City Cast Portland
Portland's best farmers market stands
May 23, 2023
Good morning! Spring means more of the Willamette Valley’s bounty comes pouring into Portland-area farmers markets. Read on for more on how to take full advantage. Have your own recommendations on favorite market stands to visit? Email us.
What's CITY Talking About?
Oregonians Make More, Taxed More
A higher percentage of Oregonians — 5.3% in 2021 vs. 1.5% in 2010 — are now in the state’s highest income tax bracket. Individuals making above $125,000 or couples with $250,000 (benchmarks that aren’t adjusted with inflation) account for a small percentage of taxpayers but upwards of 40% of income tax revenue. [Oregonian]
Increase in Fentanyl Use
More people in the Portland area are seeking to use pure fentanyl. As a result, fewer overdose deaths can be attributed to mistaken fentanyl exposure than before the pandemic. But the drug is still dangerous even so. A growing percentage of overdose deaths are due to fentanyl, public health officials say. [Oregonian]
- Related: Dean Shold, the co-founder of the nonprofit FentCheck, is pushing the Oregon Legislature to provide greater access to $1 fentanyl testing strips that could save lives and are currently illegal to distribute. [City Cast Portland 🎧]
Fire Season May Begin Early
Firefighters are now preparing for an early fire season. There was a rainy early spring, but it’s gotten warm and dry quickly. [KGW]
Where Is It?
The Lovejoy Fountain, which was built in 1966, has affectionately been called “the town swimming hole.” The fountain was designed by landscape architect Lawrence Halprin, who also designed the better-known Keller Fountain. The Lovejoy Fountain is in a pedestrian-only area, hidden away between Southwest First and Fourth avenues, and between Harrison and Lincoln Streets. The fountain and its pavilion have recently been renovated.
Here’s a shout-out to our readers, who knew the spot: Cynthia, Laurel Jones, James Keough, as well as Devlyn, who wrote, “So glad it's up and running again,” and Bryan Patterson, who wrote, “It's designed for how water flows in Oregon from the Cascades down to the rivers. My favorite fountain in Portland!”
This portrait in mural form very appropriately has a ton of graffiti art. Where is it?
What To Do
The Oregon Symphony: Music of Led Zeppelin | Wednesday | 7:30 p.m.
A rock-and-roll cover band and the Oregon Symphony will play "Stairway to Heaven," "Black Dog," "Whole Lotta Love," and more. [$25+, Downtown]
Science Pub: ‘Under Alien Skies’ | Wednesday | 7 p.m.
As part of the Science on Tap series, astronomer Philip Plait offers the next-best thing to actual extraterrestrial travel. [$25+, Concordia]
‘Kabuki: The Adventures of High Priest Kôchi’ | Thursday - Sunday | Various
Portland State’s yearly production of traditional Japanese kabuki features a play that dates from 1685 that promises to be full of “miracles and magic.” [$25, Downtown]
Today on City Cast
How to Shop Like A Farmers Market Pro
It’s farmers market season! And did you know that in the Portland area alone, we have nearly 40 farmers markets happening every week? Today we’re talking with Molly Notarianni, the former executive director of the Farmers Market Fund. She’s been in the farm-to-market business for nearly 20 years, and she’s here to answer all of our questions.
A hundred percent of the money you’re spending is going directly to these farmers … whereas, at a grocery store, it’s maybe like 15 cents on the dollar.
Three black bear sightings in Forest Park is unusual, but that’s what happened late last week. There are upwards of 25,000 black bears in the state, but it’s unclear how many are in Portland. If you see one, the advice is not to run, to make yourself large, avoid eye contact, and make loud noises — the last may prevent run-ins in the first place.
— Rachel Monahan
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