FOREST HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PROJECT UNDERWAY IN CLATSOP COUNTY

Oregon workers will begin pre-commercial thinning treatments on 413 acres of the Clatsop State Forest this month to improve forest health. Funded by a $28,910 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant, the project will open up selected younger tree stands with an aim to boost the growth and vigor of the remaining trees. (A thinning in which the trees that are removed have little or no economic value is referred to as a "pre-commercial thinning.")


"In units where the management plan calls for complex forest structure, the thinning will promote development of understory vegetation and large trees," Oregon Department of Forestry's John Hawksworth said. The department's Astoria District manages the Clatsop State Forest.


The resulting increase in stand complexity will provide diverse habitats for wildlife. And the selective thinning will also promote wind firmness.

Three Brothers Reforestation, Inc. of Independence submitted the low bid and was awarded the contract for the work. The company will field a crew of eight to 12 workers to fell trees on 10 sites located throughout Clatsop County. Two ODF personnel will be funded through the grant to oversee this and future Recovery Act projects in the district, Hawksworth said.

The thinning project is scheduled to be completed in March.

The U.S. Forest Service's Pacific Northwest Region awarded the Recovery Act grant to ODF. More information on Oregon Department of Forestry Recovery Act projects can be found at: www.oregon.gov/odf. For information on all Recovery Act projects being administered by Oregon State Government agencies, go to the Oregon Way website, www.oregon.gov/recovery/index.page.


Contractors desiring to bid on other Recovery Act-funded ODF projects are encouraged to go to the Oregon Procurement Information Network (ORPIN) Internet site, http://orpin.oregon.gov/open.dll/welcome.

Oregon Rejects Demands of NorthernStar LNG, 15 Other States File Amicus Brief Supporting Oregon’s Lawsuit Against NorthernStar

Portland, OR – NorthernStar’s proposed Bradwood Landing liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal suffered two serious setbacks that may endanger the project.
First, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) released a letter Friday rejecting NorthernStar’s demand that DEQ issue permits in 2010.
We are very pleased that the DEQ has clearly signaled its commitment to good science and sound process. The construction of an LNG terminal on the Columbia River would significantly impact our state’s land, air, water, and public safety, stated Brian Pasko, Director of the Oregon Chapter of the Sierra Club.
The LNG terminal has suffered multi-year setbacks as state and federal agencies have asked for complete and accurate data on the project’s harm to salmon and impact to the Columbia River Estuary. NorthernStar, who recently stated they planned to start construction in 2010, demanded that DEQ issue permits within months. DEQ rejected these unusual demands.
DEQ’s February 17, 2010, letter states, [NorthernStar’s] three principal demands are that DEQ: (1) drop its request for three-dimensional modeling, (2) approve the project without the benefit of a consultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service, and (3) agree to issue its certification by July 2010. DEQ rejected each demand and said that NorthernStar would either provide the requested data and extend the permitting timeline or DEQ’s decision will likely lead to a denial of certification.
Brett VandenHeuvel, executive director of Columbia Riverkeeper, responded to DEQ’s letter. NorthernStar’s demands indicate desperation. DEQ rejected these demands and has indicated that it’s willing to deny the project.
In a second significant blow to the project, the Attorney Generals of fifteen other states, including Louisiana, Mississippi, and Ohio, filed an amicus brief against Bradwood LNG in a lawsuit challenging the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) approval of the Bradwood project. The amicus brief supports Oregon’s position that Oregon has authority to deny the LNG terminals.
The amicus brief, filed by Joseph R. Biden III of Delaware, Martha Coakley of Massachusettes, and James ‘Buddy’ Caldwell of Louisiana, among others, supports the arguments of Oregon , Washington, the Nez Perce Tribe, Columbia Riverkeeper, and other organizations.
We’re thrilled that so many other states, along with Oregon and Washington, recognize the problems with the Bradwood application, stated Scott Jerger from Field Jerger LLP, who represents Columbia Riverkeeper and other organizations.
An amicus or ‘friends of the court’ brief may be submitted by non-parties who believe the issues in the case are so important that their interests are effected.

THE 13TH ANNUAL FISHER POETS GATHERING

Photo: Fisher Poet Dave Densmore by Jeff Wallen


The Fisher Poets Gathering (FPG) is expecting about 70 fishing and maritime industry people from several states and British Columbia, and even a guest from Japan, to bring their original poems, stories and songs to Astoria. This year's event is on February 26, 27 and 28. Along with several local music groups who also have strong fishing-industry ties, they will present their readings and music at this 13th annual weekend program.


"Fisher Poetry" comes from experiences living and working in the industry, and ranges in writing style from fast-moving rhyming couplets to crafted free verse or literary prose, and includes poems, songs, short stories, personal memoirs and essays, along with art.


Four downtown Astoria venues offer reading space, room for lots of fans to join the lively ambiance of the event as audience, said Florence Sage of Astoria, a long-term FPG producer: "We programmed four venues for this event, because we had more readers than ever." Audience comes from the local area, northwest region, and points around the country to hear these original writings and oral accounts based on the hard-working vocation of fishing and making a living at sea.


A new Readers Welcome Mike opens the event Thursday from 8 p.m. to closing at Clemente's restaurant at 12th & Commercial, following a presenters' no-host dinner at the Event Center.


Reading and music venues for the Friday and Saturday evening program beginning at 5:30 p.m. are: the Baked Alaska restaurant (foot of 12th Street), Astoria Event Center (9th and Commercial), the Wet Dog Cafe (foot of 11th St.), and the VooDoo Room at the Columbian Theater (11th and Marine Dr.). The popular "VooDoo Mike," a hosted open mike, is in the intimate VooDoo Room Friday and Saturday afternoons, 4 to 5 p.m. The VooDoo Room also hosts late-night music both nights. Documentaries of fishing-industry issues are planned at the Columbian Theater both days from 3:45 to 5 p.m. Evening reading venues all have food and drink service. Minors are permitted in Astoria Event Center and Wet Dog Café until 9 p.m., and in Baked Alaska all evening. All venues are donated.


"We have even more than our usual abundance of talent," Sage said, "which we could only accommodate by expanding our programmed venues to four."


Dozens of this year's fisher poets have appeared at the Gathering over all or most of its years, including local favorites, event founder Jon Broderick of Cannon Beach OR, Jay Speakman of Gearhart OR, Dave Densmore and Hobe Kytr of Astoria OR. Audience favorite Geno Leech of Chinook WA returns this year. This year readers and musicians gather again from cities and also remote towns in Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, California, Montana, Maryland, Rhode Island, Arkansas and Florida, with a guest from Japan. Some are retired from the industry, but most are active, either fishing their local waters or traveling seasonally to fishing areas in Alaska. They are joined at the Gathering by a few invited readers from other maritime and worker industries. All FPG presenters come as volunteers.


A new FPG weekend invitational art show at Pier 39's Coffee Girl opens with a reception Friday from 3 to 5 p.m., and features three Fisher Poets' work: Pat Dixon's photos, Jon Campbell's paintings and Cary Jones' metal sculptures. RiverSea Gallery shows Chris Miller's photos documenting 2008 and 2009 Bristol Bay fishing seasons, with a reception Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m.


A showing at the Columbian Theater of films on fishing-related issues is Friday from approximately 3:30 to 5 p.m., repeating Saturday at the same time. These include The Truth, a documentary on East Coast fishing regulation from the fishermen's point of view; El Cerco (The Fence): Tuna fishing the rough old fashioned way in Spain, a short film shown at the International Film Festival in Seattle; also Salmon's Kin, a short of underwater photography of salmon with poems by Joanna Reichhold of Arcata CA.


Saturday morning's workshops run from 9:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the Columbia River Maritime Museum (CRMM) at the foot of 17th St, and Baked Alaska restaurant at the foot of 12th St. Planned workshop choices include: at CRMM, Ocean Acidification; the Oregon Ballot Initiative on Columbia River Fishing; New Graphic Art from Ray Troll, and the hands-on Fundamentals of Knots and Lines; at Baked Alaska, song writing and poetry writing. Also on Saturday morning, "Dangerous Dave" Densmore's fishing boat, the Cold Stream, moored at Pier 39, foot of 39th St., is open for visits from 9 a.m. to noon, former cannery Pier 39 is open for a self-guided tour, and pre-workshop breakfasts are available at Pier 39's Coffee Girl cafe and at Baked Alaska restaurant.

The very popular afternoon Story Circle of adventures from the memories of "old hands" ­ fishermen and mariners ­ is at the Astoria Event Center Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. This features long-timers telling unwritten tales of their unforgettable moments at sea.


A brief live auction runs onsite between sets at two locations during the evening programs, featuring certificates for special area lodgings and restaurants, fishing trips and similar services.


The Onsite Poem Contest at the Event Center closes the Saturday evening readings. The year's poem challenge is given by the MC's on Friday evening, and listeners may produce a poem to read live late Saturday evening, competing to be audience favorite.


FPG events come to a close in Astoria Sunday with a 9:30 a.m. informal Gospel Sing at the Astoria Event Center, followed at 10 a.m. by the Readers' Farewell Mike. Breakfast is available. A Sunday 3 p.m. invited reading by several poets at Cannon Beach Arts Association gallery completes the Gathering.


Event buttons are available Friday and Saturday from 3 p.m. through both evenings at the Columbian Theater box office; during the Saturday morning workshops at the Maritime Museum and Baked Alaska; Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning during the events at the Astoria Event Center.


Buttons are available for a $10 donation for the weekend. Enamel patron pins for $30 also help support the gathering. There is no other entry donation for FPG. Last reading at Cannon Beach Arts Association gallery Sunday afternoon does not require a button. An FPG store, the Gear Shack, at 1055 Marine Drive, stocks FPG performers' books, CDs, DVDs, and FPG gear. Gear Shack hours are expected to be 4 to 10 p.m. Friday, and noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday. All donations from buttons, patron pins, CDs, books, gear, other memorabilia and grants support on-site audio costs and small travel stipends for readers and musicians. Several businesses and groups have donated additional "Readerships, and one local airline "Ridership.""


The Fisher Poets Gathering has been an annual event in Astoria in the last weekend of February since 1998. The Gathering has been given substantial support every year by Clatsop Community College, along with contributions of services, goods and panel members from local and regional organizations and businesses, as noted in the annual program and website. But otherwise it is a community venture put together by a small committee of volunteers. The 2010 production committee consists of: Jon and Doreen Broderick of Cannon Beach, Hobe Kytr and Florence Sage of Astoria, and Jay Speakman of Gearhart OR. Venues are donated for the event. Major grantors have included Cannon Beach Arts Association and the Patricia Freeland Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation. Local volunteers help with buttons, book and gear sales, and Fisher Poets contribute talent and assistance.


This popular event has grown in audience and fame over the years. It has been designated a Library of Congress Local Legacies project, and been the subject of many local, regional and national news articles and productions, including Oregon Art Beat, NBC's Today Show, New York Times, Wall Street Journal and the Smithsonian magazine. It is the subject of a documentary filmed over several years of the Gathering called "Fisher Poets," which has been shown by invitation at several film festivals, and individual Fisher Poets are often invited to read at other regional and national events.


KMUN-FM broadcasts the Friday and Saturday evening program from one of the venues, this year from the Astoria Event Center. This includes "streaming live" over the web at: www.coastradio.org. KMUN also recorded and produced a CD of the 2008 evening program from the Wet Dog Cafe as a fundraiser for FPG, available at the FPG Gear Shack and from the website.


Information about Astoria area lodging is provided by the Astoria-Warrenton Chamber of Commerce: 503-325-6311, www.oldoregon.com. The Chamber is also available to assist visitors without web access.


The detailed program and updates are posted on the website during February as the volunteer performers' and workshop leaders' commitments are confirmed and details become available: www.clatsopcc.edu/fisherpoets

Two-hour closures planned for Lewis and Clark Bridge

ASTORIA- The Oregon Department of Transportation will close the Lewis and Clark Bridge (Old U.S. 101) to all traffic on Monday and Tuesday, February 22 and 23, from 10 a.m. to noon each day for maintenance crews to replace bridge timbers.

North and southbound traffic will be detoured on to Lewis and Clark Road and then to Fort Clatsop Road. Variable message signs have been posted at both ends of the bridge to inform and remind motorists of the closure.

COMMERCIAL FISHERMEN’S FESTIVAL

ASTORIA, OR – The board of the Commercial Fishermen’s Festival unanimously approved renaming its signature competition to honor Captain Phil Harris who recently passed away February 9 following a stroke earlier this month. Captain Harris is best known for skippering the F/V Cornelia Marie on Discovery Channel’s “Deadliest Catch” hit television series. “Phil was a close and personal friend who fished alongside me on the Bering Sea for over twenty years,” says Festival Board President Rick Quashnick. “He had the bigger boat and I had the smallest – yet I could always count on him during the roughest of seas to be there if I needed him.” Captain Harris developed a strong following who loved his salty humor. “He was the kind of man who evoked a sense of being your instant best friend,” added Festival Director Ron Williams.

To honor his memory and his contribution to the commercial fishing industry the Festival is renaming its signature event to the Captain Phil Harris Highliner Competition. The competition runs contestants through a grueling series of commercial fishing related tasks that include stacking seven 100 lb. crab pots, coiling crab line, net mending, a buddy rescue using a 175 lb firefighter dummy, and concluding with slugging down a brew (rootbeer). The clock stops when he finishes the brew and is slapped by a barmaid.

“Highliners are the top fishermen in the fleet and are known to fish the toughest weather, work the longest hours and push their boats and their equipment and crew to the limit,” explains Williams.

Last year Astoria commercial fisherman Mike Giles won both the Highliner for his class and overall Highliner earning him $1000 in cash plus hundreds of dollars in prizes from Englund Marine Industrial Supply and Grundéns.

The mission of the Commercial Fishermen’s Festival is to offer fishermen and industry professionals an opportunity to bond and share information that will save lives, improve productivity, increase demand for seafood products, and promote job opportunities. The mission is also dedicated to educating the public about the fishing industry including the steps fishermen have taken to ensure a renewable resource for the future. The Festival will showcase American fisheries and the process of selecting, preparing and cooking seafood.

The Commercial Fishermen’s Festival the biggest most informative fun-filled commercial fishing celebration in the region. Here fans will meet the Captains and crews from boats featured on “Deadliest Catch,” and cheer on the men that risk their lives to bring us seafood as they compete in the grueling Captain Phil Harris Highliner Competition for the title of Highliner of the Year. Witness a search and rescue helicopter demonstration by the US Coast Guard and see historic and modern fishing equipment worth millions of dollars. Festivities include demos, industry sales, food, music, crafts, culinary stage with celebrity chefs, beer garden and a kid’s area for a fun action-packed weekend. The 2010 Commercial Fishermen’s Festival is September 18 & 19 at the Port of Astoria, Pier 1.

“We already have early commitments from celebrities including author Spike Walker, chef Graham Kerr of Galloping Gourmet fame, and “Deadliest Catch” stars Andy and Johnathan Hillstrand of the F/V Time Bandit. “We also have strong interest from the Wizard crew who are looking forward to returning to Astoria” added Williams. Williams also spoke with Captain Sig Hanson and his brother Edgar who indicated that they want to attend. The Festival is anticipating a re-match of the Tug-of-War between “Deadliest Catch” fishermen and “AxeMen” loggers from JM Browning Logging Company. For more information and to view a fan created video of the 2009 Tug-of-War visit www.CommercialFishermensFestival.com.

"Climategate"

Photo: BC Premier Gordon Campbell shakes hands with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger at the conclusion of a Pacific Coast leaders gathering in Vancouver, Canada. Washington Governor Chris Gregoire looks on from the right; Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown from the far left.
COPENHAGEN, Denmark – Two months after the chaotic United Nations climate summit ended here, edgy “Hopenhagen” posters are one of the few visible reminders of the high stakes gathering of world leaders. Ironically, the summit dashed the hopes of climate activists for a legally binding treaty to reduce global warming emissions.
They're not giving up, but in the aftermath acting locally may gain more prominence than acting globally.
“The Copenhagen hangover is over. Now countries including the United States have to act,” said Denmark's energetic Minister of Energy and Climate Lykke Friss.
The Danes are engaging other countries to try to revive momentum for international climate negotiations.
“We should fight all the way for a deal in Cancun,” where the next United Nations climate summit will convene at the end of this year. “But that depends on the will of the moment,” she said. “There is no doubt this is a difficult process,” Friss acknowledged.
In European capitals, policymakers are eager for clues or cues regarding the willingness of American lawmakers to regulate greenhouse gases. “Cap-and-trade” legislation has been stalled in the U.S. Senate for the past five months.
“If it's not realistic that the U.S. would sign a binding international [climate] treaty, what is below this?” asked a German parliament member in Berlin. The answer may not lie in Washington, DC.
“We do think the pendulum is starting to swing back to states,” said the former co-chair of the Western Climate Initiative Janice Adair. In 2008, the grouping of seven Western U.S. states and four Canadian provinces developed a framework to regulate greenhouse gas emissions independent of their national governments. The plan has not taken effect.
“More and more, the UN and the national governments recognize that the ‘sub-national' governments are really the ones that in the end can put the pressure on and create the action that is needed,” said Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-California) Friday. Schwarzenegger spoke in Vancouver, Canada after a mini-summit of Pacific Coast leaders timed to coincide with the opening of the 2010 Winter Olympics. British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell hosted the meeting to discuss common environmental topics. Governor Christine Gregoire (D-Washington) and Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown also attended.
Gregoire said when it comes to cap-and-trade, she still maintains a national program is better than a regional program. Yet state and local governments can do other things to control emissions, namely what policymakers such as Adair call “complementary” measures.
Schwarzenegger specifically mentioned California's Million Solar Roofs Initiative, which seeks to incentivize that number of rooftop solar arrays by 2016. Some other examples include creating incentives for consumers to buy electric cars, increasing recycling or improving rail service. Oregon and Washington have recently toughened their building codes to increase energy efficiency in new construction.
Gerry Pollet, the director of the Seattle-based environmental watchdog group Heart of America Northwest, recently urged his members to write Oregon and Washington's governors and legislators, “saying you want Northwest states' climate change legislation put back on the front burner - which is a good investment for our economy as well as for the health of our planet and children.”
As in Congress, there is hesitancy in state legislatures. “Our concerns are very much is this going to put us at a distinct competitive disadvantage,” said state Rep. Shelly Short (R-Addy), a conservative legislator from northeast Washington.
Short says she is given pause by current controversies involving climate scientists, notably the one over hacked emails that has been dubbed “Climategate” by global warming skeptics.
“I'll be honest and say some of the issues that have come forward really leave [in doubt] whether this is something we need to be doing,” said Short.
Significant climate change legislation has not come up for debate this winter during the short 2010 sessions of the Washington and Oregon Legislatures. But all the players on this issue expect global warming controls to return to the forefront in Salem and Olympia in 2011. - Tom Banse, Northwest News Network

Early Monday morning Martin A. Jones, 45, of Seaview, WA was arrested in Long Beach and booked into the Pacific County Jail in South Bend, on charges of Attempted Murder and Assault in the 1st degree in the shooting of Trooper Scott Johnson.


Search warrants are currently being sought in an attempt to obtain important evidence.


While a suspect is in custody the investigation continues.


Investigators still need tips from the public regarding associates, vehicles, firearms, and structures associated with Mr. Jones.


If you have information please call 1-800-283-7808 or outside Washington State 1-360-405-6650.

OSP REPORTS FIRST MONTH ENFORCEMENT EFFORT FOR CELL PHONE LAW VIOLATIONS

During the first month of enforcing Oregon's new cell phone law banning most uses of mobile communication devices while driving a motor vehicle, Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers statewide reported citing 41 drivers and warning over 250 others.


Effective January 1, 2010, with some exceptions, it is unlawful in Oregon for a driver to use a cell phone without using a hands-free accessory while operating a motor vehicle. Violation of the cell phone law is a primary offense, meaning that a police officer may stop a driver solely for observing the violation, is a class D traffic violation with a minimum base fine of $142.


Additional information about this law is available on the website at:


http://www.oregon.gov/OSP/docs/OSP_Cell_law.pdf

Storm water control lawsuit in Washington

LACEY, Wash. - February 1 - Local residents and clean water advocates today filed a challenge to Clark County's on-going failure to protect rivers, streams and comply with laws limiting stormwater pollution.

The public interest law firm Earthjustice filed an appeal on behalf of three local conservation organizations asking the Washington State Pollution Control Hearings Board to throw out a recent agreement between Clark County and the Washington Department of Ecology. Local residents and clean water advocates argue the state authorized inadequate development standards that will generate illegal stormwater pollution.

"Clark County's refusal to comply with state stormwater requirements is unfair to other cities and counties that are working hard to clean up our polluted waterways," said Earthjustice attorney Jan Hasselman, who is representing the groups. "When it comes to clean water, everyone needs to do their share."

Stormwater contains toxic metals, oil, grease, pesticides, herbicides, bacteria and nutrients. Last year, the Environmental Protection Agency released a startling report on toxics in the Columbia Basin, which identified stormwater as a leading cause of toxic pollution in the basin. When stormwater runs off parking lots, buildings, and other urban development, it carries with it toxic metals, particularly copper and zinc, which harm salmon and other aquatic life.

Under a lopsided deal reached in early January, Ecology agreed to allow Clark County to retain inadequate stormwater standards for new development in exchange for a promise to implement county-funded stormwater mitigation projects.

However, Clark County is already required to implement these projects under federal law. Additionally, the agreement allows Clark County to mitigate new development anywhere in the county, up to three years after the development occurs.

"Clark County's approach to stormwater is a bad deal for clean water and species like salmon because developers will continue to use outdated and inadequate building standards," said Dvija Michael Bertish of the Rosemere Neighborhood Association, one of the appellant groups. "It's also a bad deal for taxpayers because it transfers the burden of mitigating stormwater from developers to the public."

"From subsistence to recreational fishing, so many people in our area rely on fish from local streams and rivers," explained Brett VandenHeuvel, Executive Director of Columbia Riverkeeper. "Given the direct harm of stormwater toxics on salmon, we need our state and Clark County to comply with the law to protect the salmon and the people who rely on them."

Federal law required Clark County to adopt new rules governing runoff from development by August of 2008. Rather than comply with Clean Water Act requirements, the county knowingly adopted a significantly weak flow control standard for new development. While Ecology initially sought to bring an enforcement action against the county, it later agreed to let Clark County retain the insufficient standards.

"Clark County is allowing development that does not change the rate of stormwater flow even though this flow continues to damage creeks and rivers," said Dennis Dykes, an expert hydrogeologist who has reviewed the Clark County's proposal. "The stormwater ordinance and the proposed flow control program are not protective of water quality and endangered species like salmon. There is simply no scientific basis for allowing continued degradation of one watershed in exchange for a plan to do something beneficial somewhere else."

The appealing groups include Rosemere Neighborhood Association, Columbia Riverkeeper, and the Northwest Environmental Defense Center. They are represented by attorneys Jan Hasselman and Janette Brimmer of Earthjustice.

About the Pollution Control Hearings Board　

The Pollution Control Hearings Board acts like a court for appeals of state environmental regulations. The three board members hear appeals from orders and decisions made by the Department of Ecology and other agencies as provided by law. The Board's function is to provide litigants a full and complete administrative hearing, as promptly as possible, followed by a fair and impartial written decision based on the facts and law. The Board is not affiliated with the Department of Ecology or any other state agency. The Board consists of three members, who are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the State Senate for staggered six-year terms.

Three Oregon Book Award authors will read from their latest books at the Manzanita Writers’ Series in Manzanita at 7pm on Saturday, February 20, 2010.

Three Oregon Book Award authors will read from their latest books at the Manzanita Writers’ Series at the Hoffman Center in Manzanita at 7pm on Saturday, February 20, 2010. Carmen Bernier-Grand is the author of seven books for children and young adults. She teaches writing in the Whidbey Island Writers MFA program and for Literary Arts' Writers in the Schools program. She is also the recipient of a 2009 Oregon Literary Fellowship for young readers literature. Her book Diego: Bigger Than Life was selected as an Oregon Book Awards finalist in young adult literature. Bonnie Henderson is the author of Strand and two hiking guidebooks. A University of Oregon journalism graduate and a former Sunset magazine editor, Henderson contributes to a variety of regional and national publications. Her book Strand was selected as a 2009 Oregon Book Awards finalist in general nonfiction.Gina Ochsner is author of two short story collections, both of which were selected as previous Oregon Book Awards winners in short fiction. Her novel, The Russian Dreambook of Colour and Flight, was selected as a 2009 Oregon Book Awards finalist in fiction. The Oregon Book Awards, a program of Literary Arts, are presented annually for the finest accomplishments by Oregon writers who work in genres of poetry, fiction, literary nonfiction, drama and young readers literature. The Oregon Book Awards are sponsored by the Oregon Cultural Trust, the National Endowment for the Arts and many other organizations and individuals. Following the three author readings and Q&A, the popular Open Mic session will provide opportunities for the audience to hear nine local writers read from their original work. Interested writers sign up at the door to read; first come, first to read.Writers interested in reading should check out the Open Mic guidelines at hoffmanblog.org