Community News - April 5, 2012

Friendship Circle holds 10th Spring Tea

On May 6, the Grays River Friendship Circle will hold its 10th anniversary Spring Tea and Luncheon. It will be held at the Rosburg Community Hall off Highway 4 in Rosburg.

The theme this year is, “Even Some Cowboys Drink Tea.” Music and poetry will be provided by Joel and Noreen Fitts of Grays River. Women of the Grays River United Methodist Church sponsor this event as a fund raiser for the Friendship Circle’s special projects. The suggested donation is $8 each at the door.

Doors open at noon. The luncheon will be served at 12:30 p.m. with the program to follow. The luncheon consists of tea savories, delicacies, and desserts.

Raffle tickets are $1 each for the general raffle. There will be a separate raffle, with a different ticket price, for a silver necklace with semi-precious stones. This necklace was generously donated by Joan Chester of Cathlamet.

For more information, call 360-465-2740 or 360-484-7749.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and St. James Family Support Services is raising awareness with pinwheels. Pinwheels are the national symbol for child abuse and neglect. Each day in the United States, more than three children die as a result of child abuse in the home. Most of the children who die are younger than five years of age. In 2011, approximately 695,000 children were victims of maltreatment (unique instances). Of the children who experienced maltreatment or abuse, over 78 percent experienced neglect; more than 17 percent were physically abused; just under 10 percent were sexually abused, 8 percent were psychologically maltreated; just over two percent were medically neglected and approximately 10 percent experienced other types of maltreatment. Abuse and neglect is the single leading cause of death for infants and young children.

To raise awareness and participate in prevention of this abuse, pick up a pinwheel at St. James Family Center's front desk throughout April.

Hunter education class

sign ups open until April 12

The registration deadline for this year's hunter education classes is April 12.

All first time hunters must take the two day class to be held at the Cathlamet Fire Hall on April 14 and April 21.

Register online at http://my.register-ed.com or call instructor Chuck Nadgwick for further information at 795-0224.

The Charlotte House

offers legal aid clinic

The Charlotte House in conjunction with Northwest Justice Project and Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Legal Aid is offering a free legal clinic for survivors of domestic violence. Participants must be income qualified and/or 60 years of age and over. Call The Charlotte House at 795-6401 or 1-866-795-9381 to be screened for eligibility.

If you are not a survivor of domestic violence but otherwise believe you would qualify for free legal services, please contact Northwest Justice Project at 360-425-1537 x 205 or 1-866-402-7971 and ask for Sherrill or Lisa. Northwest Justice Project and Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Legal Aid provide free legal services to people who are income qualified and/or people 60 and over.

Community night brings fun and games

Wahkiakum Lions Club and 4-H are hosting their second Community Night, at the John Thomas Middle School multi-purpose room on April 14, 6 -10 p.m.

Hot dogs and pizza will be served at 6 p.m., followed by games and refreshments through the evening. Board games and video games will be available to play, as well as the Wahkiakum Community Network’s Minute 2 Win It games. Small prizes are given to the winners.

There is a suggested donation of $5 to participate, and this includes dinner. Canned food will be taken for a dollar off the suggested donation and will be given to local food banks. All ages are invited to attend.

Elder Options offers

caregiver training

Continuing education classes are being offered at the Care Careers Academy at Elder Options, 872 15th Ave, in Longview, for caregivers seeking to fulfill the requirements for annual training.

Classes are also available for family caregivers. The State Certified RN instructor is teaching Documentation in Home Care settings on April 17, from 1-3 p.m. and a class on Death and Dying April 18, 1-3 p.m. Each class is two CEU's and the cost is $15 per class. Check these and other classes at www. elderoptions.org or call (360) 636-1000 or (800) 608-2388 for more information and to register.

Open meeting planned to

discuss crime victim services

The Crime Victim Service Center Program, Crime Victim Advocacy Program, Lutheran Community Services Northwest, and Children's Home Society will hold an open meeting to discuss services for the victims of crime and the funding that supports these programs.

Topics covered will include crime victim services, direct service and outreach successes from the previous 12-24 months, areas where victim services are lacking and steps to improve coverage and decisions concerning ongoing provisions of services.

The meeting will be held April 18 in the community room at the YWCA, 3609 Main Street in Vancouver. Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP. For more information, contact Miriam Cuevas at 1-888-425-1176.