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About Street roots. (Portland, OR) 1998-current | View Entire Issue (April 1, 2011)
street roots 5 UIS2© April 1, 2011 State connects youth with elders A new state program unveiled this week will connect high-school kids living in local hotels after becoming homeless with elderly people who lived through the Depression. The new program will concentrate on developing relationships with younger people and elders through projects like, "How to do your homework by candlelight," "Going to sleep on an empty stomach," ana "Robbing Peter to pay Paul economics." "We feel like a lot of people can learn from past generations," says the Director of the non-profit set to get the state contract. "It's about understanding that we've all been through rough times before; and passing these important lessons on to the next generation.". One of the programs, "What to do when M om . and Dad breakdown," will focus on bringing together families over Kraft Macaroni and Cheese to ' discuss ways to plan for the future. For example, one option in the new program is for the oldest sibling to quit school, and to find work. Another is for how to lie to peers about your family living out of their van and using the Wal-Mart bathroom to wash before school. The new program is being praised around the country from places like Florida, Arkansas and Ohio. It's thought that some of the program curriculum could be used in Michelle Obama's war on obesity as well, and introduced into schools in every state a^ soon as next year. New tax-credits available fo r working Oregonians Tax-credit legislation in Salem is expected to pass ? next week that will.affect.more than one. million. - working Oregonians. Those affected will not realize,.. or understand the legislation until Jong after the ' deadline to receive the tax-credits has passed. "It's important legislation affecting all Oregonians.lt's bills like this that will keep our economy going/ says b'rie Oregon Congresswomen ■ representing from Eugene. "We don't necessarily expect to be able to explain what exactly the new law will mean in layman's terms, nor do we expect people who will qualify for the new program to totally grasp the complexities of it all, but we're sure happy it passed." Attorney General puts out more press releases than ever before Oregon Attorney General John Kroger put out a press release saying that six more press releases would follow this afternoon - tackling everything from non-profits who don't know how to put together an annual report tq defending the rights of all Oregonians to create^ many press releases as possible. Kroger said in one press release that non-profits who have not created spreadsheets that show they are spending more thaii 70 percent of money raised through the non-profit on services - would be required to take Excel and Quickbooks workshops currently offered in local correctional facilities. Kroger denies another press release, released early in the week, that says Kroger will run for Governor. < . State Treasurer Ted Wheeler followed suit by releasing a press release with a headline that says, "I'm not scared." The press release went on to say that he was not commenting on a potential run for governor jn the future. r ’ Another press release from Governor John , Kitzhaber says, "He isn't scared either, and that he is governor, so there/' Kroger had no comment on the latest developments and said more press releases in the future would clarify the matter. If you’ve missed a copy of Street Roots, check with your local vendor or stop by the Street Roots office at 211 NW Davis St. Or read up on past stories and comments at www.streetrooots.wordpress. Wufang clan? Rep. D avid W u’s tendency toward fu zzy outfits dates back fu rth e r than previously suspected STA FF REPO R TS eP- David Wu’s unusual behavior JL X d a te s back further than previously thought, according to new . information uncovered by the Willamette Week; Earlier this year, the WW wrote about the Congressman’s reportedly unusual behavior prior to the election in November, followed by several of his staffers resigning following allegations that they were intending to shut down his campaign. Included in the evidence of erratic behavior was a r photo of Wit in a “plush tiger” Halloween costum e, sent to staffers’ e-mails. : N ow it’s b ee n le arn ed th a t Wu’s p ro p en sity for d ressin g ups as anim als began long before last year. These photos, recently uncovered by WW, indicate that year after year, a young Wu dressed up as animals just before November elections. Among the menagerie is a muskrat, teddy bear and an adorable lil’ lobster. Wu, 55, has been elected eight times, serving since 1999. What this may mean for Wu’s future in politics remains to be seen, however, there is speculation that if he continues to dress up in furry outfits in the future, particularly as the father of two young children, his career could be compromised. “Clearly this shows a pattern of behavior unacceptable to the American people who have come to expect more from theireiected officials,” said Sarah Palin,former yice presidential candidate who spent $150,000 on outfits prior to the 2008 November elections. ■ sip J r «1111 ■ 8 r Mime freed from glass box, tragedy ensues noticed Willy was in trouble, fellow performer Twisty the Flexible said. “Then the police and fire department began to ortland Police Department and rescue focus on talking Willy down from Skidmore crews were dispatched Saturday afternoon to Portland Saturday Market Fountain.” When asked if he thought the in response to a 911 call for help in an effort mime might have actually jumped off the to rescue one of Portland’s most renowned fountain, officer Jordan responded, “That street performers. was our gut feeling.” . It seems that Willy the Mime found / Willy was unresponsive to Project himself in quite the pickle when he was in Respbnd’s request for a commitment to a the middle of his world famous performance safety plan. “We really need to have a verbal in which he locks himself into a glass box. commitment of that he will avoid glass boxes When interviewed by Street Roots, Officer for at least 24 hours,” outreach worker Heinz of the Portland Police Department Anitta Hand told SR. “Even after the officers stated, “We were out of options. It came , Tazed Willy, he still was unresponsive.” down to the Jaws of Life” Officer Heinz also According to police reports, Hobble leg told SR, “We really did not expect it to end c restraints, approved for use when officers this way.” feel that the offender is experiencing excited Witness One Man Band, one of the few delirium, were eventually used to subdue Portland-native street performers, a guitar playing musician on roller skates, told Street Willy. Portland Police Department has refused Roots “The rescuers seemed confused at to give an official statement regarding Willy’s first,” he said. “It was as if they thought that injuries sustained when police officers used the mime was on fire and tried to put him the Jaws of Life, but an unidentified officer o u t” Harry followed, saying, “Then they at the scene Said, “We were shocked to see were playing tug-o-war for sometime before all the glass break so easily, we did not Willy just gave up.” expect him to lose an eye.” “I was on my way back from lunch when I BY JUNIOR BOUFFON S T A F F W R IT E R j ■ Willy the M im e in happier times, before his rescue an d the loss o f his right eye. Here he demonstrates his silen t scream, once a crowd pleaser outside P ion eer Square M all, now an eerie rem inder o f his last performance.
