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Emily just mentioned Thara Memory, a terrific musician and educator in Portland and in the state.  In order to have a continuing history of music in Portland and the region, we need great instructors like Thara and programs like Beaverton's Arts and Communication Magnet Academy.  Music programs in public schools in urban and rural areas, western and eastern Oregon, are in peril in this economic climate.   But we need outstanding programs and educators in music to foster home-grown music and musicians into the future.

posted 2 years, 9 months ago
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One of the underlying problems here is the "one-size-fits-all" model of regulations we have.  "Food safety"rules don't just inhibit lemonade stands. Here in rural Eastern Oregon, many young people in 4-H and FFA would like to be selling the meat they raise by the cut or by the pound, but we don't have access to the required USDA-certified slaughter and meat processing so they can't.  As a kid in rural Eastern Oregon I sold produce I grew at the Farmers Market.  But this enterprise is also in jeopardy because current food safety legislation in congress threatens to make Farmers Markets (and the kids who participate in them) subject to the same rules as corporate mega-processors.  None of this is fair. Not for the young or entrepreneurs of any age!

posted 2 years, 9 months ago
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The Stepping Stones program in La Grande is a great program to feature.  It serves homeless folks, former inmates, families but also focuses on housing, nutrition, employment, and long-term solutions.  I think it is a great group because they employ their clients in collecting and reclaiming scrap wood, glass and other building materials that would be thrown away otherwise.  

http://www.lagrandeobserver.com/News/Business/Filling-a-community-need-Votaws-provide-transitional-housing-for-disadvantaged

posted 3 years, 5 months ago
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