Take a trip into Portland’s wide world of food: Asian and Middle Eastern markets at Portland’s farthest edges; the best boutique bakeries, speciality markets, and chocolate shops throughout the city; hot spots for the freshest Northwest seafood; lovingly raised meat from regional farms; and all the news and tips you need to navigate the spring offerings at local farmers markets.

Compare notes on more than 600 of the region’s schools in our education grids. Across the country, high schools are becoming small and specialized, adhering to the theory that intimacy, focus, and a family’s ability to choose their child’s school will cultivate more effective learning. But Portland Public Schools is taking the opposite approach. Why? Because the old-fashioned model—large, generalized, and right down the street—seems to be the better fit for our city’s ever-expanding array of revitalized inner-city neighborhoods.

For the fifth year, we bring you our annual selection of Portland’s best physicians—219 docs in 73 categories—as chosen by their peers. Plus, Team Trauma: No one wants to end up in the emergency room. But these tales from our top emergency room doctors reveal the kind of compassion (and talent) that make it a lot easier to be there.

We scaled every snowy nook and cranny of Oregon’s iconic peak to deliver this user’s guide. Whether you’re a rabid ski bum or have never strapped on a pair of snowshoes, we’ve got the inside line on our beloved mountain’s essential experiences: the best places to sled with the family, the gnarliest runs, and even the coziest spots to sip an apr&#234s-ski beverage (or two). Plus, we take a look back at Hood’s storied past.

Sure, times have been tough, particularly for restaurants. But Portland eateries are dishing up more value than ever before, whether in a fine dining room, an outer Southeast strip mall, or through the window of a food cart. Here’s our guide to venues that tell the story of an era, plus a menu of 12 great meals you can enjoy for less than $20.

On the quest to find our state’s hidden gems, we spent a collective four weeks on the road, logged some 4,000 miles (not including wrong turns), and met plenty of colorful locals along the way. Our expansive search revealed 30 off-the-beaten-path experiences that will have you falling in love with Oregon all over again. Plus, the winner of this year’s Wordstock short-fiction contest.

Overwhelmed by the sheer number of wines made in Oregon? Let our resident wine critic guide you to the top 50. Along the way, learn handy tips about the art of tasting. And three top sommeliers offer menu pairings for the picks. Plus, our annual Fall Arts Preview, and a profile of Oregon Symphony artistic director Carlos Kalmar.

For a meal that evolved with the automobile and our need for food to go, the hamburger has come a long way—especially in our city. Given Portland’s culinary street cred, we set the bar high when hunting for the top burgers in town, and we weren’t disappointed. From cuts of Kobe topped with goat cheese and truffle oil to half-pound patties piled high with pastrami, Portland chefs’ crave-worthy homage to the humble hamburger offers something for every appetite. We give you 30 choices—all delicious cures for your burger lust. Just don’t forget your napkin. We also have burger tips from three local celebrity chefs, and a romantic feature about Fred and Toody Cole, two rebellious oldsters still rocking in their 60s.

If the Columbia and the Willamette are the first things that come to mind when you hear the words “Oregon rivers,” its time for some immersion therapy. The Beaver State has more federally designated Wild and Scenic rivers—fifty-five in all—than any other state. To get you started, we’ve explored six of these stunning water-ways: more than seven hundred winding miles’ worth of natural beauty, adventure, and history just waiting to be paddled, fished, hiked, biked, or simply savored from a riverside lodge.

We scoured hundreds of miles and got plenty dirty compiling this list of can’t-miss trips. It’s all here: hair-blowing waterfalls, panoramic views of snowy peaks, even a window into a river’s underwater world. And if you want to turn your excursion into a weekend adventure, we’ve got you covered there, too.

Oregon distillers are turning out quality spirits, and Portland’s top bartenders are transforming these delicious elixirs into cocktails worthy of a great night out. And check out our guide to local distilleries of distinction, and your very own personal drink-of-the-month keepsake. Plus, hit the high seas with Columbia River bar pilots, and find out what’s on the mind of police chief Rosie Sizer.

Real Estate ’09 Even if this twisted economy has you reeling, you could position yourself for a property win. Whether you’re a buyer, seller, renter, of keeper, here’s real estate new that you can use right now. PLUS: Exclusive details on dozens of Portland neighborhoods.

We spent weeks eating breakfast all over the city to bring you a comprehensive roundup of morning eats (and drinks!) at sixty-four restaurants. Portlanders, prepare to grow hungry. Plus, local stripper, rocker, writer, and bartender Viva Las Vegas pens a story about her battle with breast cancer.

Hollywood PDX With their animation studio, Laika, and the help of a curious cartoon girl named Coraline, Nike shoe magnate Phil Knight and his son Travis are gunning for a spot in the highly competitive world of filmmaking. Plus: High-powered producers, big-screen stars, and indie filmmakers are showing up everywhere in Portland. Could Stumptown be the next Hollywood?

Top Docs 2008 Inside the modern house call (you don’t have to hate going to the doctor anymore). Plus: our annual list of Top Docs, as chosen by their peers.

The 2008 NW College Report Our inaugural guide provides detailed information on leading Pacific Northwest colleges and universities, plus profiles on standouts in academics, sports, and more. From tuition to campus culture, we’ve got everything you’ll need to help make this big decision.

Our fifth annual Best Restaurants package serves up the essential details on some of the finest dining in town. Plus, our picks for Chef of the Year and Waiter of the Year.

Portland is at the center of the green revolution, and our green issue is out to prove it. Read The Ripple Effect for 15 big ideas that are changing how we impact our environment. And discover the oasis hidden amid Portland’s concrete and barbed wire: blue herons hunt fish and chorus frogs sing in waters that are cleaner than they have been in years. (Plus, how you can explore Portland’s waterways yourself.)

Weekend Getaways What do you need to make a weekend excursion fabulous? A tank of gas, 48 hours, and a desire to hit the open road. (We’ve even mapped your itinerary so you don’t have to plan a thing. ) Go ahead and tell the boss you’re heading out a little early next Friday — and the Friday after that. These 14 destinations will make your fall the best prelude to winter you’ve ever had.

Best of the City Oh Portland, how we love thee. And in our fifth annual Best of the City issue, we count the ways (53, to be exact). This year, we also name six extraordinary citizens who are the best at what they do — from fixing a bike to pouring wine to tending rooms full of tots (not as easy as you might think).

In Portland this summer, choose your own adventure: go forth and Hike! Bike! Paddle! Climb! It’s finally July and that’s the sun, all right- get it while you can! The time has come to channel your inner outdoorsman and get stoked for the warm weeks ahead. Whether your thing is hitting the trails, scrambling your way up a cliff, or paddling a cold stretch of white water, we’ve got 18 day trips within a 90-minute drive of Portland that will make the season memorable.

What better time to learn The Art of Eating Cheaply than right now? Just because your bank balance is unimpressive, doesn’t mean your meals have to be. At these 25 places, two can feast on everything from Korean barbecue to Swedish meatballs for under $25.

Leave the tourist traps for the Winnebago set and explore The Hidden Coast. Follow our mile-by-mile guide to those wonders of the Oregon Coast that can be found only off the beaten path. Whether you’re in search of a secluded beach, an unbeatable bown of clam chowder, or a tide pool full of starts, we’ve got the inside take on 34 secret spots.

Portland is still America’s hottest hometown and the 2008 real estate guide shows us why it’s time to Buy Here Now. Having trouble getting started? We’ll help! We give you seven hot trends that shape how and where you live; profiles of the city’s up-and-coming areas; and our annual “Neighborhoods by the Numbers” report, with all the stats you need to know about Portland’s 95 ’hoods and 25 ’burbs.

The insider’s guide to Oregon’s Wine Country. Whether you’re a casual taster or a connoisseur, we’ve got the inside story on the wineries to visit, the best pinots to sip, where to find a memorable meal, and the Northwest’s top 10 wines to buy now.

A shameless peek at Our City & It’s Money. Portland likes to crow about its reputation for being green. But when it comes to talking about their own green, Portlanders tend to keep it on the down-low. Which raised the question: What’s really inside Portland’s wallets? From lottery winners to a family that stopped shopping for a year, we’re ready to show you the money, honey.

To identify some of the greatest doctors in town, we asked more than 8,000 Portland-area physicians which doctor they would call if one of their loved ones needed medical care. We proudly present the results in Top Docs ’08: our list of top vote-getters includes 329 physicians in 48 specialties. Also: Alternative treatments enter the medical mainstream and patients feel the difference in medicine’s new balancing act.

Wish someone would produce a how-to manual on raising an excellent student? Done! Find answers to your questions in The Parents’ Survival Guide. From helping your preteen learn Internet etiquette to getting the most out of the parent/teacher conference to putting the nation’s test craze in perspective, our parental primer has is covered. Plus, Best Schools our annual Progress Report of every K-12 school in the Portland area.

Our intrepid restaurant reviewer reveals the top 10 places to eat in Portland in Best Restaurants 2007 and names the 2007 Chef of the Year. But what about the people who bring the bread and take our orders? We’ve singled out a Waiter of the Year, a super server deserving of a princely gratuity. Plus, keep an eye on three new restaurants that are worth watching.

Not every job is a soul-crushing grind. If your resume has enough muscle to leverage a position at one of our 12 Hottest Companies, you could be basking in breathtaking views of the city, quaffing a pint over a game of darts or taking a power nap, while your beloved boss proffers a benefits package that includes a European sabbatical. All hail the 9-to-5! (Or the noon-to-8, if you’d prefer.)

Had you lived in Portland back in 1870, you would have pumped your water from a backyard well, and you’d never have left the house without a bowler or a hoopskirt. A hundred years later, you might have lounged by the pool outside a split-level ranch and cavorted in the nude at Vortex I. For our third annual history issue, we take you on a tour of How We Lived in the Rose City’s past, with stops in 1860, 1900, 1940 and 1970. It’s the next best thing to having been there yourself.

Fashionable outdoors wear, saucy lingerie, exclusive perfumes, transcendental vacuums, industrial-strength glassware, everybody’s coffee shop, massive milkshakes, cutting-edge cocktails, groundbreaking theater companies, old-school barbers … Best of the City ’07 is here! There’s more! The list continues with over a 100 other best boutiques, decorating dens, restaurants, dance halls, doggie day cares, toy warehouses and more, including our editor’s top picks and the results of our readers’ survey.

We all want that sexy summer six-pack, but what’s the point if it means forgoing sunlight in your home gym all day long? Luckily, in a city that’s one big rumpus room, you don’t have to. Our recommendation for staying in shape: Pump less, play more. Whether you’re a Hood to Coast veteran or have yet to walk the 1.5-mile Eastbank Esplanade, here’s your game plan for keeping fit while having a blast.

Everyone knows the place to store your clams is in your pocket. But that doesn’t mean you should reuse aluminum foil like a Depression-era granny. To help you spend smart without deprivation, we picked out great goods for every shoppers price point and dined at restaurants where $10 buys a feast. Whether you pull down seven figures or five, here’s how to live the high life for less. Go ahead. Indulge a little—or at these prices, a lot.

Picture yourself having the time of your life. Do you envision a classic setting of palms and a white sand beach? Are you hiking up a trail through the peaks? Sipping in the scene at an urban café? Whether you have a week or a weekend to spare we have 32 idyllic spots tailored for you. And what about the kids? Their summer fun is guaranteed in our ultimate guide to summer camps. Plus, architect Jeff Kovel is making big plans.

For our 2007 real estate guide, we navigated the city far and wide, high and low—from a penthouse in South Waterfront to a home in the valley outside McMinnville—in search of neighborhoods ripe for good living. And our annual “Neighborhoods by the Numbers” report lists all the essential market data, from crime stats to park acreage, for the entire city and 25 suburbs. All this and a sizzling spring fashion shoot!

Popping serotonin pills like M&M’s? Tax man got you feeling blue? We’ve got just what the doctor ordered: six comforting recipes from local chefs, plus nineteen soothe-your-soul dishes and the 58 restaurants that make them just like Mama did. How about a cup of java to go with that? Our primer on the Portland coffee scene should perk you right up. And whatever happened to the Ripe restaurant empire?

There’s a lot more to Portland’s watering holes than scotch and soda these days. Local mixologists (remember when they were called bartenders?) are designing dynamic drinks by combining classic cocktail sophistication with infusions of fresh ideas. Become a regular at any of these 16 bars of distinction and rise above the mundane. Plus, our list of the city’s top dentists, and a look at restaurateur Bruce Carey’s home base.

Our annual Top Doctors feature recounts tales of survival from the front lines of medicine. At the heart of every technology-driven miracle lies a very human story. Also, our list of the city’s top docs, as chosen by their peers. Plus, cooking with local chef Robert Reynolds, twelve spas that can cure the winter blahs, and an aerial view of the hands that built the OHSU tram.

This year’s Top Schools coverage takes us inside eight exceptional local high schools to talk with teens who excel in science, sports, the arts, philanthropy, and other areas, as we focus on what’s going right with our schools. Then our annual Progress Report, a compendium of school performance data, delivers information you won’t find anywhere else. Plus, Portland’s best bakeries!

It’s a well-traveled truth by now that Portland rates as a big-time dining town, thanks in no small part to the talented chefs at the restaurants we picked as the year’s best, who are elevating expectations and breaking down culinary walls. Plus, a survey of the city’s finest food carts and our first-ever Chef of the Year. A little shopping will help to burn off those sumptuous meals, so follow us to Portland’s top boutique rows.

In “How to Thrive From 9 to 5” we’ll give you a peek at some of the coolest jobs in town. Free cars! Free food! Free massages! Executives at the 20 best places to work in Portland reveal the strategies that keep their employees smiling and loyal. Slip this guide under your boss’s door and perhaps you’ll never have to deal with a case of the Mondays ever again. Plus, the 20 greatest Oregon books ever written.

In “The 100 People Who Shaped Our City,” we consult with a panel of local historians to select Portland’s most influential personalities, some you may know (Phil Knight) and some you probably don’t (F.T. Merrill), and some you’ve heard of thousands of times but never really pinned down (just who was Couch, anyway?). Allow us to make the introductions. Plus, an up-close look at the Oregon Zoo’s elephants.

If being passionate about Portland is so wrong, then why does it feel so right? Our staff followed their hearts and scuffed their soles searching out the people, places, and things that make our fair city great. In addition, our exhaustive guide to the Columbia River Gorge will point you in the right direction for all manner of summer fun in the great outdoors.

It’s time to fire up the coals, shake those cocktails to everyone’s liking, and grill that rib-eye to a perfect medium rare. Too much pressure? That’s where our guide to summer entertaining comes in. We’ve assembled a compendium of foolproof recipes and timely tips from local culinary experts that’s guaranteed to make you the baron of the backyard. Plus, an all-star salute to the creators of Portland’s craft beer culture.

This month, Portland was named “America’s most sustainable city”; we took it upon ourselves to do the math and see whether our green reputation stands up to the numbers. And because such collective credentials rest firmly on the contributions of individuals, we present twenty-five things you can do today to help save the planet. Plus, the history of Pioneer Courthouse Square, and a list of the area’s best lawyers.

Summer’s fleeting nature means you should start planning before it even gets here. To help you get a jump on the dog days, we’ve crafted five fabulous itineraries that will transport you to an idyllic—and nearby—world. Also, we map out three classic road trips that will have you humming hosannas to our great state. All this and a meeting with Portland screenwriter Mike Rich.

Do you love your neighborhood? A citywide livability survey reveals which Portlanders are happiest with their environs—and why. Get to know the hottest areas in town, as well as five suburbs in high demand. And check out our third annual real estate guide: from parks to home prices, we’ve crunched the numbers on all metro neighborhoods. Plus, we catch up with best-selling local author Phillip Margolin.

Pick your own blueberries. (Check.) Forge for mushrooms. (Check.) Angle for trout. (Check.) Dig up some razor clams. (Check.) Congratulations! You’ve just earned your first achievement badge on the way to qualifying as a definitive denizen of our town. Now only ten more badges to go! Plus, a tribal battle over a casino at Cascade Locks, and a portrait of gallery owner Elizabeth Leach.

There’s a hole in the bucket. The cake was left out in the rain. Oops, you did it again. Whatever ill fortune—be it abuse, neglect, or tear—may have befallen your prized possessions, there’s almost always a way to set things right. We’ve got the people, places, and procedures you need to know to keep your things together. Plus, a twenty-six-year-old murder case is solved.

Is there a doctor in the house? Just in time for cold and flu season, we present our annual list of Portland’s best doctors in 32 specialties. We also make the rounds with five of the most admired local healers, who speak candidly about wearing the white coat. Plus, recent developments on the Multiple Sclerosis front, and our guide to pampering your pets.

City Hall got a new tenant. A skyline took shape on South Waterfront. Portland Art Museum expanded. Lewis & Clark came back to town. We can all recall the pivotal local events of the past year. But exactly who were the people who defined Portland in 2005, and why do they matter? Plus, profiles of eco-fugitive Tre Arrow and Portland Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan.

Our name is Portland Monthly and we’ll be your servers this evening. For starters, may we recommend the top restaurant picks—organized by cuisine—of both local chefs and our readers, followed by a behind-the-scenes entrée in a hectic Heathman kitchen? And for dessert, well, you wouldn’t believe what pastry chefs can do with an Easy-Bake over. Plus, our first installment of the Light a Fire Awards!

With the help of a preeminent local historian and an archive of iconic images, we trace the history of Portland from the Lewis & Clark Exposition and end up in 2005. After exploring the paths that have led Portland where it is today, we ask city leaders to envision our next 100 years. All this and an interview with retired Air Force chief of staff Tony McPeak.

There are 602 public and private schools in the Portland metro area—and we’ve run the numbers on all of them. Our exclusive citywide schools comparison charts are a resource no parent of concerned citizen should be without. Plus, we take a broad look at the public school funding crisis, and introduce you to ten terrific teachers. And get ready for a Fall Arts love fest!

What’s the best city? That’s easy (hint: rhymes with Cortland). How can we be so sure? We just completed our annual roundup of the Best of the City—the shops, noshes, pastimes, and services, that define our exquisite burg. Plus, definitive guides to Forest Park and our bountiful farmers market scene.

Spin the dial and follow a winding path through mountains, desert, forest, and coastal splendor. In our Getaway Game—a summer travel planner packed with 78 quick Northwest escapes—all roads lead to relaxation. Plus, a look at an advertising relationship that’s paid big dividends: Wieden+Kennedy and Nike.

A steal is not a deal when your meal has no appeal. So we went in search of low-budget bites with culinary merit, whether you sup solo, dine a due, or graze with the pack. Plus, with our three price levels you can savor great food values no matter how you define cheap. If that’s not enough we’ve got Enron fallout, a Stumptown hoedown, and a guide for the gardener.

The design talent here is more than just plentiful; it’s outstanding. From major players like Nike, Wieden+Kennedy, and Ziba Design to smaller outfits like interactive studio Deepplay, local firms are not only turning out world-class ideas, they’re turning Portland into the design capital of the world. Plus, a judicious list of our top lawyers.

Thinking of buying a new home? Want to know more about the one you have? We profile twelve of the city’s most intriguing neighborhoods—from up-and-coming precincts to venerable vicinities. And we’ve compiled a list with copious data on 85 Portland neighborhoods to make comparison shopping a whole lot easier. Plus, sporty looks for your spring wardrobe.

We know how tough it can be to come up with exciting new ways to entertain the kids, so we’ve scouted all the best options in town so you don’t have to. From historic firehouses to lazy rivers, it’s our comprehensive compilation of the city’s top activities for youngsters (and their parents). Plus, Portland’s hottest singles and Tonya Harding in cyberspace.

We present our first annual self-conducted survey results: an exclusive list of 330 doctors in 33 categories, rated the best in Portland by their peers. We also take you behind the scenes at fourteen medical miracle centers, places where teams of talented physicians are literally fighting for our lives. Plus, we lend an ear to Portland’s burgeoning indie-rock contingent.