
City Cast Portland
🍓 Strawberry Shortcake Week and 100 years of the Bunside Bridge
May 29, 2026 · — Rachel Monahan
Good morning, Portland! There’s a party this weekend on the Burnside Bridge to celebrate its centennial anniversary 🌉 On Saturday, there’s also Coyote-palooza, a chance to learn more about our urban wildlife.
And maybe best of all: Monday is the beginning of the James Beard Public Market’s Strawberry Shortcake Week at 45 restaurants around town 🍓
I caught Cornet Custard’s strawberry shortcake flavor last year and highly recommend it — as well as trying out your favorite restaurants’ take on the classic dessert. (Tip: Strawberries are ripe early this year, so look for fresh berries at the farmers market.)
More ideas for your weekend ⏬

What's CITY Talking About
An Arts Tax Increase
City Council approved a change to the Arts Tax that’ll increase the amount individuals pay to $50. But the new ordinance also exempts a lot more Portlanders — only individuals making at least $20,000 will pay it, instead of the low previous bar of anyone making at least $1,000. [City Cast Portland 🎧]
Council Passes a Law Enforcement Mask Ban
Over the objections of the police union, Portland City Council passed a ban on law enforcement officers wearing masks and a requirement that they display basic identification — badge, name, and agency. The ordinance doesn’t exempt federal officers. But even supporters say it won’t unmask federal immigration agents, because of an April ruling from the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals that overturned California’s similar law requiring visible identifications. [Willamette Week]
- In case you missed it: On our podcast, City Councilor Sameer Kanal explained why he championed the mask ban. [City Cast Portland 🎧]
Salt & Straw’s New Celebrity Chef Flavors
Starting today, Salt & Straw is launching a series of new flavors from celebrity chefs, including caramelized plantain with spicy pecan toffee (from Portland chef Gregory Gourdet) — as well as Starling sweet potato buckwheat crumble (from Dan Barber of New York’s Blue Hill at Stone Barns) and Hong Kong milk tea with toasted white chocolate (from “Top Chef” winner Mei Lin). [Oregonian]

Where Is It?

Last week’s mural was painted by Rather Severe — a collaboration between artists Travis Czekalski and Jon Stommel. It’s located on the side of Voicebox Karaoke, at Northwest Hoyt Street and 21st Avenue.
For the one reader who knew the location this week, the mural is a bit of a good luck charm: “It’s my landmark to know I’m turning down the right street to find a parking spot,” writes reader Esther.
A shoutout to Esther!
This week’s scavenger hunt comes from reader Stephan Vertal:

Where is this public art?
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!

What To Do
Friday, May 29
- 🎬 Grassroots to the Grid: Documentary Premiere | The Redd (Buckman)
- 🍷 Frosé Friday! | Hip Chicks Do Wine (Reed)
- 🎵 Jesco Payne & the Painkillers | Showdown Saloon (Hosford-Abernethy)
- 🎬 Running Wild: Return to the River | OMSI
- 🖼️ Criterion Mobile Closet | Portland Art Museum
- 🎭 Memories in the Taking | Alberta House
- ⚾ Opening Night + Rockin' the Walk: Portland Pickles vs. Victoria HarbourCats | Walker Stadium (Lents Park)
- 🎸 Total Punk Corporate Retreat | Kenton Club
Saturday, May 30
- 🎵 Rhododendron | Aladdin Theater
- 🎭 Circus Royale Drag & Burlesque Extravaganza | Echo Theater Company (Richmond)
- 🐾 Coyote-palooza | PSU Farmers Market (Downtown)
- 🚗 The Parking Lot | Level Beer (Argay Terrace)
- 🌉 Burnside Bridge Centennial Party | Burnside Bridge
- 👟 Rose Festival Street Mile | Hollywood District (start)
- 👧 Fred Meyer Junior Parade | Hollywood District
- 🎬 Stop Making Sense | Hollywood Theatre
- 🎵 Visible Cloaks: Paradessence Listening Session | Mono Space (Pearl District)
- 🍹 The Bloody Mary Festival | The Redd (Buckman)
- 🎸 Black Country Rock | Mississippi Studios
- 🖼️ Criterion Mobile Closet | Portland Art Museum
- 🎸 Total Punk Corporate Retreat | Kenton Club
Sunday, May 31
- 🎤 Still Boomin | Cafe United (Old Town)
- 🦴 Bone Guessing Game! | Milo McIver State Park (Estacada)
- 🎬 Suck It Up, Buttercup: Trust and Betrayal – Healthcare in America | PAM CUT’s Tomorrow Theater
- 🎉 Vanport Mosaic: Closing Community Celebration | Alberta House
- 🍹 The Portland Mercury's Highball Week (last day) | various bars
- 🖼️ Criterion Mobile Closet | Portland Art Museum
Monday, June 1
- 🍓 Strawberry Shortcake Week | various restaurants
- 🌱 Seedling Swap | Hillsdale Library
- 🕹️ Pinball Tournament | The Pharmacy (Northwest)
- 🌸 Bloom Tour 2026 | various locations
🫶 A big thank you to Griffin G. and Michael B., our newest members. We’re so glad you’ve joined the City Cast Portland Neighbors — and very grateful for your support of the work we do here.
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