Columns

By Cheryl Richardson, For The Sandy Standard It’s such an exciting time of year — summer is just around the corner, and with it comes one of life’s biggest milestones for many young people: high school graduation. It’s a season filled with celebrations, accomplishments, and excitement about the future. Some graduates are stepping directly into careers, some are continuing their education, and others are still discovering what path lies ahead. For over 30 years, one of the way

By Tina Hergert, For The Sandy Standard Hi neighbors! Last month we covered metabolic syndrome, the warning sign about 40% of American adults are living with. I promised a personal health dashboard this month, and here it is. Think of it like the dashboard in your car. It shows what is working, what needs attention, and what could leave you stranded on the side of the road.Your body has one too. Most people just never learn how to read it. Three numbers are enough to start. Y

By Tyler Deems, For The Sandy Standard Summer is just around the corner, and in the warmer weather and longer days, many folks enjoy spending more time doing activities outdoors. Unfortunately, with that comes an increase in noise complaints received by the City. The City Council is currently reviewing the existing noise ordinance and making modifications to address some of the recurring livability complaints that are received. This work also includes a new municipal code sec

Press Release Backyard burning is NOT permitted inside the DEQ Burn Ban Boundary. Please use the Burn Restriction Map to determine if you reside within the burn ban boundary. To use the map, type in your address and click enter. When your address appears, and if you are in the blue area, you are in the DEQ Burn Ban Boundary and are unable to burn. Backyard burning includes yard debris, trimmings, and clippings only. Dimensional lumber, trash, other non-yard debris items cann

By Dr. David Wenzel, For the Sandy Standard Some of you may be old enough to remember uttering the words as a child, “I’m soooo bored!” For me, it was often during summer vacation. Friends would gather and ask, “Whatcha wanna do?” The response would be “I dunno… whatcha wanna do?” This sophisticated strategic planning session might continue for quite a while. Eventually, one of us would complain to a parent that there was “nothing to do.” The response was usually swift and cl

Dr. Melanie Brown, Chiropractic Physician, Mountain Life Clinic & Pure Life Clinic, For The Sandy Standard Summer has a way of slipping through our fingers. One minute the weather finally warms up, and the next we’re wondering where the long evenings, sunshine, and good intentions went. Too often, summer becomes a blur of screens, scrolling, gaming, streaming, and “just one more video.” Before we know it, we’ve spent another season watching life instead of living it. The aver

By Brit Allen, The Sandy Standard Kyla Souza, pen name Kyla Ren, has been writing stories since she was a child. Her husband, Matt Souza, has been writing since he met Kyla and decided to give writing a go to better understand her (and get the girl). The couple’s story is a very nerdy meet-cute. Girl, dressed as Harley Quinn, meets boy, dressed as an inflatable T-Rex, at comic con. Boy starts hobby to impress girl and ends up with a new girlfriend and a new passion. Matt eve

Name: Minty My birth certificate says Scott M. Minton. The “M” is the initial of a legendary Philadelphia Flyers hockey player who scored the only goal to nab the Flyers the Stanley Cup of that year, 1974. Place of birth: I was born at the beautiful Jersey Shore, in the land of Springsteen and liberty. They never called it a coast, although it certainly counts as one. I grew up in the shadow of Philadelphia, in the crown jewel of the Garden State. Don’t believe the rumors. Ho

By John Wallace, For The Sandy Standard On Saturday, June 27, 2025, community members will gather at Sandy Bluff Park for Noah’s Quest, a community run and walk that honors families who have experienced the loss of a child, those facing fertility challenges, and the friends, family members, and supporters who stand beside them. The event begins at 8:00 a.m. and includes a 1K Kiddie Run, a 5K Walk, and a 5K Run. Participants of all ages and abilities are encouraged to attend,

You may have heard the newest term in the health scene, Metabolic Syndrome. Approximately 40% of American adults have metabolic syndrome, yet a recent survey found that 90% of the population have never even heard of it. So what is it? And why should you care? At its core, metabolic syndrome is a warning sign that several key health markers are moving in the wrong direction at the same time. It describes what happens when your body starts struggling to manage blood sugar and

The Sandy Kiwanis Club is excited to celebrate another year of the Sportsman’s Breakfast, a cherished tradition that brings our community together. As we look ahead, we also want to clarify that Clackamas Fire remains a committed partner in this event. Beginning this year, the Sportsman’s Breakfast will move from April to October to better align with other community events and fundraising efforts. This year it will be held October 3. Spacing events out will reduce overlap and

By Creanna Gallegos, for the Sandy Standard The Hull Foundation and Learning Center provides programs and services unlike any other organization supporting people with sight loss and blindness. Many community members know of the Foundation, yet few realize the full scope of what happens behind the scenes. One of the most meaningful services offered is the Referral Program, created in partnership with Kaiser and open to anyone seeking support. Each person referred receives a

By Homemasters for Sandy Standard The coming of spring can bring a massive list of to-dos for cleaning away the skeletons of winter. Seasonal changes bring a time of renewal for your indoor and outdoor spaces. Proper maintenance of the outside of your home can help ensure the life expectancy and keep your warranties intact. Roof & Gutters The most critical of seasonal upkeep is your roof and gutters. Debris can aid the growth of moss and algae as well as cause clogging of yo

By Dr. David Wenzel, for The Sandy Standard When people ask me why I became a therapist, the most common answer they hear is something like, “I want to help people.” And that’s true. It’s a privilege to walk alongside someone as they work through pain, loss, or difficult seasons in life. But there’s another side to the story that doesn’t get talked about as much: therapists are helped by their clients too. Over the past 35 years, I’ve spent tens of thousands of hours in thera

Welcome to Whole Health Simplified’s monthly column By Tina Hergert, RN, Whole Health Simplified Hi neighbors! I’m Tina Hergert, a registered nurse, a health coach, and a Sandy resident. I’ve lived here my entire adult life. This community is home, and I care about how we feel, how we live, and how long we stay well. I chose to write this column for a simple reason. Too many people struggle to access care. Appointments take weeks or months. Costs add up. When people finally

The Hull Foundation and Learning Center provides programs and services unlike any other organization supporting people with sight loss and blindness. Many community members know of the Foundation, yet few realize the full scope of what happens behind the scenes. One of the most meaningful services offered is the Referral Program, created in partnership with Kaiser and open to anyone seeking support. Each person referred receives a welcome packet filled with information about

When people ask me why I became a therapist, the most common answer they hear is something like, “I want to help people.” And that’s true. It’s a privilege to walk alongside someone as they work through pain, loss, or difficult seasons in life. But there’s another side to the story that doesn’t get talked about as much: therapists are helped by their clients too. Over the past 35 years, I’ve spent tens of thousands of hours in therapy conversations. During that time, I’ve wat

Hi neighbors! I’m Tina Hergert, a registered nurse, a health coach, and a Sandy resident. I’ve lived here my entire adult life. This community is home, and I care about how we feel, how we live, and how long we stay well. I chose to write this column for a simple reason. Too many people struggle to access care. Appointments take weeks or months. Costs add up. When people finally get in, they often leave with more questions than answers. Many get told, “Your labs are normal,”

It’s surprisingly easy to go through an entire day without eating a single fresh fruit or vegetable. For many kids, the day begins with cereal and milk for breakfast, moves on to a school lunch built around packaged or processed foods, and ends with a quick dinner like mac & cheese or nuggets. Adults often fall into similar patterns — skipping breakfast, grabbing fast food between responsibilities, or relying on simple, rushed dinners that don’t include any fresh ingredients.

Place of birth: Albuquerque, NM How long have you lived in Sandy: In the late 80s, I lived in Welches, then moved back to Sandy 10 years ago in 2016 If you were not brought here as a child, what brought you to the area? My Dad was the first architect to work with Fred Meyer's first location. So we moved here to Beaverton when I was in the 2 nd grade – to Sexton Mountain area, but we only stayed for a year. Then we moved to Welches, where my mom worked as the PE teacher in