Nine steps program addresses disasters

I’m writing this column with a heavy heart as we lost a precious furry member of our family on Monday evening. Grym would have been 16 years old on the 27th, and our neighbors, Al and Nancy George lost Grym’s brother, Butch earlier this month. It’s amazing how much joy these pets bring to our lives and when they pass it’s as if it were a human member of your family. He gave us many years of pleasure and fun times, as well as two more generations of furry family. He will be missed.

Well, the good news is:The frogs are singing every night and I’m seeing eagles sitting in the trees over the Grays River waiting for the fish to arrive. That must mean that Spring is on it’s way sometime in the future. The daffodils are budding as well.

News from Naselle:

Sports calendar for the Naselle Comet teams this week: Friday, boys and girls basketball with Mary M. Knight in Matlock at 5:30 p.m .; Saturday, boys and girls basketball with Taholah in Naselle at 5:30 p.m .; Tuesday, boys and girls basketball at Oakville at 5:30 p.m. Go Comets!

I received this information via Laura Ray (Mochas & More): There will be a meeting on February 5, 5-7 p.m., at the Naselle Library. It focuses on "Map Your Neighborhood," and Jessica Rowlett from the Pacific County Sheriff's office will be leading the program.

Learn the first nine steps to take immediately following a disaster to secure your home and protect your neighborhood. These steps will help you to quickly and safely take actions that can minimize damage and protect lives. Identify the skills and equipment inventory each neighbor has that are useful in an effective disaster response. Knowing which neighbors have supplies and skills ensures a timely response to a disaster and allows everyone to contribute to the response in a meaningful way.

Steps include creating a neighborhood map identifying the locations of natural gas and propane tanks for quick response if needed, and also creating a neighborhood contact list that identifies those with specific needs such as the elderly, those with a disability, or homes where children may be alone during certain hours of the day.

Participants will learn to work together as a team to evaluate your neighborhood after a disaster and take the necessary actions. In emergencies (flooding, fires, earthquakes, tsunamis, etc.), rescue personnel may not be able to get to you. This program is designed to teach us to not only help ourselves, but each other in the event of an emergency. Everyone is welcome.

This sounds like a good program to attend and learn about how to increase your neighborhood safety.

Come join in the fun and celebrate Chinese New Year, the Year of the Monkey. You will have lots of great auction items to bid on in support of the Naselle Mandarin Immersion program. Included in the celebration will be a traditional Chinese dinner served buffet style, a silent auction, traditional Chinese New Year games, art activities, and at the end of the evening, the Lion Dance Entertainment will take place in the gym.

The event will be held in the Grays River Valley Center at Johnson Park (the old Rosburg School in Rosburg), on February 20, 4-8 p.m.

Please contact Amy Chadwick, Annie Strange, Emily Lindstrom, Briane Smith, Genice Normand, or Kendall Ford for ticket purchase. Individual tickets are $25, family tickets (two adults and one child, add $5 each for additional children). Visit the event website at: http://www.liuxingnaselle.weebly.com.

Westend news:

The blood drive last week at the Valley Bible Church was an epic event. They surpassed all their previous goals with a total of 57 donations, lots of good food, socializing and baby hugging. Way to go everyone. So many lives will be saved.

Thank you Susan Burkhalter for carrying on this event for former Naselle graduate Grace Zimmerman who started the program as her senior project. And thank you to all the donors.

The Free Friday Night Movie this week is an older classic rated PG-13. This show is an epic story of a mysterious stranger with a harmonica who joins forces with a notorious desperado to protect a beautiful widow from a ruthless assassin working for the railroad. The movie starts at 7 p.m.

Concessions are available with popcorn, candy and pop for reasonable prices and a free popcorn refill during intermission. Come join us in the Grays River Valley Center at Johnson Park. Watch the show on our big screen with surround sound.

The Rosburg Wednesday Senior Lunch Bunch meets every week in the Rosburg Hall for lunch and socializing. The meals are prepared and served by Pat Potter and her volunteer crew.

On Thursdays a senior meal is also served at the Hall and is sponsored by CAP. Lunch is served at noon for both venues.

Happy Birthday to the following celebrants this week: Dan Moravec, Jeff Reimann, Ron Stube, Bill Wood, Bill Littlefield, Holly Parrino, Shellie Badger, Brittany Legler, Clayton Strong, John Didion Jr., Joe Dziados, Garett Boggs, Troy Wasmundt, Erin Saari, Melissa Olson, Hannah Footh, Cassie VanDusan, Chandler Chapman, Jeannine Helvey, James Lovin, Art Busse, Kristen Saari, Alan Ericsson and Betty Vaughn. Wishing each of you a perfect day.

Happy Anniversary to Alfred and Carolyn Simukka, Craig and Diane Mattson, Jon and Angie Chapman and Bob and Angelee Torppa. Here’s to many more celebrations.