In 1906, three Austrian-born brothers purchased their uncle's bakery, launching what became Franz Bakery — a Portland institution known for producing nearly a million buns and rolls per day at its five-block headquarters in Kerns.

The big picture: Franz has grown into one of the West's largest family-owned bakeries over the last 120 years. It now has multiple brands under its umbrella and sells dozens of pantry staples, including classic and specialty loaves as well as a variety of baked goods.

• To celebrate its 120th birthday, on Tuesday from 9am to 3pm, Franz will host behind-the-scenes tours of its bakery and will have a block party featuring its grilled cheese machine and hot dog cart.

Yes, but: While Portlanders have the perk of smelling freshly baked bread anytime we're around Northeast 12th Avenue, we also have access to the bakery outlets, where you can find nearly everything Franz has to offer at steep discounts.

Here are a few of our favorite deals.

First off, upon entering, head to "Today's bargains," typically shelves packed with products lined in the back of the store.

• There you will find about-to-expire or slightly damaged items selling two for $4 or less. This is the perfect place to eye things that you will use right away or that can hold up in the freezer — think loaves of multigrain bread or English muffins.

Next up: The bread wall. Even though most area grocery stores carry the more popular Franz breads, the outlets have the full line-up.

• I was pleasantly surprised to see the sourdough half loaves ($1.50), Hawaiian rolls ($3), honey oat and nut ($3), and Western Farms deli rye ($1.75) all selling for nearly half the price of their grocery counterparts.

And finally, get yourself a treat. I'm a big fan of Franz's powdered-sugar, raspberry-filled doughnuts, but I didn't know there were more varieties — lemon-, cherry-, blueberry- and Neapolitan-filled (mind-blowing) — all six-packs for $3.

• There are also frosted animal cookies for the kiddos ($3.50), soft-baked cookies ($3 for nine), Dunford chocolate chip muffins ($5 for six), and cinnamon swirl bread ($4.50).

All in all, I walked out with five items totaling $11. It felt like stealing.

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The Portland Trail Blazers have two chances to extend their season as the NBA play-in gets underway this week.

Why it matters: A single win will put Rip City back in the playoffs for the first time since 2021.

State of play: As the No. 8 seed, the Blazers will face the No. 7 Phoenix Suns tomorrow. A win in that game puts them into the playoffs against the No. 2 San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the playoffs.

• If they lose to Phoenix, the Blazers will play Friday in a do-or-die game against the winner of the other Western Conference play-in game, either the Golden State Warriors or the Los Angeles Clippers.
• If the Blazers come out of Friday's game with a win, they'll have the privilege of playing the top seed in the West and the best team in the league, the Oklahoma City Thunder.

What's next: The Blazers tip off against the Suns in Phoenix tomorrow evening at 7pm, with coverage on Prime Video.

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🖋️ In a memo, the Oregon Health Authority clarified that artistic and cosmetic tattooers cannot use over-the-counter and nonprescription topical anesthetics like numbing creams — a move some practitioners say could devastate the industry. (OPB)

🛏️ A major Portland nonprofit that operates six homeless shelters said it will lay of 175 people when it shuts down operations in June. More than 100 shelter beds managed by Sunstone Way will also close. (Willamette Week)

👎 State Sen. Christine Drazan and ex-Blazer Chris Dudley, two of the top Republicans running for their party's nomination for governor this year, opted not to participate in an upcoming candidate forum. (The Oregonian)

🏗️ Two advocacy groups are appealing the city-approved master plan for redeveloping Lloyd Center, claiming the proposal does not "uphold the public interest." (KGW)

Mailing your tax return this year comes with a key change: A new postmark rule is redefining what qualifies as "on time."

Why it matters: The IRS treats the postmark date — not the day you dropped the envelope into the mail — as proof of filing, meaning delays in postmarking could trigger penalties even if you sent your return on time.

How it works: Under the new system, a postmark is applied when the U.S. Postal Service processes the mail at a sorting facility, not when you send it.

• Under the old system, the postmark usually matched the drop-off date.
• Now, a return mailed on April 15 could be stamped April 16, which could expose some taxpayers to penalties — 5% of the unpaid tax — or interest.

What's next: Taxpayers who haven't mailed their returns yet should head into a post office and ask for a manual postmark at the counter to ensure your return receives an immediate "round date" postmark even if it's sent on April 15.

Pro tip: Consider filing electronically instead or ask for a six-month extension.

• E-filing remains the safest option because it creates an immediate timestamp and avoids postmark delays.

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