Chiara Profenna

2 days ago | oregonlive.com | Chiara Profenna

On a Wednesday evening in May, the White Owl Social Club buzzes with more energy than usual. The bar’s covered patio is packed with small clusters of people waiting for the night’s main event: a free Latin dance lesson hosted by Queer Baile. Run entirely by volunteers, Queer Baile offers nongendered, queer-centered Latin dance classes designed to create an inclusive space for all. The monthly classes alternate between cumbia and bachata.

3 days ago | oregonlive.com | Jamie Hale |Chiara Profenna

Taking a baby to the Oregon coast for the first time isn’t just a day trip—it’s a milestone moment filled with equal parts logistics and wonder. On a recent episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, host Jamie Hale shared the experience of introducing his 9-month-old daughter to the Pacific Ocean for the very first time. “This episode could be called a baby day trip to the Oregon coast,” Hale explained to co-host Chiara Profenna. “It was my baby’s very first visit to the ocean.

6 days ago | oregonlive.com | Jamie Hale |Chiara Profenna

We’ve all experienced that end-of-summer regret: You didn’t go swimming as much as you wanted to. But what if you could guarantee your summer included at least 15 different swimming adventures? On a recent episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, hosts Jamie Hale and Chiara Profenna interview local swimming enthusiast Hadley Brooks about a personal challenge she’s maintained for eight consecutive summers that ensures she never misses a chance to dive in.

1 week ago | oregonlive.com | Chiara Profenna

While some use the Juneteenth holiday to rest or attend festive community events, the Willamette Heritage Center sees it as an invitation to walk with purpose — literally. Juneteenth, celebrated annually on June 19, marks the date in 1865 when the last enslaved people in the United States were finally informed of their freedom — more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.

1 week ago | oregonlive.com | Chiara Profenna

It’s hard to miss Portland’s enthusiasm for Thai food. According to Nick Stanley, the Thai honorary consulate general in Portland, the metro area is home to more than 125 Thai restaurants. “You can argue that Thai cuisine is really one of the cornerstones of what makes Portland competitive with regard to tourism,” said Stanley.