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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 Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Our View: Protect liquid assets ... Ashland Calendar, Thursday, June 25 ... Triple digit heat will stick around Rogue Valley for awhile ... Our View: Protect liquid assets ... Ashland Calendar, Thursday, June 25 ... Triple digit heat will stick around Rogue Valley for awhile ... ROGUES: TALES FROM THE VALLEY Part 17: Dawn answers the call of the Rogue Sirens Comment By Lyda Woods DailyTidings.com By Lyda Woods Posted Jan. 12, 2015 at 2:41 PM Updated Jan 26, 2015 at 2:07 PM By Lyda Woods Posted Jan. 12, 2015 at 2:41 PM Updated Jan 26, 2015 at 2:07 PM » RELATED CONTENT • Episode 20: Dawn follows her nose • 'Rogues' characters come out to play at Paschal Winery • Episode 18: Need activists? Go to a boomers' anti-establishment meeting... • Sisters talk about something other than their late, maybe not-so-great dad... • Barely bearing a brother's poetry • Yoga class ends with a bang, not a whimper • Sibling rivalry spices lunch, but affection sweetens it » Social News Part 17 of the fictionalized adventures of two sisters, Sherry and Dawn, one Medford-bred, the other Ashland-loving, and their adventures across the Rogue Valley. Find prior chapters at www.dailytidings.com. “The middle class have become the living dead. We think we are living but we’re already dead. Everything eats away at us while we have less and less to give. We’re pissed off, gobbled up and dying on the vine. So if we are zombies, let’s embrace and use it,” said Valentina to thunderous applause. Her words rang in my heart, firing up my pulse. I had spent my life clinging to the edges of mainstream society, struggling to remain myself and yet survive financially. I’d had crazy ups and downs, losing my home to foreclosure, losing my credit and feeling ashamed. I was totally onboard for this art project — unless it involved blowing things up. “Now let’s divide people into groups,” Valentina announced. “Those with visual arts experience over here. Those with dance and theater experience go over there, and musicians over there. Construction types please join visual arts.” I joined the visual arts group because if anyone was making a bomb it seemed to me that this group would have the proper skill set. About 15 people joined our group, including Ray Zachary, the magician/handyman who’d brought me to the meeting. One guy introduced himself as Harry, and said Valentina asked him to lead this group. Apparently one of our tasks was to create puppet headdresses for actors. “Who has experience making large puppets from papier-mâché?” asked Harry. Several raised their hands. “What exactly are we making?” Ray asked. “A variety of zombie puppets, some worn, some carried on rods, all gigantic for maximum visual impact, similar to the agitprop group, Bread & Puppet Theater. Anyone remember them?” Harry smiled and nodded to the raised hands. “And how long do we have to do this?” I asked. “We have several events coming up. Let’s see.” Harry consulted his clipboard. “We’ll need some done in two weeks for a bank standoff at a foreclosed home in Talent. Then we’ll need more for a flash mob event at a city hall meeting in Ashland.” “Two weeks is not much time. I’ve got work,” said someone in the group. “We’ll meet on my workshop in Talent this coming Saturday, 10 to 5. I want to get the major pieces put together then. Bring your tools and anything else you think might be useful.” Harry handed out contact information. “Now let me get everyone’s names and contacts.” We passed around his clipboard, writing down our information. “Can we bring anyone who might be useful?” I asked, thinking Josh would be good at puppet-making. “If you trust them to keep the project secret, then yes,” said Harry. We joined up with the main group and people started drumming, singing and passing around doobies. I approached Ray about leaving and he reluctantly agreed to drive me home. As we drove toward Ashland, I thought about the Rogue Sirens. They didn’t seem dangerous. In fact, I was thrilled to discover and work with them. But I was withholding judgment until I knew more. In the meantime, Sherry had been strangely distant, no calls, no emails. I needed to follow up with her. Next week: Dawn and yoga teacher True Betterman make a foray to recruit activists with protest experience.   By Lyda Woods DailyTidings.com By Lyda Woods Posted Jan. 12, 2015 at 2:41 PM Updated Jan 26, 2015 at 2:07 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. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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