The Tillamook State Forest is Oregon’s biggest and is the subject of much discussion around the area as it has a special place for many. A number of times in the 20th Century the forest burned and because it was the depression there was the CCC and many others (students, particularly) who traveled to the burned areas and replanted the forests.  People in Oregon have a special relationship with this forest. Nowadays, the forests are clear-cut by local timber companies and some of the money goes to fund local schools and government services. Unfortunately, due to the lack of nearby mills and market forces the logs mostly are cut and shipped directly overseas, to China, I believe.  Since the profits from the logging are tied to local services there is pressure to cut more and more trees thus leaving a landscape that looks trashed.

Photo by Danielle

Lately, our Governor has stated that he is in favor of a more balanced approach that would also take into account environmental factors (there are landslides everywhere) – other species (it’s Spotted Owl and Marbled Murulet country)(and lots of salmon and other fish species) – and recreation (fishing, hiking, camping, white-water rafting).  Unfortunately, it’s quite an uphill battle due to the fact that the Oregon Board of Forestry which sets policy for the forests is mostly made up of timber company owners and representatives.  I’ve testified before the group numerous times in Salem, and they are not swayed by public opinion at all.

More background on this issue can be found here.  And if you’d like to join my Facebook cause page, click here.

We arrived at Duane’s land near Nehelam in a downpour and put on our raingear and bushwhacked through the property, climbing amongst overgrown blackberry brambles and small trees and bushes. I’d seen pictures of the property in sunshine and I believe the views to the north and west are stunning, but yesterday the view was a wall of rain.  And, it felt so invigorating to wander around and be human bushhogs!  After about an hour we were all pretty soaked and we got back in the van and made our way to Manzanita with a detour to the town’s “rebuilding center” which is a collection of recycling and 2nd hand store which was a fun side trip.

We followed this up with lunch in Manzanita and then a wonderful drive home full of conversations about land, business, relationships and our personal stories. Duane and Melani are living a dream – living in the Oregon high desert and meeting interesting travelers from all over the world.  They both have great perspectives on life and are positive, evolved people.  It was such a nice combination to have great conversations and be out in the wilderness and I feel lucky today to have had the adventure!  Here’s to life, may we live it big and large and lusciously!  And, please join me in learning more about the Tillamook State Forest and how to protect it from greed.

In the Pacific Northwest we’re used to heavy rain and all that it entails. But the recent rains have led to a level of flooding and hardship that people are calling a “100 Year Event”. I most recently heard people talking about this at Breitenbush where I spent new years and learned that two of the newly built bridges that span trails there had been washed out. Next up have been the January rains which have led to roads washing out, peoples’ houses being flooded and lots of landslides. Some towns like Vernonia, Oregon, seem to be having repeat flood events and the recent news is of thousands having to leave homes around the state, car accidents and lots of property damage.

My main question is “is this global climate change and its effects?” If so, are those who are calling this a “100 year event” actually missing the possibility that this may be how life here will continue to be from now on – rainy, with more and more rain and displacement.

I’ve long been following demographic trends around population growth and have been making the connection between our increased numbers and our effect on the environment. More pollution, species loss, rapid glacier melt, and running out of resources like oil have all been shown to be happening on an upward trend for years. What is less obvious is how all of this effects our world in places like Oregon, where we’re in a situation like the frog in the slowly heating water – we probably won’t change what we’re doing until the heat is turned way up, otherwise, the frog, in this scenario slowly boils and dies. Now, with the current rain, we have a warning sign that can’t be ignored.

Will we be smart and move towards actions that will slow global climate change or will we continue to adjust to its adverse effects and grin and bear it? Some smart moves that I think Oregonians could take that might increase our chances of experiencing a better future would be to plant trees and stop clear-cutting the ones we have. This would improve our (and the rest of the world’s) air quality, help control storm water and erosion problems and keep hillsides from sliding. I also think it would make sense for there to be some sort of program to move people out of floodplains and onto higher ground.

If there’s a chance that this year’s rains might repeat regularly what other moves should we as a society consider to avoid the high costs of the damage and to keep us all safe and dry? I’m sure there are hundreds. Should we be removing any extra pavement that exists as the group Depave works to do? Should we be planting millions of fruit and nut trees to make ourselves more food self-reliant and cut down on shipping costs of food? Are millions of new community and backyard gardens in our future? I’d love to see a state-wide or bioregion-wide analysis done of how we currently use our land and other resources and plug in possible weather events into the equation. I’m sure that would shed light on how prepared we will be for any future contingencies.

Will we learn from the current weather event? I suggest we treat it not like a “100 year event” but plan for the possibility that it may happen again next week, and next year. Let’s plan for the future not be run over by it.

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I posted this article on Daily Kos and there have been 100+ comments in one day. It’s a very interesting discussion of this topic. I highly recommend giving it a read – some very cool analysis, ideas, links and videos on the topic.

1. Saturday, January 28th – house concert with Jonah Matranga from California.  8pm – $10-ish donation-style, good times for all. Hear Jonah’s music @

• http://jonahmatranga.com/yard-sale
• http://facebook.com/jonahmusic
  http://youtube.com/jonahmatrangadotcom

2. Monday, February 20th, 7:30pm.  Mother: Caring for the 7 Billion – showing at the Hollywood Theater with discussion about film.  - Free - http://motherthefilm.com

3. Saturday/Sunday March 3-4 10am-5pm – SE Artwalk – Wileyware (earrings, glassware, candleholders, buttons and Marcia Wiley in person!) showing at KORU House, 1704 SE 22nd, More information about the art walk at http://www.seportlandartwalk.com/

4. Saturday, March 10th, 8:30am-1pm – Friends of Trees Tree planting – Irvington.  Meet at Holliday Park Church of God at 21st and Tillamook, NE.  Music by the Ten Spiders, bring blank t-shirts and tote bags for silk-screening.  Breakfast and lunch provided – and are usually both very hearty! More info at http://albertideation.com/2011/10/21/irvington-friends-of-trees-2012-planting-coming-soon/

4. Saturday, March 25th, 7pm – House Concert with Dana Lyons at the Happy Clam, 7pm  Also featuring discussion by local anti-corporate activist Paul Cienfuegos

Hope your Winter is going well!  Stay warm and dry!

Albert 

Blueoregon also has a presence on Facebook.  Why am I writing like Ernest Hemingway? Perhaps, too much Moon Over Paris…

A great resource for media/political/social science jobs in Portland is Mac’s List

Happy Holidays – here’s a little musical holiday gift from me to you:

For starters, right now I’m listening to a special feed from Folkalley.com – a great folk music station that I listen to, often. Their regular stream is great and the holiday stream is lovely, too.  I grew up listening to folk music and this station reminds me of a program we listened to on Sunday nights called “Music You Can’t Hear on the Radio”.

 http://www.folkalley.com/holiday/

Jazz: my favorite jazz station is KMHD. It’s a Portland, Oregon station, and they stream on the web, too.  One of the best radio stations in the world.  I particularly enjoy the Divaville show!

Grateful Dead and Jam Bands: nugs.net!  As a card-carrying Deadhead (first show Philly’s Spectrum in 1976!) this station fills my need for the latest and past gems of the Jam-Band world. Click on the Free Stream on the top right of the site.

Groove Salad!

Groove: electronica/trance – Groove Salad on SomaFM.  Thanks to Alex Kain for turning me onto GrooveSalad over 6 years ago.  It’s a station I turn to whenever I want a delicious mix of groovy beats and electronica.

Radio Paradise. This station is an eclectic mix of rock n’ roll, upbeat folk-rock and everything else good in those worlds. I love the people involved who are always giving away tickets to Costa Rica and sound like they’re on a happy cloud, generally.

Last, but not least, a quick mention of Spotify which we play in our office (either that or Pandora). I’ve just recently gotten turned onto Spotify, but it’s like having all of the world’s music loaded into your iTunes at once. You can search for any artist and generally find something. You can also search for a specific song (something you can’t do on Pandora..) and make your own set lists and do more research-oriented listening. If you pay their monthly fee, there are no commercial interruptions (or, you can be clever and download Mutify (PC), or Smutify (MAC), to mute the commercials). It’s an incredible resource if you’re interested in expanding your musical horizons and hearing and sharing what you find.

I wish you a fantastic musical holiday season.

Peace,

Albert Kaufman

For a comparison between different email marketing programs, click here.

I took part in a show with Jim Lockhart and Richard Carpenter recently to discuss population growth and other environmental issues.  I got to be the star and so thought I’d put this out into cyberspace for my own record of my current thinking and hopefully to entertain and enlighten others.  Let me know what you think.

http://youtu.be/bfA44l5R6Xw

When I entertain, I really like to have time to talk to people and enjoy myself. What helps me do that is guests who make themselves feel at home. They can do that by: looking first and asking questions second. The attitude I’d love people to have is that my house is their house (mi casa, su casa!) and that if they need anything they can search for it themselves before asking me. Here are some easy things that any guest has permission to find in my house (and perhaps yours): a corkscrew, the bathroom, a lighter, any kinds of dishes; handtowels; a blanket; etc. That’s the first step in lessening the burden/distraction level for the host – look for things yourself first and assume that your host would much rather be having a great conversation than answering your location question.

Second, come to the event early and ask if there is anything you can do to help set up. Better yet, come early and just start jumping in and doing the obvious. Does it look like the tables and chairs are set up for maximum flow? If not, move them so they are. Are the dishes done? If not, do them. Is there a last minute need that the host has – ask and then run out and get the order filled.

Are you shy? Are you nervous at parties? Well, getting there early and adding your sweat and energy into getting things in order will help make you feel more a part of things and your host will love you for it. Also, there’s an old marxist saying that if you put your labor into something it’s more yours. True here, too.

Some more things you can do to make the party flow better – act like the host. Feel free to play greeter and be close to the door. When people come you can welcome them, take their coats, and take any food or drink they’ve brought and bring it to where it needs to go. Imagine how much more ease you’ll create by doing this. How’s the music? How’s the lighting? How’s the ambiance? How’s the temperature? These are all things that the host may or may not be good at and/or might be too busy to mind. Feel free to adjust.

When more visitors start taking on the attitudes and actions outlined above, gatherings will surely go better. I’ve been taking on this attitude for years and I think it’s helped the hosts of events I’ve attended have a much better time. And when the host is having a good time it gives a signal to everyone that it’s time to have a good time.

Feel free to try this out over this holiday season and let me know how it goes. If you have any questions, please ask and if you have any further suggestions, leave a comment. Thanks!

Albert