A Conversation with a Candidate

“What do I think of Western civilization? I think it would be a very good idea.” –Gandhi

We had an interesting afternoon down here last week. Chris Dudley, former Portland Trailblazer and now candidate for governor, stopped by for a Meet and Greet event on the last day before the primary election. When the Chamber of Commerce asked us to host this event, one of my first questions was, “How does this fit with who we want to be here at Green Plow?”

I think it does fit… not because we necessarily agree with what Mr. Dudley has to say or disagree with what any other candidates have to say, but because we believe that politics, like most of life, should involve more conversation and dialogue, and less shouting to get your point across. Sometimes it seems that we are in a bit of a rut, politically. We have the majority party and we have the opposition party, and the opposition party’s job is simply to vote against whatever the other party wants to do, no questions asked. But maybe politics should be more about asking questions, and brainstorming answers, and working things out together, and being willing to give a little here and there to come up with a solution that, while it may not be perfect, is still workable for everyone involved.

We want Green Plow to be a place where conversations like that can begin. So opening our doors for people to meet a candidate face to face, hear a little of what he or she has to say, even ask some questions (we had time for two), fits very well with who we want to be. So Mr. Kitzhaber, or any other candidate, for that matter, if you get wind of this somehow, we want you to know that you are welcome here at Green Plow, too.

The unofficial (and impromptu) Green Plow Art Fest

We weren't sure what to do when our musicians for last Friday had to cancel, so we wnded up throwing open our doors to any and all musicians to meet at Green Plow to, "...mingle with other local artists and make beautiful music together." Well we had at least 2o people show up, and the first ever Green Plow Open Jam was awesome! Thank you to everyone who came to play. We have had good feedback and we will plan on doing it again.

Then on Saturday night we hosted an evening of drama, presented by Redmond's own Children's Theater Company. They treated us to an evening of sketches, scenes, monologues, and reader's theater.

And finally, this weekend was Walk The ArtBeat on Friday night. Our walls are filled with art from local students, and our halls were filled with music by Jacob Looper and Cassia Dawn, along with some help from a couple of friends.

Join us over the next few weeks for music from Burn Pattern, CinderBlue, Eric Staples, and the Prairie Rockets. See ya there!