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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Medford School District budget funds new student success programs RCC President Angstadt retires Rogue jet boat tour company eyes TouVelle for permanent home Prefontaine-style running trail proposed in south Medford Jackson County district election turnout under 17 percent Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Medford police identify woman found dead in field Emergency services, May 18 Body found in southeast Medford field Emergency services, May 17 Public meetings for May 18-22, 2015 Politics and Elections Jackson County district election turnout under 17 percent Arthur I. Cyr: Camp David summit will not help Mideast stability Ashland water bills could go up to fund watershed protection Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline opponents rally in Medford BREAKING: Baltimore prosecutor charges officers in Freddie Gray's death Education Medford School District budget funds new student success programs RCC President Angstadt retires Four South Medford seniors build soccer lockers SOU student's project tells story of devastating Weed fire South Medford, Ashland high schools earn national honors Environment Rogue jet boat tour company eyes TouVelle for permanent home Why is Bear Creek so muddy? Blame Emigrant silt and winter storm Mt. Ashland Ski Area proposes summer adventure center Jackson County declares drought disaster Ashland water bills could go up to fund watershed protection State News Senate panel passes medical pot rules Oregon wildlife officials eye phased-in hunting, fishing fee increases Wyden's gambit on trade deal pays off Panel sends Jackson, Josephine drought declarations to governor Court overturns $85 million award for Oregon soldiers Nation - World There's a $10 million precious stone hidden in plain sight at Grand Central Obituaries Clarence Allen (Al) Swearingen George Frederick Christensen Henry Daw Patricia Anne Staniforth Karen Ann Sharp Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 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 Record Round San Diego committee unveils plans for $1.1 billion stadium Spoilers lurk as American Pharoah seeks history NFL owners have key meetings this week George Barnes: We need to help free Tom Brady Varsity 541 College Sports Oregon track sweeps at Pac-12s Hovinga stars on mound as Ducks advance Duck men, women lead in Pac-12 track meet Wu falls just short of advancing to NCAAs Beavers continue hot streak, trip Cardinal Pro Sports San Diego committee unveils plans for $1.1 billion stadium Spoilers lurk as American Pharoah seeks history NFL owners have key meetings this week Leroux, Wambach lift U.S. past Mexico Allred finishes in 16th at BMW Charity Pro-Am Community Sports Bailey picks up modified win Business Latest Stories Two Crown Markets planned for Talent Cars We Remember: 1955 and 1956 Plymouth memories Blog: L is For... Blog: Cash deals for homes inches toward normal levels Tourism stronger than ever in Southern Oregon Real Estate News Single-family home sales take off Never enough: New Starbucks proposed on Barnett Road in Medford Jackson County debt-ridden homeowners have an option New home in an old house Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house People In Business People in Business Transportation Tourism stronger than ever in Southern Oregon Medford airport still flying high with record passenger counts Erickson finds room to work at Medford airport Lithia Motors nets $40.7 million in first quarter Lithia Motors reports second-best quarter ever Agriculture 1-800Flowers.com reports $10.5 million loss in third quarter Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house Opinion Latest Granlund cartoon: Memorial Day and Uncle Sam George Barnes: We need to help free Tom Brady Lloyd Garver: The Apple Watch - good birth control? Letters to the Editor, May 18 Kathleen Parker: Jeb Bush's unfortunate honesty Editorials Our View: Kicking state government down the road Other Views: Keeping marijuana away from minors Our view: Legislature should fix both marijuana laws Our View: City should let SkyPark project move ahead Our View: E-cigarette bill is half right, half wrong Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, May 18 Letters to the Editor, May 17 Letters to the Editor, May 15 Letters to the Editor, May 14 Letters to the Editor, May 13 Columns George Barnes: We need to help free Tom Brady Kathleen Parker: Jeb Bush's unfortunate honesty George Will: Santorum — The return of the GOP's runner-up Dana Milbank: The domain of 'dot-sucks' Arthur I. Cyr: Camp David summit will not help Mideast stability Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Ample water? Think again Guest Opinion: Oregon mothers need much more than flowers Guest Opinion: Child poverty and the Schneider Children’s Center Guest Opinion: Animal-killing program pulls wool over taxpayers' eyes Guest Opinion: Uniting to restore our sovereignty to we, the people Lifestyle Latest stories Kitchen Call: Cakes — not just for birthdays Sid McKeen: A bumper crop of idle observations Cars We Remember: 1955 and 1956 Plymouth memories Home Help: Keep a man cave top of mind when choosing a new home Outdoors photos from readers Food Kitchen Call: Cakes — not just for birthdays Community blog: Rhubarb's sour stalks have surprising savory side 6 stars of the Rogue Valley food universe Season Stepp: Use pink lemonade in recipes Quick, easy, versatile Home and Garden Home Help: Keep a man cave top of mind when choosing a new home Learning to be a water watcher in these dry times Betty Montgomery: Longleaf pines making a comeback Pergola, arbor, gazebo: Learn the differences Dear Monty: Five tips for companies to reduce relocation costs Health Community blog: Little Free Libraries Community blog: Fasting out of Cancer Brent St. Germain: Weight loss goes to the dogs Community blog: Don't Fall for This Part 2 Health Watch: Easy tips to drink more water throughout the day Hiking Biking Faith Religion Briefs: Friday, May 15 Religion Briefs: Friday, May 8 Religion Briefs: Friday, May 1 Religion Briefs: Friday, April 24 Milestones and Achievements Prefontaine-style running trail proposed in south Medford Bukair-Hinkle Wedding: Stephanie Anne Obad and Mark Douglass Schmor Ashland water bills could go up to fund watershed protection Drones helping create unique wedding photos Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Live Music in Local Clubs 5 picks for live entertainment Steve Poltz, Grant-Lee Phillips at Old Ashland Armory 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' Flowers, art and music highlight Art in Bloom Theater OSF commissioned plays tour throughout country 'Cuckoo's Nest' is a big play, well presented 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' REVIEW: Randall Theatre's 'Little Shop of Horrors' a rollicking good time REVIEW: Carson, Patton shine in 'Arsenic and Old Lace' Music Live Music in Local Clubs Blues great B.B. King dead at 89 Steve Poltz, Grant-Lee Phillips at Old Ashland Armory Victor D. Infante: If loving bad pop songs is wrong ... The Farr Side: Contest open for singer-songwriters Community Events Third Friday: 'Into the Woods' is a must-see 5 things to see at Art in Bloom Flowers, art and music highlight Art in Bloom Hip-Hop Poetry Open Mic at OSF's Black Swan in Ashland Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Movies Movie review: ‘Mad Max’ is a fresh, fantastic approach to a classic idea Your A-to-Z guide to the ‘Mad Max’ franchise Movie review: ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ will leave your inner 12-year-old giggling with glee Movie review: ‘Hot Pursuit’ is a hot mess George Miller returns to his ‘Mad Max’ roots Dining 6 stars of the Rogue Valley food universe Cool down with a cold one (or two, or three) Nguyen Street Food From rustic to elegant: Wine tasting in Southern Oregon Quick, easy, versatile Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Senate panel passes medical pot rules ... Medford School District budget funds new student success programs ... RCC President Angstadt retires ... Senate panel passes medical pot rules ... Medford School District budget funds new student success programs ... RCC President Angstadt retires ... 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. By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted May. 17, 2015 @ 12:01 am By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted May. 17, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> 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 Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted May. 17, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » 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. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs 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. 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