In this issue:
Shooting claims
investigated
A complaint that a contractor
shot at two women is disputed.
Page 3A
‘Kicker’ refunds due for
the holidays
Republican Caucus enthusiastic
about tax refund. Page 6A
Foris Winery introduces
its Cave Bear Red
Sales will benefit historic
Chateau restoration. Page 8B
Alpaca ranchers John (above) and Chris-
tine Gardiner (photo right), and (below) a
sample of silky fleece. (Photos by IVN)
Paws N Claws Quality
Grooming offers top
pet care
Making sure that the family dog
is clean and comfortable hall-
marks of GP business. Page 6A
Baskets by Occasion has
unique approach
Need a special gift for a special
occasion or just to be nice?
Page 9A
They’ve got the knack-a for alpaca
By MICHELLE BINKER
IVN Staff Writer
An open farm event is
planned for the weekend of
Sept. 29 and 30 at Suri Fu-
tures Alpaca Farm.
Now eight months into
their Illinois Valley reloca-
tion, John and Christine
Gardiner began working
with alpaca seven years ago
in Clakamas County. In
January their entire herd of
60 animals was trucked to
their new home, a farm at
the west end of River Street,
Daisy Hill Road, set up as a
land trust by a longtime val-
ley resident.
There at the edge of the
Illinois River, a group of
like-minded people are
working to create a func-
tional model in order to sat-
isfy the often-asked question:
“What is ‘sustainability’?”
The alpaca scratch at
the soil in places where they
congregate, and enjoy roll-
ing in the dust. Work to de-
velop the farm includes im-
proving the pasture, to make
the soil less friable, so that it
doesn’t blow away. When
the Gardiners arrived, the
former cattle ranch was cov-
ered in knapweed, so John’s
been working to improve
the meadow.
Seeding and a rain-
water collection system are
among the improvements
planned. The beginning
stages of the sustainable
model, which includes an
organic vineyard, are taking
shape.
(Continued on page 4A)
At Visitor Center
Dance, dance, dance ...
plus!
Numbers
in decline
Ivy Dance plans a benefit Sept.
22. Page 5A
Electrolysis gets under
your skin, but nicely
Soft Touch offers latest
depilatory technology . Page 7A
Alpaca ranchers plan
‘open farm’ event
Alpacas’ fleecy commodity seen
as potential economic boost.
Page 1A
Art Walk on tap for
Friday, Sept. 14
Second Friday event will feature
many media. Page 1B
Helping Hands Day Care
Center open
A community effort results in a
help for families. Page 5A
Golf tourney to benefit
hospital’s Family House
The former jail in the city of Cave Junction is being renovated to
become the Illinois Valley Substation for Josephine County Sheriff’s
Office. Several volunteers worked Thursday, Sept. 6.
(Photos by Michelle Binker, Illinois Valley News)
Three Rivers Foundation will be
aided by fun contest. Page 10A
There has been a steady
decline in the numbers of
people going to Illinois Val-
ley Visitor Center during the
past two years, and 2007
isn’t looking too great.
Numbers were provided
by Annette Starbuck, of I.V.
Community Development
Organization; and Dulcie
Moore, office manager for
I.V. Chamber of Commerce
at the Visitor Center on
Caves Hwy.
During 2006, only four
months showed more visita-
tions than during the same
months of 2005. The four
months are June through
September.
*June (with 2,754 visi-
tors) was up 166.
*July (with 4,653) was
up 535.
*August (with 4,567)
showed a rise of 99.
*September (with
2,163) surpassed ‘05 by 345.
Through July this year,
all months are down, com-
pared to ’05 and ’06, in
terms of the number of peo-
ple going to the center. The
only exception is March,
when 659 persons were re-
corded; the same number as
(Continued on page 3A)
City’s comprehensive plan
revision meets to resume
Meetings of the city of
Cave Junction’s Citizens
Advisory Committee (CAC)
will resume in connection
with revisions to the com-
prehensive plan.
That was announced
during the city council meet-
ing in city hall on Monday
night, Sept. 10.
The next meeting, said
Mayor Tony Paulson, is
scheduled for Wednesday,
Sept. 19 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
in city hall. The public can
attend, but only to observe,
the mayor said.
Another meeting is set
for Oct. 10.
Some controversy has
arisen regarding revisions to
the comprehensive plan, as
some residents feel that
Craig Stone & Associates
have dropped the ball. How-
ever, the mayor has stated
that the Medford consulting
firm is following basic pro-
cedures and that the process
will continue as planned.
Stone’s services are
being paid for by Manor
Communities Development,
of Lodi, Calif. It has been
noted that Larry Osborn, of
Manor, is paying for the
updating because the city
(Continued on page 7A)
Extensive traffic control and other support were provided
by Illinois Valley Fire District (IVFD) on Tuesday, Sept. 4
following a 4:15 p.m. crash on Hay’s Hill. The driver, an
unidentified Selma man, refused medical treatment. Other
details were unavailable. (Photo by Dale & Elaine
Sandberg, IVFD Media Dept.)