Culture
Giving up our privacy without much thought
The problem with universal basic income is that proponents haven’t suggested a good source for the money it would take to fund such a project. As luck would have it, B.J. Mendelson’ has a suggestion. In his book, “Privacy: And How To Get It Back,” he suggests that we “let the ad and tech industries…
Environment
NW Natural is buying water utilities
Since NW Natural announced its expansion into the water utility sector this past December, the company has begun buying small water companies in Oregon, Idaho and Washington through a holding company it’s created. Unlike NW Natural, which is investor-owned, the majority of Oregon’s water systems are government-run utilities, serving more than 95 percent of Oregonians.…
Housing
Housing for a rainy day
Living Cully, the nonprofit coalition that works to prevent gentrification and displacement in Portland’s Cully neighborhood, is exploring a new tactic for preserving affordability for its diverse community: land banking. As the name suggests, land banking involves buying land, whether that land is currently vacant or developed, and saving it for future development, such as…
Groundbreaking program for kids aging out of foster care opens in North Portland
You might think senior citizens would shudder at the thought of a throng of teenagers and 20-somethings moving in down the block, but the so-called “elders” at the Bridge Meadows affordable housing community in North Portland are welcoming them with open arms. “I just want to offer them love,” said elder Patty Juravic, as she…
Director’s Desk: Vendor losses force the question of ‘livability’
We have lit so many candles in our Street Roots office. In recent weeks, four Street Roots vendors or former vendors have died. Andy Howard, Dallas Boyd, Dani Wyatt and David Testawich. Kaia Sand is the executive director of Street Roots. You can reach her at kaia@streetroots.org. Follow her on Twitter @mkaiasand It is powerful to…
Vendor Profiles
Street Roots vendor profile: For John, selling the paper ties together a divided society
John Kadubec has explored all over the United States. He was a trucker for 22 years and has seen it all, and according to Kadubec, nowhere compares to Portland. “Every time I came to the Pacific Northwest I told myself, ‘Don’t ever forget about this place,’” Kadubec said. Kadubec resonates with the atmosphere of Portland.…
News
Groundbreaking program for kids aging out of foster care opens in North Portland
You might think senior citizens would shudder at the thought of a throng of teenagers and 20-somethings moving in down the block, but the so-called “elders” at the Bridge Meadows affordable housing community in North Portland are welcoming them with open arms. “I just want to offer them love,” said elder Patty Juravic, as she…
Director’s Desk: Vendor losses force the question of ‘livability’
We have lit so many candles in our Street Roots office. In recent weeks, four Street Roots vendors or former vendors have died. Andy Howard, Dallas Boyd, Dani Wyatt and David Testawich. Kaia Sand is the executive director of Street Roots. You can reach her at kaia@streetroots.org. Follow her on Twitter @mkaiasand It is powerful to…
Remembering vendor Dani Wyatt
Diana Wyatt, who we knew as Dani, was small in stature. But what she lacked in height, she more than made up for in personality, kindness, hard work and glee. She was a friend to both her customers and her fellow vendors, often lending a sympathetic ear and a loving smile. Dani worked with both…
Opinion
Director’s Desk: Vendor losses force the question of ‘livability’
We have lit so many candles in our Street Roots office. In recent weeks, four Street Roots vendors or former vendors have died. Andy Howard, Dallas Boyd, Dani Wyatt and David Testawich. Kaia Sand is the executive director of Street Roots. You can reach her at kaia@streetroots.org. Follow her on Twitter @mkaiasand It is powerful to…
