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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories 10 things to know for Tuesday, May 19 Ashland council to consider water rate surcharge, Welcome Center agreement Ashland High's Michelle Zundel heading to Medford district Jackson County district election turnout under 17 percent Makeover brings new look to old clinic Education Ashland High's Michelle Zundel heading to Medford district John Muir students need help producing eighth-grade yearbook Ashland High School seeks volunteers for 2015-16 Heading to Harvard Rising from the ashes Environment Demonstrators hope to save tree Documentary 'When Giants Fall' tells tragic story of elephant poaching Mt. Ashland Ski Area proposes summer adventure center Long drought, big storm make for a dirty Bear Creek Jackson County declares drought disaster Business Makeover brings new look to old clinic Cars We Remember: 1955 and 1956 Plymouth memories Ashland's CD Or Not CD will carry on Sawyer Paddles sues manufacturer, alleging breach of contract Ashland seminars focus on employment law Politics and elections Ashland council to consider water rate surcharge, Welcome Center agreement Jackson County district election turnout under 17 percent Arthur I. Cyr: Camp David summit will not help Mideast stability City of Ashland to consider making recorder position appointive, not elective Ashland water bills could go up to fund watershed protection State News Oregon's snowpack at just 11 percent of average Lack of snow nixes ski portion of popular Central Oregon race Bill under debate in Oregon would limit livestock antibiotics Nation - World There's a $10 million precious stone hidden in plain sight at Grand Central Obituaries Death Notices Patricia Carole-Mae Perrin Alpha W. Crews Brian Erskine Fletcher Nita Day Shareable Check out top import and export for every U.S. state Patriots fan sets up GoFundMe page to help pay for team's Deflategate fine Sports Latest Stories AHS decathlete Thompson-Siporen overcomes knee surgery to shine at districts George Barnes: We need to help free Tom Brady O'Brien, Kim claim MWL doubles title Kelly McElroy: I hate this ‘game’ App Finder: Best cycling apps High school AHS decathlete Thompson-Siporen overcomes knee surgery to shine at districts O'Brien, Kim claim MWL doubles title Thompson-Siporen earns three MWL titles in first day of district meet Ashland heads to Eugene for MWL district meet Ayers pitches Eagles past Grizzlies Southern Oregon University O'Brien, Kim claim MWL doubles title Ashland heads to Eugene for MWL district meet Raiders Maguin, Parks, Sanders highlight first day of CCC track meet SOU lands two on all-CCC softball team See you in August Voices Latest Stories Dianne Williamson: Rare talent needn’t tread lightly on taboo topics Granlund cartoon: Sen. Warren vs. Obama Letters to the Editor, May 19 Council Corner: Please help me with my list Granlund cartoon: Memorial Day and Uncle Sam Editorial Other Views: Vaccine rate improves Our View: Focus on the basics Our View: Elected or appointed? Our View: Change is brewing Our View: Forest work is a bargain Letters Letters to the Editor, May 19 Letters to the Editor, May 14 (No heading) Letters to the editor: Tuesday, May 12 Letters to the Editor, May 8 Guest opinions Guest Opinion: Ambrose spins a conservative fantasy Guest Opinion: Restoring the Plaza's sense of place Guest Opinion: Making conservation a game Guest Opinion: A good day to act Columns Council Corner: Please help me with my list George Barnes: We need to help free Tom Brady Chris Honoré: The journey of the African elephant Herb Rothschild Jr.: An appalling budget Jeffrey Gillespie: Shame on the high seas Chris Honore Council Corner Editor's Notes Jeffrey Gillespie Herb Rothschild Revels Latest Stories Ashland Calendar, Thursday, May 14 4 Things To Do This Weekend Movie listings: May 15-21 Laurie Lewis, Tom Rozum at The Mountain House Steve Poltz, Grant-Lee Phillips at Old Ashland Armory Theater Ashland-originated plays to tour throughout country Ticket Availability Ticket availability Ticket Availability Departing Ashland Independent Film Festival programmer talks about what makes a good movie Music The Farr Side: Contest open for singer-songwriters The Farr Side: Mumford & Sons’ latest is full-on rock Interview: Country singer Suzy Bogguss enjoying life on the road The Farr Side: CMAs do it right, in many ways Interview: Offspring plays hits new and old on tour Visual Art Movies Documentary 'When Giants Fall' tells tragic story of elephant poaching Movie review: ‘Mad Max’ is a fresh, fantastic approach to a classic idea Your A-to-Z guide to the ‘Mad Max’ franchise Movie listings: May 15-21 'Wild Tales' is twisted, dark and lovely Food and Drink Taqueria Picaro takes over Tabu space Owner of Mix and Amuse to bring Flip burger joint to Ashland Cruelest Month: Poetry Blog Lifestyle Latest Stories It Is What It Is: The power of the spoken word Shayne Looper: Escape from the 'Big Me' culture Donna Knight: How to lessen your risk Dr. Elaine Heffner: Teaching values Food for Thought: Grapes deliver sweet healthy goodness Aging Happens Inner Peace Column Inner Peace Blog Mocha Musings Rogues: Tales from the Valley Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Photos Videos Blogs Business Business Services NEWS NOW Council Corner: Please help me with my list ... Ashland council to consider water rate surcharge, Welcome Center agreement ... Ashland High's Michelle Zundel heading to Medford district ... Council Corner: Please help me with my list ... Ashland council to consider water rate surcharge, Welcome Center agreement ... Ashland High's Michelle Zundel heading to Medford district ... MT. ASHLAND Mt. Ashland Ski Area proposes summer adventure center Zip line, rock wall could be among offerings The Mt. Ashland Ski Area is proposing to expand its summer operations with an outdoor adventure center featuring a zip line, rock-climbing wall and disc golf course. Comment By Vickie Aldous For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Vickie Aldous For the Tidings Posted May. 17, 2015 at 12:01 AM Updated May 17, 2015 at 11:56 AM By Vickie Aldous For the Tidings Posted May. 17, 2015 at 12:01 AM Updated May 17, 2015 at 11:56 AM » Social News Long after snowboarders and skiers have put away their gear, Mt. Ashland Ski Area officials want people to return to the mountain and fly down the slopes on a zip line. The Mt. Ashland Association, which runs the nonprofit ski area, has proposed a Mt. Ashland Outdoor Adventure Center that could include the zip line, plus bungee trampoline jumping, a portable rock-climbing wall, a disc golf course and other summer activities. "We look forward to providing people with exciting and healthy things to do in the summer," said Ski Area General Manager Hiram Towle. The zip line would run from near the top of the Sonnet beginners' hill to a stand of trees near the Juliet run — making it longer in distance than the beginner's slope. The U.S. Forest Service is seeking comments about the proposal through May 29. An interdisciplinary team will review the public comments to see what issues should be examined more closely. That will determine what level of environmental analysis needs to be done, said Brian Long, recreation manager for the Siskiyou Mountains and Wild River Ranger Districts. "It would all be inside the boundary of the ski area by the lodge," said Long, noting the lodge area already sees heavy use. "Their goal is to identify activities with a minimal impact on the environment that would not have a high cost to them," he said of the Mt. Ashland Association. Towle said buying the equipment for the adventure center would cost approximately $130,000. Tentative ticket prices for a pass to all center activities could be $29 for kids and $39 for adults. Ski area officials hope to have enough activities that people could spend hours at the center. The ski area would offer food and beverage service, Towle said. The Mt. Ashland Association submitted a $50,000 request for a city of Ashland Economic Development, Cultural, Tourism and Sustainability Grant, but was turned down in April by a citizens budget subcommittee that makes grant recommendations. Ashland City Councilor Pam Marsh, who was on the subcommittee, said members were worried the Mt. Ashland Association still has to go through the Forest Service approval process. "We have every reason to believe they'll be granted approval, but it seemed premature to be giving them money," she said. "We'll have another grant application process next year, and if things are moving forward, we expect they will come back." The full Ashland Citizens' Budget Committee will decide on grant allotments on Wednesday, May 21. The city has $225,122 in grants to distribute, with 33 applicants vying for the money. The applicants submitted $600,000 in funding requests, far more than the amount available, according to city documents. Towle said it was disappointing to have the summer adventure center grant request turned down. The Mt. Ashland Association needs to raise money before it can install equipment, which it would like to do in time to open the adventure center next summer. "We were looking forward to getting some money, but we respect the decision," Towle said. "A lot of great organizations were competing for grants. The discussion was good, and good points were raised." Marsh said several of the budget subcommittee members appreciated the Mt. Ashland Association's proactive approach. "Many of us are very glad they are thinking creatively about how to make the area work in this time of great environmental transition," she said. Some believe climate change is contributing to recent years of low snowpack in the region's mountains. Whether recent weather can be attributed to climate change, scientists predict more precipitation will fall as rain and less snow will accumulate in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest dubecause of global warming. After being closed for the whole season two winters ago and operating 38 days this past winter beacuse of low snowpack, the Mt. Ashland Association wants to diversify with more summer activities. The ski area already hosts some summer events, such as weddings. Even during years of plentiful snow, the ski area typically runs from mid-December into April. "We have this beautiful place we only use four months a year," Towle said. Long said when the Rogue Valley is sweltering in 100-degree heat, temperatures are comfortable up on the mountain, making it ideal for summer activities. "I think it's a great idea to take advantage of year-round opportunities up there," Long said. "A lot of other ski areas across the West are having to do this. It's good to bring the public up to enjoy their public lands." Towle said concentrating the activities on soils that have already been impacted by users would help protect the environment. He said there is potential for people to wear trails on the slopes as they use the disc golf course, which would be more spread out. However, workers could move the disc golf "holes" — which are baskets with chains perched on poles — to various locations to keep trails from being worn in the ground. For more information about the proposal, call Long at 541-899-3800. Comments can be mailed to Siskiyou Mountains Ranger District, 6941 Upper Applegate Road, Jacksonville, OR 97530, hand-delivered to that address between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, faxed to 541-899-3888 or emailed to [email protected]. Staff reporter Vickie Aldous can be reached at 541-776-4486 or [email protected] . Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/VickieAldous . By Vickie Aldous For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Vickie Aldous For the Tidings Posted May. 17, 2015 at 12:01 AM Updated May 17, 2015 at 11:56 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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