http://www.newwest.net/index.php/city/main/C99/L99/ New West Network: The Voice of the Rocky Mountains en info@newwest.net Copyright 2009 Sun, 22 Nov 2009 09:35:05 MST Sun, 22 Nov 2009 09:35:05 MST http://www.newwest.net/city/article/following_california_off_the_cliff/C99/L99/ Sat, 21 Nov 2009 11:23:04 MST Heavy use of citizen initiatives is one of the clearest predictions of states that are in danger of following California "to the brink of insolvency," according to an extensive survey of state financial problems by the nonpartisan Pew Center on the States. Oregon, looking toward a critical vote in January, is perhaps the next state in danger of insolvency; if voters reject a $733 million tax increase on upper incomes and corporations, the state will face a huge budget deficit even after cutting state spending by $2 billion in the 2009 legislative session. Among the states with the most serious financial problems, the top seven all have a super-majority requirement for their legislatures to pass taxes without a popular vote, allowing a minority to deadlock revenue measures; and six of the seven endangered states make use of citizen initiatives and referendums. Across the country, the two work hand in hand; nearly every state with a super-majority got there via citizen initiative. Washington falls into that category. A stronger economy and sounder state financial management keep it from the "endangered" list, although it still ranks 14th among the 50 states in terms of fiscal trouble. http://www.newwest.net/city/article/oregon_cat_dies_from_swine_flu/C99/L99/ Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:21:46 MST Oregon is home to the country's first reported fatal case of swine flu in a cat. The cat, a 10-year-old male, died Nov. 7 near Portland. The Oregon State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory examined the dead cat and discovered he carried the H1N1 virus. While this is the third confirmed case of a cat with H1N1, it is the first fatality in a feline reported nationwide http://www.newwest.net/city/article/road_rage_explained_getting_kids_outside_usa_still_rocks_and_more/C99/L99/ Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:14:21 MST I used to play basketball, but not too much since the day my coach took me aside, patted me on the head, and said, "Bill, you're short, but you're slow, and you really need to follow your shots." Well, that was a long time ago, and I admit to never doing anything about the shortness or the slowness, but I have learned to follow my shots. And sometimes, they're worth following. When I write my columns, I frequently hope something happens, and guess what sometimes it does. Check out these updates to past columns. http://www.newwest.net/city/article/an_open_letter_to_warren_buffett/C99/L99/ Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:27:45 MST Dear Mr. Buffett: I read with interest and glee about your recent acquisition of the majority ownership in Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF). Congratulations on buying a great company--investment wise, I should clarify, because BNSF is a not-so-great company on the public relations front. Now that you own the railroad, you can change that bad image with one phone call and instantly make your new acquisition--and yourself, of course--a corporate saint out here in Montana. http://www.newwest.net/city/article/pollution_altering_alpine_lakes/C99/L99/ Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:06:20 MST What seem to be pristine alpine lakes high in Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park are getting greener, and not in a good way. A report in the current edition of Science finds that those lakes are being swamped with nitrogen from the atmosphere, caused by pollution from cars, factories, feed lots and fertilizer. The nitrogen is essentially fertilizing lakes that aren't used to being fertilized, causing a growth of algae and threatening to harm the fish at the top of the food chain. In addition to our carbon footprint, researchers say, human activity leaves a more subtle nitrogen footprint that is affecting natural systems around the world, even in some of the most remote places. http://www.newwest.net/city/article/open_fields_still_closed/C99/L99/ Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:56:07 MST Open Fields was a "major victory" for hunters and wildlife conservation, according to the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP) and many other green groups that lobbied for it. It passed back in December 2008, but almost a year later, this innovative hunter access program is still mired in the administrative rule making process. Now, predictably, conservationists who struggled mightily for the program are asking Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack for a little more priority. http://www.newwest.net/city/article/keeping_it_underground_in_oregons_lava_caves/C99/L99/ Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:56:44 MST For the past several days a walnut-sized lump has been throbbing on the top of my skull. This morning when I attempted to shampoo my hair, the scrubbing motion nearly brought me to tears. I can't wear my blue baseball hat without feeling pain. The cause of the hideous and horribly painful lump on this writer's noggin? It came from a sharp-ass rock in a dark-ass cave. A lava cave, to be precise. And despite the injury, I encourage everyone to go check out the lava caves in central and eastern Oregon for themselves. Just try not to be an idiot and get hurt yourself hurt, okay? http://www.newwest.net/city/article/new_us_parks_chief_puts_gloves_on_might_need_them/C99/L99/ Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:50:05 MST A massive job awaits Jonathan Jarvis, the man who became chief of national parks this month, according to a fine feature story by Todd Wilkinson (which was published today in the Flathead Beacon). The new park service director, a 32-year veteran of the National Park Service, kicked off his new job by visiting the home of conservationist John Muir and taking his family to Yosemite National Park, Wilkinson writes. If Jarvis got some extra energy from the trips, that's good, the story notes. Because he'll need it. http://www.newwest.net/city/article/choosing_a_fishing_lodge/C99/L99/ Thu, 29 Oct 2009 02:00:25 MST So, you've finally decided to take that fishing trip of a lifetime--to Alaska, Canada, Patagonia, the Caribbean or another exotic location. Now, be sure you choose the right lodge. The cost is always key, of course, but hardly the only concern. Regardless of your passion--bonefish, tarpon, muskie, salmon, monster rainbows or pike, whatever--you don't want your long-awaited (and deserved, right?) vacation to turn into a stressful and costly disappointment. If you're a do-it-yourself type of guy, this column isn't for you, but if you decide to stay at a fishing lodge and have a guided adventure, finding the right outfitter and avoiding problems along the way can be challenging. I'm hardly an expert, but I've stayed at a dozen or more lodges through the years.  Along the way, I've picked up a few tips that might be helpful. http://www.newwest.net/city/article/helena_native_born_without_legs_shares_his_perspective_in_double_take/C99/L99/ Tue, 27 Oct 2009 08:00:06 MST Helena-raised Kevin Connolly is on the road talking about his new memoir, Double Take.  He'll visit Bozeman today (Country Bookshelf, 7 p.m.), and he'll be in Helena on October 28 (Montana Book Company, 7 p.m.), and in Missoula on October 29 (Fact & Fiction, 7 p.m.).  The 24-year-old Connolly was born without legs, but according to his bio on his publisher's website, he "was otherwise a healthy baby and grew up like any other Montana kid; getting dirty, running in the woods, and getting dirty some more." Connolly began taking photographs four years ago, traveling around the world on a skateboard and "documenting the reactions" people had to him.  The photos in this series became "The Rolling Exhibition," which Connolly's website describes as: 31 Cities, 32,000 photos, one stare." Double Take is getting great reviews; Kirkus Reviews described it as "A courageous, immensely rewarding chronicle expressed in arresting words and pictures." Visit Connolly's website for an entertaining trailer about his experience reading an ebook on an over-sized PC. Also in the Roundup: A Utah State senior wins the national Norman Mailer Award for nonfiction, two forthcoming regional novels, and David Sax finds some good Jewish delis in the Rockies.