Welcome, loggers and builders, too!

Anderson says "Hello!" and "Welcome back!" to the timber products and construction industry workers of the 2009 Sierra-Cascade Logging Conference, an organization that is celebrating 60 years of history, environmental responsibility, cooperation and inspiration.

A special Media Day contest was to be held today, starting at 1:30 p.m., wherein contestants from various news organizations, both broadcast and print, get together to compete for prize money that is donated to their favorite charity.

Our Sports Editor, Breeana Laughlin, gamely volunteered to participate in the events, which include sawing through an 18-inch section of log with a chain saw in the shortest amount of time; throwing full beer cans 30 feet at the head of a double-bladed ax buried at the center of a large target; and setting a choker line (a steel cable with a T-shaped fastener on one end and also on a sliding piece of metal that, when connected, makes a noose around a log.)

When the forest products and construction exposition officially opens Thursday at the Shasta District Fair grounds in Anderson, the public will enjoy free admission to see college teams Humboldt State University, the University of California at Berkeley and Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo compete in these and other old-fashioned logging sport competitions such as log chopping, ax throwing, one- and two-person crosscut saw races, log hurdling and tug-of-war against a steam-powered donkey engine.

Children of any age will enjoy seeing the living specimens of wild animals and birds rescued by Wild Things. Weather permitting, the animals and their handlers will be on the Pepsi Stage. However, inclement weather may push those shows indoors to Fusaro Hall.

High school students from throughout northern California will compete for cash prizes in the form of scholarships with historically accurate accounts of their local logging history. Displays of all entries can be found in Fusaro Hall, where William Dennison, a past president of the logging show, will interview dozens of old-timers about their early experiences, close calls and narrow escapes.

Panel discussions designed to stimulate thought and share ideas will be held Thursday through Saturday at various locations throughout the fairgrounds as well.

Saturday features a trucker's seminar in Fusaro Hall as well as a truck driving competition at the fairgrounds' Arena Center.

Backhoe enthusiasts can watch their favorite heavy equipment operators balance balls, pipes and other objects as they maneuver the shovel or thumb attached to the hydraulic arm of an otherwise stationary backhoe machine through a maze.

The fairgrounds will be chock-a-block filled with the latest in harvesting, collecting and hauling machines currently available or just coming into the market. There are bound to be a few antiques there as well.

So come one, come all to 2009 edition of the Sierra-Cascade Logging Conference, which this year is "Celebrating 60 Years: A Reminiscence."