Art Moves Redmond

Art Moves

Here in small-town Redmond people are prone to expressing themselves in all sorts of ways.  Most of the adult flag-waving and social media posting creates conflict, while teens feel free to passively flaunt their creativity through clothes and hair. There are plenty of bumper stickers and signs that point the way to political opinion or social change.  It's a confusing time.  The City of Redmond has managed to take on the mammoth challenge of self-expression with an Art Council that actually inspires art.  

The Dry Canyon is a four mile stretch of mixed use areas including ball fields, playgrounds and bike trails.  Where the paved trail runs under Highland Avenue (Highway 126) there is a very special art installation.

Moth and Octopus

This pedestrian tunnel used to boast some of the worst graffiti in town.  After years of beautiful mural paintings being desecrated, then painted over, then tagged again, the Art Council finally decided to let the public have their way with it.  They painted the entire tunnel gray and put this message in a small space near one of the entrances: 

Authorized area for original street art

All are welcome to paint.

Only paint on interior tunnel walls/ceiling.

Please dispose of trash.

No profanity, tags, advertisements or political artwork.

Keep it clean - this area to be enjoyed by all.

Elephant Tusk

At first there was a lot of gang tagging, inappropriate language and sloppy spray painting, but slowly over time the most thoughtful creations are left alone and seem to multiply.  Some are anonymous and some are signed.  Professional artistry mixes with young effort and creative explosion. Of course there is still occasional graffiti or inappropriate art, but anything that goes against the guidelines is quickly covered with gray paint by city employee fairies with paintbrushes who seemingly come in the night and create space for new art in its stead.  We've seen some beautiful work, of which these are only a few.  The beauty of the art installation lies in it's fragility.  You never know day to day what will appear.  Someday, I'm hoping (or planning?) someone will paint the ceiling black and starry or maybe with a Michaelangelo-type mural. Have I painted in the tunnel, you ask?  Have you?  

Raven

Homeschooling in Central Oregon

I recently published an article about home education here in Central Oregon.  I was able to highlight three families with different styles and reasons for homeschooling and also provide lots of info about homeschooling in general.

Here on my blog I have many more resources listed under the "Our Homeschool" page including a list of favorite books that led me to homeschooling and a quick synopsis of some of the more popular styles or philosophies of home education.

Through an informal survey of almost 100 home educators in Central Oregon, I was able to create a comprehensive list of local activities available to homeschoolers including a list of things that folks wish were available (there was some overlap, so I'm hoping people will read this blog to find out about what they are missing!).

I truly enjoyed hearing the stories of why people choose to home educate as well as the styles they employ and the joys and difficulties they encounter on the way.  Enjoy the article here and find more resources here!

photo credit: True North: Central Oregon Parenting

 

The Halloween Conundrum

I did trick-or-treat once or twice in my childhood, it just wasn't a big deal.  I don't feel like I missed anything.  As an adult I'm turned off by the commercialism, the candy and the greed that permeates this holiday, BUT I can't deny the fact that it is the one holiday that really promotes community.  When else do you get to wander around your neighborhood, knocking on doors, and not one gets slammed in your face?  So... I've been struggling with whether or not to celebrate Halloween in our family for a few years, knowing that we could buy some time while our eldest was so young. My husband has no moral issue with it, leaving the decision up to me.  Yikes.  But this year I've finally reached a decision (I know you are all waiting with bated breath). 

The answer is "yes."

Now for the Why:

1. Halloween builds community.  We live on a corner lot, across from a park, under a streetlight, in a very family-oriented neighborhood.  I knew there would be lots of kids out, tonight.  Every parent who came to the door with their kids now knows we live here.  They saw that we have two girls, our house isn't perfect, and we care.  They are learning to trust us.  If there is one thing that my husband and I feel called to do, it is build community where we live.  Love God, love people.  As a homeschooling family I don't want to be completely isolated (and we definitely are not) from the neighborhood kids and the world around us.
2. My desire not to do Halloween was entirely too wrapped up in worrying what people think of me and confusing myself in the process.  Ok.  Maybe I was passing a little judgment, too, if I'm honest with myself.
3. Jesus loved the un-lovables.  He probably would've hung out with that werewolf kid from down the street, too.  Not that he would have gorged on candy, but I like to think he would at least give something out at his door.
4. We can hold our moral ground as a family and still have fun.  We know where we draw the line for our kids, and that's the only line we need to worry about.  The kids will be exposed to "scary" stuff.  That's life.  And honestly, I don't think Halloween is half as insidious as Christmas.  Don't hate me for saying that, I do LOVE Christmas.

I'm fairly certain we are all familiar with the "why-nots" of Halloween.  I just thought I'd share a little of my process in working through this tough topic.  You know what's best for your own family, right?

We limited our small kids to one community event and handing out candy at our door.  Our focus is definitely on fall and the changing of the seasons, and has always included pumpkins, pumpkin patch trips, leaf jumping and more.  I suppose each year will add more excitement, a line drawn a bit further down the road, and more discussion about the meaning of Halloween.  In the meantime, stay posted for my overly passionate dissertation on Block Parties!  Coming soon- hopefully next summer, straight to you from the lady who over-thinks everything.

Homeschool Activities in Central Oregon

This is a comprehensive list of all the activities available to homeschooling kids in Central Oregon as shared by homeschoolers who live here. I've included links, where available.  Below the list I've also included a wish-list, and a listing of the co-ops and active support groups here in Central Oregon.  This information was gleaned from a survey of nearly 100 families in Central Oregon who currently home educate.  If you see anything I missed, please comment and I'll add it in!  Enjoy!   These are all Local Resources, except one or two that are online only, but important enough to include, here.  I hope you will share this list with others!  Enjoy!

Activities:

• 4-H
• Animal husbandry
• Art Shows
• Art Station
• Audubon Society classes/programs for kids
• Awana
• Bend Science Station
• BLM classes
• Book Club
• Boy Scouts (and Cub Scouts)
• Business Operation (family or personal)
• Campfire USA
• Cascades Mountaineers
• Central Oregon Community College (many homeschoolers attend some college classes in high school)
• Church Activities
• Dance - including ballet, tap, jazz, flamenco, Irish dancing, hula and many more- (there are several studios throughout Central Oregon and a few private classes offered to home schooling families available through the co-ops or the online groups- contact me for more info)
• Equestrian activities (many options here as well including camps)
• Foreign Language study (there are many local group classes available through the online groups or in the co-ops)
• Forest Service classes and opportunities
• Gardening
• Geo-caching
• Girl Scouts
• Gymnastics
• High Desert Museum (volunteer opportunities abound for homeschooled children)
• Homeschool Field Trip Group
• Homeschool National Honor Society
• Homeschool Ski days (group rates)
• Individual sports (mountain biking, trail running, skiing, snowboarding, skateboarding, etc.)
• Khan Academy (online only, a great resource for learning math concepts)
• Knitting and sewing groups
• Language Studies
• Lego Robotics
• Library- Deschutes County, Crook County
• Loyal Sports
• Martial Arts
• Marksmanship (rifle, archery, etc.)
• MBSEF (Mount Bachelor Sports Education Foundation)
• Music classes/lessons- various sources are available for all types of instruments including voice (contact me for more info)
• The Nature of Words -literary event
• Observatories (Pine Mountain and Sunriver)
• Online resources (too many to list- whatever you’re looking for it is probably out there- there are forums, discussion groups, blogs, teaching resources, free online curricula, etc.)
• OSU Extension Services
• Parks and Recreation activities (available in various towns and cities throughout Central Oregon)
• REI classes
• Roots and Shoots
• Science Fair
• Speakers for Jesus
• Speech Competition/Judging Competition
• Sunriver Nature Center
• Theater Programs (The Bridge School of the Arts in Redmond is geared towards home educating families but there are also several other community theater and children’s theater groups in Central Oregon)
• Wild Heart Nature School offers outdoor experiences for children, teens, and adults.
• Winter recreation- Mt. Bachelor, Hoodoo, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling...

Wish List (as wished for by my local home educators):

• Gathering space (specifically for homeschool events)
• Homeschool Resource Library
• Homeschool Resource Store
• Math Club (my husband tutors upper-level math and may be interested in getting this started)
• Museums (more and better)
• State funding for the arts
• Support groups for specific styles of teaching (I.e. Charlotte Mason, Waldorf, etc.)
• Symphony Halls (more and better)
• Tutoring Center

Local Coops and Support Groups:

• The Bridge School of the Arts and the Bridge Co-op Classes (Redmond)
• Central Oregon Christian Home Educators (COCHE)
• Central Oregon Homeschoolers of Redmond (COHR)
• Central Oregon Open Learners (COOL)
• Classical Conversations (Redmond and Bend)
• Crook County Home Educators
• LaPine Christian Home Educators
• Friday School Co-op in Bend

Live Local, Love Local!

There was sad news in our town, today. Our local children's museum doesn't have the funding required to continue. This makes me a little angry, people! It's past time for us to band together; we are moms, husbands, sisters, cousins and friends and we are all neighbors. We need to support the institutions and non-profits that matter in our lives! Even the most solid organizations are suffering right now. Who sponsors those free craft days in the park? Who puts children's activities at every family-friendly festival? Find out, and show them some love this week! Free advertising on your blog, an event that highlights or raises money for them, or just a shout-out on Facebook can make a big difference in our small world. Nuts and bolts ideas? Here's one: I'd love to help you organize an online fundraiser using Barefoot Books. I can donate up to 25% of online sales towards the organization of your choice... just contact me and I'll get to work for your community! It's never too late to see how one person can make a difference. Now go, make magic happen!