The INDEPENDENT, January 20, 2011
National cohousing trend in Oregon
by Chris Thomas, Oregon
News Service
For Oregonians over age 55,
cohousing might be just the an-
swer to living independently but
having the support of neighbors
and friends.
A Portland development is
one of five in the country to re-
ceive awards from the National
Association of Home Builders
and AARP, as good living op-
tions for people as they age.
Daybreak Cohousing, 2525 N.
Killingsworth St., is credited as
being on the cutting edge of a
trend toward smaller homes,
and neighbors who share com-
mon spaces if they wish, like
big dining areas, gardens and
workshops.
Some cohousing develop-
ments are designed only for
seniors, but others are open to
all ages. Daybreak's architect,
Grace Kim of Seattle, believes
people over age 55 will make
or break the cohousing trend,
"The boomers are here, and
they're very proactive about
taking care of themselves. And
I think cohousing will be some-
thing that is very attractive to
them for a lot different reasons
- about self-destiny, about be-
ing able to develop themselves,
about gathering their friends
around them - so that they
know how they're going to be
supported in their later years."
Kim says cohousing is a way
to have privacy but also be part
of a community that is commit-
ted to getting along and being
good neighbors. Daybreak's
residents have come from as
far away as Ohio, Illinois and
Arizona to be part of the co-
housing trend.
Jerry Cohen, state director
of AARP Oregon, says safety is
a big concern as people age
and want to remain in their own
homes - but so is the desire to
stay connected with their com-
munity. Cohousing can provide
both, "They thought ahead in
terms of how to design and lay
out a home - I mean, not just in
terms of stairs, but of true ac-
cessibility. It also really pro-
vides an opportunity to stay en-
gaged with neighbors, family
and friends."
In Oregon, there are also co-
housing communities under-
way in Corvallis and Eugene.
The Cohousing Association of
the United States offers infor-
mation about existing develop-
ments, or starting your own. It
is online at www.cohousing.
org.
Page 9
Bits & Bites
By Jacqueline Ramsay
Well, hello all you survivors of 2010.
How was your Christmas? Happy and sat-
isfying as mine was – I hope. I spent most
of the day playing with my seven month-old
great-grandson. He’s cutting teeth so he
chewed on all of his new toys.
Our church had a New Years Eve B.B.Q.
and party. There were 40+ for dinner but by
11:30 p.m. there were seven of us to usher
in 2011. We had a prayer circle, kissed and
said, “Good night”.
I saw snow falling the other day – that is until it got about five
feet from the ground where it turned into rain. I guess I’d call it a
snow gullywasher storm because it ran to the gutters.
It’s dull, it’s dark, it’s quiet, no sun, no wind, only a crow calling
once in awhile. Even the traffic is quiet. So my brain is on hold. I
haven’t even found words in the crosswords to argue with. Life is
dull right now. Just eatin’, sleepin’, knittin’, readin’ and wrighten
(sic). And waitin’ for the mailman.
Only thing exciting; the forsythia is still blooming. Yes, new
buds every day – sun, rain or freeze.
Bye now.
DIRECTV, Inc. customers eligible for part of $13.25 million settlement
Attorney General John
Kroger announced, in Decem-
ber, a $13.25 million multi-state
agreement with DIRECTV, Inc.,
one of the nation’s largest
providers of satellite television
services. The settlement re-
solves allegations that the com-
pany engaged in deceptive, un-
fair and unlawful sales prac-
tices in violation of Oregon con-
sumer protection law.
Oregon was a member of
the multi-state Executive Com-
mittee that led the investigation
into DIRECTV’s sales and ad-
vertising tactics, including its
promotional “cash back” and
rebate offers.
“Telecommunications com-
panies consistently rank No. 1
on the Department of Justice’s
Top 10 Consumer Complaints
list,” said Attorney General
Kroger. “For that reason, pro-
tecting consumers from tele-
communcations fraud is one of
our top consumer protection
priorities.”
DIRECTV is one of the sin-
gle largest generators of con-
sumer complaints, with over
1,020 filed with the Oregon De-
24 Years Ago This Month
The January 29, 1987, issue
of The Independent included
the following news story on the
front page:
Smiles, laughter and warm
applause
punctuated
the
evening at the Vernonia Area
Chamber of Commerce Awards
Banquet held on January 17,
as eight volunteers were hon-
ored for their efforts on behalf
of the community.
Bill Hawkins and Dorothy
Yadon were selected as Man
and Woman of the Year for
1986, and received standing
ovations from the more than 60
people who attended the event
at Masonic Hall.
Hawkins was selected for
his commitment to the develop-
ment of recreational activities
for area residents, and espe-
cially for his work in refurbish-
ing the little league ball park.
Yadon, president and one of
the initial supporters of Vernon-
ia Cares, was picked for her ef-
forts on behalf of needy people
in the area.
Others nominated for their
contributions to the community
included Henry Anderegg, Sue
Cavinee, Janet Homan, Ray
Pelster, Gertrude Schalock and
Agnes Wuest.
As Noni Andersen read the
reasons for each nomination,
the nominees came forward
and received a Certificate of
Mariolino’s
Prime Rib
Special!
Appreciation from Chamber
President Fred Klinger. Then,
in the middle of the program, as
if to emphasize the reason for
the event, the city fire siren
sounded and four volunteer
firefighters rushed out, leaving
their dinners to get cold.
After presentation of the
awards to Hawkins and Yadon,
the West Hills Chapter of the
Sweet Adelines entertained the
crowd with a program of barber
shop harmony and show tunes.
F RIDAYS and
S ATURDAYS
$13. 99
721 Madison Ave.,Vernonia • 503-429-5018
partment of Justice since 1996
and more than 230 so far this
year. A majority of complaints
pertain to the company’s failure
to clearly and conspicuously
disclose certain fees, contract
terms and other hidden limita-
tions that applied to their sub-
scription. Many consumers also
complained about DIRECTV’s
practice of automatically en-
rolling them in additional or ex-
tended contracts without their
full knowledge.
Oregon
will
receive
$605,000 under the agreement
to be filed today in Marion
County Circuit Court, part of
which will be used to cover the
costs of the investigation.
Among other things, the settle-
ment terms require DIRECTV
to make significant reforms to
its business practices, including
more transparent disclosure of
terms and conditions that apply
to consumer contracts.
The company has also
agreed to pay restitution to cer-
tain consumers with unresolved
complaints filed since January
1, 2007. Eligible consumers will
be contacted directly by DI-
See DIRECTV, page 21
We have
moved
Carter Cutlery
Murray Carter
ABS Master Bladesmith
503-447-1029
22097 NW West Union Road
Hillsboro OR, 97124
www.cartercutlery.com
murry@cartercutlery.com