Kathy Corjasso

An ECHO (Elder Cottage Housing Opportunities) unit is often a separate, small, manufactured home added in the side or backyard of a single-family house - usually an adult child's house. It can also be an apartment within the main house or added onto the main structure. Older parents can then live near their children but not with them.

ECHO is an ideal answer for many families. It allows older adults to get the support they need while all can stay independent in their own homes. It gives everyone the privacy they may desire.

ECHO units permit closeness without sacrificing self-reliance or independence. Often, they foster a spirit of mutual support between the households. Grandparents and grandchildren are more apt to develop close relationships. An ECHO unit can eliminate the hassle of distance traveling to offer needed support to loved ones.

I have been checking out senior facilities in Corvallis but hadn't gotten around to Albany yet. This past week I had the sad job of helping research an appropriate place for my uncle.

Eugene Davidson, ex POW of the Japanese, survivor of the Bataan Death March. 90 years old and just in the past year stricken with Alzheimers to the point that his wife can no longer care for him at home. The Corvallis Manor won't take him and the VA won't pay for Regent Court. So, to Albany we went. Timberview is on 6th Street right across the street from the hospital. I talked with Admissions and went on a short tour of the building. It was just a quick preview because ultimately it was his wife and children who would make the decision. I was just a scout. It was lunch time when I was there and everything was bright and clean. No smells evident and residents seemed well attended. They have a fenced in garden area where folks who want to get outside are able to walk in safety.

His family visited and were pleased with what they saw and sometime this week Eugene will move into his new residence. Maybe he will think he is visiting a fancy hotel in a far away country. Hopefully he will forget the unbearable hunger of his war years.

How thankful I am for the people who dedicate their lives to care for these folk that have no where else to go. They take on tasks that most of us could never imagine ourselves doing. They care for our Vets everyday, those who have been dedicated enough to care for us. God Bless.

Kiva is the world's first person-to-person micro-lending website. They let you lend to the working poor.

http://www.kiva.org. I just came across the web site and while I haven't taken the time to read through it or do any research it certainly seems like a great idea. I just wondered what someone elses take on it is.

I currently go to www.freekibble.com where you answer their little quiz and they donate food to shelter dogs and cats. This does not cost to play and they really do donate the food. You can play once a day and im my case the food goes to Safehaven in Linn County.

Recently I spent some time helping at Vina Moses. This is a place where everything is free to the people who sign up to shop there. They put out nice clothes, (nothing with stains or tears). They have bedding, kitchen items, shoes, full layettes for newborn babies. Everything thing a person donates is given to a family (or individual) in need. It is like a free Goodwill store. The volunteers are the nicest ladies you could hope to meet. Right now they are putting aside all brand new things that come in and before school starts they will outfit childen with all they need to go to school feeling good about themselves. This is a true angel organization. What an opportunity to give back to a community that provides us such a wonderful place to live. I will certainly want to spend more time here.

This care center will be closing as soon as the current residents can be placed in other residences. Corvallis Manor is now the only short term skilled nursing facility in Corvallis. While Corvallis Manor is an excellent nursing home with a better than wonderful physical therapy team, it seems to bad that there is not going to be a choice of where to go for short term rehab. Unless you go to Albany or further. Heart of the Valley is the sight of the old Corvallis Hospital. I'm telling on myself, but both of my children where born in that hospital. I wonder what will become of it. Yes, it is old and in need of repair. Time passes and things change. Just like in the real estate business. Just like the weather in Oregon. Cheers.

Two hours after I scanned and e mailed my rescind. to the other broker, he called and said my clients offer was approved. When I called my clients to see if they wanted to proceed, they just laughed and said "well isn't that good timing, we will let you know". Haven't heard back from them. By the way, thank you for all the kind words. It is nice to have the moral support. Kathy