A plant and gift store.
Home Services
Spend some green on indoor plants
For everything from pothos to palms — and the pots to put them in — crawl like a vine over to these Portland stores.
November 2, 2022
 · 
Ben McBee
A sandwich with a slice of meat and veggies
Food
Lardo to honor local chef with sandwich
Sales of November’s Chefwich will benefit The Street Trust
November 2, 2022
 · 
Ben McBee
PDXtoday_AllClassicalPortland.jpeg
Arts
All Classical Portland to present first-ever live broadcast from The Reser
The radio station will be joined by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Caroline Shaw and American quartet Sō Percussion on Fri., Nov. 11
October 31, 2022
 · 
Ben McBee
A silver aerial tram car heads uphill with skyscrapers and Mount Hood in the background.
Travel and Outdoors
Trek Portland’s 4T Trail
Explore the city by three different forms of public transportation — plus your feet.
October 31, 2022
 · 
Ben McBee
A fan of the Portland Thorns waves a flag against a backdrop of red smoke
Sports
Looking back at the Portland Thorns’ 2022 season
The team is on the verge of winning a record-breaking third NWSL chamionship, and it’s been a memorable journey to get there
October 27, 2022
 · 
Ben McBee
PDXtoday_Ofrenda_DiaDeLosMuertos.jpeg
Events
Celebrating Día de los Muertos in Portland
From community ofrendas to musical performances, there are plenty Day of the Dead festivities to check out
October 27, 2022
 · 
Ben McBee
A panoramic view of Bologna shows terracotta roofs, Renaissance architecture, and distant green hills.
Travel and Outdoors
Portland’s sister city: Bologna, Italy
Say buongiorno to beautiful architecture, rich cuisine, and fascinating history in the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region
October 25, 2022
 · 
Ben McBee
An overhead view shows a bowling alley with lights and a disco ball
Events
Portland’s Grand Central Bowl & Arcade to host a “The Big Lebowski"-themed Halloween party
All ages are invited to the lanes on Fri., Oct. 28 from 7-11 p.m.
October 25, 2022
 · 
Ben McBee
A woman helps a young boy learn to swim in a pool
Government
Future North Portland Aquatic Center gets an additional $5 million in funding
When complete, the center is expected to serve approximately 22,000 households.
October 21, 2022
 · 
Ben McBee
A rickety wooden staircase goes up to a metal trap door
History
Digging deeper in the Shanghai Tunnels
Venture into the infamous catacombs beneath Portland and celebrate making it out alive with a pint of beer from Old Town Pizza & Brewing
October 21, 2022
 · 
Ben McBee
A hand holds two bottles of olive oil in front of an olive tree
Travel and Outdoors
Durant at Red Ridge Farms’ 2022 Olio Nuovo Festival
All November long, visitors can savor a myriad of experiences, like wine tasting or touring Oregon’s only commercial olive mill
October 19, 2022
 · 
Ben McBee
A
Sports
Preview of the Trail Blazers’ 2022-2023 season
Will the restructured roster make strides or fall flat?
October 17, 2022
 · 
Ben McBee
A stack of candy bars has photos of a clothes line, driving, and umbrella overlaid.
Culture
Check your kid’s candy for Portland pet peeves
You never know what they’ll find toxic
October 17, 2022
 · 
Gabe Guarente
Artist Mike Bennett stands holding a wooden sword surrounded by his cartoon painted cutouts of fantasy creatures.
Culture
Preview of Mike Bennett’s Wonderwood Springs
Grab a coffee at the tavern cafe, then undertake a fantasy quest adventure in the immersive space next door when it opens Sat., Oct. 15
October 13, 2022
 · 
Ben McBee
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert speaks to the media before the 2022 playoffs.
Sports
Portland’s WNBA past and future
So you’re saying there’s a chance?
October 11, 2022
 · 
Ben McBee
A man wearing colorful traditional Native American garb and feathers dances
Culture
Recognizing Indigenous peoples in Portland, OR
Get to know local organizations keeping their heritage alive
October 7, 2022
 · 
Ben McBee
A copper statue reaches down from its perch on a building
History
The History of Portlandia (the statue not the show)
The iconic sculpture is the second-largest copper repoussé statue in the United States after the Statue of Liberty
October 5, 2022
 · 
Ben McBee
Load More