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About Street roots. (Portland, OR) 1998-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 8, 2013)
Street roots Nov. 8, 2013 Vendor seeks great sales, and even better conversation BY ANN-DERRICK GAILLOT S T A F F W R IT E R ason Scheer may well be the most outgoing introvert you will ever meet. When we meet for coffee, Jason seems as though he does not have much he wants to talk about, but as time goes on he shyly reveals himself to be a mindful and sensitive artist, a determined worker, and a proud father of two young daughters. “Everyone always tells me how shy I am,” he says, “But once I get to know someone, I just talk talk talk talk talk.” J A good neighbor: Thornton wins national street paper award aymond Thornton, your Street Roots vendor at Peet’s Coffee at Northeast Broadway and 15th Avenue, received top honors with the 2012-13 Vendor Community Award from the North American Street Newspaper Association. Thornton has sold Street Roots for the past three years. In that time his customers, neighbors and now the national street paper network, have recognized him as a positive, grounded force in the Irvington community. Open to the more than 40 street newspapers in the United States and Canada, the Vendor Community Award was designed to recognize a vendor who has taken extra steps to connect with the community around him while selling the newspaper. “What we learn from the very first day here is to keep in mind that we are ambassadors of Street Roots and we represent something that’s bigger than us. I really enjoy what I do at Peet’s,” says Raymond. “I try every day to shake the hand of somebody new who I’ve seen a lot but I don’t know their name. I always give them my name. I don’t miss an opportunity to open a door for a stroller or somebody with their hands full.” Raymond’s award was substantiated by a nomination by Street Roots staff and a letter of recommendation from a regular customer. A volunteer panel of professional journalists in the Denver, Colo., area, selected the award winners. R Vendors are regular contributors to Street Roots content, as columnists, poets and artists. Look fo r your favorite vendor’s writings in each edition o f the paper. WMB0B PROFILE Jason Scheer Jason says growing up he always preferred to spend time alone, drawing and reading poetry. Today, he still loves art, poetry, and spending some time by himself, whether at the library or exploring the city. “A lot of times I’ll walk through neighborhoods and look at different buildings,” he says. “Different murals on the wall.” Despite his seeming shyness, Jason admittedly loves people. He recently began selling the paper outside City Target from 3 to 7 p.m. every weekday, and enjoys the greater number of people he gets to interact with. Jason credits his time with Street Roots for helping him connect with more people and overcome his social __ anxiety. “Whatever I can do to interact,” he says. “I used to never just sit or talk to large groups. Now I can sit and socialize.” As a young adult, Jason loved to travel. He has held jobs all over the country, from working construction in his hometown of Joliet, 111., working at a restaurant in Disney World to traveling all over Utah, California, Nevada and Oregon. What keeps him in Portland now? “Probably the art. The w & W to to toll a ïi’i'vfeto Jubfyaiion P H O T O B Y CO LE M E R K E L architecture and art, and the people. The weirder the better!” he says. “Also, just being close to my kids.” Ever since the birth of his daughters, Jason prefers to stay close to his kids, spending summers with his daughters in California and the rest of the year in Portland, where he has been involved with Street Roots on and off for the past year. Jason admits he likes to stay busy and gets bored easily. He has recently taken up making chainmail jewelry. When he isn’t making art, working or reading, he can be found volunteering around town. So far Jason has volunteered at Sisters of the Road and as a helper at a school for children with special needs. In addition to getting the opportunity to help others, Jason enjoys the valuable work experience volunteering provides. “I love learning new things,” he says. “It’s actually kind of a need!” Lately, Jason has been focusing his attention on improving his construction skills. With his wealth of job and volunteer experience, he hopes to secure a full-time job soon. “That way I can get my kids here,” he says with a smile. He also has high hopes to beat his record of 30 papers sold in a day as the holiday season approaches. If you happen to see Jason downtown one day, be sure to help him beat his latest goal! VENDOR WORK ADS A helping hand, inside or out, reasonable rates. Larry Montgomery. 503-875-6487 Dog walker; House cleaner; caregiver. Dog lover who is honest, sober and reliable. Rate: Private treaty. Eileen V. (message) 503-228-5657 Need a worker? Can do almost anything, light or heavy. References supplied. $10 an hour, four-hour min. Ask for Cassidy Morse, 503-228-5657 (SR office), or 503-875-6504 (cell). THE MAGIC IS IN THE HOLEI 22 SW 3 R D & B U R N S ID E 1 5 0 1 N E D A V IS SUPPORTING STREET ROOTS SINCE 2 0 0 3 Answers to puzzles on page 15 B E e n M b O O 2 O B V B 1 r i r B 2 i E E IAI b b 1 H n IAI O b V 1 V 1 M K c C H AA 1 2 r V i M 0 i n 1 M V 1 1 E 2 1 1 1 E b V M e 2 E b 1 E 2 b 0 1 V A 2 r ± E H E b E E D b E 2 n D E 1 C E M E C b E 1 i V O H IAI 2 M 0 M D r H b b C A 2 2 M i E D D i ■ d E E b V r 1 c K c ■ E ± 2 E e 0 1 V b V A V H b 1 C 1 n b E b O 2 1 c b D V B E V IAI b 1 V D B n IAI b 0 H V D E 2 ■ C 1 b r 1 V L Ì b O 3 8 t7 9 6 8 9 Z L 9 6 9 I t7 Z 8 8 3 Z 8 I 8 3 9 9 t7 6 8 9 3 6 Z 9 t7 L 8 9 t7 6 8 L 3 8 9 Z I Z 8 9 8 Ï Z 6 9 6 t7 8 L 9 3 9 8 Z Z Z t7 9 8 9 8 6 I Z I 6 8 3 9 t7 9 8 B Follow Street Facebook and Twitter!
