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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (March 18, 2005)
march 18.2005 • just OUt 9 ws briefs and protectors of traditional marriage tenets. Lambda Legal and the Northwest Women’s Law Center represented 38 gays and lesbians seeking the right to marry. Lawyers used the “civil rights” approach by deeming Washing ton’s Defense of Marriage Act of 1998 a viola tion of the state’s Equal Rights Amendment. They also say the ban violates the state consti tution’s prohibition against granting privileges to one group of citizens and not another. Personal Attention tice at a California bakery owned by his grand mother, the federation’s first female master pas- •try chef. After learning from her, Williamson studied with masters in the sweets industry. He worked for a slew of bakeries and restaurants as executive pastry chef. He creates pastries and other treats that are available nowhere else in the city. Bragging rights are earned for incredibly labor-intensive wedding cakes and one-of-a- kind cinnamon rolls that are moist, not sticky CM**» LAURELHURST You Deserve It DENTISTRY C larice J ohnston & Looking for the quality service you deserve? dm d ASSOCIATES Give us a call. We’re always looking for one more satisfied customer. • Treatment explained and discussed • Teeth whitening Xl> 5 • New patients welcome Mike Oravetz (left) and Nick Williamson are life and business partners as co-owners of Mother Dear’s Crown Jewel Bakery in Northeast Portland. “Many of the justices clearly understand that same-sex couples are being discriminated against because they cannot marry and that this discrimination deserves their attention. This is clearly a moderate court that’s kxiking very closely at the issues in front of it. Based on today’s arguments, we have every reason to believe that the justices’ minds are open and that they’re taking this case very seriously,” said Jennifer C. Pizer, senior counsel in Lambda Legal’s Western Regional Office and one of the attorneys handling the case. Attorneys defending the marriage law argued that the state has an interest in regulating mar riages that produce children. Lawyers did not contest the legality of hetero marriages that do not result in offspring. Court watchers are withholding predictions of the justices’ outcomes. Rulings by this court usually take several months. “We’re hopeful because when judges appreci ate the human dimensions of our cases, we often have gixid results. Once judges understand the human impact, they can fully determine what the state constitution’s guarantees of liberty and equality require—and that’s exactly what these justices are doing. The questions the justices asked today suggest that there is a range of legal issues they’re struggling with that will likely take them some time to sort out. What matters is that they appreciate the human dimension of the case, and we saw today that a gcxxJ number of them’do,” said Pizer. N ew T reats , O ld D igs Mike Oravetz and Nick Williamson, part ners in life and business, knew they were a cou ple of white boys moving into a black neighbor- h<xxj when they bought Mother Dear’s Crown Jewel Bakery on Northeast Killingsworth Street at Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The busi ness drew a steady stream of customers under the ownership of Anovia Hardy, better known as Mother Dear. Their challenge was adding their unique gifts to the winning formula without shaking up tried-and-true favorites. Williamson, 24, is the youngest certified executive pastry chef in the history of the American Culinary Federation. His career began at the age of 9, when he served as appren- 3 BRI] DGETOWN r R EALTY 1 and spicy, but mellow. His creations have deep roots in European pastry traditions but with kxzal flair in specialties such as peach pie and elaborate coffee cake. Oravetz’s former career was in the field of greens. He studied landscaping and floral design, matiaged nurseries and owned a landscape design company. Business has picked up quickly since Oravetz and Williamson acquired keys to the bakery Feb. 20. They’ve been beefing up exposure for their soup, sandwich and box lunches and learn ing about the particular tastes of their mostly African-American clientele. “We’ve been used to the world we live in for so long. We’re now changing to fit the commu- 503/233-3622 2520 East Burnside k/M 503.287.9370 p A ka bridgetownrealty.com ATrusted Name in Real Estate Since 1979 LINNTON FEED & SEED. NOT THE MALL. We carry multi-pure water systems 10920 NW St. Helens Rd Portland, OR 97231 Phone: 503.286.1291 It’s a you parade. Herzog-Meier About 1,500 religious allies rally in Olympia against discrimination. nity,” said Oravetz, who primarily runs the deli with Anita Hardy, daughter-in-law to the origi nal Mother Dear. He shares business operations with Williamson, who presides over the bakery with Mother Dear’s other daughter-in-law, Rosa Hardy. The owners’ first lessons were that the sweet potato pie stays; lemon, strawberry and pecan flavors are popular; and raspberry and hazelnut are not. “I can do things with sugar that no one can do anymore. It’s incredibly gratifying to have someone try a pastry here and say, ‘Wow, that’s the best I’ve ever had,’ ” said Williamson. Besides consulting with the community about the menu, flavors and décor, Oravetz and Williamson are dedicated to giving back with charitable events and donations. Continued on Page 11 D. Fulps/George Kettner rn> , & 503-644-9121 *cars @ herzogmeier.com Drivers wanted. uy/J L aw O ffice of J ames D. M c V ittie , PC Specializing in Estate Planning Wills. Trusts. Business Planning, and Domestic Partnerships. Call for your free 30-mmute consultation on Estate Planning J ames D. M c V ittie Attorney-at-law, He. in OR & WA r Find a new one in the Just Friends Voice Personal ads. submit your own ad at www.justout.com
