Blog Archives

08.31.2016 Wednesday Column

8/31/2016

Admit it - There’s no more adorable creature on the planet...

Photo credit: Toledo Maraposa, Lone Tree Alpaca Ranch

Jack Bruner writes: Your readers will be interested in learning that The Alpaca Ranchers of the Northwest (AROW) is hosting a fun family event for the public. This is the second annual farm days event that AROW has hosted and is held in conjunction with the Alpaca Owners Association National Farm days.

This was a big hit last year where a lot of families had a lot of fun. This year will have even more activities with an emphasis on youth. We feature hands-on interaction with alpacas, information and vendor booths, an alpaca pen sale with lots of paca people around to talk to. Kids will get a chance to feed, harness and lead these amazing critters in an obstacle course.

The event is in Toledo at “Lone Tree Alpaca Ranch”, 140 Carol Lin Drive on Sept. 24 from 10:00 to 5:00. Everything is free including snacks and a door prize.
Currently AROW boasts nearly 20 members including Lone Tree Alpaca Ranch. Lone Tree Alpacas website link here. AROW website link here.

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Check out Toledo School’s First Day pics…

Photo courtesy Toledo School District Facebook page.

...on Facebook here.

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September is packed, something for everyone:

4th - Steamboat Alley Paint Project 10 a.m. Email here.
4th - Toledo Food Share noon. Link here.
5th - Camp Singing Wind potluck 2 p.m. Link here.
8th - Gallery 505 Opening Night 4-8 p.m. Link here.
16th - Full Moon Women Circle 7 p.m. Link here.
17th - 17th Annual Cowlitz Pow Wow. Link here.
17-18th & 24-25th - ARTrails of SW WA. Link here.
24th - ASB Breakfast w/Oly Camero Club. FB link here.
24th - Walk in the Park. Email cityoftoledo@toledotel.com
24th - Alpaca Ranch Open House. Link here.
30th - Benefit Spaghetti Dinner & Auction. V:T link here.

Better fuel up: Steamboat Plaza Facebook link here.

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Today: New Life Church opens their pantry doors to those seeking spiritual and physical bread of life 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. last Tuesday and Wednesdays monthly. Website here.

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Thursday: Brandi Devine writes: For anyone interested in being a part of putting the John Morgan family auction/spaghetti feed together for September 30, we will be having a brief meeting at Chimi's on Thursday at 6 p.m.

Vision:Toledo Facebook link here.

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Check out frequent updates and progress reports on the young Morgan/Owen family following Jake and Helen’s accident August 19, share your prayers and wishes on their GoFundMe campaign page here.

*September 30 Benefit Spaghetti Dinner and Auction. Donations for auction items, contact Brandi Devine, (360)880-7331. Donations of food and supplies for dinner, contact Catrina Mathis, (360)703-1716.

*Riverview Food Mart and Deli (Flying K) also set up a Fuel Fund for the Morgan/Owen family while one member remains hospitalized in Seattle. Contact (360)64-2121.

***

Photos from TOT archives unless otherwise noted.
Email your news, reviews and events to: toledo.columnist@gmail.com

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08.30.2016 Tuesday Column and Tech Report

8/30/2016

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Jamie Cummings of Steamboat Alley Project says:

The mural is coming along and looking awesome!

Our next painting party will be Sunday, September 4 at 10 am in the Alley. Ladders and brushes would be appreciated. We're going to be working higher on the wall this time, so older kids are welcome, but littler kids won't have anything to do.

Hope to see you there!

Contact her at jamie.cummings.toledo@gmail.com.

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Toledo School District on Facebook:

Photo courtesy Toledo School District Facebook

Preparing to pave at the bus garage. Part of the facilities master plan.
Facebook link here.

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Today and Wednesday: New Life Church opens their pantry doors to those seeking spiritual and physical bread of life 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. last Tuesday and Wednesdays monthly. Website here.

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It’s not too soon to plan your Labor Day weekend. A traffic-free solution from Camp Singing Wind - an invitation to their potluck Monday. Caution: Laughter and singing may break out. Facebook link here.

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From the Library: The next Adult Page Turners will be on Thursday, September 29th at 1:30pm and the book is "Bettyville" by: George Hodgman. Everyone is welcome to join the group!! Direct FB link here.

Photo courtesy Toledo Community Library Facebook.

Also: Toledo Community Library is collecting board games for Middle and High School age students. We are interested in starting a "game day" after school a couple times a month. More information to come.

On Facebook here or call (360)864-4247.

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Tuesday Tech: Toledo’s A Grey Area Computer Repair posts this link on MIT’s incredible breakthrough on WiFi and mobile network promising speeds 3 times faster.

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Expires 09.01.2016, this link to Udemy’s $10 online courses. You’re welcome.

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There are 34 new channels in the Roku Channel Store this week. What? You don’t have Roku yet? ToledoTel offers a free* unit (cable, line and installation setup $99*) to Internet subscribers. Add to your existing TV service provider or join the growing ranks of cord-cutters and cord-nevers saving over $100/month. Link here.

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What could possibly make Roku even cooler? The Sideclick, reviewed by trusted source Julie Strietelmeier of The Gadgeteer.

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For the Poke’mon Fans, How-To Geek posts this piece: How to Calculate Your Poke’mon’s Exact IVs with Poke’mon GO’s New Appraisal System, link here.

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Can’t afford MS Office, Photoshop or other expensive proprietary software? Head for AlternativeTo for indie reviews of other options.

My fave: LibreOffice and Google Docs. Download these from Ninite.com for a clean, ad-free experience.

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At $35, the Raspberry Pi is the darling of makers everywhere. Check out some hilarious uses in this article 10 Weirdest Raspberry Pi Projects from trusted source MakeUseOf. My favorite is this Vimeo, The Beet Box.

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Finally, also from How-To Geek, How to Easily Boost Your Cell Phone Signal at Home, article link here.

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Check out frequent updates and progress reports on the young Morgan/Owen family following Jake and Helen’s accident August 19, share your prayers and wishes on their GoFundMe campaign page here.

*September 30 Benefit Spaghetti Dinner and Auction will be held 4-10 p.m. for the Morgan/Owen family. Donations for auction items, contact Brandi Devine, (360)880-7331. Donations of food and supplies for dinner, contact Catrina Mathis, (360)703-1716. Details at Vision:Toledo on Facebook here.

*Riverview Food Mart and Deli (Flying K) also set up a Fuel Fund for the Morgan/Owen family while one member remains hospitalized in Seattle. Contact (360)64-2121.

***

Photos from TOT archives unless otherwise noted.
Email your news, reviews and events to: toledo.columnist@gmail.com

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08.29.2016 Monday Column

8/29/2016

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Toledo Food Share met at the historic Toledo Jail on Sunday, drawing folks young and old...

...to exchange produce, pleasantries and smiles all around.

Weather permitting, they’ll return noon next Sunday as well, and the next, and the next… On Facebook, link here.

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“So I just drove over and took care of it,” says Linda Bird-Sonne of Common Ground Garden Community.

River’s Edge pocket garden, CGGC’s initial horticultural venture in the downtown core, graces the Post Office flagpole corner at SR 505 and Second Street.

Only a few hot weeks after installation, sturdy grasses and lacey flowering plants line the rocky “river” meandering the length of the bed.

Common Ground Garden Community is on Facebook here.

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Teaching tolerance and non-bullying behavior is part and parcel of the school environment. So what does a peanut allergy have to do with bullies? From Kristen Lamb’s blog for writers, this article relevant at the start of a new school year: The Kiss that Nearly Killed Me–Why Peanut Allergies are DEAD Serious. Link here.

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School starts tomorrow - August 30, 2016. Click here to access links for each school’s supply list by grade plus important dates and sports info, fees and forms plus application link for free/reduced fare lunch application.

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Infographic on When To Stop For School Buses:

Picture courtesy TSD Facebook page, link here.

Note the hefty fine attached to violations at the bottom of the graph.

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Deadline Tuesday August 30: Orders for Toledo Athletic gear. First game Friday September 2. Toledo School District Facebook link here.

Reminder: Toledo Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization (TES PTO) Kid’s Closet is available throughout the school year for all grades K-12. Contact TESPTO@outlook.com for more info.

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Reservations required: Wednesday Toledo Senior Center Nutrition Lunch serves up kielbasa and sauerkraut, red potatoes, sunshine carrots, tropical fruit and spice cake, Friday chicken strips, tater tots, coleslaw and strawberry shortcake. Nutrition Lunches Wednesday and Friday are sponsored in part by Area Agency on Aging. Suggested donation $3 for those 60+ years of age. Contact Diana, diana.haug@lewsicountywa.gov or call (360)864-2112.

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Last week: Gallery 505 wraps up Water, its first showing as an Artist Cooperative September 3. Did you stop in and get to know your local makers and crafters? I met Kimberly, who specializes in watercolor. Fits this month’s theme perfectly.

Next up: Flora and Fauna, opening night September 8. Website link here. On Facebook too.

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Friday, Emily wrote: My sweet daughter ACED her checkup today.

Check out frequent updates and progress reports on the young Morgan/Owen family following Jake and Helen’s accident August 19, share your prayers and wishes on their GoFundMe campaign page here.

*September 30 a Benefit Spaghetti Dinner and Auction will be held 4-10 p.m. for the Morgan/Owen family. Details via Vision:Toledo on Facebook here.

*Riverview Food Mart and Deli (Flying K) also set up a Fuel Fund for the Morgan/Owen family while one member remains hospitalized in Seattle. Contact (360)64-2121.

***

Photos from TOT archives unless otherwise noted.
Email your news, reviews and events to: toledo.columnist@gmail.com

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08.26.2016 Friday Column and Weekend Outlook

8/26/2016

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Tractor Parade 6 p.m. today...

...kicks off the 52nd Annual Threshing Bee and Gas Show, Saturday night music and Harvest Breakfast Saturday AND Sunday at Toledo Senior Center. Details in Tuesday’s Column, link here.

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Farmers Insurance hosts Back to School Open House 2-4 p.m. today...

to wrap up their school supply drive.

Phone (360)864-4774 for details on much needed supplies.

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This just in from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife - The agency is offering free fishing through Tuesday while online sales for licenses are down. On DiscoverLewisCounty Facebook page, direct agency link here.

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Remember that warning about losing our precious heritage seeds? Native Soil Farm links a disturbing bit of news about Monsanto, via the UK-based Permaculture website here.

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Reservations required: Wednesday Toledo Senior Center Nutrition Lunch serves up kielbasa and sauerkraut, red potatoes, sunshine carrots, tropical fruit and spice cake, Friday chicken strips, tater tots, coleslaw and strawberry shortcake. Nutrition Lunches Wednesday and Friday are sponsored in part by Area Agency on Aging. Suggested donation $3 for those 60+ years of age. Contact Diana, diana.haug@lewsicountywa.gov or call (360)864-2112.

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Today: Toledo Food Bank open 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. second and fourth Fridays monthly behind City Hall.

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Camp Singing Wind hosts another Song Circle 6 p.m. tonight. Details on Facebook, link here.

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Friday: Al-Anon Courage To Change AFG, 7 p.m. Fridays at Toledo Presbyterian Church, 312 Augustus.

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Sunday: Toledo Food Share invites you to bring some, take some at noon Sunday in front of Toledo’s Historic Jail. On Facebook, link here.

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It’s not too early to plan for the hottest Veterans Day event - The Chili Cook-off:

Rules available by email, rdphillips@gmail.com or in person at Phillipps Insurance.
*Got a look at the prizes, featured in upcoming posts.

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Monday: Steamboat Plaza open 7 a.m with Back To School Special. Starting Monday, August 29th, the coffee shop will be opening at 7 a.m. and we are offering a Back-to-School Special - order your favorite espresso/drink and get a muffin top for only a $1. On Facebook, link here.

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Check out frequent updates and progress reports on the young Morgan/Owen family following Jake and Helen’s* accident last Friday, share your prayers and wishes on their GoFundMe campaign page here.

***

Photos from TOT archives unless otherwise noted.
Email your news, reviews and events to: toledo.columnist@gmail.com

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08.25.2016 Thursday Column

8/25/2016

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Coach Jim Echtle and Bill Waag sent 23 seventh- and eighth-graders for laps of the field following yesterday’s early football practice at Toledo Middle School.

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Meanwhile Toledo Elementary School Garden is, well see for yourself:

Today: Meet the Teachers

TES 5:30-6:30
TMS- 6:00-7:00
THS- 6:30-7:30

***

On the topic of Back To School, this seemed too important to wait until Tech Tuesday: Trusted source Lifehacker posted this article “Adrenaclick Is a Cheaper Alternative to the Epipen.” Link here.

However, when I sent this link to a school nurse I know, she presented an insider’s view: School nurses do not have to pay for Epi-pens. Mylan, the manufacturer, actually provides schools 4 Epi-pens for free each year. This is a national program. I have three schools in my district and get 12 free epi-pens to have on stock each year. Patients can purchase Adrenaclicks or another brand by Lineage for cheaper, but those leave an exposed needle when used. In my professional opinion, the Epi-pen brand is best because it doesn't leave an exposed needle when used. Hospitals do not ask nurses to recap needles because of the high risk of needle sticks, yet these generic brands expect lay people to recap their product in an emergency situation.

It's definitely a hot topic!

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Wednesday CGGC met at the recently restored Oregon Trail Marker to collaborate on Toledo’s next rockery garden. The original River’s Edge garden at the Post Office flagpole has become a gorgeous focal point at Toledo’s hub, and with the recent Marker restoration and upcoming re-dedication, well, Joh Jones says it best:

Toledo’s Oregon Trail Marker

The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) recently contacted the City for their assistance with their plans to clean the Oregon Trail monument and plaque. This stage has been completed in preparation of celebrating the markers’ 100th year 1916-2016. There will be a re-dedication held this fall with the public invited to attend-stay tuned for the exact date yet to be determined.

A group met this morning (August 24) to create a design and plan a garden around the monument. Mayor Steve Dobosh and City Clerk Michelle Whitten represented the City, Ronda Sandoval and Brian Dennis the Common Ground Community Garden Group and Joh Jones for Vision Toledo.

Our Toledo Historical Society is funding this garden project to beautify the Historic Monument. In collaboration with The Toledo Historical Society, the Puyallup Historical Society will be bringing the Ezra Meeker Wagon to Toledo to celebrate the re-dedication.

In 1906 Ezra Meeker – famous Oregon Trail pioneer - at the age of 76 retraced the trek back across the trail complete with oxen and prairie schooner. He stopped along the way raising money for markers because he realized that we were losing the knowledge of where the Trail was and the epic journey the pioneers had made.

Check out page 139 of our book “The Toledo Community Story” - I know you all have one - about the reminisces by Ida Lyon of the talk in 1906 that Ezra gave in Toledo.

Meeker wrote, "Monumenting the Old Oregon Trail means more than the mere preservation in memory of that great highway; it means the building up of loyalty, of patriotism, as well as the teaching of our history in a form never to be forgotten."

And that says it all.

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Recap: Last night’s Offline Meeting at the library drew a small crowd - well, OK, one stakeholder - to hear Toledo School District Supt. Chris Rust outline the Facilities Advisory Committee’s 8-month long labors to craft a viable plan for bringing Toledo’s Schools up to par.

Some items in this year’s original proposal have been addressed and retired - high school dishwasher, a washing machine at the middle school, fencing installed by volunteer efforts at the elementary school - to adhere to the magic number of $2.60 per $1,000/assessed value.

One reader asked yesterday if Offline meetings could be scheduled for days other than Wednesdays (chosen to avoid school sporting event conflicts). Rust offered to meet “anyone, anytime,” for one-on-one meetings, if needed, to get the word out.

All documents posted online here.

Slated for September 21, Citizens For Better Schools will meet 6 p.m. at Toledo Fire Department Main Station, 150 North Second.

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Today: Celebrate the National Park Service’s 100th Anniversary with a fee-free day trip to any State Park, no Discover Pass needed. More info including upcoming fee-free days and up-to-date campfire restrictions here. For info on annual Discover passes, click here.

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And: Toledo Community Library Adult Page Turners meets 1 p.m. to discuss August’s selection “The First Phone Call From Heaven” by Mitch Albom, and choose next month’s title. On Facebook, link here.

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Toledo Community Library is collecting board games for Middle and High School age students. We are interested in starting a "game day" after school a couple times a month. More information to come. On Facebook here or call (360)864-4247.

***

Check out frequent updates and progress reports on the young Morgan/Owen family following Jake and Helen’s* accident last Friday, share your prayers and wishes on their GoFundMe campaign page here.

*Spoiler - a reliable source said yesterday Helen is a resilient 4-year-old, apparently not much slowed down by her recent experience, giving her grandparents little relief from her usual high-energy antics.

***

Photos from TOT archives unless otherwise noted.
Email your news, reviews and events to: toledo.columnist@gmail.com

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08.24.2016 Wednesday Column

8/24/2016

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Summer...dreamt of all year.

***

Last night’s vision:Toledo Arts, Rec and Events gathering was cancelled due to family health issues, so I’m sharing the agenda with readers as a snapshot of the many, many volunteer efforts that go into making Toledo great:

vision:TOLEDO   ARTS, RECREATION, & EVENTS
AGENDA for Tuesday, August 23, 2016

1. Old Business
   a. Library -- Pat Caldwell
   b. Common Ground -- Ronda Sandoval
   c. Steamboat Alley -- Jamie Cummings
   d.

2. New Business
   a. Walk in the Park (Sept. 24) -- Jill Davis
   b. ARTrails (Sept. 17-25) -- Mike Morgan
   c. Cowlitz Tribal Pow Wow (Sept. 17) --
   d. Veterans Parade (Nov. 12) -- Jim Fluckinger
   e.

3. Other Business
   a. Threshing Bee (Aug. 27 & 28) -- Lew Rohrig
   b. Camp Singing Wind -- Brian Dennis
   c. Christmas Time in Toledo -- Steve Dobosh
   d. (Everyday Heroes - September 11)

As Everyday Heroes was too late to be included in print, this repeat of last week’s invitation for nominees sets September 5 for your submissions, nominees posted September 6 & 7, September 9 (Friday) or September 12 (Monday) posting Peoples Choice as September 11 falls on Sunday this year.

Declaring September 11 Everyday Heroes Day evoked responses outlining noteworthy volunteers in our village, certainly commendable. However I would like to distinguish between people of all ages who respond to a published need, or fulfill the role demanded by their uniform or position, and those who step up spontaneously, without a second thought, when circumstances call for quick thinking or things go horribly wrong. I’m not discounting in any way those immortalized on Toledo’s Wall of Honor, or awarded plaques for serving their community, or cleaning up the ‘hood before Cheese Days multiplies the population. Rather, I’m talking about the 9-year-old who set out to install a swing for her disabled brother, or the young man who jumped into Wallace Pond to rescue a toddler a mere 6 months before he awoke suddenly with a premonition that his teenage sister, lying unconscious in the next room, was in need of aid.

While I haven’t formulated criteria or recognition for selfless acts, the working title “Everyday Heroes” would acknowledge folks without a current holiday. Not a retail or Hallmark holiday, not a decorating season, but a recognition of the spirit of those non-uniformed heroes whose stories from that terrible day shone through the shocking events - like the passengers on the doomed White House-bound jet who stepped up despite the odds. People who stopped to help others fleeing the Twin Towers, putting their own fears second. That sort of thing.

As I haven’t set the criteria yet, I’m collecting ideas - nominations, ballots, whether age categories matter (everyone knows that America’s Funniest Videos is always won by babies and cute pets), whether death-defying heroics should be rewarded or chastised as reckless, etc. Anyway, the idea is open to all and not trademarked or copyrighted in any manner. Toledo just seemed to me, a relative newcomer, to be a great incubator for such a special day. Eleven months remain* before next year’s September 11 anniversary, the 15th such.

What do you say?
(*from October 2015)

C’mon, Toledo, let’s start something...small.
Email toledo.columnist@gmail.com.

***

*Correction* New Life hosts their monthly Food Bank next week. The Other Toledo regrets any inconvenience this error may have occasioned.

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Today: Hi gals (and guys), Ronda, myself and Brian are meeting this Wednesday 9:30 a.m. at the Oregon Trail Marker to come up with a (garden) design and plan, and we would love to have your input. Ronda has offered to do the design, but extra help in figuring out things is always needed. Joh Jones, Common Ground Garden Community.

***

Also today: Toledo Schools Superintendent Chris Rust holds another offline meeting 6 p.m. at the Library. September’s offline meeting will be at the Lioness Club meeting (third Wednesday/monthly/Library), October a presentation to the Lions Club. November, December and January dates/times to be determined (TBD).

***

And: Cowlitz Prairie Grange’s Tom Boone, via v:T Facebook - Just a short note, Cowlitz Prairie Grange will be meeting @ the Threshing Bee Field, 155 Buckley Road, next to Toledo Airport Wed Aug. 24th...more here. Last meeting before this weekend’s event.

***

Thursday: Meet the Teachers

TES 5:30-6:30
TMS- 6:00-7:00
THS- 6:30-7:30

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From the Cowlitz Indian Tribe Facebook page, a progress report: ilani welcomes the first two Cowlitz Tribal Employees! Link here. Congrats to our historic neighbors and High School Mascot sponsors. See you at the 17th Annual Pow Wow September 17th.

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Yesterday around 3:30 p.m. the tabulator cleared $20K with an anonymous $500 donation. So far over 200 have stepped up to help - that’s a mean average of $100 per donor! Check out frequent updates and progress reports on the young Morgan/Owen family following Jake and Helen’s accident last Friday, share your prayers and wishes on their GoFundMe campaign page here.

***

Photos from TOT archives unless otherwise noted.
Email your news, reviews and events to: toledo.columnist@gmail.com

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08.23.2016 Tuesday Column and Tech Report

8/23/2016

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Almost here...

with…

And don’t forget…

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Check out frequent updates and progress reports on the young Morgan/Owen family following Jake and Helen’s accident last Friday, share your prayers and wishes on their GoFundMe campaign page here.

***

Today: New Life Church opens their pantry doors to those seeking spiritual and physical bread of life 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. last Tuesday and Wednesdays monthly. Website here.

*Correction* New Life hosts their monthly Food Bank next week. The Other Toledo regrets any inconvenience this error may have occasioned.

***

Plus: Gallery 505 Artist Cooperative open 1-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday through September 3. This month’s theme: Water. Website link here. On Facebook, link here.

***

Also: Toledo School District is holding a Special Board Meeting 6 p.m. in advance of the 7 p.m. Regular Meeting...

District website link here. On Facebook here.

Check out TSD’s note of thanks to Farmers Insurance and Toledo Lions Club here.

***

And: Vision:Toledo Arts, Rec and Events meets 6:30 p.m. fourth Tuesdays at the MAC. Join Toledo’s movers and shakers. Visit www.morganartscentre.com.

*Update* Tonight's v:T Arts, Rec and Events meeting has been cancelled due to family health matters. Further information will be posted later.

***

Wednesday: From Toledo’s Common Ground Garden Community - Hi gals (and guys), Ronda, myself and Brian are meeting this Wednesday 9:30 a.m. at the Oregon Trail Marker to come up with a (garden) design and plan, and we would love to have your input. Ronda has offered to do the design, but extra help in figuring out things is always needed. Joh Jones

***

Also Wednesday: Toledo Schools Superintendent Chris Rust holds another offline meeting 6 p.m. Wednesday August 24 at the Library. September’s offline meeting will be at the Lioness Club meeting (third Wednesday/monthly/Library), October a presentation to the Lions Club. November, December and January dates/times to be determined (TBD).

***

And: Cowlitz Prairie Grange’s Tom Boone, via v:T Facebook - Just a short note, Cowlitz Prairie Grange will be meeting @ the Threshing Bee Field, 155 Buckley Road, next to Toledo Airport Wed Aug. 24th...more here. Last meeting before this weekend’s event.

***

Thursday: Toledo Community Library Adult Page Turners meets 1 p.m. This month’s selection is “The First Phone Call From Heaven” by Mitch Albom. On Facebook, link here.

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Toledo Community Library is collecting board games for Middle and High School age students. We are interested in starting a "game day" after school a couple times a month. More information to come. On Facebook here or call (360)864-4247.

***

Also Thursday: Meet the Teachers

TES 5:30-6:30
TMS- 6:00-7:00
THS- 6:30-7:30

***

Toledo School District posts links for supplies needed, free and reduced lunch fee apps, sports physicals required, more on their website here.

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Tech Report: Is it art? Or tech? Both? Toledo’s A Grey Area Computer Repair Facebook page displays an impressive array, 128 GB RAM to be precise, on Facebook, link here.

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Last minute getaway calling? Can’t afford to fly? From trusted source Netted By The Webbys, this link to Airfordable. Book a Flight and Pay Over Time.

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And this link to Website Grader, to check your website’s strengths and weaknesses, also from Netted. *Ahem* It seems I have room for improvement in a few areas. Fast, free and as simple as speedtest.net.

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Long-time favorite Lifehacker posts This Poke’mon Chart Shows You Which Poke’mon Types Are Strong or Weak Against Yours. Link here.

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MakeUseOf appeals to the old-school in, um, old-schoolers with 10 Classic PC Games You Can Play On Your Android Device, link here. Tomb Raider, anyone?

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From groovyPost comes this useful how-to: How to Migrate Your Files and Settings from an Old Computer to Windows 10, link here.

***

Photos from TOT archives unless otherwise noted.
Email your news, reviews and events to: toledo.columnist@gmail.com

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08.22.2016 Monday Column

8/22/2016

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That’s Toledo Spirit!

On a sunny Saturday when folks are most likely to be offline, Toledo raised over $10K, the initial target in a GoFundMe campaign for one of their own in 7 hours!*

Photo courtesy of Emily Owen, GoFundMe campaign page.

When I got this email, I suspected someone jacked his cell phone, crafted an unbelievable story and hacked his accounts...

“ Thanks Marlea,
I'm at Harborview in Seattle after being run down by horses at the SWW fair and will be out of commission for the next few days. I'm ok and Helen is ok after we were both life flighted by helicopter.
We have a Go Fund Me campaign to help with medical bills. Look on Facebook.
Thanks,
Jake

...until I did a little fact checking online.

As costs rise and word spreads, donations continue to arrive on the frequently updated campaign page. Sunday’s report includes this comment:

“Still hanging out in icu, trying to keep our spirits up!”

Jake Morgan owns Morgan Online Media and publishes the Lewis County Tribune online.
Your warm wishes, comments and prayers welcomed. Facebook link here.

*Update: as of 8:30 p.m.Sunday night, the current GoFundMe goal is nearly met, donations still coming is as this column goes to press.

***

Steamboat Alley Project’s Sunday Paint Party drew over a dozen volunteers of all ages - including the family dog.

One contributor, Toledo newcomer Ben Jones, showed up with his daughter to add their brushstrokes to the pocket park wall. On questioning, he admitted Toledo’s 1GB status was “definitely a factor” in choosing his new home, as he telecommutes several days a week.

Providing the historical perspective of Toledo’s river, forests and Mt St Helens in a triptych-style Past, Present and Future, this collaborative community effort will serve as the backdrop for noted muralist Paolo De la Concha Zindel’s installation.

Toledo: Past

The finished work will include elements from these renditions.

Toledo: Present

Currently the artist’s work is on display at Gallery 505 Artists Cooperative, link here.

Toledo: Future

Next up: Installing planters. To get on board, contact Jamie Cummings at (360)864-2602 or email her at jamie.cummings.toledo@gmail.com.

***

Review: According to Camp Sing Wind’s Carol Majewski, Saturday’s Fireweed Collaborative: Women of the Woods event entertained over 2 dozen connoisseurs of food, crafts and original music by recording artists Karyn Ann, Jessica Campbell and Promise The Moon despite soaring temps. Watch for upcoming events on Facebook here.

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Tuesday - New Life Church opens their pantry doors to those seeking spiritual and physical bread of life 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. last Tuesday and Wednesdays monthly. Website here.

***

Also: Vision:Toledo Arts, Rec and Events meets 6:30 p.m. fourth Tuesdays at the MAC. Join Toledo’s movers and shakers. Visit www.morganartscentre.com.

***

Reservations required: Wednesday Toledo Senior Center Nutrition Lunch serves up stuffed green peppers with apricots, green salad, butterscotch pudding and garlic cheese bread, Friday chef salad with breadstick, cottage cheese, peaches and chocolate ice cream. Nutrition Lunches Wednesday and Friday are sponsored in part by Area Agency on Aging. Suggested donation $3 for those 60+ years of age. Contact Diana, diana.haug@lewsicountywa.gov or call (360)864-2112.

***

Photos from TOT archives unless otherwise noted.

Email your news, reviews and events to: toledo.columnist@gmail.com

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08.19.2016 Friday Column and Weekend Outlook

8/19/2016

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FOUND!

Early today, Toledo’s Public Works Superintendent Craig McCown reported confidently that Toledo’s mysterious 20,000 water leak was finally located. Janke Trucking co-owner Tyler Janke stated repairs are anticipated to be completed by day’s end.

McCown, kneeling between two Janke workers at the lip of the excavation, appeared to have a great weight lifted from his shoulders. Until his coworker returns from vacation next week, McCown is a one-man department addressing multiple concerns facing the City during the past few weeks. Earlier this week McCown projected that, should the leak remain undiscovered, Toledo might have to resort to voluntary water use restrictions or possibly more stringent measures to assure enough reserves for emergency needs such as firefighting.

Janke Trucking (pronounced jane-key), established during the 2008 economic downturn, was founded by Tyler (pictured with dump truck above) and his brother Garrett. Tyler served his apprenticeship working in the industry before venturing out, starting with just one dump truck. Natives of Lewis County, they have years under their collective belt dealing with these types of issues.

“Unlike some people of my generation,” says young Tyler, “I respect and rely on older folks for their experience, instead of presuming I know everything.” That, in his words, is a shortcoming common to his generation, a mistake he doesn’t make. He’s not afraid to say “I don’t know.” He has a network of resources on call to fill any gaps so he’s never caught short.

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Local firefighter notified The Other Toledo of a Red Flag Fire Watch for Western WA lasting through midnight Saturday...Burn Ban in effect. Specifics listed on National Weather Service website, link here. For travelers, detailed updates on WA Burn Bans website, link here.

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On that hot topic, noted Research Ecologist Paul Hessburg of Pacific Northwest Research Station (link here) addresses the bigger picture in such questions as ”What kind of future forests do we want?” And: “How do you want your wildfires?” His multimedia presentation “The Era Of Megafires” slated for August 30 kicks off an inland tour ultimately distilled into a TED Talk-style documentary. Details on Facebook, link here.

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Toledo Fire Department accepting volunteer applications for firefighter positions including junior firefighter ages 16-17. Details here.

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Early alert:

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Today: Al-Anon Courage To Change AFG, 7 p.m. Fridays at Toledo Presbyterian Church, 312 Augustus.

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Saturday: Fireweed Collaborative: Women of the Woods women-led gathering of feasting, crafting and music at Camp Singing Wind. Link here.

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Sunday: Steamboat Alley Paint-Out 10 a.m. Bring brushes, buckets and rollers, plus green, blue, brown and white paint AND the whole family.

***

Photos from TOT archives unless otherwise noted.
Email your news, reviews and events to: toledo.columnist@gmail.com

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08.18.2016 Thursday Column

8/18/2016

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Wednesday’s warm up with local musicians…

Toledo Senior Center Coordinator Diana Haug caught in a hug by Ruben, center.

Ruben and Friends provided live entertainment yesterday to the exclusive lunch crowd at Toledo’s Senior Center. Fridays, Bingo provides a different kind of take-away.

Reservations required: Nutrition Lunches Wednesday and Friday are sponsored in part by Area Agency on Aging. Menu changes weekly. Suggested donation $3 for those 60+ years of age. Contact Diana, diana.haug@lewsicountywa.gov or call (360)864-2112.

***

Congrats to Ester Borte for earning the recognition she richly deserves. Vision:Toledo’s Facebook link to Julie Zander’s article in The Chronicle here.

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DiscoverLewisCounty interrupts your idyllic summer to bring you this important update: Campfires are prohibited in all State Parks as of right now, according to Washington State Parks & Recreation Commission (link here).

DiscoverLewisCounty Facebook, link here.

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Hot enough for you? Trusted source Lifehacker lists some other ways to beat the heat from this year’s Annual 4th of July Survival Guide. List of related articles at the bottom prefaces this reminder to watch out for others - elderly, very young and pets.

***

What’s the scoop on these motorized gliders?

As Tarnation* is within earshot of the South County Park (known locally as Wallace Pond) and the scenic Cowlitz River, these tiny aircraft wheel slowly above the fields on sunny mornings. Variations include the para-sail-type, seated classic winged models and others. I always wave, as I did when I was child, though I doubt they notice.

*Tarnation is my label for the hobby farm just across the river from Toledo. Almost daily I “drag The Girls around Tarnation” to satisfy their need for exercise. Who drags whom is largely a matter of opinion.

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Today: Toledo Planning Commission meets 7 p.m. third Thursdays monthly at City Council Chambers. Visit www.toledowa.us/

***

Mark your calendars:

Saturday - Fireweed Collaborative: Women of the Woods women-led gathering of feasting, crafting and music at Camp Singing Wind. Link here.
Sunday - Steamboat Alley Paint-Out 10 a.m. Bring brushes, buckets and rollers, plus green, blue, brown and white paint AND the whole family.
Tuesday - New Life Church opens their pantry doors to those seeking spiritual and physical bread of life 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. last Tuesday and Wednesdays monthly. Website here.
Tuesday - vision:Toledo Arts, Rec and Events meets 6:30 p.m. fourth Tuesdays at the MAC. Join Toledo’s movers and shakers. Visit www.morganartscentre.com
Wednesday - 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.

***

Photos from TOT archives unless otherwise noted.
Email your news, reviews and events to: toledo.columnist@gmail.com

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08.17.2016 Wednesday Column

8/17/2016

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Wanted: Your nominations for Everyday Hero.

Reviving a proposal featured in the now-retired weekly Nudge:

Declaring September 11 Everyday Heroes Day evoked responses outlining noteworthy volunteers in our village, certainly commendable. However I would like to distinguish between people of all ages who respond to a published need, or fulfill the role demanded by their uniform or position, and those who step up spontaneously, without a second thought, when circumstances call for quick thinking or things go horribly wrong. I’m not discounting in any way those immortalized on Toledo’s Wall of Honor, or awarded plaques for serving their community, or cleaning up the ‘hood before Cheese Days multiplies the population. Rather, I’m talking about the 9-year-old who set out to install a swing for her disabled brother, or the young man who jumped into Wallace Pond to rescue a toddler a mere 6 months before he awoke suddenly with a premonition that his teenage sister, lying unconscious in the next room, was in need of aid.

While I haven’t formulated criteria or recognition for selfless acts, the working title “Everyday Heroes” would acknowledge folks without a current holiday. Not a retail or Hallmark holiday, not a decorating season, but a recognition of the spirit of those non-uniformed heroes whose stories from that terrible day shone through the shocking events - like the passengers on the doomed White House-bound jet who stepped up despite the odds. People who stopped to help others fleeing the Twin Towers, putting their own fears second. That sort of thing.

As I haven’t set the criteria yet, I’m collecting ideas - nominations, ballots, whether age categories matter (everyone knows that America’s Funniest Videos is always won by babies and cute pets), whether death-defying heroics should be rewarded or chastised as reckless, etc. Anyway, the idea is open to all and not trademarked or copyrighted in any manner. Toledo just seemed to me, a relative newcomer, to be a great incubator for such a special day. Eleven months remain* before next year’s September 11 anniversary, the 15th such.

What do you say?
(*from October 2015)

C’mon, Toledo, let’s start something...small.
Email toledo.columnist@gmail.com.

***

Pardon, your slip is showing: Toledo School District’s Facebook page includes a promo for bus drivers with this ambiguous phrase: TSD is hiring people who love kids to drive their bus…
I’m 75% certain the youngsters aren’t being recruited to drive just yet. Facebook link here.

***

Today: Toledo Community Library wraps up its Summer Reading Program for kids with Camping! 1 p.m.

And: Knitting, Crocheting and Other Needlework with Cindy Quick and Kathy Tyner 3-5 p.m. at the Library.

Also: The Library is collecting board games for Middle and High School age students. We are interested in starting a "game day" after school a couple times a month. More information to come.

One week left: Order up your copy of “The First Phone Call From Heaven” by Mitch Albom from the TRL kiosk to join August’s Adult Page Turner group August 25. Meets 1 p.m. last Thursday monthly.

On Facebook here or call (360)864-4247.

***

Gallery 505 Artist Cooperative is open 1-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday through September 3. This month’s theme: Water. Website link here. On Facebook, link here.

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Speaking of art: Utility work in Steamboat Alley now complete, Sunday YOU are invited to meet with painters and artists of all ages 10 a.m. and create a masterpiece. Bring brushes and rollers, along with blue, green, brown or white paint to breathe life into river, trees and of course Mt St Helens - past, present and future. Bring the family.

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Mark your calendars: 2016 ARTrails Studio Tour September 17-18 and 23-24 highlighting SW Washington’s creators and crafters including Toledo’s own Morgan Arts Centre.

Website link here.
ARTrails website link here.

***

Photos from TOT archives unless otherwise noted.

Email your news, reviews and events to: toledo.columnist@gmail.com

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08.16.2016 Tuesday Column and Tech Report

8/16/2016

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Atta Girl* goes this week to Toledo Police Officer Andrew Scrivner…

...who successfully employed a shout-out to two citizens last Tuesday at the Cedar Village IGA when a suspect squirmed free of his hold a second time. Ultimately Scrivner was compelled to tase his target who continued to struggle despite three pairs of hands attempting to subdue him. Tyler Dodds, wanted on an outstanding warrant for more than 2 years, was listed in custody last Wednesday, August 10, by Lewis County District Court.

Officer Scrivner methodically checked the photo against the man walking past his cruiser, noted Dodds’ reflexive response when Scrivner casually called him by name, and followed him back to his car when Dodds claimed he couldn’t find his ID. Dodds resisted arrest vigorously, and Scrivner’s directive to two unnamed bystanders to assist him was decidedly a bold move, and showed strong support for local law enforcement.

Such actions affirm the community’s appreciation of those men and women charged with keeping our neighborhoods safe. Drop a comment on Toledo PD’s emerging website here or send a card if you prefer old school.

*Atta Girl Awards are distributed according to my own biased opinion of Noteworthy Actions, regardless of gender. As the Rules for Qualifying are personal, arbitrary and whimsical, there's really no telling who, when or if someone may find themselves a recipient of this dubious distinction. Generally speaking, Atta Girl Awards are as rare and precious as truffles.

***

Recap: Last night’s City Council Meeting was an account of The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.

Public Works Superintendent Craig McCown reported The Good: future Steamboat Alley Project can move ahead since utility line work last week was completed despite a few unexpected turns, including an abandoned holding tank not on record, checked for problems and deemed best reinterred.
The Bad: Fiber optic contractors last week struck an unmarked sanitary sewer line for which the City is “on the hook” for costs associated with repairs.
The Ugly: One of two pumps at the wastewater treatment plant seized unexpectedly, though still well within the two-year warranty period, undergoing diagnostics and repair by the supplier. “These are not off-the-shelf units,” said McCown. “Each is customized to the exact specifications set down by engineers. Normally these (pumps) are very robust, failure almost unheard of.”
The Uglier: Efforts to uncover the 20,000/gallon/day fresh water leak include two outside agencies with specialty equipment. Low levels in the current reservoir could trigger a request for voluntary restrictions in town to maintain emergency needs like firefighting.
McCown hoped the addition of a third pair of hands beginning September 1 would ease current demands on several fronts at once. Provided at no cost to Toledo, a new “hire” will retrain and, McCown hopes, get up to speed monitoring the wastewater plant.

Police Chief Brockmeuller reported 29 calls of service since the Council last met. Toledo Police Department is still awaiting delivery of the new cruiser, scheduled to be fitted with lights and gear, ready to roll by September. Two vehicles were requested to display at the SWW Fair, one cruiser and one motorcycle. Due to changes in (911) dispatch, costs could rise up to 20%. Officer Andrew Scrivner arrested one man on an outstanding warrant in Winlock last week, aided by two citizens he summoned to help him subdue the suspect. In an unrelated incident, one councilmember related a complaint made by local restaurant owners regarding repeated vandalism to their planters. Reviewing the security footage revealed the culprits - local deer - and the councilman opined that “harsh treatment” of Officer Patrick by the restaurateur might entail an apology.

Park Board sent their recommendation to buy 2 signs for Kemp Olson City Park indicating dusk to dawn closure (except registered campers) back to the Council. Discussion for and against the measure resulted in tabling the final decision until the on-site resident could be contacted to answer specific questions.

Meeting adjourned 6:46 p.m.

***

Correction: Superintendent Chris Rust clarified “My offline meetings aren’t for the Facility Advisory Committee, but for the community at large, especially those who get their news the old-fashioned way. The next one will be 6 p.m. Wednesday August 24 at the Library. September will be at the Lioness Club meeting (third Wednesday/monthly/Library), October a presentation to the Lions Club. November, December and January dates/times to be determined (TBD).”

The Other Toledo incorrectly listed next week’s August Offline Meeting as being for the Facilities Advisory Committee (FAC) in Monday’s Column 08.15.2016. TOT regrets any inconvenience this error may have occasioned.

***

Review: Native son Seth Martin’s one-night-only show last Saturday drew around 40 people to Camp Singing Wind where he performed several pieces in tandem with his brother, solo for over an hour to loyal listeners and new faces alike. He returns to Korea this week. Check out this Saturday’s event at Camp Singing Wind below.

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Tech Report: Toledo’s own A Grey Area Computer Repair Facebook page linked an article about “Kicka** Torrents” here. Although I don’t make use of torrents, I followed the link to Fossbytes.com and clicked on Monday’s news, only to find this piece about the NSA getting hacked.

***

I knew I didn’t invent this technique for packing my Cocoon Grid-It and sundry things That Go Into Boxes. My Dad would hang things on pegboard and spray-paint the lot, the silhouette identifying where each tool went, and the paint marking those tools as his own. Here, Unclutterer.com posts a quick how-to “Store Tools Neatly Every Time" article here.

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Wring every bit of juice out of your Amazon Prime Service in this post from trusted source groovyPost: 10 Amazon Prime Benefits you’re probably not using.

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For those who rely on Facebook AND hate their new adblocker blocker, you will appreciate trusted source Lifehacker’s post Adblock Plus Already Has A Workaround For Facebook’s Adblock Blocker, link here.

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This one, also from Lifehacker, is purely for the video. How I Failed At The Chair Traverse, And You Can, Too.

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This IOT (Internet Of Things) listicle from trusted source MakeUseOf includes The Internet Of Lego and FitBark. What could be better?

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Today: Lewis County Interlocal Meeting (Medic One) held 7 p.m. third Tuesdays monthly at Toledo Fire Department. Schedule link here.

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Wednesday: Toledo Lioness meet third Wednesdays at the library, dessert 6:30, meeting starts at 7 p.m. On Facebook, link here.

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Thursday: Toledo Planning Commission meets 7 p.m. third Thursdays monthly at City Council Chambers. Visit www.toledowa.us/

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Saturday: Camp Singing Wind presents Fireweed Collaborative: Women of the Woods, a women-led gathering of feasting, crafting and music. From the Facebook event page: Fireweed is a flower that rises from the disruption of forests, building root networks upon which the community reclaims itself. All Camp Singing Winds events are intergenerational, meaning families and all ages welcome. More on Facebook, link here.

***

Photos from TOT archives unless otherwise noted.
Email your news, reviews and events to: toledo.columnist@gmail.com

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08.15.2016 Monday Column

8/15/2016

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For those who missed it Friday…

...one more reason to appreciate a horizon unfettered by concrete skyscrapers.

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It’s that time again. First Day of School - Tuesday, August 30, 2016. Are you ready?

Toledo Elementary Parent Teacher Organization (TESPTO) Kid’s Closet supports kids K-12 by providing the basics August 15-19. Donations welcomed. Details including hours and contact info on Toledo School District Facebook page, link here.

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Toledo Elementary School continues with Summer Meals for Kids and Teens through Thursday, August 18. Breakfast 8 a.m., lunch 11:30 a.m. Open to all children 18 and under, no enrollment, no cost. For more info visit www.fns.usda.gov/summerfoodrocks.

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Plus:

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Lend a hand to those teachers in two ways:

Plus: help them win grant money to fund neat projects for kids with a quick Thank You note at this website link, ThankAmericasTeachers.com.

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While you’re looking ahead, don’t forget Next Off-Line Facility Advisory Committee Meeting August 24, 2016 at Toledo Community Library. Toledo School District Supt. Chris Rust says “I’ll be reporting to community members 6-7 p.m. My presentation takes about 10 minutes, but I plan to stick around for conversation, Q&A or maybe to read until 7 p.m.”

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Meet the Teachers August 25:
TES 5:30-6:30
TMS- 6:00-7:00
THS- 6:30-7:30

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Toledo School District posts links for supplies needed, free and reduced lunch fee apps, sports physicals required, more on their website here.

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Today: Toledo City Council meets 6 p.m. first and third Mondays monthly at City Hall. Visit www.toledowa.us or call (360)864-4564.

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Also: Toledo Fire Department drill 7 p.m. Mondays. Volunteer info here.

Tuesday: Lewis County Interlocal Meeting (Medic One) held 7 p.m. third Tuesdays monthly at Toledo Fire Department. Schedule link here.

***

Reservations required: Wednesday Toledo Senior Center Nutrition Lunch serves up a fish sandwich with fries and coleslaw, mandarin oranges and cookie, Friday Salisbury Steak and mashed potatoes with baby carrots and peaches plus dinner roll. Nutrition Lunches Wednesday and Friday are sponsored in part by Area Agency on Aging. Suggested donation $3 for those 60+ years of age. Contact Diana, diana.haug@lewsicountywa.gov or call (360)864-2112.

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This week: The Summer Reading Program at the Library next gathers 1 p.m. August 17 - Theme: Camping.

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I have it on authority that THIS WEDNESDAY features Knitting, Crocheting and Other Needlework with Cindy Quick and Kathy Tyner 3-5 p.m. at the Library. Fingers crossed, I got it right this time! *chuckle*

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Thursday Genealogy assistance available:

And: Toledo Community Library is collecting board games for Middle and High School age students. We are interested in starting a "game day" after school a couple times a month. More information to come.

On Facebook here or call (360)864-4247.

***
Next week:Toledo Community Library Adult Page Turners meets August 25. This month’s selection is “The First Phone Call From Heaven” by Mitch Albom. On Facebook, link here.

***

Photos from TOT archives unless otherwise noted.

Email your news, reviews and events to: toledo.columnist@gmail.com

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08.12.2016 Friday Column and Weekend Outlook

8/12/2016

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Review: Gallery 505 Artist Co-op Opening Night Thursday reports: We had a great turn out for our first Gallery 505 Artist Co-op show called "WATER." Over 50 visitors. Lots of art was sold, most art priced at under $100. If you missed the Opening Night event, "WATER" will be open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 1 to 5 p.m. through September 3.

Check out pics on Facebook, link here.

***

So many choices!

THS JV Cheer Team hosts Movie Night August 12 at TES, a fundraiser screening Zootopia for all ages. District Facebook page link here.
Washington State Bluegrass Festival at Toledo High School Friday thru Sunday August 12-14. Lewis County Tribune link here.
Seth Martin at Camp Singing Wind for one night only August 13. Facebook link here.
Cheap seats: Perseid Meteor Shower continues tonight, free. Where and how to see it, link here. Cloudy? Ustream link here August 11-12, and 12-13.
Lewis County Tribune lists all the events cooking all over - you guessed it - Lewis County this weekend and the next, and the next… Website link here.

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Reservations required: Wednesday Toledo Senior Center Nutrition Lunch serves up a fish sandwich with fries and coleslaw, mandarin oranges and cookie, Friday Salisbury Steak and mashed potatoes with baby carrots and peaches plus dinner roll. Nutrition Lunches Wednesday and Friday are sponsored in part by Area Agency on Aging. Suggested donation $3 for those 60+ years of age. Contact Diana, diana.haug@lewsicountywa.gov or call (360)864-2112.

***

Planning ahead:

Plus:

And:

Details for participants and vendors on the Cowlitz Indian Facebook page, link here.

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Toledo Elementary Parent Teacher Organization (TESPTO) Kid’s Closet supports kids K-12 by providing the basics August 15-19. Donations welcomed. Details including hours and contact info on Toledo School District Facebook page, link here.

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Today: Toledo Food Bank open 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. second and fourth Fridays monthly behind City Hall.

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Support: Al-Anon Courage To Change AFG, 7 p.m. Fridays at Toledo Presbyterian Church, 312 Augustus.

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And: 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.

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Toledo Senior Center Second Saturday Breakfast 7-10:30 a.m. features full fare breakfast with AYCE hotcakes. $5. Brought to you by The Mighty Fine Seniors.

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Toledo City Council meets 6 p.m. first and third Mondays monthly at City Hall. Visit www.toledowa.us or call (360)864-4564.

***

Photos from TOT archives unless otherwise noted.
Email your news, reviews and events to: toledo.columnist@gmail.com

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08.11.2016 Thursday Column

8/11/2016

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It’s a date!

For those interested in leaving their stamp on Steamboat Alley Projects’s soon-to-be paved walkway, tiles are available:

If you prefer a different legacy gift, read on:

Steamboat Alley underground utility line (NOT a gas line) is being revamped this week, according to Jamie Cummings of Steamboat Alley Project.

Photo courtesy Jamie Cummings

August 21 YOU are invited to leave a lasting impression for years to come. Meet with painters and artists of all ages 10 a.m. and create a masterpiece. Bring brushes and rollers, along with blue, green, brown or white paint to breathe life into river, trees and of course Mt St Helens - past, present and future. Bring the family.

***

Can you accept one more accolade?

This one from Gary Whiteside of Common Ground Garden Community via Facebook, on Monday’s collaborative display of Toledo Spirit.

It begins: To all the dedicated volunteers:

Link here.

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Toledo Elementary Parent Teacher Organization (TESPTO) Kid’s Closet supports kids K-12 by providing the basics August 15-19. Donations welcomed. Details including hours and contact info on Toledo School District Facebook page, link here.

***

Recap: Wednesday’s Park Board meeting convened at City Council Chambers 3 p.m.

Minutes from the last meeting were approved.
Secy's Report: Request next month's meeting convene 3rd week instead of customary 2nd week...approved.

New Biz:

New Park signs (2) "Park Closed dusk to dawn" requested due to unregistered visitors at all hours. Jill Davis, City of Toledo: Cost runs about $80 for two signs. Rick Kindle, Kemp Olson Park on-site contact clarified "It's not registered campers (using the showers), but visitors trolling through the place at 2 and 3 a.m.” Posting signs would establish a basis for Kindle to send after-hours wanderers packing. "Open Dawn to Dusk" would frame reasonable access hours for visitors other than registered campers.

Regarding the fire pits: Kindle, on the topic of burn ban restrictions, witnessed 3 incidents of campers leaving fires unattended, wind kicking up the flames and endangering nearby trees. Currently the fire pits suffice as long as users remain close at hand, but improvements could be made to protect nearby areas from windblown sparks.
One Park Board member wondered if the RCO Grant recently applied for might include upgraded fire pits.

Old Biz:

RCO Grant: City Clerk Jill Davis stated the final RCO Grant application paperwork had recently been submitted, that changes could not be made at this time, pending approval. Toledo's final presentation to the grant committee will be August 31 in Olympia.

Mike Morgan: Steamboat Alley Project update includes Wednesday's construction work on the underground utility line, to finish up shortly. He reported an email from Jamie Cummings, the Project's coordinator, outlined details on the August 21 painting party. Volunteers will set the river, forest and Mt St Helen backdrop for muralist Paolo De la Concha Zindel to finish her diorama rendition of Toledo's Past, Present and Future.

Walk in the Park September 24 Fundraiser update: Flyers are out, registration forms available, Facebook page up. Raffle basket donations are welcomed in addition to one of Esther Borte's noted handmade quilt creations.
Regarding the cookout for the event, Lions Club member Mike Morgan passed along a request for anticipated quantities of food needed.
Early Bird registration including T-shirt ends September 7th. Jill plans to hand out flyers at Toledo School's Meet The Teachers night August 25.

Veteran's Rose Garden: Katie Pomeroy has been maintaining the initial plantings, weeding and watering through the hot weather, and plans to install more plants after the temperatures drop, thanks to $100 vision:Toledo grant.

Discussion: As to the large Welcome To Toledo sign at Oregon Trail Marker, is it on church property or city property? Boundaries for a River's Edge style pocket park similar to the original at the Toledo Post Office to be installed would be important.

Vision:Toledo emails for Veteran's Day Parade were broadly distributed. One member remarked that K-Mart offers grants up to $100-200,000 May through August toward Western WA projects, potentially a source for Veterans projects. Worth looking into.

Adjourned 3:32..p.m.

Jill Davis is acting as contact person for registration. Email her at cityoftoledo@toledotel.com.

***

Did you spot it? Gallery 505 Artist Co-Op Opening Night gala IS August 11 (tonight) 4-8 p.m., not Tuesday. This concludes Toledo’s Readership Test Project. See you there.

***

Friday: Toledo Food Bank open second and fourth Fridays 10 a.m - 1 p.m behind City Hall.

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Plus: Toledo High School JV Cheer Team hosts Movie Night screening Zootopia 6 p.m. at Toledo Elementary. District Facebook page link here.

***

Support: Al-Anon Courage To Change AFG, 7 p.m. Fridays at Toledo Presbyterian Church, 312 Augustus.

***

And: 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.

***

32nd Annual Mt St Helens Bluegrass Festival August 12-14 at Toledo High School. Vision:Toledo Facebook link here.

***

Photos from TOT archives unless otherwise noted.

Email your news, reviews and events to: toledo.columnist@gmail.com

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08.10.2016 Wednesday Column

8/10/2016

1 Comment

Talk about a great volunteer group!

Monday’s Oregon Trail marker restoration project included Toledo’s own helping hands to carry out the little things that go into realizing a great moment - getting the word out, providing tasty edibles, hauling debris, all part of a much larger historic centennial tribute.

From the Sacajawea Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, this letter of thanks:

To: Mayor Steve Dobosh and community members:

From your warm welcome, to your incredible follow-through, DAR is in your debt! You made yesterday's Oregon Trail Marker cleaning into an event! When the Mayor; City officials (I know Michelle Whitten is but one woman, but she is several officials); Gary Whiteside as the president of Common Ground; plus Joh Jones and Ronda Sandoval who are also movers and shakers in their own right (and dynamite bakers); the City's Blogger; and the City public works department all turn out -- that is an event!

Thank you for the prior pressure wash that enabled us to get going on the restoration without having to wait for the monument to dry yesterday and for the generator and water truck. Thank you for your generous hospitality and your pitching in with the work! We felt so much a part of the spirit of energy and revitalization you are creating in your historic and pretty city. What a lovely place it is! Thank you to Marlea Hanson for making this event her lead article in The Other Toledo.com Daily Column .

We are so excited to see the finished monument location once the River's Edge garden is designed and installed. The one at the post office is beautiful.

Your tip on the restaurant was right-on, we enjoyed our meal very much. We hope to include a big lunch there when we have the rededication ceremony.

We feel honored to have made such great new friends and we love your town.

Words from two other of our members:
Della: It was wonderful to have several local helping hands pitch in and work alongside of us. It reflects the great pride they have in their community. I enjoyed our time with them. Della Stenstrom
Cindy: It was so very nice to meet all of you wonderful folks from Toledo. You have such an enthusiastic and hard working group - which made our time in Toledo extra special. Thanks to all, Cindy Johnson-Sakuma and Gary Sakuma

Thanks again from our entire group,
Will keep in touch - we look forward to seeing you again in the near future. Hopefully the rededication of the monument can be planned very soon.

Sincerely,
Shirley Stirling, Sacajawea Chapter Regent NSDAR
and
Diane Smith, Sacajawea Historic Preservation Chairman

***

If you missed Monday’s opportunity to be part of Something Greater Than Yourself, consider this behind-the-scenes drive to make a difference in untold ways:

And don’t forget to drop off teachers supplies at Farmers Insurance downtown. Plus: help them win grant money to fund neat projects for kids with a quick Thank You note at this website link, ThankAmericasTeachers.com.

***

Today: Speaking of volunteers extraordinaire, a shout out to Charlie Pruett, my most reliable source of What’s Cookin’ at Toledo’s Community Library. You rock, Charlie.

Cindy Quick and Kathy Tyner share tips and techniques on knitting, crocheting and needlework 3-5 p.m. alternate Wednesdays. On Facebook here or call (360)864-4247.

***

And: Toledo Park Board meets 3 p.m. second Wednesdays monthly at Toledo City Council Chambers. Public invited. Contact cityoftoledo@toledotel.com or call (360)864-4564. Website here.

***

Plus: Cowlitz Prairie Grange 6:30 p.m. meeting is a cake-and-ice-cream affair second Wednesdays, potluck fourth 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: This Friday, August 12 is Movie Night at Toledo Elementary, hosted by Toledo High School’s JV Cheer Team. In Monday’s Column, The Other Toledo incorrectly listed the event as taking place that evening. TOT regrets any inconvenience occasioned by this error. Details listed on Toledo School District Facebook page, link here.

***

Spoiler alert!

An evolutionary event leading the 14th Annual ARTrails Studio Tour in September, Toledo’s own Gallery 505 is reincarnated as:

Opening night: Tomorrow!

***

Photos from TOT archives unless otherwise noted.

Email your news, reviews and events to: toledo.columnist@gmail.com

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08.09.2016 Tuesday Column and Tech Report

8/9/2016

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Remember yesterday’s “Before” pic of Toledo’s Oregon Trail marker monument near the Welcome sign in front of New Life Church? Well, seems it got a “new life” of its own…

Along with a dedicated crowd of volunteers from the Olympia area, several folks including Hizzoner Mayor Dobosh responded to Common Ground Garden Community’s invitation…

Reading off a printed sheet, various hands took turns carefully brushing the plaque, cleaning and restoring it to a luster perhaps not seen since it was placed here, one of 10 such between Tumwater and Vancouver, WA.

CGGC also contributed initial definition for the first phase of a yet-to-be-decided rockery patterned loosely after their initial River’s Edge project at Toledo’s Post Office.

2016 marks the centennial anniversary of the original placements, and the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) are committed to restoration of these 100-year-old relics.

Shirley Stirling added: I am the Regent of the Sacajawea Chapter in Olympia. Historic Preservation is my theme for my 2-year term, focusing on historic markers.
Cindy is the state DAR Historic Preservation Chair. Diane Smith is the Sacajawea Chapter Historic Preservation Chair. Fran is a good friend of mine and (I hope) a future member.

Photo courtesy Della DAR Sacajawea Chapter

After you left we had (MS fundraising) biking visitors from California (Los Angeles) to California (San Diego) by way of some sort of short-cut. They were delighted with the marker and with the beautiful Toledo sign!

***

R.I.P. - The Cairn came down ingloriously following that snapshot last week, and the sculptor says he will mull the next reincarnation carefully. Keep your eyes open for wild, weird and wondrous sightings. Crop circles, anyone?

***

Tech Report: Toledo’s own A Grey Area Computer Repair joins other sane citizens defending their right to browse the Interwebs without the FBI’s scrutiny here.

***

And while progress has been reported in service speeds: “The U.S. still lags from an international perspective, currently ranking 20th in fixed broadband and 42nd in mobile internet performance globally” according AGA’s Facebook link to speedtest.net here.

***

Sticky notes pasted on your monitor are only slightly worse than the little notebook next to your laptop: both scream “Passwords Here!” to whoever happens by your computer. Trusted source PCmag.com lists The Best Free Password Managers of 2016 here.

***

And if someone makes off with your tablet or laptop? Check out the hilarious stories of stolen electronics retrieved here after you download Prey (free) anti-theft solution here.

***

Running out of juice can be more than inconvenient. From trusted source Groovy Post: Tips for Saving Battery Juice on Your iPhone - link here.

***

For all the things Pinterest doesn’t do (and those are few), The Gadgeteer fills my dream list - I mean, creative idea generator. And I love the reviews, especially the comments. But this link is purely for the entertainment value of the video in the second frame. The caption says it all: Lessons learned: I squint too much, and I need to get more exercise because running back and forth around my yard wore me out! It didn’t help that it was almost 90 degrees outside when I made this video.

***

What about those 5-star reviews on Amazon for, well, everything? Listed on trusted source Netted By The Webbys as a lie detector for fake reviews, Fakespot reviews the, um, reviews and subjects them to a sniff test. Check it out here.

***

Photos from TOT archives unless otherwise noted.

Email your news, reviews and events to: toledo.columnist@gmail.com

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08.08.2016 Monday Column

8/8/2016

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First things first:

Photo courtesy Common Ground Garden Community Faceebook

Join Common Ground Garden Community green thumb-types 10 a.m. at the Oregon Trail Marker to lend a hand for a joint historical/gardening venture. Facebook link here.

***

And: Monday night: Movie Night - Zootopia 6 p.m. at Toledo Elementary. District Facebook page link here.

***

Though I missed Toledo’s Billie Washington of Native Soil Farm at Winlock Saturday Market, I did get some (hopelessly inadequate) pics of Mr Bubble’s creative work in action…

***

You can tell it’s August when you see notices like these:

In the spirit of Toms “one for one,” pick up an extra notebook or pack back and lend a hand to your neighbors. And don’t forget to drop off teachers supplies at Farmers Insurance downtown. Plus: help them win grant money to fund neat projects for kids with a quick Thank You note at this website link, ThankAmericasTeachers.com.

***

Pat Caldwell says: The Community Library is collecting board games for Middle and High School age students. We are interested in starting a "game day" after school a couple times a month. More information to come.
Also, needlework help 3-5 p.m. alternate Wednesdays, genealogy assistance 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Thursdays. Kids Summer Reading Program wraps up August 17 with Camping! Awaiting word on August selection for Harriet Whisler’s Adult Page Turner group - meets 1 p.m. last Thursday monthly. Toledo Community Library is on Facebook here.

***

Pass the message to your neighbors outside the Interwebs:

Next Off-Line Facility Advisory Committee Meeting August 24, 2016 at Toledo Community Library. Toledo School District Supt. Chris Rust says “I’ll be reporting to community members 6-7 p.m. My presentation takes about 10 minutes, but I plan to stick around for conversation, Q&A or maybe to read until 7 p.m.”

All documents to date available online at District website, direct page link here.

***

Wednesday: Toledo Park Board meets 3 p.m. second Wednesdays monthly in City Council Chambers. Visit www.toledowa.us/ for info.

***

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.

***

Reservations required: Wednesday Toledo Senior Center Nutrition Lunch brings back a childhood favorite - Sloppy Joes with peas & carrots, cottage cheese with apricots and banana cake, Friday veggie lasagna with garlic bread, green salad and peaches plus chocolate cake. Nutrition Lunches Wednesday and Friday are sponsored in part by Area Agency on Aging. Suggested donation $3 for those 60+ years of age. Contact Diana, diana.haug@lewsicountywa.gov or call (360)864-2112.

***

A shout out to Marcelo’s Auto Tech: I no longer have jagged broken teeth...in the F-150 rear axle. Apparently some small bolt backed out and wreaked havoc (I’ll spare you the picture, of interest only to motorheads). Anyway, it’s good to have wheels again, and The Girls agree the hacked John Deere mower/dog walker conversion doesn’t have the pep to keep up with them.

***

Photos from TOT archives unless otherwise noted.

Email your news, reviews and events to: toledo.columnist@gmail.com

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08.05.2016 Friday Column and Weekend Outlook

8/5/2016

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Last weekend's Puget Sound visit included a late night lakefront park visit to watch the International Space Station pass silently overhead, regular as clockwork every 90 minutes or so.

Check out spotthestation.nasa.gov schedule for our area here.

***

Space.com reports: Perseid Meteor Shower Will Be Extra Awesome This Year, NASA Says. Where and how to see it, link here. Cloudy? Ustream link here August 11-12, and 12-13.

Photos from NASA Facebook page - link here.

According to NASA meteor expert Bill Cooke, the Perseids are perhaps the most popular meteor shower of the year. They will be in "outburst" in 2016, which means they'll appear at double the usual rates. "This year, instead of seeing about 80 Perseids per hour, the rate could top 150 and even approach 200 meteors per hour," Cooke said in an earlier article here.

Alternatively, Toledo’s own astrophysicist Ethan Siegel (Starts With A Bang, Facebook link here) reports “Will seeing a meteor, on average, once every 15-20 seconds – while the Moon washes the entire sky out until 1 AM – really be a spectacular show? If you’re a big meteor shower fan, this will be a pretty good one, but if you’re a casual skywatcher looking for something you’ll never forget, this isn’t it.”

Anyone up for a star party?

***

Toss the Swiffer, get a pony: According to a tiny but illuminating study, barnyard dust may play a key role in low asthma rates. More than 10% of school-aged children are diagnosed with asthma, that number rising. Check out the difference between two similar populations and note the distinct differences in immune responses and rates of asthma, link here.

***

Food Corner: From trusted source MindBodyGreen.com: “Over the years, I've heard all kinds of tips for how to keep an avocado from turning brown…” Here’s one that works - The Easy Way To Keep Your Guac (And Avocados!) From Turning Brown, link here.

***

Today: Support - Al-Anon Courage To Change AFG, 7 p.m. Fridays at Toledo Presbyterian Church, 312 Augustus.

***

Washington Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Commission meets today and Saturday in Olympia. One new fishing license under consideration would establish a new combination fishing license for Washington residents 70 years and older. The commission will hold a public hearing on the proposed combination license and take action Friday. Details here. Agenda here.

***

Winlock Saturday Market runs 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. through September 24. This week the Activity Booth features Paper Plate Creation Crafts, plus Andrew - known as Mr Bubbles - will be on hand. On Facebook here. Toledo’s own Native Soil Farmer Billie Washington markets her better-than-organic, home-grown herbs and produce there, along with other local goods. Native Soil Farm is on Facebook, link here.

***

Also Saturday: Art Eruption: Create Art in the shadow of Mt St Helens. Open to all ages. Details on Facebook here.

***

Monday: Join Common Ground Garden Community green thumb-types 10 a.m. at the Oregon Trail Marker to lend a hand for a joint historical/gardening venture. Facebook link here.

***

Monday night: Movie Night - Zootopia 6 p.m. at Toledo Elementary. District Facebook page link here.

***

Reservations required: Wednesday Toledo Senior Center Nutrition Lunch brings back a childhood favorite - Sloppy Joes with peas & carrots, cottage cheese with apricots and banana cake, Friday veggie lasagna with garlic bread, green salad and peaches plus chocolate cake. Nutrition Lunches Wednesday and Friday are sponsored in part by Area Agency on Aging. Suggested donation $3 for those 60+ years of age. Contact Diana, diana.haug@lewsicountywa.gov or call (360)864-2112.

***

Reminder: From Lewis County Fire District 2 (Toledo Fire Department), this press release from lewsicountywa.gov on the current burn ban:

LEWIS COUNTY BURN RESTRICTIONS EFFECTIVE AUGUST 2, 2016

The Lewis County Board of County Commissioners and the Lewis County Fire Marshal will be enacting burn restrictions on outdoor burning for all of unincorporated Lewis County, effective at 12:01 a.m. August 2.

“After careful review of the current and extended weather forecast, the Lewis County Community Development Director and the fire marshal have determined that current weather conditions within Lewis County have created substantial fire dangers throughout Lewis County, and that there is a need to enact restriction on outdoor burning on all lands regulated by the County of Lewis, EXCEPT for recreational campfires in designated campgrounds and on private lands if built in the following manner:

The campfire shall be no greater than three feet in diameter and constructed of a ring and metal stone or brick eight inches above surface with a two-foot wide area cleared down to exposed soil surrounding the outside of the pit.
The campfire shall have an area at least 10 feet around it cleared of all flammable material and at least 20 feet of clearance from overhead flammable materials or fuels.
The campfire must be attended at all times by a responsible person at least 16 years old with the ability to extinguish the fire with a shovel and a five gallon bucket of water or with a connected and charged water hose.
Completely extinguish campfires by pouring water or moist soil in them and stirring with a shovel until all parts are cool to the touch. The use of self-contained camp stoves is encouraged as an alternative.”

The burning restriction also applies to applicants with a current open burning permit. The current burning permit expiration date will now be 12:01 a.m. on August 2.
The countywide burn ban will remain in effect throughout the summer.

For further information concerning outdoor burning and/or the restrictions being imposed, please contact Lee Napier, community development director, at (360) 740-1146. The Fire Marshal’s office is in the Lewis County Public Services building, located at 2025 NE Kresky Avenue, Chehalis, Washington.

DiscoverLewisCounty.com on campfires in Washington State Parks: Up-to-date fire ban information can be found at this link. As of Aug. 1, fires are allowed in all designated fire pits in state parks located in Lewis County. DiscoverLewisCounty.com website link here. Also on Facebook here.

***

Photos from TOT archives unless otherwise noted.

Email your news, reviews and events to: toledo.columnist@gmail.com

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08.04.2016 Thursday Column

8/4/2016

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Check out this very cool real time Mt Adams webcam here.

Photo courtesy of mtadams.tv

***

Recap: Last night’s Song Circle at Camp Sing Wind was an intimate group of musicians and vocalists from near and far - including one accordionist from Pennsylvania.

An herbal collective had just wrapped up their forays about the place, Native Soil Farm’s Billie Washington among them.

Joanna Dennis played piano while her babe and Fancy, the little golden dog, listened from the floor inside the ring of chairs.

Classics camp tunes like IKO IKO, Edelweiss, and others filled the air, guitars and other instruments swapped freely.

Peter Sonne and Linda Bird-Sonne added their voices to the dozen who filtered in one by one, just warming up as I quietly let myself out.

Next event: Seth Martin returns to Toledo briefly with music and stories 7 p.m. August 13 at Camp Singing Wind. Facebook link here.

***

Pat Caldwell says: The Community Library is collecting board games for Middle and High School age students. We are interested in starting a "game day" after school a couple times a month. More information to come. Toledo Community Library is on Facebook here.

***

Update: Next Off-Line Facility Advisory Committee Meeting August 24, 2016 at Toledo Community Library. Toledo School District Supt. Chris Rust says “I’ll be reporting to community members 6-7 p.m. My presentation takes about 10 minutes, but I plan to stick around for conversation, Q&A or maybe to read until 7 p.m.”

Pass the message to your neighbors outside the Interwebs.

All documents to date available online at District website, direct page link here.

***

Mark your calendar:

August 5-7 Mossyrock Blueberry Festival. Details on Lewis County Tribune Facebook page here.
August 6 - Art Eruption: Create Art in the shadow of Mt St Helens. Open to all ages. Details on Facebook here.
August 8 - Movie Night - Zootopia 6 p.m. at Toledo Elementary. District Facebook page link here.
August 11-14 - 74th Annual Morton Loggers Jubilee. DiscoverLewisCounty.com link here.
August 12-14 - 32nd Mt St Helens Bluegrass Festival. Vision:Toledo Facebook link here.
August 13 Toledo Senior Center Second Saturday Breakfast.

***

Photos from TOT archives unless otherwise noted.

Email your news, reviews and events to: toledo.columnist@gmail.com

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08.03.2016 Wednesday Column

8/3/2016

2 Comments

From my long-time friend, educator and indie business woman in Puget Sound comes this question:

Thanks, Mary Jane.

***

Temp Work Available. Mobile office with large front window, ever-changing scenery and plenty of company...

Other opportunities: Substitute custodians and para-educators. District website link here.

Applications at Toledo School District office, 116 Ramsey Way, Toledo, WA 98591. Background check and drug screen required. Contact District office at (360)864-6325.

***

A word from Toledo School District Superintendent Chris Rust:

Dear Parents, Staff and Community Members,

Our school community recently took part in an online learning process about facilities. We’ve reviewed your thoughts and priorities and now we want to share the results with you.

Visit our results website to learn about the top priorities in our school and the top priorities of the district.

From the 85 people who contributed, we learned more about how our stakeholders feel about current concepts regarding facilities planning. I think that you’ll find that our community has much to say about our facilities and there is quite a bit of agreement on what is needed going forward. Our Facilities Advisory Committee is using this information to create a facilities master plan and to make recommendations to the Board regarding a bond measure in February, 2017.

Again, thank you so much for contributing to the success of our schools and district. Your participation in the process was invaluable.

Sincerely,
Chris Rust
Superintendent

*Next Off-Line Facility Advisory Committee Meeting TBA. All documents to date available online at District website, direct page link here.

*Toledo School District Regular Board Meeting changed to Tuesday, August 23, 2016. A Special Board Meeting will take place 6 p.m., preceding the regular 7 p.m. monthly meeting. Both open to the public, and held at the Middle School Library. District website link here. All monthly meeting agendas and minutes available online here.

***

Today: From Camp Singing Winds Facebook page, an invitation: Join us for another song circle at CSW! Come with a song to share, voices to sing along with, or ears to listen! No experience necessary (aside from singing in the shower of course). Starts 6 p.m.

***

Says Billie Washington of Native Soil Farm: We need to pay attention. Our seeds are our real gold… Watch the Vimeo posted on her Facebook page, link here.

***

Speaking of Native Peoples, I noticed a typical monthly Lewis County Seniors Nutrition Lunch menu (available Wednesdays and Fridays at Toledo’s Senior Center) differs significantly from the Cowlitz Elders Lunch program. Frankly, I prefer the Cowlitz meals with fewer empty carbs and such delicacies as baked salmon and liver & onions. (Yeah, I’m one of those - I LIKE liver & onions.) However my 23andme.com results indicate I’ll never qualify to sit down to share food with my neighbors...except at the upcoming 17th Annual Cowlitz Indian Pow Wow September 17, 2016 at Toledo High School.

***

Photos from TOT archives unless otherwise noted.

Email your news, reviews and events to: toledo.columnist@gmail.com

2 Comments

08.02.2016 Tuesday Column and Tech Report

8/2/2016

1 Comment

Art takes any and all forms. From just outside the city limits, a shape-shifting sculpture currently referred to as The Cairn.

***

Update: Lewis County Burn Ban in effect, details on the Lewis County Tribune Facebook page, link here.

***

Correction: The Summer Reading Program at the Library next gathers 1 p.m. August 17 - Theme: Camping. The Other Toledo incorrectly posted this Wednesday (August 3) as the date, and regrets any inconvenience occasioned by this error.

***

Monday marked the first day of Summer School, and kicked off free breakfast and lunch available to all kids 18 and under. Toledo Elementary School provides Summer Meals for Kids and Teens Monday - Thursday August 1 - 18. Breakfast 8 a.m., lunch 11:30 a.m. Open to all children 18 and under, no enrollment, no cost. For more info visit www.fns.usda.gov/summerfoodrocks.

***

While we’re talkin’ Back to School, Farmers Insurance backs America’s teachers in a drive to provide them the everyday necessities that usually come right out of their own pocket.

Note at the bottom your opportunity to help them win grant money with a quick Thank You note at this website link, ThankAmericasTeachers.com.

Two ways to support our children’s educators.
.
***

Recap: Monday’s City Council Meeting read aloud Ordinance 738 for the second time, which requests an Interfund Loan - borrowed from other departmental sources within the City - to speedily replace the aging Police cruiser that blew an engine several weeks ago. These funds are to be replaced in the Spring when special low-interest funds are available to municipalities.

Public Works - Craig McCown reported tracking down a significant water leak at the High School, believing this to be the major source of unidentified water loss for months. Outside specialists will determine the precise issue, and uncover any other potential breaches.

McCown explained 1970’s codes were observed when the school was built, with some lines not routed through the meter, thus complicating attempts to find the leak that developed recently. Due to the location and depth, repairs could run $100-200,000 or more.

An audience member asked why the state isn’t responsible for this issue, and whether education funds should cover such problems. McCown clarified that the state is not responsible for water systems, that codes in force at the time were deemed adequate, that Time and other factor contributed to the line failure. Discussion ensued, and it was agreed the matter (of state’s responsibility) was worth further investigation.

Other reports included the wastewater system is functioning smoothly. Also, another Public Works employee will join his team beginning September 1 at no cost to the City, courtesy of Labor & Industries Worker Retraining Program. Lastly, a request was entered by the on-site resident for two small signs to be placed at Kemp Olson Park posting hours, due to recent midnight activity by non-camping visitors causing disruption. Vandalism cost a water tap replacement plus other costly repairs, and camper safety concerns were cited. Council Member Glenda Forga reminded those present that hours were established by long-ago councils, and this council is not taxed with re-visiting the issue. Ultimately it was decided to send the matter to Toledo Park Board for consideration. Toledo Park Board meets 3 p.m. second Wednesdays Monthly in City Chambers.

Police Report - Chief Brockmueller reported 23 calls since the last Council meeting, well within the normal range.
He also noted August 1, 2016 marked the one-year anniversary providing contracted service to Winlock.
A new Police vehicle will hopefully be delivered by mid-month to be outfitted with equipment, ready for service by month's’ end.

A motion passed to address the costs of water leak reduction measures.

Council Member Jim Fluckinger passed along a request to “do something” about an overgrown corner of city-owned property at the junction of SR 505 and Old Pacific Highway. Public Works Superintendent McCown stressed his resources (currently himself and one other worker) were already stretched thinly. Mayor Dobosh volunteered to look into that corner himself.

Meeting adjourned 6:24 p.m.

***

Tech Tuesday: A Grey Area Computer Repair posts a link on Facebook, saying “Some are pretty basic, some kind of useless, some you might know already…” 50 Amazing PC Hacks Which You Don’t Know. Link here.

***

From my early computer re-education (circa 2005) via James Floyd Kelly’s “Don’t Spend A Dime” (updated 2009 ebook edition link here), AV-Comparatives current review of anti-phishing software. This cool site was my go-to for free options - which incongruously met or exceeded ratings by big-name AV (Anit-Virus) programs. Link here.

***

Trusted source Windows Secrets - Everything Microsoft Forgot To Tell You - posts this article: The free Win10 upgrade ends for almost everyone. Link here.

***

Netted By The Webbys offers a variety of free and paid apps covering a host of topics, from The Ultimate Guide for Students - 14 apps and sites for navigating college and campus life all the way to Test These New Apps and Services Before They Launch and one that really caught my interest, How to Use a New Credit Card for Every Transaction - Protect yourself with single-use credit cards from Privacy. Check out these and more here.

***

Recently graduated and finding conventional higher education outside your reach? Coursera offers distance learning on virtually (pun intended) every subject you can imagine - and some you never imagined. Check them out here and get the drop on your college-bound friends.

***

The Gadgeteer Weekly Roundup covers dozens of news, reviews and articles over just the last week (link here) with archives on hundreds of items, even such mundane household appliances as robotic vacuums. Really. My first pick in reviews on tangibles.

***

Reservations required: Wednesday Toledo Senior Center Nutrition Lunch dishes up pork chop and mashed potatoes with peas and carrots, applesauce plus a dinner roll, Friday garlic chicken breast and mashed potatoes, whole green beans, berry crisp and dinner roll. Nutrition Lunches Wednesday and Friday are sponsored in part by Area Agency on Aging. Suggested donation $3 for those 60+ years of age. Contact Diana, diana.haug@lewsicountywa.gov or call (360)864-2112.

***

Mark your calendars: August 13 Seth Martin in Toledo on a quick U-turn to Korea. Catch the area’s favorite banjo-playing singer-songwriter at Camp Singing Wind. Link here.

***

Early Notice: Toledo School District Board Meeting changed to Tuesday, August 23, 2016. A Special Board Meeting will take place 6 p.m., preceding the regular 7 p.m. monthly meeting. Both open to the public, and held at the Middle School Library. District website link here. All monthly meeting agendas and minutes available online here.

***

Photos from TOT archives unless otherwise noted.

Email your news, reviews and events to: toledo.columnist@gmail.com

1 Comment

08.01.2016 Monday Column

8/1/2016

1 Comment

Thanks to long-time sponsor Gee Cee’s Truck Stop - and Patricia -

for fueling this column and this columnist...at any hour.

***

Visiting friends in Puget Sound over the weekend reminded me not to take for granted the basics - like air quality.

***

Prosser’s wildfire threatening homes right now reminds us the ever-present danger of hot dry summer conditions. Be proactive. Sign up to volunteer with Toledo Fire Department. Details here.

***

From Toledo’s own Lewis County Tribune, this Facebook link on SR 506 road closure near Vader.

***

Photo Tools of the Trade, courtesy Common Ground Garden Community

From Common Ground Garden Community’s Facebook page, another opportunity to lend a hand for a joint historical/gardening venture at the Oregon Trail Marker August 8 here.

Photo Oregon Trail Marker, courtesy Common Ground Garden Community

***

Speaking of historical moments, Cowlitz Tribal Chairman Bill Iyall announces on Facebook: “After 160 years of landlessness, the federal government and the federal courts have confirmed our right to this reservation. We are moving forward, improving the lives of our 4,000 tribal members, bringing more jobs to the local economy and continuing to forge partnerships in the southwestern Washington community.” Details here.

Cowlitz Indian Tribe has strong ties to the Toledo Community, defending the High School Indians logo and mascot, and hosting their Annual Pow Wow September 19, 2016. More info here.

***

Di says: “Thank you for another great theater camp! We definitely have to do this again!” Morgan Arts Centre Facebook link here.

Next up: 14th Annual ARTrails Studio Tour September 17-18 and 24-25 including Morgan Arts Centre. ARTrails of SW Washington website link here. On Facebook here.

***

Monday: Toledo City Council meets 6 p.m. first and third Mondays monthly at City Hall. Visit www.toledowa.us or call (360)864-4564.

***

Reservations required: Wednesdays and Fridays Toledo Senior Center serves up Nutrition Lunches sponsored in part by Area Agency on Aging. Menu changes weekly. Wednesday includes live music, Friday Bingo follows the meal. Suggested donation $3 for those 60+ years of age. Contact Diana,diana.haug@lewsicountywa.gov or call (360)864-2112.

***

Wednesday Camping is the theme at 1 p.m. as part of the Library’s Summer Reading Program. Toledo Community Library is on Facebook here.

***

Photos from TOT archives unless otherwise noted.

Email your news, reviews and events to: toledo.columnist@gmail.com

1 Comment

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