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About Street roots. (Portland, OR) 1998-current | View Entire Issue (June 7, 2013)
street roots June 7, 2013 CENTRAL CITY Changing Lives Rick and Randy share smiles with readers Building Communities BY AIMN-DERRICK GAILLOT C O N T R IB U T IN G W R IT E R Creating Opportunities www .centrcdcityconcem .or g 503-294-1681 ick Phillips is a Gemini and while he doesn’t go so far as to read his daily horoscope, he does believe in the duality of his personality. “There are two sides to me,” says Rick. “It’s weird that I can look back on my life and see the Gemini in me.” But upon first meeting, the only duality noticeable is between Rick — slender, outgoing, and talkative — and his chubby, R Rick Phillips Vendors are regular contributors to Street Roots content, as columnists, poets and artists. Look for your favorite vendor's writings in each edition o f the paper. Answers to puzzles on page 15 adorably shy dog Randy. Yet both of them are upbeat and ever-smiling. The two first found each other eight years ago when Rick started babysitting Randy, a rescue dog, for an ill neighbor in his building. When the neighbor had to move away, he chose to let Randy stay with Rick. “He (Rick’s neighbor) said, ‘I can’t break you guys up’ and he’s been with me ever since.” And Randy came at a good time. Just a few months earlier, both of Rick’s parents passed away in the same month. Ricky and his dog live in the same building as when they first met eight years ago. For Rick, that makes a record for the longest he’s ever lived in one place. “One reason is Randy, he’s my boy,” Rick says, smiling down at the dog, who constantly licks his hand. “Now that I’ve got Randy I don’t go anywhere.” At 8 years old, Randy is a native Portlander, but Rick was born in Fort Worth, Texas. When he was in third grade, his family moved to a small town in rural Oregon. He first got a taste of city life when he joined the Navy in 1978 and was stationed in San Diego on the service’s first co-ed ship. A P H O T O BY COLE M ERK EL self-described country boy, Rick has lived in Portland since 1992 and has come to love the urban way of life. He is outgoing and loves talking to people, qualities he has most gotten to take advantage of in his job selling Street Roots, which he faithfully does seven days a week outside Whole Foods in the Pearl. “What I like about Street Roots is it made me a better person,” he says. “I find myself being more polite. I’m more patient. I feel better about myself because I’m working for Street Roots.” Looking to the future, Rick hopes to save up some money from selling Street Roots so he and Randy will have something to fall back on. He also looks forward to quitting smoking and getting to better know the community around his selling location. “Being up there I’m more involved with people. I say ‘have a great day’ and they smile,” Randy communicates the same with a smile of his own. “It makes my day and it makes theirs. It makes me feel better to know that people care. I thank God every day.” As for Randy the dog, he will go on continuing his job as a local celebrity and “Top Dog of Old Town.” “Everybody knows Randy,” Rick says, “People think that my name’s Randy!” Please report any errors to our managing editor, Joanne Zuhl, at 503-228-5657, or write to joanne® streetroots.org. VENDOR WORK ADS Work Wanted Dog walker; House cleaner; Care giver. Dog lover who is honest, sober and reliable. Rate: Private treaty. Eileen V. (message) 503-228-5657 9 6 £ L I- 8 z 9 t7 9 2 £ 6 I- 9 3 8 p 9 7 8 2 9 9 p 6 L 6 £ p 8 L 9 L 8 6 9 t7 3 £ L I- L 9 £ L L £ p L 6 £ 9 9 z 8 8 z 6 7 9 9 p 8 £ L 9 p 8 6 7 i- p Need a worker? Can do almost anything, light or heavy. References supplied. $10 an hour. Ask for Cassidy Morse, 503-228- 5657 (SR office), or 503-875-6504 (cell). 8 DOCUMENTARY • LIVE ACTION HORROR • ANIMATION • COMEDY AU movies made at the Bud Clark Commons Homeless Service Center BCCTV ON THE BIG SCREEN 7 £ L 9 6 9 211 info If you need help with any of the following: Food Resources, Health Care, Public Agencies, Legal Services, Employment Resources, Counsellng/Support Groups Houslng/Emergency Shelter and Much More! From your cell: 503-222-5555.
