Posted late Friday, Toledo School District’s Facebook page:
A brand new life jacket station at Wallace Pond (South Lewis County Park), thanks to THS students of John Ball, Ron Gaul and Toledo Volunteer Firefighters Association and Penny Lancaster. Link here.
Seen Friday on KGW Portland OR News: an interview with Toledo’s celebrity astrophysicist Ethan Siegel, including details from his latest book AND advance notice. Says Siegel: Head on over to Centralia College on May 20th at noon, where I’ll be speaking on Fate of the Universe. (And autographing books, too!) From Starts with a BANG! Link here. KGW Interview link here. Also on Roku at KGW.com Portland OR News channel.
A brand new life jacket station at Wallace Pond (South Lewis County Park), thanks to THS students of John Ball, Ron Gaul and Toledo Volunteer Firefighters Association and Penny Lancaster. Link here.
Seen Friday on KGW Portland OR News: an interview with Toledo’s celebrity astrophysicist Ethan Siegel, including details from his latest book AND advance notice. Says Siegel: Head on over to Centralia College on May 20th at noon, where I’ll be speaking on Fate of the Universe. (And autographing books, too!) From Starts with a BANG! Link here. KGW Interview link here. Also on Roku at KGW.com Portland OR News channel.
Monday City Council meeting, in brief:
Police calls - 12 of 21 calls since last City Council involve repeat responses to one individual with a history of mental health issues, and include efforts to collaborate with Cascade Mental Health in Centralia. For several weeks, little progress has been made in reducing incidents triggering calls about this person, nor in finding practical help from Cascade. Officers dutifully relay calls to Cascade, however, regardless of time of day, thus noting the pattern of disruption to neighbors.
Committee Reports - Police Chief Brockmueller cited on-going faulty communications with current 9-1-1 dispatch, with frequent requests from dispatchers for information repeated more than once by officers in situations where time is of utmost import, safety concerns for officers and the public in the balance. No one factor was named as the culprit, a combination of misunderstood dialogue, poor-quality or outdated audio technology, lack of training or experience for dispatchers, other management issues. When asked what solution would remedy current flawed communication, no one solution could be identified.
On a related topic, billing assigned by 9-1-1 dispatch operations commonly billed Toledo for Winlock service calls. (Toledo is under contract to provide police service to Winlock.)
New Business -
Other Business - Alpine Chiropractic will close after May 21.
Public input: Last week’s clean up around South Lewis County Park (Wallace Pond) included supervised work release labor; could such help be utilized on improvements such as new/repaired sidewalks, road improvements/repairs? City Clerk Michelle Whitten explained the contractual obligations surrounding specific Public Works improvements and repairs to be done by the County, preventing bidding. Historically, the County billed at an overtime rate for these public works small projects, further reducing the actual amount of work completed. Estimated annual city budget is $60k for roads/sidewalks, searches for grant opportunities presenting the best option.
Also - Clean up day is June 4: a member of the public asked about removing dangerously leaning trees near their home; apparently the trees are on county property so no remedy could be granted by City of Toledo. Public Works spokesman Craig McCown volunteered to contact Lewis County and inform them of the hazard and request speedy removal of the trees.
Meeting was adjourned 6:54 p.m.
***
Also Monday: Brooke Acosta reports: First harvest of the season. Kale, lettuce, sorrel, chives, radishes used to make a salad with homemade olive oil and lemon dressing.
Police calls - 12 of 21 calls since last City Council involve repeat responses to one individual with a history of mental health issues, and include efforts to collaborate with Cascade Mental Health in Centralia. For several weeks, little progress has been made in reducing incidents triggering calls about this person, nor in finding practical help from Cascade. Officers dutifully relay calls to Cascade, however, regardless of time of day, thus noting the pattern of disruption to neighbors.
Committee Reports - Police Chief Brockmueller cited on-going faulty communications with current 9-1-1 dispatch, with frequent requests from dispatchers for information repeated more than once by officers in situations where time is of utmost import, safety concerns for officers and the public in the balance. No one factor was named as the culprit, a combination of misunderstood dialogue, poor-quality or outdated audio technology, lack of training or experience for dispatchers, other management issues. When asked what solution would remedy current flawed communication, no one solution could be identified.
On a related topic, billing assigned by 9-1-1 dispatch operations commonly billed Toledo for Winlock service calls. (Toledo is under contract to provide police service to Winlock.)
New Business -
- Planning Commission Request - Changes to Land Development Code proposed by Toledo’s Planning Commission were discussed, focusing on alternatives to current expensive small-scale poultry operations such as reductions in required minimum usable property with a corresponding smaller cap on number of fowl. Also discussed were requirements for full RV hookups for each space of any future privately licensed RV Park within city limits. (No such entity currently operates in Toledo.) Such measures, City Clerk Michelle Whitten explained, would be important to establish in advance of any such license application, recognizing potential growth and boundary increases. Should the proposed changes be advanced, they will be read at 2 consecutive City Council meetings before being put to a vote.
- Cheese Days Request - Vision:Toledo Wine and Cheese Tasting Garden to be staged at the public boat launch.
Other Business - Alpine Chiropractic will close after May 21.
Public input: Last week’s clean up around South Lewis County Park (Wallace Pond) included supervised work release labor; could such help be utilized on improvements such as new/repaired sidewalks, road improvements/repairs? City Clerk Michelle Whitten explained the contractual obligations surrounding specific Public Works improvements and repairs to be done by the County, preventing bidding. Historically, the County billed at an overtime rate for these public works small projects, further reducing the actual amount of work completed. Estimated annual city budget is $60k for roads/sidewalks, searches for grant opportunities presenting the best option.
Also - Clean up day is June 4: a member of the public asked about removing dangerously leaning trees near their home; apparently the trees are on county property so no remedy could be granted by City of Toledo. Public Works spokesman Craig McCown volunteered to contact Lewis County and inform them of the hazard and request speedy removal of the trees.
Meeting was adjourned 6:54 p.m.
***
Also Monday: Brooke Acosta reports: First harvest of the season. Kale, lettuce, sorrel, chives, radishes used to make a salad with homemade olive oil and lemon dressing.
Toledo Elementary School Garden Initiative Director rolls up her sleeves and digs right in with students and volunteers Thursdays after school. Join Master Gardener Bob Taylor and others in lending an experienced hand. Contact Brooke at brookeannsell@hotmail.com
And: Did you catch Monday’s Musicals performed by Toledo Elementary students?
And: Did you catch Monday’s Musicals performed by Toledo Elementary students?
Photo from The Other Toledo
Say what you will about sports, those productions are all about teamwork and talent.
***
Today - Mike says: We can’t delay too much longer. Let’s have a Common Ground meeting of the minds for beautifying the green spaces in Toledo.
WHEN -- 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 17
WHERE -- Morgan Arts Centre, 190 Plomondon Rd.
WHAT -- vision:Toledo related projects
• Park Entry Garden
• Planter Boxes around town
• Post Office Flag Pole
• Grade School Gardens
• Fish Sculpture
• Food Bank Garden
• Gospodor Eagle
• Old Jail House
Gary adds: We have a great team and I am personally grateful as well as excited for the potential we have in each one of us. I trust together we can accomplish these projects. Thank you to those who have already been gathering together resources. We can hopefully complete some of these projects before Cheese Days.
***
*A little birdie told me a flash mob will congregate at the Post Office 10 a.m. Wednesday with trowels and other weed weaponry to commit a spontaneous act of green beautification upon the current garden/border areas.
Toledo Greenies Flash Mob @ PO
***
This Wednesday Cindy Quick and Kathy Tyner share tips and techniques on knitting, crocheting and needlework 3-5 p.m.
Say what you will about sports, those productions are all about teamwork and talent.
***
Today - Mike says: We can’t delay too much longer. Let’s have a Common Ground meeting of the minds for beautifying the green spaces in Toledo.
WHEN -- 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 17
WHERE -- Morgan Arts Centre, 190 Plomondon Rd.
WHAT -- vision:Toledo related projects
• Park Entry Garden
• Planter Boxes around town
• Post Office Flag Pole
• Grade School Gardens
• Fish Sculpture
• Food Bank Garden
• Gospodor Eagle
• Old Jail House
Gary adds: We have a great team and I am personally grateful as well as excited for the potential we have in each one of us. I trust together we can accomplish these projects. Thank you to those who have already been gathering together resources. We can hopefully complete some of these projects before Cheese Days.
***
*A little birdie told me a flash mob will congregate at the Post Office 10 a.m. Wednesday with trowels and other weed weaponry to commit a spontaneous act of green beautification upon the current garden/border areas.
Toledo Greenies Flash Mob @ PO
***
This Wednesday Cindy Quick and Kathy Tyner share tips and techniques on knitting, crocheting and needlework 3-5 p.m.
Check out the book sale while you’re there, pick up a mystery for this month's Adult Page Turners May 26, and consider training to volunteer this summer as a fill-in. On Facebook here or call (360)864-4247.
Wednesday May 18 Toledo School District Facilities Advisory Committee meets 6 p.m. at the High School Library to cover online survey data. Paper and pencil surveys will be available for those who prefer. Contact District office, (360)864-6325. Your input is needed. Online survey link here.
Wednesday Toledo Lioness Club invites everyone to join us third Wednesdays at the Community Library 6:30 p.m. for appetizers. Learn what we do for our community. On Facebook here or call Rachel at Phillipps Insurance Group, (360)864-8844.
***
Thursday Toledo Planning Commission meets third Thursday of each month at 7:00 pm. The meetings are conducted at the Toledo City Council chambers.
Thursday May 19 Toledo School District Board Of Directors meet 7 p.m. at the Middle School library. Visit website or call (360)864-6325. Toledo School District FB link here.
Beginning with the May 19, 2016 meeting, Toledo School District will be transitioning to an online board meeting solution. After May 19th, agendas and minutes can be accessed at http://www.boarddocs.com/wa/toledo/Board.nsf/Public
***
Pat says: Mrs Shipp's and Mrs Subject's third grade classes will be taking a walking field trip to the Toledo Library on Friday May 20. Roxie Phillips will read a story to them, they will tour the History Room and learn about the summer reading program. This will be a first time visit to the library for many and a trip that will hopefully lead to many more visits this summer.
***
From Native Soil Farm Facebook, this link to neighboring Winlock’s Saturday Market where Toledo’s Billie Washington will have her local better-than-organic produce and goods available. Supporting your local growers, makers and providers is neighborly and good business.
***
Jamie says: Steamboat Alley mural prep next Sunday
May 22, 10 a.m - 5 p.m. with a pizza lunch provided. We're going to be cleaning and priming the wall for the mural. I'll also have supplies on hand to start building planters if we have a good turnout. We could use garden hoses, ladders, paint rollers w/ extension handles, paint brushes, extension cords, and drop cloths if you've got them. I'll also happily take donations of paint trays, paint roller covers, masking tape, and wall cleaner.
I look forward to seeing you there! Contact Jamie Cummings, jamie.cummings.toledo@gmail.com
***
Tech Tuesday: From Toledo’s own A Grey Area Computer Repair and Service Facebook page (here) comes this link to USAToday regarding the not-so-imminent death of the PC, here.
And this: a cost-effective, low-profile USB-charger solution that doesn’t add One More Thing to your tangled cords and cables clutter, link here.
Email your news, reviews and events to: toledo.columnist@gmail.com
Wednesday May 18 Toledo School District Facilities Advisory Committee meets 6 p.m. at the High School Library to cover online survey data. Paper and pencil surveys will be available for those who prefer. Contact District office, (360)864-6325. Your input is needed. Online survey link here.
Wednesday Toledo Lioness Club invites everyone to join us third Wednesdays at the Community Library 6:30 p.m. for appetizers. Learn what we do for our community. On Facebook here or call Rachel at Phillipps Insurance Group, (360)864-8844.
***
Thursday Toledo Planning Commission meets third Thursday of each month at 7:00 pm. The meetings are conducted at the Toledo City Council chambers.
Thursday May 19 Toledo School District Board Of Directors meet 7 p.m. at the Middle School library. Visit website or call (360)864-6325. Toledo School District FB link here.
Beginning with the May 19, 2016 meeting, Toledo School District will be transitioning to an online board meeting solution. After May 19th, agendas and minutes can be accessed at http://www.boarddocs.com/wa/toledo/Board.nsf/Public
***
Pat says: Mrs Shipp's and Mrs Subject's third grade classes will be taking a walking field trip to the Toledo Library on Friday May 20. Roxie Phillips will read a story to them, they will tour the History Room and learn about the summer reading program. This will be a first time visit to the library for many and a trip that will hopefully lead to many more visits this summer.
***
From Native Soil Farm Facebook, this link to neighboring Winlock’s Saturday Market where Toledo’s Billie Washington will have her local better-than-organic produce and goods available. Supporting your local growers, makers and providers is neighborly and good business.
***
Jamie says: Steamboat Alley mural prep next Sunday
May 22, 10 a.m - 5 p.m. with a pizza lunch provided. We're going to be cleaning and priming the wall for the mural. I'll also have supplies on hand to start building planters if we have a good turnout. We could use garden hoses, ladders, paint rollers w/ extension handles, paint brushes, extension cords, and drop cloths if you've got them. I'll also happily take donations of paint trays, paint roller covers, masking tape, and wall cleaner.
I look forward to seeing you there! Contact Jamie Cummings, jamie.cummings.toledo@gmail.com
***
Tech Tuesday: From Toledo’s own A Grey Area Computer Repair and Service Facebook page (here) comes this link to USAToday regarding the not-so-imminent death of the PC, here.
And this: a cost-effective, low-profile USB-charger solution that doesn’t add One More Thing to your tangled cords and cables clutter, link here.
Email your news, reviews and events to: toledo.columnist@gmail.com
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