Source Weekly

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A week ago Sunday, a small group of Japanese ladies living in Bend met at the Common Table to discuss the possibility of hosting a dinner to raise funds for earthquake and tsunami stricken Japan. By Tuesday morning of last week they had not only secured sufficient donations to host, but also to cover the cost for food for the event. A press release was organized and all of the responsibilities were delegated for the purchase and preparation of food.
The team at the Common Table was activated and the excitement level was high. A target was set to feed 100 people and to raise $2,000 to donate to the Red Cross and the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance funds, directed to the relief effort in Japan. This past Saturday night a group of volunteers met to prepare the meal, working until 2 a.m. Sunday morning. They were back at work by Sunday afternoon at the restaurant, putting the finishing touches on the Japanese dinner menu.

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As Program Manager at Cascade Youth and Family Center, I was very pleased that Mike Bookey took the time and energy to explore the problem of teen homelessness in our community in his article “Searching For Stability.” I was eager to work with Mike, mostly to continue to create awareness of the issue, and to promote solutions to the problem. I am constantly impressed by the youth that I encounter and I strive to cast a positive light on youthwho have experienced hardships, yet continue to work to overcome their circumstance.

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Dear Mr. Wilkinson,
As you are well aware of the public debate surrounding the current School Boundary change proposals, I see an opportunity for the Bend – La Pine School district to demonstrate true leadership and precedent for the entire community. One of the most disturbing and worrisome aspects of this debate is the growing division in our community between north and south, which as you know is not healthy for a community.
I truly believe we have the best schools in this country, and we have the perfect opportunity to keep that badge of honor and not further divide the haves and the have-nots. I cannot believe that most leaders in education would think it's a good decision to bus a southwest Title I school twice as far as their neighborhood school to a northeast Title I school for the sake of overcrowding.