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About The Baker County press. (Baker City, Ore.) 2014-current | View Entire Issue (June 24, 2016)
THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS — 3 FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016 Business & Ag Opera comes to the Geiser Grand — Weekly Hay Report — Friday, June 17, 2016 — Eastern Oregon Prices trended generally steady compared to week ago prices in a very limited test. Some hay produc- ers are starting to cut, market and sell new crop hay. Some areas of Oregon are experiencing some rain, delaying cutting and harvest. No new sales reported. Two weeks ago: Tons Price Range Wtd Avg Alfalfa/Ochard Mix —Small Square Premium 20 165.00-165.00 165.00 Three weeks ago: Alfalfa — Mid Square Good 150 190.00-190.00 190.00 Alfalfa — Small Square Premium 23 170.00-170.00 170.00 USDA Market News Service—AMS.USDA.gov Kerry McQuisten / The Baker County Press Jordan Bowman sings to the crowd below. BY KERRY McQUISTEN News@TheBakerCountyPress.com “I was just so taken with them,” said Barbara Sid- way, owner of the Geiser Grand Hotel in Baker City. Sidway refers to Jordan Bowman and Zachary Buker, two friends who met at college and formed Opera Elect. Opera Elect is a relatively new production company formed in 2014, which, according to Bowman, strives to focus on up-and- coming young artists in the Boise area and beyond. The pair are traveling far and wide to promote their company—and their talents. Buker said, “We’ve been in bars, on big stages, little stages—no stages!” After calling around Baker City, Bowman said several potential venues guided them toward the Geiser Grand, where Sidway jumped at the op- portunity. Dinner guests at the Geiser Grand will be treated to a free two-hour performance by the duo every Tuesday evening, 6-8 p.m. until the end of September. “They just have to make dinner reservations,” Sid- way said. According to Buker, he and Bowman used to serve as wait staff in Boise, singing to patrons for additional tips. When that technique didn’t go over too well with the restau- rant’s owners, the idea of forming Opera Elect quickly became a reality. “We want to make opera Kerry McQuisten / The Baker County Press Opera Elect’s founders Jordan Bowman and Zachary Buker. fun for people,” Bowman said. “We’re a small dose,” Buker said. “We’re not go- ing to take up your entire evening.” At the Geiser Grand, Bowman and Buker typi- cally begin their perfor- mances upstairs beneath the hotel’s famous stained glass ceiling. Their strong voices carry down to the dining area below, the eve- ning’s songs ranging from classical opera to more contemporary pieces. “Danny Boy” was a popular number the previ- ous week, said Sidway. One does not have to be an opera aficionado to enjoy the show, and diners are encouraged to continue laughing and talking throughout the performances as Bowman and Buker gradually work their way downstairs to the main floor. They say it’s not unheard of to find cash tucked into their clothing on the way out of the dining area thanks to a certain table filled with spry elderly ladies, they confided. The pair hope to one day found a large opera house in the “middle of nowhere” they said in unison. This is their “big dream,” they said. Bowman has been sing- ing since she was 17, with some producing under her belt. Buker has conducting and piano experience, and has been singing seriously since his freshman year of college. For more information on this talented group, visit operaelect.org. Travel Management Plan Committee discusses recreation — Cattle Market Report — Wednesday, June 15, 2016 Vale, Oregon Cattle sold through the auction: 1,246 Steer Calves 300-400# Bulk 157.00 - 186.00 Top 193.00 400-500# Bulk 173.00 - 186.00 Top 195.00 500-600# Bulk 139.00 - 166.00 Top 173.25 Heifer Calves 300-400# Bulk 137.00 - 158.00 Top 164.00 400-500# Bulk 153.00 - 169.00 Top 175.00 500-600# Bulk 137.00 - 159.00 Top 163.00 600-700# 700-800# 800-900# 900-1,000# Yearling Steers Bulk 136.00 - 151.00 Top 155.50 Bulk 131.00 - 137.00 Top 138.25 Bulk 121.00 - 128.00 Top 130.00 Bulk 109.00 - 117.00 Top 118.00 Yearling Heifers 600-700# Bulk 126.00 - 137.00 Top 141.00 700-800# Bulk 113.00 - 119.00 Top 123.00 800-900# Bulk 108.00 - 116.00 Top 118.00 900-1,000# Bulk N/A Top N/A Thin Shelly Cows 63.00 - 71.00 Butcher Cows 74.00 - 81.00 Butcher Bulls 81.00 - 94.00 Pairs Yng. 1235.00 - 1710.00 Hfretts. 83.00 - 101.00 Stock Cows Young - N/A BY TODD ARRIOLA Todd@TheBakerCountyPress.com Members of the Baker County Travel Manage- ment Plan (TMP) Com- mittee, a sub-group of the County’s Natural Resource Advisory Committee (NRAC), met on Tuesday, June 21, 2016, 3 p.m., in the Commission Chambers of the Baker County Court- house, in order to discuss proposed additions to the Recreation & Tourism, and Access & Travel Man- agement sections of the County’s Natural Resource Plan (NRP). Present were NRAC Chair Doni Bruland, TMP Chair Marty Stroy, and TMP members Wanda Bal- lard, Chuck Chase, Denise Kinzer, and Bob Harris. Stroy called the meeting to order, and introduc- tions were made, followed by the segment Public Participation. Chase said, “Mining’s on the way out; our public lands are on the way out; I don’t know what else you’re going to do...” He said even at- tempts at agency-to-agency coordination is currently an uphill battle. Ballard said, “...the (County) Commissioners have added a section, spe- cifically for the bicyclists, and the economic impact that they bring...I feel real- ly strongly that they should not be given any special recognition, more than any other activity...” Ballard was referring to one of the proposed additions, regarding mountain biking, as part of the Recreation & Tourism section. In its draft form, copies of which were given to the commit- tee, it read as follows: “Mountain biking is a popular and growing sport, ProducersLivestock.com 541-473-3136 — Log Price Report — Price per 1,000 board feet: Northeast Oregon Todd Arriola / The Baker County Press The TMP Committee is a sub-group of the County’s Natural Resource Advisory Committee. L-R: Wanda Ballard, Doni Bruland, Mary Stroy, Bob Harris, Denise Kinzer, and Chuck Chase. and recreational pursuit. It is also an emerging force in developing tourism for rural communities through economic diversifica- tion. It is Baker County’s policy to maintain and improve access to public lands through the existing roads and trails systems to benefit recreational, health, social and economic op- portunities that mountain biking and other trail activities provide.” Bruland explained that this proposed addition was in response to lobbying ef- forts in connection with the Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort (ALMR), with an emphasis on trail-associat- ed mountain biking, as op- posed to more urban-type bicycling. Chase said there are issues with bicyclists in general, and Ballard stated she’s opposed to favorit- ism regarding one form of recreation over another, and that the tourism dollars brought in by bicyclists is minimal. Harris said there are safety issues on the highways, bicyclists don’t purchase fuel, which means there is no gas tax contribution, and he also echoed Ballard’s statement about the lack of tourism dollars. Stroy read the proposed addition to the Access & Travel Management section, or the Recreation & Tourism section (to be decided) as follows, again, in draft form, at the start of the meeting: “Because there is significant economic loss to communities and the county due to the extreme fluctuations of Brownlee Reservoir, Baker County encourages federal agen- cies and other stakeholders in the Brownlee Reservoir to value the healthy, warm water fishery by maintain- ing stable water levels to meet the needs of recre- ationists. This includes allowing accessibility to launch boats at a minimum elevation of 2,044 feet.” Bruland said that guid- ance regarding the state- ment about elevation was provided by Baker County Parks and Recreation Director Karen Spencer, and that the Army Corps of Engineers is also involved with the operation and con- trol of the reservoir. Harris asked what the full eleva- tion of Brownlee is, and Bruland responded that it’s at about 2,078 feet. Stroy relayed a story about some friends who used to visit Brownlee every year to fish, but who now frequent other spots, because of the issues there with access, etc., which is an example of the eco- nomic impacts, he said. Bruland said that, in recent years, Brownlee had been Oregon’s #1 warm water fishery, and she empha- sized the economic loss, with people not recreating there. Bruland asked whether the Brownlee addition should be in Access & Travel Management, Rec- reation & Tourism, or both, and the response was that it should be added to Rec- reation & Tourism. Wanda moved that the Brownlee edit be added to the Rec- reation & Tourism section, and Stroy seconded that motion. The motion car- ried unanimously. SEE TPM PAGE 8 Currently the local log market is flooded with fire salvage logs. The log buyer for Malheur Lumber Co. stated they have all the logs they need under contract and are not accepting any new purchases. BCC/LLC of La Grande has receive so many burned fire salvage logs they are no longer accepting logs at the La Grande log yard. Any additional pine logs have to be delivered to the Elgin Log yard cut in plywood lengths and to a 8 inch top. For these pine logs cut in plywood lengths, BCC is offering $280.00/mbf. They are also paying $420.00/ mbf for Doug Fir & Western Larch. For White Fir they are offing $325.00/mbf. At the Pilot Rock Saw Mill BCC is offing $360.00/mbf for a 12 to 15 inch top, for 16 to 19 inch top $400.00/ mbf & offing $425.00/mbf for 20 inch plus top Courtesy of Arvid Andersen, Andersen Forestry Consulting — Precious Metals Report — Price per ounce, USD Gold: $1,264.20 Silver: $17.25 Platinum: $977.50 Palladium: $560.27 Bloomberg.com — Ag Commodities — Corn: $398.25/bu/USD Wheat: $427.25/bu/USD Soybeans: $1116.75/bu/USD Oats: $216.75 bu/USD Rough Rice: $11.23/cwt/USD Canola: $490.90 CAD/mwt Live Cattle: $111.63/lb./USD Feeder Cattle: $140.18/lb./USD Lean Hogs: $85.85/lb./USD Bloomberg.com
