October09.2002_________________________ ^ o r t t a n i » © b a c r u c r
MED Week________________ 87
If you think this is all we need to build the future
Dien we’d like
to hammer
home a point.
James and Marie Dixon display tempting foods made at their restaurant, Dixon's Rib Pit, located
at 5804 N. Interstate Ave.
The role o f today's construction
/
Dixon’s Ribs Rule
by Popular Demand
D avid P lechl /T he P ortland O bserver
Whether it’s sizzling ribs with a side of greens or
Dixon imagines some customers have found it easier
a hot-link sandwich with macaroni salad, you just
to shop the fast food joints on Lombard, than brave the
can’t go wrong at D ixon’s Rib Pit.
hit-and-miss access to their favorite rib pit.
For owners James Dixon and wife Marie, cooking
up ribs is simply second nature.
I
the middle of the Interstate Max construction line.
“Barbecuing isjust in our family,” James explains,
“this is what we do.”
D ix o n
industry is changing. We go far
beyond sim ply building highways and
high-rises. We’re com m itted to building
a fu tu re fo r our region th a t includes quality
education, efficie n t transportation, good
career o p p o rtu n itie s and a livable environm ent
- the basics fo r a sound economy. These days,
our m ost im portant tool is the partnerships that help
build strong econom ies.
“This construction has affected us in more ways
than we could have imagined,” Dixon says. In the thick
of construction, he saw traffic flow outside his restau-
► Oregon
Columbia
> Chapter
rant taper to a trickle.
w o rk e d
fo r
Freightliner as a truck builder
for a number of years before
taking over a friend’s business
to serve up his famous ribs and
It's the kind o f taste
that always makes you
want to come back
his w ife’s equally sought after
sweet potato pie and other
day was done and Dixon counted his till, he’d made
just over $400 dollars. It was a good first day.
O re g o n -C o lu m b ia C h a p te r
ways had a good customer
w w w .a g c -o re g o n .o rg
base.”
It’s easy to understand
the most tender and delicious
around. W hether your choice
On his opening day four years ago, people came
A s s o c ia te d G e n e ra l C o n tra c to rs
“to our advantage, w e’ve al
why. Dixon’s ribs are some of
— James Dixon
homemade desserts.
piling in. He couldn’t believe the crowds. When the
GENERAI COM
But Dixon is quick to add,
John Cisneros, Cisneros Construction, Inc., AGC Member
is chicken, ribs, beef biscuits or sliced p o rk , you’ll get
a fresh cut of meat grilled to perfection.
C an’t miss side orders include, red beans and rice,
Oregon's construction industry We build communities
com bread, baked beans and M arie’s mac ‘n cheese.
Though Dixon ’ s success lasted bey ond the happy
Oh, and don’tforget dessert. Peach cobbler, seven-
shock of that opening day, his latest weeks have
up cake and sweet potato pie all baked from scratch are
been something more of a game of hurry up and wait.
equally delicious. The chocolate cake is dense, moist
Hurry up and cook and wait for the crowd that may
and unforgettable.
SSPORT
usiness
nture
Aarrin Bell is one customer that hasn t been “tripped-
or may not come.
Dixon lies on the Interstate corridor, smack dab in
continued
on page 89
Building a Better
Tomorrow Through...
More than a traditional
trade fair This event is
designed to introduce
government agencies and
corporations to minority
businesses.
Commitment &
Opportunity
& Awards
Luncheon
OCTOBER 11,2002
Inclusive
Practices &
Fairness
Economic
Vitality &
Healthy
Communities
To ensure equal opportunity for all citizens and
to build economic vitality, local agencies are
committed to promoting and supporting the use
of regional diverse businesses.
MED Week 2002
Oregon Convention Center
777 NE Martin Luther King Blvd.
Portland, Oregon
R egistration: 8:30 a.m.
Trade Fair: 9 a.m .-12 p.m. • 1:30 — 4 p.m.
Awards Luncheon: 12 p.m.-1:30 p.m.
Lunchon: $35 (reserve by Oct. 4)
Trade Show: No charge for admission
Meet government agencies,
corporations and prime
contractors. Explore sales
and service potential. Learn
about support services for
minority businesses. Grow
your business. Build col
laborative relationships.
Receive an RFP/BID Fore
cast Booklet of upcoming
opportunities.
In f p l
In ie i
For Information: 503-641-4553
For Registration: 503-259-0739
V
P o rtla n d
Community
College
We are honored to have this special opportunity to
recognize, celebrate and help foster the numerous
valuable contributions made by minority
businesses in our region.
ENVIRONM ENTAL SERVICES
CITY OF PORTLAND
C ity of P o r tlan d
Bureau o f Purchases Buyline: (503) 823-6855
Harvey Locket (503)823-7892
www.cleanrivers-pdx.org
www.ci.portland.or.us/purchase/purchase.htm
MULTNOMAH COUNTY
METRO
Herman Brame. (503)988-5111 Ext. 24266
CinnaMon Williams: (503) 797-1816
www.co.multnomah.or.us/contracts
©
PORT OF P O R T L A N D
rw u «M d
W W W m e tT O -F C g IOTI. O tg
T R I© M E T
Rhonnda Edmiston: (503)944-7587
LeAnne Brown: (503) 962-2213
wwwportofportlandcom
www.trimet.org
I
Mm
Representatives from public agencies and corporations
will host friendly round table discussions in their exhibit
booths continuously throughout the day. Minority
business representatives can sit down and get in-depth
information on contracting and business practices right
from the source.
M inority B usiness O pportunity C ommittee
Sponsored by the Oregon Federal Executive Board.
Minority Business Opportunity Committee (MBOC) as
part of the nation-wide Minority Enterprise Development
(MED) Week celebration