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fall fun guideamErIca’S gamE comINg to portlaND

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North america’s Earliest Beaver Discovered in oregon

Discover great places to Watch Wildlife in oregon

By Theresa Griffith, Contributing Writer

The music of Faire Haven has been described as rich, intriguing and hauntingly beautiful.

Local guitarist, Tom Wright, a seasoned musician from Parrish Gap was singing Faire Havens’ praises at one of their recent concerts in Albany. “These guys remind me of Jim Croce, as well as Crosby Stills and Nash,” he said. “I love the violin’s addition to their integral sound and their tight vocal harmony interactions are wonderful.”

As bass guitarist Sam Pearce lays down a solid foundation for the guitars and violin, they begin to weave a tapestry of sound which resembles the blending of several complimentary, pleasing aroma’s which combine to make up a rich bodied fine wine.

Faire Haven is a group of talented local artists, writers and composers comprised of James Bain, vocalist, songwriter, guitarist and bassist; Brian Coons, on guitar, violin, vocals and songwriting; Mark Skinner on rhythm guitar, guitar synthesizer and background vocals and rounding out the group is Sam Pearce. Sam, as bassist for the group, does an amazing job to pull the listener in and fill out the sound, even though they don’t have a drummer at present. He has worked with many musical groups over the years and also writes and performs solo at many venues in the Valley. In his solo gigs his primary instrument is keyboard, but he also plays drums. Band members say they feel lucky to have him as a part of the group.

Most of the songs for their concerts are original pieces. One, called “We Stand” can be heard on Indie Heaven Radio.Song writers Bain and Coons create a musical landscape with deeply expressive and poetic lyrics. A masterful use of complex chording ushers the listener into a unique soundscape, while the silky

smooth vocals satiate and delight the palate of the audience with creative word play.

Bain has played in many local working bands over the years and started writing about ten years ago.

Mark and James worked as a duo for a couple of years before adding the others to the group. Mark also designs their CD covers.

Brian Coons has led and been involved in various groups over the years, as well as recording sessions. He attributes his violin in teaching him to phrase sentences, craft melodies, and sing in such a way that connects hearts to the message in a song. In his words, “When I’m singing, playing violin or guitar, I love feeling the music and the message and persuading listeners to enjoy the journey and feel it too. I love the connection music creates between people who have never met, and the way it strengthens connections between people that are close friends.”

Brian also had this to say about the groups shared vision. “Music is a message, and sometimes a life lesson wrapped in emotions. It is more than a palette of sounds creatively woven together, and more than catchy phrases looped into pleasing tongue-twisters. While those are elements of good music, the reality and very essence of great music is the ability to captivate the listener and performer in one lovely dance by opening a window to the soul; a window not just for looking through, but one that creates messages and stories, answers to questions and thoughts to ponder; one that connects pleasing sounds and creative phrases with the emotions and passions that bind people together in life.”

And to that I say, Bravo, well said! From one who has experienced a concert of the fruit of their labors and savored their delicious offering, I would say that this band offers up an evening of skillful and delectable faire to satisfy almost any music lover.

Eat a day the Greek way! On Saturday, October 15 from 11am-7pm and Sunday, October 16 from 12pm-6pm St. Anne Orthodox Church will host the Mid-Valley’s eighth annual Greek Fest at historic Lewisburg Hall, 6000 NE Elliott Circle, Corvallis. The St. Anne Greek Fest is the only Greek Festival in the state outside of Portland. Proceeds from the event help pay for the renovation and maintenance of the historic Lewisburg Grange Hall.

Greek Fest will offer traditional Greek dinners, desserts, wine & spirits, crafts and Greek music and dancing. The menu includes chicken souvlaki, braised lamb with carrots and potatoes, pasticcio, spanakopita, mousaka, stuffed grape-leaves and tsatsiki. All foods are being prepared at the Lewisburg Hall up until the day of the festival. Complete dinners served with Greek salad, rice pilaf, hummus and pita bread will be offered for $13.00 per adult ($10 for senior citizens) and $8 per child. A la carte to-go items and Greek desserts will also be available, and there will be a separate “taverna” tent serving appetizers, Greek red wine, beer, ouzo and retsina. Desserts will include baklava, kourambiethes (butter cookies), melamakorona (honey cakes), Greek wedding cakes and paximathia (anise studded Greek biscotti).

Visitors will be welcome to tour the Grange Hall and the Orthodox Christian chapel located on the second floor. Tours

will be held every hour on the hour and will include an explanation of Orthodox iconography.

About the Chef

Lewisburg Hall private chef Mona Karadsheh Soot is once again heading up the culinary production of this year’s event. Ms. Soot and her staff have over 50 years of combined experience preparing and serving gourmet meals from Greece and the Middle East.

About the Grange Hall

Located near the intersection of Highway 99W and Lewisburg Road, the Lewisburg Grange Hall was originally built in 1910 as a train depot and merchantile. It was used by the railroad for only a short time before it was turned over to the local Mountain View Grange. The building was restored in the early 90’s by Tim and Linda Dodson. It was purchased in 2003 by St. Anne Orthodox Church and is rented out for parties, meetings and other special occasions.

About St. Anne Orthodox Church

Founded 21 years ago, St. Anne Church (www.staoc.org) was the first Orthodox Christian Church in the Mid-Valley and is comprised of people of American, Greek, Slavic/Russian, W. European, African, Korean, Chinese and Hispanic heritage. It is affiliated with the Orthodox Church in America (www.oca.org).

Music Review: “Faire Haven Band”

8th Annual GREEK FEST in LEWISBURG OCT. 15-16

The ABC House in Albany is hosting the runaway Pumpkin Half Marathon. The race will take place on October 29th in Lebanon, OR. The start and finish line will be located on River Drive at the North Cheadle Lake boat Ramp close to Mountain River Drive, it will follow the river along Berlin RD heading toward Mallard Creek Golf Course to Waterloo. For a complete course map visit www.runawaypumpkinhalf.org. Ed Boyd the Albany Chief of Police is going to run the Half-marathon. Boyd said, “I was impressed with what the

The Half Marathon Is On

ABC house does for abused children, my passion is working with kids.” Chief Boyd runs 3 – 4 marathons a year. Sgt. Jerry Drum is handling the patrol team and volunteering for traffic control. The race is expecting about 1500 runners.

The race entry fee is $65 until the race is full or October 7, whichever comes first. Each runner will receive a T shirt, a reusable goodie bag filled with gifts and coupons, and a finisher’s medal. All proceeds benefit the ABC House. If you haven’t signed up do so in the very near future. Have a great Race.

(Staff) - The fall brings beautiful new scents and sounds with crisp air, vibrant colors of leaves gently falling to the ground, crackling wood popping on campfires and the sweet smell of apples hovering in the kitchen.

To get the most enjoyment out of the fall months this year, venture out with your family and friends to enjoy some of these scents and sounds:

* Celebrate your favorite sport, family activity or just tailgate at any outdoor setting with finger foods that are quick cooking and easy-to-pack. Save on the utensils and use Old London Melba Snacks as the key ingredient to add any topper or perfect scoop for dip.

* Participate in a good cause. Fall is an excellent time to direct your energies and donations toward nonprofit organizations and charities. For example, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and you can participate in a fundraiser for any breast cancer organization or donate funds during this special month. Old London is helping to find a cure by donating $0.75 to Breast Cancer research for each proof of purchase from any Old London product received through Feb. 6, 2012. Enter the UPC at oldlondonfoods.com.

* Get lost in a corn maze. Fall is the perfect time for long walks because temperatures aren’t overbearingly hot and the humidity levels are much more tolerable. Dress appropriately for the cooler weather and see what fun you can have getting lost in a corn maze, or while taking an autumn nature hike.

* Feed the autumnal appetite. All of fall’s exciting activities will leave members of your family feeling voracious. Satisfy their hunger - and create a delicious smell in your house - with a fall favorite of Apple Pan Strudel with Dried Cherry Puree, which brings together classic fall flavors and spices in one delicious dessert.

Apple Pan Strudel with Dried Cherry Puree

Ingredients:For cherry puree1 cup dried cherries1 1/2 cups water 2 tablespoons kirsch (clear cherry brandy)

For pan strudel 3 cups 100 percent apple juice1 box of Old London Melba Toast Salt Free Whole Grain2 pounds various apple varieties (such as Braeburn, Granny Smith and Fuji), peeled, cored, sliced thin in a food processor1/4 cup fresh lemon juice1 cup sugar2 teaspoons ground cinnamon1 teaspoon ground ginger1/4 teaspoon allspice1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Directions:For cherry pureeCombine cherries and water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, and then simmer two minutes. Stir in kirsch (clear cherry brandy). Cool to lukewarm and puree in a blender.

For pan Strudel In a small bowl, mix sugar and spices, set aside. Mix apple and lemon juice in medium bowl. Add sugar spice mixture and toss to coat. Lay the Melba Toast in a single layer on a cookie sheet, and pour two cups of apple juice over each toast, allowing toasts to soak up the juice. In a separate 8x8 pan, cover the pan with a thin layer of apples. Using a spatula, lift the toast from the cookie sheet and place a single layer over the apples in the 8x8 pan. Repeat until layering process until done. Finish by spreading cherry puree over apples. Cover with one cup of apple juice poured evenly over finished pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Garnish with light whipped cream if desired.

The fall months are a perfect time to enjoy spending time with family and getting outside to enjoy the final warm days of the year. For additional recipes, visit Old London on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OldLondonFoods.

Article by Tom Wright I have known Greg Hlebechuk for several years. The first time I met him, I was impressed with the fact that I was talking to someone with the same entrepreneurial spirit that my own father had inspired in me. Here was a young man that had learned to like working for himself and had the ambition and drive necessary to go out and start his own company doing something he really enjoys to make that possible. In my personal experience, it is a small minority of people that have what it takes to even try that, much less succeed at it. Greg has done both. Greg graduated from Western Oregon University in 2008 with a degree in Education and a specialization in Health. He had worked his way through college painting houses in the summer and when he graduated, he was offered a position as a franchise owner for the company he had been working for. He worked in that capacity for College Pro Painters for three years before he made the decision to start his own painting company. I asked Greg what it was about painting houses that he liked so well that he would forgo a career in health education. He said he enjoys doing the actual painting work because he has had plenty of experience doing it and feels confident in his ability to provide a quality service to his customers, but that his greatest satisfaction comes from getting to know the people he is doing the work for. Meeting many different clients on a continuous basis in the course of doing business is a very satisfying and rewarding part of any business in which you meet a lot of people. Every person has a different story to tell, and a different background. If you really like people, as Greg does, this is what makes jobs like his fun. I learned from Greg that a job such as house painting, when you are the person talking face to face with every client and potential client, can pay this same reward as any other business in which you are

constantly meeting people. I was surprised to hear this was Greg’s reason for loving the painting business. I had never thought of it in those terms, but I get the same satisfaction for all the same reasons as the marketing manager and a feature story writer for this paper. Greg says that when he is interviewing with a potential client, he simply wants to get to know them, give them a chance to get to know him, and have them decide if he is the kind of person they want to help support by hiring him to do the work of painting their home. Painting houses properly is something that protects the most valuable asset which most people own. Greg hopes to explain to them that he has had enough years of experience and knows the preparation needed and painting processes and correct materials necessary to do the job well and in such a way that it will last for years to come. When he started his business, one of his goals was to give back to the community by creating at least one additional part-time position. This year, he actually created part-time jobs for two other people. Now he is helping others work their way through college, but he has the ability to supervise and oversee the work they are doing together to make sure the job is being done right. Providing a service performed with integrity was another motivating factor in his decision to start his own business. Exterior painting in Oregon is viable from May through September because of the weather. Greg keeps busy the other seven months of the year doing interior painting. We are going into winter now, so if you have some rooms, apartments, commercial property, or new construction that you would like to have painted by someone you can count on to do the job right, call Greg for an appointment and a free estimate. You will meet and get to know an interesting and valuable member of our local economy and give yourself an opportunity to get the quality service you want.

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PORTLAND – A new fossil find represents the earliest record of living beavers (Castor) in North America. A pair of teeth was found on BLM land near Dayville, Oregon by BLM staff during the course of their normal duties. These teeth come from the Rattlesnake Formation and are between 7 and 7.3 million years old. Worldwide, the earliest “true” beaver, as we would think of them today, comes from Germany, about 10 to 12 million years ago. These beavers then spread across Asia, and eventually crossed the Bering Land Bridge to North America. The new find helps resolve when beavers dispersed to North America from Asia, and when the two living species, the North American Castor canadensis and Eurasian Castor fiber, diverged. Previously, the earliest known records of living beavers in North America were from Nebraska, California, and northern Oregon, and date around 5 million years old. It is fitting that the earliest modern beavers are found in Oregon, since Oregon is the Beaver State; the beaver is the Oregon State animal, and the mascot of Oregon State University. The specimens will be going on display in the Thomas Condon Paleontology Center, at John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. The new find is described in an article appearing in the current issue of the Journal of Paleontology.

The fossil teeth found near Dayville, OR are almost identical to living beaver teeth, showing that the animal has changed very little in the last seven million years. This indicates that their appearance and role in the environment would have been the same in the past. Paleontologists have been studying John Day Basin for well over 100 years, but there is still much more to learn about Oregon’s past. John Day Fossil Beds National Monument includes many of the best studied sites, but the vast majority of fossil localities, including the one with these beaver fossils, are found on adjacent Bureau of Land Management administered lands. The National Park Service and the Bureau of Land Management have co-managed fossil resources in eastern Oregon under an agreement for 25 years, which has resulted in the John Day basin being regarded as one of the most important outdoor laboratories for understanding biological evolution and climate change over the past 40 million years. Such collaboration between federal agencies has allowed each to fulfill its mission of preserving important resources for future generations while facilitating important scientific research. New finds like this occur regularly, highlighting the importance of preserving fossils on public lands, which aids scientific research and allows the public to enjoy these valuable natural resources.

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A Dam Important Find! North America’s Earliest Beaver Discovered in Oregon

By RUTH SLANDERSExplorer Advice Columnist

Polishing The Boss’s AppleDEAR RUTH: I’m the top

salesman at a company where kissing up to the boss is out of control. Our new manager, a kid fresh from the big city, wears suspenders, button-down shirts and sunglasses around his neck. I took a look around today and noticed that a couple of office ‘yes men’ twice his age have copied this guy’s appearance right down to the Gap khakis. I do the work of two of these clones and get half the credit. Any advice before I quit and become a fur trapper? — Kissed Off, Albany

DEAR K’D OFF: You’re in a tough spot — just be glad the boss isn’t a woman, or you’d have an office full of cross-dressers! Young whippersnappers like your boss typically respond keenly to bootlicking minions, whose kissing-up can tilt the playing field against seasoned veterans like yourself. While you’re being mugged by the boss’s lackeys, they will ascend the corporate ladder and saw the rungs off. When it comes time to downsize, as it surely will under the leadership of Mr. Suspenders, he will recall your lack of vacuous adulation, which he mistakes for career-leaping conversation. To blow the whistle will expose your boss as a suckup and make you appear jealous of his lookalikes.

The only thing to do is to start dressing exactly like the Boy Wonder’s boss, Mr. Big. In the corporate world, you’ve got to know whose apple to polish. —Ruth

New-Leader RulesDEAR RUTH: I was recently

elected chairman of our homeowner’s association after several others turned the job down. I’ve always stayed out of the line of fire, but now I’m supposed to lead this group of quarrelsome neighbors. Many of these people are retired lawyers or college professors. How can I hold my own? — Pres.-Elect, Plush Gated Community

DEAR PREZ: Leadership takes three things: a big heart full of passion and core values; a spine, so you can stand up for what you believe in and take risks that are important; and brains. A big heart and strong spine are ultimately more important than intelligence, so don’t worry over the braniacs in your co-op. Whenever they start droning on about their opinion of the CC&Rs, make a big display of glancing repeatedly at your stopwatch, then pound the gavel like a borrowed mule at exactly three minutes. Be sure to smile and say ‘thank you.’ — Ruth

Opposites Attract, Or NotDEAR RUTH: I’m a divorcee

who’s been using the personal ads to find a man with similar interests, like baking, candles, scented water and cats. I think the last two guys who responded were gay. Should I be looking for my opposite, the yen to my yang, instead? — Yen To Love, Depoe Bay

DEAR YEN: Dating services often try to pair people with comparable goals, hobbies and tastes because such matches fail miserably, assuring the agency of a long, fruitless and therefore much more profitable search for a compatible mate. In your next personal ad, simply say you are a sex-starved divorcee who will entertain the correspondence of any suitor without prison tattoos. Stand back, dear, you’ll need a bigger mailbox!

TELL THE TRUTH RUTH

SALEM, Ore.—The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife today introduced a new Wildlife Viewing Map to help people learn where and when to see Oregon’s fish and wildlife species. The Google-based map is available via the ODFW website and details 235 great places to see wildlife in the state.

Through the Wildlife Viewing Map, viewers can discover where to see bald eagles, migrating snow geese and sand hill cranes as well as Oregon’s large mammals including black-tailed and mule deer and Rocky Mountain and Roosevelt elk. Tufted puffins, bighorn sheep and spawning salmon viewing sites are included.

Wildlife viewing from bird watching to tide pooling to mammal and amphibian viewing is a popular recreational activity in the state with about 1.7 million people participating each year. Watching wildlife is also an economic driver: Resident wildlife viewers contributed more than $1 billion to Oregon’s economy in 2008, the most recent year surveyed.

The new viewing map complements and extends ODFW’s current wildlife viewing products. The weekly ODFW Recreation Report includes current statewide viewing opportunities. The Oregon Viewing Facebook page offers followers a status update on native species.

The Willamette Valley has many places that offer great angling for warm water fish species, such as largemouth bass, yellow perch, bluegill, brown bullhead and crappie. Typically the best fishing is from late spring to mid fall while water temperatures are warm. Tactics such as casting or trolling lures, jigging baits near bottom or using the traditional bait and bobber technique are all productive from either a boat or from shore. Below is a list of ponds, lakes and streams that offer warm water angling opportunities.

BENTON COUNTY

Adair Pond – 6 acres; Hwy. 99W south of Adair Village at ODFW regional office. Largemouth bass, redear sunfish, bluegill, channel catfish. This pond was recently dewatered to replace a broken standpipe. Part of the earthen dam had to be replaced in the process. The pond will be refilled and restocked once the fall rains begin.

E.E. Wilson Pond – 8 acres on E.E. Wilson Wildlife Management Area east of Hwy. 99 W between Corvallis and Monmouth. Redear sunfish, stocked trout.

LANE COUNTY (Eastern portion)

Cottage Grove Ponds – a series of 6 ponds totaling 15 acres, accessed from behind the weigh station on Row River Road about 1.5 miles east of Cottage Grove. Largemouth bass, bluegill and bullhead. Rainbow trout stocked in spring.

Cottage Grove Reservoir – 1150 acres about 6 miles south of Cottage Grove on London Road. Largemouth bass, brown bullhead, crappie and bluegill. Cutthroat and rainbow trout also available. Rainbow trout stocked in spring. See current Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations for health advisory for this waterbody. Only bass less than 15 inches in length may be taken.

Creswell Pond (Garden Lake) – visible on the east side of I-5 at Creswell, in Garden Lake Park. Largemouth bass, bluegill, and bullhead. Rainbow trout stocked in

spring. This pond becomes heavily vegetated by spring and can be difficult to fish.

Dexter Reservoir – 1000 acres 13 miles east of I-5 on Hwy 58. Largemouth and smallmouth bass, brown bullhead, and crappie (bluegill can be found in isolated bays). Northern pikeminnow plentiful. Rainbow trout stocked in spring and early fall.

LINN COUNTY

Cheadle Lake – Located in downtown Lebanon, this waterbody features excellent populations of bass, as well as bluegill up to 8 inches and crappie up to 15 inches and brown bullhead. A boat ramp and disabled access platform and a trail along a good portion of the lake is available. A new R&E funded pump should stabilize water levels throughout the year. To get there, take Russell Lane off Main Street and take a right on River Road.

MARION COUNTY

Mission Lake – 40 acres; about 5 miles north of Keizer in Willamette Mission State Park. White crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass, black crappie.

Santiam River – From confluence with Willamette River upstream to Jefferson. Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass.

St. Louis Ponds – 7 ponds comprising 54 acres; 2 miles west of Gervais on the west side of I-5 freeway. No boats allowed. Special regulations apply. Bluegill, channel catfish, largemouth bass, redear sunfish, green sunfish, white crappie, black crappie.

Walter Wirth Lake – 20 acres; Cascade Gateway Park in Salem. Largemouth bass, bluegill, brown bullhead, channel catfish.

Woodburn Pond – 14 acres; east of I-5 from Woodburn north on Boones Ferry Road to Crosby Road, then north on Edwin Road to the pond. Largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, white crappie, channel catfish.

Wildlife Viewing as Economic Driver in Oregon In 2008, the most recent year surveyed, Oregonians spent $1.02 billion on wildlife viewing, including day trips, overnight travel and equipment. (Source: Dean Runyan survey: Fishing, Hunting, Wildlife Viewing, and Shellfishing in Oregon 2008 State and County Expenditure Estimates, May 2009.) The report is available on ODFW’s website.About Oregon’s WildlifeAbout 140 terrestrial mammal species, 30 amphibian species and 30 reptile species live in Oregon. About 275 species of birds breed in the state and another 85 migrate through or spend the winter here. Gray whales migrate off shore and coastal tide pools reveal the secrets of the sea floor. Salmon return from the ocean to spawn in the streams where they hatched, providing a view of an amazing life cycle. Learn where to see them on the ODFW Viewing Map on ODFW’s website, http://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/viewing/wildlife_viewing_map.asp Oregon Wildlife Viewing on FacebookThe Oregon Conservation Strategy promotes conservation of the state’s native fish and wildlife and their habitats, providing information, identifying key issues and recommending actions.

This and other high resolution photos of Oregon’s wildlife are available on

ODFW’s Flickr site

ODFW Fishing ReportDiscover Great Places to Watch Wildlife in Oregon

Photo ODFW/Flickr

Photo ODFW/Flickr

WARMWATER FISHING

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The latest location of Laughing Planet Café, the socially and sustainably-minded Portland-based chain, opened their doors in downtown Corvallis in mid-May. The new restaurant, managed by partner John Huyck, former owner and chef of popular Bombs Away Café, employs 23 people and is located in the previous Hise Studio location, next to long-time Second Street resident Peak Sports. The space was remodeled into a hip two-level eatery with outdoor seating on Second Street and

a new balcony overlooking Riverfront Commemorative Park to the back. Laughing Planet also has six locations in Portland and two in Eugene offering burritos, bowls, soups, salads, smoothies, juices and homemade cookies. The company is committed to all-natural, clean, sustainable ingredients and friendly service, offering quick, healthy, and fresh options in a comfortable environment as well as for people on the go. For more information on the cafes, see

www.laughingplanetcafe.com.

LAUGHING PLANET OPENS NEW LOCATION

A Consumer Reports’ investigation found that consumers renting electronics and other appliances from Rent-A-Center and other rent-to-own merchants could pay interest rates of up to 311 percent.

Consumer Reports recently examined offers at several rent-to-own merchants and found that you can easily end up paying two to three times the amount it would cost to buy an item outright from a traditional retailer. CR found deals including a $600 computer that would cost nearly $1,900 after less than a year’s worth of payments and a $1,000 clothes washer/dryer combination costing $2,700 out of pocket after two and half years at an interest rate of 100 percent.

“For low-income families, rent-to-own deals with low payments for big-ticket items like flat screen TVs may seem enticing, but in the end, they wind up costing much more than buying the item outright,” said Anthony Giorgianni, Associate Editor, Consumer Reports. “If you’re among them, find alternatives, including postponing purchases until you can better afford them.”

The rent-to-own industry has more than four million customers, and its approximately 8,600 stores in the U.S. and Canada generate $7 billion in annual sales. The lure of stores such as Aaron’s and Rent-A-Center is that you can acquire a new or used washing machine, television, or bedroom set right away, typically without a credit check and with relatively low weekly or monthly payments.

The agreement is generally on a week-to-week or month-to-month basis, and you can return an item and walk away without penalty and without damaging your credit score, as you would if you were late on a traditional loan payment. If you make all your payments, you’ll own the item at the end of the term. But of course, there’s a downside.

Some rent-to-own stores have also been accused of engaging in questionable business practices including aggressive collection tactics, failing to disclose prior damage to rented property, and instructing employees to begin collection calls before the actual due date of the first payment. Concerns about industry practices have led most states to regulate the industry, with the rent-to-own industry itself endorsing some laws. Most of the statutes mandate disclosures, prohibit unreasonable fees and the imposition of mandatory property damage or loss insurance, and give

customers who miss payments the right to reinstate an agreement with in certain periods.

Behind the numbers Consider the deal for a $612 Toshiba laptop computer CR found at one rent-to-own store being offered at $38.99 a week for 48 weeks, for a total of $1,872, excluding sales tax and other charges. That’s the same as buying the laptop at the manufacturer’s suggested retail price and financing it at an interest rate of 311 percent. You could buy three of the laptops outright for that $1,872.

Even a high-interest rate credit card is a better option than rent-to-own. If you were to finance the laptop at 29.99 percent, among the highest credit card rates CR could find, and pay the same $38.99 a week, you’d end saving more than $1,000 compared to the rent-to-own scenario and own the laptop in about 20 weeks, instead of 48. Even better, if you put that $38.99 in the bank every week, you would have to wait only four months to buy the laptop and save $1,260.

Another good reason to avoid rent-to-own shopping: Even if you were to exercise the early-purchase or same-as-cash option under the rent-to-own agreement there’s a good chance you’d pay more because the “cash price” at rent-to-own stores often is higher than at other retailers.

Alternatives to rent-to-own shopping Paying twice the market price or more for an item rarely makes sense. If you can afford the weekly or monthly payment of a rent-to-own agreement, consider saving that amount instead. You’ll end up owning the item sooner, you’ll pay for less, and you might even earn a little interest. Avoid the temptation for instant gratification for items you might not need right away, such as a big-screen TV that replaces your existing working model.

If it’s a necessary item, such as a computer for school or work, look for alternatives until you can save the cash, such as borrowing one from a friend or neighbor, or using computers at a public library.

Another option is finding out whether you qualify for retailer financing. Many stores offer zero-payment, zero-interest financing. But interest accrues during the no-payment period and you’ll be on the hook for it if you can’t pay for the item by the end of the no-payment period. So if you use this option, set aside a certain amount every week to cover the eventual payment.

Rent-to-own services can have equivalent

interest rates as high as 311 percent

Culver City, CA – Fresh off winning the Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show, Wheel of Fortune will kick off its 29th season in syndication, on September 19, with more chances than ever for contestants and viewers to win big.

A new game feature, the “Car Tag,” will give contestants the opportunity to go home with a car, regardless of whether they go to the bonus round. Two “Car Tags” will appear on the wheel during the first three rounds of play. If a contestant collects both of them, he or she will win a new car.

Also new for Season 29, Jim Thornton will take over the microphone as the official voice of America’s No. 1 game show. Thornton comes to the show, after many years as one of the most popular and distinctive voices in Southern California.

At home, viewers will also have the chance to claim big prizes. Later this year, in partnership with Sears, “Wheel” will launch “The Secret Santa Sweepstakes,” which promises to be the biggest sweepstakes in the history of the show, giving at-home viewers the chance to win up to $1 million dollars, nightly, just for watching. Wheel of Fortune

is also partnering with Sandals for two sweepstakes, each of which will offer the chance to win luxury vacations at Sandals properties.

Throughout Season 29, Wheel of Fortune will continue to celebrate America, by showcasing favorite cities and landmarks as well as honoring its heroes. In March, the producers will be packing up the iconic wheel and puzzleboard to make the show’s inaugural trip to Portland, Ore., where four weeks of shows will be taped, set to air in May.

Fans and contestants will also enjoy two new puzzle categories, “Television Quote” and “Movie Quote.”

Wheel of Fortune has been the #1 syndicated game show since its inception. With more than 26 million viewers per week, the series continues to attract a larger audience than many primetime television shows.

Wheel of Fortune is produced in High Definition by Sony Pictures Television, a Sony Pictures Entertainment Company. It is distributed domestically by CBS Television Distribution and internationally by CBS Studios International, both units of CBS Corp.

WHEEL OF FORTUNE’S 29TH SEASON OFFERS MORE WAYS TO WIN, MORE REASONS TO WATCH

Viewers try out for Wheel of Fortune at Chinook Winds Casino.Tryouts are being held October 1st and 2nd in Lincoln City.

The 18th annual Magic Barrel: A Reading to Fight Hunger is set for Friday, Oct. 21 at Corvallis High School Theatre.

The Magic Barrel is a feast for mind and body. Nine fine local writers will read delectable samples of their work, and there’ll be sweet and savory tidbits from Corvallis’s best chefs and bakers. Suggested donation is $7, but no one will be turned away. As always, all the money raised at The Magic Barrel goes to Linn Benton Food Share to help alleviate hunger in our community.

The Magic Barrel: A Reading to Fight Hunger has become the mid-Valley’s premier literary event, says Corvallis novelist Rick Borsten. “The format is eight or nine brief readings, moving bang bang bang from one genre to the next,” he said. “I like to call it ‘inter-genre-ational.’ There’s nothing else like it out there. It makes for a lively evening.”

This year’s readers are:

* Keith Scribner, OSU professor and author of the novels Miracle Girl, The Good Life and the just-released The Oregon Experiment* Alison Clement, author of the novels Pretty Is as Pretty Does and Twenty Questions * Tom Birdseye, author of a dozen novels for young readers including the recently published Storm Mountain* Jon Lewis, OSU professor and author of eight nonfiction books about cinema including one about “The Godfather” and another about Francis Ford Coppola* Debra Gwartney, author of Live Through This, a memoir about her daughters living on the streets as runaways; the book was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award* Tim Black, author of the poetry collection Connecticut Shade and Cave Canem Fellow.* Karen Holmberg, OSU professor, author of the poetry collection The Perseids and recent winner of the John Ciardi Prize

* Ann Staley, author of the poetry collection Primary Sources and an organizing publisher of FIREWEED: Poetry of Western Oregon

The jazz group Sideways Portal will play before and during the show. Emcee will be Mike McInally, editor of the Corvallis Gazette-Times. The name “Magic Barrel” has deliberate literary overtones. It’s the title of an early short story by the acclaimed writer Bernard Malamud, who taught freshman composition at Oregon State College (as it was then called) in the early 1950s. He went on to write eight novels and 65 short stories, and won both a National Book Award and a Pulitzer Prize for his 1967 novel The Fixer.

“The Magic Barrel is a rare opportunity to feed your soul and help feed hungry bellies at the same time,” said Corvallis poet Charles Goodrich. “And because of the dismal economy, there are a lot of hungry people in our community.” Goodrich read from his work at last year’s event, which raised more than $2,000 for Linn Benton Food Share.

“Most people are shocked to learn that Oregon is the third hungriest state in the nation,” said Linn Benton Food Share community services coordinator Mike Gibson.1 In 2009 the U.S. Department of Agriculture found that more than half a million Oregonians were “food insecure,” meaning they lived in households without enough money or other resources for food.

The Magic Barrel begins at 6:30 p.m. with music. Readings start at 7. Said Borsten: “Our goal is to fill the house and fill the barrel for the hungry in our community.

Please see www.magicbarrel.org for information about this year’s or past events. You may also follow us on Facebook. To learn more about efforts to alleviate hunger in Oregon, please see the Linn Benton Food Share website, www.csc.gen.or.us/foodshare.htm.

Feeding souls and hungry bellies:

The Magic Barrel rolls again

Autumn is just around the corner! Unfortunately, with the changes in the weather, and the abundance of holiday food, cold and flu bugs abound. This year you can avoid the nasty bugs with natural cures and remedies. Prevention is always better than cure. However the same herbs that keep colds and flu at bay will also help you get rid of it faster. Colds spread from person to person and are highly contagious. Coughing, sneezing or hand to hand contact will easily pass the virus on. The common cold is caused by any one of 200 different viruses. Here are some simple ways to avoid spreading the virus: washing hands, cover sneezes/coughs with an elbow etc., instead of hands, refrain from touching your face, drink plenty of fluids, and exercise regularly.

There are many herbs and natural remedies that can help the body to prevent and heal itself naturally.

Echinacea

Native to the North America Plains, Echinacea has been used by the American Indians for hundreds of years. Echinacea activates a part of the immune system that is responsible for increasing defense mechanisms against virus and bacteria attacks.

Garlic

Garlic is another great defense due to its anti-bacterial properties that help the immune system to fight infection; it is an excellent boost to the immune system.

Ginger

Ginger is another one of nature’s antiviral herbs. Ginger is pain relieving, an antiseptic and an antioxidant. It is valuable for preventing and treating colds, sore throats and inflammation of mucus membranes. Both ginger and garlic are great to cook with. Add them to soups, stir fries, etc. Ginger can be made into a tea as well, soak fresh ginger in hot water and add some raw local honey. Tasty!

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is of course a classic cold remedy. It helps the body fight infection and reduces inflammation.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D plays a key role boosting the immune system. In particular it triggers and arms the body’s T cells, the cells in the body that seek out and destroy any invading bacteria and viruses

Goldenseal

Goldenseal is both antiseptic and immune stimulating, increasing blood supply to the spleen. The spleen is the body’s staging area for the fighting cells in your immune system.

These herbs together you get the individual benefits of each and they compliment each other. There are many other herbs and supplements that support the immune system. Being prepared ahead of time and taking preventative measures can help one avoid catching the dreaded bugs this fall and winter.

NATURAL PREvENTION FOR COLdS ANd THE FLU

By JESSICA NEAL

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