Lists…(or things to do in Portland when your dead)…

Areas/places:

• Sellwood (and our running path)
  The Hawthorne Triangle (admittedly we haven’t been here for years but, both my husband and I have waxed nostalgic about how awesome a night out it was when we were in our early twenties. (And I say that now making it sound like being in our early thirties is so much older, like we’re retired – we’re not!)
• POWELLS CITY OF BOOKS. yes, I know I basically just yelled at you via bold-caps but I meant to. This is one of the best places on earth – and I love me a good library (especially because of the Multnomah County Library system)! Powell’s is great because it contains over 68,000 square feet (6,300 m²), about 1.6 acres of retail floor space – no kidding. Recently, magnificentnose.com successfully (in my opinion) compared Powell’s and the Strand bookstore in NYC (which itself is awesome, I go whenever I get a chance to be in NYC).
• The City is full of parks for BBQ’s and hiking. In fact Forest Park is the largest urban park in the country and covering over eight miles of land in the West Hills of Portland and boasting over 70 miles of recreational trails. It is a perfect way to get away without having to go too far.
• “Last Thursday” on NE Alberta street is amazing. Busting out of its seams in the summer months so at least ten blocks of the main street are required to be blocked off thus becoming an artistic pedestrian carnival. It is amazing, oh wait I already said that, sorry but it really is!

Uniquely Portland Events:

• In July, Portland Parks offers free summer concerts around the city. Mondays happen to be the day of the week at Sellwood Waterfront Park, this event is nicely called “Concerts in the Park” and is part of the cities expanded “Free for All” ongoing summer family friendly events. Additionally, from the end of  June to the beginning of September, at various parks around the city you can also have a picnic and catch a film (awesome!).
• Watch the Swifts. Each September thousands of Swifts return to Chapman Elementary school in NW Portland to rest on their migration down south. People from all over Portland come out to the Chapman playing field at dusk to watch the dramatic event that is the Swifts swooping down into the chimney. This is a most amazing event and must be seen to be believed. I would post a video, but it wouldn’t do the event justice – AT ALL.
• The city just began an event called “Sunday Parkways” which basically shuts down various city streets throughout town to make the neighborhood more inviting and possibly explorable. So far, as far as I can tell this event has been a smashing success – as long as you are not attempting to get around in your car through that particular Sunday parkway.
• Each year on February 14th, it is easy to celebrate true love by attending the Oregon History Museum because it is free on this day every year. As part of Oregon Statehood Day when Oregon became a state on February 14th, 1859.
• Pedalpolooza, a two-week 260 event, pro-bike event which usually involves Zoobombing (only in Portland! And only in the US would the FBI think it was a terrorist activity) and Portland’s participation in the World Naked Bike Ride among other fun things.
• Karaoke From Hell. There is karaoke and then there is Karaoke From Hell. Karaoke From Hell has been a staple in Portland for eighteen years and it is how real lovers of karaoke do karaoke. The live band (yes, live band) has over 500 songs that it can offer to play for you while you sing your heart out in front of the drunken masses. It is a good time, even just to watch.
• Portland Bridge Pedal (officially has another name, but I am purposely not using it here)There is nothing like spending a nice summer Sunday morning riding one’s bike down a freeway vacant of cars over bridge after bridge that links the various parts of the city together that a cyclist might otherwise be terrified to cross for fear of dismemberment. It makes for a good day and has since 1996. Allowing hundreds of thousands of bikers to literally rule the road.
• Portland Timbers, yes we have our own football team and it rivals any European football team for sure!! Historically, Portland has been a city of roses or Rip City – as in the city of the Portland Trailblazers basketball. While the Blazers will always have a place in our hearts, loving the Timbers (or even better yet being a part of the Timbers Army) is like the anti-jock’s sports team.
• The Village Building Convergence is a ten-day environmentally & community conscious building and gardening event that takes place in Portland. It brings scholars and intelligent every-day folk together who are both encouraged to promote community and livability in Portland. I learn so much every time I attend. I miss it terribly!
• The other anti-sport sport that would kick your ass is Women’s Flat Track Racing or as it is better known around these parts, Portland Roller Derby, home of the Rose City Rollers and their younger counterpart the Rosebuds. This shit is so popular  Drew Barrymore made a movie about being in roller derby:
• And Portland has a Zombie Walk, no kidding! I love it and wish that I could participate (but then there is also Santacon which should also not be left out).

…of course there are more, but these are just the ones we miss the most.