6A • COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL • FEBRUARY 13, 2019
Opal
from A1
culminating in a performance
at the end of the week.
“It’s exciting because we
haven’t had a year-round chil-
dren’s program and the com-
munity has been asking for it,”
Rose said.
Th e youth program is being
paid for in part by a $2,500
grant from the Oregon Com-
munity Foundation, allowing
Opal to put on two summer
camp events and recruit help
from the community.
“We’re looking at hiring
a few young helpers, high
school students, to help with
the youth program this sum-
mer,” said Rose.
Th e nonprofi t is applying
for larger grants this year as
DAMIEN SHERWOOD/COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL
well, hoping to apply more Eliza RoaringSprings, left, and Elizabeth Peterson rehearse a scene from the upcoming
money toward the Opal two-woman show ‘Night, Mother.
Young Performers program
“Th ey design the show success, said Rose, has even grams, Opal is also adding
for more scholarships and
around what the participants attracted the attention of edu- monthly presentations from
more learning opportunities.
want,” said Rose. “Carmen cators who would like to apply the newly-formed Cottage
Also set to be expanded this
really tailors to the show to the program to a curriculum. Grove Cinema Guild, a proj-
year, Creative Chaos is adding
“[It’s] really unique,” said
diff erent people’s diff erent
a Christmas performance to
ect started by local fi lm ar-
abilities. For example, some Rose. “Opal is proud to be
the calendar.
chivist Gerald Santana. Th e
home of Creative Chaos.”
Directed by Carmen Dow- people are non-verbal, so she
showings will be exclusively
On
top
of
expanded
pro-
ell, Creative Chaos off ers to will work them to come up
an expressive platform for with something that they can
people living with disabilities, do.”
Th is year will be the third
giving participants creative
for the program. Its running
control of their show.
Over 30 years of experience
of 16mm fi lms from Santana’s
collection.
“I’ve got maybe about
4,000,” said Santana. “Expect
to a take a trip back in time
and see Hollywood fi lms that
are both familiar and ob-
scure.”
Th e presentations will also
be interspersed with old ad-
vertisements, TV series and
movie trailers calling back to
another era.
Despite the expansions and
new additions, Rose ensured
that certain hit performanc-
es are unlikely to change.
Shows such as the Halloween
Mashup, Trashion Show and
DanceAbility are on schedule
to return.
Rose herself is set to con-
tinue directing the Trashion
Show.
“It’s a fashion show with
everything made out of trash
and recycled items,” she said.
“I direct the Trashion Show,
but I also design for it, so I
end up working all year long
on my stuff for the show.”
Th e show is scheduled for
April 19 and 20.
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range of programs and shows,
Opal relies heavily on com-
munity volunteers to support
the center’s productions.
“Th e lighting, the choreog-
rapher, music, actors, whatev-
er. It’s all volunteer,” said Rose.
“It does take a lot of energy to
put on a production.”
While a core group of
about six directors handles
the roughly 10 shows put on
in the year, people are con-
tinually needed to fi ll in the
various roles each production
requires.
“We have very limited vol-
unteers on sound and light-
ing,” Rose said. People skilled
in such areas as costuming
and props are also welcomed
to help.
With more volunteers, Rose
hopes to include more inter-
activity in the theater by stag-
ing one-day events, providing
a place for community and
talent to mingle.
“I’d like to bring more com-
munity involvement,” she
said. “We have so many tal-
ented people in this commu-
nity. I’d like to see them come
in.”
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D ISASTER P REPAREDNESS
Emergency preparedness tips for seniors
Natural disasters can strike at any time, and when they do, the damage is oft en considerable.
According to the United Nations Offi ce for Disaster Risk Reduction, between 2005 and 2014
natural disasters caused $1.4 trillion in damage across the globe, aff ecting 1.7 billion people
along the way.
Various preventive measures can protect people and their homes from the potentially devastat-
ing impact of natural disasters. For example, oceanfront communities may be able to decrease
property damage by exacting certain measures, such as building homes on stilts.
Another way to prevent tragedy related to natural disasters is to develop an emergency pre-
paredness plan before the next storm strikes. Th at’s important for everyone, but especially so
for seniors, many of whom live with mobility issues that can compromise their ability to escape
the eye of oncoming storms.
In recognition of the potential problems seniors face when natural disasters strike, the Amer-
ican Red Cross off ers the following tips to seniors and their families so aging men and women
can make it through such situations safe and sound.
• Make arrangements to contact loved ones. Prior to an emergency, seniors and their support
network should make arrangements to make immediate contact once a disaster strikes. De-
termine who will make initial contact and how that contact will be made (i.e., via phone, text
message, social media, etc.), as well as who will be responsible for providing assistance if necessary. Such a plan lets everyone within the support network know their
precise responsibilities, which limits confusion in the sometimes hectic hours and days aft er disaster strikes.
• Exchange keys. Make sure everyone in the support network has keys to seniors’ homes. In so doing, support networks are increasing the chances that someone will be
able to reach potentially vulnerable seniors if the primary contacts are incapable of doing so.
• Let others know where emergency supplies are kept. Everyone should have emergency supplies in their homes. Seniors should not take it for granted that such supplies
can be easily found if they become incapacitated during a storm. Make sure such information can be easily accessed during a storm by emailing it to your support
network and/or posting the information in a convenient location in your home, such as on the refrigerator.
• Share your evacuation plans. In the wake of recent disasters, many communities that did not previously feel vulnerable to natural disasters have devised evacuation
plans for residents. Seniors should share these plans with their support networks. Doing so makes it easier for relatives to fi nd you if you must evacuate your home
before help arrives.
• Share important medical information. Seniors should share medical information, such as healthcare providers and a list of the medications they’re taking. Th is can
make things easier for emergency responders to successfully treat people who become incapacitated during storms.
Emergency preparedness strategies save lives. More information about how seniors can prepare for emergencies is available at www.redcross.org.
Make sure all the pieces are in place to render you and your family prepared in the event of a natural disaster.
• Listen to radio or television newscasts for the latest weather information, and follow all evacuation directions and suggestions.
• Keep a stock of non-perishable food items as well as bottled water on hand inside your home.
• Keep a 72 Hour Kit on hand inside your home that is easy to get to in the event of a disaster.
For more information and tips on disaster response and preparedness, contact your local emergency services center.
South Lane Fire & Rescue • 233 Harrison Ave, Cottage Grove 541-942-4493 • 55 South 1st Street, Creswell 541-895-2506
Twitter: @southlanefi re
Facebook: southlanecountyfi reandrescue