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Hello Portland! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Wizarding weekend, a vintage shop with a clothing museum, and Ciencias Night + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Today’s sponsor, Goldco, is helping folks around Portland help protect their savings after a remarkable few years for gold and silver. Their free guide explains what's behind the run… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Major campus project underway: Skanska broke ground on the University of Oregon’s $83 million Ballmer Institute for Children’s Behavioral Health in Northeast Portland, a 54,000-square-foot mass timber facility slated to open in late 2028 -- read the full story.
From side hustle to phenomenon: Downtown Portland’s Shirtzenpantz serves affordable vintage with a 6,000-square-foot clothing museum and 50 pairs of jeans, from twins Ethan and Owen Gail who started reselling in high school -- browse the vintage shop.
A century-plus legacy: Plasterers Local 82 marked 125 years with a July 18 celebration at its Portland hall, reflecting on roots with cement masons, decades of union votes, and benefits built through solidarity -- read the full story.
Watch your credit card balance drop. Here's a rare one: this card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, and you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. On top of that, every purchase earns at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories as high as 5%. Spend a little early on and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting too -- take a look.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
Google your own name and you'll probably find your home address: It's sitting on a people-search site right now, next to your age, your relatives, and your phone number, free for anyone to look up. Aura gets it taken down. It contacts 420+ data brokers on your behalf, uses privacy laws to legally demand deletion, and keeps resending requests so your information doesn't creep back online. No hours of opt-out forms, it runs quietly in the background — remove your data.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Gold posted one of its strongest runs in decades...Silver has been right there with it, and after a few remarkable years both metals have become some of the most talked-about assets for those looking to stay ahead of market volatility. While many are still sitting on the sidelines, others are quietly repositioning. If you’re wondering whether you’re missing something, Goldco has a free guide explaining what’s driving the renewed interest… and how people are approaching precious metals right now. It’s free and worth reading before the next move.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Boozy brunch, sorted: Whether your crew swings vegan, gluten-free, or "bring on the bacon," Flattop & Salamander nails the classics with chicken and waffles, baleadas, and legit breakfast burritos, plus an award-winning Bloody Mary. Casual, tasty, and very Portland, put it on your brunch rotation this week.
Cool-off made local: When the heat finally shows up, Peninsula Park Splash Pad is the low-key neighborhood move. Spray, laugh, then wander the rose garden or hit the playground nearby... it’s an easy, zero-planning reset for you, the kids, and anyone who forgot what "breeze" feels like.
Home upgrade, fast: Skip the weeks-long wait and poke around The Furniture Shack, a Portland family-owned warehouse-style spot with budget-friendly sectionals, dining sets, and mattresses that are actually in stock. Ideal for renters doing a quick refresh or anyone whose dog treated the old couch like a chew toy.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade →
The upgrades that make your home feel new again start here. You don't need a full remodel to fall back in love with your space. New fixtures, a fresh coat of paint, updated hardware, the small changes that make a room feel different. It's all in Home Depot, so a weekend is all it takes to give a tired room a fresh start. *Shop the refresh →
Once your car passes 50,000 miles, the odds of a big repair climb fast. That's usually right when your factory coverage starts running out. Engine, transmission, electrical, they fail on their own timeline, and the bills run into the thousands. An extended warranty covers them before they hit. You receive a free year of Elite Benefits, plus 30 days to change your mind. *$300 off right now →
A window quote that takes an hour and costs you nothing. No showroom, no sales runaround, no obligation to buy anything. A design consultant comes to you, measures your windows, walks you through the options, and leaves you with an exact price and timeline, that's the whole visit. Keep the quote as long as you like and decide whenever you're ready, or don't. Booking takes about a minute. *Book your free visit →
The fitness trend that doesn't require leaving your living room: Chair yoga is having a moment, and for good reason. It's low-impact, easy on the knees and back, and you do the whole thing seated. No floor, no equipment, no studio. A quick quiz turns it into a personalized plan built around your body and goals, then adjusts as you build the habit. *See your plan → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🧪 Ciencias Night @ Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) | Wednesday (7/22) at 6:00 PM – OMSI is throwing its fifth Ciencias Night, a museum takeover with hands-on science demos, vendor tables, and a lively celebration of our Latine community. Bring the kids, your curiosity, and your high school Spanish. It is loud, joyful, and actually educational.
🧙 Wizarding Weekend @ McMenamins Kennedy School | Friday (7/24) at 5:00 PM – Kennedy School goes full Hogwarts, with Diagon Alley stalls, wand practice, costumes, trivia, bingo, and magically themed food in the Great Hall. Free to roam, only the movies cost, and there is a school-supply drive, because even wizards know kids need basics. Robes optional.
🌙 ZooNights @ Oregon Zoo | Friday (7/24) at 5:00 PM – If your summer soundtrack needs a little lion roar, head to the Oregon Zoo after hours for live bands, food carts, keeper chats, and up-close animal encounters. Elephant ears, local beer and wine, forested strolls, and a clear conscience, since tickets support conservation.
🌳 Family Forest Day: Trees are Homes @ Stevens Pavilion | Saturday (7/25) at 9:30 AM – Whether you’re wrangling grandkids or just need an excuse to touch moss, the season’s final free Family Forest Day at Hoyt Arboretum’s Stevens Pavilion turns trees into whole neighborhoods. Expect games, bilingual walks, nature crafts, a maraca bar, and yes, an actual poet-tree.
🌊 Lighthouse Community River Float @ Lighthouse Community Yoga PDX | Saturday (7/25) at 11:00 AM – Mark the one year milestone with a free, family friendly float on the Clackamas, Portland style, with tubes, snacks, and sensible SPF. BYO float and refreshments, likely cruising Lower McIver to Barton, with a little carpool Tetris, a lot of mellow bobbing.
🧺 Pittock Mansion Picnic @ Pittock Mansion | Sunday (7/26) at 11:00 AM – Picnic season at Pittock Mansion's hilltop chateau means blankets on the lawn, skyline views, and free to attend while the parking meter judges. Regency attire is the vibe, but time travel is flexible. Bring a basket or just yourself, kids, games, and parasols welcome.
⚾ Dilly Wonka and the Pickle Factory + Youth Baseball Sunday @ Walker Stadium | Sunday (7/26) at 2:00 PM – Bring the crew to the Pickles’ Dilly Wonka day, a Sunday game with the Walla Walla Sweets where imagination runs wild, kids get their moment, and the sticky thing should be the cotton candy. Expect golden ticket vibes, spirit-lifting drinks, and no chocolate river rescues.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
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07 — Portland report Weather forecastToday — High: 100°F — Low: 66°F — Precip: 15%
Patchy smoke between 1pm and 3pm, then a slight chance of rain showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 100. Heat index values as high as 104. North northwest wind 2 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: A chance of rain showers before 5am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. West southwest wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Tomorrow — High: 89°F — Low: 61°F — Precip: 10%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 61. This house is wildThis 7,111-square-foot Hamilton Woods estate in SW Portland blends polished elegance with playful extras. A gourmet chef’s kitchen anchors the home, while a private wine room, game room, and media room keep gatherings lively. The indoor saltwater lap pool and hot tub bring resort-style relaxation indoors, and the landscaped grounds, covered patio, and fire pit round out the scene.
Take a peek inside → |
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