Professionals examine Cape Meares Lighthouse vandalism damage - 02/08/10
CAPE MEARES, OR -- Specialists who work with historic lighthouse lenses and on historic structures descended on the Cape Meares Lighthouse to evaluate damaged caused by vandalism January 9-10. Gunfire shattered portions of the 1890 Fresnel lens, and caused other damage to the historic building and Coast Guard equipment.

Technical experts from Lighthouse Lamp Shop, Inc., led by Joseph S. Cocking and followed by a team from US Coast Guard and Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, completed the following tasks:

+ Recovered salvageable pieces of lens glass, cataloged them, and placed them in secure storage.
+ Reinforced loose or hanging pieces of the lens still attached to the metal frame.
+ Temporarily sealed bullet holes in the exterior glass window panes that surround the lens, then fitted them with wood panels.

The Lighthouse Lamp Shop, Inc. is based in Florida, but works nationwide on historic lighthouse lenses, and assisted the US Coast Guard recovering lenses damaged by Hurricane Katrina. In the next two weeks, the organization will provide a repair recommendations report complete with estimated costs. The group is donating their time and expertise. Their travel, a $4,000 expense, was funded by the Friends of Cape Meares Lighthouse and Wildlife Refuge.

The Friends are seeking donations to fund upcoming repairs, and have collected just shy of $12,000 from private and corporate donations. Donations may be made online at < http://www.capemeareslighthouse.org/html/news_events.html>, or through the TLC Federal Credit Union (PO Box 160 - Tillamook, OR 97141). The Friends may be reached by regular mail at PO Box 262, Netarts, OR 97143.

The US Coast Guard owns the lighthouse, but leases it to the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. The Friends, other private donors and the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department are offering a $5,000 reward that is available for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the vandalism. The Oregon State Police tip line phone number is 800-452-7888.

Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission to consider contract during teleconference meeting - 02/08/10
The Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission will meet by phone at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 11 to consider a contract related to a solar installation project at the Oregon Exposition Center.

Anyone wishing to listen to the proceedings at OPRD headquarters in Salem must contact commission assistant Vanessa DeMoe at 503-986-0719 or Vanessa.DeMoe@state.or.us.
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Oregon's State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation Meets in Coos Bay - 02/02/10
Oregon's State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation (SACHP) will consider nominations to the National Register of Historic Places during a one-day meeting on Friday, February 12th at the Egyptian Theatre, 229 S. Broadway, Coos Bay, OR 97420.

The committee will review the proposed removal of the Mills, Lewis H., House, located in the Portland area, from the National Register, additional documentation for the Willamette Falls Locks in West Linn, and the nomination of the Egyptian Theater where the meeting will be held. A meeting agenda is available at http://www.oregonheritage.org/OPRD/HCD/NATREG/nrhp_sachphome.shtml.

Nominations and other actions recommended by the SACHP are forwarded to the National Park Service, which maintains the National Register under the authority of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. Members of the committee hold credentials in many historic preservation-related fields.

The meeting site is accessible to people with disabilities. Special accommodations for the meeting may be made by calling Kimarie Lamb at (503) 986-0690.

Ladd Carriage House Re-listed in the National Register of Historic Places - 01/27/10
The Ladd Carriage House in downtown Portland has been re-listed in the National Register of Historic Places after its relocation and rehabilitation.

The Ladd Carriage House was built in 1883 to house the horses and carriages of prominent Portland businessman, philanthropist, and civic leader William Sargent Ladd. By the 1880s, William Ladd was widely viewed as the wealthiest and most powerful businessman in the Pacific Northwest. Ladd arrived in Portland in April 1851 and opened general store on Front Street. From this modest beginning, Ladd's enterprises came to include the Ladd and Tilton Bank, the Oregon Steam Navigation Company, the Portland Flouring Mills Company, and countless other civic and business investments that earned him a prominent place among Portland's pioneers. When his lower body was paralyzed in 1876, William Ladd became dependant on crutches, a body servant, and horse-drawn carriages until his death in 1893. The Ladd Carriage House—built directly across Broadway from Ladd's expansive residence—housed the estate's gardener, coachman, and Ladd's horses and carriages on which he depended. The Carriage House is one of the few extant resources associated with Ladd and the only remnant left of his once expansive estate.

The Carriage House was designated as a Portland Landmark in 1970 and was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. The building was delisted when it was moved temporarily in June 2007 to allow for the development of an underground parking garage on the property.

Oregon's State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation recommended the building's nomination in October 2009. More than 500 historic Portland properties are now listed in the National Register, which is maintained by the National Park Service under the authority of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966.

More information about the National Register and recent Oregon listings is online at www.oregonheritage.org (click on "National Register" at left of page).

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department hires executive for Oregon Exposition Center - 01/26/10
News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Contact: Chris Havel, 503-986-0722 (desk), 503-931-2590 (cell)

Salem OR -- The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department announced the hire of Brian Silcott as the lead executive for the Oregon Exposition Center in Salem. The Oregon Exposition Center is a year-round event facility on 186 acres, featuring indoor and outdoor space for more than 150 concerts, trade shows, business meetings and exhibitions a year. Once a year, in late August, the site is home to the Oregon State Fair.

Silcott, 44, comes to the Expo Center with extensive experience in private business management. With a focus on the sports industry, Brian was most recently Executive Vice President at Portland LumberJax, a professional lacrosse team.

The Oregon Exposition Center was transferred to the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department in 2005 by the Oregon Legislative Assembly. In 2009, the department's oversight group—the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission—convened a special Blue Ribbon Panel of community and public service professionals to review Exposition Center operations and management and make recommendations for improving the facility's public service and profitability. The Blue Ribbon Panel's report is online at <http://www.oregonstateexpo.org/node/30>. Report highlights:

+ Expand partnerships with public and private organizations, especially the City of Salem.
+ Improve event marketing and sponsorships.
+ Selectively consider contracts with private businesses for site management where they improve profitability and free staff to improve public service.

Executing the Blue Ribbon Panel's recommendations and overseeing the Exposition Center management are Silcott's primary duties. Organizing and improving the annual state fair event—the largest event at the Expo Center—falls to State Fair Manager Connie Bradley, who will report to Silcott.

"Brian's ability to evaluate business needs and take direct, effective action was cultivated in the private sector," says Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission Chair Jim Parr. "We're excited and optimistic about his ability to implement the Blue Ribbon Panel's recommendations."

Silcott will answer to Oregon Parks and Recreation Department Director Tim Wood, who hired Brian starting January 4, 2010 after a nationwide search for candidates.

"The Exposition Center is a major public asset to Salem and the central Willamette Valley," says Wood. "We need to improve the bottom line while we increase its value to the public, business community and regional economy. Brian brings key business abilities to this challenge."

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Brian Silcott: 503-947-3333

Application period opens for 2010 state park and recreation grants - 01/25/10
The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) opened a 2010 Local Government Grant cycle today (Jan. 25) with $1.5 million in lottery funds available to help acquire, develop and rehabilitate community parks and outdoor recreation facilities.

Cities, counties, metropolitan service districts, port districts and park and recreation districts are eligible to apply for the grants, which have provided more than $45 million in local parks support during the past 10 years. Completed applications are due April 5.

OPRD is offering two workshops on how to submit effective project proposals in February. The workshops will be in Hood River from 1-5 p.m. Feb. 3 and in Salem from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Feb. 10. Registration for the workshop

More information about the state Local Government Grant program, including a grant manual and application materials, are online at www.oregon.gov/OPRD/GRANTS/local_apply.shtml.
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Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission meets in Gladstone - 01/21/10
The Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission will meet Jan. 28 at the Oxford Suites, 75 82nd Drive, in Gladstone.

The meeting will begin at 10:45 a.m. after a commission planning workshop. A complete meeting agenda is posted at: www.oregon.gov/OPRD/documents/2010JanAgenda.pdf.

The commission has specific authority to establish policy and adopt rules for the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, acquire property for state parks, and set fees for the use of park facilities. Its seven members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Oregon Senate.

The meeting site is accessible to people with disabilities. Special accommodations may be arranged up to 72 hours in advance by calling 503-986-0655. ###

(EDITORS NOTE: Meeting agenda attached for your convenience.)

Oregon Heritage Excellence Award Nominations Available - 01/12/10
Somewhere in communities all across the state there are examples of excellence for efforts on behalf of Oregon's heritage, and the Oregon Heritage Commission and State Historic Preservation Office wish to recognize those individuals, businesses and organizations for such outstanding efforts.

Nominations for Oregon Heritage Excellence Awards are encouraged for exceptional and meritorious work; special consideration is given to the development of new ideas, approaches and innovations in heritage-related activities. The awards are also intended to honor those who have made the most from available resources and skills.

Award nominations should be postmarked no later than Jan. 25. A complete nomination package, which includes an application and other supporting material, is available at
http://www.oregon.gov/OPRD/HCD/OHC/award_info.shtml. The site also lists previous Heritage Excellence Award recipients.

The 2010 Oregon Heritage Excellence Awards will be presented at an Oregon Heritage Regional Roundup April 9 by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department's Heritage Programs Division.

For more information contact David Bogan at Heritage.Programs@state.or.us or (503) 986-0671.
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Gathering organized to discuss historic cemetery preservation - 01/11/10
Historic cemetery advocates can share ideas, concerns and achievements over a brown bag lunch January 20 in Medford as the Oregon Commission on Historic Cemeteries (OCHC) continues its outreach effort.

OCHC commissioner Dirk Siedlecki of Eagle Point will represent the seven-member commission at the Medford event which will begin at 12:00 p.m. at the Santo Community Center, 701 North Columbus Avenue, room #5.

Program coordinator Kuri Gill of OPRD said advocates of historic cemeteries in Southern Oregon have embraced the brown bag sessions. "These lunches have been a wonderful way for them to find moral support, new ideas and camaraderie in their efforts to preserve historic cemeteries."

Please bring your own lunch. Water, coffee and dessert will be provided. For more information about the event contact Dirk Siedlecki at (541) 826-9939.

The state historic cemeteries program maintains a list of Oregon's historic cemeteries and offers a variety of educational, financial and technical resources for those working to preserve them. Details are available online at www.oregonheritage.org or by contacting Gill at Kuri.Gill@state.or.us, or by phone at 503-986-0685. ###