Salem Weekly

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vol 9 issue 2 • apr 19-may 2, 2012

Our

climate is

changing!

GREEN REPORT 2012 pgs 3-9

Salem Weekly apr 19-may 2, 2012 • page 2

Planning Commission Spot Opens Up

Nesting boxes can create important habitat & save species “The birds have no place to nest & raise their young”

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Another view on “Good News Club” methods

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James Hansen fights climate change with novel proposal

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What a common pest tells us about human impact on the biosphere

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Scientists give concrete examples of what we can expect

“We have no business taking advantage of our presence in public schools to evangelize to children”

“He calls for the government to give every penny back to Americans”

“Recently Canada Geese have altered their ancient behavior”

“The Willamette Valley is already beginning to experience the effects of climate change”

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Publisher A.P. Walther

WillametteMedia.com 155 Liberty St. B29 Salem, OR. 97301

Art Director Mark Billings

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Office Manager Nancy Ingham

Proofreader Kristen Behlings

Writers Jodi Kerr Jason Stringer Brian Greggs Helen Caswell Colleen Jergenson Jen Hagar Sarah Epstein Joe Cozzolino

Salem Weekly is free, but please take only one copy. Anyone removing bulk papers from distribution points is not very nice.

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Guerilla Gardening

If you live in Salem, Sarah P. or Annie G. just might invade your property without your consent. They may defy trespassing laws to leave something behind: planted flower, herb or vegetable seeds to enrich your land.

The two are members of a growing movement, “guerilla gardening,” who risk arrest for what they believe is the benefit of the community.

Sarah invades private property, public areas and alleys, “wherever you can get away with” to plant mostly kale, a hardy and nutritious perennial. She says, “We’re essentially furthering the ability of the region to sustain us. Anyone coming along can eat it for years to come.”

Where does Annie decide where and what to plant? “I do it when the plants are in my hand, and I get an idea where to put them.“ When asked who else participates in the effort in Salem, Annie smiles and refuses to answer.

“It’s done secretly. It’s done under the radar. It’s a revolutionary act.”

A mineral extraction group has been digging Parvin Butte, a 600-foot rock mountain above the community of Dexter for months now, despite fines, legal challenges and neighbors’ complaints.

It looks as though the Lane County matter is not yet settled, and like other conflicts between industry and local folk, it may never conclude in a way agreeable to all.

“Right now, today, they’re drilling, blasting and crushing rock on-site,” says neighbor Kim Metzler, who belongs to a group who opposes the mine.

“We hear them all the time.”

ATR Land, Leelynn, Inc. and Wiley Mountain, Inc. are the companies involved in the excavation, whose final goal is to crush the rock to gravel. About 25 homes are located within a quarter mile of their operation and, according to Metzler, the mountain is “right at the base of town.” Downtown Dexter, with its churches, stores and medical clinic, is within half a mile. The Butte is 1400 yards from the Dexter Post Office.

“Oh my goodness,” Metzler says, “it’s a horrible place to bring a mine.”

But Parvin Butte is in a state-designated quarry mining zone, says Bob Houston of Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI) in Albany. “According to their permit, they can continue operations. They just need to always keep 200 feet inside their property line.”

In December 2011 the company began being fined $330/day for operating without a proper site review from another agency, Lane County, and soon the fines were increased to $1170/day. But recent hearings ruled that county requirements were generally met by the mining company, with the exclusion of a handful of days in late 2011. The company received a final total fine of $3510.

Both the objecting neighbors and the mining company may appeal the hearing’s decision, says Jane Burgess, Compliance Officer for Lane County Land Management Division. The company objects to any fine at all and citizens object to allowing the mine to continue.

The appeal deadline is 60 days from April 4,

Salem Weekly apr 19-may 2, 2012 • page 3

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Salem City government is seeking applications from area residents for an important leadership position. The deadline for filing is fast approaching.

Salem Planning Commission, comprised of seven community members, makes decisions on certain land use applications and makes recommendations to City government on legislative land use issues. Its goal is to advise the City Council on the orderly development and growth of Salem.

The City welcomes applications from all residents who meet the requirements (available at the City’s website, www.cityofsalem.net, and described in #6 of the Revised Codes found there.)

Eligible candidates will be interviewed and one appointed to serve a four-year term by the City Council.

The Salem Planning Commission meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m.

Questions? Contact Planning Administrator Glenn Gross at 503-588-6173 or email ggross@cityofsalem.net.

The deadline for submitting an application is Tuesday, May 1, 2012 by 5:00 p.m.

Strip mine divides community

briefnews

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2012 greenreport

Vital Bird Habitat Shrinking We are surrounded by the wrecked habitats of species now extinct or going extinct, the result of a world changed forever by human beings, according to naturalists. They say we can do little about most of the loss.

But there are somethings we can all do.

“Take a look out the window,” Thomas Brewster says, from his McMinnville home. “Hundreds of millions of dead and dying trees aren’t there any more. The clearcutting of our timber forests, the construction of residential areas, and all the hills where vineyards are going in – Oregon’s natural trees have nearly disappeared.”

Brewster knows that dead and dying trees seem useless to us - or ugly, or risky when they’re near our homes. But they are essential to multiple species of birds, who build their nests in the cavities.

“The caterpillars and bugs and worms are still out there,” Brewster says, “but the birds have no place to nest and raise their young.”

To address the problem, he’s constructed nesting boxes (most people call them birdhouses) from natural wood for years, painstakingly following Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife specifica-

tions for the primary cavity nesting birds of Oregon, crafting boxes for bluebirds, wrens, swallows, flickers, hawks and owls.

Salem’s Audubon Society also sells nesting boxes, which are also from locally sourced wood made to guidelines.

But don’t expect anything dolled up.

“I see people spend $100 for a metal and plastic birdhouse that’s painted and stained and looks fancy,” Brewster says.

“But birds won’t come near them. They’re not what we need to save the birds.”

After living in the Willamette Valley since 1948, working in agriculture and timber all his life, Brewster’s “seen a tremendous amount of the trees of the natural world disappear. It’s not the same place, especially for wildlife.” He’s seen trees bulldozed for construction leave behind dead birds and crushed eggs. He knows millions of acres of habitat will never be recovered.

“That’s why we need to put up boxes, because the trees are almost gone. We need to en-

courage as many people as we can to do this.”

Those who want to be part of the effort can contact Brewster at 503-472-5736 or Laurie Buswell at Salem Audubon (in the Reed Opera House) at 503-588-7340. Both provide handsome low-cost nesting boxes made with integrity and care, and both require an appointment.

Community Outraged by Surprise Logging Launch Conflict is building between the U.S. Forest Service and residents of a small community along the McKenzie River over a logging plan. Jerry Gilmour, a part-time resident of the McKenzie Bridge community, located in the Willamette National Forest, was astonished to learn in early February that 2134 acres there were about to be commercially logged and 588 acres “non-commercially thinned” by the Forest Service (USFS). Research into the matter left Gilmour angrier as he learned how the Goose Project, as the USFS calls it, came about.

“It has been, and continues to be, a disgusting and shameful proposition. The Forest Service methodically excluded the residents from the process,” he told Salem Weekly.

The objections of Gilmour and his neighbors quickly resulted in several news articles and a MoveOn online petition. Two environmental groups, Oregon Wild and Cascades Wildlands, are already involved and are considering a lawsuit against the USFS. According to critics, the main problems are as follows: 1 - The only warning for the large project was a small legal notice among many others in a Eugene newspaper –more than 50 miles from McKenzie Bridge – in 2010.

2 – The 45-day public comment period passed in 2010.

3 – The USFS chose to log mature forests in riparian reserves where logging is prohibited, and also to log mature trees which provide habitat for the spotted owl, a threatened species.

Spring is 4 – Despite the fact Here! that the project is located within a major watershed, involves critical habitat and the destrucCome on down & enjoy tion of old growth trees, the USFS (503) 363-5836 275 Commercial St SE did not prepare Downtown Salem, OR an Environmen-

tal Impact Statement, but only an abbreviated document called an Environmental Assessment (EA).

5 – In a 2011 notice informing residents of a boundary line survey last year, the USFS did not mention a word about the logging project.

In its initial documents on the matter, the USDA Forest Service said the top reason for the Goose Project was to manage tree stands to improve stand conditions, diversity, density, and structure. It also hoped to reduce hazardous fuel levels in the McKenzie Bridge Wildland-Urban Interface and provide a sustainable supply of timber products within the area.

Gilmour says that when he first contacted Geunther Castillion, Goose Project Manager, Castillion told him the cutting was just for thinning and fire management. But Gilmour says he quickly learned the project was “massive,” including road-building and spraying of herbicides. It means the cutting of enough timber to fill 9,000 logging trucks in an area rich with elk deer, grey fox, black bear, bobcats and cougars.

Doug Heiken of Oregon Wild also objects to calling the project primarily fire protection. Heiken told Salem Weekly, “900 acres of the sale have nothing to do with fire risk reduction because they are older forests that have most of their fuel suspended high above the ground.” Heiken says logging will actually increase hazard on these 900 acres of mature forest.

The USFS held a public meeting on March 12 in response to the publicity Gilmour generated, but Gilmour calls the meeting “a patronizing circus show.” He started a petition of protest and at the time of this writing has 3750 signatures. He says the petition is growing by 10% every day.

Katie Isacksen, Public Affairs Officer for the US Forest Service, tells Salem Weekly “The Goose Project is a good project, it’s definitely something we need to do to reduce fuel loading and the threat of a major fire.” She maintains that the ES was “adequate, and addressed all environmental concerns.”

She agrees with Terry Baker, McKenzie Bridge District Ranger, who says, “I fully believe all of the environmental impact questions that have been raised were addressed in the Goose analysis. Our analysis, which is available online, carefully considered the effects of thinning on threatened and endangered species, water quality, soil stability, fish habitat, aesthetics and recreation.”

Salem Weekly apr 19-may 2, 2012 • page 4

It means the cutting of enough timber to fill 9,000 logging trucks

Patios

Open

photo by Bob Keene

Gilmour remains undaunted. “We are hoping that the USFS will do the right thing… put the brakes on and redesign this project with the good of the community, the wildlife and the forest in mind rather than the timber company’s bottom line.” He is “absolutely” in favor of the possible lawsuit against the USFS. “Litigation may be the only real way to bring this madness to a screeching halt.”

by Cliff Boyer

Charting a Sustainable Vision The Earth Charter promotes a series of principles combining sustainable ways of living and ecological integrity with democracy and social justice, universal human rights and respect for diversity.

“It comes out of a need for a new strategy for social change. We need to understand where we are and where we want to go,” said Bergel.

Bergel and his colleagues at OPW believe The Earth Charter provides a framework for approaching sustainability as policy, a model for business, and a balanced way of life that successfully adapts to climate change.

“First you need a vision and then a piece to work -The Dalai Lama on. The sustainability piece connects closely with our past mission of stopping war and international conflict. Human rights, the rights of other species, and good government are all wrapped together and The Earth Charter provides a vision of what that will mean in a sustainable future.”

“Conservation is not just a question of morality, it is a question of our own survival.”

The Earth Charter Principles I. RESPECT AND CARE FOR THE COMMUNITY OF LIFE 1. Respect Earth and life in all its diversity.

2. Care for the community of life with understanding, compassion, and love.

3. Build democratic societies that are just, participatory, sustainable, and peaceful.

4. Secure Earth's bounty and beauty for present and future generations.

II. ECOLOGICAL INTEGRITY 5. Protect and restore the integrity of Earth's ecological systems, with special concern for biological diversity and the natural processes that sustain life.

6. Prevent harm as the best method of environmental protection and, when knowledge is limited, apply a precautionary approach.

7. Adopt patterns of production, consumption, and reproduction that safeguard Earth's regenerative capacities, human rights, and community well-being.

8. Advance the study of ecological sustainability and promote the open exchange and wide application of the knowledge acquired.

III. SOCIAL AND ECONOMtIC JUSTICE 9. Eradicate poverty as an ethical, social, and environmental imperative.

10. Ensure that economic activities and institutions at all levels promote human development in an equitable and sustainable manner.

11. Affirm gender equality and equity as prerequisites to sustainable development and ensure universal access to education, health care, and economic opportunity.

12. Uphold the right of all, without discrimination, to a natural and social environment supportive of human dignity, bodily health, and spiritual well-being, with special attention to the rights of indigenous peoples and minorities.

IV. DEMOCRACY, NONVIOLENCE, AND PEACE 13. Strengthen democratic institutions at all levels, and provide transparency and accountability in governance, inclusive participation in decision making, and access to justice.

14. Integrate into formal education and life-long learning the knowledge, values, and skills needed for a sustainable way of life.

15. Treat all living beings with respect and consideration.

16. Promote a culture of tolerance, nonviolence, and peace.

Recently the principal at the elementary school where members from the congregation I serve were volunteering acknowledged what a profound difference it makes for children – especially those at risk to have such tutors or mentors. Yet

by Rick Davis he reminded us not to proselytize.

Good! We have no business taking advantage of our presence in public schools to evangelize the children – it’s unconstitutional and unethical.

Parents deserve iron clad assurances that their children will not encounter covert or overt efforts by school staff or volunteers to promote any religion.

In general, evangelizing children is problematic – they haven’t reached levels of cognitive development that enables them to make informed, mature choices about religious affiliation, and they are vulnerable to seductive appeals for fun, fellowship and to peer pressure that pulls them into religious systems of belief whose deeper theological implications are unknown to them. Thus, doing end runs around parents to entice children into religious community – a fairly widespread practice among Christian evangelicals in America - is just not kosher, to borrow the Jewish term.

Speaking of which – recently I was talking with a Rabbi who told me of the ongoing frustrations of Jewish and other non-Christian students in public schools. They are often made to feel marginalized because they are not members of the dominant faith – Christianity.

Some of this is the result of old habits - dating from times when church/state boundaries were not widely observed - being hard to break. Yet there are those who believe that NOT teaching religion in schools is an implicit endorsement of the religion of “secular humanism,” and they are determined to counter this by finding any small crack or opening to evangelize to children and youth in public schools.

Recently an Episcopalian acquaintance asked for my support in her efforts to get the Salem Keizer School district to seal a crack in their section of the wall between church and state. Earlier, her daughter came home with pamphlets from a conservative Christian evangelical organization - the Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) – which had been distributed to her class by the teacher. School officials told the mother that this never should have happened, and assured her it would not happen again, and yet it did. She was once again told that the matter had been addressed. At last report it appears that the school district is implementing a policy that forbids distributing religious literature during classroom hours. Yet the question lingers: will school staff throughout the district get the word, remember this policy and abide by it? Past history is not reassuring. Furthermore, should religious literature be allowed on public school premises in the first place? NO. Thankfully, this concerned mother was willing to demand a response from the school district. This will not be the end of it. In 2001 CEF prevailed in Supreme Court case that granted it the right to establish after school “Good News Clubs” in public schools, and they have since increased exponentially. So, those of us concerned with creeping theocracy need to stay tuned and be prepared to speak up. In this case, silence is not golden.

Rick Davis is the pastor at Salem’s Unitarian Church. You can reach him at RevRick@uusalem.org.

Salem Weekly apr 19-may 2, 2012 • page 5

What do the Pentagon and a nonprofit dedicated to promoting world peace such as Oregon PeaceWorks (OPW) have in common?

They both are responding to climate change.

The Huffington Post recently cited several polls indicating that the percentage of Americans who believe that global warming is happening has risen significantly to anywhere from 71% to 83% depending on which poll you cite. One of the primary reasons for this increase is a perception that extreme weather patterns such as record-breaking draughts, tornadoes, and flooding are increasing and now impacting more lives.

According to Rasmussen Reports, however, only 40% of people in the U.S. believe that climate change is caused by human activity. This is down from a high in April of 2008 when 47% believed climate change was the result of human behavior.

Whether or not Americans connect the effects of a warming planet to human consumption of resources, the U.S. military is changing its own behavior by creating and implementing new strategies of energy use.

The 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review published by the Department of Defense states, “Climate change and energy will play significant roles in the future security environment. The Department is developing policies and plans to manage the effects of climate change on its operating environment, missions, and facilities.”

The U.S. military is America’s single largest consumer of energy, using 300,000 barrels of oil, more than 12 million gallons, a day.

The Marine Corps Expeditionary Energy Strategy has established the goal of reducing battlefield requirements for energy by 50% by 2025 and by 2020 half of all Marine Corps bases and stations will be net-zero energy consumers.

It’s not often that OPW agrees with the Pentagon, but in a changing world, these relationships will find more common ground as everyone learns how to adapt to a warming planet.

“Fundamentally we have to share earth’s resources unless we want war after war and endless conflict. You can’t work on these things separately, especially as these resources become more scarce,” said OPW Executive Director Peter Bergel.

Concerned about climate change, Bergel and PeaceWorks volunteers decided to create a Sustainability Working Group that would promote sustainability locally while developing networks and partnering with groups that had similar interests. (Full disclosure: I am a volunteer member of this group.)

In defining their mission the OPW volunteers decided that The Earth Charter provided the foundation they needed. The Earth Charter is a non-binding document endorsed by more than 4,500 organizations and governments worldwide.

It began as a United Nations initiative but was completed and launched in 2000 by the Earth Charter Commission, an independent international entity. It is the result of many consensusbased dialogues, involving thousands of people from around the world over a five-year period.

Evangelizing children is problematic

newsopinion

The “S” Word:

guestopinion

2012 greenreport

Climate Change Expert’s Ingenious Solution The proposal may create crossover appeal that unites the Occupy Salem crowds and the people who taunted them

by John Gear

Dr. James E. Hansen brought a message of intergenerational justice to Salem last month. He brought an even more fervent version of the warning from his 2009 book “Storms of My Grandchildren: The Truth About the Coming Climate Catastrophe and Our Last Chance to Save Humanity,” which he wrote in hopes of avoiding his descendants’ reproach for not having done enough to warn the world about the crisis. He refers repeatedly to his fears that his grandchildren will say “Opa knew what was happening, but he couldn’t explain it to people.” So Opa hits the road, trying to wake up a sleeping world.

An adjunct at Columbia, Hansen sports a beard and a dapper fedora that would fit on another rugged professor (Anthropology prof. Indiana Jones). In Salem to give the Dempsey Lecture for the Willamette University’s Center for Sustainable Communities, he gave Salem Weekly nearly an hour beforehand, warning that humanity has very little time left to reduce fossil fuel emissions that are pushing us into a completely foreseeable humancaused disaster of widespread species extinctions, droughts, famines, and floods. He is adamant that we must stop burning fossil fuels, especially coal and tar sands, as rapidly as possible.

Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. For over a century, we have known that CO2 traps the sun’s reflected heat, keeping it from radiating out into space, the same way that water vapor on a foggy Salem spring night traps the day’s warmth. Except that, unlike water vapor, CO2 persists for centuries.

Hansen is touring, speaking out, writing, and even getting arrested as part of a prophetic campaign to warn the world of the wages of sin, burning fossil fuels, but also offering a uniquely American idea for redemption: use financial incentives to reward efficiency and innovation, and count on the magic of the marketplace to do the rest.

That’s the kernel of Hansen’s novel “Fee and Dividend” proposal: a small but inexorably rising fee imposed on any fossil fuels extracted from any source, collected at the mine mouth, or well head, or at the port of entry, with the same fee added to the cost of imported products like cars and iP-

The plan postulates an initial fee starting at $10 per ton, increasing another $10 annually until reaching $100, when Hansen estimates that our carbon emissions would drop by a third.

The “hands-off” strategy is designed to avoid repeating past blunders that turn out to be environmental and ecological disasters, like the Carterera “syn-fuels” and ethanol programs.

Rather than rely on governmentmandated technological solutions, Hansen says fee and dividend would produce the tech breakthroughs all over the world, as exporting nations would adopt the same fees if only to avoid having their exports hit with the fee at our ports, with the revenue going to our residents.

A small detail in the proposal may create crossover appeal that unites the Occupy Salem crowds and the people who taunted them, folks who hate anything that smells like a tax and who are frequently heard to complain about the about the costs that “illegals” impose on taxpayers. That’s because the proposal is that the monthly dividends go only to legal US residents. (Faced with rising prices for all goods and services, but denied the dividend needed to pay them, it does seem plausible that many undocumented immigrants would flee the US if they could not obtain legal status.)

According to Hansen, the tiny “avhones, unless they come from countries that have erage” heat imbalance – about six-tenths of a watt when the same or greater carbon fees already applied. averaged over the entire surface of the earth – is 20 If this sounds like a tax, it isn’t, because it does times greater than all of humanity’s energy use today, not produce any revenue for government. Because and is about the same amount of heat energy as 400,000 Hansen’s fee comes with a dividend: he calls for the Hiroshima-sized atomic weapons being exploded . . . government to give every penny of the fee collected daily, 365 days a year. Thus, even what sounds at first back to Americans each month, with no cut for govlike a tiny energy imbalance is actually enough to rapernment at any level. Indeed, he estimates that 60% idly destabilize Earth’s climate and possibly force hunof us would make money on the deal, even after takdreds of millions of people to flee rising sea levels and ing into account the way higher fossil fuel costs agricultural calamities such as drought and heat stress. would pervade throughout the economy. We would Hansen returns in every talk to the theme of climate see higher prices for all carbon-emitting energy, and as a justice issue, because it is our actions now that also for anything mined, mowed, made, or moved will determine whether future generations have any with carbon-based energy (which is essentially all hope for a stable climate – and because the evidence food and manufactured goods today). But not necesmakes clear that we can no longer pretend that the clisarily forever, thanks to the powerful incentive to shift mate isn’t changing to justify our refusal to respond: to renewable, low-carbon and carbon-free sources.

“Our parents didn’t know, but we can only pretend we don’t know. The science is now crystal clear . . . we’re running out of time. If we do senA North Since 1997, SALEM sible things now that are actuCITYWATCH has enabled America-made concerned citizens to ally beneficial for our nation Guitar at China-made pricing! work together and help relative to other nations, and make a better future are beneficial to the economy, Come and Experience Exquisite for our City of Peace. we can solve the problem, but hand-crafted Guitars from Canada not if we pretend that there isn’t a problem. And it will not only * SEAGULL acoustic guitars The burdens and help with the climate, it will benefits of community * ART & LUTHERIE acoustic guitars help with our national security development should * LA PATRIE classical guitars be equally shared by [and] our energy independence. all citizens and * GODIN electric guitars So there’s every reason to do it.”

Salem Weekly apr 19-may 2, 2012 • page 6

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A condensed version of a talk similar to Dr. Hansen’s Dempsey Lecture at Willamette is available at http://tinyurl.com/James-Hansen-in-Salem

Polk County watershed receives scrutiny

by Jennifer Hagar

Although issues with siltation in the watershed were mentioned three years ago in the city newsletter, Fred Braun, Director of Engineering and Utilities for the City of Dallas, said the city’s concern over the health of the watershed is “moderate” and there is no impending crisis. Siltation, the buildup of sediments in the reservoir and watershed, is caused by erosion which can result from logging and roads built to transport the timber. Siltation in the reservoir may have also been caused by a large fire in the 80’s, said Kenn Carter, retired assistant director of Public Works for Dallas. Braun says that silt in itself is not a problem, as the city has an excellent water treatment plant. Reingans, who often walks in the area and has been studying forest ecology, has a less settled view. She has observed the steep hills around the reservoir “eroding terribly,” in her view.

Salem Weekly apr 19-may 2, 2012 • page 7

Dallas resident Suzanne Reingans has observed some alarming developments in her local watershed over the course of the last nine years. Sitting in the kitchen of her yellow farmhouse, she recalls a recent encounter she had with a local logger. Standing in two inches of “muddy slop” coming down the logging road from his operation, she confronted him: “Do you know this mud is raining into my watershed?”

He had just mowed down hundreds of acres in a massive cut, Reingans said, leveling an area she was used to walking in. She habitually hikes and bikes in the coast-range hills near town. “I have not seen every inch of my watershed but I have seen a lot of it,” she says.

The logger, who lives locally and runs a crew of 13 on a contract with Forest Capital, responded that he obeys the rules he has to obey. “Did you know some of this land is for sale? Why didn’t you buy it?” he asked her.

Dallas draws its water supply from Rickreall Creek, located only a few miles west of the city on the eastern edge of the Oregon Coast Range. The water system, which includes Aaron-MercerReservoir, serves approximately 12,900 citizens and encompasses a total area of 20,500 acres.

The city owns only a small portion of the watershed, about .1% of the total area. Federal and state lands each represent about 2% of the watershed area. The remaining 95.9% of the area is in private ownership. The land surrounding the reservoir is owned by Forest Capital Partners, a national timberland management company. Weyerhaeuser, one of the world’s largest forest products companies, owns land in the Northern area of the drainage.

Suzanne points to a map showing a sliver of blue representing the reservoir completely surrounded by brown, indicating private industry.

A year ago, the city of Dallas initiated a study to assess current conditions and possible management strategies for the watershed feeding Rickreall Creek, the city’s sole source of water. The Polk County Soil and Water Conservation District under contract with the city is still working on the study, which will cost $96,000 and is due to be completed by fall. The study includes assessments of water quality and resource inventories.

The evaluation of the watershed will allow the conservation district, along with the city and property owners, to base conservation and management plans on an understanding of ecological relationships in the watershed as a whole, Nathan Slaven, forestry technician with PCSWC, told the Polk County Itemizer-Observer last year.

greenreport

Mud in your water

Braun says that the City has no enforcement power per se over what occurs on the private lands around the reservoir but is in position to find funding for conservation easements.

Though the city does not have oversight on conservation practices in the watershed, the private owners must comply with the Oregon Forest Practices Act. Dave Thompson is the Dallas Forestry officer in charge of monitoring and enforcing compliance. Landowners are required to notify his office regarding anything to do with commercial operations, including harvesting timber, road building or pesticide application. He will typically go out and inspect a site before machines are put on the ground and will consult with an industrial forester throughout the process to make sure the components of the Act are understood and followed. If there are problems, the company will get a citation and be subjected to penalties.

The tension between the public interest and private industry has a long history in Oregon. Steve Pedery, the Conservation Director of Oregon Wild, says that Oregon is still a timber state and that it’s not unusual to have clear-cutting near a city’s water source. Oregon Wild fought hard in the last decade to win passage of legislation against reckless logging conditions on federal land adjacent to the Bull Run watershed, which supplies the city of Portland.

“I would say it is very common to have a municipal water supply encompassed by private land,” says Jim Young, Coos District forester.

Dallas was a timber town and Braun stresses that the logging industry is still important to the local economy.

Weyerhaeuser closed its Dallas mill in March of 2008 costing about 145 local jobs. However, Forest Capital hires local contractors for logging, road building and planting.

Reingans says she appreciates what logging contributes to the local economy and says, “the last thing we want is for timber companies to not make money.”

But she is concerned that the practices she sees on the land that she treasures are not sustainable.

The Douglas Fir plantings are initially heavily sprayed with pesticides, for instance, which poisons competing vegetation, resulting in a monoculture. In contrast to a natural forest, the “designed” forest is vulnerable to pathogens and forest fire. Successive clear-cuts every 40 years rob the soil of nutrients. “We completely ruin the soil with our methods of logging: lots of big yellow machines, lots of ripping, erosion and mud.” She wants her grandchildren to enjoy clean water and a “working landscape” that can be used for more than one purpose.

2012 greenreport

The Story Canada Geese Tell

by Helen Caswell

We live among millions of signs which suggest larger processes around us. One everyday sight in Marion County is the Canada Goose, which residents curse for their droppings and their potential for hazard at our airport. But we are involved with this specieson every level.

Canada Geese are native to the Americas; fossils of their ancestors have been found from over a million years ago. For ages they migrated twice yearly from Canada and the Northern U.S. to the southern U.S. and Mexico, using a route called the Pacific Flyway.

Suddenly, recently, Canada Geese have altered their ancient behavior. In 2006, Audubon International wrote, “Many geese are no longer migrating great distances, but are forming resident populations that remain within a limited geographic area.

photo by John Matthews

Of concern are the dwindling numbers of Canasays, “climate change has warmed Arctic habitat da Geese that breed in the arctic and sub-arctic.” at twice the rate of more southern ecosystems.”

In defiance of eons of habit, some flocks do not The Willamette Valley, like many areas, has found migrate at all now, but linger year-round in aryear-round geese populations problematic. The birds eas of the U.S. and Canada, Florida – including the congregate in grasslands like those of Marion County Willamette Valley, which hosts an estimated290,000. grass seed farmers – whose crops they destroy. Within The first reason science gives for the change is town limits they seek airports, parks, golf courses and that humans have transformed the primordial home medians because they can digest lawn and because territory of geese. As much as 70% of Canada’s origgrass provides view of possible predators. They despoil inal wetlands have been lost to agriculture and urthese public areas. They also cause airplane crashes. banization. People have also imAround the world thoupacted the southern end of the sands of Canada Geese are migration; Cornell Lab now culled. They are destroyed of Ornithology says the in the U.S. as well; 1509 were birds no longer travel killed in New York City in 2010. as far south because of In Madison, Wisconsin, “changes in farm prac350 were killed in 2011;100 in tices that make waste Bend, Oregon in 2010. Parks grain move availand Recreation departments able (further north) capture birds in June when the in fall and winter.” adults have molted and canAnother factor is not fly (and goslings are still that people hunt Canada Geese. The U.S. unable) and truck them elsewhere to be gassed.

Fish and Wildlife Service says 3.5 million Since 2009, Oregon has used a Goose Control geese were shot for sport in 2008 and 2009, Task Force under the Oregon Department of Fish and with $5Wildlife. min purchase gift card with $8 or out of an estimated 6 million birds. Any In 2011, to reduce damage to Willamette equal or lesser valuean agreement was reached to allow purchase. mass death more leads to population adjustment.

Valley crops, Most importantly, the bird’s old routes farmers allowed to hunt geese on traditional “nonhave been altered by climate change. As hunt” days between March and June, and the USDA regions warm, migration moves northhas begun an “Open Fields” program that allows ward. U.S. Migratory Bird Joint Venture hunters access to ranch property to shoot geese. expires 11/30/11 expires 11/30/11 In 2007, dcist.com reported that 600 Canada Geese who ate important marsh grass off any Bagel were slated to be killed. An with$5 $5said, minpurchase purchase sandwich, gift card card with with $8 $8 or or with min gift observer “While every with any 20oz or animal, matter how ugly equalno lesservalue value more purchase. purchase. equal ororlesser larger drink purchase or useless, has its defenders, no one seems to like Canada Geese. Better yet, everyone seems to want them dead.”

The story Canada Geese tell expires 11/30/11 expires 11/30/11 expires 05/2/12 expires11/30/11 11/30/11 expires us describes conflict between people and wild creatures. The tale takes a familiar course: off small with $5card minwith purchase gift card with $8 or human beings the world with $5 min purchase with $5 minalter purchase gift $8 or gift card with $8 or red bull smoothie, and forceora lesser speciesvalue we don’t equalmore or lesser value more purchase. equal orpurchase. lesser with any 20oz orvalue purchase. equal more think much about to adapt. larger drink purchase The result is an entity we find a pest, an adversary and a nuisance.

They despoil these public areas, they also cause airplane crashes.

Salem Weekly apr 19-may 2, 2012 • page 8

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expires 11/30/11

1/2 Free any item $5

expires 11/30/11 expires 11/30/11

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Climate Change in the Willamette Valley Salem suffered a “hundred-year flood” in 1996.

It suffered another “hundred-year flood” in 2012.

We have snow in February, and then we have snow in March. The thought of climate change, which can feel remote and abstract, nags at us.

Are the high winds, drought and flooding experienced by most of the nation truly indications of climate change? Should three feet of hail in April in Texas concern us? Or are these just normal temperature fluctuations of a planet that has passed through at least five major ice ages? And if climate change is real – what will our lives in the Willamette Valley look like in the next 20 years? The next 100 years?

Kathie Dello, deputy director of the Oregon Climate Service at the College of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences at OSU, says no genuine doubt remains in the legitimate scientific community that climate change is real and already occurring. “I'm unaware of any credible scientist that doubts that humans are causing climate change,” she says. “The scientific community overwhelmingly agrees about this, and it's been explored through careful research, which has to withstand a rigorous peer review process. There is no other plausible explanation for the recent rapid warming of the last few decades, and it shows by declines in snowpack and ice, increasing global temperature and sea level rise.”

Dello coordinated the first Oregon Climate Assessment Report at the Oregon Climate Change Research Institute at OSU. Peer-reviewed and published in December 2010, its first conclusion is, “The human race is profoundly altering the composition of Earth’s atmosphere, chiefly by burning fossil fuels, and there is strong evidence that these changes are responsible for much of the global increase in temperature since the mid-20th century.”

Stacy Vynne, Program Director of Climate Leadership Initiative at Eugene’s The Resource Innovation Group (TRIG), says that the Willamette Valley is not immune to climate change.

“The Willamette Valley is already beginning to experience the effects of climate change, and is projected to see even more severe impacts over the coming decades.”

Vynne says the Willamette Valley is vulnerable firstly because of the way we get our water. We rely on winter rain and then on the heavy snowpack that gives us water in summer. In a warming climate, lower elevation snowpack is unreliable; only a few degrees of warming will turn it to rain, which will make water resources less predictable, particularly in summer. Second, our energy comes from hydropower, a cheap source we will not be able to count on during parts of the year forecasted to have less water. And in periods of severe flooding – also projected – we face losing key infrastructure such as hospitals, roads, child and adult care centers, schools and food banks that are already located on floodplains.

Models and projections exist that describe how we may expect climate change to alter our Willamette Valley communities and landscape.

Vynne says, “An analysis of global climate models for the Pacific Northwest show a warming of 0.2° -1.0˚F per decade. Models also suggest an annual warming ranging from 3˚F to 10˚F.”

We should expect drier summers. Our commercial tree species will change to suit the new climate. The productivity of our cereal grains will decrease and the quality of premium grape varieties will decrease. Valley residents will experience more extreme heat events, and, according to Vynne, “increased severity and frequency of flooding and drought, severe loss of mountain snowpack and increased risk of wildfire.”

In May 2011 Steve Adams of TRIG wrote an overview of conclusions drawn from a series of workshops on the Climate Adaption Knowledge Exchange website.

Adams reported that participants identified an alteredWillamette region which a businessas-usual attitude (no adjustment to climate change) may result.

by Helen Caswell

The following can be added to the list:

greenreport

This Crazy Weather:

- A mismatch in the life history of many species, which may lead to population decline - A decline in efficiency of public works and transportation infrastructure - Increased numbers of invasive non-native plants and animals - Extended “peak” watert demands - Increased heat illnesses and water-borne disease - Diminished or total loss of some agricultural commodities, but also potential for new crops - Loss of cultural resources such as covered bridges, century-old barns and natural features

Vynne adds another twist: human population may increase here “due to an influx of ‘climate migrants’ from more highly impacted domestic and overseas geographic areas.” These new residents would present challenges to human society as well as impact fish and wildlife.

Some Willamette Valley communities are already developing strategies to adapt to a changed world.

The City of Eugene published a Climate and Energy Action Plan in 2010 and the City of Portland and Multnomah County are working to develop something similar. TRIG is working with cities and counties to develop a Willamette Valley Resilience Compact to address the shifts we know are coming.

This is for the good, says Bill Bradbury, former Secretary of State for Oregon and currently with the Northwest Power and Conservation Council. “What’s so amazing is that we have more localized climate impact information than a lot of other areas. They don’t paint a very pretty picture, but hopefully they can inspire us to change.

Projections exist that describe how we may expect climate change to alter our Willamette Valley communities

Salem Weekly apr 19-may 2, 2012 • page 9

eventcalendar

Arts and Entertainment

apr19-may2

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NATURE KIDS-BLACK BEARS. Children are invited to this class to learn about where black bears live, how they raise their young, what they eat. Space is limited. 503-3914145 4 pm-5 pm Straub Environmental Learning Center.

HAPPY HOUR PIANO AND VOCALS John Cuddy and Christine Jungling. 503-391 9977 5 pm-8 pm Free. Brown’s Towne Lounge.

HOTEL CALIFORNIA “A SALUTE TO THE EAGLES” 7 pm-10 pm Historic Elsinore Theatre. $30. 503-375-3574

SHORT LIVES AND FORGOTTEN DEATHS: INFANT SKELETONS FROM THE “BABY WELL” IN THE ATHENIAN AGORA Dr. Maria Liston Associate Professor and Chair Anthropology Department University of Waterloo.503-370-6654 7 -9 pm Free.

Paulus Lecture Hall, Willamette University .

AFFAIR TO REMEMBER: Semi formal evening fundraiser for Alzeheiemer’s Network, providing resources to individuals and their families. Willamette Hertiage Center at the Mill. 6-9 PM. 503-364-8100 $50 per person or $80 for two.

EDIBLE WILD PLANTS: WILD FOODS FROM DIRT TO PLATE- Presenter John Kallas, will discuss how to identify, harvest, and prepare nutritious, delicious, and abundant edible wild plants found within walking distance of the kitchen. Free. 7 pm Loucks Auditorium at Salem Public Library.

503-588-6052

fri.apr20

t EARTH DAY 2012 CELEBRATE EARTH DAY! Ride ALL Cherriots buses for free. 12 am-11 pm.

LONG FORM IMPROV Right after Capitol City Theater’s regular show join them for their newly added long form improv performance. 503 385 1238 9 pm-10 pm

FRIDAY NIGHT JAZZ FEATURING DANNY WOLD TRIO. 503-399-9463 7 pm-10 pm Free. Grand Vines.

WALK MS OREGON. 9 AM. A great time to have people celebrate being part of the movement of shared determination to end multiple sclerosis. Salem’s Riverfront Park 503-445-8342 HYPERLINK “http://www. walkmsoregon.com/” \t “_blank” www.

WALKMSoregon.com

LIVE IMPROV Live improv comedy right here in Salem for everyone to enjoy at Capitol City Theater! 503-385-1238 7 pm-9 pm FRIENDS OF BUSH GARDENS 29TH ANNUAL SPRING PLANT SALE. Friday 10-7, Saturday 10-5, Sunday 10-3.

Perennials, shrubs, native plants, organic vegetables, herbs, annuals, and hanging baskets. Garden art by local artists. Bush’s Pasture Park 503-588-2410 APRIL IN PARIS TEA. Sumptuous multicourse tea. Tour included. $30, reservations required. Historic Deepwood Estate 11:301:30. 503-363-1825 INDIGO WELLNESS CENTER OPEN HOUSE. 4- 6pm. Indigo Wellness Center’s South Location has moved to 2663 12th Street.

Please join us for practitioner demos, food and fun. 503-370-9090 HIT THE FLOOR SOCIAL DANCE. 7:3010pm Monthly Social Dance meeting 3rd Friday. 1/2 hour lesson plus 2-hours of social dancing. Mixed music, Swing, Ballroom, Latin, Salsa, Tango, and more! $10/person.

Pearce Ballroom 503-363-3341 THE PERFECT STORM. Storm Large is an award winning singer/actress who puts her stamp on her own songs. Joined by Jeff Tyzik in a sultry program. Smith Auditorium, Willamette University. 8-10 PM. 503-3640149 $25-$45

sat.apr21

OPEN DRESS REHERSAL: “SPRING”.

Salem Chamber Orchestra invites you to see behind the scenes as it prepares for its “Spring” concert. $5 adults, $3 students.

Hudson Hall, Willamette University 10-12:30 503-480-1128

sat.apr21 10 to 4 PM OREGON GARDEN EARTH DAY

EARTH DAY CELEBRATION AT THE OREGON GARDEN. Activities from 20+ local businesses and organizations, including recycled crafts, plus River Rangers, Raptors of Oregon, composting demonstrations, tree planting and much more! 10-5 PM FREE! STRAUB NATURE WALK SERIES: DEEPWOOD ESTATE AND BUSH PARK. Meet at the bottom of the soapbox derby track. Free 503-399-8615 1 pm-3 pm Soap Box Derby.

SALEM IMPROV Salem has improv comedy and it’s here for all to enjoy. Come out to Capitol City Theater 503 385 1238 7 pm-9 pm

Salem Weekly apr 19-may 2, 2012 • page 10

THE DAVE SHERMAN PROJECT Live music with locals Dave Sherman and Grant Cook.

503-391-9977 9 -11 pm Free. Brown’s Towne Lounge.

CHINESE WELLNESS SOLUTIONS WORKSHOP & BREAKFAST Chinese Wellness Workshop at Marco Polo Global Restaurant, Led by Holistic Energy Healer, Yu Fang Luo. 503-364-4833. 9-10 am

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SALEM AUDUBON SOCIETY FIELD TRIP North Coast, Cannon Beach to Astoria.

(503) 364-6968 or 503-588-7340 Join other new and experienced birders. Meet at the K-Mart parking lot. 6 am-6 pm Free CHEFS FOR LIBERTY HOUSE DINNER & AUCTION Gourmet, four-course meal paired with wines from local vineyards prepared by award-winning area Chefs and exciting live and silent auctions (503) 540-0288 bkidder@libertyhousecenter.org 5 pm-8 pm Creekside Golf Club.

THE FOUR SEASONS-SPRING. Salem Chamber Orchestra presents Vivaldi’s Spring concerto with violinist Brand on Garbot. Also, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 (Pastorale). Conducted by Huw Edwards. $15-$25 adults, $8-$12 students. Hudson Hall, Willamette University 3 PM 503-5814325 ext. 21 10TH ANNUAL HOO HAA- Reconnect with the good Earth. All community members and children welcome. Plant seeds, turn ground, see a chicken tractor, enjoy good food donated from local businesses. Noon to 5 PM. Organic Growers Student Farm, OSU Corvallis. Free! Free food, live music and poetry.

mon.apr23

TAI CHI: MOVING FOR BETTER BALANCE: 16-session class is perfect for those who’ve never tried Tai Chi 503-814-2432 3 pm-4 pm Regional Rehabilitation Center.

FORTEPIANO MASTER CLASS An Oregon native, Marcia Hadjimarkos received degrees in piano performance and French literature from the University of Iowa. (503) 370-6255 7 pm-9 pm Free. Willamette University, Mary Stuart Rogers Music Center.

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MASTER CLASS FOR SINGERS Julianne Baird, soprano, has been hailed as “one of the most extraordinary voices in the service of early music that this generation has produced. (503) 370-6255 2 pm-4 pm Free.

Willamette University, Hudson Hall.

BILL HUGHES JAZZ GUITAR. Free music and wines by the glass start at $5.

Grand Vines 5:30-7 pm 503-399-9463

Gluten Free, Vegetarian & Vegan Friendly Teas, Soups, Salads, Cookies, Sandwiches & Desserts Bring this ad to get a FREE scone with the purchase of a pot of tea

Marco Polo Tea & Gift Shop 300 Liberty St. SE (Downtown) (503)364-3804

Monday-Friday 11:00am-5:00pm Open Sat. & Sun for Reservations of 10 or more Like us on Facebook! http:mpologlobal.com/tea

Expires 5/2/12

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TUESDAY IRISH / CELTIC DANCE CLASS. Weekly dance class. No partner or experience is necessary. Bring comfortable shoes & a bottle of water. No registration is required. (503) 383-9297 6 pm-8 pm VFW Hall.

OPEN MIC NIGHT Held every last Tuesday.

503 391 9977 7-9 pm Free. Brown’s Towne Lounge.

wed.apr25

DIA DE LOS NINOS CONCERT Join in to celebrate Dia de los Ninos, a musical concert in Spanish, presented by Rich Glauber. Children of all ages welcome. 503588-6088 6 pm-7 pm Salem Public Library Loucks Auditorium CLASSIC FILM: TO CATCH A THIEF (Alfred Hitchcock, 1955) with Cary Grant & Grace Kelly 503.375.3574 7 pm-9 pm Historic Elsinore Theatre.

BEGINNING BIRDING: BIRD INTELLIGENCE AND BEHAVIOR For anyone interested in learning more about birds. 503-588-7340 or 503-873-3182. 7 pm-9 pm First United Methodist Church, Room B8.

GRACE GOUDY DISTINGUISHED ARTIST SERIES CONCERT Julianne Baird, soprano, has been hailed as “one of the most extraordinary voices in the service of early music that this generation has produced.

For more info: (503) 370-6255 7 pm-9 pm Willamette University, Hudson Hall.

thu.apr26

SPINE FORUM: FIND YOUR WAY TO SPINE HEALTH Learn about spine and nerve

STRAUB EVENT LIVING WITH THUNDER

health, diagnosis, medications, treatment, recovery and prevention of injury. 503-8142432 5 pm-8 pm Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center.

MULTICULTURAL NIGHT FREE after-hours event. Enjoy food, activities and games from different cultures represented throughout Salem. (503)371-3631 5 pm-7 pm A.C. Gilbert’s Discovery Village.

BREWER’S TASTING DINNER AT THE OREGON GARDEN 7pm at the Oregon Garden Resort. Six-course Brewer’s Tasting Dinner. Each course will be paired with a beer tasting from one of the six participating breweries. Fundraiser for The Oregon Garden. Tickets are $40, to purchase. Call 503-874-2500 7 pm-10 pm LIVING WITH THUNDER: A PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE HISTORY OF OREGON’S VOLCANOES The Straub Environmental Lecture series with author, geologist, and professor Ellen Morris Bishop. This presentation is free. www.fselc.org 503-3914145 7 pm-8 pm Salem Public Library.

GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING-CHICAGO Sing along to the musical Chicago. Words are displayed on the screen. Stars Catherine Zeta-Jones and Renee Zellwegger. 7 pm-9 pm Grand Theatre.

fri.apr27

WORLD ART EXPLORATION Travel through art to Japan and Africa as we learn gyotaku (Japanese fish printing), make Bologan mud cloth and construct a Suminagashi monoprint. Ages 5–7. $21 members/$31 nonmembers. Info: (503)371-3631 |9 am-12 pm A.C. Gilbert’s Discovery Village.

DAVID SEDARIS

BREWFEST AT THE OREGON GARDEN The 8th annual Brewfest features more than 40 craft breweries from throughout the country, and 16 live bands, April 27-28, noon to 11pm daily! The event will be held in the Grand Hall, a $15 admission includes entrance to The Oregon Garden and to the Brewfest, a commemorative beer mug and five tasting tickets. 503-874-2500 info@ oregongarden.org FRIDAY NIGHT JASS WITH GAIL GAGE. Free music and wines by the glass start at $5. Grand Vines 7-10 PM. 503-399-9463 DEVON MONK BOOK SIGNING National bestselling author, creator of the Allie Beckstrom series and the Age of Steam series, will be speaking about her most recent work and signing her books. Free event. 7 pm-9 pm Book Bin Bookstore.

PAPA DOO RUN RUN The Ultimate California Beach Party Band that has been performing continuously since 1965!

Features Classic Rock plus their award winning re-creation of the hits of the Beach Boys. Group Prices Available 7 pm-10 pm Historic Elsinore Theatre.

IMPROV FOR ALL Bring the whole family out to join in on some laughter with Capitol City Theater’s improv comedy. 503 385 1238 info@capitolcitytheater.com 7 pm-9 pm STEREOTYPED Blackgrass Jug Band from Medford, Oregon. True folk music at its best! 503-391-9977 9 pm-11 pm Free.

Brown’s Towne Lounge.

sat.apr28

OREGON Ag FEST. Saturday, April 28, 2012 - 8:30am - Sunday, April 29, 2012 - 5:00pm . A family-fun event that helps people understand where their food and fiber comes from. Watch chicks hatch, dig for potatoes, ride ponies and more.

Oregon State Fairgrounds. 503-535-9353 STRAUB ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTER RESTORATION DAY Monthly work parties to maintain the Oak Savannah Restoration Plots we have around the Center. 9 to noon. Help us remove weeds, clear trash, and rebuild the rain garden - we work rain or shine! 503391-4145 Straub Environmental Learning Center.

TOUR, TALK, AND EAT CAKE IN SUPPORT OF PRESERVATION The Historic Preservation League of Oregon invites all friends of preservation to indulge in celebratory cake and beverages, enjoy a guided tour of the historic Mission and Mill complex. 503.243.1923 1 pm-3 pm Willamette Heritage Center at The Mill.

Salem Weekly apr 19-may 2, 2012 • page 11

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eventcalendar

apr19-may2

IMPROV SHOWERS Capitol City Theater.

Bring the family out and watch some improv comedy. 503 385 1238 info@ capitolcitytheater.com 7 pm-9 pm STAR PARTY. Join us for a speaker presentation on the current solar events!

Activities, movie presentation and star gazing after hours! Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum - Evergreen Theater 6-10 pm McMinnville, OR 97128 503-4344185 WILLAMETTE UNIVERSITY POETRY WINNERS. Help us celebrate National Poetry Month with the winners of Willamette University’s annual poetry contest. 7-9 PM. Grand Vines 503-399-9463

sun.apr29

INTERFAITH WORSHIP SERVICE “The Sound of…” Music, songs and inspiration from many faith traditions. Introduction by Rev. Karen Crooch. All are welcome. 503390-6145 6 pm-8 pm Free. Morningside United Methodist Church.

CAMERATA MUSICA-OREGON RENAISSANCE BAND. Program will consist of songs about animals by Banchieri and Bartlet, Bennet, and others for voices, violin, sackbutts, krummhorn, and a variety of other instruments. Free. Loucks Auditorium, Salem Public Library 2:30 pm 503-3643929

mon.apr30

ZUMBA! FIT Dance your way to healthy and fit with the hugely popular - Zumba!

503-814-2432 5 pm-6 pm Salem Hospital Community Health Education Center.

DAVID SEDARIS With sardonic wit and incisive social critiques, Award winning author David Sedaris has become one of America’s pre-eminent humor writers and speakers. Group and Student Prices

Available 7 pm-10 pm Historic Elsinore Theatre.

tue.may1

TUESDAY IRISH / CELTIC DANCE CLASS. Weekly dance class. No partner or experience is necessary. Bring comfortable shoes & a bottle of water.

This class is ongoing every Tuesday. No registration is required. (503) 383-9297 ceiliofthevalley@gmail.com 6 pm-8 pm VFW Hall.

HIT THE FLOOR SOCIAL DANCE. Weekly Social Dance for 2 hours. Mixed music of swing, ballroom, salsa, tango, waltz and more! $5. Pearce Ballroom 7:30 – 9:30 pm 503-363-3341 SALERNO-SONNENBERG plays PIAZZOLLA. Concert that features the ever-popular Pictures at an Exhibition, one of Joaquin Rodrigo’s best loved concerts for guitar. Smith Auditorium, Willamette University. 8-10 PM 503-364-0149

wed.may2

BEGINNING BIRDING: BIRD MIGRATION Learn more about birds. Discover amazing facts, such as how some birds make 6,000mile nonstop flights, and how they read the stars. Call Salem Audubon Society, 503-588-7340 laurie@salemaudubon.org 7 pm-9 pm First United Methodist Church, Room B8.

SILENT FILM: WINGS. 7-9 PM (1927) with Buddy Rodgers. Featuring live organ accompaniment by Rick Parks at the “Mighty Wurlitzer Organ”. $5 admission.

Historic Elsinore Theatre 503-375-3574

thu.may3

POLK COUNTY BOUNTY MARKETFARMERS MARKET. 2-6 PM A direct outlet for the local growers and producers, a source of fresh, high quality farm and artisan products. Free admission. Polk County Courthouse Lawn. Dallas. 503-6232564

by Jason Stringer

Yacht

Salem Weekly apr 19-may 2, 2012 • page 12

Willamette’s Wulapalooza brings Yacht and more to Salem Now in its 14th year, Willamette University’s “annual Earth, art and music festival” Wulapalooza is scheduled for Saturday, April 21 with a headlining lineup including nationally recognized buzz bands Yacht, School of Seven Bells, The Helio Sequence and Craft Spells.

“Our organization hopes to provide a day in which students can relax and have a good time before finals and the end of the year,” said student organizer Jillie Jennings. “We also strive for this event to be very community-oriented and bring people together from Willamette (University), Salem, and Oregon at large.”

The festival runs from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. around the campus and is free for all, but donations are accepted for various charitable foundations. The headlin-

ing bands are scheduled to start at 5 p.m. and last until the end of the festivities. Besides the aforementioned musical groups, Jennings says the festival “has an art and earth component, and unlike many other festivals, showcases student talent in addition to professional bands.” Willamette also will have several games and earthand art-themed activities, booths and food carts on location for the occasion.

Over the years, Wulapalooza has evolved from booking popular local bands to regional touring acts to nationally recognized performers. Electro-pop duo Yacht, whose 2009 release “See Mystery Lights” was praised by The New York Times, Rolling Stone and Pitchfork and alternative rockers/Beaverton, Oregon hometown heroes The Helio Sequence are signed by

legendary Northwest record label Sub Pop. Notable performers at Wulapalooza in recent years include Das Racist and Horse Feathers in 2011, Portugal. The Man, The Dodos, Japandroids and Typhoon in 2010, The Mae Shi and Mirah in 2009, The Blow, Panther and Blitzen Trapper in 2008, and The Long Winters and Viva Voce in 2007.

“All of the bands are chosen as a collaborative effort,” said Jennings. “Our music committee and co-chairs bring ideas to the group and ask the group for other ideas ... Bands are chosen based on price, availability and of course, their music.”

For additional information about Wulapalooza -including a complete schedule of the event -- visit its Web site at www.Willamette. edu/org/Wulapalooza.

A.C. Gilbert’s Discovery Village 116 Marion St. NE, Salem

Book Bin Bookstore

450 Court St. N E, (503) 361-1235 (503) 361-1235

Brown’s Towne Lounge

Submit your events at willamettelive.com

SWORDMASTER’S CASINO NIGHT The 4th annual Swordmaster’s Casino Night.

Enjoy your favorite casino games, fine wines and beers, a live fencing competition, dessert auction, and much more. Fundraiser for Salem Classical Fencing. Guests must be 18 or older. www.salemclassicalfencing. org 503-375-9209 6 pm-11 pm Eola Hills Wine Cellars.

Venue owners: want to see your venue here ?

eventcalendar

venuelist

apr19-may2

189 Liberty St. NE, Salem 503.391.9977 503.391.9977

Capitol City Theater

189 Liberty St. NE, Suite C, Salem

Community Health Education Center 939 Oak St. SE, Building D, Salem 503.814.2432 503.814.2432

Creekside Golf Club

6250 Club House Dr. SE, Salem

Eola Hills Wine Cellars

501 S. Pacific Hwy, Rickreall 503-585-5900 503-585-5900 x324

First United Methodist Church Street, Salem

Grand Theatre

191 High St., Salem 503-362-4013 503-362-4013

Grand Vines

195 High Street NE , Salem 503-399-9463 503-399-9463

Historic Elsinore Theatre 170 High St. , Salem 503-375-3574 503-375-3574

KMART Parking Lot 2470 Mission Street SE, Salem Louck Auditorium

585 Liberty St SE, Salem (503) 540-2371 (503) 540-2371

Marco Polo Tea Shop

300 Liberty St. SE, Salem 503-364-4833 503-364-4833

Morningside United Methodist Church 3674 12th St. S.E. , Salem 503-364-5013 503-364-5013

Oregon Garden

879 W. Main St., Silverton 503.874.8100 503.874.8100

Paulus Lecture Hall, Willamette University College of Law 900 State St, Salem 503.370.6855 503.370.6855

Regional Rehabilitation Center 2561 Center Street NE, Salem, OR 97301, Salem (503) 561-5986 (503) 561-5986

Salem Hospital Community Health Education Center 939 Oak St SE Building D, Salem

Education Center

939 Oak St SE Building D, Salem

Salem Public Library 585 Liberty St. SE, Salem

Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center 1865 Bill Frey Drive NE, Salem

Soap Box Derby

Mission Street, Salem

Straub Environmental Learning Center 1320 A Street NE , Salem

The Oregon Garden

879 W Main St, Silverton

VFW Hall

630 Hood St. NE, Salem

Willamette Heritage Center at The Mill 1313 Mill St. SE, Salem 503-585-7012 503-585-7012

Willamette University, Hudson Hall 900 State St., Salem

Submit your events to: all new

by Jason Stringer

Thursday, April 19 Hotel California “A Tribute to The Eagles” Historic Elsinore Theatre, 170 High St. SE 7:30 p.m., $30, all ages

Friday, April 27 Lone Madrone, Otis Heat Christo’s, 1108 Broadway St. NE 7 p.m., $5, all-ages

Saturday, April 28 LOVEDRIVE The Roxxy Northwest, 1230 State St. SE 9 p.m., free, all-ages

Tribute bands are more than just your buddies pretending to be their favorite musicians; it’s also big-business within the greater industry, reeling in big-stage veterans to man the instruments and put on the show.

There’s Creedence Clearwater Revisited (which actually has an original member of CCR) and Broadway’s Beatles interpretation “Rain”, as well as gimmicky acts like Mini Kiss and Lez Zeppelin. Often times the “tributers” meet or exceed the skill of the “tributees”, but tend to be less youthful than the real deal during its heyday. Such is the case of Hotel California, No Kind of Rider a tribute to The Eagles, which will surely delight the fans of America’s most beloved 70’s rock band with spot-on intricacies in one of Salem’s most beautiful buildings.

Salem’s only Italian restaurant/music venue is hosting a night of Portland talent with the acousticpowered, foot-stompin’ Americana combo Lone Madrone and soulful, funky-experimental outfit Otis Heat.

Though it may seem like a strange pairing stylistically, both bands have a refined sound, fit well within the confines of the venue and are at the top of their game. Also, would you rather listen to three hours of local bands trying to sound like the same national act they’re trying to rip off? Variety is a good thing.

The Roxxy Northwest has a knack for scheduling great tribute and cover bands of the arena rock era, and the booking of Scorpions tribute LOVEDRIVE is no exception [the band uses all capitalizations for its name; I’m not shouting at you]. The show is free as is the case with many Roxxy Northwest concerts so if you get teary-eyed listening to “Winds of Change”, pump your fist from the opening riff of “Rock You Like A Hurricane”, play air guitar to “No One Like You” or bang your head to “The Zoo”, April 28 should be circled on your Schenker brothers “rock face” calendar [the dates may be a bit off, since it was made 30 years ago].

Monday, April 30 David Sedaris Historic Elsinore Theatre, 170 High St. SE 7:30 p.m., $25-52.50, all-ages Discovered by National Public Radio host Ira Glass in the early 90’s while reading his journal aloud at a small club in Chicago, humorist and author David Sedaris has reached a massive audience behind his self-deprecating, humorous storytelling and iconic voice. Seems like an improbable story -- being discovered while reading his journal, and getting famous through NPR. Sedaris is also the brother of and oft-collaborator with actress Amy Sedaris, whose middle-aged-crack-whore-predator character “Jerri” on Comedy Central’s “Strangers With Candy” disturbed the heck out of a younger me, which, by association, has admittedly made me tentative to listen to much of David’s work [listening appears to be the preferred method of consumption by David Sedaris junkies, which explains a swiftly-selling ticket at his Historic Elsinore Theatre appearance].

Friday, April 20 No Kind of Rider Boon’s Treasury, 888 Liberty St. NE 9 p.m., free, 21+ Portland’s No Kind of Rider may be selling itself a bit short with its chosen name. While the band may never demand the exclusion of brown M&Ms in its dressing room, it has showed enough talent and promise during the past few years to shed the “local band” tag and make an impact outside of the Bridgetown-entertainment-metro area. The band blends tasteful alt-rock sensibilities with fuzzy synths and powerful but mathematical drumming. The result sounds like a 90’s video game character morphing into a real human, with all of the coinciding physical and psychological trauma that would have come with such a process [you’ll understand the comment if you check out the band].

Friday, April 20 The Fools, Bonneville Power, Cherry City Deadbeats The Triangle, 3235 Liberty St. S 9 p.m., free, 21+ Local bands Cherry City Deadbeats and Bonneville Power have come together to help celebrate what could be popular local bluesy-garage-punk band The Fools’ final show. For the occasion, Deadbeats frontman Timmy Myles will handle the skins for The Fools so that regular drummer Matt Williams can slay with guitarist Sheene Coffin. The shindig also marks the last time you can check out drummer Sam McBride with Bonneville Power, which is fresh off a west-coast tour. It’s a free show with three great local bands... excuses are futile.

If you were active in the local music scene circa 2006-07, both of the names on this bill should be familiar. Mick Bare’s (The Falcon, $100 Jayhawks) second Salem-based rock n’ roll incarnation, Righteous Animal, will return along with alternative rock band Sunmarine for a friend’s birthday party that is open to the public. It also happens to be the day before Sunmarine’s Matt Williams’ 21st birthday [sorry bud], but the concert could/should serve as your own party -- an after-party for the excellent Wulapalooza [see related story] which ends right as this shindig begins.

Friday, April 27 Zero Season, Henry’s Child Duffy’s Hangar, 2275 McGilchrist St. SE 8 p.m., free, 21+ Local alternative hard rock band Zero Season -- formerly known as Shift -- is celebrating the release of its debut album with buddies Henry’s Child at Duffy’s Hangar. Shift was known locally for winning a state-wide talent search called “Rise Up” in 2008, which earned them some recording time that likely resulted in this album now years later. The real surprise on this bill is Henry’s Child, a regionally successful progressive rock band from the mid-90’s that released the album “Clearly Confused” on Elemental Records (Floater, Jolly Mon, Sweaty Nipples) way back in 1996, and was one-and-the-same with Floater during both bands’ early incarnations. Is this a one-off reunion, or part of a comeback?

Otis Heat

Serving Salem Locally Since 1964

Musician Friendly Prices

D’Addario

EXL110 electric guitar strings y Onl $550 per set

Store Hours Mon-Sat 10pm - 6pm

Come in for Storewide Specials

503-363-1641 • 263 Chemeketa St. Downtown Salem

Salem Weekly apr 19-may 2, 2012 • page 13

Saturday, April 21 Righteous Animal, Sunmarine Christo’s, 1108 Broadway St. NE 10 p.m., $5, 21+

livemusic

Live Beat

eatdrink

Serving Salem Locally Since 1964

Musician Friendly Prices

D’Addario

EXL110 electric guitar strings y Onl $550 per set

Store Hours Mon-Sat 10pm - 6pm

Come in for Storewide Specials

503-363-1641 • 263 Chemeketa St. Downtown Salem

Alsham serves up a Mediterranean diet May 1 – 31

A community-wide festival encouraging acts of kindness toward animals You can “Paw it Forward” by participating in one or more of these special events, benefitting Willamette Humane Society: First Wednesday

Wednesday, May 2 Travel Salem’s Travel Café

“Performance for Our Pets” Talent Contest Entry deadline: Saturday, May 5

Spay-ghetti Dinner

Salem Weekly apr 19-may 2, 2012 • page 14

Saturday, May 5 Eola Hills Wine Cellars

Mayor’s Pet Parade

Saturday, May 19 Copper Creek Mercantile (Keizer)

“Paw it Forward” Radiothon

Saturday, May 19 Fred Meyer (at Market & Lancaster)

Humaneitarian Awards Reception

Pet Clothing & Wednesday, May 23 Accessory SWAP Meet Broadway Commons Sunday, May 6 Nature’s Pet Market

For details about all “Paw it Forward” events, go to: www.willamettehumane.org /paw_it_forward

First noted for its potential healthy benefits in 1945 by American military doctor Ancel Keys, the olive oil-drenched and fruit-and-vegetableheavy Mediterranean diet gained notice by the general public in the 1990s thanks to articles from experts like Harvard’s Dr. Walter Willett and others. My partner-in-crime and I visited local restaurant “Alsham” to try out a Salem establishment’s interpretation of the diet.

Alsham is located at 145 Liberty St. NE, above the DownTown Market & Deli, which offers a bunch of ethnic food options as well as standard products you’d find at a minimart.

To access the restaurant, patrons need to walk through the market and back to the deli to find the stairs that lead up to the restaurant.

Alsham’s dining area is an open second level, overlooking the business below. All of the seats either have a view of the market or the street outside. It was a sunny day, so my guest and I chose a window seat overlooking Liberty Street.

The service was initially prompt, but it was clear that our server wore many hats at the business, so we had to wait a bit at times. Despite this, the server was friendly and helpful, assisting my companion in what to select for an entree.

For an appetizer, my guest and I ordered the Babaghanouge Dip, with a mix of ground, roasted eggplant, chopped tomato, onion, parsley, lemon juice, garlic and Mediterranean spices, served with pita bread for dipping ($5.95). Alsham’s variation of the eastern Mediterranean-region classic was tangy and full of flavors that complemented each other well.

We decided to select a meat-based dish and a vegetable-dominated dish for the two entrees.

I picked the Fateret Sabanh, a spinach bite with homemade dough, and rice, vegetables, pita bread and tzatziki sauce on the side ($10.95).

The dough on the bite was fresh and hearty, and though the entree was carb-laden, it didn’t feel like a heavy dish. As with the appetizer, the star of the entree was the seasoning and flavor pairing. A hallmark of the Mediterranean diet is variety and portion control, so seasoning plays an important role in the diner being satisfied.

My partner picked the Fateret Lahma, with marinated and spiced ground lamb and beef, and vegetables, tzatziki sauce and pita bread

by Jason Stringer

($10.50). She noted how well the meat was seasoned, and that the sides complemented the entree well. She was also a big fan of the tzatziki sauce, saying that it reminded her of the quality she had on her trip to Greece years back.

Our trip to Alsham was a quaint and enjoyable one, and I’ll likely be back soon to try one of the restaurant’s gyros (lamb $12.95, beef $10.95, chicken $9.95) and some zhartar dip ($5.95).

The facts The Mediterranean diet is praised for its focus on dark, leafy vegetables (like spinach), fruit, high-fiber beans, lean fish, and slowly digested carbohydrates (like eggplant and whole-grain breads), but also its variety and portion control within a single meal. It’s not uncommon for a Mediterranean entree to include five or six small portions of different items, including many of the foods listed above.

The use of olive oil in place of animal fat is also believed to be a big health advantage for this diet over its traditional Western European and North American counterparts by providing anti-inflammatory benefits and also is linked to a reduction in heart disease risk.

Criticism of the Mediterranean diet highlights that many of its foods are high in sodium -- like salt-cured cheeses, salted fish (anchovies, anyone?) and olives, among many others -- and that the health of the Mediterranean people witnessed by researchers can be (at least partially) associated with an active lifestyle and the population’s relative exposure to the sun, which some studies attribute to a decrease in heart disease. However, according to Harvard University research, eating a traditional Mediterranean diet correlates with a roughly 25 percent reduction in the risk of cancer and heart disease, all while eating foods that include fat [from olive oil] and many flavors.

It’s also important to note that the “Mediterranean diet” refers to a style of diet (as defined above) and that not all of the countless dishes and styles of cuisine in the Mediterranean region have health benefits.

getoutdoors

Get Outdoors @

Triple Falls via Horsetail Falls Trailhead

by Colleen Jergenson

ColumbiaRiverGorgeisanamazingplace,withitsscenic waterfalls, steep sided basalt canyons, and lush green vegetation. Slightly over an hours drive from Salem, this hike provides the opportunity to see four beautiful waterfalls.

We park in the area for Horsetail Falls and after admiring the view of the falls from the trailhead, we hike up the gravel trail heading east. It switches back and forth and soon comes to a junction where we stay to the right. In less than a half-mile we round a corner and are rewarded with views of Upper Horsetail Falls, (also known as Ponytail Falls). Here, Horsetail Creek shoots through a crack in the huge basalt cliff and drops into a pool below. The trail passes under the waterfall, and continues uphill along the steep, wooded gorge wall.

A few more ascending switchbacks and we come to a cliff top with views of the Columbia River Gorge. It’s very windy here, but we stop to admire the view and the train that is traveling east on the tracks below us.

After a short rest, we head back to the trail passing Trilliums and licorice ferns and a “weeping” mossy How to get there: basalt rock wall covered with the new growth of maidHead north on I-5 and take the exit for I-205 just after Wilsonville. enhair ferns. Soon the trail descends steeply into the Passing through Portland, take I-84 East towards Hood River. Take Oneonta Gorge and we cross over Oneonta Creek the #28/Bridal Veil exit and turn left onto the Historic Columbia on a well-built footbridge. The gorge is narrow with River Highway. Continue 5.2 miles to the parking area for Horsetail a waterfall up stream above the bridge and a pool Falls. It takes about 1.5 hours to get to the trailhead from Salem.

There are bathrooms and a picnic area here. below with fallen trees piled upon each other. Below the pool is the top of Oneonta Falls. We stop here Distance and elevation gain: to enjoy the view of course, and listen to the songIt’s approximately 4.8 miles out and back and 740 feet in birds that are singing to each other across the canyon. elevation gain. It’s a moderately easy hike and open year round.

We continue hiking up the steep trail on the west side of the gorge and soon come to another junction.

This time we head left towards our destination, Triple Falls. The trail is a little steep in places and rocky, but over all, not too bad. As we climb higher above the canyon we can still hear the power of the water in the creek below us. There is a large rockslide that has taken out part of the trial, but it doesn’t appear to be dangerous, so we cross over and continue on.

We come to a fork in the trail with no signage and after talking 145 Liberty St. NE, Ste. 102 to some other hikers, we take the lower fork which leads down to www.pentacletheatre.org a cliff with a view directly across to Triple Falls. Stunningly beautiful, the falls are actually formed from one creek (Oneonta), but divides into three distinct falls as it drops 130 over the edge. There are fallen trees at its base and a footbridge above that leads to With Jo Dodge more extensive hiking. This is a good place to rest and enjoy the “Acting for Everyone” beauty before us; the waterfalls; the canyon and the brilliant lime green color of new growth. We Join skilled director and actress Jo Dodge in are so lucky to live in Oregon. a fun, hands-on 11 week theater workshop We head back the way we exploring the human spirit. Since 1981, came, so that we can admire once again the waterfalls and the gorge.

Jo has taught this popular acting workshop The songbirds are still singing to through Chemeketa Community College and each other, probably competing for mates! The trail is steep downnow Pentacle is proud to offer the workshop hill, so we are careful to watch directly to you at an affordable price. our step. This is a popular trail on the weekends since it is close to Portland, and we encounter Please call for more details many people on this trip. Dogs too!

Fees and Permits:

There are no fees or permits required to park here. It is a dog friendly trail, though you might want to keep them on a leash.

There were lots of dogs when we visited, but they were all friendly.

All performances in

3D since 1954

(503) 485-4300

Pentacle Actors’ Workshop

Salem Weekly apr 19-may 2, 2012 • page 15

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