News
The watchers at the gate
The 1960s, ’70s and ’80s were a heady time in Portland, both politically and socially. Women and minorities organized for their rights. Activists campaigned against nuclear energy and U.S. involvement in conflicts in Latin America and Asia. Almost every national or international problem had the attention of politically involved people and organizations in Portland. And…
For the record: November 8-21, 2013
-Percentage of Multnomah County population who have a high school diploma or higher: 89 -High school graduation rate in Multnomah County: 63 percent -Percentage of children in Multnomah County who experience food insecurity (food insecurity is defined as not knowing where one’s next meal will come from): 24 -Median household income in Multnomah County: $50,726…
Ceirah McCauley knew homelessness firsthand, and tells her story of the lessons learned along the way
Ceirah McCauley witnessed homelessness early in life. Her grandfather worked for the Portland Rescue Mission and her whole family joined in. When she was in middle school, her experience at the mission inspired her to initiate her own fundraising projects for people experiencing homelessness in Portland and in Haiti. Two years ago it became more…
Ann Patchett: Book smarts
With six novels and three books of nonfiction to her credit, award-winning author Ann Patchett has come a long way since she began her career as a staff writer at Seventeen magazine. But Patchett will tell you that her time at Seventeen honed her skill at crafting nonfiction pieces, whether for The New York Times…
Food stamp cuts hit hard — and harder still
Across Oregon, low-income families are adjusting to a little less, thanks to the national reduction in the food stamp program that went into effect Nov. 1. We haven’t seen the last of it. Lawmakers in Washington D.C. are currently threshing out two plans for the nutrition supplement program that’s part of the 2013 Farm Bill,…
Oregon prepares for $20 million mental health roll-out
Oregon’s mental health care systems gained attention and new money from the 2013 legislative sessions — and more is on the way. While this is good news for Portlanders, especially those experiencing homelessness, mental health problems or addiction, it’s not enough to meet the region’s growing need. An estimated one-quarter of the nation’s homeless population…
Soldiers on campus
Disconnected. That’s the word army veteran Dave Christensen used to describe his first year on the Portland State University campus. “It was very difficult for me to get traction,” said Christensen, a computer engineering major. “I didn’t feel part of the community, and veteran services were spread across campus—I wasn’t sure where to look.” To…
Vendor Profiles
Vendor seeks great sales, even better conversation
Jason Scheer may well be the most outgoing introvert you will ever meet. When we meet for coffee, Jason seems as though he does not have much he wants to talk about, but as time goes on he shyly reveals himself to be a mindful and sensitive artist, a determined worker, and a proud father…
A good neighbor: Thornton wins national street paper award
Raymond Thornton, your Street Roots vendor at Peet’s Coffee at Northeast Broadway and 15th Avenue, received top honors with the 2012-13 Vendor Community Award from the North American Street Newspaper Association. Thornton has sold Street Roots for the past three years. In that time his customers, neighbors and now the national street paper network, have…
Opinion
Support your community through the Give!Guide
Street Roots is a proud partner again this year with the Willamette Week’s 2013 Give!Guide and more than 100 community organizations. These organizations work day-in and day-out to make Portland a better city — a city that we can all be proud to call home. Giving to the Give!Guide is easy. It’s as simple as…
Portland can avoid its next fiscal crisis now
Last spring all the conversation was what to do about the city budget shortfall. Public hearings were scheduled where thousands of angry constituents turned out to testify why their favorite city program should not be on the chopping block. After some last minute reprieves an austerity budget was finally passed and many in the popular…
The straight dope on California’s marijuana mecca
Now more than ever before, marijuana is becoming mainstream in America. Though it is still a Schedule I substance, considered as dangerous as cocaine and methamphetamine, recent state legalizations in Washington and Colorado mark the sea change that could eventually lead to nationwide acceptance. Emily Brady’s narrative nonfiction piece, “Humboldt,” shows us a community, both…
Poetry & Art
Soup Can Sam: November 8-21, 2013
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) What’s so funny about peace, love and understanding? Loads, really. Laugh it up this month! Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) It takes people to run a government and keep a city moving forward. Ideologies can’t run shit. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Never in your wildest dreams will you expect what’s happening next…
A Drink with Death
He turned the key in the lock and opened the door. To his horror he saw a brick wall with the words of an unknown language written in crimson paint. He passed his lantern over the letters in the cave. Only now was his shock wearing off from the great oak door, the wall, and…
