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About Seaside signal. (Seaside, Or.) 1905-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 3, 2018)
August 3, 2018 • Seaside Signal • seasidesignal.com • 5A The silver lining from the Great Coastal Gale of 2007 I n late July I had the opportunity to attend an Oregon Recreation Trails Advisory Council meeting, which was regionally held in Tillamook. These quarterly meetings are designed to highlight and network current trail work throughout the state as well as designate state significant trails to highlight the best urban and scenic trails in Oregon. The meeting in Tillamook high- lighted important work on equestri- an trails and some significant work underway at the Siuslaw National Forest, south of Tillamook. But the highlight of the meeting was the update on the Salmonberry Trail, provided by Dennis Wiley. Wiley, an employee of Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, is managing the Salmonberry Trail Project and if you haven’t heard of this amazing work, please allow me to explain. The Port of Tillamook Bay Railroad is a 101 mile stretch of rail that spans from Tillamook to SKY BOX SKYLER ARCHIBALD Hillsboro. For nearly 100 years, the line was an important aspect of life in Tillamook County as the railroad transported the important agricultur- al products of those communities — timber and agricultural yields — to the Portland area. But in 2007, the Great Coastal Gale of 2007 changed the rail line and many of the communities along it in an ominous and unpredictable fashion. Damage to multiple stretch- es of the line was extensive and it was expected to cost more than $20 million to repair initially, only to have those costs increase to $80 million upon full surveillance of the damage. The decision was made to not repair the rail line and while you cannot fault the decision makers due SALMONBERRY TRAIL Salmonberry Trail to the steep costs, the passage no longer could play an important role in connecting both goods and Ore- gonians with the natural resources that are so abundant in this state. But as you’ve probably come to expect, a silver lining emerged in the aftermath of 2007. A talented and dedicated set of volunteers and staff from many government and nonprofit agencies blended their voice to begin the process of converting what once was a produc- tive railroad line into an 86-mile, mixed-use, nonmotorized path that stretches from Banks to Tillamook. While the trail still has signifi- cant work ahead, including finding a way for users to traverse many of the canyons whose bridges were destroyed by the storm, the work is progressing rapidly, and some sections of the trail are already at or near completion. I was deeply moved by the work of the individuals involved with this project and will closely moni- tor and participate in the next steps. As I’ve stated previously, we live in one of the most beautiful parts of the world and this trail would high- light much of what our region has to offer as it winds from the rich fertile Willamette Valley through the majestic Tillamook Forest partly along the Nehalem River and concludes along the scenic stretch of Highway 101 from Wheeler to Tillamook. The Salmonberry Trail would also offer connections from the greater Portland area to the coast for outdoor enthusiasts and provide a safer option than navigating the current highways for travelers not in a vehicle. While we have abundant outdoor recreation opportunities available in our region, the Salmonberry Trail has the potential to be transcendent in its benefits to all Oregonians and visitors. Finding strategies to overcome an irrational fear of dogs I f you’re a dog lover, it may be hard to imagine that some people despise dogs. Who could hate a dog? Just as what many people may perceive as “aggression” in dogs is often nothing more than fear and self-protection, fear of dogs — cynophobia — often appears, to us dog lovers, as hatred of our beloved canine companions. (This is not to excuse those who act out of malice — something quite different.) After the fear of snakes and spiders, cynophobia is the most common animal phobia. Cynopho- bia usually begins in childhood and may be experiential, observational, or learned. A cynophobic person may, for example, have in the past been bitten or chased (experiential), have witnessed someone else being attacked (observational), or her/his fear may have been shaped (taught) by others in her/his life, who passed down their own fears, or told ugly stories, about mean dogs; fears or imaginations may be activated by parents or other family members, television, or even children’s books like Little Red Riding Hood. It may be argued that learned cynophobia is perpetuated by misconceptions and myths about breeds and colors, e.g., “black dog syndrome.” For those suffering from cynophobia who do CANINE CORNER RAIN JORDAN & DAHLIA not fall into any of these causal cat- egories, evolutionary psychologists offer another theory, that fear and avoidance of dogs is a holdover from our distant history when humans were prey, and thus the irrational fear may be rooted in genetics and ancestral experience. Those who spend a lot of time with dogs and do not avoid them are less likely to develop the phobia. But that does not help those who already have it. It is unfortunate that only 12 to 30 percent of those suffering from the illness seek treatment — espe- cially given that, as therapists work- ing in this field have said, and as all dog owners know, most dogs are all bark and no bite. There are nearly 90 million dogs in the United States. That’s a lot of needless, treatable anxiety for cynophobics. Ironically, those who love and live with dogs will confirm that, among other things, they help keep stress and anxiety levels at bay. Many dog owners will also say that dogs keep them active, playful, joy- ful, calm, positive, attentive, careful, upset that the dogs growled at him, humble, and kind. I think this is often from their own property. true, though it doesn’t mean we’re Many people bring home dogs perfect. I’m one example, in that I’m to protect them and their property not immune to taking offense, even — there was a time not so long ago though dogs have definitely made when that was the standard, accept- ed reason, so I’m not sure why a me a better person. I’m not immune, growl when a stranger, especially an especially when it comes to the welfare of dogs — who are innocent, angry stranger, approaches a dog’s property is such at the whim and a shock. But as a mercy of their AFTER THE FEAR canine behavior humans, and of professional, other humans. OF SNAKES what I do know My hus- AND SPIDERS, band attended a is that growling meeting recently CYNOPHOBIA — FEAR is normal and a where people respected form OF DOGS — IS THE were angry and of communica- tion. Growling venting. Dogs MOST COMMON says, “Hey, I were not the ANIMAL PHOBIA. tried to tell you problem at hand nicely before, but became a but you ignored scapegoat for their owner, the true topic of conten- me. You are making me uncomfort- able. Please stop it.” tion. The dogs had hurt no one and If a dog is growling at you, really, had done nothing wrong; it was the owner who had misbehaved, here’s advice that would normally cost around $100 an hour: First ask which resulted in his dogs doing yourself What am I doing to scare what dogs do naturally. Suddenly the dog? Second, stop doing it im- there was a call to limit everyone’s mediately. Third, do not do it again. rights to have dogs in their homes, then someone declared that in Alaska Fourth, don’t blame a dog for being a dog, or for communicating in the you can shoot a dog, no questions peaceful one of at least two peaceful asked for the natural behavior aforementioned. Another person was language modes a dog has. Guardians of dogs have come to expect kindness for them. I think most would expect a person upset by a dog to act humanely and take it up with the dog’s humans rather than take it out on the dog. To do other- wise would be rather like a stranger threatening children for whispering about him in their yard as he walked by it. If you are struggling with cy- nophobia, those who care for dogs would surely return your kindness by offering empathy and support; I’m sure many would be happy to help you get accustomed to a dog if you wished — desensitization being part of learning to navigate a world full of dogs, just as many dogs who are afraid of humans must learn to be comfortable with humans. For those who’ve been caught up in something unpleasant, in which a dog happened to be a bystander, consider giving a responsible dog owner a chance to show you what dogs — not irrespon- sible owners — are really about. There is much to love and learn in the wonderful world of woofers. (And by the way, they actually can be trained to not bark!) Rain Jordan of Elevate Dog Training & Behavior is a certified, professional dog trainer. Contact her at ElevateDogTraining@gmail.com. Signal wins awards at annual Local youth theater publishers association contest group to present ‘Sherlock Holmes’ Seaside Signal R.J. MARX David Russell, Lisa Cerveny and Katie Voelke at a house party for the North Coast Land Conservancy. Conservancy supporters gather in Gearhart By R.J. Marx Seaside Signal Gearhart homeowner and supporter of the North Coast Land Conservancy Lisa Cerveny and David Russell opened up their gardens on Saturday to show support for the conservancy’s efforts. Thanking the “incredible vol- unteers and amazing work on a daily basis,” she introduced the orgenization’s executive director Katie Voelke. In Oregon, the effect of land conservation is more than four times the land base of Oregon’s state parks. “It’s making a huge difference in holding lands together, and making it possible for ani- mals, plants and people — all of us — to survive out there right now.” Voelke said the conservan- cy was active throughout Sea- side and the South County, in- cluding the ongoing efforts of conservation of the 3,500-acre Rainforest Reserve above Os- wald West State Park, a $10 million project including land purchase, stewardship and project costs. Journalists at The Seaside Signal and its sister publica- tions recently earned a num- ber of honors in the annual Oregon Newspaper Publish- ers Association contest. • R.J. Marx, editor of the Seaside Signal and Cannon Beach Gazette, won second place for his editorials and columns. The Gazette won second place for design, and the Signal third. • Colin Murphey won two first-place awards, for best news photo and best sports photo. • Elleda Wilson won first place, best local column, for In One Ear. • Erick Bengel won sec- ond place, best local column, for Scratch Pad. • Brenna Visser and Ka- tie Frankowicz won second place in business coverage for Help Wanted, about the struggle of North Coast em- ployers to find workers. • Frankowicz won third place, general feature story, for Trail of Discovery, about hikers ditching the Pacific Crest Trail in favor of the Or- egon Coast Trail. • Frankowicz also took third place in lifestyle cov- erage for Sturgeon Bonanza, about fishermen flocking to the river for a rare short sea- son. • The Daily Astorian staff won first place, special sec- tion or issue, for the 2017 edition of Our Coast Maga- zine, and second place in the same category for its com- memoration of the 10th anni- versary of the Great Coastal Gale of 2007. Newspapers belonging to the EO Media Group — the parent company of The Dai- Join the Clatsop Chil- dren’s Theater Company as they bring to life the story of “Sherlock Holmes: The Bak- er Street Irregulars” at the Coaster Theatre Playhouse in Cannon Beach. The company of young actors, sponsored by Jere- my Mills State Farm and the Sunset Empire Park and Recreation District, will per- form the play at 2 p.m. Sat- urdays and Sundays, Aug. 11, 12, 18 and 19. Sherlock Holmes is miss- ing, and the streets of Lon- don are awash with crime. Who will save the day? The Baker Street Irregulars—a gang of street kids hired by Sherlock himself to help solve cases. Now they must band together to prove not only that Sherlock is not dead but also to find the mayor’s missing daughter, untangle a murder mystery from their own past, and face the masked criminal master- mind behind it all—a bandit who just may be the brilliant evil Moriarty, the man who killed Sherlock himself! Can a group of orphans, pick- pockets, inventors and artists rescue the people of Lon- don? The game is afoot! This production, adapt- ed by Eric Coble from the graphic novels by Tony Lee and Dan Boultwood, is also sponsored by the Inn at Seaside and River Inn at Seaside, and made possible through a grant from the Clatsop County Cultural Co- alition. Events are free and open to the public. Donations to support the children’s theater are welcome. During inter- mission, refreshments will be available for purchase. There also will be drawings for prizes donated by local businesses. For more information, contact director Katherine Lacaze at 503-741-5668 or katherine.lacaze@yahoo. com. powered by ly Astorian — took home dozens of ONPA honors. The East Oregonian, Blue Mountain Eagle and Capi- tal Press all won the general excellence awards in their respective divisions, and the Wallowa County Chieftain third. Another local Clatsop County newspaper, the Co- lumbia Press, won four sec- ond-place awards in a dif- ferent circulation category — best coverage of business and economic news, best local column, best government cov- erage and best overall writing. music fi rst
