Port Orford, OR

A prospective buyer from California recently asked: "What kind of town is Port Orford?" I spoke about the natural beauty of the area then explained that in my opinion the people in Port Orford are its greatest strength. I shared with him my own experience about how open and accepting the community was when my wife and I arrived back in 2005 and how supportive our new friends and neighbors were when my wife needed major surgery to restore her to good health. Then I shared my sense of our community's spirit and our community's sense of place, He decided he needed to experience Port Orford first hand and is scheduling a visit in the next few weeks.

After our conversation I reflected on Port Orford and came up with the following list of strengths which I have discussed individually in previous blogs. Port Orford is:

• Unpretentious small town atmosphere with a strong sense of community
• Natural beauty of ocean, beaches, coastal forests, rivers & deep water ocean port
• Recreational activities - fishing, birding, surfing, scuba diving, kayaking, horseback riding, hiking, & photograpy
• Galleries that promote local artists, craftsman, & writers
• Theatre 101 at the Seaside Plaza for plays, musicals, bands, & musicians
• Savoy movie theater for first run movies and an occassional oldie but goodie
• Locally owned businesses - no fast food restaurants or chain stores
• State and City Parks including one with an arena for giving your horse a workout.
• State and Private campgrounds & RV Parks including a State campground on the beach for horseback riding
• Sense of history - geological, biological, and cultural - indigenous & immigrant
• Sense of our heritage - tribal, pioneer, mining, timber, & fishing
• Sense of time - slower coastal pace, seasonal changes, & migratory movements of whales & birds
• Active/engaged retirees with talents & financial assets
• Local schools & community organizations that enjoy high levels of community support

In the Pacific Northwest moss growing on your roof can affect the water tight integrity of your roof and if it gets too bad your insurance company may cancel your insurance policy or refuse to renew your homeowner's insurance until the moss is properly removed and the roof is inspected (FYI - Insurance companies will periodically check homes that they have insured).

As in any home maintenance or repair project, if you have any questions consult a professional. For your information, I have provided some roof maintenance tips below.

An ounce of prevention ... The best prevention for roof moss is copper ridge and hip caps. They are expensive but they work.

If you ask around about a roof moss problem some people will tell you that a mild laundry detergent will kill the moss. However, it would be more accurate to say that the zinc phosphate in the detergent kills the moss and there are better chemical solutions than laundry detergent. For example, a soap-based treatment called Moss Aside (see gardensalive.com) and I have also heard people recommend Lilly Miller Moss Out, or Worry-Free Moss.

If you have moss growing on your roof you should follow a 3 step procedure:

1. Kill it;
2. Remove it; and
3. Prevent it.

Professionals advise that you proceed cautiously when applying chemicals to your roof. They recommend that you try the least toxic product available before taking more drastic measures and they suggest that you try it in the least visible part of your roof first.

Moss Aside should be applied in the spring or fall using a garden sprayer, mop, or brush.

When the moss is dead flush it off the roof with a pressure washer making sure to point the pressure washer down the roof to avoid driving water under the shingles.

After the roof is cleaned and clear of moss, you can discourage future re-growth by installing zinc strips at the peak and at down-roof intervals (see z-stop.com). After installation rainwater washing over these strips releases zinc carbonate into the storm water that washes over the roof which treats the shingle granules and prevents or significantly reduces moss growth.

According to the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department approximately 18,000 Grey whales will pass by in the 4 weeks from mid-March through mid-April in their yearly 10,000 mile migration from the Baja Lagoons of Mexico to their summer feeding grounds in the Bering Sea. The main body of whales is about 3 miles off shore however; when feeding the whales can be seen closer to shore. During the peak period approximately 6 whales per hour will pass by specific viewing sites.

The Northern migration starts in the spring during the week of March 21 - March 28. Trained volunteers will tell you that the younger whales travel by first followed by adult whales and lastly the mother whales and their calves (see Whale Watching Spoken here website http://whalespoken.org/ for more info).

The Parks and Recreation Dept. website listed below documents a few whale watching tips.

http://whalespoken.org/OPRD/PARKS/WhaleWatchingCenter/watch_weeks.shtml

• Gray whales may possibly be seen year-round on the Oregon, Washington and northern California coastlines.
• Winter migration has the highest numbers (30 per hour) but the whales are usually farther off shore (1-5 miles) because of stormy weather.
• During the spring migration (northbound), the whales are more spread out (6 per hour) but they are closer to shore (1/2 - 3 miles), sometimes stopping to eat.
• Summer feeding whales are very close to shore and eat tiny mysid shrimp that live in the kelp beds. They may feed for hours in the same location.
• Bring your binoculars and dress for the weather. Focus your binoculars and have them ready, but watch with your eyes. When you locate a blow, then bring up your binoculars for a closer look.
• Learn the diving and feeding habits of the whales so you will know how often and where they may surface by going to http://www.oregonstateparks.org/images/pdf/whale_watch_center.pdf for the Whale Watching brochure.
• Morning light (with the sun at your back) is often helpful for spotting blows. Afternoon light reflects off the water and makes viewing difficult.
• Calmer days are better whale watching days, by land, sea or air!

They advise that any spot with an ocean view may yield whale sightings, but higher locations like Cape Blanco and Battle Rock Park are better than sandy beaches.

It has never been more important for each and everyone of us to communicate to our elected officials about issues, priorities, programs, legislation, budget, and appointments. If you live in Port Orford I have provided the names, addresses, telephone numbers, fax numbers, and email addresses of your elected representatives in the State Govt.

Governor

Ted Kulongoski

160 State Capitol

900 Court St.

Salem, OR 97301-4047

T | 503-378-4582

F | 503-378-6827

E | representative.citizen@state.or.us

E | www.governor.state.or.us

Secretary of State

Kate Brown

136 State Capitol

Salem, OR 97301-0722

T | 503-986-1523

F | 503-986-1616

E | oregon.sos@state.or.us

E | www.sos.state.or.us

State Treasurer

Ben Westlund

159 State Capitol

900 Court St. NE

Salem, OR 97301-4043

T | 503-378-4329

M | oregon.treasury@state.or.us

Attorney General

John Kroger

Oregon Department of Justice

1162 Court St. NE

Salem, OR 97301

T | 503-378-4400

E | doj.info@state.or.us

State Senator, District 1

Jeff Kruse

900 Court St. NE., S-316

Salem, OR 97301

T | 503-986-1701

E | jeffkruse@state.or.us

E | www.leg.state.or.us/kruse

State Representative, District 1

Wayne Krieger

900 Court St. NE., H-381

Salem, OR 97301

T | 503-986-1401

E | rep.waynekrieger@state.or.us

E | www.leg.state.or.us/krieger

It has never been more important for each and everyone of us to communicate to our elected officials about issues, priorities, programs, legislation, budget, and appointments. If you live in Port Orford I have provided the names, addresses, telephone numbers, fax numbers, and email addresses of your elected representatives in the Federal Govt.

President
Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvannia Ave NW
Washington, DC 20500

T | 202-456-1414
F | 202-456-2461
E | www.whitehouse.gov/contact

Vice President
Dr. Joe Biden
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20500

T | 202-456-1414
F | 202-456-2461
E | www.whitehouse.gov/vice-president


US Senators
Jeff Merkley
SDB-40B Dirksen Senate Office Bldg
Washington, DC 20510

T | 202-224-3753
F | 202-228-3997
E | merkley.senate.gov/contact

Oregon Office

One World Trade Center
121 SW Salmon St., Suite 1250
Portland, OR 97204

P | 503-326-3386
F | 503-326-2900


Ron Wyden
230 Dirksen Senate Office Bldg
Washington, DC 20510-3703

T | 202-224-5244
E | wyden.senate.gov/contact


Medford, OR Office
Federal Courthouse, Room 118
310 West 6th St.
Medford, OR 97501

T | 541-858-5122


US Representatives
Peter DeFazio
2134 Rayburn House Office Bldg
Washington, DC 20515

T | 202-225-6416
T | 800-944-9603
E | www.house.gov/formdefazio/contact

Coos Bay Office
125 Central, Suite 250
Coos Bay, OR 97420

T | 541-269-2609

Roseburg Office
612 S.E Jackson St, Room 9
Roseburg, OR 97470

T | 541-44-3523