A4 The BulleTin • Monday, FeBruary 21, 2022
DEAR ABBY
Write to Dear Abby online at dearabby.com
or by mail at P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069
Dear Abby: I am a sin-
gle, stay-at-home mom of a
special needs 14-year-old. I
also take care of my elderly
father. When life starts to
overwhelm me, I tend to iso-
late myself to focus on tak-
ing care of my son and Dad
and taking care of my mental
health.
I haven’t even been on so-
cial media in three years. Be-
cause of it I have lost touch
with many friends and fam-
ily members. I’m now being
called “antisocial” and a few
other not-so-nice names.
How can I get people to un-
derstand that this is how I
handle stress and it has noth-
ing to do with them?
— Stressed-Out In California
Dear Stressed-Out: Ex-
plain, as you have to me, that
when you become stressed,
your coping mechanism is
to isolate yourself, and your
silence is not meant to be of-
fensive. If you are told your
silence was hurtful, apolo-
gize and point out that be-
cause you are stretched thin,
sometimes you are over-
whelmed and need to quietly
recharge. Many people cope
with stress the way you do. If
it works for you, more power
to you.
Dear Abby: I’m an 11th-
grader. My parents have
been putting massive
amounts of pressure on me
about college, and it’s stress-
ing me into oblivion. When
I try to talk to them about
it, they tell me I should be,
and already should have
been, more involved in my
college applications process,
academics and preparing
for college. They say those
should be my top priorities
right now, and have gone so
far as to restrict what I can
do — getting a job, hang-
ing out, extracurriculars,
etc. How do I get them to
lay off?
— Burned-Out
In South Carolina
Dear Burned-Out: A way
to do that would be to show
your parents the extent to
which you ARE working on
your college applications as
well as your grade point aver-
age. They are trying to make
you focus because they fear
you won’t be accepted if you
don’t. If the pressure is re-
ally too much for you, dis-
cuss this with a counselor at
school, so that person can in-
tercede for you.
Dear Abby: My younger
daughter, “Bree,” recently
moved back into my home
after her graduation from uni-
versity. She’s very opinionated
and wants things her way. My
other daughter, “Tami,” will
be visiting and would like to
bring along her new Yorkie,
which is fully housebroken. I
don’t mind as long as the dog
stays off the furniture.
Bree doesn’t like animals
indoors (because of nega-
tive experiences with a prior
roommate’s dog) and has
forbidden it. I let her know
that this is MY home and she
may not “forbid” anything.
It blew up into a huge thing,
and now Tami has second
thoughts about her visit and
wants to cancel. Help!
— Fur Baby Fiasco
In New Mexico
Dear Fiasco: Inform Bree,
whose sense of entitlement
is eyebrow-raising, that she
owes her sister an apology
for the way she behaved.
Reiterate that this is YOUR
home and you, not she, will
decide who may visit. Then
set a realistic date after which
Bree should be living inde-
pendently, because if you
don’t, she may wind up ruling
your roost.
YOUR HOROSCOPE
By Georgia Nicols
Stars show the kind of day you’ll have
dynaMiC | PoSiTiVe | aVeraGe | So-So | diFFiCulT
MOON ALERT: after 4:30 a.m. eST today (1:30 a.m. PST), there are no re-
strictions to shopping or important decisions. The Moon is in Scorpio.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOR MONDAY, FEB. 21, 2022 : you have
a fine sense of humor and are well-liked by others. you are down to earth,
practical and organized. (Few might realize how sensitive you are.) This year
will be slower-paced. Take time to enjoy yourself. you will have a stronger
focus on relationships. it’s time to discover what makes you happy.
ARIES (March 21-April 19)
This is a positive day to begin your week! (We like positive.) it’s a
good time to check out red-tape details that might be nagging you about
shared property, inheritances, taxes and debt. Pull up your sleeves and dig in.
Tonight: Be generous.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20)
relations with friends and groups are warm and supportive today.
This is a good day to deal with members of the general public as well. you
will be particularly effective when interacting with classes, clubs and groups,
because people are willing to cooperate. Tonight: Schmooze.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20)
This is a good day to talk to the boss, parents or the police. That’s
because people are open-minded and cooperative today. everyone is ready
to go along to get along. ask for permission or approval for what you want.
Tonight: Feel healthy!
CANCER (June 21-July 22)
Vacation plans and ideas about how to escape your daily grind are
on your mind today. if you can’t swing a big vacation, can you plan a short
trip? This is also a good day to explore opportunities in publishing, the me-
dia, medicine or the law. Tonight: Socialize!
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)
Money and resources from others will help you or your family today.
if you need money or help, now is the time to ask. (This includes asking for
equipment and support related to your job.) This is also a good day to discuss
banking and financial matters. Tonight: home and family.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
Conversations with the general public and those who are close to
you will be a positive experience today. you’re eager to enlighten someone
about what is important to you, and others are willing to listen. “Confidence
is high!” Tonight: Talk and learn.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
This is a positive day with your work and activities in general. in fact,
your health feels positive because you feel vigorous! having said that, you
might not work harder. instead, you will use your increased energy to do
whatever you want, which is still a plus. Tonight: Check your money.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
Today the Moon is in your sign dancing beautifully with the Sun,
which is invigorating for you. This is a wonderful day because you feel in
harmony with yourself. in addition, you have an increased feeling of vitality.
don’t hesitate to ask the universe for a favor. Tonight: you win!
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
This is a feel-good day for your sign! it’s particularly good for those of
you who work with children or work in the entertainment world, the hospi-
tality industry or anything to do with sports. it’s a positive day for any kind of
group activity! Tonight: Cocoon.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
Today is an excellent day to work with classes, groups, clubs and
organizations! rally your troops and set them marching! Feel free to share
your hopes and dreams for the future with someone to get their feedback,
because this might help you. Tonight: Be friendly.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
Business and commerce are favored today, which is why this is a solid
day to explore financial negotiations, plus boost your income. you might
explore the possibility of a better paying job. it’s also a good day to ask the
boss for a raise. With Mercury in your sign, you are articulate! Tonight: you’re
admired.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)
Today the Sun is in your sign dancing with the Moon, which makes
you feel that life is easier today. (and it is!) you’re able to relate to others bet-
ter. Furthermore, other people are drawn to you in a positive way. it’s a great
day to deal with groups. Tonight: explore!
TODAY
IN HISTORY
By The Associated Press
Today is Monday, Feb. 21, the
52nd day of 2022. There are 313
days left in the year. This is Presi-
dents day.
Today’s Highlight in History:
on Feb. 21, 1975, former attor-
ney General John n. Mitchell and
former White house aides h.r.
haldeman and John d. ehrlichman
were sentenced to 2 1/2 to 8 years
in prison for their roles in the Wa-
tergate cover-up (each ended up
serving 1 1/2 years).
in 1437, James i, King of Scots, was
assassinated; his 6-year-old son
succeeded him as James ii.
in 1885, the Washington Monu-
ment was dedicated.
in 1911, composer Gustav Mahler,
despite a fever, conducted the
new york Philharmonic at Carne-
gie hall in what turned out to be
his final concert (he died the fol-
lowing May).
in 1964, the first shipment of
u.S. wheat purchased by the So-
viet union arrived in the port of
odessa.
in 1965, minister and civil rights
activist Malcolm X, 39, was shot
to death inside harlem’s audu-
bon Ballroom in new york. (Three
men identified as members of the
nation of islam were convicted of
murder and imprisoned; all were
eventually paroled. The convic-
tions of two of the men were dis-
missed in november 2021; prose-
cutors said new evidence had un-
dermined the case against them.)
in 1972, President richard M.
nixon began his historic visit to
China as he and his wife, Pat, ar-
rived in Beijing.
in 1973, israeli fighter planes shot
down libyan arab airlines Flight
114 over the Sinai desert, killing
all but five of the 113 people on
board.
in 1992, Kristi yamaguchi of the
united States won the gold medal
in ladies’ figure skating at the al-
bertville olympics; Midori ito of
Japan won the silver, nancy Kerri-
gan of the u.S. the bronze.
in 1995, Chicago adventurer Steve
Fossett became the first person
to fly solo across the Pacific ocean
by balloon, landing in leader, Sas-
katchewan, Canada.
in 2018, the rev. Billy Graham, a
confidant of presidents and the
most widely heard Christian evan-
gelist in history, died at his north
Carolina home; he was 99.
in 2019, teachers in oakland, Cal-
ifornia, went on strike in the latest
in a wave of teacher activism that
had included walkouts in denver,
los angeles and West Virginia.
in 2020, a temporary truce be-
tween the united States and the
Taliban in afghanistan took effect,
setting the stage for the two sides
to sign a peace deal the following
week.
Ten years ago: The 17-nation
eurozone approved a $170 billion
bailout for Greece, which received
the news with a mixture of relief
and foreboding.
Five years ago: President donald
Trump condemned recent threats
against Jewish community centers
in the u.S. as “painful reminders”
of lingering prejudice and evil; the
president also denounced “big-
otry, intolerance and hatred in all
of its very ugly forms” during his
first visit to the new Smithsonian
Black history museum.
One year ago: hospitals across
the southern united States grap-
pled with ruptured water pipes
and patient transfers as the region
carried on with efforts to recover
from the winter weather that par-
alyzed parts of the nation. Police
in liberty, new york, said an ex-
pectant father was killed when a
device he was building for a gen-
der reveal party exploded. novak
djokovic beat daniil Medvedev in
three sets to win his ninth austra-
lian open championship and 18th
Grand Slam title.
Today’s Birthdays: Movie direc-
tor Bob rafelson is 89. actor Gary
lockwood is 85. actor-director
richard Beymer is 83. Film/music
company executive david Geffen
is 79. actor Tyne daly is 76. actor
anthony daniels is 76. Tricia nixon
Cox is 76. Former Sen. olympia J.
Snowe, r-Maine, is 75. rock musi-
cian Jerry harrison (The heads) is
73. actor Christine ebersole is 69.
actor William Petersen is 69. ac-
tor Kelsey Grammer is 67. Country
singer Mary Chapin Carpenter is
64. actor Jack Coleman is 64. ac-
tor Christopher atkins is 61. actor
William Baldwin is 59. Sen. Mark
Kelly, d-ariz., is 58. rock musician
Michael Ward is 55. actor aun-
janue ellis is 53. Country singer
eric heatherly is 52. rock musician
eric Wilson is 52. rock musician
Tad Kinchla (Blues Traveler) is 49.
Singer rhiannon Giddens (Caro-
lina Chocolate drops) is 45. actor
Tituss Burgess is 43. actor Jennifer
love hewitt is 43. Comedian-actor
Jordan Peele is 43. actor Brendan
Sexton iii is 42. Singer Charlotte
Church is 36. actor ashley Greene
is 35. actor elliot Page is 35. actor
Corbin Bleu is 33. actor Sophie
Turner is 26 .
California department of Water resources
The Harvey O. Banks Delta Pumping Plant, the first major plant designed and constructed within the California
State Water Project. Infrastructure like this makes large-scale water transfers, and the water market, possible.
West’s water markets change
under evolving pressures
BY SIERRA DAWN MCCLAIN
Capital Press
Water has been traded in
the Western U.S. for decades,
but as the region faces inten-
sifying regulations, shifts in
crop plantings and drought
concerns, water markets are
evolving to reflect these pres-
sures.
“The idea of water moving
between uses and large dis-
tances has changed over the
last 30 years. In the last five
years especially, there have
been big changes,” said Matt
Payne, principal with West-
Water Research, a Boise-based
economic consulting firm spe-
cializing in water market re-
search, pricing and trading.
Payne recently spoke at the
Land Investment Expo in Des
Moines.
A few trends stick out: Wa-
ter markets are growing. Who’s
participating in the market
is shifting. Prices are volatile.
And the agricultural sector is
becoming a bigger buyer.
There are three main types
of water transactions, said
Payne: the spot market, typi-
cally a one-year transfer from
one user to another; a multi-
year transfer, or lease; and a
permanent water rights trans-
fer.
There are several commonly
traded “asset classes” of water
rights: surface water, ground-
water, groundwater storage
and recovery, storage water
and “effluent” water, or treated
wastewater.
According to Payne, surface
Opal
Continued from A1
He said he went with Alaska
Premier Auctions & Apprais-
als because he thought it would
get more attention from the
newer company than a larger
auction house. The sale is set
for Sunday.
Nick Cline, a partner and
appraisal specialist with Alaska
Premier Auctions & Apprais-
als, said the family has doc-
umentation surrounding the
provenance of the opal. As part
of his research, he contacted
Fiona Altmann, granddaughter
of John Altmann and general
manager of Altmann + Cherny
in Sydney, Australia.
Altmann said her grandfa-
Survey
Continued from A1
The survey asked about the
state’s direction and mental
well-being. The margin of er-
ror ranges from 1.6% to 2.6%
due to rounding. The Oregon
Values and Beliefs Center is
an independent, nonpartisan
organization. The center part-
nered with Pamplin Media
Group and EO Media Group,
which owns The Bulletin.
In the survey, suburban re-
spondents were more opti-
mistic than rural residents. Yet
water rights are the most com-
monly traded class, but there’s
also “a market emerging for
trading treated wastewater.”
WaterWest Research has
partnered with Nasdaq Inc.,
a financial services corpora-
tion, to publish a weekly index
and develop a database — Wa-
terlitix — with sale and lease
information on more than
25,000 transactions.
According to Waterlitix, the
largest markets are in Califor-
nia, Colorado, Arizona and
Texas.
From 2009 to 2018, in Cali-
fornia, the No. 1 water trading
state, nearly $4 billion worth of
water traded hands; by volume,
it equaled nearly 12 million
acre-feet.
Water markets in the North-
west are significantly smaller.
From 2009 to 2018, Washing-
ton traded $65 million worth
of water, Idaho $62 million and
Oregon $58 million.
That’s partly because Cali-
fornia has a superior convey-
ance infrastructure, including
the State Water Project that can
deliver water more than 705
miles.
Northwestern states also
have bureaucratic policies that
make transfers difficult, ac-
cording to April Snell, execu-
tive director of Oregon Water
Resources Congress, a non-
profit.
Who’s buying and selling?
According to Waterlitix, fi-
nancial investors represented
just 1% of buyers and sellers
between 2004 and 2008. Be-
tween 2014 and 2018, that
jumped to 3% of buyers and
6% of sellers.
Industrial companies and
Tribes are also becoming big-
ger players in the market, and
according to Payne, some
cities anticipating growth
have bought land with water
rights.
Agriculture, historically the
biggest seller, is becoming a
larger buyer, too. From 2004
to 2009, 14% of buyers were in
the agricultural sector; 2014 to
2018, it was 19%.
Payne attributes this to more
water-dependent permanent
crops like almonds, new regu-
lations including the Sustain-
able Groundwater Manage-
ment Act coming and concerns
over drought.
Farmers have been forced
into the market to buy or lease
water, he said.
The challenge is that it’s of-
ten difficult for farmers to
predict spot market pricing
because major fluctuations are
common.
In March 2020, for example,
water was trading hands for
about $200 per acre-foot. By
June, it was at $700 per acre-
foot. During 2021’s drought,
spot water prices were $800 per
acre-foot in the spring and hit
$1,000 per acre-foot by sum-
mer.
Across the West, consulting
firms are popping up, offer-
ing data on the latest pricing
trends.
“We’re seeing the market
start to mature,” said Payne.
ther, in his business dealings,
made regular trips to Europe
and the U.S.
Altmann said when Cline
emailed her, she was skeptical;
the name of the stone, in par-
ticular, threw her. But she said
she started digging and dis-
covered “something with my
grandfather’s handwriting with
the picture of the opal with the
word ‘Americus Australis.’”
“I with 100% certainty know
that their provenance informa-
tion is 100% accurate” because
it lines up with information she
has, she said.
The auction house said the
stone was discovered in the
same field in Australia as the
opal known as the “Olympic
Australis,” which weighs 17,000
carats and is on permanent
display in Altmann’s shop. The
Olympic had been among the
stones that John Altmann and
partner Rudi Cherny acquired
in 1956, according to Alt-
mann’s company.
The auction company
sought a minimum bid of
$125,000 during Sunday’s auc-
tion. Cline said it’s a “calculated
risk,” with the company going
with what it sees as a conser-
vative approach in hopes of
garnering the most attention.
It had targeted a sales price of
$250,000 to $350,000, Cline
said.
The sale includes a smaller
piece of the opal that von
Brandt said his father cut off to
be worn or displayed.
rural residents said they were
less likely to believe the state is
headed in the right direction
than other Oregonians, ac-
cording to the survey.
Roughly a quarter of the re-
spondents defined themselves
as from rural areas and 37%
were suburban.
The younger the respondents
were and the further west of the
Cascades they lived, the more
optimistic the responses about
2022, according to the survey.
Generally, those who were ages
45 to 74 were not optimistic
about the year, according to the
results. And Black, indigenous
and other people of color were
significantly more likely to say
they were hopeful about 2022.
“I have lived many years
growing up in Portland and
now live outside of Portland
in a rural area,” wrote Aurora
Kay Sancoy, who lives in Lane
County. “One thing I have
learned is that politics differ
geographically. Basically, Re-
publicans live in rural areas
and Democrats inherit the
larger suburbs.”
e
Reporter: 541-633-2117,
sroig@bendbulletin.com