Chiara Profenna

Why Lewis and Clark hated their winter in the Pacific Northwest The famous explorers got out of the region as quickly as possible.

This week on the pod: @chiara-profenna.bsky.social and I talk to a park ranger about Lewis and Clark's notorious winter in the Pacific Northwest. Spoiler: It was a mess!

Former The Sudra owner Sanjay Chandrasekaran is back with Hurry Back Curry, now open at Pine Street Market with customizable curries, desi burritos and more. After closing his vegan mini chain, he is betting on a broader menu and a fresh start. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/dining/2026/...

Portland garden invites visitors to meet mini horses for Lunar New Year Lan Su Chinese Garden's celebration includes lion dances, Chinese calligraphy, cultural performances and nighttime shows through March 8.

Mini horses, lion dances and red envelopes kicked off the Year of the Fire Horse at Lan Su Chinese Garden. Lunar New Year festivities continue through March 8 with daytime cultural events and nighttime lantern shows in the heart of Portland’s Chinatown. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/living/2026/...

PSU, tribes work together to reawaken Oregon’s sleeping languages As Native elders age, academic and tribal communities are coming together to save their languages.

As Native elders age, the effort to save Oregon’s sleeping languages grows more urgent. Tribal leaders are partnering with Portland State University to revive languages with no living first-language speakers, including Takelma of the Cow Creek Umpqua tribal people: www.oregonlive.com/living/2026/...

Portland archbishop meets Pope Leo XIV, discusses immigration concerns Archbishop Sample shared news of more people joining the Catholic Church in Oregon as well as concerns over immigration during a 35-minute Vatican audience.

Alexander K. Sample met with Pope Leo XIV at the Apostolic Palace on Feb. 9, sharing updates on growth in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon and raising concerns about immigration enforcement affecting parishioners and pastoral care. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/living/2026/...

This Beaverton family business puts coffee shop and taco restaurant under one roof Kasa Coffee and Tacos Fita, operated by an engaged couple and their family, has become a community hub since opening in January.

Coffee by day, tacos by night. Family-owned Kasa Coffee and Tacos Fita are sharing one roof in downtown Beaverton — blending espresso with homemade tortillas. Read more:
www.oregonlive.com/dining/2026/...

Portland Chamber Orchestra dissolves after 79 seasons The nation’s oldest incorporated chamber ensemble is dissolving after declining attendance, financial struggles and difficulty recruiting board members.

After 79 seasons, the Portland Chamber Orchestra has announced it will close, marking the end of a long chapter in Portland’s classical music scene. Read more here: www.oregonlive.com/living/2026/...

Broadway in Portland brings ‘The Wiz’ workshop to Jefferson High students Audiences can see “The Wiz” at the Keller Auditorium through Sunday. Jefferson students got a behind-the-scenes look at a Broadway-level dance routine.

Broadway in Portland brought “The Wiz” to Jefferson High School this week, with a movement workshop led by touring production dance captain Jesse Jones that connected students to the musical’s history and professional theater experience. Read more here: www.oregonlive.com/education/20...

New Portland deli puts a Northwest spin on Jewish, Italian classics From corned beef on rye to Jewish wedding soup, Dream Deli blends Jewish and Italian influences in a small neighborhood space.

Matzo balls meet Italian meatballs at Dream Deli. The new Southeast Portland spot is blending Jewish and Italian deli traditions with a Pacific Northwest ethos and drawing crowds for corned beef, whitefish melts and more. Read the full story here: www.oregonlive.com/dining/2026/...

We tried the comfiest coworking cafes in Portland. Here are our favorites With downtown office vacancies soaring, Portland's coffee culture has evolved to create perfect remote workspaces across the city.

We put Portland’s coworking cafes to the test — looking for comfy seating, solid Wi-Fi, easy outlets and food worth sticking around for. From cozy neighborhood spots to all-day work havens, here are our favorite places to work from anywhere in the city: www.oregonlive.com/dining/2026/...

Can ‘a gigantic snow cone maker’ save this winter season? Cosmic Tubing may have the answer With several ski resorts struggling to bring in visitors, tubing has emerged as one of Skibowl’s most reliable winter activities.

Despite Oregon’s snow drought, Cosmic Tubing continues to sell out at Mt. Hood Skibowl. The reason: a “gigantic snow cone maker” and a glow-lit night experience. Read more about the experience here: www.oregonlive.com/living/2026/...

Portland Black Memory Lab preserves community history through free workshops Monthly sessions offer archiving skills and resources to document underrepresented stories in Portland's Black community.

Free monthly archiving workshops at Portland’s Black Memory Lab are helping community members preserve photos, documents and oral histories to ensure Black stories are documented and passed on. Read the full story here: www.oregonlive.com/living/2026/...

Black History Month 2026: Portland events celebrate Oregon’s Black legacy From Albina's musical heritage to York's expedition story, February features concerts, films and exhibitions honoring Black contributions across the state.

Black History Month 2026 brings concerts, films, exhibitions and community events across Portland and Oregon highlighting Black history, culture and legacy. See what’s happening this February here: www.oregonlive.com/living/2026/...

Lunar New Year 2026: Oregon celebrations honor Year of the Fire Horse From a 150-foot dragon parade to lantern viewing at Lan Su Chinese Garden, events across the state showcase diverse Asian cultural traditions.

Oregon is welcoming the Year of the Fire Horse. From lantern-lit nights at Lan Su to a 150-foot dragon parade in downtown Portland, Lunar New Year celebrations run from late January through March. Here’s a roundup of what’s happening — read the full guide here: www.oregonlive.com/living/2026/...

NASA engineer to bring innovation talk to Portland MLK Day event Jefferson High School basketball players introduced elementary students to the Super Soaker inventor through book readings ahead of his appearance.

Ahead of NASA engineer and Super Soaker inventor Dr. Lonnie Johnson’s MLK Day keynote, Jefferson High School students read his story to Portland second graders — sparking early excitement about invention and STEM. Read more about Johnson's upcoming lecture here: www.oregonlive.com/living/2026/...

National leader on combatting antisemitism to visit Portland for Holocaust Remembrance Day Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt will speak at Congregation Beth Israel as part of the synagogue’s annual Oseran Family Lecture series.

Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt, the U.S. special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism, will speak Jan. 27 at Congregation Beth Israel in honor of International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Read more about her lecture here: www.oregonlive.com/living/2026/...

An Oregon family bakery works months to create the perfect Epiphany treat. It sells out every year The family-owned panaderia begins preparation months in advance for the Jan. 6 celebration, offering king cakes with various fillings and designs.

From a family-run panadería to a sold-out Epiphany tradition, this Oregon bakery spends months perfecting the Rosca de Reyes. Read the story: www.oregonlive.com/dining/2026/...

A pioneering chess grandmaster, a cool-headed bus driver and more inspiring Oregonians of 2025 From a 16-year-old chess grandmaster to a bus driver who thwarted a hijacking, these Oregonians made remarkable impacts in their communities this year.

From record-setters to community leaders, these 20 Oregonians stood out in 2025 for the impact they made. Read the stories that inspired us in 2025: www.oregonlive.com/living/2025/...

Mt. Bachelor, Mt. Hood Meadows ski resorts announce opening dates Recent snowfall finally allows Oregon ski areas to begin the 2025-26 season, though with limited terrain and early season hazards.

After weeks of waiting, Oregon’s ski season is set to begin. Mt. Bachelor and Mt. Hood Meadows plan to open Tuesday, Dec. 23, following recent snowfall, though with limited terrain and early-season hazards. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/news/2025/12...

Las Posadas tradition offers message of resilience for Portland’s Latino community The ritual, rooted in Catholicism, will be celebrated with events in Portland and Hillsboro this weekend.

Las Posadas is lighting up Portland with music, tradition and a message of resilience. From candlelit reenactments to community feasts, the nine-night celebration brings Latino communities together during the Christmas season. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/living/2025/...

Portland-area immigrant communities honor Our Lady of Guadalupe, the ‘mother of all migrants’ While many parishes held early morning services, other advocacy organizations organized vigils in honor of the symbolic figure.

Before sunrise Dec. 12, parishioners gathered at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in Hillsboro to honor Our Lady of Guadalupe, the “mother of migrants.” Across the Portland area, communities marked the day with prayer and vigils for immigrants. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/living/2025/...

Hanukkah celebration at Pioneer Square begins Dec. 14 with free public event The tradition that started in 1984 includes music, food and activities, with menorah lightings continuing through Dec. 21 at Portland's central plaza.

Portland’s annual Hanukkah celebration returns to Pioneer Courthouse Square this Sunday, with music, traditional foods and the lighting of the city’s public menorah. The free event begins at 4 p.m., with the first candle lit at 5:30. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/living/2025/...

How a Portland record label is reclaiming a once-derogatory term through rock music The label will host a showcase on Dec. 17 featuring three musical acts and a music video premiere at Landmark Saloon.

Portland’s Electric Chololand Records is marking one year of elevating Chicano voices, using music to reclaim a once-derogatory term and broaden what Chicano rock can be. The label will host a Dec. 17 showcase and music video premiere at Landmark Saloon. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/living/2025/...

Portland faith leaders hold Blue Christmas vigil outside ICE facility Over 75 clergy and congregants gathered to support detained immigrants and acknowledge community grief during the holiday season.

Portland clergy and congregants held a Blue Christmas vigil outside the ICE facility Monday night, creating space for grief, solidarity and reflection amid heightened concerns around immigration enforcement. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/living/2025/...

2025 Oregon holiday gift guide: 12 delicious ways to share the Northwest’s diverse food scene Local, cultural and BIPOC-owned treats for the home cook, snacker or flavor-obsessed friend in your life.

Oregon’s small-batch food scene is shaping this year’s holiday gifting with bold flavors, cultural pride and makers redefining what “local” tastes like. From West African hibiscus drinks to Oregon-grown wasabi, here are 12 standout picks for your list: www.oregonlive.com/living/2025/...

‘Being brave is the definition of being trans’: Portland vigil honors transgender lives lost to violence First United Methodist Church hosted the 10th annual Transgender Day of Remembrance interfaith vigil.

Portland’s Transgender Day of Remembrance vigil brought faith leaders and community members together to honor transgender lives lost to violence and affirm a shared commitment to dignity and solidarity. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/living/2025/...

Chanterelle mushroom foraging for beginners: Peak Northwest podcast YouTube video by The Oregonian

I had a lovely time chatting with @chiara-profenna.bsky.social and @jamiehale.bsky.social on the Peak Northwest podcast, fighting the good fight to de-mystify and de-gatekeep mushroom foraging here in the PNW! Video here, podcast audio in all the usual spots too. www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCcb...

Puppetry transforms Portland’s Latino theater scene at Milagro Theatre: Season of Sharing 2025 The 40-year-old cultural center uses handcrafted puppets to tell traditional stories, including the recent Día de los Muertos celebration.

Milagro Theatre’s Día de los Muertos production “¡Alebrijes!” showcases handmade puppets, vibrant folklore and a renewed commitment to arts education as part of this year’s Season of Sharing campaign. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/living/2025/...

Kamala Harris praises Portland’s response to Trump troop threats during book tour stop One year since the Nov. 5, 2024, election, the former Democratic presidential nominee addressed a sold-out Portland crowd.

At Kamala Harris’ sold-out Portland book tour stop, the former vice president drew both applause and protest — reflecting on her “107 Days” campaign as demonstrators outside denounced a possible 2028 run. www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...

5 tips to make the most of 2025 Portland Book Festival The Nov. 8 literary festival features hundreds of authors, poets and readers with special events and a weeklong celebration of books.

Books take over downtown Portland this week. The 11th annual Portland Book Festival returns Saturday, Nov. 8, with hundreds of authors, poets and readers filling the city for a full day of conversations, signings and more. Here's how to make the most of it: www.oregonlive.com/living/2025/...