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Ribbon Cutting at Overpass

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Port of Ridgefield staff, contractors, local elected officials and representatives from Washington State’s 18th district were on hand at the Pioneer Street Rail Overpass celebration event on September 11, 2021 to do the ribbon cutting honors for the Pioneer Street Rail Overpass project. Elected officials and port staff in the photo are from Left: Port of Ridgefield V.P. of Operations Laurie Olin; Port of Ridgefield Commissioner Bruce Wiseman (white shirt); Senator Ann Rivers, Port of Ridgefield Chair Scott Hughes (behind Senator Rivers); State Representative Brandon Vick; Port of Ridgefield CEO Brent Grening (back, white shirt); and Port of Ridgefield Commissioner Joe Melroy (white shirt); State Representative Larry Hoff, who was on the scene, was standing behind Laurie Olin.

The Pioneer Street Rail Overpass will open to pedestrians and vehicle traffic in the early hours of September 17. This Port of Ridgefield project provides safe, uninterrupted passage to and from the Ridgefield waterfront. The overpass span was the third and final phase of this safety project that started 17 months ago. This phase tied the earlier Port of Ridgefield-constructed overpass approach roads together to complete the rail overpass.

Hopefully this will mean no more train horns at 3:00 in the morning!

The End Of The Drought?

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Above:  A photo taken yesterday.

 A juvenile bullfrog hops across a recently dried pond.  A few feet away are hundreds of dead tadpoles.   Some of which have  developed legs and arms; Another week or so and they would have  been able to  leave.  This has been the longest and  hottest summer we’ve ever had.  The damage to trees and shrubs is very evident.  The mortality of fish in Gee Creek is likely very high.  The mortality of all fish in Allen Canyon Creek is total since the entire creek went dry.  The last significant rain we had was in the middle of June.  It’s been almost three months.  The summers here have been drier, warmer, and longer since 2014.

There is some relief on the way.  The National Weather Service is predicting one to two inches  of rain beginning early Friday morning.  That will make a big difference if it happens.  It may be enough to restore flows to Allen Canyon Creek and increase the very low flows on Gee Creek.  NWS warns that it won’t be enough to end the fire season but should help.  It will not end the drought unless there is more rain soon.

There are  many construction projects in Ridgefield with a lot of exposed dirt.  Some of them look  vulnerable to erosion.  The city needs to  take steps to have contractors and developers double down on erosion control efforts.  In the past, erosion control failures have  have left a coating of mud on the streambeds.  With low flows, streams will not be able to wash any sediment away.

BY Paul Snoey

COVID-19 ACTIVITY: 9 SEPTEMBER

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Clark County posted  new data for the two week average ending September 2nd.  It’s evident that the case rate/100,000 has slowed.  However, new cases in Clark are still at an all time high.  But perhaps we’re nearing the crest.  

For the United States today, Worldometer posted 160,748 new cases and 1929 deaths.

For Washington State, the posting was 3960 new cases and 64 deaths today.

For Clark County, the posting was 217 new cases and 5 deaths today

For Cowlitz County, it was 119 new cases and 10 deaths.

These are not good numbers. 

September Sixth, 2020

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This photo was taken last year when there was a great deal of smoke in the air and it got dark early.     These birds went into the chimney sooner  than they usually did. It has always been a pleasure to watch these acrobatic flyers.  They were a nuisance for my neighbors.    Earlier this summer, screens were placed over the chimney,   These birds can no longer roost here.  I miss watching them.  I hope they find another place nearby.

by Paul Snoey

 

Ron and Sandy’ Adventures in Greece (13th day – last day)

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Hello! It is Wednesday and the five of us are in Athens for one day. Tomorrow we return home.

Everyone got up early, packed and we all headed to the airport in Santorini. We were early and there were no lines, either at the ticket counter or security. Santorini’s airport seems to be very new…organized, clean and good spacing.

The flight to Athens is about one hour and the sights out the window are spectacular – islands, white cities, blue water and boats.
Arriving in Athens we needed a transport to the center of Athens which we had arranged for the five of us. Just a note – the airport is about one hour from downtown Athens and the cost for the five of us was about 50 Euros. (A Euro is valued at approx. $1.20.) We are now in the Plaka, had some great lunch, shopped a little for the things we need – gifts, etc.

Tonight we ate at the top of a hotel with the Acropolis in full splendor – all lit up. Beautiful! Although our B & B is literally downtown in a walking area it is really fabulous. It’s the first time we’ve had a good shower, a larger bathroom and a bigger bed. (it however is up a flight of stairs….no elevator).
After shopping awhile Sandy and I bought a rolling soft ‘suitcase’ to replace my bag that had torn apart and is/was duck tapped.

Notes: We saw very little homeless, in fact none except tonight one man on the side street had a ‘homeless’ sign, and two kids were working the crowd with their hands out.  There is however a lot of graffiti.

The price of white wine averages around 3-4 Euros. Yes more expensive in top restaurants. In the islands there is virtually no lamb, in Athens, yes. We asked and they said it was too expensive to ship in. Your table is bare until you sit and order, then they bring place settings. One is expected to sit and enjoy your time at the table long after you have finished. In fact you almost always have to signal the waiter to get your bill. And other times you wonder if there is a waiter or should you ask???

The Greeks are very expressive and most know some if not a lot of English. There have been relatively few Americans visiting. Quite a lot of French, Italians, Germans, British and a smattering of Irish plus other European countries. Many are surprised of our being there from so far away. Example: An Irish flight is only four hours. We travel about 16+ hours. And if you think you can get hold of any airlines (in our case Delta), think again. Not unusual to be on hold for four hours.

All that said, Greece is a wonderful place to visit. The country is so full of history! The people are great and welcoming, the seas are cobalt blue and the food though different is a taste treat!

All of us….Vern and Kathy, Diane, Gretchen, Marsha, Sandy and I hope you enjoyed this little blog sent to you and Ridgefield – the best place on earth!
Very sincerely, and tomorrow morning we start our journey home arriving around midnight. Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed our experiences.

Ron and Sandy