street roots
6
Aug. 31 2012
A good read and
a little humor on
Second Avenue
EVERYBODY'S
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he intersection of Southwest Yamhill
and Second Avenue is bustling with
several active and colorful storefronts.
The street rumbles with the noises of a
local MAX stop, Portlanders taking lunch
breaks, shoppers looking for a deal, and
tourists enjoying a sunny day. Also at this
corner is David Somers, a Street Roots
vendor, smiling and exuding a sunny aura
while selling the most recent Street Roots
issue in front of the darkened windows of
the old Borders facade.
T
NE PO R TLA N D , OR
5 0 3 .8 9 3 .4 5 1 9
W W W .PD XB IK ER EN TA LS.C O M
David Somers
CENTRAL CITY
Celebrating the
40th Anniversary of
Hooper Detox 8c Sobering
Monday, Sept 10th
4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Lett Bank Annex
101 N. Weidler
Commemorative coins to
the first 400 people!
www .centrcdcityconcer n . org
503-294-1681
Where the book store failed, David
succeeds, selling his newspapers to both his
loyal customers of six years and to the ever-
changing pedestrians that frequent the
commercial area. The daily interaction with
customers keeps him in sales, even in the
challenging print market. “I was here six
years ago when Borders was still here,” he
says. “I like the people.”
David has lived in Portland for 12 years,
and his commitment to the city and his
customers is unwavering, through good and
bad weather and economic cycles: “I don’t
like the rain, but I like the people. Plus,
(the city) has a lot of resources, and I like to
help people.
“I love people and I love meeting people.
I greet them with a ‘how are you this
afternoon,’ or ‘have a wonderful day.’ They
come back and they buy the paper.”
David engages his customers daily in an
unassuming and endearing style that seems
a little out of place in an area that thrives on
flash and flair.
P H O T O BY COLE M ERK EL
He begins his conversation with a friendly
smile and ends with a much-appreciated
one-liner, revealing that quality in a sale isn’t
always about a quick and easy transaction.
of them that day!”
David’s amiable personality reminds us of
an age when sales and shopping was an art
that involved the vendor and customer, __
"I1 m n o t y o u r frien d ly n eig h b o rh o o d
w h e n re la tio n sh ip s w e re b u ilt an d tre a su re d .
Spiderman, I’m your friendly neighborhood
paper man.”
David recognizes the value of a dollar
and, more importantly, of each person he
encounters and sells to. “I have a lot of
customers. One Friday during the new
issue, I started with 40 papers and I sold all
This is not a lost art, as David Somers
exhibits. He maintains and preserves it with
a smile, chuckle and quick-witted joke
anyone with a heart would appreciate:
“Cheese? I’m not a rat,” he says as he poses
for his photo.
VENDOR WORK ADS
Answers to puzzles on page 15
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Will do housework, mowing lawns,
laundry, babysitting or house sitting.
Contact Laura through Street Roots
503-228-5657
DETOUR
3035 S.E. D ivision • P ortland, O R 97202
503.234.7499
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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.
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In "Religious Fervor" In the Aug. 17
edition of Street Roots, It was erroneously
stated that the Church of England was
moving toward ordaining women as priests.
In fact, the Church of England, which Is
Independent from Roman Catholic Church,
Is actually considering allowing women to
be ordained as bishops. The Church of
England voted to allow the ordination of
women as priests In 1992.
Please report any errors to our managing
editor, Joanne Zuhl, at 503-228-5657, or
write to joanne@streetroots.org
Don’t miss a single issue! Visit our web site at
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