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City Cast Portland

Find the best that Portland has to offer.

It’s fall, but even though the rain has started, you can still get some fall planting in. Gabi Villaseñor from the local nonprofit Growing Gardens 

Pick your favorites — broccoli, spinach, cabbage, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, chard, or mustard greens — and get them in the ground. Using starts instead of seeds is easier.

The vegetables “grow really well,” says Villaseñor. “It's really cool that the Pacific Northwest lets us have this second growing season, so take advantage of that.”

Plant some cover crops to help your garden be ready for spring. Two options are red clover or fava beans (yep, another veggie).

“They actually take nitrogen from the air and put it into the soil via their roots,” says Villaseñor.

If you’re not planting cover crops, mulching is a good alternative.

Get help online from Oregon State University Extension Service, staffed with volunteers from the Master Gardener program 

, offers help to low-income folks who want to start or work on their garden.

more advice for gardeners on the City Cast Portland podcast

Tend Your Garden  

Gardening Tips for the Fall Growing Season in Portland, Oregon

Gardening Tips for Portland’s Fall Growing Season

Portland's Best

In honor of Rose City Comic Con this weekend, Eisner-award-winning Portland comic book writer Kelly Sue DeConnick shared with us three Portland artists and writers she admires and why people should check them out. (DeConnick is also a guest on 

today’s episode of the City Cast Portland podcast

Here are her suggestions in her own words:

“Steve’s not only one of the kindest and most generous comic book artists you could ever hope to meet, he also understands the form and is able to talk about it with a clarity few can match. He’s also hilarious — pick up the Jimmy Olsen book he did with Matt Fraction (my husband; I’m biased here) and see what I mean.”

Taki’s new book “Sleeping While Standing” is one you’ve got to check out. It’s a series of deeply vulnerable autobio comics that follow her from her childhood in Japan through to her life here in Portland today with her husband and fellow comic creator, Mike Oeming. Her real-life stories have an almost-surreal sense to them, equal parts pathos and humor.”

“Cat’s one of those artists who makes it look completely effortless. Pick up ‘My Boyfriend Is a Bear’ for an unexpectedly romantic tale of a young woman in love with a 500-pound American black bear. I mean, duh.”

favorite local comics artist or graphic novelist? Email us

Book Suggestions?

Best Comic Books by Portland, Oregon,Writers and Artists to Read Right Now

Best Portland Comic Books to Read Right Now 

Sara Campos has been working to make Portland’s robust skateboarding scene more welcoming to all. Campos joined the City Cast Portland podcast to talk about those efforts and their work with Queer Skate PDX 

to push the city to build a new skate park on the West Side

. We also asked them for their list of skate parks that have been most important to them:

“It's a queer- and trans-owned skate park and I'm also just really good friends with the owner, AJ [Waters]. AJ let us take a bunch of their obstacles that are movable to a random spot and entrusted us with all of that. It really helped to be able to create a new skate space somewhere temporarily.”

It’s “a very central location in the middle of Portland, but also it's a very big space, which is nice. The blacktop is really smooth. It just has a special place in my heart. It was really seeing different identities and different people in the skate community show up for each other.”

“It was skater-maintained, skater-started. It has become such a cool meeting point for community. There's obstacles for every single level of skating, so you don't really get intimidated too much by what's there, because there's always something for everyone, which is really cool.”

Skate Parks of the Future 

Which Portland, Oregon, Skateparks Are Most Welcoming to All

The Most Inclusive Skate Parks in Portland

It’s not yet the rainy season. We’re expecting plenty of sunshine in the coming days, particularly this weekend. So don’t miss out on your chance to see 

,” gave us her list of the best spots to go for romance, with a friend, or by yourself:

“I think height for a sunset is always nice,” says Dawn. “And Tabor comes with a built-in bit of a show: There's always a random hula hooper.”

Afterward: “One of my favorite little romantic bars right at the bottom of the hill for 20 years is 

“You take your own snacks to Skidmore Bluffs. It is always a party. I don't feel like I've ever been to a sunset at Skidmore Bluffs without running into four other people I know, which is what's so fun. Those are the moments that I love Portland so much. But you all watch the sunset, you visit each other's little blankets, you have a good time. And then you pack it straight on over, hit 

If you have time for a weekend away, take a trip to Long Beach, Wash.

“The Sou’wester is this beautiful little vintage trailer park,” says Dawn. “If you're ever on a little solo trip, you want time alone, but you also want to sometimes be able to have access to people. And the thing I like about that place is you can go to the lounge and be around people, but then you could go back to your trailer.”

There are bikes available so you can ride along the Long Beach peninsula and watch the sunset.  “I did this one time and it was just such a beautiful experience,” says Dawn.

Dawn also shared a closely-guarded secret of a romantic sunset for a special occasion — when you’re going all out. That one 

The Secrets to an Awesome Portland Sunset Event

Best Places to Watch the Sunset in Portland, Oregon

The Best Portland Sunsets

Even if you don’t have plans for the weekend, it’s not too late to hop in the car. We got advice from Norther Emily of 

 on the best weekend road trips from Portland 

Norther Emily recommends 202 to Astoria and then driving down the coast to Lincoln City and taking Highway 18 back.

 is a really beautiful river that I never hear people talk about. There's a cool waterfall you can stop and swim at.”

“Go to the little touristy towns. Go to the little cute towns that aren't touristy.”

. It's the classic; never get tired of that.”

 is so, so beautiful, and that would be a great way to end the day — to hike out there, and look at the little black sand beach. At the end of the hike, [there’s] sea lions. Then you can hike back in the sunset through the spruce forest."

It’s a bit far for a weekend drive, but if you’ve got a few extra days, visit Oregon’s one big 

“Not many people go to Southern Oregon, so this is kind of like a fun way to introduce yourself to the area if you're not super familiar,” says Emily.

It’s built for car touring with a bunch of pull outs around the lake. “You will get tired of looking at the lake from every single angle.” Her advice: “If everybody else is going counterclockwise, you go clockwise and stop at the stops that everybody was already sick of stopping at.”

For hiking nearby there are lots of options, including 

. “Mount Scott is actually one of the taller peaks in the state of Oregon. That is a really nice half-day hike.”

: “It's nicer to open up the trip by starting with this super scenic drive up this really beautiful river.”

. “It's pretty well regulated. And there's a lot of really great camping,” says Emily.

Bonus: “I've seen some cute little bears. It's a pretty rugged area, but it's still really accessible for how wild it is.”

Always check the weather, says Emily. And so this one’s for another time: There’s currently 

. Look for a time when the snow isn’t blocking travel — generally July to November — and neither are the fires.

 of pioneers, but was originally a trail for Native tribes. Later, ranchers drove their cattle over the mountains. Now it’s an outdoor paradise.

It’s about eight hours of driving, round trip, “which is pretty reasonable for a weekend,” says Emily. “I've done that trip as a day trip before. A friend of mine mentioned that she had never been east of the Cascades and I was like, get in the car, we're leaving right now”

It doesn’t take a lot of advance planning for activities, because “there's very clear stops,” says Emily. “Stop here and look at this awesome waterfall. Now stop here and look at this 

 awesome waterfall. Stop here and climb to the top of this neat little lava castle and look out over the vast lava fields. You can stop and swim. You can pick berries.”

Norther Emily has made all the mistakes so you don’t have to. Listen to her advice on 

your favorite weekend road trips from Portland

What to Pack in the Car

Even if you don’t have plans for the weekend, it’s not too late to hop in the car. We got advice from Norther Emily of Wild Solitude Guiding on the best weekend road trips from Portland for last-minute adventure.

Best Last-Minute Road Trips From Portland, Oregon 

Best Last-Minute Road Trips From Portland 

Few things bring me as much joy as cinema. Whether you want to catch the latest hit or are looking for a screening of an old favorite, Portland is undoubtedly one of the best places in the country for film lovers. Here’s where to catch a flick in PDX.

: Go for the new releases, stay for the award-winning programming of classics like “Thelma & Louise,” playing a few times this week.

: Originally opening its doors in 1921 as The State Theater, the locally-owned theater is home to the Portland International Film Festival. I recommend their Saturday Morning Classics programming, which features films starring Hollywood’s legends like Audrey Hepburn and James Dean.

: The popcorn is delicious and they have an extended food & drink menu that includes sushi — a wild movie theater snack, but I respect it.

Let the programmers take you on a cinematic ride across town. “​​

 is consistently one of my favorite viewing experiences in town. I can't count the number of weird, surprising, nearly unknown films I've seen thanks to their showings. It rotates between the Clinton Street Theater, Dream House, and Red Fox. You know you're going to see something you haven't seen before,” says John Notarianni, lead producer for City Cast Portland.

City Cast Portland producer Giulia Fiaoni recommends the 

. “The theater is 100 years old and the rooms are pretty tiny, making it a cozy spot to catch a film on your own, if you’re a solo moviegoer. They sell pizza and beer for cheap and play new and old films any day of the week. There are also several great bars and restaurants surrounding the theater to visit while you’re there.”

The Best Movie Theaters in Portland

We recently spoke to Karrie Carns, a volunteer ambassador for the nonprofit women’s outdoor empowerment organization Women Who Explore, and she shared her 

. Here are her picks, broken down by difficulty levels:

How to Backpack in Oregon (And Not Become Bear Food)

The Best Backpacking Trips Near Portland

It’s dangerously hot out. Thankfully, Portland and surrounding communities have 

. Also: the Lloyd Center is welcoming everyone from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Below are some more options if you're looking for fun while staying cool.

” podcast, talked with the City Cast Portland podcast about 

“I have never had a house with air conditioning. Which means for 23 years in Portland, I have been going to the movie theaters when it is hot out, and I do have some favorites that I feel like are worth calling out. One is the one out on 82nd Century Eastport that has the recliners. The recliners are a game-changer.”

If you can get out of the city, the coast is always cooler. Eden suggests ending the day at the 

 in Seaside, where you can play Fascination.

“Fascination is a thing in some arcades, which is so weird. It's a whole room where it's kind of like bingo meets bowling at a table,” says Eden.

 (or let your dog swim) in Willamette River near Sellwood or Ross Island; there’s a potentially toxic algae bloom. You may also want to avoid jet skiing, paddling, or any activity where you have the potential to drink some water in that area.

What do you do to cool down in town? Or what are your escapes?

Cool Down

Ways to Keep Cool in Portland, Oregon, in The Heat

Ways to Keep Cool in Portland in This Heatwave

Noa Rubin, a community organizer for the paddle boarding group 

, joined the City Cast Portland podcast and offered her picks for 

where to take a paddle board, canoe, or kayak on the Willamette River

. Here is a selection, with more on the show:

2-3 hour casual paddle ( or an hour for someone exercising)

It’s “our classic Portland paddle. You either go from Sellwood Riverfront Park or from Willamette Park in Portland (not Willamette Park in West Linn). You go around Ross Island. It can be a little challenging if there's wind, but it's a really beautiful paddle. You get to see the city. You can hang out at any point on the island if you get tired. I've maybe looped it more than once a week for the past 10 years.”

Challenging: Willamette Falls to St. Johns (or Start 

“A challenging route is a long-distance route. My favorite is to get a shuttle together. So get a few people together and put in by Willamette Falls or Sellwood and paddle all the way to St. Johns. You basically see the entire city from the water. Prepare for a full day of paddling. Prepare for headwinds. Prepare for it to be hard. But it's pretty amazing.”

“I usually put in at Jon Storm Park, which is under construction right now. You can still put in there, you just can't park in the parking lot.

“There is a current going down there, so the mile actually turns into a much slower paddle than you would normally do, but once you get there, you basically see a waterfall in the river. It is just amazing. It's breathtaking every time I go there because you forget about it, and then you go there and you're like, 'Oh my God, this is so beautiful.’”

How to Paddle the River

Noa Rubin, a community organizer for the paddle boarding group SUP PDX, joined the City Cast Portland podcast and offered her picks for where to take a paddle board, canoe, or kayak on the Willamette River. Here are a selection, with more on the show.

Best Places to Paddle on the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon

Best Places to Paddle on the Willamette River

The best thing about a trip to the coast in August is the complete escape from summer heat. Here are some 

 from the City Cast Portland podcast team.

Lead producer John Notarianni recommended Oceanside and Netarts, in part for its oysters:

“It's a restaurant where you can be on the bay and get some fresh seafood. It’s so good.”

“Netarts is my favorite oyster spot on the Oregon coast. You can go to the gas station and get a dozen oysters really cheap.”

“There's also an old guy who lives on the bay, who grows his own oysters. If you go at the right time of year, and you go at low tide, you can actually go out into the bay and harvest your own oysters. He'll give you a bucket and you can fill a bucket full of oysters pulled right out of the ocean and take 'em home with you.”

“My favorite hike around there is a little bit south: Cape Lookout, which is a hike that goes out into the water, through the woods. And then you can get this incredible view of the water when you hike all the way out overlooking a cliff.”

Audio producer Giulia Fiaoni recommends an adventure to Seaside.

“The Painted Rock Beach area is quite small. It's less than a half of a football field, but it's on the main beach. What's there is hundreds of varying different rocks and stones that are painted by visitors who have come to the beach. You'll find sayings, memorial of people who have passed away, little pictures and googly eyes, you name it. So you can spend quite a while just sitting and looking at those rocks.”

“When you go, there's this giant spruce tree trunk that you can climb on and take pictures with, but the whole area is around a river that you can boat and fish and hike around. It's a great spot to sit down and have a lunch before you hit all the tourist spots.”

Astoria, Gearhart, Cannon Beach, and Rockaway Beach

, as well as what to pack for a day trip.

More Places to Escape the Heat

The best thing about a trip to the coast in August is the complete escape from summer heat. Here are some recommendations for where exactly to go from the City Cast Portland podcast team.