OUR BELOVED OCTOGENARIAN FRIEND: MR. JIM CRAIG

In early August, Jim Craig, our octogenarian friend, fell over and broke seven ribs. He was prematurely released from the hospital, and on Wednesday, 17th August, he fell over in the middle of the night, bashed his head, lost a lot of blood, had ten stitches, broke his neck, and was close to death's door.

Jim is now in Marin General Hospital, in good care, recovering, resting, and hopefully will be back with us soon - illuminating conversations with his sagely wisdom, experience, anecdotes, life, stories, and his beloved game of Baseball.

About a year ago, he lost his long-time partner Sandra and was devastated. Then, weeks later, his flatmate died in the night. Jim hasn't had it easy, and after a long career working at Chevron, he lost his life savings to a dubious investment that went wrong.

Despite all that, Jim manages to be ever bright and cheery. He has become a beloved friend to many as part of the Terra Linda/San Rafael community in Northern California.

Jim, born in 1937, the son of a cowboy, grew up in Hood River, Oregon, beneath the gaze of Mount Hood. He tells us that he was from the poorest family in the school, yet, he managed to get a place in University, graduated and became a Chemical Engineer, where he worked for Chevron for 30 years.

In addition to Baseball (SF Giants), Jazz (Dave Brubeck), Jim is a keen tennis fan, and one of his all-time favorites is Arthur Ashe. He has been a long-time Mill Valley Tennis Club member for many years.

The cover picture is of Jim, reading his favorite San Francisco Chronicle in his bed as he tries to recover and get back to good health and happiness.

We realize that the safety net is frail. Jim has a diminishing Rolodex of friends and family, and we appeal to our communities and connections to help make Jim's life post-hospital the best it possibly can be.

Every little counts, no matter how small; please help us help Jim, from as little as just $1.

Thank you so much! I know Jim will be thrilled!

Thanks also to all those who have been so generous with their time and support: Daryll, Brandi, Mary, Brooklyn, and Hayley, to name just a few.

As Jim would say, "that's all for now, sports fans!"