Nationwide Bomb Scare Begins at the Sandy Safeway

For nearly a week now, the Safeway in the small city of Sandy, Oregon has drawn quite a bit of attention. A string of national bomb scares aimed towards obtaining a wire transfer began with a phone call to the Sandy Safeway. The caller seems to be aware of the movements inside the businesses, leading officials to believe that the people behind the threats could have hacked into the video surveillance systems. There have been 15 stores in 11 states that have received similar threats, sparking an ongoing federal investigation.

Sandy is less than 10 miles north-west of the comfortable place that this blog calls home, nestled on the flanks of majestic Mt Hood. Sure there are common small town issues in the growing, yet friendly and family oriented town, but the recent events raise many questions about how safe it is in any city of town in the United States. Although most people don't put too much worry into the overall safety of each individual community, the fact remains that none of us are a small speck on the map anymore. The beautiful and serene landscapes of the scenic Mt Hood area are not immune to the troubles of modern day terrorism. In these times, no city has such immunity.

Oregon's Governor Calls Oregonians to the Food Stamp Challenge

Oregon's Governor is taking action against Oregon's hunger issues. In a move to bring more awareness to Oregon's hunger issues, Governor Kulongoski has gone on the food stamp diet, or as he's calling it, the Food Stamp Challenge. In 2002, Oregon's hunger rate was among the highest in the nation. Governer Kulongoski pledged to help end Oregon's hunger problems, and he's taking a more public stand against the problem.

Using the same amount that the average food stamp recipient would receive on food stamps - just $21 - the Governor shopped at a Salem Fred Meyer's grocery store for his week's worth of food. Of course, since he and his wife share the same meals, together they are allowed $42 total for the week. Some of the items that he chose to buy with his tiny budget were a 5-lb. sack of potatos, three cups of instant noodle soup, two zucchini, a bunch of bananas, one whole chicken, one gallon of milk, granola, bread, peanut butter and jelly. Among the items that the first lady Mary thought to have on hand: Coffee, eggs, lettuce, onions, and pesto. He reportedly had to put back a few bananas and one of the noodle soups to stay under the budget.

If you live in the local Mt. Hood area, you know how tough it gets for some people. Here in the corridor, there is only one place people can go for extra food, and that's visit the Sandy Community Action Center. They give food boxes to families in need once a month, and participate in the Community Basket program that offers fresh fruits and vegetables from local farmers on the third Thursday of each month. Some local residents spend hours collecting cans from campgrounds and parking lots, just to earn extra cash to make ends meet. You can donate directly to the Action Center, or to the Oregon Food Bank if you want to help. For those of you who wish to participate even further, you can take the Food Stamp Challenge as well!

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budget, diet, food, food stamps, government, hunger, Oregon, Portland

Wilderness Survival Spring Hiking Tips

As winter fades away, we tend to forget the dangers that are present when going on hikes in the spring. Rain and ice are still a very real danger during this time of year, but the deceivingly clear skies tend to fool us into thinking it's warm outside. Protect yourself, and be prepared for either winter weather, or spring sunshine. A wise man I know says, "It's Oregon, bring your sunglasses and your umbrella." Remind yourself of the following when traveling, hiking or biking in the forest:

• Tell someone else where you are going, so that if there is trouble - someone will know where to begin looking for you.
• Bring a backpack with your basic needs.
• Know what your plan is if the weather turns bad quickly, as it often does in the spring.
• Bring something plastic to cover yourself with, such as a poncho, large trash bag, or tarp in case you are caught in the rain while in a wide open space with little or no cover available.
• If there is a chance of rain, avoid lower-elevation hikes that run along the rivers to lessen the chance of being caught in swelling waters or flooding.
• Stay on logging roads or well traveled back-roads if you are driving.
• Use 4-wheel drive on dirt roads where puddles could be thick mud, and many times are deeper than they appear.
• Be prepared for snow, ice, freezing water, hail, and bright sun. Around here, you could see it all in one day. Night tempuratures are still below freezing in many areas.
• Higher elevations are still snowy and icy, and some roads are still closed - Even if they are not marked as closed, some roads are simply located in higher elevations, and could be blocked by snow. Many roads are not plowed all winter, and could pose a serious threat to people stuck in their vehicle in the snow.
• Studded snow tires are no longer allowed for normal driving at this time of year. If you are driving in higher elevations, and you come across snow on the road, do not continue to rise in elevation without proper equipment to deal with snow.

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mountain life, mountains, Oregon, outdoors, people, safety, snow, trip planning, vacation, weather, wilderness survival, winter

Why are Oregonians Such Passive People?

This isn't a question I am intending to answer for anyone who is reading, but more of a question I am hoping will be answered by those who read this. I really don't understand, although I am from the state that Oregonians hate the most, California. I have lived in Oregon on and off for several years, and my family came across the old Oregon Trail, and I have some family and friends here in Oregon. However, I am increasingly disturbed by the passiveness of the residents here, and wish people would take more of a stand against the things that are wrong.

How about the Kaady shooting in Sandy? (You can read either Portland Independent Media Center or Clackamas county sheriff's version, but either way, it boils down to this: A young guy caught himself and his car on fire while transporting a gallon of gas and smoking a cigarette, and while struggling and burning in his car he swerved and hit at least two other cars. The pain of his burns caused him to take off his burning clothing, but he had severe burns and melted skin on his body. He then ran down the road, where he was chased, suffered a physical confrontation by the relative of one of the driver's he ran into, and was then subject to a run-in with the police. They didn't help him though, instead they viewed him as "non-compliant" because he didn't lay his burned, melted skin onto the dirt and gravel road, so they tased him multiple times, but because his nerves were burned the tasers had little to no effect, and they shot him multiple times, killing him before they even knew he had been injured. The officers were considered innocent of any wrong-doing, or use of excessive force. Why aren't people getting more pissed off about this - it could have been any one of us who drive through Sandy on a regular basis!! Or maybe not, could it have been his "terrorist-like" skin or hair type, whatever that means, but I've heard it used as an excuse for the brutal execution of the young man, who's past proves him to have been an excellent role model for young kids to follow, except for the fact that he ran out of gas earlier that night, and borrowed a family member's car to go fill up a portable tank of gas, and the poor choice to light a cigarette.

But before Igo too far on how I feel about that shooting, or the other police shootings on unarmed civilians, I should share the scoop on healthcare. If you are over the age of 18, there is no health care option, unless you purchase a plan like the well-paid workers with full benefits. While the emergency room cannot refuse to save your life, they are under no obligation to actually help, and they make you feel as if there is nothing that they can do to help you. I wonder how it feels as a doctor to use the words "I'm sorry, there's nothing I can do," for a simple throat infection...but hey, they get paid the big bucks to tell me that. Their reasoning is that they are not a family doctor, they aren't able to make those determinations. Wow - I didn't realize that the same person who could save my life if I am in a catastrophic accident could not understand the complex nature of infected glands, in order to prescribe an antibiotic. Either way, they billed me for the conversation. I wish someone would pay me $100 a word to say things that mean nothing.

So I understand why Oregonians are so hostile towards Californians, part of it is because they sue people, they fight, they stand up for their rights, (and most of them have little respect for the nature of the land.) I guess that's a valid point, although all of their fighting, suing, and standing up for rights has awarded Californians a guaranteed health care program available to all families, and they have successfully set examples of how to fight against racist cops and police brutality, and win.

Alright, I'll stop...for now.

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current events, health, history, news, opinions, Oregon, people, police, Portland

Tips for Surviving Cold Weather in the Wilderness

Mt. Hood is the most climbed mountain in the United States, but that doesn't mean it's a walk in the park. As we saw with the three missing climbers who tackled the mountain in early December, even experienced climbers can lose their lives if things go wrong. There have been six deaths on Mt. Hood this winter season, but in the past one hundred years, there have been over 130 deaths. Mt. Hood is not considered to be an extremely difficult climb, many beginners summit the mountain, but the weather can change in an instant, leaving climbers in white-out conditions with zero visibility, and no safe way to descend. There may come a time when knowing what to do when faced with below freezing conditions could keep you alive long enough to be rescued.

There are some key factors that will prevent loss of body heat, which is one of the first concerns when exposed to the freezing elements. You can loose 40-45% of your body heat through your head. A simple beanie can help keep the heat circulating through your body, adding a protective layer between your brain, and the harsh elements at hand, but the better your head gear, the less heat you'll lose. But too many layers and you may sweat, which in freezing conditions, could mean death. Besides the head, keeping the neck, chest, wrists, and ankles warm helps to keep the blood supply warm. Shelter provides an escape from the elements, as well as additional protection against loss of body heat.

Keeping warm and dry are essentials when facing cold tempuratures. When clothing gets wet, body tempuratures can drop 25 times faster. If your clothing becomes wet, it is better to strip them off and dry them, which would require building a fire or other heat source to quickly dry your wet clothing. Take great care not to allow your body to overheat, which will also produce dampened clothing. Once clothing is wet, freezing to death becomes a very real possibility.

In an attempt to hydrate the body, many people would instinctively eat snow. The logic is that snow will melt into water in the mouth. However, eating snow will actually cause you to lose more body heat, and it is highly recommended that you melt the snow and drink the water. Use ice if it's available, because ice melts faster and produces more water than snow. If you have a fire and a tin can, melting ice would be easiest, but you can also use a water bag between the layers of your clothing if you must keep moving or there is no fire.

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hiking, mountain life, mountains, Mt Hood, Oregon, outdoors, safety, ski, snow, snowboard, trip planning, weather, wilderness survival, winter

How to Start a Fire in the Wilderness

One of the most important things to know when venturing out into the wilderness is how to start a fire. It can be your key to survival if you are ever lost, especially during the winter. If your clothing becomes wet, it might be the only way you can dry your clothes, and without it, you will loose body heat about 25% quicker than if you were dry. But what if you are without matches or a lighter? Would you be able to start a fire if your life depended on it? Well, here are some basic tools you could create sparks and build a fire, especially if you lack common ignitors. Once you have sparks landing on your kindling, cup your hands around it and blow gently to fuel the smoldering embers.

Tinder and Kindling

• Birch shavings are one of the best natural sources, and easy to burn.
• Cedar shavings, twigs, and dry grasses also work well.
• Plan ahead and dip cotton balls in Vaseline and store them in a film container or other waterproof airtight container.
• A tampon - believe it or not - can be used for several fires when torn into smaller pieces.
• Paper, small twigs, bark, wood shavings, and gasoline are all flamable, cloth, lint, some are more flamable than more than others.

Create Sparks to Ignite fire

• Steel and Flint - Strike the flint against the curved steel, aiming your sparks at your dry kindling until the tinder ignites.
• Quartz, agate, or jasper rocks can also create sparks in the same way as steel and flint when struck with the back side of a pocket knife blade.
• Remember, your best bet for fire is a lighter or matches. Matches can be waterproofed by dipping them in nail polish. Bring them in doubled plastic zip-locking bags.
• If you are stuck with your car nearby, use the gasoline to dampen a rag, and produce sparks using the car battery.
• Concentrating the sun's rays through a magnifying glass can produce a small heated dot, which can then start a fire. Move the magnifying glass up and down or tilt it to concentrate the rays into the smallest dot possible, the smaller the dot, the hotter and more concentrated the rays will be.
• Empty lighters can create sparks.

Practice and Preparation

It would be very wise to try a few of these on your own, before having to depend on learning it in the wilderness. The more prepared you are, the better your chances for survival become. It never hurts to build a fire once or twice using any of the above materials, and see how well you do, and how fast you do it. Don't get caught outdoors without at least one of the items listed below, or you could find yourself in a bad situation.

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hiking, mountain life, mountains, outdoors, safety, wilderness survival

Wilderness Survival - Basics For Your Backpack

This is the beginning of a survival series we are working on. Since this is just the first post in an up coming series of posts, I'll stick to the very basics with a few tips, and get into some of the more detailed survival techniques in the posts to come. With the recent deaths in the Oregon wilderness, survival education seems an important part of winter travel. But survival techniques are an essential for any outdoor trip, as any time you are away from direct contact with other people - you should be well prepared for the possibility of emergency situations. Anytime you leave civilization to venture out in to the wilderness, you should keep a few tools to ensure survival, even if you're only planning a short trip.

So let's start off with a few things you should always keep in your backpack - actually, that's the first thing you need, even for a short trip - a backpack. There are a few things that you'll actually never want to be without. They can make a huge difference in an emergency, and could be the difference between survival and a deadly situation. Sharp pocket knife

• Water proof matches or a lighter
• Small but durable flashlight and extra batteries
• Local area map and compass
• Protien rich snack foods
• First aid kit
• Plentiful supply of fresh drinking water

We'll explore the backpack one would pack for an extended stay in the wilderness in a later post, but for now we've just covered a few basics for packing up for a very short trip, such as a hike or day trip. This is just a small basic list, and there are many other things a person could carry with them to ensure safety either in bad weather or if one gets lost. We'll cover those in a later post as well. I'm sure there are some of you that would have much to say about items that are necessary in a day hiker's backpack - so take advantage of the comments and tell us what you would want in your backpack.

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hiking, mountain life, mountains, outdoors, safety, wilderness survival

Tips for Planning Your Winter Weekend Getaway

If there's one thing all the locals know, it's the patterns of tourists, skiers, snowboarders, and outdoor enthusiasts that frequent the area. We know when the traffic will get heavier, we know what types of trouble travelers end up in, and the common mistakes that they make - because we've seen it all before. Now it's time to share the knowledge!

First thing, and most common, is that many people drive too far to be able to get their snow-parks passes and fishing licenses, and then find themselves having to drive back down the mountain to get them, wasting valuable fishing, hiking, and snow time. Although you can get them many places throughout the mountain area, high traffic weekends can cause many local vendors to run out. If you know you need one before you leave, stop at the first place you see that has them advertised. You can buy a snow-park pass at Hoodland Thriftway, but the fishing licenses are sold at the local fly fishing shop just west of the grocery store. However, your best bet is to buy them in Sandy, because if for any reason there is a shortage of passes up on the mountain, you certainly don't want to have make a 15 mile trip back to Sandy from Welches. If you make it all the way to Government Camp without your passes, and if you can't find one up there, you'll be forced to drive nearly 30 miles back to town.

Fred Meyers is the last stop for guaranteed clothing, although there are a few stops along the way that may have a few t-shirts and sweatshirts on sale as souveniers. Although there is also the occasional deal on pajama bottoms, throws, and jackets for sale outside of Hoodland Thriftway, but don't forget your underwear or shoes - because you just won't find those on the mountain. The thing is, Sandy is considered the gateway to Mt. Hood, and for good reason. It's not that you can't get to the mountain using other routes, or that Sandy is trying to promote itself as a city, it really is the last stop before you get out into the national forest areas, and there just isn't much in the way of shopping on the mountain. Let's face it, most people don't go up to Mt. Hood to shop.

Getting a place to call home for the weekend can present a whole new challenge on busy weekends. Many places are booked up in advance, but even if you plan to stay in one of the resorts, you will end up paying a pretty penny for your stay. If you're skiing or snowboarding, you might be able to find a few packaged deals, such as your room and lift tickets combined into one good price. But if you have other plans, and aren't going to use the lifts, you may wish to cut costs, and to add to the experience of staying up in the mountain area by renting a cabin for the weekend, or even sharing one with other travelers to save money. Many of them are beautifully furnished to sleep six to ten people comfortably, separate rooms, and a large number of them feature jacuzzis or hot tubs for those who love to snuggle up on those cold winter nights. Most of them are about $99 a night, but that's a steal compared to some of the prices to stay in the resorts or the typical hotel-type visit. For some really great deals on cabins last minute, check the vacation rentals on Craigslist or Mt. Hood Info.

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mountains, Mt Hood, Oregon, trip planning, vacation, winter

Sled Safety Could Save Lives

There's been a lot of snow all over the Pacific Northwest, and Portland area had plenty fun places to take a sled, tobagan, or snowboarding and skiing on the mountain. For some reason, there were also quite a few snow accidents that came with the fresh powder dropped on the area. This is no different than it has been over many years, I had a few accidents as a kid that ended with hospital visits and a few broken bones here and there. But there were some real tragedies this year around the area.

• There was a 17-year old who was stabbed over a misguided snowball during a youthful snowball fight near a street when the packed snow hit a passing car.
• There was a 9-year old girl who died while being pulled on an intertube by her dad's truck when she struck a brick bench.
• A 14-year old boy was pinned under a car for several minutes after sledding into the road.
• And what the heck are these Portland drivers doing? (Video - courtesy of YouTube...)

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mountain life, mountains, Oregon, outdoors, safety, winter

We Still Have a Long Way to Go 40-Years After Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. brought to the forefront of America the problems and issues of racism and segregation. Walking the streets of our country today, we can see that the issue of race is still very alive today, and segregation is still very much a part of our modern society. While we may not have forgotten the man who proved to be one of the bravest and most outspoken figures in American history, there are many in our midst that have forgotten the importance of his hope and dreams.

His message was clear in that time, but today we still have as much to learn from Dr. King as we did during every one of his peaceful protests and profound speeches. He said that he had a dream that one day little black boys and girls would be able to walk hand in hand with little white boys and girls, which in many areas of the country we can see on a regular basis. But he also expressed a longing for love towards fellow man, and the need for creating a sense of community among the people, so that these color-lines would no longer pose an issue for anyone. He bravely showed the people of America that it was possible to change the way things are, even if you are just one person. He taught us that no one single person is too insignificant to fight against what we believe is wrong, and to stand up for what we believe is right.

I grew up in Los Angeles, side by side with people of all colors, and people from many different countries. Racism was not only present, but dictated the actions and opinions of many. I since lived in many areas of the west coast, from California to Washington, large cities and small towns, and so many between, and have seen the evidence that government imposed segregation has become self-segregation. That rules and regulations regarding the color of people has morphed into a strange world of police brutality, racial profiling, and senseless killing. That the struggle to create equality among people has turned into a competitive drive to rise to the top. That the appeal for communities to come together and work towards a common goal has gotten lost in the fight for individual rights.

On this day, the birth date of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., it is my hope and dream that the children of today realize that each and every one of us has the ability to stand up for what we believe in, to fight for the rights of all humanity, to dream dreams and have hope that our actions can change the future, and to have the courage to speak out against the wrongs of the world of today. We all have a voice. We can make a change. But the changes that have the biggest impact and benefit the future of generations to come will be born out of love, hope, and the belief that we can be a better people.

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mountain life, mountains, Oregon, outdoors, safety, winter

Severe Weather Wreaks Havoc in the Northwest

Okay, a personal rant due to the recent weather events just may be in order here. I don't normally let a whole month go by without a post, but the weather really created problems for many internet users throughout the Mt. Hood area in the past few weeks. My last post, dated November 16th which was a lucky day for me, the only day out of a month long stretch that I was able to access the internet.

The first in a series of heavy weather systems that blew through the Pacific Northwest region knocked my internet service provider for a few days. My power went out for several hours, and when it came back on, my modem was malfunctioning. I replaced the modem, thinking that this would solve the problem, but the replacement was not nearly as good as the V.92 modem that lost functionality. But replacing the modem still didn't allow me to get online, and my computer was beginning to malfunction as well. So, after several weeks of checking settings, replacing phone lines, power cords, and a friendly visit from the local phone company, I managed to obtain a very slow internet connection, (most of the areas between Sandy and Government Camp lack DSL, so I make due with dial-up for now.)

After doing a Google search on the November storms in Oregon, and reading a few local blogs, I realized that I was not the only one suffering internet complications. But I guess I should be satisfied that I could gain access to the internet once again, right? Anyone else waiting as impatiently as I am for DSL to arrive in the Mt. Hood corridor? Being reduced to dial-up after living in high-tech speedy Los Angeles, it's a little like going from watching a DVD to the days of my father and his picture slide shows! I guess I'll just keep waiting...

Winter Preparation and Fire Safety

The rain is here, the temperature has dropped, and it's a great time to gear up, stock up, and get ready for colder weather. This is a great time of year to make sure that you have everything that you will need for the winter, and be prepared before the cold season sets in. This can include checking your winter heating supplies, whether you need wood - or simply turning on your heating elements to check if everything is in working order.

Since the first really cold nights are when most people discover that there heating source is either broken or weak, it's generally a good idea to turn it on a few times before the heart of winter sets in, especially if you live in an area that packs a thicker blanket of snow. Of course there are no guarantees as to when an appliance or heating element can go out, making sure that it is not out now is a good idea. Chances are that if you can run your heater for a few hours with no problems, it will run for a good long time. Make sure that you clean the dust and cobwebs out of any vents before running it for the first time, as these can add to fire dangers. Remember the chimney project you've been meaning to work on? Now is the best time to take care of things like that, before the fire danger becomes an issue. Cleaning out any debris that has collected, and cleaning out the "soot" or creosote that builds up in the pipes can prevent a deadly and fast burning attic fire.

Make sure that all of your smoke detectors are present and working. There should be at least one for every bedroom in the home, plus at least one more near the main area of the house. If you don't have at least this many, you should get some. Having working smoke detectors can make all the difference in the world when a fire breaks out while the residents are asleep. Be sure that all escape routes are well known in the household, and that all exits are free and clear of stored items or debris. Again, this is one safety precaution that could help you escape danger.

With the recent rains, this is a great opportunity to check the seals on windows for any water leakage, check the attic for any indication of a leaky roof (before it saturates your attic!) Warm the house and then run your fingers along the windows and doorjams to check for cool air entering your home - this can save you hundreds of dollars over the course of one winter!

Jobs in Oregon Part Two

In my earlier post on Jobs in Oregon, I mentioned that I would post a few tips on ways to earn some money at home, or telecommuting. While there are some very lucrative "at-home careers", they take a bit of searching sometimes to come across. If you are already in good standing with a company that does most of the work on the computer, you may have the option of bringing some of that work home with you, if your boss approves the idea.

Another way to begin working at home is to advertise your specific skills on the internet, or on local bulletin boards such as at grocery stores, or in your local newspaper. You can provide services to either local businesses or residents in your area, such as accounting, painting, marketing, landscaping, whatever your area of expertise is, there is someone out there who needs it. All you have to do is get your name out there, and people will come to you. The thing to remember is that they can't call you if they don't know you are there.

Last of all, the internet. There are many ways to make money on the internet, such as eBay, MLM, selling advertising space on your webspace, and countless other ways. But to really make money on the internet, (other than landing a lucky $1.6 million deal with Google for your web ideas!!) you just have to put in a certain amount of research to match your skills with the telecommuting jobs that are out there. A great place to begin your search is on Craigslist, they have telecommuting jobs in their listings, as well as many employers who are hiring with consideration of allowing someone to work from their home. Don't think of it as less work, you still need to put in your eight hours a day most of the time to earn a steady paycheck, I mean - we're talking about working at home, not sitting on a beach in Tahiti sipping island drinks with little pink umbrellas in them, we're talking about earning an honest living from your home. Dreaming of ways to retire is a great way to set yourself up for accomplishment, but think realistically - the vast majority of people who work from their home are not the "internet gurus" they push in your face on late night tv, the only money they earn is the money you pay for your new "work at home program". So my biggest tip would be not to spend any money on people showing you how to earn full time pay for only two hours of work per week, but to actually seek out legitimate work that you can do from your home. Obviously if you work for Wal-Mart you can't take your job home, but possibly if you are an insurance agent, realtor, mortgage broker, attorney, notary, bookkeeper, writer, photographer, artist, craftsman, painter, or have other business skills, you could have a great future working from your home, or at least on your own schedule!

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jobs, Mt Hood, Oregon, people, Portland, students

Web Links for Jobs in Oregon

As a follow-up to my earlier post about jobs in Oregon, I have taken the time to gather some useful job-seekers links specifically for Oregonians. It is definitely easier to land a job in Oregon if you alter your standards for employment. Not lower your standards, just alther them to give you the ability to find work in a field that you are qualified for. It may not be your dream job, but from what I understand - it takes a few years to get your feet planted in some of the smaller communities of Oregon. If you have the freedom, consider working at home by either starting a business of your own, or joining forces with one of the many companies that offer "telecommute" jobs.

Here I will focus on a few of the best job sources for "traditonal" employment, where you leave the house and go to your place of work. In a later post, I will put more emphasis on telecommuting jobs and some tips on starting your own business.

Craigslist - This is a link directly to their "Oregon" area selections, so choose the area closest to you to arrive on the main page for your area. They are in most states and many countries.
OregonLive - The Job Seekers page on the Oregonian newspaper for the Portland Metro area.
WorkSource Oregon - The state of Oregon's Employment Development Jobs Page.
Oregon Jobs - Search job listings for employment with the State of Oregon.
Jobdango - Northwest job seeker's site for both Washington and Oregon.
Sandy Post - Serving the Sandy and Mt Hood areas of Oregon.
Greenlight Classifieds - Advertising local jobs for Multnomah, Clackamas, and Washington counties.

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Are There Jobs in Oregon?

I'm not originally from Oregon, and maybe that's why I've heard so much about this subject. I have lived off and on in Oregon for many years now, and in several different areas, both east and west of the Cascades. While it is true that in some areas of Oregon jobs are slim, but there are other areas where there seemed to be more jobs than people willing to take them. Or possibly that's part of the problem. It's like I've said before, successful people do the things that unsuccessful people are unwilling to do.

In this area, there are relatively few jobs available, and even fewer if you are ultra-selective about what you are willing to do for an honest paycheck. Sandy is a pretty decent sized community, with enough grocers, restaurants, and retailers to offer a good portion of local community employment, but to travel to the nearby city of Gresham opens up the doors of opportunity even wider. Of course, downtown Portland is a mere 30 minute drive for those up to the commute.

But here on the mountain, things are a little different. There are jobs here, but you just have to be willing to try new things. For example, there is new residential construction in Sandy almost on a consistent basis, which means a great deal of work for laborers. In Welches area, there are many restaurants and bars where locals can make a decent living bartending, serving tables, or as part of the kitchen crew. There are many cabins and vacation rentals needing cleaning crews. The local resorts are a great place for people to work in a professional service position, security, janitorial, and even a few basic medical positions. Of course, there are a large number of jobs available during the winter months as skiers and snowboarders fill the snowparks.

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jobs, Mt Hood, Oregon, people, Portland, students

Number of Meth Labs In Oregon Reducing

Over the past two years, the number of meth labs in the state of Oregon reflect a 79% reduction. Since October of 2004, new rules have gone into effect that have slowed the sale of pseudoephedrine (a typically over-the-counter drug commonly used in the production of methamphetamines) which may have had the effect lawmakers were hoping to see.

On the 15th of October in 2004, the Oregon Board of Pharmacy adopted a rule requiring PSE products (pseudoephederine) other than certain liquids and gel caps, be kept behind the counter. This ruling would also require that purchasers present a picture ID for the sale of the PSE products. The rule went into effect on May 14, 2005. By April 5, 2006 there was another ruling that a prescription is required for all PSE products, which went into effect on July 1, 2006.

During the period of November 2004 to May 2005, there were a total of 168 meth labs, an average of 24 per month, as compared with the year earlier in which there were a total of 284 meth labs, an average of 41 per month. In other words, a 41% reduction for the first seven months that the rule was in place. For the first year that the second ruling was in place there was a 79% reduction, with the number of meth labs dropping to an average of 8 per month.

There's More than One Volcano in Oregon!

Okay, so I’m sure I’m not the only one to surf the web and find some really aweful untruths! But this one really bothered me, more than usual - and I just had to share. So many people are convinced that if they read it on the internet - it must be true! How far from reality that train of thought has travelled - much of what you may read on the internet is regurgitated information originating from another source, either another website, blog, offline reference books, and even television.

Yesterday while surfing the net I found a website called America’s Stories, put out by the Library of Congress, in which people are invited to send in their “story” for online publication. I noticed a link that was titled, “A Volcano In Oregon” which brought me to the irritating story that prompted me to write this post.A little research of my own brought the real truth, which is that there are 17 major listed volcano regions in Oregon, and somewhere around 600 volcanoes in the state. So, either the writer of the story doesn’t live in Oregon - or that was just an exerpt from their new book, “Geology and Vulcanology for Dummies”. Most of their facts about Mt. Mazama were pretty close, and they managed to dig up an old photo of Crater Lake that appears to be one of the first pictures ever taken of the lake and Wizard Island. They did however display a great legendary photo of the lake and the island!