Category: General Interest

Submitted By: babbles@nehalemtel.net – Click to email about this post

to the BBQ readership,

on 1/27/26 BBQ, a canadian posted this: “they (our government) may not be listening, but the rest of the world is.”

i find that incredibly uplifting.

he went on to say that the protests show the rest of the world that while our government is running amok with damaging policies (my choice of words), much of our U.S. citizenry does not agree with their actions. it’s important for the world to know that what is happening nationally and internationally is not supported by a majority of U.S. citizens.

i applaud the protesters who show up week after week, and i am inspired to join them.

om peace namaste
lucy brook
nehalem resident
U.S. citizen

Submitted By: pattyrinehart@nehalemtel.net – Click to email about this post

Dear Folks,
Over the past several days, I have had the opportunity to hear from and speak with many of you. I greatly appreciate everyone who has shared their thoughts and opinions with me—it means a lot to hear from members of our community. This week, there have been numerous posts on BBQ supporting the peaceful protests in Nehalem organized by the North County Resistance. Thank you to each of you for your involvement; your support gives us all greater strength in our protest efforts. This journey has been long, and it seems the road ahead will continue to challenge us.

North Coast Resistance will be returning to Nehalem on Saturday, January 31, from noon to 2 PM. While the weather forecast remains uncertain given how far out it is, living on the coast has taught us all to embrace unpredictability. Our love for the coastal weather brings us together, and since we haven’t had enough rain lately, please be prepared for wet conditions during the event.

Currently, many individuals appointed to positions in Washington D.C. under Trump’s administration are closely following the rules set by Trump. It appears their primary motivation for compliance is to maintain their employment.

Trump himself does not seem to have been raised with clear standards, whether moral or otherwise. The way he has raised his children likely reflects his own approach: pursuing personal gain by any means necessary, without concern for those who may be negatively affected. This mindset seems to have become a way of life for him. As a lighthearted warning, whatever you do, do not get in front of Trump in the lunch line.

I hope you were able to see the CNN talk with Stella Carlson, the “Pink Coat Lady.” If you search for this story online, you can learn more. Her ability to capture the video of the killing of Alex Pretti was both horrific and incredible. Renee Good and Alex Pretti were only 37 years old.

Heavy hearts are with the families of Alex Pretti and Renee Good. Please take a few minutes in your day to remember these two individuals whose lives were cut short. Both were 37 years old. Do you remember where you were at 37? Mentioning these people reminds us of their sacrifices.

Yes, there have been more quotes about “sticking together.” Two people have died who did not need to die.

Please mark your calendars for March 28. Many have asked when the next large protest will be. This date will be our “NO KINGS” protest, and we will share more information about the location and time as it becomes available.

Once again, we thank all our peaceful protesters. We hope to see you this Saturday, January 31, in Nehalem from noon to 2 PM.
Thanks, Patty

Submitted By: genedieken@yahoo.com – Click to email about this post

Here are a couple of videos that pretty well spell out the political and economic precipice we are now standing at.

The first is the speech that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney delivered at Davos last week. In it he spells out how Canada will deal with the rupture of the world order triggered by (but not necessarily caused by) Donald Trump’s regime. He also speaks about some of the newest challenges the world faces such as AI and domination by the interests of the wealthy.

Many have called this speech the marker point signaling the start of the demise of the neoliberal era of the last 50 years.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flsgJe8mN-A

The second video is a very well-done explainer about the history of neoliberalism, what it has created for all of us, and what options we have as it begins to fail. Richard Murphy, emeritus professor at Sheffield University, U.K., is a cogent & accessible scholar dealing with business, economics and politics.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMTQNI3BV90

The videos, totaling about 43 minutes, are well worth the investment of your time.

Gene Dieken

Submitted By: stayhuman@tutamail.com – Click to email about this post

After reading through politician Mary Faith Bell’s response to my post about A.I.-driven facial recognition cameras being deployed at all Tillamook County Libraries, the only useful info I see is that she admits that the library has indeed installed them.

But she says they are not working – YET. (Exactly why did she include this statement??)

Again, if you are an immigrant living here unlawfully, and you do not want to be deported, STAY OUT OF TILLAMOOK COUNTY LIBRARIES as they have deployed A.I.-driven facial-recognition cameras at ALL LOCATIONS that can be TURNED ON AT ANY MOMENT.

If you are from Venezuela, as part of Israel’s and Drumf’s kidnapping and oil theft plan relating to your country, Drumf has instructed ICE to deport you to a torture prison in El Salvador. (I incorrectly wrote Argentina in my last post. Argentina is the country that America First (chuckle chuckle) Drumf sent 40-billion dollars to buy beef and bail out George Soros – of all people! El Salvador is the country that is home to MAGA Drumf’s torture jail.)

Drumf and his Israeli overlords need VZ oil to appease those countries that will be affected by the closure of the Straight of Hormuz once Israel and Drumf attempt to genocide Iran.

MAGA = Mariam Adelson Governs America

Mary, some questions:

Why does the library need facial recognition cameras? What’s wrong with closed circuit video?

Whose idea was it to install the A.I.-driven facial recognition cameras? Did the idea originate from a library employee or was it brought to the library by a lobbyist?

Are the feds behind this or involved in this, Mary? Be honest…

And folks, don’t forget to read today’s Oregonian article about Google’s (The CIA’s) huge A.I. storage facility near The Dalles that is taking the sacred power of Che’Wanna and using it to enslave all of us via A.I., control grids, geo-fencing, digital payments/end of cash, etc.

The article talks about how much our electric bills are going to increase because of A.I. We get to pay for our own enslavement! Kinda like the trillions in ‘covid’ (CIA term, there is no pathogen called covid) ‘vaccines’ that saw taxpayers transfer trillions to the world’s richest billionaires for gene therapy that did not stop the spread of the bio-weapon (despite what Fauci and Biden and The Father of The Vaccine Donald Drumf told us), and that likely killed more people than the bio-weapon itself.

And so much for drawing down The Dalles dam to see the sacred Celilo Falls once again. It’s much more important that we use the hydropower to build our own digital prisons of the mind!

Get rid of cash!
A.I. everywhere!
Give the tech/banker oligarch’s exactly what they want: YOUR FREEDOM!!!

How about a boycott of the Tillamook County Libraries until they get rid of the A.I. cameras and switch to closed circuit?

Do what Lyin Wyden said, PUSH BACK.

1776 AGAIN NOW

Submitted By: dixiedarrow@icloud.com – Click to email about this post

The following is a very good video about Sanctuary Cities and explains very clearly what the rules are for maintaining a sanctuary city. It is about 20 minutes long.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baTYLcR_vSE

Submitted By: maryfaith.bell@tillamookcounty.gov – Click to email about this post

Dear Neighbors,

Recently someone posted misinformation about Tillamook County libraries being unsafe for immigrant community members due to facial recognition software that could be accessed by immigration officials. As a Tillamook County commissioner and the county liaison to the library for the past seven years, I would like to set forth the facts.

What is true: the library has installed new security cameras at the entrances of all of the branch locations to promote safety for patrons and staff. Libraries are warm, open, and public spaces where everyone is welcome. Occasionally that includes people who violate library rules intended to keep people safe. The cameras will create a visual record of who has entered the library in case a violation of library behavior rules occurs. The cameras are not yet in use, while the library updates its policies.

It is also true that the cameras have a facial recognition software option; however, the library has no current plan to enable that feature. The library takes privacy as a core and fundamental value for its users. There are strict limitations about access to images or video from the library. The library director or one of two senior librarians are the people authorized to release images and video footage.

Anyone who has questions or concerns about the library is invited to contact Tillamook County Library Director Don Allgeier. Don welcomes the opportunity to engage with community members about the library system. Please rest assured that security cameras are intended to enhance safety and security for all of the library’s valued patrons.

Sincerely,

Mary Faith Bell
Tillamook County Commissioner

Submitted By: laniciaduke@gmail.com – Click to email about this post

I watched the first couple of minutes of the football game over the weekend. As they going to commercial, the broadcaster said when we come back, we will honor America. I said out loud to myself we need to mourn what we have known of America. She is dying.

I am going to be hosting a time of mourning, offering prayer into our land. I believe that’s the only thing that will heal us. Even in the protest, hearts are hardened and angry. We reap what we sow. We need to start sowing something different.

We are in a wonderful time of being able to help usher in what is before us. None of us know what the future holds, but we can certainly prepare our hearts. Nothing dies without something bringing life.

We can offer a time of comfort with songs and spoken words. We can begin envisioning what our world can still be. If we are not part of the change, we risk being left behind.

No one will win in this culture war if we do not step up and take a lead into a new world. We’re already headed that way. If we don’t envision it, and create it, it will continue to be more of the same and worse.

If we want something we have to begin doing something different.

We are heading into a major financial crisis both at the state level and across the country. The changes to SNAP and Medicaid changes will begin taking place at the end of the year.

SNAP changes: www.fns.usda.gov/snap/obbb-implementation

American Medical Association’s information on Medicaid changes: www.ama-assn.org/system/files/medicaid-community-engagement-requirements-summary.pdf

You can look at what the Oregon legislative body will be working on beginning next week.

Here is a link to watch this month’s committee hearings. This is the first day. Click on the calendar arrow to see the meetings for the whole week. The joint ways and means committee is where state spending and revenue discussions are that will affect all of us.

olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025I1/2026-01-13

Pay attention to budget shortfalls. How do we begin preparing for the much harder times ahead? We can’t keep fighting about what’s already on the way.

I keep saying protesting alone will not move the needle. How quick did people forget about Saturday when the football game came on the next day.

Blessed are the peacemakers.

If you’ve read this far and are still interested, my email is laniciaduke@gmail.com and my number is 503-898-8929.

LaNicia Duke

Submitted By: jillt@nehalemtel.net – Click to email about this post

This morning I watched a brief video of Anderson Cooper talking to a woman in a Minnesota church about the “Singing Resistance” that she’s a part of — a peaceful and extraordinary part of the resistance in Minnesota. While her voice was calm and strong as she spoke and sang, her back was to the camera, at her request. Anderson asked her if she was afraid, and she answered, ….”we’re all afraid,” “…. it’s a way to gather our courage.”

I was down at the beach briefly later on and thought again about why I haven’t raised my voice and joined the millions who are marching and singing across our country and in our communities. Why in a year since the local protest group began, all I’ve mustered is driving by and honking when I happen to be in the area of a Saturday protest, despite my despair as the days have gone on and the horror and agonies have grown. I’m ashamed of myself. Physically, it would be very difficult to join the protest group, but I have words — words that have been sitting on my heart and making it heavier and heavier as each day goes by.

It is so important that we join our voices with others — just as one dot makes a small impact when placed in the middle of a page, when another dot is placed and they connect and then another, it encourages others to place a dot and the dots spread out and connect and on and on until we have a heart that beats in unison with the words of our Pledge of Allegiance: … One Nation Indivisible, With Liberty And Justice For All. One heart that beats in unison with love of and support of our Constitution. One heart that beats in unison to the Golden Rule: Do Unto Others As You Would Have Others Do Unto You.

If apathy or whatever or however you want to label it failed to keep us engaged in and understanding the political process and why each of our votes, informed votes, matters, it is now up to each of us to stand up and speak up and sing and cross the divide that separates us from those who would support this administration and all the pain, evil, and yes, death it has brought to our country. Each of our lives are impacted by the events of the last year in our country. Each of us may have a line to cross with family members, friends, neighbors, acquaintances — for me, it’s a brother and a cousin; for a friend, it’s a sister. They aren’t enemies; they’re flesh and blood, and they matter to us. We have history with them, just as we have history with our country. It’s terrifying for me to consider that the brother who has been a rock and the source of so much joy through all these years might forsake me for crossing that line with him. However, the belief I have that the possibility of connecting our dots might lead to the connecting of other dots — well, I just can’t go to sleep another night with that burden on my heart and not make an effort to lighten the burden.

And that’s what this letter is about — joining my voice in protest, with my neighbors and friends and community, of a president (no capital “p” — he doesn’t deserve it —) and an administration that has robbed us of our trust in our government to do what is right for us — all of us in our community and state and country and the world. We are a young country of immigrants, and we’re being shaken to our core. I do believe today there are encouraging signs that what we are doing in rising up against all the injustice is making a difference. May our hearts rest in the peace and knowledge that all will be well, however long that may take, and that we will find the courage to carry on together.

With heartfelt love and gratitude to all my brothers and sisters in our local community and throughout the country standing up and speaking out and singing —

Jill Thurston

Submitted By: s.l.johnson2021@gmail.com – Click to email about this post

One positive aspect of having a “slow” season on the coast is that our residents and business owners have more time to visit, one on one. I have taken the opportunity in recent weeks to join with a friend and go business to business to actually talk to people in our community to discuss the direction our country is heading with regard to immigrants.

What we found is the people in our community are willing to share their thoughts. A project that we thought might take a few hours ended up taking more than a few days. As we listened to the concerns of our neighbors along the main street, we were overwhelmed to find that we all shared similar concerns and values. At a time when main-stream and social media push the evocative notion that we are a deeply divided country, we found that is far from the case in our community.

The common grounds shared by our community members include the belief that truth matters. Our constitutional rights should be protected. Our laws should be followed and enforced by trained officers and politically neutral courts. People should not be stereotyped based on the color of their skin. Good people come in every color. Everyone, regardless of country of origin, has a right to due process and to be treated respectfully.

Like most Oregon communities, our residents and visitors come from diverse backgrounds and countries. We have first, second and third generation immigrants. Nearly all of us have immigrant heritage. Immigrants belong with us, in our community. As someone more eloquent than I recently wrote, “they belong to us in the sense that proximity, and familiarity, and regular interaction bring us all into a community of principle and mutual care, make us all our brother’s keeper, and calls on us to love our neighbors.” If you see a sign in a business window bearing a monarch butterfly, the symbol of migration, know that as a sign of support for these values.

In our community, as in the entire United States, people who believe in liberty and justice for all stand up to tyranny. We stand up for our neighbors. We let our voices be heard. Now is the time to let our elected officials know we demand our (and our neighbors’) freedom, the truth, and our rights protected.

Submitted By: rjm98351@gmail.com – Click to email about this post

Hello! Looking for recommendations for wallpaper hanger for small interior project. Thanks!

Submitted By: codger817@gmail.com – Click to email about this post

This is from Antonia Scatton at reframingamerica.substack.com/p/one-pager?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=875433&post_id=185770980&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=false&r=rvpv6&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email
If it doesn’t work for you, let me know I can e-mail it to you. Jim Heffernan codger817@gmail.com

One Pager
What to Say
The actions of the Trump administration violate the most sacred promise of our Constitution: that our freedom never be trampled by our own government.
The Trump administration is carrying out an illegal and unconstitutional military occupation of the state of Minnesota, in rural and urban communities alike. Trump is waging a campaign of terror and brutality to instill fear in all those who would stand up to him. He sought to make an example of Minnesota, and instead, the people of Minnesota are showing the world what standing up to tyranny looks like.
Federal agents with DHS and ICE have executed two American citizen legal observers, Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Masked, poorly trained agents are stopping, assaulting, and abducting anyone they choose. They are using chemical weapons indiscriminately. People of color are afraid to go to work or school. Businesses are closed and medical facilities dangerously understaffed, especially in rural areas. No one should have to fear leaving their home.
ICE and DHS are violating our Constitutional rights to freedom of speech and to not be deprived of life or liberty without due process of law. We have the right to object to wrong-doing by our government, to not be stopped and questioned without cause, to not be searched or arrested without a warrant signed by a judge, and to legal representation and a fair hearing.
Constitutional rights apply to everyone in the United States, whether they are citizens, legal immigrants, those in the process of seeking asylum or legal status, visitors and even undocumented immigrants.
This is a political attack, both to take the heat off of Trump’s failure to release 99% of the Epstein files (despite being required to by bipartisan federal law) and to punish states that did not vote for him and compel their leaders to comply with illegal demands for private voter data and other unconstitutional violations of state authority.
What We Want
• ICE and other federal immigration agents must cease operations now and leave Minnesota.
• All incidents of illegal arrests and violent or lethal confrontation must be investigated.
• Account for every person detained, assure that their rights are being respected and that they are being held under humane conditions.
• Create clear and enforceable operating parameters that strictly limit use of force and require agents to operate within the bounds of the law and constitution.
• Federal agents must not operate in any state, city or locality without the approval of local leadership and supervision by local law enforcement.
• Federal funding for ICE should be frozen. If ICE will not operate within the law and the Constitution, it should be disbanded and replaced with law enforcement that will.
What NOT to Say
Do not repeat or spread their arguments, not even to debunk them. Their messaging is designed to sow doubt in the mind of the listener, even when you are making the case against what they are saying. Always write and speak from our perspective.
•
Do not accidentally expose people to our opponents’ framing. Our opponents try to associate us with negative concepts. When we put two ideas together in a sentence, a neural connection is made between them no matter what other words also appear in the sentence. For example: “Renee Good was not a paid agitator” is processed by the brain as: “Renee Good” plus “paid agitator.” Instead you could say: “Renee Good was a legal observer,” connecting the words “Renee Good” and “legal observer”. Become conscious of using the words “not” or “don’t”.
• Talk about how you feel and don’t use jargon. Talk in clear everyday language. Talk about right and wrong, not policies.
• Don’t label. Describe. Using labels like “fascism” tends to sound like name calling. It calls into question what you mean and what your motives are. It is always better to talk about what the person or group is doing. Then the listener is focused on judging their behavior, not yours.
• Project the image of peaceful non-violence. This is messaging too. Throwing things makes us look violent to voters. Remember what Dr King taught us about making a stark contrast between our peaceful protesting and the violent cruelty of our opponents. DO NOT work against our goals.
________________________________________

Submitted By: Davidkmc72@gmail.com – Click to email about this post

Resistance is not futile

Submitted By: dwieb1@gmail.com – Click to email about this post

Sorry if this seems brief and doesn’t fill in the blanks for you, but I think it’s best you decide whether it’s good info to follow up on, or just a bunch of hooey. -Dave

There are at least 2 reasons to protest peacefully: (1) the current administration would love to escalate tensions and violence because they have the clear advantage in fire power and an emotional base of support who feel discriminated against for both legitimate and manufactured reasons, and (2) violent protests will only further inflame factions of the electorate against each other and take the focus away from our primary and serious problem of an incredibly corrupt administration doing nothing to address the many pressing concerns of our population.

“More in Common” is an international organization that does extensive surveys. “More in Common was established with the mission of tackling the ‘us-versus-them’ divisions that pose a generational threat to the United States.” More in Common issued a report on Jan 20th titled “Beyond MAGA, A Profile of the Trump Coalition”

moreincommonus.com/publications/

[excerpt] “Drawing on surveys, interviews and group conversations conducted with over 10,000 Trump voters over 10 months concluding in early 2026, this study finds four distinct types of Trump voters: MAGA Hardliners, Anti-Woke Conservatives, Mainline Republicans, and the Reluctant Right.”

(back to my post) I believe it’s difficult or impossible to solve a problem without a clear and accurate understanding of it. While the internet can be a great resource, it’s also a cesspool of misleading garbage. Most of mainstream media isn’t much interested in sorting things out for viewers.

Every once in a while there’s some intelligent analyses and it’s up to us to recognize the useful and helpful bits as they fly by. I think one such bit of reality was broadcast on NBC’s Meet the Press this Sunday. Senator Adam Schiff has been slandered and vilified by Trump to a point that many don’t pay much attention, but he is very intelligent and got right to the point of the matter. He clearly believes we have a functional democracy and can make it work better. I agree this is not a time for doom and gloom, but for calling out the corruption and looking toward solutions.

www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/video/adam-schiff-says-he-s-not-giving-ice-or-cbp-another-dime-as-shutdown-looms-full-interview-256545349717

Submitted By: rjm98351@gmail.com – Click to email about this post

Looking for recommendations for someone on the Coast to install drapes, rods & hardware on a couple of 3×5 windows. I have the drapes and hardware, just need the installer!

Thanks!

Submitted By: codger817@gmail.com – Click to email about this post

History is rhyming again.
During the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863, Maj. General Daniel Sickles was ordered to hold the center of the Union line. He thought it might be better if he advanced a mile to a peach orchard with slightly higher ground. His stupid move left a gap in the union line, and his own corps was easily outflanked.
262 troops from the First Minnesota Regiment were ordered to charge into the gap and hold back the Confederates until more troops could arrive. They were greatly outnumbered and suffered 215 casualties, but the line held and the Battle of Gettysburg became a turning point in the Civil War.
How poignant that 163 years later, Minnesota is holding the line for us once again.
Jim Heffernan

Submitted By: pattyrinehart@nehalemtel.net – Click to email about this post

Yesterday, Saturday, proved to be an incredibly hard day for many of us protesters in Nehalem. The loss of Renee Good, followed by the death of Alex Pretti, has left our community reeling. The atmosphere is tense, not just in Nehalem, but in cities across the country. Many people are focused on maintaining peace, but that goal feels almost impossible when we are faced with the reality of our own government taking lives. We cannot allow these violent acts to become normalized; this has to stop before such tragedies become routine.
At the North County Resistance gathering yesterday, emotions ran high. Some people were in tears, while others were visibly angry and cursing. Both reactions seemed justified and understandable given the circumstances. More than one person voiced the sentiment, “This is not the country I grew up in.” It was clear that this group of people was fundamentally changed from who we had been in the past. Many struggled to find words to express their feelings, and there was a shared uncertainty about how much longer we can allow the destruction of our democracy to continue—and what actions we should take in response.

Looking ahead, there is hope that all Democratic lawmakers will vote to stop funding ICE. If they fail to do so, those individuals should not be reelected. ICE should be dismantled immediately, and those leading the organization should be removed from their positions—though perhaps only after experiencing the conditions of an ICE detention unit themselves for a couple of months. Witnessing these events, I am reminded of the lesson I was raised with: “two wrongs don’t make a right.” Yet, I admit to feeling a desire for those responsible to face consequences, even harsher than what I am willing to say aloud.

Please do not hesitate to email me with your feedback. We need to stick together in times like these. We must not give up!
North County Resistance will meet again next Saturday, January 31 in Nehalem, from noon to 2 PM. Thank you to the 80 people who showed up on Saturday. Our numbers grow weekly. Patty

Submitted By: Tinnindeb@gmail.com – Click to email about this post

Nehalem Bay Community Services is asking for donations for blankets, towels, pillows and winter socks (all sizes).

NBCS is always looking for donations for the following items:
Personal Care Items: shampoo and baby shampoo, soap, toothpaste for adults and children, toothbrushes, personal wipes.

Pet Food: Canned Cat and Dog Food, Dry Cat Food. Also, cat litter.

You can drop these donations off during operating hours of Monday, Friday and Saturday from 10 to 2, or Wednesday from 1 to 5. We are located in the basement of the Nehalem Methodist Church.

Thank you.

Submitted By: babbles@nehalemtel.net – Click to email about this post

and what BBQ category to use? “general interest?” is this of “general” interest? maybe “Lost” would be better. surely this democratic U.S. is losing something–it’s democracy!

as i finished writing this, the title for this post came to me, “MURDER ON THE STREETS”

from Heather Cox Richardson. i have capitalized some words. my reaction “oh my god” came out of my mouth repeated times as i read this.

we MUST vote this criminal regime out of office. please VOTE in the november elections!

om peace namaste
written with tears
lucy brook
nehalem resident

January 24, 2026
HEATHER COX RICHARDSON

This morning, on a street in Minneapolis, at least seven federal agents tackled and then shot and killed Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse for the local VA hospital.

Video from the scene shows Pretti directing traffic on a street out of an area with agents around, then trying to help another person get up after she had been pushed to the ground by the agents. The agents then surround Pretti and shoot pepper spray into his face, then pull him to the ground from behind and hit him as he appears to be trying to keep his head off the ground. An agent appears to take a gun out of Pretti’s waistband during the struggle, then turns and leaves with it. A shot then stops Pretti’s movements, appearing to kill him, before nine more shots ring out, as agents apparently continue to fire into his body. IT LOOKED LIKE AN EXECUTION.

After he was dead, the agents walked away, apparently making no effort to preserve the crime scene, which people on the street later tried to secure by walling it off with trash bins.

As journalist Philip Bump noted, administration officials didn’t even pretend to wait for more information before jumping straight to “the opponent of the state deserved it.”

Mitch Smith of the New York Times reported that federal agents have blocked state investigators from the scene. Drew Evans of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, a statewide investigations team that specializes in police shootings, told reporters his agency had obtained a search warrant—a rare step—but the federal government still refused them access.

Tonight, in a lawsuit against Homeland Security secretary Kristi Noem and other administration officials, Minnesota attorney general Keith Ellison asked a judge for a temporary restraining order to prevent DHS agents from destroying evidence related to the shooting. The suit noted the “astonishing” departure from normal investigations, seemingly trying not to preserve evidence but to destroy it. A judge, who was appointed to the bench by Trump, immediately granted the restraining order, barring the administration from “destroying or altering evidence” concerning the killing.

Ernesto Londoño of the New York Times reported that federal officials also “have refused to disclose the identities of federal agents involved in Saturday’s shooting, as well as the names of federal agents who have shot people in recent days.”

Minnesota police have refused to obey the federal officers, though. Local law enforcement has been talking to witnesses and finding videos of the shooting. Minneapolis police chief Brian O’Hara said at a press conference: “Our demand today is for those federal agencies that are operating in our city to do so with the same discipline, humanity, and integrity that effective law enforcement in this country demands. We urge everyone to remain peaceful.”

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has said that it, rather than the FBI, will investigate the shooting. But, as Alex Witt of MS NOW noted, DHS had already issued a statement about the shooting, which FALSELY ASSERTED that Pretti had “approached US Border Patrol officers with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun” and that he “violently resisted” as “officers attempted to disarm” him. The statement continued that “an agent fired defensive shots” and added that Pretti “also had 2 magazines and no ID—this looks like a situation where an individual wanted to do maximum damage and massacre law enforcement.” lucy’s words, “THESE ARE LIES.”

“So,” Witt noted, “they’re gonna be investigating that which they’ve already issued a summary about…. It would seem that it’s a closed book?”

After repeatedly being exposed as liars over previous accusations against those they have shot, the Department of Homeland Security has so little credibility that Witt is not the only journalist calling out the federal agents for lying. Devon Lum of the New York Times wrote: “Videos on social media that were verified by The New York Times contradict the Department of Homeland Security’s account of the fatal shooting of a man by federal agents in Minneapolis on Saturday morning.

“The Department of Homeland Security said the episode began after a man approached Border Patrol agents with a handgun and they tried to disarm him. But footage from the scene shows the man was holding a phone in his hand, not a gun, when federal agents took him to the ground and shot him.”

But LYING TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE (lucy’s capitalization) is the only option for the administration when we can, once again, all see what happened with our own eyes. Pretti did have a permit for a concealed handgun and appeared to have carried the gun with him, although witnesses say he never reached for it. Tonight Noem doubled down on the lie, saying again: “This looks like a situation where an individual arrived at the scene to inflict maximum damage on individuals and to kill law enforcement.”

When the Democratic Party’s social media account posted: “ICE agents shot and killed another person in Minneapolis this morning. Get ICE out of Minnesota NOW,” White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller replied: “A would-be assassin tried to murder federal law enforcement and the official Democrat account sides with the terrorists.” The Democrats’ social media account responded: “You’re a f*cking liar with blood on your hands.” lucy’s words, “THAT IS THE TRUTH.”

In the wake of Pretti’s shooting, Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote to Minnesota governor Tim Walz to suggest he could “bring back law and order to Minnesota” if he handed over the state’s voter rolls to the Department of Justice. (this is where, sitting in my living room by my morning fire, i spoke into the silence of the room, OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD!) As Jacob Knutson of Democracy Docket noted, SHE EXPLICITLY TIED THE ADMINISTRATION’S VIOLENCE IN THE STATE TO ITS DETERMINATION TO GET ITS HANDS ON VOTERS’ PERSONAL DATA BEFORE THE 2026 ELECTION. (my words, “BRIBERY ATTEMPT FROM OUR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT? EVERY AMERICAN CITIZEN NEEDS TO VOTE–VOTE THESE CRIMINALS OUT OF OFFICE!). Minnesota has voted for the Democratic candidate running against Trump in the past three presidential elections, but he insists that he really has won the state each time. (my words, FRUMPF IS A LIAR)

As G. Elliott Morris of Strength in Numbers wrote: Republicans could stop this at any time they wanted to.

“All it would take to end the murder of American citizens by an untrained government goon squad is 16 Republicans in Congress voting with Dem[ocrat]s to defund ICE (or 23 to impeach and remove Trump—3 in House & 20 in Senate). That’s it. 23 Americans can vote for the public and end all of this.”

Morris also pointed out that in December, Trump’s approval rating was negative in 40 states, including 10 he won in 2024. That covers 30 seats currently held by Republicans. Pretti’s shooting will likely erode Trump’s support further. Tonight, even right-wing podcaster Tim Pool reacted to Pretti’s killing by noting that it looked as if the agent had disarmed Pretti before the other agents shot him. “I don’t see Trump winning this one,” Pool commented.

The funding bill for DHS is effectively dead in the Senate, as Democrats have said they will not support any more funding for DHS. Tonight, Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) told reporters: “Senate Democrats will not provide the votes to proceed to the appropriations bill if the DHS funding bill is included.” But the July law the Republicans call the One Big Beautiful Bill Act poured nearly $191 billion into DHS through September 30, 2029, with almost $75 billion going to ICE and $67 billion going to Customs and Border Protection (FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, got just $2.9 billion).

Representative Seth Moulton (D-MA) had more to say: “​​What we just saw this morning on the streets of Minneapolis is another OUTRIGHT MURDER by federal officials. And let me just be clear, those federal ICE officers are ABSOLUTE COWARDS. I am a Marine veteran standing here telling you to your face they are unprofessional, pathetic cowards. Because if a Marine, an 18 year old Marine, did that in Iraq in the middle of a war zone, he would be court-martialed because it is murder. And you pathetic little cowards who have to wear face masks because you’re so damn scared, couldn’t even effectively wrestle a guy [to] the ground, so you needed to shoot him? This is why ICE needs to be prosecuted. Yeah, I voted to defund it, but ICE, you need to be prosecuted, and Director [Todd] Lyons, who’s running ICE right now, I hope you’re hearing this from this Marine to you. You guys are criminal thugs. You need to be held accountable to law if you think you can enforce it, and you need to be prosecuted right now.”

Just hours after the killing of Alex Pretti, agents pinned U.S. citizen Matthew James Allen to the street while he screamed: “I have done nothing at all. My name is Matthew James…Allen. I’m a United States citizen…. You’re gonna kill me! Is that what you want? You want to kill me? You want to kill me on the street? You’re going to have to f*cking kill me! I have done nothing wrong.” Nearby, his sobbing wife screamed: “Stop please! Stop!! Please!! We were just running away from the gas. That’s all we were doing.”

Tonight, Susan and Michael Pretti, the parents of Alex Jeffrey Pretti, issued a statement:

“We are heartbroken but also very angry,” they said.

“Alex was a kindhearted soul who cared deeply for his family and friends and also the American veterans whom he cared for as an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA hospital. Alex wanted to make a difference in this world. Unfortunately, he will not be with us to see his impact.

“I do not throw around the ‘hero’ term lightly. However, his last thought and act was to protect a woman. The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting. Alex is clearly not holding a gun when attacked by Trump’s murdering and cowardly ICE thugs. He had his phone in his right hand and his empty left hand is raised above his head while trying to protect the woman ICE just pushed down, all while being pepper sprayed.

“Please get the truth out about our son. He was a good man.”
U.S. citizen

Submitted By: barbaraandchuck@nehalemtel.net – Click to email about this post

May you stumble and get up

May you weep and feel better

May you cry out in anger and curse and stomp

Our world has a plethora of things that make us stumble, weep and anger

And it has soul saving beauty

In the everchanging and luminous light whether dazzling or subtle gray

In music and art in all its forms

In bright rainbows and dramatic clouds

In the unknowable vast radiance of the heavens

In the embrace of loved ones

In the bosom of our family and friends

In the perfect cup of a beloved beverage sipped in a quiet place of restoration

In the breathtaking views of mountains

In the joy and laughter around a table

In the magic and mystery of seeds

In the majesty of the forest and the roar of the ocean

In the wonder of the myriad life forms on our planet

In the release and euphoria of vigorous exercise

In a mindful walk in nature

In random acts of kindness

In the satisfaction of work and play well done

In caring and being cared for

In spiritual renewal wherever you find it

In the celebration of coming together of like minds to create gifts of humanity for our world

In sharing your unique gifts

In being given unexpected gifts

In providing mutual aid

In the astonishing beauty of place everywhere around the globe

Let us keep on keeping on and put our drops of love into the world.

“Persistence and ingenuity” are our watch words. (taken from a novel by Joanna Miller)

Barbara McLaughlin

Photo credits
Carrot hug by Zoe Colosimo from FB
Hugging trees by Amazing World from FB
The tree that doesn’t give up by Ana Klein from FB

Submitted By: crissrueda@hotmail.com – Click to email about this post

Dear bbq friends,
I wanted to take a moment to thank you from the bottom of my heart. To everyone who has donated, shared my story, or sent me a kind message — your support has reached me in ways I truly can’t put into words.
Because of your generosity, I was able to attend my first appointment with the therapist and receive the prescription I need to begin treatment. This is a meaningful step forward for me. I will be on this treatment for the next eight weeks, and for the first time in a long while, I feel a sense of direction and hope.
Healing is not instant, but knowing I am supported makes the process feel lighter and far less lonely. Your encouragement has given me strength during moments that are physically and emotionally challenging.
As I continue this treatment journey, any ongoing support — whether through sharing my story, keeping me in your thoughts, or contributing if you are able — truly helps me stay focused on healing and moving forward.
Thank you for your kindness, your compassion, and for believing in my recovery.

With heartfelt gratitude,
Crissi

gofund.me/8e223f626

Submitted By: Website@unitedpaws.org – Click to email about this post

Meet United Paws’ Kittens of the Week, Romeo & Mercutio. These stunning brothers were abandoned as tiny kittens and were rescued by United Paws. They are thriving in their loving foster home and are ready for their forever home.

Mercutio is a stunning white cat with two light black spots on his head and cute pink ears. In most households, cats like to be in on the action, but Mercutio really loves to be with his humans. He wants to see what is going on and is the first to help lend a paw. He loves to play with his brother, and they zoom around the house chasing toys and each other. When he is not playing, Mercutio loves to snuggle with his humans on a lap, chair, or bed. When his humans are busy, he is often found up in a high perch snoozing in the sun or watching the birds outside. 

Romeo is a carbon copy of his brother, Mercutio. He is all white but has three faded black spots on his forehead and pink ears which makes him interesting and unique. Romeo loves to play and chase his brother. He especially likes to play in water – and will wait patiently for his human to get out of the shower so he can frolic and play. True to his name, Romeo is a real snuggler and loves to be where his humans are. He also likes to climb up a perch or cat tree; watching birds outside is a favorite pastime.

These kitties would be fine in a home with other cats, children and gentle dogs. They have been neutered, vaccinated, and are healthy buddies.

Although it is not essential, Mercutio & Romeo would love to be adopted together, because not only do they look alike, they are especially close. Whether you adopt one or both, it is a certainty that you will add fun and joy to your household.

To learn more, please visit unitedpaws.org or email unitedpawshelp@gmail.com.

Submitted By: barbaraandchuck@nehalemtel.net – Click to email about this post

The 2025-26 Giving Guide is out! The theme this year is “Sowing Seeds of Love”.

Please check it out and give generously–sowing your own seeds of love.

Not every organization can afford a paid profile, which pays for the production. So there is a list of contact information for all in the back.

The Giving Guide and detailed directories of the organizations can be found at www.northcoastbbq.com/local-resources/

The Giving Guide can also be found here:
www.northcoastbbq.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Giving-Guide-2025-26_Final_Spreads3.pdf

Here are descriptions of several of those organizations:
Friends of Rockaway Beach Library
Friends of Tillamook Air Museum (FOTAM)
Friends of Tillamook Police

Friends of Rockaway Beach Library
PO Box 185
120 N Coral St
Rockaway Beach, OR 97136
503-355-2665
friendsrockawaybeachlibrary@gmail.com
www.friendsrblibrary.org

Tom Zelenka, Board President
tzelenka49@gmail.com
971-254-6535

Mission Statement: To provide library services, including access to free internet and fax, to the citizens and visitors to Rockaway Beach.

One paragraph about your organization’s history/work:
Since its inception in 1999, the Friends of the Rockaway Beach Library and the donation of the Woman’s Club meeting house, the library building and facility ongoing maintenance, including insurance, utilities, cleaning and repairs are funded through annual Friends memberships, donations, grants and community fund-raising events. The library provides opportunities for local community art and/or informational displays/exhibits, as well as meeting space for gatherings for adults and children, as well as a place for readings/writing classes from local authors.

Friends of Tillamook Air Museum (FOTAM)
4000 Blimp Blvd
Tillamook, OR 97141
503-842-1130
FriendsOfTillamookAirMuseum@gmail.com
www.FriendsOfTillamookAirMuseum.org

Bruce Lovelin, President, Board of Directors

Friends of Tillamook Police
210 Laurel Avenue
Tillamook, OR 97141
503-842-2522
tillamookpd@tillamookor.gov
www.friendsoftillamookpolice.org
(11) Facebook

Nick Troxel ntroxel@tillamookor.gov

Mission Statement: To enhance the quality of life in Tillamook by educating the community about crime prevention and by funding crime prevention, youth programs and other police services.

One paragraph about your organization’s history/work:
The primary purposes of this corporation’s activities are to prevent crime and to promote community safety and wellbeing through public education and youth programs. Examples of programs the corporation will support include, but are not limited to, Neighborhood Watch, Business Watch, Citizen Police Academy, Tillamook Police Cadets, Youth Programs and the Tillamook Police Auxiliary volunteers. Please contact us by email or phone to see how you might be able to help.

Submitted By: lfelley@nehalemtel.net – Click to email about this post

Last night I heard Senator Wyden encourage us to keep pushing back. Today, in Minnesota, citizens are urged not to work, go to school or shop in order to create an economic blackout. By doing the same we can back their efforts.
Another way to push back is to contact senators and demand that they vote no for increased funding for ICE and border control.
Senator Merkley said things won’t get better if we lay on the couch with a pillow over our head. Let’s push back!

Submitted By: biggerbeach@gmx.com – Click to email about this post

BEWARE IMMIGRANTS!

STAY OUT OF TILLAMOOK COUNTY LIBRARIES!!!

The Tillamook County Library system has deployed A.I.-driven facial recognition software at all of the libraries! Despite claims of A.I. owners, my understanding is that closed A.I. systems do not exist. That means that ICE can access the database our county is building and folks can then be hunted down by ICE and deported.

And this means, for instance, that if you are Venezuelan, Drumf has targeted you for deportation to a torture-prison in Argentina, and if you pass under the libraries A.I., you will increase the likelihood of being deported. (This Argentina info is from the CBS 60-minutes news story that was killed by Zionist and unabashed genocide-supporter Bari Weiss, the new director of CBS News that Larry Ellison, the world’s richest man, donor to the IDF, and full supporter of Palantir’s AI targeting children, hospitals, schools, and pregnant mothers in Palestine, has installed as the head of CBS News. Israel fully supports Drumf’s kidnapping of Maduro and theft of VZs oil because he will need to sell it when Israel and the US attack Iran, as the Straight of Hormuz will then close.)

Or perhaps you will be sent somewhere else, but the point here is that you should STAY OUT OF TILLAMOOK COUNTY LIBRARIES if you are living here unlawfully and do not want to be deported.
Personally, I support a closed border, but Drumf’s ICE agents (how many are masked mercenaries?) have shown a complete disregard to American citizens rights and have unashamedly murdered an American citizen out of hatred, and I no longer support any of Trump’s deportation efforts.

Also, fake’ privacy guy’ Oregon Senator Ron Wyden is also a fierce supporter of Israeli genocide and the mass-murder of Muslim children as he is a dual citizen with Israel and has taken 1.5 million dollars from AIPAC. He supports Palantir using AI to tell the IDF whom to murder. He is a total war-supporter and fake liberal. He acknowledges Flock license plate readers being placed all over Oregon, and has no problem with the violation of privacy or if the murderous ICE thugs access the info for deportations. I am sure he fully supports facial recognition cameras in Tillamook County libraries. Why wouldn’t he?

Submitted By: pattyrinehart@nehalemtel.net – Click to email about this post

Dear Protesters,
The following is a note I received from Ed and Mary Gallagher this past week.

We will be protesting in Nehalem on Saturday, January 24, from noon to 2 PM. Please join North County Resistance in this PROTEST. The past two weeks we have had 70 plus people at this PROTEST. Thank you to all who have come. As you all know it is going to be cold. Dress in layers, bring hats and gloves. Wear double socks and a scarf. The North County Resistance can’t thank you enough for joining us. Best, Patty

In November 2026, we’re looking forward to our family and friends to tell us that we are alarmist and full of it, and we are not looking forward to thinking “We told you so.” Time will tell. If our concerns are correct, our Democracy is in big trouble. Here’s some facts that are disturbing to us and hopefully to you also:
* ICE has a huge budget and is hiring agents at an extreme rate, reportedly giving them little training compared to our typical law enforcement.
*ICE is conducting immigration enforcement unlike we’ve seen before, roaming the streets in masks, toting assault rifles like they’re looking for El Chapo!
* Trump is now openly saying he may have to invoke the Insurrection Act to quell real or perceived violence in the streets.
* Trump has tried to use the National Guard with limited success, and now he has ICE growing its size, the Trump Army.
* Trump’s plan? Cancel the midterm elections and if that doesn’t work, use his Army to go to polling stations to intimidate voters.
* About 25% of the country thinks this would be great, keeping Trump in total control, that Democracy isn’t good for America. When you have such a wonderful leader, why do we need two parties? They also think the January 6 attack on the Capitol was justified. What do the other 75% think and are they willing to just let this happen, watching from the sidelines?

If you believe, like us, this is the direction Trump is moving, speak out!! Hopefully Republican Representatives and Senators will wake up. They need to reduce funding for ICE now to prevent the Trump Army from continuing to grow. Call Republicans, write to them and please feel free to share this email with your family and friends…the time is NOW!

Ed and Mary Gallagher

Submitted By: mkuestner10@gmail.com – Click to email about this post

Remodeled affordable senior housing in Nehalem now open:
www.tillamookheadlightherald.com/news/move-ins-begin-at-alder-creek-commons/article_5d5d672e-7517-4f03-91fa-97a21ae26fa9.html

Submitted By: heidiangelaparker@gmail.com – Click to email about this post

I hope some of you will take the time to watch a short documentary available to stream on OPB.
Hopefully the link will take you to the page where you can stream it easily as well as read an article with background about the short film grounded here in Oregon. it.https://www.opb.org/article/2026/01/21/documentary-featuring-lewis-clark-prison-education-class-makes-oscars-shortlist/

Submitted By: vdubcaddy@gmail.com – Click to email about this post

WHEN HOPE FEELS LOST: HOW WE RISE
By: Roland Hughes

I’m not interested in scaring anyone. It’s not my purpose and fear is corrosive.

Fear is cheap. It burns hot, spreads fast, and leaves very little behind except exhaustion and cynicism. If we’re actually facing something serious—and I believe we are—then panic is the least useful response available to us.

What we need now is adult seriousness.

Here’s my take on the tension we’re sitting inside:

Every president, eventually, gets accused of “destroying America.” Every administration oversteps restraint somewhere. Some accusations are exaggerated, some are sincere, and a few land uncomfortably close to the truth. Over time, that constant alarm produces a predictable effect: people stop being able to tell the difference between a real fire and a false one.

They don’t become stupid.
They become conditioned.

So when something genuinely destabilizing begins to emerge, the response isn’t disbelief so much as a subtle numbness—a skepticism born of overexposure. Alarm fatigue. A nervous system that’s learned to conserve energy by tuning out.

That numbness isn’t proof that nothing is happening.
It’s proof that we’ve trained ourselves to ignore the very signals we may need to respond to. It’s the way regimes find empowerment—through patterns, arrogance, and a disconnected citizenry.

So the task now isn’t to get louder.
It’s to get clearer.

⸻

SERIOUS IS NOT LOUD

The danger isn’t one outrageous statement or one offensive post. It isn’t a single threat, headline, or scandal. Those come and go.

What matters—when it matters—is pattern.

There’s a difference between politics as a rough sport and politics as a slow replacement of law with loyalty. A difference between a leader playing to a base and a system quietly training people to accept that dissent is illegitimate. A difference between disagreement and punishment.

If you want a grounded measure of seriousness, stop starting with personality or emotion, and start with structure:

• Are norm-breaks becoming routine?
• Are accountability mechanisms being mocked or bypassed?
• Is loyalty replacing law?
• Is opposition treated as legitimate—or as an enemy?
• Are exceptions becoming precedent?
• Are balancing institutions being conditioned to comply?

When those stack, labels stop mattering. Narcissist. Sociopath. Psychopath. Demented. Pick your term.

Names don’t protect a republic—a democracy.
Systems do. Laws do. Culture does. Restraint does.

⸻

ALARM FATIGUE ISN’T IGNORANCE

Many people aren’t disengaged because they don’t care. They’re disengaged because they care deeply—and have been overwhelmed for years.

They’ve been told this is “the end” too many times. They’ve watched exaggeration on all sides. They’ve seen outrage turned into a business model. And their nervous systems adapted.

That adaptation isn’t moral failure.
It’s human.

Which is why increasing volume doesn’t increase urgency—it erodes credibility.

If you want to reach people who are quietly paying attention, lower the temperature. Sharpen the claim. Stop performing outrage and start demonstrating clarity.

That’s not weakness.
It’s strategy.
And it’s ethics.

⸻

GROUND THE CONVERSATION IN LAW, NOT EMOTION

Emotion has a place. Anger can be appropriate. Fear can be informative. Grief can be honest.

But emotion cannot be the foundation.

If you want to be effective, anchor the conversation in process, not personality:

• What powers are being claimed or tested?
• What restraints are being bypassed?
• What standards are being reinterpreted?
• What checks are weakening through precedent?
• What would be acceptable if the other side were doing it?
• What remains after this leader is gone?

You can argue motives forever.
Process is harder to spin.

⸻

STOP TRYING TO WAKE PEOPLE UP WITH SIRENS

You won’t wake a desensitized public by escalating emotional intensity.

You wake them by doing something a bit more rare:

Making sense.

Not “this is evil,” but:

• Here’s what happened.
• Here’s what it changes.
• Here’s the precedent it sets.
• Here’s what it trains us to tolerate.

That language doesn’t go viral.
But it builds trust.

And trust—not adrenaline—is what lasts.

⸻

CHOOSE A LANE AND STAY IN IT

Part of the chaos comes from trying to be everything at once: investigator, preacher, comedian, therapist, prophet, revolutionary.

Pick a lane. Deliberately.

• Document what’s happening. Clean. Verifiable. Boring if it has to be.
• Translate complexity into plain language without contempt.
• Work locally, where civic life still has skin in the game.
• Refuse dehumanization. Contempt doesn’t persuade—it hardens lines.

This isn’t about being polite.
It’s about being effective.

⸻

PROTECT YOUR CENTER

If fear and rage govern your attention, you become predictable. Predictable people are easy to manipulate.

Staying centered isn’t withdrawal—it’s stewardship. It provides agency and autonomy for the individual.

Limit intake. Choose engagement. Keep your body regulated. Let silence be strategic, not grounds for forfeit.

A clear mind outlasts a furious one.

⸻

WHAT THIS IS REALLY ASKING FOR

This isn’t a call to worship institutions.
It’s not a denial that real danger exists.
And it’s not an invitation to panic.

It’s a call for restraint with eyes open.

The kind that says:

• I won’t exaggerate to be heard.
• I won’t trade truth for momentum.
• I won’t replace law with loyalty.
• I won’t dehumanize my neighbor to feel righteous.
• I won’t treat civic life like entertainment.

This is how a country holds itself together—not through one dramatic moment, but through thousands of small refusals to abandon discernment and engagement.

⸻

A FINAL THOUGHT

If the plug ever gets pulled, it won’t be by a villain in the open.

It will be pulled by exhaustion.
By cynicism.
By resignation.

By a culture that decided truth was unknowable and power was all that mattered.

The real emergency isn’t one man or one party.
It’s the collapse of restraint, clarity, and shared standards for reality.

So proceed like this:

Be calm.
Be precise.
Be lawful.
Be unwilling to exaggerate.
Be unwilling to hate.
Be willing to document.
Be willing to translate.
Be willing to keep showing up—locally, quietly, consistently.

It won’t trend.

But it’s the way a republic, our country, avoids becoming a fever dream.

Submitted By: barbaraandchuck@nehalemtel.net – Click to email about this post

The 2025-26 Giving Guide is out! The theme this year is “Sowing Seeds of Love”.

Please check it out and give generously–sowing your own seeds of love.

Not every organization can afford a paid profile, which pays for the production. So there is a list of contact information for all in the back.

The Giving Guide and detailed directories of the organizations can be found at www.northcoastbbq.com/local-resources/

The Giving Guide can also be found here:
www.northcoastbbq.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Giving-Guide-2025-26_Final_Spreads3.pdf

Here are descriptions of several of those organizations:
Food Roots
Friends of Nedonna Marsh
Friends of Netarts Bay Watershed, Estuary, Beach and Sea (WEBS)
Friends of Pacific City State Airport

Food Roots
PO Box 1275
Tillamook, OR 97141
503-815-2800
office@foodrootsnw.org
www.foodrootsnw.org

Mission statement: to grow a robust and equitable food system in Tillamook County through community engagement, education, food producer support, and improved access to local food.

One paragraph about your organization’s history/work:
Food Roots’ vision of a robust and equitable food system is one in which everyone in Tillamook County eats fresh, nutritional local food every day. Founded in 2006, Food Roots’ core programs include Farm and Food Business Support, Local Food Equity, and Farm to School Education. We work to achieve our vision by linking our core programs together in projects that meet your needs and expand our local food ecosystem. We provide resources and guidance to farm and food business entrepreneurs, and establish procurement relationships. We also purchase foods from local farmers and deliver them to neighbors in our community who are experiencing food insecurity. With the help of volunteers and in partnership with local schools and their wonderfully engaged students, we grow gardens and donate the bounty of produce to free food programs. Our efforts are a multi-faceted approach that increases well-being, learning, and connection, resulting in a healthy community rooted and invested in a mutually beneficial relationship with their local food suppliers and neighbors.

Friends of Nedonna Marsh
sthompson@pomona.edu

Friends of Netarts Bay Watershed, Estuary, Beach and Sea (WEBS)
PO Box 152
Netarts, OR 97143
info@netartsbaywebs.org
www.netartsbaywebs.org
Physical address: 4949 Netarts Hwy W
Tillamook, OR 97141
Facebook: www.facebook.com/netartsbaywebs
Instagram: www.instagram.com/netartsbaywebs
Chrissy Smith, Director director@netartsbaywebs.org

Mission Statement: Sustaining the Netarts Bay Area through education and stewardship.

One paragraph about your organization’s history/work:
Friends of Netarts Bay WEBS works to sustain the Netarts Bay area through education and stewardship. Through grant funding and private donations, WEBS offers a suite of youth programs, free workshops for the general public, stewardship programs, and community science opportunities.

Friends of Pacific City State Airport
PO Box 1101
Pacific City, OR 97135
friendsofpacificcityairport@gmail.com
friendsofpacificcitystateairport.com
Facebook: Friends of Pacific City State Airport
Sally Rissel, President 503-965-6973
heronlanding123@gmail.com
Robyn Holdman, Secretary 541-815-2088
robyn@friendsofpacificcitystateairport.com

Mission Statement: Friends of Pacific City State Airport is committed to ensuring the wise management and use of our State-owned airport.

One paragraph about your organization’s history/work:
The Friends of Pacific City State Airport is a group of people committed to supporting a State-owned, coastal public airport in Pacific City Oregon. It is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization made up of local citizens, Pacific Northwest pilots, and aviation advocates. The nonprofit coordinates volunteer and fundraising efforts to maintain and improve the public airport, offers youth aviator scholarships, and provides educational opportunities for youth and adults who want to learn more about aviation.

Submitted By: jmgilpin@msn.com – Click to email about this post

Again, I find it necessary to respond to misinformation and bias posted in this forum. The following is a review of the recommendation to view The Fall of Minneapolis documentary. It is very biased and comes from Alpha News – a conservative outlet known for their signaling. IMO, Alpha News and their ilk do nothing to help heal our nation – resulting in continued damage to our increasingly fragile democracy.

“The Fall of Minneapolis, is widely considered a highly biased documentary, presenting a perspective critical of the city’s response to George Floyd’s murder, focusing on police issues and business destruction, while even some officials find its claims about police training excessive, according to reports and reviews of its content.
Key Points on Bias:
Content Focus: The film emphasizes the chaos, crime, and business damage in Minneapolis post-Floyd, suggesting police abandoned areas, as alleged by suing business owners.
Police Training Claims: It scrutinizes police actions, but even figures like Police Chief O’Hara found its attempts to justify or misrepresent police training (like kneeling on necks) as “ridiculous” and “going too far,” even while acknowledging some valid points.
Criticism: Critics argue it selectively uses evidence, ignores broader contexts, and promotes a narrative that downplays systemic issues while exaggerating claims about city governance failure and police misconduct.
In essence, The Fall of Minneapolis offers a specific, often controversial, lens on events, emphasizing conservative concerns about law & order and city mismanagement, rather than a neutral overview.”