OIOpublisher By Jim Heffernan There is a large banner in the School District 9 meeting room which reads, “The mission of the Tillamook School District is to prepare our students with the academic,…
Category: Guest Column
ARDENT GOURMET “Small Bites”: Afuri Ramen & Dumpling
EDITOR’S NOTE: Here is a series of quick reviews from our Ardent Gourmet, out and about the Portland Metro area. By David & Susan Greenberg Afuri Ramen & Dumpling is a Japanese…
Heard on the Bench: Talking to Strangers
By Jim Heffernan I have mild lumbar spinal stenosis that doesn’t bother me at all as long as I’m sitting down. If I walk about 150 feet without a shopping cart or…
WORDS OF WISDOM: Planting for Tomorrow
By Neal Lemery It is the height of “no left turn season” and I find myself waiting and waiting to get onto the highway, or simply drive down the road to my…
I’ve been thinking … Small-minded vs. “Community-minded”
EDITOR’S NOTE: Tillamook School District’s efforts to remove “How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accent” from an Honors English optional reading list is considered to be “book banning” by the Oregon Library…
BOOK REVIEW: How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents by Julia Alvarez
EDITOR’S NOTE: It was brought to the Pioneer’s attention the results of Tillamook School District 9’s Curriculum Review Committee meeting held July 29, 2024. The committee reviewed the book How the Garcia…
I’ve Been Thinking … Be The One
By Jim Heffernan I’ve been thinking a lot about suicide these days. It’s not personal. I’ve lived a charmed life and call myself very happy for someone who is almost as old…
BOOK REVIEW: You’re More Powerful Than You Think – A Citizen’s Guide to Making Change Happen
By Jim Heffernan I have to wonder why it took me so long to find this book. I might still be looking for the message in this book if friends hadn’t recommended…
TRYING TO SEE: “PROJECT 2025” AND YOU
By Michael Randall We all have heard about “Project 2025” (call it “P-25”) by now, a detailed road map to change the federal government of the United States. While it pretends merely…
WORDS OF WISDOM: Cleaning Out the Gunk
By Neal Lemery The little things in life often teach me the big lessons. Yesterday’s weed eating project came to a halt as my usually trusty string trimmer decided to take a…