After we shared new national data showing Americans are talking with their neighbors far less than before, we were bummed to learn Portlanders are seeing that trend play out on their own blocks — but some are taking action to reverse it.

Why it matters: Casual neighborhood ties are quietly disappearing, and the health consequences run deeper than most people realize.

Threat level: Research from Vanderbilt sociologist Rachel Donnelly found social isolation is "a potent predictor of poor health, mortality, and dementia risk." It is as strongly linked to mortality risk as smoking or obesity.

• Lower-income Americans are disproportionately likely to be isolated, research also shows.

What you're saying: "The only time I spoke with my neighbor was when his groceries got delivered to my house instead," reader Lisa C. wrote. "When I had a 20-acre property in a rural area, I talked to my neighbors several times a week."

• Gary R., who lives in Sandy, said he only knows the names of his immediate neighbors, and that's it. "I rarely see them out, and when I do, we just wave."

Yes, but: Other Portlanders are making it a point to actively engage their neighbors.

Here's how:

🍸 Rotating house parties. Mount Tabor resident Katy W. said her neighborhood has been hosting "Martini Monday" every month for nearly two decades.

• "One neighbor hosts the party at their house and provides drinks; everyone else brings a dish to share. When someone new moves in, I am stoked to say hi and invite them!"
• 💭 My thought bubble: My neighborhood does a version of this called "Soup Night," and the WhatsApp group doubles as a place to share handyman recommendations, coyote sightings, and borrow stuff — whether it's a wine opener or extra chicken wire.

🐕 Let the dogs do the work. While some neighbors arrange weekly dog walks, Jane U. said her neighbors happily dog-sit her coonhound when she's away because it "imposes a strict 'no rabbits' policy around their vegetable garden."

🫛 Share fruits of labor. Natalie B. and their partner recently expanded their garden so they could "gift extra food to our neighbors" in an effort to build more relationships.

The bottom line: Don't overthink it. Wave and say hello on walks, ask gardening questions when you see a neighbor in the yard, or give away extra goodies from your kitchen.

Portland's long-running ice cream icon, Salt & Straw, is up for sale at a valuation of roughly $200 million, per media reports.

Why it matters: A sale could help fund the artisan frozen confectioner's next phase of growth as the brand expands beyond its West Coast roots.

Driving the news: Salt & Straw — founded 15 years ago by Kim and Tyler Malek as an ice cream cart in Northeast Portland — tapped investment bank Piper Sandler to help find a buyer, per a report from Reuters.

• The business brings in around $100 million a year in revenue, per Reuters, built around unique flavor combinations like pear and blue cheese, starling sweet potato buckwheat crumble, and cheesecake with salted yuzu curd.
• Salt & Straw operates around 50 shops across 10 states, including seven in Oregon and one in Vancouver, Washington.
• They also recently reintroduced the Tacolate and started selling pints in New Seasons stores around Portland.

What they're saying: "We are currently in the early stages of exploring a capital transaction, as we have at other points in our history, to support the next chapter of Salt & Straw's growth," co-founder Kim Malek told Axios in an emailed statement.

• "Tyler and I remain fully committed to building this company for the long term — and to the people, culture, and guest experience that have made Salt & Straw what it is, and the communities we've called home since day one."

Yes, but: Salt & Straw has previously brought on outside investors — including Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson — while the Maleks have retained majority ownership.

• It's unclear how much of the company could be sold this time around.

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⚓️ It's officially Fleet Week: Be prepared for frequent lifts on the Burnside, Steel and Broadway bridges to allow for the passage of ships now through Sunday.

• Public tours of U.S. Navy, Coast Guard and Royal Canadian Navy vessels are free. (KATU)

🚌 A free weekend summer shuttle will launch June 12 to drive visitors to popular destinations like Forest Park and Washington Park. (Willamette Week)

🍎 More than half of young children with disabilities now learn alongside non-disabled peers, up from 38% in 2020 — an improvement state officials say is driven by expanded inclusion and early intervention programs. (The Oregonian)

🦅 A young California condor from the Yurok Tribe's restoration program made its way to Oregon last month — the first wild condor spotted in the state since 1904. (Jefferson Public Radio)

🌮 PDX Taco Week is back for its second year, with $5 deals from more than 40 restaurants. (KGW)

Oregon earned a C overall on maternal mental health care in 2026 — up from a C- last year — according to a new report from the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health.

Why it matters: While Oregon improved on its grade from last year, it's still the worst on the west coast with California and Washington earning a B+ and a B-, respectively.

• States were scored across 27 measures in four domains: screening and detection, providers and treatment, policy and payment, and the new parental support category.

The big picture: About one in five U.S. moms experience maternity-related mental health conditions like postpartum depression, and most don't get the treatment they need.

• Untreated maternal mental health disorders are estimated to cost the U.S. $14.2 billion annually, according to the Policy Center.

The bottom line: "While we applaud the progress states are making, the U.S. is providing mediocre maternal mental health care at best," said Joy Burkhard, CEO of the Policy Center, which put together a road map to help states close gaps in maternal mental health.

Go deeper

Just in time for pristine cycling weather, Portland is giving away 5,000 helmets to anyone who needs one.

• The helmets are first-come, first-serve at 53 Plaid Pantry locations across the city to anyone 12 years or older through June 15.

Plus: The giveaway coincides nicely with the kickoff of Bike Summer, formerly known as Pedalpalooza, a self-dubbed "festival of bikey fun."

• There are hundreds of biking events over the next three months, making it easy to find a reason to get out on two pedals.