Street roots., July 22, 2016, Page 6, Image 6

Vendors
Page 6
VENDOR PROFILE
Heaven
by Rachel D
to 25 miles.”
But her disposition is that of a Lab -
everybody’s best friend.
Born in Minnesota, Stephen grew up
working and playing on local family farms.
“My grandfather had a farm, but he drank
BY NICK O'CONNOR
it away. So my family worked on nearby
C O N T R IB U T IN G W R IT E R
farms when I was little. I bucked hay, milked
cows, cleaned barns, drove hay trailers.
hen he’s not selling Street Roots,
Eventually, my dad and uncles got into
Stephen can sometimes be
trucking. I used to ride with him, and that’s
glimpsed slaloming his longboard
how I started traveling around the country.
down the street at high speed like a water
I’ve been a rambler my whole life. I love to
skier. His service dog, Dallas, plays the
travel.”
speedboat
Stephen has traveled tens of thousands of
Dallas is a mix of pit bull, German
miles on his bicycle. In one 14-month
shepherd and Labrador retriever. She’s
period, he toured 6,000 miles in six states
compact and solidly built, like a pit bull.
on a bike.
“She’s like
an anchor with legs,”
“A hundred miles of that was with my
Stephen said. “I
dog. Ain’t nothing more satisfying than
just keep the
being out there, just you and the bike, the
leash taut and
sounds and the smells.”
as long as the
Besides Minnesota, places Stephen has
road is level
called home include Fargo, N.D., Olympia
or downhill,
and Seattle, Wash., Astoria, and Missoula,
on a cool,
Mont.
dry day
“I lived in Missoula for nine years. Among
she’ll tow
other arrangements, I was an apartment
me for up
manager in exchange for living in one of the
apartments.” Last year he moved to Astoria.
Then in December, in search of better
services for his AIDS, he moved to Portland.
“Dallas and I walked all but 30 miles from
Astoria. It took us a day and a half, plus a
$6 bus ride.”
Soon after he arrived, Stephen began
selling Street Roots. He does most of his
selling at the Concordia New
Seasons
Stephen
Strips in half,
Toss in pan
Whisk combines powder and water
Into harmonious suspension.
Edges crisp in butter.
W
Egg gracefully dives into fat
Will it survive? No.
Dribbles across counter,
Batter makes lines.
This must be what heaven
Smells like.
Too bad we will never smell it
Answers to puzzles on page 15
Holistic ♦ Self-Empowerment
Physical & Emotional Well-Being
Curiosity ♦ Engagement •Choice
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"Nothing happens until
something moves."
Intentergy
(888) 391-5059
SE Portland Office
consctous-irttenWoutlook.com
. ,
Veterans/Military/EMS personnel
Sliding scale (first session, free)
Street Roots • July 22-28, 2016
Market, where his sense of humor and
ability to talk with most anyone has made
him many friends.
Stephanie, who works at the coffee bar,
said of Stephen, “He’s always got a smile, a
joke and a story. And he’s our best
customer.”
Stephen likes mochas, and admits to
having as many as six or seven of them in a
day.
Stephanie added, “I like to see how
people in line react when he’s standing
there in a dress, making us laugh with his
jokes.”
Besides dresses and miniskirts, Stephen
has been known to wear short-shorts, tights
and even ordinary jeans.
“But,” he said, “I sell more papers when I
dress up. The women especially seem to
like me better in a skirt.”
Another New Seasons employee, James,
said, “Stephen is cool and super reliable.
He’s there every morning. I like him a lo t
And he has a sweet dog.”
In the short time he’s been in town,
Stephen has gained the trust of many
people. When his bicycle was stolen, along
with a trailer containing most of his
possessions, it could have been a major
setback. But a friend of his put out a call for
help, and the response was quick. Within a
few days, he received a new bike, a trailer, a
tent, clothes and shoes.
“I’ve camped out thousands of times in
different situations, and I’m quite good at it,
if I do say so myself.”
He has been tenting at a friend’s house
but is looking forward to the day he turns
out the light switch on a wall and crawls
into a bed to sleep.
On Nov. 12, 2016, Stephen will reach 12
years of sobriety.
“And I’m friendly,” he said. “And I have a
nice dog.”
Dallas wags in agreement
Stephen sells Street Roots at the
Concordia New Seasons market from 8
a.m. to noon Saturdays, works as a
gardener and a handyman, and volunteers
in the community.