journalism

I studied journalism in college and immersed myself in all the aspects of media during this three year time period of my life. Below are the articles that I published during that time.

"We count on Charity Prater to deliver compelling stories. She helps make our newspaper relevant and popular and she’s never let us down." - Michael Leighton, Portland Observer Editor

"Charity Prater has been a consistent and reliable contributing writer to the Sentinel. She delivers stories on-time with little or no need for revisions or notes. In our experiences she is diligent, inquisitive and easy to work with." - Cornelius Swart, Managing Editor, Portland Sentinel

"Prompt and professional – a pleasure to work with." - Nancy Woods, Editor, Hollywood Star Newspaper

most recent publications

Five Guidelines to Investing in Software for Your Greenhouse 
Greenhouse Grower Management

8 Questions To Ask, And Answer, Before You Invest in New Software
Greenhouse Grower Magazine

Software is to a Company like Soil is to a Plant (Ghost-Writing)
GPN Magazine

the portland observer news

Neighbors Step up for Livability 8-16-06 (PDF)

- Taking action to improve Dekum street...

Curiosity Leads to Work as Architect 9-27-06 (PDF)

- Taking action to improve Dekum street...

Local Leader Committed to
King's Dream
1-10-07 (PDF)

- Walk into the Urban League of Portland office and you will find a framed portrait of Martin Luther King...

Emerging young leader draws
on his past
1-10-07 (PDF)

- For Charles McGee, finding unity among races, genders and cultures means building bridges...

Leaving a Troubled Youth Behind 6-28-07 (PDF)

- Portland, Oregon: Judge Kenneth Walker brings a unique perspective to the bench...




Anti-War Legacy That Resonates - MLK Special 1-9-2008 (PDF)

- Portland, Oregon: What would Martin Luther King Jr. say about the war in Iraq...




Gateway to College Follows King's Dream 1-9-2008 (PDF)

- Portland, Oregon: Portland Community College is following in the footsteps of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by providing all students...


Roots Festival Celebrates Diversity 
5-14-2008 (PDF)

- Portland, Oregon: People of all backgrounds will come together to celebrate diversity on the Portland State...

Clothesline Swollen with Tears from Abuse 8-30-06 (PDF)

- Unspoken truths bring pain and hope through the Clothesline Project...

Passing Grade for School Uniforms 12-13-06 (PDF)

- Rigler Elementary sees less tension, fights...

Activist Advances Local,
Political Causes
1-10-07 (PDF)

- Keeping progress on justice issues in focus (JoAnne Bowman)...

Brothers of basketball
1-17-07 (PDF)

- Portland's dynamic duo at OSU...



Making the Courtroom
More Diversified
7-11-07
(PDF)

- Portland, Oregon: First Korean-American judge, Youlee You, promotes fairness...


Local Peace Activists Inspired by King's Work - MLK Special
1/9/2008 (PDF)

- Portland, Oregon: Another year has passed and one of the great memorialized holidays of the New Year...

Cool Nutz on National Stage
4-16-2008 (PDF)

- Portland, Oregon: Terrance Scott, otherwise known as the artist "Cool Nutz," isn't slowing down anytime soon...



Obama's Historical Run
10-8-2008 (PDF)

- Portland, Oregon: Sen Barack Obama's nomination for president ranks with some of the greatest historic markers for equality...

Advice from a Pro: Market Yourself First 9-27-06 (PDF)

- Roy Jay gives advice to start ups...

'Tis the Season for Depression 12-20-06 (PDF)

- 'Tis the season for parties, festivities, family gatherings and also for depression...

Judge Sees Inequality at an
Early Age
1-10-07 (PDF)

- Overcomes prejudice in rise to the top of her class...

Sanctuary City for Soldiers
5-30-07 (PDF)

- Group promotes refuge for war objectors...


Movement for a U.S. Dept. of Peace
11-14-07 (PDF)

- Portland, Oregon: Movement for U.S. Peace Department as an alternative to war...




In the Neighborhood
MLK Special
1/09/2008 (PDF)

- Portland, Oregon: In light of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., do you think that we are moving forward in terms of equality and civil rights...

Youth Loses Jammin' 95.5
5-7-2008 (PDF)


- Portland, Oregon: Young Portlanders were left wondering what would fill the void as the...

the hollywood star news

Cancer conference educates doctors and patients September-2006 (PDF)

- Portland, Oregon: "I don't want you to have cancer, mamma," Tanya Brendtro, 20, still remembers telling her mother...



Hollywood Hoop Club teaches athletic and life skills
January-2007 (PDF)

- Portland, Oregon: Kids are jumping and playing. Basketballs are bouncing. Whistles and bells are ringing. These are the sounds of the Hollywood Hoop Club...


Loaves & Fishes teams with nursing students to hold health fair
March-2007 (PDF)

- Portland, Oregon: Community Health and Wellness Fair promotes preventative healthcare and alternative medicine...

Credit Union
Teaches Kids
November-2007 (PDF)

- Portland, Oregon: Non-Profit and Point West Credit Union team up to teach kids about finances...

Concordia University Builds a Throw Center
April-2008 (PDF)

- Portland, Oregon: Concordia University is building a unique fitness facility in Northeast Portland...

Rooms for Peace Connects Travelers and Hosts to Raise Money for Charity June-2008 (PDF)

- Portland, Oregon: Tears begin to form in John Brown's eyes as he reflects on the events...

Local teen wins Value Village Redesigner contest
October-2006 (PDF)

- Portland, Oregon: It was the beginning of summer break, in mid June, when Molly Kiss, now 17, sat in her cozy Laurelhurst home surfing...

The Hollywood Theatre launches new series
February-2007 (PDF)

- Portland, Oregon: Artistic director Richard Beer handpicked documentaries from around the world...


Neighbors work to save elm trees March-2007 (PDF)

- Portland, Oregon: Community yard sale on May 12 will raise money to inoculate elm trees on Northeast 41st Avenue...



Little Deer Company
November-2007 (PDF)

- Portland, Oregon: Woman turns sewing skill into international business...



Family-run Hollywood Liquor Store Changes Hands
May-2008 (PDF)

- Portland, Oregon: Since 1976, the Hollywood Liquor Store and Hollywood Mixer Shop has been...

Two Women Join Forces Open Clinic for the Uninsured July-2008 (PDF)

- Portland, Oregon: Low-income adults have a difficult time finding healthcare if they are uninsured...

Local artist starts world-class oil paint company
November-2006 (PDF)

- Portland, Oregon: As a youngster, Northeast Portland resident Robert Gamblin began teaching himself how to compose oil paintings and create sculptures...

Two Brothers Build unusual fence company
February-2007 (PDF)

- Portland, Oregon: Three years ago, when Chris Franz and his brother Jason Franz started Portland Bamboo Company...



Palm trees bring a touch of Hollywood to Hollywood
August-2007 (PDF)

- Portland, Oregon: Palm trees bring touch of Hollywood to Hollywood...


Local Couples Share Home and Work
January-2008 (PDF)

- Portland, Oregon: Most of us don't go to work as husband and wife, but there are a surprising number of couples working together...

Student Art Helps Fund Art Program May-2008 (PDF)

- Portland, Oregon: Clowns, dogs, rainbows and pianos are just some of the themes of the paintings...


Stay-at-home father starts group for dads and kids
August-2008 (PDF)

- Portland, Oregon: More and more dads are staying home with their young children while their wives head back into the workforce...

st. john's sentinel news

- Sauvie Island, Oregon: Sauvie Island festival features spicy food, music...





Art of Mechanical Reproduction August-2007 (PDF)

- St. Johns, Oregon: Blue Moon Camera keeps old technology alive for the art's sake...
- St. Johns, Oregon: There are roughly 30,000 skateboarders in Portland with only one major skatepark for all of them to battle over...



Free Geek
January-2008 (PDF)

- St. Johns, Oregon: The Free Geek Community Technology Center has been helping to fight environmental waste and computer illiteracy since 2000...
- Portland, Oregon: On the first and third Wednesdays of every month, Judy Hubbard, a 65-year-old nurse with over 40 years of experience, joins the Northminister Presbyterian Church in the North Portland Clinic...

the oregonian

Airstreams Roll in to Create Silver City
7-1-2006 (PDF)

- Salem, Oregon: Recreation: The iconic trailers and motor homes fill the fairgrounds to celebrate travel and friendships...

This is the first article that I ever wrote (co-wrote) with my mentor, Dave Austin of the Oregonian and 2007 Pulitzer Prize in Breaking News Reporting.