An Honor and a Duty
Eddie Melendrez on bringing more perspectives into public office
A Radical Idea
Mark Putney on the revolutionary vision of public education and the challenges facing Oregon's schools
After Fire
Brett Zimmerman on the impossible problems first responders are asked to solve.
Our Encampments
An excerpt from Jessica E. Johnson's memoir, "Mettlework: A Mining Daughter on Making Home"
Light Beam
A comic by Eleanor Klock about creative work, fulfillment, and despair
Tonalidades de la Vida / Shades of Life
Ana Maria Rodriguez on family, field work, and the many meanings of "green."
Buying In
Michael Heald explores the history and recent reemergence of worker-owned cooperatives in Oregon.
Interview: Rafael Romero Vejar on Field Work and Family
Rafael Romero speaks with his father, Rafael Romero Vejar, about his experiences working in agriculture and the dreams he has for his family.
Entrevista: Rafael Romero Vejar habla de la vida del campo y sus sueños por su familia
Rafael Romero habla con su padre, Rafael Romero Vejar, Subre su vida de trabajo en el campo, su experiencia de migración, y lo que quiere para su familia.
Safety Search
Judy Jiang writes about looking for solace in words after the death of a family member.
Central Heating
Brian Benson reflects on loneliness, connection, and writing workshops.
Entrevista: Carlos habla de migración, peligro, y su sueño americano
Rafael Romero habla con Carlos, un migrante de Guatemala residente de Hermiston, sobre sus razones por emigrar a los estados unidos, los retos que encontró en su trayecto, y que pidiera de los residentes y el gobierno de este país.
Interview: Carlos on Migration, Danger, and His American Dream
Rafael Romero talks with Carlos, an immigrant from Guatemala living in Hermiston, about why he came to the United States, the difficulties he experience in his journey, and what he'd ask of others here.
Collecting Sunrises
Hannah English writes about the many challenges that face seasonal wildlife biologists—and the love of adventure that keeps them going.
Turkeys
Aileen Hymas writes about struggling to raise poultry and live her sustainable farming ideals.
Stretching Toward the Sun
T. Nguyen writes about moving from Vietnam to Eastern Oregon
Gray Matters
Ryan Pfeil on how the challenges of 2020 affected his work, family, and memory
A Winner Every Time
Sallie Tisdale on a memorable night at the fair and the untrustworthy nature of remembering.
Proper Care
Diane Choplin on the messy business of birthing lambs and the more complicated work of raising children.
Tell Me About That
A physician reflects on pain, attention, and the ethics of caregiving.
Oregon in the Machine Age
Joe Vance writes about the effects increasing automation may have on Oregon workers and how the state can prepare.
Dear Pepe Siesta
Javier Cervantes writes a letter to Pepe Siesta—an iconic image of a man napping under a sombrero—after a surprise encounter in Central Oregon.
Things Gleaned
Gleaning, the ancient practice of salvaging of unsold food for redistribution, has made a big comeback in the 21st Century. Eugene writer Ruby McConnell writes about her experience with striving to let nothing go to waste.
Mama Will Feed You
A mother’s journey through cultural reclamation, changing food systems, and the new wave of mutual aid
Preserving Food, Cheating Death
A compulsive canner considers what it is about this pandemic year that has so many people feeling the urge to preserve.
The Bakken Breaks
Jennifer Strange writes about how she and her husband, both avowed environmentalists, found themselves working North Dakota's Bakken oil fields.
In These Uncertain Times
During the pandemic, Oregonians have been urged to “stay home, save lives.” But for many, staying home is not an option.
Talking about Independent Labor and Systemic Inequality
A conversation with writer Emilly Prado about freelance work, self-employment, and how our systems not always support workers in informal economies.
Talking about Retirement
A conversation with Jason Arias on the importance of talking more about retirement in our communities.
CANCELED - Live to Work or Work to Live?: Exploring What Makes a Job Good
Most adults spend most of their waking hours working. Yet, we rarely have the time to consider why certain work brings us satisfaction and other work does not. Do our jobs define our personal success? Are some jobs more valuable than others? How do jobs contribute to national success or failure? This conversation, led by historian Nikki Mandell, will engage participants in thinking about and discussing work more deeply. Participants will explore the quality and meanings of work in their own lives and those of people different from themselves and the connections between work as a personal endeavor and jobs as part of local and national economies. This conversation can be adapted to the needs and goals of the host organization and group of participants.
This event has been postponed and will be rescheduled.Talking about Wages and Pay Equity
A conversation with Samantha Bakall on how sharing how much we earn can further equality in the workplace.
The State That Timber Built—2012
Tara Rae Miner considers what Oregon owes to the struggling timber communities that helped shape the state’s identity in this essay from the 2012 “Here” issue.
The Air I Breathe—2014
Ifanyi Bell writes about growing up tolerated and underestimated in Portland in the 2014 “Quandary” issue.
Conversation Project: Live to Work or Work to Live?
Most adults spend most of their waking hours working. Yet, we rarely have the time to consider why certain work brings us satisfaction and other work does not. Do our jobs define our personal success? Are some jobs more valuable than others? How do jobs contribute to national success or failure? This conversation, led by historian Nikki Mandell, will engage participants in thinking about and discussing work more deeply. Participants will explore the quality and meanings of work in their own lives and those of people different from themselves and the connections between work as a personal endeavor and jobs as part of local and national economies. This conversation can be adapted to the needs and goals of the host organization and group of participants.
A Body in Motion
Tara L. Campbell on searching for the roots of her daughter's incessant rocking and her own need to stay moving.
What I Do
Between writing, housekeeping, and mothering, my life is full. But I still feel pressure to make my mark, to show I was here. An essay by Jamie Passaro.
Conversation Project: Everyday Leaders
Recognizing Leadership Beyond Power and Authority
Conversation Project: Beyond Invitation
How Do We Create Inclusive Communities?
Conversation Project: What Makes a Job Good?
This conversation engages participants in exploring the quality and meanings of work in their own lives and in the lives of others.
Conversation Project: Everyday Leaders
Recognizing Leadership Beyond Power and Authority
Conversation Project: Beyond Invitation
How Do We Create Inclusive Communities?
Conversation Project: Everyday Leaders
Recognizing Leadership Beyond Power and Authority
Conversation Project: Beyond Invitation
How Do We Create Inclusive Communities?
Conversation Project: What Makes a Job Good?
This conversation, led by historian Nikki Mandell, will engage participants in thinking about and discussing work more deeply. Participants will explore the quality and meanings of work in their own lives and those of people different from themselves and the connections between work as a personal endeavor and jobs as part of local and national economies.
Conversation Project: Beyond Invitation
How Do We Create Inclusive Communities?
Conversation Project: Beyond Invitation
How Do We Create Inclusive Communities?
Conversation Project: Beyond Invitation
How do you know if a space is inclusive and accessible for all, and is such a goal even possible? What do you do about the tension between people who have different needs to feel included? Join Rachel Bernstein to explore what it takes to make the shift from invitation to inclusion.
Conversation Project: Beyond Invitation
How Do We Create Inclusive Communities?
The Third Bullet
Jason Arias on reckoning with abbreviated phrases and abbreviated lives as an EMT.
Conversation Project: Beyond Invitation
How Do We Create Inclusive Communities?
Conversation Project: What Makes a Job Good? *POSTPONED*
Most adults spend most of their waking hours working. Yet, we rarely have the time to consider why certain work brings us satisfaction and other work does not. This conversation, led by historian Nikki Mandell, will engage participants in thinking about and discussing work more deeply.
Conversation Project: Beyond Invitation
How Do We Create Inclusive Communities?
Conversation Project: Beyond Invitation
How Do We Create Inclusive Communities?
Conversation Project: Beyond Invitation
How Do We Create Inclusive Communities?
Conversation Project: Beyond Invitation
How Do We Create Inclusive Communities?
My Brother's Keeper: "Waging a Living"
This fall, Four Rivers Cultural Center in Ontario will present My Brother's Keeper, a series of eight documentary film screenings exploring the lives of marginalized peoples and issues such as mental health, addiction, and mass incarceration. Each screening will be followed by a presentation and Q&A session by a local nonprofit or government agency.
Conversation Project: Beyond Invitation
How Do We Create Inclusive Communities?