Han 0518 d1 basinbiz

KLAMATH BASIN

MAY 2017

Basin Business

Thursday, May 18, 2017, Herald and News

Business

Rural jobs outlook remains stagnant — Page 3

Find yourself at Findables for a good cause Page 4

60

years in the

mix

Safe Schools golf tourney teeing up — Page 5

Vicki Olin, owner of Jack’s Color Chip in Klamath Falls, poses in the store recently. The paint and stain store is marking its 60th year in business.

“We are known for matching colors people already have or need,” said Olin.

See the story, page 2.

Merit’s marks 80 years — Page 7

A publication of the Herald & News

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Chamber: www.klamath.org

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Basin Business

Thursday, May 18, 2017, Herald and News

Antique paint tools line the shelf at the paint shop. Today’s modern paints are meeting the demands of customers, but blending color remains an art.

n In the paint: Jack’s Color Chip

Established in 1957, paint shop going strong at 60

Photos and story by GERRY O’BRIEN H&N Editor

Jack’s Color Chip’s slogan is “More than a Paint Store” with good reason.

For one, owner Vicki Olin, who has been in the business some 40 years, can spot a shade of pigment or wood stain unlike anyone else.

“We are known for matching colors people already have or need,” said Olin. “People bring us their paint samples or pictures of wood stain and ask us to match it, and we can do that,” she said matter-offactly. “We don’t use computers or special equipment, we just eyeball it.” She isn’t bragging … it’s just on-the-job experience.

The store — first operated by Vicki’s parents, Jack and Joan An antique paint can brush Neipp — was estabwas used by Olin’s mother lished in 1957. It has back in the day. moved a few times, from nearby locations such as the Town and Country mall, but now resides at the corner of South Sixth Street and Fargo, just east of the Crater Lake Parkway intersection. They moved into the current location in 1996.

“We used to have large Christmas parties in here, and every Thursday there was a poker game in the back,” Olin said.

Growing up in the business gave Olin an eye for color. The shop is called Jack’s Color Chip because people would bring in samples and say, “Let me see your color chips.”

Jack Neipp worked for K.C. Paint Store for a few years before he started his own business.

“Back then we didn’t have a 5-gallon shaker, we had

something you set a 5-gallon into, but you had to hold onto it for half an hour.”

The quality of paint has become better over the years, with additives, and the removal of lead, of course, due to the health issues.

“And it has really changed on application. The types of paint have gotten a lot better,” Olin said.

Olin, and now her daughter-in-law, Lela McGinnis, have developed a keen eye for matching wood stain, too.

“People bring in wood samples and we match a lot of wood stains. Sometimes it takes a couple of hours to match a stain. Sometimes we hit it right on, but not too often,” Olin said.

Even The Home Depot sent a gift card to the shop for helping their customers match stains.

The shop offers up paints and stains for several public agencies, too.

“We did the stain for the new courthouse and for the public school buildings, which require a certain type of paint,” Olin said. “We also did stain for the Lava Beds National Monument.”

The shop carries Rodda Paints based in Portland. It operates much like the Neipp store, a family run operation with close ties to customers. Olin prefers the quality of this paint to other, national names, such as Behr or Sherwin-Williams.

“We were Rodda’s first dealer outside of Portland, right here in Klamath Falls,” Olin said. “Today, they are expanding in Alaska, Idaho, Montana and Hawaii. They sell a lot in Oregon and Washington. Their paint is high quality, and they treat you like family.”

The history of Rodda Paint actually began in 1930 at Rasmussen Paint Co. in Portland. It was at Rassmussen Paint that Art Rodda and Morey Braden first met. In 1931 Rasmussen Paint combined with two other companies to become General Paint Co. In 1932, Art Rodda left General Paint to join Chet Peterson and began Peterson/ Rodda Paint Co. In 1934 Chet Peterson sold his stake of the company to Art Rodda. It was then the company became known as Rodda Paint Company exclusively.

Lela McGinnis, left, and Vicki Olin mind the store on a daily basis.

Olin likes to keep the same, customer-friendly attitude. “If people bring in a sample, we’ll try to match it. We’ll even go out to their home to check out what they need,” she said.

Molly, the shop’s golden retriever mascot, keeps an eye on things.

Basin Business

Thursday, May 18, 2017, Herald and News

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Rural jobs outlook remains below par A new report from the Oregon Employment Department covers employment and economic trends for 23 rural counties in Oregon, according to a news release.

Recent job growth has been faster than the national average in many areas of the state.

Unemployment rates are lower than at any time since 1990 in 14 rural counties and near record lows elsewhere.

Still, after seven years of uneven economic recovery, 17 out of Oregon’s 23 rural counties remain below peak employment.

The Great Recession was worse in many rural Oregon counties than in metro Oregon. Nationally, the recession lasted from late 2007 until June 2009, but recovery continues today in many rural counties.

The jobs that have returned in nonmetro

counties have been largely low wage, while jobs in high-wage industries remain below pre-recession levels in rural areas.

Most rural counties face a two-part demographic challenge. A larger share of the rural workforce is at least 55 years old, while the rural population below age 18 shows long-term decline. The population in rural counties is growing slowly and aging quickly. On net, in-migration accounts for virtually all of the recent population growth.

In total, the 23 rural counties in Oregon had 238,000 jobs in 2016, 13 percent of the state’s job count. Job opportunities exist all around the state; many opportunities will be created in all areas of Oregon as today’s older workers retire.

For more details about the labor market in each local area in Oregon, visit QualityInfo.org and click on any area of the Oregon map.

KCC invites public to join in Tech Launch celebration Klamath Community College welcomes the public to visit its Klamath Falls campus next week for a “KCC Tech Launch” celebration, according to a news release.

The launch is part of the campaign fundraiser “Completing the Transformation,” which is underway to raise funds to purchase equipment for the college’s new Work Skills Technology Center (WSTC).

The launch is Tuesday, May 23, 4 to 6 p.m., between Buildings 5 and 6.

Celebration attendees will enjoy free hamburgers and hot dogs, and they can take tours of the new WSTC. Speakers will talk about the campaign between 4:30 and 5 p.m.

The WSTC is a $5.6 million project within Phase II of the campus expansion intended to promote local workforce development.

The WSTC will house new and cur-

rent technical programs, and serve more than 500 students each year.

The center will be a hub for highwage, high-demand technical programs directly related to workforce needs in the local community and region.

KCC is trying to raise $650,000 to furnish the center with technology, furniture and classroom equipment that will help students become workforce ready.

Campaign contributions will be used to purchase technology, such as synchronous equipment, computers, conference room equipment, manufacturing program equipment,

Contact the Chamber Klamath County Chamber of Commerce

205 Riverside Drive, Suite A Klamath Falls, OR 97603 Office: 541-884-5193 Fax: 541-884-5195 Heather Tramp, Executive director Email: heathert@klamath.org www.klamath.org www.facebook.com/KlamathChamber twitter.com/AccessKlamath

Chamber Executive Board President: Wes French First Vice President: Rachael Spoon Treasurer/Secretary: Jennifer Scanlan Members: Jason Chapman, Sergio Cisneros, George Ormsbee Immediate Past President: Todd Andres

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Thursday, May 18, 2017, Herald and News

Basin Business Advertiser Profile:

Findables fills homes, fulfills needs

By KURT LIEDTKE

For Basin Business

O

n the surface, it is a used furniture and home décor outlet, offering reasonable prices for gently used items, but its purpose and how profits are utilized benefit those most in need across Klamath County.

Located at 1330 E. Main St., open Tuesdays through Saturdays, Findables is a 501(c)3 nonprofit retail store operated entirely by volunteers of the Klamath Basin Assistance League. Established 31 years ago as part of a national organization with roughly 120 chapFindables is located ters, its at 1330 E. Main St. The lofty philstore is open Tuesdayanthropic Saturday from 11 a.m. goals aim to 3 p.m. Information to assist in about Klamath Basin providing clothAssistance League and ing and Operation School Bell shelter for is available on-site. those in For more call 541-883need.

1721, email alkb.info@ The gmail.com or visit store www.klamathbasinasbegan as sistanceleague.org. an antique store and chapter house for the organization, but soon grew to encompass a wide variety of furniture and home-related items. The multi-room setup in the store is under constant change, completed with various vignettes of complementary items assembled to simulate the feel of stepping into a living room. Since most items in the store are one-of-a-kind, there is a routine rotation of new items hitting the store floor, assuring a different experience with each visit.

Across shelves, desks and tables rests a variety of jewelry, paintings, mirrors, glassware, decorative clocks and lamps for sale, while floorspace is filled with couches, rugs, dinner tables, coffee tables, chairs, beds and more. Items are collected by donation, compiled by Assistance League staff, or sold on consignment from private owners on a 50-50 split.

For more info

Photos by Kurt Liedtke

Members of Klamath Basin Assistance League take a quick break at Fred Meyer during a designated clothing night, where low-income students are given certificates to shop for winter clothes. The Assistance League, which operates Findables Furniture and Home Décor, utilizes all profits from sales toward providing these gift certificates to help low-income children in need.

Donated items are available for a tax credit.

Every net cent stemming from sales is repurposed for a noble cause, helping to educate and clothe children, while also assisting the Klamath Crisis Center.

The two primary efforts are Project USA and Operation School Bell. Project USA draws maps of the United States on elementary school playgrounds to help students learn geography. Operation School Bell provides vouchers to purchase clothing for children of low-income families.

“Last year we helped dress See FINDABLES, Page 5

The FIndables floor is filled with a steady rotation of dinner tables, sofas, desks, shelves, paintings and other home décor. Items are intentionally priced to make quality used items available for low-income homes, while sales directly aid Operation School Bell – providing clothing vouchers to redeem at Fred Meyer for children in need.

Basin Business

Golf tourney benefits safe schools program Citizens for Safe Schools, one of the Basin’s leading nonprofit youth development agencies, is gearing up for its third annual Ed Caleb Memorial Golf Tournament to be held at the Running Y Golf Course, according to a news release.

Ed Caleb, former Klamath County District Attorney, was a passionate proponent of youth in Klamath County and helped co-found the organization 18 years ago. Since Ed’s passing in 2015, Citizens has held a memorial tournament in his honor to uphold and sustain his values for character and safety for the most disadvantageous children in our community.

Citizens for Safe Schools matches youth in the fourth to eighth grades with professionally trained volunteer mentors and the pair spends at least one hour per week for at least one calendar year together.

The dependable, enduring presence of a supportive adult in a young person’s life fosters improvement with school attachment, academics, attendance and dependency as well as develops potential for future achievement. Citizens for Safe Schools has been a foremost contributor to positive youth development in Klamath County through this program. Ed Caleb’s vision for the development of better futures for children of Klamath still remains and all are invited to attend the

annual memorial tournament in support of continued and sustainable success for his vision.

The charity tournament is a fourperson best ball scramble, featuring tons of prizes and side games while providing an exciting and fun atmosphere out on the course. Appetizers and awards to the winners will be provided following play.

For $99, one will receive 18 holes with a cart at the award-winning Arnold Palmer golf course, appetizers and an opportunity to support the kids of the Basin while trying one’s skills at winning more than $1,000 in cash and prizes.

All prizes have been donated by the following local, community minded sponsors: Running Y Ranch Resort, Pacific Power, Dixon Golf, Bell Hardware, Martin’s Food Center, Margot Durand Fisher Nicholson Realty, Diversified Contractors, Windermere Realty & Prewitt’s Auto Body.

Individual and corporate sponsorship opportunities are still available.

All funds raised during this exciting event will stay local and are used to provide youth in the mentoring program access to fun and educational community activities at no cost to their volunteer mentors.

For details, call 541-882-3198 or email Citizens for Safe Schools at info@citizensforsafeschools.org.

Jobless rate drops to 3.7 percent PORTLAND (AP) — Oregon’s record-low jobless rate has fallen again.

The state Employment Department said Tuesday the unemployment rate for April was 3.7 percent, a slight drop from March’s record-low rate of 3.8 percent.

The agency said gains were widespread among major industries, with government among the few sectors to shed jobs.

The unemployment rate at this time last year was 5 percent. Over the past year, construction has been the fastest-growing industry, followed by transportation, warehousing and utilities.

Another unemployment measure, known as U-6, fell to 8 percent in April — down from 10.4 percent a year ago. The figure includes discouraged workers who stopped looking as well as part-time workers who want but can’t get full-time jobs.

Findables

Thursday, May 18, 2017, Herald and News from page D4

over 800 children,” said Linda Hartenberger, president of Assistance League of Klamath Basin. “Findables helps us with each of our programs. We used to take clothing to the schools, but it became such a big effort for the members we decided to split it up.”

Through funds raised from Findables sales, clothing vouchers tallying $115 per qualifying elementary school student and $120 for middle and high school students are distributed for redemption at Fred Meyer stores. Special Operation School Bell shopping nights are coordinated in September and October, with store management going out of its way to offer heavily discounted clothing deals to ensure that every buck gets stretched as far as possible.

Additionally, students also receive prepared kits with hygiene products, hand-knit hats, fleece scarves, gloves and more to help endure the winter months. Assistance League members are often onsite during the special shopping events, helping coordinate sales for students to shop for the clothes they both need and like. Last year Operation School Bell locally helped clothe 331 qualifying students for in-store shopping events and an additional 490 clothing certificates to students at K-12 schools across Klamath County.

“We receive the names of children who need to be helped,” explained Martie Merhoff, Findables shop manager. “Everything bought here provides clothing for children in the community, there’s no profit. Fred Meyer has been extremely helpful, they always have big clothing sales on those designated nights to make sure the money goes a long way.”

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“We want people to know we are so much more than just a furniture store though. Without Findables we wouldn’t be able to dress as many children as we do now.”

— Martie Merhoff, Findables shop manager

In addition to the fall shopping events, Assistance League also provides certificates to schools to be distributed to select graduating seniors in need of appropriate clothing for their big commencement day. Eleven high schools in the region receive three $100 clothing certificates to be given to the graduates most in need, selected by school counselors.

At its core Alliance League’s mission is to promote learning, school attendance and self-worth of children and families.

Doing so, via the sale of quality antique and used furniture and home décor at affordable prices, is an interesting approach in accomplishing those goals, it is a philosophy that has proven effective.

“We help people with low incomes find quality furniture through our store, a place to find nice items at affordable prices” said Merhoff. “We want people to know we are so much more than just a furniture store though. Without Findables we wouldn’t be able to dress as many children as we do now.”

Whether entering the store to browse, donate, provide items on consignment, or to inquire about ways to help, Findables provides items to fill a home or fulfill a need.

Klamath Eye Mark Fay, M.D. Scott Stevens, M.D. Physician/ Surgeon of the Eye Physician/ Surgeon of the Eye

Edwin Tuhy, O.D. Optometrist

Jennifer Sparks, O.D. Optometrist

New Patients Welcome

2640 Biehn St. • 541.884.3148 • www.klamatheyecenter.com

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Basin Business

Thursday, May 18, 2017, Herald and News

State tourism industry losing market share

From a press release

Oregon’s tourism industry is losing market share to neighboring competitors.

According to independent research performed for the Oregon Tourism Commission (OTC) by Longwoods International and Dean Runyan Associates the OTC runs strong and effective advertising programs.

However, Oregon continues to lose market share due to its inability to compete effectively in the marketplace caused by a lack of resources to implement the programs.

The research confirmed the overall strength of the OTC programs specifically citing the fact that every $1 the OTC invests in the advertising programs generates $114 in visitor expenditures, $28 in earnings for Oregonians, $3.40 in state tax revenue and $1.70 in local tax revenue.

This research was validated at the request of state economist, Tom Potiosky, by independent research firm ECONorthwest. The ECONorthwest study noted that the previous research methodology was strong and the cited return on investment was very conservative.

Tourism funding in Oregon Oregon Tourism Investment Proposal In the highly competitive tourism marketplace, Oregon currently ranks No. 46 when compared to other state advertising and promotion budgets.

The national average for state tourism and promotion budgets is $13.1 million per year.

Oregon’s annual tourism budget is $3.2 million and is comprised entirely of lottery funds.

While Oregon continues to be highly effective with its current funding base, industry research confirms that the state is losing market share in its key markets due to its lack of advertising presence.

During the latest special legislative session, the OTC budget was reduced by $258,000. Additionally, the 2003 legislature will face a daunting $1-2 billion overall budget deficit. It is not unlikely that the OTC budget could face additional cuts in the next legislative session.

To protect Oregon’s position in the tourism marketplace, a significant increase in the OTC budget is needed. The Oregon Tourism Investment Proposal places the majority of the funding responsibility on the industry itself.

This plan addresses statewide tourism funding, local tourism funding, and the structure of the Oregon Tourism Commission.

Statewide tourism resources: n Implement a One Percent Statewide Room Tax: This would generate an estimated $7 million per year ($14 million per biennium) for the OTC efforts. Direct all revenue from statewide room tax to existing OTC public/private partnership account. Allow up to 15 percent of tax revenues to be used for cooperative regional marketing program. n Retain Lottery Allotment: Keep existing $3.1million annual funding from lottery proceeds for the OTC budget.

Small-gauge railroad rides opening for season Chamber hosts Hula-Palooza July 27 The Klamath County Chamber of Commerce will host its Hula-Palooza 2017 Putting Challenge on July 27. This event is sponsored by Fisher Nicholson-Debra Gisriel and will be held at the Running Y Ranch & Resort’s Executive Golf Course. Registration begins at 3 p.m. and the tournament begins at 4 p.m. with a shotgun start, according to a news release.

Lose yourself on the green while golfing and networking with fellow businesspeople. Register individually or put together a team, and enjoy the fun of mini-golf, with reception including appetizers and drinks, sponsored

by Henris Roofing and Supply, Rachael Spoon-State Farm Insurance, and Final Touch Interiors. Mug for the camera and receive a photograph of your team, thanks to our Social Media and Scorecard sponsors, US Cellular.

Prizes will be awarded after the reception, including highest and lowest grossing team as well as the most Hawaiian themed team.

From a press release

CHILOQUIN — Whether you’re looking for adventure, local information, fun times, getting outdoors this summer and want to let off a little steam instead of blowing your stack we have just the ticket for you — highball it over to Klamath and Western Railroad in Chiloquin Saturday, May 27, for a ride on a 7½ gauge railroad.

Don’t backtrack or get sidetracked. Just listen for the bells and whistles. If you miss the turn off on Highway 97, you might want to look for a “Y” to get you moving in the right direction again.

At your destination you will meet your engineer prior to boarding one of the passenger cars. You don’t need to be riding the gravy train for this ride – it’s free!

Once the train leaves the loading dock you will travel 1.8 miles over bridges, through tunnels, past towns, amidst forests of trees. Now don’t interrupt my train of thought – you will have the time of your life. And always keep an eye out along the track for any gandy dancers on the right of way.

Back at the station, shunt off into a siding to shop for railroad memorabilia at the gift shop.

When you get hungry you can “go to beans” in

Submitted photo

the diner serving up hot dogs and hamburgers. Before you leave take a walk through the crummy. And have your picture taken as an alien and play a game or two of ring toss.

So, don’t dally, visit on opening day, Saturday, May 27, and bring your copy of this article from Basin Business with all the railroad terms and expressions circled and receive a free hot dog.

Klamath and Western Railroad is located at 35951 So. Chiloquin Road, Chiloquin, and is a 501-c(3) nonprofit. For further information call 541-783-3177. Trains will be running all summer long, every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. through the Saturday of Labor Day. The club welcomes new members.

Running Y Ranch Resort adds horseback riding Running Y Ranch Resort invites guests to saddle up and enjoy a new horseback riding adventure, departing right from the resort grounds. Horseback riding outings are set to begin on May 26, according to a news release.

Trail rides will be led by the finest guides in Southern Oregon, catering to both novices and experienced riders. The forested wilderness area surrounding the resort is the perfect setting for riding, with ponderosa pines and juniper trees all along the Skillet Handle Trail. The trail offers a front row view of Klamath Lake and spectacular views of the Skillet Handle.

Running Y Ranch Resort General Manager, George Rogers, said, “Horseback riding has been a highly requested activity, so we are pleased to be able to offer it to locals as well as to resort guests. It’s a great way to relax and adventure with family and friends while taking in the scenery.”

One-hour and and two-hour rides leave at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Onehour rides are $80 per person and two-hour rides are $120 per person. Those interested in reserving a riding time may call 541-850-5500 or book online at https://www.runningy.com/experience/horseback-riding. Riders age 6 and up are welcome, and helmets are provided for all.

Basin Business

Thursday, May 18, 2017, Herald and News

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FINANCIAL FOCUS

Conservative investing means what to investors?

If you’re a certain age, or getting close to it, you might hear something like this: “Now that you’re older, you need to invest more conservatively.” But what exactly does this mean?

For starters, it’s useful to understand that your investment preferences and needs will indeed change over time.

When you’re first starting out in your career, and even for a long time afterward, you can afford to invest somewhat aggressively, in stocks and stock-based investments; because you have time to overcome the inevitable short-term market drops.

At this stage of your life, your primary concern is growth — you want your portfolio to grow enough to provide you with the resources you’ll need to meet your long-term goals, such as a comfortable retirement.

But when you finally do retire, and perhaps for a few years before that, your investment focus likely will have shifted from accumulation to preservation.

And this certainly makes some sense.

Even though you may spend two, or even three, decades in retirement, you actually have many shorter time frames for withdrawing money — that is, selling investments — from your retirement accounts, such as your 401(k) and IRA. In fact, you may be taking withdrawals every month — and you don’t want to be forced to sell investments when their price is down.

Consequently, you’ll want a portfolio that’s less susceptible to market downturns.

This means that you may need to reduce the percentage of stocks in your investment mix and increase your holdings in investments that have less growth potential but offer greater stability of principal, such as bonds.

If you follow this formula, you will have become a more conservative investor.

But this evolution — from aggressive to conservative — isn’t that simple, or

at least it shouldn’t be.

If, as mentioned above, you are retired for two or three decades, you will have to deal with inflation. And even at a relatively mild 3 percent annual inflation rate, your purchasing power will decline by about half in just 25 years.

This is a real threat to retirees, who, unlike active employees, can’t count on increases in earned income to overcome increasing costs of living.

Given this reality, you will have to find your sources of rising income in your investment portfolio.

One possibility: Dividend-paying stocks, some of which have increased their dividends for many years in a row.

Still, like all stocks, these dividend payers can lose value from year to year, and they can also reduce, or even eliminate, dividends at any time. In other words, they aren’t risk-free which brings us back to the question of how “conservative” of an investor you can really afford to be when you’re retired.

In the final analysis, there’s no simple answer.

On one hand, you probably shouldn’t be as aggressive an investor as you were when you were much younger and still working.

On the other hand, if you were to primarily own certificates of deposit and U.S. Treasury securities, you might face the prospect of outliving your money.

Ultimately, you’ll need to maintain a balanced portfolio that helps you control risk today while providing you with growth opportunities for tomorrow.

Meredith Hoffman Financial Advisor-Edward Jones 1307 S Alameda Ave, Suite B Klamath Falls, OR 97603 541-273-2483

H&N file photo

Merit’s Home center is at 1407 Owens St.

Merit’s Home Center marks 80 years in business H&N staff reports Merit’s Home Center at 1407 Owens St. in Klamath Falls will be marking 80 years in business this month.

On Thursday, May 18, the appliance and electronics store will hold an open house for customers. Prices on all appliances will be marked down and refreshments will be served.

Ryan McNiven, Merit’s Home Center manager, said the store is probably one of the top five in the county and have been in business 80-plus years.

“It’s really a story of longevity,” McNiven said. “There have been only three owners throughout the history of the store.”

Merit Smith — from whom the name is derived — was the first owner in 1937.

He later sold the business to Wayne Plaisad who, in turn, sold it to David McNiven in 1990.

The store underwent some renovations at its current location to allow for

more parking. Ryan has been in the business since 1995.

“We are independently owned, but have the buying power for appliances just like the larger franchises,” he said.

The store, which employs 12, includes Ryan’s sister, Sarah Thomas as the bookkeeper, and his wife, Brittany as a helper.

“We offer every major brand of appliances … the largest in the county,” McNiven said. “Plus we have home electronics, such as LG, Samsung and Sony, audio appliances and outdoors amenities such as hot tubs, swimming spas and patio furniture.”

The firm offers home delivery and service on its appliances.

“We are the only service department in the Klamath Basin that services all brands,” McNiven said.

Store hours are Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Its website is www.meritshomecenter. com. Phone is 541-882-3429.

Free mountain bike demo day at Spence Mountain Hutch’s Bicycles in Klamath Falls is hosting a free demo day at the Spence Mountain Traihead on Saturday, May 20, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to a news release. Santa Cruz is bringing full size runs of four models of high-end mountain bike for folks to test-ride, free, on a first-come-first-served basis.

The event is listed on meetup.com under Hutch’s Bicycles Klamath Falls. It is helpful for people to use meetup.com to indicate that they re planning to attend, even though it is not an official reservation of a bike or timeslot. Hutch’s will have a couple of people at the site to ride for folks who are unfamiliar with the trails and answer questions about the bikes. It will also offer shuttles from the boat launch parking lot southeast of the trailhead if the Spence parking fills up.

Call 541-850-2453 for details.

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Thursday, May 18, 2017, Herald and News

Basin Business