12-26 to 12-29-2017
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The Bill Meyer Show, Guests for: Wednesday, December, 27, 2017: Garth & Rose Return, Day 2.
7:35: The Crime Stoppers Case of The Week with Sgt. Julie Denney of The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office,live in studio.
December 27, 2017
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office deputies are investigating two burglaries in a two-month period at a restaurant north of Eagle Point. Juan’s El Caporal Restaurant, 14420 Highway 62, was first burglarized at about 3:00 am on Wednesday, October 18 (Case 17-22015). The suspect entered through a window and took a 24-inch safe containing cash and documents.
On Monday, December 18, at about 5:50 am, a suspect entered through a window and stole cash, tools, and a laptop computer. In both cases, video surveillance shows a single male suspect; it is not yet confirmed whether the suspect is the same in both cases. In the latest case, the suspect is wearing a hat with a hooded jacket (possibly camouflage in color) and a backpack.
If you have any information on the identity of this suspect, please call, or TEXT, Crime Stoppers of Southern Oregon at 1-800-850-0580 and refer to case number KMED 122717. Depending on the case and the information given, Crime Stoppers will pay a reward up to $1,000 for information that leads to the arrest and filing of charges. Callers can remain anonymous. The reward is sponsored by Rogue Credit Union.
Bill Meyer Show Guests for: Tuesday, December 26, 2017: Garth & Rose Return, Day 1.
7:10: Greg Roberts, Mr. Outdoors himself from RogueWeather.com, calls in to bring to you the Tuesday, Water World Boat & Powersport, Outdoor Report.
7:35: Sal Esquivel, Oregon State Representative (R-Medford) calls in to bring you the latest from the Legislature in Salem.
8:10: Dr. Dennis Powers, retired Professor of Business Law and local historian drops by the studio for this week’s edition of “Visiting Past & Present.” Don’t forget to pick up a copy of Dr. Powers’ new book: “Where Past Meets Present,” at Hellgate Press.
Bill’s Guests for: Thursday, December 21, 2017:
6:35: Gary Taubes, author of the book: “The Case Against Sugar,” calls Bill to talk about, well, sugar, and its contribution to the obesity and diabetes epidemic in America.
Get more information, and your copy of Gary’s book at his website: GaryTaubes.com.
7:35: Eric Peters, automotive journalist and libertarian thinker talks with Bill today.
Well. Now the federal government is going after, of all people, The Amish for their horse drawn buggies’ lack of safety features. Yep. You heard it here. The Amish don’t have seatbelts, airbags or child safety devices in their buggies, and Big Bro don’t seem to like it. Eric Peters is here to tell you about it.
Read the article for yourself at: EPAutos.com. “No Exceptions.”
8:35: Bill Thorndike, Crater Lake National Park Trust President, talks with Bill. There is an effort underway to create jobs through, infrastructure repairs and Crater Lake, and other national parks.
An analysis commissioned by The Pew Charitable Trusts and prepared by Cadmus Group shows that investing in the maintenance of our national parks could create or support more than 1,026 jobs here in Oregon and 110,169 jobs across the country.
“This new projection shows that investing in our national parks pays off right here in our state by creating good jobs,” said Crater Lake National Park Trust President Bill Thorndike, “Our Trust works to help protect, promote, and enhance Crater Lake National Park, its unique water purity, and its value for human inspiration and knowledge. Addressing these needed and backlogged repairs is critical to the future of the Park.”
The National Park Service (NPS) reports it has more than 42,000 assets across its 400-plus sites that have overdue infrastructure repairs and that fixing them will cost approximately $11.3 billion (based on 2016 data). This deferred maintenance includes crumbling roads, deteriorating historic buildings, impassable trails, and outdated utility systems, all of which can negatively impact visitor access and safety, the protection of our nation’s history, and local communities that depend on park visitation for economic survival.
In Oregon, there is over $105 million of deferred maintenance in the state’s six NPS assets. Crater Lake National Park alone faces a deferred maintenance backlog of $85,318,818 and needs repairs that include over $60 million in roadwork, $9 million in building maintenance and $6.9 million in trail maintenance. If an investment were made to fully address the deferred maintenance in all of the park units in our state, it could create 1,026 jobs in Oregon.
“Our national parks are not only important places to visit—offering educational and recreation opportunities to visitors—they are proven economic drivers for gateway communities such as Medford,” said Brad Hicks, CEO of the Chamber of Medford/Jackson County. “Infrastructure-related jobs will help to ensure the longevity of parks in Oregon maintain a positive visitor experience, and benefit gateway businesses and state marketing plans that revolve around parks.
Park rangers have had their hands tied because they have not received adequate and reliable congressional funding to make the necessary repairs at sites that are often decades old and are experiencing pressure from increased visitation.
NPS sites help us celebrate and commemorate our history, marvel at natural wonders, and enjoy a myriad of recreational activities. By investing in national park sites, we will create jobs and ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy them.
Bill’s Guests for: Wednesday, December 20, 2017:
6:45: Congressman Greg Walden, (R-Hood River) talks with Bill, about what’s next for the tax reform bill, and other issues that he’s working on in the U.S. Congress.
7:10: Mr. X, crack researcher and expert on all things, Green Mafia joins Bill, in studio. So, what exactly is The Western Values Project? Mr. X has dug into it, and has discovered that it is a group of people who are targeting people like Congressman Greg Walden in a series of advertisements, concerning public lands protection.
7:35: Lt. Kerry Curtis with the Medford Police Department drops by the studio, to bring to you the Crime Stoppers Case of The Week.
This Week: Police are searching for this individual, who they say robbed the Dutch Bros Coffee stand at Summit Ave, and McAndrews, Monday night. The suspect is described as a caucasian male, approximately 45 years old, with scruffy facial hair. If you know this individual, you can call or text Crimestoppers at: 1-800-850-0580.
Crimestoppers offers a reward of up to $1,000 for any information leading to an arrest and filing of charges.
8:35: Chaz Brown, a listener talks with Bill this morning. Chaz wants to bring to your attention the victims of a local house fire.
He writes: “You interviewed Olivia Hittner of The Farming Fish a couple years ago. She and her now husband Mike Hasey have the largest organic aquaponics farm in the country. On Saturday their home burned down. They and their 11 month old daughter are safe. And, they lost all of their personal belongings.Mike has helped three local schools build aquaponic systems so students can learn about the cutting edge farming practice. He has given so much to the community. If people are moved to help them, Umpqua Bank has the Mike & Olivia Hasey Recovery Fund where people can donate to help out.”
8:50: Julie Fletcher, of Southern Oregon Goodwill joins Bill in studio for today’s edition of “Whose Business Is It Anyway?”
Bill’s Guests for: Tuesday, December 19, 2017:
6:35: Dave Ray, Communications Director for the Federation for American Immigration Reform calls the show. Will there be a showdown on DACA coming in the future? Dave Ray is here to talk about it.
Find out more at: FAIRUS.org.
7:35: Dr. Myles Schneider, author of the book: “Restoring ‘Health’ To Healthcare: A Simple Uncomplicated Plan,” talks with Bill.
America is facing a worsening healthcare crisis. Even though we spend more than twice the average per person on healthcare than any other industrialized country, we are still the sickest of them all. Americans are getting sicker at younger ages often with serious chronic diseases, which are responsible for about 75 percent of our healthcare expenditures. It is no wonder that our healthcare costs will only continue to balloon. The current system is unsustainable. It is time for a fundamentally different approach.
In his latest book, Restoring “Health” to HealthCare, Dr. Myles Schneiderlays out a unique and thorough plan for solving the crisis. Part 1 identifies the underlying cause of the problem and then describes the key parts of his solution that provides affordable, quality healthcare for all and exactly what the government, the insurance companies, and the healthcare professionals need to do to get this done.
It also shows how this can be accomplished without adding billions of dollars to our nation’s debt or increasing taxes or cutting Medicaid and Medicare services or reimbursements to healthcare providers or penalizing people if they chose not to purchase health insurance. Part 2 describes what each of us can do to help ourselves and our country, ending this major problem once and for all.
READ: “Final GOP Tax Bill Repeals Obama Care Mandate.”
Get your copy of Dr. Schneider’s book right HERE.
And you can see more at Dr. Schneider’s website: MylesOfHealth.com.
Bill’s Guests for: Monday, December 18, 2017:
6:35: Tom Giovanetti, President of the Institute for Policy Innovation talks with Bill. Some believe that now that the FCC has repealed Net Neutrality, that the world is going to implode into itself. Is that true? Tom Giovanetti is here to tell you his thoughts.
Learn more at IPI.org.
7:10: Greg Roberts, Mr. Outdoors himself from RogueWeather.com, joins Bill for the Monday, Water World Boat & Powersport, Outdoor Report.
7:35: Stephen Mayer, Oregon Marketplace Manager for the Better Business Bureau chats with Bill today. So, what are “Grinch Bots?” Stephen Mayer is here to tell us about them, and why they are causing havoc in some online shopping categories. In a nutshell:
What Are Bots?
Bots, by definition, are programs that run automated tasks over the Internet. These programs are designed to complete tasks quicker and simpler than if done by humans. They add the product, auto checkout and do everything for you in one simple click. Many of the best sneaker bots or best Supreme bots do all of the hard work for you due to their speed.
Why do People Use Bots?
It might take you around a minute to pick a product, choose your size and add it to cart on a Supreme drop. That’s quick, right? Wrong. What will take you a minute to do, a bot can do in seconds. The whole basis of a bot is to complete human tasks quicker than a human can. Ever wondered how those kids online manage to get Yeezy’s or Supreme when they sell out instantly? The answer is…you guessed it; a bot.
Websites like Supreme Access or Sneaker Access are tried and tested ways of getting the latest heated sneakers without the hassle. These auto shopping cart services are a way for you to get what you want for a problem free drop. Whilst they do work in getting you those latest drops, they are also a plague to online shopping.
How to Beat Bots:
-Shop early. Get what you need before they are snapped up by bots. Think ahead for next year if you already have a gift in mind.
-Vet the seller at bbb.org. Do they have any reviews? Are they BBB Accredited? Do they have a brick and mortar store you can go to in order to avoid bots all together?
-Know the retail price. That way you can spot the sellers that are inflating prices hoping to rip off consumers.
-Some companies are fighting back. Thankfully companies like Nike, Adidas and Supreme are combating this issue by allowing random access through to their site. This method of random access is a great way of making shoes or other products available to all consumers.
8:10: Dr. Dennis Powers, retired Professor of Business Law and local historian joins Bill, in studio, for this week’s edition of “Visiting Past & Present”
This week:
Christmas Day: Past and Present–2017
By Dennis Powers
Christmas Eve and Day in pioneer days were simpler and very important–but difficult. Winters in cold cabins were tough, as sleet and snow weren’t that merry. Nor driving in a “one-horse-open sleigh.” Remote families cut down a small fur-tree or decorated their small cabin with freshly-cut boughs. If a small tree fit inside, then strung popcorn, small wax candles (a bucket of water kept handy), and red Madrone berries decorated it; the families sang Christmas carols and/or read from the Bible.
Days ahead, women cooked their special Christmas Day meal. They brought out preserved fruits and vegetables, cooked up fresh meat (ham, beef, or venison), and even made a plum pudding to age. Gifts were homemade, such as carved wooden toys, sachets, footstools, and corn-husk dolls. If a good year, children might find that Santa had left candies, nuts, or cookies in their stockings.
If living in a small town like Gold Hill, people joined together. Children helped decorate the town Christmas tree at their church or gathering place. They cut out cardboard stars, wrapped them in silver tinfoil, and hung them to join the strung popcorn, different-colored wax candles, and small gifts on the tree. Larger gifts were placed underneath.
On Christmas, the families attended church, returned home for a traditional meal, and spent the day visiting with friends. A larger “city” like Medford could have a “Grand Christmas Ball.” One newspaper advertisement read: “A Grand Ball will be given in Byers’ Hall, Medford. On Christmas Night–December 25, 1885. A fine Supper and the best of Music will be provided. The services of a first-class caller have been engaged… A good time is anticipated. Come one! Come all! Tickets, $2.50.”
When we fast forward to today, holidays have a commercial feeling. Although many families enjoy the festive and religious times, the stress of jobs, family responsibilities, parties, and how much to spend can lessen this. But have no fear, let’s look at the spirit of giving–and receiving–in a larger, modern way.
For example, luxury retailer Neiman Marcus continues its tradition of fantasy gifts. First published in 1926 as a 16-page Christmas catalog for its best customers, this year’s 91rst edition continues the tradition. It donates a small portion of the proceeds from most fantasy gifts to nonprofits.
Its 2017 Christmas book pricing ranges from a $1.6 million New Year’s Eve special to an $8,000 special doll collection (from Madame Alexander) with a doll-house. This year’s special car is his and hers, Rolls-Royce Dawn Drophead Coupés (four-seated, two-door sports cars with a soft, folding roof) for nearly $450,000 each–a large step-up from last year’s Infiniti Q60 that went for $63,000. The 2015 edition car was Ford Mustang’s 50th Anniversary edition with its 700+ supercharged horsepower engine that hit 60 mph in 3.5 seconds–for $95,000.
The New Year’s Eve special is for 300 people (your best friends and you) at the Knickerbocker Hotel that includes 150 “premier” rooms for two nights with a private December 31rst party of “premium” drinks, dinner, a DJ and that “perfect view from the hotel’s rooftop of the Times Square ball drop, 150 feet away.”
As to the Rolls-Royces, the V-12 engine vehicles were custom designed to celebrate two of the world’s most decadent locations: St. Tropez (on the French Riviera) and Lake Como (mountainous, northern Italy). The Lago de Como car ($439,625) is Selby Gray with a black interior. The St Tropez ($445,750) is brilliant-orange outside with a white interior of leather and lambs-wool floor mats. Add silver bonnets (hinged, engine covers) and “sleek” fabric tops, which disappear in seconds.
In place of last year’s Grammy Awards experience ($500,000 for two), we have the Ryder Cup Ultimate VIP Package ($250,000): In September 2018, you and three guests fly first class to Paris and attend the week-long Ryder Cup (Europe vs. USA) tournament, as guests of team captain Jim Furyk (17-time PGA tour winner). This includes first-class airfare, private car, deluxe accommodations, dinners, personal concierge, and tickets–with gift packages of U.S. Team gear included.
For $300,000: Fly to the world’s largest single producer of emeralds (Gemfields’ Kagem mine in Zambia) with master jeweler Stephen Webster–and select yours. After two days at the Royal Livingstone Hotel, it’s off to London to spend the day with Webster and collaborate on turning a 7.2-carat emerald into your custom piece, then a private dinner with him and his wife. Once home, you’ll receive your jewel and its final sketch signed by the designer.
There are Olympia Le-Tan Handbags for $45,000: Six handbags delivered to you during your two night, three-day stay at the Ritz Paris with a visit to Le-Tan’s private studio–plus a custom bag received every other month for one year. Or a one-hour helicopter tour over Malibu with photographer Gray Malin (of colored, futuristic images fame) and three nights at a Santa Monica hotel; later, you’ll receive your own custom-signed print, all for $35,000.
For the rest of us, we are simply happy to buy that new I-Phone X, shoes, or even a skill saw and pay it off next year. Plus enjoying the holidays as usually done with family and friends, all while saying later, “Here’s to the next Christmas and New Year.”
Sources: See “Legends of America–A Pioneer Christmas” at A Pioneer Christmas; Jim Dobson, “Neiman Marcus Christmas Catalog: Ultimate Fantasy Holiday Gifts for 2017,” Forbes, October 17, 2017, at Fantasy Gifts (2017); see also “Neiman Marcus 2017 Fantasy Gifts,” at Neiman Marcus Fantasy Gifts.
8:35: Laura Leebrick & Gary Penning from Rogue Disposal come into the studio to talk with Bill about the new changes in the recycling industry, and what the future holds for your recycling needs.
Bill’s Guests for: Friday, December 15, 2017:
6:35: Rachel Alexander, reporter with The Stream talks with Bill about the apparent corruption in the DOJ and FBI.
CORRUPTION in the DOJ and FBI. Every day, new evidence comes out that proves that the FBI and DOJ are engaged in a partisan witch-hunt against the President of the United States.
Rachel breaks down all of the key players in this political drama. There’s the FBI’s Peter Strzok who was removed from the Mueller investigation in August for some 10,000 anti-Trump texts exchanged with his FBI attorney mistress. Then there’s the FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe who allegedly told FBI agents that “if they can take down Flynn, they will take down Trump.” More players have surfaced to include a U.S. District Judge, and a demoted senior DOJ lawyer.
7:10: Greg Roberts, Mr. Outdoors from RogueWeather.com calls the show today to bring to you the Friday, Water World Boat & Powersport Outdoor Report.
7:35: Mr. X, researcher extraordinaire and expert on the things that the Green Mafia wants to do to take your freedom from you joins Bill in studio. Today, we talk about the results from the wildfire meeting held last night by the Jackson County Board of Commissioners. Mr. X has the details.
8:35: Sarahanne Diggs of The Asante Foundation, and Liz Wan from Serra Vineyards joins Bill in studio.
Last year, our stations helped the Oregon Wine Experience become practically a tourist destination by creating a series of events that are done nowhere else in the state. The event brings some of the biggest wine experts to the Rogue Valley to judge wines from over 110 wineries and vineyards…allowing many local and regional wines to crow a little in articles in major west coast newspapers and magazines…all while bringing in over a million dollars for our Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals at Asante.
Bring on the Bubbles!
WHEN: December 28, 2017, from 7pm to 9pm.
WHERE: Harry & David Country Village. 1314 Center Drive, Medford.
Admission: $20.
Do you love bubbles! Have you ever wondered what the difference is between an expensive bottle of Champagne and a bottle of sparkling wine that is less than $10? Join us as we take over Harry & David’s Country Village after they have closed for the day. Celebrate with the knowledgeable team at Harry & David as we travel the world (and the store) through our bubble filled glasses and snack plates, learning about the different styles, how they are made, and what bites and flavors marry well.
Taste for yourself the range of price points we see on store shelves. Pre-game for your New Year’s Eve celebration by taking advantage of special “student” discounts and pricing on everything you’ll need. Not sure what to get the wine lover in your life for the holidays? Get them a ticket to this fun and informative Oregon Wine University class!
8:45: Michael Campbell from Sis Q Cellular drops by the studio for today’s edition of “Whose Business Is It Anyway?”
Bill’s Guests for: Thursday, December 14, 2017:
6:35: Julie Gunlock, Senior Fellow at the Independent Women’s Forum talks with Bill today. Julie poses a question in an op-ed in the New York Post. Is the Disney Channel REALLY safe for our children anymore?
Julie says The Disney Channel and its spin-off, Disney XD, are no longer “safe spaces” for kids. It’s not a right or left issue, there is bipartisan parental disgust; parents on both sides of the political aisle tend to be angered by Disney’s programming.
Corporations do things because the public demands it — and to avoid lawsuits. But when it comes to how parents feel and how most parents want to raise kids, Disney seems to think it has zero responsibility.
Read Julie’s article from the New York Post: “The Disney Channel is No Longer Safe For Our Kids,” for yourself.
Also, get a copy of Julie’s book: “From Cupcakes to Chemicals: How The Culture Of Alarmism Makes Us Afraid of Everything and How To Fight Back.”
7:35: Colleen Roberts, Jackson County Commissioner talks with Bill on tonight’s meeting to address wildfire prevention and suppression. Tonight at 6pm, Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest managers will offer the public an overview of the 2017 fire season at a meeting in Medford. The public meeting will focus on the fires that occurred last summer on the national forest and will be held tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Medford Interagency Office, located at 3040 Biddle Road. The public is invited to attend and hear presentations given by fire managers and other Forest Service officials. Topics will include weather conditions leading up to the fire season, suppression operations that occurred on the national forest’s five ranger districts and challenges firefighters faced. Presentations will include maps and photos from the 2017 fire season, and opportunities to ask questions about suppression efforts.
8:10: Eric Peters, automotive journalist and libertarian thinker talks with Bill. We’ll be talking the good and bad of electric cars. And, will Tesla go to the government for another loan, or bailout?
READ: “The Electric Car Upside…”
You can check out more from Eric, and get his reviews of the latest cars, trucks and bikes at: EPAutos.com.
NO COMPETING FOR TRAVEL MEDFORD PROJECT (Opinion)
I interviewed Councilman Dick Gordon on my show Monday morning, and we talked about a lot of issues, including the Travel Medford contract, which was coming up for review. There’s been a low-level civil war on this for the last couple of years because some on the council wanted the contract put out for bid, others want the status quo. Well, a vote was taken, and the status quo won.
Councilman Gordon defended the status quo, saying the Chamber was doing a great job. We don’t see eye to eye on this, for sure. My question is how do we know the Chamber is doing the best job? Competition for the job or contract works everywhere else in our society except for Travel Medford’s contract?
The Chamber is a good organization, but it also has a political function, and their PAC donates to candidates, which is their right to do so. This PAC has donated to city council members. This fact in combination with refusing to bid the Travel Medford contract out to competition makes the “optics” of this decision look sketchy. Do the people care?
Bill’s Guests for: Wednesday, December 13, 2017:
6:45: James Song, Founder and CEO of ExsulCoin talks with Bill this morning.
BLOCKCHAIN TECH THAT EMPOWERS REFUGEES ExsulCoin, a new blockchain technology platform for refugee-led projects, they recently launched an ICO on December 4th, with an end date of December 19th.
The ICO will raise capital for the ExsulCoin blockchain-based platform through newly issued XUL tokens to provide a variety of services that will transform the lives of refugees throughout the world. ExsulCoin will offer a total of six billion XUL tokens over the coming years.
ExsulCoin was founded by CEO James Song who runs an angel investment group in Myanmar and has direct experience with the ongoing Rohingya humanitarian crisis. He saw the challenges associated with relief efforts in Myanmar and the refugee crises in other parts of the world and sought a way to leverage blockchain technology to provide impactful relief.
Find out more at ExsulCoin.com.
7:10: Captain Bill Simpson, retired U.S. Merchant Marine officer, emergency preparedness expert and journalist at MyOutdoorBuddy.com and The Western Journal chats with Bill. Today we’re talking pre-wildfire management with Captain Bill today, and how they could affect you in the future. We’ll also touch on the current state of the deer and elk populations, and other outdoor issues for Southern Oregon and Northern California. Check out Capt. Bill’s article on the subject:
“Congressman Walden Refers Wild Horse Fire Brigade To Heads Of BLM & USFS.”
Rear more from Captain Bill at MyOutdoorBuddy.com and The Western Journal.
7:35: Lt. Justin Ivens of the Medford Police Department, drops by the studio to bring to you The Southern Oregon Crime Stoppers Case of The Week.
8:35: Kevin Widdison, Executive Director of the Josephine County Food Bank talks with Bill. We’re talking about Josephine County’s hunger needs and fundraising efforts. You can find out more at: JocoFoodBank.org.
Bill’s Guests for: Tuesday, December 12, 2017:
6:20: Rick Manning, President of Americans for Limited Government joins Bill on the phone to bring you the latest from The Swamp.
Check out more at NetRightDaily, and GetLiberty.org.
7:35: Kevin Starrett from the Oregon Firearms Federation talks with Bill this morning. We’re talking today about how the House-passed Concealed Carry Reciprocity Bill may actually HURT the right to keep and bear arms.
Find out more, and check out the latest issues on gun rights at OFF.org.
8:10: Kathryn Hickok, Publications Director and Director of the Children’s Scholarship Fund-Oregon program at Cascade Policy Institute, Oregon’s free market public policy research organization talks with Bill.
Oregon Ranks 8th Worst in Regulatory Burden on Lower-Income Occupations
by Kathryn Hickok
Oregon ranks 8th in the nation in “burdensome” occupational licensing laws, according to the Institute for Justice’s new report License to Work. The report examines the regulatory burden of state licenses and fees on 102 lower-income occupations. Oregon is also the “8th most broadly and onerously licensed state,” requiring licenses for occupations that most other states don’t.
According to the authors of License to Work, “more Americans than ever must get a government permission slip before they can earn an honest living….Licensing laws now guard entry into hundreds of occupations, including jobs that offer upward mobility to those of modest means, such as cosmetologist, auctioneer, athletic trainer and landscape contractor. Yet research provides scant evidence that licensing does what it is supposed to do—raise the quality of services and protect consumers. Instead, licensing laws often protect those who already have licenses from competition, keeping newcomers out and prices high.”
The Wall Street Journal editorial board pointed out that “stiff licensing requirements are often prohibitive for America’s working poor, keeping them trapped in low-wage, low-skill jobs.” Oregon could make it much easier for job-seekers and potential entrepreneurs to make an honest living by reducing license and fee requirements for occupations that have little to no impact on public safety, and by replacing some occupational licenses with less restrictive credentialing options.
8:35: Phillip Yates from ACCESS comes into the studio for today’s edition of “Whose Business Is It Anyway?”
Find out more at: accesshelps.org.
8:45: Sage Taylor of Wamba Juice & Deli, now Wamba Smoothie & Food joins Bill, in studio. Sage brings in samples of her delectable soups and other foods, from Wamba.
Visit the website: Wamba.online, or give them a call at: 541-779-2215.
ALERT!
The future of transportation in Medford could be in jepoardy. The Medford City Council is looking at a new transportation plan. One of the goals of this plan is to cut down on single occupant vehicle travel within the city limits, and basically, force people to use public transportation such as RVTD, or carpooling, bicycling or walking to work.
Contact your City Councilors to let them know what you think.
Council E-Mail: council@cityofmedford.org
City Hall: 541-774-2000
City Hall Fax: 541-618-1700
Ward 1:
Dick Gordon 541-779-0328
Tim Jackle 541-770-5466
Ward 2:
Clay Bearnson 541-774-2000
Tim D’Alessandro 541-774-2000
Ward 3:
Kay Brooks 541-774-2000
Kevin Stine 541-301-7062
Ward 4:
Kim Wallan 541-774-2000
Michael Zaroninski 541-774-2000
Let your voice be heard on this issue!
Bill’s Guests for: Monday, December 11, 2017:
7:10: Greg Roberts, Mr. Outdoors himself from RogueWeather.com, calls in to bring to you the Water World Boat & Powersport Outdoor Report.
7:20: Mr. X. Crack researcher and expert on all things Green Mafia shenanigans, leaves the safety of his Southern Oregon bunker, and joins Bill in studio. Today, it’s all about how the City of Medford, ostensibly wants to force you out of your car, and make you ride the bus, bike or walk to work every day. All in the name of the hard-Left agenda.
8:10: Dr. Dennis Powers, retired Professor of Business Law and author of the new book: “Where Past Meets Present: The Amazing People, Places & Stories of Southern Oregon,” joins Bill in studio for today’s edition of “Visting Past & Present.”
The Rogue Valley Manor
By Dennis Powers
In the early 1950s, senior facilities did not exist as they do now. When the Reverend Ross Knotts—then pastor of the Ashland Methodist Church—couldn’t find an acceptable facility for his retired father, he decided that one should be built on Barneburg Hill in southeast Medford. An ecumenical group of Methodists, Episcopalians, and Presbyterians came together with him on this plan, and “The Manor” was incorporated in 1955. Different civic, professional, and other religious leaders joined together to push the concept into reality.
On November 4, 1961, the Rogue Valley Manor (“RVM”) held its opening ceremony, and the famed announcer, Paul Harvey, broadcasted his show from Medford’s KMED that day about the new “Barneburg Hilton.” Constructed on the highest hill in Medford, the city’s tallest building at ten stories—turquoise-colored with a high center and two, twin ends—looks down onto the Valley and was built by people of faith.
The Manor expanded afterwards to where it now includes three more multi-story buildings, apartments, private care suites, a healthcare center, nine-hole golf course, cottages, and other amenities. The retirement community covers many of the needs of its senior citizens who live there: independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing care, private care, and even memory care. Among different awards received, Hospitality Design and Lodging magazine in 1999 awarded to RVM its Gold Key Award for excellence in senior living design.
However, the story doesn’t end here. To focus on reaching a broader community, the Manor’s Board of Directors in the 1980s decided to form a completely new corporation to oversee this outreach effort. Incorporated in 1990, the new organization was named, “Pacific Retirement Services (‘PRS’)” with RVM as a subsidiary. Today, PRS develops, operates, manages, and markets retirement communities throughout the U.S.
It is the thirteenth largest nonprofit provider of senior living services and care in the nation, serving approximately 5,000 residents with near 3,000 employees. The communities owned outright are: Capitol Lakes (Madison, Wisconsin), Cascade Manor (Eugene), Holladay Park Plaza (Portland), Mirabella (Portland), Mirabella (Seattle), Rogue Valley Manor, Trinity Terrace (Fort Worth, Texas), and the University Retirement Community (Davis, California); PRS manages retirement centers in Napa, San Mateo, Santa Rosa, and Saratoga, California, plus a fifth in Middleton, Wisconsin.
In 2010, the Manor completed a $65 million construction project that included the Manor Terrace to the south (a four-story, 120,000-square-foot building). In 2013, differences arose between the RMV and its corporate parent, PRS, resulting in a settlement with an independent board of directors, a cap on PRS management fees for three years, and a credit back of certain monthly fees to the residents. In 2014, the initial-1961 building underwent an $8 million project to replace windows, change the building’s color, and add new air conditioning and heating systems. These facilities stand out, as do the services to its residents.
Sources: “Rogue Valley Manor: History, Values, and Mission” at RVM History; Pacific Retirement Services, generally, at PRS and PRS Communities; Damian Mann, “Building the ‘Barneburg Hilton’,” Mail Tribune, April 14, 2013, at RVM Start (with Images).
8:35: Dick Gordon, Medford City Councilor joins Bill in studio for the latest goings-on in the city of Medford. We’ll also talk more about the changes that Medford appears to want to enact for transportation in the city in the future.