About Author: Jake Thomas
Posts by Jake Thomas
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New Radio Station goes Full Signal
Posted on February 9, 2011 | 2 CommentsDenise Kowalczyk, director of organizational advancement, for KZME puts together a podcast in the MetroEast headquarters in Gresham. In a constricted office lined with cardboard boxes brimming with a sundry... -
Hello, Mr. President
Posted on December 9, 2010 | No CommentsIn November, former Hillsboro Mayor Tom Hughes squeeked out about 1,000 votes more than opponent and former 1000 Friends of Oregon Executive Director Bob Stacey, becoming Metro Council president, a job that wields tremendous influence over the tri-county area's growth and economy. With the region facing a chronically soggy economy, Hughes has put his sights squarely on job creation and reviving the economy. To get a sense of what Hughes wants to do with the position as top elected official for the region, the Portland Observer sat down with him to discuss the challenges of minority populations, the potential impact of the Columbia River Crossing on North and Northeast Portland, and other topics. -
Minor party candidate for treasurer wants to change course
Posted on October 30, 2010 | No CommentsOne of the quieter races this electoral season has been that of Oregon treasurer. Former Multnomah County Chair Ted Wheeler seems to be in a good place to keep the... -
PCC Offers Cutting-edge Business Training
Posted on October 6, 2010 | 1 CommentPortland Community College offers training programs for small business owners and professionals at the new CLIMB center (Continuous Learning for Individuals, Management and Business), at 1626 S.E. Water Ave., just... -
A market for catfish
Posted on September 28, 2010 | No CommentsWilliam Gaddis services up catfish and other southern cooking delights from his food cart at the Boise-Eliot Outdoor Market. Photo by Mark Washington. About a year and a half ago,... -
Minority contractors assured input
Posted on September 28, 2010 | No CommentsEvaluation panel brings transparency, more bids Tiffani Penson You might not be able to fight City Hall as the old adage goes. But because of a new program instituted last... -
Helping small businesses prosper
Posted on September 28, 2010 | No CommentsSBA administrator speaks to the challenges Oregon may have a couple big name companies like Nike or Intel, but for the most part our economy is dominated by small businesses.... -
Mum’s Kitchen stands out in finds niche in food cart scene
Posted on September 28, 2010 | 1 CommentKammy Naidoo offers up the culinary traditions of South Africa’s large Indian population at her food cart on th e corner of Vancouver Avenue and Fremont Street. Photo by Mark... -
Passing the torch
Posted on September 28, 2010 | 1 CommentIn 1981 a young executive named Sam Brooks was working for the Oregon Employment Department when he decided to take a gamble and open up his own staffing agency after getting strong support from a handful of friends. He took out the money he had saved up for retirement, which was somewhere between $14,000 and $24,000, and opened up Brooks Temporary Associates, the state’s first minority-owned employment agency. Since then, he and his wife, Margaret, have established S. Brooks and Associates as a reputable company. But Sam and Margaret Brooks are preparing to fade into the backdrop of the company as they pass the reigns to their daughter, Simone. -
Dudley to OAME: ‘My door is open’
Posted on September 24, 2010 | No CommentsChris Dudley, the Republican nominee for governor, made his case for why he should be elected to the state’s top office before a packed crowd at the Oregon Association of... -
Advocates want benefits if Rose Quarter developed
Posted on September 14, 2010 | No CommentsWhen the Portland Development Commission and the City of Portland hatched plans last year to expand urban renewal in the north and northeast parts of the city, possibly including the... -
No time to relax
Posted on September 14, 2010 | 1 CommentYouth advocate sends message on gangs David Miller never turns down an opportunity to help out youth in need. The former TriMet Riders Advocate who helped customers with their transit... -
A potential setback for Rose Quarter community benefits agreement
Posted on September 8, 2010 | 2 CommentsWhen the Portland Development Commission and the City of Portland hatched plans last year to expand urban renewal in the north and northeast parts of the city, including the Rose... -
Recovering from traumatic events
Posted on September 8, 2010 | No CommentsLike Sept. 11, surviving families learn to cope Evertt Briley and his two sons, Grant Briley and Braden Briley, in a family photo. After working for more than 20 years... -
New ‘one-stop’ domestic abuse center opens
Posted on September 7, 2010 | 2 CommentsSurvivors of domestic violence no longer have to trek from place to place to access the resources they need to escape their abusers and establish new lives, a process that can be vexing as it is time consuming.
