Housing
Organization behind privately seeded navigation center in Portland plans affordable-housing complex
The River District Navigation Center opened at the end of August to considerable fanfare from local media and public officials — and some skepticism. Now, the nonprofit behind the shelter is getting into the housing game. The navigation center — initially funded with $3 million pledged by Columbia Sportswear CEO Tim Boyle — broke ground…
Street survival in the age of coronavirus
We’re not helpless out here,” Raven Drake told me, standing in front of an eight-person tent that, she explained, would serve as a medical tent should any people in neighboring camps fall ill with coronavirus. Kaia Sand is the executive director of Street Roots. You can reach her at kaia@streetroots.org. Follow her on Twitter @mkaiasand…
Environment
The Rights of Nature: A changing battleground in the fight for the Snake River
In a letter to Washington Gov. Jay Inslee dated Feb. 11, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown offered her full support for removal of the four hydroelectric dams on the lower Snake River, the main tributary of the vast Columbia River. The dams generate electricity, provide some irrigation and flood control, and allow commercial barges to travel…
Culture
New Eyelids album part of a Golden Age for bands of a certain age
Chris Slusarenko and John Moen of the Portland indie rock band Eyelids are in their early 50s. Poet and songwriter Larry Beckett is in his early 70s. But their new record together, “The Accidental Falls,” owes its existence to a couple of teenagers. A few years ago, Slusarenko went to Beckett’s house to pick up his…
News
Addiction services get a big push toward the ballot
Editor's note: This story was updated March 10 to reflect the more recent signature tally. Organizers behind the initiative to reduce the punishment for simple drug possession report that it’s well on its way to making the ballot this fall. The Drug Addiction Treatment and Recovery Act — currently circulating as Initiative Proposal 44 — has…
After decades in solitary confinement, Albert Woodfox fights for a better humanity
Albert Woodfox walked out of Louisiana’s St. Francisville jail in 2016 after serving more than 40 years in solitary confinement for a murder he says he didn’t commit. While the decades-long battle to secure his freedom was finally over, Woodfox wasn’t done fighting. Today, he considers himself a committed activist and revolutionary and is working…
Vendor Profiles
Street Roots vendor profile: Courage to do something new
Sometimes it just takes the right encouraging friend to make a life change. Jul Karp, a Street Roots vendor since September, knows this well. She credits longtime vendor, neighbor and friend Cheryl Lewis with introducing her to Street Roots. “Sheryl brought me to Street Roots for the first time. It was on a Friday. I…
Opinion
Street survival in the age of coronavirus
We’re not helpless out here,” Raven Drake told me, standing in front of an eight-person tent that, she explained, would serve as a medical tent should any people in neighboring camps fall ill with coronavirus. Kaia Sand is the executive director of Street Roots. You can reach her at kaia@streetroots.org. Follow her on Twitter @mkaiasand…
We are protecting abortion access and empowering the next generation
On March 4, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments for a huge case that could dismantle the protections of Roe v. Wade and leave Louisiana with just one abortion provider. Here in Oregon and Southwest Washington, Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette won’t retreat as Roe hangs in the balance. In fact, every day we continue…
