Fade

I have a confession to make - one which is no secret to my family or my good friends, but which may be news to many of my new acquaintances here in Central Oregon. I was not born in this area. In fact, I was not born anywhere in the state of Oregon. Admitting that is hard, but even more difficult is the admission that I am from (and here I will try to whisper) california. Yes, it is true. I am "one of them." It isn't that I am not proud of my California roots. Many of the warmest, most wonderful people that I know are Californians, either by birth or by choice, or both. It's just that here in Oregon - particularly Central Oregon - my brothers and sisters to the south are often met with disdain, (and occasionally, downright hostility). It is, by and large, Californians who are moving here in droves and snapping up acre after acre of farmland to build their housing developments and their Starbucks, who are demanding better restaurants and places to shop, who are just plain driving the local folks crazy with their "California ways." So, I have taken to telling people that I moved here from Maryland -- which is true -- but I was never really from Maryland.

The thing is, I really, really love it here in Central Oregon. I have always felt something of a connection, even though my first visit was a mere six years ago. Perhaps it's because my mother is from Redmond -- a town she returned to after more than three decades in Southern California. My parents met here in Redmond, (at the bowling alley on Sixth Street that will soon be fading into memory). I have an aunt and uncles and cousins who live here. I heard story after story about what it was like to grow up in Redmond. In any case, I love this town. I certainly I do not want to see it become "Little Los Angeles," nor do I believe anyone who migrated here from California wants to see every piece of farmland razed and miles of freeways and crappy malls erected in their stead. But I have to admit I do long to see more art galleries and restaurants and bookstores in Redmond. I'd love to have a place for my husband and I to go to on a Saturday night that does not involve driving 20 miles south to Bend. I feel like all of that is on the horizon. Redmond is already looking at a master plan for revitalizing the downtown area -- a plan that includes live/work spaces for artists, new restaurants, an arts complex, and streets that are more pedestrian friendly. I am excited by the prospect. I think a vibrant and thriving downtown would benefit everyone in Redmond, oldtimers and newcomers alike. And I say that not as a native-Californian, but as a resident of Central Oregon.