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A Bake Sale For Civics Textbooks

June 3, 2012 by margishindler Leave a Comment

 

Last week the Yamhill County Oregon Democrats held a bake sale. The proceeds from this sale go to purchase civics textbooks for our county’s secondary schools. How about that. In the U.S.A., the country which is fond of bragging about our superiority, we have dropped the ball on nurturing our children into becoming citizens.

I have several ideas (fears) about why this has happened. The worst is that the money powers, the same ones who decide what is ‘news’ have decided that young people can be easily diverted from knowing what is really going on by a vapid pop culture, and a dearth of knowledge about the political process at the most basic local level.

Yes, and money too is a problem. We know our state coffers are empty, our budgets being cut everywhere. Yet, I see “Smartboards” in every classroom, carts of laptops, whole rooms full of computers. Why is a decent civics textbook not as important as a computer?

I welcome comments.

Filed Under: Culture, Politics, ULE, Uncategorized Tagged With: bake sale, civics, computers, textbooks

About margishindler

I lived on the North Coast from 1992-2004. I remodeled a house in Arch Cape, built one in Gearhart, and watched both my sons graduate from Seaside H.S.
I worked for Judy Fountain managing Ecola Square Books in Cannon Beach until it closed in 2003. A casualty of Amazon.com, 9/11, and George Bushed economics.
As child I spent many summer days, and some other seasons too, on or near the Twin Sisters, The Three Bears and Lady rocks in Tolovana. My dear grandparents had a 'cottage' on Orford on the ocean front. I never could have imagined how the coast would change from those days in the 60's.
When I met Rev. Billy soon after moving to the area, I was inspired by his writing, and then I met Michael Burgess, and we had some great conversations about life over time. I miss him so much it hurts. He gave me words of support during some rough times I had as a new widow, raising 2 boys alone, and trying to keep it all together.
I live inland now, away from the fog. My boys also live in the Portland area. I am a certified yoga teacher, a private tutor, and I work as a substitute teacher for the Willamette ESD, which covers a huge agricultural area South of Hillsboro, and Chehalem Mountain, where I have lived for 8 years.
I love it that our dear Watt has taken up the torch of both Jupiter's Books, AND The Edge. I am so grateful to be a part of the little flame burning along after those who came before and left a thread.

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Readers’ Comments

  • Watt Childress
    June 13, 2026 at 2:40 pm
    on Reverend Billy wants Oregon to Legalize Potlucks
    I can see how one comes to that conclusion, given all the frustration that accompanies disempowerment. Here's a truth that
  • DHCG
    June 7, 2026 at 2:49 pm
    on Reverend Billy wants Oregon to Legalize Potlucks
    “ They could encourage togetherness by example, tee-up other practical reforms to help free folks from the overreach of top-down
  • Susan Banyas
    June 7, 2026 at 11:00 am
    on Opening the Book of Indigenous Grief
    "The future is made from grief that has been grieved." Thank you Cliff. Thank you Little People, for this gift
  • Watt Childress
    June 6, 2026 at 4:18 pm
    on Reverend Billy wants Oregon to Legalize Potlucks
    I imagine most members of city and county governments here on the coast support open community potlucks. It would help
  • Watt Childress
    June 6, 2026 at 4:13 pm
    on Reverend Billy wants Oregon to Legalize Potlucks
    I'd like to believe it would never get to that point, where someone would be penalized with a fine and/or
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