City Cast Portland

Portland has some amazing attractions that staunch locals tend to overlook. Enjoy them yourselves – inviting along your holiday visitors is optional. Today host Claudia Meza is joined by contributor Eden Dawn and executive producer John Notarianni to rate the tourist attractions even us locals can love. This episode first aired on Jun 26, 2023 Locations mentioned in the episode: Wine tours Pine St...

There’s an unspoken code of conduct in some of Portland’s finest drinking institutions, and heaven help you if you violate the rules. So if you want a refresher or a quick guide to send over to your rowdy cousins visiting from out of town, here’s a conversation with Tanya Frantzen about Portland bar etiquette. She owns Basement Pub and B-Side Tavern, and is the author of “Happy 21st Birthday: A Fi...

If you’re still looking for somewhere to take your visitors this holiday season, have you considered our underappreciated chain of artisanal pubs? I’m sure you’re familiar with McMenamins and their playfully decorated spaces — it’s pretty much inlaw catnip. Today we’re sharing a conversation host Claudia Meza had earlier this year with producers Giulia Fiaoni and John Notarianni about our most and...

It’s that time of the year when everyone is visiting for the holidays. So today on City Cast Portland, producers John Notarianni and Giulia Fiaoni join host Claudia Meza to talk about the best places to give friends and family that genuine Portland experience. This episode first aired on May 24, 2023 Claudia’s Picks: Mt. Tabor Park ArborLook Carts Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden Astoria Wine T...

Today on City Cast Portland, we’re talking about the reason why the city is slashing matching funds for candidates, the new Robocop patrolling downtown, and Target’s failure to tell the whole truth about theft-related store closures. Joining executive producer John Notarianni on this week’s news roundup are City Cast’s digital strategy director Bryan M. Vance and our own producer, Giulia Fiaoni. S...

Before we ring in 2024, we want to take a moment to reflect on what’s happened in our city this year. So today on City Cast Portland, producers John Notarianni and Giulia Fiaoni are joining host Claudia Meza on the best and worst of the past 12 months—from notable local headlines to new bars and restaurants, and everything in between. Biggest News Stories: John: Housing Takes Center Stage Giulia:...

Today on City Cast Portland, we’re talking about why the Portland Police Bureau is loosening its restrictions on car chases and how a local business tycoon is moonlighting as a trash collector. Plus, we’ll hear from you as we open up the City Cast mailbag. Joining executive producer John Notarianni to break down the midweek news is producer Giulia Fiaoni. Stories Discussed in Today’s Episode: Port...

In recent years, some of Portland’s most well-known independent restaurants were quietly bought up by a local corporate holdings company. Bamboo Sushi, Sizzle Pie, and Ava Gene’s are all owned by Sortis Holdings. But now Sortis Holdings is in financial trouble. Today we’re talking with freelance writer Alice Wolfe, who’s been following the story for Eater Portland. Who would you like to hear on Ci...

We’re just three days away from the official start of winter, and it’s getting chilly out there. So today we’re revisiting a conversation with Eater Portland editor Brooke Jackson-Glidden about the best dumplings to try across the city — everything from soup dumplings to Georgian khinkali.  This episode first aired September 14th, 2023 Dumplings discussed: Duck House Chinese Restaurant Excellent C...

Today we’re talking about how a suspect in Multnomah County’s largest-ever fentanyl bust walked out of jail, the big recommendations from Gov. Kotek’s Portland Central City Task Force, and PPS Superintendent Guadalupe Guerrero’s resignation after a contentious teachers strike. Joining host Claudia Meza on this week’s news roundup are Oregonian reporter Zane Sparling and our very own executive prod...

Shellfish are a huge part of Pacific Northwest cuisine — especially around the holidays — and we’re right at the start of the harvesting season. Today, we’re talking with Flying Fish Company owner Lyf Gildersleeve, a second-generation fishmonger and an expert in all things shellfish. He’s walking us through how to get the freshest oysters, clams, and crabs in Oregon this season.  Where & How to Fi...

Portland has its own set of unwritten rules: Even our street names have unique pronunciations. Today on City Cast Portland, producers John Notarianni and Giulia Fiaoni join host Claudia Meza to spell out some of the unofficial rules for how to survive and thrive in Portland. Portland’s 10 Essential Rules: Hold a strong set of beliefs on a niche topic. Learn how to pronounce our deceptively simple...

Since 1996, U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer's time in Congress has made a real impact on our city’s livability — a big reason Portland is considered a great bicycling city is because of his policy work. But recently, Rep. Blumenauer, D-Portland, announced he’s not pursuing reelection next year. So today on the show, we’re asking him to reflect on his long political career, share his thoughts on the stat...

Today on City Cast Portland, expert outdoor adventurer Norther Emily of Wild Solitude Guiding answers all our questions for where to go to have the best snowshoeing experience in and around Portland. She’s also sharing some good advice for how to stay warm while tromping out in the snow. Snowshoeing spots from today’s episode: Mt. Hood National Forest  Trillium Lake White River Tom Dick and Harry...

Today on our weekly news roundup we’re talking about the legislative hearings on Measure 110, Gov. Tina Kotek forgiving uncollected traffic fines, and the federal civil rights lawsuit filed against Portland and Legacy Emanuel Hospital. Host Claudia Meza is joined by Willamette Week’s “Dive” podcast host and Potlander column author Brianna Wheeler and our executive producer, John Notarianni. Storie...

Portland students are settled back into classes, but there’s still a lot of political dust flying around in the wake of the district’s first-ever teachers strike. So today on City Cast Portland, OPB’s K-12 education reporter Natalie Pate is here to share what all the major stakeholders are saying in the strike’s aftermath and what it means for the future of Portland’s public schools. Events Mentio...

In honor of our show’s one-year anniversary—which is today!—we’re going back to the very beginning with our very first guest: Toody Cole of the legendary Portland rock band Dead Moon. She talks with host Claudia Meza about the golden days of DIY Portland and how she’s watched the city change throughout the years.  Thank you from the bottom of all of our hearts here at City Cast Portland for suppor...

People have been setting New Year’s resolutions for thousands of years. But as we’re approaching yet another season of goal setting, we’re equipping Portlanders with the latest in the modern psychology of breaking bad habits. Today on City Cast Portland, we’re talking with Dr. Elliot Berkman, a professor of psychology at the University of Oregon, who studies the factors that influence health goals...

Happy December! We’re starting something new where we pitch our top Portland event picks for the month. So today on the show, City Cast Portland producers Giulia Fiaoni and John Notarianni join host Claudia Meza in each sharing three things happening in and around town that they think make December, well, December. Who knows, you might hear about something new and fun to check out! Events mentione...

Today on City Cast Portland, we’re talking about what’s happened in the immediate aftermath of the Portland teachers strike, how a wonky city land deal might displace 35 families, and why the Burnside Bridge is getting torn down. Joining host Claudia Meza on this week’s news round-up are Willamette Week city hall reporter Sophie Peel and our very own executive producer, John Notarianni. Stories Di...

Today we’re doing something a little bit different. City Cast Portland science contributor and journalist Erin Ross is quizzing host Claudia Meza and executive producer John Notarianni on the biggest local science stories; everything from tallying volcanoes to what’s plaguing Portland’s puppies. You can play along too and see how many you get right! Who would you like to hear on City Cast Portland...

You might have seen those homemade-looking vending machines tucked away in some of Portland’s hippest bars and restaurants. But instead of junk food, they’re selling kitschy ephemera like old VHS tapes, vampire teeth, tarot cards, or brown paper mystery bags full of unknown gifts. Today on City Cast Portland, we’re talking with the owner of these machines, Taylor Valdes, about operating what could...

If you’re looking for things to do in between holidays this season, we’ve got you covered. On today’s episode, we’re adding some of the oldest drinking establishments on the West Coast to our ongoing winter bucket list. We’re revisiting a conversation we had with the "History by the Glass" podcast hosts Nathan P. Gale and Alfredo Moreno. They’ve been drinking their way through Portland’s historic...

It can be hard to stay active in the late fall and winter in Portland, which can lead to feeling down and disengaged. But there’s still plenty of fun stuff to do, even when it’s raining all day! Today we’re talking with our resident good-time maker, Eden Dawn. She’s the co-author of “The Portland Book of Dates” (and the very recently released “Seattle Book of Dates”). She’s also the co-host of the...

In most cities, patio season ends once winter comes. But even before the pandemic, Portland was blessed with an abundance of heated patios, outdoor fire pits, and other amenities to make drinking and dining out a year-round endeavor. Today host Claudia Meza is joined by producers John Notarianni and Giulia Fiaoni to talk through the city’s best patios, warmest fire pits, and coziest indoor spots f...