After two weeks of suggestions, and an official vote at the latest vendor meeting last week— the SR new house cat was given a name: Rootie. Here he is guarding the new shipment of Rose City Resource Guides— which is distributed by vendors and more than 120 non-profits, businesses, hospitals, foundations and law enforcement agencies in the region.
As for the cat, he’s been getting lots of love and has without a doubt raised the spirits of the entire SR crew.
Posted by Israel Bayer
Posted in Street Roots
By Israel Bayer
Street Roots Executive Director
Street Roots, along with allies at Sisters Of The Road and Community Alliance of Tenants, took a monumental road trip to San Francisco for the Western Regional Advocacy Project’s protest where we asked the federal government to adequately fund local communities to tackle the issues of affordable housing and to ensure that city governments uphold the civil rights of individuals on the streets.
Check out the interview with SR vendor George Mayes and Julie McCurdy’s powerful column in this issue of the paper. Both pieces offer a street level perspective of their experience on the road trip and their time in San Francisco.
SR would like to thank Sisters Of The Road for organizing the trip. They funded and coordinated more than 50 individuals to take part in the protest, mostly folks sleeping on the streets. Our groups met up with more than 1,000 people, again, mostly from the streets (which is amazing!) from across the West Coast. We would also like to thank the many organizations that endorsed the action in Portland, covering a broad range of affordable housing, labor and social justice groups.
So you say, what’s in a protest? It does nothing, right? And yes, you are correct. Protesting alone is a waste of time and energy, in my mind. But if you couple this with your own media (a growing street newspaper movement), and well researched and published data, and work to engage the very people whose lives are effected to build a movement, we might be on to something. Continue reading
Posted in Street Roots
Tagged affordable housing, Israel Bayer, Julie McCurdy, Street Roots, Where to buy Street Roots, WRAP
By Julie McCurdy
Contributing Writer
I was asked the other day by a very well-intentioned woman about the “face” of homelessness. She asked if I could describe a “typical” homeless person. I looked at her and said there’s no such thing, but if I must, then look in the mirror. With her slightly offended look, I touched her hand and smiled, saying, “I wasn’t trying to be unkind, But I am the face of homelessness. That man to your left, sleeping in the doorway, and potentially you, me, we are all the face of homelessness.”
After the conversation, we were both a bit more at ease with each other, relaxed. Which was a good thing, since I didn’t want to be a bitch about it.
The reason I bring this up is because I just finished, not three hours ago, marching in San Francisco for homelessness and housing rights as part of the Western Regional Advocacy Project. You know those experiences in your life that are so powerful and moving, that they render you speechless? This was the WRAP protest for me. It’s certainly a turning point in my life, because now I know that we are the only ones that are going to bring about real change. I know this because I got to see this up close and personal. At one point in the march I was just standing there, tears running down my face, thinking to myself that this is what the people in the Civil Rights movement might have felt during their long march to equality. This very moment, as I write this in a church in Oakland, Calif., with my friends who just marched right alongside me, I am overcome with emotion. What can I say? The majesty of this moment. Continue reading
By Israel Bayer
Staff Writer
George Mayes, a Street Roots vendor, caravanned down to San Francisco along with other housing activists from Portland for the Jan. 20 rally for housing and homelessness. More than 1,000 individuals on the streets and advocates from across California and Oregon converged there to ask the federal government to adequately fund affordable housing and ensure that local governments are upholding the rights of individuals on the streets.
The trip was more than about reaching a destination, it was a four-day project that began with a teach-in with residents in Ashland about housing and homelessness.
It was George’s first rally, but it’s unlikely to be his last.
Israel Bayer: How are you feeling about the trip, George?
George Mayes: I’m feeling good about the trip. It was very interesting. It was enlightening for me. It was great going into Ashland and doing what we did there. I met a feel few people and engaged folks and learned a lot of things. We all have something to learn from one another.
And going through Shasta and the snow. (The caravan got stuck in a snowstorm for three hours between Shasta and Weed, Calif.) The snow was an enlightening experience for me. I haven’t been in a snowstorm like that since 1966 when we were kids coming from Portland to L.A. It shook my memory of driving with me and my dad and younger brother and sister. It brought me back to Memory Lane, and made me smile.
And I have to say, seeing the sights and being able to get out of the city was really good for me. All the conversation and being able to be with so many amazing individuals is special. And to be honest, just being able to lay back and get some sleep in a comfortable van wasn’t bad either.
I.B.: What did you think of the march?
G.M.: It was the first time I was ever in a rally or march in my life. I was looking at all the people on the side of the streets, looking at us and thinking, that use to be me. It’s made me think a lot and reflect. The hollering and screaming and the camaraderie from the entire group of people from all over the country. The energy was high. Through all of this I’ve made a lot of new friendships.
I.B.: Anything else you would like to add?
G.M.: It has pumped me up to do some more and I’m looking forward. It’s important to advocate for the homeless. I feel like I’m a part of something. I’ve always tried to help, and since I found myself on the streets, I’ve learned what it means to advocate not only for myself, but for others. Anytime Street Roots has a mission, I’m ready to go. All of this has changed me and I’m still processing it, to be honest. It’s hard to describe.
Posted in Street Roots
Sandra Pollard
April 16, 1945 – Dec. 31, 2009
Sandi, born Sandra Lou Stivers, passed away in her home after a 15-year battle with breast cancer.
She was born in Poteau, Okla., and graduated from Oklahoma State University with a degree in vocational home economics. She married Eugene Pollard and they started a family of two boys, Bryan and Nathan. They moved to New Orleans in 1975, and then Sandi and Nathan moved to Portland, Ore., in 1991. She worked as a researcher and drug study coordinator until her retirement in 2008. Her son Bryan co-founded Street Roots in 1998.
Her son wrote: “Always know that your strength and values will live through those you have touched with your wisdom, wit and compassion. We love you and will forever treasure your loving touch and guidance.”
Sandi is survived by her mother Maye Stivers, her sister Connie Stivers, her niece Neile Blackwell and her son Bryan Pollard. Her son Nathan preceded her in 2003 after a lifelong battle with Cystic Fibrosis.
Charitable donations may be made in her name to Street Roots or the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Director’s note: Sandra Pollard was a long-time Street Roots supporter and donor. When Street Roots began in December of 1998, the organization had almost no equipment and supplies, including computers, design programs, and other related materials needed to publish a newspaper. Her contributions helped Street Roots acquire the supplies needed to publish the newspaper. Without her support, the organization wouldn’t be where it is today. All of our thoughts are with the Pollard family during this difficult time.
Yvonne Annette Ingram
Jan. 12, 2010
The beloved Yvonne Annette Ingram, aka Toby, died of natural causes, Jan. 12, 2010. She was an icon in the Outsider Art world and one of Portland’s great poets. She loved Portland and its people and helped build its reputation of being a loving, weird and creative city.
Yvonne was born in Minneapolis Minn., and arrived in the Pacific Northwest as a youth. She lived through the troubled ’50s in Seattle, the changing ’60s in Tacoma, Wash., and the disco era of the ’70s in Olympia, Wash. At the end of the ’70s she found her home in Portland, where she was loved by all who knew her.
Yvonne was an active member of the mental health community, always willing with an open heart and open arms to reach out to anyone. She was always a hopeful optimist, a positive influence, and friend to all who she encountered. She is survived by her daughter, Pamela Ingram, and her siblings Delores Sims and Sybil and Marvin Wright. Remembrances can be made by giving a smile or hug to the person next to you or by dropping a few coins into the next empty cup you see. We will all miss this vibrant and enchanting woman. where ever you are Yvonne, we love you.
Editor’s note: Yvonne was a regular contributor to Street Roots from its earliest days, writing stirring poetry for our readers. She was a strong supporter of the newspaper, its cultural and artistic endeavors, and we are saddened to lose such a good friend of the community.
the assembly
By yvonne Ingram
standing together we gathered
around a transit kiosk
assembled to wait for the bus
eyes pealed
looking for a glimpse
of our ride in the oncoming traffic
some of us glance nervously
at our watches and mumble
about schedules and the weather
a woman asks if the forty four
has come yet.
we are a group of individuals
like a theatre crowd
we dance in the cold
waiting for our chariot to come
the tallest in topcoat and tie
carries a briefcase
a boy with books and
a name printed skateboard
a woman in a yellow sweater shivers
in the early morning chill
a child holds her mother’s
red and black plaid skirt
our lives in step only at this moment
we don’t converse
and, only occasionally glance around
to see each other’s faces
our heads swivel at hissing brakes
and as the bus slows for a stop
we enter the open door
and take our seats
Posted by Joanne Zuhl
Posted in Street Roots
Street Roots, with our stylishly retro, no-frills wordpress blog, got the nod from White Horse Consulting as No. 11 in its top 12 listing of active blogs on the city of Portland!
The company was hired by the city to analyze the city’s social media channels, and determined that blogs are the most prolific source of content regarding the city of Portland. The top spot went to the bikeportland.org. The Oregonian? No. 9. Ouch. Here are the complete listings:
1. bikeportland.org
2. mentalhealthportland.org
3. blogtown.portlandmercury.com
4. neighborhoodnotes.com
5. djcoregon.com
6. bojack.org
7. bignewsnetwork.com
8. portlandnews.net
9. oregonlive.com
10. portlandsentinel.com
11. streetroots.wordpress.com
12. eastpdxnews.com
Bikeportland.org has their take on the analysis, as does the No 3 blog, the Portland Mercury where you can grab a link to the whole report, which is something we at Street Roots will figure out soon. When we do, we expect to get the bump to No. 10.
Community organizer, Brendan Phillips celebrating at the Golden Gate bridge after the march.
Drive home.
Last stop in California.
If you don’t think 2010 holds in store anything special for you, then you’re forgetting that the new edition of Street Roots hits the pavement tomorrow, warmed by the personalized delivery of a friendly neighborhood vendor! Here’s a preview of the goods inside this issue:
The persistence of memory: Poet Kaia Sand helps keep Portland’s troubled history from fading into invisibility. Reporter Carmel Bentley files this comprehensive piece about Sand, Vanport and the Japanese American internment during World War II.
Homelessness, housing lures marchers to San Francisco’s streets for rally: A package of photos, discussions and perspectives on the human rights demonstration in San Francisco Jan. 20, including an inspiring account by Julie McCurdy and an interview with vendor George Mayes.
Addiction Compassion: An interview with author and physician Gabor Mate on how the U.S. could create a new paradigm in dealing with addiction. And you can bet it’s a little nicer than the one we’ve got.
Oregon bill adds to chorus against human trafficking: Amanda Waldroupe reports on the legislature’s latest efforts to thwart the U.S.’s dirty little secret.
Sticker Shock: Another reporter from our sister paper Megaphone in Vancouver, B.C., about the side of the Olympics that more brass than bronze.
Plus, cool commentaries, awesome art, and a little less alliteration — all in the Jan. 22 edition of Street Roots. Let us know what you think. You can join the discussion here, and on Facebook. See you there!
Posted in Street Roots
Tagged Amanda Waldroupe, extra extra, homeless, homelessness, Israel Bayer, Street Roots, vendors, Where to buy Street Roots, WRAP
By Leah Ingram
Contributing Writer
Portlanders are often viewed as a pretty odd bunch. We West-Coasters of the Oregon persuasion can act a bit differently from others in our every day activities. We slap “Keep Portland Weird” stickers onto our cars, we love composting and we enjoy hugging the occasional tree. There are, however, still organizations and services to surprise even the most veteran of Portland hipsters. One of them is “Wash Your Dishes.”
Wash Your Dishes is an exchange based dish washing program that was founded in Portland last year by Scott Davis. It all started when Davis, recently self-dubbed “Ether Sky,” realized that there was a need for dish washing in many artist circles. “I started hanging out with a lot of interesting people in town and I realized that everybody’s dishes were left in the sink,” Sky said. “Lots of people who are really active in the world seem to drop the ball for basic things in their homes like washing dishes.”
While the title “Wash Your Dishes” seems to fully explain what you can expect from the business, Sky’s service offers more than the name implies. Sky’s original intent on making the program was to connect with more circles of people. “A lot of it was based on friendship, which then became spreading the news between each other,” said Sky. Whether his dish washing is earning him a place to stay in South America or at the Burning Man festival in Nevada, Sky says that the service opens many doors to meeting new people. Continue reading
Posted in Street Roots
Question: City Council has swung from being scandalous to circus-like in the past year. What do you think 2010 will bring for City Hall?
Bojack: More circus, I think. With two City Council seats up for grabs, the Paulson stadium drama, another anemic recall effort, the code enforcement “hit” teams run amok, Fireman Randy’s born-again bachelorhood – there’s no end in sight for entertainment. The mayor has no credibility left, and so it’s hard to see people taking the city too seriously. And with as much monkey business as goes on at City Hall, scandal’s also possible – always.
One very sobering event, however, is going to be the federal court trial in the Jim Chasse wrongful-death case. Not only is the trial going to reveal more about the inner workings of the Portland Police Bureau than the city ordinarily lets anyone see, but there’s the potential for a big jury verdict in the case.
Beth Slovic: If a second attempt to recall Mayor Sam Adams for lying about his relationship with Beau Breedlove gets off the ground, it will emerge on the one-year anniversary of Adams’ Jan. 20, 2009, public apology.
Commissioner Nick Fish will face scant competition during his re-election campaign. But three-time Commissioner Dan Saltzman – who’d hired a campaign manager but hadn’t officially declared whether he’d run again, as of Jan. 4 — will have more of a race on his hands, with at least five opponents in the May primary.
Commissioner Amanda Fritz, having been given responsibility for “soft” bureaus like the offices of Neighborhood Involvement and Human Relations by the mayor, will continue to play the role of an outside critic with limited power (despite incredible smarts) in male-dominated City Hall.
The lingering question from 2009 that might be answered in 2010: How exactly did Commissioner Randy Leonard’s Bureau of Development Services (which issues building permits) lose millions in reserves? The answer up to now has been that the economy and the related slowdown in construction are to blame. The bureau’s response to the economic downturn deserves a closer look.
Matt Davis: City hall has always been a circus. The question for the new year is whether a ringmaster will emerge who can corral the animals into a coherent performance.
Question: The Portland metro area continues to attract new residents – a half million are expected to the tri-county area in the next decade. What do you consider the biggest priorities for the city to address in terms of the environment, transportation, development, diversity issues…?
Matt Davis: Anyone would think Portland was the center of the universe, but people have always thought about moving here when wherever else they were living got too tough. Once us hipsters get tired of funemployment and leave for the next creative Mecca, Portland will really need to tackle its job creation problem if it’s ever to become a major-league city.
Beth Slovic: The economy and education tend to be most people’s top priorities, if political polling is accurate. Portland Public Schools will decide soon whether to seek a multimillion-dollar bond to renovate or replace aging school buildings this year. The extent to which City Hall competes with that plan — by seeking money for housing or parks — will unfold in 2010.
Bojack: The population within the city limits is not growing very rapidly at all. The growth rate has leveled off at a little over 1 percent a year, and it’s been consistent for some time now. At that rate, it will take around 70 years for the population of the city to double.
The region has some population growth challenges, but the city doesn’t. It doesn’t need to wreck its neighborhoods, or its increasingly precarious financial position, with more growth-related infill development excesses. But it probably will. Eisenhower warned of the military-industrial complex. In Portland, we have the planner-developer complex. No matter how tight money gets, the local government always has some to throw to the boys with the construction cranes.
The planning types keep crying wolf about all the people who are going to move here any minute, and it gives the developers cover to suck livability away from the people who live here now. If the masses are moving to the area, by and large they won’t be moving into the city. It’s too expensive. Continue reading
Posted in Street Roots
It’s been a long, yet fantastic day for individuals on the streets and organizers in San Francisco with more than a thousand attending the J20 action. Today marked a coming together of housing advocates from all up and down the West Coast.
Look for coverage about the action in the up and coming Street Roots coming out on Friday, including news about the action and a meeting with Nancy Pelosi’s office, a column from SR homeless columnist Julie McCurdy and a Q & A with SR vendor George Mayes about his experience. In the meantime, enjoy the pics from today. (Check out the entire adventure on this blog by checking old posts from this week.) In the meantime, you can also check out the editorial from WRAP that ran yesterday in the San Francisco Chronicle.
Folks gather at Justin Herman Plaza in downtown San Francisco. Continue reading
Posted in Street Roots
Bus from L.A. full of folks from the streets.
Folks from L.A.
Dance party with individuals from around the West Coast in the Mission District.
Grammy nominee Ritmo y Armonía rocks the house down.
Organizers meet to go over logistics.
A group of from Street Spirit, Street Roots sister paper from Sacramento.
Bob Offer-Westort, Managing Editor with Street Sheet from San Francisco.
Members from the Portland group are staying at the Union Temple in San Francisco.
Good night and good luck.
Posted by Israel Bayer
