Rick Turoczy publishes unedited text of Willamette Week Q&A on blog
A week after Willamette Week published this Q&A, the source, Rick Turoczy of Portland Incubator Experiment, took the unusual step of putting the entire text of the Q&A on his blog, Silicon Florist. During the late stages of the editorial … Continue reading Rick Turoczy publishes unedited text of Willamette Week Q&A on blog
Rick Turoczy Says the Myth of the Unflappable Entrepreneur Is “All Bullshit”
The godfather of Portland startups talks about what’s special in Rose City tech—and what it must improve. To Portland startup founder Mara Zepeda, he’s the “north star of Portland’s entrepreneurship scene”—or just “Yoda.” To Wieden + Kennedy managing director Renny Gleeson, he’s … Continue reading Rick Turoczy Says the Myth of the Unflappable Entrepreneur Is “All Bullshit”
Building A Bridge Over Troubled Waters
An exploration of the musical arts by and about DACA recipients and other immigrants, as a bridge over America’s confused immigration policies. Continue reading Building A Bridge Over Troubled Waters
Is Oregon Home to the Next Billion-Dollar Company?
A “unicorn” is a company that sells for $1 billion. In May, an Oregon company almost did just that. By Thacher Schmid |Published July 3 Updated July 3 This spring, Oregon almost saw its first unicorn. A “unicorn” is a company that … Continue reading Is Oregon Home to the Next Billion-Dollar Company?
Oversight Questions Arise as Portland Pays to Clean Up Homeless Campsites
This past Valentine’s Day, Lillian Blackwolf was sleeping in her tent in a place locals call the Pillars, named for the concrete columns that hold up the Interstate 205 overpass above the Springwater Corridor. That’s when a Rapid Response Bio … Continue reading Oversight Questions Arise as Portland Pays to Clean Up Homeless Campsites
Techfest NW speaker previews: Blockchain, smart cities, sports tech, AI
Ric Shreves Says Cryptocurrency Could be the Key to Providing Aid to Refugees. Hear Why at TechfestNW. When one thinks of helping refugees, cryptocurrency is not the first thing that comes to mind. But Ric Shreves, a senior technology advisor … Continue reading Techfest NW speaker previews: Blockchain, smart cities, sports tech, AI
Dispatch from Tech Island: The Wild Ideas and Strange Lingo of Techfest NW
“It’s kind of bad-ass.” One pitcher actually described his company this way. What was the takeaway from the eighth annual TechfestNW and its largest-ever crop of 129 startups seeking prizes at PitchfestNW? In a word: breathless. In two: tech business. … Continue reading Dispatch from Tech Island: The Wild Ideas and Strange Lingo of Techfest NW
East Forest x Ram Dass
I play violin and viola on the 2019 album East Forest x Ram Dass, a collaboration between the electronic musician and producer and the legendary spiritual teacher. The first release from the album hit #5 on Billboard New Age and … Continue reading East Forest x Ram Dass
In Portland, a neighborhood watch group stirs debate over how to respond to the homeless
The Montavilla neighborhood is a place just about anybody might want to live in. It has an “almost suburban” feel, a city website notes, but it’s near downtown Portland, with a population that’s more diverse than the city as a … Continue reading In Portland, a neighborhood watch group stirs debate over how to respond to the homeless
Portland ordinance to protect renters may be a model for other cities. But landlords are fighting back.
The idea seemed simple enough. Last year, Portland passed a law to ease the pain of renters being forced out of their homes or facing large rent hikes. Officials and housing advocates in particular were worried about those facing “no-cause” … Continue reading Portland ordinance to protect renters may be a model for other cities. But landlords are fighting back.
Illegal Airbnbs Could Take 1,500 Rentals Off Market
By Thacher Schmid and Cornelius Swart Illegal short-term rentals posted on Airbnb may keep more than 1,500 units out of the Portland housing market—even after the city’s much-publicized clampdown on Airbnb takes effect this winter. The finding comes at a … Continue reading Illegal Airbnbs Could Take 1,500 Rentals Off Market
Oregon Grinders & Biohackers
A Growing Number of Oregonians Love Technology So Much They Make It Part of Their Bodies It’s called biohacking. It’s (mostly) legal. And a small but fervent group of Oregon men are installing chips with self-surgery. James Newman, 37, looks … Continue reading Oregon Grinders & Biohackers
TechFest NW 2018: Nut milk bags, thought leaders, politicos & gender problems
The following are blog posts from my coverage of TechFest 2018 for Willamette Week: Patagonia’s CEO is Coming to Portland to Talk About the Company’s Crusade Against Climate Change and the Trump Administration How well do profits mesh with progressive … Continue reading TechFest NW 2018: Nut milk bags, thought leaders, politicos & gender problems
Our Frozen Dead: Hypothermic ‘Domicile Unknown’ Deaths
A growing number of deaths the Multnomah County Medical Examiner’s Office investigates are among people experiencing homelessness. When Michael Jensen was found dead in his tent, his feet were sticking out of the tent, and he was lying on his … Continue reading Our Frozen Dead: Hypothermic ‘Domicile Unknown’ Deaths
The Brief Life of a Homeless Encampment
The life of a homeless encampment can be brief. Consider Village of Hope, a fledgling homeless village that popped up in a remote, woodsy area of Portland in late January. It featured 10 tents on wooden platforms, a shared kitchen … Continue reading The Brief Life of a Homeless Encampment
Writing in the Flat Keys: Thacher Schmid's Portfolio 