Opinion
Housing justice community wins path toward no more evictions
By Kari Koch, Contributing Columnist The headlines would have us believe that the housing crisis is over, and that foreclosures are no longer a serious threat to our community. But in Portland, we have an affordable housing crisis, with an estimated 5,000 houseless people and thousands of empty homes. Thousands of families are one missed…
Veterans find truth in fiction
By Robert Britt, Staff Writer As the war in Afghanistan throttles down, and Iraq fades in our national rearview, much of America is ready to close the books on these conflicts. But for many of the men and women who served on these battlefields, coming home is only the first step in putting war behind…
Some refreshing dialogue around mental health
Street Roots editorial Street Roots has worked in and around the issue of mental health since our inception, some 14 years ago. We’ve watched many individuals and families struggle with the issue of mental health, both through the services we offer at Street Roots and through the institutions and policies we cover editorially. Fewer than…
The false choice between victims and sentencing reform
By David Rogers and Kerry Naughton, Contributing Columnists America’s criminal justice debate is broken in two. With just 5 percent of the world’s population, the U.S. leads the world in the use of incarceration with 25 percent of the planet’s prison population. And there are fierce advocates on both sides of the debate — for…
Director’s Desk: Everyone is equal at Street Roots
“Bill is a hero!” That’s how the email ended from an employee at Powell’s who recently communicated a story that unfolded with a Street Roots vendor. Earlier this month, Bill found what turned out to be a Bronze Star issued to a local military veteran. William let Powell’s know that he had found the medal…
Earned sick time is good for Portland
By Lisa Frack, Contributing Columnist A concerned coalition of Portlanders is calling on city hall to solve a community problem with a simple solution that benefits everyone involved: allow all workers in the city to earn paid sick time while working. And they’re listening! Commissioner Amanda Fritz proposed a policy and held a public hearing…
News
“No one is happy with the status quo”
By Israel Bayer, Staff Writer New Mayor Charlie Hales recently sat down with Street Roots to talk about the state of the city, and what’s to come. Hales is inheriting a possibly $25 million dollar deficit and recently took all 27 city bureaus under his control. Hales will be leading a challenging, yet hopeful next…
Flu season hits hardest where care is hardest to find
By Alex Zielinski, Staff Writer Chills. Hot flashes. Achy muscles. Migraines. A rattling cough on top of a dry, sore throat. This time of year under the gray cloud of the Pacific Northwest, these symptoms are tossed between coworkers, family members and friends daily. Sick days are devoured, appointments are forgotten, and most confine themselves…
Rockabilly, shmockabilly: This is rock ‘n’ roll!
By Sue Zalokar, Staff Writer Sallie Ford plays rock ‘n’ roll. Just ask her — she’ll tell you that she and the band surprise folks sometimes. Or better yet, listen up. She comes by it honestly. She grew up in Ashville, N.C., in a “family of hippies” – talented, creative hippies. Her mother is a…
Vendor Profiles
Vendor Profile: Swing by for a paper and a bit of metta for the road
By Ann-Derrick Gaillot, Contributing Writer The Starbucks at Southwest Fourth Avenue and Oak Street attracts all kinds. Teenage boys fooling around with a video camera; in the corner two men with thick glasses and slick hair discuss television; a man in a dirty sweat suit comes in an out repeatedly; a couple cling to each…
Poetry & Art
Soup Can Sam: Feb 15-28, 2013
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Clack away at your keyboard, but don’t forget there is a world outside of your cubicle for you to explore. Everything’s on track — isn’t it time to check out that new produce market down the street? Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Get out of your house today and use your tail…
