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3 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 More kindergartners vaccinated in 2015 Book giveaway planned Saturday at Crater High School Medford police join in move to body cams Elementary students honor local police officers City takes aim at blighted buildings Crime, Courts and Emergency Services 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 Emergency services 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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Brown touts need for transportation funding in talk to Medford chamber Education More kindergartners vaccinated in 2015 Elementary students honor local police officers Levy backers eye final push Two seats contested on Central Point School Board Neal Simon: This is a test Environment Earthquakes hit regularly in Medford (Oklahoma, that is) Residents say armed mine supporters sully Josephine County's reputation Armed protesters gather at Medford BLM office over Sugar Pine Mine dispute Jackson County's wildlife services agent seen as both killer and savior Biomass technology: Creating products out of former waste State News Cylvia Hayes public records case goes before Salem judge Fixit tag for Portland's noted Portland Building: $175 million Fee targets rail cars that haul oil, other flammables Boyfriend of psychic sentenced in con of Oregon timber heir Oregon judge goes light on repeat drunk-driving offender Nation - World There's a $10 million precious stone hidden in plain sight at Grand Central Tsarnaev convicted on all charges in Boston Marathon bombing Obituaries Tim Lawrence Yockey Penelope Catherine (Turner) Martens William "Bill" Geisslinger Alice Irenia (McFall) Calkins Dennis Dean Ekwall Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Sports Latest Stories 49ers keep Ducks' Armstead close to home Baffert is loaded with two blazing colts Levy backers eye final push Yreka's late homer sinks Eagles Clippers top Spurs, force Game 7 Varsity 541 College Sports National champ SOU's spring game is tonight Oregon coaches, players ready to ‘split up and play’ Donahue, Beavers down USC at home King's single lifts OSU over No. 10 USC Emmert, Silver not on same page with one-and-dones Pro Sports 49ers keep Ducks' Armstead close to home Baffert is loaded with two blazing colts Clippers top Spurs, force Game 7 Despite suitors, Titans were all in with Mariota Ravens visit area where protests started Community Sports Bailey picks up modified win Wilson delivers in return of local boxing Palmer breezes to second straight men’s title Business Latest Stories Blog: Do You Want Cheese with Your Wine? 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 Philip Maddocks: Candidates eager to reconnect with everyday billionaires Matthew T. Mangino: Baltimore boils over again Granlund cartoon: Cities and fire starters Our View: Bill gives ex-convicts a glimmer of hope Letters to the Editor, May 1 Editorials 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 Our View: Sensation and sensibility: a balancing act Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, May 1 Letters to the Editor, April 30 Letters to the Editor, April 29 Letters to the Editor, April 28 Letters to the Editor, April 27 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 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' 'Secret Love' playwright Stan Lai appears in Ashland 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? Restaurant inspections: April 19, 2015 Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Book giveaway planned Saturday at Crater High School ... Cylvia Hayes public records case goes before Salem judge ... Medford police join in move to body cams ... Book giveaway planned Saturday at Crater High School ... Cylvia Hayes public records case goes before Salem judge ... Medford police join in move to body cams ... Wry & Ginger: Birds of a feather flock and talk together By Sid McKeen More Content Now MailTribune.com By Sid McKeen More Content Now Posted Apr. 28, 2015 @ 9:30 am By Sid McKeen More Content Now Posted Apr. 28, 2015 @ 9:30 am » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> A news story out of Idaho the other day reported that two parrots rescued in a house fire were heard by firefighters calling out, “Help!” and “Fire!” That seems unusual, given that those are not exclamations likely heard often in the ordinary home. Still, because I once owned a parrot myself, nothing about their ability to communicate would really surprise me. My pet, Plato by name, was a remarkable Senegal parrot bred abroad and imported with the rest of its flock by a niece, who dabbled in raising the colorful performers back in the late ‘90s. One visit to her shop and I was hooked, and it stayed that way for the next five years. Immediately, I went online and found a handsome home for Plato. The cage was all glass except for a wood cabinet beneath, where I stored food and toys for the newest member of the household. The bird was especially fond of Cheerios, which he ate one at a time like a doughnut, holding it in one claw and nibbling around the edges until it was gone, then rolling his head from side to side to indicate he was ready for another. For months, as I watched Red Sox baseball games on a TV screen just across the room from Plato’s headquarters, he apparently was hard at work absorbing the language of the games’ broadcasters. He picked up a number of phrases that first summer, but by all odds his favorite was “swing-and-a-miss.” He even sounded happier when it was a batter for the other team that struck out, but I may be imagining that part. Most of the games were played at night, and at one point, in order to reduce Plato’s exuberant outbursts, I began saying to him when it got dark outside, “Time to go to bed.” He quickly picked that up, and as soon as the sun was out of sight and the lights went on, he’d crackle his own “Time to go to bed.” Fast forward a year or so. My old girlfriend from college years earlier has come to visit. We are sitting on a sofa next to Plato’s perch. Slowly the sun goes down, then darkness descends. Within minutes, there is a rustle from the cage. Then, “Time to go to bed,” Plato announces, and my guest shoots me a doubting look. “Did you teach him to say that?” she wants to know. Horrified, I explained that he’d been making the same announcement for months, and he picked it up on his own. Anne and I have been married for 13 years now, so the explanation apparently sufficed. Dividing our years as we do between Maine and Florida, it became impractical to bounce Plato and his magical home up and down the Atlantic Seaboard. We found an acquaintance who was happy to take him, and we hope life is still good for him in his new surroundings. She may not be a Sox fan, so he may be watching cooking shows or sitcoms now for all we know. My guess is he still knows when it’s time to hit the sack. He should be good to go for another 50 years or so. It’s not uncommon for parrots to live to the ripe old age of 75, so it’s normal for them to have two or three humans looking out for them over a lifespan. Plato may do even better, given his propensity for getting an early shut-eye every night of the year. And giving up sugary cereal, not to mention having to keep track of all those strikeouts. Best of luck, Plato, old bird, and many happy returns. As for that parrot pair in Idaho, they should get more attention from now on. They clearly know what they’re talking about. Sid McKeen can be reached at [email protected] By Sid McKeen More Content Now MailTribune.com By Sid McKeen More Content Now Posted Apr. 28, 2015 @ 9:30 am » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » 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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