Toni Dockter

Toni Dockter was born and raised in Southern California. She was also born a writer and matured into a social commentator. After enough schooling, she high-tailed it north to the better half of the state, where she met her better half, Twonky Zotz. They own an environmental company where she works -- draining valuable hours from time needed to write. Oh well... After writing 3 novels, 3 YA books, 3 animation screenplays, and over 500 blogs which are all mostly unread, she remains undaunted in her quest to become a "famous" writer. Or any kind of writer that people actually read would be fine, too.

The Gazette Has a New Name. Like a rose by any other name still smells as sweet!

The Ashlandia Gazette is headed in a more outward direction, expanding our focus beyond what’s going on outside our front door to include anything that catches our interest in the big ol’ world out there. We feel we need to rename our illustrious rag sheet to: 1) Better encompass this outsized endeavor. 2) Better describe our outlandish writing style. 3) Better illuminate our outspoken opinions. Henceforth, we give you the Outlandia Gazette! …Read more »

Ashlandia Gazette Year in Review – A Honey and Pickle Perspective

We at the Gazette are privileged to have a guest commentator, St. Pickleas, show us how to evaluate the events of this year. St. Pick is the lesser-known but equally important brother of St. Nicholas. He generously allowed us to use his Honey Pot and Sour Pickle Awards to shine a light on 2018–who and what deserves praise and what deserves criticism. And if you’ve read previous issues, you know we love to hammer the hoopleheads. Hope we have more honey than pickles in the New Year. Cheers! …Read more »

Ignominious Incognito Inaugural Ball – Ashland City Hall Cronies Celebrate Midterm Elections

In Ashland, Oregon our intrepid reporter covered the midterm election party at the Baloney Bar and Grill–a private gala masquerade ball sponsored by City Hall. BuBu’s (Bumbling Bureaucrats) couldn’t suppress their glee over the re-election of some of their ilk. Nor could they repress their true identities. Our reporter uncovered the real peeps behind the elaborate disguises; their real views about city politics; their real plans for Ashland’s future. Following is her report. …Read more »

Vote NO on Electing Pumpkin Head Politicians in Ashland, Oregon

Tuesday, November 6, 2018 will be a historic day all across the U.S. It’s the day we Americans speak our minds through the ballot box. We will decide whether we approve of the direction our elected officials are taking us. Or if we instead want a course change. The same is true in Ashland, Oregon. We at the Outlandia Gazette encourage everyone to vote. Practice democracy as it was intended. Let your voice be heard. YAY America! …Read more »

Major League Baseball Is In Trouble When It Celebrates Cheating

We at the Ashlandia Gazette have never been more weirded out by the dishonest shenanigans of two institutions we have been dedicated fans of for over twenty years: The San Francisco Giants and USA Today newspaper. The SF Giants chose to retire the jersey of a flagrant cheater (performance enhancing drug user). USA Today chose to sing the praises of this cheater and applaud the celebration. A sad day for the Great Game of Baseball. A sad day for America. …Read more »

Small Thinking Never Leads to Big Things – A Lesson for Ashland, Oregon

To keep the brain functioning it needs glucose–supplied by eating food. Similarly, to operate at its maximum ability, the brain needs daily optimal nourishment–a meal of BIG thoughts. Yummy! Thinking SMALL inhibits the brain. Thinking BIG allows for a brainstorm of creativity, innovation, and productivity. These can improve oneself; one’s community; and the entire world. …Read more »

Censorship Alive and Well in Ashland Oregon – Library Bans This Newspaper

The Ashland Public Library, part of Jackson County Library Services, displays two newsletters in the periodical section. One is a monthly issue from the Parks and Recreation Department and the other is a monthly publication from the Rogue Valley Audubon Society. The Ashlandia Gazette is an independent newspaper, written in editorial form about issues concerning Ashland. The library has BANNED the Ashlandia Gazette from being displayed. Following is our response to this form of censorship. …Read more »

Ashland Oregon’s NPR Station Serves Up Censorship Stew to Silence Women

It is our opinion that the major institutions in Ashland, Oregon exhibit internalized and systemic sexist beliefs, resulting in behavior demeaning to women and attempts to silence them. We’ve seen it at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, OLLI, the Daily Tidings, Jefferson Public Radio, and City Hall. We anticipate that the Ashland Public Library will also shortly fall in line with these other groups. Unfortunately, to fix this horrendous problem, it must first be acknowledged. Good luck with that. …Read more »

Ashland, Oregon’s Female Problem – Bad for Society and Bad for Business

Ashland, Oregon is at a cross-roads with its status as a first-rate city to live, work, and play. The over indulgence of male-dominated thinking and male-dominated priorities have made it out of step with the prevailing mindset of today — ensuring women’s opportunities, rights, and gender parity. Ashland needs to get on the right road before it wanders off into obscurity. …Read more »