By Joni Johnson from an interview with Jody Willis (Chair of the Landscape and Grounds Committee)

Fire protection is always an issue on RVM residents’ minds during the summer.  The Medford Fire Department and RVM Administration both feel that our high-rises would be safe in a fire emergency and able to withstand any kind of imminent danger.  Anyone needing evacuation from the cottages would go to either the Plaza or the Manor.  Last fall we had a practice run on Horizon Lane for anyone including their pets.  It was very useful both for the residents and for the administration.  I believe that Jens Larsen is planning one for the Quail Point side as well. And if a evacuation is required, it would be as the need arises, depending on the situation.  So it might just be one street at a time if at all.

One of the issues facing RVM is the high grass in back of the health center and the Plaza.  Jody Willis, as chair of the Landscape and Grounds Committee, walked the campus very recently and met with Drew Gilliland to talk about that and other issues.

Because of more rain this Spring, the grass behind the high-rises has indeed grown quite a bit.  However, the grass itself poses very little danger.  Even if a fire does reach it, the consensus is that it would burn very quickly and then die down because of lack of fuel.  Areas that pose higher danger are where low lying branches or tree debris, especially fallen limbs, are on the ground, so the landscape crew has been cleaning up fallen debris and low branches. Before the Almeda fire, that area was used to dump landscape cuttings, but now it is primarily grasses. The grounds crew has also cut back grasses that were next to the roads. The existing roads will act as fire breaks and emergency irrigation lines will dampen the existing foliage  if a fire threatens.  The landscape crew has also been pruning the trees that touch any roof tops.  The fire that occurred a year ago on the slope below the manor reduced fuel and fire risk in that area.

Both water conservation and fire safety make moving to sustainable gardens around each cottage really important.  Every resident has the ability to make their home safer by ensuring that vegetation is about five feet away from cottage walls. In addition, it is important to use low-flammability mulch.  (MULCH – materials applied to the surface of soils to enrich them and conserve soil moisture).  The best option, of course, is rocks and gravel.  Mulches such as decomposed granite, gravel, or rocks offer superior fire-proofing as landscape mulches and should be used when mulch is needed within five feet of buildings or near any combustible structural materials such as siding or decking. Any fallen or windblown leaf litter or debris that has collected on the rocks must be regularly removed to prevent small debris fires from igniting structures. Live plants, even when irrigated, are not recommended within five feet of buildings.

The worst kind of mulches  are pine needles, red cedar bark and shredded rubber.  The best organic mulch is composted wood chips, but it may difficult to find. Composted wood chips are organic and will still burn, but tend to burn at the lowest speed and lowest flame length. If this material does catch fire, it could still ignite any combustible materials. The smoldering of this product could also go undetected by firefighters during a wildfire. If you do decide to use composted wood chips as mulch, single layers are preferable to deep pockets.

Our golf courses are also a good protection against  fire.  As Jody said, “Yes. I am a worrier.  But I think we’ve done a lot to protect the campus. We should be safe here.” And that is the general feeling here at the Manor.

Some of this info on mulch came from the following source –

https://firesafemarin.org/create-a-fire-smart-yard/mulch/#:~:text=For%20areas%20between%20five%20and,a%20widespread%20or%20continuous%20manner.

By Bob Buddemeier

Summary of key points:

1. The Complement is losing one key staff member, and another is showing symptoms of burnout.

2. We have not been successful recruiting enough new participants with the skill sets needed to continue our current pattern of publication.

3. We will experiment with lightening the load by:
—–3.1. Relaxing the publication schedule – rather than posting the issue on the 7th of each month (plus or minus a day), we will probably publish approximately monthly, as personnel time and content permit.
—–3.2. Reducing regular content – if we are low on articles and/or features, we’ll put out a slimmer issue rather than scrambling to find content. Also, we may drop the calendars if they are adequately covered in MyRVM. But,
—–3.3. We will probably reintroduce the parallel “Viewpoints” department to use for longer essays, editorials, and other types of features, rather than trying to adjust length and content to the usual Complement practices. And –

4. We will continue to solicit:
—–4.1. Additional staff members interested in writing, reporting, editing, or layout and formatting (WordPress).
—–4.2. Resident content contributions: reviews, articles/essays, memoir episodes, interviews, features – almost anything well-written and interesting.

5. This will be an experiment, which will be continued (or not) as consistent with the readership we retain and the input of assistance and content we receive.

The Context:

The Complement’s first issue was in the Fall of 2020 – we’ve been in operation over four years (the issues from January 2021 to present are archived at https://thecomplement.info/previous-issues.).
I enjoy writing, and the whole thing began when I did a few articles for hillTopics. It wasn’t as much fun as I had hoped. The print medium meant early deadlines and specific word-counts, and the use for Marketing resulted in a relentlessly positive tone and some topics being off limits.

In addition to that, there was no campus outlet (other than RVMlist) for resident contributions, either creative, editorial or informational. Also, at that point I was involved with the Residents Preparedness Group (RPG), and frustrated by the lack of a website for information distribution.

I identified a few like-minded people, and we resolved to give it a try. After a few months of thrashing around, we managed to get our site off the ground.

Now, the members of our merry band of geriatric journalists are four years older. RPG has found a web home on the upgraded MyRVM.  I am manifesting diminished stamina, and Connie Kent has been called to a higher office (a euphemism for Residents Council, fortunately not the Ultimate Elevation). Time for a reassessment.

We consistently get 200-300 readers per month, and enough compliments (the other kind) to have a warm and fuzzy feeling occasionally. We have caused essentially no discussions (I think everybody is afraid of being labeled a complainer), but we have attracted a few good contributors, although it would be nice to have some more. We are interested in continuing our Good Works, but if possible, with less effort and more participation.

Which brings us to the Summary of Intentions that began the article. Most of it can be read rather passively, except for item 4.  Please devote your attention, and thoughtful introspection, to those subjects. I think it’s fair to say  (1) on average, we get fun and satisfaction from what we do,  (2) we will welcome new people and material, and (3) it needn’t be much work to make useful contributions.

If you have suggestions, requests — or even complaints – please let us know.
Contacts: Bob Buddemeier, Joni Johnson, Connie Kent, Reina Lopez, Diane Friedlander, Tom Conger.

by Anne Newins

L-R, Volunteer Joan Avery (RVM Resident), Volunteer Coordinator Sandy Winters, Volunteer Gerrie Leinfelter

Hopefully residents have visited the large and modern Medford Library Branch, located at 205 South Central Ave. It is part of Jackson County Library Services (JCLS), which includes fifteen branches.  Established in 1919, the library system now serves 220,000 residents and provides access to books, DVDs, and other materials, along with many other services (jcls.org).  As a regular patron, I have found the system to be user friendly and a source of many books that we would not expect to find in our own Manor library.  Users can suggest books for purchase, and all my requests have been accepted.  Their interlibrary loan service is excellent.

Most residents know about the RVM library services provided by our own foundation and the extensive roster of library volunteers.  But they may not know that despite the tax-funded library amenities, our Jackson

Fred and Barbara Moore in he Medford Library

County system needs friends, too, to deal with unmet needs.  To address some of these needs, almost all branches have “Friends” organizations, including the Medford Library branch, whose Friends group is the Friends of the Medford Library (FOML — medfordfriends.org).

I had the pleasure of meeting with Sandy Winters, who oversees Medford Library volunteer activities and external events.  Sandy managed a mystery bookshop in New York and has been involved in the book business for much of her life.  She believes in getting books to people who need them and that “everyone should have books.”

Among Sandy’s FOML activities are the coordination of the annual Rogue Comic Con fair, with was recently held in downtown Medford, and participating in the Barnstormers Vintage Fair and the upcoming Barnstormers Holiday Fair.  Clearance sales are held periodically in the library allowing people to buy books at especially low prices.

Like our foundation, volunteers are the lifeblood of FOML and it is completely run by them.  Many visitors have seen their appealing book shop located inside the library building, which is operated by volunteers such as Manor resident Joan Avery.  Joan, a retired librarian, said that “it is only logical that I would want to volunteer here. I enjoy talking to the people who come to the shop.” Besides books, the shop also sells attractive stationery, tote bags, very gently used jigsaw puzzles (only $2-$5!) and other items that would make nice gifts.  Most of the books for sale are $2 or less.

Fred Moore and travel books

But there are numerous other opportunities beyond working in the shop. Some of these include setting up displays, promoting the bookshop, assisting with events, sorting book donations, and helping with social media. Most recently, the FOML has started a program to support the little free libraries that often are seen in neighborhoods and other locations.  Each month, the volunteers prepare bags of books that citizens maintaining these locations can use to replenish their contents.

The FOML has two maze-like store rooms filled with books and other donations, each of which must be individually evaluated. There are a number of categories, with volunteers assigned to review and determine their salability. Two RVM residents, Barbara and Fred Moore, are active behind the scenes. Fred curates the donations related to travel, including guidebooks and more literary works. He said that this section “opens our minds to what is exciting about the world.”

Barbara is on the online sales team.  She reviews the donations for possible listing on Amazon.  If books are likely to sell for $15 or more, they are listed and priced competitively. Most of the offerings on Amazon sell from about $35 to $50, although one book sold for over $500. Once a book is purchased, she is responsible for packing and mailing.  Barbara says that it is fun to see what sells; recently one vintage book sold for $85 and was sent to Hawaii.

Barbara Moore among the shipping boxes

FOML efforts have supported numerous programs that are not subsidized by the library’s regular budget. Some examples include funding Children’s Library play equipment, the Story Telling Guild and other community programs, outreach for the housebound, lectures, a ukulele music program, bags for book groups, and donating books to Access.  Access, our local food bank, will include children’s books along with nourishment.

RVM residents can help in many ways, ranging from contributing money, becoming a member of the Friends of the Medford Library for as little as $10 per year, or donating salable books, jigsaw puzzles, games, or DVDs. Volunteers are always needed.  There is much useful information about all these opportunities, as well as other topics, in the FOML website, found at medfordfriends.org.

Asked why they enjoy volunteering at the library, Barbara said that she has “been a lifelong lover of libraries.  They are resilient and keep changing with local cultures.”  Fred said that volunteering in a library is an “affirmation of the life of the mind.”  Please keep the FOML in mind as you consider worthy programs deserving of your support.

by Joni Johnson

As the election grows closer, we are faced with a conundrum.  We all know that it is wise not to talk about politics or religion, and we have been really good about doing that.  Skip has kept us honest during the few times it was a problem on the list serve.  We know these topics can destroy families and friendships.  We all have friends from the other side whom we admire for a million reasons and have so many things in common with as long as those two topics do not come between us.

At the same time, religion and especially politics right now are of great importance, and it is often useful to talk to people with differing views in hopes of learning something new.  Rick Bonetti has really embraced this concept, and so I was fortunate enough to talk with him about how he has dealt with this issue.

Several years ago, he got involved with discussions through Living Room Conversations (LRC). Their website explains their mission.  Here are a few excerpts from the LRC website. “Living Room Conversations (LRC) connects people within communities and across differences through dialogue to build trust and understanding.”

They believe belonging starts with conversation,  and they are committed to designing the resources and opportunities that allow everyone to feel seen and heard while celebrating the differences that make us unique.

“Steeped in the tradition of gathering in parlors to talk (parlor or parlour comes from the French and means a “place for speaking”), Living Room Conversations brings people together to generate understanding and connection. The parlor of today is any place – physical or online – where we find ourselves connecting with others.” Their unique conversational model makes it easy for anyone to create a safe and welcoming environment where people can respectfully discuss important issues.

https://livingroomconversations.org

And it is so much easier to discuss certain issues in a safe place with people you don’t know but are interested in exploring topics that can tear good friends apart.

Here is a link to a Ted Talk with the founders of LRC:

https://www.ted.com/talks/joan_blades_and_john_gable_free_yourself_from_your_filter_bubbles/transcript

Rick first participated in Living Room Conversations on Zoom in Spring 2021 during the pandemic. The discussion between 6 people was facilitated by Irene Salter and followed a script. Irene has a PhD in neurology and a website called Inquiring Minds! She also advocates for Difficult Conversations:

 https://www.irenesalter.com/_files/ugd/f4ae5c_5d0898c20cbb4a86b80c7643a5eccf8e.pdf

When Rick participated in these online discussions with 5 strangers, he remembers the experience very positively.  First, people gave an overview of who they were and then went right into discussing the particular topic.  He felt that while no one changed anybody’s mind, there was a greater understanding of various viewpoints.  At the end, people wanted to meet in person to discuss the issue further.  But, of course, Covid stood in the way.   Rick felt that the most important thing for a successful outcome was conviviality and mutual respect.

Rick aligns himself with Don Quixote – going after windmills – like a fool or a seer!

Because of this, Rick also writes a blog he calls Rogue Valley Voice, which is focused on “bringing forth an environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling, socially just human presence on this planet.”

Community, conversation and communication are a big part of his blog posts. Unlike the current political rhetoric, he looks for common ground. Here’s a link to his blog:

 https://www.roguevalleyvoice.com/community

In one of his blog pieces he talked about the Oregon Humanities Conversation Project, which started in 2022 and is still going strong.

Their objective is to help Oregon residents learn to participate in and facilitate “reflective conversations” about vital issues and questions across differences, beliefs, and backgrounds, though online and in-person training.

Here is their website with new topics for 2024:  http://oregonhumanities.org

And if you feel that you would like to have a conversation with friends and family about controversial issues, here’s an article about how to do that and still remain friends.

https://www.apa.org/topics/stress/conversations

But when you get an itch to know more but doubt if it is wise talking about it with your friends across the table, think about getting involved with one or more of these platforms.  It’s better than Facebook!