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Portland production of Palestinian play explores life in a war zone
Portland production of Palestinian play explores life in a war zone
Portland production of Palestinian play explores life in a war zone

Published on: 08/15/2025

This news was posted by Oregon Today News

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“Them,” written by Palestinian playwright Samah Sabawi, focuses on a young couple in a war zone as they debate whether to stay or leave. It captures the wrenching choices people are forced to make in wartime, as well as the humorous, joyful and mundane moments of everyday life that persist despite the violence. A production of the play will run through Aug. 23 at Portland Center Stage’s Ellyn Bye Studio.

Malek Najjar, professor of theater arts at the University of Oregon, received special permission from Sabawi to stage “Them” in Eugene and Portland. He joins us with more details about the play and its relevance today.

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News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2025/08/15/think-out-loud-palestine-samah-sabawi-play-palestinian-art-portland/

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Join us for the following FREE programs during the week of August 17 - August 23! 📚 ♾️ Autistic & ADHD Alliance: Parallel Play for Neurodivergent Folks on Monday, August 18 @ 5:30pm 🚹 Open Men's Group on Monday, August 18 @ 6:00pm 🎨 Art at the Library: Art Studio on Tuesday, August 19 @ 5:00pm 👓 Coos Bay Public Library Board of Trustees Meeting on Wednesday, August 20 @ 5:15pm 🎥 Movie Night at the Library on Wednesday, August 20 @ 5:30pm | Tonight's Film: 'Ghost World' (2001) Rated R 👧🏽 Preschool Art on Thursday, August 21 @ 10:00am ✊🏿 Unlimited Book Club on Thursday, August 21 @ 6:00pm [Virtual Program on Zoom] | August's title: 'The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution' (2015) 📚 Pickup/Drop-off Eastside on Friday, August 22 @ 9:00am at the Eastside Fire Station (365 D Street, Coos Bay) 📖 Pickup/Drop-off Empire on Friday, August 22 @ 10:00am at the Empire Fire Station (189 S Wall Street, Coos Bay) ✍️ Writers Group on Saturday, August 23 @ 10:00am 👟 Sole Mates Community Walk on Saturday, August 23 @ 10:00am at Mingus Park 🤣 Improv Workshop on Saturday, August 23 @ 10:30am 🫙 Library of Things and Food Preservation Kick-Off Event on Saturday, August 23 @ 3:00pm Visit http://www.coosbaylibrary.org for a full calendar of upcoming events or subscribe to our e-newsletter by visiting www.coosbayor.gov and clicking the yellow 'Subscribe' button at the bottom of the page.
Join us for the following FREE programs during the week of August 17 - August 23! 📚 ♾️ Autistic & ADHD Alliance: Parallel Play for Neurodivergent Folks on Monday, August 18 @ 5:30pm 🚹 Open Men's Group on Monday, August 18 @ 6:00pm 🎨 Art at the Library: Art Studio on Tuesday, August 19 @ 5:00pm 👓 Coos Bay Public Library Board of Trustees Meeting on Wednesday, August 20 @ 5:15pm 🎥 Movie Night at the Library on Wednesday, August 20 @ 5:30pm | Tonight's Film: 'Ghost World' (2001) Rated R 👧🏽 Preschool Art on Thursday, August 21 @ 10:00am ✊🏿 Unlimited Book Club on Thursday, August 21 @ 6:00pm [Virtual Program on Zoom] | August's title: 'The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution' (2015) 📚 Pickup/Drop-off Eastside on Friday, August 22 @ 9:00am at the Eastside Fire Station (365 D Street, Coos Bay) 📖 Pickup/Drop-off Empire on Friday, August 22 @ 10:00am at the Empire Fire Station (189 S Wall Street, Coos Bay) ✍️ Writers Group on Saturday, August 23 @ 10:00am 👟 Sole Mates Community Walk on Saturday, August 23 @ 10:00am at Mingus Park 🤣 Improv Workshop on Saturday, August 23 @ 10:30am 🫙 Library of Things and Food Preservation Kick-Off Event on Saturday, August 23 @ 3:00pm Visit http://www.coosbaylibrary.org for a full calendar of upcoming events or subscribe to our e-newsletter by visiting www.coosbayor.gov and clicking the yellow 'Subscribe' button at the bottom of the page.
Join us for the following FREE programs during the week of August 17 - August 23! 📚 ♾️ Autistic & ADHD Alliance: Parallel Play for Neurodivergent Folks on Monday, August 18 @ 5:30pm 🚹 Open Men's Group on Monday, August 18 @ 6:00pm 🎨 Art at the Library: Art Studio on Tuesday, August 19 @ 5:00pm 👓 Coos Bay Public Library Board of Trustees Meeting on Wednesday, August 20 @ 5:15pm 🎥 Movie Night at the Library on Wednesday, August 20 @ 5:30pm | Tonight's Film: 'Ghost World' (2001) Rated R 👧🏽 Preschool Art on Thursday, August 21 @ 10:00am ✊🏿 Unlimited Book Club on Thursday, August 21 @ 6:00pm [Virtual Program on Zoom] | August's title: 'The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution' (2015) 📚 Pickup/Drop-off Eastside on Friday, August 22 @ 9:00am at the Eastside Fire Station (365 D Street, Coos Bay) 📖 Pickup/Drop-off Empire on Friday, August 22 @ 10:00am at the Empire Fire Station (189 S Wall Street, Coos Bay) ✍️ Writers Group on Saturday, August 23 @ 10:00am 👟 Sole Mates Community Walk on Saturday, August 23 @ 10:00am at Mingus Park 🤣 Improv Workshop on Saturday, August 23 @ 10:30am 🫙 Library of Things and Food Preservation Kick-Off Event on Saturday, August 23 @ 3:00pm Visit http://www.coosbaylibrary.org for a full calendar of upcoming events or subscribe to our e-newsletter by visiting www.coosbayor.gov and clicking the yellow 'Subscribe' button at the bottom of the page.

08/15/2025

Join us for the following FREE programs during the week of August 17 - August 23 Autist...

MAYOR'S MESSAGE As we find in many aspects of life, seasons change and often result in opportunities for growth and evolution. We are seeing this season of change happening within the City of Coos Bay. There are many new faces at the City, across all departments, with some departments adding new pathways for employment with the City, like the Fire Department with the Apprentice Program. The Police Department has added several new officers, following retirements of several officers, and the North Coos 911 Dispatch Center is settling in following the transition of all emergency dispatch services for Coos County now flowing through the Coos Bay center. The public safety departments are not the only departments in the midst of seasons of change; we are also seeing opportunities for change in Public Works (PW) and Community Development (CD) Departments. While working through two processes, strategic planning and third-party consulting for internal process review, the City Council identified the need to rethink how to best support the needs of the community through the front counter work – permits, planning, engineering, and codes. The City Council identified the desire to shift traditional thought and process from a regulatory focus to a focus of customer service, with an intention to reduce barriers and make processes easier to work through. We’ve phrased this as an intentional ‘get to yes’ purpose. This shift of purpose is also aligning with some staffing changes; there are several new faces who recently were added to the City team, filling vacancies, and really embracing this new purpose. These new folks are adding to an already strong team, and along with some new platforms that will be coming out in the coming months for use by citizens (new robust GIS platform and permitting platform), we believe we are on the right track for being great partners with those wishing to improve or develop their private property. Over the last several months, we’ve added some new staff members, others have transitioned to new roles, and a few continue in their roles to round out this strong team. We’ve even added a temporary role, through our partnership with Southwestern Oregon Workforce Investment Board’s (SOWIB) Recruit HIPPO work experience program. The folks pictured, standing at the PW/CD front counter, are: Back Row (left to right): Aireal Smith (Recruit HIPPO), Administrative Assistant; Suja Hall, Code/Planning Specialist; Kelli Eichelberger, Planning Administrator; Marci Goodrich, Building Codes Administrator Front Row (left to right): Jasenn Ffradelis, Engineering Services Coordinator; David Chambers, Code/Planning Specialist; Sydney Andersen, Planner I Please join me in welcoming this newly formed team who are driving this season of change at the City of Coos Bay and ready to provide great customer service and city process support for private development projects.
MAYOR'S MESSAGE As we find in many aspects of life, seasons change and often result in opportunities for growth and evolution. We are seeing this season of change happening within the City of Coos Bay. There are many new faces at the City, across all departments, with some departments adding new pathways for employment with the City, like the Fire Department with the Apprentice Program. The Police Department has added several new officers, following retirements of several officers, and the North Coos 911 Dispatch Center is settling in following the transition of all emergency dispatch services for Coos County now flowing through the Coos Bay center. The public safety departments are not the only departments in the midst of seasons of change; we are also seeing opportunities for change in Public Works (PW) and Community Development (CD) Departments. While working through two processes, strategic planning and third-party consulting for internal process review, the City Council identified the need to rethink how to best support the needs of the community through the front counter work – permits, planning, engineering, and codes. The City Council identified the desire to shift traditional thought and process from a regulatory focus to a focus of customer service, with an intention to reduce barriers and make processes easier to work through. We’ve phrased this as an intentional ‘get to yes’ purpose. This shift of purpose is also aligning with some staffing changes; there are several new faces who recently were added to the City team, filling vacancies, and really embracing this new purpose. These new folks are adding to an already strong team, and along with some new platforms that will be coming out in the coming months for use by citizens (new robust GIS platform and permitting platform), we believe we are on the right track for being great partners with those wishing to improve or develop their private property. Over the last several months, we’ve added some new staff members, others have transitioned to new roles, and a few continue in their roles to round out this strong team. We’ve even added a temporary role, through our partnership with Southwestern Oregon Workforce Investment Board’s (SOWIB) Recruit HIPPO work experience program. The folks pictured, standing at the PW/CD front counter, are: Back Row (left to right): Aireal Smith (Recruit HIPPO), Administrative Assistant; Suja Hall, Code/Planning Specialist; Kelli Eichelberger, Planning Administrator; Marci Goodrich, Building Codes Administrator Front Row (left to right): Jasenn Ffradelis, Engineering Services Coordinator; David Chambers, Code/Planning Specialist; Sydney Andersen, Planner I Please join me in welcoming this newly formed team who are driving this season of change at the City of Coos Bay and ready to provide great customer service and city process support for private development projects.
MAYOR'S MESSAGE As we find in many aspects of life, seasons change and often result in opportunities for growth and evolution. We are seeing this season of change happening within the City of Coos Bay. There are many new faces at the City, across all departments, with some departments adding new pathways for employment with the City, like the Fire Department with the Apprentice Program. The Police Department has added several new officers, following retirements of several officers, and the North Coos 911 Dispatch Center is settling in following the transition of all emergency dispatch services for Coos County now flowing through the Coos Bay center. The public safety departments are not the only departments in the midst of seasons of change; we are also seeing opportunities for change in Public Works (PW) and Community Development (CD) Departments. While working through two processes, strategic planning and third-party consulting for internal process review, the City Council identified the need to rethink how to best support the needs of the community through the front counter work – permits, planning, engineering, and codes. The City Council identified the desire to shift traditional thought and process from a regulatory focus to a focus of customer service, with an intention to reduce barriers and make processes easier to work through. We’ve phrased this as an intentional ‘get to yes’ purpose. This shift of purpose is also aligning with some staffing changes; there are several new faces who recently were added to the City team, filling vacancies, and really embracing this new purpose. These new folks are adding to an already strong team, and along with some new platforms that will be coming out in the coming months for use by citizens (new robust GIS platform and permitting platform), we believe we are on the right track for being great partners with those wishing to improve or develop their private property. Over the last several months, we’ve added some new staff members, others have transitioned to new roles, and a few continue in their roles to round out this strong team. We’ve even added a temporary role, through our partnership with Southwestern Oregon Workforce Investment Board’s (SOWIB) Recruit HIPPO work experience program. The folks pictured, standing at the PW/CD front counter, are: Back Row (left to right): Aireal Smith (Recruit HIPPO), Administrative Assistant; Suja Hall, Code/Planning Specialist; Kelli Eichelberger, Planning Administrator; Marci Goodrich, Building Codes Administrator Front Row (left to right): Jasenn Ffradelis, Engineering Services Coordinator; David Chambers, Code/Planning Specialist; Sydney Andersen, Planner I Please join me in welcoming this newly formed team who are driving this season of change at the City of Coos Bay and ready to provide great customer service and city process support for private development projects.

08/15/2025

MAYORS MESSAGE As we find in many aspects of life seasons change and often result in opp...

TRIBAL INTERPRETIVE SIGN PROJECT COMPLETE The City of Coos Bay is proud to announce the completion of the Boardwalk Interpretive Sign Project, a collaborative effort that celebrates the history of our region while making it more accessible to all. This project began when Mayor Benetti and Council President DiNovo encouraged City staff to apply for a grant from Travel Oregon. With their support, we secured funding to revamp the Boardwalk’s interpretive signage, with a special focus on incorporating the voices and histories of our tribal partners and enhancing accessibility features. Each new sign shares a piece of the history that has shaped our community—from the people who first inhabited this land to the industries that sustained it. A notable new feature is the QR code on each sign, paired with a braille marker to guide sight-impaired visitors to it, allowing them to hear a beautiful audio rendition of the written words. As part of the project, a permanent marker has also been placed at the base of each tribal flag so visitors can easily identify the flag’s tribal affiliation. The City extends its heartfelt thanks to our tribal partners for their invaluable contributions to the tribal interpretive signs: • Chief Doug Barrett, Jesse Beers, Alycia Cossey, Patty Phillips, and Morgan Gaines – Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua & Siuslaw Indians • Peter Hatch – Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians • Vice Chair, Jen Proctor Andrews, Jared Schmidt – Coquille Indian Tribe In late June, Phase One of the project was installed, featuring signs on Community & Geography, Ship Building and Shipping, Fishing, Forestry and Timber, and Coal Mining. This project would not have been possible without the strong support and contributions of many community members and partners. We extend our appreciation to Larry Watson and Peggy O’Neal at WOW Arts & Exhibits, Steve Greif at Coos History Museum, Inner Sanctum Studios, Eric Dub and crew at Coast Metal Works Inc., Coos Bay Printing, Beth Clarkson, Councilor Stephanie Kilmer, Rick Stevens, Mike Forrester, William Lansing, and the dedicated City staff who brought this vision to life. We encourage everyone to take a stroll along our beautiful Boardwalk and experience the rich history of Coos Bay—now brought to life in both sight and sound.Photos from Coos Bay - City Government's post
TRIBAL INTERPRETIVE SIGN PROJECT COMPLETE The City of Coos Bay is proud to announce the completion of the Boardwalk Interpretive Sign Project, a collaborative effort that celebrates the history of our region while making it more accessible to all. This project began when Mayor Benetti and Council President DiNovo encouraged City staff to apply for a grant from Travel Oregon. With their support, we secured funding to revamp the Boardwalk’s interpretive signage, with a special focus on incorporating the voices and histories of our tribal partners and enhancing accessibility features. Each new sign shares a piece of the history that has shaped our community—from the people who first inhabited this land to the industries that sustained it. A notable new feature is the QR code on each sign, paired with a braille marker to guide sight-impaired visitors to it, allowing them to hear a beautiful audio rendition of the written words. As part of the project, a permanent marker has also been placed at the base of each tribal flag so visitors can easily identify the flag’s tribal affiliation. The City extends its heartfelt thanks to our tribal partners for their invaluable contributions to the tribal interpretive signs: • Chief Doug Barrett, Jesse Beers, Alycia Cossey, Patty Phillips, and Morgan Gaines – Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua & Siuslaw Indians • Peter Hatch – Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians • Vice Chair, Jen Proctor Andrews, Jared Schmidt – Coquille Indian Tribe In late June, Phase One of the project was installed, featuring signs on Community & Geography, Ship Building and Shipping, Fishing, Forestry and Timber, and Coal Mining. This project would not have been possible without the strong support and contributions of many community members and partners. We extend our appreciation to Larry Watson and Peggy O’Neal at WOW Arts & Exhibits, Steve Greif at Coos History Museum, Inner Sanctum Studios, Eric Dub and crew at Coast Metal Works Inc., Coos Bay Printing, Beth Clarkson, Councilor Stephanie Kilmer, Rick Stevens, Mike Forrester, William Lansing, and the dedicated City staff who brought this vision to life. We encourage everyone to take a stroll along our beautiful Boardwalk and experience the rich history of Coos Bay—now brought to life in both sight and sound.Photos from Coos Bay - City Government's post
TRIBAL INTERPRETIVE SIGN PROJECT COMPLETE The City of Coos Bay is proud to announce the completion of the Boardwalk Interpretive Sign Project, a collaborative effort that celebrates the history of our region while making it more accessible to all. This project began when Mayor Benetti and Council President DiNovo encouraged City staff to apply for a grant from Travel Oregon. With their support, we secured funding to revamp the Boardwalk’s interpretive signage, with a special focus on incorporating the voices and histories of our tribal partners and enhancing accessibility features. Each new sign shares a piece of the history that has shaped our community—from the people who first inhabited this land to the industries that sustained it. A notable new feature is the QR code on each sign, paired with a braille marker to guide sight-impaired visitors to it, allowing them to hear a beautiful audio rendition of the written words. As part of the project, a permanent marker has also been placed at the base of each tribal flag so visitors can easily identify the flag’s tribal affiliation. The City extends its heartfelt thanks to our tribal partners for their invaluable contributions to the tribal interpretive signs: • Chief Doug Barrett, Jesse Beers, Alycia Cossey, Patty Phillips, and Morgan Gaines – Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua & Siuslaw Indians • Peter Hatch – Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians • Vice Chair, Jen Proctor Andrews, Jared Schmidt – Coquille Indian Tribe In late June, Phase One of the project was installed, featuring signs on Community & Geography, Ship Building and Shipping, Fishing, Forestry and Timber, and Coal Mining. This project would not have been possible without the strong support and contributions of many community members and partners. We extend our appreciation to Larry Watson and Peggy O’Neal at WOW Arts & Exhibits, Steve Greif at Coos History Museum, Inner Sanctum Studios, Eric Dub and crew at Coast Metal Works Inc., Coos Bay Printing, Beth Clarkson, Councilor Stephanie Kilmer, Rick Stevens, Mike Forrester, William Lansing, and the dedicated City staff who brought this vision to life. We encourage everyone to take a stroll along our beautiful Boardwalk and experience the rich history of Coos Bay—now brought to life in both sight and sound.Photos from Coos Bay - City Government's post

08/15/2025

TRIBAL INTERPRETIVE SIGN PROJECT COMPLETE The City of Coos Bay is proud to announce the c...

Volunteering at the West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta is a great opportunity for groups, family and friends to volunteer together! Scouts, families and corporate groups are encouraged to apply here: https://www.volgistics.com/appform/1336915922.
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Volunteering at the West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta is a great opportunity for groups, family and friends to volunteer together! Scouts, families and corporate groups are encouraged to apply here: https://www.volgistics.com/appform/1336915922.

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Volunteering at the West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta is a great opportunity for groups fam...

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