Grants Pass Now

As Josephine County has had to let go of more and more of its public services in the name of “cutting the fat,” residents have had to find other ways of coping. In my outlying neighborhood a few miles from Grants Pass, more and more of our neighbors have acquired aggressive dogs to ward off prowlers, knowing that their Rottweiler will be more ready on the money than any sheriff’s patrol. This is a kind of do-it-yourself property protection service…not a bad alternative if you’ve got the space and ability to care for your animal(s).

Unfortunately, too many people acquire a dog, then for whatever reason find they cannot care for it, or it’s too much to handle and they can’t find a good home so it ends up being abandoned. Used to be, Animal Control (formerly known as your friendly neighborhood dogcatcher) would come around and find these strays, take them to the public pound and hold them in that purgatory for a while, safe and well fed.

This is one of those “fat” luxuries that we’ve long since said goodbye to in our county. The local Humane Society, a private nonprofit, still runs the pound but they’ve had their hands full just getting it back on sound fiscal and management footing. And, you have to bring the animal there, they won’t pick up. The good news, though, is that there are enough dog lovers around that they have formed various rescue societies.  Debbie LaMonda, owner of the Dancin’ Paws doggie wash-o-mat, spends much of her free time rounding up abandoned pooches of various breeds and placing them into foster homes. She is one of many such volunteers who’ve stepped in to replace what once was a county service.

Debbie also volunteers with PAWS, a fantastic program that combines animal rescue with social services for humans, in the form of at-risk youth. PAWSitive Changes, Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit organization that strives to reach youth and dogs in need.  Its innovative project, The PAWS Program works with incarcerated youth who are paired with shelter dogs in order to care for, train, socialize, and prepare the dogs for adoption into forever homes. These dogs are all second-chance animals that are teaching compassion to youth in your community, at NO COST to the taxpayers..

PAWS’ leaders define their mission as “forming a more compassionate community; one dog at a time.” The principles of compassion, empathy, and positive reinforcement are key to their mission. Angie Sabin-Veek, a Youth Corrections Unit Coordinator at the Oregon Youth Authority in Grants Pass,  runs the PAWS program. They have been operating since June of 2006 with 49 successful adoptions. Angie says “This is the best thing I’ve ever been involved in. Dogs can reach these kids in ways that people can’t.”

100% of donated funds are used to care for the dogs in the program.  While no money is earned by the participating kids, they learn valuable life lessons of compassion, hope, and patience. PAWS dogs receive a combination of Vet Care, Basic Training, Socialization and”Forever Homes.” The incarcerated kids receive a kind of therapy that helps put them back on the right track in life, and it’s all because of the dedication of volunteers and generosity of sponsors that this dual benefit occurs.

In this time of shrinking services and lowered expectations from local government, it is refreshing to run across a program that delivers better and with more heart than any government-run service could hope to achieve. Private sector innovation combined with love and compassion have managed to re-invent the wheel of “animal control” into something beautiful. Now if only the Josephine Community Libraries effort succeeds, maybe we’ll be on the road to community self-reliance without raising taxes beyond an affordable level.

Amanda Locke nominated for consideration at SOU’s pre-college youth program.

Amanda Locke has an outstanding record of academic achievement. She has achieved straight A’s throughout her life in school, save for the occasional B in mathematics. At the age of 11, she tested “post high school” on all subjects save one on SAT testing, and was recently nominated for consideration at Southern Oregon University’s pre-college youth program for talented and highly able students. She has now been accepted, and is seeking sponsorship for tuition. The total cost of the one week residential program, being held this June, is $625.00

Amanda was sent a list of classes that will be offered at SOU during her time there, with instructions to check all the classes she’d like to see in her schedule. Her top three choices are “Junior Chefs”, which will be taught by Culinary Institute-Le Cordon Bleu Graduate Chef Marilyn Moore, a theater improv class called “Shakespeare Shenanigans,” and a class on American law, which isn’t surprising as she has always shown strong interest in court proceedings. Her reading choices from the age of five almost always included books on constitutional law, court proceedings, and the American justice system.

While most of her time is dedicated to school work, Amanda also has an interest in vegetable gardening and has recently taken some time out to help in her family’s small garden plot in a local community garden. A large portion of the harvest will go to local food shelters. She also spends some of her spare time drawing and painting, and is especially talented at drawing wildlife images.

If you’d like to help this young lady with part of the tuition costs, checks may be sent directly to the college, made out to SOU Pre-College Programs and clearly writing Amanda Locke-Deng on the reference line. The mailing address is as follows:

Southern Oregon University/ACADEMY
Pre-College Youth Program
1250 Siskiyou Blvd
Ashland, OR 97520

As Amanda and her family will need to keep track of the sponsors and amounts given, please follow this up with a short note to mandifizz@gmail.com , being sure to include contact information where she can send you a personal update after she completes ACADEMY.

If you wish to sponsor her but would rather present it to her in person, please use the above email address to make arrangements for this. - Gina Locke

Donna Schmid, Director of Integrative Health and Wellness Fair
and LMT NCMMT/owner of The Center for Therapeutic Health & Wellness

A few years ago Donna Schmid, a nationally certified medical massage therapist, began considering ways to bring the idea of integrative medicine to the Grants Pass area. Holding a health and wellness fair sounded like a great idea, but knowing how to get it started presented a difficulty. Donna turned to fellow business owner Jeff Voigt, who believed the community would embrace this idea. Jeff then became instrumental to the cause, offering advice and solutions to problems every step of the way. The preparations are nearing completion, and the first Rogue Valley Integrative Health and Wellness Fair will take place June 13, 14 & 15 in the Community Building at Josephine County Fairgrounds. A portion of the proceeds will benefit College Dreams, which promotes healthy youth development, academic excellence, and college preparation for students, especially those who face life challenges.

The goal of this fair is to familiarize people with various aspects of healing and wellness and show how Western (modern) and Eastern medicine work together to treat the whole person - body, mind, and spirit. For example, if a cancer patient is receiving chemotherapy, they may wish to use herbs or even acupuncture to help control nausea, and perhaps a gentle massage for relaxation and stress relief. By implementing a number of methods and with good communication between all involved, the patient receives a powerful program of care. Donna believes this is what integrative medicine is all about. It bridges the gap between healers who use modern medicine and those who use alternative medicine, working in unison for the common goal of providing outstanding results.

With that idea in mind, Donna met with Dr. Robin Miller of Triune Integrative Medicine in Medford. Dr. Miller is very excited about this new approach to medicine, and can be heard on News Channel 5 KOBI-NBC at 6pm on Mondays and Tuesdays. She will be the keynote speaker at the Integrated Health and Wellness Fair. Other speakers include naturopathic physician Daniel N. Smith, holistic family nurse practitioner Kathleen Johnson, and Terry and Joan Walton from the Medifast program “Take Shape for Life.”

The fair is interactive, allowing people to not only gather information, but actually see and in some cases experience different types of technology. Many of the healing arts will be represented, such as acupuncture, aromatherapy, feng shui, and naturopathy. There will be a cooking show, along with a wealth of information about healthy foods and how to incorporate them into your diet. Questions will be gladly answered by one of many professionals. It is the hope of everyone involved in this fair that those in attendance will walk away knowing they have the ability to be proactive in their health care and to understand the wide variety of options that are out there for you and your family.

To stay updated on this event, learn more about integrative medicine, or find more information on the speakers and vendors, visit their website at http://www.roguevalleywellnessfair.com/ You may also contact the director, Donna Schmid, at 541-476-1662. - Gina Locke

Bob Lieberman of SOASTC

Bob Lieberman is the Executive Director of Southern Oregon Adolescent Study & Treatment Center (SOASTC). He began his career at a residential treatment center for children in the mid-70’s at Christie School in Marylhurst, Oregon. Over the years Mr. Lieberman has watched mental health care evolve. What once was expected, such as long stays and almost a detachment from family involvement, the length of time spent in such programs has decreased, the expectations placed on mental health care has increased with a shorter time length to show results, and family, friends, and community has a much greater involvement in the process of caring for emotionally disturbed children. Bob finds this new degree of family and social involvement as a positive trend and hopes it will not only continue, but become the norm.

Founded in 1977, this program is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations and serves children from 8-18 year of age, although there are sometimes exceptions to this age limit. They offer both intensive and community programs. Their intensive treatment programs include psychiatric residential care, assessment and evaluation, and in-community services. The community programs include therapeutic foster care, independent living skills training, GED preparation, school based mental health services, planned and crisis respite care, treatment for sexual aggression, and other services and supports. These programs are designed for children who have chronic and persistent mental illness, along with those who have been victimized by abuse or have suffered trauma in their lives.

For families raising children with mental health problems, the program provides a host of benefits and receives numerous accolades from those involved. One mother writes of her experience and shares her thoughts about this “amazing facility” in the following words: “I placed my child here for help 8 weeks ago, and not only have I seen her grow, I’ve seen her ways of thinking changing, her mind opening to the possibilities of a new way to functions, and learning coping skills that she’ll be able to use the rest of her life in everyday situations…but the help here is not only for my child. My older daughter and I, through family therapy are also learning new ways to think. We have a long hard road ahead of us, but with the help we receive and the goals we need to meet to have my daughter discharged, and the amazing program of aftercare we will follow up up with…I am no longer afraid of the future, as I know we will always have the framework we have built and the hope that SOASTC will always be here for us as well as many children and families for years to come.” Current clients aren’t the only ones who feel this way. With its long history in the community, SOASTC has the benefits of being able to follow up with past clients over the years. Many return to share their success stories and to thank Bob and his crew for helping them out as youngsters. Therapy, coping skills, and the knowledge that somebody cares all work together to facilitate health, wellness, and ability to succeed in a world that isn’t always friendly to those who have trouble coping with the stresses of day to day living. They hope to see SOASTC continue to be a great community resource.

This is also the hope of Bob Lieberman - to have this facility available for those to come in the following years and be able to not only offer the quality services already instituted, but to expand and serve more families in need. While some of the funding for SOASTC comes from public and private insurance, they also accept children whose families are not financially stable and children who come to them through social services after having been removed from unfit homes. Thus, SOASTC relies heavily on monies from fundraisers and the generosity of local businesses and other donors. KDRV TV recently chose SOASTC as a recipient of Oprah’s Big Give, receiving $2,500 of the matched donations, but this is just a drop in the bucket compared to the need. Funds are used to help improve current residential facilities and expansion projects, fund activities, pay for educational programs, and much more. For more information or to help sponsor SOASTC, contact Mr. Lieberman by phone, fax, or mail.

Robert E. Lieberman
Executive Director
SOASTC
715 Ramsey Ave.
Grants Pass, OR 97527
541-956-4943
541-476-2895 - fax
rlieberman@soastc.org
www.soastc.org

- Gina Locke

Gwen Jacobson

In the middle of a Siberian river during the cold war may seem an unlikely place for a couple of Josephine County residents to begin an international friendship that would blossom into what is now the Grants Pass City Sister City Committee. It was the summer of 1998, and time for white water rafters from around the world to gather on the Katun River. The rafting trip that started was sponsored by project RAFT. (Russians and Americans for Teamwork) When the group from JoCo met two Rubtsovsk residents, the groundwork was laid for a Grants Pass chapter of Sister Cities. They are part of Sister Cities International, an organization formed out of the efforts of President Eisenhower famous White House conference on citizen diplomacy. Their mission is to “Promote peace through mutual respect, understanding, & cooperation - one individual, one community at a time.” - http://www.sister-cities.org/sci/aboutsci/mission Sister Cities International provides a multitude of educational programs for young people such as the Islamic Youth Initiative, a One World Youth Project, and the Young Artists Showcase.

The board of Grants Pass Sister Cities meets once a month. They handle delegations coming from or going to Russia, helping with issues such as obtaining a VISA or how to get an invitation, as visits to Russia are by invitation only. The group also lets people know what kind of experience they will have in Rubtsovsk and gives helpful bits of cultural advice. For instance, most visitors are offered flowers, but it is important to only take an odd number such as three or five. Most apartment buildings do not have elevators unless they are at least five stories tall, and instead of potatoes or rice, cabbage is the most commonly served item. Food is very important in Russian, and even those who have little of it take great care to present it in an aesthetically pleasing manner.

When visiting Rubtsovsk or Grants Pass, delegates go to different schools and give presentations about their respective cities. It is important to learn from each other, and trips include meetings with teachers, hospitals, fire departments, city officials, and many others to discuss different approaches to many issues, with the hope of learning about new technologies and different ways of dealing with safety concerns. Mayors from both cities have traveled and met with each other on more than one occasion. These visits usually occur every two years and include youth delegations. The last youth group went to Rubtsovsk about three years ago, and Sister Cities is now working on putting together another trip for them. The group usually consists of teens fifteen years of age and up, and they stay with their host families for one to three weeks. It is a wonderful experience, and fund raising will soon begin to help with the costs, which are normally around one thousand dollars per person.

While some monies do come from fund raising, membership dues also bring in financial help. In addition to this, the US state department has a plan called Open World that encourages exchanges with different places in the world. They are also a source of funding for cultural visits.

One very involved member here in Grants Pass is Gwen Jacobson. Her involvement started in 1990, and two years later she organized a group of fellow teachers and all fourteen of them took off for Rubtsovsk. As a teacher, Gwen’s expected it to be a learning experience, but was surprised to find herself completely in love with the city. She found the people open, generous, and genuinely curious. They were also very cultured and highly educated, with many fluent in three languages. She enjoyed it so much that in 1997, she packed her bags and spent a year teaching in an area not to far from where she first visited. Gwen looks forward to greeting the next group of friends who will soon be coming from Russia to visit Grants Pass. The visitors will be treated to a number of special engagements, and as always, a trip to the coast is a must. The city of Rubtsovsk is landlocked, so visitors to Grants Pass often find this to be the most exciting part of their visit.

If you’re interested in finding out more about Sister Cities, please visit http://www.grantspass-sistercity.com There are a number of photographs on the site for your enjoyment, along with a a variety of Russian style recipes and instructions for making dishes that have been served at Sister Cities meetings or given by Rubtsovsk citizens, such as the following:

Cucumber and Yogurt Dip
1 1/2 cups plain low-fat yogurt
1/3 cup sour cream
2 large cloves garlic, minced
2 medium-size cucumbers, peeled, grated, squeezed dry with paper towels
2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
Sumakh for garnish (optional, it’s a powdered mixture of spices)
Toasted pita triangles

1. In a serving bowl, combine the yogurt, sour cream, garlic, cucumbers, cilantro, and oil. Cover and refrigerate for 6 to 8 hours to allow the flavors to settle.

2. Before serving, garnish with mint leaves and sprinkle with sumakh (if available). Accompany this dip with toasted pita triangles.

Makes about 2 1/2 cups -Gina Locke

If that isn’t something you are interested in, how about learning how to use a computer or how to drive a big rig? Perhaps you are thinking of how nice it would be to have a class about raising your grandkids, or how nice it would be if junior learned how to drive himself to school.

These ideas and many more are why the community education program exists at Rogue Community College. There are a variety of options, including languages, small business management, pottery, and health. Taking classes through this program is great for those who have been out of school for a while and would like a few refresher courses before committing to the more costly and intense credit courses. It reintroduces the classroom, minus the hall passes, squeaky chalk, and assigned seating.

New to the line-up of offerings is Dutch oven cooking. A Dutch oven is a very heavy pot with an equally heavy lid, usually made of cast iron, that allows food to be cooked slowly and over a period of time. Think of it as an old fashioned crock pot! However, a Dutch oven requires much more skill to use than a crock pot and is often used over an open flame. Learning to cook with one is a fun challenge that will not only connect you with the days of the past, they will enable you to cook like a chef while on a camping trip and add variety and interest to your home cooking skills.

Another newcomer is Argentinian tango, which originated among the low class but quickly gained popularity for its exciting yet soulful, seductive moves. Unlike ballroom dance, the tango allows much room for improvisation and has partners embracing each other chest to chest rather than keeping their shoulders arched from each other. The Argentinian tango is much less formal than ballroom dancing and just as romantic.

If doing the tango is too tame, the community education program offers a course in white water rafting. For just under $400, you can go on a three day rafting trip down the Rogue with college President Peter Angsadt. The cost includes lodging, food, and equipment, and only requires that you bring your own clothing.

While many of the classes offered are meant to provide the community with general knowledge on topics of personal interest, there are also a number of classes designed to sharpen work-related skills. For example, there are classes in commercial truck driving, marketing strategies, and management skills training. Many of these classes are self pay, but some employers provide funds for work related classes or offer a refund after the class is successfully completed. However, some of the classes are not just for fun or business, they are meant to help make lives easier. For example, the caregiver’s class helps people who are caring for a friend or loved one at home. For grandparents who now have custody of their grandchildren, there is a class focusing on the ins and outs of raising a second family.

A wildly popular program with over 1,000 people involved is RASCA:Ls, which stands for Rogue Area Senior Computer Assistance League. They have general meetings at the Fairground every Tuesday, and classes are held in downtown Grants Pass at RCC’s Small Business Development Center. (SBDC) RASCALs has their own monthly newsletter, and provides assistance to members online and over the telephone. You don’t have to be little to be a RASCAL, you just need to be 55 years of age or older.

It’s easy to register for community education classes at Rogue Community College. You may mail in your enrollment or do it over the phone. If you’re in Josephine County call 956-7501, and Jackson County residents may call 245-7501. You may also go to the college in person, or visit www.roguecc.edu/rel to register. For the latest offerings, watch for the spring edition schedule of classes, which comes out in the Daily Courier towards the end of February. You may also visit the RCC website at https://www.roguecc.edu/BCWD/default.asp to read more about which classes are being offered, and to watch for updates to the schedule, which will be happening soon.-Gina Locke

Looking up at the stars on a clear evening can be a lovely experience, but thanks to physics researcher Barry Setterfield and his wife Helen, the citizens of Grants Pass can now get a much closer look.

The couple first planned on putting an observatory in their own backyard for their own use and research. However, they soon decided that not only would the view be clearer in a different location, it would allow many people access to an extremely high quality, professional telescope. This way, those with an interest in making observations or doing their own research will be able to do so with relative ease.

Because of its location on an ideal hill, among other factors, New Hope Christian School was chosen to receive this donation. As Director of the New Hope Observatory, Barry teaches astronomy classes and often attends the star parties. The classes and star parties are both open to the public. More information on these events can be found at the school’s website: http://www.newhopechristian.net/Observatory/default.asp

According to his parents, Barry’s interest in astronomy started before he could make a complete sentence. His third word was “moon,” and as a child growing up in South Australia, he attempted to catch the moon as it rose above the fence posts of his family home. His interest in science continued, and when he wasn’t caring for family members, he was doing research. In fact, it was this research that brought Barry and his wife together in 1998, while she was working as an editor in California. Although they were across the world from each other, a professional relationship became a friendship, which later deepened into love, and on October 21, 2000 their marriage made it official.

They were first attracted to Grants Pass during a trip to Brookings, where Barry was to meet with a fellow scientist. While passing through the area, Helen talked Barry into a Hellgate Excursion here in town. They both enjoyed themselves very much, and noted that the air here is quite clear, which is great for those interested in astronomy. Barry was also happy to find the area is on a stable geologic plate, which means no earthquakes will be centered here. The small town feel and natural beauty of the area made the decision even easier. They packed up and moved to Grants Pass with an adopted son, Chris. While Chris is an adult, he suffered a serious illness as a toddler. This left him severely brain damaged and in need of 24 hour care, which Barry and Helen have chosen to provide for him as long as they are able.

When Barry isn’t caring for Chris, star gazing, or researching topics that most people cannot pronounce, he is busy helping with the rescue animals his wife brings home. Helen has always enjoyed taking care of animals, and her barn is proof of that. As of today, there are seven chickens, six horses (two of which are miniatures), three dogs, two goats, two parakeets, and one guinea pig. While she credits the book “Black Beauty” with her initial interest in rescuing animals, it was her own pain - brought on by a number of surgeries, which gave her special empathy for people and animals who are sick, injured, or just in need of a good home. She finds that the hard work, tears, and even all the manure shoveling becomes worth it when she sees a critter go from being sick and weak to strong and healthy.

Despite all of the work that goes on in their home and elsewhere, the Setterfields also have taken an interest in the children of Grants Pass. They accept science questions from kids via email, and as time permits, they post these answers on a special section of their website: http://setterfield.org/kids.html Because of it’s prominence in the news over recent months, Pluto is a hot topic among kids, so for the kids out there, here is their answer to the question “Is Pluto Still a Planet?”

“Although we all learned, when we were younger, that there were nine planets and Pluto was the furthest planet out from the sun, Pluto was so strange it probably never was a true planet the way the others are. Why does it seem strange? All the other planets go around the sun in their own sort of lop-sided circles and they never cross each other’s paths. But Pluto not only crossed paths with Neptune, the planet closest to it, but Pluto also goes around the sun at an angle. All the other planets are like peas on a plate, going round and round the center sun. They make a sort of flat shape if you look at the solar system sideways. But Pluto isn’t on the ‘plate.’ It travels around the sun going way above the plate on one side and way under it on the other. So astronomers today have decided that Pluto is really more like a large asteroid going around the sun its own way, the way a lot of other asteroids do. Some of the large asteroids even have little moons of their own going around them, the same way Pluto does.
Scientists are just like people everywhere. The more they learn, the more they have to change some of the things they were thinking at first. They have changed their minds about what Pluto is because of the things they have learned about it.”

Barry and Helen’s most recent work consists of a set of videos about Barry’s work, which are being produced by Freedom Films in Medford. The first, titled “The Christmas Star”, discusses the story behind Christmas from a scientific and historical point of view, shattering common myths and offering a tantalizing view of the events in that particular time period. The video is now available online at http://setterfield.org/
The videos currently in production are intended to introduce the public to Barry Setterfield’s work in astronomy and physics. The goal is to not only make his work in these areas understandable to the layman, but to present the implications of current research going on around the world. This two set of two DVD’s will be available by the end of this summer.

To view pictures of the New Hope Observatory, astronomy photos from the telescope, or for more information on attending astronomy classes, star parties or setting up viewing times, please visit http://www.newhopechristian.net/Observatory/default.asp

For a look into Barry’s research, the kids question page, or to order DVD’s, please visit the Setterfield’s website at: http://setterfield.org/

-Gina Locke

Julie Rubenstein

My dogs adore me with that unconditional love that only dogs can offer. Jack and Domino, two mostly black Lab retrievers who’ve been faithful family retainers for 14 and 16 years, respectively. We’ve been through a lot together, not only the thousands in veterinary bills but all the stages of life in a family - from childhood to old age. They watched my kids grow from little to adult, and then move away - siblings mysteriously lost. They’re the kids who stayed behind.

I love them too but as a human, my love, alas, is the conditional kind. Though I have abiding love for them at all times, I love them MOST when they are

a. Clean — this includes not only good personal hygiene in the rear compartment, but that fresh-from-the-bath smell when their thick black fur shines and doesn’t smell like the goat pasture next door, and they’re not shedding gobs of black fur everywhere.

b. Quiet - not leaping up in a sudden barking frenzy in the middle of the night when the coyotes start on the prowl. This has gotten to be less of a problem lately. Not only are they more hard of hearing all the time but the sniffers have started to go too. A mixed blessing, for sure.

c. Polite - this encompasses a lot of things, but as dogs go these guys are actually better than most. They don’t jump up on anybody, will heel without a leash, come when called, and lie down, sit and skedaddle when told. Flatulence they can’t help, and I’m responsible for that in a way- if I give them the wrong foods we all suffer for it later. The one command that they consistently resist, and perhaps the one I care most about because it is a near-constant problem, is MOVE.

We have a sprawling house but the rooms and traffic areas are on the small side with lots of tight corners and narrow hallways. If one passageway is blocked you have to go around the Horn to get to the next room. Our dogs’ habit, both of them, is to lie in doorways, passageways, next to the sofa, next to the bed - in short, any place they can position themselves for the best vantage point or closest proximity to the objects of their undying affection - me and my husband. I know it’s because they love us so much that they do this, but it still annoys the hell out of me. I am always tripping over them in the dark, stepping over them, or required to take the long way around because of their devotional adjacence. It’s a constant power struggle not only between me and the dogs over whether they’ll move if ordered, but also between me and my husband over the mere issuance of the command. He thinks I shouldn’t require it of them, and simply step over or around. For me, it’s a matter of principle - who’s the boss? I AM, at least with respect to the dogs. They know it, and they largely accept it. Except in this one persistently annoying habit.

When they were younger and spryer this was less of a problem. I could say, “Move!” in a normal tone of voice and after one or two commands they’d get up - reluctantly but obediently- and be out of my way with little friction having passed between us. Over the years, though, their hearing has diminished so that “Move!” turned into “MOVE!!” and gradually, for emphasis, “JACK, MOVE!!!” This got rather startling and not a little annoying to my poor husband, who objected to the practice in the first place but would jump out of his skin when startled by my barking orders to the dogs. I won’t burden you with that end of the dispute, other than to say it finally led to a different solution that recognizes the limitations of their advancing age. I’ve compromised a little. I step around if it’s not too much of a detour just because Domino especially is so creaky and arthritic that it’s a long wait for him to rouse himself anymore, and the Boss principle only goes so far.

But sometimes the detour is too long, or they’re lying end to end across a doorway and I’d need a running broad jump to get over them. On those occasions these days, instead of saying anything I slip my toe beneath their prone bodies and give them a little nudge. After a training period of several renditions of this motion accompanied by the shouted “MOVE!!” (carefully deployed only in the husband’s absence) they now understand that the toe nudge means they need to haul their tired, arthritic old bodies up and over a few feet where their presence will be less intrusive. For a while. They always seem to migrate right back into the doorway.

Rinda Freeman, Glen Hannon and Kris Kirby at Creative Services office

When it comes to serving the mentally handicapped population here in Grants Pass, the dedicated staff of our local Creative Support office earns a five star rating.

Designed to serve those “wait listed” for help with services such as finding a steady place to live, employment, shopping, and learning day-to-day living skills, the department provides support to a number of individuals and their families.
Glen brings with him a B.S. in psychology and 20 years of experience. When speaking about his work, Glen leans forward and his look becomes intense as he describes the joy of seeing positive results for his clients. It is immediately obvious that he is intensely satisfied with this field of work. He has been in the field long enough to have witnessed the shift in attitudes towards the developmentally disabled (DD) and those with mental retardation, and feels as if there has been a vast improvement. A far cry from the institutions and isolation of the past, Creative Supports receives referrals for wait-listed clients, who are then given a variety of choices. They are encouraged to seek work within the community, are able to select their own caregivers, all the while being taught skills to foster as much independence as possible.

Rinda’s work comes to her naturally. When she was just six years old, her brother adopted a child with Down’s syndrome. As she grew up, her summer jobs always included working with handicapped people. She went on to earn an AA degree, a social services degree, and then received her mental health technician certificate.  Rinda enjoys being able to let client’s and their families know they now have the opportunity to make more of their own decisions in regards to needed services, and likes to help people find solutions to various problems they encounter.  It has taught her to appreciate her own life more, and when she goes home at the end of the day, she takes with her the feeling that she has learned more from her DD friends than they have from her.

Kris started her career as a client supervisor in a sheltered workshop- a controlled work environment created to offer jobs to those whose disabilities keep them from working at a regular job source. She then spent a number of years at home raising her children, after which she attended Rogue Community College to receive her mental health tech. certificate.  She is refreshingly clear in stating what she likes most about her work…”being the link that gets clients what they want.” Rather than viewing this as just another job, Kris feels privileged to be able to serve the DD population of Grants Pass, and finds there is a certain degree of satisfaction when clients begin to know and trust her. Her straight forward, honest approach is sure to be a benefit to those around her for years to come.

As a group, Glen, Rinda, and Kris all agree that giving people more options empowers them to reach a higher potential. When asked what the people of Grants Pass can do to become more involved, they stated that people frequently ask how deal with the mentally handicapped in public. The question is proof that some degree of discomfort still does exist in our society, but it is also a very positive sign, because it shows people care and learning to overcome the fears and prejudices that once were rampant. The answer is simple: treat them like the human beings they are. Look them in the eye and say hello as you would to anyone. Don’t judge all DD people the same as far as your beliefs about their capabilities are concerned. As is true in any group of people, there is a wide range of differences in their personalities, abilities, and education. Their biggest handicap is often communication, but their next biggest one is the “invisible phenomenon”, which happens when others refuse to acknowledge them or who are afraid to treat them normally when they do.

In order to qualify for services, one must be over the age of 18, have a diagnosis, live on his/her own or with a family member, and receive a referral from the State DHS DD program. For more information, contact Creative Support by calling this number:  (541) 472-0752 -Gina Locke

Peggy Sue Jenkins, founder of Lighthouse to Dreams.

Every book is made up of words, and in the opinion of Lighthouse to Dreams (L2D) founder, Peggy Sue Jenkins, every woman in the Grants Pass community is a word in this town’s story. She also believes that strong women make for a strong community.

That’s why she is starting the L2D women’s group, which will hold its first meeting this month. The gatherings are meant to serve as a safe haven where women can join together and share their hopes, fears, and dreams without fear of being judged or treated with disrespect. Whether you’ve had a tough week, need a friend, or want to learn how to overcome an abusive relationship, Lighthouse to Dreams welcomes you to join them.

Peggy Sue believes that everyone needs support and that part of becoming a happier person is learning how to become your authentic self. She explains this as a process that includes searching deep inside to figure out who you really are, sharing that person with others, and learning how to deal with and express your true emotions. When this happens, you become truly passionate about life, leading to a greater ability to enjoy good experiences, and allowing you to be in a healthier state of mind when trying to resolve problems that arise.

Lighthouse to Dreams isn’t just new to the community, it’s also a new experience for Peggy Sue. She has always had a heart for helping others, but wasn’t quite sure how to get started. As a para educator in Kansas, she worked with handicapped children and fell in love with the kids. After taking some time off to deal with her son’s health issues, she moved to Grants Pass and began attending Rogue Community College. She is working on her Transfer Degree and would one day like to earn a BA in literature. Her ultimate dream is to start a day ranch for abused children. In a sense, this support group is a stepping stone towards that dream. It’s a way to help others in the here and now while still receiving the education and support it takes to begin such an intense task.

If you’re interested in meeting locations and times or would like more information, please call 541-659-6979 or write to peggysuejenkins@lighthouse.com -Gina Locke

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Grants Pass Now Reader Comment:

Do not hesitate to become part of Peggy Sue’s dream. You will not regret one minute you spend in her company. She is a beacon of light in my life. love ya Peggy Sue, Kathryn Brooks

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