Watershed’s resident taco aficionado Beca Welty writes, “There is just something magical about the impending summer heat and the way it compels me to track down the nearest taco truck in order to satiate my cantina cravings. On a picture-perfect Memorial Day weekend I was struck by this exact desire and vamos’d my way to Taqueria El Tejano.”
Category Archive: Opinion
WSV columnist and limited licensed psychologist Charles Thomas writes, “While there weren’t many silver linings to the pandemic, one good thing that did happen as a result of it was that our culture developed a fresh appreciation of the importance of mental health care. But a large block of Americans has been left behind. This is in spite of the fact that they make up nearly 80% of all suicides, have fewer friendships and social connections than other groups, and are also more likely to binge drink and have substance use disorders than other groups.”
“Reclaimin’ Space: The Cost of Closing Eyes” is written by Rock Island, Illinois native Aubrey Barnes, also known as “Aubs.” Barnes performed at the 2022 Watershed Voice Artist Showcase in Three Rivers at the Huss Project, where he will return to perform in July.
In this edition of “Bites with Beca,” Watershed’s resident food critic writes, “In searching for the ideal restaurant to celebrate my father’s birthday this year I was on the hunt for ‘a place of perfect happiness’ and just so happened to find that exact definition in Kalamazoo’s Elysium (505 E. North St.).”
Naomi Ludman of Dowagiac argues Michigan should vote to join the National Popular Vote Compact, which would mean all of the state’s electoral votes would be awarded to the presidential candidate who wins the popular vote.
Watershed Voice Executive Editor & Publisher Alek Haak-Frost explains why what Watershed Voice is, is less important than who Watershed Voice is, when contemplating whether to donate and/or subscribe during our Spring Member Drive.
In this week’s Bites with Beca, Watershed Voice’s resident food critic Beca Welty takes on Toba Sushi for a second time after visiting in the first few weeks of its opening a year ago. To hear her verdict, and for a quick preview of what Toba has to offer, check out Beca’s latest local review.
“The Black and White of Faith” is written by Rock Island Illinois native Aubrey Barnes, also known as “Aubs.” Barnes performed at the 2022 Watershed Voice Artist Showcase in Three Rivers at the Huss Project.
Malachi “A+scribe” Carter of The Unapologetics Podcast asks, “How did Critical Race Theory even become a whole problem in the church? Who fired shots first?”
This installment of Reading in Righteousness gives attention to one Christian thought leader who has become the most prominent in White, conservative evangelical spaces concerning the topic of and opposition to Critical Race Theory — Dr. Neil Shenvi. A+scribe reads and scrutinizes his article “Critical Race Theory and Christianity.”
Naomi Ludman of Dowagiac argues that a resolution recently passed by the Case County Board of Commissioners concerning proposed gun safety laws sends “a very bad message” to potential new businesses and prospective citizens of the county.
In this week’s #MomLife column, Steph Hightree makes it all about Steph, for once. (Editor’s Note: It’s about time)
Watershed Voice columnist Charles Thomas writes, “Because ChatGPT can write essays, I thought it would be interesting to ask it to write a couple of essays for Watershed Voice about recent issues we’ve reported on. (The following) is an edited transcript of my conversation with ChatGPT, along with ChatGPT’s first work for Watershed Voice.”
Watershed Voice columnist Charles Thomas writes, “If you’re lonely this Valentine’s Day, I think it’s normal and even laudable to yearn for the opportunity to love in this active way and to find the kind of love that is real, harsh, and at times, even dreadful.
“But dreaming of a love perpetually frozen in the moments after a meet cute is likely to bring only sorrow. While that kind of love does exist, it’s as fragile as a soap bubble that immediately pops when hit with the faintest of breezes. When that bubble has burst, we are left with a mess that must be cleaned up. Then it’s time for us to start the harder task of active love. As G.K. Chesterton wrote, ‘to love means loving the unlovable.'”
Watershed Voice contributor Aubrey Barnes relays a recent conversation he had with his students about what a safe space should look like, and if such a place can be found in the confines of their school.
Sourcing quality ingredients and making nearly everything from scratch, Main Street Smokehouse in Mendon is taking traditional barbecue and elevating it by using creative and innovative flavors.
In this week’s #MomLife column, Steph Hightree discusses her upbringing and how it shaped the person she is today. Being the oldest of six wasn’t easy but she survived, as did her Hanson CD. Well, mostly.
Watershed Voice columnist Charles Thomas writes about the importance of deliberate practice when attempting to develop expertise.
#MomLife columnist Steph Hightree laments over her daughter getting older, and what she’s doing to embrace this bittersweet time in a parent’s life.