
City Cast Portland
💐 Why we observe Memorial Day in May
May 23, 2024 · — Rachel Monahan
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What's CITY Talking About?
Reform DA Lost Reelection
It’s always big news when voters toss out an incumbent: Multnomah County voters rejected DA Mike Schmidt, electing one of his deputies, Nathan Vasquez, who promised to be tougher on crime. Schmidt was elected in 2020 as a reformer. As of Wednesday evening, Vasquez was winning with 54% to 46%. [Oregonian]
Manslaughter for Fentanyl Overdose
Washington County successfully prosecuted a street-level drug dealer in an overdose death. A 17-year-old died after buying fentanyl-laced pills. There have been only two other such prosecutions in Oregon courts, according to Washington County prosecutors. [Oregonian]
Columnist Remembers Attempt at Governorship
Willamette Week excerpts New York Times columnist Nick Kristof’s new memoir “Chasing Hope.” Kristof didn’t make the ballot in 2022 because of residency issues. “My campaign flopped in the end, so I’ve been asked if I am embarrassed about it. Embarrassed? Not at all. I believe in big swings,” he writes. [Willamette Week]
Patience Required for Travelers This Weekend
A near-record number of people are expected to be on the roads this weekend. AAA Oregon projects 600,000 people will be traveling to popular destinations like Bend or Anaheim, Calif. Airports are expected to be crowded as well. [OPB]
Bike Guide for Cycling Season
It’s officially bicycle-riding season in Portland. Cycling expert Leah Benson, the former owner of the Gladys Bikes on Northeast Alberta Street, has advice on picking your next bicycle. [City Cast Portland 🎧]

What To Do
Thursday, May 23
- 📚🎵 Kathleen Hanna in Conversation With Fabi Reyna | 7:30 p.m. | $51.19 | Revolution Hall
- 🦸 Comics Club (reading) | 6:30 p.m. | Free | Richmond neighborhood
Friday, May 24
- 🎨 Math Bass: Full Body Parentheses | Noon - 6 p.m. (Fridays and Saturdays through July 13) | Free | lumber room (Pearl District)
- 🦆 Downtown Ducky Drop | 3 - 6 p.m. | Free | Director Park
- 🎵 Emo Orchestra feat. Escape The Fate | 8 p.m. | $37.50 | Roseland Theater
- 🎵 ’Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I’ in Concert with the Oregon Symphony | 7:30 p.m. | $66+ | Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
- 🍺 CityFair: Celebration of Oregon Brewers Festival | 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. (various time through June 9) | $11.99 | Tom McCall Waterfront Park
Saturday, May 25
- ⚱️ Wilhelm’s Portland Memorial Mausoleum Public Tours 2024 | 10 a.m., 12 p.m., and 2 p.m. (call to reserve a spot in guided tours) | Free | Sellwood-Westmoreland neighborhood
- 🎢 Multnomah County Fair | Noon - 7 p.m. (through Monday) | $5 for parking | Oaks Park
- 🎵 The Mike Skill Group With Steve Wilkinson & The Samples and Desert Shame | 9 p.m. | $20.01 | The Showdown
- 📽️ ‘Stop Making Sense’ | $14 | 9:30 p.m. | Hollywood Theatre

Today on City Cast

How To Buy Your Perfect Portland Bicycle
It’s officially bicycle-riding season in Portland, but buying a new one can lead to a ton of questions. There are so many types of bikes now: How do you choose? How much should you be prepared to spend? And how the heck do you find one that fits? Cycling expert Leah Benson, the former owner of the dearly-missed Gladys Bikes on Northeast Alberta Street, has helped hundreds of Portlanders find the perfect bike for them and has answers.

I’ll see you tomorrow!
Free · Daily


