Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (March 14, 2018)
March 14, 2018 Page 15 Inspired Creations C ontinueD froM P age 9 productive. It was around eight years ago that he began making birdhouses as a hobby when he was homeless and it’s since blos- somed into a fruitful enterprise, supplementing his retirement in- come. “As I was out being homeless, I was working on helping other homeless people get housing. And as I was waiting on mine to come in, I was like, what could I do that’s positive while I’m out here homeless, instead of just saying ‘oh man this is not good?’” Mayes explained. “My thing was I could help other individuals, give them some type of guidance, a positive tip and encouragement.” Through that mutual support, and proactively looking for solu- tions, he has since pulled himself out of homelessness. The gout that Mayes has been battling most of his life still brings aching pain in his hands and feet that presents mobility challeng- es, especially in winter when his joints swell. It’s also responsible for his resignation from the full- scale carpentry trade. He used to help build customized houses all across the West Coast for homes in the $300,000 to multi-million dollar range. Despite hospitalizations and some challenging cold snaps that recently prevented him from building and selling the birdhous- es, Mayes said he’s now gathering his strength to start production back up again. “I’m looking forward to getting back out there again ‘cause I have fun. You might me see me just rolling down the street,” he said. Mayes was born and raised in Portland and said getting around by bike or on foot is one of the best ways to experience the city. “I’ve seen a lot of skyline changes by walking,” he said. “If George Mayes uses recycled and found material as well as environmentally friendly, organic cedar to craft bird feeders that look like miniature mountain lodges. you’re driving a lot, you pass by a lot of stuff and you don’t see it. And the walking is just a little more cautious that you can see your surroundings. You can see your surroundings and you can see what’s being built up around you.” Mayes said he leaves his bird- houses unpainted to encourage buyers to engage their kids to paint them so that they can learn what it’s like to work with their hands and provide them an alternative to a world dominated by high tech. “They need to know some of the thinking back in the old days.’Cause a lot of them don’t; they go straight to the comput- er. The thing that scares me is when the computer breaks down, they break down. That’s scary (laughs).” To inquire about George’s bird- houses, email him at theooeasy@ outlook.com or check the local street corner near you. Together, we do good things. TM This page is sponsored by Oregon Lottery 2018 March C alendar MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY 12 13 14 15 Anniversary of the Death of Anne Frank (1945) 19 Swallows Return to San Juan Capist- rano 26 Make up Your own Holiday Day Diana Ross born, 1944; singer & Os- car-nom. actress Good Samaritan Day Uranus Discovered (1781) 20 1st Day of Spring Spike Lee born, 1957; Emmmy Award win- ning filmmaker 27 Alaska hit by 8.4 Earthquake (1964) Pi Day (3.14) Scientist Albert Ein- stein born, 1879 21 Children’s Poetry Day National Teen-Agers Day Single Parents’ Day R FRIDAY SATURDAY 16 17 Absolutely Incredible Kid Day Funk music legend Sly Stone born, 1943 James Madison born, 1751 (4th Presi- dent) 22 United Nations World Water Day 28 29 “Greatest Show on Earth” formed 1881 Armed Forces left Vietnam (1973) Pearl Bailey born, 1918; award-Winning singer & actress SUNDAY 18 Nat King Cole born, 1919; Legendary jazz musician and singer First Walk in Space (1965) Grover Cleveland born, 1837 (22nd & 24th President) 23 24 25 Toast Day Political Leader Pat- rick Henry declared, “Give me liberty...”, 1775 Harry Houdini born, 1874 Exxon Valdez runs aground (1989) 30 31 Passover Begins at Sundown Doctor’s Day Artist Vincent van Gogh born, 1853 St. Patrick’s Day First Map of the US Published (1784) Palm Sunday Aretha Franklin born, 1942; undisputed “Queen Of Soul”
