NW Boomer and Senior News March 2015 Lane County Edition by Northwest50Plus

THE wild WORLD LANE COUNTY EDITION MARCH 2015 • FREE!

Cascades Raptor Center’s two-fold mission: Rehabilitate, educate By DEB ALLEN BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS

There’s a vast diversity of birds on this planet and they greatly impact our ecosystems. As humans, we have a responsibility to respect and protect the wild around us, while lessening our negative impacts. Sadly, human activities are linked to billions of bird deaths every year. But there are ways we can lessen our adverse effect on our natural world, and Cascades Raptor Center (CRC) is here to help. The CRC is located on the eastern perimeter of Spencer Butte on Fox Hollow Road in Eugene. It was founded in 1990 with the mission to prevent injuries and rehabilitate injuries primarily inflicted on raptors. “A raptor is a predatory bird, but they are not the only predatory bird,” says Kit Lacy, CRC education director, who is partnered with a stately, living example – Pip – a peregrine falcon perched on her hand as she speaks. Pip is one of the honored, feathered CRC residents that works with the staff to educate the public. “What makes a raptor a raptor is how they go about hunting,” Lacy says. “They hunt other animals using their feet.” As she talks, visitors watch while Pip’s strong talons grip Lacy’s leather glove only a few feet away. “We have over 30 different species that call Oregon home. Oregon is a very raptor-rich state because we have so many different types of habitat.”

See RAPTOR p. 2 Top right, Louise Shimmel, CRC founder and executive director, holds Lorax, a great horned owl that greets visitors at the center. Bottom right, Ki is a red-shouldered hawk who was found as a nestling, emaciated and weak. He’s now healthy and part of the education program at Cascades Raptor Center. Photos courtesy of Cascades Raptor Center

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LANE COUNTY EDITION

NW BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS • MARCH 2015

RAPTOR CONTINUED FROM P. 1

Thus, it makes perfect sense to have an education and rehabilitation center in western Oregon to promote the wellbeing of raptors. “Basically, our mission is to foster a connection between people and birds of prey,” says Louise Shimmel, CRC founder and executive director, “and we essentially do that in two ways and for one reason: Wildlife rehabilitation and public nature education. And the goal is to enhance people’s appreciation and respect, and therefore stewardship of the wild world.” So what can the human population do to prevent injury to raptors, as well as other bird species? Shimmel says “collisions” are the biggest cause of mortality among birds throughout the world. “The primary problem we see, that is not very preventable, is collision with vehicles, and that brings in about half the owls,” she says. “Overall, it’s about 30 percent of what we see.” Those include collisions with cars, planes and trains. However, windows are actually the largest contributor to avian mortality rates. Shimmel suggests following the advice of the American Bird Conservancy for reducing these risks. Visit abcbirds.org or call the ABC at 888-247-3624. While collisions with windows and moving vehicles are not easily preventable, Shimmel says there are some steps we can take to reduce threats to wildlife. One of those is to reduce the risk of lead poisoning. Shimmel says birds are poisoned from eating meat which contains lead from ammunition. “Soaring hawks and eagles are scavengers,” she says. “If they see a pile of food they’re going to eat it.” Hunters have the option of using non-lead bullets. Visit huntingwithnonlead.org for more information. Rodenticides pose another dangerous, yet preventable, risk to birds of prey. “We do see a fair amount of rodenticide poisons,” Shimmel says. “People are reaching for it but they don’t understand the ramifications. It’s true that one bite will kill the current generation, but they don’t kill right away. So this animal walks around being really debilitated, bleeding internally for

Photo by Deb Allen

Through Handler Talks, scheduled at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, the public can get a close-up view of, and more education about, raptors. Injured birds that can’t be released back to the wild also act as hosts.

“The primary problem we see, that is not very preventable, is collision with vehicles, and that brings in about half the owls.” ~ Louise Shimmel, CRC executive director days. And then if he’s eaten by something else – it could be a cat, it could be a fox, it could be a bird of prey – then they, too, get poisoned. It’s much more effective to have a family of barn owls than it is to put a bunch of poison out.” Shimmel says birds and owls like to make nests, even in urban areas. When it comes to maintaining your yard, avoid pruning trees in the spring when it is more likely you may disturb nests. Look for wildlife-friendly solutions and products to fertilize and use for pest management. “Bird feeders are nice, but what’s even better is planting native nut, seed and berry producing plants, so that you’re creating a year-round food source,” she says. Also, avoid using barbed

wire fencing. “To birds, it’s really lethal,” Shimmel says. “They don’t see it very well and they get hung up on it.” The CRC treats about 200 injured or orphaned birds each year. Staff and volunteers find releasing a recovered bird back into the wild quite rewarding. Yet, not all patients recover well enough to survive in the wild. Pip was a young bird when found with a broken leg. He was taken into the CRC for surgery and his bone was pinned. Unfortunately, because of the anesthesia used during the surgery, Pip’s heart and breathing stopped more than once. He was resuscitated but, because he could not tolerate the anesthesia, they had to finish the surgery prematurely and were not able to externally fixate the pin. So his bone did not heal normally. “That kind of disability is a game-ender, especially for a high-speed predator,” Lacy says. When the CRC staff realized Pip would not be releasable, they assessed his ability to begin a different lifestyle in captivity. He passed the assessment faster than any other raptor known to Lacy. “He won our 2014 rookie of the year award – traveling and doing off-site programs, meeting more people than some of our seasoned veterans here,” Lacy says. “So he has been a fantastic addition to our team.” The respect, understanding, affection and connection the

Of note

Cascades Raptor Center, 32275 Fox Hollow Road, Eugene. 541-485-1320. Eraptors.org Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday, November to March, with “handler talks” at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday to Friday. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday, April to October. Admission is $8, $7 for teens/ seniors, $5 for children 11 and younger. Parking is limited. staff and volunteers hold toward the raptors at CRC is evident. It is quite a privilege for humans to partner with these wild birds in a mission to educate the public. The CRC offers many avenues of connection and education enrichment for people of all ages. “Our programs are very specifically age-related,” Shimmel says. “There’s some nice literature out there now on age-appropriate education.” In the Reading with Raptors program, for example, a CRC staff member takes both a bird and a storybook about that bird and visits with young children. One example might be bringing a great horned owl paired with the book “Owl Moon.” “What is really important at that age is empathy, and to develop compassion,” she says. During the last Sunday of the months from May to September, the center hosts Family Nature Discovery Days, using various themes. For instance, a springtime theme could be about eggs. At

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the end of July, the “Wildlife Maimed Hospital” provides a popular learning experience for children. Stuffed animals will be opened at the seam and inserted with a broken Popsicle stick, then sewn back together. Children find the “injured” animal, rescue it, assess its injury, then apply bandages. Animals that have “bugs” will be treated for parasites and given water. Then, while the “patients” remain in the hospital to heal, the children visit the many resident birds throughout the center. When they return, the children get to “release” the bird back into the wild. The CRC offers various enrichment and group membership programs for numerous senior organizations as well. Valuable insight is gained from those who have invested their lives into studying, working with and understanding the magnificent wildlife around us. ■

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MANAGING YOUR MONEY

MARCH 2015 • www.nwboomerandseniornews.com

Whether you have enough or need help stretching it, some helpful programs are out there

LANE COUNTY EDITION

By VANESSA SALVIA BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS

As a young business owner selling office and bookkeeping supplies, David Finch found himself in financial trouble. “I did everything wrong you could imagine,” he says. “I had no idea how to run a business.” Finch, now 78, says he did do a good job of tracking his debts back then. “The debts just kept going up. I wanted to pay the debts, I intended to pay them, that’s why I kept track of them.” Finch now offers debt elimination and financial management services through a nonprofit called Emmanuel Credit Management. “I learned to do what I’m doing by watching myself,” he says. “I knew how easy it was to get into debt because I found it very easy to get there and I found it very hard to get out. So when people come in here I’m not telling them theory, I’m telling them experience.” Emmanuel Credit Management is one of a few programs that offer money management services of various types to seniors in this area. NEDCO, which is located in Springfield, offers money management classes, while Senior and

Photo courtesy of NEDCO

This popular “Threshold” class offered by NEDCO helps those who want to learn how to save up to buy a house. Other classes focus on financial literacy, and learning how to manage on a budget. Disabled Services provides help with money management skills. Dana Doney, Oregon Money Management Program specialist at Lane Council of Governments, Senior and Disabled Services, can help seniors access a statewide Easter Seals program called Oregon Money Management. This program supports people age 60 and above who need help with money management tasks. Trained and certified program volunteers can help with such tasks as budgeting, paying bills, banking, filling out forms, debt management and insurance claims. NEDCO, or Neighborhood Econ-

omic Development Corporation, has been a force for 35 years in Springfield in economic improvements, both on the personal and city level. It offers classes in budgeting and preparing for home ownership. A program called Hatch helps entrepreneurs launch small businesses. Individual Development Accounts help low-income people save money through a matching grant to meet their financial goal, whether it be saving money for college or buying a car. Emmanuel Credit Management (ECM) is a Christian organization, but Finch says the majority of his clients

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do not identify as Christians. “We don’t preach to anybody walking in the door,” Finch says. “We’ll serve anyone no matter who they are and what their religious beliefs are. We witness by the nature of how we serve.” Finch was the son of a pastor and moved around a lot. “In those days pastors only stayed in one place for about two years,” he says. By 1956 and an adult, he moved to Springfield and never left. He founded Emmanuel Christian Counseling in 1983 under the umbrella of Christian Family Services, and became independent nearly eight

See NEDCO p. 4

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LANE COUNTY EDITION

NW BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS • MARCH 2015

Of note

NEDCO

Emmanuel Credit Management 210 E 17th Ave., Eugene; 541-345-7046 emmanuelcredit.org

CONTINUED FROM P. 3

years later. “The people we serve are people that are in debt and they need to get control of their debts and get them paid off,” Finch says. He has a senior client on the Check Writing service, which makes sure that bills are paid. “He has money coming in but he can’t remember if he paid the bills or not,” Finch says. “So he gives some money to us and the bills come to us and we make sure they’re paid.” Finch works with some seniors who can no longer keep track of money very well. Some do have money but their ability to add and subtract is diminished. “For them this is a godsend because their bills are always going to be paid and they get the money that they need to live on,” he says.

Some alcoholics or problem gamblers make use of the Money Management program, in which the client’s income goes to ECM and ECM pays the bills and distributes what the client needs for food and necessities. “We keep track of what they take and what they tell us they spend it on,” Finch says. “If they need money for a legitimate need, OK, but they’re not going to get any more than that and we hold them accountable.” The Debt Settlement program is not the kind of “pennies on the dollar” program

NEDCO Lifeline is offered twice per month, from 6 to 8 p.m. Mondays, 212 Main St., Springfield, and 1 to 3 p.m. Thursdays, First United Methodist Church, 1376 Olive St., Eugene. Call 541345-7106.

Financial Foundations is offered monthly from 6 to 8 p.m. either Wednesday or Thursday, 212 Main St., Springfield. Cost is $40 for class and counseling. Register at nedcocdc.org, at the Main Street office, or by calling 541-345-7106.

Oregon Money Management Program Lane County Senior and Disabled Services, 1015 Willamette St., Eugene; Dana Doney, 541-682-4177

Photo courtesy of NEDCO

NEDCO instructor Ross Kanaga offers instruction on the board during one of his money management classes. that some people see advertised. This program, says Finch, is licensed by the State of Oregon and is a one-time settlement option for those who can make an offer to clear a debt. Because ECM is a nonprofit, it can more easily work with companies that wish to settle debts. ECM also offers Business Accounting, which helps business owners manage their payroll and taxes. This is an area where Finch’s previous experience with his own failed business really pays off. “Most people who are in business for

themselves really want to handle their own money,” he says. “But if you’re new to business you may not really know how to handle money that well. And, your focus is on your business, not on managing the money.” Finch is ECM’s only employee at this point, and he’s essentially a volunteer. The office is open three days a week and is looking for other employees to help expand services and take over when Finch decides to retire, though he says he’s not ready to quit just yet.

Fees are on a sliding scale. For a client in the highest income bracket on the Debt Elimination and Money Management programs, the fees would not exceed $85 per month. A client in the lowest income category on both programs would pay $15 for each program. The debt elimination program alone costs only $15. NEDCO offers Lifeline, a free beginning financial literacy series of four classes, says Karen Saxe, NEDCO’s OpportunityWorks supervisor. “The goal of Lifeline is to get participants into a healthy relationship with money management,” she says. “Classes cover a range of topics from budgeting and savings to debt management to credit. People will be able to unpack their financial questions and concerns and receive tips for find-

ing financial stability, including working with financial institutions and products. “ After Lifeline, many people move on to another series of four classes called Financial Foundations. Here, participants set goals such as buying a home or paying off debt. “For people living on a fixed income, a budget can be an extremely useful tool and, as you begin to track your monthly expenses you can see areas to adjust to accomplish your financial goals,” Saxe says. “Once you’ve completed Financial Foundations you will be able to create a monthly budget that accurately reflects your monthly expenses, develop a plan to save and/or pay down debt and read a credit report to determine next steps for credit repair.” ■

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HEALTHY VIBES

MARCH 2015 • www.nwboomerandseniornews.com

LANE COUNTY EDITION

What happens when you use a fitness tracker By FRANCES MUNKENBECK, MD

Alert: 2015 may very well be the year of the Fitbit. What started as a humble pedometer has evolved into a line of sophisticated fitness tracking devices which can measure things like resting heart rate, calories burned, and stairs climbed in a day. The Fitbit is just one type of fitness tracker — many other technology companies have gotten into the market. Last year, consumers spent nearly $500 million on wearable health and fitness devices — more than twice last year’s sales. A fitness tracker is easy to spot: They will insist on taking the stairs and happily rattle off details about foot-step mileage and flights of stairs climbed to date. For health and fitness experts the advent of the wearable fitness device means a new tool to help people monitor and contribute to their health — especially cardiovascular health. Being able to measure how hard and how efficiently your heart is working breathes new life into the perennial advice of doctors to get more exercise and eat healthy. Doctors welcome the fitness tracker trend; greater awareness of one’s body is a powerful tool in adopting healthier behaviors. Increasingly practitioners are recommending the use of a wearable fitness track-

er for patients struggling to lose weight or improve their overall cardiovascular health. These devices provide accountability, measurement, reward and even a social element to help motivate individuals— making them one of the best wellness tools on the market. Here are some of what doctors and patients reported discovering after the purchase and use of a fitness tracking device:

“I had no idea how much I sat in a day!” Far too many Americans have a daily routine which consists of driving their car to work, sitting at a desk for eight hours and then returning home to sit on a couch to watch TV. Sitting is a killer. Sitting for more than five hours a day is thought to increase the risk of heart failure by as much as 50 percent. The key to striking a heart healthy balance in lifestyle is to combine 30-plus minutes a day of vigorous exercise with multiple breaks throughout the day — these can include simply standing up for 10 minutes, three times a day; taking a five- to 10-minute walk; or even doing some stretches in place at your desk.

“I need to take it easy – I get stressed more often through the day than I thought!” One of the most common revelations reported by individuals with a tracker is just how big an impact stress can have on the heart. Sustained

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high levels of stress have been linked to heart disease, high blood pressure, chest pain and irregular heartbeats. While there are tests for other heart disease risk factors, such as high cholesterol and blood pressure, stress has traditionally been harder to measure. The ability for a person to now monitor their heart rate in real time, and observe when it is elevated due to stress, will be a powerful tool in combating this particular risk factor for heart disease. Simple actions have been found to effectively combat stress — such as calming the breath or setting aside a few moments a day for quiet meditation.

“Everybody’s doing it!” One of the things that has made the Fitbit brand of fitness tracker so popular is its focus on interconnectivity between users. Fitbitters can challenge each other and share chosen data such as goals met. The impact of social interactions on behavior has been well-documented. By connecting peers through a virtual, real-time platform of shared goals and accomplishments, these devices expand on the traditional fitness recommendations of keeping a journal or joining a weight loss support group.

“I toss and turn a lot at night and am getting less sleep than I thought.” Many fitness trackers feature a sleep-monitoring feature. Trackers monitor movement and heart rate to provide a breakdown of total hours slept as well as quantifying those hours by “awake” and “restless.” Numerous studies have found a correlation between not enough sleep and elevated risks of cardiovascular disease. Being able to see hours and states of rest totaled is a great place to start when tackling a better sleep routine. Sleep hygiene is a key factor in getting a full night’s rest. Experts recommend practicing transitions between the waking, busy day into a quiet, restful state. Transition tactics can include taking a bath, prac-

ticing 10 minutes of quiet meditation, or reading a book (as long as it’s not on an electronic device). Heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States, although recent numbers confirm that cases are decreasing. Other risk factors include smoking, high blood pressure and high levels of LDL cholesterol. Now, in addition to consulting with a physician about blood pressure and cholesterol, people can track their heart health. ■

Dr. Fran Munkenbeck is a board certified cardiologist at Oregon Heart and Vascular Institute (OHVI) at Peace Health Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend.

LANE COUNTY EDITION

DIGGINâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; IT!

Gardening books to get you in the mood

NW BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS â&#x20AC;˘ MARCH 2015

By GRACE PETERSON MASTER GARDENER

One of the perks of being a garden writer is the plethora of invitations from publishers to review new gardening books. Everything from asparagus to zucchini is being written about these days and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d think every topic under the sun would have been covered by now. But sure as rain, there is something new hitting bookstores and my inbox every few weeks. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not complaining. They make for an entertaining and educational escape when the weather is too inhospitable for real gar-

dening, so I enjoy any opportunity to dive in to one. Here are two that Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been wanting to share with you all. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Garden-pedia: An A-to-Z Guide to Gardening Terms,â&#x20AC;?

by Pamela Bennett and Maria Zampini, is an easy-to-read, full-color pocket guide of the most common and often perplexing gardening terms that those in the business can

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throw at us. Definitions are given (in alphabetical order) along with relatable examples making it like a course in basic botany without too much scientific stuff to bog down the reader. As I worked my way through this charming book, most terms were familiar to me on some level, making it a worthy refresher course for the life-long gardener. Admittedly, there are a few terms that I always have trouble remembering. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dioeciousâ&#x20AC;? for instance. This simply means a plant has only female flower-parts or only male-flower parts. Holly plants are a good example of this. In order for the female plant to produce those luscious red berries, a plant with male flower parts needs to be planted nearby. So holly plants are â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dioecious.â&#x20AC;? A plant that has both male and female parts is called â&#x20AC;&#x153;monoecious.â&#x20AC;? Another term I always seem to forget is â&#x20AC;&#x153;pollarding.â&#x20AC;? This is the act of pruning in which you remove the upper branches of a shrub or tree to encourage new growth at the base. I had to do this with a few overgrown shrubs last fall. Many gardeners will pollard their purple smoke bush (Cotinus ssp.) every year. This keeps the freshest, healthiest foliage right at eyelevel. For a new gardener or anyone who wants to better understand the terminology of gardening, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Garden-pediaâ&#x20AC;? is a must. There are several helpful

and informative cut-flower gardening books on the market. A new one on my shelves is â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Cut Flower Patch: Grow Your Own Cut Flowers All Year Roundâ&#x20AC;? by Louise Curley. Nestled within pages of informative prose are breathtaking photos (especially welcome during the dreary winter months) taken by photographer Jason Ingram. This book will provide you with everything you need to know in order to create a beautiful cut flower garden and stunning indoor flower arrangements. The author covers everything from initial planning, site location, amending the soil and details on the most useful plants for growing and cutting. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll see plans for a simple, small cutting garden to a larger, more advanced one. At the end of the book youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find a seasonal calendar of gardening chores to undertake during that particular time of the year. And if all of that isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t enough there are pages upon pages of beautiful flower arrangements to inspire the reader. If you love flowers, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll love this book.

Tips: Pull back last fallâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leaves from emerging bulbs and perennials to allow them to stretch and grow. Also, be on the lookout for slugs and snails that will gobble up those precious plants. Some cool-weather seeds can be sown now such as lettuce, spinach, poppies and bachelor buttons. â&#x2013;

Seniors with Oregon tax debt

MARCH 2015 • www.nwboomerandseniornews.com

Law firm hopes a bill will help those who can’t afford to pay By DAN CHRISTOPHER BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS

Just two days into the new legislative session in Salem and Rep. Cliff Bentz (ROntario) was already armed with 71 proposed bills that constituents hoped he would introduce. Among them is one designed to help ease the shock and fears facing some Oregon seniors by forcing the Oregon Department of Revenue to alter its method of pursuing back taxes owed to the state. Now living on little more than her social security, Lois Hughes, 69, of Portland says

she has felt badgered when the state Department of Revenue started coming after her to collect an $11,000 tax debt. She was reportedly told to sell her car to help pay the bill. She argued that wasn’t possible because she has limited mobility and must use the car for weekly doctor visits in treating her diabetes. Hughes offered to pay $25 a week from her Social Security check. She says the state insisted “that’s totally unacceptable.” Hughes also says she was never told that certain income, including Social Security, disability, pensions, and VA benefits are exempt by federal law from tax collectors. A man from Medford, also facing a tax dilemma with the state, says he lived in fear of being arrested after receiving a notice from the Oregon Department of Revenue with a bold heading “DESTRAINT WARRANT.”

LANE COUNTY EDITION

A line in the notice read, “If you owe taxes, we will collect,” with no explanation that certain income is exempt. Cases like these are the motivation behind the legislation proposed by a nonprofit, Salem-based law firm called HELPS, or Help Eliminate Legal Problems for Seniors and Disabled. HELPS attorney Eric Olsen says “a lot of elderly people are harassed by collectors or they get contacted by the Oregon Department of Revenue to pay taxes they can’t afford to pay.” After reported failed attempts to get voluntary disclosures by DOR, Olsen’s firm drafted legislation which mandates that tax delinquents be notified about incomes that are exempt from tax collection and protected under federal laws. The legislation also proposes that the state implement an “uncollectable status” like the IRS has, which would keep tax col-

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lectors at bay. The status would then be reviewed regularly to see if there is any change in the taxpayer’s ability to pay. Olsen says he’d like to see tax notices replace the worrisome “destraint warrant” headline with a more accurate notification as a tax lien. “Half of all seniors over 65 qualify financially as poor,” Olsen says. “Collectors call them on the phone, they harass them, they intimidate them, they get the demand notices. They (seniors) go without food or medicine, or they cut their medicines down, they turn the heat off to pay debt they simply can’t afford to pay. And they don’t understand that Social Security was never designed to take care of this debt they carry for whatever reason.” HELPS hopes lawmakers like Rep. Bentz will spearhead a bill to ease the fears of seniors who are confronted with a system that could be better understood. Bentz says the draft legislation, currently known as LC 1830, deserves a cautious approach. He intends to review the matter with the Department of Revenue and other involved parties. “We have to make sure we aren’t letting people off the hook on assumptions that may not turn out to be true; the assumption being that this is all they have,” he says. “But if we made appro-

priate inquiries and it is indeed all they have, then one might ask what happens if things change, if they have an inheritance, get a job. How would other taxpayers in the state react if we discontinued collection activity and missed that opportunity to collect just debt?” Bentz says he could support the bill if it helps make the system work more efficiently and effectively without doing anything wrong. “I’ve been on the revenue committee for eight years,” he says. “I am very sensitive to making sure we collect from those who owe tax, the amount that they owe. And the fact that someone’s income is limited does not absolve one from having to pay what they failed to pay. The question is how we walk that fine line between debt forgiveness, which we do not do unless we have to, because everyone has to pay their taxes. If you start forgiving debt, where does that end?” An Oregon DOR spokesman says the procedure and terminology to pursue tax debt is generally based on case law, and that there is a balance between providing enough information without making it overwhelming to clients during a stressful time. So far, the proposal remains a draft and has not yet become a House Bill. ■

“A Community of Friends”

St. Vincent de Paul does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability status, familial status, national origin or marital status in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its federally assisted programs and activities.

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Affordable Retirement Living for 62+

541-342-5329 TDD 541-342-5329

Dining Room • Grocery Store • Gardens Laundry • Beauty Shop • Library 24-Hour On-Site Staff • Ya-Po-Ah Bus Kitchens in All Apartments Utilities Included Affordable Market Rent Rent Subsidy Available Apartments with Beautiful Views Couples Waitlist Open • Third Floor Waitlist Open

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Extra Services On the Third Floor: • 2 Delicious Meals • Weekly Housekeeping • Maid Service • Personal Laundry • Transportation Mention this ad when you call for a tour.

1, 2, 3 Bedrooms (Hawthorne Park) Rent Includes Electricity Market Rent and Subsidized Section 8 If qualified, rent as low as $25 per month. 541-689-4451 TTY: 711 3400 Hawthorne Ave. Eugene, OR 97402

RETIREMENT LIVING CHOICES

“No Buy In”

Aster Apartments

1955 3rd Street Springfield, OR 97477 Contact Jose at 541-743-7155

Low Income HUD housing All 1 BR/1 BA Approx. 600 s.f.

Bayberry Commons Assisted Living & Memory Care Community

No Buy-In

1 BR/1 BA: $3695

2 BR/1 BA: $3995 62 Units

“No Buy In” One Bedroom Apartments $525-$595 41 Units

Memory Care

AMENITIES Elevator, close to shopping and bus, 62 years of age or older, onsite laundry, community room, TV room, computer room, Key card entry, 3 H/C units, free parking, non-smoking. Pets allowed. There is currently a wait list for this property.

Bayberry Commons offers an active elder community with knowledgeable and friendly 24-hour staff to serve you, while respecting your privacy. At Bayberry Commons, we feel this is ● ● ● ● ● ● your home and you are our customer! We strive to provide you with the services you desire while maintaining your independence. We are an Assisted Living and Memory Care Community.

Studio: $3195

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2477 Cal Young Road Eugene, OR 97401 541-484-1980 Max Liebreich

●

54 Units

2211 Laura Street Springfield, OR 97477 541-744-7000 Patty Neuman, Administrator

Country Club Manor

●

Planned Activities

Utilities Included

LOCATION

Transportation

BUY-IN MONTHLY RENTAL No. of Units

Housekeeping

COMMUNITY

NW BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS • MARCH 2015

Asst. Living/RCF/Foster Care

LANE COUNTY EDITION

Independent Living

●

Low-cost senior housing located close to Sheldon Shopping Plaza. Monthly rent includes hot and cold water, city sewer, and garbage. Tenants pay for electric, cable, phone. All independent living with other residents who like being independent without paying for services they don’t need. Call Max for an appointment to view your new housing options at 541-484-1980

This Retirement Living Directory can be a valuable resource when examining lifestyle options. Save it for future reference or pass it along to a friend.

HEALTHY LIVING DIRECTORY NAME & LOCATION

The Oregon Dental Care Plan Oregon Dental Care 1800 Valley River Drive, Suite 200 Eugene, OR 97401

541-790-2922

SERVICES OFFERED Dental Coverage for just $4/month! All services are covered. Compare to other plans and see the difference! Call us or visit our website to find out why the Oregon Dental Care Plan is better! Oregon Dental Care is the largest Dental Practice in Lane County and accepts most insurance.

Oregondentalcare.com Oregondentalcareplan.com Oregondentalcare@mail.com

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Oregon UO Baker Downtown Center 975 High Street Eugene, OR 97401 541-346-0697 osher@uoregon.edu osher.uoregon.edu

PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Spine Center RiverBend Pavilion 3377 RiverBend Dr., 2nd Floor 541-222-6070 www.peacehealth.org/phmg/ eugene-springfield/spine

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Oregon (OLLI-UO) celebrates the joy of learning, encouraging academic exploration without the pressures of grades or tests. Learners from all backgrounds and levels of education are welcome to enjoy the benefits of membership. A reasonable fee provides unlimited access to the year-round curriculum offerings led by our members, current and retired university faculty, and by professionals in the community.

When you have back or neck pain, you simply want relief. Schedule an appointment at the new PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Spine Center: • Comprehensive care, ranging from noninvasive therapies and healing arts to surgical services • Tailored treatment plan for each patient • One-stop destination for mobility restoration and rehabilitation

FILMING with PURPOSE

MARCH 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ www.nwboomerandseniornews.com

LANE COUNTY EDITION

Rick Lordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Matchlight Films is a culmination of many years in filmmaking By MARY OWEN BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS

Rick Lord has broken into the Oregon film industry with a futuristic bang. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our proof-of-concept film, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Chryzinium,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; is a sci-fi play on the end-times, anti-Christ story, but with a radical twist in the plot,â&#x20AC;? says Lord, who got his start in the film industry in the early â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;80s. Movie production began last September and a short version was shown in that same month at the Grand Theater in Salem. The story revolves around a father and daughter who refuse to take the controversial drug, Chryzinium, which has become universal law in the post-apocalyptic era. Local actors, including Lord, homemade sets, and sites such as the McCleay Village Store just east of Salem were used in the making of the film. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are knee-deep in getting â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Chryziniumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; into film festivals around the country,â&#x20AC;? Lord says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our goal is to produce the feature-length version of the film for theatrical release. If all works out, we will be filming the story in Salem, Stayton, Jefferson and Independence.â&#x20AC;? Born and raised in Los Angeles, after serving four years in the U.S. Marines and finding it hard to break into the film industry, Lord moved north to Portland in 1977. In 1983, he became loosely connected to the movie industry by taking acting classes and doing video work. Six years later, he began acting in commercials and doing small parts in made-for-TV movies. By 1995, he had moved behind the camera, focusing much of his attention on photography and lighting. A year later, he started Cine Star Grip Support Services, a grip and lighting

company in Portland that he says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;taught me a great deal about the art of filmmaking.â&#x20AC;? In 2005, Lord and his wife Jackie moved to Salem where he became involved with commercial photography, a passion he still dabbles in today. By 2012, he was back in motion picture work as a gaffer/ director of photography. A year later, he was in the business of making films in Oregon, whose â&#x20AC;&#x153;golden nuggets,â&#x20AC;? he says, are its â&#x20AC;&#x153;remarkable scenery, lower cost of filming, and relatively low overhead. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weather is always a challenge, and changing the mindset of the locals into believing Salem is as good, if not better, than anywhere else to film,â&#x20AC;? Lord says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But the Willamette Valley as a whole is an absolute treasure trove of scenic inspiration, selling itself as a true Anywhere, U.S.A. Beautiful.â&#x20AC;? Matchlight Films began with the mantra â&#x20AC;&#x153;films that inspire, challenge and minister.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;We started as a ministrybased motion picture production group,â&#x20AC;? says Lord, who acts, writes, directs and produces the films. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Today, we are a fully operational production company that continues to grow.â&#x20AC;? The â&#x20AC;&#x153;weâ&#x20AC;? in Matchlight is Lord and two young, talented brothers from Stayton with a long history of creating short films and videos via their own film outlet, Ambition Pictures. When first hearing about Matchlight, Phillip Wade, then 21, and Tim Wade, then 18, joined Lord in filming a few ministry projects, Lord says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Not realizing at that time, we were in the beginning stages of Matchlight Films,â&#x20AC;? he adds. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We began by fund-

See FILMS p. 10

Photo courtesy of Matchlight Films

Actors prepare for a scene in the film â&#x20AC;&#x153;Chryzinium,â&#x20AC;? a sci-fi feature on the end-times. Director Rick Lord prides himself on using acting and production talent from the mid-Willamette Valley area.

2015

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10 LANE COUNTY EDITION

Of note

FILMS

Matchlight Films.com, Facebook.com/ Matchlight Films, or send a message to rick@matchlightfilms.com

CONTINUED FROM P. 9

ing our projects out of our own pockets. Philip works the TV side of Keizer City Council and oversees their TV productions. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m retired, and my wife lets me spend a few bucks here and there to help us live our dream of making family-friendly films right here in the mid-Willamette Valley. And we now fulfill the

growing need for filming commercial spots for websites, which keeps us pretty

Non Smoking Site

NW BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS â&#x20AC;˘ MARCH 2015 busy.â&#x20AC;? Aside from producing, Lord acts and directs. Phillip Wade, now 23, is Matchlightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s marketing and production liaison, and Tim Wade, now 20, is the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s visual effects supervisor. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For such an uncommon union of such a generational gap, we work together like a well-oiled machine,â&#x20AC;? says Lord, now 60. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The camaraderie, the respect for each otherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s talents and the combined desire to always work together has been nothing short of divine appointment that has propelled us along in such a great way in such a short period of time.â&#x20AC;? The filmmakers are currently working on â&#x20AC;&#x153;After Sonya,â&#x20AC;? a short production that focuses on school violence, teen bullying and suicide. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With support from businesses and certain high profile, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;After Sonyaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is poised to be a program that just might help curtail at least some of these issues that are running rampant in our

Photo courtesy of Matchlight Films

Rick Lord (left) preps a shot against a green screen with actor Hunter Rose Teal. schools today,â&#x20AC;? Lord says of the short video that is gaining interest from local educators and members of the private sector. When not filmmaking, Lord teaches on-camera acting for people who want to work with Matchlight. Plans are in the works to add class-

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es in behind-the-camera technology. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Most of the talent in Oregon resides in and around the Portland area, a long and expensive drive,â&#x20AC;? Lord says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The midWillamette Valley sports plenty of very talented individuals both in front of and behind the camera.â&#x20AC;? According to Lord, Matchlight now has a member base exceeding 160 people. â&#x20AC;&#x153;From as far away as Alaska, we have followers, supporters and fans that, for some, have been there from the very beginning,â&#x20AC;? he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Many have always had the desire to work in motion pictures, but have never had the opportunity. We offer the opportunity. Nothing sleazy, nothing off color, we provide a safe haven for those who have the same creative desire we do.â&#x20AC;? Matchlight Films is expanding, and Lord says he has no desire to return to Los Angeles. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not willing to move back to the rat race,â&#x20AC;? he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And as far as Phillip and Wade, I promised their mother I wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t lead them into the decadence of Hollywood life.â&#x20AC;? â&#x2013;

SPIN donates to four senior groups

MARCH 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ www.nwboomerandseniornews.com

The Senior Provider Information Network of Lane County (SPIN) presented financial gifts in December to four organizations in support of local seniors. The proceeds came from the annual Boomer and Senior Resource Fair, held at the Campbell Community Center. The Lane Senior Support Coalition (LSSC), Campbell Community Center and Senior Law Service received financial awards to support their services. In addition, funds were delivered to the Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance program (SHIBA) to upgrade its computer system. LSSC helps Lane County seniors remain independent within their own homes. Campbell Community Center offers classes, activities, weekly social groups, presentations, support groups, social services and special events of interest to Eugene-area seniors. The Senior Law program is a special program to meet the civil legal needs of Lane County seniors. SHIBA uses trained volunteers to educate and advocate for Oregon-ians with Medicare. Claudia Norton and Angela Phinney, co-chairs of the SPIN Fair, made the presentations. Jean Beachdel, of Senior Law Service, expressed her gratitude in this way, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Senior Law Service provides crucial legal services to people 60 and over, and targets those in the greatest need. Every dollar helps to fund this program that is light on staff time, but heavy on volunteers, thanks to local attorneys and people in the community who reach out to help others.â&#x20AC;? Diane Sconce, program supervisor at Campbell Community Center, said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Campbell senior center is grateful for the gift from the SPIN organization. We are putting the money towards a kitchen remodel to enhance how we serve our patrons.â&#x20AC;? Mary Ann Meyers of LSSC

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Helping You Adapt Your Home to Your Current Needsâ&#x20AC;?

RICK HARRIS CONTRACTOR & HANDYMAN

LANE COUNTY EDITION

Of note

Submitted photos

Above, Claudia Norton and Angela Phinney, co-chairs of SPIN, acknowledge the work of the Senior Law Serviceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jean Beachdel (right). Above right: Norton and Phinney also recognize the efforts of Campbell Community Center, represented by Diane Sconce (left). said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;SPINâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s generous donation will help LSSC to continue to support those over 60 in Lane County who find themselves facing difficult situations. In 2014, LSSC provided emergency support grants to four times as many individuals as in any previous year. We are grateful to the senior care

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Participants Needed for an Exercise Research Project To evaluate the health benefits of three different exercise programs: Group Exercise, Stretching & Tai Ji Quan No Cost - All exercise classes are FREE People 70 years & older History of recent fall within the last 12 months, difficulty walking/balance and physicianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s clearance

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The eighth annual Boomer and Senior Resource Fair is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 1, at the Campbell Community Center, 155 High St., Eugene. Proceeds benefit our local seniors. For information, contact Claudia Norton at Willamette Oaks Senior Living, 541-343-2688.

providers community for their support.â&#x20AC;? A SHIBA representative said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We were just talking about how we were going to get the computer that we so desperately need, and then came Jason (from the SPIN Board) with a check to help us do it. Miracles do happen.â&#x20AC;? â&#x2013;

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You’ll find lots to pick from in the MARCH Calendar of Events

LANE COUNTY EDITION

NW BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS • MARCH 2015

Patricia Schultz speaks about her book, “1,000 Places to See Before You Die,” 3 p.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th and Olive. 541-682-5450.

Wine and painting party, “Venice,” 4 to 6 p.m., Vino and Vango, 236 Main St., Springfield. $35. Vinoandvango.com for complete list of classes. (every Monday) Senior Support Group, 10 to 11:30 a.m., Garden Way Retirement Center, 175 S. Garden Way, Eugene.

Urban Homesteading Series, 6:45 p.m., Campbell Center, 155 High St., Eugene. March 2: Garden Planning. March 9: Beekeeping. March 16: Meal Planning. $18 each. 541-6825318. John Craigie Electric Trio, 7 p.m., 755 River Road, Eugene. $15. mmeyer@efn.org.

Alzheimer’s Basics, 6 p.m., Sheldon Branch of Eugene Public Library, 1566 Coburg Road, Eugene.

To Your Health: Gluten-Free, 6 p.m., Willamalane Adult Activity Center, 215 West C St., Springfield. $18/$21. 541-736-4444.

Woodworking for Women, 6 p.m., Willamalane Adult Activity Center, 215 West C St., Springfield. $70/$84 plus material fee. 541-7364444

The Grace Notes, 6 p.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th and Olive. 541-682-5450.

(also March 19) Sing-a-long with Jeff, 2:30 p.m., Garden Way Retirement Community, 175 S. Garden Way, Eugene. 541-343-3317. (also March 12, 20 and 27) Carl and his Accordian, 7-9:30 p.m., Trinity Methodist Church, 440 Maxwell Rd., Eugene. $2.50. Victorians on Broadway: Dickens, Melodrama and Sondheim’s “Sweeney Todd,” 2 p.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th and Olive. 541-682-5450.

Safety and Security, 10 a.m., Garden Way Retirement Community, 175 S. Garden Way, Eugene. 541-343-3317.

Bridal Open House and Tasting Event, 2 to 4 p.m., Village Green Resort and Gardens, Cottage Grove. Free. Villagegreenresortandgardens. com.

(also March 5) NOAA Facility bus trip, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., leaving from Campbell Center, 155 High St., Eugene. $32. 541-682-5318.

Thinking and Preparing Ahead, sponsored by AARP-Oregon, Holiday Inn, Springfield. 877-926-8300.

St. Patrick’s Day Trivia Challenge and Pub Crawl, 4 p.m., starting at 351 Riverfront Way, Reedsport. 541-271-2103. American Association of University Women, 9:30 a.m., Westminster Presbyterian Church, 777 Coburg Road, Eugene. Free. 541-344-4572.

Brain Builders, 9 a.m., Willamalane Adult Activity Center, 215 West C St., Springfield. $30/$36. 541-736-4444.

Healthy Sexuality and Aging, 1 to 2 p.m., Campbell Center, 155 High St., Eugene. 541-682-5318.

(also 2:30 p.m. March 15) Eugene Opera presents “Sweeney Todd,” 7:30 p.m., Hult Center, Eugene. 541-682-5000.

Steampunk Tea, 1 p.m., Shelton McMurphey Johnson House, 303 Willamette St., Eugene. $25/$30. 541484-0808. CollagePlay! Nature-themed mixed media art class, 1 to 4 p.m., Mount Pisgah Arboretum, Eugene. $20/$25. 541-747-3817.

Learn to Home Brew, 5 p.m., Willamalane Adult Activity Center, 215 West C St., Springfield. $29/$35. 541736-4444.

Early Spring Bird Walk, 8 to 10:30 a.m., Mount Pisgah Arboretum, Eugene. $5.

Parkinson’s Disease Support Group of Lane County, 10:30 a.m. to noon, Westminster Presbyterian Church, 777 Coburg Road, Eugene. 541-3452988 or libby@parkinsonsresources.org.

Open Mic musical benefit for Habitat for Humanity, 6:30 p.m., Axe and Fiddle Music Pub, 657 E. Main St., Cottage Grove. Donations taken. 541-942-3878. Movie Appreciation Group, “A Henry Fonda Sampler,” 1 p.m., Willamalane Adult Activity Center, 215 West C St., Springfield. March 11: “Grapes of Wrath.” March 18: “War and Peace.” March 25: “Gideon’s Trumpet.”

So You’re Going on Medicare, 1:30 to 3 p.m., Campbell Center, 155 High St., Eugene. 541-682-5318. Swing-era jazz with vocalist Dona Clarke, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., The Jazz Station, 124 W. Broadway, Eugene.

Memory and More, “Art and Memory Loss,” 10 to 11 a.m., First Baptist Church, 3550 Fox Meadow Road, Eugene. 541-345-0341.

Call Any Day, Any Hour, 24/7

541-747-3817. Woodworking Skills for Women, 6 to 8:30 p.m., Campbell Center, 155 High St., Eugene. $45. 541-682-5318.

St. Patrick’s Day corned beef and cabbage lunch, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Garden Way Retirement Community, 175 S. Garden Way, Eugene. $10. 541-343-3317.

Eugene Garden Club, 11:30 a.m., 1645 High St. “East Meets West: Worldwide Legacy of Clematis.” Bring a lunch. 541-688-6592. Karen Savoca and Pete Heitzman, 8 p.m., House Concert, 755 River Road, Eugene.

New to Medicare? Free overview of all Medicare has to offer, 1 p.m., Willamalane Adult Activity Center, 215 West C St., Springfield. 541-736-4444.

“A Love Supreme” 50th anniversary tribute tour, 7:30 p.m., Wildish Theater, 630 Main St., Springfield.

Spring Fling Dance, 2 to 4 p.m., Garden Way Retirement Community, 175 S. Garden Way, Eugene. 541-3433317.

See CALENDAR p. 14

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YA-PO-AH TERRACE Retirement Apartments 350 Pearl Street Eugene, OR 97401 541-342-5329 TDD 541-342-5329

“No Buy In” Studio 1 BR/1 BA 2 BR/2 BA Call for pricing &more information.

●

Memory Care

Planned Activities

Utilities Included

Transportation

Housekeeping

LOCATION

BUY-IN MONTHLY RENTAL No. of Units

Asst. Living/RCF/Foster Care

COMMUNITY

LANE COUNTY EDITION

Independent Living

MARCH 2015 • www.nwboomerandseniornews.com

● ● ● ●

119 Units

“No Buy In” 1 BR/1 BA 2 BR/2 BA

Call for details and pricing.

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47 Units

“No Buy In” Studio 1 BR/1 BA 2 BR/2 BA Call for more information.

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120 Units

A Not-for-Profit Continuing Care Residential Community providing Life-Enriching Services to People of All Faiths and Beliefs.

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Subsidized Rents Based on income qualifications 10 Market Rent Units ● 2 BR/1 BA: $715 3BR/1 BA: $750-$805

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AMENITIES Crescent Park Senior Living residents lead a healthy, happy life without worrying about housekeeping, maintenance, transportation or cooking. Spacious studio, one or two-bedroom apartment homes, affordable month-tomonth rental. Small pets are welcomed. The wellness center has fitness equipment and professionals to be of assistance. Many daily activities. Restaurant-style, chef prepared meals. Movie theater, on-site massage, full service beauty salon, transportation at no additional charge.

The Eugene Abbey apartments are uniquely beautiful, completely secure, with fine dining for adults 55 & older. Contains 48 elegant living units of one- & two-bedrooms, within easy walking distance of business and cultural districts downtown. You’ll find plenty of common living area and 12,000 sq. ft. of landscaped rooftop decks and terraces. Free wifi and many other amenities. Closed circuit TV security & parking garage.

Centrally located near the University of Oregon in Eugene, Garden Way is an ideal retirement community for seniors with a zest for life and an active lifestyle. We offer many amenities to simplify your life, including our state-of-the-art movie theater and wellness center, so you can focus on enjoying each and every day. Onsite managers, 24/7/365; safety call system in every apartment.

A 275-acre community in a rural setting, Mennonite Village provides living spaces for all levels of retirement - close to Corvallis, Eugene, or Salem. With an award-winning chef and beautifully landscaped grounds Mennonite Village is an inclusive, all-faith community of amazing people. Services include: independent living, assisted living, nursing & rehab, memory care, foster care, respite care, and in-home care.

All ground floor garden apartments. Paid utilities except phone & cable TV. 24-hr. maintenance for emergencies. Residents’ Association plans activities. Near city bus line and bank.

124 Units

No buy-in or long term lease Luxury Studio, 1- & 2- Bedroom Apartment Homes Call for a complimentary lunch & tour. 94 Units

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Call for rate information and a tour.

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Studio, Alcove and 1 Bedroom

222 Units

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Enjoy an active, independent retirement lifestyle with luxurious surroundings & unparalleled resident services. Amenities include flexible restaurant-style ALL-DAY dining, stimulating activity & social programs, weekly housekeeping & linen service, private dining room, gift shop, library, community kitchens, TV theater, fitness center, computer room, card/game rooms, beauty & barber shop, recreation room, interior courtyard w/walking paths, secured underground parking, & 24-hr. staffing for your peace of mind.

Located on 3.5 acres in downtown Eugene, gardens, dining room, grocery store, beauty/barber shop, social activities, YaPoAh bus trips, 24-hour on-site staff. Pets OK. *3rd Floor has special services: 2 meals daily, weekly housekeeping, personal laundry, transportation to scheduled doctors appointments.

Have you visited our website yet? Check it out at www.NWBoomerandSeniorNews.com

LANE COUNTY EDITION

NW BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS • MARCH 2015

NARFE, Lane County chapter, noon, Sizzler Restaurant, 1010 Postal Way, Springfield. “Death Café.” 541-334-5108.

CALENDAR 23 CONTINUED FROM P. 12 Emerald Valley Opry, 5 p.m., Powers Auditorium, Willamette High School, 1801 Echo Hollow Road, Eugene. $3-$6. 541688-0937.

Open Jam, 7 to 9 p.m., Sonrise Christian Church, 1300 Irvington Drive, Eugene. Free; food for sale. 541-689-3335. Early Spring Wildflower Walk, 10 a.m. to noon, Mount Pisgah Arboretum. $5. 541-747-3817. Bestselling author Kevin O’Brien, 1 p.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th and Olive. 541682-5450.

(also March 29) The Art of Nature Photography, 1 to 3 p.m., Mount Pisgah Arboretum, Eugene. Bring camera. $25/$30. 541747-3817.

Alzheimer’s Basics, 6 p.m., Bethel Branch of Eugene Public Library, 1990 Echo Hollow Road, Eugene.

Free monthly support group for partners of people with Parkinson’s disease, 2 p.m., Eugene Speech and Hearing Center, 1500 West 12th Ave., Eugene. 541345-2988. AARP-OR Lane County ALeRT, 1 to 2:30 p.m., Campbell Center, Elsie’s Room, 155 High St., Eugene. 541-221-8618.

Night,” 6 p.m. sale, 7 p.m. presentation, 1645 High St., Eugene. 541-688-6592. Mushrooms and Memory, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Campbell Center, 155 High St., Eugene. Free. 541-232-6551. Deadline to apply for OSU ExtensionLane County Master Food Preserver program. Classes held April 13-June 8, Community of Christ Church, 1485 Gilham Road, Eugene. 541344-4885.

Uke Jam Session, noon, Willamalane Adult Activity Center, 215 West C St., Springfield. $10/$12. 541736-4444.

Show, Portland Expo Center. $5/$10. 503-703-1142.

Brain Health, 2 to 3 p.m., Garden Way Retirement Community, 175 S. Garden Way, Eugene. 541-343-3317.

(also March 29) Gold and Treasure

Eugene Garden Club, “Plant Nerd

Oregon Poet Laureate Peter Sears, 3 p.m., Downtown Eugene

Public Library, 10th and Olive. 541-682-5450.

noon, Mount Pisgah Arboretum, Eugene. $5/$8 per family.

Rita Hoskings, bluegrass band, House Concert, 755 River Road, Eugene. $15.

Pain: Mind and Body Tools, 1 to 2 p.m., Campbell Center, 155 High St., Eugene. 541-6825318.

Nature’s Slimy Creatures, 10 a.m. to

Successful Aging Institute has March classes

Stimulate, enrich and entertain your mind with a wide range of Successful Aging Institute classes. Contact Successful Aging Institute at 541-463-6262 or lanecc.edu/sai for registration, costs, location and other information. Living Well with Chronic Conditions: March 2-April 6. Spring Life at the Arboretum: March 4. Fraud Busters: March 5-19. Getting Paid for Giving Care: March 5 or 12.

Cooking for Taste and Nutrition: March 5. Nia Technique Mind-Body Fitness: March 12. Fair Housing Standards: What you need to know – March 19. Ongoing: AARP Driver Safety Program. Visit lanecc.edu/sai/coursedescriptions for dates, times and locations. Ongoing: Water exercise Orientation/Review, call River Road Parks, 541-6884052. ■

MARCO Marco lives for love. This sensitive labrador/boxer is just 7 years old, and craves com-

panionship. Marco enjoys walking and would be happiest in an active senior’s home. You’re invited. Visit GreenHill.org to learn about this year’s Bark in the Park. Greenhill Humane Society is open for adoptions and visits 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday to Tuesday, 88530 Green Hill Road, Eugene. For more information call 541-689-1503 or visit green-hill.org ■

Adopt me ...

Now moving here can be as rewarding as living here. Receive a $500 rent credit per month for March & April We help you get more out of life by creating an environment where people are loved, valued and at peace. Walking distance to enjoyable downtown activities

EUGENE ABBEY Senior Apartments 55+ Community

10TH & WASHINGTON Eugene

Delicious breakfasts Monday-Friday Special dinners 7 days a week “Our gourmet Chef Marie has served our community for over 17 years” Special activities that help you decrease stress, improve relaxation & increase your energy ❧

To learn more about our move-in special, call Phyllis at

541-342-6077

SERVICE