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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 14, 2012)
Page 16 Il!e Ißortlanh (©bseruer November 14, 2012 Arts I N il R El TAINMENT E NTE A Smile Portland Will Miss Candlelight vigil to pay tribute to late showman C ari H achmann T he P ortland O bserver Anyone who’s spent much time in Portland, visited the Saturday Market downtown or crossed the Hawthorne Bridge from the eastside to the west, knew of “working” Kirk Reeves. You may not have know him by name, but Portlanders knew him as Street performer Kirk Reeves at the approach to the Hawthorne the street performer in a white tux Bridge. (KATU photo) and Mickey Mouse ears, the smil The announcement came as sad place and want to leave.” ing African-American man who news for many Portlanders. Police F rien d s to ld re p o rte rs that plays trumpet and performs magic withheld the cause of Reeve’s death Reeves had previously been home tricks for kids and waves until they could locate his less and suffered from diabetes and at passing cars. family members, which they cataracts. But behind the glint of soon did, notifying his sis “I think he had a lot of dreams and childlike nostalgia he ter in Boston, Mass. he was getting very disheartened brought to an ordinary Friends of Reeves said and he felt things just kept getting day, you may not have he was growing disheart w orse and w o rse,” said N our know n that w herever ened about his waning en Mobarak, a Portland filmmaker who Reeves turned in for the tertainm ent career, the produced a student documentary night, he suffered tears. Oregonian’s Steve Beaven about Reeves several years ago. On Nov. 4, police dis Kirk Reeves reported. “He was struggling a lot.” covered Reeves’ body at In May, he left for Los Reeves’s friendship and compas the Smith and Bybee W etlands Angeles to audition for the televi sion touched the lives of so many Natural Area on North Marine Drive. sion shows “America’s Got Talent” Portlanders and the city will not be Police say he took his own life with and “Shark Tank,” but friends said the same without him. a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He he wasn’t selected for either. An The irony in his life and death is was 56-years-old. other film m aking prospect fell that if we could have showed him through. the compassion he handed so freely Last month, the Oregonian re to all of us, we could have inspired ports, Reeves sent a long, rambling him with a little more hope. email to friends detailing his disap Rest in Peace Kirk, your smile will pointments, health problems and be missed. his desire to kill himself. Friends will hold a candlelight “I haven't committed suicide be vigil for Reeves on Nov. 18 at 4 p.m. cause too many people would be starting near the west side of the hurt,” he wrote. “But I hate this Hawthorne Bridge. by HAPPYTHANKSGIVING!!! Jumbo Yams 59*/Ib or *20.00 per case Local Greens Curly Mustards and Collards .89* a Punch or *1950 per case Located: at 722 N. Sumner st. Open: Mon-Sat 9am-8pm & Sun ioam-7pm Tel: (503) 445-4959 C hiropractic Auto Injury Clinic, PC Zchon R. Jones, DC 333 NE Russell St., #200, Portland, OR. 97212 (503) 284-7838 Truly making a difference in the lives of Auto Accident victims and Injured Workers for nearly 20 years. If you or someone you know has been in an accident, call us so we can help you with your needs. (503) 284-7838 Jack & Jill Social Club Cordially invites you to our We are located on the corner o f MLK and Russell Street, on the second floor above the coffee shop. Masquerade Christmas Party Saturday, December 8,2012 9:00pm to 2:00am at Billy Webb Elks Lodge > Portland, Oregon 97227 f0 Entertainment provided by D J mike Morris Parkma Area Price: $10.00 for singles $15.00 for couples Russell St S Of For more information, please call (503) 421-4877 or (503) 778-0531
