LSA News

No. 75, August 2006

If you have anything you want in the next newsletter, send it to lsaweb@lists.uoregon.edu .

An Unpolished Gem:
Eastern Oregon's Diamond Craters

story and photos by Jennifer Rowan

Living in the Willamette Valley, excursions are easily classified by two-hour driving increments. A drive to the coast, Portland, Sisters or a great Cascades hike necessitate only moderate mileage to get to the destination, enjoy the rewards and make a leisurely and relatively painless return trip. It is a greater commitment in every sense when an exception is made to the two-hour rule, but when one's destination lies in the vast spaces of Eastern Oregon, the journey transcends casual exploration and verges on spiritual retreat.

Malheur Maar

An area of special resonance lies in the glaciated valleys west of Steens Mountain, about 60 miles south of Burns. Sagebrush is the dominant dry climate vegetation here, while stands of red and yellow willow delineate the marshes and creek beds. Gnarled juniper and quaking aspen emerge in the higher elevations. Antelope and deer pause and stare at the visitor with an air of curious astonishment. Backcountry byways are lined in rimrock and basalt formations known as the Devine Canyon Ashflow Tuff Formation and speak to geologically tumultuous events and millennia of subsequent erosion. The Steens, a mile-high fault block mountain, is the dominant feature in the region's tectonic history, but in one relatively small area are contained the best and most diverse basaltic volcanic features in the United States. These are the Diamond Craters, a 17,000 acre site northeast of French Glen near the tiny community of Diamond (named not for the gem but for the diamond brand of early local rancher Mace McCoy) that was formed sometime in the last 25,000 years. Gravel road access to the BLM-designated Outstanding Natural Area begins between mileposts 40 and 41 on state highway 205. The Diamond Crater basalts appear as a dark lava flow that overlay as a sort of layered pancake the ancient lake sediments and the Devine Canyon Ashflow Tuff. The array of formations created by the spreading fluid magmas include structural domes and craters, lava tubes, a shield volcano and spatter cones, as well as more features created by dramatic contact between molten basalt and water.

Lava tube

Highpoints for the geologist and non-geologist alike include the Malheur Maar, a wide crater resembling others along the self-guided tour route but unique in its spring-fed lake within the crater. This small, mirror lake is encircled with reeds and provides a surprisingly lush habitat for frogs and a secluded refuge for waterfowl. Samples taken from the 50-foot-deep lakebed sediments indicate that there has been water in the Malheur Maar for 6,000 years, distinguishing this as one of the most significant desert lakes between Mexico and Canada.

The Lava Pit Crater is a shield volcano that has enlarged over time as rocks from its outer wall have collapsed inward. The surface around the rim of the crater is layered and ridged with glassy basaltic flows and snaking lava tubes. The floor of the crater is littered with the rocky debris and the interior walls are fissured with vertical cracks and deep horizontal ledges. Cliff swallows have colonized the overhangs; their white droppings give away their habitual nesting spots. A spotting scope revealed the much larger nest-builders in the crater—a pair of great horned owls and their three very large nestlings all peered cautiously at the humans from a dark recess. No matter, our brief intrusion would soon be over, leaving them to the familiar bleak but splendid isolation.

If you visit the Diamond Craters, do note that although four-wheel drive and high clearance vehicles are not prerequisites to the gravel access road, the terrain is rough and should be traversed with care so as not to get stuck in loose cinder or volcanic ash or to cause damage to the lava flows. The nearest gasoline is in French Glen but the cost is prohibitive and it is advised to fill up in Burns beforehand. Carry water, wear a hat and sunscreen, and do keep an eye alert for rattlesnakes.

Thai Princess Dedicates Gift at Knight Library

The University of Oregon rolled out the red carpet—literally—for a royal princess when she graced Knight Library with a visit last month. About 150 people, including over two dozen library employees, came to the South Reading Room on July 16 to attend the ceremony in which Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol, eldest granddaughter of King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, dedicated a gift of books from the Thai Royal Family to the UO Libraries.

The gift includes some 1,700 items from the personal collections of Thailand’s Crown Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, Grand Chamberlain Khwankeo Vajarodaya, and other Thai leaders in government and academia.

The Library rolls out the red carpet

At a few minutes after 3:00 pm, the Princess's motorcade pulled up, and Her Royal Highness stepped onto a red carpet strewn with yellow rose petals. University officials, including President Dave Frohnmayer and University Librarian Deb Carver, greeted the princess and escorted her into Knight Library. She was welcomed to the library by Russell Tomlin, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, who had played a pivotal role in organizing her visit to the University. Princess Bajrakitiyabha spoke briefly, mentioning the historical significance of the materials, and of the importance of the ties between Thailand and the United States. Her remarks were preceded by messages from Frohnmayer and Carver. "These wonderful books conveying the culture and history of Thailand embody both King Bhumibol Adulyadej's dedication to the value of education and the warm friendship we have developed with the Thai people through our distance learning program," Frohnmayer said. The U.S.-Thai Distance Learning Foundation, which facilitated the gift, was instrumental in arranging the royal visit. "Because of the rarity and significance of this material," said Carver, "the gift symbolizes a growing relationship based on an international friendship that will benefit students in both countries for years to come."

Following the dedication, Carver and other officials escorted Princess Bajrakitiyabha to the East Asian Collection on the second floor, the area where most of the books will be housed. Following this, she was escorted to Media Services, where she participated in a videoconference.

The videoconference inaugurated the math and science portions of a successful distance-learning program. The program, crafted by Leslie Opp-Beckman and other faculty members of the University of Oregon's American English Institute, started out as an instructional series for Thai English teachers. A videoconference series for Thai teachers of English began in 2002 at the request of the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok and the Royal Thai Distance Learning Foundation, which is sponsored by the King, with the goal of improving education for all Thai citizens, particularly those in rural areas.

Dave Frohnmayer presents the Princess

Princess Bajrakitiyabha's visit to Knight Library was one of several public appearances she made in the area. Earlier in the weekend, she dedicated an exhibit assembled by the U.S.-Thai Distance Learning Organization commemorating the 60th anniversary of King Bhumibol Adulyadej's accession to the throne. She also visited the Eugene and Springfield public libraries, both of which also received a gift of books.

The royal visit was long anticipated, and it was largely through the efforts of the U.S.-Thai Distance Learning Organization that it came to fruition. The visit and dedication formalized and celebrated a gift that was received last summer. Following the receipt of the materials, two Thai librarians spent about two months in residence at UO helping to catalog the materials (see LSA News, September/October 2005). Over the past several months, several UO Library staff members have become very familiar with the materials, as they have prepared them for placement in the collection.

To allow for the orderly set-up of chairs, flowers, decorations and a public address system, and to provide for adequate security, Knight Library, which normally opens at 12 noon on Sundays, did not open to the public until 2:00 pm on July 16.

In addition to Deb Carver, Associate University Librarians Andrew Bonamici and Mark Watson, Development Director Lisa Manotti, Development Assistant Donna Pellinger, and Director of Communications Ron Renchler played key roles in preparing for and managing the library ceremony. Several support staff members, including Doug Hodson and Jen Lindsey and several employees in Media Services, provided vital logistical and technical help. Student assistants helped with the set-up of chairs and other essential tasks.

—TERRY McQUILKIN

photos by Jack Liu

UO Libraries Communication Director Ron Renchler contributed to this story.

The Percent for Art Digital Collection Project

by Jaye Barlous

Oregon's "Percent for Art" program is the third-oldest public art program in the nation. In 1975, the Oregon Legislature passed the "Percent for Art" statute, which mandates that 1% of direct construction funds of new or remodeled state buildings with construction budgets of $100,000 or more be set aside for the acquisition of artwork. Some 30 years later, there are now over 2,500 pieces of art in this collection. These are publicly owned, and include paintings, mixed media, photography, original prints, drawings, sculpture, ceramics, glass, mosaics, murals, textiles, and built-in art such as architectural details and structurally-incorporated art installations located throughout the state.

The problem is…access to this abundant cultural collection (and its descriptive finding aids) has been primarily limited to visits to the sites where the works have been installed. The Oregon Arts Commission (OAC) manages the program and maintains the archives of slides and documentation reflecting the works of art selected. These materials are accessible only by special appointment in the Arts Commission offices, and are in a physical environment that is contributing to their deterioration. The end result is that scholars, students, and the general public are often completely unaware of the existence of these works of art. In its current conception, the collection is unable to be viewed or studied as a body, and inquisitive patrons are unable to construct directed searches of the corpus by artist, location or medium.

Doesn't this dilemma just beckon for library intervention? And what's the role of the MDLS department in all this?

(story continued)

The View from Hidden Spring

by Pam DeLaittre

I knew it was only a matter of time before I'd have a spring like this one. All my sheep friends in the Oregon Romney Breeders Association could relate stories of all the disasters, rejections, deaths, and more, of a "crash and burn" lambing season. Until now, I could only commiserate with them, learning from them the things to avoid, feeds to add in, minerals to be certain were not in my feed, and when to cull a ewe.

Lambing started out positively with several of my "good ol'" ewes lambing normally, though one had a lamb suffocate in the sack before she got it open. This distracted lambing seems to happen only with multiple births, when the ewe is so busy with the first lamb that she doesn't notice the second one hasn't made it out of the amnion. I had several first-time ewes to lamb this season, so I was watching them carefully.

Then the temperature dropped. 17 degrees at night is very cold to be a wet new-born struggling for life. I was going out to the pasture several times a night with a very bright light, to catch any new born lambs and get them into the barn to be warm and dry.

(story continued)

The Wedding Cake

By Rosella Thomas

I used to think that the most important meal I would ever eat would be my last one. Planning ahead in my mind, I could envision varying menus tailored to the differing scenarios of my demise: slow/lingering, quick-and-easy, plenty of advance warning, and so on. Morbid? Yes. But one can't leave these things to chance.

I will marry on August 19th, at 2 o'clock p.m.. I must be crazy to take on planning a wedding at one of the busiest times in my department. It was the absolute earliest date that we could complete our marriage preparation classes, get the consent of the pastor who will marry us, and make reservations in the church sanctuary. We are both ready to be married.

I admit that I had no preconceived notions about what my wedding ceremony should be like. My wedding was not something I'd daydreamed about as a young woman. I just knew that I wanted to be married. I didn't worry about how it would actually happen. I would even venture to say that I had given up the thought of being married and was perfectly fine with being single.

A chance encounter happened nearly three years ago in the toothpaste aisle of Fred Meyer with the man I had known briefly twenty years ago. In a case of mistaken identity, I confused him with a student worker from my Circulation Desk days. And, after he cleared up the confusion, I remembered Randy Layton. He gave me his phone number to pass on to my sister who was his former employee in a local music store. That next evening, my sister connected us in a conference call. The three of us all talked about everything and nothing for more than three hours: rambling on about local Eugene characters, music from the 70s and our high school experiences, until he fell asleep on the phone. Randy and I have been talking ever since.

(story continued)

THE WORLD AROUND US:

The Special Olympics Experience: A photo essay

by Paul Harvey

Over 3,000 Special Olympians competed in the first ever U.S. National Games in Ames, Iowa. I was honored to be selected as the head bowling coach for the Oregon delegation. When you look at these pictures, you can see why I do what I do. I am the Volunteer Manager for Eugene-Springfield Special Olympics. If anyone is interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities please contact me.

Team Oregon prior to Opening Ceremonies	Opening Ceremonies

Strike or spare...something good happened	Oregon bowler Shirly Stutzman receives her gold medal for singles bowling from Eunice Kennedy Shriver

For more Special Olympics photos click here

Mint: Scourge or salvation?

By Catherine Flynn

There are those who disdain mint in the garden. But they misjudge exuberance for vulgarity. When these discerning gardeners deign to have the lowly plant at all, they constrain it by potting. Which is fine if all you want is a few polite little leaves to garnish your Pimm's Cup.

Because I am not talking about fanciful or exotic mints. I have been taken in by some of those; pineapple mint and chocolate mints were novel and quite lovely. They were a favorite attraction for my daughter as a toddler. And having done well for one season, they would quickly entomb themselves.

I appreciate the willing disposition of the common spearmint that comes up in fragrant masses every spring. Some of my favorite summer libations involve great, greedy handfuls of the stuff. Take for instance this herbal tea—which is not insipid, as tends to be the case—but intensely fruity, flavorful and refreshing.

In a heat-proof quart jug, pour boiling water over:

1/4 cup hibiscus flowers
1/4 cup rose hips
3-4 cups mint leaves, lightly packed

Let it steep for about 20 minutes. While it's still warm, add honey to taste. Don't use sugar—its relative sharpness and sweetness is too much here. A mild local honey is best. Chill and serve over ice with a slice of orange and a mint sprig.

For days that are hotter than hell's door hinges, this next concoction will also refresh. I'm not sure that it will cool you off exactly, but it somehow enables you to completely give yourself over to the heat. This is the julep that will end your search. This is my sister's recipe, which she got from her Alabama drama instructor.

Take a non-reactive half gallon glass or ceramic jug, and fill with mint leaves, crushing lightly with a wooden spoon. Put in many, many handfuls—about as much as you can fit (do remove large stems). Add 1 bottle of Maker's Mark bourbon and 1 cup of sugar (unless you are an authority on bourbon or hail from Alabama yourself, I would not stray from this recommendation). Stir. Let this sit in your refrigerator for 24-36 hours. Strain. To serve, you will need lots of crushed ice. Pack a rocks glass (or other smallish decorative, clear glass) with the crushed ice, and fill two-thirds with the mixture. Sip slowly.

Note: If your mint is starting to look tatty at this point of the summer, you can salvage it. Cut it down and water. Always try to head off flowering by lopping off the buds, because they will contribute to the degradation of the leaves and the plant.

ATTENTION KNIGHT STAFF LOUNGE USERS: Changes Coming

For the past many years, users of the Knight Library staff lounge have benefited from a handful of generous and unsung library staff volunteers cleaning the lounge on a weekly basis. It was wonderful while it lasted, but as you can imagine, this was a recipe for burnout! So starting now, we're going to leave the cleaning up to the people who actually use the lounge for their meal periods and breaks. Such cleaning tasks include:

• Washing any dirty dishes left on the counter or in the sink (yes, hard to believe, but it does happen!)
• Putting clean dishes away
• Cleansing the sink and dish drainer
• Wiping down the counters as needed to remove crumbs and spills
• Removing splatters from the microwave ovens
• Removing crumbs from inside and around the toaster
• Scrubbing the inside of the refrigerator as needed

Staff Association volunteers will continue to water the plants, ensure that adequate cleaning supplies are available (under the sink), and arrange for service or replacement of kitchen appliances when needed. Custodial services will continue to fill the paper towel dispenser, empty the trash, mop the kitchen floor, and vacuum the carpet.

Current members of the Library Staff Association House Committee are Risa Bear, Rose Thomas, and Lisa Sieracki. Feel free to contact any of them regarding any questions or problems.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

From the Fact File

by Terry McQuilkin

OK, cinemaphiles: Here's a chance to test your filmic knowledge. Actually, you don't really need to be a movie buff for this contest, for all of the films described below include a color in the film's title.

1. This 1963 movie, the first in a series of films about the adventures of the inept Inspector Clouseau, was written and directed by Blake Edwards and starred Peter Sellers and David Niven. Henry Mancini's lighthearted theme music has probably aged better than the comedy itself.
2. In this 1981 film based on a Broadway play, an older couple spends the summer at their cottage. They are visited by their daughter, who is attempting to build the relationship with her father than she never had. Both Henry Fonda and Katharine Hepburn won Oscars for their leading roles in the film.
3. Closely based on an Anthony Burgess novel, this Stanley Kubrik film tells the story of a young delinquent who is caught and, in an effort to rehabilitate him, is subjected to a brutal and disturbing form of aversion therapy.
4. In the year 2022, overpopulation and environmental degradation have conspired to create a severe food shortage that leads the authorities to ration foodstuffs, including the most frequently consumed product, a synthetic food from which the film takes its name. Toward the end of the film, it is learned that this artificial food includes among its ingredients the remains of human beings.
5. This 1949 western, directed by John Ford and starring John Wayne, captured an Academy Award for best color cinematography. Wayne plays an aging captain in the United States cavalry, during the period immediately following Custer's defeat.
6. Released in 1961, this movie starring Elvis Presley tells the story of Chad Gates, who, having just completed military service, is asked by his father to go to work at a tropical fruit company, but who would rather spending his time surfing and hanging out with his friends.
7. The title character of this 1998 film is neither man, woman nor beast. It traces the fictional "life" of this handcrafted object from its creation in 17th century Cremona to its appearance in an auction in the late 20th century. The dialogue is in Italian, German, French, Chinese and English.
8. The title of this 1976 comedy comes from the name of a train going from L.A. to Chicago. It starred Gene Wilder, Jill Clayburgh and Richard Pryor. It made it to number 95 on the American Film Institute's list of funniest films.
9. This 1995 drama starred Denzel Washington and Gene Hackman as officers on a submarine. They receive orders to attack a Russian facility, but subsequently receive part of another message before communication from their superiors is cut off. Tensions increase and loyalties are divided as they disagree on which course of action to take.
10. This 1984 movie, co-written by and staring Prince, is as much a music video as a film. The album that was produced in conjunction with the film's release was selected by the editors of Rolling Stone as No. 2 on its list of the 100 Best Albums of the Eighties.

After you have completed this puzzle, submit your answers to Fact File. Answers must be received by August 25. The winner will be determined by the number of correct answers; in the event of a tie, a single winner will be selected by lot. The winner will receive a gift certificate worth $10.00 toward purchases at the U.O. Bookstore, courtesy of the Library Staff Association. All staff and faculty of the University of Oregon Libraries are invited to participate, although the winner of the most recent Fact File contest is ineligible to win this contest's prize.

Events of Interest

As well as featuring upcoming LSA events, we'd like to get the word out about events staff are involved in that might be of interest to co-workers. If you'd like the world, or at least your co-workers, to know about something cool coming up, please email Harriett Smith or lsaweb.

LSA EVENTS

AUGUST 29, 2006: The Gonzo Revue will take place at 1 p.m. in the Knight Library Browsing Room. Both famous and infamous acts will doubtless be performed. Schedule your act with David McCallum (phone 346-1456). Refreshments will be served.

AUGUST 24, 2006: LSA Night at the Ems. See the article in the June issue of the LSA News and contact Dave Baker at dbaker2@uoregon.edu or 346-0753. Expect plenty of food, beverages, conviviality, and oh, yes baseball.

AUGUST 16, 2006: Velocipedians' August Bike-to-lunch! Join this friendly band of bicyclists for breakfast at lunchtime when they ride to Studio One (on 19th just west of Agate). Will there be time to stop at Prince Pückler's for ice cream? Of course! As always, meet at noon at the bike racks. Want to know more? Contact Eliz Breakstone.

Announcements:

Desperately Seeking Leader for Lonely Staff Association!

Wanted: Powerful leader (or figurehead) for the Library Staff Association. Must enjoy: occasional intense email exchanges, parties, teamwork, and fame and glory (or not...).

LSA is looking for a chairperson. Have you ever thought "I could do it better than [insert name here]" or "I lust after fame and power" or just "why doesn't LSA do [insert idea here]?" Then this job is for you! We want someone with a friendly, collaborative attitude who communicates well and will follow through with tasks. The job involves convening a couple of meetings a year (most communication on most topics is via email) and being the public face of the association (e.g. speaking at all-staff meetings and the Gonzo). See the Constitution and Bylaws for official details, and email Lisa Sieracki (6-1834), or Pam DeLaittre (6-1826), for more information.

People in the Library

Welcome:

Welcome Back:

Congratulations:

Goodbye:

Staff photos by Stacy DeHart unless otherwise indicated

Been to an interesting conference?

Send us a brief report for publication in the next newsletter. Thanks!

Last updated: 29 April, 2007
lsaweb@lists.uoregon.edu