We're trying to put some finishing touches on Crane Festival planning,
but have most of the schedule completed (at least on paper.) The
dates are March 24-26, 2000. After making promises last year about a
web site set up for registration, then not seeing it happen, I'm a
little reluctant to make any promises this time. The Chamber of
Commerce does have a contract to have it completed this month, so keep
checking at www.othello-wa.com. When I checked last week they still
had information on the 1999 crane festival. You can get fairly
current information from the Central Basin Audubon Society's web site
at http://www.cbas.org/festival/festival_frame.htm
The last time I checked that site it required some updates on the
pricing of field trips. Do not attempt to register for the festival
until the Chamber's web site is up and running with current
information. I don't know if you will be able to register on-line or
if it will just be available to down-load and mail in. You can email
the Chamber office at othello at othello-wa.com or call 1-800-684-2556
for more info.

The main festival will be on Saturday, March 25. Activities will be
centered in the high school gymnasium this year. Bargain priced crane
viewing tours will start at 8 a.m. (six during the morning) and 4 p.m.
(three during the prime-time later afternoon), with a few short tours
and one bi-lingual bus. All crane viewing tours will include a local
naturalist and a local farmer to help interpret. There are three
featured speakers this year. Dr. George Archibald will speak on Crane
Conservation and Private Lands. Pam Jensen, author of Legends of the
Crane, will discuss Crane Folklore. Dr. Felipe Chavez-Ramirez, who
also will address the evening banquet, will discuss Crane Research.
Plus there are the WOS specials featuring current or former board
members Mike Denny, Andy Stepniewski, and Bill LaFramboise talking
about local area birds and their habitats. And Andy will have copies
of Birds of Yakima County for sale.

We have expanded the field trips to Friday afternoon with two crane
busses and a short birder's trip (Columbia NWR and the Potholes area)
with Mike Denny leading. Sunday's field trips include a visit to Sage
Grouse country in Douglas County that likely will find most of the
shrub steppe obligate species up there (4 a.m. start), Andy
Stepniewski leading the Wahluke Slope and Saddle Mountain NWR tour,
and Bill LaFramboise leading a tour of the Arid Lands Ecological
Reserve. These three trips have very limited space, so you will want
to register early. FWS leaders also will guide a more extensive tour
of Columbia NWR and the Potholes. The price of the guided birders'
field trips has gone up some to cover costs, but remains a bargain
compared to similar field trip at other bird festivals. There are
other field trips and speakers going on as well. Check the web sites.

The banquet will feature Dr. Felipe Chavez-Ramirez, who represents the
International Crane Foundation and the World Wildlife Fund. Last
year's auction was popular, and hopefully we will have a few more
items to sell this year. Seating will be somewhat limited, and we are
working on a child activity program (possibly through the Boys and
Girls Club) that could provide an option for out-of-town visitors
during the banquet period, so reserve early. There may be younger
child-care contacts available also.

The Chamber office has lodging information. Both Othello motels are
decent.

Randy Hill
Othello