Celebrating - our 60,000th visitor to this web page!

On June 8, 2005 I put a counter on this page. We have already gone over 60,000 "HITS." This is proving to be a very busy web page!

Are you aware that this is the very FIRST city web page in Lake County, Oregon, on-line in 1998?

Special Transportation agreement signed by Lake County.

Lake County Senior Citizens Association and Lake County signed a fund services agreement. The Oregon Department of Transportation distributes monies to aid with particular types of special transportation needs. Due to the size of Lake County and lack of public transportation it qualifies for this funding.

Oregon city takes active position to be "green" AND to save its residents energy costs..

The City of Ashland has expanded its policy of selling excess power from residential solar panels for the purpose of encouraging larger-scale projects. Residents could receive credits on their power bills for systems up to 25 kilowatts by feeding the extra electricity back into the city electric grid. The city raised the amount up to 50 kilowatts as more individuals may be taking advantage of federal and state tax incentives.

USDA awards grant to Christmas Valley.

The Christmas Valley Valley Domestic Water Supply Distric now has $489,000.00 for upgrading and maintaining their water system. In addition, another $1,200,000.00 in loans from Oregon Economic Development will be added to this upgrade project.

Fort Rock

Watch Out: Fake News Phishing E-Mails Are Getting More Official-Looking.

A new tactic is being used by phishers, those shameless people wanting your private info and access to your PC. They were sending out spam that looked like stunning news headlines in the hopes that you'd be suckered into clicking. Now, they're getting a little more cunning, going for somewhat less sensational headlines and more official looking e-mails that are even catching some security-savvy users off guard.
Valleywag received one such e-mail claiming Microsoft had purchased AOL and looked to be an official dispatch from MSNBC. It linked to a page that was appeared to be hosted at MSNBC.com, but behind the scenes routed clickers to a bogus Web site that prompted users to install a new version of Adobe's Flash plugin for Web animations. In actuality, the users were installing a Trojan Horse that gave attackers access to their PCs. More proof that everything you read on the Internet isn't true -- and that most people are definitely out to get you.

Oregon DOES NOT provide Senior or Disabled discounts at State Parks. They also DO NOT provide discounts to disabled vets! WHY NOT? This is something to be ashamed of by all of Oregon. Don't returning, disabled vets deserve to use our state parks free or at least at a discount?

The following is a lettr from Marcy Teal: Oregon State Parks and Recreation Dept. Information Center 1-800-551-6949

"The Oregon State Parks are funded by user fees, park maintenance and repairs are funded by lottery dollars. Additional funding is not available to offer a disability discount. The State parks offer ADA accessible campsites and restrooms but there is no fee reduction. The Federal parks do offer some type of senior or disability discount. For more information on the forest service parks pass program, call toll free 800-270-7504 or check on line at www.fs.fed.us/r6/passespermits/index.shtml"
"Please call or e-mail with your mailing address if you would like a packet of information mailed out on the Oregon State Parks."

I wrote a letter complaining about this unfair treatment of our Seniors, Disabled, and our Disabled Vets to our Governor, Senators and Congressional reps. The following are the responses I received:

"Thank you for contacting me regarding Oregon State Parks. As a federal legislator, I do not have jurisdiction over state or local matters. I urge you to contact your state and local represenatives about this matter." Gordon H. Smith, United States Senator

"Thank you for sharing your ideas and concerns. I believe citizen input is vital to a strong and healthy society and I urge your continued involvement. Should your comments require an additional response, appropriate staff will contact you. I look forward to hearing from you in the future. Sincerely, Theodore R. Kulongoski, Governor

"Thank you for contacting me regarding the high price of admittance to Oregon State Parks. I appreciate hearing from you, and I share your concern.
Like you, I believe that America owes its veterans a great debt, and we must honor the commitment we have made to them. With this in mind, I have cosponsored the Public Land Military Pass Act. This legislation establishes a new kind of admittance pass only available to veterans for a low yearly rate of $10.00 which would allow them to visit all of our country's beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands for no additional fees. This bill has passed the Senate Committee on Energy and National Resourses and is awaiting further action on the Senate floor.
However, this legislation does not address admission to state parks because the federal government does not have jurisdiction over those parks. To ensure that your concerns are heard and fully addressed, I have taken the liberty of forwarding your inquiry to Governor Kulongoski. I have asked the Governor to reply to you directly and to provide me a copy of his response. Please be assured when related matters come before me in the Senate, I will keep your thoughs in mind."
Ron Wyden, United States Senator (July 31, 2008)

Dell DOWNGRADING from Vista to XP.

Those who have put off purchasing a new computer because of Windows Vista problems, there is another choice. Dell has announced they will continue to "Downgrade" the operating system for certain PC's. After June 30, Dell will preinstall Win XP on computers which have Vista Business or Vista Ultimate. There of course are some strings attached. A fee of $20- $50 for the downgrade, but well worth it! You can downgrade until June 26 for most PC's/Laptops. After that time it is only available on certain models. Dell will ship the Vista operating system CD with your purchase of a Win XP PC, so at a point in time later, you can upgrade your system.

Lake District Hospital CEO Gordon Ensley and Lake Health District board Chairperson Rosvi Casteel, R.N. display the plaques available in honor of loved ones as a fund raiser for the hospitals new Chapel. The first two plaques were donated by Rosvi Casteel in memory of her mother, Violet Van Buskirk and her son, Gary Casteel Jr.

A new fundraiser is in place at Lake District Hospital, with proceeded to benefit the new chapel that will be part of the hospital expansion. According to Lake District Hospital Board Chairperson, Rosvi Casteel R.N., citizens may sponsor a name of a loved one on what will be a "memory wall." For a minimum donation of $100.00, a plaque featuring the honored individuals name is purchased, and engraved at an additional cost of $10.00. All funds received for the memory wall will be deposited into the hospital's donation-specific fund budgeted this year, and will be utilized for the new chapel. Ms. Casteel noted that the new chapel was among her late mother Violet Van Buskirk's final wishes prior to her December 2007 passing.

Fisher King Fly Shop.

Paisley now has an active Fly Shop. They sell all types of fly fishing equipment, give classes for all skill levels, and run the Chewaucan Challenge Tournament. Check out their new web page... Fisher King

Why is Lake County unheard at the state level?

The fact is that 80 percent of Oregonians live within 20 miles of the Willamette River, and rightfully, enjoy 80 percent of the representation in both legislative chambers. That reality leaves more than 80 percent of Oregon’s geographic area, and 20 percent of her people, to be represented by only 9 Senators and 18 Representatives. In Fact, 13 Senators and 26 Representatives live in districts located entirely or partly within Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties.

Moreover, the effective representation or our more rural citizens is further diluted because a significant number of other Senate and House districts also include portions of that Willamette River corridor. It is readily apparent to those who do not live in that Willamette River corridor that rules and regulations that may be perfectly reasonable and appropriate for that heavily populated portion of Oregon, are neither appropriate nor reasonable for those who live in less densely populated area.

Christmas Valley Chamber resumes monthly meetings.

Christmas Valley Chamber monthly meetings are held at the Christmas Valley Community Hall. The General membership meeting is held the second Wednesday of every month at 1pm, the Board meeting is held directly after the General Membership meeting at 2pm.
The new 2008-2009 Tourist Guide is under way. Due to it's extreme popularity, an anticipated running above and beyond the 2007-2008 9000 copies will be published and given away to visitors this year. The theme is "A Tribute to the Hay Growers". CVCC is also sponsoring a 2007-2008 Tourist Guide Front Page Photo Contest in which a first place photo will be chosen to be the cover.
For participation in the photo contest or for information on placing a well viewed ad in this upcoming edition of the Tourist Guide, please contact the Christmas Valley Chamber of Commerce at 541-576-3838 or via internet at info@christmasvalley.org

What are our gas prices as compared to the rest of Oregon? Where can you find the least expensive gas?

Attendants wanted for Ambulance Services in Christmas Valley, Paisley and Silver Lake.

Accelerated First Responder Training Oregon State Certifications Provided by Lake County EMS. Contact Glenna Wade for additional information and an application. Call: 541-977-0626.

Christmas Valley Library.

The hours of operation are now...Tues & Thu. 10 am - 1 pm & 1:30 pm - 6 pm. Also Saturday: 10 am - 3 pm.

Look at this new Web site that lets you send a FREE printed postcard to the U.S. servicemen and women stationed overseas. All you do is pick your favorite card, enter your message and then Xerox does the rest! Visit www.LetsSayThanks.com and send the troops some mail today.

To send a card... Click on * Support our Troops. *.

The Work & Career Connection... For some unknown reason, the Work Connection and its on-line employment assistance had been terminated. When a new web site is up and running, I will add its link.

Diabetis Support Group

The Lakeview Senior Center started a Diabetis Support Group. To attend or become involved, please contact D.J. or Calda at the Senior Center at 947-4966

Summer Lake Wildlife Area

Wildlife biolgists at the Summer Lake WildlifeArea in North Lake County are starting an educational outreach program for hunters. Kiosks will be installed on various campgrounds in the area.

I have posted pictures and maps of the Winter Rim Fire of 2002.

This involved ALL of the Paisley and nearby communities. It, along with the Toolbox fire and the Silver Fire, burned almost 150,000 acres. The pictures are fantastic and frightening! Click to see them and read the details..., * Winter Rim Fire of 2002 *.

Fort Rock.

This is a prominent rocky landmark. The rock is an isolated mass, imperfectly crescent-shaped, nearly one-third of a mile across, and its highest point is about 325 feet above the floor of the plain on which it stands. It has perpendicular cliffs 200 feet high in places. It is not surprising that it has been likened to a fort. An item in the Bend Bulletin, June 20, 1925, says that William Sullivan, an early resident, named Fort Rock. Sullivan settled in what is now Lake County in 1873. In 1938, prehistoric artifacts were discovered in a large cave in a then-unnamed butte about a mile and a half to the northwest. This butte was subsequently named Reub Long Butte to honor the well-known Lake County rancher and writer, but the artifact cave has always been and continues to be known as Fort Rock Cave. Dr. L. S. Cressman of the University of Oregon supervised extensive excavations that uncovered weapons, tools, and even sandals, and subsequent carbon dating showed some items over 9,000 years old. The post office was established March 9, 1908. There was considerable activity in the Fort Rock Valley during the homestead period before World War I, but in recent years little remains.

My wife and I took our grand daughters to visit Fort Rock and the Pioneer Museum in our motorhome. Unfortunately, the museum is only open on Fri, Sat., and Sun. We were disappointed that no where in town could we park our motorhome overnight, even without hookups. We ate a good meal in a nice cafe and were informed the closest campground was several miles back on Hwy 31. Disappointing...and it takes business from the Fort Rock community. Perhaps the city would consider using some open field in town (The parking area by the Museum would be fine.) for RV's to overnight, thereby getting some tourists to visit. Just a suggestion. Us? We ended up driving to Ana Campground, near Silver Lake about 25 miles south for the evening.

I received this email responding to my posting:
"I always enjoy poking around in your website. Lots of goodies to read about! Thanks for doing this. It helps people find out more about Lake County.
I notice your story about a problem parking an RV in Fort Rock overnight. There are two good places to stay overnight here in town. Many people park directly across the street from the Waterin' Hole Tavern in a large gravelled lot. The other place available is in the Museum parking lot. Neither place has hookups, but the Museum parking lot is a WiFi hotspot. Our president Hank Burroughs has a StarBand satellite system and a transmitter at his nearby home. For $1 an hour and $0.02 per minute thereafter, you can do High Speed Internet here in town.
Thanks for the good work you are doing.
Mark Swisher

Being smart on line

1. Protect personal information. NEVER respond to an e-mail asking for information such as date of birth or social security number. If it seems suspicious, call the business at a phone number you KNOW is correct.

2. Know who you are doing business with. Read the "ABOUT US" section of the site. Watch out for copy cat sites that mimic a legitimate site.

3. Make sure your computer has current firewall, anti-virus, and anti-spy software.

4. Use a password that is as secure as possible. Avoid obvious, such as birthdays, childrens names, and words in the dictionary. Change passwords every six months.

5. To lean more, visit the Better Business Bureau on-line at bbbonline.org