On Jan. 14 people from all walks of life, spanning ages three to eighty five, joined together at the Red Lion Inn in Medford to mark the 10th annual Lambda Awards. This annual event, sponsored by the Abdill-Ellis Lambda Community Center and organized by Cori Cooper, celebrated and honored another year of individuals and organizations who worked hard to send the message that equal rights for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community are heard and gained. The Center, located in the Historic Armory in Ashland, is a non-profit organization serving the GLBTQ communities of Southern Oregon and Northern California and is the only such center in the state of Oregon.

Entertainment included performances by Mercedes, Diva Disaster and the Planned Parenthood Teen Theater. State Representative Peter Buckley was the keynote speaker this year. Senators Alan Bates and Ben Westlund, co-sponsors of last year's Senate Bill 1000, also attended this landmark event. From the Portland headquarters of Basic Rights Oregon, Executive Director Roey Thorpe made her way to the valley to join the celebration in honor of the Lambda Award recipients.

Jeffrey Foust received the Lambda humanitarian award, which recognizes individuals who through their outstanding involvement and dedication have made a significant contribution of leadership or service, which has improved or enriched the lives of others and the welfare of humanity.

Delaine Due was given the Lambda community outreach award which recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions toward understanding tolerance and acceptance of the GLBT community.

Leslie Sadur was presented with the Lambda community service award, which recognizes individuals for their unselfish and extensive accomplishments in community service- such as, board, commission or community groups, which have demonstrated a sustained commitment to the GLBT community.

Avery "Pup" Grimsley earned the Lambda hall of fame award, which recognizes exceptional and lasting contribution with long-term impact on the GLBT community by sharing a generous and unselfish attitude.

The Abdill-Ellis Lambda Community Center presented two special awards. Zack Druckenmiller was honored with the Outstanding youth award and Lori Worfield and Pam Ogren were each recipients of the Perseverance through oppression award.

January 28^thSaturday SOU Free Film Evening

Steve, from Video Explorer informed us that at 7pm in Room 101, SOU, Arts Building (next to the Schneider Museum of Art) there will be some films to check out: Beyond Kabuki and other experimental shorts. Come to a free evening of short films from all over the world and covering various periods of the 20th century. Many of these films are fabulously surreal and exotic film making techniques were used in their productions.

If you’re in the mood for some unusual and hard to find visual treats, come on down!

IT’S FREE!

January 31^stNews from Evo’s

Hello Fun-Folk of Ashland!

LUCKY US! We've got TWO radical events coming up next week!

Make sure to visit Evo's for First Fridays!

Till We Meet Again...

Linsay Mac

Folk-Jazz Singer-Songwriter Cellist from Boston!

Tuesday, January 31st

7:30 pm, $5

www.lindsaymac.com

Evo's Coffee Lounge

376 E. Main Street

February 1^stWinterSpring Presents

A Fine Farewell: Creating Home Funerals

with Marian Spadone

Medford Public Library,

Wednesday, February 1, 6:00 to 8:00 PM

772-2527 www.WinterSpring.org

"I was inspired by Marion Spadone's workshop at the WomanSource Rising 2005 Fall Gathering at Lake of the Woods. She draws from ancient earth-based religions as well as a variety of cultures in her work. I am delighted she accepted my invitation to become part of WinterSpring's Community Circles project." Donna Taylor

Marian Spadone, funerary artist, assists people, through education and guidance, to reclaim the loving act of caring for the dead and creating home funerals. She says,"Until only 2 or 3 generations ago, most families took charge of caring for their own dead. Now, with our culture's increasing emphasis on professionalism, we have been made to think that friends or family members don't know how or aren't "allowed" to care for a body after death. We think a body must be embalmed for sanitary reasons. We think that there's only one kind of container to be buried in, a casket, which must be bought at a funeral home. None of this is true! I am deeply called to this work. I want to encourage people to take on this blessed and potent experience rather than handing it over automatically to "the professionals". Participating in this way can engage the grieving process profoundly and speed healing and acceptance of all of the losses in our lives. I'll be sharing information, a suggested reading and internet resource list, a video, some of my funerary art and personal stories and discussion from the audience."

February 12^thMen’s Pot Luck

The February Pot Luck will be held on Sunday, February 12^th at 1932 Steven’s Road, Eagle Point from 3:00PM to 7:00PM. Michael Erceg will host the Pot Luck. For directions and information call Michael at 826-5218. Remember to BYOB

February 18th Planned Parenthood Benefit

Dress for Disco at the Standing Stone Brewery 8:30PM

February 7^thNext Spanish Class: Revised Schedule

Conversational Spanish classes, taught by Larry Crain and Zach Druckenmiller, will be held on Tuesday February 7^th and February 21^st in Medford. On February 7^th a film from Spain will be shown. Class runs from 7:30PM until 9:00PM. In March and subsequent months, classes will be held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. The class is designed for beginning conversational level.

For location and directions

Contact Zach 778-6126 or email Zach zax145@yahoo.com or Larry Crain at 779-9462.

February 15^thCenter Post Article Deadline

We are putting together the spring edition of The Center Post, our print newsletter. Articles are needed! Please submit whatever you’d like us to include directly to our publisher, Zach no later than February 15^th at zax145@yahoo.com or call him 326-1202.

2006 Web site for the 2006 Oregon Hate Crimes Conference

This web site is up and running!

Visit http://oregonstate.edu/conferences/hatecrimes2006/ to view the conference schedule, find out about registration, learn about our keynote speakers, and much more.

And remember... we will continue to update the site as more details about the conference become available

Trish Cook Benefit Weekend March 2nd, 4th and 5th

The lead singer in Blue Lightning, Trish Cook has been diagnosed with Lymphoma and will undergo chemo for six months. This has been physically, emotionally and financially draining on Trish so Blue Lightening is giving her a benefit the first weekend of March.

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2006

Festive Weekend Kick-Off Event

Ashland Springs Hotel, Ashland, 5:30-8:30 PM

Hors d'oeuvres • Wine and Beer • Silent Auction

Music by Jim Quinby cost: $25.00

SATURDAY, MARCH 4, 2006

Concert & Dance Event

Ashland Community Center, 59 Winburn Way

Featuring the music of:

Leslie Kendall in Concert, 7:00-8:00 PM

Dance to Blue Lightning and featured guest artist,

8:00-10:00 pm cost: $20.00

SUNDAY, MARCH 5, 2006

Cabaret and Auction

Ashland Community Center, 59 Winburn Way

2:00-5:00 PM cost: $15.00

Guest Artists include:

Siskiyou Summit Crystal Reeves & Pat O’Scannell

The Hamazons Women With Wings

Benefit Weekend Package

Entrance into all events - $50.00

For further information call 488-1078

Consider this: Become a Center Member

The Abdill-Ellis Lambda Community Center operates for you and because of you! We thank all the wonderful contributors and supporters who month after month, year after year have seen it in their hearts to donate their time and money so that we may exist. Some of you who receive this email have not yet become Center members. Please help support the Center by becoming a member and donating as much, and as often as you are able. Membership applications are available at the Center or on our web site www.abdellis.org

Benefits of membership include discounts at businesses in the valley. See our website for a complete list of businesses that support the LGBTQA community of Southern Oregon. Your consideration of membership in the only GLBTQA Community Center in the state of Oregon is exquisitely appreciated.

AELCCA 2006 Operating Hours

The Center’s hours, effective immediately are:

Monday: OPEN 3-6PM (new)

Tuesday: 3:00 - 6:00 PM

Wednesday: 3:00 - 6:00 PM

Thursday and Friday: 3:00 – 6:00 PM

Saturday and Sunday: Closed

Anyone interested in volunteering, either at the desk, on committees or for special events, please contact Leslie Sadur, Volunteer Coordinator, at 488-9168 to make the necessary arrangements.

New Board Member

Avery “Pup” Grimsley is the newest member of the Board of Directors of the Abdill-Ellis Lambda Community Center. Welcome Pup!

HIV Testing Hour Revised Schedule 2006

Free HIV Testing is generally available at the Abdill-Ellis Lambda Community Center on Fridays from 5PM-6PM. Paul Garcia, Certified Nurse Assistant will be at the Center for confidential testing and counseling on Fridays in February from 5:00 to 6:00pmand on March 3^rd ,same time.

After March 3^rd, HIV testing days/times will be revised.

Always call the Center to confirm that testing will be conducted that day.

Board Meeting Schedule Change

The next Board Meeting of the Abdill-Ellis Lambda Community Center will be January 31^st at 7:00PM The February 14^th meeting has been cancelled. (actually moved back to Jan. 31^st) The Board will also meet in February on the 28^th of the month. All meetings are open to the community and everyone is encouraged to participate.

Not so new – News

Free Counseling at the Center

Counseling is still available free of charge, at the Abdill-Ellis Lambda Community Center.

Three interns from the Southern Oregon University Masters in Applied Psychology Program are offering their services. Supervision is also being provided to the interns.

Anyone interested is asked to call the Center 488-6990 and the referral will be forwarded to the interns’ supervisor who will match the request with the appropriate intern.

Resources

Check out the web site www.abdellis.org for more resources!

Have you moved?

Are you receiving the Center Post, the print newsletter of the Abdill-Ellis Lambda Community Center? If you are a current Center Member then you should expect to receive the Center Post, published seasonally. So, Members on the move, please help us update our records by sending us your current mailing address. Email us at abdillellis@yahoo.com Thank you!