Friday, January 29, 2010

ONDA News: Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, introduce legislation for two new wilderness areas in Oregon’s high desert

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 28, 2010

Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, introduce legislation for two new
wilderness areas in Oregon's high desert

The Cathedral Rock and Horse Heaven Wilderness Act of 2010 was
introduced today by Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jeff Merkley(D-
Ore.). This proposed legislation will consolidate land ownership and
protect 16,400 acres of new wilderness along the John Day River. The
Cathedral Rock and Horse Heaven Wilderness Areas would encompass
dramatic basalt cliffs and rolling hills of juniper, sagebrush and
native grasses, along with a hidden pine forest. The area offers
world-class opportunities for outdoor recreation as well as crucial
wildlife habitat for elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep and native fish
such as salmon and steelhead trout.

This proposal is a collaboration between diverse groups of
stakeholders, including Young Life, a Christian youth organization
that owns and operates nearby Washington Family Ranch, local ranchers,
and the Bend-based Oregon Natural Desert Association (ONDA). The
proposal has been endorsed by Jefferson, Wasco and Wheeler Counties,
local businesses, and the Redmond Chapter of the Oregon Hunters
Association.

Forrest Reinhardt, an independent consultant helping assemble the
landmark legislation, stated that the benefits of this proposal are
twofold. "Obviously, with thousands of teens visiting Washington
Family Ranch each year, safety is a top priority. Consolidation of
public and private land will reduce the number of hunters who wander
on to camp property." Reinhardt went on to say, "The reduction of
private and public land fragmentation also promises to improve land
management and add thousands of acres for public access and
recreational opportunities."

The effort will specifically expand access for boaters and anglers by
transferring nearly five miles of the Wild and Scenic John Day River
into public ownership. This will expand fishing, hunting, camping and
hiking opportunities for the public in the area. John Crafton of the
Redmond chapter of Oregon Hunters Association, said, 'It is
tremendous. This proposal expands a few thousand acres of usable
public lands into over 16,000 acres, and that is a huge benefit for
wildlife because it creates wintering grounds for game animals where
they are left alone to winter naturally."

Under the proposal, BLM is positioned to receive approximately 8,821
acres in exchange for 12,323 acres going to Young Life, with two other
land owners also taking part in the land swap. The larger acreage
going to private landowners is due to BLM receiving river frontage
along the John Day River, which comparatively has much greater value.
The equal-value exchanges will be subject to an appraisal. "In the
end, it's really about protecting this amazing place for future
generations and for native fish and wildlife like wild salmon and
steelhead," said Aaron Killgore of the Oregon Natural Desert
Association.

###
Contact information:

Gena Goodman-Campbell, Oregon Natural Desert Association, 541-330-2638

Forrest Reinhardt, Young Life, (949) 400-1778

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

1/31 Oregon Arts Commission Deadline for Next Round of Arts & Cultural Tourism Grant Program

Oregon Arts Commission Announces Deadline forNext Round of Arts &
Cultural Tourism Grant Program
Applications due January 31, 2010

The Oregon Arts Commission announces that applications for its Arts &
Cultural Tourism Grant program will be accepted from Oregon arts
organizations and units of local governments through January 31, 2010.

The Oregon Arts Commission established the Cultural Tourism Grants to
support projects and partnerships that advance arts-based cultural
tourism activities. The program, part of the Commission's Creative
Oregon Initiative, fosters stronger links between the arts, culture,
the tourism industry and local economic development.

The program supports activities undertaken by arts or tourism groups –
and especially projects in which both collaborate – designed to
increase tourism motivated entirely or in part by the arts-related
offerings of a community or region. By attracting Oregonians and non-
residents, Commission-funded projects increase the economic benefit of
cultural tourism to communities, regions and the entire state.

Proposed projects may enhance an existing cultural tourism project or
fund a new initiative. Grants in 2009 supported a variety of projects
including the Oregon Shakespeare Festival's "Stay Closer, Go Further,"
marketing program, the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art's marketing of
The World Harmony Project, a four-day festival to attract visitors to
the wealth of arts, culture and heritage resources on the University
of Oregon campus, and the expansion and promotion of Miracle Theatre's
critically acclaimed annual Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)
celebration into the Seattle metro market. Additional support went to
the Oregon Symphony to develop "Instant Outlet," a fast, easy and
online Oregon Symphony ticketing system, for the exclusive use of
Travel Oregon staff and select hotel concierges, to PICA for a
marketing campaign targeted to specific west coast media markets for
travel to PICA's seventh annual Time-Based Art (TBA) Festival and to
the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show for the development of a Quilt Walk.

Applicants for Cultural Tourism grants must have IRS 501(c)(3) federal
tax-exempt status and corporate nonprofit status in the state of
Oregon; or be a unit of local government. Up to $10,000 to $10,000 in
matching grant funds may be requested.

The guidelines and applications for the Cultural Tourism grants are
available online through the grants section of the Arts Commission's
website: www.oregonartscommission.org. Additional information is
available by calling the Arts Commission at (503) 986-0082.


* * * * * * * * * * *
The Oregon Arts Commission provides leadership, funding and arts
programs through its grants, special initiatives and services. Nine
commissioners, appointed by the Governor, determine arts needs and
establish policies for public support of the arts. The Arts Commission
became part of Business Oregon (Oregon Business Development
Department) in 1993, in recognition of the expanding role the arts
play in the broader social, economic and educational arenas of Oregon
communities. In 2003, the Oregon legislature moved the operations of
the Oregon Cultural Trust to the Arts Commission, streamlining
operations and making use of the Commission's expertise in
grantmaking, arts and cultural information and community cultural
development.


The Arts Commission is supported with general funds appropriated by
the Oregon legislature and with federal funds from the National
Endowment for the Arts as well as funds from the Oregon Cultural Trust.

More information about the Oregon Arts Commission is available online
at: www.oregonartscommission.org

# # #

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Friday, January 15, 2010

ONDA: "John Day Wilderness closer to reality"

 
Two new proposed Wilderness Areas in the John Day Basin are quickly gaining momentum - Cathedral Rock and Horse Heaven.  It is our hope that these wilderness proposals will be introduced to congress early this year.

We need your support to let elected officials know that these areas deserve protection.  Please tell your elected officials to support the creation of these two new wilderness areas.

Send a comment to your elected officials letting them know you support Wilderness designation for these valuable lands HERE.

  
ONDA_John_Day_Tyler_Roemer_small.jpg


The approximately 16,000 acres of new wilderness would protect Endangered Species Act-listed steelhead habitat, provide potentially dozens of new campsites on the John Day River, and even contains a "hidden" grove of old growth Ponderosa pines.

Read more about these proposed wilderness areas, including maps HERE.

Read a recent press release about these proposals HERE.
 

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Jackalope Grill- January Events

Martin Luther King Weekend, open Sunday, January 17

Women Tasting Wine “Wines from the Loire Valley,” January 18, 4:00 to 6:00.

On January 18 we will explore Wines from the Loire Valley. The Loire is the longest river in France and flows through France’s longest and most diverse wine region. John Aylward, of Vin De Garde Wines, will guide us through a balanced sampling of wines from the Loire Valley, and Chef Tim, professionally trained in France, will surprise us with delicious food pairings.

We will meet on Monday, January 18, from 4:00-6:00, at The Jackalope Grill. The cost is $45. Your payment is your reservation. For reservations, please contact Diane Sienko at Bend Wine Cellars (388-7564), or go to the Women Tasting Wine website.

Click for menus from past Women Tasting Wine seminars.

2010 ONDA Volunteer Schedule Now Available


Click here for the full schedule and to register

Interested in volunteering with ONDA? Our 2010 calendar of volunteer trips is now available on the web. You can read about trips, and register online. Trips are free, or discounted for ONDA members! Just go to ONDA.org and follow the links to Volunteer Here.

This moment is highly anticipated every winter: the release of ONDA schedule of volunteer trips!  The online information available HERE will provide links to 16 different trips with opportunties to experience, protect and restore the incredible places in Oregon's high desert.  Highlights include an affordable float trip down the Owyhee River, and the return of favorites such as the Annual Last Fence Pull at Hart Mountain.  Sign up, register, and join us for another great season of "walking the talk" out in eastern Oregon's wildlands.

For additional information contact ONDA's Outreach Coordinator Jefferson Jacobs at jjacobs@onda.org

1/14, 1/15, 1/19: COCC Events - Nancy R. Chandler Visiting Scholar Program

Dear Harold,
This is turning out to be a busy season for the Nancy R. Chandler Visiting Scholar Program!  I hope you can join us.  Karen
 
GREG MORTENSON TICKETS GO ON SALE this Thursday, January 14th.  Tickets may sell out the first day, so if you have your heart set on attending, please purchase your tickets early!  The COCC Box Office will open at 7:30 am; Paulina Springs Books (Redmond & Sisters) will open at 9:30 am; Camalli Book Company will open at 10 am.
 
DARWIN'S LEGACY: 200 YEARS OF INSIGHTS AND CHALLENGESa series of presentations exploring the scientific, anthropological, philosophical and religious implications of Darwin's work.  The series kicks off this week with two presentations:
Darwin's Puzzles: the Evolution of Sex and Death and Patrick Phillips, Director, Center for Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Oregon
January 14 – 6:30 pm – Wille Hall, COCC Campus Center Building, Bend
January 15 – 6:30 pm – Sunriver Nature Center, Sunriver
Tickets available at the door
 
BORDERLESS: MIGRATION, GLOBALIZATION AND CHANGING COMMUNITIESa moderated discussion with ELLIOTT YOUNG is next Tuesday, January 19, 6:30 pm in Wille Hall, COCC Campus, Bend.  This event is free and kicks off the 2010 Season of NonViolence, for which the full schedule of events can be found athttp://studentlife.cocc.edu/getinvolved/Multicultural+Center/events/Default.aspx.
 
More details on events can be found at: http://foundation.cocc.edu/VSP