Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How Portland’s downtown will light up to welcome 2026

And on the Portland Patch calendar - Candlelight: 90s Unplugged

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Monday December 29th Patch AM
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Hi there, Portland! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How Portland’s downtown will light up to welcome 2026
  • Portland honors Henry Sakamoto, architect of downtown’s beloved cherry blossoms
  • Which beloved Portland restaurants disappeared from your neighborhood this year?

Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: 90s Unplugged and 9 more events.

Find out what's happening in Portlandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What two things can you never eat for breakfast? . 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Portlandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Monday: Clouds and breaks of sun, with a high of 48 and low of 35 degrees.
  • Tuesday: Sun and areas of high clouds, temps: high: 47, low: 33.
  • Wednesday: Periods of sun, with a high of 49 and low of 39 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Portland will ring in 2026 with vibrant drone show, dance party (koin.com) — Downtown Portland’s Pioneer Courthouse Square will again host a free New Year’s Eve drone show and dance party on Dec. 31, with TriMet and Smart Park recommended for getting there. The family-friendly celebration features an 8 p.m. dance party plus two colorful drone shows, one at 9 p.m. and another just before the midnight countdown to 2026.
   

• Henry Sakamoto, civic leader who brought cherry blossoms to downtown Portland, dies at 98 (chronline.com) — Portlanders are mourning Henry Shigehiro Sakamoto, the lifelong resident who helped bring the iconic cherry blossoms and Japanese American Historical Plaza to downtown’s waterfront. The 98-year-old civic leader also advanced Oregon’s wheat trade with Japan and spoke out about World War II incarceration, leaving a deep imprint on Portland’s Japanese American community and the city’s civic life.
   

• The saddest Portland restaurants closures of 2025, including this historic steak and seafood chain (oregonlive.com) — Portland diners saw a tough 2025, with beloved spots from North, Northeast, and Southeast Portland closing or relocating, including award-winning Jinju Patisserie, Deadstock Coffee, and Cliff’s bar. The list also tracks the end of Oregon’s last McCormick & Schmick’s and the pause or loss of neighborhood favorites like Kashiwagi, Fair Weather, and Reeva, while hinting that some may yet return in new locations.
   

📸 Around Portland

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Portland

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Howdy friends,
    I am helping a friend rehome a sweet old dog. His original owner had some substance abuse issues, and the people we found to take him in can no… (Nextdoor Foster Powell)
  • This is Kodi Bear the dog I rescued back in September 2024.
    He’s been in 6 different homes in 5 different states & Alberta. Someone used him in dog fighting up in Washington near hood river & dumped him in the… (Nextdoor Woodstock)
  • The Home Depot, Inc. posted a job opening for Warehouse Maintenance Associate in Portland. Apply here.
  • Albertsons Company posted a job opening for Night Crew Stocker in Portland. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Portland here.

🗞 Nearby News

Milwaukie

Beaverton

  • Beaverton Kwanzaa celebrates 5th year (opb.org)
  • 'Arrest first, ask questions later': Judge orders on-the-spot release of Beaverton man that CPB detained without a warrant (kgw.com)
  • Oldest known Pearl Harbor survivor and WWII veteran dies at 105 (staradvertiser.com)

Gresham

Ok Portland! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Lunch and dinner. (From Norine S.)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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