Four Things I Learned This Week (June 24)

Midsommar at IKEA. IKEA—you know, that Dutch-headquartered multinational conglomerate that sells home goods and furniture—is celebrating mid-summer with a bunch of events Saturday and Sunday, including a strawberry cake tasting, meatballs, salmon, and mocktails. 10280 NE Cascades Pkwy, Portland

The Poptart Ice Cream Sandwich is back. Head to Kate’s Ice Cream this Saturday as well, for Poptart Ice Cream Sandwiches. They are super popular: “Last year, these sold out in 1 minute online.” No pre-orders this year, but you can line up at Kate’s at noon for your chance to get one of the 150 gluten-free and vegan ice cream sandwiches. 3713 N Mississippi Avenue, Portland

Top pizzas in Portland. According to Italian pizza-centric website, 50 Top Pizza, five Portland pizzerias made the USA list this year:

No. 11: Ken’s Artisan Pizza
No. 16: Lovely’s Fifty Fifty
No. 18: Apizza Scholls
No. 40: Nostrana
No. 43: Scottie’s Pizza Parlor

Thursdays On the Plaza in Montavilla. The Montavilla Farmers Market, which operates weekly on Sundays, is expanding to Thursday evenings this summer. “Starting the month of July the 79th street plaza will be back, and July 7th will be the first of a weekly event with a few vendors and live music from 4 to 7pm.” There will also be a beer garden run by Threshold Beer. This has all come to pass thanks to a Vibrant Spaces Community Events Activation Fund from the City of Portland. Check out this Willamette Week article for more info. Southeast 79th Avenue and Stark Street, Portland