Photo by Marlea Hanson
Review: Toledo’s own Astrophysicist and celebrity scientist Ethan Siegel wowed a capacity crowd last night at Toledo Community Library. Explaining gravitational waves and our recent glimpse (2 hundredths of a second) of this newly discovered phenomenon, the significance and shift in our current perception of the Universe in layman’s terms seemed almost child’s play for Dr. Siegel. Q & A followed his narrated media presentation, and he wrapped up by donating a hardcover copy of his new book “Beyond the Galaxy: How Humanity Looked Beyond Our Milky Way and Discovered the Entire Universe” to the Toledo Community Library, triggering a second round of applause. Also available in paperback and on Kindle from Amazon here, World Scientific here.
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Toledo Planning Commission convened last night at City Hall. Three of the five-member advisory body were seated, constituting a quorum.
February 2016 meeting minutes were read and approved.
Next, business license renewal for Brian’s Transmission & Auto Repair was recommended for approval, and new business licence application for Switch Communications, Inc., a telecommunications corporation, was likewise recommended for approval.
Under General Discussion, proposed revisions to conditional use permit ($300 - required for certain land uses) restrictions and exemptions centered around livestock, primarily chickens. Currently a minimum ½ acre lot size is required to own any stock animals, must not constitute a nuisance to neighbors, and structures for stock set back 50’ from lot line / 100’ from any residence. Currently up to 25 laying hens plus 50 growing chicks are allowed on the first ½ acre, more “to be determined by Planning Commission.”
Proposed: exception to the costly permit fee, fewer birds (12), 8,000sf lot minimum.
Proposed revision to ½ acre minimum for permit to ½ acre usable area.
Other specific land uses requiring permits discussed included
RV parks, BandB operations, kennels, and home occupations such as home-based businesses.
Next: water tower project going to bid, school bond meetings, opportunities and press release due out next week regarding as-yet-to-be announced news.
Public input was nil, and the meeting adjourned 7:50 p.m.
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Billie Washington says: I just had to take a picture of this beautiful root system. It is a zucchini start that has only been seeded about a week… Billie has been busy on the farm, headed to Longview for a Farmers Market to offer these and other seedlings to transplant. Native Soil Farm posts frequently to Facebook too, here.
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Toledo Planning Commission convened last night at City Hall. Three of the five-member advisory body were seated, constituting a quorum.
February 2016 meeting minutes were read and approved.
Next, business license renewal for Brian’s Transmission & Auto Repair was recommended for approval, and new business licence application for Switch Communications, Inc., a telecommunications corporation, was likewise recommended for approval.
Under General Discussion, proposed revisions to conditional use permit ($300 - required for certain land uses) restrictions and exemptions centered around livestock, primarily chickens. Currently a minimum ½ acre lot size is required to own any stock animals, must not constitute a nuisance to neighbors, and structures for stock set back 50’ from lot line / 100’ from any residence. Currently up to 25 laying hens plus 50 growing chicks are allowed on the first ½ acre, more “to be determined by Planning Commission.”
Proposed: exception to the costly permit fee, fewer birds (12), 8,000sf lot minimum.
Proposed revision to ½ acre minimum for permit to ½ acre usable area.
Other specific land uses requiring permits discussed included
RV parks, BandB operations, kennels, and home occupations such as home-based businesses.
Next: water tower project going to bid, school bond meetings, opportunities and press release due out next week regarding as-yet-to-be announced news.
Public input was nil, and the meeting adjourned 7:50 p.m.
***
Billie Washington says: I just had to take a picture of this beautiful root system. It is a zucchini start that has only been seeded about a week… Billie has been busy on the farm, headed to Longview for a Farmers Market to offer these and other seedlings to transplant. Native Soil Farm posts frequently to Facebook too, here.
Photo courtesy of Native Soil Farm
Today is the 46th Anniversary of Earth Day. Celebrate by enjoying one of Washington’s State Parks free - no Discover Pass required. See more on Discover Lewis County website here.
Today: Toledo Food Bank open 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. second and fourth Fridays monthly behind City Hall.
Today: Cowlitz Prairie Grange Jam Night 7:00 p.m. second, fourth and fifth Fridays. Performers and supporters welcome. Donation at door. Contact tomboone46@yahoo.com or (360)262-3696.
Today: Community Benefit Concert 6:30 p.m. at Toledo Baptist Church supports local food bank. Check it out here. On Facebook.
Today: Toledo High School FCCLA Bingo Night Friday night 6 p.m. Lots of great prizes. $5 cards. Support FCCLA members to National Competition. Concessions available. 2 Special drawings: “12” birdhouse by Martin Huffman, and Railroad peg STAR by Phil Marick. Come join the fun for a good cause. FCCLA Adviser: Rene' Ketchum, rene@toledoschools.us.
Support: Al-Anon Courage To Change AFG, 7 p.m. Fridays at Toledo Presbyterian Church, 312 Augustus.
April 23 (Saturday) is Opening Day for most area lakes and streams. For specifics, see Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Weekender report here.
April 23 Toledo High School Sophomore Class is doing a fundraiser Mother's Day Bazaar this Saturday 10 a.m - 4 p.m. Vendors will be there selling their goods, so stop by and shop for Mom.
Through April 23 Gallery 505 theme: Pets, Critters and Varmints. Open 1-5 p.m Wednesday-Saturday. Visit www.artgallery505.com/ or call (360)864-2789.
Today: Toledo Food Bank open 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. second and fourth Fridays monthly behind City Hall.
Today: Cowlitz Prairie Grange Jam Night 7:00 p.m. second, fourth and fifth Fridays. Performers and supporters welcome. Donation at door. Contact tomboone46@yahoo.com or (360)262-3696.
Today: Community Benefit Concert 6:30 p.m. at Toledo Baptist Church supports local food bank. Check it out here. On Facebook.
Today: Toledo High School FCCLA Bingo Night Friday night 6 p.m. Lots of great prizes. $5 cards. Support FCCLA members to National Competition. Concessions available. 2 Special drawings: “12” birdhouse by Martin Huffman, and Railroad peg STAR by Phil Marick. Come join the fun for a good cause. FCCLA Adviser: Rene' Ketchum, rene@toledoschools.us.
Support: Al-Anon Courage To Change AFG, 7 p.m. Fridays at Toledo Presbyterian Church, 312 Augustus.
April 23 (Saturday) is Opening Day for most area lakes and streams. For specifics, see Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Weekender report here.
April 23 Toledo High School Sophomore Class is doing a fundraiser Mother's Day Bazaar this Saturday 10 a.m - 4 p.m. Vendors will be there selling their goods, so stop by and shop for Mom.
Through April 23 Gallery 505 theme: Pets, Critters and Varmints. Open 1-5 p.m Wednesday-Saturday. Visit www.artgallery505.com/ or call (360)864-2789.
April 25 Toledo Historical Society meets 4 p.m. fourth Mondays at the Community Library. On Facebook here.
April 26 Vision:Toledo Arts, Rec and Events meets fourth Tuesdays at the MAC. Visit www.morganartscentre.com or call (360)864-4ART.
April 27 Toledo Senior Center Nutrition Lunch menu features ham and scalloped potatoes, peas and carrots, fruit chunks and pecan pie, April 29 beef stew, green salad, apple crisp and honey wheat biscuit. Nutrition Lunches Wednesday and Friday are sponsored in part by Area Agency on Aging. Cost is $3 for those 60+ years of age. Reservations required. Contact Diana, diana.haug@lewsicountywa.gov or call (360)864-2112.
April 27 Cowlitz Prairie Grange 6:30 p.m. meeting is a cake-and-ice-cream affair fourth Wednesdays, potluck second Wednesdays. Getting in gear for the 52nd Gas Show and Threshing Bee August 26-28. Grange Hall at 5180 Jackson Highway. Contact Sandy Bickar, (360)864-2601.
*Correction: April 20 this column erroneously posted a Memorial Service for Allene Boone April 23 at Toledo New Life Church. The Service was held April 16. The Other Toledo regrets any inconvenience this misprint may have caused.
