ABOUT ME I have the heart of a mountain man, but a soft spot for the plights of the small-town entrepreneur and the big-city artist. This means that I could happily live on nuts, berries, dried meat and bitter greens, yet have a serious fancy of gourmet cuisine. Instead of my dream cabin in the mountains of Talent, I have chosen a triplex-townhouse in Ashland's first cohousing community - easy biking distance from everything in town - and hope to offer my children a well-cultured upbringing.

HOBBIES I recently moved into a new home and have become an avid student of landscaping & gardening, rain & solar collection, and how to manage a band of small children.

INTERESTS I love to learn constantly about the nature and language of the body and soul, I'm convinced that this is the purpose of life. I mostly practice this by being engaged in marriage, parenthood, community, bodywork, soccer, and making Love with the Earth.

Unusual Talents You probably can't get a soccer ball past me. I can straighten out your skeleton, if you ask me the right way. Quite good at cooking eggs to order, except for poaching.

BOOKS I read a lot of novels in my first 20 years, especially enjoyed the work of John Steinbeck. I mostly read non-fiction as an adult, though I have been swept away by J.K. Rowling, Dan Brown, and Tom Robbins.

MUSIC I'm enthusiastic about hearing the music of any and every nationality, especially if it's tribal. My interests have ranged from psychedelic rock to hard hip-hop and jazz to classical Indian, Qawwali, and on and on. Nothing gets my feet moving like Samba, West African, and West Coast Acid Jazz. I haven't become well acquainted with the local scene, but I will say that Cornflower seriously rocks.

MOVIES Many sorts of indie and foreign films; I like well produced drama, documentary, suspense, action and kungfu, but I can't stand most Hollywood-type productions. Movies that make me think deeply about human relations and behavior are my favorite, yet an epic thriller like Lord of the Rings will always float my boat.

Best Day of My Life Probably on a wilderness backpacking trip... it's hard to choose the best. Maybe around Yosemite Valley.

Why to Be my Friend Lots of Love, good eats, heartfelt talk and touch.

Causes & Charities I am a part of the First Healing Army of America (or at least I will be when it forms.) I strive to participate in little pollution and I support the work of KS Wild, Lomakatsi Restoration Project, True Majority, ImpeachBush.org, and OSPIRG.

Places I Eat Sheryl's home cooking is excellent, and group meals at Bear Grass Village are the best dinner deal in town. I like to grab a quick lunch at Happy Falafel, Grilla Bites, Agave, Pangaea or Three Rivers. Best family suppers at Pasta Piatti, Dragonfly and House of Thai. Special meals out happen at Lela's, Il Giardino, Amuse, Hong Kong Bar, or in the park.