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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 replica of the Statue of Liberty stands on a brick base.
Travel and Outdoors
Portland’s statues of liberty
Do you know where they stand?
October 5, 2022
 · 
Ben McBee
Three tacos, topped with onions cilantro and an orange salsa sit on a colorful plate
Food
Dine on tacos family-style at Todo
Other Mexican staples like chicken tinga and nopalitos are on the menu at this restaurant on Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard
October 3, 2022
 · 
Ben McBee
Invasive English ivy climbs up a tree in Portland's Marquam Nature Park
Travel and Outdoors
Portland Parks & Recreation’s 19th annual No Ivy Day
Join a citywide volunteer effort to remove the invasive plant from parks and natural areas
September 29, 2022
 · 
Ben McBee
A gnarly old apple tree with multiple offshoots in a chained off area.
History
Celebrate the Old Apple Tree Festival
The annual gathering honors what’s considered the oldest of its kind in the Pacific Northwest and the mother-of-all-apples for Washington’s iconic industry
September 27, 2022
 · 
Ben McBee
Shelves of books in Powell's City of Books in Portland, Oregon
Culture
Dive into books written by Portland authors
Whether you’re looking for your next leisure read, a book for the whole family, or a thrilling fictional novel, we’ve got a list of books written by Portland authors who called the city home.
September 23, 2022
 · 
Ben McBee
Musio Chavez poses for a portrait wearing sporty sunglasses and a mullet hair cut
Culture
Musio Chavez dreams of mullet stardom
Meet the Woodburn man who’s making moves at the USA Mullet Championships
September 22, 2022
 · 
Ben McBee
Professional disc golfer Madison Tomaino prepares for a shot
Culture
Q+A: Madison Tomaino, co-owner of All Day Disc Golf
The Portland-based professional disc golfer shares how to get into the sport and her favorite local courses
September 21, 2022
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Ben McBee
Co-founder and CEO Morgan Lerner give a presentation at The Redd on Salmon
Food
GoNanas wins top prize at 2022 Oregon Angel Food
Four investment candidates made pitches in front of a live audience for a $300,000 check
September 19, 2022
 · 
Ben McBee
Digital puzzle pieces unassembled on a blue background.
Arts
A Columbia-based puzzle
See if you can finish this puzzle of a local Columbia spot.
September 15, 2022
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Ben McBee
Tiquette Bramlett stands against a wooden wall with a staircase running up it.
Food
Tiquette Bramlett nominated for Wine Star Award’s Social Visionary of the Year
The president of Compris Vineyard continues to push for change in the wine industry
September 13, 2022
 · 
Ben McBee
Hiking through the maple trees in the shadow of a rocky cliff
Travel and Outdoors
Hike of the Month: Beacon Rock
Climb a mile-long switchback trail cut into the stone cliff sides
September 13, 2022
 · 
Ben McBee
Charleston view from above.
Culture
Take a tour of Charleston through the eyes of AI
The artificial intelligence (AI) art project sketches 50,000+ images a day.
September 13, 2022
 · 
Alexandra Garian
PDXtoday_AubrieLeGault_Quaintrelle.jpg
Food
Quite a night at Quaintrelle
Celebrate the destination restaurant’s sixth anniversary, as well as its first year at the new location on Southeast Clinton Street.
September 7, 2022
 · 
Ben McBee
PDXtoday_RoseCityComicCon.jpg
Culture
Rose City Comic Con celebrates 10 years in Portland, OR
Fans of every flavor, from comic books to anime, will flock to the Oregon Convention Center Sept. 9-11 for the 10th Rose City Comic Con
September 6, 2022
 · 
Ben McBee
Kids playing basketball on a new basketball court at McCoy Park in North Portland
City
McCoy Park’s basketball courts get a refresh in North Portland
A partnership between Portland Parks & Recreation, Nike, and the Portland Trail Blazers is revitalizing basketball courts across the city
September 2, 2022
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Ben McBee
An aerial view from 1940 shows the surrounding farmland. | Photo via Portland City Archives
City
History of Reed College in Portland, Oregon
August 30, 2022
 · 
Ben McBee
A collection of garden tools on a table
Culture
RAWtools turns guns into garden tools
The nonprofit is advocating for change in a variety of ways
August 29, 2022
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Ben McBee
Take full advantage of the flourishing sidewalk culture. | Photo via @sellwood_scenes
Culture
Neighborhood Guide: Sellwood-Moreland
Shopping and outdoor activities are never far at this charming corner of Portland that feels like its own small town.
August 26, 2022
 · 
Ben McBee
Evan Burnette of Local Art Glass shapes a vase with a cherry wood block
Culture
Glass art in Portland, Oregon
A culture of creativity and close proximity to materials makes the city a hot spot for the medium.
August 24, 2022
 · 
Ben McBee
A man wearing sunglasses takes a selfie from the backseat of a personal watercraft with the the St. Johns Bridge in the background
Travel and Outdoors
Ride a personal watercraft on the Willamette River
Learn from our Sea-Doos and Sea-Don’ts for a wet adventure in Portland, Oregon
August 23, 2022
 · 
Ben McBee
We have to wonder, what movie did it watch? | Photos via Craiyon
Travel and Outdoors
Take a tour of Portland through the eyes of AI
August 22, 2022
 · 
Ben McBee
Climate solutions, like green roofs, will be implemented throughout. | Rendering by ZGF Architects
City
Portland Design Commission review of OMSI District master plan underway
August 18, 2022
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Ben McBee
Food + drink vendors will be in "Blood Alley" and "The Pits." | Photo via Jason DeSomer/Whatever.Photo
City
The PDX Adult Soapbox Derby is pure, absurd fun
We hear the carts a-rollin’, they’re coming down the hill.
August 16, 2022
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Ben McBee
No. 22 Morgan Weaver celebrates her game-winning goal in the 2021 WICC final. | Photo via Craig Mitchelldyer/Portland Thorns FC
City
Portland Thorns host 2022 Women’s International Champions Cup
August 12, 2022
 · 
Ben McBee
A colorful RV with interweaving rainbow lines.
City
Multnomah County Library introduces new mobile library
The books on the bus go to your town 📚
August 11, 2022
 · 
Ben McBee
Various pieces of art on napkins, drawn with a ballpoint pen
Arts
Napkin art at Bertie Lou’s Cafe
Please put this on the wall 🖊️
August 9, 2022
 · 
Ben McBee
Teachers spend $1.8M in school supplies for low-income students a year. | Photo via Schoolhouse Supplies
City
Support Schoolhouse Supplies during back-to-school season
August 8, 2022
 · 
Ben McBee
The next question is, how many? | Photo via Salt & Straw
City
Salt & Straw debuts ‘Veggies You Crave’ flavors for August
August 4, 2022
 · 
Ben McBee
An art piece featuring Jordan sneakers with roses in the shoe
City
Preview of Portland Sneaker Week 2022
August 2, 2022
 · 
Ben McBee
Three canned beverages side by side with Hibisbloom on the front
Business
Hibisbloom brings bissap to Portland
The traditional West African beverage is made with the roselle flower
July 27, 2022
 · 
Ben McBee
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