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Re: “Staying Alive”
The warming shelters were great. Now Gresham needs to get on board. There was only one little-known warming center open at the beginning of the teen-temperatures. Later a couple others opened up, but people were on the verge of dying out there.
Re: “Holy Diver Update”
Sarah, first of all, I really want to thank you for your article, and for your update of Diver here. It must be hard to correct a good story, even if you didn't write anything wrong. Ankles and I give you an honorary "breakfast pie" piece for your excellent effort.
But also to respond to El Cubano above. Diver has all the support he wants, if he wants it. Either from his mother, or from our community, which is a strong family, complete with arguments. We all want him to succeed in being clean and in living a positive life.
But there is another community that pulls at him. A community that encourages him to endulge, not really understanding that it means his death and it cripples him spiritually. And he's lived in that community for as long as you, El, have been alive. It's hard to surrender a whole life and begin a new one. We who have done it keep going back to the old life until we are really ready to surrender it.
The road to freedom is different for different people. The reasons for addiction are complex and the solutions can be even more complicated. Chronic homelessness is even more complex still. There just isn't a single answer-- sometimes not even for one person.
But I am confident of this. Diver has left before and returned. When it is time, he will return.
Steve Kimes
Pastor of Anawim
Re: “Donate Your Warm Stuff To The Homeless Today”
There are alternatives, as well. JOIN is a good organization, but there are others that need clothes and blankets, who don't receive as many donations, like... say... Anawim, who is one of the few service organizations to the homeless in Gresham.
Also, don't be afraid to give to the homeless yourself. There have been some brave souls standing out in the snow and ice with signs. They tell me that they are actually getting fewer donations, not more-- not even enough for them to get a motel room if they stand out all day. But you can go to Fred Meyers and buy some hand warmers or nutrition bars or socks and give them out to those in need. I've handed out a number of hand warmers and I've never gotten more sincere thank you's.
Steve Kimes
Re: “Old Town Shuffle”
Gentrification doesn't have to mean kicking the homeless out of their outdoor homes, but it almost always does. After all, the name of the game is "beautification" and "improving the real estate value" and the homeless are unwitting enemies of those shining values.
When my apartment building in Rockwood was being "cleaned up" on the first day the new owner took ownership, he gave me and my family a thirty day notice, because the homeless people we had visiting us in our apartment (not sleeping around our apartment, mind you) wasn't good for the "work I am doing" as he put it.
The fact is, the homeless are seen as non-enitities, non-existant, or persona-non-gratia by property owners and developers. And those who work with or defend the homeless are simple nuisances.
What a wonderful day it will be when the poor of the world can kick the developers out of their homes for being compassionless!
Steve K
Re: “IN THE SHADOWS”
Why should he respond to a restraining order, or any number of calls to the cops? He wants a safe place to sleep, and they would give it to him.
Although it is anti-intuitive, perhaps the best course of action would be to find a better place for him to sleep. To create an enemy of anyone is to deal with a situation of enmity. To offer compassion is likely to create an ally.
Steve K
Re: “In the Shadows”
Good article, Matt. Even my wife says that you're a good writer! (I'm sure you need the encouragement there).
I'm not sure you checked it out, but if you or anyone else wants to know more about Anawim or the homeless, please check out: www.nowheretolayhishead.org
Re: “Countdown to Bond: "All The Bond Themes Sucked."”
I like your list. I only disagre with the order.
Rita Coolage was just at the end of her popularity when she did the Bond theme. She was most famous for "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue", "We're All Alone" and "(Your Love Lifted Me) Higher and Higher". She used to be married to Kris Kristofferson. Excellent vocalist.
Steve K
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