The year was 1965. Lyndon B. Johnson was president, and Hubert Humphrey was sworn in as Vice President. The Viet Nam War raged and so did protests by those against the United State’s involvement. Civil Rights were fought for in the south including the infamous Bloody Sunday where 200 Alabama State Troopers clashed with 525 civil rights demonstrators in Selma. Two days later, a second attempt at a march from Selma to Montgomery under Dr. Martin Luther King’s leadership stopped at the bridge that was the sight of the earlier conflict where a prayer service was held and marchers then returned to Selma in obedience to a restraining order. The War on Poverty was enacted, and President Johnson not only signed the Social Security Act of 1965 that March, but also signed the Voting Rights Act of 1965 into law that August.
     The price of a Volkswagen Beetle that year was $1,595, a movie ticket cost $1.00, and for .99 cents, one could purchase 100 Bufferin aspirin. Poppin’ Fresh, the Pillsbury Doughboy, was introduced, astroturf was invented, and the games Trouble and Operation hit the market as did “Slumber Party” Barbie dolls that came with a diet book entitled How to Lose Weight.” The books included text such as “Don’t eat!” and a bathroom scale set at 110 lbs.
     TV viewers tuned into shows such as Bonanza, Batman, The Andy Griffith Show, and The Beverley Hillbillies while moviegoers flocked to see The Sound of Music, Doctor Zhivago and A Clockwork Orange. Radio airwaves carried such popular tunes as Downtown by Pet Clark, My Girl by The Temptations, and I Got You Babe by Sonny and Cher.
     During this time, a little boy was growing up in Corvallis and it was while he was in the 5th grade at Garfield Elementary School, his teacher Mrs. Shirley Worth asked him what he wanted to do when he grew up in preparation for the career day program the class was going to be having. Bob Welch answered simply and without hesitation, “A sport’s writer.”
     Because her husband had connections, Worth arranged for young Bob to meet and interview Paul Valenti, then Oregon State’s Men’s Basketball coach. The boy loved it and knew more than ever this was what he wanted to do with his life.
    When he was getting ready to graduate high school in 1972 after having worked on both his junior high and high school newspapers, Welch assumed he would study at Oregon State, but his mother suggested he give the University of Oregon a try as she felt they had a better program for journalism. Welch went to a preview day to see what the U of O had to offer and excited by what he saw, enrolled.
     While a student at the U of O, Welch worked part-time at the Register-Guard and then traveled to Bend after graduation to work at the then new Bend Bulletin under Managing Editor Dean Ray who also happened to be a former professor of his. Welch was there for 6 years during which time he was instrumental in starting the Sunday paper and wound up becoming its editor.
     After leaving the Bulletin worked for a time for the Bellevue (Washington) Journal-American and then found his way back to Eugene where he took a job at the Register-Guard where he was a Features writer, a Features editor and lastly, a columnist. It was during this time that he introduced readers to wife Sally, better known as “She Who,” and wrote a yearly “Happy Birthday” column to grandson Cade, now a 19-year-old college student. It was a good run and Welch enjoyed the interaction with readers but left in 2013 because the columns were beginning to “feel stale.” Though he knew it was time to say goodbye to his readers, he admits to not being “emotionally ready.”
     Welch has also authored two dozen books including American Nightingale,” which took four years to research and write, and teaches writing workshops. Originally, these were beachside workshops that were held in Yachats, but the latest, which is being held on October 19th, is being held the Community Marquis on County Club Road in Eugene and participants will learn how to write their memoirs.
     Public speaking is also something Welch has done a lot of and Sunday, October 7th saw him speaking at the Fern Ridge Library about his book “Seven Summers (And a Few Bummers),” which details his hiking the Pacific Crest Trail with brother-in-law Glenn. Welch considers this book to be a lot of fun to talk about as it is not controversial, it’s something people can relate to, and Writer’s & Wine, in his opinion, is a good cause.
     Libraries hold a special place in his heart as they have played a big part in who he has become. While honing his craft and doing research, his has spent quite a bit of time in libraries availing himself of their resources and he knows how valuable they are to a community.
     Because he continued to miss the interface with readers, Welch has begun another column with Substack, which is similar in content to his column at the Register-Guard. One of his readers is none other than fifth grade teacher Mrs. Worth, who often makes comments about what he has written. The two have kept in touch over the years and Welch recalled a time when she had his mother and him to dinner along with a special guest who turned out to be none other than Paul Valenti, the coach Welch interviewed so long ago. Welch remembered him, naturally, but Valenti did not remember Welch.
     Now 70, Welch is not currently working on another book and says, “it is nice to slow down.” He’s retired now and is enjoying other things such as watching his five grandchildren grow and reach adulthood and playing “a lot of golf.”
    Not many kids know without a doubt what they want to do with their lives at the ripe old age of 11, but for Welch, it was a no brainer and with help from a teacher he describes as the “biggest catalyst,” he made his dream come true. In the process, he has touched reader’s lives and hearts and for a writer, there is no bigger success than to say, “I made somebody think, feel, laugh, even cry.”  My words touched somebody.
If you are interested in attending Bob Welch’s workshop on the 19th, please email him at [email protected].
    

     A veneta man was taken into custody by the Lane County Sheriff’s office early in the morning of October 3rd and lodged at the jail on multiple charges.
     While on patrol, a sharp-eyed deputy spotted a car connected with Kristopher Robert Glenn, 38, of Veneta, in the Danebo area an hour past midnight. Glenn, who was wanted by the US Marshals, had been the subject of a search by Lane County Sheriff’s deputies.
     The deputy saw Glenn, who was in the passenger seat of the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop. The driver attempted to flee, and deputies pursued. The vehicle finally stopped in the vicinity of W. 18th Avenue and S. Bertelsen Road. Glenn fled from the vehicle, so deputies and Eugene Police set up a perimeter. Meanwhile, the driver, Elise Catrina Lockwood, 33, was taken into custody.
     A Eugene Springfield Metro Drone operator launched a drone and observed the heat signature of an individual moving northward and relayed the information to law enforcement in the area. After spotting the drone, the suspect discontinued running and laid in the grass while awaiting officers. Glenn was then taken into custody.
     Both Glenn and Lockwood were found to be in possession of methamphetamine and Glenn was also found to be in possession of a realistic looking pellet gun.
     Lockwood was lodged at the Lane County Jail on charges of Reckless Driving, attempting to Elude Police by Vehicle, and Possession of Methamphetamine. Glenn lodged at the jail on new charges of Attempt to Elude on Foot, and Possession of Methamphetamine. He was also taken into custody on failure to appear warrants for Carrying a Concealed Firearm, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine, Failure to Appear in the 1st Degree and a parole violation.
 
 

     Last August, a new mobile crisis unit rolled out in Lane County, a need of which has long been recognized by those in charge of county operations. Already it has been heavily used though the volume has fluctuated week to week, according to Jason Davis, Lane County Public Information Officer.
     This service has come about because the Oregon Health Authority has mandated that every county in Oregon have county-wide mobile crisis services, Davis says, and it is also required that this service must meet certain standards where staff licensure and how the services are provided are concerned. Compliance with these criteria is directly linked to available funding. The Crisis Now model, a SAMHSA approved best practice for how communities can effectually respond to behavioral health needs in crisis, serves as a blueprint for these conditions. To meet this necessity from the Oregon Health Authority, a mobile crisis response system of care was created by Lane County Behavioral Health.
     To those in the community who do not have any interaction with these services, this may seem akin to Cahoots, which also responds to individuals in need of help. The Mobile Crisis Services of Lane County is unique, however, in its adherence to the Crisis Now model, which has been demonstrated to be an effectual way to provide needed crisis services across communities with miscellaneous needs. MCS-LC and Western Lane Fire & EMS are the only two mobile crisis providers who have met the rigorous state requirements to become certified as adult mobile crisis responders. For juveniles, Riverview Center for Growth (formerly The Child Center) continues to operate at the only certified youth mobile crisis responder in the county.
     The crisis service has several components beginning with a crisis line that is meant to act as a resource for community members in need of behavioral health support. Some who call have their needs met over the telephone, while those who require additional support from a mobile team are transferred to a dispatcher who then sends a van to respond to wherever that person needs assistance. The crisis line, which is federally mandated but run at a state level called 988, follows the entire process. Lastly, providers and law enforcement can refer individuals for service via the crisis line or by calling 911. Once the van arrives, the MCS-LC staff which is comprised of a mental health associate and a peer support specialist, work to stabilize and possibly triage the individual for the most suitable follow-up care. A qualified mental health specialist is available to provide consultation to each team as needed. MCS-LC team members also provide follow-up within 72 hours to see how the individual is and ensure they continue to be stabilized.
     All of Lane County is covered by MCS-LC, though adult services in Florence/Mapleton are covered by Western Lane Fire & EMS, via a contract with Lane County. The coastal response can be dispatched directly or by contacting MCS-LC. In the Fern Ridge area, MCS-LC is the primary responder. Residents can call the Lane County Crisis Line at – 541-682-1001 to obtain crisis support.
     The largest percentage of crisis calls occur in the Eugene metro area, due to the face that it makes up the highest ratio of the population. Also, there has long been a system in place allowing people in the metro area to call emergency services for assistance with a behavioral health response.
     Increasing coverage for rural areas will continue to be a key objective of the service and it is anticipated that rural call volume will increase as residents learn that this kind of help is available, Davis states. It is expected that the number of calls will become steadier as systems are improved as well as partnerships, and as the county acquires more awareness from the community of the services offered by MCS-LC.
     The county, Davis says, needs to spread awareness of the service and there also needs to be a cognizance of when this service should be utilized (experiencing a critical or evolving inability to cope, including suicidal ideation, depression, anxiety, or other behavioral issues) and to contact MCS-LC by calling or texting 988 or by calling the Lane County Crisis Line t 541-682-1001. People are also encouraged to visit the county’s website (lanecountyor.gov/mobilecrisis) to learn more about this most worthwhile program.
  
 
 
 
 

     Eight years ago, Maddy Wood decided she wanted to begin collecting pinecones for the crafts she enjoys, and she put out the word, asking the community if they had any they could give her. The response was, she says, “overwhelming.” Now laden with pinecones, she brainstormed ways to use them and came up with “Pinecones for Pets,” ornaments honoring the furry and feathered members of one’s family.
     Before beginning this venture, however, she went onto Facebook and asked if there would be an interest in such as this. In response to her query, people were enthusiastic, and Wood soon found herself selling over 200 of her new creations.
     Six years later, “Pinecones for Pets” still does robust business, and many customers are repeat buyers. The pinecones feature the animals name, the year, three jingle bells, and a burlap bow with either black or red dots or chevrons, which she uses consistently so those who make more than one purchase will have ornaments with a theme. The pinecones will also have an animal’s birthday and death date for those that are memorials and, in some cases, a small photo of the animal or a pawprint tag.
     Wood has shipped ornaments to New York, Colorado, Utah, Montana, Idaho, and even England, but she says her claim to fame came when a former Veneta resident moved to Utah and put her in touch with a friend who trains cocker spaniels. At this friend’s request, Wood made an ornament for Rose, the canine star of Disney’s live action version of Lady and the Tramp.
     Wood’s creations come alive in her “she shed” which has been refurbished top to bottom and outfitted with a table, electricity, a comfortable chair and footrest, and numerous bins and storage containers of crafting supplies that are purchased at places like Joann’s Fabrics, Michael’s, thrift stores and Dollar Tree. When not keeping the books at Bi Mart, she works on her crafts and each pinecone takes approximately 15 minutes as the bows are made up ahead of time. Orders are placed over Wood’s Facebook page, though she also has sold her creations at The Emporium as well as the Harvest Festival, and previously sold at Cottage Treasures when it operated at the Harold’s Center.
     Because she does this to help as much as for her own pleasure, Wood donates at least 50% of her proceeds to local cat and dog rescues, keeping only enough for herself to cover expenses. She hopes to contact Sara’s Treasures cat rescue on River Road in Eugene to inquire about the possibility of erecting a “Paws for Pets” ornament festooned Christmas tree in their store as she would like to do even more to help out pets in need.
     Retirement is on the near horizon for Wood, and she hopes the extra time she has will allow her to do even more. She goes hunting expeditions up the McKenzie and finds the large sugar cones that she happily adds to her collection and even has extra large cones that have come from Lake Tahoe. They are carefully kept in storage drawers, awaiting becoming works of art while she diligently turns their smaller counterparts into the ornaments that are so loved. Those who are interested in making a purchase need only to go to her Facebook page Pinecones for Pets and get in touch.
     Pinecones for Pets does more than just decorate a tree. These ornaments memorialize deceased pets who have crossed the Rainbow Bridge and act to show that just because a beloved pet is gone, he or she is not forgotten and will always be loved by those who have had to say goodbye far too soon to an animal who was so very loved and so very missed. It is a way to show that despite that animal’s absence, love is immortal, and each year as the Christmas tree is decorated, the pet is honored with a place, a bough, just for him or her.  In the process, other needy animals are helped to have it better in this life.  
    
 
                                                                                                                                                                

     A Veneta man has been arrested on theft charges stemming from a case that began to be investigated over a month ago.
     Late in August, a Lane County Sheriff’s deputy made the discovery that a lock securing a private timber gate had been cut open in the vicinity of Highway 126 and Austa Road. Further investigation revealed that someone had absconded with several thousand feet of telecommunication cable and hardware owned by local power and telecommunication companies. All told, the theft and damage totaled approximately $65,000 dollars.
     Deputies subsequently identified the suspect in the thefts and damage as Marshall Allen Stucky, 60, of Veneta. Forest Patrol Deputies subsequently located his vehicle and conducted a traffic stop on September 7th. Stucky was taken to the Lane County Jail on charges of Aggravated Theft in the 1st degree, and Theft in the 2nd degree. He was also charge with Criminal Mischief in the 1st degree, Criminal Mischief in the 2nd degree, Trespass in the 2nd degree, and a U.S. Marshall’s warrant.

     Sunday, October 6th sees the return of Writers & Wine for its yearly presentation at the Fern Ridge Library and this year’s featured author will be none other than esteemed writer and columnist Bob Welch.
 
     Welch’s columns on everyday people and everyday life used to grace the pages of the Register-Guard twice a week and were enjoyed by many. Who could forget his tales about becoming a grandfather, wiffleball games in his north Eugene backyard, and, of course, his references to wife Sally, better known as “She Who?” Twice, Welch won the National Society of Newspaper Columnist’s “Best Writing” award, a well-deserved honor. When he stepped down to enjoy a well-earned retirement, it was like saying goodbye to an old friend.
 
     Bob Welch is also the author of more than two dozen books, including The Wizard of Foz, Track & Field Writers of America’s 2019 Book of the Year, and American Nightingale, an Oregon Book Award Finalist and featured on ABC’s Good Morning America.
   
      For Writers and Wine, however, Welch will be discussing his latest work, Seven Summers (And a Few Bummers), a sequel to Cascade Summer (2012) both of which chronicle his completion of the 2,650 hike of the Pacific Crest Trail with his brother-in-law Glenn over a decade of summers. Seven Summers provides the answer to one question among many: After “just doing Oregon,” are two sixty-something brothers-in-law capable of a hike that serves up defeat to more than half who attempt it? Poignant, poetic, and outrageously funny, this engaging tale helps readers understand the soul of America’s iconic trail, find humor in aging, celebrate the gift that is friendship, and whether one hikes or not, urge the reader to consider living a life with a deeper thirst for adventure.
 
     Presented by the Fern Ridge Library Foundation, Writers and Wine also features wine from Silvan Ridge Winery. Raffle tickets, including a $400 gift certificate to the Overleaf Lodge in Yachats, are on sale for $10 and Fun Raffle tickets to the Oregon Coast Aquarium and other prizes are available for $5 each. One does not need to be present to wine.
 
     For those who cannot attend but would like to participate, new to Writers and Wine this year is a gift bag purchase for $55 that includes a copy of the book, gift card for $25 that can be used at Silvan Ridge Winery, all in a library tote bag that may be picked up during regular hours at the library after October 7th.
 
    
 For more information and ticket sales, visit www.frlfoundation.org/events or purchase tickets at the Fern Ridge Library for $65 per person or $100 per couple. The event runs from 3:30 – 6:00 p.m.
 
 
 
 

     Drive down Knight Road in Elmira and you will see a sign by a wooded drive announcing that you have arrived at Klassic Tails Inn. At the end of this drive in a sunny clearing is a place where dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, and even a bearded dragon have a home away from home when their people have to be away.
     Owned by Jim and Michelle Sodeman, the Klassic Tails Inn was not something they ever imagined doing, but life is that way sometimes. What starts out as a way to earn extra money turns into a previously unexpected opportunity.
     Michelle Sodeman had worked for the Klassic Tails Inn under previous owner Ada Curtis after she and Jim returned to Veneta with their three children from Roseburg where Jim worked for Frito Lay until taking a job with Kellogg Snacks that required much less separation from the family. Jesse wound up asking Jim and Michelle if they would assume stewardship of the kennel in a year’s time, which they agreed to, but this was bumped up to six months when she was diagnosed with cancer and needed to be able to heal.
     The Sodeman’s threw themselves into their new venture with Jim continuing to work at Kellogg Snacks until it became apparent that working at both places was just too much. Now, he and Michelle spend their days working to make their furry and feathered guests as comfortable as possible so while their owners’ vacation they can vacation, too.
    The first step in having a pet stay at Klassic Tails is an evaluation to see how a dog does when it is separated from its owner and how best to make the transition. This is done in a courtyard where they are away from other guests and not distracted by barking or other behaviors.
     After this step comes check-in where the name and number of the guest’s vet is given, behavior issues are discussed and any medication the animal is on is made known. Owners can bring their pet’s food with them, which 75-80% opt to do, but food is also provided. The Sodeman’s are trained to medicate and give injections and when at capacity, the inn can house 42 dogs. Typically, bookings are made for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with many dogs going home on Monday. Tours are offered during business hours, but the Sodeman’s try to steer people to Tuesdays and Wednesdays, when they are less busy.
     The inn itself is actually comprised of three buildings. The smaller of the two dog boarding buildings also houses the office and is typically reserved for dogs weighing 40 pounds or less. In here, these house spots as they are called, offer less intimidation for a smaller dog and a more home-like feel. The office door is left open to allow the dogs to hear the sounds as it helps them settle as some are unable to do so unless someone is checking on them and offering reassurance.
     The larger dogs are housed in the kennel building that is equipped with a grooming room and bathtub as well as turn-out spaces where the dogs are put for 45 minutes to an hour to relieve themselves. All fencing around these small yards is six feet high with perimeter fencing being eight feet high to ensure that nobody accidentally gets out.
      For more extended time outdoors there is a half-acre fenced play yard where guests can run and play along wooded paths unleashed for their enrichment, something Jim implemented in 2010. During this time, he is known to toss a ball or a frisbee for a rousing game of fetch, which is typically met with great enthusiasm.
     Dogs are also taken on walks in increments of a mile, two miles, and for those who are older or have issues, a gentle walk. Because they are on lead, this is the only time dogs from different households are blended. Walks are done before 9 a.m. and dogs are chosen by size, pace, and temperament. Safety is top of the line and those walking the dogs must wear reflective vests and no earbuds or radios are allowed.
     Over in the smallest of the three buildings is where the cats and smaller animals are housed. There are six cattery suites that all have windows and individual bedding. One suite has a windowed door for guests who are unable to get up on a perch. Classical music plays softly as it helps to settle the cats down. Typically, cats stay at the inn for 5-7 days.
     For an extra fee, the inn offers a shuttle service that includes pick-up and delivery, and the Sodeman’s will also take a person to the airport if need be.
     “I feel gifted to live where I work,” Jim says as he waxes poetic about running the inn. Then, with hearty laughter he adds, “It’s a great commute.”
     The Sodeman’s try to have the inn undergo one major improvement each year and past years have seen the installation of tile on the floors and walls, epoxy floors in the kennels, heating and air conditioning.
   Jim also tries to engage on the inn’s website and Facebook page every day and takes great pride in offering outstanding customer service.
     “We offer a Disneyland experience and Les Schwab service,” he simply states.
     Over the years, the Sodeman’s three children Matthew, Brontae and Reid have all taken an active role in helping out at the inn though more recently it has been Reid who has been his father’s right-hand man. He, Jim, and Michelle, along with a couple of staff members spend their days making sure their guests are comfortable, happy, and are in a clean, safe environment while their owners are away. It’s more a passion than a job for them and it shows in how Jim knows all the guests’ names and greets them warmly as he walks past their kennels, and it shows in all that is done to ensure the best experience possible for those that come to stay. For their part, the guests appear to be just as happy to see him. It may not have been a part of the Sodeman’s plans to own a kennel, but for them and the guests both, it’s pretty close to perfect.
 
 
 

     When the building that housed Hack’s and Yukon Jack’s came up for sale, Hernan Torres saw an opportunity. He wanted someone in town to own whatever went in there and he decided that someone should be himself. The son of Luis Torres, owner of Ixtapa, he had plenty of experience in the restaurant business and he had a vision for what this new business could be and how it could serve the community.
     Nine months after its grand opening, the Long Tom Bar and Grill is thriving, and Torres is pleased. A lot of hard work went into this passion project including a good cleaning, painting the exterior of the building, replacing the floors, adding a wall to divide the bar portion from the restaurant portion, and the addition of more TV’s and another pool table. Torres has also reintroduced live bands and karaoke, something the previous owner of the building had done away with.
     Now, every Friday a different live band plays, with most of them being local, and the genres run from country to rock to blues. Saturday nights are for karaoke and Wednesday nights are set aside for country line dancing, which has proven popular.
     Torres states that his objective is to offer a safe environment for people to mingle and enjoy themselves and he also wanted to create a family type of atmosphere. He aims to keep the restaurant “rustic, country,” and makes sure that people behave themselves. When his help is needed, Torres will fill in everywhere, a work ethic he learned at Ixtapa.
     “A good owner will learn to do it all,” he plainly states while seated in a booth off to the side of the bar.
     Torres has gotten lucky with his staff, many of whom are locals, and he strives to take care of them as much as he takes care of the business.
     “I love a family-oriented business,” he says.  “I want people to see it not as work, but as a good place to come.”
     While the bar serves the usual fried fare, the restaurant offers patrons rib-eye, New York and T-bone steaks, different pastas, flat breads such as pizza which is made in-house, and, of course, there is the very popular Taco Tuesdays, which features chicken and ground beef. For dessert, one can order cinnamon roll cheesecake or lave cake, which are made in-house, or New York cheesecake.
     Torres offers a special every day and tries to get people to interact with the restaurant’s website and Facebook page to see what the special is. Those in the bar can eat the same meals offered in the restaurant and there are eleven taps, draft beers and rare bourbons.
     While he has no plans to expand at this time as he would rather focus on the restaurant’s initial success, Torres will be applying next month to have video lottery machines installed and will be adding a projector to show programs on the wall.
      Torres hopes that the Long Tom Bar and Grill will be around a good long time and he hopes also to be able to serve in the community doing charitable work of some sort, perhaps kids sports, and community events.
      For now, however, he is content to bask in the glow of a job well done and an establishment well received. He has accomplished what he set out to do and everything else is a bonus. With the hard work he unafraid to do and the work ethic instilled at Ixtapa, he should see his dream of the Long Tom Bar and Grill being around for a long time become a reality.
      

      It’s been impossible not to notice the work taking place next to the skate park and many have wondered what is being built. There has also been curiosity about the work being done behind the Service Center and next to the railroad tracks, though to a lesser extent. Both projects are a result of the city’s response to residents’ requests.
     The Bark and Whistle Dog Park, which will be nestled on approximately 1.7 acres, will eventually call the space between the Service Center and the railroad tracks home. Upon completion, it will include fencing separating the large dog area from where the small dogs will be able to run, a drinking fountain/dog watering station, and an ADA accessible concrete walkway and entrance.
     Several blocks south, four regulation size pickleball courts are being built at Territorial Park. The idea for these and the dog park came from public input received in the course of the Parks and Open Space Master Plan process and a parks community survey. Residents of Veneta requested these two amenities more than anything else, according to Matt Laird, Veneta Community Development Director, and the city was able to receive a $75,000 grant from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department to help finance the Pickleball courts construction. The city waits, meanwhile, to learn the fate of a grant for the dog park and its formation.
     Overseen by Public Works Director Kyle Schauer, the Pickleball courts are expected to open this autumn, while the dog park is expected to start welcoming canine guests and their owner’s next spring.