🌶️ Taking the spicy out of a pepper

Habanero Peppers Get a Mild Remake

An Oregon State vegetable grower worked for two decades to create two new milder varieties of the habanero pepper. Named “Notta Hotta” and “Mild Thing,” they’ll be available at farmers markets and for home gardens within the next year. [KOIN]

Predatory and Possibly Illegal Towing

Low-income tenants at affordable housing complexes operated by the nonprofit Hacienda have been subjected to predatory towing, the Portland ombudsman has found. A single tow for violating a parking limit can cost about the same as half a month’s rent in a studio there, and some of the tows (which took place during the night) were likely illegal under state law. [KGW]

Free Health Care for Gresham-Barlow Students

Students in the Gresham-Barlow School District will have access to free primary care, dental care, and behavioral health care. The clinic across from Gresham High School received funding from the state as well as the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). [KATU]

Why East Portland Is Built Different

Randy Leonard, a former state legislator and Portland city commissioner, first moved to East Portland in the ’80’s. He explains the history of that area, the politics that led to its lack of infrastructure, and how those issues might factor into the coming election. [City Cast Portland 🎧]

Last week, I shared the surprising news that Kerns is the fifth coolest neighborhood in the world, at least according to the publication TimeOut.

I asked for your view on which neighborhood really is Portland’s coolest. And lots of readers responded. Here are a few:

A Couple Voices for Kerns

“Definitely Kerns. Lived there for 20 years and definitely regret leaving.

“When we moved in, the current Whole Foods was one of the grocery stores where the canned goods had a layer of dust on the lids and the floors of the Laurelhurst Theater were so sticky they made a noise as you walked on them.

“Today? A-mazing. PaaDee, Ken’s Artisan, Güero, Holman’s, Prost, Pambiche, Heart, Olé Olé, City State, Staccato, Screen Door, Matador, Dove Vivi, Tree House Collective, Cedar Mountain, Beulahland, Navarre, Luce, Davenport, I mean, c’mon.” — Tim C.

“I used to live in Kerns, now I live in South Tabor. As much as I love my new neighborhood, I really miss Kerns. Such beautiful houses to see on neighborhood walks that lead you to an incredible selection of restaurants, coffee shops, and cafes. Kerns is definitely the coolest, in my opinion.” — Trina P.

Other Neighborhoods

“I vote for Concordia. Our neighborhood is definitely the coolest. First of all the neighbors are all great at helping each other out and sharing. The Buy Nothing Group has folks not only sharing things, but also time and assistance and knowledge. We have a great widely distributed monthly newspaper and an active and engaged neighborhood association. The Kennedy School has allocated a permanent meeting room for use of the neighbors for meetings and events AND also grants all in the neighborhood free use of their soaking pool.

“Within walking distance are Alberta Park (where there are weekly bicycle polo games!), Fernhill Park, and Woodlawn Park.

“There are many music venues within a short radius (Alberta Rose, Historic Alberta House, Alberta Abbey, and Alberta Street Pub, to mention but a few).

“Don’t get me started with how many huge trees line our streets and the Holman Street bicycle thruway.

“We have recently acquired a branch of U of O that has the first bachelor's level degree in the country in youth mental health. It also plans to offer other intellectual benefits to community members (lectures, library use, etc).

“To end I will just mention the number of incredible restaurants, beer pubs, and amazing cocktail bars make one’s head spin. If you counted up the number of beer taps surrounding this neighborhood you could possibly run out of numbers.” — Esther Lerman Freeman

Your Take? I’ll continue this series in the future, so please email me with your view.