Northwest Boomer and Senior News Lane County Edition February 2016 by Northwest50Plus

LANE COUNTY EDITION FEBRUARY 2016 • FREE!

“There’s just something about chocolate that makes the world better.”

Got chocolate on your mind? By DEB ALLEN

BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS

Photo by Deb Allen

Larry Bradley bought Chocolate Decadence, acclaimed for its gluten-free and dairy-free fine chocolate products, in 2010 when it was only an Internet business. Here at the retail store, Bradley offers unique chocolate savories, ice cream, hot cocoa and cozy tables to enjoy the ambiance.

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“Chocolate is fun,” says Larry Bradley, owner of the Chocolate Decadence Factory and Outlet Store in Eugene. “When people come in and buy chocolate, and they put it in their mouth, they’re happy. If they take chocolate and they’re going to give it to somebody else, I know that they’re going to make someone else’s life better.” Humans have believed in the benefits of chocolate for thousands of years. Historians find evidence of chocolate beverages dating back to 1900 B.C., beginning in Mesoamerica (aka: Central America, where the cacao tree is native). The Aztecs so valued cacao that they used the beans as currency. Believing cacao was a gift from Quetzalcoatl, their god of wisdom, the Aztecs thought cacao held aphrodisiac and strengthening properties. Chocolate became popular in Europe during the 16th century when sugar was added to it. (en.wikipedia.org) In our day, numerous studies have been published to concur that healthy properties are found in chocolate. “Dark chocolate is healthy,” says Bradley, referring to chocolate that is 70 percent or more cacao, “if you eat it in moderate quantities,” with emphasis on “moderate.” “It has antioxidants in it just like blueberries, and many other healthy foods. It helps lower your blood pressure, it helps prevent many diseases. So, there’s just something about chocolate

that makes the world better. It makes people feel better, it improves your mood, it’s a great communication tool.” Bradley cautions that moderation is necessary due to the added sugar, and that large doses of sugar can negatively impact our bodies.

Going vegan What sets Chocolate Decadence apart from most chocolate companies is that it produces gluten-free and dairy-free products. Its “vegan” chocolate brings in 3,000 to 4,000 Internet customers yearly. Yet, don’t let the term “vegan” concern the avid chocolate fan. “When we first bought the company we’d ask people if they’d like a sample of some good, vegan chocolate and people would say, ‘No thank you, I like the good stuff,’” Bradley says, “which is sort of interesting because when chocolate is first made it doesn’t have milk and all the extenders, all the other things that people put into chocolate.” Vegan chocolate is more about the process. “So it’s not what we do to the chocolate to make it vegan, it’s what we don’t do,” he says. “We don’t add all the artificial ingredients; we don’t add a lot of extenders. Ninety-nine percent of our chocolates are glutenfree.” Even the products with pretzels are processed in a separate part of the factory. “It’s as good or better than any chocolate you’ll find anywhere,” says Bradley, insisting that skeptics find out for themselves. Chocolate Decadence offers free samples in its outlet store

See SWEET p. 2

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daily. “We do a lot of specialty molds for the holidays, whether it’s Easter eggs, Easter bunnies, Santa Claus’s,” he says. “We have hundreds and hundreds of molds to choose from. Hollow footballs filled with chocolate ducks, or beavers, or both because some people have a house divided.” Undoubtedly, the company is gearing up big for Valentine’s Day. “We have chocolate boxes made out of chocolate — a large heart-shaped chocolate box, about 10-inches wide,” Bradley says. “So you buy the box filled with chocolate, and then you eat the box.” At Chocolate Decadence, customers can purchase preassorted boxes or hand-pick the particular treats they want to fill their box. “We have people come in and if all their spouse or their lover wants is caramels, they can just fill the whole thing with caramels,” Bradley says. The company offers personalized, customized products. “We have a pretty big business locally for those who want custom-designed chocolate bars for their business and then they’ll use our chocolate to go out and thank their customers — little thank you bars or bars with their company logo,” he says. Chocolate Decadence also believes in doing as much as it can to support the community. “We get eight to 10 requests per week for donations,” Bradley says. “There are just a lot of organizations doing important work. Whether it’s social service agencies, or the local high school band program, or kids putting money together for a trip to Washington, D.C., or whether it’s CASA or Relief Nursery, auctions, rotary clubs, the Lions Club — everybody sees chocolate as a way to raise money. And we’re happy to support as many as we can.” He continues, “That’s why it’s important to support a local company, because when you support a local store like this, then you give us the resources to help support the rest of the community.” As a company, Chocolate

“We’re a momand-pop (shop). So when somebody comes in and spends their money with us, then it keeps the money local, it doesn’t leave the area and it’s really a good way to support local business, local families.” Larry Bradley Owner, Chocolate Decadence

Decadence owners endeavor to do as much as they are able to. “We’re a local company,” Bradley says. “We’re very small. At our peak time of

Of note

Chocolate Decadence Factory and Outlet Store, 1050 Bethel Dr., Suite A, Eugene, 541-607-9073. Chocolate Decadence Retail Store, 152 W. 5th Ave., Eugene. Chocolatedecadence.com.

Photos by Deb Allen

Like most chocolate shops, customers get a wide assortment of chocolates to choose from (top), including this “Oregon Bar,” (above) which shows the craftsmanship found in this local chocolate factory. Bradley says the company also creates custommade, personalized chocolates for companies and organizations. season, we have eight to 10 employees working, but we probably only have three or four full-time employees that work throughout the year. We ’ r e a m o m - a n d - p o p

(shop). So when somebody comes in and spends their money with us then it keeps the money local, it doesn’t leave the area and it’s really a good way to support local

Vol. 18 - Number 2 Oregon’s oldest & largest 50+ publication Publisher David Thouvenel dthouvenel@nwseniornews.com Managing Editor - All Editions Michelle Te mte@nwseniornews.com Graphics/Production - All Editions Pam Cooley-Newberry pcooley@nwseniornews.com Accounting - Barb Calvisky bcalvisky@nwseniornews.com Circulation Bob Buhrer - knotphc@msn.com

business, local families.” However, Bradley deems himself “an absentee owner” — attributing his company’s success to his “great employees who make the wheels turn.” That’s because there’s something Bradley is more impassioned about than his chocolate business – he also holds a full-time position at Serenity Lane and proudly shares that he is an alumnus of the recovery program for substance abuse. “Thirty-one years ago I went through the recovery program there,” he says. “I’m a recovering drug-addict and alcoholic. People need to know that there’s hope. That’s really the passionate part of my life — working in recovery at Serenity Lane. I with-tongue-in-cheek tell people that I work to get people off drugs and alcohol so that I can get them addicted to good, dark chocolate. There’s probably some truth to that.” ■

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Movie showings and a love of all things New Zealand

FEBRUARY 2016 â&#x20AC;˘ www.nwboomerandseniornews.com

LANE COUNTY EDITION

Charles Eggen runs the longstanding group

showing films might be something that the center might be interested in so I went down and approached them about the idea.â&#x20AC;? He got approval and helped the center purchase the highquality audio and video equipment that he insisted on. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been running the group for nearly 10 years. The movies start at 1 p.m., and end with a brief discussion. Eggen usually selects movies that include subtitles â&#x20AC;&#x201C; even those in English â&#x20AC;&#x201D; because his hearing has been compromised since his time in the military and he knows that many who attend the screenings appreciate not having to strain to understand speech.

By VANESSA SALVIA BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS

To the unaware, movie titles like â&#x20AC;&#x153;Whale Riderâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Once Were Warriorsâ&#x20AC;? are well-made, entertaining yarns about Maoris. But to Charles Eggen, 78, they rank among his favorites â&#x20AC;&#x201D; not just because theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re good movies, but because theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re made in New Zealand. And any movie made in that particular island nation piques his interest. In fact, he has collected every film made in New Zealand thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s possible to collect. Also among his favorites is â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Piano,â&#x20AC;? a 1993 film starring Harvey Keitel and Holly Hunter that won New Zealand its first Academy Award.

Courtesy photo

In 2004, young actress Keisha Castle-Hughes was nominated for an Academy Award, based on her performance in the New Zealand film â&#x20AC;&#x153;Whale Rider.â&#x20AC;? The movie won several awards, including best feature film at the BAFTA Awards in 2003.

For the past 10 years, Eggen has been showing those films, as well as the standard Hollywood-based movies,

three times a month at Willamalane Adult Activity Center in Eugene. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have been someone who

has been interested in films since I was about 8 years old,â&#x20AC;? he says of his movie appreciation group. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I got the idea that

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Setting the scene Eggen was working in home health care until he lost a full-time client. He had recently turned 65, was collecting Social Security and no longer needed to work as much. He lives within walking distance of Willamalane, so that convenience encouraged him to start a group. The first movie he screened, in March 2006,

See MOVIE p. 4

LANE COUNTY EDITION

NW BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS • FEBRUARY 2016

So, he bought them. In his collection, Eggen has 270 feature films that were filmed in New Zealand, along with about 250 other films. His November 2015 theme was “New Zealand Jewels,” and featured the 2003 film “Perfect Strangers,” a film Eggen describes as about a lonely woman who meets a man at a bar and returns to his boat with him. She passes out, though, and when she wakes up the boat is headed out to sea. “I defy anyone to predict the ending,” Eggen says. He showed “Fracture,” a 2004 film about a young single mother whose brother causes a crisis. Eggen says this movie features excellent performances from the entire cast, including the baby. The third showing was the 2004 movie “In My Father’s Den,” a dark, graduallybuilding thriller about shat-

MOVIE CONTINUED FROM P. 3

was “Rapa-Nui,” a film that portrays a condensed history of the collapse of the Easter Island civilization. The center suggested he access videos from the library, or rent them from places like Hollywood Video or Blockbuster, which used to be on every neighborhood corner before the rise of streaming video services such as Netflix. Those suggestions didn’t work for Eggen, because he wanted to offer movies following monthly themes. If he rented his films, he couldn’t ensure that he would get them in time for the center to print their course listings two to three months in advance. “I also prefer having something that hasn’t been stepped on or scratched,” he says.

Photo by Vanessa Salvia

Charles Eggen talks to Margot Kitching about the film he showed for his movie appreciation group at Willamalane Adult Activity Center. tered childhood dreams. He gets a regular crowd of

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about 15 at his weekly screenings. At the November showing, a day before Thanksgiving, 83-year-old Chester Gottschalk was the first to arrive. “He shows very good films that are from the past,” Gottschalk says, “so it’s good to see them again, or maybe I haven’t seen them at all because he has some from New Zealand, which no one around here has seen.” Gottschalk has been attending the movie appreciation group for about seven years. “He has some very good choices,” he says. Eggen hears the comment, looks up from inserting the DVD into the projector and says, “And they’re free.” Gottschalk starts laughing and agrees, “That’s right.” Margot Kitching says she is always enthusiastic about coming to the movie show-

ings, partly because Eggen chooses good films. “The movies he shows have depth,” she says. “They always offer something for great discussions and always bring something out that we can appreciate.” She’s been coming for just over a year, adding, “I love, love, love the movies.” Eggen sometimes shows other foreign films, although they can be challenging because the viewpoint of the filmmaker is often so culturally different that other viewers don’t appreciate it fully. In those cases, though, Eggen tries to have an open mind and encourage his film group to do the same. “I can watch a film that I’m not too enthusiastic about but it has wonderful special effects, and we can appreciate that,” he says. “You can

See GROUP p. 5

FEBRUARY 2016 • www.nwboomerandseniornews.com

LANE COUNTY EDITION

Of note

GROUP

Movie Appreciation Group Films start at 1 p.m. three Wednesdays, followed by a short discussion, Willamalane Adult Activity Center, 215 West C. St., Springfield. Call 541-7364444 or visit willamalane.org.

CONTINUED FROM P. 4

appreciate the camera work or the costuming. There’s various aspects of a production that you can appreciate even though you’re not too fond of the story.” Most of his themes are not New Zealand-based. Past themes include film views of Polynesia, comedy westerns, and musicals of the 1950s. His January films featured the actress Maureen O’Hara, who died Oct. 24. February’s films feature three films made in Lane County.

Easy to love Eggen says his love for movies is simple. “I grew up in the television age, that partially explains it,” he says. But there are more reasons. “Movies are a way to escape from reality, movies are a way to experience ideas, movies are way to take you to different places. Why do you read novels? It’s kind of the same thing with movies. You’re not reading it, but you’re exposing yourself to settings and ideas that are not necessarily a part of your life otherwise.” His interest in films from New Zealand was borne out of practicality: He’s visited the country three times and loves it there. “It’s a very beautiful place,” he says, “it really is. The people are very hospitable and it has the advantage of speaking English, so I can

February theme: Made in Lane County Feb. 10: “The General” (1926, filmed in Cottage Grove and near Row River) Feb. 17: “Abe Lincoln in Illinois” (1940, filmed near the McKenzie River) Feb. 24: “Rachel and the Stranger” (1948, filmed in Eugene) Courtesy photo

Also among Charles Eggen’s favorite New Zealand movies is this 1994 film, “Once Were Warriors,” which tells the story of a family descended from Maori warriors and the societal problems that beset them. This movie also was nominated for, and won, several awards.

understand what they’re saying.” There are only a few hundred films even made in New Zealand, and Eggen has collected anything that’s available. “It was manageable, it was possible, to get all of them,” he says. At the time he started his movie group, Eggen also created an educational website about all of the films that were made in New Zealand, along with other general film news. He says it’s not a splashy web-

site, because he built it and handles all the coding by himself. He also appreciates that visitors to the site can’t handle anything too sophisticated. “I have had visitors to the website from virtually every country in the world,” he says. Eggen now has a married granddaughter living in New Zealand whose husband got a job working for the filmmaking empire of Peter Jackson, director of the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. Eggen says it’s not fair though, to compare

Peter Jackson’s movies with other New Zealand feature films, because his films have multi-million dollar budgets and most other New Zealand films get a million dollar budget, perhaps. In fact, most New Zealand films exist to tell the New Zealand story, which Eggen says, only New Zealand can do. “If Oregon was in the movie-making business, how would we tell our Oregon stories?” he asks. “Are we going to leave it up to Hollywood to

Charles Eggen’s New Zealand films: nzvideos.org

tell our story? They want to tell their story with their characters and their references.” Most of those in Eggen’s group accept they will be seeing something on film they’ve never seen before. “Some folks are less inclined to experiment,” he says. “I won’t say they’re opposed to it, just less inclined.” Some people always ask for more comedies or more American films. He’s working on it. There’s a big world of film out there, and if he can find the right film to show, it just might change their minds. ■

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DIGGIN’ IT!

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Gardening and weatherwatching go hand-in-hand. Get a bunch of gardeners together and before long, we’ll be discussing the pros and cons of current weather, past weather or future predictions. We’ll lament the hail that punctured our once-perfect hosta’s leaves

Gardening in the new year

NW BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS • FEBRUARY 2016

or brag about how the sunshine warmed our tomatoes to perfection. The summer of 2015 — who can forget day after day of sweltering, 90-plus-degree weather? All kinds of records were broken here in western Oregon with what was dubbed an infernally prolonged heat wave. Experts suggest this could be an ongoing trend and

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that we should adjust accordingly. For gardeners this means one of two things: Either spend a fortune on water bills or replace some or all of those thirsty, water-loving plants with drought tolerant, heat-loving ones. While most gardeners enjoy the showy, new plants on the block, there is something to be said for the native stalwarts —

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those tough plants that have spent decades adapting to the vagaries of weather and, if sited correctly, perform beautifully in our gardens. For example, the native sword fern thrives under the shade of towering Douglas firs so I’ve got several of them planted in the dry shade of my courtyard. The only maintenance required of me is to cut off the old fronds in March before the new fronds uncoil. They look great all year. Another worthy native plant is ornamental flowering current (Ribes sp.). Not only will it add dramatic color to the early spring garden, it will provide a feast for resident bees and hummingbirds all without needing a ton of summer water. But did you know that western Oregon gardens can also host an olive tree, a bottle brush shrub and several different desert-roaming agaves? Although we’ve never met in person, I’ve had many enjoyable online conversations with Paul Bonine, co-owner of Xera Plants, located here in the Willamette Valley. Paul is a native Oregonian and a walking, talking (and writing) encyclopedia of plant knowledge. He is also a self-proclaimed “weather geek” and can rattle off fascinating weather factoids that occurred yesterday or 30 years ago. He merges these two talents into

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Pink-flowering crape myrtle. discovering, testing and then touting high-performance, low-maintenance plants for western Oregon gardens. One of Paul’s favorite summer-bloomers is crape myrtle, which despite outdated rumors, performs amazingly well in our climate. He’s got several planted in his modestly-sized Portland garden. If you check out the Xera Plants website, you’ll find hundreds of time-tested perennials, trees, shrubs (and subshrubs), vines, ornamental grasses and succulents suitable for growing in western Oregon. But the website has much more. Got a problem area? Deer issues? If so, you’ll find helpful information including a list of plants that can thrive with low or no summer water. Finally, you can read an excellent article demystifying the USDA Plant Hardiness Zones. And there are lots of gorgeous photos. Gardeners needn’t be worried about their gardens with respect to changing weather patterns. We can take advantage of the research and adapt accordingly. For your online perusal, visit Xera Nursery at xeraplants.com. While you’re at it, visit my gardening blog, gracepete.blogspot.com. ■

Adopt me ...

FEBRUARY 2016 • www.nwboomerandseniornews.com for feline leukemia and FIV (she is negative), spayed, microchipped, vaccinated, defleaed and dewormed — plus you get a free vet visit. Glory is currently in foster care.

Glory is a beautiful, creamcolored Siamese mix female with gray tabby points, an orange nose, and a brown “M” on her forehead. She’s estimated to be 6 to 8 years old. A quiet, reserved feline, Glory would blossom in a calm, tranquil environment where she has a special human to love and pet her, sit next to her on a soft sofa, and make her the center of their world. She coexists peacefully with other cats, and would probably do fine with older, cat-savvy children. Her adoption fee is $60, which is strictly to help cover our costs. She has been tested

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Melody is a sweet young adult tortoise shell with beautiful orange markings on her face, about 16 months old. She is very shy when you first meet her, and will need a calm, quiet, stable home with patient humans to win her trust. She is very generous with her loving head butts and funny pirouettes. She is very comfortable with other cats, but would

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LANE COUNTY EDITION probably not do well with kids (she might be OK with a calm, friendly dog). Melody will need to be started in a small, quiet space where she can’t hide — this will speed her adjustment to her new environment. Her adoption fee is $75, which is strictly to help cover our costs. She has been tested for FIV and feline leukemia (she is negative), spayed, microchipped, vaccinated, defleaed and dewormed — plus you get a free vet visit. Melody is in foster care.

Brando is a striking young energetic male kitty with gorgeous long white fur, cute black patches on his head and side, and a fluffy black

tail. This 2-year-old guy is still full of teenage boy energy and loves to play with toys, other cats, and humans. Brando loves attention and petting, and can be very affectionate once he’s bonded to you. He is also a vocal when he disagrees with you, even a little bit growly — but it’s usually all talk and no scratch. He is a bit selective about his feline friends, and does best with kittens or with playful young females (he is NOT good with older males). Brando does great with kids, and would probably be fine with a respectful dog. His adoption fee is $75, which is strictly to help cover our costs. He has been tested for feline leukemia and FIV (he is negative), neutered, microchipped, vaccinated, defleaed and dewormed—plus you get a free vet visit. Brando is now in the cat room at Petsmart on Coburg Rd (across from Costco). For more information, call Beth, 541-255-9296, or visit westcoastdogandcat.org.

Remember Tank? Re-cently we introduced you to a pair of lifelong friends named Tank and Sheeba. Now Tank finds himself alone. Here at Greenhill Humane Society, we will care for him, and attempt to soothe his heartache for as long as he needs us to. But only one thing can mend a broken heart — another heart. A heart open to accepting all of the love that Tank has been happy to give for 11 years, but now has no one to offer it to. Will that heart be yours? See Tank’s profile at Green-Hill.org. ■

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LANE COUNTY EDITION

Shirley Collins, 79, recently exhibited her handmade books of photography and prose at the Eugene Holiday Market’s Authors and Artists Fair. Photo by Vanessa Salvia

NW BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS • FEBRUARY 2016

ONE INSPIRING WOMAN

Photography motivated her to expand learning By VANESSA SALVIA BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS

Shirley Collins just turned 79, but she’s got a spring in her step, a sparkle in her eye and lots of ideas in her head. That’s partly because she gets to spend her time doing what she loves — photography, self-publishing her artistic books and interviewing

other inspiring older women. Collins grew up in Banning, California, a little town near Palm Springs, in the inland desert east of Los Angeles. The town had a population of about 6,000, most of them farmers. “Almonds and apricots and that kind of thing,” Collins says. “My grandfather was involved in agriculture so I enjoyed walking around his

orchards a lot and following him around. He wasn’t all that thrilled about it, I don’t think, but I did like to follow him and check out what he was doing.” Despite that early attraction to growing food, going into agriculture was not what Collins wanted to do with her life. She attended the University of California at Santa Barbara, intent on becoming an interior decorator. “I studied for a while but at that point in time — it was the 1950s — I was more interested in getting my ‘MRS’ degree,” she says, spelling out the letters, as in a married woman’s title. “That’s what it used to be called. So I got married and had children.” She married Ed Collins in 1956 and had two children. She and Ed divorced after 13 years together. Her son lives in Ohio, and her daughter in

See WOMAN p. 10

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LANE COUNTY EDITION

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10 LANE COUNTY EDITION

NW BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS â&#x20AC;˘ FEBRUARY 2016

WOMAN

Shirley Collins shares one of her favorite photos, and which was shown at an exhibit in the Natural History Museum at the University of Oregon a few years ago.

CONTINUED FROM P. 8

California. She has grandchildren and great-grandchildren. While raising her family, Collins didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t work much. After her divorce, when it became necessary for her to start working, Collins found herself in a similar situation with other women who had dedicated their lives to the family home. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My only clothes were jeans and cutoffs and clothes that I wore to church,â&#x20AC;? she says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Like so many women that happens to, I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have work clothes, so I went to the used clothing stores and had to get some.â&#x20AC;? She began working in Californiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Silicon Valley as a secretary for the attorney who handled her divorce, which kicked off a long career as a legal secretary. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I remained in Silicon Valley for the first 10 years, working for the attorney and two other Portuguese attorneys, where I was their only person,â&#x20AC;? she says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;so I did everything as

Photo by Shirley Collins

you can imagine.â&#x20AC;? A major turning point in her life came in the mid1980s when she took a summer junior college class about Spain. The students learned the art, food and culture of Spain. When the class was over, the whole class visited Spain for three weeks. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was a cool class,â&#x20AC;? Collins says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;At that time I had a point-and-shoot camera, nothing really fancy or anything. Most of the people I went with had money so they had nice cameras and when we got back we all had a potluck and showed our photographs. I noticed that when you have a nice camera like a Nikon or whatever, your photographs are absolutely gorgeous compared to mine.â&#x20AC;? One of the students let Collins borrow her camera for several weeks, and she began

taking photographs of everything. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I went out and bought a camera and that was that,â&#x20AC;? she says. Collins taught herself how to use her new camera, attending California workshops where Ansel Adams and Marion Patterson were instructors. After practicing for a couple of years, Collins had enough material for her own first show. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was quite interesting putting my photos on the wall,â&#x20AC;? she says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was thrilled to be doing it when it was all finished and everything was up I just looked at everything and started bawling. What it is, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re putting your soul on the line. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s right up there for everyone to see.â&#x20AC;? That vulnerable feeling went away in time and Collins now feels very comfortable offering her work and showing

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it. Her favorite things to photograph are just anything, she says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Anything that I see, absolutely anything,â&#x20AC;? she says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Things just tug at your heart so you just go for it.â&#x20AC;? Collins moved to Eugene at the age of 60. She says she had a friend here and it was just time for a change. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d been in Silicon Valley 30 years, and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been here 19 years now,â&#x20AC;? she says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve developed a lot of really wonderful friendships and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m really grateful to be here.â&#x20AC;?

Moving on When she moved here, Collins worked for the Jaqua and Wheatley law firm in Eugene for five years. John Jaqua, a philanthropist and namesake of the John E. Jaqua Law Library and the John E. Jaqua Center for Student Athletes, died in 2009, at age 88, after an illness. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was a really wonderful law firm,â&#x20AC;? Collins recalls. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mr. Jaqua was hysterical. He was wonderful. You could just sit in his office and listen to him for hours.â&#x20AC;? Another life-changing event for Collins took place at a Catholic retreat house near Eugene a few years ago. One of the retreat leaders instructed the attendees to stand next to something in nature for 20 minutes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;After that 20 minutes was up, she rang a bell

and we started writing about whatever it was that we were standing by,â&#x20AC;? says Collins, who stood next to an old tree. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It basically changed my life, because the tree started talking to me, giving me words, and that became my first little handmade book.â&#x20AC;? An 8-year-old boy, James Hoopman, is sitting at the table where Collins is retelling her story. At first glance the boy appeared to be engrossed in a video game, but he chimed into the conversation when he heard Collins say the ancient evergreen started talking. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Trees donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t talk,â&#x20AC;? says James. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Oh, yes, they do,â&#x20AC;? Collins counters. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a voice but they can share things with you. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really true.â&#x20AC;? James doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seem convinced, but Collins knows what she felt and the wisdom the tree imparted that day became her first book, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Aging Is a Precious Gift.â&#x20AC;? Collinsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; books have small photographs on each page, along with printed heartopening prose. Each is bound by hand with thread. Another of her books is about intuition, and is called, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Knock, Knock, Listen, Listen.â&#x20AC;? Standing next to the tree and opening herself up to what it meant to be an older woman was â&#x20AC;&#x153;immensely transformingâ&#x20AC;? for Collins. Another transformative experience happened more recently, about four years ago at a ceremony in Sedona, Arizona, with 13 indigenous grandmothers. The sand in Sedona is reddish orange, Collins says, and as they were seated around a sacred fire that burns continuously, she saw footprints â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the boots, the tennis shoes, that all the women in attendance were wearing. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was going, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Oh, my cow! Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s almost like petroglyphs,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? she recalls. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So I started photographing those and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the book I finished this summer, called â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Sacred Fire Petroglyphs.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? Another of her photography

See BOOK p. 12

FEBRUARY 2016 • www.nwboomerandseniornews.com (various dates, times) Urban Homesteading, Campbell Community Center, 155 High St., Eugene. Various prices. 541-682-5318. How to Travel in France, 6 to 8 p.m., Willamalane Adult Activity Center, 215 West C St., Springfield. $14/$16. 541-736-4444. I Can Help You Stop Smoking, with Carolyn Higgins, 1 to 3 p.m., Willamalane Adult Activity Center, 215 West C St., Springfield. Free. 541-736-4444. Jewelry Repair, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Willamalane Adult Activity Center, 215 West C St., Springfield. Free. 541-736-4444. Special Needs Trusts, 6 p.m., Willamalane Center, 250 S. 32nd St., Springfield. Free. 541-736-4444. First Friday Concert: The Food of Love – Shakespeare’s Music, 6 p.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th and Olive. 541-682-5450. Naked Shakespeare, 3 p.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th and Olive. 541-682-5450. Intro to Email, 10 a.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th and Olive. 541-682-5450.

LANE COUNTY EDITION

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Make a Flag Book, 2 p.m., Sheldon branch of Eugene Public Library, 1566 Coburg Road; 6 p.m. Feb. 9, Bethel branch, 1990 Echo Hollow Road. 541682-5450. Country Jam and Dance, 7 to 10 p.m., Central Grange, 87228 Central Road, Eugene. Bring donations, finger foods.

Community Ecstatic Dance, a benefit for Lane Arts Council, 1 to 3 p.m. Sundays, WOW Hall, 291 E. 8th, Eugene. $5-$10. mmeyer@efn.org.

Traditional Jazz Society of Oregon, 1 to 5 p.m., Springfield Elks, 1701 Centennial Blvd. $10. Optimize Your Social Security Benefits, 5:30 p.m., Sheldon Branch of Eugene Public Library, 1566 Coburg Road. 541-682-5450. Open microphone musical benefit for Habitat for Humanity, 6:30 p.m., Axe and Fiddle Music Pub, 657 East Main St., Cottage Grove. Donations taken. 541-942-3878. Eugene/Springfield Parkinson’s Disease Support Group, 10:30 a.m. to noon, Westminster Presbyterian Church, 777 Coburg Road, Eugene. 541-345-2988. iPad for Beginners, 2:30 p.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th and Olive. 541-6825450.

Android Tablets: The Basics, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Willamalane Adult Activity Center, 215 West C St., Springfield. $11/$13. 541-736-4444. Parkinson’s Disease PD+ Support Group, 1:30 to 3 p.m., Parkinson’s Resources of Oregon, 207 E. 5th Ave., at Eugene Mindworks. 541-345-2988. Memory and More, support group for family, friends and care partners of those with memory loss, 10 to 11 a.m., First Baptist Church, 3550 Fox Meadow Dr., Eugene. 541345-0341. (through Feb. 14) Radio Redux: “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” Soreng Theater, Hult Center, Eugene. Radioreduxusa.com.

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Sourdough Slim and Robert Armstrong, 8 p.m., 755 River Road, Eugene. $15. mmeyer-@efn.org.

Valentine’s Mix and Mingle for ages 55+, 6 p.m., Campbell Community Center, 155 High St., Eugene. $5 in advance. 541-682-5318. Chocolate Buffet, 2 to 3:30 p.m., Willamalane Adult Activity Center, 215 West C St., Springfield. $3 advance/$5 day of event. 541-736-4444. Birding Sauvie Island (Portland), 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., trip leaves from Willamalane Adult Activity Center, 215 West C St., Springfield. $57/$68. 541-736-4444. Emerald Valley Opry, 6 to 9:30 p.m., Powers Auditorium, Willamette High School, 1801 Echo Hollow Road, Eugene. $8/$5. 541-688-0937. Maker Expo: See and Do, 1 to 3 p.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th and Olive. 541-682-5450. Siuslaw Chapter of the American Rhododendron

Char Mutschler, flower designer, 1 p.m., Eugene Garden Club, 1646 High St., Eugene. Photos from WAFA show in Dublin, Ireland. 541337-0528. Parkinson’s Disease Alternative and Supplemental Support Group, 1:30 to 3 p.m., Willamalane Adult Activity Center, 215 West C St., Springfield. 541-345-2988. Get a Job at 50+, 10:30 a.m., Campbell Community Center, 155 High St., Eugene. 541-682-5318. Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease Support Group, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Riverbend Hospital conference room 12A, Springfield. 541-345-2988. Retired Senior Providers of Lane County, “A Good Death,” by the Rev. Rebecca Delzell, 2 p.m., Sheldon Oaks Retirement, 2525 Cal Young Road, Eugene. 541-3421983. Tree Fruits pruning class, 6 to 9 p.m., OSU Extension office, 996 Jefferson St., Eugene. $25. Making Your Retirement Last: Strategies for Sustainable Income, 1:30 p.m., Willamalane Adult Activity Center, 215 West C St., Springfield. Free. 541-7364444. Store and Share Photos Online, 10 a.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th and Olive. 541-682-5450. Ballet Fantastique’s “Dragon and the Night Queen: Celtic Stories,” Florence Events Center, 715 Quince St. $30. 541-997-1994. (also Feb. 21) Frontier Heritage Fair, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Lane County Fairgrounds auditorium, Eugene. $3. Open Jam, 7 p.m., Sonrise Christian Church, 1300 Irvington Dr., Eugene. 541-689-3335. Eliza Gilkyson with Nina Gerber, 7:30 p.m., Tsunami Books, 2585 Willamette St., Eugene. $17.50/$19. 541-345-8986. Late Winter Bird Walk, 8:30 to 10 a.m., Mount Pisgah Arboretum, Eugene. $5. (through March 14) Basic Woodworking for Women, 6 to 8:30 p.m., Campbell Community Center, 155 High St., Eugene. $45. 541682-5318.

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Society, with author Harold Greer, 4 to 6:15 p.m., Presbyterian Church of the Siuslaw, 3996 Highway 101, Florence. 541-997-3082. Senior Living Options, 6 p.m., Willamalane Adult Activity Center, 215 West C St., Springfield. Free. 541-7364444. Optimize Your Social Security Benefits, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., River Road Park Center, 1400 Lake Dr., Eugene. 541-688-4052.

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LANE COUNTY EDITION

NW BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS • FEBRUARY 2016

BOOK CONTINUED FROM P. 10

Photo by Shirley Collins

The theme of Shirley Collins’ exhibit at University of Oregon was “water,” as evidenced by this shot of some colorful koi.

books, “Inspiring Women 55+,” was inspired by what was meant to be a photography showing at Eugene’s DIVA Gallery in 2013. “I’ve learned over the years that older women can definitely be sidestepped, not included in conversations, their wisdom not taken seriously,” Collins says. “So that’s how ‘Inspiring Women’ came about.” The book is meant to celebrate women in the arts, business education and creative fields, among many other

endeavors. In the introduction to the book, Collins says, “View these vital women through my eyes. Each symbolizes the joy and passionate purpose of agelessness.” Collins began by taking pictures of some of her older women friends and got in touch with some other women she had heard about. The book is divided into chapters with several women included in each topic, such as Arvilla Ballard, a doll designer, and vocalist Donna Courtell. Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy is recognized in the public service chapter. Other chapters include women in sports and women who devote themselves to charitable service. “Initially I was going to do 30 portraits, and I already had the title for it,” Collins says. “And one of my friends I was having lunch with said it needed to be 55, so there’s 55 women.” She says that project was inspiring and really fun. Collins recently showed her books and photography at

Eugene’s Holiday Market Authors and Artists Fair, and doesn’t seem to want to slow down any time soon. She’s a member of the Lane Arts Council, Maude Kerns Art Center, Jacobs Gallery, DIVA (Downtown Initiative for the Visual Arts) and a charter member of the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C. Her artist’s statement sums up her approach to creative possibilities. “I continually challenge myself by not letting old perceptions get in the way of new ways of seeing,” she says. “Capturing the spirit, the essence, the heart of a moment in time, provides the images and words for me to share myself with my fellow human beings. The core of my creative belief is that spirit guides the result.” ■

The Successful Aging Institute of Lane Community College offers the following highlights on classes in February. Become a Senior Companion: 10 to 11:30 a.m. Feb. 17. Curvy Yoga: 10:45 a.m. to noon Feb. 14 to March 13. East Meets West: Feb. 8 to March 9. Financial Foundations: 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 4 to 25.

Get A Job at 50+: 2:30 to 4 p.m. Feb. 11, 10:30 a.m. to noon Feb. 17. Optimizing Social Security Benefits: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9. Valentine Delights: Noon to 3 p.m. Feb. 13 to 20. The AARP Smart Driver Course is ongoing. Visit lanecc.edu/sai/coursedescriptions for times and locations. ■

Of note

Learn more about Shirley Collins, throughthewindowpane.com

SAI February classes

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Antique Week: A real heirloom for shoppers FEBRUARY 2016 • www.nwboomerandseniornews.com

LANE COUNTY EDITION

The annual Lincoln City event features more than 100 dealers By MARY OWEN BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS

Celebrate all things “old” and a few things “crafty” in Lincoln City this month. Visitors can search for treasures on and off the beach during Antique Week, an 11day antique store extravaganza, held Feb. 5-15. More than 100 antique dealers from nearly a dozen retailers offer special deals and discounts during the citywide event. “The event originally started at Rocking Horse Antique Mall many years ago,” says Dan Beck, co-owner of the Little Antique Mall, representing 85 dealers from across the Pacific Northwest. “Since February is a slow month for retailers, the idea was to draw visitors to town and boost their sales. Other antique stores caught on, and eventually it has blossomed into a citywide event. Now, Antique Week has taken on a life of its own.” According to Eric Johnson, public relations coordinator for the Lincoln City Visitor and Convention Bureau, February is anecdotally the biggest sales month for many of the city’s antique sales. “Since the economy tanked in 2004, we have seen bigger crowds every year,” Johnson says. “Many of the retailers will have deep discounts for people to take advantage of. That’s why it’s a great time of year to visit Lincoln City and find a treasure to adorn your home.” Beck says most retailers in the Little Antique Mall will offer 20 percent off, but some have gone as high as half-off in past events. “Plan to stay long,” he says. “Many of the stores in town will extend their hours to

accommodate.” Rick Miner, co-owner of the Rocking Horse Mall, encourages folks to come and see what’s available. Rocking Horse Mall started 30 years ago with Miner, his sister, Dot, and his mother, June. June Miner was one of the pioneers and organizers of Antique Week, which has been going on for more than two decades. Miner says the mall’s 12 dealers will be selling “Beanie Babies, Pyrex, Victorian glass art, jewelry, just a little bit of everything.” “It’s a great time to buy if you’re into antiques and collectibles,” he says. “All of our dealers will be offering a discount. Most will do about 20 percent off.” Aside from great bargains

Courtesy photo

Take a road trip to Lincoln City where you're likely to find deep discounts on a wide assortment of antiques during the annual event.

on everything including art to books to furniture, Johnson says the biggest highlight of Antique Week is the special glass drop. “We will have 300 antique Japanese glass floats on our

beach to commemorate the occasion,” he says. “You can search seven miles of beach for one of these collector’s items. The floats are hidden by our float fairies during daylight hours and can be found

between the tide line and the embankment.” In days gone by, the Bureau’s website reports visitors searching Oregon’s beaches have found treasures from

See WEEK p. 14

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LANE COUNTY EDITION

NW BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS • FEBRUARY 2016

WEEK CONTINUED FROM P. 13

the Far East, blown glass floats in intriguing shades of green and blue. Used by Japanese fishermen to float their nets, the spheres were as small as 2 inches or as large as 2 feet. The ultimate find for any dedicated beachcomber, the spheres were collected, polished and admired, according to web information. “Now that fishing vessels around the world use buoyant plastic, a blown glass float is a rare find — except on the beaches of Lincoln City, where more than 2,000 of them are found each winter,” the Bureau says. During Lincoln City’s promotion, Finder Keepers, floats can be found and kept from mid-October to Memorial Day each year. As part of

Courtesy photo

Three hundred antique Japanese glass floats will be hidden on the beaches of Lincoln City during Antique Week. Search seven miles of beach for one of the collector’s items. Oregon Hatchery Research Center Tour, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., start at 155 High St., Eugene. $32. 541682-5318. Parkinson’s Disease Support Group, 10 to 11:30 a.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, 675 S. 7th St., Cottage Grove. 541-345-2988. Intro to Word, 10 a.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th and Olive. 541-682-5450.

CALENDAR 25 CONTINUED FROM P. 11

NARFE, Lane County chapter, “Fraud, scams and identity theft,” noon, Sizzler Restaurant, 1010 Postal Way, Springfield. 541-336-5108. Parkinson’s Disease Care Partner Support Group, 1:30 to 3 p.m., Parkinson’s Resources of Oregon, 207 E. 5th Ave., Eugene. 541345-2988.

Antique Week, seekers can look for one of 14 heart-shaped paperweights on Valentine’s Day weekend, Feb. 1314, as well as the glass floats, Johnson says. “It should be a lovely occasion,” he adds. Lucky beachcombers are asked to share photos of their glass treasures via Facebook at facebook.com/LincolnCityOregon or on Twitter using the tags @lcvcb and #FindersKeepers. Johnson says this year is going to be a “back to the basics” approach to the event. “In years past, there have been too many ancillary events happening during Antique Week that diluted the message,” So for this year, the message is simple: Come to Lincoln City and enjoy 11 days of deals and specials.” Introduction to Italian Cooking, 3 p.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th and Olive. 541-682-5450. Lichens Walk, 10 a.m. to noon, Mount Pisgah Arboretum, Eugene. $5. Eugene Concert Choir, “Burt Bacharach Songbook,” 8 p.m., Silva Concert Hall, Hult Center. $20-$47. 541-682-5000.

SERVICE 27