City Cast Portland
🌲 Portland’s best parks
May 27, 2025 · — Rachel Monahan
Good morning, Portland! When the City Council voted last week to move $2 million from the police budget to the parks budget, it was a close vote — 7 to 5. How did your city councilor vote?
Notably, liberal Southeast Portland is the one district where all three city councilors supported the amendment. City Councilor Steve Novick, who voted for it, wants a compromise with the business community, so they’ll support a badly needed parks levy.
What's CITY Talking About?
Portland’s Best Parks
According to the national nonprofit Trust For Public Land, 89% of Portlanders live within a 10-minute walk of a park. But which are the best for a picnic with friends or an afternoon out with your dog? Get recommendations from listeners as well as the podcast team. [City Cast Portland 🎧]
Tracking the Invasive Spotted Lanternfly
After an unconfirmed report, the Oregon Department of Agriculture was on high alert for the invasive spotted lanternfly, conducting monitoring around Colonel Summers Park. Good news so far: Nothing's confirmed the spotted lanternfly sighting reported on the nature observation website iNaturalist. [KOIN]
No School Ban for Cell Phones
The state Senate has abandoned an effort to ban cell phones in schools after the relevant bill failed to make it out of committee. Supporters of the ban speculated that Gov. Tina Kotek may take executive action even without Legislation. [OPB]
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Portland Chatter
Portland can sometimes seem sleepy. But there are plenty of places that cater to late-night crowds.
Here are some spots that your fellow readers recommend if you’re out for a night on the town and don’t plan to turn in early:
🍴 ZabPinto Thai Kitchen
Pearl District | Open till midnight, Monday to Saturday; 9 p.m. on Sunday (other locations close earlier)
“Fantastic northeastern Thai food, plus the usual American favorites like pad thai.” — reader Genesis B.
🥢 Sunee Thai and Lao Kitchen
Buckman neighborhood | Open till 4 a.m. Wednesday - Sunday, 2 a.m. Monday - Tuesday — reader Jack B.
🍸 Too Soon
Kerns neighborhood | Open till 1 a.m., closed Sunday
“Too Soon! Stays open until 1 a.m., serves up incredible cocktails, and before closing they bring out warm cookies for everyone in the bar.” — reader LRP
🥪 Devil's Dill
Buckman neighborhood | Open till 1 a.m. Wednesday - Saturday, 11 p.m. Sunday - Tuesday.
“Whenever I’m trying to get a late night bite Devil's Dill does the job. They’re open late. Have great sandwiches including vegetarian options. Don’t wait too late! Last time I was there I got the last sandwich and as I ate late-night diners came and left disappointed!” — reader Michael B. Stevenson Jr.
What To Do
Tuesday, May 27
- 🎬 Round Midnight (1986) | Clinton Street Theater
- 🎤 The Moth: Live Storytelling Event | Holocene (Buckman neighborhood)
- 🎵 Louyah | Hawthorne Theatre
Wednesday, May 28
- 💃 Mt. Tabor Dance Community | Creston Park
- 🎭 Joe Turner's Come and Gone | Portland Playhouse (King neighborhood)
- 🎬 Secret Mall Apartment | Cinema 21 (Northwest District)
- ⚾ Educator Appreciation Night: Portland Pickles vs. Portland Gherkins | Lents Park
🤩 Wow! What incredible support you gave us during our spring membership campaign!
A warm welcome to the more than 120 new City Cast Portland Neighbors who joined in the last two weeks — including most recently: Patrick T., Emily P., Dwayne T., Crystal T., Anna Y., Dei W., Kevin G., Joshua H., Maureen H., Jessica B., Melissa D., and Mandy S! 👋
And don’t worry if you didn’t get a chance to sign up, you can become a City Cast Portland Neighbor right now!
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