Front Street Weekly; 813

[music] Tonight on the Front Street Weekly: Off Track Betting. Soon, Oregonians can bet on their favorite horses via satellite from Portland Meadows. Is off track betting a favorite or a long shot for the racing industry and the state of Oregon? Reporter Rob Mina visits a Buddhist monastery that lies just outside Ashland. What is the lure of this ancient religion? Then Steve Ailen shows us the darker side of home remodeling, the underbelly of This Old House, As he takes us on a bone chilling muscle aching tour of hell

house. Hi. Welcome to Front Street Weekly. It's been said that there's a little bit of a gambler in all of us. Think of all the times you bought a lottery ticket or played bingo, but this isn't a story about gambling fever. In 1987, The Oregon legislature passed an off track betting bill. Now that means that soon, you won't have to come out here to Portland Meadows to wager on your favorite ponies. Tonight you'll see how OTB might affect some folks in one of Oregon's little talked about industries. [bugle call] [sounds: mingled voices, chatter] [sounds: crowd noise] [announcer from a microphone "one minute"] [announcer from a microphone:"the horses entering the circuit gate"] [sounds:starting bell rings] It's called the sport of kings, but Oregon's largest commercial horseracing track

Portland Meadows attracts fans from all walks of life. Horse players in general are quite smart. There's a misconception. A lot of the public thinks horse players are one step above rapists and thieves and it's not true at all. What is true is that horseracing is a different kind of spectator sport. When you put the money down you either win or you lose. [sounds of people shouting at horses to win] Horse players figure, read the programs, and the daily racing forms, check the odds and eventually bet on their favorites hoping for a piece of the action.[sound:male voice says, excitedly, "147 dollars!" Call it luck. Call it a Cinderella story. Gamblers have made the parimutual wagering industry where you bet against each other and not against the house into a big business. According to the Oregon Racing Commission, players bet over 100 million dollars last year on both the greyhounds and the horses. One big winner's mistake over

four million dollars was pumped back into the general fund. [sounds:unintelligible words from an intercom in the background] They get their cut. The average gambler fares up pretty well too. Close to 80 percent of all the money pushed under the window is paid back to the winning ticket holders. But the last few years have been tough on Oregon's horseracing industry. Portland Meadows was hit especially hard last year when Long Acres Racetrack near Seattle built an off track betting parlor in Billingham. Washington's OTB system went online the same day Portland Meadows began its live race meet. Portland Meadows general manager Greg Gunderson says that hurt the business. Prior to that we determined that 10 percent of our attendance came from the Seattle marketplace and 20 percent of our gross par-initial handle. We haven't

made up a loss of our Washington customers. Washington's racing Commissioner John Crowley concurs. In prior years, a good percentage of those probably traveled south down I-5 to go to the races for a medal. People in Portland's loss would be Yakima's gain so to speak. To get even with that loss and attract more racing fans, Oregon is anxious to get its own OTB program up and running. Here's how it works. Portland Meadows will simulcast live races via satellite to various restaurants, lounges and hotels around the state. Each site pays Portland Meadows a user fee to help offset the cost of the transmissions. We don't have that large capital investment in these facilities, the investment's already there that we can help develop our market that way and showcase the sport in really first class surroundings. [sounds]

Off track betting isn't really a new concept but some insiders say that Portland Meadows needs to come off the pace and compete for your entertainment dollar Simulcasting there has made Nebraska racing. You want to market the commodity just the way the lottery market's a commodity, it makes it available to their..uh.. to their citizens, Those that want to participate and I see nothing wrong with doing racing. Although OTB is legal, not everyone approves of state supported gambling. Father Fen questions the social implications. Our fundamental question would be is it really necessary for states to raise revenue by playing games with its citizens or offering its citizens opportunity to... to play games with the government,

with the idea that your money is flowing into a worthwhile venture. But supporters say that putting two bucks on the nose to win not only satisfies their desire to maybe cash in on some big stakes, it also helps support a way of life for thousands of folks behind the scenes of the racing industry. I didn't get my goddamn name like all Kentucky. You know you believe that the run amuck won't work the horse was made to run amuck. Early morning at Portland Meadows backside it's home away from home for the folks who really put on the show for the betting public. Here's how jockey agent Mike Bow figures that. You know there's just so many different aspects of life that the racetrack helps contribute to our economy here. You take into account All the property owned by breeders, Farmers that grow feed and hay and straw, people that make bridles and saddles and equipment for jockeys horse

trailers and the list goes on. Larry Wheeler of the Horseman's Benevolent and Protective Association says it's a business that the state can't afford to ignore. The breeding industry in the horse race raising industry within the state is in excess of a hundred million dollars a year. Horse business is a big industry they're a big industry in Oregon I'll tell you, employs a lot of people. The back side folks say they want and need Oregon's OTB system to get on line. And what do you think about the off track betting?" (inaudible) state of Oregon vote we need the extra money. We've already lost a lot since off track betting went up in Washington." " (inaudible) cycle..better horses bring better horses. (inaudible) and. More handle increases purses and it works that way. Then, everybody benefits." "I hope it does, that's all I can say."

And although most people are eager for the first site to open it's taken months for the state, Portland Meadows and the HBPA age to come to terms. "Management, with any jurisdiction has to have horseman's consent on the simulcast programs." "Madam Chairman, just for the record yes I believe that we are at an impasse." The controversy revolved around a couple of issues. One was to raise the number of racing days from three to five. "(You) have to give these horses are break, have to give them a rest they can only run so long and so Many times. And if you go pushing and pushing and pushing they're not going to last." " I guess you can say that we won that particular argument because there will be no five day week program at this time." Another sore point that dimmed the enthusiasm of the backside folks was spending over a hundred thousand dollars for new lights around the track. "As we light up the race track. to bring it up to broadcast quality standards to transmit the video signal, the off course [locations?]" "That's another subject I don't want to get into." The HBPA in Portland Meadows finally agreed

to share the cost of the new fixtures but arguments about back side improvements have been running neck and neck long before off track betting came into the picture. " I took a horse out there this morning that don't have a pimple on him. Then he started off and he stepped in a hole and he he done a complete flip and off went (inaudible)" "Should make sure that these floated enough to where the track is smooth (inaudible) And they don't take care of it." "As far as a working environment, we fix the track, we've regraded it. They've gone through and painted their stalls. It's improved the working morale there tremendously and in the spirit of the horsemen. I think it's better than it's ever been." [background noise] "Think you could do this for a living?" [chuckle] "People think it's a really glamorous life..oh boy, you get to work with horses all day long they don't see this part of it." Independent owner trainer Jean Daws stays clear of the politics on the backside of Portland Meadows.

"I have a tendency to make people mad." "How so?" "Because I tell them what I think." Daws, a Washington resident, is optimistic about off track betting in Oregon. "It's a positive. I think, give them a chance I think they'll get it to work pretty good. Wouldn't mind moving down here. Just move my whole set up down here, my family and stuff. This is a nice place to be for the winter." If it's hard to imagine some of these people you just met doing anything else for a living, You're probably right on the mark. "I love 'em. I just.. I just can't even feature doing anything else." After many delays Oregon's off track betting system is scheduled to go online the first week of February. "They say that they think Portland will close, if this doesn't work, because they're not getting a handle down there now. But should it not be successful, or should it not be allowed for some reason, I think the future isn't bright for racing to continue here." "Without off track betting in Oregon, I think you might.. I have my own opinion is this place is going to be finished." [music]

Whether it's meditation or the Holy Bible a variety of religious faiths are practiced in Oregon especially in the southern part of the state. One group in particular near Ashland has recently been getting some attention. To some this land resembles the Himalayas [music] But this isn't the Far East, it's southern Oregon. High on the hillside here you'll find the Buddhists of the Siskiyous [chanting [chanting]

The Buddhists have named this area Tashi tru ling which means place of good fortune in Tibetan in all 65 acres worth of good fortune and isolation. Nestled in Siskiyous just 25 miles south of Ashland near the California Oregon border. The Buddhist bought their land in 1980. Since then they've built a colorful 35 foot Buddha statue and just completed a temple for worshipping and meditation, projects that keep attracting curious sightseers from miles around. "Colorful. Yeah, not a building you'd find every day" [undecipherable] The temple's occupants include a playful 64 year old Tibetan priest named Gyatrul Rinpoche, and his close assistant and translator Nancy Gustafson. Both bristle at any suggestion that their group may be another religious cult like the Rajneeshies.

[Rinpoche speaking in Tibetan]Lord. "We're talking about thousands of years ago. One the most ancient traditions in the world today, Buddhism is a major world religion and this form of Buddhism was practiced in Tibet for thousands of years without any interruption until the cultural revolution in 1959. "I'm just..skinny, short" It was about that time Gyatrul Rinpoche escaped Tibet with thousands of other Buddhists, fleeing The iron fist rule of the Chinese. "It should be apparent as world information what happened during the genocide during Mao Tse Tung's Cultural Revolution in Tibet and Rinpoche himself, caught in the mists of that, decided rather than being tortured in jail for 20 or 30 years and then killed that he would save his funky body and get out of there. [sounds: temple bells] The crackdown by the Chinese helped spread Buddhism to the west. Today between

three and five million people in the United States call themselves Buddhists. "How do you hold it, like this?" [horn sounds] Like those in southern Oregon. Many are young and white. People like Nancy who has been practicing Buddhism for 15 years. "I would much rather spend this short life in pursuit of permanent happiness rather than just temporary happiness. I think I've learned what temporary happiness is and it's.. it doesn't satisfy me. It's not enough. And I'd like to be of some service to other beings." [chanting] [chanting] That desire to help others has led Nancy to devote her life completely to Buddhism, traveling the world with Gyatrul Rinpoche to spread the word of Buddha. It's a world very different from the one she grew up in in Beaverton. Nancy says her family

accepts her religion but it's also created some strain. "They don't really agree with Completely giving your life over to a spiritual path. I should be raising children and working and trying to accumulate money so that I can have nice possessions which are supposed to bring me happiness." [chanting] There are some basic rules for these Buddhists. Smoking and drinking are frowned upon, but not all disciples completely give their lives over to Buddhism. Many hold down 9 to 5 jobs squeezing in time every day to meditate. Others work part time and spend hours meditating and studying at this retreat center. Like Ian Villareal, who joined several years ago. "It helps me deal with my practical reality. It helps me to be more at peace and more calm with my life. You know

with the various ups and downs that. Occur." Seventy nine year old Lena Shufflin is the oldest disciple here. She's been practicing for 36 years. "It just reduces the confusion in life, it reduces anguish. And fear. It's so basic. It's so meaningful." Lena says she doesn't go out of her way to tell friends that she's Buddhist. She says some have a hard time accepting it. "Years ago I mentioned it to you know friends here and there, but, it meant nothing to them and I just didn't... I just felt that the teachings are too important to have people ridicule and misunderstand." This valley now boasts a community of about 20 Buddhists. Some followers have bought up nearby land and there's even talk of building a school for their children. It's a community that's expected to grow. There are plans to turn this place into

a year round retreat for meditations and teachings. "Students can come to receive them and to be here in practice in an isolated environment which is free from the distractions of the busy city urban environment." This center is really part of a larger Buddhist organisation which claims 200 members up and down the Pacific Coast. Followers here believe in reincarnation and trained to achieve enlightenment through the Buddhist teachings. Meditation and compassion. So in every kind of. Run in or circumstance in life you are always trying to honor the other and to drop the self grasping of the cherishing one, because it's believed that that is the root of unhappiness." The Buddhists haven't gone unnoticed by the locals but long time residents we talked to say the Buddhists haven't been a problem. "Are you at all worried that they may turn out to be another Rajneeshi?" "No"

"Why's that?" "Well, I think the Buddhists were here just soon as Christianity was. Maybe sooner for all I know, and there's not a thing wrong with them." "I don't need... really think about it, They've been here for quite a few years now and we just accept them as being neighbors. In fact, they're good neighbors." [music] Here in the southern Siskiyous is in a place where they talk of mantra, Buddha and karma. There's hope now this valley will spread a message that soon, the Buddha's time will come. "Do you think that Americans are ready for this?" "Yeah. I wouldn't say all of them. The majority no, not ready at all, but they will slowly. They'll figure it out." [music]

Hi I'm Steve Aimen. Welcome to Hell House. Now I know what you may be thinking. This house doesn't exactly looks like it deserves that name. Well that's what I thought. So I made the mistake of chasing the American dream and bought this home. It all started back in June when I signed on the dotted line. And as you can no doubt tell from this picture it was an exciting time in my naive life. This is what the house looked like when I bought it. Despite the fact that it was over 60 years old, it was in real good shape. It only needed a few cosmetic changes to fulfill my dream. No problem. After all, if I needed any advice I could always turn to my hero Bob Vila. Like thousands of others I tuned into the stations of public broadcasting to see just how easy it is to remodel an older home. "Come on inside." I officially took

possession of the house the middle of July, the very day Oregon was hit by a sweltering heat wave that lasted three weeks. The first thing you do is to pick up a few more tools. Oh I had the usual Renner's tool kit hammer a couple of screwdrivers and a few pliers. Over the course of the next month and a half I begrudgingly added to the collection. It started off innocently enough cleaning supplies and gloves to protect my delicate hands and scrapers, scrubbers, crowbars, power tools, safety mask, sanders, putty knife, joint compound, paint brushes, drop cloths, a broom and finally a rake to clear up the really big messes. You know I don't ever remember Bob mentioning that you need this much equipment. But that done, it was time to finally get started. The first task was to strip the wallpaper off the living room, dining room, kitchen, and master bedroom. No problem. but you remember I told you Oregon was in the middle of a heat wave. Well, you can imagine my joy when I

realized I'd be using a steamer indoors while outside the temperature was over 100 and the task was made all the more enjoyable by the fact that every window in the house had been painted shut. Well. almost every window. "This is one of two that the hinges broke" This was also about the time I realized the former owners felt wallpaper was just another form of insulation. The thicker the layers the warmer the home. Thanks to the help of a couple of friends, I was able to strip the house down in a week. It never took Bob Vila more than a couple of minutes but once the wallpaper was off the real fun began. It seems wallpaper is a great way to hide years of abuse. What was originally a wrinkle in the wallpaper, turns out to be a crack rivaling the Grand Canyon. It is of course too late to turn back and so I maintained my lonely vigil filling in all the cracks and crevices that make up my home. It was during one of these long evenings that the term Hell House was born. This was also about the time I realized why good old Bob was always smiling.

"Hi Mary Beth, that looks good" [inaudible] While unsuspecting homeowners like Mary Beth were doing all the work, Bob's off supervising everyone else. "See you later." I also found that you can't just fill in the holes. You then have to suit up like you're heading into a toxic waste dump site and sand all those areas down.. an ugly, dirty business. By the fourth week of remodeling I was spending so much time traveling between my regular job and work trips to hell house that I could no longer keep track of just where I was going and what I should be wearing. And I also discovered that my fellow employees who were originally delighted in my tales of homeowner Hell were now avoiding me "Here he comes" Regardless of what time I made it in to work, I was always overcome by an incredible feeling of loneliness and when a coworker did take time to talk to me it was only use expressions I'd come to hate. Expressions like "sweat equity, a little hard work

never hurt anyone." "Steve, just think how nice it will be when it's over." "We had ours built for us." But the worst expression of all was "Of course, this is just an estimate." That was more than enough incentive to keep me going. [sound:cuckoo clock] It was now the fifth week of remodeling and I've given up on my regular job altogether. In fact I've given up on just about everything including shaving, changing clothes, associating with the outside world, and particularly watching This Old House. I became a prisoner in my dream home as the deadline for actually moving in loomed closer. In my frustration and anger, I vented all my energy towards the kitchen. I originally just want to take out the old tile counter top. I recruited the help of a buddy who loves nothing more than to wreck havoc on a person's home. But once the work was done it was all too apparent just how bad a shape the cabinets were in. In my deranged state of

mind, the only solution was to tear it all out and build new walls. No problem right, Bob? [sound:hammering] This is now the sixth week of amateur remodeling. I discovered one of those things that people like me hate. I measured out the distance between this small wall and the big one for my new cabinets was 60 inches. When the installer came in to double check it, Turns out it's 59. So I had to knock this wall back an inch and a half. It took me almost two months but I finally wised up. I'm now on the big jobs are going to be done by professionals. And once the cabinets, counter top, and a new floor were put in, all that was left was the paint "Here we go." "Bob Vila, here we come!" Friends who hadn't seen me for months took pity and showed up to help. "We have couple of spots just for you." "What's that?" "The closets" [laughter] They may not have known what they were doing but their hearts were in the right place and they were cheap.

I knew something was wrong. The walls aren't the same color here. Thank God the molding will hide that. [ticking noise] It's now been six months since this all began and everyone, especially Bob, was wrong. It wasn't worth it. Oh sure, the house looks great. But at what price? I can only now carry on a conversation without launching into a tirade about remodeling. My friends are still avoiding me and the only people keeping in touch with me on a regular basis are my creditors, and worst of all, the house now looks so nice I'm afraid to relax in it. The only time I see the new furniture is when someone comes over to visit, which for reasons I can't understand, isn't very often. "See. Wipe your feet. There's new carpet. "Don't set a glass on the counter top, it will leave a ring." Bob, Bob, Bob, in all my years of watching This Old House. You never said it would be like this.

"We're out of time next week... next week we're going to be installing one of the biggest trees you've ever seen outside in the yard over here. Until then I'm Bob Vila, with This Old House.