en-us Copyright Sightline Daily - all rights reserved newsfeeds@sightline.org newsfeeds@sightline.org Today's edition of Sightline Daily, the Northwest news that matters http://daily.sightline.org Plone http://daily.sightline.org/logo.gif 427 69 Groups are urging WA and OR leaders to toss out the proposed massive $4 billion, 12-lane Columbia River Crossing bridge project and start over, using a new approach that starts with region's shared values of economic vitality, affordable transportation, safe and healthy neighborhoods and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=125749057683734200 Climate Sprawl & Transportation Oregon Washington 11/06/2009 Portland Tribune The odds of severe flooding in the Green River Valley have dropped substantially due to repairs on the Howard Hanson Dam. But that relief was followed by barely contained frustration that months of high anxiety have come at great psychic and financial expense - and that the wait for a permanent fix could sap the region further even if a flood never comes. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010213136_greenriver06m.html?syndication=rss Environment Water Washington 11/06/2009 Seattle Times When David Thyme was an even younger man, his fantasies of early adulthood did not include a 9:30 pm curfew and a bed in Covenant House, a shelter for homeless youth. They also didn't include a recession so severe that his financially strapped father would ask him to help with rent - or kick him out when he couldn't find an entry-level job to do so. http://www.thenation.com/doc/20091123/ratner Economy Population United States 11/05/2009 The Nation Researchers believe the day is coming when the electricity you use will be your own. Instead of relying on large central generating stations - hydroelectric dams, coal plants and the like - scientists say we're moving toward an era of "personalized solar energy." http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2009/11/personalized_solar_units_could.html Climate Economy Energy Environment Solutions Sustainable Living Oregon United States 11/05/2009 Oregonian Sex education programs that encourage teens to delay sexual activity but also teach them how to reduce their chances of getting pregnant or a sexually transmitted disease cut risky sexual behavior, increase condom use and lower the chances of getting the AIDS virus and other infections, an independent expert panel concluded in a report released Friday. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/06/AR2009110601208.html?wprss=rss_health Human Health Population United States 11/06/2009 Washington Post An estimated two million wives are now the sole breadwinners in families across America as more men than women have been laid off in this recession. Experts say that unemployed husbands are probably taking on more of the housework and childcare duties - for now. But they don't expect that change to stick. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/men-who-lost-jobs-in-recession-help-at-home/article1352173/ Economy Population United States 11/05/2009 Toronto Globe and Mail Canada will stage a judicial inquiry into the collapse of sockeye salmon runs on the Fraser River, which have been in a two-decade decline and hit a 50-year low in summer 2009. It has prompted concerns that sockeye are heading for a population failure on the scale of the collapse of Atlantic cod. http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Ottawa+plans+inquiry+into+disappearance+sockeye/2188687/story.html Environment Food & Farms Salmon Water British Columbia 11/06/2009 Vancouver Sun Rural and disadvantaged communities in the Northwest could receive an economic boost thanks to $30 million in new markets tax credits allocated to Portland-based Ecotrust. The nonprofit organization plans to target former timber towns struggling to recover jobs and tribes working for economic benefits by improving the health of forests. http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2009/11/ecotrust_lands_tax_credits_to.html Economy Forests Oregon 11/05/2009 Oregonian Three major retailers have agreed to pay nearly half a million dollars to settle a lawsuit stemming from the companies' sale of toys containing excessive amounts of lead, the California attorney general's office said Thursday. http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-toys-settlement6-2009nov06,0,6735481.story Environment Pollution & Toxics California 11/06/2009 Los Angeles Times A curious debate has broken out among American environmental groups, as the Senate balkily starts to focus on the threat of climate change. Is this really the time to talk about shrinking glaciers? http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/05/AR2009110502134.html Cap and Trade Climate Economy Efficiency Energy Environment Green Jobs Policy Pollution & Toxics United States 11/06/2009 Washington Post Twenty years ago, a group of children planted a sugar maple tree behind Boise-Eliot School in North Portland. The tree was supposed to grow tall and spread a graceful canopy, but looks more like a lollypop. The unremarkable tree goes about its remarkable job: cleaning the air of pollution, capturing carbon dioxide and filtering stormwater, while providing shade and a sense of well-being. http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2009/11/a_tree_still_grows_at_boise-el.html Environment Forests Sprawl & Transportation Oregon 11/06/2009 Oregonian Once Missoula’s pedestrian interference ordinance takes effect on Thursday, less space will remain available for sidewalk sprawlers. The ordinance itself does not expressly target homeless people but debate leading up to the vote pit downtown commercial interests against advocates for the homeless. http://www.newwest.net/city/article/missoula_pedestrian_ordinance_may_increase_density_of_sidewalk_sprawlers/C8/L8/ Economy Sprawl & Transportation Montana 11/05/2009 New West On a few islands in western Canada, white 'spirit bears' walk the woods. Now scientists have discovered why these striking animals, a race of black bear, survive. White bears are less visible to fish than their black counterparts, making them 30% more efficient at capturing salmon in the islands' rivers. http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8344000/8344367.stm Environment Salmon Wildlife British Columbia 11/06/2009 BBC News An Ashland High School graduate has created a reusable takeout container that is being used at 200 workplaces and universities nationwide - including Southern Oregon University. Audrey Copeland, 24, created the Eco-Takeout clamshell container after she was inspired by a college environmental studies project. http://www.dailytidings.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091105/NEWS02/911050315/-1/NEWS01 Climate Environment Pollution & Toxics Sustainable Living Oregon 11/05/2009 Ashland Daily Tidings Democrats on the Environment and Public Works Committee pushed through a climate bill on Thursday without any debate or participation by Republicans. The move suggests that President Obama and bill supporters will have serious problems assembling the votes needed to enact it when it comes to the Senate floor, probably not before next year. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/06/us/politics/06climate.html?partner=rss&emc=rss Cap and Trade Climate Energy Environment Food & Farms Policy Pollution & Toxics United States 11/05/2009 New York Times The Obama administration and the region’s federal dam managers are pinning their hopes to the scientific reputation of Jane Lubchenco, administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and a marine ecologist from Oregon State University. And it’s a good call. http://voices.idahostatesman.com/2009/11/05/rockybarker/scientist_courtroom Energy Environment Policy Salmon Water US Northwest 11/05/2009 Idaho Statesman Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., was the only Democrat on Thursday to vote against a climate change bill that Democrats rammed through a Senate committee - but said he still supports the effort to limit greenhouse gases and pass a bill. http://www.missoulian.com/news/local/article_ac65255c-ca99-11de-847e-001cc4c03286.html Cap and Trade Climate Energy Environment Policy Pollution & Toxics Montana United States 11/06/2009 Missoulian For decades, California's water wars have flared unabated - cities versus farms, north against south - while half measures left the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta drained and decimated. A solution involving all sides was only a dream. Until now. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/11/06/EDP51AF923.DTL&feed=rss.opinion Environment Food & Farms Water Wildlife California 11/06/2009 San Francisco Chronicle Promoting clean energy development in the Mid-Columbia region is a natural fit, but we need a broader conversation about our economic future. That includes serious talks about potential uses of those parts of the Hanford Nuclear Reservation that are cleaned up and no longer are needed by the federal government. http://www.tri-cityherald.com/opinions/story/782478.html Economy Energy Environment Pollution & Toxics Washington 11/06/2009 Tri-City Herald