Community News - March 15, 2012

Family Center safety fair coming March 24

St James Family Center's Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) Parent Policy Council will have a Health and Safety Jamboree on March 24 , from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Family Center Gym.

There will be agencies sharing activities for all ages. Visitors may play a game with Wahkiakum Mentoring, greet deputies from the Wahkiakum County Sheriff's Department, tour a fire truck with local firemen, have a child car seat checked, talk to people from the Cowlitz Family Health Center, get a bike helmet from St. John's Medical Center trauma services, learn about water safety from Longview Coast Guard Auxiliary, get fingerprinted, learn about the community garden, and enjoy many other activities. Refreshments will be available.

Naselle students seek help with trip expense

Twenty-four Naselle High School students and chaperones will visit Washington, D.C., this spring to learn about democracy, government, the media the memorials and sights of the nation's capital.

Each student will have the chance for hands on learning at the Smithsonian Institute, US Supreme Court, US Senate and House of Representatives, Library of Commerce and the National Archives.

Students are raising money for the school sponsored trip. The cost will be close to $1,000, and they'd welcome donations to help with expenses. People willing to help sponsor may send checks payable to Naselle High School to the high school.

Contact Russ Hickman at NHS, (360) 484-7121, extension 231, for further information.

Antique sale postponed

The Friends of Skamokawa Antique Sale at Redmen Hall originally scheduled for March 29-31 and April 1 has been postponed.

Those who have expressed an interest in selling collectibles on consignment will be contacted when the sale is rescheduled.

TRSN names new administrator

At its March 9 meeting, the Governing Board of the Timberlands Regional Support Network named Brian Cameron as their new administrator. Cameron has been the Interim Administrator / Fiscal Manager since August 2011.

Hounds to march

on St. Paddy's Day

The Misty Rivers Irish wolfhounds will meet on Main Street in Cathlamet in front of the Bradley House for their 18th annual St. Patrick's Day Parade.

"The only requirements to join the parade are a smile and wearing a bit of the green," said Judy Brawn.

Anyone wishing to join in should meet at 10:30 a.m. for the sidewalk parade.

VFW assistance

center opens

Wahkiakum Post 5297 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars will be opening a veterans assistance office located at 25 River Street in Cathlamet. The office will be open on March 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Veterans who need help obtaining military service records and/or understanding veterans benefit programs are encouraged to visit. Assistance will also be available in applying for these benefits.

Fish preservation workshop April 9

An introduction to home pressure canning of fish will be held on April 9 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the kitchen of Grays River Valley Center at Johnson Park. The workshop will give a hands on experience in which attendees will go home with a finished product. The class will be taught through the W.S.U. Master Preservation Program and is limited to eight members. Other methods of seafood preservation information will also be available.

A pressure gauge check for your home canner will also be held on April 9 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Grays River Valley Center kitchen.

There is no cost for the workshop or gauge testing. The funding for this event is provided through a grant by Wahkiakum Marine Resource Committee.

For more information or to sign up for the workshop, please call Carol at 360-465-2275 or the W.S.U. Extension office at 360-795-3278.

Red Cross volunteer

orientation this Friday

On March 16 at noon, the American Red Cross of SW Washington will meet residents of Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties to discuss local volunteer opportunities. As residents look ahead to the most common disasters of fire and flooding as well as winter and spring storms, the Red Cross wants to train area volunteers to plan, prepare, and help themselves and their neighbors who may be impacted by disasters. In addition, there are many other local needs such as blood services and youth services that can be met by volunteers.

The orientation session will be held at the Grays River Valley Center at Johnson Park, 30 Rosburg School Road, in Rosburg. Those interested are encouraged to attend. Those who are immediately planning to participate are asked to RSVP at tosilla@swwashington.redcross.org or by calling (360) 693-5821, Ext. 107.