Intro to the FEW list

Surgery Update 12-15 and 12-22-06

Ongoing Needs

1. Housing -
2. Visitors / Nursing -
3. Financial -

Calls for Action

1. Save the Date – Big Fundraiser 2-23-07-
2. Workshop Hosting & Support -
3. List Organizing and Phone Trees -

We are the FEW: the Friends of Ernie Wisner. We have given ourselves this acronym to organize support for Ernie after his leg-mashing car incident May 26, 2006, during VBC in Portland.

As a community volunteer, Ernie’s best resource during this ordeal is us: his community. Please pass this message on to others who know Ernie. If you want to be added or subtracted from the FEW list, please say so in an email to eritter at gmail.com.

A big thank you to everyone for all the love and support so far.

Dec. 15 and Dec. 22: Both surgeries went exactly as planned.
- Details: Ernie’s leg bones still hadn’t healed after 7 months, so he was referred amicably to a new specialist, Dr. Friess. On Dec 15th, Dr. Friess and his team removed Ernie’s emergency rod and took some cultures. After a week’s cultivation, the cultures showed absolutely no sign of any infection – yay!
- So on the 22nd, he went into surgery again, and got all kinds of new hardware installed to firmly fix those bones in place. (He’s still more man than machine, or so he assures us). This time, everything went “even better than expected.” He stayed overnight at OHSU’s ortho ward, cheered up his former nurses, and was released to home care the morning of the 23rd.
- Ernie was in a lot of pain the first few days, and is taking it very slow this week. The holidays went well, with visits from friends and family. Two wonderful local RNs have offered help with home care, which will be a blessing for this post-op recovery period. Ernie is starting to go stir-crazy, though, so please visit when you can.

1 - Housing & Phone -
Ernie found a new place to stay, yay! thanks to a timely opening at the house of Matt Phillips, 4611 N Kerby. Ernie moved in by bike on Dec. 13th, along with third housemate Erica Ritter. Ernie got his own phone for Christmas: now you can reach him directly at 503-290-8479. (This is a T-Mobile ToGo account, so pre-paid T-Mobile phone time is also a welcome gift.)

2 - Visitors / Nursing -
especially Wednesdays. Other days are also good. Please call or email ernie to arrange a time: ewisn @ yahoo.com

Useful things to bring:
- food* (*no mangoes or cashews please, and nothing with fur or feathers – seafood & eggs welcome),
- cheerful distractions (cool websites, comic books, kids’ movies, small useful projects. Please remember, limited attention span while on painkillers, and please write name & number on anything you want to get back.)
- your willingness to help with mundane things like washing dishes, fetching, tidying up, laundry, and moving pillows.
- Healing Talents – special appreciation to anyone who can bring skills such as nursing / caregiving experience, massage, acupuncture, “Healing Touch,” hypnotherapy, Reiki, etc... (all subject to doctors’ orders – no direct contact with the wound at this point).

3 - Financial -
Ernie’s financial situation has improved slightly, from abysmal to merely tense. Elements in place:
- Lawyer Cary Nevotny has been negotiating insurance and hospital bills, and arranged a bargain that allows Ernie to receive continued care under the existing insurance. Whew!
- Small-scale fund-raisers have been successful, such as the Laughing Planet “Tall Redhead on Crutches Benefit Night,” the Rocket Stove workshop at TLC Farm, and some imprompetu holiday craft sales. More ideas welcome.
- Three or four regular donors remain the mainstay of Ernie’s support, plus many other donations from a wide range of people. Please keep telling Ernie’s story, offer support when you can, and spread the word about upcoming workshops and benefits.
- A big fund-raising event, incorporating speakers, food, live music, and auction, has been proposed for February 23rd. Please save the date!
- Workshops: Ernie and Erica are also planning more benefit workshops. See calendar below.

Save the Date: Friday Night, February 23rd, at the “Cathedral.” (on N Mississippi)
Organizers and networkers needed: some ways to help include:
- connect with artists & art lovers to help ensure a successful auction;
- collect donations of food, drink, and auction items;
- find hot local musicians & MC’s who might be willing to donate time or cut their rates;
- flyer-and-poster spreading maniacs, and
- behind-the-scenes “get-it-done” types who can help keep things running smoothly.

One Question for Everyone: Please brainstorm inspiring local famous people who might make compelling speakers, or add other lovely elements to the event.

Please contact Alexis, mOceaN, and/or Erica to help: solidarity@econet.org, moontrout@cityrepair.org, eritter@gmail.com

Please contact Erica or Ernie if you are interested in ...
- hosting a class, workshop, or private tutoring session
- reserving a chunk of Ernie’s or Erica’s time for other paid work.
- helping to publicize, gather materials, taste-test recipes, etc.

What kind of workshops? Well, the next few proposals include:
-”Snowflakes and Valentine’s Lace:” BYO Scissors, and create your own winter decorations and valentines. Instructions included for sharing these techniques with others. Location TBA, taught by Erica on January 27th / 28th, 12-2 pm. eritter@gmail.com

-Chocolate Truffles and possibly Cheesecake, a small-group workshop using Ernie’s favorite recipes to generate Valentine’s packages for sale. Yes, You Will Get to Take Some Home. Sat. Feb 3rd, 12 - 4 PM at the Kerby Kitchen. (4611 N Kerby, between Alberta & Skidmore) ewisn@yahoo.com

-Baking Basics – 4 hour workshop, featuring “3 hour bread” and other kitchen favorites – location TBD, March 3 (rain date March 10); want to host it? contact ewisn@yahoo.com

Other ideas for March:
Mud Maintenance workshop -
Anyone interested hosting Ernie as a trainer in plasters, repairs, and weatherproofing? Suggested dates March 23 or 30. Contact ewisn at yahoo.com
-“Keep Up With The Gimp” bike tour.... or not. Timing TBD.

While I enjoy writing an elegant missive now and then, a FEW willing accomplices would make a big difference to keeping the ball rolling. Would you like to:
- set up / moderate a free listserv, e.g. Yahoo group, or website?
- coordinate/participate in a phone tree for friends-and-family updates?
- take on organizing for a particular event or project?
Any such support would be gratefully accepted.

Existing resources:
http://www.cityrepair.org/wiki.php/Ernie (this site) http://www.journalscape.com/ecca (Erica’s journal)
www.cobcottage.com www.cityrepair.org www.tryonfarm.org www.naturalbuildingnetwork.org www.Shift2Bikes.org

Yours, Erica Ritter
eritter@gmail.com * 503-758-1093