City Cast Portland
👟 Why casual runners are ditching Nike
October 17, 2023
Good morning, Portland! 🤍 We’re going to get a break from gray skies ⛅ Sun’s on the way for the next few days ☀️
What's CITY Talking About?
Housing as Medical Care
Oregon has long been a trailblazer on reducing medical costs, but now the state is spending Medicaid dollars to house people. It’s focusing on individuals whose medical conditions would deteriorate without a place to live, requiring expensive emergency care. It’s not clear yet whether this approach will be cost-effective. [NPR via OPB]
Only the Pro Runners Loyal to Nike
The Chicago marathon winner and other star runners wear Nikes, but recreational runners have increasingly turned to Brooks and Hoka brands, both of which report massive growth. That may be because Nike hasn’t been courting local running stores and instead focused on direct sales. [Oregonian]
New TriMet Trains
TriMet is rolling out new MAX trains for the first time in a decade. These sixth-generation trains have improved heating and cooling. The first generation of MAX trains will start to be retired, after traveling some 2 million miles. [KOIN]
Gardens to Fight Climate Change
Gardens full of native plants can help combat climate change because they are good at sequestering carbon. They also can keep your garden cooler during heat waves. Peter Condra, an Oregon master naturalist who works for the Columbia Land Trust, explains. [City Cast Portland 🎧]
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Where Is It?
This clock stands at the center of the St. Johns neighborhood, enhancing its small-town feel. It should be telling the proper time these days after being renovated along with the St. Johns Plaza by the local business district association.
A shoutout to readers who knew the clock: Brian Finlayson, as well as Reagan, who wrote: “That looks like our clock!”
This one comes from reader Stephan Vertal, who has contributed a few ideas over the last year. Your ideas are welcome too!
Do you know where this artwork is? What do you know about it?
What To Do
🎥 ‘Vicenta B’ | Wednesday | 7:30 p.m.
The next installment of the Portland Latin American Film Festival is Cuban director Carlos Lechuga’s 2022 movie that tells the story of a woman who can see the future. [$14, Hollywood]
🎤 Cypress Hill With the Oregon Symphony | Wednesday | 7:30 p.m.
The chart-topping hip hop group is celebrating the 30th anniversary of their “Black Sunday” album with a genre-bending performance. [$74+, Downtown]
🩰 Portland Dance Film Fest | Thursday - Saturday | Various
Check out two dozen dance films over three days. [$44.52, Woodlawn]
Today on City Cast
Why You Should Make Space for Native Plants in Your Garden
Gardens full of native plants can help combat climate change. They support pollinators and protect wildlife, while conserving natural resources like water and green space. Peter Condra, an Oregon master naturalist who works for the Columbia Land Trust, explains how to use garden spaces more effectively.
It's actually one of the only fun things I've found in environmentally friendly behaviors. Everything else is like, eat less bacon, eat less beef, don't drive, don't travel.
Gordon L. Smith, owner of the landmark Camp 18 restaurant in Elsie, Ore., has died. Smith was also a logger who cut the trees down and milled the wood for the restaurant’s main cabin himself. The cabin, the Oregonian reports, “featured 4-inch thick doors weighing 500 pounds opened by a broad axe that served as a door handle.”
— Rachel Monahan
Edited by John Notarianni and copy edited by Giulia Fiaoni
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