Chiara Profenna
@chiara-profenna.bsky.social
Religion and culture reporter for The Oregonian
https://beacons.ai/chiaraprofenna
https://beacons.ai/chiaraprofenna
Oregon’s small-batch food scene is shaping this year’s holiday gifting with bold flavors, cultural pride and makers redefining what “local” tastes like. From West African hibiscus drinks to Oregon-grown wasabi, here are 12 standout picks for your list: www.oregonlive.com/living/2025/...
2025 Oregon holiday gift guide: 12 delicious ways to share the Northwest’s diverse food scene
Local, cultural and BIPOC-owned treats for the home cook, snacker or flavor-obsessed friend in your life.
www.oregonlive.com
November 21, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Oregon’s small-batch food scene is shaping this year’s holiday gifting with bold flavors, cultural pride and makers redefining what “local” tastes like. From West African hibiscus drinks to Oregon-grown wasabi, here are 12 standout picks for your list: www.oregonlive.com/living/2025/...
Portland’s Transgender Day of Remembrance vigil brought faith leaders and community members together to honor transgender lives lost to violence and affirm a shared commitment to dignity and solidarity. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/living/2025/...
‘Being brave is the definition of being trans’: Portland vigil honors transgender lives lost to violence
First United Methodist Church hosted the 10th annual Transgender Day of Remembrance interfaith vigil.
www.oregonlive.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Portland’s Transgender Day of Remembrance vigil brought faith leaders and community members together to honor transgender lives lost to violence and affirm a shared commitment to dignity and solidarity. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/living/2025/...
Reposted by Chiara Profenna
I had a lovely time chatting with @chiara-profenna.bsky.social and @jamiehale.bsky.social on the Peak Northwest podcast, fighting the good fight to de-mystify and de-gatekeep mushroom foraging here in the PNW! Video here, podcast audio in all the usual spots too. www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCcb...
Chanterelle mushroom foraging for beginners: Peak Northwest podcast
YouTube video by The Oregonian
www.youtube.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:34 PM
I had a lovely time chatting with @chiara-profenna.bsky.social and @jamiehale.bsky.social on the Peak Northwest podcast, fighting the good fight to de-mystify and de-gatekeep mushroom foraging here in the PNW! Video here, podcast audio in all the usual spots too. www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCcb...
Milagro Theatre’s Día de los Muertos production “¡Alebrijes!” showcases handmade puppets, vibrant folklore and a renewed commitment to arts education as part of this year’s Season of Sharing campaign. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/living/2025/...
Puppetry transforms Portland’s Latino theater scene at Milagro Theatre: Season of Sharing 2025
The 40-year-old cultural center uses handcrafted puppets to tell traditional stories, including the recent Día de los Muertos celebration.
www.oregonlive.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Milagro Theatre’s Día de los Muertos production “¡Alebrijes!” showcases handmade puppets, vibrant folklore and a renewed commitment to arts education as part of this year’s Season of Sharing campaign. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/living/2025/...
At Kamala Harris’ sold-out Portland book tour stop, the former vice president drew both applause and protest — reflecting on her “107 Days” campaign as demonstrators outside denounced a possible 2028 run. www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...
Kamala Harris praises Portland’s response to Trump troop threats during book tour stop
One year since the Nov. 5, 2024, election, the former Democratic presidential nominee addressed a sold-out Portland crowd.
www.oregonlive.com
November 6, 2025 at 6:04 PM
At Kamala Harris’ sold-out Portland book tour stop, the former vice president drew both applause and protest — reflecting on her “107 Days” campaign as demonstrators outside denounced a possible 2028 run. www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...
Books take over downtown Portland this week. The 11th annual Portland Book Festival returns Saturday, Nov. 8, with hundreds of authors, poets and readers filling the city for a full day of conversations, signings and more. Here's how to make the most of it: www.oregonlive.com/living/2025/...
5 tips to make the most of 2025 Portland Book Festival
The Nov. 8 literary festival features hundreds of authors, poets and readers with special events and a weeklong celebration of books.
www.oregonlive.com
November 3, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Books take over downtown Portland this week. The 11th annual Portland Book Festival returns Saturday, Nov. 8, with hundreds of authors, poets and readers filling the city for a full day of conversations, signings and more. Here's how to make the most of it: www.oregonlive.com/living/2025/...
Native American Heritage Month is here. From powwows and storytelling to frybread festivals and Indigenous art markets, here’s where to celebrate Indigenous culture across Oregon this November: www.oregonlive.com/living/2025/...
Oregon powwows, celebrations mark Native American Heritage Month 2025
Restoration celebrations alongside food events, art markets and cultural demonstrations are planned throughout November.
www.oregonlive.com
October 30, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Native American Heritage Month is here. From powwows and storytelling to frybread festivals and Indigenous art markets, here’s where to celebrate Indigenous culture across Oregon this November: www.oregonlive.com/living/2025/...
Pan de muerto — the sweet bread honoring loved ones for Día de los Muertos — is back at Portland bakeries. From vegan hibiscus loaves to classic sesame rounds, here’s where to find it: www.oregonlive.com/living/2025/...
For many, pan de muerto brings families together. Here’s where to find it around Portland
La Casa de Mamá offers vegan versions while more than one dozen other local bakeries sell traditional varieties of pan de muerto through Nov. 2.
www.oregonlive.com
October 28, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Pan de muerto — the sweet bread honoring loved ones for Día de los Muertos — is back at Portland bakeries. From vegan hibiscus loaves to classic sesame rounds, here’s where to find it: www.oregonlive.com/living/2025/...
Portland-area communities are honoring Día de los Muertos with festivals, performances, block parties and family fun across the metro area. From Milagro’s annual show to concerts, crafts and markets, here’s a roundup of events through mid-November. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/living/2025/...
Día de los Muertos 2025: Portland events celebrate Day of the Dead
Events run from late October through mid-November featuring music, art installations, traditional food and community altars across the metro area.
www.oregonlive.com
October 23, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Portland-area communities are honoring Día de los Muertos with festivals, performances, block parties and family fun across the metro area. From Milagro’s annual show to concerts, crafts and markets, here’s a roundup of events through mid-November. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/living/2025/...
Over 250 people gathered at Tigard's BAPS temple for Chopda Pujan, a Diwali ceremony blessing books, ledgers and laptops, ending with an arti and a communal meal. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/living/2025/...
Tigard temple marks Diwali with prayers for renewal and prosperity
More than 250 people gathered at the BAPS temple in Tigard to bless books, ledgers and laptops for prosperity in the coming year.
www.oregonlive.com
October 21, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Over 250 people gathered at Tigard's BAPS temple for Chopda Pujan, a Diwali ceremony blessing books, ledgers and laptops, ending with an arti and a communal meal. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/living/2025/...
On Oct. 16, Where We Goin’?: Power of Place Roadshow lands at Kennedy School pairing award-winning films "Where We Goin'?" and "Dear Young Black Portland" with an urgent conversation on displacement, belonging and reclaiming the city’s story. Read more here: www.oregonlive.com/living/2025/...
Screening aims to ‘discover the possibility of what Portland could be’
National tour featuring “Where We Goin?” and “Dear Young Black Portland” comes to Kennedy School on Oct. 16, exploring displacement and belonging in Portland’s Black community.
www.oregonlive.com
October 9, 2025 at 4:37 PM
On Oct. 16, Where We Goin’?: Power of Place Roadshow lands at Kennedy School pairing award-winning films "Where We Goin'?" and "Dear Young Black Portland" with an urgent conversation on displacement, belonging and reclaiming the city’s story. Read more here: www.oregonlive.com/living/2025/...
Oregon will celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day on Monday, Oct. 13, with events across the state honoring Native heritage, food, art and storytelling. From Portland’s marketplaces and paddle to OSU’s keynote and more, here’s where to join the celebrations: www.oregonlive.com/living/2025/...
How to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day 2025 in Portland and beyond
Oregon universities, museums and community groups host events featuring Native artists, traditional foods and cultural demonstrations.
www.oregonlive.com
October 7, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Oregon will celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day on Monday, Oct. 13, with events across the state honoring Native heritage, food, art and storytelling. From Portland’s marketplaces and paddle to OSU’s keynote and more, here’s where to join the celebrations: www.oregonlive.com/living/2025/...
Portland is getting a new Jewish bakery this November: Babkush on SE Hawthorne will offer chocolate babka, rugelach, amaretti cookies and seasonal treats. The bakery’s founder, Zicra Lukin, is bringing a modern spin to Jewish baking traditions. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/entertainmen...
An upcoming Jewish bakery is bringing the ‘babka renaissance’ to Portland
Zicra Lukin plans a November opening on SE Hawthorne, featuring chocolate babka, rugelach and amaretti cookies
www.oregonlive.com
October 7, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Portland is getting a new Jewish bakery this November: Babkush on SE Hawthorne will offer chocolate babka, rugelach, amaretti cookies and seasonal treats. The bakery’s founder, Zicra Lukin, is bringing a modern spin to Jewish baking traditions. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/entertainmen...
Tany’s Cafe Con Pan in Wood Village features dozens of cases filled with conchas, empanadas, seasonal treats and more, plus a full café menu. Learn more about the family-run bakery here: www.oregonlive.com/dining/2025/...
This Wood Village bakery offers a warehouse-sized selection of Mexican pastries
Tany’s Cafe Con Pan’s 6,000-square-foot bakery features dozens of pastry cases with conchas, empanadas and seasonal treats.
www.oregonlive.com
October 1, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Tany’s Cafe Con Pan in Wood Village features dozens of cases filled with conchas, empanadas, seasonal treats and more, plus a full café menu. Learn more about the family-run bakery here: www.oregonlive.com/dining/2025/...
York Fest in Portland runs Oct. 17-25, honoring York, the only Black member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, with performances, film screenings, tours and discussions. Learn more about the festival here: www.oregonlive.com/living/2025/...
York Fest honors the legacy of the only Black member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition
The weeklong festival of performances, screenings, discussions and tours takes place Oct. 17-25 in Portland.
www.oregonlive.com
September 29, 2025 at 4:50 PM
York Fest in Portland runs Oct. 17-25, honoring York, the only Black member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, with performances, film screenings, tours and discussions. Learn more about the festival here: www.oregonlive.com/living/2025/...
GeekEasy Anime Café in Portland is hosting "Make Me a Mooncake" workshops through Oct. 2, offering participants a hands-on experience in making traditional mooncakes. Learn more about the classes here: www.oregonlive.com/dining/2025/...
Learn how to make mooncakes at this Portland anime café
GeekEasy Anime Café's final workshops run through Oct. 2, followed by an Oct. 4 festival night with lantern making, karaoke and traditional treats.
www.oregonlive.com
September 26, 2025 at 5:29 PM
GeekEasy Anime Café in Portland is hosting "Make Me a Mooncake" workshops through Oct. 2, offering participants a hands-on experience in making traditional mooncakes. Learn more about the classes here: www.oregonlive.com/dining/2025/...
El Grito Portland continues today at Rose Quarter Commons with music, dance, food and the historic Grito de Dolores reenactment at 8 p.m. The free festival marks the start of Hispanic Heritage Month with vendors, cultural performances and youth programs. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/living/2025/...
El Grito Portland continues with a spirit of joyful resistance
Monday’s events include youth programs, vendor markets and the historic El Grito de Dolores reenactment at 8 p.m.
www.oregonlive.com
September 15, 2025 at 11:00 PM
El Grito Portland continues today at Rose Quarter Commons with music, dance, food and the historic Grito de Dolores reenactment at 8 p.m. The free festival marks the start of Hispanic Heritage Month with vendors, cultural performances and youth programs. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/living/2025/...
Where to see lantern parades, taste mooncakes and join cultural celebrations across Portland this fall: Mid-Autumn Festival events are back at gardens, libraries and community centers. Full guide to 2025 celebrations here: www.oregonlive.com/living/2025/...
Where to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival 2025 in Portland
Gardens, cafés and libraries host mooncake workshops, moonviewing ceremonies and family-friendly cultural activities.
www.oregonlive.com
September 15, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Where to see lantern parades, taste mooncakes and join cultural celebrations across Portland this fall: Mid-Autumn Festival events are back at gardens, libraries and community centers. Full guide to 2025 celebrations here: www.oregonlive.com/living/2025/...
Berlu Bakery has reopened in Southeast Portland, shifting from its former fine-dining roots to a Vietnamese gluten- and dairy-free pastry shop. Vince Nguyen’s new menu highlights chewy pandan sponge cake and a $53 “One of Everything” sampler. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/dining/2025/...
‘One of Everything’: Berlu Bakery reopens in Portland with Vietnamese gluten-free pastries
James Beard Award-winning chef Vince Nguyen’s Berlu has completed its metamorphosis from a fine dining restaurant to a Vietnamese bakery.
www.oregonlive.com
September 10, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Berlu Bakery has reopened in Southeast Portland, shifting from its former fine-dining roots to a Vietnamese gluten- and dairy-free pastry shop. Vince Nguyen’s new menu highlights chewy pandan sponge cake and a $53 “One of Everything” sampler. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/dining/2025/...
Safety and budget concerns have forced some Oregon Hispanic Heritage Month events to cancel, including El Grito in Hillsboro and ¡Viva Salem! Still, celebrations like La Guelaguetza in Hillsboro and Fiesta Mexicana in Woodburn drew thousands this year. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/news/2025/09...
Safety concerns, tight budgets halt some Hispanic heritage celebrations in Oregon, but many will go on
Cultural events have been canceled in Madras, Salem and Hillsboro.
www.oregonlive.com
September 9, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Safety and budget concerns have forced some Oregon Hispanic Heritage Month events to cancel, including El Grito in Hillsboro and ¡Viva Salem! Still, celebrations like La Guelaguetza in Hillsboro and Fiesta Mexicana in Woodburn drew thousands this year. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/news/2025/09...
From Portland to the Coast, Oregon is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with festivals, food, music, art and cultural traditions. While some longtime events are on pause, many others move forward with joy and resilience. Full list of events statewide: www.oregonlive.com/living/2025/...
Where to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month 2025 in Oregon
From Portland’s El Grito festival to cultural celebrations across the state, dozens of events honor Latino culture amid political tensions.
www.oregonlive.com
September 2, 2025 at 5:43 PM
From Portland to the Coast, Oregon is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with festivals, food, music, art and cultural traditions. While some longtime events are on pause, many others move forward with joy and resilience. Full list of events statewide: www.oregonlive.com/living/2025/...
Every other Monday through September, Director Park turns into a lively open-air dance floor as locals gather for free tango nights with live music. The event is part of the city’s Summer in the City series, drawing dancers from across the region. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/living/2025/...
This downtown Portland park transforms on summer nights as dancers do the tango
Every two weeks, Director Park becomes a live music venue and open-air dance floor.
www.oregonlive.com
August 26, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Every other Monday through September, Director Park turns into a lively open-air dance floor as locals gather for free tango nights with live music. The event is part of the city’s Summer in the City series, drawing dancers from across the region. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/living/2025/...
India Festival returns to Pioneer Courthouse Square on Aug. 24, bringing 90 performances, food and local artisans to celebrate Indian culture in the heart of downtown Portland. Read more about the festival’s move back to the square here: www.oregonlive.com/living/2025/...
Portland’s India Festival moves back downtown after brief Beaverton experiment
The festival will bring more than 90 performances along with food vendors and local artisans to Pioneer Square on Aug. 24.
www.oregonlive.com
August 18, 2025 at 6:40 PM
India Festival returns to Pioneer Courthouse Square on Aug. 24, bringing 90 performances, food and local artisans to celebrate Indian culture in the heart of downtown Portland. Read more about the festival’s move back to the square here: www.oregonlive.com/living/2025/...
A 15-foot La Catrina will greet visitors to Woodburn’s Fiesta Mexicana Aug. 15-17, celebrating Mexican culture with food, music, dance and art at Legion Park. Read more about the meaning behind the statue here: www.oregonlive.com/living/2025/...
How La Catrina preserves culture at Woodburn’s Fiesta Mexicana
Woodburn’s six-decade festival tradition takes place Aug. 15-17 at Legion Park.
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August 13, 2025 at 6:47 PM
A 15-foot La Catrina will greet visitors to Woodburn’s Fiesta Mexicana Aug. 15-17, celebrating Mexican culture with food, music, dance and art at Legion Park. Read more about the meaning behind the statue here: www.oregonlive.com/living/2025/...
Centuries of Oaxacan history came alive in Shute Park at La Guelaguetza on Saturday. Discover the stories behind the celebration here: www.oregonlive.com/living/2025/...
This Hillsboro festival celebrates an often overlooked piece of Mexican culture
La Guelaguetza, honoring the Indigenous culture and history of Oaxaca, took place Saturday in Hillsboro.
www.oregonlive.com
August 10, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Centuries of Oaxacan history came alive in Shute Park at La Guelaguetza on Saturday. Discover the stories behind the celebration here: www.oregonlive.com/living/2025/...