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I've appreciated these "replays."  I'm a retired middle school science teacher and found it a pleasure to hear Mr. Doyle speak about stories.  On the first day of each year I told my students that my goal for this year in their earth science experience was to have them wake up each morning with the earth and universe telling them stories.  I taught earth science from an art and literature perspective.  Our geology unit was especially fun. The varying paths of the rock cycle became plot frames.  The description of rock characteristics became patterns for character descriptions.  My students' creativity always energized me and made breaking open mysteries an adventure.   Their papers and rock stories were always exciting reading for me.  

posted 2 years, 4 months ago
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In the 80's we lived near the Eastmoreland Golf Course. All three of our children and their friends earned their summer money selling lemonade, collecting and selling lost golf balls. Our youngest bought himself a bike. He was very business savvy and was the only 1st grader that could make change from a five dollar bill. He still hasn't forgiven me for charging him 25 cents per delivery when I had to use my VW van. He was very serious about his business. He decided that after 2nd grade he was going to quit the business because we had lost the "cute" little kid factor to younger entrepreneurs.

posted 2 years, 9 months ago
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I wonder if Oregonian's interest and inspiration for geocaching might have been nurtured by the traditional annual Rose Festival Medallion hunt.  No GPS in the early days.  The clues were always fascinatingly fun and often frustrating.  My kids remember me waking them early on a Saturday morning to search under, around, and in telephone booths and street signs on Washington in downtown Portland.  We didn't find it.  Fun stuff.  

posted 2 years, 10 months ago
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Two points:  

1.  That music ending this serious discussion was the tackiest thing I've heard you guys do.  Bad form!  The obvious snickers from you guys really helps our new police chief a lot!  OPB usually is a mature news source but not this time.  I'm sure you are glad that your fund raiser has finished as I would not be inclined to contribute to your program.   

2.  The use of the word "civilian" and "citizen."  They are not interchangeable.  One of the early reporters used the term civilian in referring to citizens being shot by the police.  If this were a declared war and police were drafted to be soldiers then the citizens of Portland would be civilians.  The police are also citizens as the people they serve.   I think using the word civilian creates a semantic wall that does nothing to aid in creating the dialogue and cooperation everyone seems to want.  

posted 3 years ago
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Well said, Steve!  It really is a health issue. I'm glad you are here to share your story and insight. 

posted 3 years, 1 month ago
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This is such a sad situation. We lost our 38 year old son last year to heroin.  The thing that causes the most anger is that there is so much information out there.  Our son was a textbook case. We were textbook parents and family.   Yet, everything we and his friends did to  break the cycle or chain were impotent. We are statistics and that just breaks my heart.

  Were the illegal stigmas removed to drug use perhaps this plague could be brought into the open and make it possible for those hiding in the dark corners of society to seek help.  Often these people have no access to effective long term addiction programs and  health care, other than the coroner.

As long as this business is lucrative, I believe it will continue.  Legalizing, controlling, taxing the hell out of this substance and prosecuting bad behavior while under the influence (as we do with alcohol) might be a start.  This idea leaves a bad taste in my mouth.  I don't know of any other way to take it out of the hands of those cartels that have wounded our family. 

I urge those interested in the subject to read the recent articles in the Oregonian by Maxine Bernstein and Dwight Holton,  and the  LA Times by Sam Quinones.

posted 3 years, 1 month ago
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Good subject.  Make sure you contact Portland's NET program of neighborhood emergency teams.  They have a great program to train neighbors to respond to emergencies.   They basically train to be prepared for a major earthquake because all the bad things happen then. Downed buildings, ruptured water, sewer lines, downed electricity etc., and a varied of first aid situations.  I you are ready for the big one, anything else will be covered. 

  I taught middle school health and safety.  One of my primary goals was to give this age group of sense of confidence in themselves.  I asked them to discuss with their families several scenarios for such emergencies.  And at this age they may not be in school our under someone's authority.  They might be home alone or out with friends and their parents may not be able to return home in a timely fashion. 

  As we have seen with the recent events help may be delayed much longer then the traditional 3 day plan.  Planning and being aware of what we already have that might make up and emergency kit.  Thinking ahead always is a wise thing to do.

posted 3 years, 1 month ago
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       Children’s Bereavement programs offered by Partner’s in Care, hospice services in Bend. Oregon.

        This programs offers services to help children through the grieving process.  The program offers individual/family services and ongoing groups within schools (Elementary-High School).  Over 100 students served each year in the school program. This year the third summer art camp for students will be offered.  It is supported by adult and teen volunteers and local art groups in Bend.  It is offered free of charge and has been filled each year.

         Eileen Grover, the program director, has just produced and locally published a work booklet for use with families.  It has a parent’s pullout section with information and suggested conversation and activity guides to help their child address grieving issues.  The children’s section has age appropriate work pages that helps the child express their feelings through this process.

           I feel that this is an important service since the unaddressed loss of a significant individual in a young person’s life can profoundly affect their social and emotional development.  If this subject has not yet been profiled, I think it would be something of interest. 

 Partner’s In Care, Children’s Bereavement, Hospice Center

    Director:  Eileen Grover

     541-383-3910

posted 3 years, 1 month ago
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In 2005 we took our new car up to Banff.  As we approached the boarder (in the area where Jim's book set)  we realized we hadn't brought our passports or the paperwork for the new car.  They let us through and they let us return.  Whew!

  In 1997 we were in Jordan on a 122 degree day.  I had some trouble with reentry to Israel.  My 8 year old passport picture didn't look like me.  The young boarder guard let me pass when I told her that I had aged rapidly since I began teaching middle school.  She smiled, handed me my passport and said, "God bless you."

posted 3 years, 5 months ago
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The primary principle I taught my 7^th and 8^th grade health students was to PLAN to position themselves to take the percentage shot in life.  What were those attitudes, basic scientific knowledge, self-understanding insights, and the literacy skills needed to recognize the heads-up/pay attention cues that would come from new research that might suggest needed change in their health game plan.

 

These new studies are a perfect example.  Evidence bases research findings are important to include in all those factors affecting one’s health care choices.  If it is already known that you have a low breast cancer risk then this information will be helpful in scheduling a regime that would be effective in personal health management which does include co$t considerations.  If on the other hand your family has a history of cancer then your health care planning should be tweaked to cover the increased risk.  

 

One thing to note is that these new findings are RECOMMENDATIONS.  I do realize that nothing remains pure science for long.  Insurance companies might see these recommendations as a way to trim costs.  Mammogram suppliers will see their business and bottom lines affected.  Some may grasp a false security.  One thing that will result from the pull and tug caused by these recommendations will be a broader conversation. Hopefully this will mean that more women will rethink the way they approach their health care.  

 

As in any sport, strategy is important. A personal health care strategy is crucial.  

posted 3 years, 6 months ago
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One of the most important developments in our country's democratic development was the institution of "universal" basic public education.  I've been substituting the phrase "basic public education" when I listen to discussions for and against universal health care.  I can't imagine what our country would be like if education was limited to only those whose parents had jobs that provided funds for the only option of private education. 

  I can't help but think that in the years to come our descendants will wonder why having a healthy population wasn't as important as having an educated electorate.   

posted 3 years, 9 months ago
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The local hospice community sponsors support groups for grieving children and teens. Suicide has recently become a serious concern. The current economic situation seems to be one of the factors.

posted 4 years, 6 months ago
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I have returned to fishing after decades away. I now fish with my grandchildren, ages 2 and five. My gear is just a little above their level. As they grow in skill so will our equipment. Bend has a few spots where you need a license AND kid under 12 to fish. Wonderful way to spend time. Part of our fishing gear is a childrens? book by James Prosek, ?A GOOD DAY?S FISHING. Beautiful pictures of simple equipment. Our grandkids love it because it looks like our gearbox.

posted 4 years, 7 months ago
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