⛺ Why Portland homelessness is likely to rise now

1,500 Shelter Beds but More Homelessness

Mayor Keith Wilson looks likely to surpass his self-described "unrealistic" goal of creating 1,500 new shelter beds by Dec. 1. But he’s had less success with putting an end to unsheltered homelessness in Portland: The number of people living in tents, vehicles, or outside has swelled to an estimated 7,500 — up 1,000 since he took office. And there may be more in coming months, as federal cuts to social services take effect. [Oregonian]

Blazers Coach’s Not Guilty Plea

Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups yesterday pleaded not guilty to the charges related to recruiting players for rigged Mafia-run poker games. Billups is currently suspended without pay from the Blazers while he faces charges. [KGW]

PDX Back to Pre-COVID Levels (Almost)

The number of passengers traveling through PDX has nearly recovered to pre-pandemic levels as of October. Relatedly, if you’re flying during the holiday weekend, expect crowds. The current advice is to arrive two hours before a flight. [Oregonian 🔒]

TriMet Cut 68 Jobs

TriMet laid off 26 people, cutting 68 positions overall, as the regional transportation agency attempts to address a $300 million budget gap. No unionized workers were laid off. [Oregonian]

There are a couple notable openings from recent months that are worth a visit if you haven’t already found your way to them:

🍸 After Ours | 2226 NE Broadway (Sullivan’s Gulch)

Hours: Sunday - Wednesday, 10 a.m. - 11 p.m., Thursday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 2 a.m.

Near the wine bar Heavenly Creatures and the women’s sports bar Sports Bra, After Ours is helping Northeast Broadway become a destination. The self-style “vinyl bar, việt vibes” comes from the restaurateurs behind Index PDX, Matta, Portland Cà Phê, and Better Days.

Go for: the drinks, including yuzu-oolong whiskey sours and pandan coladas.

Stay for: the food, including wings and pho.

Return for: the vinyl-inflected vibes.

• Related: After Ours is one of several Portland restaurants (as well as social service groups) offering free Thanksgiving meals on Thursday to those in need. They also include GrindWitTryz and Better Days Cafe. [KOIN]

🍝 Sunday Sauce | 902 N. Killingsworth St. (Humboldt)

Hours: Wednesday - Sunday, 4 - 9 p.m.

The crowds have already flocked to Sunday Sauce. It’s part of a wave of new Italian restaurants in Portland.

Go for: the eponymous Sunday sauce.

Stay for: a lighthearted, festive time: They’re going for “Pizza Hut chic,” Amanda Cannon, co-owner of Sunday Sauce and Normandie, told Portland Monthly.

Return for: more classic American Italian food. the chicken parm and fries with marsala sauce. (If you save any room, there’s even a banana tiramisu.)

• Related: Portland has seen a surprising number of new Italian restaurants. The Oregonian sampled them all. [Oregonian]

3 Portland Chefs Have New Cookbooks: We Tested Them in the Kitchen

This year there are three new cookbooks written by some of the Portland food scene’s biggest stars: Joshua McFadden of Ava Gene's, Cathy Whims of Nostrana, and Tyler Malek of Salt and Straw. Producers Giulia Fiaoni and John Notarianni join host Clauda Meza to try making the recipes, to sample the results, and to decide whether the books would make a good holiday gift.