By Jim Heffernan I was lucky that I grew up close to a branch library in Denver. It was named Smiley Branch Library after a 19th. century teacher/superindendent in Denver. I never…
Category: Guest Column
WORDS OF WISDOM: Special Moments with Jim
OIOpublisher by Neal Lemery Last week, I learned that a good college friend had passed away. He wasn’t a particularly close friend in the usual ways with college friends. We did not…
BOOK REVIEW: Dark Money by Jane Mayer
By Jim Heffernan I found this is a very important and fascinating book. It’s eight years old, but I think its insights are still very valid and accurate. This is Jane Mayer’s…
NEWS UPDATE FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE DAVID GOMBERG: Pageantry and Polices as the Session Begins
By Representative David Gomberg, House District 10 Dear Neighbors and Friends, The 82nd session of the Oregon Legislative Assembly began Monday with opening ceremonies and the swearing-in of members. Thank you again for honoring…
I’ve been thinking … Tale of Two Countries
By Jim Heffernan I’ve been thinking a lot lately about two countries, two dictators, and two conferences in Munich that are separated by eighty-eight years of history. I’m talking about Czechoslovakia in…
NEWS UPDATE FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE DAVID GOMBERG: Big Dam News and More
By Representative David Gomberg, House District 10 Dear Neighbors and Friends, As you receive this report today, Monday, the Oregon House will be in session. I have been honored with the responsibility of chairing…
NOTES FROM GEEZERLAND #6: Keep on Truckin’, Caring for the Next Generation
By Charles McLaughlin Comes time now to wrap up these notes by mentioning things that have been done and experienced to make the rest of my life as healthful, purposeful and meaningful…
I’ve been thinking … Two Wolves
By Jim Heffernan I’ve been thinking a lot about this parable since I read it in the book, Human Kind by Rutger Bregman. In his book, Bregman cuts the story down to…
MORE BOOK REVIEWS: Worthwhile Books of 2022
EDITOR’S NOTE: On the top of this list should be Neal’s own new book “Be the Change – One Random Act of Kindness at a Time” – everyone needs this book for…
BOOKS: Jim Heffernan’s Top 20 for 2022
EDITOR’S NOTE: Time for those “top lists” of the year … when I asked Jim for his “Top 10” – he said “how aobut Top 20?” And then commented that when he…