2A Polk County Itemizer-Observer • March 11, 2015
Polk County News
Festival proves to be a hit
First ‘Folklife’
event receives
good reviews,
will expand
Dallas possibly seeking opt-out options
By Jolene Guzman
The Itemizer-Observer
By Jolene Guzman
The Itemizer-Observer
RICKREALL — The first
Polk County Folklife Festival
was all sunshine and smiles
on Saturday.
Folklife celebrated the
Willamette Valley’s varying
cultures with music, food
and art. It was such a suc-
cess that organizers are al-
ready planning for 2016.
“I think tally through the
gate was about 650 atten-
dees,” said festival program
director Kurt Dugan. “That
was about what we were
hoping for, so we were really
happy with the attendance.”
Dugan said including
vendors, musicians and fes-
tival staff, there were about
1,000 people roaming the
Polk County Fairgrounds &
Event Center, all of them
seeming to be having a good
time.
Dugan said vendor sur-
veys reveal excitement for
next year already.
“Every one of them is
coming back,” Dugan said.
“We had a few people run
out of product.”
Artisan Doug Marcoe, co-
owner of The Rustic Garden,
which makes “rusty” lawn
art, said the festival was very
well organized for a first-
year event.
“Everybody is happy,”
said Marcoe, who is from
Redmond. “That is a good
sign. There’s a lot of things
going on and people are en-
gaged. That is a good thing.”
Spanning three buildings
at the fairgrounds, the entire
festival was awash in music,
with three stages and a
“jam” area where anybody
Bill would give cities
local power over pot
JOLENE GUZMAN/ Itemizer-Observer
Latin band Romance had the audience up and dancing during its set Saturday on the
Folklife Festival main stage at the Polk County Fairgrounds & Event Center.
JOLENE GUZMAN/ Itemizer-Observer
“Dharma,” left, and “Aleiah” of the Corvallis Belly Dance
Performance Guild dance on the Performing Arts Stage
Saturday afternoon. Each dancer has a stage name.
could join in.
Jo Hockenhull, who plays
in a Cajun band that per-
formed Saturday, took the
opportunity to buy a new
triangle to play on stage
from blacksmith Gary Lewis.
After making a few ad-
justments on the spot, Lewis
handed her the instrument.
She took a few seconds to
try it out, stomping her foot
in rhythm with the high-
pitched clanging.
Hockenhull nodded her
head in approval — sold.
It was that kind of day at
the Polk County Folklife Fes-
tival.
So encouraging was the
response that Dugan said
next year’s festival will be ex-
panded to two days. Howev-
er, due to a quirk in the cal-
endar — March 2015 in-
cludes parts of five week-
ends — the same weekend
in March 2016 won’t be
available. Instead, the festi-
val will take place in Octo-
ber next year and, if all goes
well, every year thereafter.
Dugan said he had to turn
down performers for this
year’s festival, so the 2016
edition of Folklife should
feature an even more di-
verse slate of artists.
“I want to thank the com-
munity for supporting us,”
Dugan said. “There was a
great sense of community at
this event. Everybody was
having fun.”
DALLAS — A bill seeking to
amend parts of Measure 91,
the initiative that legalized the
production and sale of recre-
ational marijuana in Oregon,
would allow local govern-
ments to prohibit or tax sales
within their boundaries.
Senate Bill 542, sponsored
by Sen. Jackie Winters on be-
half of the League of Oregon
Cities (LOC), addresses the
main concerns of leaders in
the city of Dallas.
“We are working with the
legislature to give the cities
the right to opt out of having
sales and production within
our borders,” Dallas Mayor
Brian Dalton said at a recent
Dallas City Council meeting.
Dallas and Falls City have
banned recreational and
medical sales of marijuana
through keeping provisions
in their city codes requiring
business to abide by federal
law, under which marijuana
use of any kind still is illegal.
Monmouth and Inde-
pendence both allow med-
ical marijuana dispensaries.
All four cities, part of about
70 statewide, have passed or-
dinances that would tax mari-
juana sales, both medical and
recreational, in spite of such a
prohibition in Measure 91.
Scott Winkels, a lobbyist
with the LOC, said SB 542
was in response to concerns
cities had about the affect
legal marijuana will have on
local governments.
“The cities and counties in
Oregon are going to feel the
brunt of the effect of recre-
ational marijuana much more
than the state will,” Winkels
said. “We are going to need
local flexibility and funding.”
If approved, SB 542 would
allow cities further flexibility in
regulating sales — up to a ban
or “opt out” — and generating
tax income to help pay for en-
forcement of the new law.
Measure 91 allows sales to
be banned in local jurisdic-
tions, but only by a vote in
the next general election,
which would be November
2016 at the earliest. The
LOC’s concern is that mari-
juana sales license applica-
tions will be accepted begin-
ning in January 2016.
“The core issue for the
League (of Oregon Cities) is
local control, and SB 542
makes that clear,” Winkels
said.
Dalton said — though he
doesn’t speak on behalf of the
council — based on past dis-
cussions, the council likely
would exercise “local con-
trol” if the bill were approved.
“I think the council would
strongly consider an opt out,”
Dalton said.
A public hearing on SB 542
was held March 4 before the
legislature’s Joint Committee
on Implementing Measure 91.
LOC also is seeking addi-
tional amendments of Meas-
ure 91 requiring:
• Employees of marijuana
dispensaries to pass criminal
background checks.
• Cities have the right to
express concerns or objec-
tions regarding sales licenses.
• Amendments to how the
tax revenue is distributed to
cities — now based on the
number of marijuana outlets
in a jurisdiction rather than
on population.
• Implementation of safety
regulations for the manufac-
ture of marijuana tinctures
with flammable or explosive
materials.
• Amendments to land use
regulations to ensure dispen-
saries operate only in area
the cities deem appropriate,
for example, avoiding areas
where children congregate.
HEALTH DIRECTORY
AUDIOLOGY
COUNSELING
GYNECOLOGY SERVICES
Trust your hearing to those that specialize in hearing
and hearing related disorders. Evan L. Evans, Ph. D,
and Julie B. Evans, AuD are both doctoral level Audi-
ologists who have the knowledge, experience and
compassion to provide you with the best care for your
hearing health. We offer free hearing screenings; by
our hearing aid specialist. We offer full & complete di-
agnostic evaluations, counseling and recommenda-
tions by our clinical Audiologists. Other Audiological
services include testing, management and treatment
options for Tinnitus. We have the knowledge and ex-
perience to assist your physician with the diagnosis of
diseases and disorders pertaining to hearing and the
hearing mechanism. We offer wax removal or cerumen
management, Tinnitus testing and Tinnitus manage-
ment techniques. An Audiologist, having the Audiol-
ogy credentials of the American Academy of Audiology
(F-AAA) and the The American Speech Hearing and
Language Association’s Certificate of Clinical Compe-
tency (CCC-A) is the professional of choice for any-
thing related to hearing and or hearing related issues.
Serving our hearing impaired since 1980, with two lo-
cations to serve you.
Audiology Associates
1343-A Monmouth St., Independence • 503-838-3001
2296 NW Kings Blvd, Corvallis • 541-757-2500
• CROSS AND CROWN COUNSELING ~ KATE KOENS,
NCCA Licensed Clinical Christian Counselor and Cer-
tified Temperament Therapist is accepting new clients
at her Dallas and Falls City offices. She works with in-
dividuals in a safe environment to help individuals find
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responses to individual and family needs, how to build
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pression, past and present trauma, grief, identity crisis,
divorce, childhood losses, and feelings of hopelessness.
Our goal is to help individuals realize their full potential
and to live decisively with truth, relevance, perspective
and purpose. For more information or to schedule an
appointment please call 503-917-1625 or visit our web-
site: www.crossandcrowncounseling.com
Gynecological care is now available in Dallas at the West
Valley Surgical Specialty Clinic. Gynecologist Keita
Sakon, MD, specializes in gynecology exams and pro-
cedures, including hysteroscopy and laparoscopy, as
well as family planning, abnormal Pap evaluation, treat-
ment of pelvic pain, symptom control for menopause
and abnormal periods. Dr. Sakon works in Dallas on Fri-
days from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. seeing patients at the
clinic and performing gynecological procedures in the
West Valley Hospital surgical suites. New patients are
welcome! West Valley Surgical Specialty Clinic is located
at 591 SE Clay St., Dallas. Call 503-831-0784 for an ap-
pointment. Visit westvalleyhospital.org/specialtyclinic.
(UPDATE W/ONLINE APPT URL WHEN AVAILABLE.)
CHIROPRACTIC
• JOYNT FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC - Dr. Brian Joynt,
DC - 629 Clay Street East, Monmouth, OR 97361
Family-oriented chiropractic clinic, dedicated to cre-
ating an unparalleled experience of service, quality
and care by teaching the true principles of chiroprac-
tic. We look forward to empowering each of you to
help your family participate more fully in life. New pa-
tients welcome. Accept most insurance. Auto/per-
sonal injury and work comp. Massage therapist on
site. Complimentary consultations. Call us today to
make your appointment (503) 837-0550.
• THORNTON CHIROPRACTIC - Drs. Sharon and
Marty Thornton - Palmer Graduates - We care, God
cures. 1650 Monmouth St., Independence, OR 97351
• 503-838-3346. Office hours: Mon-Fri 8-noon & 2-6
pm. Thurs 2-6pm. Proudly serving Polk County for over
17 years. Offering Thompson Drop and other hands-
on techniques, as well as Advanced Activator Methods
and Functional Neurology. We provide gentle and ef-
fective full-spine and extremity adjusting for all ages in
a loving and caring environment. We are accepting new
patients for Family Wellness Care, Medicare, Auto or
personal injury & Workers Comp. Licensed Massage
Therapy available on site.
GENERAL DENTISTRY
• RANDALL C. JONES, DMD - 1004 Monmouth St., In-
dependence, OR 503-838-0434. Offering a broad
range of dental services in a relaxed and comfortable
atmosphere. New patients and emergencies welcome.
• DR. JOHN D. SHURTZ DDS - 196 Catron Street N.,
Monmouth,OR 503-838-1800. We are welcoming new
patients and we accept most insurance plans!
• WESTON K. MORRILL, DMD - 289 E. Ellendale Suite
#201, Dallas. 503-623-6616. Family, preventive, and
cosmetic dentistry. Complete dentistry for the entire
family. Se habla español.
• DR. MICHELLE HASBROOK, DMD - 120 N. Atwater,
Monmouth, OR 503-838-2998. Providing all phases of
dental care for children and adults. We welcome new
patients!
• KENNETH WINOKUR, DMD - 329 South Main Street
Independence, OR 97351. 503-838-1633. High quality
service with your comfort in mind. Nitrous oxide gas
sedation available. www.independencedental.org
GENERAL SURGERY SERVICES
• WEST VALLEY SURGICAL SPECIALTY CLINIC sur-
geon, Dr. Alison Smith, provides general surgery serv-
ices for a wide range of needs including breast cancer,
gallbladder, biopsies, abdominal surgery, hernia re-
pair, appendectomy, as well as colonoscopy. General
surgery appointments are scheduled at the clinic on
Mondays and Thursdays. Dr. Smith does her surgeries
at West Valley Hospital's spacious, state-of-the art new
surgical suite. West Valley Surgical Specialty Clinic is
located at 591 SE Clay St., Dallas. Call 503-831-0784 or
fax 503-623-2612. Visit salemhealth.org/specialty.
HEARING HEALTH
• JOYFUL SOUND HEARING SERVICES, INC. Mark
Sturtevant, 312 Main Street, Dallas OR, 503-623-0290. Pro-
viding Polk County with hearing solutions for 30 years.
Services include: Hearing evaluations, Diagnosing hear-
ing loss; Impedance; Fitting all types of hearing devices,
Servicing all makes and models of hearing aids; Ear in-
spections; Wax removal; Hearing protection. Hours: Mon-
day - Thursday 9-4pm. (Fridays by appointment only)
HEART SERVICES
• WEST VALLEY HOSPITAL provides heart diagnostic
services including electrocardiograms (EKG), pul-
monary function tests, cardiac stress tests and
echocardiograms with a physician referral. Cardiolo-
gists Dr. Raghu Kamineni, Dr. William Stiles and Dr.
Kevin Thompson see patients for office visits at West
Valley Hospital at 525 SE Washington St., Dallas. For
more heart health information, call 503-623-7304.
IMAGING SERVICES
• WEST VALLEY HOSPITAL offers state-of-the-art all-
digital diagnostic imaging services. With your physi-
cian's referral, we provide your bone densitometry, CT
scan, fluoroscopy, mammography, ultrasound, X-ray
and MRI services. Check out our new comfortable and
spacious mammography suite. We are located at 525
SE Washington St., Dallas, 503-623-7302.
LABORATORY SERVICES
• WEST VALLEY HOSPITAL provides lab services at two
convenient locations in Dallas and Monmouth. Both
labs are fully accredited, providing collections and test-
ing with healthcare provider referral. Employment and
self-referral drug testing is offered. The West Valley Hos-
pital lab in Dallas is open 24 hours, seven days a week,
at 525 SE Washington St., 503-623-7303. The Mon-
mouth lab is located in the Monmouth Medical Center,
512 Main St., Suite 300, 503-838-1388. It is open Mon-
day-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., closed between noon
and 1 p.m. Appointments are not required.