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
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t
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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.