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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (July 15, 2009)
Page 13 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, July 15, 2009 Forest Legacy applications sought Applications are being accepted for a program seek- ing to protect the future of Oregon’s forests by helping land owners acquire ease- ments “to assist conservation of forests in areas threatened by risk of fragmentation or development.” The Forest Legacy Pro- gram, administered by the Oregon Dept. of Forestry (ODF), is a national coopera- tive forestry program of the U.S. Forest Service. The pro- gram “seeks to conserve pri- vate forest land in areas where forests may be lost to nonfor- est uses, to help protect forest resources, and enhance com- munity forest conservation partnerships.” Added Diane Partridge, ODF’s Forest Legacy Pro- gram coordinator, “We’re focusing our efforts on areas in Oregon that face immediate threats to conversion to non- forest uses. These are large areas of private forest land that face the possibility of development within the next decade, and where the conse- quences could be great in terms of losses to the ecologi- cal, social and economic bene- fits we enjoy from Oregon’s forests.” The Forest Legacy Pro- gram is designed to support state and community efforts to keep forestland viable, and keeping working forests as forests. The voluntary program provides financial incentives -- using conservation ease- ments or land acquisition -- for private land owners to protect environmentally im- portant working forest areas (those that provide forest products, water, fish and wild- life habitat and recreational opportunities) “ threatened by development, fragmentation and other non-forest uses.” People interested in sub- mitting proposed projects for federal fiscal year 2011 fund- ing should contact ODF and submit projects prior to Sep- tember 25 for consideration. Applications for the For- est Legacy Program, guide- lines and additional program information are available at www.oregon.gov/ODF. Oregon’s first Forest Leg- acy Program project occurred in September 2007 when the city of Eugene worked with a private land owner to preserve more than 25 acres of oak habitat called South Eugene Hills Phase One in Eugene’s Wild Iris Ridge. During 2008- 2009, the Forest Legacy pro- gram also awarded $1.5 mil- lion to the Deschutes Land Trust to acquire a conserva- tion easement for the Skyline Forest near Bend. A conservation easement is a legal restriction placed on a piece of property to protect a specific resource, or several resources. Conservation ease- ments protect land for enjoy- ment by future generations while allowing owners to re- tain many private property rights and to live on and use their land, at the same time potentially providing the land owner with incentive or tax benefits. For more information about the program, contact Partridge at (541) 963-3168 or dpartridge@odf.state.or.us. Produce program provides for seniors Nearly 25,000 low- income Oregon senior citizens are getting help to buy fresh fruit and vegetables from farmers markets and farm stands, but some 17,000 addi- tional elderly persons are eli- gible but haven’t signed up. That’s according to the Oregon Dept. of Human Ser- vices (DHS). State officials are urging eligible persons to not miss their window of op- portunity and sign up before the Sept. 15 deadline. “We want to make sure every eligible senior knows that there is help available to ensure they are getting fresh and healthy local produce,” says Lauren Mitchell, who helps oversee the program. The state has sent more than 42,000 eligible Oregon seniors invitations to partici- pate in the federally funded Oregon Senior Farm Direct Nutrition Program, which runs annually from June 1 to Oct. 31. The state would like to make sure all those eligible know about the benefit. To be eligible, a person must have turned 60 by April 1, 2009, receive Food Stamps or Medicaid, have a monthly income below $1,038 for an individual, and live in their own home or rental unit. “Those who sign and return the letter to DHS by Sept. 15 will receive farm direct checks that can be used at any participating farm stand or farmer’s market in Oregon through the end of October,” said Mitchell. Participants also receive information on authorized farm stands and farmers mar- kets in their area and nutri- tional information, including recipes and tips to healthy eating. “This is one of our most popular programs, and it really is a win-win for seniors and local farmers,” said Mitchell. “Everyone who is eligible should sign and re- turn the letter, and enjoy the benefits of fresh produce and healthy eating.” The program, in its sixth year, is administered by DHS in partnership with the Ore- gon Dept. of Agriculture and the Public Health Division. “Some of the comments I’ve received have been heart- warming,” said Mitchell. “I heard from an 80-year-old woman who credits her and her 90-year-old husband’s longevity to a diet high in fruits and vegetables, and I’ve heard from many seniors who say the program lets them buy fresh produce they normally can’t afford.” For more information on the program, contact the near- est office serving seniors and people with disabilities by visiting http:// www.oregon.gov/DHS/ localoffices/index.shtml Douglas Co. timber protesters removed A Cave Junction resident was among approximately 50 persons involved in a timber- cutting protest in Douglas County, authorities said. He was identified as Ce- dar Knoll, 25, who was cited on a charge of interference with agricultural operations. Another person is an under- age boy, whose name was not released. There was no resistance from the passive protestors and no injuries reported. A rough estimate of the cost to the Oregon State Po- lice in response to the inci- dent is approximately $50,000. Cost estimates for other involved agencies would have to be released by each respective agency. Approximately 50 OSP troopers and Douglas County Sheriff’s Office deputies ar- rived Wednesday morning, July 8, at the site of an illegal logging protest in the Elliott State Forest on the Umpcoos Ridge No. 2 Timber Sale in Douglas County. The arrival of law en- forcement officers followed the Tuesday night, July 7 delivery of a letter from the Oregon Dept. of State Lands (ODSL) advising protestors that their activities were in violation of state law includ- ing, but not limited to, inter- ference with agricultural op- erations under ORS 164.887. Protestors were given the night to voluntarily leave. When officers arrived Wednesday, protestors were provided another opportunity to voluntarily leave or be sub- ject to arrest. Approximately 20 to 25 people voluntarily left, and another 20 to 25 remained on scene. Several hours later, of those who remained behind, 17 were arrested and lodged in Douglas County Jail. The remaining estimated eight people were either positioned in nearby trees or immobi- lized by home-made, impro- vised restraints. Law enforcement offi- cials on scene, working in cooperation with the Oregon Dept. of Forestry, which manages the land under an agreement with ODSL, with the assistance of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, ar- rested 27 individuals during the two-day period of July 8 and 9. “Our experienced busi- ness advisors speak, breathe and live business. From busi- ness mentoring to business owner only trainings, we are here for your success.” The beginning course will be offered at RCC’s Business Development Cen- ter at the Kerby Belt Bldg. on Tuesdays and Thursday, Sept. 1 through 17. The cost is $219. The course is for those who have knowledge of com- puter use, know how to navi- gate within Windows/Vista, have some accounting knowl- edge, and want to learn QuickBooks Pro. Homework will be as- signed. Prerequisite: Basic computer skills. Bring a 256 mg or larger thumb drive or R/W CD to save your work. Instructors: Jack Hillman (BDC-lab), Cynde Canepa (KBB and RVC). Intermediate classes are offered at the BDC Lab in Grants Pass. Register through the RCC class shopping cart at www.roguecc.edu/bdc; at any RCC registration location; by phoning Rogue Central: (541) 956-7501 or (541) 245-7501; by phoning (541) 956-7494; or by e-mailing bdc@roguecc.edu. Register by noon, two working days before the start of the class or classes wanted. Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside us while we live. ~ Norman Cousins ~ Illinois Valley News) Hamilton still in pursuit of 2012 London Olympic spot By KENNY HIX For IVN The USA Outdoor Track & Field 2009 National Cham- pionships were held in Eugene on University of Oregon’s Hayward Field on June 27 and 28. It was the last event for 2004 Illinois Valley High School graduate Kim Hamil- ton. A javelin thrower for Kent State University, Hamil- ton saved her best for last. Her third attempt was a personal best of 53.96 meters (177 feet, 3-1/3 inches). Ham- ilton rose to the level of the competition and threw more than 10 feet farther than her past best. This put her toss beyond 10 of the best throw- ers in the nation. Hamilton garnered a 6th-place finish, which was the highest colle- giate finish. Kim Kriener, another Kent State product, who graduated in 2000, took 3rd with a toss of 58 meters (227 feet, 9/10 inches). That quali- fies her for the last spot for the U.S. team in the World Cham- pionships Aug. 15 to 23 in Berlin. Kreiner represented Team USA during the past two summer Olympics, in Athens and Beijing. Hamilton’s professional softball career is on hold. “It is not that I do not want to play for the (Akron) Racers, I just want to focus on the javelin,” she said. The javelin is brand-new to her. She just picked it up within the last year, as a fifth- year senior after four years in softball; when the track coach at Kent State noticed her strong arm. This also gave her the opportunity to finish her bachelor-of-arts degree. This new direction in Hamilton’s athletic career will have some challenges. “I will need to get stronger and in better shape, but most importantly I will need to work on my mechan- ics and techniques. I have two years to prepare for London,” said Hamilton. As she prepares for her journey to the 2012 Olympics in London, many know that she possesses the work ethic, dedication and the heart be- cause she showed it at Illinois Valley High School. “I went to track practice for one hour, then went to softball practice for 2-1/2 hours, then did my school- work. My days were pretty full,” Hamilton remembers. With this determination, Hamilton has a good chance of accomplishing her goal and more. Maybe she can bring back “Gold” to Cave Junction. With 60 feet more of improve- ment, it could be possible — “Kim Possible.” So you or someone in your family wants to be a bird watcher. What do you do to get started? What do you need to get started? I hope to pro- vide some pointers and tips. Helpful hints for new bird watchers: RCC offers Quick Books Pro courses The Rogue Community College Business Develop- ment Center (BDC) is offer- ing beginning and intermedi- ate classes on the use of Quick Books Pro 2009 for Business or Office. “The BDC accelerates business development and growth through experienced mentoring and training plus coordination of other regional resources,” said John Lopez, RCC Business Development Center director. “We provide experienced assessment and analysis of your business’s operations, marketing, and resources and will customize our services to meet your business needs. Rogue Valley Flyers held its annual Float Fly at Lake Selmac on Saturday, July 11. The remote control airplane enthusiasts piloted several different amphibious aircraft with skill and a few watery mishaps, much to the delight of spectators. On Sunday, Aug. 16 the group will hold an air show at the Josephine County Skypark in Kerby. The event will feature “buddy box” assisted flying, a dis- play of WWII-replica remote control aircraft and a dog- fight-style in-flight ribbon cutting demonstration. (Photos by Michelle Binker, Hint #1: You need a field guide for your area. A field guide is a book with photos of the birds and tips for identifying them and their habitat. Here in Southwestern Oregon a field guide for west- ern birds is needed. I use Peterson’s Field Guide. Hint #2: You need binoculars, The best birders have the best binoculars. For starters get a good pair of binoculars, but don’t break the bank. In time you will want the “best.” For beginners, “good” is fine. Every year there is a tool sale at Illinois Val- ley Grange Hall. I’ve bought binoculars there that were very good, the price was right and they are perfect for the young bird watcher. Hint #3: A checklist of birds in your area is help- ful. Your new field guide should have a check list in the back. The problem with the field guide checklist is that there’s no place for dates and where you saw that bird. There are checklist books in which you can enter the date and location of your sightings. But new bird watchers will want to start with the Western Field Guide. Sponsored by CANDY & MORE 15 varieties of delicious fudge Tuesdays - Saturdays 11-4:30 (next to King’s, downtown CJ) Hurting from a past abortion? Ready for healing? Sometimes you just need someone to talk to. Let us be that someone. We care and are here to help. All services are confidential. Join our Post-abortion Healing Class Pregnancy Center of the Illinois Valley Call us at 541-592-6058 319 Caves Hwy., Cave Junction www.PregnancyCenterIV.org Hint #4: To find the birds, learn about the habitat of each species. Learn the songs of local birds. CDs of bird songs, such as Birds of Oregon, are helpful in identifying similar-looking birds. I can sit on my front deck and identify the birds at my feeders by listening. That’s where you start, with the birds in your own backyard, and learn their song. Once you’ve done that you’re on your way. Hint #5: You can attract birds to your backyard with a little work. Planting the right flowers will attract hummingbirds. Put out sunflower seed or cracked corn to bring lots of new birds to your yard, just beware of the dreaded squirrels. You may want to build a birdhouse or two. During summer, put out a bird bath to attract birds. You will love watching them while they’re taking their baths. Hint #6: Remember, bird watching is supposed to be fun. Have fun and remember to be kind to the birds. If you have any questions about birds or want to talk about birds you can reach me at bird- watching@frontiernet.net or join us Saturday morning at Michelle’s Restaurant at 8:30 for a great breakfast and meet fellow bird lovers. I hope to see you there one of these mornings. All hints come from Birder.com and the writer. Your Illinois Valley source for bird seed & supplies 28409 Redwood Hwy., Cave Junction 592-4996
