In his role as Justice of the Peace in Jackson County, Joe Charter will be based in Central Point, handling traffic court and municipal code violations throughout the county, with the exception of Medford and Ashland.

I sat down with Michael D. Fox (not to be confused with Michael J. Fox, star of “Back to the Future”) at a Starbucks in Ashland.

Michael’s clown persona is Mr. Twist N’ Juggles. Michael has a degree in communications with an emphasis in video production from Southern Oregon University. Michael has several videos in the Rogue Valley Community Television public access archives for his “Clowning Around, the Miniseries,” which had 30 episodes. Episodes include the history of clowning and the “clown calendar,” where he wears a different outfit for each holiday from MLK day to Christmas/New Year’s.

“My favorites are the pirate suit and the Lepra-clown for … St. Patrick’s Day. The clown character I always liked was Ronald McDonald,” he said.

The original character in the 1960s had a take-out cup for a nose and a cafeteria tray as a hat.

“A lot of people looked at that image like it was creepy and it was nothing like the character that … I (eventually) grew up seeing on TV commercials.”

Michael started out as another “legend of the public access TV world,” Mickey the Balloon Guy. He self-taught himself balloon twisting “in the dark ages, from VHS tapes.” He has been twisting balloons since 1997 and knows how to shape some 400 to 500 balloon characters and hats.

His mother suggested that he add make-up and costumes. “I just made it (up) from raw creation, going from a sketch to 3D reality. Then when I saw him in the mirror, and it brought on a big smile, I just said oooh, yeah.” Michael’s own smile is enthusiastic and genuine.

He started with balloons and juggling and then added other bits like spinning plates and mime.

“Beyond the creative aspect … I get to use the clown to bring smiles to the community.”

Michael wanted to bring out a positive clown image instead of the scary clowns like Twisty the Clown from “American Horror Story” or Pennywise from Steven King’s “IT.”

“I guess it comes naturally enough (to me) to talk positive and sound positive,” he says.

Michael is at the Ashland Farmer’s Market in Ashland most weeks. He also books private gigs and appears at annual events like the Greater Medford Multicultural Fair in Pear Blossom Park.

Michael’s father, Dave Madden, acted in the 1970s sitcom “The Partridge Family,” where he played the singing group’s manager, Reuben Kincaid. He also appeared on several other shows like “Bewitched” and “Laugh-In.”

Michael is candid about his autism.

“Anyone who has autism has a certain spectrum, whether severe or mild. I’m characterized more on the mild side. Sometimes autistic persons have a certain way of thinking, communicating and learning. Sometimes we have a little fear of change.”

The movie “Rain Man” (1988) starred Dustin Hoffman as autistic savant Raymond and Tom Cruise as his brother Charlie. By the end of the movie, the Cruise character is less frustrated with his brother’s rigid routines and learns how to pay attention, listen, be patient and enjoy his brother’s company. More recently, Netflix shows “Atypical” and “Love on the Spectrum” have explored the lives of persons with autism.

Michael showed me a laminated card he carries in his wallet with tips for interactions with persons with autism. The tips include: use simple language, speak slowly, repeat, and allow extra time for responses.

“Remember, each person with autism is unique,” it says. The card is intended for potential interactions with law enforcement or first responders.

In “Atypical” season 2, episode 6, the autistic character Sam gets overwhelmed on a sleepover and walks around in the middle of the night in his pajamas. He gets stopped by an officer who suspects he is on drugs. As he is unresponsive to the officer’s commands, Sam is arrested. Like Sam’s parents in that episode, Emily Iland has put together a training program for first responders in Los Angeles described on the website Experience Autism.

Autism is not a disease to be cured, but a condition for which some individuals need additional supports. Autism Awareness Day is April 2 each year. More information on the condition can be found at the May Institute or Autism Speaks websites.