Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (July 8, 2015)
Polk County Itemizer-Observer • July 8, 2015 5A Polk County News Beating the Summer Heat Heat: No end in sight to dry stretch Continued from 1A He just began harvesting tall fescue, the earliest in the season Quiring can remem- ber. Other crops, peas and wheat will be ready early, too. Quiring said this season gives him mixed emotions. “You’re glad to get it done early, but when there’s not much out there, it’s kind of depressing,” he said. Nicole Anderson, who works with commercial farmers through Oregon State University Extension Service, said she’s seeing the same pattern throughout the region. Harvests look to be two weeks ahead of sched- ule. Yields are 20 to 30 per- cent lower on dryland farms as opposed to irrigated. “Irrigation will certainly pay this year,” she said. Area vineyards would ap- preciate a little rain in the next few months, too. Bruce Sonnen, vineyard manager for Van Duzer Vine- yards, said the season start- ed well as far as rainfall was concerned, then it dried out. The storm in early June was helpful in that it mitigated a mostly dry May and June. Sonnen said an inch of rain in July and August would be ideal, but all is not lost if that doesn’t happen. He said it would be reminis- cent of 2012, which was a good year for dark, flavorful reds. He said that is the result of “stressed” vines producing smaller berries, which ele- vates the grape skin-to-juice ratio in the wine. “Stressed vines make the best wines,” he said. Hot, dry weather still has its risks though. Warm evenings create a more agreeable environment for powdery mildew. “Our biggest concern as growers in the valley is fire danger,” Sonnen said. If fire season is especially intense this year, the smoke in the air could “taint” the grapes to the point it can be tasted in the fruit. Locally, it’s been so far, so good on the fire front. Since the countywide burn ban was called on June 16, fire- fighters in Dallas have yet to respond to any major fires. Dallas Fire & EMS spokes- woman April Welsh said crews have been called to as- sist on calls for other agen- cies, but nothing that has gotten too far out of hand. Even over July Fourth weekend, it was fairly quiet. “People were being really responsible with fireworks,” Welsh said. “People are tak- ing it pretty seriously.” If this is to remain a quiet fire season, people need to remain vigilant. Welsh cau- tioned people to properly dispose of cigarette butts and use caution when work- ing outdoors and barbecu- ing. “Keep a fire extinguisher or garden hose around when doing work outside, even mowing … dry grass can catch fire,” Welsh said. Fundraiser honors Randy Whittaker By Jolene Guzman The Itemizer-Observer JOLENE GUZMAN/Itemizer-Observer Two Junior Master Gardeners campers prepare for a refreshing blast of cool water on the last day of the three-day camp July 1. In addition to water games, they learned about insects, plants, forestry, pollination, germination and eating healthy. DALLAS — Polk County Jail staff will mark the an- niversary of losing Sgt. Randy Whittaker by doing something that would make him proud. Whittaker, who worked at the Polk County Jail for 15 years, was killed in a car ac- cident July 18, 2014. His col- leagues couldn’t let the date pass without doing some- thing to celebrate who Whittaker was, said jail em- ployee Jody Germond. The department will hold a barbecue in his honor July 17, raising money for the Correctional Peace Officer Foundation, which provid- ed support to Whittaker’s family after his death. Also, Polk County employees will hold a pet supply drive through the month of July. Germond said Whittaker had many pets and loved animals, giving donations every Christmas to shelters. “That was just his thing,” Germond said. “He was a huge pet person and it just seemed like the right thing to do. He would be proud of us doing it.” The barbecue will be in the jail parking lot from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 17. Hamburgers and hot dogs with all the sides and fixings will be on the menu for $5 per person. People also can contribute to the pet supply drive that day. Those who drop off pet supplies will be entered into a drawing for door prizes. For more information: 503-623-9251. Work: Variety of opportunities at fair Looking for Work? What: Polk County Job Fair. When: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 15. Where: Central High School’s cafete- ria, 1530 Monmouth St., Independence. Of note: More than 100 jobs will be avail- able at the job fair. Employers will be ready to hire, so par- ticipants should be ready to be hired. Bring a resume — or the information need- ed to put on together with WorkSource Ore- gon representa- tives — and dress the part. For more informa- tion: inciteworks.org. Continued from 1A “We can sit down and do a mock interview, give a cri- tique about what to do bet- ter,” Gibson said. Be ready to interview, she said. Bring a resume and dress appropriately. In today’s Internet world, most companies require on- line applications. While rep- resentatives from Work- Dallas Downtown Association invites all to celebrate the Renaissance of the Blue Garden with Bob Collins at Pressed Coffee & Wine Bar Thursday, July 16 at 7:00 pm 788 Main Street, Dallas Email: dallasdowntownassociation@outlook.com www.dallasdowntownassociation.com Recycle this newspaper. Dallas Lions Club’s 7th Annual Start at Levens St. Bridge - Finish at Main St. Bridge Saturday July 25 • 2:30pm Tickets $ 2 PER DUCK 1st Prize: $100 Cash Sponsors include: • Priority Plumbing • The Car Doctor • Grand Ronde Tribes • King’s Pumping All proceeds for service projects. • Dallas Animal Clinic #7 Tickets are available at Wal-Mart all Sundays in July, and at Postal Connections, Dallas on weekdays. Music in the Park Main St. Park • Monmouth Every Wednesday through August 26 ~ 6:30pm MUSIC, FOOD, BEER & WINE GARDEN Look for Music in the Park Series on Face- book for more in- formation about this year’s artists. Performing Tonight July 8 Hwy 99 West (Country) FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Bring your chairs and blankets and we’ll see you in the park! Solution on Page 9A Source Oregon will be on hand to help fill those out, one unique thing about a job fair is the old-fashioned face time. “That’s the beauty of having a job fair,” Gibson said. “To meet the human resources person and look them in the eye, that’s priceless. You don’t get that very often.” With all the help and op- For More Information Contact: Mark Fancey 503-751-0147 portunities in one place, Irvine said people should be able to find help looking for work. “People should walk out of there, if not a job in hand, a very solid, ‘show up on this day at this time for a final in- terview’ sort of thing,” he said. ATTENTION Students & Teachers Dallas High Class of 1970 45th Class Reunion Festivities Schedule Fri., July 24th 2015 6:00-9:00 pm. Meet at Abby’s Pizza in North Dallas for an evening of fun & getting reacquainted. Food & drinks are on your own. Sat., July 25th, 2015 11:00 am - 12:30 pm Parade in downtown Dallas 5:00 pm til ? Dinner: Hawaiian Theme. Come dressed for the occasion. DJ, dancing, video presentation and more. $45 person, $80 couple (advanced reservations needed), Evy Kristensen 503-816-9009 for tickets & info. Sun., July 26, 2015 7:00 am - 11:00 am Breakfast in the Park (on your own) Potluck Family Picnic 1:00 pm Dallas Park, Brandvold Kitchen, near footbridge.