🍦 Salt & Straw for sale??

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 2026 · ISSUE NO. 6

📜 THIS WEEK IN OREGON HISTORY

May 28, 1926 - Portland’s Burnside Bridge opened on this date exactly 100 years ago. Over the past century, the bridge has seen only a handful of updates, among them being a new lift motor and a lane reduction from six to five. Fun fact - the bridge was designed by Joseph Strauss, who later went on to design a slightly less well-known landmark in some state to the south - The Golden Gate Bridge.

Looking for a reason to head out for a slice for dinner? Here’s a good one. 50 Top Pizza (funny name but prestigious list) released their 50 top pizzerias in the US, and four Portland area joints made the list. Ken’s was the highest ranked (as usual) in the number 10 spot. Others also getting recognition were Grana at #26, Beaverton’s Hapa Pizza at #46, and Nostrana at #48. (More)

Another best of list and another Oregon representative. This time it’s Outside Magazine’s best mountain biking towns in the US, and Oakridge taking home the 5th spot. They noted the area’s 300 miles of trails, epic downhill flow trails, and Gold-Level Ride Center designation from IMBA. (More)

Oregon is letting anyone fish for free this weekend (June 6th and 7th). That means you can go clamming or crabbing, fish for salmon on the Columbia, or catch a rainbow trout in the state’s lakes or rivers, all without needing a license or endorsement. With that said, bag limits and closures are still in place, so don’t go all willy-nilly with your catch. If you miss this one, the next Free Fishing Days will be on Friday and Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend. (More)

Chef Jacob Harth is bringing his Michelin-starred restaurant experience back to Oregon to open the Bayocean Oyster House on Tillamook Bay. Located at the old Harris family oyster house at Memaloose Point, the space will include a counter service restaurant, market, and working processing dock. The restaurant hopes to open in the spring of 2027. (More)

A ballot initiative that would criminalize all hunting, fishing, and any other action that intentionally harms animals (this even includes setting mouse traps) has gained enough signatures to qualify for inclusion on the ballot this November. This doesn’t mean it’s guaranteed to make the ballot, but it does mean they are one step closer to that reality. (More)

A Central Oregon town said no to a proposed data center after an overwhelming number of residents voiced their concerns. The 20 MW center would have been built on 19 acres in the La Pine Industrial Park. (More)

The number of Oregon students who received a non-medical vaccine exemption hit a new high of 10.9%, and the vaccination rate for kindergarteners hit a new low at just 85.6%. Dr. Howard Chiou, the medical director for communicable diseases and immunizations at OHA's Public Health Division, stressed that although an overwhelming majority of students were still vaccinated, the downward trend is still deeply concerning. (More)

Continuing on with our very food-themed list of news bullets this week, the New York Times has named its best 25 restaurants in Portland. The list includes everything from culinary staples like Le Pigeon and Langbaan to dive bar-esque joints like Tulip Shop Tavern. (More)

The Portland Fire continued the impressive start to their inaugural season with a resounding win over the Indiana Fever. They shut down uber-star Caitlin Clark to the tune of holding her to 1-7 shooting for only 6 points (we’re gonna go ahead and focus on this game and not the stinker they played the evening before against the Dream). The Fire suit up again to host the Phoenix Mercury on Friday at the Moda Center. (More)

Rivals Oregon and Oregon State met in the final of the regional NCAA baseball round in Eugene over the weekend, and it was the Ducks who came out victorious. A combo of strong pitching and hitting resulted in a 4-1 victory. Oregon State’s season is now over, and Oregon advances on to the Super Regional round, where they’ll face the Texas Longhorns. (More)

Reports have come out that Portland-based ice cream shop (as if they need any introduction) Salt & Straw is on the market and could fetch a valuation of more than $200 million. The company has brought in investors in the past, but this certainly has a different feel to it. Here’s hoping someone doesn’t step in and change up what has made them such a popular spot over the years! (More)

Thompson’s Mill State Heritage Site near Corvallis is home to the state’s oldest…?

Answer at the bottom of today’s newsletter

🌹 Final Rose Festival Festivities

It’s the final weekend of the Rose Festival, and there are plenty of reasons to turn the event into a whole weekend. On Saturday, you have the revamped Grand Floral Starlight Parade. Ships are in town for Fleet Week. Dragon boat races take place on Saturday and Sunday. And the Spring Rose Show wraps up on Friday.

🍓 Lebanon Strawberry Festival

Come celebrate Oregon’s sweetest treat (although a good marionberry may give it a run for its money) at Lebanon’s Strawberry Festival. The weekend of fun includes a carnival, parade, live music, and, of course, the world’s largest strawberry shortcake.

🥏 Northwest Disc Golf Championship

Come watch as some of the top disc golfers in the world compete for the title at the Northwest Disc Golf Championship. The action takes place all weekend at the Glendoveer Disc Golf Course.

🐘 ZooBrew

Craft brews while wandering around the zoo?? Sign me up. ZooBrew is back at the Portland Zoo for two evenings of wandering the grounds while enjoying pours of some of Oregon’s best brews. Tickets include 10 3-oz pours and a souvenir mug.

🚗 Old Iron Show

Eastern Oregon checking in! It is time for year number 23 of the Old Iron Show at the Heritage Station Museum in Pendleton. This free event brings in a wide range of antique vehicles, engines, tractors, and more to explore.

🚲 Northwest Tandem Rally

Grab your bestie (we’ll see if you’re still friends after a weekend of riding together) and your tandem bike for a three-day tour of covered bridges and wineries at the Northwest Tandem Rally.

🐻 Sandy Invitational Chainsaw Competition

Head to Sandy for a weekend highlighting all things chainsaw-related. There will be heavy-equipment displays, chainsaw competitions, carving demonstrations, auctions of the freshly carved pieces, and more!

🍷 Wine ‘n’ Shine Car Show

Check out an impressive collection of classic autos while enjoying a sip or two of Faith, Hope, and Charity Vineyard’s wines. The event is free to attend, and they will have food and drinks available for purchase.

🐮 Eastern Oregon Livestock Show

Starting Sunday, Union is rolling out the 119th edition of the Eastern Oregon Livestock Show. Expect a full week of livestock-related fun like the rodeo, racing, 4-H show and auction, parade, and cowboy breakfasts.

Did you know that there is a place in Oregon where you can ride the steepest gondola in North America, pan for gold and gems, pedal a railcar along an abandoned railroad, visit a fly fishing shop with a horse stationed out front (the owner rides to and from work every day on said horse), and hike some of the most rugged terrain in the state?

Joseph feels a long way from pretty much anywhere in the state, but that is all part of its charm. The town’s downtown strip has the usual touristy spots, but you’re just as likely to be sitting next to a local rancher at breakfast as you are to a fellow visitor.

We spent a week at Wallowa Lake State Park last year with days spent lounging by the lake (we managed to bring in a few trout that like to congregate by the outflow of the Wallowa River), hiking the mountains that feel like they’re straight out of the alps, wandering through town (The Blythe Cricket became a daily staple for breakfast), listening to evening music on the lawn at Wallowa Lake Lodge, and letting the kids learn and play at Wallowology, the natural history discovery center.

If camping isn’t quite your style, there is no shortage of other spots to choose from, including the aforementioned Wallowa Lake Lodge, along with a large selection of short-term rentals with views that range from woodsy to lakefront.