ON STAGE
MT. HOOD TOWN HALL
55K donation helps
meal programs — A8
‘Next To
Normal’
– B1
M IDWEEK E DITION
Vol. 109, No. 54
HOOD RIVER, OREGON
Official Newspaper, City of Hood River and Hood River County
■
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 2015
75 cents
2 Sections, 22 Pages
www.hoodrivernews.com
‘For Fish and Farms’
Signs promote dormant lawns, water conservation
Interested in an easy way to use
less water this summer? Consider
not watering your lawn.
Not watering will allow more
water to be left in-stream, which
can help Hood River crops, fish,
and other aquatic species through
this drought.
During this low water year, every
drop counts. The Hood River Wa-
tershed Group, Hood River Soil and
Water Conservation District, and
partners are providing free signs
(donations welcome) to homeown-
ers who voluntarily let their lawns
go dormant this year. Dormant
grass is not dead; it will green up
again with the fall rains.
This is not the first time local
agencies have distributed “brown
lawn” signs. In 2001, the idea de-
buted with a bright yellow version
during that year’s serious drought.
To kick off this signage cam-
paign, the Hood River Watershed
Group will be at the July 9 Hood
River Farmers Market with freshly
printed signs and more informa-
tion on water conservation. Signs
will also be available after July 9 at
the SWCD Office, Columbia River-
keeper, Farmers Irrigation Dis-
trict, East Fork Irrigation District,
Middle Fork Irrigation District,
and subsequent Farmers Markets.
Sign sponsors are Columbia Gorge
Fruit Growers, Envirogorge, and
Columbia Riverkeeper.
■
To learn more about dormant
lawns or, if your lawn must stay
green, how to water efficiently,
check
out
the
website
www.hoodriverswcd.org or contact
Me g an
Saunders
at
megan@hoodriverswcd.org or 541-
386-6063.
‘MULCH IS A SPONGE’: MORE SIGNS OF THE TIMES
Get serious
Top tips for saving water – A4
Examples of readerboard or handmade signs promoting water conservation:
■ “We support brown grass” – Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum.
■ “Another brown lawn to help farms and fish.” – Handmade sign at a home on 5th Street the Heights.
■ “Roses are red, mulch is a sponge, use it to save water, come on take the plunge.” – Good News Gardening
Community
th
4
Photo by Peter Marbach
LIONS FIREWORKS brighten the sky over Hood River and the Hood River bridge in this image captured by Hood River photographer Peter Marbach.
The Eyeopeners staged a festive 25-minute show.
Photo by Kirby Neumann-Rea
HOOD RIVER resident John Brennan,
left, watches as Boy Scouts raise the
flag at the Jackson Park July 4 Celebra-
tion.
Photo by Trisha Walker
MEMBERS of Mid Valley Dancers laugh and toss candy to friends as they ride in the Odell July 4 parade. See pages A9-10 story and more photos.
Fatal crash in Cascade Locks
claims Stevenson man
A Stevenson man died Sunday
morning after his truck smashed
through a guardrail on Forest Lane
in Cascade Locks.
The driver, Victor F. Sanders, 65,
of Stevenson was found dead on
scene.
According to emergency crews,
his 1998 Jeep Pickup was traveling
on Forest Lane when Sanders lost
control and left the roadway. The
pickup struck the guardrail, which
pierced its windshield, and de-
stroyed 35 feet of railing before
grinding to a stop.
Oregon State Police troopers re-
sponded to the scene at about 6 a.m.
Sunday after hearing a report from
a resident on Forest Lane who wit-
nessed the crash. Hood River Coun-
ty Sheriff ’s Office and Cascade
Locks Fire and EMS also responded
to the scene.
Oregon State Police said “con-
tributing factors” are still being
considered.
Photo courtesy of Oregon State Police
A STEVENSON MAN died Sunday when his truck burst through 35 feet of guardrail off Forest Lane in Cascade Locks.
Four To Go
Cherry Celebration returns
It’s the time of year when businesses
throughout the Hood River Fruit Loop share
the bounty of the Hood River valley, starting
with the annual Cherry Celebration July 18-19.
Cherry celebration provides activities for
everyone. Farms offer many varieties of fresh-
picked and u-pick cherries, wines, lavender,
jams and other cherry treats. Many farms fea-
ture picnic areas. Some Fruit Loop farms serve
up special activities or attractions for Cherry
Days. Admission to most attractions is free,
and most are
open from at
least 10 a.m.
to 5 p.m.
7
05105 97630
3
Leos bottle drive day is July 11 Kiteboarding 4 Cancer
this weekend
Hood River Valley Leos have their
monthly bottle and can collection on
the first Saturday of each month —
normally.
However, with the Fourth of July pa-
rade and other festivities, the club
rescheduled July’s collection to July 11.
The collection site is at the south edge
of Rosauers parking lot.
Leos, along with the HRV Robotics
team, will be collecting, sorting and re-
deeming containers with a nickel de-
posit from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to support
the Robotics team’s activities.
‘Landscaping with Less Water’
OSU Extension Service, Columbia
Gorge
Master Gardeners, Hood River Soil
The 9th annual Kiteboarding 4 Cancer
and Water Conservation District and
event takes place at the Hood River Water-
Hood River Watershed Group for “Land-
front July 10-11. KB4C has something for
scaping with Less Water” on July 11 start-
everybody: live music, pop-up art studio,
ing at 9 a.m. at the Learning Garden at
beer garden hosted by Full Sail, local food
the Extension grounds. This is one in a
carts, and lots of eye-catching kiteboarders
series of presentations on water conserv-
showing off their best moves.
ing landscapes. Highlighted features to
All proceeds benefit Athletes 4 Cancer, a
include bioswales, a native plants garden,
nonprofit that offers weeklong adventures
retreats for cancer survivors to gain the con- hellstrip garden, herb garden, and water
fidence and healing needed to face life with, efficient lawns, followed by a primer on
drip irrigation.
or after, cancer.
The class is free and open to the public.
For more info on events or to make a do-
Call 541-386-3343 for more information.
nation, visit kiteboarding4cancer.org.