Hello Friday.
April 04 2025 |
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Today, we’re celebrating an unofficial Portland holiday — we’re calling it 503 Day, an homage to our city’s area code. With only a hint of irony, we’ve put together an itinerary where you’ll actually never feel the need to look at your phone (unless you’re taking pictures) because you’ll be having the time of your life. |
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🍳 9:00 a.m.
Start the day at Nordic Northwest, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving Nordic culture in the Pacific Northwest; break your fast at Broder Söder, a charming cafe on the grounds that serves fare like Swedish hash, Danish pancakes, and smoked trout eggs benedict — not to mention Portland’s largest selection of aquavit.
Order a lavender oat milk cold brew to go and explore the center, taking in the impressive Nordia House’s architecture, then stroll over to Fogelbo (Swedish for “bird nest”), a historic home that contains one of the largest private collections of Nordic antiques and folk art in the US.
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Several different trails wind to the top of Mount Tabor. | Photo by PDXtoday staff | |
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🌲 3:00 p.m.
Time to get the blood pumping again; either head to Glowing Greens, an underground black-lit mini-golf experience, or hike to the top of Mount Tabor and take in the view of distant downtown. History buffs can live vicariously with a visit to the Oregon Historical Society’s “Freeze the Day! A History of Winter Sports in Oregon” exhibit.
🎸 6:00 p.m.
Is that free live music we hear? It certainly is at Laurelthirst Public House (2958 NE Glisan St.), and you know what else sounds good? A Cascade Farms all-natural beef burger, on brioche buns slathered with Dijon mustard, mayo, and all the fixins’. The house-made sunflower seed + walnut patty is a worthy vegan alternative. |
When it comes to these fun Portland experiences, be like carpe diem and just do ‘em. Oh, and don't forget to share this with your fellow adventurers. |
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Today -
Oberhofer | Tues., May 3 | 9 p.m. | Doug Fir Lounge | $18 | Billboard describes this indie psychedelic band as “a premium combination of totally silly and dead serious.”
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Classical Up Close 2022 | Tues., May 3 | 7 p.m. | Mt. Scott Park Presbyterian Church, 5512 SE 73rd Ave. | Free | Join Oregon Symphony musicians and their friends for a full-length concert. 🎺
Wednesday
Thursday - Sign, Sing, and Play Session 2 | Thurs., May 5 | 9:30-10:30 a.m. | 5441 SE Belmont St. | $99 | Take a class with your little one to learn signing education through music + movement. 🤟
- First Thursday | Thurs., May 5 | 5-9 p.m. | Northwest 13th Avenue between Hoyt + Kearney | Free | Your one-stop shop for local art, wine + more.
Friday -
Moon Hooch | Fri., May 6 | 9 p.m. | Wonder Ballroom, 128 NE Russell St. | $22 | Familiarize yourself with “cave music” — similar to house music, but more primitiave, jagged, and raw.
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We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends. |
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Weather - 63º | Cloudy | 12% chance of rain
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The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s latest outlook favors La Niña to last through the summer, but what does that mean for Portland? At the moment, the National Weather Service’s model has a lot of variability, with an equal chance for warmer-than-average and cooler-than-average temperatures. 🌤️ (KGW)
Sunrise + Sunset - Rise: 5:55 a.m.
- Set: 8:20 p.m.
Health -
The Oregon Health Authority’s digital vaccine card is now available in 13 languages. For those interested, the initiative uses a QR code that can be scanned on your phone and is only open to people who were vaccinated in the state. Reminder: event venues in Portland, like Revolution Hall, still require proof of vaccination. 📱
Coming Soon -
Akadi, the city’s acclaimed West African restaurant that closed during the pandemic, will reopen in its new larger location at 1001 SE Division St. on Sat., May 8. It returns with a brand new sister business, House of Flavor, a North Portland market specializing in hard-to-find African spices, produce + beverages. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)
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On Fri., May 13, Trap Kitchen will open its first Portland restaurant in the former Peter’s Room space in the Roseland Theater, crafting stand-out dishes like teriyaki bowls served in a pineapple, lobster pizza, and Rich Boy and Rich Girl sandwiches (two inventive takes on a po’ boy). 🍍 (Eater Portland)
Legacy -
A free celebration of life for iconic Mayor Bud Clark will be held Sun., May 15 at 1 p.m. in Pioneer Courthouse Square. Musical performances will be followed by a complimentary ice cream social, courtesy of Salt & Straw. SOLVE is also coordinating a downtown cleanup prior to the event. 🍦 (Portland Tribune)
Volunteer -
Nonprofit Meals on Wheels People, which delivers food + companionship to older adults, is looking for volunteers for its Safe Home for Seniors Program. Community members with “handy person” skills are needed to provide maintenance + cleanup services for seniors’ homes and yards. 🛠️
Travel -
As air travel rebounds around the country, Portland International Airport is seeing increased activity too, but not nearly at the same rate. No concrete reasons have revealed themselves, but Oregon’s later exposure to the Omicron variant and a slower return to the office for business travelers could be factors. ✈️ (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)
History -
Prior to 2007, the bus shelters along Portland’s Transit Mall had a signature oval shape with a glass roof. When they were rebuilt, only one was left standing; today Less and More Coffee now occupies the space, offering rides to caffeine town with a shot of nostalgia. ☕ (KOIN)
Arts -
Following the success of last year’s “Away/Home” show at the Portland Art Museum, where Sa’rah Melinda Sabino explored growing up in a mixed-race family through the lens of basketball + Moroccan culture, the artist continues to explore her dreams for an exhibit that debuts at One Grand Gallery this August.
Biz -
Small Business Week is here — and Ruby, a 24/7 virtual receptionist and live chat company, is celebrating by launching a new resource hub dedicated to their small business community. Check out the curated resources built to help today’s entrepreneurs achieve long-term success.*
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About a year ago, Brett Bigham, a Portland teacher who works with kids who have special needs, put out a request; because it can be hard to take his students on field trips, he wanted to bring a museum to them — specifically, a rotating display of rocks and minerals.
The response was enough to boulder anyone over, garnering an outpouring of support locally + nationally, and Brett was named a finalist for Voya Financial’s “Unsung Heroes” award. You’d have to have a heart made of stone not to think this is the most touching story ever.
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