Community News - April 19, 2012

Plant sale April 28 to benefit Family Center

On April 28 a plant sale will be held in the gym of St. James Family Center, proceeds to benefit the Family Center. The plant sale will be held in conjunction with an English Tea, from noon to 3:30 p.m. There will be no early sales.

A wide variety of plants including bamboo, outdoor ornamentals—both perennials and annuals, indoor houseplants, herbs, and some vegetables will be available. Fred Meyer in Longview is providing a small grant that will be used to purchase flowering plants for resale. Skamokawa Gardens and Fernhill Nursery are also donating plants, as well as Island’s End Farm and Stockhouse Farm.

WSU Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer questions about plants, plant diseases, or insect and weed problems. Master Gardeners also will be selling a potting mix.

For reservations for the English Tea call 795-8612. Tickets are $12. A basket raffle will be held with baskets on display by the entrance of the Family Center. Tickets are $1 each.

WCN offers a NICE opportunity

The Wahkiakum Community Network is offering a new free resource to community members called the Neighborhood Information and Community Exchange (NICE).

The Neighborhood Information and Community Exchange offers the community a free place to locate or post free teaching opportunities, access to personal growth and self-development skills, a chance to share new or used items that are no longer needed and a place to locate what others are willing to give away. There is no cost to post a listing or access what is listed, and nothing can be sold.

Examples of free things found on NICE this week: a stamp collection, an opportunity to start a vegan dinner club and a class on teen dating violence.

In this week’s featured NICE posting, Wahkiakum County Fire District #4 has received a donation of fire and carbon monoxide detectors. They are willing to install one detector per home at no cost for those that live in Fire District #4. To access NICE, visit http://www.wahkiakumcommunitynetwork.org and click on Teach, Grow or Share to see what’s available today. Those without access to the internet, but who would like to participate in the Neighborhood Information and Community Exchange (NICE), can contact Kellyn Pakenen Hazen at (360) 484-7115.

Call for artists for juried show

Local artists are invited to participate in the Columbian Artists Association Annual Juried Spring Show which will be June 18 through June 27 at the Rose Center for the Arts at LCC.

Artists 18 years of age or older who reside in Cowlitz, Clark, Wahkiakum, Lewis and Pacific Counties in Washington and Clatsop and Columbia Counties in Oregon are invited to enter.

Artists wishing to enter the show can submit their work at the LCC Gallery on June 11, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

A prospectus with details for entering is available by calling John at (360) 261-7652, or Nancy at (380) 225-6118. Prospectuses are also available at the Broadway Gallery or the LCC Art Gallery in Longview.

AKC lure coursing this weekend

Following up a successful fun run last Saturday, Misty Rivers Plantation on Puget Island will host three days of all-breed lure coursing tests and trials this weekend.

The event will be sponsored and run by the Willamette Valley Basenji Club and licensed by the AKC. Sight hounds will compete for Best of Breed and Best in Field awards on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, commencing at 8 a.m. each day with registration and roll call and continuing until all runs are completed -- usually mid to late afternoon. On Saturday and Sunday only, there will be runs for other breeds and mixed breeds, as well as qualifying runs for junior coursers.

The general public is welcome and admission is free. Well leashed family dogs are also welcome. Parking and camping is available for contestants on the running field. Spectators should park along the driveway in front and walk back. Refreshments and rest rooms will be available on the field.

For additional information call Judy Brawn at 562-1925.

Workshop aims to help at risk teens

A workshop entitled Coping with Adolescent Stress and Depression – Preventing Youth Suicide will be held on May 3 at the Cowlitz PUD building in Longview from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

The workshop helps parents understand that children/teens watch adults more than they listen to them and that what adults do to handle their own stress makes a difference. Participants will also learn how to recognize the risk factors and warning signs for depression and suicide. This workshop provides the basics of suicide prevention, including incident data, warning signs and resources for help.

On May 9, the topic will be Bully Safety: Saving Lives. Understand what schools, students, families, and community partners can do to prevent and intervene in bullying incidents. Learn about the Washington law that outlines reporting options and responsibilities for parents and schools.

For more information, contact Mary Jadwisiak (360) 687-7954 or email mary@yspp.org.

Spaces still available in driver safety program

There are still slots available in AARP's driver safety program in Cathlamet, set for April 23 and 24 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day. People of any age are welcome to attend and each participant will need to bring their driver's license.

Topics covered will include aggressive driving and road rage, bad weather driving, information on airbags, ABS brakes and seatbelts, sight vision braking, signs, and road markings.

Upon completion of the program, a certificate will be issued to all participants which is recognized by most insurance companies for a discount on auto insurance for those aged 55 and over. Anyone who has not taken the course within two years should take it again to qualify for the discount.

To register, call Wahkiakum County Health and Human Services at 795-8630 or 1-800-635-5989. Cost is $12 for AARP members, who must bring a membership number, and $14 for non-members. Checks should be made out to AARP and mailed to WCHHS, 42 Elochoman Valley Road, Cathlamet, WA 98612. For further information, contact Human Services or John Dolbey at 360-425-2586.

SWAAD presents Medicare classes

The Southwest Washington Agency on Aging and Disabilities will hold two events designed to give information on Medicare programs.

The first event, entitled Medicare and You will be held at the Rosburg Hall from noon to 1 p.m. on May 16. Information about Medicare, social security and drug coverage will be given.

The second, entitled Medicare 101 - What You Should Know, will be held at the River Street Meeting Room in Cathlamet on June 22 from 1 to 3 p.m. The session will give information on topics such as Medicare and social security eligibility, premiums and co-payments, Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans, and open enrollment.

For more information about both events, call 360-577-4929 or email iakelso@dshs.wa.gov.

Children's Theatre group to hold open auditions

The Missoula Children's Theatre will return to John C. Thomas Middle School to present a production of Cinderella.

The theatre, based in Missoula, Mont., tours extensively and provides a set, lighting, costumes, props and make up. They work with students for a week before presenting the performance.

An open audition of local students will be held to find cast members. Tryouts will begin April 23 after school and run until 5:30 p.m. depending on the part.