2000 Western Conference

FEATURED SPEAKERS:
Houses of Heritage by Barry Harem, Formline Artist, Seattle, WA: The monumental 19th century Native community houses of the northern Northwest Coast were often spectacular structures built to house entire family lineages. Elegantly spare, yet lavishly embellished with meaningful works of art, they were "containers" of heritage describing an architectural vernacular still virtually unknown.

The Aesthetics of Timber Buildings by Michael Duff, Department of Architecture, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR: The fundamental principles of how beautiful, coherent space and structure is organized, and the nature of a design and construction process that allows this kind of order to unfold.

• Timber Sizing by Grigg Mullen, P.E., Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, VA: An introduction to determining the proper dimensions of joists, beams and rafters to satisfy structural requirements and the building code.

• Designing for Building by Rudy Christian, Christian & Son, Burbank, OH: The secrets of safe and successful raisings, and the steps from design through finish that minimize crane time.

• Implementing the Northwest Forest Plan into Natural Resource Management by Rick Abbott and Steve Nelson,, U.S. Forest Service, Idleyld Park, OR: Wildlife and landscape management as a tool for sustainability, how science enters the picture, and what's the scoop with the roadless policy?

• From Burn to Forest: The Enduring Legacy of the Tillamook Burn by Doug Decker, Tillamook Forest Heritage Trust, Forest Grove, OR: The profound economic, environmental and social impact of this old-growth forest's devastation and the inspiring story of its restoration.

• Event Horizon by Joel McCarty, Will Beemer, Timber Framers Guild: Executive Directors walk through the Guild projects coming up in 2000 and want to get some ideas for more events from you.

• Journeyman Timber Framing or How to Be a Homeless Homebuilder by Donna Williams, Bob Smith, Bear Dance Joinery, Winchester, NH and elsewhere: The trials and tribulations of timber framing and life on the road - constantly. What an itinerant needs for tools, insurance and finding work.

• Bamboo-Smithing* by Doug and Martha Lingen, Sierra Timberframers, Nevada City, CA: A demonstration of non-structural applications of this traditional construction material in gates, fences, arbors, etc.

• Building with Cob* by Ianto Evans, Cob Cottage Company, Cottage Grove, OR: A demonstration of building with earth, its application as an infill for timber frames, and slides of natural building systems around the world.
  * These two natural building seminars will last ALL Friday afternoon. While no fee is charged, we request pre-registration in order to plan properly. Please plan on attending the entire seminar if you sign up.

• Small Wood by Lynn and Jim Jungwirth, Watershed Research and Training Center, Hayfork, CA: The story of a foundation that seeks to protect and manage the forest canopy while producing a marketable product from the suppressed Douglas fir beneath it.

• Treehouse Engineering by Charlie Greenwood, Michael Garnier, Jake Jacob: A look at and explanation of foundation and fastening systems, with the tale of getting a particular tree house (and live tree) analyzed, stamped and approved. A load testing device for limbs will be demonstrated.

• Learning By Building by Michael Duff, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR: The Design Build Apprenticeship at the University of Oregon Architecture School and a review of recent award-winning timber-framed projects that have come out of it.

• Scarf Joints by Pete Slisz, The Cascade Joinery, Everson, WA: A demonstration of the placement, layout and cutting of these impressive joints to make one long timber out of two short ones.

• Design Principles, Ancient and Sacred by John MacFarland, Tohickon Timber Frames, Revere, PA: A look at the old ways of seeing and designing used throughout history, from bio-regional aspects to feng-shui to traditional proportions and geometry.

• Wood Science and Engineering Education and Research by Rakesh Gupta and Robert Leichti, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR: Ongoing techniques and studies into the earthquake performance of structural wood members and connections, mechanical properties and behavior of wood and wood-based products, and advanced analysis and modeling techniques for wood buildings.

• Harvesting Salvaged Timber in our National Forests by Bob Sproul, East Fork Lumber, Myrtle Point, OR: The perils and adventures of getting good timber; how trees are sold, chosen for timber, harvested and graded in accordance with National Forest policy.

• Cross Pollination Rigging by Brion Toss, Port Townsend, WA: Rigging techniques, recent developments and advanced systems from fields related to timber framing (such as sailing, rescue, arborists and other specialities), which can make our raisings easier and safer.

• The Barns of Linn County by Mary Gallagher, Benton County Historical Museum, Philomath, OR:
  Analyzing the results of extensive research into barns from 1845-1945 seeks to answer the question: Would timber frame barn building traditions persist longer in a region where timber resources were plentiful?

• Estimating for Fun and Profit by Chris Madigan, The Timber Frame Workshop, East Alstead, NH: An in-depth look at an estimating system for timber framing that covers your --- without losing your shirt. For those experienced in timber framing but new to estimating.

• Sharpening by Ryosea Kaneko, Woodacre, CA: A long-time mainstay of the shop at Benson Woodworking, Ryosea is now working on a large project in California. He's taking a brief respite to show us the care and maintenance of edge tools that is passed on through the Japanese tradition.

• Traditional Sawn Frame Ship Construction by Tony Anderson, Chief Shipwright, Sail and Life Training Society, Victoria, BC: The spirit, design and materials that go into traditional wooden sailing ships. This talk will feature structural design, lofting layout and timber details.

Trade Fair
Organized by the Timber Frame Business Council, this show on Friday and Saturday will feature suppliers for the timber frame industry who will display their products and services and explain in detail how they're used. Meet those who support our craft in the field, including panel suppliers, tool vendors and wood brokers. Don't miss the Mixer Friday starting at 4:30 PM in the Trade Fair area.

Slide Show
Bring ten of your favorite slides related to your work in timber framing to share on Friday night. Everyone's work is welcome at this Conference highlight. Please put your name on each slide and be prepared to give a brief narrative to accompany their showing.

Benefit Auction
Please bring a unique item for the Auction on Saturday night, which is an always entertaining part of the Guild's annual fundraising efforts. Feel free to send an item if you can't make the Conference in person. Tax deductions galore!

Member's Meeting
Here's your chance to air your good ideas or beefs about what the Guild should be doing. Saturday at 5:00 PM.

New Member Lounge
Specifically for those new to the Guild, this Friday afternoon informal session will allow members to ask questions and meet the veterans.

Book Fair
Charlotte Cooper will once again bring her Summer Beam Books for one-stop shopping and browsing for all those hard-to-find titles on woodworking and timber framing. Open all weekend.

My Favorite Tool Contest Entertainer extraordinaire Terry Brennan will act as ringmaster for this display of the useful and unusual to take place before the auction on Saturday evening. Bring that tool that has changed your life, be it rare, homemade or commonplace. Prizes for the winners! Entries must give a 30-second explanation of what the heck it is they're showing.

Tour of the Hull-Oakes Sawmill
A bus will leave Salishan at 11 AM Thursday for the two-hour drive to one of the last steam powered sawmills in the country. This Historic Landmark, located in Bellfountain, Oregon, is the subject of a video that will also be playing throughout the conference.

Those driving to the conference may opt to meet us at the mill for the 1 PM tour (lasting an hour), but must register ahead of time so we can tell the tour guide how many to expect. No fee is charged if you're driving yourself; directions will be sent to you upon receipt of your registration. For those taking the bus, the $35 fee includes a box lunch prepared by Salishan. The bus will return to the Lodge by 5 PM.

Conference Arrangements
Room rates are $105/night for a Standard Guestroom (one king or two double beds), $135 for a Deluxe Guestroom (one king plus sitting area, jetted tubs and corner windows), and $165 for a Premier Guestroom (same as Deluxe plus a queen hide-a-bed, larger suite and better views). Add a 6% Oregon Lodging Tax and a $5 per room per night resort service fee. These rates are for single OR double occupancy; additional people (up to five) are $20 apiece per night (there is an extra $15 charge for a rollaway bed). Kids 12 or under stay free. All rooms have fireplaces, balconies and either golf course, forest or bay views.

Activities include golf on the 18-hole Scottish-style course, covered driving range, 18-hole putting green (free), hiking, indoor pool, sauna and spa, weight room, 3 indoor tennis courts, free pool tables in the Lounge, in-room massage and of course, beachcombing. There's plenty for the kids too, such as kite rentals and a game room with ping pong and numerous video games.

For room reservations, call Conference Registrations at 800-452-2300 or 541-764-2371. Be sure to mention you're with the Timber Framers Guild to get the Conference rate.

Travel Arrangements: The Lodge is a two-hour drive from Portland (Oregon) International Airport; a map will be sent upon receipt of your registration with other confirmation materials. Harbor Air/Alaska Airlines has 5 flights daily to nearby Newport from Portland or Corvallis. Details on shuttle service from Portland ($60 per person, less if a group) or Newport ($40 per person) to the Lodge will be included with your confirmation. Greyhound Bus Lines can drop you off at Salishan via their Portland to Lincoln City route.

Camping: There are numerous State Parks and R.V. Campgrounds along this stretch of the coast, with off-season camping rates in April. Details will be included with your confirmation, or call Oregon State Parks at 800-551-6949 (www.prd.state.or.us).

Other Coastal Activities:
Newport (17 miles south of Salishan): The Oregon Coast Aquarium (great sea lions, otters and the largest seabird aviary in North America); Yaquina Bay (and its world-famous oysters) and the Yaquina Lighthouse; the Bayfront (try the grilled oysters at the Whale's Tale on Bay Blvd.); the Hatfield Marine Science Center. Crabbing and clamming equipment can be rented.

Depoe Bay (5 miles south): one hour whale watching trips or five-hour deep sea fishing trips; the World's Smallest Harbor; great scenery such as Otter Rock, the Devil's Punchbowl, the Spouting Horn and Cape Foulweather.

Lincoln City (10 miles north): Robert's Book Store and many art galleries and outlet malls.

The Marketplace at Salishan, located across the road from the Lodge, features more than a dozen unique shops and galleries.