COMMUNITY
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2015
LOTTERY GOES SOCIAL
1B
SWAN SONG FOR WATER SAMPLERS
MAKING MOMENTS
T
he whole world must be on Facebook. The Ear recently received
a press release from the Oregon Lottery promoting their Face-
book page, www.facebook.com/ORlottery. And why should you
care? Because they offer prizes, that’s why.
“For over a year, the Lottery has been offering great prizes on our
Facebook page,” Oregon Lottery Online Marketing Manager Shad
Barnes said. “By simply following us on Facebook and commenting
on one of our giveaways, people are entered for a chance to win
some really outstanding prizes.”
For example, a chance to win tickets to the Cape Blanco Music
Festival, or an all-expense-paid trip to Michigan to watch the Oregon
State Beavers play the Wolverines.
“Given the odds of winning games like Powerball or Mega Mil-
lions, the odds of winning a Lottery Facebook prize are much bet-
ter,” the press release says.
And better yet, you don’t have to buy a ticket to win. It’s free.
GOING BUGS
A
n invasion of Volkswagens is expected today. Seriously. A vintage
VW parts distributor in Ventura, Calif., hosts an annual vintage VW
cruise from Canada to Mexico, called “Treffen” (www.airheadparts.com/
treffen) now in its 17th year, Danielle Starr of Airhead Parts, sponsor of
the cruise, told the Ear.
And Astoria is the first stop. The group will be here until Saturday
morning, when they head out for Newport. Photos of previous Treffens
are shown, courtesy of Airhead Parts.
“Treffen is German for ‘to meet,’ and in the spirit of meeting new
friends and fellow VW enthusiasts, we have spent the past 16 years mak-
ing Treffen the best possible experience it can be,” Danielle explained.
“Typically, we have cars participating from several states, with a few doz-
en that do the entire 1,700 miles. Along the way, we see hundreds more, at
our event stops, with many joining for one to several days.
“The Treffen started out in 1998 as a VW Karmann Ghia only car
show and lunch cruise, put on by Karmann Ghia Parts & Restoration. As
KGPR grew, the business was expanded to include all air-cooled Volk-
swagen models under the
name, ‘Airhead Parts.’ 2005 was the first year that Treffen included all
vintage VW models.”
“It’s an eclectic group of people in interesting old cars,” she added.
“Young families with children, older couples, retirees — everyone comes
together for 10 days in August as one big happy traveling VW family.”
SAVE THE HISTORY
A
forum on the Coast Defense Study Group website should intrigue
North Coast history enthusiasts, as it features several then-and-now
photos of Fort Stevens, with accompanying text (http://tinyurl.com/fts-
teve). One of the photos is shown, of building a new road at the fort, around
1913. Several photos are of buildings that are long gone.
The forum had a link to a Facebook page, “Harbor Defenses of the
Columbia,” another bit of eye candy for history buffs. So who is behind
all of the amazing photos? Aaron Buda, an Eagle Scout in his early 20s,
of Washington.
“I’m both a historian and collector of items related to the Harbor De-
fenses of the Columbia River (Forts Stevens, Columbia, and Canby),” he
told the Ear. “My main goal is to preserve, share, and honor the history of
the U.S. Army Coast Artillery who served at the mouth of the Columbia
for nearly 80 years, from the 1860s to the end of World War II, as well as
educating the public about it through displays and living history.”
“I am always interested in new photos, stories, or artifacts people may
have related to the Harbor Defenses of the Columbia,” he explained. Have
some history to share with him? “Like” the Facebook page and send him a
message, email aaron.buda@yahoo.com or call 360-880-0564.
“It is important history,” Aaron added, “and must be saved and not
forgotten.”
N
O
n July 18 Sheriff Tom Bergin and his deputies surprised Ron-
nie Bement at his 65th birthday party, Ronnie’s niece Teresa
Petersen told the Ear.
“Ronnie was born in Vale and moved in 1955 to Portland so that he
could attend school for special needs children,” Teresa explained. “His
parents chose to raise him rather than put him in an institution. In 1967,
his family moved to Fort Stevens. When his father retired as an electrician
in 1980, he traveled with his parents, Jack and Laura Bement, in their
travel trailer named ‘The Tired Tepee’ to Mexico, Florida and Arizona.”
“Time and time again people who meet him are amazed at his
longevity,” she noted. The National Down Syndrome Society (www.
ndss.org) says that in 1983, the life expectancy was 25 for a DS child
— and Ronnie was born in 1950. “That is an example of what love
will do,” Teresa observed. “Since his parents have gone to heaven,
he has remained with family.”
“Growing up in a western town, near the cattle sale yard and where his
brothers rode horses, Ronnie was very impressed by being a cowboy,” she
recalled. “Western movies are his favorite, and he’s always been the good
guy who wore a badge and said, ‘I am the sheriff.’” And that’s how she
came up with the idea of asking the sheriff to come to the celebration. “... I
wanted to bless him, and make his 65th birthday special.”
“The party was a huge success and started off with some police
lights and sirens,” she said. Pictured, from left, Sgt. Alan Palmrose,
Sheriff Tom Bergin, Ronnie, and Marine Deputies Wes Humphries
and Justin Dimmick.
“Knowing that Ronnie has far outlived his life expectancy for a
person with Down syndrome,” Teresa added, “his family and com-
munity of friends really value the memory, making moments to try
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‘YES, THEY HAPPEN HERE’
N
RVWDOJLDNRRN¿UVWUDQ0D\ Researchers from the
U.S. Geological Survey have an ongoing project at the mouth
of the Lewis and Clark River, Coastal Hazards Specialist Patrick
Corcoran, who is the Oregon Sea Grant County Leader at the Ore-
gon State University Clatsop County Extension, told the Ear.
“They excavated a small section of the river bank to reveal the
history of tsunami inundations,” he explained, describing the pho-
tos shown, which were taken in April.
“The horizontal brown ‘lines’ in this cross-section indicate the
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is not a new discovery, it is still dramatic to actually look at these
deposits.” Not to mention scary.
“The key message is: ‘Yes, they happen here. We get what Japan
got,’” he warned. “It’s easy to be complacent ... However, this image
shows that we get large earthquakes and tsunamis fairly regularly in
geologic time. The dates of these tsunamis are roughly 1700, 1400,
900, and 400 A.D.”
When tsunamis hit the coast, they drag marine sand and debris
upriver. Then, as the tsunami wanes, a layer of sand is deposited
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overlain with marine sand,” Patrick continued, “is the classic mark
of a tsunami deposit.”
The researchers are gathering information to make new, updated
tsunami inundation maps. One of the things they look for, Patrick
said, is foraminifera, ocean-dwelling protozoa that get deposited
LQODQGE\ODUJHWVXQDPLV%\PDSSLQJZKHUHWKH\¿QGWKHIRUDPLQ-
ifera, they can tell how far inland the tsunami came.
“The vegetation, the sand composition and the marine critters re-
veal a long history of big earthquakes and tsunamis in the region,”
Patrick observed. “Understanding our natural history can better pre-
pare us for the next time the foraminifera come to town.”
ational University of Singapore scientists have developed a
dandy pollution-seeking water-sampling robot: The NuSwan
(New Smart Water Assessment Network), being tested in Singapore,
Gizmag.com reports (http://tinyurl.com/swantest).
The idea came about to make water testing equipment aestheti-
cally pleasing to the eye, and more harmonious with the natural set-
ting around a body of water. A NuSwan is pictured, courtesy of the
NUS Environmental Research Institute.
The swans have an onboard GPS system to autonomously cruise
around in the water, and the data they pick up is transmitted by Wi-
Fi. When their batteries run low, they automatically return to the
charging station. No, their little feet don’t paddle, in case you’re
wondering. And, they’re built to be tough, and withstand collisions
with small boats.
But it’s not just all about aesthetics. NuSwans are expected to be
“less expensive, quicker and logistically simpler” than having hu-
mans out in boats doing the same job.
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Lake?
GOING HOME
R
emember the 800-pound chestnut Torii Gates, part of a
shrine, that washed up on the Oregon Coast two years
after the 2011 Japanese tsunami? They’ve been put on dis-
play in Portland’s Japanese Garden, and are attracting quite
a crowd, according to KGW.com (http://tinyurl.com/shrine-
tops). Photos of the gates are shown, on the beach and in the
garden (inset) courtesy of screen shots from a KGW video
clip.
The tsunami destroyed 300 shrines, so it took the Japanese
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ed. The man who donated the gates in the 1980s, who is now in
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in his eyes when he was told they had been found, and would
be returned.
In October, the gates go home, where they will be restored
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tsunami. The gates will be accompanied by a special gift: Vis-
itors to the Japanese Garden are sending their good wishes in
notes that are being collected, and will be folded into 1,000 ori-
gami cranes — to symbolize hope and longevity — by Portland
school children.
HOT DAISIES?
T
he Internet has been a-twitter (literally) with photos of some
mutant daisies — one of them is pictured — that are growing
about 70 miles from the Fukushima nuclear plant, which was bad-
ly damaged during the 2011 Japanese earthquake and tidal wave.
Many have been speculating the weird daisies are evidence of seri-
ous radiation leaks emanating from the plant. Not so, says the Huff-
ington Post (http://tinyurl.com/mutdaisy): It’s a fairly normal defor-
mity called fasciation.
“I don’t think people should freak out,” Beth Krizek, a biologist
at the University of South Carolina Krizek said. “They’re not that
unusual.”
You can put away your Geiger counter now.
COMMUNITY NOTES
SATURDAY
Detachment 1228 Marine Corps
League — noon, Uptown Cafe, 1639
S.E. Ensign Lane, Warrenton. For infor-
mation, contact Lou Neubecker at 503-
717-0153.
Columbia Northwestern Model
Railroading Club — 1 p.m., in Ham-
mond. Group runs trains on HO-scale
layout. For information, call Don Carter
at 503-325-0757.
SUNDAY
Line Dancing — 5:30 to 8 p.m., Sea-
side American Legion, 1315 Broadway.
For information, call 503-738-5111. No
cost; suggested $5 tip to the instructor.
MONDAY
Senior Lunch — 11:30 a.m., Bob
Chisholm Senior Center, 1225 Avenue
A, Seaside. Suggested donation $3 for
those older than 60; $6.75 for those
younger than 60. For information, call
Michelle Lewis at 503-861-4200.
Columbia Senior Diners — 11:30
a.m., Peace Lutheran Church (lower
level), 565 12th St. Cost is $5. For infor-
mation, or to have a meal delivered, call
503-325-9693.
Warrenton Senior Lunch Program
— noon, Warrenton Community Center,
170 S.W. Third St. Suggested dona-
tion of $5 for seniors and $7 for those
younger than 60. For information, or to
volunteer, call 503-861-3502 Monday or
Thursday.
Astoria Rotary Club — noon, sec-
ond floor of the Astoria Elks Lodge, 453
11th St. Guests always welcome. For in-
formation, go to www.AstoriaRotary.org
Knochlers Pinochle Group — 1
p.m., Bob Chisholm Community Center,
1225 Avenue A, Seaside. Cost is $1 per
regular session per person. Players with
highest and second highest scores split
the prize. Game is designed for players
55 and older, but all ages are welcome.
Astoria Toastmasters — 6:30 p.m.,
Hotel Elliot conference room, 357 12th
St. Visitors welcome. For information,
go to www.toastmasters.org or call 503-
894-0187.
Line Dancing for Seniors — 6 to
7:30 p.m., Astoria Senior Center, tempo-
rarily located at 1555 W. Marine Drive in
the old Astoria Yacht Club. For informa-
tion, call 503-325-3231.
Columbia Senior Diners — 11:30 a.m.,
Peace Lutheran Church (lower level), 565
12th St. The cost is $5. For information, or
to have a meal delivered, call 503-325-9693.
Depression and Bipolar Support
Alliance — 7 to 9 p.m., Room A, Colum-
bia Memorial Hospital, 2111 Exchange
St. Open to all those diagnosed with a
mood disorder, or have a family member
or friend diagnosed, or who think they
might have depression or bipolar dis-
order. For information, contact Patricia
Fessler at 503-325-8930.
Astoria Kiwanis Club — noon, El
Tapatio, 229 W. Marine Drive. For infor-
mation, call Robert McClelland at 503-
894-0187 or Susan Brooks at 503-741-
0186 or 503-338-4994.
TUESDAY
World War II Warbirds — 8 a.m., La-
bor Temple Diner, 934 Duane St.
Do Nothing Club — 10 a.m. to noon,
24002 U St., Ocean Park, Wash. Men’s
group. For information, call Jack Mc-
Bride at 360-665-2721.
Senior Lunch — 11:30 a.m., Bob
Chisholm Senior Center, 1225 Avenue
A, Seaside. Suggested donation of $3
for those older than 60; $6.75 for those
younger than 60. For information, call
Michelle Lewis at 503-861-4200.
Astoria Lions Club — noon, Asto-
ria Elks Lodge, 453 11th St. Prospective
members welcome. For information, con-
tact Charlene Larsen at 503-325-0590.
Line Dancing for Seniors — 1:30 to
2:30 p.m., Astoria Senior Center, tempo-
rarily located at 1555 W. Marine Drive in
the old Astoria Yacht Club. For informa-
tion, call 503-325-3231.
Spinning Circle — 3 to 5 p.m., Asto-
ria Fiber Arts Academy, 1296 Duane St.
Bring a spinning wheel. For information,
call 503-325-5598 or go to http://astori-
afiberarts.com
Evergreen Masonic Lodge No. 137
— 6:30 p.m. dinner, 7:30 p.m. meeting,
201 N. Holladay Drive, Seaside. All Ma-
sons and their families are welcome. For
information, call 503-717-0808.
WEDNESDAY
Moms Offering Moms Support
Club — 9 a.m., Capt. Gray Port of Play,
785 Alameda Ave. For information, go
to www.momsclubofastoria.org or email
president@momsclubofastoria.org
Help Ending Abusive Relationship
Tendencies — 10 to 11:30 a.m., The
Harbor, 1361 Duane St. HEART covers
subjects related to the effects of domes-
tic violence on children, parents and oth-
er family members, dynamics of power
and control, and how to recognize red
flags. For anyone in an abusive rela-
tionship, or who knows someone who is.
Call Audrey Williams ahead to reserve a
spot at 503-325-3426. ext. 104.
Open Sewing Gathering — 10:30
a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Homespun Quilts, 108
10th St. For information, call 503-325-
3300 or 800-298-3177 or go to http://
homespunquilt.com
See NOTES, 3DJe %