City Cast Portland
What Portlanders Googled the most 💰 🧘
December 14, 2023
Good morning, Portland! How are you spending the holidays? Today I’ve included some ideas for where to celebrate New Year’s Eve if you’re starting to plan ahead.
What's CITY Talking About?
City Budget Rescue From Clean Energy Fund
City Commissioner Carmen Rubio is planning to award millions of dollars from the Portland Clean Energy Fund to city bureaus. The fund, passed by voters to address climate change, is now expected to provide the Portland Bureau of Transportation upwards of $7 million of new revenue. Any proposals would ultimately need City Council signoff. [Willamette Week]
Don’t Drink to Your Health
Health officials are encouraging Oregonians not to drink excessively, even during the holidays. The campaign Rethink the Drink comes as heavy drinking is up among adults. Excessive drinking is a leading cause of preventable death in the state, and one in five deaths of Oregonians ages 20 to 49 is attributed to it. [KGW]
Portlanders Google Pawnshops and Pilates
Google released its list of what we’re all searching for on the internet this year. In the “near me” category, Portlanders most often looked for pawn shops, air quality, wildfires, food banks, and pilates. [KOIN]
How to Hunt Oregon’s Best Shellfish
Shellfish harvesting season is here. Flying Fish Company owner Lyf Gildersleeve, a second-generation fishmonger, and an expert in all things shellfish, explains how to get the freshest oysters, clams, and crabs in Oregon this season. [City Cast Portland 🎧]
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Portland Chatter
I’m always glad to hear from you. Here are a couple of responses to this week’s newsletters:
Get to Know the Central Eastside
“It’s good to see that you’re promoting the Central Eastside Industrial District. To your question, I’d like to put in plugs for City Liquidators, Coava Coffee (worked with co-owner), and Cargo (I love their entrance).” — Mark E. McClure
Best Holiday Movies
“My top 5 would be ‘It's a Wonderful Life,’ ‘Christmas Vacation,’ ‘Scrooge (1970),’ ‘The Polar Express,’ and ‘Home Alone.’” — Michael J. Young
What To Do
Thursday, Dec. 14
- 🎄 Christmas Festival of Lights | 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. | $6+ | Madison South
- 🤣 The Eric Andre Show Live | 6 p.m. | $55+ | Downtown
- ⛵ Christmas Ships Parade | 7 p.m. | Free | Willamette Riverfront
- 🤣 Jimmy Carr: Terribly Funny | 7 & 9:30 p.m. | $35+ | Downtown
Saturday, Dec. 30
- 🍵 Pop-Up Tea Shop | 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. | $14 for admission | Lan Su Chinese Garden
- 🐋 Whale Watching Week | Various Times through Dec. 31 | Free | Depoe Bay and other spots on the Oregon Coast
- 🎥 Lord of the Rings Trilogy: ‘The Return of the King’ | 7:15 p.m. | $8 | OMSI
- 👯 New Year’s Eve EVE Dance: Contra, Walz, & Blues | 7:30 p.m. - 12:15 a.m. | $15+ | Kerns
- 🎵 Fruition | 9 p.m. | $46.61 | Wonder Ballroom
Sunday, Dec. 31
- 🎊 New Year's Eve Sobriety Powwow | Noon | Free | Hillsboro
- 🧘 Clearing the Path: A New Year’s Eve Cleanse (yoga & sound bath) | 1 - 3 p.m. | $45 | Montavilla
- 🔨 New Years Eve DIY Workshop | 1 - 4 p.m. | $78+ | Southeast Division
- 🫧 Bubble & Squeeze: Jet Black Pearl & Amazing Bubble Man | 5 - 7 p.m. | $10 | Northeast Alberta Street
- 🛼 New Year's Eve Skate Party | 7 p.m. - 1 a.m. | $28 | Oaks Park
- 🍴 The Big Night! at Gabbiano’s | 7:30 p.m. | $360 for a pair | Gabbiano’s
- 🥂 The Champagne Ball | 8 p.m. - 1 a.m. | $127.61+ | Portland Art Museum
- 🥂 Battle of the Decades Returns | 8:30 p.m. | $50.20 | Mississippi Studios
- 🎵 Fruition | 9 p.m. | $46.61 | Wonder Ballroom
- 🎵 New Year’s Eve with Bridge City Sinners | 9 p.m. | $41.40 | Crystal Ballroom
- 🤠 Jenny Don't and The Spurs - New Year's Eve Cowboy Prom | 9 p.m. | $38.14 | Humboldt
- 🎵 Spafford with Bodhi Mojo | 9 p.m. | $51.84 | Buckman
- 🎶 Reptaliens | 9 p.m. | $26.05 | Revolution Hall (Show Bar)
- 🎆 Karl Denson's Tiny Universe | 9 p.m. | $50.17+ | Revolution Hall
Plus, want to ring in the New Year with good food? Check out this list of where to dine in style.
Today on City Cast
From Clams to Crabs, How to Hunt Oregon’s Best Shellfish
Shellfish are a huge part of Pacific Northwest cuisine, especially around the holidays, when the harvesting season starts. Flying Fish Co. owner Lyf Gildersleeve, a second-generation fishmonger, and an expert in all things shellfish, offers tips on how to get the freshest oysters, clams, and crabs in Oregon this season.
Once you start digging for that clam, he goes, ‘I’m getting the hell out of here!’ And he digs deeper.
If you live, work, or spend any time in St. Johns, the neighborhood association there is looking for your opinions.
— Rachel Monahan
Edited by John Notarianni and copy edited by Giulia Fiaoni
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