Loren Jensen
NEWS BRIEFS
Dayton Welcomes New Postmaster
Loren Jensen was officially installed as Dayton's Postmaster on September 1, 2007. He had been acting Postmaster since October, 2006. In a short installation ceremony, he said he looked forward to being able to serve in Dayton for the next few years.
Jensen has been a postal employee for 13 years, starting as a letter carrier in Pasco for a few months, and then working as a supervisor in the Othello post office for several years. Most recently, he was Postmaster in Lind, WA for three years.
Jensen has been commuting to Dayton for the past year, but hopes to buy a home here soon. "I'm still trying to sell my house in Othello," he says, "but no luck so far."
Jensen grew up in a farming family in Othello. "When I was a kid we used to come out to Columbia County to fish the Tucannon River," he says. "I've always loved it here, and I'm thrilled to be able to live here." Jensen is still an avid fisherman and hunter.
Jensen has four grown children and three grandchildren. He invites all Dayton residents to stop by the post office and meet him.
Free Blood Pressure Readings
Nearly one in three U.S. adults has high blood pressure, but because there are no symptoms, nearly one-third of these people don't know they have it. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart attack, heart failure or kidney failure. The only way to tell if you have high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure checked.
The Columbia County Health System offers free blood pressure checks at the Columbia Family Clinic and the Waitsburg Clinic. Readings are available Monday through Friay from 8:30 to noon and from 1:00 to 4:00.
For more information, contact Julia Mead at 382-3200.
Planning Workshop to be Held
The Columbia County Planning Commission will hold a "study session" on Monday, November 26. According to County Planner Rich Hendricksen, the main purpose of the session will be to allow commission members and the public to learn more about the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) process. The commission will also discuss how they want to proceed with review of the County's Comprehensive Plan and zoning ordinances in 2008. "Because this is a study session, no action can be taken by the commission at this meeting," says Hendricksen.
Much attention has been paid to the CUP process this year, because of a lawsuit that was filed in May appealing the county's granting of a CUP for the Marengo II wind energy project near Dayton. A Walla Walla judge threw out the suit in August. Officials feel that more CUP applications are likely from wind energy developers in the near future. Therefore, says Hendricksen, it's important that the commission members have as thorough an understanding of the county's risks and responsibilities in this process as possible.
Hendricksen also says that the State of Washington has allowed a six month extension of the grant the county received to pay a consultant to help update its Comprehensive Plan. A thorough update of the plan does not have to be adopted until 2010, but the Planning Commission must now complete work with the consultant, Don Brigham, by June 30 of next year. Hendrickson says he hopes the commission will also undertake a major review of the zoning ordinances, including the CUP process, in 2008. Public input will be invited and encouraged throughout the review processes next year, he says.
The Planning Commission will hold its regularly scheduled meeting on December 10.
Seniors' Computer Class Survey
Are you 55 or older and interested in learning basic computer skills, or broadening the ones you have? If so, the Columbia County Rural Library District (CCRLD) wants to hear from you.
To determine what free computer classes our community's senior members would like to take in 2008, the CCRLD is asking seniors to fill out a short "computer survey." Copies of the survey are available at:
• Dayton Memorial Library
• Senior Center in Dayton
• Columbia County Planning Office
(114 S 2nd Street in Dayton)
• Starbuck Market
It only takes a minute or two to complete the nine-question survey, which can be returned to any of the above locations. Surveys may also be returned by mail to the Columbia County Rural Library District, PO Box 74, Dayton, WA 99328. If you need a survey sent directly to you, or if you have any questions, please contact Janet Lyon, the District Director. She can be reached at 382-2457.
Waitsburg Economic Development Committee
The Waitsburg Economic Development Committee is a newly formed, seven member committee appointed by the Waitsburg City Council to provide expertise for economic development. It is advisory only, and consists of chairman Perry Dozier, Vice Chairperson Marilyn Johnson, Secretary Sandra Torres, and members Carmen Morbach, Ross Stevenson, Valerie Mudry and Jim German. Members were appointed at the regular council meeting on July 18, 2007.
The committee is looking for ideas and funding for improvements. Talks are in progress in an attempt to unify tourism efforts with the Dayton Chamber of Commerce. New avenues of advertising are being explored.
Meetings are held monthly on the first Monday at 11 AM at Carmen's Deli, 206 Main Street in Waitsburg. They are open to the public, and citizen input is welcomed. The next meeting will be Monday, December 3 at 11 AM at Carmen's Deli.
For more information, contact Sandra Torres at 509-337-6393 or email at ltorres6299@charter.net.
Artist's Reception at Wenaha Gallery
The Wenaha Gallery and the Greenwich Workshop, Inc. are presenting the works of the late Stephen Lyman. Andrea Lyman will be at the gallery to discuss the artwork of her late husband, wildlife artist Stephen Lyman, during the artist reception at the gallery at 219 E. Main Street, Dayton, on November 23, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm.
Stephen Lyman's work was inspired by the writings and teachings of famous naturalist John Muir. His love of the great outdoors stemmed from a childhood spent in the Pacific Northwest, where hiking in Snake River country was a regular family ritual. "All my paintings have their origins in my experience and perception of beauty in the wilderness," Lyman said.
Andrea Lyman is an artist in her own right. She creates hand-made jewelry using cherry quartz, opal glass, Swarovski crystal, carnelian, jasper, coral and wooden beads. Her style is a mix of new and vintage. She also designs hand made greeting cards and sachets of Lavender du Provence, Woodland Spice, Victorian Rose and Sunny Citrus. The works of both artists are available for sale at the Wenaha Gallery.
"Home Baked Goodness" Opens
Carolyn Suffield's cinnamon rolls are so good that she regularly ships them express mail to appreciative customers in states as far away as Florida, New York and Arizona. Now Carolyn's cinnamon rolls are available fresh five days a week at her new storefront, Home Baked Goodness.
Home Baked Goodness, located at 309 E. Main Street in Dayton, features artisan breads, gourmet pastries, pies, cheesecakes and, of course, her famous cinnamon rolls, in a French café setting. The napkins are cloth, the tables are set with delicate mismatched china, and the air is perfumed with cinnamon and coffee.
Carolyn decided to open her gourmet patisserie because she was tired of spending so much time delivering and shipping her product. "I wanted customers to be able to come to me instead of the other way around," commented Carolyn. "But I'm still delivering cinnamon rolls to my faithful Walla Walla customers every Wednesday."
Home Baked Goodness is open 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, and Thursday through Saturday.
Special orders are always welcome with at least 24 hours' notice. Carolyn is busy taking orders for Thanksgiving pies and cheesecakes. If you miss getting on her Thanksgiving list, there's always Christmas!
Reading Volunteers Needed
For many years, Dayton Elementary School has had an organized volunteer reading program in place. Volunteers usually read with students in grades K through 2 for an hour or so one or more days per week. "Our volunteers always say that reading with children is a rewarding experience," says Dallas Dickinson, of Dayton Elementary School. "A bond definitely develops between children and volunteers."
This year, the school has more teacher requests than volunteers. Anyone interested in learning more about the program should contact Mary Alice Beatty, volunteer coordinator, at 382-2235. Tutoring older children in math and/or reading may also be an option, if that is your area of interest. Whatever volunteers do, their presence enriches the lives of our children.
New Pub Open in Waitsburg
Whetstone Public House is the newest food and drink establishment in Waitsburg. Owned by Waitsburg native and Seattle resident, Travis Larson, the Whetstone Public House opened in late September in the building once occupied by the Lyon's Den.
The Whetstone offers a full service bar with affordable drinks, 10 beers on tap (including at least one from the local Waitsburg brewery, Laht Neppur), homemade-from-scratch pizza and calzone, sandwiches, and above average chips and salsa.
Manager and Alaska native, Brad Bezona, is intent on providing a relaxed and friendly pub atmosphere.
"I want everyone to feel comfortable when they're here," commented Bezona.
So far, the Whetstone has hosted two weekends of live music, and Bezona would like to feature live music at least once a month in the future.
The Whetstone is open six days a week: Mon-Thurs 4-10 p.m., Fri-Sat 12-12.
Christmas Market at the Depot & Boldman House Tours During Kickoff
The Christmas Market at the Dayton Historic Depot is being held during Christmas Kickoff, November 23 and 24. The Market, upstairs in the 126-year-old train Depot, offers "newto- you" ornaments and decorations, gently-used toys, games, puzzles, cookbooks, and other gift items. The Market also offers PEO bean soup and homemade candies for sale. There is no admission fee.
Art from Dayton's October art walk, done by many local Columbia County artists, is still on display and for sale at the Depot, and will continue to be until the end of the year.
The Christmas Market is one of the Dayton Historic Depot's annual fund raising events. All proceeds will go to the Dayton Historical Depot Society to be used for Depot operating costs and activities. Call for more information at 509-382-2026. The Depot is located Commercial and second Streets.
The Boldman House Museum, a truly unique Victorian house and garden, will be open for tours during Christmas Kickoff. The Museum will be open both days from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Admission is by donation only. Both the house and the garden have undergone significant restoration and renovations in the past few years. Both reflect the style of the 1912 era, when the Steven A. Boldman family first moved in.
The Boldman House is located at 410 N. First St. and is listed on the Local, State, and National Historic Registers. Contact the Dayton Historic Depot at 509-382-2026 for tour information.
Fund-Raising for TVAC Building Purchase
The Touchet Valley Arts Council (TVAC) has made tentative plans to purchase the building next door to the Liberty Theater to the east. According to TVAC board member Marcene Hendrickson, the building is needed for meeting space, storage of costumes and sets, and as a place for cast members to change costumes and "hang out" during live performances.
TVAC hopes to raise $160,000 for the purchase and related expenses. TVAC has applied for a grant from the Sherwood trust, which, if received, would make up a large portion of the total needed. News of the grant award will be known in early December. The additional funds will be needed to close the purchase prior to the end of 2007. Anyone interested in helping with the fund-raising efforts should contact Cheryl Ray at 382-2851.
Copyright (c) 2007, Blue Mountain News