Happy Tuesday, Village members and volunteers! Here is your biweekly dose of news, ideas, events, and humor.

Do you have ideas, funny videos, or pointers to share? Please send them to villagewwnewsletter@gmail.com so we can share with the group!

Village Without Walls Presents Pets During Disasters: Preparation and Recovery

Join us Wednesday, July 1, at 2:00 PM for a presentation by Gail Green on caring for pets during disasters.

We frequently hear about the importance of planning ahead for family emergencies—what we should have in family go-bags in case we need to evacuate because of a gas leak or earthquake damage.

Much less frequently do we hear about what we should do for our pets, with potentially tragic consequences. Disasters have often left volunteers with hundreds of animals to rescue and care for because owners had to leave them behind.

Gail S. Green, Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT), is a dog professional with 55 years of experience. Gail also has experience with cats and birds. She has trained at the American Red Cross Disaster Institute and has participated in pet rescue efforts following hurricanes, earthquakes, fires, and floods. 

No reservations are required, but the session is limited to 100. Be sure to check in on time.

New Scam to Watch For: Impersonating a Contact Tracer

Contact tracing is an important part of limiting the spread of COVID-19. Contact tracing is the process of identifying people who have come into contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus.

Contact tracers work with the infected person to obtain the names and phone numbers for everyone the infected person has come into close contact with while they may have been infectious. Contact tracers then contact these individuals by phone or letter—not a text message.

Regardless of the method chosen, legitimate contact tracers may ask for a person’s date of birth, but they will NEVER ask you for additional personal information, like a Social Security number, bank account, or credit card number. Anyone who does is an impostor and is trying to scam you.

To learn more about how to spot a scam, click the button below to download a flyer from the Oregon Department of Justice.

If you receive an email or a text message that you think might be from a scammer posing as a contact tracer, do not click on any links. If you receive a phone call that you suspect, just hang up.

You can file a complaint online at oregonconsumer.gov or call 1-877-877-9392 and ask that a complaint form be mailed to you.

For more tips on how to protect yourself from scams of all types, click the button below or visit oregonconsumer.gov/COVID-19.

Check Out the Village Without Walls Activity Calendar for July

Our Village activity calendar includes Village events and meetings plus community activities and fitness classes. Click the button below to go to the Community Connections page on the Village website, then click the Activity Calendar link to view this month's offerings.

Why Spices Are Way More Than the Spice of Life

Take a look at the cuisines of the world and you’ll notice something interesting. Cultures that live closer to the equator tend to use more spices in their traditional cuisine, while those who live further away tend to prefer their dishes a little blander. It seems that the warmer a place is, the spicier (or full of spice) its food is. It’s a bit curious, right?

So why is this? Is there something we’re missing in the wide world of wonderful food? Do spices have some kind of superpower in warm climates?

Click here to read an article from Ever Widening Circles. Or watch the PBS Nourish video below to explore the hidden superpowers behind our favorite spices, and what they can teach us about global culture. Dig in!

Elizabeth McIlroy, a 24-year-old occupational therapist who lives in Summit, New Jersey, says that each morning she wakes up to laughter and donkey noises—and that's a good thing.

McIlroy created a colorful "sensory pathway" in chalk on the sidewalk outside her home, encouraging local children (and adults) to perform tasks as they walk.

The pathway was meant to liven things up during the quarantine and provide some fun while social distancing. "The reactions I have gotten are incredible," McIlroy says. "My favorite part about all of this is seeing entire families come and go through the pathway together... the fact that I can get people to smile during this painful time means the world to me."

Read the full story here.

Opera Singer, College Graduate Sing Impromptu National Anthem Duet

When Portland State University selected graduating senior Madisen Hallberg to record the national anthem for the school's virtual graduation ceremony, it intended to film her singing solo. But a chance encounter transformed the performance into a beautiful and inspiring duet.

Professional opera singer Onry happened to be walking through the neighborhood when he heard Hallberg's voice. Like many musicians, he too had been singing outdoors during the pandemic, and he missed singing with others. He asked Hallberg if he could sing with her, and she said yes.

“What I’ve learned from this is how important it is to not be afraid to join in with someone else’s voice and not be afraid to listen to someone else,” Hallberg said.

Click this link to read the full story from OregonLive.

Are you or someone you know experiencing isolation or loneliness?

Isolation and loneliness can be dangerous for seniors anytime, but right now the stakes are higher than ever. The Oregon Senior Peer Outreach Line (1-833-736-4676; se habla español) and the Oregon Senior Loneliness Line (503-200-1633) are available at any time for older adults experiencing loneliness and isolation. 

That's it for now. Stay home, stay healthy!

And don't forget: send your favorite videos, classes, articles, and practical tips to us at villagewwnewsletter@gmail.com.