Out of the Closet: New Group Helps Packrats Shed Their Stuff
Just when you thought there already was a support group for every possible malady, affliction, predilection, tic and social quirk known to man, here comes yet another.
The Packrat Support Group seeks to help people whose mania for saving/storing/retaining things “is running and/or ruining their lives.”
You laugh but then again you’re not burdened (or are you?) with two decades of old magazines and newspapers crowding you out of your tiny apartment. Or a tinfoil ball the size of a large meteorite in your front room.
Or a garage stuffed with hundreds of jars of nuts, bolts and washers. Or thousands of plastic bags from the supermarket (plastic bags are common collectors’ obsessions) or millions of outdated coupons.
To the clutterers, hoarders and savers of San Diego, Toni Bowen has a message: You’re not alone. Hang on and let go.
Bowen, a professional organizer who usually works for corporate and business clients, has formed the Packrat Support Group gratis . Twice monthly the group meets to share tales of compulsive collecting.
“It’s not an issue that a lot of people take seriously,” Bowen said. “It’s just considered an eccentricity, no big deal. But for people who are struggling with this, it’s ruining their lives.”
Take Chris Messing, a waiter and massage therapist living in Pacific Beach. His mania for keeping magazines and newspapers got out of hand: “I just knew there was one fabulous article in there somewhere.”
Through the support sessions, Messing says he’s making progress.
He no longer subscribes to newspapers, although he’s yet to summon the courage to toss out the old and yellowed copies that clog his apartment and car. He’s also “into” keeping Tupperware, old clothing and the boxes presents come in.
“It’s pretty frightening,” Messing said. “It’s like an addiction.”
Two groups have now split off from Packrat: a 12-Step Recovery group and an East County Packrat. Bowen thinks Packrat’s work has only begun:
“People have to learn to control their stuff.”
Oceanside Gives ‘Dad’ History Lesson
When a comment was made on TV’s “Major Dad” about Oceanside being a city with no discernible history, civic enthusiasts were sorely disappointed.
(There have been numerous Oceanside references since “Dad” was initially stationed at a base that smacked of Camp Pendleton.)
After the offending reference, a gently chiding letter was sent by the Oceanside Historical Society to Executive Producer Rick Hawkins: “Many here in Oceanside view this TV family as one of our own. . . . “
Also sent was a copy of “Oceanside: Crest of the Wave,” a book tracing the city’s history back to Mexican and Spanish explorers.
Now Oceanside boosters are elated. The book was spotted on the coffee table during a recent episode.
Kristy Hawthorne, president of the Historical Society, has put out the word to society members: Set your VCR’s for future “Major Dad” episodes.
“We want a picture of the book for our archives.”
Helping Bush on His Follow-Through
Here and there.
* If he’s got time during his quickie stop Thursday and Friday in San Diego, President Bush can get a free golf lesson at the Golf Academy at Aviara Resort in Carlsbad.
Kip Puterbaugh, the head instructor, has announced: If the Prez will drop by, we’ll analyze his swing.
“We can’t make him Quayle overnight (golfwise), but I still think I can help,” Puterbaugh said.
* Those billboards around town that say “Not for fame or fortune . . . “ and nothing else?
The opening shot for Tom Carter’s mayoral bid. The rest of the message goes up next week.
* Someone called two television stations Sunday with the (bogus) news that Supervisor Susan Golding’s press conference announcing her run for mayor would be an hour later than originally planned.
* City Atty. John Witt will formally announce for reelection at a noon press conference today.
He’ll promise to keep the attorney’s office professional and “out of politics.”
Feel free to read the latter as a shot at ex-Councilman Bruce Henderson, who’s hinting he may challenge Witt.
