street roots
6
June 22 2012
Confessions
of a Cold Heart
By Marlon Crump
Walk by me, downcast
Stand by me, staring intently
Come home with me, ok?
Tomorrow, years later, heart torn
Pockets near death, tragedy
Of trust in sin and lust, so...
Heart becomes a blizzard storm
Outside you go hungry
Inside, I starved
For your love, wouldn’t give a bone
Outside, I give you
Nothing, but yourself
Wearing your own rags to alleged riches
In need of travel?
I’ll just get you a schedule
But I burned your bus fare
Like a desecrated flag
VENDOR WORK ADS
Dependable, mature person interested in
assisting ethical and safe person(s) with
house sitting, pet care, plant care, yard
work, laundry, organizational projects, etc.
Please call 503-228-5657 and leave your
contact information, preferably a name and
email address. References available upon
request.
CENTRAL CITY
Celebrating the
40th Anniversary of
Hooper Detox & Sobering
Monday, Sept 10th
4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Left Bank Annex
101 N. Weidler
A positive
outlook, good
tu rf keep
vendor smiling
BY COLE MERKEL
C O N T R IB U T IN G W R IT E R
estled in the Park Blocks two streets
west of the always busy stretch of
Soutwest Broadway, is a hidden gem
of a vendor location: Starbucks at Southwest
9th and Taylor. It’s quieter here than most
places downtown, and on sunny days, as
people relax at outdoor tables sipping java
with dogs at their feet, the location feels
more like a European street corner than the
stoop of a typical American coffee chain.
Jonathan Bartley, who has been selling
Street Roots on and off for about two years,
feels comfortable here; not just as he sells
at this location, but in Portland overall.
“I feel like I have made Portland my
home, and right now I don’t think anywhere
would feel more like home to me than
Portland. People here tend to be a lot
friendlier than a lot of big cities. It’s
unusually small town-ish for a city of its
size.”
Having grown up in a small college town
in Florida, Jonathan is — like many of us —
Northwest transplant. Three years ago, he
moved to Portland for a change of life and
immediately took a liking to Street Roots.
from selling Street Roots. I may not make a
“I first learned about Street Roots from
lot of money, but I feel good about what I’m
some of the other vendors out there when I
doing,” he says. “I feel like I get an added
wasn’t homeless,” Jonathan says. “When I
sense of satisfaction when I’m able to turn
would come downtown, I felt a positive
somebody on to the newspaper for the first
energy from the vendors. And that was my
time, especially if they end up buying one
first positive impression of Street Roots.
because it’s something that I feel a strong
They had more of a contentedness. That
alliance with. It’s something I’d like to be an
stuck with me. And when I became
advocate for long after I need to actually sell
homeless, it made Street Roots appealing. I
it myself. I hope that I’ll want to stay
might have a dry spell for an hour where I
involved in whatever way I can.”
don’t get any response. Somehow I feel like
Jonathan’s location is situated at a
it rolls off my back easier when I stay
crossroad between Director Park, the
positive.”
Central Library, the Park Blocks and the
Jonathan chooses his words with care.
Paramount Hotel, an area that attracts
“I like the feeling of honesty that comes
locals and tourists alike.
N
P H O T O BY COLE M ER K EL
“I like to get to know regular customers
who know me by name,” he says. “I don’t
have that many of them yet, but the ones
that do talk to me, I feel like actually are
concerned about how I’m doing. I like
developing relationships with the regulars
that come back and check in every few days.
There’s a diverse crowd that comes through
the area.”
Eventually, Jonathan would like to go
back to college once he has figured out what
he wants to do for a career. Until then, he
finds hope in former vendors he has met
who are now students or professionals.
“That’s always inspiring and brightens up
my day a little,” Jonathan says.
Commemorative coins to
the first 400 people!
w w w . centrcdcity concern. org
503-294-1681
Where senior and disabled adults
receive the care and respect they deserve.
Call us for more information
Answers to puzzles on page 15
(503)223-2144
1337 S.W. Washington, Portland, OR 97205
www.tafthome.org.
Vendor Wish List
Donations keep Street Roots and our vendors
working by keeping our operating costs low.
BY LEAH NA SH
■
■
■
■
Paper cups
Hygiene items
Towels
First-aid supplies
■ TriMet bus
tickets/passes
■ Printer paper
■ Shaving razors
Leah Nash Photography Exhibit
A Different Kind of Normal: Stories of Asperger’s Syndrome
Now through June 30 at i witness gallery
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Street Roots strives for accuracy, but
we're human. So we also strive to correct
errors in our paper whenever possible.
Please report any errors to our managing
editor, Joanne Zuhl, at 503-228-5657, or
write to joanne@streetroots.org
fasted growing disability in the U.S. with an economic impact of more than
$90 billion. And according to the Autism Society of Oregon, Oregon state has one of the
highest rates of autistic diagnosis in the country.
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u,d" d yedr focusing on tive individuals with
ejjP.lorin9 de i,'versity and complexity that exist across the spectrum. Howe
I n t 2? 3 d T ° J he ?,a9nostlc and Statistical Manual <” Mental Disorders, the
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A^ n? n P?Vchlatry> the term Asperger's will be discarded
altogether, replaced with the broader diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
in t h l oni o
For more information about i witness gallery or NCP visit
www.nwcenterforphotography.com. Leah Nash is available for interviews.