AARP Oregon

by Elaine Friesen-Strang

By Mac McLean

I’m awakened by a continuous rumbling. As I sleepily struggle to forge a remembrance, foggy thoughts ruminate in my somnolent mind, and slowly cohere in recognition: it’s a huge motor idling. Clarity penetrates my torpid mind: I ask myself, why do I hear that sound outside my window? I slowly lift my head and glance at the ceiling – pools of color pulse rhythmically as the motor rumbles on.

F rom the elegant photography and art adorning the walls of her house in Portland's Mt. Tabor neighborhood to the beautiful and charming aesthetic of her lush, green backyard it's evident that style and design inform each aspect of Chris Pero's life. At 44, Chris is one of the youngest Encore Entrepreneurs profiled for this series. She's also unique among many in the field of Encore Entrepreneurs in that her commercial framing and design business, Pero Design, is a natural extension of the work she had already been doing for years.

There are many reasons for walking - for health and wellness, to get to places and save gas, and of course, to connect with community! Join AARP Oregon and Rogue Valley Transportation District this September for two great NeighborWalks in the Rogue Valley. Get your steps in, meet new people, and explore Medford and Grantspass on foot. These walks are part of the Oregon Drive Less Challenge.

Two Oregon organizations, SquareOne Villages in Eugene and the Port Orford Main Street Revitalization Association, will receive the AARP Community Challenge funding. the AARP project aims to create change and improve quality of life at the local level.

After a 40-year career teaching voice lessons to students of all ages, and with some assistance from small business development guru, Jackie Babicky Peterson, Fay Putnam began Breath is the Answer. Her solopreneur business provides a service that enables her clients to "find their authentic voice." Fay uses the Alexander Technique--a process that helps people move more mindfully through life's everyday activities--which she has studied extensively, to guide individuals through a series of exercises that allow them to become more aware of how they use their bodies physically, mentally, and emotionally when they communicate orally.

LITTLE THINGS MEAN A LOT

Painted on the wall of the For The Love of Dogs training room is the saying, “A Dog’s Tail Never Lies.” Beneath it, Cocoa, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, looks up intently, at her “mom.” True to Pavlov’s theory, Cocoa’s tail wags patiently and enthusiastically as she awaits the forthcoming treat she’ll be rewarded for good behavior following the sound of dog trainer, Cheryl Flemming’s “click.”

His name is Myron. He’s my age. We’re two babes of the Depression, both born some place within 1933.