Ashland Community Connections | December 2020

DECEMBER 2020 / FREE

A SPECIAL EDITION OF THE ASHLAND TIDINGS

With the start of a new year on the horizon, the city deals with the physical and emotional scars left by the traumatic events of 2020

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Ashland Community Connections | Revels

NORTHRIDGE CENTER TO REBUILD

‘CONTINUE WITH THIS MISSION’

By Allayana Darrow ACC

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emory Dent received a police escort to survey the carnage of her family business the day after the Almeda fire tore through Phoenix, but several weeks passed before her daughter could bear to see what was left of Northridge Center, where she played and worked throughout childhood and adolescence.

“We found a little plant trying to grow in the middle of all the ash in the building, coming out of the atrium,” Dent said. “We found a coffee cup where the kitchen used to be, so we took some of the dirt The Northridge Center after the Almeda fire. and ash. ...

“The plant is blooming.

When we build our new building with our new atrium, that’s going to be the first plant we put in there.”

Northridge Center was deemed a total loss after the fire, but the family-owned business already has a waiting list of people ready to move back home when the rebuild is complete.

Evacuating 57 Sept. 8 was the first day of online learning for Rogue Valley students, and many Northridge employees were at home, helping their children navigate the new school year.

Three main staff members were on vacation that week.

Otherwise, it seemed a normal day.

Dent received a phone call from another care facility, asking if they could borrow Northridge’s wheelchair bus to transport senior resident evacuees from Ashland to Central Point due to a fire. A second facility called shortly after with the same request.

Dent’s sister, social administrator Tamara Fielding, drove one bus, while a housekeeper drove the other to help evacuate Ashland senior care facilities. Fielding watched people flee for their lives on foot, carrying animals and property on their backs.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MEMORY DENT

“We’ve had fire drills — we have to do them every month, thank goodness, and they usually complain.

But everybody was in good spirits. We could see the gray smoke, some ash was starting to fall on us ... we’re talking 52 residents in wheelchairs and walkers, just going with the flow.”

Memory Dent, Northridge Center, Phoenix

got through to an operator, it became clear they needed to evacuate immediately.

She called in all her staff — normally a crew of 25, but down to eight as some had already left to secure families — and got to work loading residents into buses in the parking lot. She announced to all the residents in their A plant grows where the Northridge Center owners plan to rebuild the atrium. rooms, “This is not a drill.”

“Just as I hung up the Meanwhile, Dent knew Once scanner chatter phone, we lost all electricity,” nothing about fire movement, indicated the fire was actively Dent recalled. “It became other than it was affecting burning nearby, she called the pitch black inside.”

Ashland. A resident listening emergency hotline, which was The bare-bones staff used to the police and fire scanner busy. Dark gray smoke blew cellphone flashlights to get brought news that the fire closer. She spent 12 minutes residents out of their rooms was threatening Phoenix. and packed like sardines onto on hold with 911. When she

two buses, headed for the Jackson County Expo. Dent filled four black garbage bags with medications and grabbed all resident medical charts.

Passersby loaded wheelchairs, electric chairs and walkers into trucks.

“We’ve had fire drills — we have to do them every month, thank goodness, and they usually complain,” Dent said of residents. “But everybody was in good spirits. We could see the gray smoke, some ash was starting to fall on us ... we’re talking 52 residents in wheelchairs and walkers, just going with the flow.”

Dent did a final check, room to room. She opened a window, popped out the screen and turned the shower on, hoping two cats who refused to emerge from under a bed would flee. After 12 minutes, the building was clear.

Twenty minutes more and buses were packed. The Jackson County sheriff’s deputy checked on their evacuation before returning to the field.

A friend four-wheeled through the back streets of Phoenix, scorching his tires on the approaching blaze, to get to the facility and help.

They loaded oxygen tanks, boxes of Depends, checkbooks and employee files into the back of Dent’s Jeep. Law enforcement sounded blow horns, and Dent watched an adjacent trailer park taken by dark smoke and a hot glow.

Even as she drove away, she thought the sprinklers might come on and they’d return to a standing building.

After about 15 minutes in her car, stuck on Highway 99, Dent received notifications on her phone that the facility’s fire alarms had turned on. She knew smoke had entered the building minutes after they fled. Smoke alarms blared through every corner of the building. Cameras went offline and the building succumbed to flames.

The Expo put 52 Northridge residents into a reserved area with cots, sleeping bags and pillows.

SEE NORTHRIDGE, A4

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Thursday, December 3, 2020 |

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Ashland Community Connections | Revels

NORTHRIDGE From Page A2

Nurses and doctors arrived to offer help. Fielding brought five residents and two employees from the senior foster home. Without enough blankets, Dent and her staff started wrapping chilled residents in curtains.

One resident’s voice carried through the room as she sang hymns, coaxing others to sleep.

When they first unloaded at The Expo, several wheelchairs and walkers were stolen during the confusion.

Pear Valley Senior Living offered 20 spaces to relocate residents with substantial care needs.

“Just as we got the last resident loaded in their electric wheelchair into the bus, the Red Cross comes out of the building, ‘We’re evacuating!’”

Dent recalled. “I look up and there’s this gray plume of smoke right behind The Expo.”

Once again, everyone was loaded and ready to move at the moment an urban wildfire pushed the limits of urgency.

The group sheltered at Pear Valley until Sept. 16, where caseworkers identified new placements for residents on Medicaid and corresponded with families. Through the entire event, no COVID-19 cases originated from the Northridge Center crew.

Donations flooded in. Dent’s son, a certified nursing assistant who hopes to take over the family business someday, worked 12-hour days for more than two weeks without a break.

Today, Fielding connects with her dearly missed residents by phone, brings gifts to their new homes and sends cards. Five have passed away since the fire.

She remembers all their faces, wondering what would happen next.

Fielding and Dent told the residents individually at The Expo that everything was lost. They sat with families or one-on-one — anything to ensure the seniors didn’t feel alone.

“My heart is torn because my people are not there and the building is not there,” Fielding said.

By Sept. 16, all residents were placed at other care facilities — a tricky task in the Rogue Valley, where few senior care centers accept Medicaid, Dent said. She highlighted Pear Valley, Orchards Assisted Living, Alderwood Assisted Living, Skylark Assisted Living, Lakeland Senior Living and The Bridge Retirement and Assisted Living for taking a few of their residents each.

Where to go from here Les Connell, 75, Northridge Center owner and Dent and Fielding’s father, likely wouldn’t have considered rebuilding if it were just himself and his wife, Jackie, invested in the

PHOTO COURTESY OF MEMORY DENT

The family met together, including parents, children and some grandchildren, and decided they weren’t ready for the story of their business to end. business. But with his children and grandchildren involved, he wants to give them an opportunity to do what they do best — the work that’s their passion, career and future, he said.

Jackie Connell, a licensed nurse, founded the facility in 1980. Jackie’s mother had owned nursing homes in Oregon. Jackie and Les purchased one of them in Sandy, and ran it until work relocated Les to Medford in 1971.

Jackie took up a job as a nurse at the home that eventually became part of Northridge Center Assisted Living.

The Connells cosigned a loan for a $50,000 down payment on the facility — a 36-bed state-licensed nursing home at the time. Jackie had a hand in every decision from furniture selection to paint colors, and her own original artwork hung on the walls.

“I remember the school bus used to drop me and my sisters off every day right there at the nursing home,” Dent said.

The place was home, with 30 grandmothers and grandfathers to help with homework, watch cartoons and referee wheelchair races in the basement and hallways. As they grew up, each sibling worked in the kitchen or helped with activities.

In 1984, Les brought on a maintenance supervisor, who worked with the family until the day the building burned. The following year, they purchased additional land. In 1986, new federal legislation requiring care

facilities to have licensed nursing staff on hand 24/7 led the family into a tough financial situation. A friend purchased the property and put $800,000 into remodeling, while the Connells retained management.

In 1994, they bought the facility back and built Northridge Center on the adjacent property with 33 assisted living apartments. In 2000, they joined the two buildings and added 22 more apartments. The sisters began operating the business as administrators in 2004.

Les described the history behind Northridge Center as a “terrific journey,” with no lawsuits or significant insurance claims filed on the property in 40 years of ownership (minus a few small fender-benders with the buses).

The Connells named the halls of the facility after family members, until grandchildren exceeded nameless halls. Photographs survived the fire in one hallway of Dent’s son and nephew, both named Gabriel.

The day after the fire, the family was in shock, stumbling through “the fog” but with a focus on ensuring residents were safely evacuated, cared for and relocated. The magnitude of what was lost didn’t come immediately.

The Almeda fire reduced an 1891 Steinway Heirloom Collection concert grand piano, signed by Duke Ellington, to ashes and a foot pedal. A preserved wooden carriage house door that decorated a hallway survived from the

1800s until Sept. 8. They lost photographs and awards granted to Dent’s grandmother, a WWII nurse who actively worked in health care until age 95, and a wall of family photographs compiled since 1982.

The family met together, including parents, children and some grandchildren, and decided they weren’t ready for the story of their business to end.

“This is his legacy,” Dent said of her father. “Just like my grandma left things to my mom, my dad wants to leave this to us, so he’s wanting to get it built and get it back into place so we can continue on with this mission that our family loves.”

The new facility will be one building, slightly bigger, with radiant heat in the floor to warm aching bones. Some apartments will have a door to the outside and one to the hallway, to ease family visits. The 400-plant atrium will be rebuilt, to continue supplying fresh oxygen and a connection point for residents whose upbringings included nature and plant life, Les said.

Dent envisions specific rooms for Alzheimer’s care, a new senior day care and a child care center for employees. The facility was insured, so about three-quarters of the rebuild is covered. As of Monday, the property was cleared bare. Dent hopes to bring residents back within two years.

She adheres to her faith — sometimes God takes away and leaves something beautiful in the ashes.

Les has set his daughters to the task of compiling their digital photographs to create a scrapbook, which will sit in the lobby of the new facility and remind people of the history that is the Northridge Center legacy.

Ashland Community Connections | Revels

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Thursday, December 3, 2020 |

ASHLAND FIRE AND RESCUE

Chief pick declines; union criticizes stance of incoming mayor The city will prepare supplemental options to fill the role through collaboration with District No. 3 and other he City of Ashland regional fire partners, includannounced Tuesday ing Ashland Firefighter Union morning that Devon Brown Leadership, Hanks said. will not assume the role of Councilor and Mayor-elect Ashland Fire and Rescue Julie Akins, who voted against Chief under employment passing the IGA and Brown’s with Jackson County Fire appointment Nov. 17, said the District No. 3 as planned. best way forward is in a “clear Acting Fire Chief Ralph and inclusive way.”

Sartain continues to provide The Ashland Firefighters management leadership for Local 1269 criticized Akins the department. on Facebook for circulating The City Council and misinformation about the board of proposed new directors for includMayor-elect Julie Akins chief, District No. ing inaccurate specified in the post salary figures 3 approved an intergovand during the council and impliernmental that meeting Nov. 17 that cation agreement the vote had she did not harbor for fire chief come without services and warning. ill will against the Brown’s The group candidate personally, described appointment Nov. 17. Howbut wished to see a Brown’s deciever, “after sion to pull broader candidate further dishis name from search with a greater candidacy cussion and consideration, as a “major focus on diversity.

Division Chief setback” from Brown chose to remain with an otherwise positive step Klamath Fire District 1,” forward for public safety that according to a press release “reflected an understanding Nov. 24. of the fundamental lesson the The council placed Brown Almeda fire burned into our as the next Ashland Fire minds: No one stands alone.” and Rescue chief through According to city docapproval of the IGA, but uments, the concept of a Interim City Administrator District 3-City of Ashland Adam Hanks on Monday partnership proposition came said, “We are working on the before council Sept. 15 and Devon Brown component of Nov. 2, before taking a place the agreement.” on the consent agenda for “He is not yet employed by approval Nov. 17, when Akins District 3 and we do not yet requested to table it pending have an expected start date,” further discussion. The motion he said. failed for lack of a second and Hanks said Brown’s decithe IGA was approved 5-1. sion to remain in Klamath On Nov. 18, Akins posted Falls was finalized at the end to Facebook that the figure of last week and the inforreported as the total cost for mation was released one budgeting the fire chief’s business day after key stakeposition in the next biennium holders became aware of his represented salary alone, decision. No secondary canwhich is inaccurate, accorddidate has been identified. ing to Hanks.

Details of the approved IGA SEE CHIEF, A11 still stand.

By Allayana Darrow ACC

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Ashland Community Connections | Revels

COVID-19 IN JACKSON COUNTY

DIY CONTACT TRACING TIPS people who are symptoms that are The county has about getting COVID-19, less severe. Before 27 case investigators not everyone who going to a hosis positive will get and 20-25 contact tracers. pital or doctor’s ith a surge in COVID-19 a call from a public appointment, call It’s working to build up to let the facility cases overwhelming public health worker. health workers, Jackson County is Public health know a person its case investigator offering do-it-yourself contact tracworkers will focus has or may have and contract tracing ing tips for those who test positive for first on those most COVID-19. the virus. at risk of serious Other Oregon teams. The county The county is urging people to con- illness or spreading counties facing isn’t forcing anyone tact their close contacts right away. the virus to a lot of spikes in cases, with COVID-19 to inform including MultA close contact is someone who other people. has been within 6 feet of a COVID-19 ■ A public health nomah County in their close contacts. infected person for at least 15 minutes. worker doing case the Portland metro That help is voluntary. area, are also County contact tracers may not investigation may be able to reach out to everyone who call you if you test urging the public tests positive for COVID-19, or there positive. These workers help slow the to help on the contact tracing front. may be a lag due to the high volume of spread of the virus by finding out who “The many counties that are cases. you may have infected and keeping experiencing a surge in cases are “Call, email, or text close contacts them from spreading the virus to encouraging anyone who tests posas soon as possible. Timing matters!” others. itive for COVID-19 to notify people county officials said on a new website ■ If public health calls you, let that they have been in close contact page filled with advice for people who them know your close contacts and with. We are doing this because we test positive for COVID-19. the places you visited. If you haven’t may not interview the case in the most The information is at www.jackreached out to your close contacts timely fashion to identify their close soncounty.org/News/ArtMID/387/ already, the public health worker will contacts, notify their close contacts ArticleID/7/If-You-Test-Positivehelp you identify and inform them. and monitor their close contacts for for-COVID-19.

■ All information you share will be COVID-19 symptoms,” said Jackson Jackson County is also putting the kept private and is not shared with County Health Promotion Program message out via social media. the federal government, U.S. ImmiManager Tanya Phillips.

COVID-19 positive people are being gration and Customs Enforcement or This past week, Jackson County advised to tell their close contacts to your landlord. reported 500 new COVID-19 cases, stay home, keep away from others and ■ Health workers will not ask for plus 13 deaths. Those 500 people each get tested for the virus.

Social Security numbers, bank inforcame into contact with widely varying “They can talk to their doctor about mation or credit card information. numbers of other people, depending getting a test, call 2-1-1 if they don’t ■ Call 2-1-1 if you need support on how much they had been socially have a doctor, or get tested at a comfor isolation or quarantine. 2-1-1 will isolating. munity test site. connect you to organizations that can The county has seen 500 or “ It’s best if they wait 4-5 days from help with resources you may need, more cases per week every week in when they were around you before including groceries, financial support, November. taking a test. The test may not work if help with rent and other essentials. If Earlier in the pandemic, a county they get tested too soon. They should you cannot self-isolate, we will work case investigator would reach out to stay home and away from others while with you to explore your options. each person who tested positive for they wait. No matter the test result, ■ Seek emergency medical care if COVID-19 to identify the people that your close contacts should quarantine someone has trouble breathing, perperson had been around. Together at home for 14 days since you were sistent pain or pressure in the chest, they would figure out the person’s last together,” the county advises. new confusion, an inability to walk close contacts.

The county offers additional advice: or stay awake, or a bluish face or lips.

A case investigator would then hand ■ Because of the high number of Contact your medical provider for off a list of close contacts to a contact

By Vickie Aldous ACC

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tracer, who would start notifying those people to stay home for 14 days.

“The case investigators are overwhelmed by the volume of cases,” said Nichole Brickey, a Jackson County Public Health nurse and contact tracing manager.

The county has about 27 case investigators and 20-25 contact tracers.

It’s working to build up its case investigator and contract tracing teams, she said.

She said the county isn’t forcing anyone with COVID-19 to inform their close contacts. That help is voluntary.

“We’re telling people if there are people in your household or other people you feel comfortable talking with, please reach out and let them know. We’re not telling people to do anything they’re not comfortable with,” Brickey said.

She said the public can also help by cooperating when a case investigator or contact tracer calls.

“It’s not punitive. We aren’t here to judge you if you were around other people,” Brickey said.

She said case investigators and contact tracers get mixed reactions when they call people.

“Some people really want to cooperate and they go above and beyond.

Other people just don’t want to do it,” Brickey said.

Jackson County has been getting help with contact tracing from Josephine County and the Oregon Health Authority, said Dr. Jim Shames, Jackson County’s public health official.

He’s not sure if Josephine County can keep helping since that neighboring county is now seeing rising cases.

Cases are surging to record levels statewide.

“The big picture is that we don’t have the capacity or the resources to do contact tracing the way we had been doing it,” Shames said.

Ashland Community Connections | Revels

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Thursday, December 3, 2020 |

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THE DEATH OF AIDAN ELLISON

SHOOTING OPENS RACIAL WOUNDS

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n the days that followed a fatal shooting outside an Ashland hotel, law enforcement, activist groups and city officials have reflected on the implications of the statistically rare incident — the first alleged homicide in the city this year.

Suspect Robert Keegan was indicted in Jackson County Circuit Court Nov. 27 and pleaded not guilty to murder in the second degree, manslaughter, unlawful possession of a firearm and recklessly endangering another person after allegedly shooting a Black man, identified by media outlets as 19-year-old Aidan Ellison, on Nov. 23.

A candlelight vigil was held for Ellison, an Ashland High School graduate, three days after his death.

Keegan, who is white, according to his Jackson County Jail booking information, was arrested after Ashland police responded to a report of a person shot at the Stratford Inn on Siskiyou Boulevard in the early morning.

No other noise or disruption complaints were reported there prior to the shooting, according to Ashland Police Chief Tighe O’Meara.

Upon arrival, officers found the victim unresponsive, with a gunshot wound to the chest. Medics immediately attempted to render aid and determined he was deceased, O’Meara said.

Keegan, who remained on scene, claimed he shot Ellison in self defense after an argument over loud music devolved.

Keegan was detained, transported to the Ashland Police Department and interviewed by Jackson County Sheriff’s detectives. O’Meara said Keegan’s claims of self defense against a physical attack were quickly deemed irrelevant to the charges in this case.

“Even if it’s true that

“Even if it’s true that Keegan is being punched by somebody, it doesn’t give him the right to use lethal force. ... We didn’t fall into any thinking that there’s a chance this could have been self defense — we saw it for what it was immediately.”

Chief Tighe O’Meara, Ashland Police Department

Keegan is being punched by somebody, it doesn’t give him the right to use lethal force,” O’Meara said.

“I’m comfortable with the way the police department handled this,” he continued. “We didn’t fall into any thinking that there’s a chance this could have been self defense — we saw it for what it was immediately.”

As the case proceeds through court, APD is working in cooperation with the Major Assault/Death Investigation Unit, which includes members of the Oregon State Police, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and Medford police.

Keegan purchased the firearm used in the alleged homicide from BiMart about one week prior to the incident, O’Meara said.

On Nov. 26, the Southern Oregon Black Leaders, Activists and Community Coalition leadership team affirmed in a public statement that Keegan’s actions were the product of socially-entrenched white supremacy — prompted by a refusal to submit to perceived white authority.

“It is the cultural practice of white supremacy that makes white people believe that they are an extension of the police force and have the right to police Black bodies,” the leadership team wrote. “It is the cultural practice of white supremacy to believe that Black people are to submit to the will of white people, and that violence is an acceptable way to cause submission.”

SOBLACC demanded an active effort to dismantle pervasive anti-Black sentiment beyond silent outrage or “equity and diversity frameworks;” instead calling upon resources, policies and community discussions that

tangibly further racial justice for Black people and violence reform in southern Oregon.

The organization scheduled a meeting Dec. 7 — for Black individuals only — to develop an agenda guiding future efforts. Others are invited to stay apprised and support the release of the agenda, according to the statement.

While Keegan made no statements during his arrest indicating his actions were motivated by racism, O’Meara said he does not discount the possibility that race was a driving factor in Keegan’s decision-making.

He further recognized the legitimacy and righteousness of tension surrounding issues of violence against people of color, while standing by

APD’s response and manner of handling the situation.

O’Meara speculated that any agenda crafted through SOBLACC’s community discussion is unlikely to be wholly effective without eventually bringing regional law enforcement to the table.

“I respect their need for their own space that is African American only,” he said of SOBLACC’s scheduled meeting. “At some point, when it’s right, I would like to be made part of that conversation.”

On Nov. 28, Mayor-elect Julie Akins issued a statement supporting the viewpoint that Ellison’s death was a casualty of deeply-rooted racism and an example of “how deadly white privilege can be.”

Akins said breaking down such systems requires daily commitment through diverse hiring practices, fair policing and, in this case, disposing of the narrative that implies Ellison was at fault or Keegan’s actions can be justified by his circumstances.

An Oregon news outlet reported that some media coverage appeared to perpetuate a sympathetic narrative toward Keegan by describing his losses from the Almeda fire, which led to his temporary residency at the Stratford Inn, along with his son.

In a statement Nov. 26, O’Meara said fault lies solely with the person who chose to bring a gun into an argument and use it, not with the person whose loud music supposedly spurred the argument.

If a noise complaint had been reported to APD, pursuant to Ashland municipal code, officers would have asked that the music be turned down and “that would be the end of it,” O’Meara said.

As of Sunday, Keegan remains incarcerated without bail, pending further court proceedings. Keegan’s pretrial conference is preliminarily scheduled for Feb. 22, 2021.

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Ashland Community Connections | Revels

WEATHERING THE STORM

ASHALND’S FINANCIAL HEALTH

City coffers in good shape to withstand COVID-19, finance director reports

By Allayana Darrow ACC

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Looking ahead, the 20212023 biennial budget will aim to further stabilize “a strong foundation for comprehensive and resilient strategic long-term planning over the next two years,” City Finance Director Melanie Purcell said in the report.

he city of Ashland is well positioned to withstand financial impacts from the coronavirus pandemic and construct a sturdy bedrock for lasting durability, according to City Finance Director Melanie Purcell.

Purcell highlighted sound balances in most said flattened food and beverage revenue and operating funds as indicative of success as far filing delays impede developing a sound proas use of the city’s financial tools through a jection on the behavior of the revenue stream difficult situation. going forward.

“The good news is, our revenues are still Looking ahead, the 2021-2023 biennial exceeding expenditures for the end of the budget will aim to further stabilize “a strong fourth quarter, which I always consider an foundation for comprehensive and resilexcellent place to start,” Purcell said during a ient strategic long-term planning over the City Council study session Monday. next two years,” Purcell said in the report.

Balances are either increasing or stable “Recognizing the constrained revenue enviin the general and central services funds, ronment means that some difficult decisions which is where bond rating agencies typically will be made by the City Council as part of look to determine overall budgetary health, building that foundation.” she said. Enterprise funds are stable, with The city has left staff vacancies open, healthy capital balances queued up by sched- reduced material and supply costs and uled projects. delayed capital projects in response to revHowever, fiscal year 2020 ended with a enue shortfalls. Purcell said furlough days, negative balance in the insurance fund — seasonal staff position elimination and perworthy of concern, Purcell said. Financial petual vacancies help, but do not represent analysts are researching pending litigation sustainable structural change. against the city to determine whether redlinA total of $1.1 million in federal reimburseing is an anomaly or the result of a structural ment through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief problem. and Economic Security Act covered new Fourth-quarter food and beverage and sanitation stations, public facility cleantransient occupancy taxes declined, though ing and equipment, along with direct costs less severely than preliminary projections, associated with staff leave time for suspected making subtle service adjustments effective, COVID-19 exposure and child care. Still, the she said. Still, the city estimates flat revecity absorbed the brunt of staffing shortages nues through the end of the next biennium. as far as service delivery, while attempting to A spike in lodging reservations following the offset a drop in overall productivity.

Almeda fire does not represent a long-term Councilor Julie Akins noted the shutdown offset for fiscal year 2020 fourth-quarter coming Wednesday may alter trends outlined occupancy tax losses. in the report, specifically regarding the tranAshland’s food and beverage tax collects sient occupancy and food and beverage taxes.

5% on all prepared food sold in the city. The “It is heading right smack into the middle transient occupancy tax collects 10% on of the retail season,” Purcell said of the hotel and motel stays. two-week freeze Nov. 18 through Dec. 2.

Fiscal year 2021 first-quarter transient “I’m anticipating that we will stay low … but occupancy tax trends are erratic as a result we’re going to see a shift in behaviors.” of regional fire events — the spike will not City Administrator Adam Hanks added last, as the 30-day taxable window for hotel the food and beverage tax includes things occupancy has lapsed for those who have local consumers regularly access, such as been staying at a hotel since September, coffee, not only sit-down restaurants. Staff Purcell said. are working to sub-categorize spending The food and beverage tax has been less behavior to determine how much revenue is volatile, with steady growth over a 10-year generated by tourist dollars versus local. He period until the dropoff in 2020. estimated a 40⁄60 split between the two, but All revenue sources declined compared to the data is insufficient to say with certainty the first quarter of the fiscal year, apart from which direction it swings, he said. building and planning permit fees, electric SEE COFFERS, A10 users tax and franchise revenues. Purcell

Climate policy commission drafts priorities for council residential and commercial applications,” according to council documents.

Commissioner Gary Shaff he new year brings the said the larger objective behind start of a new budget cycle, when the Ashland City each recommendation is to ensure the city conforms Council will begin to decide to elements outlined in the what programs and projects to maintain, expand, or elim- Climate and Energy Action Plan — starting with municipal inate as city commissions bring forward their priorities policy and pushing toward the state level. and requests for funding.

“In order to change the “There is good reason to remind council, especially the environment — change climate — we need policies that new council, and to provide become standards,” Shaff said. some background about “Whether it’s [solar], whether the work that’s being done it’s electric vehicles, whether ... prior to coming into the it’s transportation system, budget cycle,” commission council liaison Tonya Graham whether it’s public facilities said. “It’s also appropriate to plan, all of those need to adhere to an adopted comprehensive ask for what we want.” plan element.”

The CliClimate and mate Policy energy analyst Commission Stu Green said postponed the first priorpassing a list ity on the draft to take before list — directthe city couning city staff cil, until the to develop a commission comprehendetermines sive electric the purpose and gas utility and scope of plan — is the informaalready within tion. The list the scope will be revisof the city’s ited at the Climate and commission’s Energy Action December Plan, but meeting. flagging it The set of for the new four recomcouncil may mendations Stu Green, climate help keep the stems from a and energy analyst commission’s focus on electrification while recognizing priorities moving forward. that Ashland is not meeting Also on the list, developing its climate goals, according to an outreach and engagement a meeting memo. plan is in progress, though The list comes as a request Green said he hopes for a for proposal outline has dedicated portion of the next been drafted for the Ashland city budget to expedite its Comprehensive Energy Utilimplementation. Launchity Strategic Plan, which is ing a website platform for intended to provide a “frame- the climate division is a step work and roadmap for future toward improving outreach power purchase contracts, and engagement, he said — an local power generation and a “obvious” priority. transition from fossil fuels to SEE CLIMATE, A10 electricity in transportation,

By Allayana Darrow ACC

T

“We’ll either have to look for some funding to really amplify outreach if we’re not content with what’s happening, or we can look at taking away from an existing program, which I imagine would be unpopular.”

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COMMUNITY COUNSELING CENTER

IN WAKE OF FIRES, COVID-19, TOOLS FOR MENTAL HEALTH

By Allayana Darrow ACC

E

very day, regardless of what else is happening in the world, Emily Strong and her daughter go out and corral their two pygmy goats.

They’ll pluck an apple from a nearby tree and feed their horse a snack. Each visit is part of a consistent routine — one often filled with laughter.

Strong, a qualified mental health professional with the Community Counseling Center of Ashland, recognized she is fortunate to have animals at home to bring her joy in times of stress. Still, finding something consistent and enjoyable is one of her top tips for taking a break when current events feel like all too much.

On the basic level, mental health is important for personal safety, Strong said. Beyond that, focusing on physical wellness is a key part of prevention The Community Counseling Center in Ashland.

— to avoid finding oneself in crisis.

Drawing the positive from a sithypervigilance and general restuation is easier for some more than lessness, wondering “Could this all others depending on “genetic prehappen again?” she said. disposition,” she said, but securing a Others struggle to understand good frame of mind requires intention what property truly meant to fire while we are entrenched in readily victims — storage units, homes and available negative news. items collected over lifetimes. Some According to the Centers for have neglected their own experiences Disease Control and Prevention, knowing other people have suffered COVID-19 brought considerably comparatively worse hardship, Strong higher reports of anxiety, depressaid. sion, substance use, trauma disorder She guides a “Rising from the symptoms and suicidal ideation — Ashes” group twice per week, which comparing the 2020 summer to the follows the Center’s approach of previous year. More than 40% of respondents to a representative panel recognizing each person’s traumatic account of the day of the fire on an survey reported one or more mental individual or shared community level. or behavioral health conditions.

“I think everybody needs to proStrong expected more locals who cess those things, and it’s OK to give would need to access mental health yourself that time to look at, ‘What assistance to mediate the “turmoil” did that mean to me?’ and ‘How did surrounding the community, but the that feel for me?’” she said. overall response has been mixed, she Adolescent mental health is a crisis said. situation as well, Strong said, as sevGenerally, a sense of overwhelm eral youth resiliency factors have been grips her clients, whether as a result of social isolation, post-fire recovery, lost. If family stress exists at home, many students use school as a physielection stress or other factors. cal getaway. Others rely on sports for For example, wind can be a trigger for both children and adults following a sense of escape and relief. Neither is continuously accessible in a pandemthe Almeda fire, which occurred on ic-plagued landscape. a record-setting hot and windy day Some parents struggle with a feeling on Sept. 8. Strong said she hesiof ineptitude at home, if they cannot tates to broadly label the response support their child sufficiently with post-traumatic stress disorder, but online schooling or simply aim to the triggering element can lead to

ALLAYANA DARROW / ASHLAND TIDINGS

make ends meet, she said.

“People have this sense of weight on their shoulders because there’s so many different stresses that they’re juggling right now,” Strong said.

While mental health is unique to each individual, she identified some generally helpful tools, including normalizing feeling overwhelmed, practicing self care and employing mindfulness.

“Taking a moment on a walk, to really be in that moment, and using your five senses to tap into what is real right now as opposed to, ‘What are our thoughts,’” Strong said.

Noticing thought patterns can also be helpful, by allowing a thought to come, then letting it pass and finding the moment again, she said.

Limiting media intake, such as deciding when during the day to consume information, can prevent a first-thing-in-the-morning phone check from impacting the day negatively overall. In her own family, Strong focuses on her animals and consistent sources of joy, despite constant daily changes on national and global scales.

As certified professionals navigate crises and aim to continue providing necessary services, others are testing a nonclinical approach to offering emotional support.

The Hearth, a nonprofit focused on community storytelling, organized a compassionate listening program a few weeks after the Almeda fire directed toward those most affected by the fires and people who provided direct response and relief services.

“Neighbor to neighbor care is what we’re trying to provide to those who are hurting in the wake of these fires,” founder Mark Yaconelli said.

Compassionate listeners are not qualified mental health professionals, but open another avenue for support, as counseling services face an overwhelming 4,500 displaced people who may benefit from emotional care, he said.

More than 100 volunteers signed up for a full day and three evening trainings focused on listening skills and group processing. Trained compassionate listeners offer emotional support in one-on-one settings, in teams at resource centers and through group listening circles.

The resource center format allows frontline relief workers to do their jobs, while a volunteer compassionate listener offers a listening ear for a fire victim’s full story, Yaconelli said.

The fires revealed a divide between Latino and white communities in the Rogue Valley — one he hopes to bridge through compassionate listening.

Despite intentions to share resources from the white community, many of the necessary foundational relationships didn’t exist to connect with Latino residents directly, he said. The core team directing the listening program is intentionally balanced with members of both groups.

“We do believe that every person has the capacity to listen, has the capacity to offer compassion, and there’s an opportunity here for us to come together in ways that are stronger than we were before the fire,” Yaconelli said.

“There’s an opportunity for us to bridge that divide between our white and Latinx neighbors and for people to start caring and building relationships in a way that hasn’t happened in the past.”

The Community Counseling Center of Ashland can be contacted at 541-708-5436 and can refer clients to Spanish-speaking providers if necessary. Resources are also listed at roguevalley.recovers.org/resources.

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CLIMATE From Page A8

“We’ll either have to look for some funding to really amplify outreach if we’re not content with what’s happening, or we can look at taking away from an existing program, which I imagine would be unpopular,” Green said.

The commission discussed the benefit of recommending prioritization of the Climate and Energy Action Plan and general climate knowledge in hiring decisions, to emphasize and integrate climate challenges into management actions.

Graham said because the new council will be tasked with selecting a city manager — who in turn will select other members of leadership — the recommendation is particularly important for guiding the council through budget priority considerations that the group can expect in 2021.

“I would say you don’t want a deafening silence to this new council on climate as they head into the budget process,” Graham said. “Half of the folks who are going to be making these decisions will not have had the background that the rest of the councilors have had.”

Shaff said integration of the Climate and Energy Action Plan into city planning documents is a critical goal, so that any master plan, annexation or major project would be required to remain consistent with defined climate goals.

Green supported bringing

COFFERS From Page A8

Dramatic shifts in purchasing behavior do not necessarily translate to a total reduction in taxes collected through both sources, Purcell said. Generally, in tourist-fueled economies, locals come out when the tourists leave.

She expects a flat trend until the second year of the next biennium, depending on unforeseen volatility brought by state-level decisions.

“We don’t know how many more shutdowns we’re going to go through, the severity of

Ashland Community Connections | Revels

the commission’s priorities to the council as a helpful start to the electric utility planning process and spurring public discussion, but cautioned against taking up council time for actions that may not require their endorsement to accomplish.

“Mostly, I’m interested in things that are going to unlock additional resources, so that we can get the work done,” Green said.

Any requests from the commission may be better received in combination with already highly-ranked climate conversations for the new year, Graham said. A request has been issued from the Ashland Solar Cooperative for the city to dedicate staff time to identifying cityowned property optimal for solar energy infrastructure.

Portions of the commission’s current work focus could be done through other city departments with separate funds — sparing the commission from pleading for a piece of a strained general fund this cycle, she said. If the commission wants outreach and public engagement to be prioritized and funded, Graham suggested combining it with other scheduled climate conversations with the council.

The Climate Policy Commission has one vacancy for a Southern Oregon University student, one for an Ashland High School student and one general vacancy for position No. 6. An application for appointment may be accessed by contacting the commission.

FIRE ADAPTED ASHLAND Visit fireadaptedashland.org to learn how you can start today to reduce the wildfire risk around your home.

Learn how to harden your home and landscaping to embers and flames

them, or what the next iteration of our lifestyle is going to be,” Purcell said.

Updated financial reports will be brought to City Council quarterly, as information becomes available, she said.

See Firewise plants that grow in Ashland

Learn whe w where ere e th the he risks are a att your y ur home

fireadaptedashland.org Please recycle this newspaper

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Ashland Community Connections | Revels

Thursday, December 3, 2020 |

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RETHINKING FIREFIGHTING

CHIEF From Page A5

The $225,504 listed for the first full fiscal year of the chief’s employment encompasses salary equivalent to the former fire chief and costs to the employer, such as health care, workers’ compensation costs and other expenses. The IGA requires payments from the city to the district for fire chief services increase by 2.5% annually to account for inflation.

According to the City of Ashland employee salary schedule for 2020-2021, positions in Grade 504 of the pay scale start at $108,312 and max at $138,613 after eight years. The grade includes fire chief, police chief, director of public works, director of electric, director of community development, director of administrative services and director of human resources.

In her post, Akins criticized the two- to three-year service term as a method of spending money to train a “rented fire chief” whose services will eventually transfer to the fire district, and further questioned why the decision wasn’t left to the next mayor and City Council, in the best interest of budget security.

Akins specified in the post and during the council meeting Nov. 17 that she did not harbor ill will against the candidate personally, but wished to see a broader candidate search with a greater focus on diversity.

“Fire season is coming and we need to hire Ashland’s Fire Chief to lead our excellent team of first responders,” Akins said Tuesday. “It needs to be an inclusive process with our stated goal of equity, inclusion and diversity and we need a person with solid experience the council, community and firefighters can support.”

Ashland Firefighters Local 1269 speculated that qualified candidates in the region may be dissuaded from submitting their names after watching the first round of selection unfold in a disjointed manner.

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SEASONS, FUEL, CLIMATE STRAIN CURRENT SYSTEM

By Vickie Aldous ACC

O

regon is using an outdated firefighting system that hasn’t adapted to longer fire seasons, excessive fuel loads in forests and climate change, according to Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District Forester Dave Larson.

ODF just finished it’s worst fire season on record with 919 fires burning 541,444 acres of ODF-protected land statewide. Those fires included five megafires that topped 100,000 acres, he said.

The total acreage burned broke a previous record of 340,000 acres set back in 1933.

The destruction of that 1933 season led to the creation of the ODF fire protection program, Larson said.

ODF is charged with protecting private timber lands, other rural land and federal Bureau of Land Management property.

It often works across borders in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and rural and city fire departments.

On the ODF Southwest Oregon District, fires burned 40,494 acres — almost quadruple the 10-year average of 11,000 acres burned annually, Larson said.

Even though conditions on the ground have changed, ODF is still using an outdated fire protection model and funding system dating back to the late 1960s and early 1970s, Larson said.

“Now we’re in totally different times,” he said.

Larson said firefighting has become more complex and sophisticated, with firefighters also dealing with climate change and excessive fuel loads in forests.

“Everything is really compounding the problem here,” he said.

Larson said the state needs a different firefighting strategy.

ODF relies on light year-round staffing that is

JAMIE LUSCH/MAIL TRIBUNE

The Oregon Department of Forestry relies on a mix of permanent and seasonal firefighters to battle wildfires, but the system is under strain in an era of long fire seasons, climate change and heavy fuel loads in forests.

buttressed during the fire season with an influx of temporary firefighters. It typically budgets for four-month fire seasons, Larson said.

The Southwest Oregon District just finished its longest fire season yet — stretching 190 days from May 1 to Nov. 6.

Although fire season hadn’t yet been declared, ODF also battled fires in April, Larson said.

He said today’s wildland firefighters are highly skilled and trained. It can take a decade for a new firefighter to gain enough experience to become a division supervisor with the tactical knowledge to battle fires while keeping firefighters safe.

Yet the Southwest Oregon District relies on 25 permanent staff with 125 seasonal workers to safeguard 1.8 million acres of ODF-protected land in Jackson and Josephine counties, Larson said.

Those seasonal workers often do fuels reduction work in the off-season for a variety of government agencies and employers, but their careers can be unstable.

“I see in the future there’s going to have to be a different model in order to keep those folks around to not only increase our capacity, but to

maintain the experience that we have on the line. I couldn’t have done what we did this year without experienced folks,” Larson said.

ODF firefighters are fighting fires on grass and woodlands, but they also deal with the complication of homes sprinkled across rural land and in the urban-wildland interface at the edges of communities.

The Southwest Oregon District has the most interface land of any district in the state, Larson said.

This season, nine different communities in the district had to evacuate or were on notice to evacuate, he said.

“We were definitely stretched to our capacity,” Larson said.

In July, ODF was able to hammer the Worthington fire northeast of Eagle Point with ground and air attacks, eventually containing it at 761 acres.

The Grizzly Creek fire on Sept. 4 was detected by ODF’s system of remote cameras and caught at 325 acres.

But after a string of days topping 100 degrees in September, hot, dry winds blowing in from the east caused the South Obenchain fire north of Eagle Point to explode in size.

The same conditions fueled fast-moving fires in California and even in northern Oregon’s cool, moist forests — which are known to firefighters as the “asbestos forest” because of their fire resilience in most years, Larson said.

Firefighting resources across the West were stretched to the breaking point.

Timberland managers, rural residents and others joined ODF in the fight against the South Obenchain fire, which ultimately burned dozens of homes and 32,671 acres.

“Folks just jumped on this fire,” Larson said.

Their efforts stopped the fire from destroying Shady Cove and Butte Falls.

At the same time, the winddriven Almeda fire that started on Sept. 8 in north Ashland destroyed thousands of homes and businesses, primarily in Talent and Phoenix. ODF helped other fire agencies on that 3,200-acre urban and rural conflagration.

Larson said the Medford Air Tanker Base was critical during the fire season.

Multiple helicopters and planes flew regular missions out of the base, including an old DC-7 air tanker under contract with ODF. That tanker alone dropped almost 200,000 gallons of retardant and 9,000 gallons of water, Larson said.

ODF’s 10-year contract for the plane ends this year, and the agency will have to look at other options. It’s so hard to get replacement parts for the plane that two old planes on the ground were cannibalized for parts, he said.

Jackson County Commissioners said ODF, timber managers and residents did a great job battling fires during the unprecedented fire season.

Commissioners said they want to do everything they can to advocate for adequate funding, staffing and equipment for ODF from the state.

“Firefighting is getting more expensive every year,” Larson said.

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Ashland Community Connections | Revels

CRAB SEASON

By Mark Freeman ACC

BROOKINGS — Crab boats headed out of three Oregon ports in late November to help gauge whether Christmas revelers here will have the chance to feature fresh Oregon Dungeness crab in their holiday feasts.

The boats will set test pots out of the ports of Astoria, Newport and Port Orford to help determine whether Dungeness here are developing their inner meat thresholds that will decide when the commercial fleet will begin Oregon’s most lucrative and anticipated ocean fishery of the year.

The commercial season already has been delayed until at least Dec. 16 to give West Coast Dungeness a chance to recover from fall molting and bulge with the meat levels that commercial fishermen, processors and consumers expect each year.

If the samples show good meat quality, commercial crabbers could start pulling their pots Dec. 16 — in time to get fresh Dungeness inland and on the tables of families whose family traditions include Christmas crustaceans.

“A Dec. 16 opener is cutting it close, but there’s a chance to get crab to market by Christmas Day,” said Todd Buell, an Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife crab biologist working on the program.

Many Oregonians have Dungeness in their Christmas traditions, but in recent years, not so much.

The traditional Dec. 1 start to the commercial season on the West Coast has been interrupted annually since the 2014-15 season, either from a lack of muscle bulk — called meat-fill — or elevated levels of domoic acid.

Commercial crabbers and processors have for a long time

agreed not to start the season until the Dungeness are full of meat. Ensuring a prime product in stores and restaurants is considered more important than exactly when those Dungeness show up.

“Everybody loves Christmas crab,” said Hugh Link, executive director of the Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission.

“We don’t want to ruin that.

But it’s not been the norm.”

The meat-fill tests are to judge how well Dungeness have rebounded after their summer molt. After the molt, the crabs fill with water as their shells harden and they grow new muscle.

To meet market standards, a two-pound crab must yield at least a half-pound of meat.

For commercial crabbing to open south of Cascade Head, Dungeness this year must sport 24% meat content, down from 25% last year. The threshold is 23% north of Cascade Head, which is near Lincoln City.

Dungeness sampled earlier this month at Brookings, Garibaldi, Coos Bay and Newport exceeded those levels, according to ODFW records.

Long Beach and Westport test sites off the Washington coast showed Dungeness at less than 22% meat-fill.

If the tests show good meatfill, and commercial fishermen can settle on a landing price with processors, crabbers can drop their pots Dec. 13 and begin pulling them Dec. 16.

Also, the entire Oregon Coast is under a recreational ban on razor clamming because of elevated levels of domoic acid in razors. Razor clams dominate Dungeness crabs’ diets, so state officials will be testing domoic acid levels in crab from Astoria south to Coos Bay, Link said.

Despite the commercial delays, the recreational harvest of Dungeness remains open in the ocean as well as bays, off beaches and in estuaries.

Photo by Sean Bagshaw | Outdoor Exposure Photography

Test scores will affect availability for Christmas

Jerry and Jeannie Taylor

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THURSDAY, December 3, 2020

SOUNDS OF HANUKKAH & CHRISTMAS

‘HOLIDAY FAIRE’ PHOTO BY MICHAEL D. DAVIS

Rogue Valley Chorale continues its tradition of seasonal concerts with a musical extravaganza filmed locally and broadcast on Southern Oregon PBS in December SEE PAGE 14

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Ashland Community Connections | Revels

COVER STORY SOUTHERN OREGON PBS BROADCAST

RV CHORALE’S ‘HOLIDAY FAIRE’ Local report

R

estrictions brought on by COVID-19 have everyone rethinking how to engage in their most beloved holiday traditions. Rogue Valley Chorale, guided by Artistic Director Michael Morris, has gone beyond the typical computer-screen livestream, bringing its annual holiday concert to a screen of a different sort to the people of Southern Oregon.

The local choir group debuted “Holiday Faire” on Southern Oregon PBS Nov. 27 during the station’s annual fund drive, and the concert will re-air at 11 a.m.

Sunday, Dec. 13, and at 8 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 24, on SOPBS. It was filmed at locations around Southern Oregon, including the Historic Hanley Farm in Central Point, North Medford High School’s Sjolund PHOTO BY MICHAEL D. DAVIS Auditorium and Ashland’s Rogue Valley Chorale at the Historic Hanley Farm in Central Point, one of several Southern Oregon locations where “Holiday Faire” was filmed.

Grizzly Peak Winery.

RV Chorale, like most pernarration for the program.

Laura Rich and Mary Ann Bells.” The program closes grown to include more than forming arts organizations, The show opens with Graham combine to perform with a moving arrangement of 300 singers in four choruses has been challenged during selections from “Messiah” by “Let There Be Peace On Earth” ranging in age from 8 through “What Child is This” in an the months-long pandemic Handel — “And the Glory of

by V. Courtney. arrangement by R. E. Schram well over 80. RV Chorale to find ways to present conthe Lord,” performed by the During filming, singers on the stage at North Medford has performed as a featured certs in a safe and responsible Chorale, and “He Shall Feed rehearsed and performed while group at Carnegie Hall, and High School. Joining the trio, manner for its audiences. An His Flock,” which features alto Morgan O’Shaughnessy plays wearing masks at safe distances has toured Europe eight option unfolded when Morris Mary Ann Graham and soprano an instrumental obbligato on from one another. The end times, performing in some began to explore the notion of result is a unique performance of the world’s finest venues, the Nycholharpa, a baroque producing a concert to be aired Rachel Nelson, as well as Hanley Farm’s flock of sheep. adapted to the health concerns including the High Altar in period string instrument. on TV, specifically, Southern Jefferson Baroque OrchesAlso featured is a fastposed by COVID-19 during England’s historic Canterbury Oregon PBS. The idea became tra joins in on the program to paced jazz rendition of “Joy an unprecedented time in the Cathedral, and the Salzburg reality during the summer of perform “Ariette con Varito the World,” arranged by J. world community. Jefferson Mozart Festival.

2020 when the Chorale went azzioni” by F. W. H. Benda, a Raney, and performed by RV Baroque Orchestra, under the A resident company of the to work to produce the hourartistic direction of Morgan Craterian Theatre located long holiday special. For almost piece reminiscent of “Twinkle Chorale piano accompanist Twinkle Little Star,” which Mikiko Petrucelli and percus- O’Shaughnessey, provided in Medford, the RV Chorale half a century, RV Chorale has features an intricate Baroque sionist Theresa McCoy. instrumentation during the usually performs six seasonal presented a holiday concert to flute solo by Sherril Wood.

Julia Curiel, Laura Rich, production, and audio and concerts on its stage. AudiSouthern Oregon audiences.

“Angels We Have Heard Terry Faulkner and Dan video recording, mixing and ence members enjoy a wide “Holiday Faire” allowed for on High,” in an arrangement Fowler perform Rodgers and editing was conducted by the range of music from classical a continuation of this tradifor double chorus by L. P Hammerstein’s “My Favorite Southern Oregon Univerto contemporary, spirituals tion during the COVID-19 Gingrich, was performed at Things,” during which the sity Media Arts Center and to Broadway, and Bach to pandemic when access to persingers explain why the song is Oregon Sound Recording. the Beatles. Soloists, duets, formance arts in theater venues Grizzly Peak Winery.

Dennis Freese is featured on appropriate for the holidays.

RV Chorale was founded in small ensembles, and orcheshas all but disappeared.

Klezmer clarinet in a rousing “Holiday Faire” also includes 1973 by a group of local musi- tration embellish concerts to The program includes a fesa sing-along portion for cians who wanted to provide create unforgettable musical tive mix of music performed by performance of “Al Hannisim,” a piece that celebrates audience members, who can a forum for performing fine experiences. duets, trios, small groups and the Hanukkah Festival of join the Chorale and Jefferson choral music. Since the To learn more about RV the entire Chorale. RV ChoLights.

Baroque Orchestra in singing Chorale’s debut performance Chorale, visit roguevalleychorale Association’s Executive The voices of Rachel Nelson, “Silent Night” and “Jingle in 1973, the organization has rale.org.

Director Laura Rich provides

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LOCAL LIVESTREAMS, VIRTUAL EVENTS ‘This is Who I Am’ The Oregon Shakespeare Festival, in conjunction with PlayCo and Woolly Mammoth Theatre Co., will host a livestream viewing of the world premier of Amir Nizar Zuabi’s newest play “This is Who I Am,” through Sunday, Dec. 27. Separated by continents, an estranged father and son reunite over Zoom. From their respective kitchens in Ramallah and New York City, they recreate a cherished family recipe and struggle to bridge the gap between them, one ingredient at a time. Directed by OSF Associate Artistic Director Evren Odcikin. Every showing of this play will be performed and broadcast live. Seating for specific dates is limited. Tickets are $15 per individual, $30 per household, and are available online at woollymammoth.net.

For further information, call the OSF Box Office at 800-219-8161.

‘<3’ — Virtual Play Southern Oregon University theater student, Emma Blanco, will present her virtual directing thesis with the play, “<3,”

by Sara Jean Accuardi at 8 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 4-5, via Zoom. “<3” is a tale of a loss of innocence, and the dark side of love and attraction. Fourteenyear-old Ellie is a good kid; it’s the worst. 25-year-old David is grown-up; it’s the worst. Tracy Maccarini’s got it figured out, though. She’s neither. Or both.

Is it more dangerous to grow up too fast or too slowly? Tickets are free, but registration is required through Eventbrite.

For tickets to the Dec. 4 performance see eventbrite. com/e/130075590593; tickets for the Dec. 5 performance can be had at eventbrite. com/e/130075243555. The day of the performance, an email with the link to the Zoom performance will be sent out. For further details see oca.sou.edu.

Rogue Winterfest Josephine County’s largest holiday festival, Rogue Winterfest, will be held virtually this year. The festival runs through Sunday, Dec. 6. Recorded shows with Santa and his friends, including craft-making, stories, entertainment and more, will be available at 6 p.m. on Dec. 5-6. Rogue Winterfest will be

(Dec. 8) of every month, via Zoom. To register and reserve a copy of the book of the month, see jcls.libcal.com or call 541-535-7090.

Mighty Medford Improvers

123RF.COM

Rogue Valley Symphony ‘Digital Journeys: Concert Detours’ The Rogue Valley Symphony continues its new series, “Digital Journeys: Concert Detours,” with the third online performance available free to the general public on the symphony’s YouTube channel.

Search YouTube for “Rogue Valley Symphony” to see posted concerts. The third concert detour includes “Romanian Folk Dances”

by Bela Bartok, “Musica Celestis” by Aaron J. Kernis, and “Holberg Suite” by Edvard Grieg.

held virtually to help continue support of the Rogue Valley’s mental health organizations: Family Solutions, Kairos, and Options for Southern Oregon.

For details and to register, see roguewinterfest.org.

Queer Coffee House The social group for LGBTQ+ communities and their allies meets from 10 a.m. to noon the first Saturday (Dec. 5) of each month via Zoom. Ashland Librarian Elanna Erhardt will facilitate group introductions, LGBTQ+ current events, a queer book talk and a roundtable discussion. To register, see jcls. libcal.com. For further information, email at EErhardt@jcls. org.

Women of Broadway — Vanessa Williams Critically acclaimed actor and singer Vanessa Williams will perform a live virtual concert at 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5.

This concert is part of Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s “Women of Broadway” series. Tickets are $30, and proceeds support OSF. After purchasing your ticket, a link for the concert will be sent by email. You will also receive an additional 72 hours of on-demand viewing after the show airs. For tickets and more information, see osfashland. org.

The Hamazons — Warrior Princesses of Improv The Hamazons, also known as “The Warrior Princesses of Improv” — Cil Stengel, Eve Smyth and Kyndra Laughery — will premiere a recording of their 2017 show, “A Completely Improvised Holiday Classic (that has yet to be told),” at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, via YouTube. Inspired by classic holiday films such as “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “Miracle on 34th Street,” and “A Christmas Carol,” the Hamazons deliver a full-length improvised story with winter magic, heart, and above all, humor. Piano accompanist, Darcy Danielson, will underscore each scene with improvised music. The screening will be provided for free, although $5 ticket donations will be accepted. The YouTube link will be provided on the Hamazon’s website, hamazons. com, an hour before the show begins. A live text chat stream will be available to make comments about the show or to “talk” directly with the Hamazons themselves. For tickets, links and further information, see hamazons.com.

Medford Library Book Chat Discuss selected books with others in this reading group at 5:30 p.m. the second Tuesday

The local comedy improvisational group will host a free improvisational comedy practice from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Thursdays (Dec.10), via Zoom.

All levels of experience are welcome. Sessions are facilitated

by Thomas Hartmann, who trained with Second City Chicago. For more information and to attend, email forinfoman44@ gmail.com.

Siskiyou Singers Holiday Concert The local choir, Siskiyou Singers, directed by Mark Reppert, now in its 38th year, will present “Where There Is Love,” a free online concert celebrating the 2020 holiday season, on Friday, Dec. 11. The program will include “O Magnum Mysterium” by Luis Victoria, “Silent Night,” arranged by John Rutter, “Hanerot Halalu,” “Ubi Caritas” by Maurice Duruflé, and more. The concert will be posted to the Siskiyou Singers’ website on Dec. 11, where it will remain up for viewing indefinitely. For further information or to access the concert, see siskiyousingers.org.

Author Talk - Guy Finley Local author Guy Finley will offer a free online talk, “The Divine Journey: Realizing Your Immortal Self,” at 7 p. m. Friday, Dec.11, and at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, via livestream. Following the talk, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a live Q-and-A session with the author. To register, see www.guyfinley.org/divine.

Historic Jacksonville Virtual Tour Three text-based virtual tours of Jacksonville’s historic past, “Walk through Jacksonville History,” “Beekman Bank Nuggets,” and “Mrs. Beekman Invites You to Call,” can be viewed at historicjacksonville. org. New material is added weekly. For further information, call 541-245-3650 or email at info@historicjacksonville.org.

Resilient Reads — Business Book Discussion Group This monthly book discussion group of business owners and entrepreneurs will meet at noon the third Wednesday of every month (Dec. 16), via Zoom to share inspiration and ideas about how to navigate current and lasting economic challenges of the COVID19 pandemic. Each session includes a talk from a guest speaker, a Q-and-A session and a roundtable discussion. To register, see jcls.libcal.com or for more info call 541-774-8679.

Gold Hill Book Club The Gold Hill Library Book Club for adults 18 and older will meet at 3 p.m. the third Friday of each month, via Zoom.

Books are available for pickup one month before the meeting date. To register, see jcls. libcal.com or for more info call 541-855-1994.

Teen Trivia Teens can join in a live game of general knowledge trivia using Zoom and the Kahoot platform at 4 p.m. the last Wednesday (Dec. 30) of every month. Log into the Zoom meeting to see the questions and respond on the Kahoot app or website. You don’t need an account to play, just the app and the game PIN, which we will be provided during the Zoom meeting. This quiz will contain 70 questions on a variety of subjects, and the winner will get to choose a free book. To register, see jcls. libcal.com or for more info call 541-774-8679.

Books at Noon This readers’ group discusses various books and offer suggestions for new reads at noon the first Tuesday (Jan. 5) of each month, via Zoom. To register, see jcls.libcal.com or for more info call 541-535-7090.

Eagle Point Friends Book Club Discuss suggested books with this reader’s group at 2 p.m. the first Tuesday (Jan. 5) of every month, via Zoom. To register and reserve a copy of the book of the month, see jcls. libcal.com or call 541-826-3313.

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Ashland Community Connections | Revels

VIRTUAL THEATER OREGON SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL COLLABORATION

A FATHER-SON DRAMA ON ZOOM

By Jim Flint for the Mail Tribune

I

t’s a story of the times in which we live.

An estranged father and son, separated by continents, reunite over Zoom from their respective kitchens in Ramallah, Palestine, and New York City. They prepare a cherished family recipe as they struggle to bridge the gap between them, one ingredient at a time.

The narrative is the foundation of a new play for two actors by Amir Nizar Zuabi.

“This Is Who I Am” is a story told with humor and humanity through the intimacy of a video call. It Zuabi explores the unpredictable nature of grief and the delicacy of family connection across geographical and generational divides.

The online world premiere run is directed by Evren Odcikin, associate artistic director at Oregon ShakePHOTO PHOTO BY KIM BUDD, COURTESY OSF speare Festival. Previews Oregon Shakespeare Festival Associate Artistic Director Evren Odcikin begin Saturday, Dec. 5, with makes his OSF directorial debut at the helm of “This Is Who I Am,” a livesthe official opening set for treamed play by Amir Nizar Zuabi with performances scheduled from Dec. 5 Sunday, Dec. 13. through Jan. 3.

The play, which will stream live in real time, is a joint Playwright Amir Nizar Zuabi said one of his production of PlayCo in biggest frustrations these days is that people New York City and Woolly Mammoth Theatre Comcan be close yet distant at the same time. pany in Washington, D.C., “I can look at people’s houses and feel very in association with OSF, American Repertory Theater intimate with them, but at the same time we’re (ART) at Harvard Univerdeprived of our sensory (cues) and are separated sity, and Guthrie Theater in by walls of glass. But if two people are both Minneapolis.

A calendar of performance cooking the same dish, at least the smells and dates and times through noises are similar, so suddenly we are creating Jan. 3, and tickets at $15.99 a mutual world.” each or $30.99 per household, are available at with the code EVERYONE5, possible audience. woollymammoth.net.

One of the few silver linings designed to make the play Preview performance of the pandemic has been an accessible to the widest tickets are available for $5

Faragallah

Sultani

opportunity for national and international collaborations on digital projects such as this one.

“A small, crazy idea like doing a live play every night with cooking can get access to this sort of platform,” Odcikin said.

Playwright Zuabi, a world-renowned Palestinian writer, was commissioned by PlayCo and Mammoth, longtime supporters of his work.

Odcikin was approached because of his history with Zuabi at Golden Thread Productions, which specializes in Middle East themes. ART in Boston, where Zuabi had worked before, became part of the project. And Guthrie came into the picture because its artistic director, Joseph Haj, is the play’s production dramaturg.

Haj has directed at OSF numerous times. With both his and Odcikin’s involvement, it was an easy yes for OSF to sign on.

Zuabi, who grew up in Palestine, moved to London for a time and currently resides in Jaffa, a Palestine city that came under Israeli occupation after the 1948 war.

“I left my country at a certain point,” he said, “and remember these awkward long-distance conversations.

Now, many hours of my day have been spent Zoom-ing.”

He says one of his biggest frustrations these days is that

people can be close yet distant at the same time.

“I can look at people’s houses and feel very intimate with them,” he said, “but at the same time we’re deprived of our sensory (cues) and are separated by walls of glass.

But if two people are both cooking the same dish, at least the smells and noises are similar, so suddenly we are creating a mutual world.”

Zuabi grieves the loss of his parents four and five years ago and millions grieve from the pandemic. Both inform his story.

“This play for me is about grief and the way we negotiate it,” he said. “It’s about distance and how we negotiate it. It’s about manhood and how we negotiate it. And it’s about love and how it negotiates us.”

It isn’t the first play by Zuabi to have a culinary connection. In 2017, Golden Thread Productions, where Odcikin was a resident artist, presented the West Coast premiere of Zuabi’s “Oh My Sweet Land,” a tour-de-force based on interviews with Syrian refugees in Jordan.

Instead of staging the play in a theater, the company presented the show in kitchens around the Bay Area with performances followed by food sharing and conversation.

SEE OSF, A18

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Thursday, December 3, 2020 |

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MUSIC 63RD ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS

BEYONCE, TAYLOR SWIFT, RAPPER RICCH AMONG TOP NOMS

By Sonia Rao

“Future Nostalgia,” have been soundtracks to many quarantines — while Coldplay, Haim, Jhené Aiko and Post Malone get the usual shrug response. But Jacob Collier and Black Pumas beating out countless others is genuinely baffling, and many listeners at home seem to agree. Somewhere out there, the Weeknd weeps.

The Washington Post

W

hile the pandemic has thrown most award shows for a loop, the Grammys are carrying on full steam ahead. The Recording Academy has announced the nominees for January’s ceremony, a list led by Beyonce, who topped this year’s crop with nine nods total. This puts her at 79 career nominations, the most of any female artist.

As was expected, Taylor Swift and Dua Lipa are up for multiple pop awards and landed two of eight slots for album of the year. (A strange mix joins them in the prestigious category: Jhené Aiko, Black Pumas, Coldplay, Jacob Collier, Haim and Post Malone.) Rapper Roddy Ricch earned six nominations, as did Swift and Lipa, while Megan Thee Stallion, DaBaby and the last ceremony’s big winner, Billie Eilish, landed four each.

The most notable snub might be the Weeknd, the upcoming Super Bowl halftime show headliner who failed to earn any nominations for his R&B album “After Hours” or its omnipresent hit “Blinding Lights.”

Experts predicted he would earn at least as many genre nods as Harry Styles, whose debut album was snubbed in 2018 but who landed three nominations for his sophomore effort “Fine Line.” The academy, headed by interim president Harvey Mason Jr. ever since former CEO Deborah Dugan’s abrupt firing, announced several changes ahead of Tuesday’s announcement — including changing the names of best urban contemporary album to best progressive R&B album, and best rap/sung

Record of the year

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTOS

Roddy Ricch performs at the 7th annual BET Experience in Los Angeles in 2019.

This combination photo shows from left, Mickey Guyton, Beyonce Knowles and H.E.R., whose songs about the Black experience all landed Grammy nominations.

performance to best melodic rap performance. The maximum number of releases was also removed from the best new artist category, potentially lending to more familiar faces popping up in the category.

This year’s nominees are competing across a whopping 83 categories, with eligible release dates spanning from the start of September 2019

through August 2020.

The 63rd Grammy Awards, hosted by comedian Trevor Noah, will air Jan. 31 at 5 p.m.

PT on CBS.

Album of the year “Chilombo,” Jhené Aiko “Black Pumas (Deluxe Edition),” Black Pumas “Everyday Life,” Coldplay “Djesse Vol. 3,” Jacob Collier “Women in Music Pt. III,” Haim

Taylor Swift, left, at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles and Dua Lipa at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Jan. 26, 2020. Swift, Lipa and Roddy Ricch each earned six Grammy nominations.

“Future Nostalgia,” Dua Lipa “Hollywood’s Bleeding,” Post Malone “Folklore,” Taylor Swift ANALYSIS: The Grammys cannot possibly appease everyone, but these album of the year nominees seem specifically designed for chaos.

It’s hard to argue with Swift and Lipa — whose respective albums, “Folklore” and

“Black Parade,” Beyoncé “Colors,” Black Pumas “Rockstar,” DaBaby feat. Roddy Ricch “Say So,” Doja Cat “Everything I Wanted,” Billie Eilish “Don’t Start Now,” Dua Lipa “Circles,” Post Malone “Savage,” Megan Thee Stallion feat. Beyonce ANALYSIS: Record of the year honors the literal recording of a song, and therefore goes to the performing artists, producers and engineers — whereas song of the year is awarded to the songwriters. Charts and ubiquity don’t dictate Grammy nominations but tend to be solid indicators, leading many to expect the names above (again, with the exception of Black Pumas’ “Colors”). The Weeknd’s omission from this category might be the most glaring of snubs, as “Blinding Lights” was the biggest chart hit this year.

Song of the year “Black Parade,” Beyoncé, Denisia Andrews, Stephen Bray, Shawn Carter, Brittany Coney, Derek James Dixie, Akil King, Kim “Kaydence” Krysiuk and Rickie “Caso” Tice (Beyoncé) “The Box,” Samuel Gloade and Rodrick Moore (Roddy Ricch) “Cardigan,” Aaron Dessner and Taylor Swift (Taylor Swift) “Circles,” Louis Bell, Adam Feeney, Kaan Gunesberk, Austin Post and Billy Walsh (Post Malone) SEE GRAMMY, A23

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OSF

From Page A16

“This Is Who I Am” is Odcikin’s directorial debut for OSF. “I’m so excited that it is this play that is introducing my work to our audiences,” he said. “It’s a beautiful play about masculinity, connection, and grief that feels especially resonant right now.”

The cast includes Ramsey Faragallah as the father and Yousof Sultani as the son.

Faragallah is originally from Los Angeles, known for his television work on “Bull,” “Homeland,” and “The Blacklist,” as well as for his work in films. Sultani has acted in stage productions around the country and in film and television.

The design team, working with the actors to adapt their home kitchens for live performances, includes Mariana Sanchez (set), Dina El-Aziz (costume consultant), Reza Behjat (lighting), James Ard (sound), and Ido Levran (video systems editor).

This is the first commissioned play for Woolly Mammoth Artistic Director Maria Manuela Goyanes. She admits to being surprised that her first such project would be livestreamed rather than performed on stage.

“Yet, to categorize this project as a piece of pandemic theatre feels incorrect,”she said. “The experience is intimate and still inherently theatrical. Amir has written a story specifically meant to be told through a video call, connecting form and content seamlessly.”

Director Odcikin says the team is committed to the play being a full production with full design. But it was very different from mounting a traditional stage production.

“The actors are cooking a

Ashland Community Connections | Revels

traditional Palestinian dish live every night,” he said, “which brings its own set of logistics to coordinate. And it’s all doubly complicated by the fact that the team cannot enter the actors’ homes for load-in or tech, due to COVID restrictions.”

Was the directing process different?

“It’s all new and all the same,” Odcikin said. “The play is the play, actors are the actors, designers are designers, so our day-to-day work is similar.

“But the process through Zoom feels different. We can’t rehearse as many hours, as Zoom fatigue is real. And we’re stuck in our little squares, so I don’t have access to as much information from the actors as I try to guide the play’s tone.”

Although it’s a different way to think about the work, Odcikin is grateful to have an opportunity to continue to tell stories at this time.

Faragallah lives in New York, Sultani in Virginia, the stage manager in Washington, D.C., the dramaturg in Minneapolis, and the playwright is currently in Stockholm, Sweden.

“We’ve had our producers call in from London,” Odcikin said. “So, between all of us, the stage manager sends rehearsal times in six different time zones.”

The play runs 70 minutes with no intermission. There are no scheduled talkbacks following each performance, but all the participating companies are collaborating to create conversations and engagement activities hosted online during the run of the show. More information can be found at osfashland.org as events are confirmed.

Reach Ashland writer Jim Flint at jimflint.ashland@yahoo. com.

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Thursday, December 3, 2020 |

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

FORGING A PATH TO RACIAL JUSTICE A MESSAGE

FROM THE

BAHÁ’ÍS

OF THE

UNITED STATES

To understand and firmly believe that we are all children of God An essential element of the process will be honest and truthful The Bahá’ís of the United States join our fellow-citizens in heartfelt provides us with access to vast spiritual resources, motivating us to grief at the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud discourse about current conditions and their causes, and see beyond ourselves and to work steadily and sacrificially in the Arbery, and so many others whose lives were suddenly taken by understanding, in particular, the deeply entrenched notions of antiface of all obstacles. It helps to ensure that the process is consistent appalling acts of violence. These Blackness that pervade our society. with the goal to create communities characterized by justice. It gives heartbreaking violations against We must build the capacity to truly us the faith, strength, and creativity to transform our own hearts, as fellow human beings, due only hear and acknowledge the voices To create a just society begins with recognition we also work for the transformation of society. to the color of their skin, have of those who have directly suffered of the fundamental truth that humanity is one.

But deepened the dismay caused by from the effects of racism. This We believe that the tribulations now encompassing much of the a pandemic whose consequences capacity should manifest itself in it is not enough simply to believe this in our hearts. world are the symptoms of humanity’s failure to understand and to the health and livelihoods our schools, the media, and other It creates the moral imperative to act, and to view all embrace our essential oneness. The interrelated threats of climate of people of color have been civic arenas, as well as in our work aspects of our personal, social, and institutional lives change, gender discrimination, extreme wealth and poverty, unfair disproportionately severe. This and personal relations. This should distribution of resources, and the like, all stem from this deficiency has come to pass against a not end with words, but lead to through the lens of justice." and can never be resolved if we do not awaken to our dependence backdrop of longstanding racial meaningful, constructive action. upon each other. The world has contracted to a neighborhood, and injustice in virtually every aspect it is important to appreciate that what we do in America impacts of American life. It is clear that racial prejudice is the most vital and There are already significant efforts underway to learn how not only our own country, but the entire planet. challenging issue we face as a country. to create models of unity in neighborhoods and communities throughout the nation. Bahá’ís have been persistently engaged in We should also never forget that the richness of our diversity, and Yet, amidst these tragedies, there are also signs of hope. Countless such efforts for many years. The aim is not unity in sameness—it is our founding ideals of liberty and justice, attract the eyes of the citizens have arisen to proclaim the truth that we are one nation, unity in diversity. It is the recognition that everyone in this land has world to us. They will be influenced by what we achieve, or fail to and to demand specific actions to address the pervasive inequities a part to play in contributing to achieve, in this regard. It is not that for too long have shaped our society. We have remembered the betterment of society, and an exaggeration to say that the who we aspire to be as a people, and are determined to make There are already significant efforts underway to that true prosperity, material cause of world peace is linked to a change for the better. This moment beckons us to a renewed and spiritual, will be available learn how to create models of unity in neighborhoods our success in resolving the issue of commitment to realize the ideal of E Pluribus Unum—out of many, to us all to the degree that we racial injustice. one—the very ideal upon which America was founded. and communities throughout the nation." live up to this standard. We should earnestly discover what The oneness of humanity is the To create a just society begins with recognition of the fundamental is being done, what truly helps to make a difference, and why. We foundation of our future. Its realization is the inevitable next stage truth that humanity is one. But it is not enough simply to believe should share this knowledge throughout the country as a means of in our life on this planet. We will replace a world society based this in our hearts. It creates the moral imperative to act, and to view inspiring and assisting the work of others. If we do this, we could upon competition and conflict, and driven by rampant materialism, all aspects of our personal, social, and institutional lives through the soon find ourselves in the midst of a mass transition toward racial with one founded upon our higher potential for collaboration and lens of justice. It implies a reordering of our society more profound justice. than anything we have yet reciprocity. This achievement will mark the universal coming of age achieved. And it requires the of the human race. How soon we achieve this, and how easily, will Religion, an enduring source of insight Religion, an enduring source of participation of Americans of depend upon the commitment we demonstrate to this cardinal concerning human purpose and action, has a key role insight concerning human purpose every race and background, principle. and action, has a key role to play in to play in this process.” for it is only through such this process. All faith communities We have come to a moment of great public awareness and rejection inclusive participation that recognize that we are essentially spiritual beings. All proclaim some of injustice. Let us not lose this opportunity. Will we commit to new moral and social directions can emerge. version of the “Golden Rule”—to the process of forming “a more love others as we do ourselves.

Whatever immediate results might come from the current perfect union”? Will we be guided We have come to a moment of great public Take, for example, the following demonstrations, the elimination of racism will require a sustained by “the better angels of our awareness and rejection of injustice. Let us not lose passage from the Bahá’ís and concerted effort. It is one thing to protest against particular nature” to choose to truly become Scriptures in which God addresses forms of injustice. It is a far more profound challenge to create that ”city upon a hill” to serve as this opportunity." humankind: a new framework for justice. Our efforts can only succeed when inspiration to all humanity? Let we learn to build relationships with each other based on sincere us then join hands with each other in commitment to the path of “Know ye not why We created you all from the same dust? That no friendship, regard, and trust, which, in turn, become pillars for the justice. Together we can surely achieve this. one should exalt himself over the other. Ponder at all times in your activities of our institutions and communities. hearts how ye were created. Since We have created you all from Bahá’u’lláh said: “So powerful is the light of unity that it can one same substance it is incumbent on you to be even as one soul, It is essential for us to join hands in a process of learning how illuminate the whole earth.” May that light grow brighter with to walk with the same feet, eat with the same mouth and dwell to create models of what we want to see in every dimension of every passing day. in the same land, that from your inmost being, by your deeds and American life, as we learn to apply the principle of oneness through actions, the signs of oneness and the essence of detachment may be - From the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the practical engagement and experience. To this end, we offer the made manifest.” following thoughts.

United States, June 19, 2020

LET’S FORGE THIS PATH TOGETHER

Devotional gatherings for sharing the Word of God, study classes for turning faith into action, children’s classes open to all, and special opportunities for young teens to develop their spiritual and moral character are all hosted online during this time of social distancing.

Friday, December 4 • 6 p.m.

A Change is Gonna Come. Take a musical journey through American race relations with recording artist, activist and educator Eric Dozier.

Please RSVP to info@roguevalleybahais.org to receive the link to this online gathering.

BAHÁÍS OF ROGUE VALLEY • ROGUEVALLEYBAHAIS.ORG 541-363-7744 • 1467 SISKIYOU BLVD #329, ASHLAND, OR 97520 MF-00132596

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Ashland Community Connections | Revels

PROFILE LEWIS BLACK DOESN’T WANT TO GROW UP

AVOIDING ‘BOBO’ AND YELLING AT MOM

By Geoff Edgers The Washington Post

L

ike so many, national arts reporter Geoff Edgers has been grounded by the coronavirus. So every Friday, he hosts The Washington Post’s first Instagram Live show from his barn in Massachusetts.

Recently, Edgers chatted with comedian Lewis Black.

Here are excerpts from their conversation.

Q: We all know you from your comedy and from being on “The Daily Show.” But we also know your temperament is important. I’d never met you before last night, when we got on the phone to set up this Instagram Live. You were having some technical problems, and ... I felt like your ire was directed at Instagram, right?

A: Oh, it was directed at Instagram. And it’s always directed at Facebook because I think Facebook was the beginning of the road to madness.

Q: You don’t like putting pictures from your family events and connecting with old friends on Facebook?

A: I don’t have enough time during the day to do the things before all of this. ... And it’s like, you know, Bobo wants to be a friend.

Well, sure. But I’ve never met you and I feel badly because I don’t want to reject you.

So now I got all these people writing to me and I’m going, “Well, how did this happen?”

Q: Is Donald Trump good or bad for a comedian? Does he help you or does he hurt you?

A: As I said about Sarah Palin and Tina Fey on “Saturday Night Live,” it’s difficult

THE WASHINGTON POST

Geoff Edgers (top) and Lewis Black on Oct. 30 in Edgers’ weekly Instagram Live show “Stuck with Geoff.”

to satirize what’s already satiric. It’s so beyond not being funny, it’s so really wrong at times, in a way morally inept. You have to wonder, wow, how did I end up standing onstage at times having to be the adult in this situation? You’ve turned me, the comic, into the adult. I’m not supposed to be the adult, the comic is the child.

Wow, you’ve got me riled up.

Q: Were you always angry?

A: Well, I always had a bit of anger, mostly sarcastic, but anger would kind of come to play at times. But you’ve got to realize, my family was born and raised Jewish. There was a lot of yelling. And my mother is still around and still yells about stuff at 102, so I

always thought that anger was a form of love.

Q: That’s a good T-shirt.

I’ll tell you something, ... I’m of the Jewish faith as well, and I grew up in a home of loud voices. My wife and I, it’s really hard for us sometimes because we’re in the house and we have the kids, and sometimes people just go haywire. But she feels uncomfortable, like the neighbors are going to hear.

And I’m like, “This is how normal life goes.” And there’s something peaceful about getting it all out with a good argument.

A: Well, there is. And realizing that the yelling is not about the other person. That you love the other person so much that you’re yelling

at them, that you’re telling them, “You know, I can yell at you because I care about you, and hopefully you understand that I’m not attacking you.”

Q: When did you first tap into this anger as performance and knew it worked for you?

A: Early on, I started doing standup on the side as a kind of a hobby, and a lot of my early stuff was stories that were funny - about my sex life or my gym teacher teaching the health class. They were funny stories about things that had happened to me. And then as I started doing more, I would write a lot of it, and it had to do with being able to get something out there. I don’t consider myself a political comic as much as a social

commentator or a satirist, if you will.

Especially when I arrived in New York, the evolution began. I ran this room in the city with some friends, and we’d do a free show on Saturday nights at midnight. The whole week before, I’d rip stuff out of the newspapers that just irritated me, things that I thought were crazy, and I would go onstage and just pick the things up and yell, and then pick another thing up, and yell and yell and yell. ... A friend of mine said one night when I was performing, “You know, you’re really angry. You should just go up there and yell the entire act and see what happens.” And it was life-changing because I’m funniest when I’m angry.

“I ran this room in (New York City) with some friends, and we’d do a free show on Saturday nights at midnight.

The whole week before, I’d rip stuff out of the newspapers that just irritated me, things that I thought were crazy, and I would go onstage and just pick the things up and yell, and then pick another thing up, and yell and yell and yell. ...

A friend of mine said one night when I was performing, ‘You know, you’re really angry. You should just go up there and yell the entire act and see what happens.’ And it was life-changing because I’m funniest when I’m angry.”

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Thursday, December 3, 2020 |

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DANCE MARK MORRIS TROUPE ONLINE

FORTY YEARS, A HOLIDAY SPECIAL AND MORE

By Anying Guo The Washington Post

A

s the Mark Morris Dance Group’s fall season approached, the company knew it would be significant: This year is the modern dance troupe’s 40th anniversary, and programming would have to be almost all online.

“Of course, we had very big plans involving revivals and touring internationally,” Nancy Umanoff, executive director, says. “Then we became digital several months ago. There was a bit more uncertainty, but tremendous opportunity.”

The Mark Morris Dance Group was not accustomed to incorporating technology into its work, what with the choreographer’s longtime focus on creating a symbiotic relationship among the audience, performers and musicians.

But when the coronavirus pandemic struck and stayed, the Brooklyn-based company quickly organized to create programming that was distinct, creative and almost exclusively digital.

On May 28, the company released “Dance On!: An Evening With Mark Morris Dance Group,” which featured its first video dance performances, including “Lonely Waltz,” showcasing a collaborative effort on the now ubiquitous platform Zoom. Umanoff says 4,400 people registered for the one-hour event, the largest audience ever for a premiere of a Mark Morris work. And over the summer, the company’s archival series, “Dance On! Video Vault,” gained popularity for videos of rarely performed works.

Umanoff says the group naturally lamented the loss of live performance but is excited about its upcoming stacked repertoire. The added digital components — video screenings, digital archive,

MARK MORRIS DANCE GROUP

A still image from “The Lovers’ Demise,” one of the video dances from “Dance On!: An Evening With Mark Morris Dance Group, Part 2,” which can be viewed on YouTube via a Past Performances link at markmorrisdancegroup.org.

Nancy Umanoff, the troupe’s executive director, says digital components — video screenings, digital archive, socially distanced classes, interactive Q&As with Morris — are “silver linings” during a pandemic.

JAVIER DEL REAL / MARK MORRIS DANCE GROUP

Mark Morris’s acclaimed “L’Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato.”

socially distanced classes, interactive Q&As with Morris — are “silver linings in all of this,” Umanoff says.

“I think everyone knows this is our life now,” she says.

“So if you want and need, as so many people do, to keep the arts alive and to have the moment of beauty that arts can bring ... this is how we can consume it right now.”

Here are some highlights from the new season, all the

way through next spring (see archived performances and the full lineup at markmorrisdancegroup.org).

MMDG Holiday Special: Home for the Holidays During normal times, “The Hard Nut,” Morris’s spin on “The Nutcracker,” would be performed in Berkeley, Calif., or Seattle, and include a lavish week of curated events for families and

friends. Umanoff hopes that with some tweaks, this year’s holiday programming will be just as festive. Events include a Family Fun Day, which will feature screenings of “Snow (Waltz of the Snowflakes)” and “Flowers (Waltz of the Flowers),” as well as recipe swaps, singalongs and dancer meet-and-greets for student dancers. Dec. 12-18.

Dido and Aeneas week Morris’s adaptation of Henry Purcell’s 1689 opera “Dido and Aeneas” will have a week of its own this season.

The 1995 filmed version of the danced opera, in which Morris plays two female roles, will be available to stream all week. There will also be

a live Q&A with Morris and the director, Barbara Willis Sweete. Feb. 8-14.

L’Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato week One of the most instantly recognizable Morris works was staged to George Frideric Handel’s oratorio, premiered in 1988 and filmed at the Teatro Real in Madrid in 2014.

Like “Dido and Aeneas,” the film will be available to stream the entire week and include a Q&A with Morris, talks with dancers and collaborators, a screening of the short film “L’Allegro Movement Project” and classes for those who want to learn the legendary choreography.

April 19-25.

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Ashland Community Connections | Revels

BOOKS SOME FREE-SPEECH NORMS ARE IN DANGER

HOLD ON, IT MIGHT BE A GOOD THING The Short Life and Curious Death of Free Speech in America

By Ellis Cose Amistad. 194 pp. $23.99

By Kenneth W. Mack The Washington Post

W

hat’s wrong with the democratic experiment? As the United States faces what many believe are existential threats to its political processes, and fragile political systems around the world slip into new, technologically savvy variants of authoritarianism, many commentators say we are suffering a crisis of democracy.

Some point to recent departures from bedrock norms that govern the conduct of government and the role of free speech in civic life, with campus debates over matters such as sexual harassment and unpopular speakers as examples of a new generation that has yet to learn the lessons of its forebears. Others argue that the nation’s political heritage is the problem rather than the solution, pointing to undemocratic governmental features such as the electoral college, as well as recent efforts by groups with declining electoral numbers to gerrymander legislatures, suppress Black and Latino votes, and engage in hardball politics to sustain illegitimate legislative, executive and judicial power.

Ellis Cose, the eminent journalist, grapples with both explanations for our present crisis in his pithy and thought-provoking book, “The Short Life and Curious Death of Free Speech in America.” Cose contends that the death of traditional freespeech norms might in fact be a good thing, given our current challenges. That might sound like heresy coming from a veteran journalist, and

AMISTAD

Cose knows it.

The framing device for Cose’s book is the 2017 white-supremacist rally in Charlottesville that resulted in a Nazi sympathizer killing a civil rights protester by driving his car into a crowd.

The American Civil Liberties Union had successfully fought for the ability of the rally’s organizers to hold their event in the center of town rather than in a place that authorities said would be easier to make safe. While some journalists defended the ACLU’s stance, Cose contends that “it is insane to pretend that we don’t make trade-offs between various rights, including speech, all the time.”

He begins with a proposition that scholars know well: that our familiar free-speech

norms, and the constitutional doctrines that embody them, were invented only about 100 years ago. These norms began to take shape in response to the suppression of dissent during and after World War I, famously in Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.’s metaphor of free speech as a process in which claims are tested in the “competition of the market” — a metaphor that Cose associates instead with Holmes’s fellow justice, Louis Brandeis.

In our own times, Cose asserts, we can no longer be certain that “good ideas generally crowd out bad ideas,” or that debates are driven by ideas rather than by “corporations and wealthy individuals” who use “trickery, appeals to base prejudice, and outright lies” to get what they want. If free speech is a market, then the market for speech,

like economic markets, has always required baseline rules and norms to make it work. It has always required a sense of social purpose as well. Perhaps it’s time for new ground rules and a new commitment to popular democracy to put them into practice.

In short, punchy chapters, Cose examines one issue after another where democratic commitments and speech claims seem to conflict. For instance, he laments that the historic role of the press as a fact-checker has been undermined by political leaders who lie with impunity, as well as pressure within mainstream media outlets to attract viewers and website clicks. As prominent examples, he cites press coverage of Hillary Clinton’s emails during the 2016 campaign, and former CBS chairman and chief executive Leslie Moonves’s observation that Donald Trump’s deceptive statements “may not be good for America, but it’s damn good for CBS.” Then there is the social media site Gab, whose purported mandate for unfiltered free speech quickly became so overwhelmed with hate speech that the gunman charged with attacking Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life congregation in 2018 found inspiration there, and a survey on the site after the killings showed substantial support for genocide against Jewish people in the West. On university campuses, debates over unpopular speakers and sex harassment have produced some predictable bureaucratic overreach, but they have also been manipulated by President Trump and his supporters in a cynical effort to rally support by attacking institutions of higher education.

By contrast, Cose argues, there has been less willingness by purported free-speech proponents to support other fundamental values such as democratic

participation or to reform outdated political institutions such as the electoral college. “Is voting a form of speech?” he asks provocatively, pointing out that those who critique what they call suppression of free expression on campuses are often perfectly willing to suppress the political expressions of Black Americans in the voting process. Cose closes his book with thoughts on living through the coronavirus pandemic, when the inability to sort truth from lies has turned positively deadly.

“The Short Life and Curious Death of Free Speech in America” is a requiem of sorts for the core assumptions under which Cose has conducted his long and respected career.

Indeed, it arrives in the midst of an election season when the journalistic craft that he represents has been under siege.

He could have easily penned a jeremiad, calling on his readers to reassert old values from which Americans have unfortunately departed. Instead, he has delivered a trenchant critique of those values as harmful to the project of preserving our democracy amid our demographic, political and technological challenges. Free speech, he argues, has never been a value unto itself or an untrammeled right. Instead it “was supposed to be a means of defending our freedoms and our republic,” rather than a vehicle for destroying them.

Readers will find much with which to agree, disagree and consider in these pages. In that sense, this is a book that represents the best of our free-speech traditions.

Kenneth W. Mack, a historian and a professor of law at Harvard, is the author of “Representing the Race: The Creation of the Civil Rights Lawyer” and a co-editor of “The New Black: What Has Changed — and What Has Not — With Race in America.”

Ashland Community Connections | Revels

Snubs and surprises Los Angeles Times

Surprises in 2020? Get in line.

Given ... everything, should we have expected anything less when it comes to the Grammy Awards? Below, some of the many stumpers in an overwhelming year.

■ No Weeknd, at all. It’s not just the notion of weekends that were dealt a mortal blow in 2020. The artist born Abel Tesfaye, whose memorable performances wrapped in bloodied bandages were some of the year’s most arresting, got a virtual beatdown by the Recording Academy on Tuesday morning. The Weeknd, who is scheduled to perform at the 2021 Super Bowl halftime show, was the odds-on favorite to earn the most nominations this year, and he didn’t get a one.

Do you know who got more Grammy nods this year than the Weeknd? Renee Zellweger, Maxi Priest, Rachel Maddow, “Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga,” the Okee Dokee Brothers and Mister Rogers, that’s who.

■ Best rock performance sets a milestone. Rock is dead, say the dad rockers and pop lovers.

Shut the front door, reply Fiona Apple, Big Thief’s Adrianne Lenker, Phoebe Bridgers, Haim, Brittany Howard and Grace Potter, all of whom are nominated in the rock performance category. In a first for the race, which has been around since 2012, male rockers were shut out altogether. Feelings hurt, guys? Buck up. Music’s not a competition, snowflakes, and even if it was, you were defeated a long time ago.

■ K-pop snubbed. In a year that saw legions of politicized K-pop fans infiltrate racist social media hashtags and overwhelm Trump campaign systems to hoard rally tickets, the Recording Academy might have made a crucial error in shunning BTS’ “Dynamite” in the major song categories. And not just because of the potential blowback. “Dynamite,” an ode to “shining through the city with a little funk and soul,” has been one of the year’s hottest songs, having racked up more than 625 million YouTube spins.

GRAMMY From Page A17

“Don’t Start Now,” Caroline Ailin, Ian Kirkpatrick, Dua Lipa and Emily Warren (Dua Lipa) “Everything I Wanted,” Billie Eilish O’Connell and Finneas O’Connell (Billie Eilish) “I Can’t Breathe,” Dernst Emile II, H.E.R., Tiara Thomas (H.E.R.) “If the World Was Ending,” Julia Michaels and JP Saxe (JP Saxe feat. Julia Michaels) ANALYSIS: Eilish, who swept the top four categories last year, returns with a song that touches on her relationship with her brother and musical partner, Finneas O’Connell. Swift’s “Folklore” earned specific praise for its songwriting, with Dessner co-writing more than half the tracks. “Black Parade” made quite a splash when it dropped ahead of Beyoncé’s “Black Is King” visual album, and the academy seems to have established an appreciation of Roddy Ricch, Post Malone, Lipa and H.E.R. in other categories as well.

While this is only Michaels’s third Grammy nomination, the prolific songwriter has worked with the likes of Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato.

Best new artist Ingrid Andress Phoebe Bridgers Chika Noah Cyrus D Smoke Doja Cat Kaytranada Megan Thee Stallion ANALYSIS: Best new artist is historically one of the most controversial Grammy categories, given that the academy seems to operate on a skewed definition of the word “new.” This year’s change, which removes a maximum number of releases from eligibility rules, boosts the chances of artists like Megan Thee Stallion, who has amassed a lengthy catalog but only released her first official album last week.

Fewer restrictions might also explain why Phoebe Bridgers, who broke into the mainstream this year, is considered a “new” artist despite being nominated elsewhere for her second album.

As Rolling Stone put it, “The Grammy’s New Rules Confirm Anyone Can Be a ‘Best New Artist.’”

Best pop vocal album “Changes,” Justin Bieber

“Chromatica,” Lady Gaga “Future Nostalgia,” Dua Lipa “Fine Line,” Harry Styles “Folklore,” Taylor Swift

Best pop solo performance “Yummy,” Justin Bieber “Say So,” Doja Cat “Everything I Wanted,” Billie Eilish “Don’t Start Now,” Dua Lipa “Watermelon Sugar,” Harry Styles “Cardigan,” Taylor Swift

Best pop duo/group performance “Un Dia,” Jay Balvin, Dua Lipa, Bad Bunny and Tainy “Intentions,” Justin Bieber feat.

Quavo “Dynamite,” BTS “Rain on Me,” Lady Gaga with Ariana Grande “Exile,” Taylor Swift feat. Bon Iver

Best rap album

feat. Nipsey Hussle “Bop,” DaBaby “The Bigger Picture,” Lil Baby “What’s Poppin,” Jack Harlow “Savage,” Megan Thee Stallion feat. Beyoncé “Dior,” Pop Smoke

Best rock album “A Hero’s Death,” Fontaines D.C. “Kiwanuka,” Michael Kiwanuka “Daylight,” Grace Potter “Sound & Fury,” Sturgill Simpson “The New Abnormal,” The Strokes

Best rock song “Kyoto,” Phoebe Bridgers, Morgan Nagler and Marshall Vore (Phoebe Bridgers) “Lost in Yesterday,” Kevin Parker (Tame Impala) “Not,” Adrianne Lenker (Big Thief) “Shameika,” Fiona Apple “Stay High,” Brittany Howard

Best rock performance

“Black Habits,” D Smoke “Alfredo,” Freddie Gibbs and the Alchemist “A Written Testimony,” Jay Electronica “King’s Disease,” Nas “The Allegory,” Royce da 5’9”

“Shameika,” Fiona Apple “Not,” Big Thief “Kyoto,” Phoebe Bridgers “The Steps,” Haim “Stay High,” Brittany Howard “Daylight,” Grace Potter

Best rap song

Best R&B album

“The Bigger Picture,” Dominique Jones, Noah Pettigrew and Rai’shaun Williams (Lil Baby) “The Box,” Samuel Gloade and Rodrick Moore (Roddy Ricch) “Laugh Now Cry Later,” Durk Banks, Rogét Chahayed, Aubrey Graham, Daveon Jackson, Ron LaTour and Ryan Martinez (Drake feat. Lil Durk) “Rockstar,” Jonathan Lyndale Kirk, Ross Joseph Portaro IV and Rodrick Moore (DaBaby feat.

Roddy Ricch) “Savage,” Beyoncé, Shawn Carter, Brittany Hazzard, Derrick Milano, Terius Nash, Megan Pete, Bobby Session Jr., Jordan Kyle Lanier Thorpe and Anthony White (Megan Thee Stallion feat.

Beyoncé)

Best melodic rap performance “Rockstar,” DaBaby feat.

Roddy Ricch “Laugh Now Cry Later,” Drake feat. Lil Durk “Lockdown,” Anderson .Paak “The Box,” Roddy Ricch “Highest in the Room,” Travis Scott

Best rap performance “Deep Reverence,” Big Sean

“Happy 2 Be Here,” Ant Clemons “Take Time,” Giveon “To Feel Love/d,” Luke James “Bigger Love,” John Legend “All Rise,” Gregory Porter

Best R&B song “Better Than I Imagine,” Robert Glasper, Meshell Ndegeocello and Gabriella Wilson (Robert Glasper feat. H.E.R. and Meshell Ndegeocello) “Black Parade,” Denisia Andrews, Beyoncé, Stephen Bray, Shawn Carter, Brittany Coney, Derek James Dixie, Akil King, Kim “Kaydence” Krysiuk and Rickie “Caso” Tice (Beyonce) “Collide,” Sam Barsh, Stacey Barthe, Sonyae Elise, Olu Fann, Akil King, Josh Lopez, Kaveh Rastegar and Benedetto Rotondi (Tiana Major9 and EARTHGANG) “Do It,” Chloe Bailey, Halle Bailey, Anton Kuhl, Victoria Monét, Scott Storch and Vincent Van Den Ende (Chloe X Halle) “Slow Down,” Nasri Atweh, Badriia Bourelly, Skip Marley, Ryan Williamson and Gabriella Wilson (Skip Marley and H.E.R.)

Best R&B performance “Lightning and Thunder,”

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Jhené Aiko feat. John Legend “Black Parade,” Beyoncé “All I Need,” Jacob Collier feat.

Mahalia and Ty Dolla $ign “Goat Head,” Brittany Howard “See Me,” Emily King

Best alternative album “Fetch the Bolt Cutters,” Fiona Apple “Hyperspace,” Beck “Punisher,” Phoebe Bridgers “Jaime,” Brittany Howard “The Slow Rush,” Tame Impala

Best country song “Bluebird,” Luke Dick, Natalie Hemby and Miranda Lambert (Miranda Lambert) “The Bones,” Maren Morris, Jimmy Robbins and Laura Veltz (Maren Morris) “Crowded Table,” Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hemby and Lori McKenna (The Highwomen) “More Hearts Than Mine,” Ingrid Andress, Sam Ellis and Derrick Southerland (Ingrid Andress) “Some People Do,” Jesse Frasure, Shane McAnally, Matthew Ramsey and Thomas Rhett (Old Dominion)

Best country solo performance “Stick That in Your Country Song,” Eric Church “Who You Thought I Was,” Brandy Clark “When My Amy Prays,” Vince Gill “Black Like Me,” Mickey Guyton “Bluebird,” Miranda Lambert

Best country duo/group performance “All Night,” Brothers Osborne “10,000 Hours,” Dan + Shay and Justin Bieber “Ocean,” Lady A “Sugar Coat,” Little Big Town “Some People Do,” Old Dominion

Best country album “Lady Like,” Ingrid Andress “Your Life Is a Record,” Brandy Clark “Wildcard,” Miranda Lambert “Nightfall,” Little Big Town “Never Will,” Ashley McBryde

Best music video “Brown Skin Girl,” Beyoncé “Life Is Good,” Future feat.

Drake “Lockdown,” Anderson .Paak “Adore You,” Harry Styles “Goliath,” Woodkid

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Ashland Community Connections | Revels

FIELD TEST Candidates Wanted URGENT NOTICE: You may be qualified to participate in a special Field Test of new hearing

instrument technology being held at a local test site.

An industry leader in digital hearing devices is sponsoring a product field test in your area next week and they have asked us to select up to 15 qualified candidates to participate. They are interested in determining the benefits of GENIUS™ 4.0 Technology in eliminating the difficulty hearing aid users experience in difficult environments, such as those with background noise or multiple talkers.

Candidates in other test areas have reported very positive feedback so far.

We are looking for additional candidates in

Grants Pass and the surrounding areas.

Product Test Site:

Medford:

Klamath Falls:

Grants Pass:

1380 Biddle Rd, Suite C, Medford, 97504 541-725-3494

905 Main St. #515, Klamath Falls, OR 97601 971-229-4719

953 SE 7th St. Grants Pass, OR 97526 541-716-0535

In an effort to accurately demonstrate the incredible performance of these devices, specially trained representatives will be conducting testing and demonstrations during this special event.

In addition to an audiometric hearing evaluation, candidates will receive a fiber-optic otoscope exam, a painless procedure that could reveal common hearing problems such as excessive wax or damage to the eardrum, as well as other common causes of hearing deficiencies.

Qualified Field Test Candidates:

Must call before December 9, 2020

• Live in GRANTS PASS or surrounding areas • Are at least 55 years of age or older • Have experienced some level of hearing difficulty, or currently wear hearing aids • Don’t currently work for a market research company TO PARTICIPATE: We have a limited supply of the GENIUS™ 4.0 test product currently on hand and ready for testing. We have also been authorized to offer significant discounts if you decide to take the hearing instruments home. If you choose not to keep them, there’s no risk or obligation of any kind.†

FIELD TEST PARTICIPANTS Will be tested and selected same-day.

1) You must be one of the first 15 people to call our office 2) You will be required to have your hearing tested in our office, FREE OF CHARGE, to determine candidacy.

3) Report your results with the hearing instruments to the Hearing Care Specialist over a three week test period.

Mention Code: 20DecField Qualified candidates will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis so please call us TODAY to secure your spot in the Product Field Test.

Participants who qualify and complete the product test will receive a FREE $100 Restaurant.com Gift Card* as a token of our thanks.

AVOID WAITING – CALL AND MENTION CODE: 20DecField *One per household. Must be 55 or older and bring loved one for familiar voice test. Must complete a hearing test. Not valid with prior test/purchase in last 6 months. While supplies last. Free gift card may be used toward the purchase of food at participating restaurants where a minimum purchase may also be required. See restaurant.com for details. Not redeemable for cash. Promotional offer available during special event dates only. †Pursuant to terms of your purchase agreement, the aids may be returned for a full refund within 30 days of the completion of fitting, in satisfactory condition. See store for details.

MF-00133182

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AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Amendments for standards pass initial reading

By Allayana Darrow ACC

A

shland City Council unanimously approved the first reading Nov. 17 of a series of proposed amendments to the city’s land use ordinance dealing with affordable housing standards.

Senior planner Brandon Goldman said with the initial affordable housing program cresting its first quarter century, land use requirements and price calculations will benefit from review and update.

“After 25 years, there’s opportunity to look back at these programs and make modifications,” Goldman said.

The Planning Department prompted feedback from forprofit and nonprofit housing developers to identify perceived barriers to affordable housing construction, then develop tactics to remove those barriers through the ordinance amendment proposal.

Original affordable housing standards that set household income qualifications, asset limitations and rent and sale price calculations were last updated in 2006, according to a meeting memo. Since then, lending requirements, homeowner’s association fees and local housing market trends have heavily influenced development of affordable housing in the city.

Housing program specialist Linda Reid said evaluation of the affordable housing program was renewed in 2018, with a request from staff to revisit the goal of balancing housing affordability with reasonable rates of return for developers. Stakeholders including home buyers, real estate professionals, lenders and developers contributed

to outlining the scope of Ashland’s affordable housing development challenges, Reid said.

“A lot of the work that went into this update was really aimed at removing barriers and making the program simpler to understand, easier to administer, more user-friendly and certainly making it better able to provide the type of housing that we were wanting to provide,” Reid said.

The Housing and Human Services and Planning Commissions also approved the proposed amendments earlier in the season, Goldman said.

Among the proposed changes, a “high rent” limit determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development would apply to units geared toward households earning between 60% to 80% of area median income as defined in the Medford-Ashland Metropolitan Statistical Area, while the “low rent” limit would apply to households that fall below 60% AMI. “This provision would not eliminate the potential for a developer to build units at 60% of area median income, either for rent or ownership, they would just be qualified under that 80% or less standard,” Goldman said.

Rental rates for affordable housing units suited for households between the low and high rent limits would be capped at the maximum rate set by HUD, based on the number of bedrooms, rather than the existing 23% of monthly income limit.

Maximum monthly payments for purchased housing would not exceed 30% of monthly income, including taxes, fees and interest, assuming a 30-year fixed rate mortgage with 5% interest rate.

SEE HOUSING, A29

BABY, IT’S COLD OUTSIDE But It’s Warm at Maple Ridge Senior Living Escape the work and worry of winter – from high heating bills to shoveling snow and slipping on ice.

Revel in the warmth and vibrancy of Maple Ridge, enjoying the company of friends, delicious any time, anywhere dining, and the fun and fulfillment of our True North programs, all with the comfort and confidence knowing a team member is available 24-hours a day.

CALL 541.201.8127 TODAY TO SCHEDULE A VIRTUAL TOUR

548 N. Main Street | Ashland, OR 97520 mapleridgesl.com

Independent & Assisted Living for Seniors 55+ Guided by Goodness, Loyalty, Faith, and Fun MF-00131882

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Ashland Community Connections | Revels

SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY

‘THEY ARE THE LIFEBLOOD’

By Jim Flint for ACC

S

mall Business Saturday was a shot in the arm for many Ashland businesses struggling with the effects of the pandemic. Empty parking spots downtown were few and far between as shoppers in a holiday mood ventured out on a nippy but sunny day.

The annual “Shop Small” promotion, launched by American Express in 2010 in the midst of the recession, focuses on independent businesses.

But these days, hometown retailers need a Small Business Every Day public mindset to survive.

There are signs of resilience in the local business community, despite recent setbacks. An active “Shop Local” campaign by the chamber of commerce, creativity on the part of retailers, and shoppers showing their loyalty and support all have played a role in bolstering local business.

While many businesses have

It’s a busy season for Deena Branson, owner of Branson’s Chocolates in Ashland, seen here tempering chocolate for a batch of sweets. She offers purchases in-store, by curbside pickup and on the web.

struggled during the pandemic, others have seen sales equal or exceed levels of previous years.

JIM FLINT PHOTOS

Winchester Inn is transforming the parlor, a dining room in its Alchemy Restaurant, into a gift shop to boost business, scheduled to open Dec. 2. Above, co-owner Laurie Gibbs (on ladder) and assistant general manager Rachel Benzschawel decorate the walls for the holidays.

LouAnn David, owner of Manzanita Home & Flowers, works on a floral arrangement in the shop’s workroom. Thanksgiving flower orders were up over last year, she said.

“We’re on par with last year,” said Richard Hansen, owner of Gold & Gems. “People are still spending money.” He says the store’s web sales have become a substantial part of its business, reflecting a trend toward more online shopping.

In contrast, Art FX’s website is more a promotional arm of the business, helping to produce in-store sales.

“Our November set a record for Novembers,” said Jeffe Troutman, goldsmith at Art FX. “I think during these times when people do decide to come out, they come out to buy rather than to browse. Also, people are trying to find a little joy in their life.”

Deena Branson of Branson’s Chocolates echoed Troutman’s comments.

“Traffic is a little down,” she said, “but people are spending more.”

Like most businesses, Branson’s has learned to be nimble in the way it serves customers.

“We also sell off our website,” Branson said. “People place orders for curbside pickup, or to pick up in-store, or to be shipped.”

While a clerk was helping customers in the Manzanita Home & Flowers Saturday, owner LouAnn David was putting together a floral arrangement in the back of the shop.

“People are really making an effort to support local businesses,” she said.

“Our Thanksgiving flower business was really good. People sent flowers and arrangements to keep in touch with friends and loved ones.”

Manzanita has a website, but you can’t make purchases on it. “We invite people to call us for orders. I’d rather talk to them in person,” David said.

Pampering can be therapy during tough times, and that undoubtedly benefits businesses like Manzanita.

SEE ‘LIFEBLOOD’, A35

Ashland Community Connections | Revels

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COPING WITH COVID-19

VACCINE ON THE HORIZON

By Vickie Aldous ACC

T

he state’s head epidemiologist said health care workers and the most vulnerable Oregonians could start getting COVID19 vaccinations before the year ends, and he urged all residents to stay strong and follow safety precautions.

“We know we’re going to have to live with this through the winter,” said Dr. Dean Sidelinger.

Sidelinger met with Jackson County commissioners via videoconference to offer updates and hear concerns about the impact of safety restrictions on local businesses and schools.

He said a vaccine by Pfizer that is reportedly more than 90% effective in testing so far appears close to winning approval from the Food and Drug Administration.

Other companies are also working on vaccines.

Sidelinger said health care workers, emergency responders and vulnerable people living in nursing homes could be among those who start getting vaccinations this year, with increasing availability in the first quarter of 2021.

During the first and second quarters of 2021, a broader cross-section of the population could get vaccinated,

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Health care workers and the most vulnerable people could begin receiving COVID-19 vaccines before the year ends.

including communities of color who have had higher complication and death rates from COVID-19, he said.

Sidelinger said he expects vaccination to be voluntary, not mandatory.

With vaccines on the horizon, he urged people to continue wearing masks, practice social distancing and wash their hands. Getting a flu shot can reduce the chances of falling ill with the flu, and reduce the strain on hospitals.

“The actions you take protect not only yourself, but those around you,” he said.

Sidelinger said everyone needs to do their part to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Hospitals need to have the

capacity to care for seriously ill COVID-19 patients, along with people who suffer heart attacks and car crashes.

“We want to make sure everyone has access to quality care,” he said.

Sidelinger said Oregon, including Jackson County, is continuing to see COVID-19 cases tied to social gatherings.

Some people at low risk of serious complications and death aren’t heeding safety precautions and are spreading it to high-risk relatives, friends and co-workers.

Healthy adults and kids can also suffer unexpected complications, he said.

Sidelinger said Oregon plans to roll out an advertising and messaging campaign to try and reach people

who aren’t following safety precautions.

As a bright spot, he said Oregon isn’t seeing COVID19 spreading at a large scale in schools, although there have been scattered infections.

Gov. Kate Brown recently eased restrictions that blocked most students in the state from going to school in person.

Jackson County’s COVID19 cases have been too high for students to return to school, and cases are spiking.

On Thursday, Jackson County reported 123 new cases and two more deaths, shattering a previous record of 84 cases set Nov. 6.

Commissioner Rick Dyer, who has a teenage son and has been a long-time coach of youth sports, questioned the state regulations that have blocked in-person school in Jackson County.

Dyer said students are able to go to school safely if proper safety measures are followed.

The lack of in-person school is hurting students’ educations and harming their mental, physical and social health, he said.

“They are suffering.

They’re slipping through the cracks,” Dyer said.

He said young people are much less likely to gather unsafely in each other’s homes when they can take part in sports and other

extracurricular activities under adult supervision.

Sidelinger, a pediatrician, said the impact of the COVID-19 safety restrictions on students weighs heavily on him. He said he would like more schools to be open, but some people don’t feel safe there and case counts are rising in many counties.

“It’s not happening nearly fast enough for me, the governor or, frankly, for you,” Sidelinger said to commissioners about school reopenings.

Dyer said the state’s restrictions are targeting schools and businesses such as restaurants at a time when many COVID-19 cases are tied to social gatherings. He said many businesses have been devastated by the state rules this year.

Sidelinger said Oregon is still seeing virus transmission in bars and restaurants.

“Unfortunately when we’re eating and drinking, we have to take off our masks,” he said.

With cases surging, Jackson County contact tracers are overwhelmed and can’t contact everyone who may have been exposed to the virus.

Sidelinger said other counties have also fallen behind.

The state issued new contact tracing guidelines this week that ease how thorough the efforts need to be.

Health insurance available for residents hurt by fire, virus

By Vickie Aldous ACC

J

ob losses tied to the COVID-19 pandemic and fires in Jackson County have increased the number of residents eligible for help paying for health insurance.

Oregonians who don’t get health insurance through their jobs can visit oregonhealthcare.gov to check on coverage options.

They may qualify for the Oregon Health Plan. Enrollment is open year-round for OHP, which primarily

covers low-income residents.

The income limits are higher for the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace, which offers help paying for coverage — leading to lower monthly premium costs for people.

The deadline to apply for that coverage in 2021 is Dec. 15.

Individuals making $51,040 or less per year, and families of four making $104,800 or less, may get help paying for coverage. The help lowered the average premium for a person to $145 per month this year, state officials said.

“A pandemic is no time to go without health insurance and the essential

health benefits that come with it,” said Chiqui Flowers, administrator of the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace. “You can get help paying for health insurance based on your income. Don’t assume you make too much to be eligible.”

With the help of the federal Affordable Care Act and other programs in recent years, Oregon made strides in lowering the rate of uninsured people in the state, Oregon officials said.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, 94% of Oregonians had health coverage. Since then, hundreds of thousands of residents have either lost their jobs

or had their hours cut at work.

In September, the unemployment rate in Jackson County was 7.3%, compared to 3.3% last September, according to the Oregon Employment Department.

The Almeda fire that burned from northern Ashland to the southern outskirts of Medford destroyed 2,482 residential structures and 173 business structures, primarily in Phoenix and Talent.

The South Obenchain fire east of Shady Cove destroyed 33 residential structures and 56 other structures, such as outbuildings.

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Real estate listings down ... but prices, sales up

By Tony Boom for ACC

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istings of homes for sale in Jackson County cities were down nearly two-thirds at the end of October from the number available at the same time last year. People burned out in the Almeda fire are looking for houses, and COVID-19 virus concerns have affected the market.

There’s probably less than a 30-day supply of homes available at current sales rates, said Scott Lewis with John L. Scott in Ashland. At the same time, median sales prices were up double digits, and total sales eclipsed 2019 figures for the August through October period, he noted.

“The numbers are bonkers. That’s simple supply and demand. Obviously, it’s a good time to be a home seller,” said Lewis. “A home in decent condition that is priced right is going to sell for 99% or 100% of its listing price.”

Sellers appear to be holding homes off the market due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic, said Colin Mullane, spokesman for the Rogue Valley Association of Realtors, which compiles the statistics.

“There is just noting out

there. Homes are going immediately. There are multiple offers. It’s as close as possible to getting to zero inventory,” said Mullane, broker with Full Circle Real Estate in Ashland. Of homes on the market at the end of October, 126 were in rural areas, leaving just around 180 for sale in urban settings.

Median price for 13 urban areas was $334,500 during the period compared to $300,000 in 2019, an 11.5% increase.

There were 808 sales versus 769 a year ago, a 5.1% increase.

Days on the market dropped from 50 in 2019 to 38 this year.

Countywide there were 314 homes for sale Oct. 31, a drop of 65% compared to the 902 on the same day in 2019.

Both Phoenix and Talent lost hundreds of stick-built homes and even more manufactured homes. Realtors do not handle transactions in mobile home parks, which require a special license.

“Anecdotally, a lot of folks who lost their homes are looking to get back into Talent or Phoenix,” said Mullane, who has closed several sales for people returning.

“I think there is probably an emotional connection to the towns that they are feeling.

People are wanting to look

and find something in their town or nearby.”

Home inventories in Phoenix and Talent are both down. Talent showed a 90.5% decrease from 2019 to just two homes available Oct. 31.

Phoenix was down 76.5% with just four homes available. Realtors lost about 10% of the listings available in September due to the Almeda and Oberchain fires.

New home sales showed substantial growth with a 32.7% increase over 2019, with

total sales of 142. East Medford topped the list with 57 sales, while Eagle Point registered 17 and Ashland had 16. Median price for a new home was $372,250 compared to $358,684 in 2019, a 3.8% increase.

New home sales this year should be between 300 and 400 units, said Mullane, an increase over recent years.

But that may slow somewhat in the future, he thinks, because contractors will be involved with rebuilding homes lost in the Almeda fire.

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HOUSING

must be composed of various unit types in direct proportion From Page A25 to market-rate units in the same development. Goldman The term of affordability for said the 2006 rule stemmed rental housing would be set from concern over clusters at 60 years, and 30 years for of affordable housing units purchased housing, based on becoming stigmatized, which HUD standards and develop- hasn’t been as substantial a ment requirements, Goldman problem as anticipated. explained.

The proposed ordinance To maintain unit affordamendments are in line with ability over time, maximum state goals and intended to resale price would be calcuachieve objectives within the lated using the seller’s initial city’s comprehensive plan purchase price, adding .125% more effectively, he said. for each month the unit was “I think this is a forward owned. Altering the unit step for affordable housing resale formula for affordable for Ashland,” said Councilor ownership over a set time Stefani Seffinger, who made period is intended to lend a the motion to approve first degree of predictability as far reading. as homeowner equity, GoldThe City Council unanman said. imously approved the first Proposed ordinance reading of the amendments amendments remove require- and will revisit the language ments that affordable housing Dec. 1.

Median existing home prices rose in all urban areas except Ashland, which experienced a 1.7% decline to $467,000.

Highest median price was Jacksonville at $484,000 while the lowest was west Medford at $245,000. The urban statistics include four areas in Medford and combine Gold Hill and Rogue River.

Jackson County rural home sales saw a slight decrease in numbers from 190 last year to 185 this year for August through October.

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| Thursday, December 3, 2020

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Ashland Community Connections | Revels

PHOTO COURTESY OF ASANTE

Registered nurses Libby Johnson, left, and Mischa Fiske wear layers of personal protective equipment in the Three Rivers Medical Center emergency department.

COPING WITH COVID-19

HOSPITAL BEDS IN SHORT SUPPLY exhausted are bracing for the impact of even higher cases, Kuhl said.

For now, Rogue Valley hospitals are still able to handle COVID-19 patients plus others who come in for vital care, ith COVID-19 cases and including victims of heart attacks and hospitalizations spiking car wrecks, he said. this month, local hospitals are wor“We haven’t hit that threshold yet, ried a post-Thanksgiving surge could but it’s a real concern that it could push bed capacity and health care become a reality in the next few weeks workers to their limits. if the numbers continue to rise and “Holiday gatherings could add fuel to the fire,” said Dr. Jason Kuhl, chief people don’t take precautions,” Kuhl said. medical officer for Providence MedThe Asante medical system — which ford Medical Center. has hospitals in Medford, Ashland and Jackson and Josephine counties, Grants Pass — is also grappling with which make up Region 5 for health the case surge. care in Oregon, had 23 hospitalized “I think we all have significant COVID-19 patients on Nov. 1. concerns that if we don’t flatten the That number had climbed to 125 curve, we won’t have adequate suphospitalized patients as of Tuesday, according to Oregon Health Authority plies of hospital beds,” said Amanda Kotler, vice president of nursing data. for Asante Rogue Regional Medical The number of COVID-19 patients Center in Medford and Asante Ashin intensive care units spiked from land Community Hospital. eight to 30 this month.

Jackson and Josephine County have The region has 57 adult ICU beds, 447 adult non-ICU beds. As of Tuesand 42 of those were full on Tuesday day, 384 of those were occupied, the — meaning nearly three-quarters of OHA said.

ICU patients are COVID-19 patients.

The number of COVID-19 patients Kuhl said modeling predicts that on ventilators in the valley doubled COVID-19 cases will continue to rise from four on Nov. 1 to eight on Tuesuntil mid-December.

“We’re not at the turning point yet. day, the OHA said.

If everyone does their part, we hope to The local health care system still start flattening the curve. But we’re in has a plentiful supply of available for it for the next few weeks,” he said. ventilators.

Health care workers who already are Kotler and Kuhl said the public

By Vickie Aldous ACC

W

can help by wearing masks, practicing social distancing, washing their hands, staying home if they are sick and limiting group gatherings.

“Following these precautions will help the community and keep people out of the hospital,” Kotler said.

Staffing strain Both the Providence and Asante hospital systems have enough staffing for now to handle the current volume of patients, Kuhl and Kotler said.

But with health care workers falling ill during the cold and flu season and being exposed to COVID-19, more are being sidelined. The staffing situation is tenuous.

“That remains a bit of a house of cards,” Kuhl said.

The number of available hospital beds isn’t a fixed number. Capacity depends on whether there are enough nurses and other health care workers left to handle patient volumes.

“Staffing is our No. 1 concern. Without staffing, we can’t use the available beds we have. Asante is monitoring staffing at all three hospitals to ensure optimal care,” Kotler said.

Kuhl said the complexity of COVID19 means those patients need more attention. A nurse taking care of four regular patients, for example, can only be assigned three COVID-19 patients.

Traveling nurses are in demand across the nation, he said.

“We have a limited ability to bring on new nurses,” Kuhl said.

In normal times, hospitals discharge patients who still need some care into skilled nursing facilities.

But many of Jackson County’s nursing homes and retirement communities have been hard-hit by the virus.

They had suffered 334 COVID-19 cases and 15 fatalities as of Tuesday, according to Jackson County Public Health.

“Not only is there an influx of COVID patients coming in, but patients are unable to leave the hospital. They have nowhere else to go,” Kotler said.

Patients who need follow-up care as they recover are being kept longer in hospitals.

Kuhl said Providence, Asante, Jackson County Public Health and state legislators are working to designate more “swing beds” in hospitals.

Recovering patients in those beds can be treated more like skilled nursing home patients.

The nurse-to-patient staffing ratio is more flexible, and doctors don’t have to see the patients every day, Kuhl said.

The Portland area is designating some rehabilitation facilities as COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 facilities.

That might be an option for the future in the Rogue Valley, he said.

SEE HOSPITAL, A32

Ashland Community Connections | Revels

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Thursday, December 3, 2020 |

A31

ASHLAND SCHOOLS

By Joe Zavala

RENOVATION PROJECTS HIT THE GROUND RUNNING

ACC

I

t didn’t have the pomp and circumstance Ashland residents have come to expect when it comes to major milestones associated with publicly funded projects.

Still, the Ashland School District, along with builders and architects, held a COVID19-safe groundbreaking ceremony last month at Ashland Middle School to celebrate the beginning of the construction phase of a renovation that will, among other things, move John Muir Outdoor School on site.

The shovels broke ground eight days after a similar celebration was held three miles to the north at Helman Elementary, which is undergoing a similar overhaul.

The projects, which also include significant renovations at Walker Elementary and Ashland High School, are being funded by a $107.4 million bond voters approved in 2018 — that figure was bumped up to $129.2 million in May 2019 when the district asked for a premium on the bond at the sale.

The par amount of $107.4 million will be levied by Ashland residents and paid back by 2044 at a rate of $2 per $1,000 of assessed property value annually.

On Thursday, school board members, district employees with the middle school and John Muir, and representatives of Soderstrom Architects, Adroit Construction and HMK Company were on hand to celebrate the beginning of the construction phase that replace and rebuild AMS and John Muir at the current AMS site (it’ll take up three wings and 65,000 square feet), add a new campus security system, and improve air quality and climate resilience.

“It’s a really big deal, and

PHOTO COURTESY OF ENCOMPASSED DESIGN

Ashland School District employees take part in a groundbreaking ceremony Nov. 4 at Helman Elementary.

“It’s a really big deal, and it’s the fruition of a lot of years of work, building and planning and engagement with the community and the communities’ decision to make this happen for kids.”

Samuel Bogdanove, Ashland Schools Superintendent

it’s the fruition of a lot of years of work, building and planning and engagement with the community and the communities’ decision to make this happen for kids,” said Ashland superintendent Samuel Bogdanove, who attended the ceremony. “So to actually be there on the day when you get to turn over the dirt and start the projects is just tremendous.

“In a normal situation we would have had an opportunity for community members to join us and people to be there and join in the celebration, but because of COVID the best way that we can share that is through the video of the ceremony.

And I hope that people take a chance to look at it because it really is a remarkable thing.”

The video of the AMS and John Muir groundbreaking

will be posted on the district’s Facebook page soon, and links to the project overview, including a highly-detailed three-dimensional walkthrough schematic video, can be found on the district’s website.

Already posted is the groundbreaking at Helman, where the massive renovation will include a new, secure classroom wing that’ll replace two class pods (a 23,000 square foot addition), upgraded campus-wide security, new technology infrastructure, a newly renovated quad and seismic upgrades.

Construction at Ashland High School and Walker Elementary won’t begin until next fall, according to Steve Mitzel, who is the district’s director of operations and serving as the bond program

executive.

Renovations at AMS, John Muir and Helman are expected to be completed by December 2021, while AHS and Walker aren’t expected to be completed until the summer of 2022.

Helman principal Michelle Cuddeback said she’s excited about the whole project, but is especially looking forward to the addition of a multi-purpose room and the space that will allow the school to run a site-based program for special needs students on campus.

“Currently at Helman we don’t have any extra space,” Cuddeback said. “We don’t have an art room, we don’t have a science room.

Everything happens in the classroom, so if a teacher wants to set up a science experiment …and they just had a math class, maybe they have recess or lunch in order to accommodate that need to set up a bunch of materials for science or art. Now the multi-purpose room will serve that purpose. It’ll house our kilns so ceramics can take place in there. The teachers can sign up and it can hold up

to two classes at a time.”

Cuddeback added that the architects even figured out a way to preserve one of the school’s best features in a way that offered much more flexibility.

“We really wanted to preserve our view of Mt. Ashland and our connection to the outdoors as we have an outdoor campus,” she said, “and the wall of that multi-purpose space is completely operable, so it can be completely opened up to have a connection to the outdoor playground space. So you could have an indoor-outdoor activity happening there with lots of fresh air, lots of integration with the outdoors.”

The renovation at AMS also provided a chance opportunity to reminisce for at least one retired teacher. Marcia Hunter, who taught social studies and language arts before retiring in 2003, still remembers the day about 20 years ago when she was told that her chalk board would be covered with a new dry-erase board at the end of the school day. She had her students write messages on the chalk board that day, knowing they’d be preserved as a sort of two-dimensional time capsule.

When Hunter found out that the wall on which that chalk board was hung was about to come down, she called AMS principal Steve Retzlaff and asked if she could come take a look. He said of course, yes, and Hunter was thrilled to see the messages from her former students were still clear as the day they were etched.

“That was a great group,” she said. “I was reading all their names and feeling very nostalgic. …The father of one of them is my physical therapist, the mother of another one is in my Y class. My son, Scott, knows some of them through sports. I don’t know, it’s just a small town.”

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HOSPITAL From Page A30

Kuhl said the Providence emergency department can still handle the patient volume.

“The emergency department is not overwhelmed. At this point, if patients are ill, they don’t need to be fearful of coming into the emergency department. We want to see them earlier so we can intervene and have better clinical outcomes,” Kuhl said.

Providence Medford Medical Center is cutting back on some non-urgent, non-emergency surgeries. It normally runs six operating rooms per week, but is using five this week, he said.

To preserve vital inpatient beds, Asante is reviewing its non-urgent, non-emergency surgery schedule and considering whether to cancel or postpone cases that require inpatient post-operative recovery, Kotler said.

If they start running short of beds, both hospital systems have back-up plans to convert other hospital rooms into spaces for patient beds.

Operating rooms, conference rooms and spaces for outpatient care are among the Providence spots that could be converted, Kuhl said.

Outdoor tents or field hospitals would be a last option, Kotler and Kuhl said.

Ashland Community Connections | Revels

Medications like the antiviral drug Remdesivir are helping, and patients are less likely to need supplemental oxygen or be put on ventilators, Kuhl said.

Still, with total cases spiking this month, the number of people in intensive care and on ventilators is going up, as are deaths.

Providence and Asante could both starting receiving COVID-19 vaccines in December to start vaccinating front-line health care workers, paramedics and nursing home staff, Kuhl said.

Vaccinating health care workers protects the community’s first line of defense against virus. Other populations will follow as the vaccine becomes more widely available, he said.

Until then, health care workers are continuing to wage the war against COVID-19, while also taking care of kids who can’t go to school and dealing with other hardships from the pandemic.

“There’s a significant level of fatigue. I’m in awe of the compassion and care our caregivers are providing. They continue to come in on a daily basis,” Kuhl said.

Kotler said health care workers are putting in 12-hour shifts, often working all day or night under layers of personal protective equipment to protect themselves, their families and their patients.

“There’s a fear of what they could bring home to their loved ones,” Kotler said.

For many, their morale is low and they are physically and emotionally exhausted from a job that can be hard and devastating, she said.

“They are giving their heart and soul to care for the community,” Kotler said. “It doesn’t come without sacrifice. We’re so fortunate to have such dedicated caregivers in the Rogue Valley.”

If they start running short of beds, both hospital systems have back-up plans to convert other hospital rooms into spaces for patient beds.... Outdoor tents or field hospitals would be a last option.

On the front lines When it comes to the impact of COVID-19 on patients, they are experiencing varying levels of severity from the illness.

Even those who do relatively well are suffering emotionally from being separated from their families during treatment, Kotler said.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the medical community has learned more about how to treat COVID-19.

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AFTERMATH OF THE ALMEDA FIRE

HOUSING HELP FOR FARM WORKERS

By Vickie Aldous ACC

H

ector Rocha and his dad, Marcelino Rocha, were at work at Fry Family Farm Sept. 8 when they learned Talent was being evacuated due to a growing fire in Ashland.

Hector Rocha’s mom was alone in their family home in the Talent Mobile Estates.

She called and asked her son whether there was anything he wanted her to grab as she evacuated.

“I told her to grab my phone charger,” Hector Rocha said.

“I thought we were going to be back home that night.”

Driven by strong winds, the Almeda fire destroyed their home, wiping out years of accumulated possessions and hard work by the Rocha family.

The father and son were among four Fry Family Farm employees who lost their homes that night.

Agricultural workers were among the hardest hit by the fire, which leveled neighborhoods and mobile home parks in Phoenix and Talent that offered affordable housing.

In November at the Fry Family Farm Store outside Medford, the nonprofit group Our Family Farms handed out more than $200,000 in checks to 44 agricultural workers and their families to help with housing expenses.

“They’re like angels,” Marcelino Rocha said of the many people who donated to help his family and others.

Donations to the relief fund came from local residents and businesses, as well as from people all across the nation and as far away as Australia.

“So many of our farm workers lost everything. It has been a privilege to raise funds and show up for them as they do for us each and every day,” said Anne Golden, an Our Family Farms board member.

Amber Fry, general manager of Fry Family Farm, said local farmworkers who lost their homes are tremendously

PHOTO BY DENISE BARATTA

Elise Higley, right, of Our Family Farms Coalition embraces Stephanie Reyes, who received a financial donation after losing her Phoenix home in the Almeda fire. The coalition handed out $200,000 to 44 families who lost property in the fire.

Agricultural workers were among the hardest hit by the fire, which leveled neighborhoods and mobile home parks in Phoenix and Talent that offered affordable housing. In November at the Fry Family Farm Store outside Medford, the nonprofit group Our Family Farms handed out more than $200,000 in checks to 44 agricultural workers and their families to help with housing expenses. important to her farm and other agriculture businesses in the Rogue Valley. Those workers may have to leave the area if they can’t find new places to live.

Even before the Almeda fire destroyed and damaged more than 2,600 houses, mobile homes and apartment buildings, Jackson County’s rental vacancy rate hovered around 1%.

Hector Rocha has a second job working for the Housing Authority of Jackson County.

He was able to get temporary use of an apartment in the immediate aftermath of the fire.

Hector Rocha and his parents then joined forces and bought a home where they now live together.

After her home of 20 years in the Medford Estates mobile home park in Phoenix was destroyed, Maria Camacho was soon back at work for Naumes, an agriculture company best known for its pear business.

She and her husband, Fidel Camacho, who is retired, are staying with their adult daughter in Medford. They are still hunting for a place of their own.

All the affordable houses in their price range need major work, so now they’re looking for a mobile home.

When they find one, there’s usually someone already in line waiting for it, Fidel Camacho said.

“One of these days, we’ll find one,” he said.

The Camachos said they are grateful for everyone who has stepped forward to help.

“We made it out OK. People gave us clothes and offered us a place to live. A lot of people didn’t have a place to go. We were lucky,” Fidel Camacho said.

Jose Ramon Rivera, another Naumes worker, is staying

with his wife, Maria, in a small home his co-worker is letting them use. Their home in the Coleman Creek Estates in Phoenix was destroyed by the Almeda fire.

The couple escaped with only the clothes on their backs. The day after the fire, people were already offering clothing and personal items to help evacuees.

The two said they are grateful for the financial help from the Our Family Farms fund.

“It’s not easy being the one in need,” Jose Ramon Rivera said.

“We feel so humbled and so thankful. We look forward to how we can help others in the future.”

Our Family Farms will continue to accept donations for additional rounds of housing help. To donate, visit ourfamilyfarms.org.

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| Thursday, December 3, 2020 |

Ashland Community Connections | Revels

Company fined for claim silk socks could prevent COVID-19

LET US

DESIGN

By Vickie Aldous

YOUR DREAM

ACC

KITCHEN!

A

company that claimed its socks could prevent COVID-19 is among five businesses that settled with the Oregon Department of Justice for consumer protection violations related to the pandemic.

Portland-based Live Your Colour was fined $15,000 for claiming that its silk socks could protect against COVID19, DOJ said.

Plaid Pantry was fined $21,500 and 7-Eleven was fined $12,500 over claims of price-gouging when selling face masks. DOJ began investigating the convenience stores after fielding complaints from customers.

The investigation revealed Plaid Pantry bought masks at a cost of $4.50 per four-pack and sold 9,000 of them between May and June for nearly double the purchase price. DOJ received similar complaints about 7-Eleven stores, the agency said.

Both convenience store chains have agreed to stop charging excessive prices for face masks and comply with Oregon’s price-gouging law, DOJ said in a statement.

“As Oregonians continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, these actions are a reminder that as your AG, I will not tolerate price gouging and other unconscionable trade practices,” said Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum.

“Most businesses are following the law. Those that are not should take note — the Oregon Department of Justice will investigate, and we will hold you accountable. The penalties for violations are significant.”

A Bend-based aromatherapy, essential oil and herb business called Sher-Ray claimed that its aromatherapy product Respiratory Remedy could cure or mitigate COVID-19, according to DOJ. Sher-Ray is no longer making those claims. It was not fined, the DOJ said.

Portland-based company Live Your Colour was fined for claiming its silk socks could prevent COVID-19.

Respiratory Remedy costs $69.98 plus $4.99 shipping for a small bottle containing 200 drops.

After reaching a settlement with DOJ, Sher-Ray continued to claim, “Respiratory Remedy is an extremely powerful recipe that was created to treat illnesses like the flu, colds and pneumonia.”

Some essential oils in vapor form do appear to have antibacterial effects on bacteria common in respiratory tract infections. Cinnamon bark oil, thyme oil, peppermint, citronella oil and eucalyptus oil had effects against bacteria in a 2018 study, but weren’t as effective as antibiotics.

Sher-Ray does not list the ingredients in its Respiratory Remedy.

Sher-Ray continues to claim its various products prevent or treat a long list of illnesses — including leprosy, cancer, tuberculosis, hair loss, chickenpox and diabetes.

DOJ said its investigation was focused on enforcing an Oregon law prohibiting sellers and advertisers from making unsubstantiated health claims regarding their products and COVID-19 or a related condition.

For information on price gouging and COVID-19 scams, visit www.oregonconsumer.gov/COVID19.

Consumers can call the Oregon Attorney General’s Consumer Hotline at 1-877-877-9392.

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Ashland Community Connections | Revels

From Page A26

“Although we sell lots of things that are useful, we also have things that lift spirits and make people smile,” David said.

The Ashland Chamber’s “Love Ashland Local” campaign uses a new website, shopashlandoregon.com where local businesses can feature their products, with links to their own sites. It even has a wish list component where people can leave gift ideas.

“I want to commend the chamber for its shop local online campaign,” said Ashland resident Karen Spence.

“I found two surprises on the website that I added to my gift list and picked up in-store.”

She says she always prefers to shop locally.

“This year, I’ve already shopped for my Christmas list at Art FX, Ashland Greenhouses, Branson’s Chocolates, the Grange Co-op, Bloomsbury Books, The Culinarium, Paddington Station, The Crown Jewel, Funagain Games, and the Book Exchange.”

Andrea Shapiro of Ashland says she shops locally because she likes the personalized attention.

Priscilla Arnold says it has been difficult to see some of the stores close.

“I plan to go to Northwest Nature Shop and Bloomsbury Books for the grandkids,” she said. “And we have seven grandsons!”

Susan Sullivan says she shops locally whenever possible.

“I love this town,” the Ashland resident said, “and I want to do everything I can to support it economically.”

She said she buys her birdseed at Northwest Nature Shop and cards and children’s gifts at Paddington Station.

“And I have an appointment to purchase gifts at the Tudor Guild shop,” Sullivan said.

“Eileen Polk, the manager, will make appointments for anyone when she is there on Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays.”

Martha Howard-Bullen says she shops locally because it’s part of belonging to a community.

“Over the years, I have gotten to know and appreciate the people who own and work

in our small businesses,” she said. “They are the lifeblood of our small town.”

Another Ashland resident, Susan Roudebush, says she likes to support local artists and craftspeople.

“I will miss holiday shopping at the Ashland Art Center this year,” she said. “Traditionally, it has been my go-to for gifts.”

Nancy Clark shops locally to support local folks who live nearby.

“I love shopping in Ashland,” she said. “There’s no need to get out on the highway and you’re able to find all you need.

“We all want these businesses to remain healthy as we come back to life after the pandemic,” Clark said. “It benefits the viability of the whole town in the end.”

David Bryant and Mary Zarc of Ashland say local retailers and boutiques are part of what they call the “Ashland milieu.”

“Most are consistently friendly and helpful,” Bryant said. “Ace Hardware comes to mind.”

“We love our town and the stores are a part of it,” Zarc added. “We especially like Unique Boutique, Antique Emporium, and Ashland Recycled Furniture.”

Grace Ladygo of Ashland put it succinctly: “Picture downtown without our unique shops,” she said.

“This will be the reality if we don’t support them.”

Businesses which rely on tourists for a big part of their income have been the hardest hit by the pandemic. Depending on the month, business was down 50-80% at Winchester Inn and its restaurant, Alchemy.

“People used to stay five to seven days,” said Rebecca Doran, general manager. “Now it’s one to three days.”

Reservations often were made a year in advance when the Oregon Shakespeare Festival was operating.

“Now we’re getting more last-minute bookings—a week ahead, a few days, or even the day of,” she said. “We’re getting more stop-overs of people on their way north or south.”

This summer the tourists were younger.

“We’ve seen more hikers, sporty types,” she said. “Some are discovering Ashland for the first time.”

The restaurant, a fine dining establishment, also has been hit hard by the pandemic.

“Alchemy is not the kind of place where takeout works so well,” Doran said. “And shorter stays at the Inn affect the restaurant business too.”

Winchester is getting creative about trying to boost business.

“One of the things we’re doing is turning the parlor (one of the restaurant’s dining rooms) into a gift shop,” she said. “We’ve always had a small gift area, but we’re expanding in hopes of doing good Christmas business.”

She says they hope to have it

ready for business by Dec. 2.

Bayberry Inn owner Francesca Amery says she is optimistic, despite the difficulties thrust upon the lodging business during the pandemic.

“Ashland is so great,” she said. “It’s got so many things going for it.”

She’s noticed a different kind of tourist as well—people who can work remotely and can treat themselves to short stays away from home where there is good Wi-Fi to stay connected.

Although Oregon doesn’t have a retail sales tax, there are other ways to gauge business

Thursday, December 3, 2020 |

A35

trends, said Adam Hanks, Ashland interim city manager.

He cites revenue from the city’s lodging tax and food and beverage tax as examples.

Lodging tax revenues for fiscal year 2019-20, ending June 30, were down 27% to about $2.2 million from $3.1 million the previous year.

Food and beverage taxes were down about the same.

The city is trying to support local businesses, he said, by sharing information about the changing demographics of Ashland visitors.

“We want to help them adapt and better position themselves,” he said.

A4 | Friday, November 1, 2019 | Ashland Tidings

LOCAL DOWNTOWN

A&E

The Plaza gets a new tree Latinx art flavors

Schneider this fall

By Caitlin Fowlkes Ashland Tidings

By Maureen Flanagan Battistella murals depict the relationship With the annual Festival of for the Tidings between human and fuel, a full Light celebration in mind, Ash Ashcolor rendering of food that land city crews planted a new Contemporary, culturally feeds the body and the soul. “holiday” tree in the Ashland complicated and sizzling works He created the mural Plaza. of Latinx artists make up the installation, which he calls The tree, a Nordmann fir, is fall exhibitions show at the “Together/Juntos,” with his adjacent to City Hall near the Schneider Museum of Art at students to tell the stories of Plaza bus stop.

Southern Oregon University. food and family, of home and The tree was purchased from The work of Justin Favela, heart. The murals are tissue Plant Oregon Nursery in Talent Victor Maldonado and the paper mosaics, with white for $2,500, said Public Works artists of Self Help Graphics & space waiting for community Director Paula Brown.

Art are in brilliant color, with participants.

Parks Superintendent Mike comic lines and bold abstrac“I do installation work, and Oxendine said the tree replaces tions. Fall Exhibitions opened that takes up a lot of space, one of the two that have been last week and will continue so having volunteers or a removed in the downtown area through Dec. 14. lot of artists are part of the in the past few years. He said Favela is this semester’s process,” explained Favela. because Ashland is a1, certified A4 | Friday, November 2019 | Ashland Tidings Visiting Artist and Scholar in “I really try to engage more Tree City, staff must track each Teaching at Southern Oregon people, and for museums it’s tree removed by the city and University and will host a very important to bring in the find a way to replace them. variety of events, including community; it’s a great way to “Several large trees have Tuesday evening converTHE ASSOCIATED PRESS structure programming.”

DOWNTOWN been lost on the Ashland Plaza sations, at the Flames consume Soda Rock Winery onA&E Sunday inart-making Healdsburg, Calif.

Favela is a native of Las Vegas in the past few decades, includ includSchneider, and Free Family and of Guatemalan and Mexiing a large pine tree that died Day events at the museum. can heritage, which flavor his as a result of drought and heat “It’s very compelling, very art with intense hues, abstract stress,” Oxendine said. “This beautiful work that all audi- representation and outsized tree had been decorated yearly ences, all ages will enjoy,” symbologies. Transient, temas Caitlin a celebratory Schneider Museum of Art porary and of the moment, By Fowlkes holiday tree JAMIE LUSCH / ASHLAND TIDINGS Ashland during Tidings the Festival of Light. We Director Scott Malbaurn says Favela’s murals are composed hope this new addition to the Paula Brown, public works director, and Mike Oxendine, Ashland parks of Favela’s work. Battistella murals By Maureen Flanagan the relationship of paintdepict and cardboard, paper Plaza will beloved by many With thebeannual Festival of supervisor, stand next to a Nordmann fir planted recently on the Ashland forFavela’s the Tidings murals extend between andwith fuel,fronds a full and glue,human feathered Plaza. for generations to come.

We all through the largest gallery at color Light celebration in mind, Ashofthe food that that liftrendering and wave in breeze, look forward to seeing this tree downtown because it can stand licensed arborists, said ecologthe Schneider. Explosions of feeds land city crews planted a new Contemporary, culturally the body and the soul.of adapting the techniques decorated in November for the drought well and can take the ical benefits are a core value of color whet every part of the the “holiday” tree in the Ashland complicated and sizzling works Hepiñata created to histhe art. mural Favela A4 | Friday, November 1, 2019 | Ashland Tidings palette and palate: there’s Festival of Light.”

Plaza. reflective heat given off by most public works departments. of Latinx artists make up thea installation, he calls works on largewhich expanses, such row ing up Southern Ore hugeexhibitions purple ham sliced for “Together/Juntos,” A sidewalk replacement The tree, a Nordmann fir, is parked cars andin asphalt.

“There are of studies that go fall show at the n,tons withand his as the sides of buildings, I ha ve alw ay s co nsi serving, a Guatemalan tortilla along East earlier de adjacent toMain City Street Hall near the the red It’ll also do well decorated for show that businesses do better Ash Schneider Museum of Artlan at d ge students to tell the stories of smaller areas, transforming m of the Ro guewith folded with a fresh, soft boiled food Vatrees this year oppor- the holiday season, he added. lley.planted Plaza busgave stop.staff the oppor in front of I gradu Southern Oregon University. and family, of home and two-dimensional space into ate d froegg, m Sou the awork golden flan custard tunity to add more greenery to Un“Preserving rn Ore The tree was purchased from planting their storefronts. They can iversit y anand go n The of Justin Favela, heart.

The murals are tissue three-dimensional cultural DOWNTOWN A&E d ha ve d an drippingMaldonado with caramel sauce, d wo that area, Brown said.in Talent trees in Ashland is environ-live Plant Oregon Nursery rkeproducts, charge more for the d in Ashlan Victor and the paper mosaics, white icons that seem towith breathe. d for the In my spare pa an artichoke inst all9of said the sidewalk, which timebeneficial, forShe $2,500, said Public Works mentally butl there’s you wil do better in school,” rs.waiting for community artists of Selfstanding Help Graphics &yea space find and students hiking in SEE LATINX, A5 its spiky green glory.

Favela’s the was cracked broken in also beauty to it,” Brown said. me Ash Director Paula and Brown.

Oxendine said.

“Just by looking lan ArtWa are in brilliant color, with participants. d Gri ter zzly she Pe d, ak up or on som several places, was entirely ewahe imagine downtown Parks Superintendent Mike “Can you out of Pa a window and seeing a tree re off the comic lines and bold abstrac“I do installation work, and cific improve st Tra replaced and pushed back away in the fall without trees?”

Oxendine said the tree replaces has been shown toCre test il up in Fall tions.

Exhibitions the Greenopened takes up a lot of space, springthat s. having I fromofthe about 4been feet ha Brown and Oxendine said ve one thestreet two that have scores.

The benefits to planting a last week and will continue stro ng so volunteers or a pa ssion forreviBy order Caitlin to Fowlkes buildi in preserve the trees ngaren’t removed in the downtown area they hope the downtown relajust trees psychological, through Dec. 14. tio nsh lot of artists are part of the ips Ashland Tidings bo th pe rsona pro lly there.

Instead the fes straight siona an talization project will allow the in the past few of years.

He said d they’re very tangible.” lly. I alw Favela is this semester’s ays try to listen intently process,” explained Favela.

By Maureen Flanagan Battistella murals depict the relationship line thatAshland was there, it now addition of more trees, planters because is a certified Other studiesan show thatft my Visiting Artist and Scholar in “I d cra really human try to engage clie Witharound the annual Festival of ns ca nt’s marke for the Tidings mp aig between and fuel,more a full curves tree trunks. ting people, andto greening meeteffects.

Tree City, staff the must track each trees are planted along Teaching at Southern Oregon their individwhen and for museums it’s Light celebration in mind, Ashua l ne ed color rendering of food that s antends “That’s whatby wethe always Brown said a community busy streets, traffic d butodget. tree removed citywant and University will host a very Using and important to bring in the ttin Ro land crews cu planted ag-e new dg seb ud Contemporary, culturally e tar feeds the body and the soul. ’s to doacity isway preserve trees,” OxenOxen geted input session for the Revifind to replace them. slowtfo down, because the field of variety of events, including community; it’s a great way to digital pla “holiday” tree in the Ashland rm s, you complicated and sizzling works He created the mural ad dine said. large vertisTuesday Downtown Ashland sight is obstructed byrthe “Several trees leafy ing meevening converrea chhave ssa programming.” pe talize ge Plaza. le mo of Latinx art-making artists makeca up n the structure re effecfor installation, which he calls The was Plaza also op project is scheduled 6 to tive been lostsidewalk on the Ashland canopies, he said. sations, at the ly tha n eve Favela is a native of Las Vegas rjust beprettier,” The tree,toa meet Nordmann fir, is 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6, at fore. My pri fall exhibitions showFamily at the “Together/Juntos,” with his improved Americans ma he in the past few decades, includry “And it’s lp Schneider, and Free ob my jective clie and of Guatemalan Mexints is dri adjacent to City Hall near the to ve rev Schneider Museum of Art at en students to tell theand stories of ue With Disabilities standards, andthr ing a large pine tree that died Carpenter Hall. Oxendine ou Brown added.

Day events at the museum. gh tho ug can heritage, which flavor his htf ul plann Plaza bus stop.

Southern Oregon University. ing food and family, of home and op , and Rogue Valley TransportaTransporta Brown said the vision gathered tim exe as a result of drought andiza heat cu “It’s very compelling, very tio tio n. I would love to lea n, andart with intense hues, abstract The tree was purchased from The work of Justin Favela, TheFLANAGAN murals BATTISTELLA are tissue tion District put in asaid. larger bus from the community input ses- rn Contact Tidings reporter PHOTO heart.

BY MAUREEN abou stress,” Oxendine “This beautiful work that all audit you r representation and outsized Plantbench Oregon Nursery iness Talent bu Victor all Maldonado theFisher sin paper mosaics, with white Ashlanders Francie Patt and Margaret Garrington enjoy be what Caitlin Fowlkes at cfowlstop and shelter. to sions tree had been decorated yearly seewill ences, ages Ghidinelli, will and enjoy,” if Ro sebdetermines Transient, temud for $2,500, artists of Self Help Graphics & symbologies. ting solutions or space for community an afternoon atMuseum the Schneider Museum of Art. waiting They are seated in the kes@rosebudmedia.com e n d i nsaid e s Public aholiday i d t hWorks e tree f i r the scope of the project.’s ma rke asOaxcelebratory Schneider of Art porary and of the moment, alig Director Paula Brown. n wit Art are in brilliant color, with h you participants.

JAMIE LUSCH / ASHLAND TIDINGS Heiter Gallery, in front of two Victor Maldonado vibrant abstracts.

Oxendine, one of the city’s 541-776-4496. will thrive in its little plot r bu siness objectives. during the Festival of Light. We Director Scott Malbaurn says Favela’s murals are composed Parks Superintendent Mike Paula Brown, public Please comic lineswork. and bold abstrac“I do installation work, and givparks works director, and Mike Oxendine, Ashland e hope this new me addition to the of Favela’s paint andup cardboard, paper areplaces ca Oxendine said the tree ll orsupervisor, tions.

Fall Exhibitions opened of emailstand that takes a lot of space, a Nordmann fir planted recently on the Ashland to next setto up Plaza will be beloved by many Favela’s murals extend an ap pointment. and glue, feathered with fronds one of the two that have been last week and will gallery continue so having volunteers or a for generations to come. We all Plaza. through the largest at that lift and wave in the breeze, removed in the downtown area through Dec. 14. lot of artists are part of the look forward to seeing this tree downtown because it can stand licensed arborists, said ecolog the Schneider. Explosions of adapting ecologtechniques of in the past few years. He said Favela this semester’s process,”the explained Favela. decorated in November for the drought well and can take the ical benefits are a core value of color whetisevery part of the the piñata totohis art. Favela because Ashland is a certified Visitingand Artist and Scholar “I really try engage more palette palate: there’sin a works Festival of Light.” onand large expanses, such Tree City, staff must track each reflective heat given off by most public works departments.

Teaching at Southern Oregon people, for museums it’s huge purple ham sliced for as the sides of buildings, and A sidewalk replacement “There are tons of studies that tree removed by the city and parked cars and asphalt.

University and will tortilla host a very important to bring in the serving, a Guatemalan along East Main Street earlier It’ll also do well decorated for show that businesses do better smaller areas, find a way to replace them. varietywith of events, including community; it’stransforming a great way to folded a fresh, soft boiled two-dimensional this year gave staff the oppor oppor- the holiday season, he added. with trees planted in front of space into “Several large trees have Tuesday evening converstructure programming.” egg, a golden flan custard tunity to add more greenery to “Preserving and planting their storefronts. They can three-dimensional cultural been lost on the Ashland Plaza sations, art-making at the Favela is a native of Las Vegas dripping with caramel sauce, that area, Brown said. trees in Ashland is environcharge more for the products, icons that seem to breathe. in the past few decades, includSchneider, Free in Family an artichokeand standing all of and of Guatemalan and MexiShe said the sidewalk, which ing a large pine tree that died mentally beneficial, but there’s and students do better in school,” Day events at the museum.

SEEflavor LATINX,his A5 its spiky green glory. Favela’s can heritage, which was cracked and broken in also beauty to it,” Brown said. Oxendine said. “Just by looking as a result of drought and heat “It’s very compelling, very art with intense hues, abstract several places, was entirely “Can you imagine a downtown out of a window and seeing a tree stress,” Oxendine said. “This beautiful work that all audi- representation and outsized replaced and pushed back away in the fall without trees?” has been shown to improve test tree had been decorated yearly ences, all ages will enjoy,” symbologies. Transient, temfrom the street about 4 feet Brown and Oxendine said scores. The benefits to planting as a celebratory holiday tree Schneider Museum of Art porary and of the moment, in order to preserve the trees they hope the downtown revi- treesJAMIE aren’t just/psychological, LUSCH ASHLAND TIDINGS during the Festival of Light. We Director Scott Malbaurn says Favela’s murals are composed there. Instead of the straight talization will allow theandthey’re very tangible.” public works director, Mike Oxendine, Ashland parks hope this new addition to the Paula Brown,project of Favela’s work. of paint and cardboard, paper line that was there, it now addition more trees, Otherrecently studies show that next to a planters Nordmann fir planted on the Ashland Plaza will be beloved by many supervisor,ofstand Favela’s murals extend and glue, feathered with fronds curves around the tree trunks. and when trees are planted along for generations to come. We all Plaza.greening effects. through the largest gallery at

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The Plaza gets a new tree Latinx art flavors

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Schneider this fall

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The Plaza gets a new tree Latinx art flavors

Schneider this fall

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