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Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, August 19, 2009
‘Lessons from Appalachia’ trail guide to regional prosperity?
An ambitious and far-
reaching regional plan that
could result in Southwestern
Oregon arts-and-crafts en-
deavors pulling off an
“economic miracle” is being
percolated.
And helping to handle
the brewing process to boost
economic development is
Jerry Work, who operates
The Dovetail Joint with his
wife, Sharon, in Kerby.
In April the couple trav-
eled to the Appalachian re-
gion “to learn how its popula-
tion so successfully leveraged
its regionally produced art-
and-craft items into a major
new industry there.” The cou-
ple addressed a workshop of
Illinois Valley Chamber of
Commerce directors Tuesday
night, Aug. 11, at the Bridge-
view Vineyards Winery up-
stairs meeting room.
Cave Junction Mayor
Don Moore also attended, as
well as Dulcie Moore (no
relation), chamber secretary.
Among observations by
Jerry & Sharon: “During
2008 in just Western North
Carolina (an area not that
much larger than S.W. Ore-
gon) regionally produced arts
and crafts have become a
$206 million-per-year indus-
try.
“When surveyed by
DEES Business Research in
2008, the 2,200 full- and part-
time craft artists who now
call that region home re-
sponded that 56 percent oper-
ate a full-time business; 33
percent have full- or part-time
employees; and $48,000 is
the median household income
for artists there.
“The region now features
130 craft retail galleries with
average gross sales exceeding
$500,000 — two-thirds of
which are new within the past
10 years. Craft schools, sup-
pliers and publishers alone
now comprise $30 million of
the $206 million industry, and
a large number of the gradu-
ates from these schools elect
to remain as permanent resi-
dents, creating even more
family wage new jobs there.
“Much of what that re-
gion has been able to do was
accomplished just during the
past decade. By learning from
their very successful experi-
ence we in S.W. Oregon have
an opportunity to make a fun-
damental and most profound
change for the better in the
economic health and vitality
of this region.”
The couple especially
stress that, “None of this will
or can happen if our regional
economic development ef-
forts remain rooted in the
same old thinking that has
seen our economic base stag-
nate during recent times.”
On his Website, Work
has posted “Lessons from
Appalachia,” which presents
what was achieved in West-
ern North Carolina.
“We in S.W. Oregon
might well be able to pull off
this same kind of new eco-
nomic miracle,” said Work,
“using that direction.”
During his presentation,
he also touched on the idea of
making locations such as Illi-
nois Valley a destination
choice. He noted that cur-
rently, many who come to the
valley stop only “to eat, get
gasoline and use a bathroom.”
Work listed numerous
facets of realizing an eco-
nomic miracle, including tre-
mendous cooperation among
entities including clubs, civic
organizations and art groups
in locales including Illinois
Valley, Grants Pass, Med-
ford, Jacksonville and Ash-
land. Special brochures and
guides also would be needed,
he said, as well as a master
calendar.
Additionally, “We need
special events to draw visitors
to regional events; perhaps 40
or more events annually, each
bringing 50 to 300 people.”
Work outlined the need
to attract people with items in
which they are particularly
interested. These could in-
clude antique cars, music
concerts, homemade aircraft
and many others. And once
someone has come for a spe-
cial event, and discovered the
beauty of areas such as Illi-
nois Valley, they likely will
return for its other attractions,
he feels.
A large organizing effort
is needed, said Work and his
wife, for aspects including
funding, administration and
overall supervision. A full-
time paid professional would
be required, they said.
“Achieving such success
here could be difficult,” said
Work, “but we have the Ap-
palachian plan, plus a strong
segment of experts from there
and elsewhere, who would
help us realize such a goal.”
Sharon Work said that
large grants could be sought
from foundations “outside the
usual suspects.”
Chamber directors plan
to discuss the plan further
with an eye as to how it could
be implemented. Among their
considerations will be com-
munity goals, and valley ac-
commodations and other visi-
tor amenities.
Developer Osborn
Addresses Directors
Larry Osborn, a devel-
oper of residential and com-
mercial property, also spoke
during the workshop. His
comments included:
“I came here approxi-
mately six years ago by acci-
dent, and have developed real
estate on a fairly large scale.
I’ve been a land planner; us-
ing it to its highest and best
use.
“I saw an opportunity to
make a well-rounded commu-
nity with proper retail
(businesses), which is lack-
ing.”
Using data from Options,
an organization that aids peo-
ple in poverty, Osborn re-
ferred to “slum lords” who
charge “high rents” for hous-
ing that’s not first rate.
“Me, I’m a nuts-and-
bolts guy,” he said, “seeing a
need for some affordable
housing. (But) I’m public
enemy #1 for wanting to up-
date and change city of Cave
Junction zoning so it could
grow.
“Not everybody wants
that,” Osborn stated, “and
you all need to think about
that.
“I have done well,” he
continued, “invested a lot of
money, but stopped because
of the economy. But I’m not
leaving — I see excellent
opportunities here.”
The developer also noted
that for development to pro-
gress, infrastructure develop-
ment is needed for the city
and the land in its Urban
Growth Boundary.
Historic Crescent City to Kerby
stage-road tour set Aug. 22
To mark 150 years of
Oregon statehood, three
weekends of low cost family
fun are planned in Illinois
Valley.
The initial leg of the free
sesquicentennial celebrations
is on Saturday, Aug. 22 with
a car tour showcasing Ore-
gon’s past. The tour will wind
along Old Redwood Stage
Road from Crescent City,
Calif. to Illinois Valley’s
Kerby, with interpretive stops
and safety checkpoints.
The route, beginning at
Elk Valley Casino parking
lot, is 60 miles long – ap-
proximately half on main-
tained gravel roads. The route
will open at 8 a.m. and the
last vehicle will roll no later
than 10 a.m. The maximum
number of vehicles permitted
is 75, and registration is re-
quired.
To register at no charge
or for more information,
phone Roger Brandt at 592-
4316 or visit highway199.org.
The trip into the past will
continue in “Kerbyville,”
where antique Model-T cars
will be displayed at Kerby-
ville Museum. History dem-
onstrations will include quilt-
ing, spinning, sewing, can-
ning and cheese-making. And
there will be presentations by
the Josephine County Histori-
cal Society Living History
Players. Also, said Brandt,
“cavemen” have been invited.
Also, works by area art-
ists will be displayed at the
Southern Oregon Guild Gal-
lery, and there will be bingo
games. Lunch will be avail-
able from Western Star Order
of the Eastern Star from 11
a.m. to 2 p.m. The menu:
fried chicken, salad, water-
melon, and lemonade.
Spiral Living Center Presents:
Introduction to Straw Bale Construction
Friday, Aug. 28 to Sunday, Aug. 30 9am to 4pm
$45 a day or $120 for 3-day workshop
At Frog Farm in Takilma
BIRD WATCHING Q S & A S
Q: Many birds will take a seed from a feeder
and drop it in water for a few seconds, then eat
it. What is the explanation?
A: Birds are well endowed with salivary glands,
but like people some of them have dry mouth
now and then. Because of this, some robins, jays
and chickadees wet their food. It’s very likely an
individual learned the behavior. This is another
example for the need for a bird bath in your
yard.
Q: Why do birds sit an equal distance apart on a
wire?
A: Spacing is an issue in communal roosting.
Birds may occasionally sit equal distances apart
just by happenstance, but such behavior is not
ecologically driven. Most birds use random sit-
ting patterns but some species seek security in
body contact.
and summer I don’t refill them as often.
Q: How do I identify an unusual bird?
A: The color is what most books sort the birds
by. You may see a lot of orange/black birds, but
it might be a white mark and the location of that
mark that will help ID a bird. Usually, the sec-
ond character is size. Listen to the bird songs.
Once you can identify a bird’s song recognizing
that bird will be easier. The shape and length of
a bird’s bill or beak is one of the very best clues.
Experienced birders often can ID species as they
fly away because of flight styles. Take stock of
the trees, shrubs and other plants in the area for
help in identifying your bird. You may want to
buy a Western Bird Field Guide for hints and in-
formation on identify the birds.
Learn the basics of straw bale con-
struction in this hands-on workshop.
Space is limited. Call to pre-register.
541-592-3642 ~ www.spiralliving.org
Q: When birds sleep on a wire, why don’t they
tip over?
A: Bird’s feet have tendons that hold them
closed, locked in a clinging or gripping position,
Q: When is the best time of the year to put out a when the leg is flexed, as it is when a bird
crouches. This allows birds to perch and rest
feeder?
without falling or losing their grip.
A: The best time is any time. In the spring it
would be smart to put out your hummingbird
If you want to meet me and other bird lovers
feeders. Fall and winter are the best times for
come to Michelle’s Restaurant around 8:30
seed feeders. During spring and summer the
every Saturday morning. We would love to meet
birds can find a bug here or a seed there. During you and discuss your bird experiences.
winter and fall their natural food supply runs
low. That’s the best time to put out your feeder. Qs & As are from Bird Watchers Digest and
My feeders are out year round, but during spring Harry Johnson.
Tina Haemmerlein
Licensed Massage Therapist, OBMT #9280
333 Redwood Hwy. 592-6434
541-592-6190
www.poweroftouch.weebly.com
massagetherapy@cavenet.com
Senior Nutrition Menu
Sponsored by
Crocker Financial Services
Phone: 541- 592- 4454
Meals are served in the
CJ County Bldg.
592-2126, 955-8839
FRIDAY, AUG. 21
WHITE CHICKEN LASAGNA
Italian blend vegetables, green
peas, French bread, chocolate
chip bar
MONDAY, AUG. 24
BBQ CHICKEN SANDWICH
ON A BUN
Colcannon potatoes,
Scandinavian blend
vegetables, bread pudding
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 26
BAKED HAM
WITH PINEAPPLE SAUCE
Scalloped potatoes, seasoned
carrots, herb bread, apple
crisp
illinois-valley-
news.com
Across
1. Abrasive
6. Also
9. Make an effort
12. Visibly astonished
13. Hole maker
14. Chromaticity
15. Sub detector
16. Sleeping place
17. G8 member
18. Genuine
20. Scrooge
21. More or ___
24. Kind of blocker
25. ___ vera
26. Lay to rest
30. Express in words
31. Sedate
33. Bar order
34. Complete confu-
sion
35. Abbey area
36. Italian greeting
38. Requirement
39. Former French
currency
42. Close-fitting
44. Captain's journal
45. Large northern
deer
47. Hand protector
51. Lyric poem
52. Cataract site
53. Handle
54. Get hitched
55. Morning moisture
56. Angered
Down
1. Possesses
2. In the past
3. Flee
4. Scant
5. In this place
6. Type of furniture
7. Be in debt
8. Spinster (2 words)
9. Therefore
10. Ploy
11. Calendar span
19. Adjoin
21. Glasgow gal
22. Flair
23. ___ bean
27. Scotch ___
28. Other
29. Cattail, e.g.
31. Deliver the goods
32. Wrinkle remover
35. Fisherman
37. Cockeyed
39. "Go with the ___!"
40. Razzed
41. Matured
43. Tangelo
46. Caustic chemical
48. Egg cell
49. Pet doctor
50. Before
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