Lane county edition august 2017 northwest boomer and senior news by Northwest50Plus

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LANE COUNTY EDITION AUGUST 2017

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Keeping the past alive

2 LANE COUNTY EDITION

NW BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS • AUGUST 2017

■ Graffiti Alley is Bob White’s chance to relive the good ol’ days By VANESSA SALVIA BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS

From hot rods to hot dogs, Bob White is keeping the past alive in a small corner of Eugene. White, 69, lived through the heyday of hot rod cars and drag racing. Now, through Graffiti Alley and Bob’s Wiener Stand, he caters to customers who want to fix up their cars, and enjoy a real milkshake or float like the old days. “I was 12 years old in 1960,” White says. “I had a beautiful older sister who was six years older than me, and guys came to the house in brand new cars and hot rods to pick her up. I was thoroughly impressed.” He became somewhat of a “gearhead,” even getting into a little trouble with the law — nothing too serious, but he recalls he was a troublemaker. “I got involved with drag racing,” he says. “Racing in gen-

Photo by Vanessa Salvia

Bob White’s Graffiti Alley allows visitors to relive the past through its posters, wall art, and even the tables and chairs. His business includes both a restaurant and auto parts shop. (Page 1: Bob White (left) with Jon Carr, who plans to take over the business when White retires.)

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eral is a drug.” There were some sanctioned drag races at racetracks in Eugene, but that came later. In the early days of hot rodding, authorities didn’t take kindly to teens having machines that could outrun their police cars on the streets. His first car was a 1941 Ford, and he still has the dashboard of that vehicle. “I’ve been into hot rodding since I was 15 years old,” says White, who was born and raised in Eugene. “Cars, girls and alcohol. That was really all there was to live for back then.” Later, White became a millworker — not an uncommon job for Oregon men in those days. In 1991, the spotted owl changed the course of mill history in Oregon, and White’s future. A federal judge’s decision to disallow timber sales from spotted owl habitats led to widespread cutbacks in logging jobs. White had worked in timber long enough that rather than be laid off, he took his pension payout. “It was more than I expected it to be,” he says. He decided to get into the car business, selling parts to restore or repair older cars. He started 26 years ago with a 600square-foot shop at 1407 River Road. His second year in business, White organized a car show and cruise, called the River Road Cruise In, in what was then the parking lot of the Villa-Mart, on Railroad Boulevard at the current site of Downtown Mini Storage. “We had 300 cars there,” he says. “It was an immediate success.” He repeated it the following

See ALIVE p. 3

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SPIN hosts its annual resource fair AUGUST 2017 • www.nwboomerandseniornews.com

The Senior Provider Information Network of Lane County (SPIN) hosts its 10th annual Boomer and Senior Resource Fair, an event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 5, at Campbell Community Center, 155 High St., Eugene. The free event includes giveaways, activities, refreshments, musical entertainment and more than 50 vendors providing information on issues relating to boomers and seniors. The fair is sponsored by Bayberry Commons, The

ALIVE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

year in the same spot, but moved it to an undeveloped city lot next to his new business space at 675 River Road. When he first took over that spot, the building was a plumbing store owned by Lloyd Walker. Walker approved of the car show, but the city wasn’t thrilled about it and White had to get approval from all neighbors. They had 600 cars that year. Each year his car show grew in popularity, and there was the expected and inevitable pushback from city officials and environmentalists who didn’t want car exhaust on their streets and oil polluting nearby waterways. He held the car show for seven more years in that next-door field until the event was shut down. During that time, he also started the Function in Junction car show. “It was just to invite people to town on a Friday night for a cruise, and it blossomed,” he says. “We had 985 cars in the cruise. Thousands of people attended. It was no small potatoes deal.” In 2000, city officials took it over and renamed it Function 4 Junction. White continued to put on car shows until 2005, with his last one at Lone Pine

Farms in Eugene. Now, White is focused on Graffiti Alley and his hot dog stand, which came about because a friend wanted to open up a barbecue joint. When the business failed, White was left with the kitchen equipment. Walk into Graffiti Alley and on the left is a seating area for the hot dog stand that looks like an old-fashioned diner, with 1950s-style chrome tables and chairs, and a colorful redand-white checkerboard floor. At first glance the shop looks like a typical auto parts store, except when you start looking around, you begin to see that the items are for older cars. On the walls are numerous posters and photographs of the early days of drag racing and hot rods. White has stacks of snapshots showing the early days of his car shows and himself at racetracks like Woodburn Dragstrip and Balboa Park Dragstrip. Balboa, and former racetrack Eugene Speedway, no longer exist. White married Leila 33 years ago. “When I met her I took her to the drag races,” White recalls. “I was pretty into it. She’s always been involved in it with me.” White’s store is bustling. Mike Johnsgard walks in with his 16-year-old son, Cameron, who drove a 1968 Ford Mustang into the parking lot.

LANE COUNTY EDITION

They’re looking for door handles for the black Mustang, which will soon be repainted a different color. “The first time I met you, you were buying parts for a yellow Mustang,” says White. “Red,” corrects Johnsgard. “That was my wife’s car.” While Cameron is off with White’s employee, Jon Carr (his name is always good for a laugh), Johnsgard says, “I’ve been coming in here since he didn’t have so much gray hair, let’s put it that way.” Both men laugh. “And neither did I,” Johnsgard continues, as the men laugh even more heartily. A few minutes later another man walks in, just a minute before closing time. Rather than chase him out, White talks with him about the project car

Rawlins at Riverbend, The Springs at Greer Garden, and Visiting Angels. In-kind sponsors are Willamette Oaks and The Lane Senior Guide. Refreshments provided by Willamette Oaks. Proceeds from the fair benefit local programs for seniors and persons with disabilities. Financial gifts were made to the Lane Senior Support Coalition, Campbell Community Center, and the Lane County Senior Holiday dinner following last year’s event. Entertainment includes Big

he’s looking for — a 1971 or ’72 Chevelle to ease the pain of the 1970 Chevelle he sold for $500 to pay for his senior year of college. After the man leaves, White says, “This is where I can help people. They all need something for their cars.” But, he admits, the internet has hurt his business greatly over the past few years. White evaluates the condition of cars, both at his site and yours. When he does retire someday, he’ll leave the shop in good hands. At age 21, Jon Carr has been coming into the store with his grandfather for years. “He’d come in bragging about all these complicated model cars he was going to build,” White says. “He was

Foot Lane at 9:30 a.m., Dr. Delusion’s Illusions Comedy Magic Show at 11 a.m., and Fiddlin’ Big Sue Band at noon. The mission of SPIN is to provide education, information, and networking opportunities to professionals of Lane County so they can better serve seniors and persons with disabilities. SPIN has been meeting in its current format since 2004. Contact Janet Whitty, 541682-6313, for more information. ■

about 8, maybe younger. I had just bought some old model cars and one was a big ModelT that was three feet put together, but it was falling apart. I was going to sell it on eBay but I said to him, ‘This is yours if you can put it back together, just bring it by and show me.’” The young Carr did put it together and he still has it. “It’s in pieces, though,” he admits. Not long after, the boy drew White a picture and which is still framed in the office. Carr started coming in to Graffiti Alley on his own when he was old enough to buy parts for his own real cars. “I always felt Jon was loyal to me. I bought his loyalty with a big T,” he says with a laugh. “His grandpa was a hot rod guy too.” ■

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IT’S ‘SUP’ TO YOU

4 LANE COUNTY EDITION

NW BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS • AUGUST 2017

Paddleboarding remains a popular, easy outdoor activity By DEB ALLEN BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS

In less than 10 years, stand-up paddleboarding has become wildly popular on the outdoor recreation scene because it’s easy to learn and doesn’t require a fitness degree to be adept at it. “It’s sort of an outtake from surfing,” says Adrienne Weiss, who owns SUP2UOregon, a mobile paddleboard business. “But in the 2009-10 range is when it hit the mainland here.” She’s talking about the sport that has its origins in Hawaii, and involves a surfboard, of sorts, a paddle, and the nearest lake or river. People of all ages, abilities and backgrounds are discovering how enjoyable it can be. “I started paddleboarding in 2010, up in Lake Tahoe,” Weiss says, “and just fell in love with it.” She took on the sport in her 50s, and says others shouldn’t discount it because they think it’s too physically challenging. “There’s a lot of misconceptions about paddleboarding,” Weiss says. “Like, (you) have to stand, and that it takes

Courtesy photo

Patricia Rollins, aged “60-something,” enjoys paddleboarding at Alton Baker Canoe Canal, located behind Autzen Stadium in Eugene. great strength, it takes a lot of core strength — all of these things are misconceptions. You can just sit and paddle. Don’t let your physical disability or ability be your stumbling block.” In fact, a report by the Outdoor Foundation says SUP (as it’s most commonly known) is the most popular

outdoor activity among firsttime participants. “Anybody can do it, any skill level, any age, any ability or disability,” she says. Through her business, Weiss had helped many people overcome those misconceptions and fears. “I wanted to bring paddleboarding to the people,” she says. “That was my goal, to share that amazing experience with everyone.” Rather than having to visit a store, Weiss’ is a mobile service that brings the paddleboard and training to you. “We did a corporate teambuilding event for my eye doctor’s office and there were about 25 people who showed up, all different

ages,” Weiss says. “They brought their families, they brought their dogs, and everybody paddleboarded, everybody had fun, they all took turns.” It’s a great sport for anyone, she says. “We have people of all ages, from kids to people in their 70s. We make it really super easy. Everybody’s on the same level. Nobody’s better than anyone else. You’re all just out there having fun. It levels the playing field and it’s just amazing. The thing is, it’s so noncompetitive. There’s no race. There’s no (comparison) that anybody’s better or worse than anybody else. Just do your thing and be happy.”

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“Gain Strength with No Pain”

While learning to paddleboard is a breeze, Weiss sees that there might be some limitations among those who have a hard time carrying the paddleboard, lifting it on and off their vehicle, or even just having a vehicle that can accommodate a board. That’s part of what led to her mobile business. “So, I said, ‘Let’s make it affordable and let’s make it easy – then more people will try it,’” she says of her truck and trailer that can haul 18 paddleboards and other necessary gear. Weiss obtains the permits, watches weather and toxic algae reports, and then determines the best time and location for events. Visit her website or Facebook page to make reservations or find out where Weiss will be with her boards. “(Customers) rent the board and then just show up,” she says. “They don’t have to lift or load or do anything except have fun. We take care of getting the boards in the water, out of the water, they don’t have to lift a finger.” Despite its ease, there are some things to learn, evidenced by a recent “girls’ night out” with five friends. After meeting up at the destination, Weiss got everyone fitted with a proper life vest, the right board, a leash and paddle. Then she reviewed basic safety and techniques. “Then I get on the board and show them how to do these things,” Weiss says. “You can kneel, you can sit, you can lay down, you can stand and (I demonstrate) what the transitions are from kneeling or sitting, to standing and back down again. She also shows them what to do if they fall off the board into the water. “I always tell people, ‘If you think you’re going to fall, you’re going to fall,’” she says. “So, just get it in your mind that, ‘I will remain upright,’ and you will.” She considers her business a concierge service because she offers plenty of instruction and encouragement — as much as you need. “Most people, I get them launched and I take their shoes off when they’re on the board,” Weiss says. “When they come back in, we put their shoes on before they step back in the water so they don’t cut their feet. We really do provide full service.” If you’re a beginner, she holds the board while you practice different maneuvers, such as kneeling and standing up. Her past training and work as a fitness instructor adds to her keen ability to work with others. “I show them, and then I get them on the board and then I hold the board while they do

See SUP p. 5

AUGUST 2017 • www.nwboomerandseniornews.com

LANE COUNTY EDITION

Of note

SUP

Visit sup2uoregon.com for information about pricing.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

whatever they want to do,” she says. “It’s like having training wheels. And literally, it’s instantaneous for most people. Some people are unsure of themselves and that’s what their stopping block is.” Unlike kayaking, paddleboarding offers more options. “Paddleboarding gives you much more flexibility in that you’re not stuck sitting,” Weiss says. “It’s great for people who can’t sit for long periods of time. It’s much easier than kayaking in terms of getting on and off (rather than) in and out.” Even more, SUP offers a type of serenity that other outdoor sports don’t have. “I call it an alternative to happy hour,” she says, “because once you get out on the

Courtesy photo

Adrienne Weiss paddles out on Waldo Lake, a wonderful summer destination experience for her paddleboarding business.

REMEMBER WHEN?

MOUNT ST. HELENS ERUPTED

What were you doing on May 18, 1980, when you heard the news that Mount St. Helens erupted? It was a sunny Sunday morning around 8:30 a.m. when a 5.1 magnitude earthquake caused the entire north face of Mount St. Helens to collapse, sending hot gases and vaporised snow and steam 12 miles into the sky in 10 minutes.

Molten earth flowed down the mountain at more than 300 mph. By the time the day was over 57 people had lost their lives, hundreds of homes were destroyed, scores of bridges and over 200 miles of roads had disappeared. The countryside NOT covered in mud and debris was under a gritty blanket of ash. Nearly 550 million

tons of ash fell over a 22,000 square mile area that day. The fires created by the eruption and lightening in the pyroclastic flow, turned the surrounding forests into matchstick landscapes. Day turned into eerie night in areas where the ashfall was dense. The U.S. Geological Survey had been studying the mountain’s ash and lava flow activity during the 1970s and published a report in 1978 warning the mountain could be “especially dangerous.” Two years later the world did indeed witness how dangerous the mountain could be. ■

water, you forget about everything. You can’t even try to be stressed because you can’t. Your mind just disconnects and you’re just floating. And you have nothing to worry about. It’s just the most amazing feeling. So, everybody says it’s really cheap therapy. And you don’t have a hangover the next day.” In fact, she goes so far as to call it a mini-vacation. “Take a break,” Weiss says. “You don’t have to do anything. Just show up. It’s just amazing to be able to float on the water, and to be one with nature. It’s just incredible.” ■

NOAA/USGS, WSDNR

Mount St. Helens’ eruption began when a 5.1 magnitude earthquake collapsed the entire north face of the mountain.

Linda, 74

Precious moments ts then n, can still be precious moments now. W hile a lot of things change o While over ver the y years, ears, some things don’t. And getting ou lo ve. So w e enc ourage older doesn’t mean y ou have have to to stop stop doing wha you whatt y you love. we encourage we take take care care of the rest. rest. residents to to keep keep on doing their thing while we our residents

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A (near) total eclipse

6 LANE COUNTY EDITION

NW BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS • AUGUST 2017

By VANESSA SALVIA BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS

“The eclipse is coming, the eclipse is coming.” In China, 715 years ago, that statement would’ve been met with fear and worry over what disaster the darkening of the skies would foretell to fall upon the leader. The death of Christ was said to have been followed by a period of darkness during the day, which some historians believe may have been an eclipse that took place in 29 CE. Nowadays, the upcoming eclipse on Aug. 21 is met with excitement. City leaders in the path of the upcoming eclipse probably worry about it. But that’s likely a concern over how to handle the estimated one million visitors who will be flocking to the state to watch, not as an omen of impending doom. Eugene and Springfield are both outside of the path of totality, which occurs only when the moon’s umbral shadow sweeps across the surface of the Earth. Say what now? The moon’s shadow has two parts, the umbra and the penumbra. The umbra is the dark, cone-shaped inner shadow and the penumbra is the faint outer shadow. Partial solar eclipses are visible from within the penumbral shadow while total solar eclipses are visible from within the umbral shadow. A solar eclipse can only occur when the new moon passes between earth and sun. As the sun’s light falls upon the moon, it creates a shadow on the earth in that spot. Anyone in that spot will see the sun partially or totally covered up by the moon. The moon’s shadow usually misses us as it passes by because of the tilt of the earth’s axis. But occasionally, the geometry lines up correctly for people somewhere on earth

Courtesy of NASA

This map shows the path of totality during the Aug. 21 solar eclipse. Because the sun will not be completely covered in Lane County, it’s imperative to wear the special eclipse glasses when looking at the sun.

Defining the eclipse

Baily’s Beads – the effect of sunlight shining on the moon’s terrain just before and after totality in a total solar eclipse, creating bright points of light at the edge of the moon’s disk. Corona – the outer atmosphere of the sun that is visible during a total eclipse as a white ring around the sun. Diamond ring – A burst of sunlight that shines like a diamond on a ring, seen right before totality begins and as it ends. First contract – When the partial phase of the eclipse begins. Penumbra – The lighter part of the moon’s shadow. We stand in the moon’s penumbral shadow during the partial phases of a solar eclipse. Shadow bands – Faint, wavy bands caused by the bending of light in the Earth’s atmosphere that move across the ground right before and after totality. Totality – When the moon completely blocks the sun from view and casts a shadow on the Earth. Umbra – the darkest part of the moon’s shadow, seen when the moon completely obscures the sun during a total solar eclipse. Umbraphile – A person who loves eclipses and will travel anywhere to see them. Source: “The Big Eclipse” by Nancy Coffelt.

to see some part of the moon’s shadow on earth where a solar eclipse is visible. The path of totality is only about 75 miles wide. In the case of this eclipse, the path

will start in the Pacific Ocean, then make landfall near Depoe Bay on the Oregon Coast at 9:04 a.m. The path of totality will traverse across Oregon, passing over Newport, Corval-

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lis, Salem, Madras and Baker City. The shadow will exit the state at 11:48 a.m. While the sun is being covered up, it is unsafe to look at the sun without eye protection in the form of special eclipse viewing glasses. The amount of time you view the eclipse depends on where you are. In Sisters, the view is 34 seconds; in Huntington, it’s two minutes, 9 seconds. During this time period of complete coverage, it is safe to take off your eclipse viewing glasses. But as soon as the moon’s shadow moves off the face of the sun, the glasses have to go back on again. Those outside the path of totality will see a partial solar eclipse. In other words, the sun will look like it’s had a bite taken out of it, but the sky will not darken and you will need to use eye protection or some other viewing method such as a pinhole viewer the entire time. Corvallis resident Bill Wickes will simply walk outside to see the total solar eclipse. An astronomy buff, scientist and retired engineer, Wickes is a member of Oregon State University’s Academy for Lifelong Learning, where he gave a presentation on the eclipse in May. Wickes saw a total eclipse of the sun on the Eastern seaboard in 1970. “I drove from New Jersey where I was in grad school to see an eclipse in North Carolina, which was the only place you could see it,” he says. “It was a wonderful experience and I want my children and their young families to see this one, so they’re coming to visit me that week.” The Aug. 21 eclipse is the first one that’s crossed over the entire United States in about 80 years. “The last one in Oregon was in 1979 and it just went along the Columbia River,” he says. “It didn’t come as far south as Corvallis or Eugene.” Residents in Eugene-Springfield will see the sun covered by about 98 to 99 percent, weather permitting.

Because weather on the coast is iffy, the great majority of visitors are expected to head east over the mountains. Hotel rooms and campsites in and near the path of totality have been gobbled up for months, so if you want to see the total eclipse yourself, your best bet at this point is to visit the home of a friend or relative and get there a day early. “If you are trying to drive to the path of totality the day of the eclipse, you would need to drive up one of the highways and find a place to pull over,” Wickes says. “But I think that will be a challenge the morning of the eclipse because other people will have the same idea, and I think it will be worse coming from north because people will be trying to get out of Portland.” Eastern Oregon has a better chance of sunny skies, but it also has fewer highways, less infrastructure — and fewer port-a-potties. “State leaders are predicting one million people coming into the path,” Wickes says. “That’s a lot of people to suddenly arrive on the doorstep of the towns that are in the path, and I can imagine that when totality hits, if they’re on I-5 between Eugene and Portland, they’re probably just going to pull over and watch it, which may cause chaos on the freeways. The tragedy will be if it turns out to be cloudy in the valley and everybody thinks they will drive over the pass. If that happens there will be thousands and thousands of people doing the same thing so you will end up being stuck on Highway 20.” While being in 99 percent totality sounds almost as good as 100 percent, it’s not. The sun doesn’t get completely covered. You won’t see the darkening of the sky, because even though only 1 percent of the sun’s light is getting through, that’s still pretty bright. You must leave your eye protection in place the entire time. And you won’t see the cool visuals such as the corona, or “crown” of plasma that surrounds the sun. No matter where you’re viewing the eclipse from, plan ahead for eye protection. Eclipse viewing glasses are available in Eugene at the Science Factory museum and planetarium for $1.50, or from various websites, costing only a couple of dollars. Each person in your viewing party should have their own glasses. “The other options are to make a pinhole in some cardboard and watch it that way,” says Wickes. In Eugene, there is an Eclipse Watching Party next to the Campbell Center. The entire community is invited to head to the top of Skinner Butte Park for activities and free coffee. ■

ReadersWrite ‘Voluntourism’ in Spain

AUGUST 2017 • www.nwboomerandseniornews.com

LANE COUNTY EDITION

By CHRISTINE SHIELDS

When my husband and I traveled to Spain this spring, we included volunteering. We chose VaughanTown, the largest language-teaching firm in Spain, after hearing about it on NPR. After answering questions about ourselves, we were selected. The program invites volunteers to spend six days in a unique cultural exchange between English-speaking natives (“Anglos”) and Spanish professionals. We provided them with a total English immersion. The only rule was no speaking Spanish. Our group consisted of 16 Anglos from the United States, England and Australia, plus 12 Spaniards. We ate every meal together, plus regular one-on-one sessions, group activities, and skits that made the days feel more like summer camp than work. We were guided by an experienced program direction and talented master of ceremonies. Vaughan paid for the volunteers’ room and board. We stayed at a beautifully restored 15th-century palace called Palacio del Infante Don Juan Manuel Hotel that sits atop a hill overlooking the small village of Belmonte.

Courtesy photos

Christine Shields (top) spends time in conversation with a Spanish professional through an exchange program in Spain. Above, Alba stirs a caldron of “queimada.”

Anglos adapted to the Spanish lifestyle of lunch at 2 p.m., siesta until 5 p.m., and dinner at 9 p.m. Of course, just when we thought it was time to sleep, the Spaniards wanted to meet at the hotel bar and play charades until the wee hours. The first few days, Anglos did most of the talking. For the 50-minute, one-onone session, we explained a phrasal verb (i.e., make off, make out, make up) and an idiom (i.e., in the dog house). Then, we could talk about anything at all. Our lively discussions included world politics, the environment, and human rights, as well as stories about our families, pets, and hometowns. As we walked around the town, sat on the terrace, or relaxed by the pool, we really got to know each other. Alba, our master of ceremonies, directed the entertainment each evening by providing the materials so both Anglos and Spaniards could act silly and laugh at themselves. One special night, two Spaniards and myself dressed as witches and read incantations in Spanish, English, and Castilian. Alba stirred a caldron/ bowl of “queimada,” a

drink she made from distilled spirits, coffee beans, and sugar that erupted into blue flames when lit. The spells were meant to ward off evil spirits from all who drank it. It was strong, but tasty. The final exam for the Spaniards was delivering a five-minute presentation on a broad topic like “love” or “What I would do to change the world.” With only eight hours to prepare, the Anglos helped with writing and rehearsing. When the Spaniards’ turn came, they were nervous but showed so much selfconfidence and polish that we felt like proud parents at a recital. The program concluded with a graduation ceremony. Tears were shed, not only in happiness for them, but in sadness at leaving new friends. It was clear we gave them something, but we received so much more. We formed new global connections. We expect to see many of them again in the future, whether it is at our home or theirs. If you’d like to have this experience for yourself, visit grupovaughan.com. ■ (Christine Shields lives in Beaverton.)

8 LANE COUNTY EDITION

NW BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS • AUGUST 2017

Mossbacks Volkssport Club, 10:15 a.m., Cozy Cove Beach Front Resort Inn, 515 NW Inlet Ave., Lincoln City. Mossbacks.org.

Oregon Trail Lacemakers, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Willamette Oaks Retirement Living, 455 Alexander Loop, Eugene. Oregontraillacemakers.weebly.com.

(through Aug. 8) Create Your Own Wine Rack, 6 to 8:30 p.m., Willamalane Adult Activity Center, 215 West C St., Springfield. $69/$83. 541-736-4444. Yarn and Thread, bring a project or try something new, 5:30 p.m., Sheldon Branch of Eugene Public Library. Also at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 8, Bethel Branch. 541-682-5450.

(also Aug. 9 and 16) Sew Simple, 6 to 8 p.m., Willamalane Adult Activity Center, 215 West C St., Springfield. $21/$25. 541-736-4444.

First Friday Art Walk, 5 to 7 p.m., downtown Eugene. Free.

Mossbacks Volkssport Club, 7 a.m., Willamalane Adult Activity Center, 215 West C St., Springfield. Carpool to Westport. Mossbacks.org. AARP-Em’s Game, 1:05 p.m., PK Park, Eugene. Emeraldsbaseball.com, code EUG17. Open Microphone Musical Benefit for Habitat for Humanity, 6:30 p.m., Axe and Fiddle Music Pub, 657 E. Main St., Cottage Grove. Free, but donations taken.

(also Aug. 23) World Problems Consensus discussion, 2 to 3:30 p.m., Campbell Center, 155 High St., Eugene. 25 cents. 541-682-5318. iPad Next Steps: Photos and More, 1:30 p.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th and Olive. Free. 541-682-5450.

Middle Eastern Folk and Belly Dancing, 6 p.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th and Olive. 541-6825450.

Sarah Burkhart, vocalist, 7:30 p.m., The Jazz Station, 124 W. Broadway, Eugene. $10. Thejazzstation.org for more concert dates and ticket sales. Mossbacks Volkssport Club, 7 a.m., Willamalane Adult Activity Center, 215 West C St., Springfield. Carpool to Molalla. Mossbacks.org. Boomer and Senior Resource Fair, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Campbell Center, 155 High St., Eugene. Giveaways, activities, food, music and vendors. Free.

(through Aug. 27) Parkinson’s Dance Eugene/Dancing for Life, 1 p.m. Sundays, Campbell Center, 155 High St., Eugene. No experience necessary. 541-510-4629.

Maker Time, 3 to 5 p.m. Mondays, Sheldon Branch of Eugene Public Library. Also 3 to 5 p.m. Thursdays, Bethel Branch.

Mosaic Madness: Repurposed Pottery, 6 p.m., Willamalane Adult Activity Center, 215 West C St., Springfield. $35/$39. 541-7364444.

Hair Braids, 5:30 p.m., Willamalane Adult Activity Center, 215 West C St., Springfield. $15/$18. 541-7364444. Memory and More, “Letting Go and Being Resilient,” 10 to 11 a.m., First Baptist Church of Eugene, 3550 Fox Meadow Dr., Eugene. 541-345-0341.

(also Aug. 12) 11th Annual Community Parking Lot “Garage Sale,” 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Good Samaritan Society, 3500 Hilyard St., Eugene. Lunch: 11:30 to 1 p.m. Blood drive: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 11. 541-9149434. The Basics: Memory Loss, Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease, 10 a.m., River Road Park, 1400 Lake Dr., Eugene. 800-272-3900. Island Park Gallery Opening, 5 to 7 p.m., Willamalane Adult Activity Center, 215 West C St., Springfield. Free. 541-736-4444. (through Aug. 27) “The Good Doctor,” 8 p.m. Thursday to Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Cottage Theatre, 700 Village Dr., Cottage Grove. $25/$15. 541-942-8001.

Mossbacks Volkssport Club, 8 a.m. to noon, Emerald Valley Assisted Living, 4550 West Amazon Dr., Eugene. Mossbacks.org. Neighborhood Walk with the Mayor, Q Street Business District, 10 a.m. Meet by Jack in the Box at Q Street and Pioneer Parkway.

Pickle Passion: Tips and Tricks, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Community Church of Christ, 1485 Gilham Road, Eugene. $30. 541-3445859. Love and Lust: Shakespeare and His Chinese Counterpart, 2 p.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th and Olive. Free. 541-682-5450.

Estate Planning, 2:30 to 4 p.m., Campbell Center, 155 High St., Eugene. Free. 541-682-5318.

Ten Steps to a Great Photo, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Campbell Center, 155 High St., Eugene. $10. 541-682-5318. Cloud Computing, 6 p.m., Willamalane Adult Activity Center, 215 West C St., Springfield. $14/$16. 541-7364444.

Keith Greeninger preeclipse party, 7:30 p.m., Tsunami Book, 2585 Willamette St., Eugene. $14.50/$16. mmeyer@efn.org.

Solar Eclipse Watching Party on Skinner’s Butte, 8:30 a.m. to noon. Shuttle buses leave from Campbell Center, 155 High St., Eugene. Free. 541-682-5318.

Basic Food Preservation 101: Getting Ready for Summer Harvest, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., OSU Extension office, 996 Jefferson St., Eugene. $15. 541344-5859. Mobile Genealogy, 1:30 p.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th and Olive. Free. 541-682-5450.

Campbell Center Ice Cream Social, 5:30 to 7 p.m., 155 High St., Eugene. Free. 541-682-5318.

Reading Like a Writer, 7 p.m., Shelton McMurphey Johnson House, 303 Willamette St., Eugene. Suggested donation: $5. Buy and Pay Safe Online, 1 p.m., Willamalane Adult Activity Center, 215 West C St., Springfield. $17/$19. 541736-4444. Total Solar Eclipse of 2017, by Jim Brau, 6 p.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th and Olive. Free. 541-682-5450.

Bike Tour of the Solar System, 10 a.m. to noon, Campbell Center, 155 High St., Eugene. $10. 541-682-5318. Effective Communication Strategies regarding Alzheimer’s disease, 11:30 a.m., Willamalane Adult Activity Center, 215 West C St., Springfield. 800272-3900.

Getting Started, for families with a recent Alzheimer’s diagnosis, noon to 1 p.m., Senior Health and Wellness Center, 4010 Aerial Way, Eugene. 800-272-3900.

Pants = Power, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Shelton-McMurphey-Johnson House, 303 Willamette St., Eugene. Women in Motion, 2 p.m., Opal Center, Cottage Grove.

Mossbacks Volkssport Club, 8 a.m., Courtsports, 2728 Pheasant Blvd., Springfield. Walk through Dorris Ranch and Middle Fork Trail. Mossbacks.org. Tuna Canning Workshop, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., FOOD for Lane County, 770 Bailey Hill Road, Eugene. $60, plus $3-$4 per jar. 541-344-5859. Info Hub: Answers and Tools, 10 a.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th and Olive. Free. 541-682-5450. Where Are You? The Science of Finding Love Online and Elsewhere, 2 p.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th and Olive. Free. 541-682-5450.

Neighborhood Walk: Green Resiliency in the River Road Community, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Meet at Rosetta Place Park on Evergreen Drive.

Winter Gardening, 6:30 p.m., Willamalane Adult Activity Center, 215 West C St., Springfield. $18/$21. 541-7364444.

Skin Cancer Screening, 1 to 3 p.m. by appointment, Willamalane Adult Activity Center, 215 West C St., Springfield. Free. 541-736-4444.

Milkweed for monarchs

AUGUST 2017 • www.nwboomerandseniornews.com

DIGGIN’ IT! By GRACE PETERSON MASTER GARDENER

I love my little fenced-paradise, I really do. But as the years go by, the more interested I am, not just in my garden and its little ecosystem, but the natural world around me. Nature is a gentle, undemanding gift to humankind and Oregon is such a beautiful place to live, worthy of our attention and caregiving. And this ties right into gardening. Exploring natural areas is a great way to observe and emulate design principles and maybe, more importantly, how to complement nature’s diversity by growing plants that attract beneficial pollinators. A few weeks ago, I read an article by Tanya Harvey, a naturalist and author who chronicles her explorations and observations in Oregon’s western Cascade Mountains. This particular article detailed her discovery of female monarch butterflies laying eggs on a rare milkweed species (Asclepias cordifolia) that was growing in a hidden meadow in south Lane County. Harvey just happened to visit at the right time to wit-

LANE COUNTY EDITION

help this beautiful but vulnerable creature. The simple answer for those who tend gardens is to make sure milkweed is available to any female monarchs who just happen to be flittering by and to have a good understanding of what the eggs and caterpillars look like so we can protect them. For years I never saw milkweed for sale, but nurseries and environmentalists are much more aware of the need now. And it’s working. You can visit sites like “Monarch Butterflies of the Pacific Northwest” and get real-time updates on monarch sightings. Milkweeds aren’t all that difficult to grow. Asclepias speciose, or “Showy Milkweed,” is a soft, silver-leaved spreader and wants a large area in full sun. My garden doesn’t have either so I’ve been pulling out other plants so it can have its space and light. This year it looks better than ever but I’m watching that it doesn’t pop up in my pathways. As with most milkweed species, the flowers start out as sputnik-looking orbs with dozens of creamy white and soft pink stars that eventually give way to interesting seed

Photo by Grace Peterson

This is a rare sighting of a monarch nectaring on a “Blue Boa” Agastache.

ness this amazing, almost sacred event. In recent years, efforts have been made to re-establish monarch butterfly populations here in the Pacific Northwest where their host plant, milkweed (Ascelpias spp.), is in short supply. Environmental organizations such as the National Wildlife Federation are work-

ing to understand and document monarch migration cycles and restore areas devoid of milkweed — the one and only plant monarch caterpillars can eat and grow into those magnificent butterflies we all love to see. Can you imagine? This creature is dependent on one single plant genus for its survival. We must do what we can to

pods. Asclepias incarnate, or “Swamp Milkweed,” is an easy-to-grow clumper that doesn’t spread like Showy Milkweed does. It has lanceshaped, green leaves and pretty pink-and-white, nectarrich flowers that bees and butterflies fight over. Although its common name is Swamp Milkweed, it grows easily in a garden setting with regular water. No need for a swamp. I have three patches in my garden and wish I had room for more. If you prefer the warmer colors on the color wheel, Asclepias tuberosa has vivid orange flowers that work well with other yellow and red flowers in a hot-colored border. There is a lot of information on both milkweed and monarchs on the internet. Here are a few helpful websites. ■ Facebook.com/MonarchButterfliesInThePacificNorthwest/ ■ Facebook.com/oregonmilkweed/ ■ nwf.org/Garden-ForWildlife/ About/NativePlants/Milkweed.aspx ■ Tanya Harvey’s article: westerncascades.com/2017/0 6/22/hidden-meadow-reveals-a-thrilling-secret/ ■

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10 LANE COUNTY EDITION BRIEFLY

Library now lending out laptops

Eugene Public Library now offers a new service: Laptop computers to borrow free with a library card. The PCs are wi-fi compatible and provide the same Microsoft Office software as the library’s onsite computers (Word, Internet Explorer, etc.). They are available at the Bethel Branch and Sheldon Branch to borrow for up to two days at a time on a firstcome, first-served basis. These laptops are part of the expanded services supported by taxpayers’ passage of a five-year Eugene Public Library levy. The levy included a promise of more computer and

internet access through the library’s neighborhood branches. For more information, please contact Eugene Public Library at 541-682-5450 or eugene-or.gov/library. ■

‘Garage sale’ supports local Good Sam Society

Good Samaritan Society in Eugene will have its 11th annual Community Parking Lot “Garage Sale,” from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 11 and 12, 3500 Hilyard St., Eugene. The event also includes a barbecue lunch, blood drive and live music. Among the items for sale are hospital beds, motorized wheelchairs and other furniture. Funds raised from the

event help provide special activities for residents of Good Samaritan’s rehabilitation, long term care, home health and independent living. Table spaces are available at $25 for one day, or $40 for both. Call Davis Armstrong at 541-6846738. Baked good donations will be accepted for the bake sale. Donations also accepted for the garage sale. Call 541-914-9434 to make a donation. Lunch is served from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. both days, with a cost of $4.50 for a hamburger lunch, and $3.50 for a hot dog lunch. Roasted corn on the cob sold for $2. The blood drive, run by Lane Blood Center, operates from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 11. ■

NW BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS • AUGUST 2017

ADOPT ME

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Tippy is a gorgeous and fluffy 1year-old brown tabby female kitty who looks like she might have some Maine Coon in her. Like many cats, she wants to be in charge of her world, and prefers to decide for herself who her friends are and when she will accept being caressed. But once she’s decided you are trustworthy and

well-intentioned, she will purr, trill and eagerly lean into your hand for pets. Abrupt movements startle her. It will take a patient owner who is willing to be gentle and slow in approaching her and gaining her trust. Once that happens, Tippy will make a sweet and devoted lifetime companion. Tippy would do best as an only pet in a home without young children. She has been tested for feline leukemia and FIV, spayed, microchipped, vaccinated, defleaed and dewormed, plus you get a free vet visit. Her adoption fee is $75, which is strictly to help cover our costs. She is currently in foster care, and can be easily visited. For more information please call West Coast Dog and Cat Rescue at 541-225-4955 option 1 or send an email to adoptinfo@westcoastdogandcat.org. ■

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Ads must be RECEIVED BY the 6th of the month PRIOR to publication. Go to NWBoomerandSeniorNews.com for ad form/instructions, or use the form below and mail in to the address on the form. Music Co. always buying! lar! Free local pickup. Call Reputable since 1927. Sharon, 503-679-3605. Free appraisals. 531 SE M.L.K. Blvd. Ask for Doug. 503-226-3719. CASH FOR PRE 1980 sport & non-sport gum or cigarette cards, model kits, comic books, old toys, old car or?? Private collector. 503-313-7538.

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BELCREST MEMORIAL MUSICAL INSTRUMPARK. Section D, Row A, ENTS WANTED. Portland EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians; pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowlingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call HUD Toll-free at 1-800-669-9777. The Toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275.

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MARRIAGE MAGIC

AUGUST 2017 • www.nwboomerandseniornews.com

LANE COUNTY EDITION

■ Thoughts on keeping the spark that makes a marriage last

■ Finally, build your relationship on trust. As I repeatedly told my children, “I will trust you until I have some reason not to.” It’s a mantra that suits adults as well. Trust is glue that binds relationships.

By DAN CHRISTOPHER BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS

When John Horne greeted his bride at the altar to exchange wedding vows 59 years ago, neither he nor his beloved Joan knew with any certainty whether theirs would be a “happily ever after” romance. As childhood sweethearts — they met at 13, started dating at 16 and got married at 20 — the couple launched a remarkable love affair which John attributes to luck. “We were lucky,” he says, “that we grew together rather than grew apart.” That bond, which continues to delight the Illinois couple today, Joan says, has grown even stronger as they have grown older. “’Til you’re 65 or 70,” she adds, “you don’t think you’re as old as those other people. You think you’ll live forever.” But when your friends and family begin having ailments, she admits, “we think we are on the way down, not up. So we especially enjoy each day and each other. It’s a lot harder to have happiness alone.” For a time in recent years, marriages were given a 50 percent statistical chance of success, though number crunchers now say, the divorce rate is shrinking a bit for multiple reasons. Therefore, does success simply mean not divorcing? I believe otherwise. We are not highlighting marriages here that merely have survived the test of time, but focusing on marriages that have flourished over the years with a sense of sweetness, a sprinkle of silly and a dash of heart thumping magic.

Magic in a matchmaker marriage A matchmaker couple brought Sharon and Julius Swanson together at a party in Portland on June 24, 1967, and led to marriage 318 days later. It’s impressive because both Sharon and Julius were previously divorced, and in the midst of their blind date, Sharon even told her friend, “He’s handsome and personable, but not someone I’d want to spend the rest of my life with.” Fact is, after the party, the couple talked until sunrise and — as they say — the rest is history. So why in the world do some marriages sparkle while others fizzle? Thanks for asking.

Please indulge me my own observations at this point. After 37 years of marriage to Laurie Christopher, my one and only true love, I feel entitled to add at least a few thoughts on the subject of keeping a marriage happy, especially in later years. I will admit that after a nearly flawless year-long engagement that began at midnight beneath the Eiffel Tower, some strain did creep into the earliest times of our wedded relationship — lover’s spats and stupid arguments over stupider stuff. Now, after years of reflection, I have somewhat confidently figured out why, in the midst of plenty of hugs and kisses, we verbally sparred from time to time. Though we were a strongwilled, loving couple, I think we subconsciously feared that marriage would cause our individuality to slip away. So, each of us somehow needed to win our fair share of the arguments/disagreements/spats that cropped up. Stupid, right? We were simply defending our territory as best we could. In some bizarre way, it seemed right at the time. Our debates today are no

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less stupid than they were 37 years ago, but they are far, far less frequent. And they are often opportunities to turn disagreements into laughter decorated with more hugs and kisses. So, here are my Unofficial Rules for a Happy Marriage: ■ There are no rules for a happy marriage. Period. It solely depends on how hard you work on your ever-changing relationship. Legendary columnist Erma Bombeck said, “Marriage has no guarantees. If that’s what you’re looking for, go live with a car battery.” ■ If there were rules, one of them would be to contentedly gift your partner with 110 percent, and be satisfied with 100 percent in return. Honestly, it all evens out. ■ Have a fierce determination to make the marriage happy and everlasting. ■ Always make each other feel as secure as possible: emotionally, sexually, financially, etc. No surprises, threats or nonsense. Gentlemen, consider this quip from drama king Alfred Hitchcock, “The ideal husband understands every word his wife doesn’t say.”

Making magic Richard and Janet McDonald were “magic” together, Richard says. “She was her own person, and I definitely was, too. That made life interesting and it continually lit our fire for each other.” While deeply grieving her recent passing, Richard enthusiastically celebrates the joys he and Janet shared for 37 years, cultivating diverse interests and friendships as they split their retirement time between Illinois and Florida. Part of their special something, Richard says, was “never let disagreements fester. It’s better in the long run to make your partner feel good than to be right yourself.”

Marriage giggles and potshots Marriage, of course, is always good for giggles and potshots. And rightly so, since humor keeps the institution lively. The oft-quoted “Anonymous” said, “Marriage is a relationship in which one person is always right and the other is the husband.” Mickey Rooney — a veteran

of eight marriages — quipped, “Always get married in the morning. That way, if it doesn’t work out, you haven’t wasted the whole day.” There’s no need to waste the nights either, although the matter of sex can be an obstacle in later years. Oregonian Mark Evans says, “It can be hard to talk about (sex) with the one you’ve been having sex with and then seem to be having less of it than you used to have. And if it persists, a wall is built that gets higher if sex discussion isn’t begun.” Having been happily married to Karen for 43 years, Mark sums it up, “That wall I mentioned crumbles away quickly when you are intimate.” California couple Walter and Irene Martin say gentle tenderness on a daily basis was a key ingredient for their 48 years of happy marriage. Walter says there has been plenty of romance and “it has been important for us to say ‘I love you’ to each other every day, every phone call, every anniversary. Appreciate the years you have been together. Know that it is a gift.” Even after many years of marriage, the secret is to make an effort every single day. Add a dash of luck and a spattering of persistence and you may well find a happily ever after romance. ■

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12 LANE COUNTY EDITION

NW BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS • AUGUST 2017

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To start feeling better today, visit us at:

Gateway Marketplace Urgent Care 860 Beltline Road, Springfield

541-222-6005

Valley River Urgent Care 1400 Valley River Drive, Eugene

541-222-7375

West 11th Urgent Care

Urgent Care peacehealth.org/urgentcare

3321 W. 11th Avenue, Eugene

541-222-7200