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About Cottage Grove sentinel. (Cottage Grove, Or.) 1909-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 12, 2021)
COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL | AUGUST 12, 2021 | 5A Pet Tips‘n’ Tales: What I learned about writing from my cat By Mary Ellen “Angel Scribe” Gary Buslik is a college professor, novelist, and comedian, or commonly referred to as a comedi- an-college purr-fessor. He is not the only writer in the family. Here are his cat, Babs’, tips on writing and why, well, maybe why, as long as writing doesn’t interrupt cat-naps. Cats understand that a tired mind is ‘fuzzy’. Cat Sage Advice - If you suffer from writer’s block, go back to sleep. - Sit on the keyboard to establish your creative dominance. - That tree outside is fascinating, I could stare at it all day. - Who doesn’t love a good ‘yarn?’ - Head-butt: verb. - Butt-head: noun. As in: “When I’m hungry, all I have to do is head-butt Gary, the butt-head, and a plate of food appears.” - A tail doesn’t wag it- self. - Everyone’s only purr-tending to be im- pressed. - If you have a plot snag, go back to sleep. - Take care of your nails, and they’ll take care of you. - In general, leave me alone. - Paws-itive reinforce- ment doesn’t impress me. - Only you can lick yourself. - You can try to cover up writing mistakes, but they still stink. - If you’re not sure about a character, go back to U.S. Air Force Band cancels concert Due to the increase in COVID-19 variant cases, the Aug. 25 concert of the U.S. Air Force Band of the Golden West in Cottage Grove has been canceled. The Department of De- fense has established mask requirements for indoors and other restrictions to help prevent cases among the troops. The U.S. Air Force has canceled or postponed all California and Oregon performances of the USAF Band of the Golden West. It is hoped the third scheduling will be success- ful as continuing contact with the USAF Band of the Golden West officials will secure a concert resched- uled in the community. Startup Bootcamp with SBDC and RAIN The Startup Bootcamp, an eight-week online pro- gram, will be held every Thursday night from 6 to 8 p.m. The program began on Aug. 12 and will run through Sept. 30. Robert Killen, Director of Lane Small Business De- velopment Center and Ariel Ruben, Lane County Ven- ture Catalyst with Oregon RAIN will be conducting the training for small busi- nesses and solopreneurs. Participants can learn new skills to boost busi- ness in this 16-hour startup training course. The program is catered for startups and young businesses alike — and it’s free to Rural Participants in Lane County, including all businesses and start- ups in Cottage Grove (this does not include Eugene or Springfield). Even for those who have been in business for a while and would just like to re- fresh and sharpen business skills, this program will have plenty to offer. Register at bit.ly/startup- bootcampLANE. 6-day weather forecast FRIDAY SATURDAY 97° | 65° 94° | 60° Partly Cloudy Mostly Cloudy SUNDAY MONDAY 90° | 59° 82° | 54° sleep. - Baby talk only works in your head, not mine. - If you get writer’s block and you’re not sleepy, de- stroy the couch. - When you write some- thing really stupid, blame the dog. - Some editors like kib- bles. Others prefer bits. - Eating the parakeet only makes things worse. - When you have a good idea, pounce. - Never roll over for anyone. - Don’t get emotionally attached to any character. COURTESY PHOTO - If you write a bad sto- Gary Buslik’s kitty, Babs, shares her purrs-pective on ry, eat it. writing. - If the phone rings, look at it, but don’t answer. especially those with good - Nobody ever died eat- are the typist. patting skills. - Scratch out spelling ing too much grass. - Never plagiarize from errors. - Some days you’re the a parrot. - Purr-oof reading is for kitty; some days you’re the - Writing transitions the birds. litter. - Keyboards are cat should go from naps to snacks. Angel Scribe’s cats beds. - Sleep on your typist’s - When you find a pun, also add in their writing lap for attention. jump on it. purrs-pective: - Walking across an- - Readers are necessary, - We are the mews, you swering machine erases distracting messages. - The computer’s mouse is no fun to chase! - Deadlines do not in- volve mice. - Re-prints do not in- volve our paws. - Look cute on Zooms to editors, publishers and media. - Cute cat internet vid- eos deserve credit for hooking viewers. - Never confuse prose, paws and poop. Fun summer reading Gary’s books: www. GaryBuslik.com What is your fur-avorite pet memory/adventure? angelscribe@msn.com Pet Tips ‘n’ Tales on Facebook. https://www.facebook. com/PetTipsandTales Adopt Loving Pets www.PetFinder.com Humane Society for Neuter/Spay Assistance Program: 541-942-3130 High temperatures create potential for cyanotoxins in water PORTLAND, Ore.— With the extreme heat con- tinuing in the Northwest and more people seeking relief in the many water- bodies around the state, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) reminds people heading outdoors to be on the look-out for cyanobac- teria blooms that can pro- duce toxins when recreat- ing in Oregon lakes, rivers and reservoirs. Cyanobacteria are bene- ficial bacteria found in all freshwater worldwide. Un- der the right conditions— when sunlight, heat, water temperature, nutrients and water chemistry are ideal— cyanobacteria can multiply into blooms in any water body. Many blooms are harmless, but some can produce cyanotoxins that make people and animals sick. People should avoid swimming, high-speed wa- ter activities, such as water skiing or power boating, and other water activities where incidental ingestion may occur in areas where it is believed a cyanobacteria bloom is present. Ingestion is the major route of exposure. Toxins are not absorbed through the skin. However, if those with skin sensitivities you may get a puffy red rash. Drinking Water Drinking water direct- ly from areas affected by a bloom is especially dan- gerous. Toxins cannot be removed by boiling, filter- ing or treating water with camping-style filters. Con- tact campground manage- ment or the local health department with questions about water available at nearby campgrounds or day use areas. Not all private treatment systems are effective at re- moving cyanotoxins. If not using a well or public water system and draw in-home water directly from an af- fected area, people are ad- vised to use an alternative water source. Children and Pets Children and pets are at increased risk for expo- sure because of their size and level of activity. Dogs can get extremely ill and even die within minutes to hours of exposure to cyanotoxins by drinking the water, licking their fur, or eating the toxins from floating mats or dried crust along the shore. This is regardless of a recreational use health ad- visory in place. Be aware that dogs can become ill and die from wa- ter intoxication after drink- ing excessive amounts of water while swimming or fetching objects for long periods of time. Intoxication is a poten- tially fatal disturbance in brain function resulting from an imbalance of elec- trolytes in the body. Water intoxication and heat stroke can cause sim- ilar symptoms as exposure to cyanotoxins. Symptoms Exposure to cyanotoxins can be serious and cause a range of symptoms. Symptoms may be simi- lar to food poisoning such as stomach cramping, di- arrhea, nausea and vom- iting. Symptoms may also be more serious, such as numbness, tingling, diz- ziness and shortness of breath. These symptoms may require medical atten- tion. Dogs can experience weakness, difficulty walk- ing, seizures, lethargy, loss of appetite and more. If a dog exhibits symp- toms, veterinary treatment should be sought as quickly as possible. Fishing Fish caught from ar- eas where cyanobacteria blooms are present may pose unknown health risks. Fat, skin and organs should be removed before cooking or freezing. Toxins are more likely to collect in these tissues. Fillets should also be rinsed with clean water. For health information or to report an illness, con- tact OHA at 971-673-0482. Lane County residents encouraged to monitor wildfires The Lane County Sher- iff ’s Office has asked that all Lane County residents and visitors carefully monitor the situation with the outbreak of multiple wildfires in east and south Lane County. Residents should also review their individual preparedness plans. The following web sources are recommend- ed: • Bookmark the Middle Fork Complex Fire Inci- web page at inciweb.nwcg. gov/incident/7745/. • Follow the Middle Fork Complex Fire re- sponse team on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ MiddleForkComplex. • Bookmark the Knoll Fire Inciweb page at in- ciweb.nwcg .gov/inci- dent/7790/. • Follow the Knoll Fire response team on Face- book at www.facebook. com/KnollFire. • Register for emergen- cy alerts at public.alert- sense.com/SignUp/. • Bookmark the Coun- ty’s wildfire evacuation and resources webpage at www.LaneCountyOR.gov/ MiddleForkComplex. • Bookmark the Coun- ty’s evacuation map at bit. ly/2021EvacMap. • Review information about evacuation levels and emergency alerts at www.LaneCountyOR.gov/ prepare. • Double-check your plan for evacuating large animals and livestock at www.LaneCountyOR.gov/ LCAID. ARE YOU AND YOUR PETS PREPARED? Mostly Sunny Partly Cloudy TUESDAY WEDNESDAY 84° | 56° Mostly Sunny 90° | 58° Sunny 60 % of small businesses close within 6 months of a cyber-attack. (541) 942-0555 TURNING 65 AND NEED HELP WITH YOUR MEDICARE CHOICES? Call Paul to help simplify the complicated. 541-517-7362 Paul Henrichs ~ Independent Agent coverage4oregon@gmail.com • Have a backpack stocked for 10 days of food, water, extra collar/leash, medicines, stress relief formula. * Carry a clear and recent photo of your pet in your backpack and cell phone with emergency contact info. * Bring your dog licenses and any additional information along with pre-scented homely items for comfort. Give us a call, we’ll chat. OLD MILL FARM STORE -Est 1870- Open: Mon-Fri 10-5 Saturday 10-4 327 South River Road Cottage Grove, Oregon 97424 (541)942-3024