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About The Hood River news. (Hood River, Or.) 1909-current | View Entire Issue (July 18, 2015)
WELLNESS NEW FUNDS Healthy Hood River – United Way announces grants – A5 W EEKEND E DITION Vol. 109, No. 57 A10 HOOD RIVER, OREGON Official Newspaper, City of Hood River and Hood River County ■ SATURDAY, JULY 18 , 2015 75 cents 2 Sections, 20 Pages www.hoodrivernews.com A high five for Lila May Cancer will have to step aside for prom night and birthday party By KIRBY NEUMANN-REA News editor A downtown party like never seen before happens July 31, and the guest of honor will be prom queen and birthday girl Lila May Schow. The party may well be the last one for this feisty strawberry blond ember of a girl who has bat- tled neuroblastoma cancer for more than three years. Lila has had nine surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation and spends “almost every day going to either the doc- tor or the hospital,” according to her mother, Heidi Hall. The party will be July 31 in the large and elegant Butler Bank Building, 301 Oak St., starting at 6 See LILA, Page A2 LILA MAY keeps things light at the second annual Tutu Trot fundraiser for her, in May at Mark Hat- field Trailhead. Photo by Kirby Neumann-Rea G OVERNOR S IGNS E DUCATION B ILL I N HR Gov. Kate Brown hands Rep. Mark Johnson a signing pen after she put her signature to legislation enabling Oregon stu- dents to access to free community college education. With them at the CGCC Indian Creek campus Friday morning are Sen. Mark Hass, left, Rep. John Huffman of The Dalles, and Dr. Frank Toda, CGCC president. Please turn to page A3 for an article about Gov. Brown’s visit. Photo by Kirby Neumann-Rea Planning Commission holds final affordable housing meeting Monday at City Hall Monday the City Planning Com- mission meets to deliberate on strategies to deal with affordable housing. The 6:30 p.m. meeting is open to the public, but the com- mission will not be taking testi- mony. The July 13 hearing on the Building Lands Inventory and Housing Analysis drew plenty of attention, with most testimony concerning proposals for added restrictions on short-term rentals. The public’s next chance to weigh in on the housing strategies Senior Expo helps highlight 2015 County Fair By KIRBY NEUMANN-REA News editor will be Aug. 10 when City Council holds a hearing. Planning Director Cindy Wal- bridge said the commission will start deliberations on at the city’s Technical Advisory Committee’s recommendations on short-term rentals, including requiring a 30- day minimum in some cases. Officially, the commission has accepted the inventory and needs analysis and is now going through the strategies, including land use changes such as re-zones and up- Hood River County Fair brings entertainment, activities for kids and adults, displays and exhibits, carnival and midway fun, horses, livestock, flowers, and food. T he f air won’ t open until Wednesday at noon but plenty hap- pens Monday and Tuesday, includ- ing many opportunities to enter flowers, horticulture, baked goods, textiles and other categories. Big Winds will demonstrate wind sport gear on July 25, and July 23 is Oregon State University Day at the Fair: meet Benny the Beaver in the kid zone. Thursday is Senior Day and that See HOUSING, Page A3 See FAIR, Page A2 S p o t l i g h t a t u r d a y Photo by Kirby Neumann-Rea 50-PLUS EXPO on July 23 features numerous senior-oriented services including Hawks Ridge Assisted Living, where on Thursday residents Sandra Smock, left, and Mary Cook helped make cold-pressed coffee. A weekly series about a day in the life ... Matt Luchsinger lives a ruff life By BEN MITCHELL News staff writer Photos by Ben Mitchell MATT LUCHSINGER with his dog, Buck, a pit bull/American bulldog mix that started him on his path to dog training. At right, Daisy, a 15-week-old bloodhound and Jack, a 15-week-old Australian shep- herd, romp in a field after a training session with Luchsinger. Hood River is a great place for dogs and dog owners, with plenty of hiking and recreation opportunities and a wonder- ful dog-friendly attitude exhibited by many local businesses. Some dogs, however, need some work to curb their bad be- haviors when they’re in public (or at home) and oftentimes, their masters need some training as well. The dogs may chew too much, are aggressive, or run away despite being called. Others have puppies that just need to start off on the right paw with some proper obedience training, or dogs that just need someone to take them on an adventure while their owners are cooped up at work. Since last fall, many of those people have been taking their four-legged canine friends to Matt Luchsinger, who is the founder and owner of NW Balanced Dog Training in Hood River. As the business’ name suggests, Luchsinger takes a balanced approach in his training, focusing on both the mental and physical training of the animals in an ap- proach, that, judging by the testimonials on the business’ See MATT, Page A2 Four To Go Crop Talks moves to Rahane Farm July 27 Lavender and cherries galore The next Rockford Grange-sponsored Crop Talk will take place July 27 at Rahane Forest Farm. This is a potluck-tour and starts at 6 p.m. Bring a table-setting, something to sit on and something warm to wear once the sun sets. For directions or to reserve a seat on the van-pool, call Linda at 541-490-9287. Crop Talks, an informal discussion group of farmers, gardeners, growers and the public, are sponsored by Rockford Community Grange. 7 05105 97630 3 This weekend brings Lavender Daze to Odell and Cherry Celebration to the en- tire Hood River valley. Lavender Daze fills Hood River Laven- der, 3801 Straight Hill Road, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Admission is free and there will be live music, food and wine vendors, craft classes, U-pick lavender, and kids’ activities. See www.lavenderdaze.com. Cherry Celebration happens at local farms on the Fruit Loop, with activities, cherries, wines, lavender, jams and other cherry treats. Admission to most farms are free; most are open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Joni Harms performs free concert Aug. 2 A free concert featuring award- winning musician Joni Harms will be presented at the Waterfront Park outdoor amphitheater on Aug. 2, from 5-7 p.m. Bring a picnic and enjoy the waterfront park at 400 Portway Ave. Harms writes most of her own music and has played the world over. The concert is sponsored by the Bell family, Waterfront Community Park Association and the City of Hood River. The Bell Family have been summer residents since 1984. ‘Place At The Table July 29 A free viewing of the film “ A Place At The Table” hap- pens July 29 at 6 p.m. at FISH Food Bank, 1130 Tucker Rd., Hood River, sponsored by Gorge Grown Food Network. This will be among the first public events in the facili- ty’s new meeting room-community kitchen. Door prizes and a” Food Hero” sample will be provided. A discussion of existing resources and next steps will di- rectly follow the film screening.