The Applegater

Applegater Winter 2020 7 Placemaking is a welcome sign BY SETH KAPLAN Placemaking— any strategy or action that strengthens the connection between people and the places they share—is an important lens for our work at A Greater Applegate (AGA). It is a collaborative process by which we can shape our p u b l i c re a l m b y paying attention t o t h e p h y s i c a l , cultural, and social identities that define a place—now and for the future. The questions w e a s k a t o u r n e i g h b o r h o o d , business, and nonprofit listening sessions are designed to help us all gain a better understanding of what we want to retain and change about the place we call the Applegate. e answers to these questions have led AGA to create the Applegate Valley logo, build and improve public bulletin boards, and work with local artists to enhance public spaces. All of this and more is how we collectively and collaboratively create a shared sense of place called the Applegate Valley. In placemaking conversations, we often hear from people who are excited about creating Applegate Valley Welcome Signs. AGA created a Welcome Sign Working Group of community members Caroline Brandes, Jeff Martin, Celia Chavez, Josias Escobedo, Sang Montage, Sue Owen, Tiffany Ryan, Monica Schuster, Diana Slater, Terri Stewart, AGA staff member Ryan Pernell, and artist Jonathan Ash (Oshala Farm sign) to create the welcome sign image depicted on this page. e final version of the welcome sign will be carved in wood and colorfully painted. We want to place one on the east and one on the west side of the Applegate Valley along Highway 238. The community work group was unanimous in its belief that the sign should be unique, attractive, and representative of the Applegate. A draft of the image is being disseminated through Facebook, Jo's List, and the AGA Bulletin to ensure we get feedback from as many Applegaters as possible. We are happy with the image but want to hear from you. What do you think of the image? What thoughts do you have about colors, size, the signs' construction, where to place them, or anything else? Please send any thoughts you have to info@agreaterapplegate.org, call 541-702- 2108, or send a note to PO Box 335, Jacksonville 97530. Once we hear from the community, we will make appropriate changes and begin the approval process to get the signs installed. is includes contacting appropriate p r o p e r t y o w n e r s to seek permission and submitting an application to both counties for approval. P l a c e m a k i n g i s i m p o r t a n t i n building community connections, capacity, and culture and in taking actions that are most meaningful t o Ap p l e g a t e r s . I f you would like to be involved in this project or any of the other AGA projects, please contact AGA via Facebook or by email at seth@ agreaterapplegate.org. Building Momentum in the Applegate Valley Momentum Grants are AGA's way to recognize efforts community organizations are taking to sustain and build the social, environmental, and economic vitality of the Applegate Valley. AGA recently awarded Momentum Grants to the following community projects: • Applegate Partnership & Watershed Council— $1,000 to install a watershed map at the Provolt Special Recreation Management Area • Applegater newsmagazine—$1,300 to cover the cost to mail and distribute this issue • Community Wellness & Healing Arts Network—$1,000 to produce Coping with Crisis, a community healing event • McKee Bridge Historical Society—$500 to clean historic grave markers at the Logtown Cemetery • Pacifica—$500 to conduct community outreach in support of a Conditional Use Permit to hold more events • Wanderlust eatre—$500 to support the 2021 production of Dracula in the Applegate Valley • Well Water Wellness—$1,000 to help purchase a 3-D simulated groundwater model to support a groundwater education curriculum at Applegate Valley schools • Wi l l i a m s C o m m u n i t y Fo re s t Project—$1,000 to support efforts to preserve Pipe Fork Creek In addition, AGA awarded $500 each to Applegate Elementary, Ruch Outdoor Community School, Williams Elementary, and Woodland Charter to support efforts at the schools to adjust to COVID. Congratulations to all the grantees and to all of you who do so much to make the Applegate Valley the best place to live! Seth Kaplan, Executive Director A Greater Applegate seth@agreaterapplegate.org NONPROFIT NEWS AND UPDATES An Applegate Valley welcome sign will be placed along Highway 238 on the east and west sides of the valley. In August, Friends of the Animal Shelter (FOTAS) decided to cancel all indoor fundraising events because of the pandemic, including the popular Deck the Paws Holiday Fair. But many artists and crafters had been making a n d d o n a t i n g s p e c i a l g i f t a n d p e t items throughout the year, so FOTAS decided to try an outdoor crafts fair at the Historic County Courthouse in Jacksonville. Early on the morning of September 8, a report went out that almost everything needed for the crafts fair was in place: permits, insurance, tables, canopies, inventory. Everything but the roster of volunteers. Three hours later all animals at the Jackson County Animal Shelter (JCAS) were evacuated to the Expo as the Almeda Fire blasted through Talent and Phoenix. FOTAS and JCAS went to work to find foster homes for the shelter animals, while strays and pets relinquished t e m p o r a r i l y b y n e w l y h o m e l e s s families poured in. e main shelter buildings escaped serious damage, but improvements paid for and maintained by FOTAS were lost—exercise yards, storage sheds, landscaping. Lacking power and water, the shelter complex r e m a i n e d c l o s e d f o r t h r e e w e e k s . Ownerless animals continued arriving at the Expo. e need for a successful fundraiser was now more vital than ever, but the ranks of FOTAS volunteers were disproportionately impacted by the Almeda Fire. Many volunteers live(d) in Talent and Phoenix; some lost their homes or were unable to return home while utilities were being restored. Applegaters immediately responded to a call for help. Several were already at the Expo by the afternoon of September 8 to help care for evacuated animals and take a few home to foster. ey transported six large-breed dogs and three cats to Sanctuary One in Upper Applegate; Sanctuar y One assumed responsibility for rehoming these pets. Applegaters step up to help foster animals BY LAURA AHEARN A caring couple in Little Applegate g a v e o n e o f t h o s e d o g s , l o v e l y Squirt, a home. The crafts fair went for ward as planned on October 3-4. Applegaters filled over half the volunteer spots besides making items to donate. Several worked at the event on both days. e smoke cleared, Mother Nature arranged glorious weather, and pet-loving shoppers turned out. e event was a success, far exceeding fundraising goals. Applegaters continue their efforts to help FOTAS and JCAS recover from the fire. Two local businesses are marketing handcrafted items on behalf of FOTAS. Sweets-n-Eats in Ruch is selling jewelry and figurines, and Little Applegate resident Dr. Jeffrey Judkins has deluxe dog-walking pouches at AnimalKind Holistic Veterinary Clinic. 100% of proceeds go to FOTAS to help shelter and foster animals. Stop by and pick up a gift for an animal-lover ... or for yourself! Laura Ahearn Laura.ahearn@stanfordalumni.org One of many canine visitors at the FOTAS Crafts Fair. Photo: Sunny LeGrand. Local • Seasonal • Handcrafted Fresh Flowers Available At: 190 E. California St. Downtown Jacksonville Ruch Country Store & Medford Food Co-Op Now Delivering! • 541-531-6559 • zuzusfl owers.com Now serving burgers!

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