Annie's annals

2011-11-17T16:41:00.001-08:00

Public Transportation in Oregon

The state of Oregon has done an impressive job in urban planning and creating an efficient public transportation system. The cities of Portland and Corvallis are both shining examples of what public funds can do to create bike lanes to promote not only alternative modes of transportation but also health and wellness. As environmental and health concerns related to transportation continue to mount, cities like these will be important case studies in master's degree programs and other contexts of studying urban planning.

Portland consistently ranks in the top five best cities for public transportation in the country. Portland’s public transportation system is called TriMet and includes bus service, light rail service, the WES commuter rail, and the Portland streetcar. The TriMet system not only serves the city proper, but also the suburbs Hillsboro, Beaverton, and Gresham.

One of the best features of the Portland public transportation system is the downtown Free Rail Zone, which includes Pioneer Square, Union Station, and the Rose Quarter. In this central area of the city all light rail and streetcars are free every day of the year.

Portland also ranks at or near the top of most lists of bike-friendly American cities. Many public and private agencies provide free bike maps of the hundreds of miles of bike and walking paths in the greater Portland area. One of the most widely used agencies is the Portland Bureau of Transportation, which provides an extensive amount of information on their website.

Although the city of Corvallis is much smaller than Portland, it also prides itself for great public transportation. It's also known as one of the best cities in the nation for bike access, possibly even better than Portland.

Much of the Corvallis Transit System's ridership is comprised of students attending Oregon State University, located in downtown Corvallis. With a student population of about 20,000, it's comparable to the University of Oregon in Eugene. OSU depends upon the city to provide efficient service to its students as well as the rest of the community.

Oregon doesn't collect a state sales tax, which makes the reality of having one of the best options for alternative transportation in the country even more impressive. Because of the many efficient public transportation systems and efficient bike networks throughout the state, Oregon will no doubt continue to be an exemplar of public transit infrastructure and alternative transportation as we enter an age when personal cars will be more and more untenable.

2011-10-17T20:13:00.000-07:00

Monday's a dog.

2011-08-15T21:32:00.000-07:00

Monday's a dog.

Phat Molly at Crystal Lake Park in Corvallis.

2011-06-30T13:37:00.000-07:00

Bumper Sticker Siting

Metaphors Be With You

2011-06-28T14:50:00.000-07:00

Monday was a dog.[via]

2011-06-28T14:42:00.000-07:00

Bumper Sticker Siting

Change Happens At The Speed Of Thought

Love Is A Four Legged Word

Love A Farmer

Fuck Monsanto

2011-06-23T18:58:00.000-07:00

Bumper Sticker Siting

I Don't "Suffer" From Insanity..I Enjoy Every Minute Of It.

I Knit So I Don't Kill People.

2011-06-20T14:18:00.000-07:00


Monday's a dog.

Sera had a rough weekend running and jumping in the hills of Corvallis.

2011-06-18T21:12:00.000-07:00

Bumper Sticker Siting

A Growing Economy Means Shrinking The Ecosystem

Tweekers Suck

Under The Influence Of Peter Frampton

God Is Too Big To Fit Into One Religion

2011-06-06T21:09:00.000-07:00

Monday's a dog.

This male five year old Jack Russell Terrier is up for adoption in Michigan. For more information:

Ph # 517-546-2154 fax 517-546-0232
email LCACE-MAILlcac@co.livingston.mi.us
Dogs info: name Tork ID-2011-790

2011-05-29T20:05:00.000-07:00

Reduce Your Risk For Getting Mad Cow Disease.

I read an interesting report regarding specific risks that are indicators of the likelihood of contracting prion diseases such as mad cow disease, BSE, or CWD(chronic wasting disease), all 100% fatal. Researchers have determined that eating venison from deer killed in 3 states in the USA (Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming), hunting practices and related hygiene, which parts of the carcass you eat, and whether you are a regular visitor to certain parts of Europe where mad cow is endemic. I believe the authors understated the risk of eating animal brains and cuts of meat near the spinal cord For example, t-bone steaks, which are near the spinal cord, increase your risk. The report is a nice concise read for consumers who like to remain knowledgeable about their food.

Survey participants were asked about behaviors that could be associated with exposure to the agents causing BSE and CWD, including travel to the nine countries considered to be BSE-endemic (United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, France, Portugal, Switzerland, Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain) and the cumulative length of stay in each of those countries. Respondents were asked if they ever had hunted for deer or elk, and if that hunting had taken place in areas considered to be CWD-endemic (northeastern Colorado, southeastern Wyoming or southwestern Nebraska). They were also asked if they had ever consumed venison, the frequency of consumption, and whether the meat came from the wild. Eurekalert Link

2011-05-29T11:56:00.000-07:00

Bumper Sticker Siting

Beware of Dogma

I Brake For Picket Lines

2011-05-16T11:13:00.000-07:00

Bumper Sticker Siting

Red Meat Is Not Bad For You...Fuzzy Green Meat Is Bad For You.

Just Because You Are Misunderstood Does Not Make You An Artist.

2011-05-13T19:38:00.000-07:00

FYI

According to billboards sprouting up around the mid-valley recently, the world as we know it will end in a little over a week - May 21, to be exact.

The signs themselves are very exact:

"Judgment Day May 21, 2011," they say. "The Bible guarantees it."

2011-05-03T20:16:00.000-07:00

2011-04-19T10:32:00.000-07:00

Bumper Sticker Siting

She Who Laughs...Lasts

2011-04-16T19:01:00.000-07:00

2011-04-14T16:51:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my guest poster Patricia:

The Multiplicitous Health Benefits of Owning a Dog

When it comes to personal health and wellness, most people readily think of factors like eating right, getting enough rest and exercising regularly. Some people with busy schedules, such as doctors or those who are in medical billing and coding, meditate or practice yoga to reduce or manage stress. While others recognize the importance of balancing work with recreation and understand the value of being connected to other human beings in order to enjoy a satisfying life. However what some people aren’t aware of is that something as simple as owning a dog can be a major contributing factor to human health and wellness.

Dogs have long been regarded as man’s best friend, but it turns out that there is more to a dog’s companionship than unquestioning loyalty. Studies have concluded that dog owners tend to have better cardiovascular health than their non-dog-owning counterparts. This improved cardiovascular health can in many ways be attributed to regularly walking a dog. Scientists who have looked into the matter suggest that people who walk dogs have a tendency to walk for longer distances and for greater periods of time, which leads to weight loss and improved mobility, resulting in better overall cardiovascular health.

Other studies have shown that owning a dog may contribute to better blood pressure numbers and lower heart rates, suggesting that pets may be able to help their owners keep stress levels in check. Certainly anyone who has ever owned a dog can attest to the fact that the enthusiastic greeting of a canine companion at the end of a long, difficult day can provide a significant mood boost. Perhaps that is because it is such a relief to be with a creature that accepts its owners uncritically and with obvious devotion and affection.

This is particularly true for the elderly, who sometimes have a tendency to withdraw from society as their contemporaries begin to fail in their own health and wellness. However interactions with dogs, and the way that these relationships can lead to relationships with other humans, can help senior citizens have more meaningful, satisfying years.

Elderly adults are not the only people who can experience the benefits of dog ownership. Children can also make tremendous social and developmental advances through relationships with pets . When the child is expected to take some responsibility for the dog’s care, they learn many valuable lessons, as well as forming a mutually affectionate tie. Parents who assign tasks like walking, feeding and bathing the dog to their child encourage a bond of responsibility and sympathy between the child and the dog. This allows the child learns that dog ownership is fun, but also carries with it a burden of responsibility that can be applied to many areas of life.

Dogs can also assist human owners in a medical crisis. A growing body of research shows that some dogs are adept at sensing imminent health dangers in their human counterparts. Dogs appear to be genetically wired to be caretakers of their human friends, forging a mutually beneficial relationship in which the needs of individuals on both sides are met with speed, warmth and affection.

Given the many beneficial effects dog ownership seems to have on people, it should come as little surprise that more and more hospitals, extended care facilities and other health centers are making animal therapy a regular part of patient treatment. So-called therapy dogs bring joy and laughter into settings where such emotions can be in short supply, and where such positive feelings might do the most good. Volunteers bring their dogs to medical care facilities on a regular basis to help boost patient morale, creating a welcome change of pace and giving patients something fun and positive to anticipate. Even the staff and visitors at such facilities feel a positive lift to their spirits when a therapy dog is around, as few can resist the allure of a wagging tale and a happily lolling tongue.

For at least the last 12,000 years, dogs and humans have been forging close, beneficial relationships with each other. Centuries ago they hunted together, shared their food and protected each other. That dynamic has changed little through the years as people have come to prize their canine companions with ever deepening affection. Dog owners actively care for their beloved pets by feeding them nutritious food, taking them in for regular veterinary visits, grooming them and ensuring they get sufficient exercise. Yet dogs take care of humans as well by providing numerous opportunities for exercise and providing a welcome antidote to every day stress. A dog owner also has the satisfaction of knowing that they are never truly alone because their most loyal companion is always ready and eager to begin a new adventure together.

<

2011-04-14T16:48:00.000-07:00

Why I Love Corvallis, Oregon, Part 2,011 v.413

Corvallis has successfully increased ridership on our bus system by providing free bus service for everyone. A fee is applied to resident's utility bills to support this program. Check out the dramatic increase of bus riders between Feb and March 2011.

2011-04-11T20:32:00.000-07:00

Bumper Sticker Siting

I "Heart" Zombies

2011-04-11T20:29:00.000-07:00

Monday's a dog. [via]

2011-04-04T14:06:00.000-07:00

Monday's a dog. [via]

2011-04-03T18:38:00.000-07:00

Bumper Sticker Siting

What Happens At Grandmas...Stays At Grandmas.

2011-03-29T14:14:00.000-07:00

Bumper Sticker Siting

It Doesn't Require Many Words To Tell The Truth....Chief Joseph

2011-03-28T20:14:00.000-07:00

Monday's a dog. CDE''s best friend, Bailey.

*cutest dog ever, Sera

Annie's annals

Ph # 517-546-2154 fax 517-546-0232 email LCACE-MAILlcac@co.livingston.mi.us Dogs info: name Tork ID-2011-790

Ph # 517-546-2154 fax 517-546-0232
email LCACE-MAILlcac@co.livingston.mi.us
Dogs info: name Tork ID-2011-790