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We got paper Mail Tribune 100 Get Up & Go: Nov. 29 Wrap Up, Nov. 28 Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services Wrap Up, Nov. 28 Former Central Point residents accused of abusing their adopted children Homemade bomb found inside stolen car after arrest of fleeing transient Police gain a clue in pumpkin smashing spree Politics and Elections Buckley again named Ways and Means Committee co-chairman Latest count shows Measure 92 supporters narrowing deficit Granlund cartoon: GOP wrecking balls Ballot measures played little role in mobilizing voters in state Senate race 'Euphoria' over pot initiative Education Homelessness is growing problem for Medford students Les AuCoin recommended for SOU board Good news for SOU: Enrollment's up Mom gives school lobby a makeover Crater students present play about Thoreau's night in jail Environment Hawks use I-5 as hunting ground Curbing urban runoff in Gold Hill Mt. View Estates' fill, riprap work lacked county permit Birders sought for bird counts Grow 'em before you plant 'em State News Bill would tighten limits on license plate readers UO teaching assistants prepared to strike Growers cheer higher Christmas tree prices Police dog fired for poor performance Turkey's great escape foils Thanksgiving plans Nation - World Grand jury won't indict Ferguson cop in shooting Obituaries Earle Morgan Swift Jr. Death Notices Lue K. Woolstenhulme Mary "Janet" Kimmons In Appreciation Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Sports Latest Stories Grizzlies snap Blazers’ streak Spurs win second straight without Popovich Kaminsky, Badgers kings of Atlantis Green light Chalmers leads Australian Open; McIlroy shares second Varsity 541 College Sports Kaminsky, Badgers kings of Atlantis Green light No. 12 Arizona takes Pac-12 South Western Kentucky edges No. 19 Marshall — 67-66 — in OT Texas A&M fires defensive coordinator Pro Sports Grizzlies snap Blazers’ streak Spurs win second straight without Popovich Chalmers leads Australian Open; McIlroy shares second Ray Rice wins appeal; suspension vacated Sherman’s big night leads Seattle past 49ers again Community Sports RESULTS/STANDINGS LOCAL EVENTS Business Latest Stories Blog: 'Twas the 12 Days of Deals... Asante expands cardiac center Jackson County sees workforce and job growth Regional hotels and motels outperformed statewide marks in October Incorrect labeling prompts Kroger ice cream recall Real Estate News Dear Monty: Violation of HOA rules creates conflict Farmers file suit over GMO crop ban Financial webinars offered for veterans and their families Home prices rise across Jackson County People In Business People in Business, Nov. 18 People in Business, Nov. 8 Transportation Allegiant Air will resume Medford-Phoenix service May 22 Medford airport passenger counts sky high in October Erickson reports third quarter profit Agriculture Farmers file suit over GMO crop ban Lawsuit seeks to overturn Jackson County's GMO ban or net $4.2 million for farms Latest count shows Measure 92 supporters narrowing deficit Opinion Latest Other Views: Klamath Basin agreement deserves approval Granlund cartoon: Holiday boxes Kent Bush: Ferguson case shows racism belief system still reinforced Maddocks: Republicans claim president overstepped his constitutional powers in pardoning turkeys Amy Gehrt: Justice is not color-blind Editorials Other Views: Klamath Basin agreement deserves approval Our View: Cheers (too thankful for a jeer this week) Our View: Day of abundance, season of sharing Another View: Logging still has a place in Oregon Our View: Lawsuit reopens the GMO debate Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, Nov. 28 Letters to the Editor, Nov. 27 Letters to the Editor, Nov. 26 Letters to the Editor, Nov. 24 Letters to the Editor, Nov. 23 Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Are we the preferred path to global devastation? Guest Opinion: Fight for the rights of independent voters will continue Guest Opinion: 'Natural' not necessarily better for forest management Guest Opinion: County voters rebuffed judicial appointment process Fix health care reform, don't scrap it Lifestyle Latest stories Barry Lewis: When in America, do as the Romans do Frank Talk: It was all just a dream Facing Extinction Looking Up: Orion, a starry friend, returns Fishing through readers' stream of consciousness Food Community blog: In soup or salad, savor pumpkin with leeks Be a gravy-making star on Thanksgiving Food for Thought: Add new twists on Thanksgiving favorites Community blog: Feast on this blog's Thanksgiving recipes, tips Kitchen Call: Both sides of the kiddie table Home and Garden 9 ways to green your gift wrap Dear Monty: How to find a good real estate attorney Home Help: Quick tips for getting your home ready for the holidays Mortgage insurance: Your questions answered Home Help: Spruce up your home with quick DIY painting projects Health Health Watch: Fuel up on carbs before workouts Health insurance enrollment help available Community blog: Appreciating Clouds: Year-Round Gratitude Community blog: A Little Toilet Talk 'Tis the season to be jolly Hiking Biking Faith Religion news: Pope aims to expedite sex abuse rulings Religion news: Seattle-based mega-church dissolves Religion Briefs 'Walk the talk' Religion briefs Milestones and Achievements ACCESS receives $50,000 donation from Wells Fargo Wedding: Rogers-Horn Century Club Wedding: Tomlinson-Nowak Local farmers need more products in grocery stores Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Brunch at Loft Brasserie 2014 Providence Festival of Trees A grand illumination at the Commons Lighting up memories Jacksonville's Victorian Christmas Theater OCT's holiday show is a wonderful play New 'Alice' has some for kids ... and adults 'It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play' opens at Oregon Cabaret Theatre 'Red Noses' a romp through slapstick and pathos SOU presents 'The Drunken City' Music Shae Johnson releases 'Can You Feel the Music' Jeff Kloetzel releases 'Long Time Coming' A new guitar slinger in town Peter Chianca: Top 40 songs even a dad could love The Farr Side: Different artists, common songs Community Events 2014 Providence Festival of Trees A grand illumination at the Commons Lighting up memories Jacksonville's Victorian Christmas New exhibits highlight Third Fridays Dining Brunch at Loft Brasserie The Bohemian Club Thanksgiving comes early at Taprock Word of Mouth: Brunch at Brothers' Restaurant Blue Toba is a cultural experience Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Homemade bomb found inside stolen car after arrest of fleeing transient ... Police gain a clue in pumpkin smashing spree ... Neglect leads list of adult care facility failings ... Homemade bomb found inside stolen car after arrest of fleeing transient ... Police gain a clue in pumpkin smashing spree ... Neglect leads list of adult care facility failings ... HEALTHY AGING 'Tis the season to be jolly By Sharon Johnson for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Sharon Johnson for the Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 23, 2014 @ 2:00 am By Sharon Johnson for the Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 23, 2014 @ 2:00 am » Social News At this time every year, I always pledge to stir up my life in some new way. One year, I vowed to learn salsa dancing; another year I was determined to master the art of Moroccan cooking. My most recent commitment involved partnering with my husband to build a totally accessible, age-friendly home. Not content with doing only that, we also started a non-profit organization www.agefriendlyinnovators.org  to help “change the way people think about aging.” I know — I told you about that already.   As update — my salsa dancing is only done behind closed doors (I still have the right shoes), and I fatally cracked the tagine pot the last time I made Moroccan food — although I do a quite-flavorful couscous. On a more positive front, we are comfortably situated in our new age-friendly home, certified to the Lifelong Housing standard. In addition, our non-profit organization is on a path toward making some very interesting things happen for older adults in this valley. At this moment, my focus is entirely different — although parallels could be drawn. I intend to re-ignite my humorous self and commit to “belly laughing.” Envision daily gut-splitting moments of complete abandon that leave you breathless and smiling. At an AARP-sponsored “Vital Aging” conference recently, a University of Oregon faculty member, Leigh Anne Jasheway M.P.H. (“master of public health/mistress of humor”), an author of more than 20 books, including one titled, “How Did All These Ping Pong Balls Get In My Bag?” introduced me, and hundreds of other gray-headed folks, to a laughter-filled morning. I grin in recall. Ms. Jasheway reported that adults laugh, on average, “15 times a day.” People in the room were skeptical. The woman sitting in front of me said she probably laughed “less than 15 times a year.”  Unflustered, our intrepid entertainer said she “laughed hundreds of times each day, maybe thousands,” so she was “bringing up the average” for all of us. Fair point — funny, too.   This always-smiling, 50-something woman pranced around the stage, telling stories that made the audience howl and clap. She was so much fun, I wanted to take her home and hold her captive in our guest bedroom until next spring. In one of her sessions, she introduced the audience to ‘Improv,” (defined as “a theatrical technique that involves acting out a skit spontaneously and without preparation”)   She asked members of the audience to join her on stage and directed them to “let go” and act out something outrageous. She modeled the technique, and a dozen or so people who seemed highly unlikely to “let go” did just that. And, here’s the deal: They came back to their seats looking different … more relaxed. Dare I say — younger. This amazing presenter was the 2003 winner of the National Erma Bombeck Humor Writing Award for her true story on how her first mammogram caught on fire. She has a website, www.Accidentalcomic.com that advertises upcoming gigs.  I think we should rent a bus and go to together to one of her events — maybe come back and start our own “Improv” nights.  Now that’s almost guaranteed to change the way we think about aging. Sharon Johnson is a retired Oregon State University associate professor emeritus. Reach her at [email protected]. By Sharon Johnson for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Sharon Johnson for the Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 23, 2014 @ 2:00 am » 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 MailTribune.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 Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked 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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