
City Cast Portland
Why a city councilor wants a Portland mask ban
May 15, 2026 · — Rachel Monahan
Good morning, Portland! This weekend is the UFO Festival in McMinnville, the Mt. Tabor Art Walk, and a Whitewater Festival in Estacada.
Also, the high-end Mexican restaurant República, which closed (and opened and closed) earlier this year, is once again back for brunch. (More ideas for your weekend below ⏬)

What's CITY Talking About
ICE Detentions Hit Portland Culinary Scene
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have detained a longtime cook at torta restaurant Güero. Jose “Poni” Gongora Poot worked there for 10 years. Last month, ICE also detained Khao Niew Lao food cart owner “Nong” Thavatsay Phimmoungkhoun. [Portland Mercury]
- A GoFundMe is raising money for Poni's legal expenses and his family.
- A GoFundMe for Nong is working to help him restart his life in Laos.
Portland’s Book-Themed Cocktail Bar
If you’re looking to go out for a drink on Saturday but also spend some time with a book (and a book-loving crowd), Portland now has you covered with the new Novel PDX in Northwest Portland. [Bridgetown Bites / Instagram]
- Another option: Rose City Book Pub is a combined bookstore and pub.
Why a City Councilor Wants a Local Mask Ban
Portland City Councilor Sameer Kanal, who represents District 2 (North Portland), is working to pass an ordinance banning law enforcement from wearing masks in Portland. Mayor Keith Wilson (among others) opposes the ordinance. Kanal joined City Cast Portland host Claudia Meza and Willamette Week City Hall reporter Sophie Peel to explain what he’s up to. [City Cast Portland 🎧]
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Brunch, but make it float.
Trade in your usual brunch spot for one with river views aboard the Portland Spirit! Sip mimosas and sparkling wine (included with your brunch cruise ticket) while enjoying live piano music and a Northwest brunch buffet featuring a carving station and made-to-order dishes. Book a two-hour Sunday escape with some of the best views in town.

Where Is It?

The mural “Sky Fox,” by artists Toma Villa and Blaine Fontana, is at Southwest 16th Avenue and Morrison Street.
“The Artists Repertory Theatre!” writes reader Liam R.M. “Never been, but I pass by it walking to/from Providence Park soccer matches and it always catches my eye!”
“Inspired by storytelling from the Confederated Yakama Nation: a young girl trying to capture Sky Fox’s tail,” writes reader Kushal.
“The story evolves into a metaphor for acquiring wisdom, responsibility, and a deeper understanding of immortality,” according to the Artists Repertory Theatre.
Shoutout to those two readers as well as Angela Pearson, Cormac, and RP for identifying the location!
This week’s scavenger hunt comes from reader Bird Ehrhardt:

Do you know this monster?
Please click here to submit the location — and, for unofficial bonus points, anything you know about it.
If you’re new to the newsletter, there’s a scavenger hunt every Friday. In next week’s newsletter, I’ll reveal the answer and shout out the first 10 readers who respond correctly.
📸 Want to submit a photo? Please email me a snapshot of somewhere in the Portland metro area, and we’ll consider it for an upcoming “Where Is It?” segment!
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What To Do
Friday, May 15
- 🎹 Steinway Piano Series: Mystics and Romantics | Lincoln Recital Hall (Downtown)
- 🎡 Florence Rhododendron Festival | Florence, Ore. (various locations)
- 🎭 Cinemalesque: A Burlesque Tribute to Film | Alberta Rose Theatre (Concordia)
- 🚣 Upper Clackamas Whitewater Festival | Carter Bridge (Estacada, Ore.)
- 🎤 Small Fruits Queer Comedy! | Kickstand Comedy (Hosford-Abernethy)
- 🎵 The Naked Mole Rats (Album Release) | Kenton Club (Kenton)
- 😂 Steph Tolev | Helium Comedy Club (Hosford-Abernethy)
- 🛸 26th Annual McMenamins UFO Festival | McMenamins Hotel Oregon (Downtown McMinnville)
Saturday, May 16
- 🍓 Stone Soup PDX’s Jam Jam | Midtown Beer Garden (Downtown)
- 🎨 PDX Comics Confluence Festival | Lincoln Hall (Downtown)
- 🎨 Collage and Freewrite: In-Person Writing and Crafting Circle | BOLD Coffee & Books (Goose Hollow)
- 🎵 Mostly Motown | Portland Marriott (Downtown Waterfront)
- 🎭 The Glass Menagerie (last day) | Shaking the Tree Theatre (Hosford-Abernethy)
- 🛸 26th Annual McMenamins UFO Festival (last day) | McMenamins Hotel Oregon (Downtown McMinnville)
- 🎭 I Am An American Live: Stories of Exclusion and Belonging | The Reser (Beaverton)
- 🎻 Verdi's Requiem | Keller Auditorium (Downtown)
- 🎨 WonderLab: Petals & Postcards — A David Hockney-Inspired Family Art Workshop | Portland Art Museum (Downtown)
- 💿 Black Water 16th Bi-Annual Punk/Metal Record Fair | Black Water (Rose City Park)
- 🖼️ 19th Annual Mt. Tabor Art Walk | Mt. Tabor (various locations)
Sunday, May 17
- 😂 Corey O'Brien | Helium Comedy Club (Hosford-Abernethy)
- 💃 The Teasy Belle | The Victorian Belle Mansion (Kenton)
- 🔥 Be Wildfire Aware: Free Day at the Discovery Museum | World Forestry Center (Washington Park)
- 🌸 Pink! Rosé Festival | Hillsboro Ballpark (Hillsboro)
- 🎶 Make Our Garden Grow: Chamber Choir and Alumni 50th Anniversary Celebration | Portland's First United Methodist Church (Goose Hollow)
- 🎵 Portland Jewish Music Festival 2026 (last day) | Eastside Jewish Commons (Kerns)
- 🎭 Fat Ham (last day) | Portland Center Stage at The Armory (Pearl District)
- 🖼️ 19th Annual Mt. Tabor Art Walk (last day) | Mt. Tabor (various locations)
City Hall troubles: In a recent Oregonian poll, just 24% of Portland voters approved of City Council, while 62% disapproved. Mayor Keith Wilson did better but only by contrast — with an approval rating of 44%.
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