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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Police reports Alleged Medford robber captured after fleeing Ashland police On landmarks, personal and geologic Where do Ashland’s top chefs go to dine? Speech and debate team claims Jean Ward title Education Speech and debate team claims Jean Ward title SOU board names officers, committees Parent files complaint against Ashland schools Learning on the job AHS speech and debate team headed north Environment Grant will help restore 'legacy' oak habitat in Southern Oregon and Northern California Mt. Ashland Ski Area crew dips to five Mt. Ashland Ski Area announces layoffs The top five conservation success of 2014 Protestors want Keystone pipeline plans stopped Business Where do Ashland’s top chefs go to dine? Ride & Drive: The 2015 BMW M4 Silvio Calabi: Jeep’s Patriot earns respect New Ashland eatery features Basque cuisine Learning on the job Politics and elections Amid rising scrutiny, governor says fiancee won't have role in administration Ashland Fiber Network wants to be able to keep trade secrets Volunteer award, State of City address presentations Tuesday City's policy, efforts aim for diversity, but numbers show shortfall Kent Bush: The keys to decoding the State of the Union address State News Albany father allegedly killed by son had worked in Ashland for 25 years Amid rising scrutiny, governor says fiancee won't have role in administration Two new wolves confirmed in Southern Oregon, state reviewing status of northeastern packs State records show number of big marijuana farms has increased New wandering wolf arrives in Southern Oregon Nation - World Obituaries Glenn C. McBride Gwendolyn Honnold Orvey Olan Hunter W. Rayburn Erwin Death Notices Shareable Sports Latest Stories Ashland girls go 6-1 in multi-team dual Lopez returns, Blazers win New England Patriots' Brady, Belichick still have work to do Raiders, at last Hawks keep streak alive, top Trail Blazers High school Ashland girls go 6-1 in multi-team dual Raiders, at last Ashland swimmers sweep three-way Grizzly spirit Ashland girls remain winless in MWL Southern Oregon University Raiders, at last Raiders pulverize Simpson, bag first shutout in six years Raiders seek weekend sweep Southern Oregon zeroes in on first men's soccer coach Howard named NAIA coach of the year Opinion Latest Stories Letters to the Editor, Feb. 4 Guest Opinion: A message to my health care colleagues Our View: Bricks remodel is a smash Our View: Bravo to MovieMaker nod Guest Opinion: Experts couldn't answer pipeline questions Editorial Our View: Bricks remodel is a smash Our View: Bravo to MovieMaker nod Other Views: Allow wilderness burns Our View: Missing teen dilemma Our View: Making room for all Letters Letters to the Editor, Feb. 4 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 2 Letters to the Editor, Jan. 28 Letters to the Editor, Jan. 27 Letters to the Editor, Jan. 26 Guest opinions Guest Opinion: A message to my health care colleagues Guest Opinion: Experts couldn't answer pipeline questions Guest Column: A Koch and bull story Guest Opinion: A New Year’s resolution you can keep: starting “the conversation” Chris Honoré: Modern media: the unreliable narrator Revels Latest Stories Community blog: Share your love poems at Downtowne Coffee House Frisell brings fine-tuned act to Armory Community blog: Applegate Library offers self-publishing workshop Classics, premiers highlight 2015 season for OSF Listings for Varsity Theatre and Ashland Street Cinemas Theater Classics, premiers highlight 2015 season for OSF Roy Orbison tribute hits high note Insights into the gifts theater offers off the stage Music Frisell brings fine-tuned act to Armory The Farr Side: Trainor building a music niche A laid-back chat with Marilyn Manson Roy Orbison tribute hits high note Jeff Kloetzel at Belle Fiore Visual Art Movies Listings for Varsity Theatre and Ashland Street Cinemas 'Whiplash' pounds out a riveting beat Movie review: ‘Mortdecai’ majorly misses the mark Movie review: Aniston’s performance is the icing on ‘Cake’ Movie review: ‘Cake’ showcases Jennifer Aniston at her best Food and Drink Cruelest Month: Poetry Blog Lifestyle Latest Stories 5 Things to Do This Weekend (Feb. 6-8) Dear Monty: First time home buyer seeks differences in housing lifestyles Dave Ramsey: Keep flood insurance? On landmarks, personal and geologic Where do Ashland’s top chefs go to dine? Aging Happens Inner Peace Column Inner Peace Blog Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Photos Videos Blogs Business NEWS NOW Guest Opinion: A message to my health care colleagues ... Our View: Bricks remodel is a smash ... Calendar: Wednesday, Feb. 4 ... Guest Opinion: A message to my health care colleagues ... Our View: Bricks remodel is a smash ... Calendar: Wednesday, Feb. 4 ... COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTOR: OLLI What's the worst that could happen? She'll tell you Local dermatologist teaches class on the hazards of the wild Comment By Anne Bellegia For the Daily Tidings DailyTidings.com By Anne Bellegia For the Daily Tidings Posted Sep. 18, 2014 @ 7:47 pm By Anne Bellegia For the Daily Tidings Posted Sep. 18, 2014 @ 7:47 pm Know something? Teach it --> Community members who want to share their knowledge and expertise are encouraged to join the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute faculty. No prior teaching experience is necessary. Course p... » Read more X Know something? Teach it Community members who want to share their knowledge and expertise are encouraged to join the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute faculty. No prior teaching experience is necessary. Course proposals for the winter 2015 term are due Wednesday, Sept. 24. Details about teaching at OLLI can be found on the OLLI website, www.sou.edu/olli or call 541-552-6048. » Social News “Science is inherently fascinating,” enthuses biologist-turned-dermatologist Jeri Mendelson. She has an eager audience with whom to share her passion for the outdoors, science, and medicine among the students at Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Southern Oregon University. The 1,300 Rogue Valley OLLI members aged 50-plus have over 100 courses from which to make unlimited selection during the fall term that started Sept. 8. Mendelson’s course, “Medical Hazards in the Wilderness,” is one of them. It begins Friday, Oct. 3, and includes seven 90-minute sessions each week until Nov. 14. “I taught this course last spring on OLLI’s Medford campus at the Higher Education Center and am reprising it on the Ashland campus at SOU’s Campbell Center this term," explains Mendelson. "It’s basically a rework of my talks as part of the wilderness medicine seminar series founded by Gene Allred of Ashland. With the keen minds I’ve encountered at OLLI, it’s not like I have to ‘dumb it down,’ though.” When asked what’s special about teaching at OLLI, Mendelson responded, “I love the flexibility that OLLI provides; I can name my days and hours and weave that into my clinic schedule. By far, OLLI students have been the most engaged of all students I’ve taught, even at the college level. Discussions are spirited, fun … people want to be there, and they ask terrific questions. I am amazed at how many people are involved in this great program.”  Mendelson’s motivation to take time from her busy clinical practice in order to educate older adults is simple. “I want to show people how incredible our world is, the critters and plants in it, and our beautifully engineered bodies," she said. "It’s just bad teaching in someone’s past that may have turned them off to science. We need to get folks up to speed for some very challenging environmental issues that are coming our way. It will take educated voters to weigh measures on our ozone, predator relocations, vaccines and emerging diseases carried by animals.” As might be expected from a physician, Mendelson points to the health benefits of the OLLI program. “I find that people who stay engaged in learning have healthier and happier lives," she said. "As we get older, our observations about life start to come together in a coherent fashion. Staying curious can keep people going, even in the face of cancer and bad health. Mental stimulation is proven to help dementia; and these classes are a heck of a lot more stimulating than doing crossword puzzles!” Mendelson herself epitomizes the spirit of lifelong learning that OLLI celebrates. After an undergraduate degree in wildlife biology, Mendelson obtained a master's degree at University of Oregon where she did bat research. She followed this with a Medical Degree and Dermatology residency at age 39 while raising two kids. Along the way, she taught undergraduate biology, anatomy and physiology. Currently, she is finishing up a diploma at Baylor University in Tropical Medicine.  This OLLI instructor has an intergenerational sensibility. “I’d love to help high school students become knowledgeable about their organ systems and able to recognize signs and symptoms of the various ailments affecting them," she said. "A goal would be to encourage them to take personal responsibility for their health. They may also be able to advise their parents and grandparents. Another interest is in educating people of all ages about diseases that cycle through animals and have 'spilled' over into humans, like West Nile fever, Lyme disease, and Ebola.” Not at all a one-dimensional person, Mendelson describes herself as a “mad gardener and landscaper” who loves to cook and go antiquing. A recent interest in Asian antiques has provided her with a new world of design and history. She’s also scaled Kilimanjaro twice and made it to base camp on Mt. Everest. A 12-year resident of the Rogue Valley, Mendelson concludes, “I feel grateful to be able to serve the community. In today’s political atmosphere, many of us feel helpless to make a difference. Strengthening our sense of community through education is one way I can contribute.” Anne Bellegia is an Osher Lifelong Learning Institute community relations volunteer.     By Anne Bellegia For the Daily Tidings DailyTidings.com By Anne Bellegia For the Daily Tidings Posted Sep. 18, 2014 @ 7:47 pm » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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