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INSIDE TODAY
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2010
ISSUE 81 • 18 PAGES
RECESSION TAKES LUSTER OFF JEWELRY BUSINESS
Cove edges Powder Valley to win volleyball state championship
Seattle company will explain the process during special Council meeting Wednesday evening
PAGE 10B
By RUSSELL VINEYARD Baker City Herald The Baker City Council will have special meeting Wednesday at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 1655 First St., to hear a presentation from a company that could help the city stream Council meetings live on the Internet. Granicus Inc. of Seattle will explain to councilors how it can not only stream meetings but also record and archive the video footage. Now, City Council meetings are broadcast live on Charter Cable Channel 3. That service is free to the city, but it’s not clear whether it will remain free in the franchise agreement the city will be negotiating with the cable TV provider. The cost of streaming meetings via the Internet, meanwhile, has dropped, according to the city. Granicus, which works with many other cities and counties, would show meetings live on the company’s Web site, www.granicus.com, and archive meetings so residents could watch the proceedings later, also on the Internet. City Recorder Becky Fitzpatrick said if the council decides to start streaming video, there would be a link on the city’s Web site, www.bakercity.com, leading to the Granicus site and the live video. Once the footage is recorded, it would take about 24-hours to archive it for later viewing.
Bush’s memoirs surprisingly revealing
PAGE 7A
Baker City Herald/Kathy Orr
Don McClure helps a customer at his jewelry store in downtown Baker City. McClure, who opened the store in 2006, is closing the business due to the effects of the recession.
Jeweler decides recession is too severe to outlast Don McClure is closing his Baker City jewelry store after four years By RUSSELL VINEYARD doubled since he got into the business. Baker City Herald “We’re going to close about a week after Christmas,” he said. “Something may happen The recession’s latest victim is a Baker City and we might stay open a few weeks after that jewelry store. but, I just want to keep it alive until after “The economy has eaten up another one — Christmas,” he said. it’s gotten too difficult to maintain in the retail Anything not sold, McClure said, will be industry,” said Don McClure, who opened Don’s turned over to a wholesaler. The sale will inJewelry at 1937 Main St. in 2006. clude jewelry, furniture, equipment and display “Especially for cases. luxury items.” “Everything McClure anin the store,” nounced last ‘Unfortunately, 12 months after I he said. week that he Don’s Jewwas closing his elry is one of opened the store, the economy sank.’ doors and distwo Baker counting his City jewelry more than $1.5 — Don McClure, jewelry store owner stores. The million in invenother is J. Tatory by up to 70 bor Jewelers percent. at 1913 Main McClure St. opened his first jewelry store in La Grande in (Tabor Clarke, who owns J. Tabor Jewelers, 1997. Nine years later he opened his store in declined to comment for this story.) Baker City. McClure said that in addition to the sluggish “I saw the opportunity in Baker City, I had a economy, the lack of a significant manufacturing good following here. But unfortunately, 12 base in Baker County — and in particular the months after I opened the store, the economy demise of the timber industry — adds to the sank,” McClure said. challenge of running a successful jewelry store. He closed his La Grande store last year. Baker County’s last sawmill closed in 1996. “I’ve been in this business for 26 years and “If there were five mills open, we’d all be the luxury items just aren’t there anymore,” Mcfine,” he said. “If there was one mill open, we’d Clure said. “The Internet has taken a big bite be breaking even. It has gotten to the point out of it.” where two jewelry stores in Baker City is too McClure said another reason he has decided to close is the price of gold, which has more than many.”
INSIDE TODAY
Council to discuss Web streaming meetings
DUCKS SURVIVE SCARE: Top-ranked Oregon’s offense sputters, but defense comes through in 15-13 win over California — PAGE 3A
In today’s edition Calendar Page 2A Classifieds Pages 5B-7B Comics Page 4B
Jobless rate rose slightly in September By JAYSON JACOBY Baker City Herald Baker County’s unemployment rate rose a bit in September but remained below both the Oregon and national averages. The county’s non-seasonally adjusted jobless rate in September was 8.7 percent, compared with 8.3 percent in August. Oregon’s rate for September was 9.9 percent. The national rate was 9.2 percent.
See Jobless/Page 3A
Old hammers, and ‘OldYeller’ Flea market at Basche-Sage Place a treasure trove of eclectic stuff By RUSSELL VINEYARD Baker City Herald Mark Fox of Baker City has been selling stuff he found in his grandmother’s house after he inherited the home. Old tools. Antiques. Even an unopened Reader’s Digest book pack featuring the classic novel “Old Yeller.” Twice a month, Fox displays the eclectic mixture of merchandise — old hammers, knickknacks and a
See Market/Page 5A
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