Hiya, friends! Here's what's happening—or at least what's fit to print—on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. Portland's weather is just fine: partly sunny, high 53. It's the first of three dry days. Sunrise 7:19 AM, sunset 5:30 PM; stays light until 6:01.

A couple of things that are dear to Oregonians are on the bubble, as they say. Or on thin ice.

—Oregonian sports columnist Bill Oram's headline reads: “…I fear the Trail Blazers could be as good as gone.” That's because the Moda Center is in need of significant renovation, and the incoming owner, with zero connection to Portland, would have no problem considering relocation. State and local leaders, knowing what a crippling blow a loss of the Blazers would be, have a multi-layered plan to pay for an arena renovation by moving around existing resources. And though it's being fast-tracked—there's a hearing on a bill in the legislature tomorrow morning—its fate is far from certain, as is that of the Blazers (who, by the way, won their third in a row last night).

—On a much smaller scale, but a decade older yet with a younger clientele, is the skating rink at Lloyd Center, the entirety of which is slated for the wrecking ball. Young skaters (including my granddaughters) are doing what they can to save it, with a petition drive at savelloydicerink.com and valentines for Mayor Keith Wilson asking for his support.

“This is a glorious day for monkeys and for science,” says PETA about this item on OPB's website: “In a unanimous vote Monday, OHSU’s board gave the green light to explore a plan to transition the Oregon National Primate Research Center to a monkey sanctuary.”

Here's a fun footnote to the Super Bowl halftime show. You know the California couple that got married—and yes, that really was a wedding—during Bad Bunny's performance? The Oregonian's Lizzy Acker reports that Thomas Wolter and Eleisa Aparico became engaged while on vacation in Cannon Beach in October 2024. There's a photo of him on one knee on a sandy outcropping, while her hair is blowing in the wind.

Just in: Oregon Olympian Jackie Wiles and her teammate won the bronze this morning in the team skiing event. Way to go USA! 

You know what song is playing in my head today? This one!

“Guess who just got back today Them wild-eyed boys that had been away...”

Because! Spring training is beginning! Pitchers and catchers start showing up today (for the Red Sox and others), tomorrow (for the Cubs), and Thursday (especially our Mariners). And with the first preseason games on February 20:

“The nights are getting warmer, it won't be long Won't be long ’til the summer comes Now that the boys are here again.”

Welcome back, baseball! We've MISSED you!

Today is Northwest mountaineer Jim Whittaker's birthday. The first American to summit Everest, and author of A Life on the Edge: Memoirs of Everest and Beyond, turns 97 years old.

As promised, the Portland Bureau of Transportation has announced the winning names of the latest name-the-snowplow contest. Ready? Here goes:

Keep Portland Cleared Mississlippy Damian Blizzard A Sleetcar Named Deicer Pink Pony Plow (a reference to the Chappell Roan song)

As for me, I'm going to keep on swimming at the Stafford Hills Club—and this time, unlike Saturday, I'll actually bring my suit! Let us know what's on in your world, and please, everyone, find some happiness and cheer today!