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0 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 Emergency services Marketta Gregory: Stretch yourself for God Ashlanders root for Guthrie in Game 7 Medford stabbing suspect unfit to stand trial, sent to mental hospital Above and beyond: Postal worker honored for helping catch fraud suspects Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services Medford stabbing suspect unfit to stand trial, sent to mental hospital Above and beyond: Postal worker honored for helping catch fraud suspects Emergency services Fire marshal visit prompts cancellation of Sacred Heart haunted house Politics and Elections Blue corn seeds stir debate Ads attack Dotterrer and Bates Local gas prices lowest in years Oregonians not in party mood Sign wars rage again in Phoenix Education Marketta Gregory: Stretch yourself for God Medford Schools Foundation supports programs the district can't Fire marshal visit prompts cancellation of Sacred Heart haunted house Kids Unlimited Academy awarded $450,000 grant County helps fund RCC job training Environment Local gas prices lowest in years Where do all those leaves go? Ashland council calls for divestment from fossil fuel Reintroduction of McCloud River salmon inspires film, tribe Rite Aid bear cub may be released into the wild in spring State news Nation - World Obituaries Lisa Anne (Scott) Burns Death Notices Bess Hamers Mary Frost Newcomb Jassen M. Hatley Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Sports Latest Stories Blazers surge by Thunder Bulls spoil Fisher's NBA coaching debut Bumgarner, Giants shine in Game 7 SOU faces big test with No. 21 Rocky Mountain Prep Football Statistics Varsity 541 College Sports SOU faces big test with No. 21 Rocky Mountain Tinkle takes first steps in rebuilding Oregon State Oregon (almost) starts from scratch Stanford trying to upend No. 5 Oregon a new way Ducks try to loosen up a bit for Stanford Pro Sports Blazers surge by Thunder Bulls spoil Fisher's NBA coaching debut Bumgarner, Giants shine in Game 7 Seventh Heaven Ashland's Guthrie to start Game 7 tonight Community Sports Results / Standings LOCAL EVENTS LOCAL RESULTS Business Latest Stories UO report shows Rogue Valley economy on the rise Will TV makeover do the trick for Mystic Treats? Local gas prices lowest in years Revenue rises for Harry & David's parent company Where do all those leaves go? Real Estate News New I-5 interchange puts south Medford on fast lane to fast food Lithia buys Clovis dealership Rental vacancies increase Jackson County real estate sales, prices continue rebound Pallet Wine Co. expands in downtown Medford People In Business People in Business Transportation Frontier Airlines to end Eugene-Denver service Business Resource Fair has answers Erickson's Navy contract extended Lithia buys Clovis dealership Agriculture Revenue rises for Harry & David's parent company Where do all those leaves go? Hundreds look for work at Harry & David hiring fair Umpqua Holdings more than doubles net earnings Harry & David will hold hiring fair Thursday Opinion Latest Our View: Cheers and jeers Letters to the Editor, Oct. 30 Dana Milbank: The 'dictator' is a bystander Granlund cartoon: Netanyahu insulted Our View: Any new gas tax must be equitable Editorials Our View: Cheers and jeers Our View: Any new gas tax must be equitable Southeast center offers new approach to growth Our View: Cost is a poor excuse for local pot tax Don't bet on pot windfall for schools Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, Oct. 30 Letters to the Editor, Oct. 29 Letters to the Editor, Oct. 28 Letters to the Editor, Oct. 27 Letters to the Editor, Oct. 26 Guest Opinions Measure 89 provides equality for women Eagle Point needs public transportation Guest Opinion: Common Core testing sets math students up for failure Guest Opinion: Campaigning and voting 'the Oregon way' Guest Opinion: A glimpse into the reality of our elections Lifestyle Latest stories Marketta Gregory: Stretch yourself for God Religion news: Mormon church acknowledges founder’s teen bride Spices of Autumn 17 things you never knew about turkeys Travel: Quiet time on Cape Cod Food Spices of Autumn Community blog: Seven spooky snacks are savory Halloween fare Can’t get enough pumpkin-pie spice? Living and cooking in pear-a-dise Kitchen Call: A cookbook by its cover Home and Garden 17 things you never knew about turkeys Dear Monty: 10 tips toward a quality offer on a home How to live and work in a tiny home Dear Monty: Rent-back clause prevents financial disaster​ Recycle plastic at The Expo Friday and Saturday Health Community blog: Finding My Roots Dr. Jeff Hersh: Controversy over breast cancer screening Dr. Murray Feingold: Choose a diet best for you Community blog: The Crowd And The Win - Better Health Joan Endyke: The importance of a healthy diet when pregnant Hiking Biking Faith Religion Briefs Religion Briefs Religion Briefs Religion Briefs Milestones and Achievements Ashlanders root for Guthrie in Game 7 Guide promotes better food system Where do all those leaves go? Engagement Wedding: Potter-Hazel Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Singer and songwriter Gene Burnett follows his bliss Spookadelic Halloween Funktacular promises a lively dance party Patty Griffin plays the Historic Ashland Armory Puss 'N' Boots Costume Ball and Auction Southern Oregon Repertory Singers present harmonious voices, dissonant notes Theater Review: Funny 'Lion in Winter' roars to life at Camelot Theatre Camelot presents 'The Lion in Winter' 'Carnage' is short, smart, darkly funny Music Singer and songwriter Gene Burnett follows his bliss Patty Griffin plays the Historic Ashland Armory Live Music in Local Clubs Southern Oregon Repertory Singers present harmonious voices, dissonant notes Beekeepers Ball is one sweet soiree Community Events Spookadelic Halloween Funktacular promises a lively dance party Puss 'N' Boots Costume Ball and Auction Theater's haunted house not for faint of heart Third Fridays in downtown Medford Works in progress Dining Back Porch Bar & Grill Yu's Yummy Yan's offers great take-out Agave offers tasty tacos Asian cuisine for all seasons at Misoya Bistro Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Our View: Cheers and jeers ... Ashlanders root for Guthrie in Game 7 ... Medford stabbing suspect unfit to stand trial, sent to mental hospital ... Our View: Cheers and jeers ... Ashlanders root for Guthrie in Game 7 ... Medford stabbing suspect unfit to stand trial, sent to mental hospital ... Spring: Flowers, changeable weather and vultures Spring, glorious spring has sidled up to the Rogue Valley again. By Peggy Dover MailTribune.com By Peggy Dover Posted Mar. 30, 2014 @ 12:01 am Updated Mar 30, 2014 at 2:10 AM By Peggy Dover Posted Mar. 30, 2014 @ 12:01 am Updated Mar 30, 2014 at 2:10 AM » Social News Spring, glorious spring has sidled up to the Rogue Valley again. Each new season ushers in reminders, events and objects that trigger memories. When Uncle Dick thinks spring, he envisions sprouting vegetable seeds in peat boxes by a window, and the time he pitched a no-hitter in the Army Air Corps during WWII. I can't look at a tulip without traveling back 27 years to an extremely warm day in March when our beautiful daughter, Emily, arrived and brought new meaning to the word love. Happy birthday, Em. Spring is upon us with its teasing ways and meteorological mood swings. Predictably unpredictable, she announces her bold intentions with sun, wind, rain, sleet and sun again, all before you can grab your camera and focus on the promise of daffodils and tulips, which appear triumphant then cave in to a hail tantrum. And just when the unseasoned naively stow their chains in the garage, snow arrives in the passes. Unsettled weather isn't the only harbinger of springtime in our valley. Folks breaking out shorts and tank tops are another, never mind that the thermometer still reads 49 — the sun's out! Baseball fields peopled with sluggers and fielders of dreams; reviving pastures dotted with foals, calves and frisking lambs; robins that chirp before dawn and don't know when to quit; me driving behind a tractor barely moving down a country lane; and Cadbury chocolate eggs are just a sprinkling of sure signs that herald a longed-for season of rebirth. But there is at least one more, and I hope you'll indulge me. Ken, my next-door neighbor, never phones me for idle chit-chat, so when he left a message, I figured it concerned something significant. It did. The call went something like this: "Peggy, this is your neighbor, Ken. Your vultures are back. OK, that's all." I raced to the kitchen window and craned my neck to scan the large fir in my yard these birds seem to favor. It's not as if I put out platters of carrion for them but, sure enough, four or five great, hulking, black shapes, no doubt worn out from the long flight back from their Mexican vacation, congregated high up within the boughs. A turkey vulture appears to be about the size of a Cessna when it's curiously looking down at me through my window — well, anyway, much larger than when I see a "kettle" of them aloft, circling or riding thermals. I refrain from unwrapping packages of raw hamburger within their viewing. I hate to think of the mess on my window, or house siding, a misinformed dive might cause. Actually, it's their keen sense of smell that steers them toward their goal, and I empty my trash regularly. I recalled fondly the first time they chose my humble abode a couple years ago. I first heard the impressive "wumpf wumpf" sound their 5- to 6-foot wingspans made as they slowly swooped in for a landing and parked themselves on branches I was sure would give way. I live in town, so seeing these scavengers close up was a special treat for a nature lover like me, though I made certain to keep moving, appear robust and not lie down holding a chicken leg or lilies or anything. After a few existential moments spent musing over the meaning of their presence, I called Ken and Barb thinking to share the spectacle like a good neighbor. They were way ahead of me and were already old chums with this group or "venue." The vultures were there again this morning, but as I write, they've lifted off for their noble work, ridding the streets and fields of unwanted refuse one carcass at a time. No, I haven't named them, yet. But several options spring to mind: Buzz, Kojak, Red, Mr. Clean, etc. Email me with your favorite spring sighting/memory. I'd love to hear about it, I think. Peggy Dover is a freelance writer who works from a 1900 farmhouse in Eagle Point. Reach her at [email protected]. By Peggy Dover MailTribune.com By Peggy Dover Posted Mar. 30, 2014 @ 12:01 am Updated Mar 30, 2014 at 2:10 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. 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. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2014 Local Media Group, Inc. 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