City Cast Portland
🚲 Why Trump is behind Portland e-bike sales
January 22, 2025 · — Rachel Monahan
Good morning, Portland! 🥶 We have a cold, sunny week ahead ☀️ Maybe you’ve noticed: Despite the recent rain, it’s been drier than usual. In fact, January typically subjects us to about an inch more of wet, cold drizzles 🪣
What's CITY Talking About?
A Legislative First
The first Japanese American woman to serve in the Oregon Legislature took the oath of office over the weekend. Rep. Mari Watanabe replaces Lisa Reynolds, who resigned the seat after being picked to join the state Senate. [KOIN]
- Related: Oregon House Speaker Julie Fahey gave the City Cast Portland podcast her run-down of Democratic priorities for the legislative session. [City Cast Portland 🎧]
Ahead of Tariffs, Oregonians on a Shopping Spree
In advance of Trump’s new tariffs, an e-bike shop in North Portland has seen a 25% spike in sales since November’s election. More than a dozen people also told OPB they’re buying electronics, home appliances, and cars to avoid any price spikes from tariffs. [OPB]
I can imagine if you're coming into managing a giant city bureaucracy, that transition could be a lot easier if your highest ranked officials are looking you in the eye every day.
Back to the Office for City and County Employees
On the midweek news roundup, Mayor Keith Wilson ordered 700 city managers back to the office full-time. And Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez also ended work-from-home arrangements for supervisors. [City Cast Portland 🎧]
What To Do
Wednesday, Jan. 22
- 📚The Soviet Jewish Bookshelf: Book Talk with Marat Grinberg and Olga Zilberbourg | 5 p.m. | $5 | Online (Zoom)
- 🖍️ Hump Day Hobbies (informal hobby circle) | 6 p.m. | Free | Oregon City
- 🏀 Rip City Remix vs Salt Lake Stars | 6:30 p.m. | $10+ | Chiles Center (University of Portland)
- 🎵 PSU Percussion Ensemble: Patterns and Form | 7:30 p.m. | $20 | Lincoln Performance Hall (PSU)
- 🎙️ Nat Geo Live: ‘Wild Cats Revealed’ With Sandesh Kadur | 7:30 p.m. | $35+ | The Reser (Beaverton)
- 🩰 White Bird: Martha Graham Dance Company | 7:30 p.m. | $64+ | Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
- 🎵 Tank and the Bangas | 8 p.m. | $38.11 | Revolution Hall
Thursday, Jan. 23
- 😆 ‘Samsara’ | 7 p.m. (various times through Feb. 9) | $23.11 | Artists Repertory Theatre
- 🎥 ‘The Summer of Soul’ | 7 p.m. | $10 | Clinton Street Theater
- 🥁 Antonio Sánchez: ‘Birdman’ Live | 7:30 p.m. | $35 | The Reser (Beaverton)
- 🎭 ‘Hairspray’ | 7:30 p.m. (various times through Feb. 9) | $53.79+ | Winningstad Theatre
- 🎵 Futurebirds | 8 p.m. | $28.07 | Aladdin Theater
Friday, Jan. 24
- 🐍 Lunar New Year Afternoon Tea (Doja Tea Lounge pop-up) | 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. (various times through Feb. 23) | $45 | Opal 28 (Kerns neighborhood)
- 🎥 ‘Porco Rosso’ (Studio Ghibli Film Festival) | 6:30 p.m. | $9 | OMSI
- 🎭 ‘Mrs. Harrison’ | 7:30 p.m. (various times through Feb. 16) | $25 | Portland Center State (Pearl District)
- 🎤 Super Diamond (Neil Diamond tribute) | 8 p.m. | $39.41 | Crystal Ballroom
- 🎵 Tim Heidecker | 8 p.m. | $48.37+ | Revolution Hall
⚡The cold actually bothers me more than rain 💡So if you want to join me in looking forward to a fun event during this sometimes-gloomy season, the annual Portland Winter Light Festival is next month (Feb. 7 - 15).
🍔 Bonus: the festival’s popup Glow Bar will serve what’s arguably the best burger in town — from Proletariat Butchery.
Free · Daily