Think Out Loud

North Plains community grappling with competing visions for the town and how it should grow

THE CITY OF NORTH PLAINS [https://northplains.gov/our_community/index.php] HAS A POPULATION THAT HOVERS AROUND 3,500. LIKE SO MANY SMALL COMMUNITIES IN OREGON IT HAS A STRONG SENSE OF IDENTITY AND A CLOSENESS AMONG RESIDENTS THAT OTHER BIGGER CITIES JUST DON’T HAVE.  AS PART OF OUR EFFORT TO COVER BOTH URBAN AND RURAL COMMUNITIES ALL OVER THE STATE, WE SENT OUT A COMMUNITY SURVEY TO FIND OUT WHAT PEOPLE IN THIS WASHINGTON COUNTY TOWN VALUE AND WHAT THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES THEY FACE. WE HEARD PREDOMINATELY ABOUT THE QUALITY OF LIFE HERE AND THE CHALLENGES OF RECONCILING DIFFERENT VIEWS [https://hillsboronewstimes.com/2025/02/06/north-plains-settles-urban-growth-boundary-lawsuit-future-expansion-remains-unclear/] OF HOW TO IMPROVE LIFE HERE AND PLAN FOR GROWTH. WE INVITED THE COMMUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN A CONVERSATION ABOUT NORTH PLAINS AT THE ATFALATI RIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN NORTH PLAINS ON JUNE 11, 2-26. ABOUT 55 PEOPLE SHOWED UP, AND MANY SHARED WHAT THEY THINK MAKES NORTH PLAINS AND WHY THEY THINK THE URBAN GROWTH BOUNDARY SHOULD BE LEFT ALONE OR EXPANDED [https://northplains.gov/news_detail_T15_R58.php].  OUR GUESTS INCLUDED ROBIN DOUGHTY, DIRECTOR OF THE NORTH PLAINS PUBLIC LIBRARY; ROWAN MAIORANO, ASSISTANT PLANNER FOR THE CITY; DANIEL STINCHFIELD, WHO SITS ON THE UGB PUBLIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE; PATTI BURNS, DIRECTOR OF THE SENIOR CENTER AND VICE PRESIDENT OF THE NORTH PLAINS EVENTS ASSOCIATION; LORA DEXHEIMER, FOUNDER OF THE NORTH PLAINS FOOD BANK; RUSS SHELDON, BUSINESS OWNER AND FORMER CITY COUNCILOR; AND EMILY WALDRON AND ELIZABETH BEAUPAIN WITH FRIENDS OF SMART GROWTH NORTH PLAINS.

Portland-based playwright’s new work invites audience into the experience of dyslexia

”WORDS WILL COME,” [https://www.lesshakespeareco.org/thewordswillcome] A NEW WORK BY PORTLAND-BASED PLAYWRIGHT MELODY ERFANI [https://www.melodyerfani.com/], FOCUSES ON A YOUNG IRANIAN-AMERICAN GIRL’S EXPERIENCE WITH LEARNING, LANGUAGE AND IDENTITY WHILE NAVIGATING DYSLEXIA.  THE PRODUCTION TAKES A MULTI-SENSORY APPROACH, USING MOVEMENT, PROJECTIONS, STAGE SETTING AND FRACTURED LANGUAGE TO IMMERSE THE AUDIENCE IN THE MIND OF SOMEONE EXPERIENCING DYSLEXIA.  WE’LL HEAR FROM ERFANI ABOUT HER OWN EXPERIENCE WITH DYSLEXIA, AND HOW GUIDING HER YOUNG NIECE THROUGH A DYSLEXIA DIAGNOSIS HELPED INSPIRE THIS THEATRICAL WORK.  “WORDS WILL COME” IS SHOWING AT SHAKING THE TREE THEATER IN SOUTHEAST PORTLAND THROUGH JUNE 28TH.

Portlander Erica Berry wins James Beard Media Award for essay on foraging and trust

PORTLAND WAS WELL REPRESENTED AT THIS YEAR’S JAMES BEARD AWARDS [https://www.opb.org/article/2026/06/16/portland-james-beard-awards-nogoduro-ryan-roadhouse-scotch-lodge/]. COCKTAIL BAR SCOTCH LODGE TOOK HOME THE AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING BAR, WHILE JAPANESE RESTAURANT NODOGURO’S RYAN ROADHOUSE WON BEST CHEF: NORTHWEST AND PACIFIC.    Writer Erica Berry also won a Media Award for her personal essay [https://orionmagazine.org/article/intuitive-eating/] published in Orion Magazine. In it, she explores the balance between risk and reward in both mushroom foraging and her personal relationships.    Berry joins us to share more about her work.

Oregon Ducks college football reporter shares experience of covering World Cup Northwest games

THE U.S. MEN’S NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM WILL FACE OFF AGAINST AUSTRALIA IN SEATTLE TOMORROW FOR ITS SECOND MATCH OF THE WORLD CUP. EXCITEMENT AND EXPECTATIONS ABOUND FOR TEAM USA AFTER ITS THRILLING 4-1 VICTORY OVER PARAGUAY IN ITS OPENER LAST FRIDAY.    WHILE THIS ISN’T THE FIRST TIME THE U.S. HAS HOSTED THE WORLD CUP, IT’S THE FIRST TIME OUR NATION IS CO-HOSTING IT WITH VENUES IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST. PORTLAND-BASED SPORTS WRITER TYSON ALGER [https://www.i-5corridor.com/p/an-american-football-writer-at-the] IS COVERING THREE OF THOSE GAMES IN OUR REGION, INCLUDING FRIDAY’S MATCH AT LUMEN FIELD.   IT’S THE FIRST TIME THAT ALGER IS COVERING THE WORLD CUP AFTER MORE THAN A DECADE’S EXPERIENCE OF WRITING ABOUT COLLEGE FOOTBALL. ALGER WRITES ABOUT THE PORTLAND TIMBERS IN HIS SUBSTACK PUBLICATION, “THE I-5 CORRIDOR,” WHILE ALSO REPORTING ON UNIVERSITY OF OREGON ATHLETICS FOR LOOKOUT EUGENE-SPRINGFIELD. HE JOINS US TO TALK ABOUT MAKING THE LEAP FROM COVERING COLLEGE FOOTBALL TO WORLD CUP SOCCER, AND THE STORYLINES HE’S PURSUING ON THE SPORT’S BIGGEST STAGE.

Founder of Human Access Project retires, reflects on advocacy and work

More than a decade ago, Willie Levenson had his heart set on swimming in the Willamette River. In his own words, he got carried away. He is the founder, executive director and ringleader of the Human Access Project, an advocacy group that dedicated its efforts to change Portlanders’ relationship with the Willamette. Over the years they have pushed for city beaches and swimming docks, held annual community events and more. And after being with the organization since its inception in 2010, Levenson is stepping down and retiring. He joins us to share more on his initial vision for the Human Access Project and its future as he steps away.