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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 hand holds a bowl of stir fried chicken and rice noodles at Yaowarat.
Play
Meet your new favorite Portland restaurant
Dining in Portland is always a fresh experience with new restaurants popping up all the time — and more on the way.
October 24, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
A dull orange sunset shines on Pittock Mansion in Portland, Oregon.
Culture
Where would you film a scary movie in Portland?
Imagine a horror flick set in the Rose City. What location has the creepiest vibe?
October 20, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
The little amphitheater at Pioneer Courthouse Square in Portland, Oregon.
City
Hello-o-o from Pioneer Courthouse Square’s echo chamber
The miniature amphitheater uses physics and design to create interesting sound effects.
October 16, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
A vibrant orange sunset illuminates the buildings of downtown Portland.
City
What would give someone bad luck in Portland?
Forget breaking a mirror or walking under a ladder — what kind of actions would bring a Portlander misfortune?
October 10, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
INDYtoday: INDY_CPR class_OCT23
Wellness
Learn CPR and other first-aid skills with these classes around Indy
Take heart — these organizations can help you learn the skills you need to be a citizen superhero.
October 3, 2023
 · 
Shea Stapley
A runner poses with double peace signs as she crosses the Broadway Bridge during the Portland Marathon.
City
Runners will blaze a new trail at this year’s Portland Marathon
Non-runners take notice of the event on Sunday, Oct. 1, lest you be snared in traffic — this year’s route will be different.
September 28, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
A little girl walks along a fallen tree while holding her dad's hand.
City
A kid’s perfect day in Portland
From breakfast to dinner — we’ve rounded up a day full of kid-friendly activities for the whole family to enjoy.
September 28, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
The outside of Target in downtown Portland.
City
Seeing red: Target to close down 3 Portland locations
The decision stems from safety and theft concerns and is part of a broader move to shutter stores in other major cities, including Seattle, San Francisco, Oakland, and New York City.
September 26, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
Sun shines on the front of Portland City Hall, where the local government operates.
City
Local government 101: the difference between city and county services
Learn about where you can go for specific services between the city of Portland and Multnomah County.
September 26, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
Falconer Kort Clayton holds his Harris's hawk named Clive.
City
Q+A: Kort Clayton of Integrated Avian Solutions
September 23, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
A close up of a person's hands as they apply CPR to a practice dummy.
Healthcare
Classes that teach CPR and other first-aid skills around Portland
It could help you save a life someday.
September 21, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
A little kid puts their hand on a tree in Hoyt Arboretum during the fall.
Travel and Outdoors
Best practices for interacting with nature in Portland
Help keep Portland’s nature scenes beautiful with these pro tips.
September 20, 2023
 · 
Kristen Templeton
Eight people dressed up in cosplay at the Rose City Comic Con.
Culture
Rose City Comic Con returns Friday, Sept. 22, through Sunday, Sept. 24
Fans of every flavor, from comic books to anime, will flock to the Oregon Convention Center for the 11th Rose City Comic Con.
September 19, 2023
 · 
Emily Shea-Owen
A person pays for parking at a meter in Portland.
City
How to deal with pesky parking tickets in Portland
Resolving parking citations in the City of Roses will always be a bummer, but hopefully our guide makes it less confusing.
September 18, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
Dancers wearing colorful dresses perform baile folklorico at El Grito in Portland to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.
Culture
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month around Portland
From fiestas to film festivals, there are plenty of ways to join the festivities.
September 14, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
Hundreds of people dig through bins at The Biggest Clothing Swap in the Northwest.
Events
Find a fresh fit at The Biggest Clothing Swap in the Northwest
Keeping clothes out of the landfill, one trade at a time
September 14, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
Kid chefs at Little Kitchen Academy prepare ingredients in a modern, industrial kitchen.
Food
How to encourage young chefs on National Kids Take Over the Kitchen Day
Little Kitchen Academy in Bridgeport Village empowers aspiring cooks ages 3-18 with Montessori-inspired cooking classes, sharing various tools and techniques as well as safety practices.
September 12, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
A scene from the movie "Halloweentown" shows a giant pumpkin and other smaller Jack o lanterns outside of St. Helens City Hall.
Events
Festivities to howl at during your visit to ‘Halloweentown’
Only 45 minutes outside of Portland, St. Helens is known for hosting Spirit of Halloweentown, an annual event that celebrates the filming of the 1998 Disney movie.
September 8, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
Portland State QB Dante Chachere had multiple big runs to push the team toward its only touchdown in the season opener against the Oregon Ducks.
Sports
A guide to the 2023 college football season in Oregon
Football is back — here’s how to tailgate like a pro and cheer on the Portland State Vikings, Oregon Ducks, and Oregon State Beavers this 2023 college football season.
September 6, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
Oregon State Parks crews dump gravel at two new pit toilets at Saddle Mountain State Natural Area.
Travel and Outdoors
Saddle Mountain State Natural Area reopens following lengthy repairs
The popular hiking trail in between Portland and the Oregon Coast has been closed since 2021.
September 6, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
Sunlight shines on the columns outside Portland City Hall
City
Do you know the ombudsman?
The independent, impartial department within the city of Portland investigates other bureaus and agencies to safeguard the rights of citizens and promote fairness, competency, efficiency, and justice.
August 25, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
A wine bottle blasts off from a vineyard like a rocket
Business
2.4 million refillable wine bottles will land in the Willamette Valley
Revino’s glass bottle reuse system aims to help the Pacific Northwest wine industry become more sustainable.
August 23, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
Two children and an adult walk across the stepping stones of Lovejoy Fountain.
City
Sense of place resonates on Architectural Heritage Center walking tours
See and hear how Portland’s history lives on in the buildings and the people’s stories of what once was.
August 23, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
A fork hovers above albacore tuna dressed with an olive tapenade, baby squash and pumpkin seeds.
Food
Sip and savor the Chef’s Tasting experience at Alloro Vineyard
Enjoy a farm fresh, multi-course meal and exclusive wines with a side of sweeping countryside views.
August 21, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
Mount Rushmore features cut outs of Portland's historic figures: Governor Tom McCall, author Beverly Cleary, drag queen Darcelle XV, and chef James Beard.
City
Mount Rushmore of Portland: the winners
These four historic figures left a legacy that will last for many years to come.
August 21, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
The Grey Eagle
Culture
Give these Asheville music venues a listen
We’ve made a concerted effort to orchestrate this roadmap, so you can focus on finding the artists you adore.
August 21, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
Portland's Independent District Commission discusses the final map proposal at a meeting.
City
Study up on how to run for Portland City Council
The Auditor’s Office’s candidate guide is a resource for those who want to run for office while the city’s government transitions to a new system.
August 17, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
Rain soaks the entrance to Legacy Good Samaritan, a hospital in Northwest Portland.
Business
OHSU and Legacy Health announce plans to merge in 2024
Together, the two Portland healthcare giants would serve more than 3 million patients a year.
August 17, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
A volunteer with Store to Door drops off groceries for a senior client.
City
Store to Door offers groceries and heart-to-heart interactions to seniors and adults living with disabilities
The Portland nonprofit has supported residents in need for more than 30 years.
August 15, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
The owner of Shawarma Station hands a customer their food at Midtown Beer Garden food cart pod in downtown Portland.
Food
Midtown Beer Garden makes its mark on downtown Portland
The redeveloped food cart pod at Southwest Fifth Avenue and Harvey Milk Street is a collaboration between Expensify and ChefStable, which will feature 25 new and returning eateries.
August 15, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
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