Recreation

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Written by: Editor

Published: 08 October 2010

WASHINGTON, DC – A new report by the USDA Forest Service, “Sustaining America's Urban Trees and Forests,” provides an overview of the current status and benefits of America's urban forests that affect the lives of nearly 80 percent of the U.S. population.

"For many Americans, local parks, yards and street trees are the only forests they know," said Tom Tidwell, Chief of the US Forest Service. "More than 220 million Americans live in cities and urban areas and are dependent on the environmental, economic and social benefits provided by these trees and forests. This report shows the challenges faced by privately and publicly owned forests and offers some cost-effective tools to boost the effectiveness of future land management."

The distribution of urban forests varies from community to community, but most share the same benefits provided by city trees: improved water quality, reduced energy use, diverse wildlife habitats and increased quality of life and well-being for residents.

As densely populated areas expand across the country, the importance of these forests and their benefits will increase, as will the challenges to conserve and maintain them.

City managers and neighborhood organizations can benefit from a number of management tools listed within the report, such as TreeLink, a networking website providing technological information on urban forest resources to be of assistance for challenges facing their local trees and forests.

The report also notes that urban trees face challenges over the next 50 years. For examples invasive plants and insects, wildfire, air pollution and climate change will all have impacts on the tree canopy of cities across America.

"Urban forests are an integral part of community ecosystems, with numerous elements that significantly affect the quality of city life," said lead author David Nowak, a US Forest Service Northern Research Station researcher. "These trees not only provide essential services but also increase property values and commercial benefits."

Sustaining America's Urban Trees and Forests is produced by the Forests on the Edge project. More information on this and related reports can be found at http://www.fs.fed.us/openspace/fote/.

The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to State and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world.

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Written by: Bob Cook

Published: 07 October 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

ANDERSON, Calif. – It all began Friday evening in Anderson after Mike Doss finished watching his son Jeremy Doss race his Legend car.

“I should have brought the late model; I really need to win a race here before I hand it all over to Jeremy,” Mike Doss said.

Denise Doss, wife and mother to Mike and Jeremy, said, “Then you better go get it.”

Mike and Dale Dodd, Jeremy’s crew chief, hopped into the truck and headed back to Upper Lake to pick up the late model, about a six-hour round trip, arriving back at Anderson in the early morning.

Before I go on, let me tell you about Junior Roddy. He lives in Gualala, off of Highway 1, 60 miles north of Fort Bragg.

Because of his remote home base, he has his own plane and a pilot’s license; he flies to his races and claims it’s actually less expensive.

Junior Roddy’s No. 41 crew usually rolls up later with the hauler, but not this time They called in broke down somewhere between Highway 20 and 53.

Looking for advice on how to get the rig and late model to the track on time, they called Junior with the news, and Mike Doss overhears. Of course Doss offers up, “My shop is only a few miles away; could they get over there and pick up my hauler?” His toter was sitting ready for them to hook up their trailer. They made it to the track by afternoon Friday.

Saturday morning, Dodd and Dodd unload the late model, already a day behind everyone because of not testing on Friday. They went to fire it up and it would not start.

 

 

 

 

 

 

They changed out the ignition systems and checked a few things, only to discover the distributer gear was broken. Doss runs a Ford and no one had a gear he could use, there was nothing at the local parts stores.

While Mike was asking around for a gear, Junior Roddy overheard him say, “I have one at my race shop but it would take me way to long to drive back and get one.”

Roddy offered, “Let me fly back to Upper Lake.”

Doss thought Roddy would miss practice, but Roddy did not hesitate and looked at Dodd. “Let's go.”

They told Mike to have someone meet them at the Lakeport airport with the part, and then off they went to rescue a $50 part.

Later that afternoon when practices were almost over, here comes Roddy and Dodd with the part to fix Mike Doss’ late model. The part came in a ring-size box. The smallest things make the biggest difference.

It did not take long for Doss and Dodd to get the late model running. The Shasta Raceway Park officials made some adjustments to the schedule so Doss and Roddy would get a few laps in, and they would at least be able to scuff their tires for qualifying.

Sunday Morning, during late model practice, Doss said the car was a little off, and after he and Dodd convened, it sounded like more than just a little off. It looked like Dodd changed every thing but the driver.

Doss started sixth for the feature and he fell back a few spots, while Eric Gannon was pulling away from the field.

At halfway point, he started moving his way to the front, slowly passing one car at a time. Doss took the lead somewhere around lap 100 with 25 to go.

It was just a lot of good side-by-side racing, with everyone standing and cheering. The laps went by so fast; I could not keep up with the count.

Mike Doss took the checked flag, and you could see Dodd jump up in excitement and Jeremy Doss was the most popular spotter in the stand. Everyone stopped and shook his hand, and you could hear, “For only being 14, you are one hell of a spotter.”

This was a very emotional win for Mike Doss; this is the race he has wanted for some time now.

During the post race interview, Mike Doss said he is going to retire from full-time racing and start

focusing on his son's racing career.

“I could not have won this with out the help of Dale, he worked his butt off all weekend, and Jeremy, what an awesome spotter, and a big thanks to Junior for flying back and getting the part we needed,” Mike Doss said. “We could be here all night thanking everyone; there are just so many people that make this a team.”

 

 

 

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Written by: Editor

Published: 04 October 2010

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Auto racing returns to the Lakeport Speedway Oct. 15 through 17 with the 21st running of the “KXBX October Classic.”

This special event will feature nine divisions of race cars in a three-day format and is the biggest event of the year for the one-quarter mile paved oval located at the Lake County Fairgrounds.

Divisions include the Coors Light Modifieds racing for $1,500 to win, Late Models racing for $1,200 to win, Clover Hydro Jammers, Mini Stocks, Pro-4 Modifieds, Street Stocks, BCRA Midgets and the Bandoleros.

Drivers running in the Bomber division will not only be running for $500 to win, but they also will be entered in the Lakeport/Shasta Bomber Challenge.

This series continues from the race that took place at Shasta Raceway Park in Anderson on Oct. 2 and 3 and also will support a $600 point’s fund.

Rules and entry forms for all divisions are available on the speedway Web site at www.lakeportspeedway.com.

The event begins with a Friday practice from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. followed by a first round of qualifying and a barbecue for those who attend practice.

Saturday night's show will include second round qualifying with trophy dashes and 20-lap qualifying races, and the main attraction event for the BCRA Midgets beginning at 6 p.m. Gates open at 4 p.m.

 

Sunday will see feature events only in all divisions except the BCRA Midgets and a special main attraction with a demolition derby following the races.

Gates open at 11 a.m. with afternoon racing at 1 p.m.

Admission prices are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors (62 and older) and students ages 12 to 17, and $5 for kids ages 6 to 11. A special two-day ticket is available for a discount of $2.

Call the speedway office at 707-279-9577 for more information about this special event.