18 Fall 2010 Applegater
Rainwater harvesting in the
Applegate Valley
Free Adult Basic Computer Classes are bilingual (English and Spanish) and
seating is limited. Reservations are encouraged. Please call the individual library branch
to reserve a spot in any or all classes.
Central Point Branch Library, 116 South Third Street, 541-664-3228
Basics II Thursdays, 2 – 4 pm: December 2, 9, 16, 23
Gold Hill Branch Library, 202 Dardanelles Street, 541-855-1994
Basics II Mondays, 11 am – 1 pm: October 18, 25, November 1, 8
Jacksonville Branch Library, 340 West “C” Street, 541-899-1665
Basics II Wednesdays, 2 – 4 pm: October 20, 27, November 3, 10
Medford Branch Library, 205 South Central Avenue, 541-774-8679
Basics II Tuesdays, 10 am. – 12 noon: October 19, 26, November 2, 9, 30,
December 7, 14, 21
Basics I Tuesdays, 2 – 4 pm: November 30, December 7, 14, 21
Basics I Wednesdays, 10 am – 12 noon: October 20, 27, November 3, 10,
December 1, 8, 15, 22
Phoenix Branch Library, 510 West 1st Street, 541-535-7090
Basics I Tuesdays, 2 – 4 pm: October 19, 26, November 2, 9
Rogue River Branch Library, 412 East Main Street, 541-864-8850
Basics II Mondays, 10 am – 12 pm: Mondays, November 29,
December 6, 13, 20
Ruch Branch Library, 7919 Highway 238, 541-899-7438
Basics I Thursdays, 3 – 5 pm: October 21, 28, November 4, 18
Talent Branch Library, 101 Home Street, 541-535-4163
Basics I Wednesdays, 2 – 4 pm: December 1, 8, 15, 22
Basics I
Session One – Using the Mouse and Keyboard – Like all classes in the series,
this class is very hands-on.
Session Two – Internet Navigation – Learn what the Internet is, how to navigate
around it, and use a search engine.
Session Three – Electronic Mail (E-mail) – Students will learn to establish an
e-mail account and practice using the service.
Session Four – Individualized Instruction and Practice – Students may bring
their own laptop computers and discuss any additional issues or questions.
Groundwater (water stored below
the ground surface) is a valuable resource
becoming less and less available around
the world. The vast majority of the rural
residences in the Applegate Valley rely
on water from wells or springs for their
household and irrigation needs. This water
is replenished as rain and snow percolates
into the earth and recharges our watertable
(the depth at which the soil is completely
saturated). Throughout Oregon, there is
increasing concern about the deeper levels
that need to be dug for wells. The two
primary reasons given are the increased
consumption of groundwater for human
use and the increase in impervious surfaces
(buildings and pavement) that block the
infiltration of rainwater into the soils.
Before current development, most
rainfall infiltrated into the complex struc-
ture of the forest soil and slowly percolated
through the soil structure towards streams.
The water entered the stream from below
by means of the water table for days after
the storm. Nowadays, water is flushed
off rooftops and pavement and directed
by storm drains and ditches to almost
instantly hit the stream from the entire
watershed within minutes of it hitting
the first hard surface. Not only does this
reduce the amount of water recharging the
watertable, but it also erodes the banks and
the streambed, negatively impacting most
flora and fauna.
Passive rainwater catchment systems
are able to capture and direct rainwater
to swales and ponds. This type of system
allows the rainwater to passively infiltrate
and hydrate the soil and reduces runoff,
erosion, and irrigation needs. Active
rainwater catchment systems capture and
direct rainwater to cisterns or barrels. The
water is filtered and then able to be used for
irrigation and household uses, including
drinking water if treated properly (ultra-
violet light, ozone, reverse osmosis). This
type of system also reduces runoff, erosion
and irrigation needs, plus it reduces the
burden placed on our wells. Ultimately,
this water makes its way into the soil in
the immediate vicinity and helps recharge
the local watertable.
Oregon, as well as Arizona, New
Mexico, Ohio, Texas, and Washington all
have various incentive programs available
to homeowners. And there are grants avail-
able through federal and private sources. A
good place to research those are at www.
harvestingrainwater.com. The American
Rainwater Catchment Systems Association
(ARCSA) is the International Association
of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials
(they developed the Uniform Plumbing
Code) source for rainwater harvesting
expertise. You can get a list of their Ac-
credited Professionals in your area at their
website directory at www.arcsa.org.
Jesse McNamara • 541-659-8099
greenmountaincontracting@gmail.com.
Basics II
Session One – Word Processing – Learn to format, edit, and enhance text as
well as import text and graphics.
Session Two – Photo Editing – Students will learn to import pictures and adjust
the images. A digital camera will be provided by the instructors.
Session Three – File Management – Effectively manage data on the computer,
transfer files to a flash drive, and burn data CDs.
Session Four – Review and Practice – Students will practice their skills by
creating a simple promotional flyer for the Library Computer Class.
These classes are supported by a bequest from the Kenneth A. & Lucille D.
Hulburt Family Trust. For more information, please see the Jackson County Library
Services Web site at www.jcls.org.
Contact: Jackson County Library Services, 541-774-8679
Petanque Tournament huge success!
Loyal Readers—Please support our advertisers,
they help us bring the Applegater to you.
Sunday, August 22, Williams’s own
“Rogue Bouligans” petanque team hosted
the First Annual State of Jefferson Interstate
Petanque Tournament. Our esteemed guest
team from Hyampom, California consisted
of members Jean-Pierre Brandt, Don Flash-
er, Neil Harvey and Tony Kendrew. The
Rogue Bouligan members who participated
were Now Reames, Bob Cremins, Brian
Barton, Paul Porter, Louisa Lenz-Porter,
Peter Paul Montague and Brian Percival.
Taking home the first place trophy was
Now; coming in second was Don and Peter
Paul took third.
The day’s games were played on the
petanque court on SCA land in Williams.
The spectator crowd was small but enthu-
siastic. The weather was perfect and all had
a good time.
The Rogue Bouligans welcome
new players and would love some friendly
competition from teams throughout our
valley. Are there any other players out there?
Play continues, for the brave, in winter in
Peter Paul’s three-sided barn, dubbed The
Petanque-a-drome.
Pétanque is the French game of
boules where the goal is, while standing
inside a starting circle with both feet on
the ground, to throw metal balls as close
as possible to a small wooden ball called
acochonnet (literally “piglet”) or jack. The
game is normally played on hard dirt or
gravel, but can also be played on grass,
sand or other surfaces. Petanque is similar
to the Italian game of bocce.
About 17 million people in France
play the casual form of the game of
pétanque, mostly during their summer
vacations. England is another place where
Petanque has become popular as well as
Canada. Happily pétanque clubs have
arisen in cities throughout the United
States in recent years.
Please phone Rogue Bouligan presi-
dent Brian Barton for information about
joining the fun (541-846-0260).
Photo: Top row, left to right: Neil, Don, Tony,
Jean-Pierre, Peter Paul and Paul
Bottom row, left to right: Brian P., Bob, Now,
Brian B. and Louisa