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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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Around two dozen people in costumes pose for a photo at Rose City Comic Con.
Culture
Worlds collide for family-friendly fun at Rose City Comic Con
Fans can expect a star-studded line-up at the 12th edition taking place Sept. 6-8.
September 6, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
Portlandia, a large copper statue mounted on the side of a building, reaches down from its perch. The figure has long flowing hair and is holding a trident.
City
Portland summer tourism numbers hit highest mark since the pandemic
See how the statistics skryocketed with the sun out.
September 6, 2024
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Ben McBee
A white sailboat floats just beyond Portland's Hawthorne Bridge, which features trusses and a vertical lift.
Travel and Outdoors
Remembering Portland’s hottest days on record
We’ll be honest, we never want to see the thermometer go that high again.
September 4, 2024
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Ben McBee
Jupiter Hotel sits on the right, with the 6-story Jupiter NEXT on the left. Both sit along East Burnside Street and are lit by a late sunset.
Events
Celebrate two decades of Portland’s ‘original independent hotel’
The Jupiter Hotel will celebrate 20 years of business by hosting a block party on Saturday, Sept. 28th, from 1 to 6:30 p.m., with some big-name local bands.
September 4, 2024
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Ben McBee
People sit in a pop-up park made of painted cardboard tubes.
City
PARK(ing) Day returns, empowering Portlanders to reimagine public spaces
The international event came to the city in 2006.
August 29, 2024
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Ben McBee
Orange leaves lie on the grass in front of Portland's Pittock Mansion.
Play
Fall events happening in and around Portland
Check out harvest and Halloween-themed events happening in and around Portland in this seasonal guide.
August 29, 2024
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Ben McBee
A large rectangular high school building, partly clad in red brick with metallic accents, overlooks a track and field complex.
Education
39 elementary, middle, and high schools in Portland
From Hillsdale to Parkrose, we’re giving you all the pertinent details about some of the elementary, middle, and high schools in Portland.
August 26, 2024
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Ben McBee
PDXtoday_vauxs_swift_feature.jpg
Travel and Outdoors
Vaux’s swift watch in Northwest Portland
Every September, thousands of migrating birds roost in Chapman Elementary School’s chimney before flying to Central America and Venezuela.
August 23, 2024
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Ben McBee
A modern house with elegant landscaping and stonework sits elevated off a street, with a cotton candy pink sunset in the background.
Real Estate
Parade of Homes puts high-end Pacific Northwest architecture, design on display in Southwest Washington
The event, presented by The Building Industry Association of Clark County, will showcase three houses at a single site, Sept. 6-22.
August 19, 2024
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Ben McBee
Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge's visitor center sits on a flat hill overlooking wetland habitat dried out during the summer.
Travel and Outdoors
Hike of the Month: Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge
Diverse habitats support an abundance of flora and fauna at the edges of nearby cities.
August 19, 2024
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Ben McBee
A hand pours a bottle of rose into a wine glass that says Block Party on it.
Events
Our Legacy Harvested’s 5th annual BIPOC Block Party comes to McMinnville
Enjoy the fruits of the nonprofit’s efforts to empower the wine industry’s BIPOC community on Sat., Aug. 31.
August 16, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
A rendering shows the future Belmont Library, with two stories, where the top is a burnt orange color with tons of windows.
Development
Say bye-bye to Belmont Library — for now
Multnomah County Library will close the branch Saturday, Sept. 7 for extensive renovations.
August 15, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
People wearing harnesses traverse swinging bridges while hooked into ropes up in the trees at Pumpkin Ridge Zip Tours.
Travel and Outdoors
Fly through the trees with the greatest of ease at these zip lines and ropes courses
Branch out from your daily routine for an adventure that leaves you with unforgettable memories.
August 13, 2024
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Ben McBee
A corgi reaches up to a bowl on the counter filled with Portland Pet Food's beef n' rice.
Business
Meet the Portland companies on the Inc. 5000 list
These are the local firms building the future.
August 13, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
The silver, gold, and bronze medals from the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Sports
How many medals did local athletes win at the 2024 Paris Olympics?
Here’s how athletes who live, train, or went to school in the Portland metro or Oregon performed.
August 9, 2024
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Ben McBee
Two people in sportswear pose side by side holding up there pickleball paddles with smiles on their faces.
Sports
Celebrate National Pickleball Day in Portland
If you can’t take the heat, stay out of the kitchen on Aug. 8.
August 7, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
Portland is spelled out in lower case arial font on a slime green background. The black text is substantially blurred.
Culture
What’s a ‘brat summer’ and how do I have one?
Thanks to Charli XCX’s hit pop album, we’re here to decode why “brat” is all over the airwaves, internet, and right outside your front door.
August 5, 2024
 · 
Madison McMillen
The Eiffel Tower in Paris with Olympic rings
City
Unsanctioned Olympic events Kansas City would dominate
If these sports were approved by the International Olympic Committee, KC residents would surely take home the gold.
August 1, 2024
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Ben McBee
Dancers wearing pink and red silk dresses arrance themselves in a group on stage. Behind them you can see large red Chinese drums. One woman in the center holds a rose.
Events
Celebrate culture and cuisine at the Oregon Chinese Festival
The event put on by the Oregon Chinese Coalition returns to Pioneer Courthouse Square for the fifth time with dance and musical performances, food vendors, and community outreach.
August 1, 2024
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Ben McBee
Kayaks and paddleboards dot Lady Bird Lake in Austin, with trees on either side of the water.
Culture
Unsanctioned Olympic events that Austin would dominate
If these sports were approved by the International Olympic Committee, Bat City residents would surely take home the gold.
July 31, 2024
 · 
Morgan O’Neal
People sit under a canopy by the sidewalk for outdoor dining at Montelupo in Northeast Portland.
Play
Outstanding outdoor dining in Portland
Make the most of good weather by taking your meals al fresco on one of Portland’s many beautiful patios.
July 26, 2024
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Ben McBee
Richland County Regulators.jpg
City
Unsanctioned Olympic events that Columbia would dominate
If these sports were approved by the International Olympic Committee, Soda City residents would surely take home the gold.
July 25, 2024
 · 
David Stringer
Members of the USA Beer Mile team pose at the finish line, holding beers and raising their hands.
Sports
Unsanctioned Olympic events that Portland would dominate
If these sports were approved by the International Olympic Committee, Rose City residents would surely take home the gold.
July 24, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
Break dancers posing on their hands at an Olympics demonstration.
Sports
New sports at the Paris 2024 Olympics and where to try them
Start training and who knows? One day you might go from Portland to the podium.
July 24, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske
A hand pulls a six pack of Migration Brewing's Straight Outta Portland out of a store refrigerator. The cans are a white/silver and another six pack to the right is light blue.
Food
Local libations: A round of Portland-centric craft beers
A turn of phrase here, a recognizable Portland nod there — these craft beers found around PDX take local pride seriously.
July 22, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske
A painting of a pigeon on top of a Benson Bubbler.
History
History of Portland’s Benson Bubblers
The first of the Rose City’s iconic drinking fountains was installed in 1912.
July 21, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
A red highland cow lifts its chin just above a wire fence looking for treats.
Travel and Outdoors
Head up to Highland Farms to meet a herd of ‘hairy coos’
The property on the way to Mount Hood offers animal tours, hosts private events, and has Airbnbs to reserve for your next getaway.
July 18, 2024
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Ben McBee
Cirque du Soleil performers form a human tower, while one in the foreground holds a large teeter totter.
Events
Catch high-flying acrobatics under the big top with Cirque du Soleil
The touring show “Kooza” will run from Wednesday, Aug. 21 to Sunday, Oct. 6 at the Portland Expo Center.
July 18, 2024
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Ben McBee
Artist Jack Kent poses with a flying V guitar, decorated with a cartoon seagull, slung over his shoulders. He also wears a black hat with Rip City in white and red lettering. His T-shirt says Fine Art & Jazz Festival from Newport, Oregon.
Culture
Artist spotlight: Sketchy People
Jack Kent turned people watching into an art in Portland, capturing eight years (and counting) of the city’s unique scenes and quirky characters through his comics series.
July 16, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
PDXtoday_MontgomeryPlaza_PSUplacemaking.png
Development
‘Constellation of Connection’ design proposal will reimagine Portland State University’s campus
The university is partnering with Walker Macy Collaborative to activate street-level spaces “by bringing the energy from inside PSU buildings to outdoor locations.”
July 16, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
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