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Tualatin Allows Greater Leeway for Cannabis Businesses

Josh Kulla

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December 1, 2020

Tualatin Allows Greater Leeway for Cannabis Businesses

Cannabis businesses now have a friendlier climate in which to grow in Tualatin.

The Tualatin City Council voted 5-2 at its Nov. 9 meeting to approve new development code rules that will allow new cannabis businesses of all types to locate in larger section of the city’s industrial and commercially zoned areas. The new rules reduce existing “buffers” that formerly prevented such businesses from locating anywhere outside a small patch of industrial property at the western edge of the city.

“This is going to just open up some of our land in commercial and industrial areas for development of a store or two,” Mayor Frank Bubenik said. “I do not envision our city overrun by pot shops like the City of Portland. Our buffers are big, and we are going to be sure these do not locate where children congregate.”

The new rules reduce previous buffers around residential areas from 3,000 to 1,000 feet and repeal a previous ban on cannabis businesses being allowed in commercially zoned areas. The new rules are essentially identical to the minimum buffers allowed by state law. They will allow cannabis businesses in a much larger portion of the City’s industrial area on the west side, as well as in small area of commercial land straddling Interstate 5 around the Bridgeport Village shopping center.

Councilors declined to follow recommendations of the City’s planning commission, which called for 2,000-foot buffers and a continued ban on cannabis businesses in commercial areas.

“There were some of us who were willing to approve the PTA (planned text amendment) as written, and there were some that didn’t want to approve it at all,” said planning commission chair Bill Beers, who spoke to the council at the Nov. 9 meeting. “So that was the compromise we had; keep it away from the general downtown and residential parts of Tualatin.”

Maps showing areas where marijuana facilities were allowed under the City of Tualatin’s 3,000-foot buffer from libraries, parks, schools and residential districts (top) vs the new 1,000 feet buffer approved on Nov. 9 (bottom).

The new rules do not permit cannabis businesses in the city’s central commercial district in downtown Tualatin. This is an area where state mandated buffers around libraries and parks would have had largely the same effect anyway.

Several Tualatin residents spoke in opposition to the rule changes, each of them expressing concern about making access to cannabis easier for children, as well as the perceived negative effects of permitting easier “coping mechanisms” during a stressful global pandemic.

“If you give them an inch they’re going to take a mile,” Tualatin resident Julie Welborn said.

Anthony Stewart, an attorney representing Western Oregon Dispensary, again testified in favor of the rule changes. He said strict state advertising restrictions make obnoxious signs and banners impossible, and stressed that the cannabis industry provides high paying STEM jobs.

“Specifically if you’re setting aside the retail industry, a lot of people don’t realize the other licensees, the manufacturers, the labs, wholesalers, these are high paying, high quality STEM jobs, and jobs the community can be proud of.”

Councilor Maria Reyes said that despite the vocal minority of the community that spoke out against the changes on social media, she wishes to respect Tualatin voters who originally chose to allow cannabis businesses to operate in the city back in 2015.

“They have already spoken through their vote,” Reyes said. “It was based on the vote of people; that’s where my main drive for saying ‘yes’ to this is from.”

Councilors went on to approve the ordinance without debate at a second reading held at their Nov. 23 meeting.

Local Businesses Hiring in Tualatin

Jonathan Crane

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December 1, 2020

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We’ve all seen the signs around town of businesses large and small trying to attract employees, while at the same time reading reports about high unemployment. Why the disconnect? It really boils down to people who have been displaced in certain sectors, think restaurants and retail, apparently waiting for the end of the virus to return to their previous jobs, leaving the larger employers in Tualatin still just as high and dry as they were pre-pandemic, when record low unemployment was the issue of the day.

Tualatin has hundreds if not thousands of local job opportunities available right now. Many are in the world of production, manufacturing, shipping/receiving, CNC operation and programming, and a host of others. These local companies have strong sales and demand, yet they are often hampered by not being able to get the staff they need to get their product out the door. The increasing wages for local production jobs reflects this, going from the average of $13/hour for entry-level positions just a year or two ago to $15-$18/hour now. Yet even that is still not working, and they remain needy for help. Many of the companies we work with will train, so candidates can earn while they learn, yet still so few bites.

The CCIO will be offering opportunities to connect job seekers with local companies in the coming months. Many currently unemployed who are holding out for their industry to come back might want to consider the possibility of exploring a new vocation that might be more sustainable as we move forward with a new and vibrant economy. For more information, email tualatincommercialcio@gmail.com.

Aging in Place: December 2020

Susan Noack

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December 1, 2020

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The holiday season has arrived and social isolation is magnified more than ever for all of us. While we are all coping with the pandemic in our own ways with our families, friends and work, let’s not forget about our senior citizens and neighbors who may be struggling. Be aware of your neighbors, especially if they are alone or elderly. If anything looks amiss, it’s not interfering to knock on the door to check on someone (always with your mask on). It’s a show of kindness and it only takes a minute to keep your eyes open. If you have concerns, you can always call the Police Department at (503) 691-4800 and ask for a wellness check. Our officers are trained and prepared to do this. On the flip side, if you are that neighbor in need, it is really okay to ask for assistance. We all try to be good neighbors but sometimes we miss things and we wouldn’t know your need if you don’t ask.

There are other resources available for seniors:

Tualatin Police Department Prescription Delivery Service: call (503) 691-4800
Meals on Wheels People for home delivery of meals: call (503) 736-6325
Ride Connection for free transportation in Tualatin: call (503) 226-0700
Senior Connection Calls for a weekly friendly check-in: call (833) 736-4676
Senior Loneliness Line, another way to connect: call (503) 200-1633
Aging and Disability Resource Connection for available services to seniors: call (855) 673-2372
Tualatin School House Pantry will deliver food boxes: call (503) 783-0731
Instacart/Fred Meyer will deliver your groceries to you (there is a fee): call (844) 981-3433
Borland Free Clinic at Rolling Hills Church: call (503) 974-8887

If you are looking for something to do while staying home and staying safe, take advantage of all the on line programs offered by the City of Tualatin Library and the Parks and Recreation Department. Log on to www.tualatinoregon.gov and on the face page click on Our Community and then select Library and Parks and Recreation. Click on the links to discover all the programming available to you right in your home. The links for opportunities to explore is full of activities and creative ideas to have some fun, be active indoors and stay healthy:

do you want to take a Silver Sneakers or Yoga or Tai Chi exercise class;
belong to a book club;
take a health and wellness class;
join a letter exchange group with the Dear Stranger Project;
join an online nature and outdoor activity group;
take a virtual trip somewhere across the US;
a virtual tour of museums around the world;
the Oregon Field Guide to enjoy the great outdoors of Oregon;
check out a book or video from the library;
experience the Oregon Symphony or the Oregon Zoo;
tour the hidden Worlds of National Parks?

All you have to do is log on and bring the outside world inside to enjoy whenever you like.

Thank you all for caring for each other and wishes for a healthy and safe holiday season. Let’s welcome 2021 with the hope that better things are coming and we can leave 2020’s “new normal” behind.

City COVID-19 Relief Grant Funding Still Open to Local Businesses

Josh Kulla

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December 1, 2020

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City COVID-19 Relief Grant Funding Still Open to Local Businesses

The City of Tualatin has found itself this fall in the strange position of having trouble giving away no-strings-attached aid money to local residents and businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since last spring the City has directed roughly $1.2 million in federal funding to locally owned businesses and parents with school-age children. These programs also set aside money for future use. But despite handing out hundreds of thousands of dollars to local small businesses and residents for business recovery, city officials still have just under $100,000 left for that purpose.

City Economic Development Manager Jonathan Taylor told the council at its Nov. 23 meeting that Tualatin is unique in still having money from the federal Coronavirus Assistance, Relief and Economic Security, or CARES, Act left to distribute.

“We are the only city that is in this position to help our local small businesses because of how we planned and distributed those funds since March,” Taylor said.

Since that time, the City has directed $808,000 toward small business relief by combining City and State funds with federal CARES money. The resulting Tualatin Economic Stabilization Fund Program has provided grants to qualifying businesses through its Business Rental Assistance Program and the Business Oregon Small Business Fund.

As of Nov. 23, however, around $95,000 remained available to Tualatin-based small businesses. This money must be spent by Dec. 31.

As a result, Councilors directed City staff to not only make the $95,000 in business grants available to small businesses impacted by the pandemic, but also to expand an existing childcare scholarship program to people who work in Tualatin but who are not residents. Previously the latter program was limited to those living in the city. It remains open because the $250,000 approved by the City in August for this purpose has gone largely unspent. As of Nov. 23, just 11 children were benefiting from that assistance.

When it comes to business grants, even businesses that have already received City assistance are still eligible for further funding. This includes, restaurants, service and retail establishments, elective health care providers and more.

“If we can get the word out, businesses have a chance for this money,” Mayor Frank Bubenik said. “I heard a lot about the Business Oregon window closing in 17 minutes. A lot of folks didn’t realize they couldn’t qualify until the last second, but this is a lot easier. We need to get the word out this money is here. If you got this money before, you can come back again.”

The City’s business aid has come in three rounds since March and has resulted in 102 local businesses receiving assistance. The average grant has been $7,500, Taylor said, with the largest amount distributed being $20,000 and the smallest $884.

31 percent of grant recipients have been restaurants, with another 27 percent of grants given to service sector business like nail salons or recreation providers. 14 percent of businesses receiving aid are elective health care providers such as dentists or physical therapists. Eight percent are retail businesses, and two percent are motels.

For more information, please visit tualatinoregon.gov/economicdevelopment.

Rotary Dictionaries Go the Distance

Diane Bonica

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December 1, 2020

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There are many December traditions. Tree decorating, menorah lighting, festive food sampling and multi celebration singing. For The Tualatin Rotary Club, December has always involved dictionaries.

For years, every third grade student in Tualatin, has been gifted a dictionary by Rotary. The books are ordered and given dedication plates. They are then delivered to each elementary school by members of the club. Students are invited to an interactive dictionary class. Fun challenges are given to help students find words and other information. Giggles overwhelm the students when they are directed to the longest word in the English language. Eight and nine year old students are given a “rite of passage” reward. As experienced readers, they are now ready for the great book that will increase their vocabulary and introduce them to the wide world of words.

This December is different. Due to COVID, students are not physically in school buildings. The dictionary delivery tradition has been placed on hold until students are back in class. A long time Rotary tradition seemed interrupted until a phone called changed everything.

Carolyn Horne is a travel agent and a member of the Tualatin Chamber of Commerce. The COVID pandemic has been especially devastating to her industry. Like many businesses she has been forced to retool and try new approaches to her business plan. Carolyn and her husband decided to travel to St. Lucia in the Caribbean. They would personally document a safe travel plan and share it with their clients at Time To Travel Tours. They booked a stay at The Sandals Grande St. Lucian Resort and Sandals La Toc. Both locations take part in the charity program called, Pack For a Purpose.

The Sandals Foundation has adopted schools in St. Lucia. Travelers are asked to reserve space in their luggage for school supplies. In addition to crayons, markers and colored paper, the list included English dictionaries.

One of Tualatin Rotary’s student dictionaries.

Carolyn reached out to Rotary and the December tradition had new life. This time the dictionaries would go the distance and travel to another country. The world of words from Tualatin had the opportunity to delight and enhance the education of children an ocean away. Fifty five books were snugly packed in suitcases and delivered to foreign schools.

Once again, students will be exercising their minds as they locate and learn new words. They will work on many new skills; sequencing, spelling, alphabetization, context and much more. When children go looking for one word, they are introduced to many others. Dictionaries are treasure troves of knowledge and they promote literacy and academic success everywhere in the world.

The Tualatin Rotary Club has dedicated its fundraising activities to the educational enhancement of children in their community. The club has helped build a track at Bridgeport Elementary, sponsors Books on Wheels to provide books for all kids each summer, supports the mentoring class Intercambio at Tualatin High School, sponsors first generation college students with four year scholarships and much more.

This December dictionaries took an unexpected trip but their mission remained the same, expand opportunities for children to learn.

When the dictionaries arrived in St. Lucia, it was a local Rotary Club member, Judy Deterville, who assisted in their delivery. The Rotarian motto of service above self is flourishing from coast to coast. The December dictionary tradition lives on even in 2020.

Tualatin Clinic Offers State-of-the-Art Procedures Available to Patients

Barbara Sherman

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December 1, 2020

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Tualatin Clinic Offers State-of-the-Art Procedures Available to Patients

The proverbial Fountain of Youth may have found a home in Tualatin.

In June Dr. Roberta Huang opened Lumera Regenerative Medicine, which focuses on hormone imbalance in the body that can cause fatigue, weight gain, mood changes and low libido. The medical office/spa offers skincare, including micro-needling with PRP (platelet-rich plasma) that stimulates collagen production, laser treatments, Botox and fillers, and several treatments for sexual wellness.

After spending more than 20 years as an obstetrician/gynecologist, Dr. Huang grew frustrated at the normal 15-minute time limit for patient visits, knowing that wasn’t enough time to get to the heart of her patients’ issues.

“In short visits, you just can’t cover everything,” she said. “People like having extra time to talk about deeper issues. This is our opportunity to do a deeper dive.

“I actually started with sexual enhancement and then fell into the hormone side of medicine. A lot of people don’t realize that there are many options available to help with sexual issues. That’s how we hope to brand ourselves. And hormones are especially helpful with menopause and peri-menopause.”

Dr. Huang is one of two providers in Oregon who used the “diVa™ laser” that rejuvenates the vagina and helps with incontinence, vaginal laxity and lubrication, and she has an Emsella™ chair that uses magnetic energy to exercise the pelvic floor to help with sexual arousal and incontinence.

Another technique to foster more sexual sensitivity involves drawing blood and spinning it in a centrifuge to produce PRP that is re-injected into sexual organs. Wherever PRP is injected into the body, the body starts healing that area.

“We call it the P-Shot™ for men and O-Shot™ for women, and there is minimal discomfort,” Dr. Huang said. “It works, but insurance doesn’t pay for it. The beauty of these things is that they are minimally invasive and don’t require surgery.”

A different technique involves placing pellets under the skin that slowly release hormones over four months for women and over five months for men. Post-menopausal women who have not had breast cancer receive a mixture of estrogen and testosterone that “can really help through those rough years,” Dr. Huang said. “I have seen women in their 60s and 70s who are still having hot flashes.”

In addition to treating sexual dysfunction, Lumera has two advanced aestheticians whose techniques include using lasers on the skin to rejuvenate it.

And coming in December, Lumera will be the first place in the Portland area to offer the cutting-age and non-invasive Emsculpt Neo™ treatment, which combines magnetic energy and radio frequency to build muscle and reduce fat by up to 30 percent. “It is going to become the new paradigm for body sculpting,” De. Huang said.

She noted that Lumera Regenerative Medicine’s staff is made up of certified practitioners who have been trained in the various procedures and treatments.

“I have so many interests,” Dr. Huang said. “But the pillars of well-being are a good diet, exercise and getting enough sleep plus having a healthy psyche that includes good social interaction.

“I believe in helping the body to heal itself, and there are techniques and advanced procedures that can help. I’m very honest with my patients, and I tell them that change is accumulative and takes place over time.”

The majority of Lumera’s patients are female because in general they are more motivated to do self-care and are up-to-date on check-ups and preventative measures, according to Dr. Huang. She insists that new patients’ medical care is current before she starts treating them.

In the first three months Lumera was open, two women came in who needed to get their mammograms, which Dr. Huang insisted they have. “Both went on to get diagnosed with breast cancer,” she said. “I’m glad we did it by the book.”

Dr. Huang said she ended up opening her office in Tualatin by chance. When she first moved to Portland, she worked at Kaiser Permanente-Sunnyside Medical Center before going out on her own and looking all over the metro area for office space. Through a real estate connection, “we found this office space pretty quickly,” she said. “We are a hybrid spa/medical office. We love our location, and we did extensive remodeling to create a clean and peaceful vibe.”

Dr. Huang was born in New York City and lived in a lot of different places as her family moved around, noting, “I went to five different elementary schools and two different high schools.” Back in New York, she attended Columbia College, went to medical school at New York University and did her OB/GYN residency at Columbia-Presbyterian, graduating in 2000.

She worked in obstetrics/gynecology for 24 years, first in Brooklyn for two years followed by two more years in Manhattan before moving to Seattle to work. She and her husband had visited Portland and really liked the area and the climate, so they moved here in 2016, where Dr. Huang worked at Kaiser until April of this year.

Outside of medicine, she enjoys gardening, painting, listening to and playing music, preparing memorable meals for family and friends, and enjoying the splendor of the Pacific Northwest outdoors with her family.

Lumera Regenerative Medicine is located at 6464 SW Borland Road, Suite C3, in Tualatin. For more information, visit lumeramedical.com or call (503) 852-9680.

Holiday House Proofing

Sarah Harwood

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December 1, 2020

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We recently welcomed Hobbes, a five-month-old kitten, into our little pet family. He is everything sugar and spice and so much trouble. No picture frame, plate of food, or anything not nailed down is safe from this adorable orange monster. As someone who counts down the days until it’s acceptable (Can we all agree on the day after Thanksgiving?) to start decking the hall with holiday cheer, I knew that some precautions were going to have to be taken because of Hobbes.

Here are some “Hobbes proof” holiday ideas for the home to keep your pet safe and on Santa’s nice list:

A Christmas tree is a wonderland of pet hazards. Specifically, those dangling ornaments and the hooks used to hang them with care. Consider placing keepsake or delicate ornaments that have small parts out of paws reach by displaying them on the upper half of the tree. Keeping more sturdy ornaments towards the bottom, avoid using metal hooks when possible. Also, skipping the tinsel is a good idea. If ingested, tinsel can easily become entangled with organs making it the #1 foreign body surgery of the holiday season. Usage of a baby gate would also work well in keeping pets away from the tree.
Next are Christmas lights. With his history of nibbling on phone and laptop chargers, lights are going to be Hobbes’ Achilles heel. Consider purchasing electrical cord covers to keep any low hanging wires from the Christmas tree or window displays inaccessible to pets with a chewing addiction.
Tissue paper, bows, and ribbons, oh my! I know I am not the only one who takes great pride in my gift wrapping abilities, but this year I am foregoing the ribbons and bows in favor of decorative tape. Also, consider putting any presents containing food or gift baskets in a safe, secure area to avoid them getting opened early by prying kitties and doggies. Chocolate toxicity emergencies are greatly increased during this time of year.
Seasonal plants such as Poinsettia, Ivy, Mistletoe and Holly are a classic part of creating a wintery atmosphere but, unfortunately, are toxic to pets. Symptoms can include; vomiting, internal irritation and even convulsions, not worth the risk to your pet’s health or the bah humbug of spending time at the emergency hospital.

Tualatin Scrutinizes Police Use of Force Policies

Josh Kulla

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December 1, 2020

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Tualatin Scrutinizes Police Use of Force Policies

The killing of George Floyd by four Minneapolis police officers last May caused waves of revulsion throughout American society and has spurred hundreds of cities to examine policing practices and standards.

In Tualatin, Mayor Frank Bubenik and the City Council have signed the Reimagining Police Pledge created by the Obama Foundation and its offshoot, the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance. As part of that pledge, the City is hosting a trio of public conversations to discuss the Tualatin Police Department’s use-of-force policies and make changes, if the Council decides it is needed.

Tualatin Police Chief Bill Steele, Captain Greg Pickering and Sergeant Chris Turner all took turns explaining their department’s use-of-force standards and practices at the first of those virtual conversations, held on Oct. 14. They also fielded a series of questions from those attending the virtual meeting on topics ranging from racial profiling and deadly force to psychological examinations and mental health checkups for police officers.

One key fact in the discussion, however, was brought up early when Steele discussed the concept of “reasonable” use of force as embodied in the landmark 1989 U.S. Supreme Court case Graham v. Connor. This case requires courts to consider the facts and circumstances around an officer’s use of force rather than intent.

“What is reasonable?” Steel asked. “If you’re expecting a bright line rule – I’m afraid you’re going to very disappointed, because there are a lot of facts and circumstances that go into determining what is a reasonable use of force.”

These can include the severity of the crime being investigated, whether or not a suspect is fleeing or armed, the size and age of a suspect, the number of officers involved, possible drug or alcohol use and many more.

This, in part, is why there is a five-step use of force policy in place in Tualatin and most other departments that officers use in response to various situations.

Steps range from simple officer presence, with no force used, to verbal commands such as ‘Stop!’ or ‘Don’t move!,’ to empty hand control involving bodily force to gain compliance. After that, so-called “less than lethal” tools such as batons or pepper spray are used, followed by lethal force that normally involves firearms.

“Unless we know the arrest is unlawful, it allows us to defend ourselves or defend a third person,” Sergeant Chris Turner said.

One problem, however, is that these policies don’t take into account how to handle the homeless or persons with mental health problems.

“What’s not captured here,” Steele said, “is how to handle the homeless or people with mental illness situations. It isn’t necessarily coming from the law itself.”

This is an area where some agencies, such as the Eugene Police Department, have looked to use outside agencies to respond specifically to those types of calls. In Eugene, for instance, the Care and Helping Out on the Streets, or CAHOOTS, program is nationally recognized for using unarmed responders to deal with the homeless and mentally ill.

In Tualatin in 2020, Steele said, the agency has recorded 87 threshold events, or incidents where use of force could have been justified but was not used. There have been 29 actual use of force incidents.

Traffic stops are also tracked closely, and data recorded must include the race or ethnicity of the person involved. In 2020, 74.6 percent of traffic stops involved white drivers, 16.3 percent involved Latinos, 3.9 percent involved Black drivers, 3.2 percent were Asian, 1.1 percent were Middle Eastern, 0.7 percent were Pacific Islander and 0.2 percent were Native American.

The last incident involving use of lethal force by a Tualatin officer was in 2019 when Tualatin Police Detective Kevin Winfield, a 28-year veteran of the department, was among officers from multiple agencies involved in shooting a suspect near Hagg Lake.

Prior to that, Tualatin officers were involved in two shootings in 2016.

“It doesn’t happen frequently in our local area,” Steele said. “I’m proud to say the way law enforcement operates in our local area is a higher standard of what you see in the rest of the country.”

Winter Events to Keep Us Connected

Tualatin Life

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December 1, 2020

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The City of Tualatin’s Parks & Recreation Department has been hard at work to come up with creative ways to bring joy and cheer this winter. Thanks to funding from the Washington County Mental Health & Community Psyche Grant funding, the City of Tualatin is working to respond to the adversity we have faced due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. At a time when we must remain physically distant to keep one another safe, it is equally important for each of us to connect with our communities and share what makes Tualatin so special.

Please join us for one or more of these new community celebrations!

Tualatin Gratitude Wall

Even with all of the challenges that 2020 has brought us, we have so much to be thankful for. Share your thoughts on our community Gratitude Wall!

Purrfect Holiday Cat Photo Contest

Following up on the fun of our HOWLoween dog photo contest, we’re now sharing the smiles with our feline friends! Snap a picture of your cat getting into the holiday spirit, and enter to win a meow-worthy gift basket!

Holiday Lights Parade

Be a part of a new Tualatin tradition by decorating your car for the Tualatin Holiday Lights Parade! Reserve your spot in one of the three parades, and receive a free auto light starter kit. Not quite ready to deck out your car? Visit the webpage a week prior to each parade to see if the route goes past your home! Saturday, Dec. 5 we will be parading from Atfalati Park to Browns Ferry Park, Dec. 12 is the Ibach Park area, and Dec. 19 will be the north side of Tualatin and the Jurgens Park area.

Happy Donuts in the Park Day!

Well, the weather outside may be frightful, but free donuts, cocoa, and crafts can help make it delightful! Bundle up and visit a park for a tasty treat and fun crafts kits to take home and enjoy.

Wednesday, Dec. 2, 3 – 5 p.m. – Atfalati Park
Wednesday, Dec. 9, 3 – 5 p.m. – Ibach Park
Wednesday, Dec. 16, 3 – 5 p.m. – Tualatin Community Park

For more information on these events, visit www.tualatinoregon.gov/recreation/winter-and-holiday-activities. These events are made possible by the Washington County Mental Health & Community Psyche grant funding and the Resilience Project Tualatin. Look out for more great community celebrations and activities throughout this winter!

J-Dogg Takes a Break, Hannah Fills-in

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Hannah Cashman

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December 1, 2020

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It starts out the same as any homework assignment, 700 words due by tomorrow, with the overarching subject being about horticulture. As a highly trained professional student, this task seems quick and easy. Something I was trained to do by hand within an hour preparing for IB exams, and something that continued through college as papers stacked up and seemingly more important studies took precedence. Admittedly, as I sit down to write this, I feel a little rusty. I have watched my father, J-Dogg, struggle for inspiration, procrastinate and constantly seek the right feeling for this very article that I have now been tasked with. Pages of various brain maps attempting to organize the brilliance that becomes this article, yet here I sit with nothing but my laptop and empty cup of coffee. I wonder, how could it be so hard to simply complete the assignment?

Any returning reader will wonder why J-Dogg has not appeared with his usually scheduled witty yet wholesome article, and why the task has suddenly fallen to his inexperienced daughter. Let me tell you; he has taken up his newest experiment, vlogging (with the intent to eventually become a plant influencer himself). The new task has given him a sense of pride as he claims to finally move into the 21st century *cue the eye roll* he has been playing with the video camera for far longer than just the last week. He has been well trained in the art of quickly capturing the mundane parts of life as each of us four children have at one point in time been his less than well-behaved subjects (maybe the plants will listen better). I believe that my father, just like many of us recently, is suffering from an acute sense of nostalgia. The overwhelming need to return to better times has been plaguing all of the generations. Snacks from our childhoods have magically appeared in the cupboards, age-old recipes have been requested and resurfaced, and questionable clothing trends have yet again returned to threaten the balance of sanity between “cool and uncool.” Yet, there is still the constant urge to move forward and find something new, perhaps something better. New snacks have been introduced from time to time, recipes have been adjusted to include vegetarian diets, and those clothing trends, as always, carry a new twist.

The same thing can be said for gardening (I knew you were waiting for the connection). In particular for this winter season. Yes, we are still selling trees; yes, we still have winter baskets to replace the lonely post of your summer passion basket. Yet, this year looks just a little bit different for everyone individually. For example, earlier this week, a customer, let us call her Jane, came in. She was looking for a decorated winter basket. Each year, Jane would come for a basket but tended to pick the more traditional red and green combos. This year, however, was different; this year, Jane came in with a car that was already full. See, Jane is a school teacher and has been for the last 30 years. Due to current circumstances, Jane came with a car full of her classroom. Something that had been familiar to her for so long and had brought her happiness every day now was reduced to the contents of her vehicle. She marched right in with purpose; she knew what she wanted. Jane picked a basket that contained snowflakes, glitter, and all things wintery. It happened to be a basket that was just freshly made; it had been hung literally minutes before selection. There was no doubt, this basket was made for Jane. In amongst the turmoil, it was something familiar, something nostalgic, yet something new. This example is just the beginning of the magic that gardening can bring individuals. The landscape can stay the same, but something new, something that makes us happy, can always be added. A touch of color, a sense of responsibility, someone to listen, plants provide all of these things for us. This year, as we set up our trees, write our articles, tend to our gardens, I challenge us to recognize what is familiar, appreciate it, and then choose to add a twist and make this year new.