City Cast Portland
🛢️ The major issue where City Council’s hands are tied
January 27, 2025 · — Rachel Monahan
Good morning, Portland! 💍 The New York Times profiled a Portland couple who tied the knot in advance of Trump’s inauguration. They expressed concern about what’ll happen to their right to marry under the new administration 🏳️🌈
What's CITY Talking About?
Iconic Summer Camp’s Financial Problems
Camp Namanu, which was founded more than 100 years ago in Clackamas County, is proceeding with its regular summer programs. But it still needs to raise $1 million by year end, even after discontinuing its after-school programming and cutting 80 jobs. [Oregonian 🔒]
Delay in Extending Metro’s Homeless Services Tax
Facing tepid public approval for extending the homeless services tax, elected officials at the regional government Metro are delaying a plan to go to the ballot in May. They’re looking at November for extending the tax on high-income Portland-area residents, which first passed in 2020 and has brought in nearly $1 billion. [Oregonian 🔒]
Council Lacks Power to Address Zenith
Portland City Council has limited power to deny Zenith Energy the needed approval to proceed with operations — city staff said at briefings held last week. Environmentalists have opposed the company’s expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure, while the company has pledged to switch to renewable fuels. [Portland Mercury]
The Oregon Origin Story of the Tater Tot
The tater tot was invented here. Food writer and OPB’s Superabundant newsletter producer Heather Arndt Anderson explains the local history of potato products and picks a few spots that excel in our state’s snack of choice. [City Cast Portland 🎧]
What To Do
Monday, Jan. 27
- 🏀 Rip City Remix vs Austin Spurs | 6:30 p.m. | $10+ | Chiles Center (University of Portland)
- 🤓 ‘50 People, Places, and Things That Transformed Portland Since 1974’ (history pub) | 7 p.m. | $5 | Kennedy School
- 💃 Square Dancing at the Showdown | 7 p.m. | $15.92 | The Showdown (Hosford-Abernethy neighborhood)
- 🎸 ECD Slow Jam (tunes from the Barnes Collection) | 7 p.m. | Kennedy School
Tuesday, Jan. 28
- 📚 Omar El Akkad: ‘What Strange Paradise’ (Everybody Reads event) | 6 p.m. | Free | Online
- 🏀 Y-Night with the Trail Blazers: Portland vs. Milwaukee | 7 p.m. | $68+ | Moda Center
- 🎉 New Year, New Akiho | 7 p.m | $29.50+ | The Reser (Beaverton)
Wednesday, Jan. 29
- 🌍 Consider This: Our Place in the World with Ben Rhodes | 7 p.m. | $19.75+ | Alberta Rose Theatre
- 🦁 Celebrate the Year of the Snake (Kickoff with lion dance) | 9:30 - 11 a.m. | $16 | Lan Su Chinese Garden (Old Town)
- 🏮 Celebrate the Year of the Snake (Dragon and lantern viewing event) | 5:30 - 7 p.m. or 7 - 9 p.m. (various times through Feb. 16) | $43 | Lan Su Chinese Garden (Old Town)
- 📚 Carol Anderson: ‘White Rage’ (Martin Luther King Jr. Lecture) | 5:30 p.m. | Free but RSVP in advance | Lewis and Clark Law School
- 🕺 Bachata (dancing) | 9:30 p.m. | Free Admission | Aztec Willies (Northeast Broadway)
🎟️ A reminder: If you have an event you’re organizing or that you’re enthusiastic about it, please let us know. (Tip: Submit events online at least two weeks beforehand.)
Free · Daily