Inspiration of the week A Spring Equinox Prayer

Submitted By: barbaraandchuck@nehalemtel.net – Click to email about this post
A Spring Equinox Prayer

Divine Source of Light & Life,
As we stand at the threshold of the Spring Equinox,
We come before you with hearts open wide,
Ready to embrace the gifts of renewal & rebirth that this sacred time brings.

We give thanks for the balance of light & darkness,
For the awakening of the Earth,
& For the promise of new beginnings that fills the air.

On this day of perfect equilibrium,
May we find harmony within ourselves & with the world around us.
May we release that which no longer serves us,
& Welcome the fresh energies of growth, creativity, & transformation into our lives.

Blessed be the seeds we plant,
As we sow the intentions of our hearts & nurture the dreams that stir within us.
May they take root & flourish,
Blossoming into manifestations of love, abundance, & joy.

Grant us the wisdom to recognize the beauty in every moment,
The courage to follow our inner guidance,
& The gratitude to appreciate the miracles that surround us each day.

As the sun rises higher in the sky & the days grow longer,
May we feel your presence guiding us forward on our spiritual journey,
Illuminating the path with your Divine light & love.

May this Spring be a time of celebration, connection, & profound transformation for all beings,
As we dance in harmony with the rhythm of the Earth & the cycles of the Cosmos.

So might it be.

Much Love & Equinox Blessings to All,
Grandmother Flordemayo
www.facebook.com/grandmotherflordemayo

Bakery Delicious

Submitted By: jettkeyser@gmail.com – Click to email about this post
If-

If you know the taste

or perhaps are curious

about what BRITANY BAKES,

your may be pleased to know

She and Chad have a bright new place

on 101 in Garibaldi. Cruising on

through town…southward bound…

go past the Ghost Hole, past DQ,

on your right-West- is a freshly painted

cottage in a rather nice pink, the new

home of Britany Bakes. They have

a nice vintage espresso machine.

The prices are decent and I cannot help

myself…I return for the poblano scones

and a coffee of course. I forgot to say

the offstreet parking is very nice.

antisemitism

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

For those who can be dispassionate while learning more about the Middle East conflict, here’s a well researched article:

theconversation.com/how-hatred-of-jews-became-a-common-ground-for-islamic-terrorists-and-left-wing-extremists-fueling-domestic-terrorism-278373

I believe any sort of resolution must develop in a determined atmosphere of good will and peaceful conversation, not emotionally driven anger.

– Dave

Cesar Chavez legacy in jeopardy!

Submitted By: stayhuman@tutamail.com – Click to email about this post
But will Wokeland return ‘Cesar Chavez Blvd.’ to ’39th Avenue?’

What about renaming it ‘Virginia Giuffre Avenue’?

Or, my preference, ‘Senator Wyden Protects Epstein Avenue’?

www.nytimes.com/2026/03/18/us/cesar-chavez-sexual-abuse-allegations-ufw.html?unlocked_article_code=1.UFA.RmHp.GSQR58t_btm0&smid=url-share

And again, here is the link to an excellent anti-war film dealing with Iran.

This is an anti-war film that Ron Wyden DOES NOT want you to watch!

Please spread far and wide, the time is now. The Israeli judeo-fascists are on their heels, and all of their anti-American genocide-supporting operatives in Congress are about to have their arses handed to them during the mid-terms. Keep the pressure on the evil ones, share this film!!!!!!

rumble.com/v650oqa-targeting-iran.html

Love Local collaboration

 

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

Thank you to the Lower Nehalem Community Trust, the Lower Nehalem Watershed Council and Heart of Cartm for their collaboration on another bi-annual Nehalem Bay Estuary Clean Up!
And this year, Hoffman Center Clay Studio was also a collaborator. (Let’s take back that word.) Volunteers from the Clay Studio hand made LOTS of beautiful soup cups to be given to the clean up volunteers TO KEEP after they ate the delicious soup and bread provided by Wild,  Manzanita Deli and Wolf Moon.

What a lovely surprise!

Love this community!

 

Unprepared: The Broken Pipeline Teaching Oregon’s Teachers

Submitted By: genedieken@yahoo.com – Click to email about this post
Here’s the latest installment of the Oregon Journalism Project investigation into the problems that have the state’s K-12 rated near last in key areas of performance. Worth a read, here’s the lede:

“Today, only 40.3% of Oregon third graders are proficient in reading, as measured by state tests. Green says his group’s success contributed to what he concedes is a statewide disgrace.

“The governor could spark a turnaround, Green insists, if she did one thing: issue an executive order that every new Oregon elementary teacher must pass a standalone exam in the science of reading. Nearly 20 states require such a test for teachers, including Colorado, Louisiana, California, and Mississippi—and all of them have higher reading scores than Oregon.”

www.oregonjournalismproject.org/unprepared-broken-pipeline-oregon-teacher-school-online-jim-green-kotek-fail-reading

Gene Dieken

North Coast Resistance-Growing & Learning

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

Growing and learning is what we’d all think we are about. I must tell you growing and learning this past week, for me, was not where I was. For most of the week I’d had a gut ache that was soothed somewhat by homemade ginger tea. But this past week was not very productive for me. Thank goodness to my sister and my brother who also live here. They helped.
At today’s protest in Nehalem, we had a fellow, who parked wonky in the parking lot-which told me he wasn’t there to stay. But anyway, this fellow started asking questions about why we were there and what we were doing. I immediately became annoyed, although he wasn’t talking to me. So, then I must ask why I was annoyed. Weren’t we doing enough by being out protesting rain or shine (and would he have gotten out of his car if it was raining cats and dogs)? He asked us where our petitions were and who we were writing to. Thoughts in my head said we are a dedicated group, probably 45 people showed up this Saturday. There are 3 people taking care of getting everyone together each week and having signs for everyone, not to mention the two people who supply coffee and pastry each week. Do we need more people to help and what would we ask them to do? I mean don’t we always need more chocolate cookies.
What I would ask someone to do at each protest is to go through the crowd with paper and pen and get new email addresses. We would use these addresses to let people know when we are having protests and if we need help with these protests. Perhaps this list would have a notation about if these people were willing to do more. We have a list but am sure there are people coming who are not on this list. This would take one person with a clipboard and a pen to each of our protests. If you can’t make it then perhaps you have a person who can. This would be a huge help. If you come from a background with public media, what can you provide to us to get the word out about our local protests. Who should we be contacting and their contact information. Your input would be so helpful. We know not everyone is going to publish what we put out, but a few more outlets would be more than what we have now. I know people who are supporting Veterans are coming to the protests-what do you want? Put this in the form of a petition and have someone for us or you to send it to. The list goes on and on of where we can make a difference and how we can help. But we need your help-we need you to volunteer your time. We would ask you to stand up and say- “If you need something, I can do it.”. And yes, we are all probably busy with family, the yard, and other interests in the community. But I think we can contribute to this Resistance even if we don’t show up for the Peaceful Protests and especially if we do.
If you are at a protest, or wanting to be at a protest, what can you do to help us. To be blunt, how can we use you to help North County Resistance to change the direction our country is taking? We need you all even if you can’t come to a protest. Contact me please.
At this next North County Resistance Protest I am going to ask each of you to bring me your thoughts of your personal moments. I can get them at the protest, or have you dictate them to me. It is always a great experience for me to know what you are thinking. Maybe someone besides me can help with this.
And remember we are also wanting to help our two local organizations, the North County Food Bank and the Nehalem Bay Community Services. Our North County Protest wants to support both these organizations as they are so important in our communities.
Please respond when you can. Let us know what we can do and what you want us to do.
Thanks,
Patty

UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES

Submitted By: dixiedarrow@icloud.com – Click to email about this post
Two countries with nuclear weapons attacked a country with no nuclear weapons – and the country with no nuclear weapons is winning!
I am not an advocate of nuclear weapons. I certainly do not want to see a nuclear war ever again.
Why are we at war? We are at war because Israel wanted the US to attack Iran and so the US did.????? And that was one of the biggest military mistakes this country has made which no doubt will go down in history. So many unknown repercussions! I have nothing against the people of Israel, unfortunately they have a very bad leader which they don’t like, but it seems they can do nothing about changing their leadership.
Even though no pictures of the damage in Iran are allowed out of the country – I did see a lot of damage from some web page that got photos out – lots of damage to Israel.

So where do we go now? Iran has made a list of negotiating points and I think our leadership should sit down at the negotiating table and negotiate. There is no other way except to either continue this war with boots on the ground or the very unspeakable use of the big bomb.

I don’t like what Iran does to its people but I am so impressed with their response to this illegal attack from our government.
If IRAN had a nuclear weapon, this war would have never taken place. A nuclear weapon is a deterrent to being attacked. The Iranians have never started a war with anyone – they basically have had border skirmishes and thats all.

The US tried regime change in IRAN in 1953, the effects which got the present severe religious Ayatollah regime in place. This is just like the Democrats being responsible for getting Donald Trump elected by not letting the Democrats elect the person they wanted in 2016! UNEXPECTED CONSEQUENCES!

this is not a drill

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

The “SAVE America Act” is not getting much attention in the news, even though it’s of utmost importance to the president. My guess, it doesn’t have the attention grabbing urgency of war, nor is it easy to recognize as a threat to us. It very much is though, and The Guardian just published an article explaining why. Note: they do have a strong bias to the left, but I think this article explaining the bill and its potential impact is fair and accurate. The section “Could it actually pass?” near the end is informative and probably should be reassuring. Tell that to my stomach. – Dave

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/13/explainer-save-america-act

Inspiration of the week Grace and Peace to you

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

Grace and Peace to you.

For the empty seat, we hold silence.
Love, have mercy.
For the two hundred thousand, we weep.
Love, have mercy.
For the homes incinerated, we mourn.
Love, have mercy.
For the rule of law, we lament.
Love, have mercy.

For kindness and nonviolence, we pray.
Love, have mercy.
For courage to stand, to speak, to act, we pray.
Love, have mercy.
For faith in one another,
that we still hold the future in our hands, we pray.
Love, have mercy.

For justice that dismantles oppression,
hope that overcomes despair,
for faith that overpowers dread,
for love that defeats fear,
for joy that will not be taken from us, we pray.
Love, have mercy.
In the face of all that oppresses,
give us trust in grace unseen;
give us hearts to rise, to serve,
yes, even to sing
for life,
for life.

Deep Blessings,
Steve
__________________
Steve Garnaas-Holmes
Unfolding Light
www.unfoldinglight.net

Tillamook County Organizations profiles

Submitted By: barbaraandchuck@nehalemtel.net – Click to email about this post
The theme this year’s Tillamook County Giving Guide is “Sowing Seeds of Love”.

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

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

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 of the Guide.

Here are descriptions of several of those organizations:
Lower Nehalem Watershed Council
Manzanita Farmers Market
Marie Mills

Lower Nehalem Watershed Council
PO Box 249
Nehalem, OR 97131
503-368-7424
info@nehalemwatershed.org
www.nehalemwatershed.org

Zac Mallon, Coordinator and Primary contact 617-455-1177
Mark McLaughlin, Council Chair
503-709-7994
mark.jacob.mclaughlin@gmail.com

Mission Statement: We are dedicated to the protection, preservation, and enhancement of the Nehalem watershed through leadership, cooperation, and education.

One paragraph about your organization’s history/work:
Watershed councils are locally organized, voluntary, non-regulatory groups established to improve the condition of watersheds in their local area. Watershed councils are required to represent the interests in the basin and be balanced in their makeup. Watershed councils offer local residents the opportunity to independently evaluate watershed conditions and identify opportunities to restore or enhance the conditions. Through the councils, partnerships between residents, local, state and federal agency staff and other groups can be developed. The Lower Nehalem Watershed Council is made up of a diverse set of community volunteers and stakeholders, ranging from landowners, farmers, educators, foresters, sportsmen, agency representatives and many more. The goals of the Council include improving habitat, water quality and watershed function in the Lower Nehalem to benefit fish, wildlife, and people. This work is done through culvert replacements, in stream habitat enhancement, riparian plantings, and tide gate removal or replacement (as appropriate).

Manzanita Farmers Market
PO Box 608
Manzanita, OR 97130 info@manzanitafarmersmarket.com
www.manzanitafarmersmarket.com

Mission Statement:
• Provide fresh, local produce directly to North Coast citizens.
• Support our farmers, producers, and creators and enhance the local economy.
• Grow community and create inclusive social gatherings
Values: Organizational Integrity, Inclusivity, Sustainability, Nourishment, Relationships, FUN

One paragraph about your organization’s history/work:
The Manzanita Farmers Market began in 2005, and has become known as one of the best farmers markets on the North Oregon Coast. The market supports over 100 vendors, providing an essential space for small businesses and non-profit organizations to connect with the local community. With weekly live music, hot food, and free public space, the market thrives as an important social gathering place. We work to increase access for all to local foods: in 2025, we fundraised for and distributed over $6,000 in “Triple Up SNAP” matching funds, increasing the buying power of our SNAP customers that was directly spent with our local farms and food vendors. Mark your calendar — market runs every Friday, 4-7pm, from mid-May to September!

Marie Mills
1800 Front St
Tillamook, OR 97141
503-842-2539 Ext. 1200
Cindy@mariemillscenter.com
www.mariemillscenter.com
Cindy Green, Executive Director

Mission Statement (from the website): The mission of the Marie Mills Center is to provide training and support to intellectually and developmentally disabled individuals so they can live and work independently in as normal of a manner as possible, and in a manner that fosters a sense of self-esteem and self-worth.”

One paragraph about your organization’s history/work (from the website):
The Marie Mills Center assists individuals develop to their highest potential and achieve fulfilling lives. We accomplish this by providing a comprehensive array of employment, day support activities, 24-hour residential care programs, transportation services, family support, and other individualized services.

Reply in supprt

Submitted By: hiway53guy@nehalemtel.net – Click to email about this post
Thank You Robbie!!!
Your assessment of the “Bystander president” is spot on ! Him and his den of thieves of our taxpayer money being handed out to his rich buddies is decimating our government and way of life… Him and his families self enrichment is beyond the average person’s comprehension- the lies, deceit, control of the media and so-called justice department and flip flopping of policy is exactly a mirror to what Adolf Hitler did in the 1930’s. I just finished a book which was a DEEP DEEP dive into Hitler’s life and ascent to power in Germany in the years before WW II – what’s happening now is exactly how a dictator guides his party to absolute power. Control the vote, military in the streets to scare anybody brave enough to speak the truth, using the fear of retaliation to silence his critics.
It’s all part of the “Project “ 2025 bs they’re peddling to enrich themselves and keep us
the not rich beaten down. That big ugly stupid bill that the cow tow republicans passed is going to bankrupt this country.
The lies just keep on coming…
I feel bad for those elementary school kids and their parents and relatives- how would we feel if that happened here?

PROUD OF OUR PRESIDENT: REPLY

Submitted By: stayhuman@tutamail.com – Click to email about this post
In this 2-minute vid from Democracy Now!, General Wesley Clark, ONE WEEK after Israel and criminal elements in the US gov’t flew planes into and then blew up WTC-complex towers in lower Manhattan and blamed it on Islamo-fascists, states that a decision had been made by war-planners (again: Israel and criminal elements within the US govt) to overthrow seven Middle Eastern Countries in seven years:

(of course the decision was made well BEFORE 9/11 – as these things take time to plan. The 1,000 page so-called Patriot Act was also written/planned well before 9/11, obviously.)

General Clark:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo6u9DpASp8

All of the Middle East ‘wars’ over the last several administrations – BOTH DEMOCRAT AND REPUBLICAN ADMINS – have been for the Judeo-fascists/Zionists who run Israel and America – including Wyden and Drumf who are currently attacking Iran.

What General Clark is referring to is “Greater Israel”, Israel’s murderous plan of expansion, and it’s almost done. ONLY IRAN IS LEFT.

Staunch supporter of Greater Israel and Palestinian genocide, Miriam Adelson, has given Drumf 250 MILLION dollars to do her (Israel’s) bidding. MAGA = Miriam Adelson Governs America. That should never happen in a democracy.

Israel has dragged willing and blackmailed treasonous American politicians into supporting their plan, which includes GENOCIDE in Palestine, and much killing and war, as that is what Israel does best.

I bet Israeli-citizen Ron Wyden, Oregon’s biggest fraud, fully supports the Greater Israel project. And as the ranking member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and as Israel’s most important war-supporter in the Senate (gotta keep the blinders on them liberals Ron!), Wyden must have known about Israel’s Greater Israel plans since before 9/11, when the plans went kinetic. If he didn’t, he shouldn’t have been given that committee assignment.

Bush, Clinton, Obama, Drumf 1, Biden and Drumf 2 are all in on the Greater Israel plan. Apparently, it’s in the Bible don’t ya know, so bomb’s away! Crazed Judeo zealots and Christo-fascists and now Mormons (Charlie Kirk’s killers) are feverishly working toward this murderous goal, Greater Israel:

www.islam21c.com/wp-content/uploads/The-alarming-details-of-Israels-future-ambitions.jpg

Our lying pols have a lot more in common than they do differences, evidenced by much, including this cutesy video of Dubya patting Obama on the belly at Jimmy Carter’s funeral:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ejhdOA6JPQI

Israel is America’s number one existential enemy, and anyone supporting the genocidal state should be tried for treason, in my view. And here is a list of treasonous traitors:

www.trackaipac.com/

and here is an anti-war documentary that will explain how this attack on Iran has been planned for decades, by treasonous Israel-first traitors of both anti-American political parties, the Democrats and Republicans:

rumble.com/v650oqa-targeting-iran.html

And here is a terrorist that Israel-first Biden helped put into power, who was then invited to the White House by anti-MAGA Drumf:

rumble.com/v7704rc-syrian-al-qaeda-leader-supports-israel-against-hezbollah-w-scott-ritter.html?e9s=src_v1_s%2Csrc_v1_s_o&sci=f32d9406-2e2c-4300-9e83-fd41138ded40

Biden also had Zionist/Judeo-fascist Anthony Blinken as Sec of State and Cuban-born Jew Myorkis as head of HHS, helping Israel funnel millions of illegals across our southern border. Myorkis was filmed landing in a helicopter in the Darien Gap, where Israeli NGOs were working, doing Israel’s bidding – dividing and conquering America by flooding our country with illegals.

It’s not too late to get all genocidal Israel-firsters out of the American political sphere, and that includes Donald Drumf AND Ron Wyden.

1776 AGAIN NOW!

United Paws’ Cats of the Week: Meet Caesar & Prince

Submitted By: Website@unitedpaws.org – Click to email about this post
Introducing Caesar & Prince, two of the amazing cats at United Paws of Tillamook.

If you believe in reincarnation, then Prince was Liberace in a former life. Flashy, dramatic, glamorous, attention-loving sum up Prince’s lavish personality. Prince defines royalty with his luxurious fluffy white hair, his tan and brown Siamese markings with just a hint of tabby, and his soft blue eyes.

As commanding as his namesake, Caesar is an absolute stunning example of a classic chocolate seal point Siamese. His thick brown fur, black face and ears provide a sharp contrast to his deep blue eyes. He is magnificent.

To be the recipient of their purrs will melt your heart – as will their rescue story. Prince and his brother Caesar were well-loved indoor cats for the first five years of their lives. Sadly, their owner went into assisted living and could no longer care for them. Unbeknownst to the owner, these beautiful cats were cast out into the wild and left to fend for themselves. For a year and a half they were starved, neglected, and attacked by neighboring predators. When United Paws became aware that a “lost and injured cat” was found in a rural area in Tillamook County, volunteers sprang to the rescue. Caesar was the first to be found. He was in terrible condition, scared, suffering from malnutrition and had an infected, gaping wound on his neck. Several days later, it was learned that Caesar’s brother, Prince, was hiding, terrified, and was also wounded. Their rescue, prompt medical intervention, food, and loving care saved their lives.

Although Prince and Caesar are now robust and healthy, they suffered terribly from their abandonment and are still traumatized by new situations. Their potential adopter must be patient and willing to give these beautiful boys time to adjust to their new environment, allowing them to feel safe and secure, knowing they are in their forever home.

Prince is by far the more outgoing of the two, however both can be shy at first until they feel safe. Once Prince knows you are a source of pets and loves, he will shamelessly throw himself at you for more!! He is extremely affectionate and loves to play. His favorite toys are foil balls to bat around, spring toys and wands with dangling things he can jump at.

Caesar is a little more cautious at first, but like Prince, once he knows you are his human, he will bask in the glory of scratches, pets, and loves. Caesar loves to butt heads in a forehead-to-forehead embrace, reminding us of Star Trek’s Mr. Spock and his “mind meld” technique. You will know he has claimed ownership when he does that!! Both Prince and Caesar love to chase strings, wires, and dangly toys. Both will drool with happiness when they are being brushed and groomed.

Both Prince and Caesar are good eaters and have developed quite the fondness for freeze dried raw food, which nurtured them back to good health. It is their favorite food now. They are faithful users of posts or scratching pads. They always use their litter boxes.

The perfect home for Prince and Caesar will be a home with people around, but not overly busy. Gentle children and perhaps a slow and steady introduction with a mellow dog will result in new and happy playmates. The most important thing is for their adopter to recognize that for Prince and Caesar, who were used to being loved and indoors, their experience in the wild left a traumatic mark on them that will take time and patience to diminish. Once they are settled, however, their sweet, extremely loving, and playful natures will blossom. You will not be sorry for giving these majestic, gentle souls their forever home.

To learn more, please visit unitedpaws.org or email unitedpawshelp@gmail.com to schedule a Meet & Greet.

The Spin: More Than a Crepe Show

Submitted By: jettkeyser@gmail.com – Click to email about this post
DIFFICULT TO IMAGINE

Our new restaurant on Laneda,

The Spin, next to El Trio is open Monday thru Sunday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m…

With meaningful discounts to locals that will continue…

Open to family…

An open bar…

Wonderful baristas and flavorful coffees…

Imagine their low prices with cloth napkins…

A light filled decor and crafted furnishings…

The menu is surprisingly diverse…

DIFFICULT TO IMAGINE…EASY TO TASTE

Proud of Our President

Submitted By: rmcclaran@att.net – Click to email about this post
To the Editor,

How proud we can all be of our president. Now we can add “War Criminal” to con man, felon, and rapist in his bio.

Trump has launched an illegal war of choice, circumventing congress, with no real defined purpose or proposed outcome. First it was eliminating the nuclear threat, even though he told us that it was already “completely and totally obliterated” in his last set of air strikes in June. Guess not?

Then he said we had to have regime change. But now he’s walking that back after killing the Ayatollah. Of course the regime has now replaced the Ayatollah with his son, an even more hard liner.

But hey! At least we took out that girl’s elementary school. Our Tomahawk missile made quick work of that threat to our national security.

Trump promised he’d stop wars, not start them. He promised he’d put America first.

Between trump, Rubio and Hegseth’s conflicting statements, we have no idea why this war was started or he hopes to achieve.

But it turns out Putin is the real winner in this debacle. Trump announced today he is lifting sanctions against Russia to “ease the oil crisis”. The crisis trump created. Now Putin will be swimming in cash to pay for his war against Ukraine.

The losers of course are us, the American people, who are left with skyrocketing gas prices, an already shaky economy on the rocks, our service men and women put in harm’s way, and overall a less secure world.

Yes indeed, we can all be proud of our president.

Robbie McClaran
Rockaway Beach

Faith in This Day – Jett

Submitted By: jettkeyser@gmail.com – Click to email about this post
Teach you children well…

The Lost Elder

How we share our gift of time,
mother, father, daughter, and son,
a coherent celebration of what is
and how things are, a transmission
and bond of generations, is in danger.
As we witness endless war, rupturing
technology, and a violent injustice,
assured by the protected privilege
of wealthy elites, their architects
of historical revision are compelled
to offer us empty, scripted promises.
This pedagogy is nothing but artifice,
an instrument of privilege. Unless we
return to honor teaching, support
generous voices and life-giving stories,
from love scale joy’s full measure,
how will our children learn to be free,
able to honor their needed elders?

Trump demands his subordinates wear the same footwear.

Submitted By: genedieken@yahoo.com – Click to email about this post
$140 Florsheim shoes, black. Presented by Trump to high officials, based on his guess as to size. Now worn with obeisance by: JD Vance. Marco Rubio. Pete Hegseth. Sean Duffy. Howard Lutnick. Sean Hannity. Lindsey Graham. Some of these dudes normally wear designer items costing ten times the Florsheims.

Turns out, with dictators, this is kind of a thing. Mao’s Mao jacket, Saddam Hussein’s moustache, Joe Stalin’s hat, jacket and jodhpurs.

Here’s an interesting essay by national security expert and founding member defiance.org, Miles Taylor. May seem funny, he tells you why it isn’t. If it’s paywalled let me know and I’ll send you a PDF.

open.substack.com/pub/defiance/p/the-dictators-new-shoes-trump-demands

Gene Dieken

WAR WITH IRAN

Submitted By: dixiedarrow@icloud.com – Click to email about this post
As the Iran war enters its 10th day, opinions as to who is winning this war vary greatly depending upon which media sources you are reading.
The U.S. corporate media continues to report that this war is winding down, as Trump has made bold claims, stating that the war is “almost over” These are only some of the most prominent conditions for a possible ceasefire (from Iran)– assuming Tehran will ever trust the United States to comply:
Here we have Iran telling the self-described, hyperbolic most powerful military in the history of the world in other words – AMERICA – to essentially surrender with the following conditions:
Removal of all sanctions against Iran and release of all of Iran’s frozen assets.
2. Recognition of Iran’s right to enrich uranium on its own soil.
3. Full compensation for the damages caused by the imposed war.
4. Extradition of Iranian 5th columnists abroad, and the end of orchestrated media campaigns against Tehran.
5. No attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon or Ansarallah in Yemen.
6. The dismantling of all US military bases in West Asia.
These are the latest undeniable facts on the battlefield.
Incidentally, that happened after President Trumps 1-hour phone call to President Putin, requested by the White House.
The reply from Russia:
“The Russian president expressed a number of ideas aimed at achieving a prompt political and diplomatic resolution of the Iranian conflict, including taking into account the contacts he has held with the leaders of the Gulf states, with the president of Iran, and with leaders of several other countries.”
That’s diplo-talk for Putin telling the Americans some hard facts of life, and volunteering to find that oh so elusive off-ramp.
Washington spin wants Trump to announce that the military has reached its goals and withdraw. But there will be no cease fire from Iran!
There will be no cease fire from IRAN?
Read the whole article from this link
medicalkidnap.com/2026/03/10/iran-has-served-the-us-an-eviction-notice/print/

the whole ballgame

Submitted By: dwieb1@gmail.com – Click to email about this post
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Well, here we are. Our country will be won or lost on what the administration is calling the “SAVE America Act.” All the distractions have been put in place, and now comes the big push. Project 2025 expected to lose Congress in the first midterm election, so all their aims had to be met in the first 2 years. In that I think they’ve been largely successful. But it’s imperitive we prevent this ultimate goal:
www.commoncause.org/articles/project-2025-aims-to-strip-away-our-freedom-to-vote/

It is quite beyond belief any Democrats don’t understand the gravity of this. That’s what I’ll be watching, and asking my representatives. This is the whole ballgame.

– Dave

In reply to Musings on a fictional city’s press release and Where is the Manzanita City Manager

 

Submitted By: berryswilde@protonmail.com – Click to email about this post

To the authors,

I want to begin with sincere thanks. In a world where attention spans are short and convictions fade quickly with the news cycle, your dedication over the past five years has been remarkable. It cannot be easy to maintain such steady vigilance over a city manager whose tenure has been marked by balanced budgets, completed public buildings, and the persistent inconvenience of broad community approval and support. Yet you remain committed to reminding us that things must surely be worse than they appear.

This perseverance deserves recognition.

After all, success can be deeply inconvenient for the careful critic. A functioning city hall, a modern police station, streets improving rather than declining—these developments create an almost hostile environment for grievance. Lesser observers might have conceded defeat. But not you. You continue to peer bravely into the sun, certain that somewhere within it a shadow must be hiding.

And what writing! The casual reader might mistake the rough edges for haste or frustration, but I prefer to believe they are part of a deliberate style—one prioritizing urgency over ornament. With each new sentence the suspense of the author becomes almost unbearable–as if revelation might break loose. One reads on breathlessly, wondering whether the next paragraph will reveal calamity or merely another heroic effort to imagine one.

Your attention to detail has been admirable. Few communities are fortunate enough to have citizens willing to devote such time and scrutiny to a few hundred feet of roadway, the difference between a speed hump and bump—a distinction debated with admirable civic gravity—or the imagined motives behind routine decisions. Oversight of this kind is the quiet machinery of civic life, and it is reassuring to know someone is always watching for catastrophe, even when the city vexingly continues to function.

One cannot help admiring the investigative creativity that has expanded this oversight into observation of a city manager’s comings and goings. The conclusion—that municipal leadership can be measured through parking-lot sightings and speculative arithmetic—represents a novel contribution to public administration. Future scholars may marvel at the elegance of the method: observe a person briefly, assume the rest of the day evaporates, and publish the results without fear of creepiness and with great confidence.

There is also woven through these writings a certain intensity of attention readers may recognize. When a woman occupies a visible leadership role, a particular genre of civic commentary sometimes appears—less interested in policy or outcomes than in the personal rhythms of the individual herself. The hours she works, the places she appears, the motives she must surely possess. It is curious: the work proceeds, the results accumulate, yet the scrutiny grows more animated. One suspects that if the same fiscal stability and completed projects arrived under a different nameplate—perhaps engraved with a slightly deeper voice—the fascination might become suddenly, almost mysteriously, calmer.

Of course, your contributions have not been limited to the written word. One must also acknowledge your innovative approach to civic engagement—particularly the imaginative use of litigation as public commentary. Where others attend meetings or volunteer time, you have demonstrated a more ambitious method: transforming taxpayer-funded institutions into participatory theater in which the community funds the stage, the lighting, and occasionally the curtain call—whether they purchased a ticket or not. It takes a rare ingenuity to discover so many ways to spend public money while explaining, at length, why the public should be concerned about how money is spent.

It is also worth pausing to admire the durability of the object of your attention. Most public servants would find such fascination exhausting. Yet the city manager continues the quiet work of administration—clean audits, utility upgrades, and major planning work moving forward—while serving as the central character in a literary genre that renews itself online with impressive regularity. One suspects that if municipal competence were ever to become less routine, the supply of your material might become much harder to sustain.

Speaking personally, I find your posts relatable. Many of us know what it feels like to stand just outside the circle of community. In those moments it can be tempting to mistake disruption for influence, or criticism for participation. That impulse is human and reminds us how much people care about belonging.

Your efforts serve an unexpected purpose. Each new post reminds the rest of us, quite clearly, of the distance between building community and merely talking about it—so again, thank you, because in that sense your work may be the clearest proof that this town has been built rather well, and without your steady stream of alarms we might occasionally forget it.

BW

 

North Coast Pinball March Updates

Submitted By: spblat@gmail.com – Click to email about this post
Hello friends. Here’s an update on the month’s goings on at North Coast Pinball.

In this update:

– tournament 3/15 5pm
– teen night 3/20 6-8pm
– game of the month prize opportunity
– NKNHS field trip to NCP
– tech day, free 3PM Tuesdays
– pinball tastings are back
– AA meeting on hiatus
– politics

Sunday, March 15 at 5 PM is Tournament Night; we do this every month on the third Sunday. I doubt that our brand new Pokemon pinball machine will be here by then, but if it is, you can be sure that it will be in the mix. Last month we had nine players join us; congrats to Tim for taking home the trophy. Will it be you this month?

And then Friday March 20th from 6-8 PM is Teen Night! Free pinball, free soft drinks, free activities, free space to just sit on one of our oversized beanbags. Last month there was a really interesting craft project. What will it be this month? Thanks as always to Christy Kay of Rising Hearts Studio in Nehalem for her hosting and fundraising efforts to keep this going. You can contact her with questions or make a donation at (503) 800-1292.

Our “Game of the Month” this month is Who Dunnit (1995). This is a special game that–together with the incomparable Tales of the Arabian Nights (1996)–is on loan from Michael Long, of A Coastal Lock-N-Key. If you take the best score on Who Dunnit and it holds until April 1, you’ll get a prize. (And if you beat my personal best of 8.6 billion points, you’ll also get special bragging rights.) Congratulations to Gabe for his outstanding February score of 542,278,560 on Avengers Infinity Quest. As of this moment, The Who Dunnit leader is Kurt at 4.8 billion. We love our friends from Portland but let’s get a local in here to take the prize. Will it be you?

There was a field trip here from NKNHS last Tuesday! We’ve been doing these for a few years and it’s always a pleasure. The kiddos spent some time behind the scenes and “under the hood” of the machines, learning to diagnose and fix problems, learning about the history and culture of pinball, and–most importantly perhaps–playing the games. This month a student replaced a melted diverter coil on Tales of the Arabian Nights.

Speaking of which, Tech Day at North Coast Pinball is every Tuesday from 3:00 to 5:30 PM. RSVP by Monday evening by texting (503) 343-4783 to join me in servicing the games and learning what makes them tick. It’s free and no experience is required!

And in related news, I’ve resumed our daily “pinball tastings” at 10:00 AM after taking a 1-year break. This is a really fun private event where you can experience your own version of the NKNHS field trip. Learn more and book online at AirBnB.com/x/pinball.

The weekly Alcoholics Anonymous meeting that has been happening here on Thursdays is–just for now–suspended. I believe and hope the meetings will resume in the near future. I have been invited to privately share the contact information of the person who has been organizing these meetings, so if you would like more information please reach out to me personally and I can put you in touch.

On Tuesday, March 10, Nehalem’s City Council will consider a resolution similar to those considered by other nearby towns recently. The resolution affirms the “humanity, dignity, and constitutional principles; condemning the use of aggressive and unwarranted tactics, racial profiling, lack of due process, use of unmarked vehicles, masked agents and unidentifiable personnel in immigration enforcement activities and deem[s] such tactics as harmful to public trust, community safety, and constitutional protections.” Regardless of their decision, I’m asking you become more actively involved in the affairs of local government, where your opportunity to make an impact is highest. You are needed; learn more at runforoffice.org.

Another opportunity to get involved is to visit Nehalem on Saturdays from noon to 2 PM at the corner parking lot to join a weekly gathering of folks protesting the warmongering and escalating abuses perpetrated by the current administration. They and I will be glad to see you there.

That’s all I can think of for now. Ask me anything and stay tuned in the coming months for book updates. Teaser here– mysterytoken.pub.
See you in April!

Will Irace
northcoastpinball.com
WillFromNehalem.substack.com
March 9, 2026

  1. _

Thank you Leila Aman!

Submitted By: mkuestner10@gmail.com – Click to email about this post
I wanted to add my voice to the many who have expressed their appreciation to our departing city manager, Leila Aman for a job well done.
I began writing a list of how much has been accomplished in Manzanita over the last five years, but it got too long. Much of the progress we’ve seen has been in large part due to Leila’s tireless professionalism, both in front of residents at meetings, and behind the scenes, advising our multitudes of volunteers, writing grants, re-organizing administrative functions, balancing budgets, a new city hall, Short Term Rental updates, new water lines, Classic St. improvements, annexation, affordable housing, Comprehensive Plan updates, SB 406 compliance, etc.

So, long story very short:
Thank you Leila and good luck
Sincerely,
Mark Kuestner

Manzanita Mayor’s Failed Response To Question On  Classic Street 

Submitted By: rkinor@gmail.com – Click to email about this post
Several weeks ago, I had requested and the Mayor agreed to publicly answer questions on the Classic Street project at Wednesday’s Council meeting. 
Significant numbers of visitors both now and in the future will use Classic Street. The current FY General Fund Contingency and Unappropriated Ending Fund Balance is $3.7 million dollars. A substantial portion of that $3.7 million consists of TLT revenue collections from visitors. Not a single dollar of TLT revenue representing visitor contributions  was included in the budget to construct this project. Both the opportunities and funding was available to adjust the FY 25-26 Budget to supplement Classic Street  construction with available General Fund TLT revenue. The opportunity to build  the project that could have been completed by November 2025 with all of the vehicle and pedestrian/biking safety features as recommended by the City’s consultants and as presented to the community in March 2025 quietly disappeared from public view.
My Question: Why did the Council not provide citizens the opportunity to hear and ask questions  as to why the project presented in March 2025 would not be constructed, if citizens would support visitor TLT revenue being used to supplement the construction budget and why the Council claims it had no role to play in how these decisions were made?  
The Mayor’s response if nothing else was succinct when she stated “We didn’t”. No attempt was made to further answer the question; instead the Mayor went on a  confusing explanation that suggested that visitors and tourism dollars are indeed helping fund the project.
 Had the Mayor reviewed the City Budget, she would know that the City’s contributions to supplement the State grant funding for the project comes from System Development Charges (SDC’s).  Page 71.”The capital outlay funds included in the Water and Stormwater SDC funds are for the Classic Street Connection”. The Mayor must have forgotten that SDC revenue is collected predominantly from the building of new homes in Manzanita. The folks writing the checks for the City’s water and stormwater SDC’s used in this project are the new full and part time residents of our community, not visitors as the Mayor mistakenly attempted  to describe. 
As the Mayor delivered her explanation, it’s worth noting that neither the City Manager nor a single Councilor attempted to correct the misinformation being presented. 
The Mayor concluded by stating ” I don’t know that’s particularly going to answer the question, but that’s my response”.  You’re right Mayor Stock, giving  nonsensical  answers to citizen’s questions that are at odds with facts is never a satisfactory response.
With the resignation and imminent departure of our City Manager, it becomes concerning that a project already beset with administrative problems will now be left in the hands of a Mayor and Council that seem to lack even a basic understanding of what City funds are being used to construct Classic Street.