🤠 ‘Oregon Trail’ goes to Hollywood

New York, Not Oregon, Wins First CHIP Research Center

The Biden administration has announced the first of three major investments into semiconductor research centers, and New York will get $825 million for a lithography center — the printing process used in making chips. Intel and Oregon continue to be competitive for the other two grants. [Oregonian 🔒]

‘Oregon Trail’ Movie

In an exciting development for superfans, the classic video game “Oregon Trail” is being made into a movie. It’s in the early development phase, but is expected to be in the action comedy genre. [KOIN]

Hydro Hog Offered 40% Discount

On the Friday news roundup, the Portland Water Bureau used artificial intelligence to help identify customers in need of financial assistance. But the machine learning program offered a 40% discount to billionaire Tim Boyle, who ranked ninth for using the most Portland water, as of 2021. [City Cast Portland 🎧]

October in Portland saw three notable cafe openings, all in Northwest. They’re all remarkable for different reasons. Here’s why you should visit:

☕🍷 Lei Brilla | 1759 NW 24th Ave. (Northwest District)

Hours: Monday - Tuesday, 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Thursday - Friday, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Many a Portland coffee shop closes up mid-afternoon. That’s where Lei Brilla rides to the rescue. The all-day cafe has beautiful high ceilings and blond-wood tables — a pleasant space to meet a friend or sit with a laptop and sip coffee. But it also serves wine and beer at happy hour. Bonus: They serve tasty food that they’ve put some care into.

Go for: Coffee in the morning.

Stay for: A glass of wine at happy hour.

Return for: The tasty bites.

⛔🍞 Kirari West | 1668 NW 23rd Ave. (Northwest District)

Hours: Every day, 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Like other aspects of the restaurant industry, Portland’s gluten-free offerings took a hit during the pandemic. But here’s a sign that things might turn a corner. An outpost of a California bakery, Kirari West is the company’s first foray into Oregon. On offer are three different kinds of gluten-free bread and a plethora of pretty pastries. The bakery also serves smoothies, coffee drinks, kombucha as well as a full menu of toast and sandwiches, bowls and salads.

Go for: Gluten-free bread and pastries

Stay for: A meal

Return for: The excellent quality. You wouldn’t know it was gluten-free!

☠️ Memento Mori Cafe | 1533 NW 24th Ave. (Northwest District)

Hours: Every day, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

This cafe is death-themed and plant-based. Could it be more stereotypically Portland? So maybe it’s no surprise that they already have a loyal following: The shop regularly sells out of menu items and baked goods. Costumed patrons crowded the goth-bedecked cozy space when I stopped by before Halloween. But it’s not just a seasonal offering; the cafe will be around when you make it by.

Go for: The Halloween/goth theme

Stay for: The coffee drinks: Werewolf (mint mocha), crypt keeper (caramel white chocolate hazelnut), sleepy hallow (pumpkin).

Return for: (Surprise!) The food. You can even trust them to have a good plant-based cream cheese.

Note: The usual Friday "Where Is It" scavenger hunt will return next Friday.