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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Emergency services, May 2 Medford police join in move to body cams Some Oregon Shakespeare Festival crew members seek to unionize More kindergartners vaccinated in 2015 Book giveaway planned Saturday at Crater High School Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services, May 2 Gold Hill man torched his foreclosed property No leads on who smashed about 20 windows in Ashland before dawn Thursday Ashland man allegedly dragged woman with vehicle Jacksonville man who summited Everest will help in Nepal relief efforts Politics and Elections BREAKING: Baltimore prosecutor charges officers in Freddie Gray's death Earthquakes hit regularly in Medford (Oklahoma, that is) Medford School Board, Position 6: Curt Ankerberg vs. Janet Lightheart Arthur I. 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Never enough: New Starbucks proposed on Barnett Road in Medford Comcast deal dropped along with Pac-12 1-800Flowers.com reports $10.5 million loss in third quarter Jackson County debt-ridden homeowners have an option Real Estate News Never enough: New Starbucks proposed on Barnett Road in Medford Jackson County debt-ridden homeowners have an option New home in an old house Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house GREEN ACRES: Southern Oregon provides escape from the maddening crowd People In Business Transportation Erickson finds room to work at Medford airport Lithia Motors nets $40.7 million in first quarter Lithia Motors reports second-best quarter ever Business briefs Medford airport's record run continues Agriculture 1-800Flowers.com reports $10.5 million loss in third quarter Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house New bosses take charge at Harry & David Dancin Vineyards covers up Opinion Latest Letters to the Editor, May 2 Other Views: Gun-bill recalls misguided, futile Philip Maddocks: Candidates eager to reconnect with everyday billionaires Matthew T. Mangino: Baltimore boils over again Granlund cartoon: Cities and fire starters Editorials Other Views: Gun-bill recalls misguided, futile Our View: Bill gives ex-convicts a glimmer of hope Our View: Medical marijuana market not at risk Our View: Don't wait on public records reform Our View: Yes to faster speeds, no to lane splitting Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, May 2 Letters to the Editor, May 1 Letters to the Editor, April 30 Letters to the Editor, April 29 Letters to the Editor, April 28 Columns Michael Gerson: A pastor's faith in Baltimore George Will: What stands in Lindsey Graham's way Dana Milbank: Billionaire politics Kathleen Parker: Comedy, tragedy and fear of free speech Michael Gerson: Weighing the baggage Hillary brings Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Uniting to restore our sovereignty to we, the people Guest Opinion: This Earth Day, we celebrate the Northwest Forest Plan The Medford School Board was wrong: 'American Pageant' is a political agenda, not history The Medford School Board was right: 'American Pageant' is a fine book, and the board did its homework Guest Opinion: Removing barriers to walking, biking benefits everyone Lifestyle Latest stories Go with the (low) flow Find the starry ‘kite’ in the eastern sky Life Lessons & Loves: An ode to the sane and wonderful mothers-in-law Dr. Murray Feingold: Turn down that noise Religion Briefs: Friday, May 1 Food Andrea Honaker: Mexican-inspired dips for Cinco de Mayo Set a table from your local farmers market Let's do brunch! 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Onorato: Food items appear in the funnies Home and Garden Betty Montgomery: You can have a variety of ferns in your garden Clean out household chemicals Friday and Saturday Dear Monty: 10 tips to avoid tenant complaints Home Help: Upgrade your entryway with simple DIY projects Costa Living: Basking in flower power Health Dr. Murray Feingold: Turn down that noise Health Watch: Pack your pantry with healthy items HealthStyle: It’s all in the family dinner 'Game changer' for heart patients Health Watch: Tips for protecting your eyes Hiking Biking Faith Religion Briefs: Friday, May 1 Religion Briefs: Friday, April 24 Religion Briefs: Friday, April 17 Religion briefs: Friday, April 10 Religion briefs: Friday, April 3 Milestones and Achievements ENGAGEMENT: Sellers-James Witham's birthday bash draws hundreds for 1950s prices Charlesworth-Murphy Drizzle doesn't dampen Pear Blossom Parade spirit New Arrivals: Sunday, April 12 Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories 5 picks for live entertainment Live Music in Local Clubs Master Gardener Spring Fair at The Expo Randall Theatre stages 'Little Shop of Horrors' Camelot Theatre presents 'Arsenic and Old Lace' Theater Some Oregon Shakespeare Festival crew members seek to unionize Randall Theatre stages 'Little Shop of Horrors' 'Much Ado' at SOU Thanks for the Memories stages 'Company' one night only Camelot Theatre presents 'Arsenic and Old Lace' Music Thunder's Edge, Steel Cranes tonight at Club 66 The Farr Side: CMAs do it right, in many ways Live Music in Local Clubs Trio Brasileiro plays Old Siskiyou Barn Interview: Offspring plays hits new and old on tour Community Events Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Master Gardener Spring Fair at The Expo A Taste of Ashland pairs food and wine at galleries Rogue Valley Earth Day 2015 Foreign language film festival set at SOU Movies Movie review: ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ has a lot going on Movie review: ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ knows how to party Catching up with the Avengers Interview: Sofia Vergara talks ‘Hot Pursuit’ Quick Flicks: ‘Cinderella,’ ‘Insurgent’ and more Dining Taqueria Picaro offers casual Mexican cuisine Restaurant inspections: April 26, 2015 Island Grindz serves up Hawaiian specialties Have you wandered down the Bear Creek Wine Trail yet? 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GUEST OPINION Guest Opinion: Plan a Hawthorne playground for all children Comment By Melody Goodboe MailTribune.com By Melody Goodboe Posted Mar. 13, 2015 at 12:51 PM By Melody Goodboe Posted Mar. 13, 2015 at 12:51 PM » Social News Now that the swimming pool has been removed from Hawthorne Park, and the city is in preliminary planning stages to build a "typical playground" area, it's time the city of Medford and the Parks and Recreation Department step into the 21st century and rethink the playground concept. I hope they never have to experience a special-needs child looking on while his/her siblings and friends laugh and swing as they are left watching on the sidelines in a wheelchair. If you have ever visited the Children's PlayGarden in Seattle, you'll know that the 21st century playtime should be about more than a slide or a swing set, it should be about children — children with walkers, kids in wheelchairs, as well as their siblings and friends. It's about special needs children able to play alongside their siblings and friends. The Seattle Children's PlayGarden was founded by a speech and language pathologist in 2002. She wanted a therapeutic approach for children with physical and developmental disabilities, and she wanted to be able to serve the siblings of those children. She began by using the concept "to improve the lives of children" with physical and mental disabilities by providing a safe indoor-outdoor recreation space. They are also able to offer programs to encourage their potential by offering a preschool, field trips, after-school programs and summer camps for kids ages 4 to 12. The designated area was planted with ornamental and edible gardens, an extensive butterfly border, wheelchair-accessible raised beds, a 20,000 square foot "Wild Zone" with boulders and plantings, and an ever-so-popular mud pond. A pickup truck turned planter is a real hit for youngsters to step in (or wheel in), and turn the steering wheel or just pick berries from where the engine once was. The plantings were chosen to stimulate their senses, smell, taste and touch. They planted a large amount of berries, and the children can pick and eat as much as they want, and in fact, it's encouraged! It is a safe place that nurtures their natural discoveries of the world. In the section "How to Create a PlayGarden," number one on the list is "Understanding the Need." "The lives of children with special needs are consumed with therapy, trips to the doctor, hospitals, tutoring and school, and when they have a "break" to play, usually their neighborhood parks and recreation centers are often unaccommodating." A prominent Seattle pediatrician, educator and foster-care advocate can take some of the credit for instigating the garden's partnership with the city's park department. it was determined that children with special needs were under-served. I would hope the city of Medford's parks director would step up and visit the Seattle Children's PlayGarden before wasting money on just another playground for Medford. The citizens of the Rogue Valley do not need to allow another child to be left out on the sidelines. This would be a place where volunteers would be endless; doctors, therapists, teachers will all retire someday, and Hawthorne's PlayGarden would be an excellent place for them to volunteer their skills. The possibilities are endless: farm-to-table cooking classes, teaching children at a young age how to grow, harvest and prepare healthy foods, or an inside area with classrooms, a basketball court with multiple hoops at different heights, craft projects involving the garden and flowers, or a tree fort at ground level.  Medford has top-notch medical facilities. It's time for Medford to have top-notch playgrounds for people of all abilities. Melody Goodboe lives in Prospect. By Melody Goodboe MailTribune.com By Melody Goodboe Posted Mar. 13, 2015 at 12:51 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 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. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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