The McKenzie Valley's Weekly Newspaper
Volume 31, Issue 44 - June 25, 2009
Crews improving Old McKenzie Highway
Photo Courtesy ODOT
Workers are installing gabion baskets that are filled with rock to provide extra stability in selected areas. The baskets will be located under the paved travel lane and along narrow shoulder areas.
MCKENZIE BRIDGE: A three-year, $3.8 million project to rehabilitate the Old McKenzie Pass (Hwy. 242) is moving toward its projected August completion date. The roadwork was designed to maintain and preserve the historic, winding roadway along its scenic route.
Crews have completed a milling operation up to milepost 68 - a two-step process that involves grinding up the existing asphalt surface and patching deteriorated segments of the highway. The entire roadway will also receive an overlay of new asphalt later this year. In addition, a new drainage culvert at MP 66.3 has been installed.
Crews have finished excavating the road at Alder Springs as well as placing gabion baskets from milepost 76.1 to 76.4. The rock filled baskets are placed in areas to help stabilize slope repair work.
Next week workers will concentrate on completing gabion work at all locations, placing an under drain system at milepost 75, and complete patching the rest of milled areas. Work at designated turnouts; including the berm at milepost 66.3 and the embankment at milepost 65.3 are scheduled for the following week.
During the construction work, the Old McKenzie Highway is closed to vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists from milepost 61.9 to 79. The west gate remains closed, if the east gate is opened by ODOT any time prior to July 6th, it will be closed again from July 6th through August 15th.
.Two retire from fire
& rescue board
WALTERVILLE: McKenzie Fire & Rescue extended its appreciation to outgoing board members Ty Huling and Bill Bennett at the June 16th board of directors meeting. Huling and Bennett were thanked for their adherence to high ethical standards in the conduct of the district's business.
Recognized at the same meeting were incumbent Rick Thompson, newly elected John Phelps, and board appointed Bruce Daniel. The three will start their terms on July 1st.
The board also elected officers for 2009-2010: President, Jason Reed; Vice President Joan Lowe; and Secretary/Treasurer Rick Thompson.
Businesses offered
free software
Oregon residents who own or plan to start a business can pick up a free copy of management software next Wednesday.
LEABURG: The McKenzie River Chamber of Commerce has partnered with Palo Alto Software of Eugene for a one-day giveaway of free copies of the company's Business Plan Pro Premier. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Old McKenzie Fish Hatchery, 44643 McKenzie Highway at Leaburg Lake.
The program is the world's number one selling business-planning software and is used by over 50 percent of Fortune 500 companies, more than 800 universities, and trusted by federal organizations like the SBA and the SBDC network. In its 20 years of operation, Palo Alto Software has sold over 1 million licenses of the PC-compatible Business Plan Pro.
The free software is not a trial version and there are no strings attached. Palo Alto Software is giving away the same best-selling software that sells for $199.95 nationwide.
Chelle Parmele of Palo Alto Software noted that, "Throughout Oregon, small- and medium-sized businesses are struggling to remain open, and continue to sustain growth. They are searching for ways to run their businesses smarter and stronger. As an Oregon-based small business itself, Palo Alto Software wants to support other Oregon businesses and help as many as possible get through the current tough times and succeed."
There are mimimal conditions for accepting the software:
· People must be an Oregon resident.
· The download certificate must be physically picked up at the Chamber's office.
· Only one unit per business/per person.
· The software must be installed and registered within 48 hours of pick-up; otherwise the code given will expire (this prevents the software from being sold online).
Lodge adds
accessible cabin
David Sherman adds the final part of the new cabin, an eagle weathervane, at the June 14th dedication ceremony
MCKENZIE BRIDGE: St. Benedict Lodge at McKenzie Bridge dedicated the "Salmon House" on June 14th, its first disability accessible cabin. St. Benedict's, overlooking the McKenzie River, provides some 65 rooms in the main lodge for high school, university and various other non-profit groups.
"Increasingly," said Lodge Director Fr. Tom DeMan, "people with various disabilities desire to book a room but up to now no fully accessible accommodations have been available."
Lane County planners preferred building ramps to second floor rooms rather than a new structure along the river. For anyone who has seen the lodge, that solution was impractical. Fr. DeMan said, "It wasn't until I met Commissioner Faye Stewart at the McKenzie School Town Hall meeting last year and explained my frustrations, that doors began to open."
Contractor Garth Hamlow and his son, Jordan, from McKenzie Bridge built the cabin, beginning with excavation on a snowy day last January. With the addition of the cabin it will now be also possible for individuals as well as couples to book private retreats and getaways at St. Benedict's, Fr. DeMan noted. Information can be obtained at the website sblodge.org
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