City Cast Portland
How to genuinely enjoy February
January 30, 2025 · — Rachel Monahan
Good morning! February is expected to start off wintry 🌧️ But I am genuinely looking forward to this coming month. Maybe you can too ⬇️
What's CITY Talking About?
Critic Admits He Stole Homeless Services Funds
Kevin Dalghren developed a social media following criticizing Portland’s “Homeless Industrial Complex” by posting interviews of people living on the streets. Now he’s pleaded guilty to first-degree theft, aggravated identity theft, and first-degree official misconduct — crimes he committed while working for the city of Gresham on homeless services. [Oregonian 🔒]
Oregon Students Slip in Rankings
On last year’s standardized test, Oregon fourth graders’ scores were second worst in the country on math and (tied with 10 other states) third worst in reading. That marks a decline, both since the pandemic and relative to other states. [Oregonian 🔒]
Only Connecticut Has a Tighter Housing Market
Only Connecticut has a tighter housing market than Oregon, meaning the two states have the fewest homes available relative to the number of households. The new state housing needs analysis also found that counties outside of Portland face the worst shortage: Benton, Clatsop, Crook, Deschutes, and Yamhill. [Willamette Week]
Sponsored Content
Become a City Cast Portland member to receive exclusive benefits
Hey Portland delivers essential daily news to you and your neighbors, without a paywall!
Support City Cast Portland by becoming a member and receive benefits like,
- 🪩 An exclusive lookahead at upcoming can't-miss local events
- 🎧 Ad-free listening to the City Cast Portland podcast
What To Do
Thursday, Jan. 30
- 🔥 Artist Talk: Following Fire & Fire Maps | 6 - 8 p.m. | Free | World Forestry Center (Washington Park)
- 📽️ ‘Grave of the Fireflies’ (Studio Ghibli Film Festival) | 6:15 p.m. | $9 | OMSI
- 🐭 ‘Fantasia’ | 7 p.m. | $10 | Clinton Street Theater
- 🎙️ Live Wire w/ Luke Burbank! | 7:30 p.m. | $29.50+ | The Reser (Beaverton)
Friday, Jan. 31
- 🐍 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)
- 🎨 ‘Witches of the West’ | 1 - 6 p.m. (through Feb. 22) | Free | Chefas Projects (Central Eastside)
- 🛼 Anime Skate Night | 7 - 10:30 p.m. | $13 | Oaks Park Skating Rink
- 🫶 Mingle and Single PDX | 7 p.m. | Free | El Cantarito Restaurant (Downtown)
- 😆 ‘Samsara’ | 7 p.m. (various times through Feb. 9) | $23.11 | Artists Repertory Theatre
- 💃 English Country Dancing (with Portland Country Dance Community) | 7:30 p.m. | $7 - 20 (pay what you can) | Burlingame Water Tower Dance Hall
- 🎭 ‘Hairspray’ | 7:30 p.m. (various times through Feb. 9) | $53.79+ | Winningstad Theatre
- 🎭 ‘Mrs. Harrison’ | 7:30 p.m. (various times through Feb. 16) | $25 | Portland Center State (Pearl District)
- 🕺 Retro A Go-Go (video dance party) | 10 p.m. | Free admission | Swan Dive (Buckman neighborhood)
Saturday, Feb. 1
- 🎵 123 Andrés (kid-friendly) | 11 a.m. | $15+ | The Reser (Beaverton)
- 🐍 Bridgeport Village Lunar New Year Celebration | 1 - 4 p.m. | Free | Tigard
- 🏮Lantern Festival | 2 - 5 p.m. | Free | Sherwood Center for the Arts
- 🎉 Flavors of El Salvador with Salvi PDX (Everybody Reads celebration of Salvadoran food, culture, and storytelling) | 2 p.m. | Free (limited space, tickets available 10 minutes before event) | Hillsdale Library
- 📽️ ‘1-800-On-Her-Own’ | 3:30 p.m. | $15 | PAM CUT’s Tomorrow Theater
- 📽️ ‘Boys Go to Jupiter’ with illustrator Jason Sturgill | 7 p.m. | $15 | PAM CUT’s Tomorrow Theater
- 🎤 Judge John Hodgman | 7:30 p.m. | $43.76 | Revolution Hall
Thank you to anyone who completed our survey last week.
For those of you who haven’t: 🎧 Do you listen to podcasts in your spare time? If so, I’m asking for your help. City Cast is doing a survey to learn more about podcast listeners — even if you don’t listen to City Cast Portland.
🥺 Please take the survey — it’ll take about 7 minutes A big thank you to all of you who take the time. 👏 Bonus: You’ll also get the chance to win a $250 Visa gift card.
Free · Daily