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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 Nike grant money will help faltering students prepare for college Rare Brewer spruce joins heritage list Derby daughters A place to play Rogue Advocates appeal asphalt plant ruling Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services, April 5 Emergency services, April 4 Social media helped track down AmericanWest Bank robber, Medford police say Jury awards damages to Rogue River couple that lived next to noisy dogs U.S. Bank robbery suspect charged in Minute Market crime Politics and Elections Arthur I. Cyr: Afghanistan progress is uneven but undeniable Jackson County Commissioners plan no tax on marijuana for one year Arthur I. Cyr: Iran – a crisis without end Arthur I. Cyr: South Korea represents long-term triumph – for them and for US Special election: Jackson County voters OK marijuana tax Education Nike grant money will help faltering students prepare for college Graduation rates among special ed students in Jackson County improve but fall short of 67 percent target New SOU board hikes tuition 5 percent Southern Oregon Education Service District superintendent to retire in June Which comes first: The rocket or the egg? Environment Rare Brewer spruce joins heritage list A place to play A sea-foam change Rogue Valley lions on their way to California Corps hopes to clear Lost Creek Lake of debris State News Emergency Services, April 6 High-tech mapping flags old Willamette Valley mines Port of Portland's future looks bleak as second carrier shuns terminal City rules drive Uber ride-hailing service out of Eugene District fires Oregon's 2014 Teacher of the Year Nation - World Obituaries William D. Enyart Gordon Geeseman Patricia Anne Johnson Patricia E. Rees Gary Dahl Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Sports Latest Stories Wainwright, Cardinals beat Cubs on opening night Notre Dame edges South Carolina in Final Four J.B. Holmes takes Houston Open Okafor, Kaminsky took different paths to Indy Giants open title defense on road Varsity 541 College Sports Notre Dame edges South Carolina in Final Four Okafor, Kaminsky took different paths to Indy Healthy choice Kentucky player apologizes for obscenity, slur Ducks' Buckner sidelined for spring Pro Sports Wainwright, Cardinals beat Cubs on opening night J.B. Holmes takes Houston Open Giants open title defense on road Blazers again hit 50-win mark Timbers dump Dallas for first victory Community Sports Business Latest Stories Silvio Calabi: Scion tC style hides its utility Road to health: Bike and pedestrian paths play greater role in transportation project funding Jackson County median home price hits $215,000 in first quarter Blog: The Season for Cleaning Blog: Nothing succeeds like ... a good wine promotion Real Estate News Jackson County median home price hits $215,000 in first quarter East McAndrews Road sees a resurgence in commercial projects People In Business People in Business, March 26, 2015 Transportation Road to health: Bike and pedestrian paths play greater role in transportation project funding Rogue Disposal plans natural gas fueling site Alaska, United Express boost Medford airport to record February Agriculture Broth maker leaves San Diego for Medford Opinion Latest Letters to the Editor, April 6 Mark L. 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Kathleen Parker: Born-again parenting Letters to the Editor, April 5 Our View: State income tax sharing run amok Editorials Our View: State income tax sharing run amok Other Views: Rethink gillnet ban on the Columbia Our View: Local water supplies are not unlimited Our View: Cheers and Jeers Our View: The tangled web at Medford's Northgate Centre Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, April 6 Letters to the Editor, April 5 Letters to the Editor, April 3 Letters to the Editor, April 2 Letters to the Editor, April1 Columns Kathleen Parker: Born-again parenting Dana Milbank: Bob Menendez should resign Guest Opinion: If Courtney kills bill, $15 minimum wage will go to the ballot Michael Gerson: The virtues of the smoke-filled room Guest Opinion: Phoenix embraces Bee City USA designation Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: If Courtney kills bill, $15 minimum wage will go to the ballot Guest Opinion: Phoenix embraces Bee City USA designation Guest Opinion: Marijuana offers Oregon benefits, drawbacks Guest Opinion: How to end the influence of money in elections Guest Opinion: How schools teach U.S. history raises hackles Lifestyle Latest stories Get A Life: Saturated with stupidity Silvio Calabi: Scion tC style hides its utility Southern Oregon Journal: The famous Southern Oregon Coast Easter lilies Adopt a Pet A little fiction is like salt Food Community blog: Light lemon souffles are an easy Easter treat Page H. Onorato: Leftover ham and eggs make for some yummy dishes after Easter The journey from inspiration to written recipe Tammy Kelly: Lighten up traditional Easter desserts Kitchen Call: Goat cheese recipes worth bleating over Home and Garden Carol Link: Pruning rose plants, step by step How often should you paint the outside of your house? Carol Link: It’s time to get into shape for spring yard work Dear Monty: Relocation brings pay raise and challenges Garden Cameos: Planning for a fragrant garden year round Health Health Watch: Work out like a pro athlete Brent St. Germain: Feeling the burn again HealthStyle: Normal anxiety or anxiety disorder? Community blog: How to Get Rid of a Tension Headache St. Mary's student helps others with diabetes Hiking Biking Faith Religion briefs: Friday, April 3 Religion briefs: Friday, March 27 Religion briefs Religion News: Presbyterian Church gives approval on same-sex marriage Religion briefs: Friday, March 13 Milestones and Achievements Haga-Parks Exercise helps special-needs kids adjust to airport procedures Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Here's Tempo's 5 picks for entertainment this week Live Music in Local Clubs A Country Cajun Revival comes to the Unitarian Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists New exhibits open at Schneider Museum of Art Theater Auditions for youth musical set at Camelot Review: From past into present in OSF's 'Long Day's Journey' ‘A Dream of Red Pavilions’ at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival Review: Education and its discontents Next Stage Repertory presents 'Educating Rita' at the Craterian Theater Music Elias String Quartet plays at Southern Oregon University Bluegrass band Siskiyou Summit plays Bell Fiore Winery Oregon Old-Time Fiddlers at the Ashland Community Center Live Music in Local Clubs A Country Cajun Revival comes to the Unitarian Community Events MailTribune.com rolls out new calendar Hip-Hop Poetry Open Mic at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival Easter egg hunts are a long-standing tradition in the Rogue Valley Get Up & Go: Friday, April 3 Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Dining RESTAURANT INSPECTIONS: Sunday, April 5 The Laughing Clam in Grants Pass offers seafood-heavy menu Standing Stone owners to open Medford brewpub and restaurant Restaurant Inspections: March 29 Basque-inspired cuisine at Eleven in Ashland 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 Rare Brewer spruce joins heritage list ... Derby daughters ... A place to play ... Rare Brewer spruce joins heritage list ... Derby daughters ... A place to play ... GUEST OPINION Guest Opinion: Phoenix embraces Bee City USA designation By Sharon Schmidt MailTribune.com By Sharon Schmidt Posted Apr. 3, 2015 @ 12:01 am By Sharon Schmidt Posted Apr. 3, 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" --> Like the taste of honey? Interested in beautiful gardens? Do you like to eat fruits and vegetables? So do some Phoenix Oregon residents who think helping Phoenix steer toward applying for a Bee City USA designation is a partial means toward those ends. As the volunteer organizer of the Oregon Honey Festival, which promotes education about honey and bee culture, I look forward to any opportunity to improve the health of honeybees. Honey production is in decline throughout the nation, and that fact signals a warning about what could happen to farming and food production if there is further decline in the numbers of pollinators. Applying for and obtaining a Bee City USA designation is a chance for Phoenix residents to connect with nature. As the Phoenix City Council moves forward on the project, there will be opportunities for residents to participate in activities that beautify the environment and encourage pollinators of all types to live here and help us pollinate crops. Robin Webb, a retired nurse and an experienced beekeeper, and I visited with the Phoenix City Council on Jan. 20 about applying for the Bee City USA designation. Webb, who grew up in rural Williams, is well aware of the necessary role honeybees play in agriculture. Every third forkful of food we eat is due to the efforts of a pollinator. If they disappear, crops will fail and we will have little in the way of grain, fruits and vegetables. Annie Drager, a longtime resident of the Rogue Valley and former member of the steering committee for Blue Heron Park Community Garden and the Phoenix Garden Club, joined in support of the council acting to apply for the Bee City USA designation. In a letter to Mayor Bellah she wrote, "Since we live amid orchards and farms that depend on bees, in particular, for stimulating the pollination and growth of fruits and vegetables, it makes sense to get this designation." She also expressed hope that greater public awareness would lead to a reduction of toxic pesticide use and greater care in the use of pesticides. Marcia Wineteer, a Phoenix resident and former president of the Siskiyou Chapter of the nonprofit Oregon Native Plant Society, also presented a letter to Mayor Bellah and the City Council in support of applying for the designation. In it she said employing best management practices, including avoiding plants that have ever been treated with neonicotinoids (known to be toxic to bees), would ultimately help orchardists, gardeners, landowners and natural ecosystems that support wildlife. Bee City USA originated in Buncome County, N.C., pioneered by the Buncome County Beekeepers Association after beekeepers noted a decline in bee health and honey production. Honey production is still in decline nationwide and residents can do something to encourage pollinator health. On March 16, the Phoenix City Council unanimously voted to recommend going forth with the application to become a Bee City. Mayor Bellah also tasked the Parks and Recreation Committee to study and propose ways in which the project may meaningfully unfold in Phoenix. Already ahead of many cities, Phoenix has an ordinance that addresses beekeeping. Obtaining the Bee City USA designation would contribute positively to activities that promote bee health and human health. Phoenix residents wanting to read more about Phoenix city government, Bee City USA, pollinators or honey,can find resources online at www.phoenixoregon.gov ,  www.BeeCityUSA.org , www.pollinatorprojectroguevalley.org or www.OregonHoneyFestival.com . Application costs for the Bee City USA designation are minimal. They include a designated city staff representative (to work with resident volunteers), time to formulate and evaluate community goals, a commitment to recognize pollinator week and the cost for a decorative sign designating Phoenix a Bee City. The Phoenix Parks and Recreation Committee meets in April to continue this work. Sharon Schmidt of Phoenix is the volunteer organizer of the Oregon Honey Festival scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 17 in Ashland. She is involved in beekeeping and in human and environmental health.   By Sharon Schmidt MailTribune.com By Sharon Schmidt Posted Apr. 3, 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 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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