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north coast northcoastcitizen.com
February 4, 2016
Volume 21, No. 3
‘Honor the pie’...
Lower Nehalem Community Trust supporters protect Neahkahnie Creek I
Give seeds a chance T
he Third Annual Seed Exchange is a free event that will be held on Saturday, Feb. 13 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at The White Clover Grange, 36585 Highway 53 about two miles from Highway 101 near Mohler. A roundtable discussion on techniques and the importance of seed saving will take place at 1:30 p.m. At the Exchange you can get herb, vegetable, flower and native plant seeds and information from other gardeners, new and old. Handouts will be available for people to take and there will also be some books and resources on hand for browsing. All seeds are free, whether you bring some to share or not. If you have them, bring seeds you have collected or extra commercially packaged seeds you no longer want. Place your collected seeds in small envelopes or zip-sealed baggies and mark your seed packet with as much information as you have: plant, variety, area grown, production qualities, etc. Seeds that are several years old ideally should be tested for viability. If you are not sure if a batch of seeds is still good please take a sampling of them (ten or so) and place between two moist paper towels in a warm place to see if they germinate. If half or more sprout you’re good to go! New gardeners and those without seeds to share are still welcome to take seeds. If possible pay it forward and
n See SEEDS, Page A3
NORTH COUNTY NEWS ONLINE
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NCC Photo by Brad Mosher Twenty-five pies helped to cook up more than $4,000 in donations at the eighth annual Pie Day held Saturday at the White Clover Grange on Highway 53. See complete story on Page 2.
n July of 2015, an opportunity was presented to Lower Nehalem Community Trust (LNCT) to place into conservation 7.27 acres with over 2,100 linear feet of Neahkahnie Creek, a high priority salmon habitat that runs along Highway 101 between Manzanita and Nehalem. The Neahkahnie Creek Initiative was created to raise the funds needed to transfer and protect this land. We are thrilled to announce that, thanks to the generous support of LNCT donors, all necessary funds have been raised and the lands along Neahkahnie Creek will be placed into conservation. This success represents a victory for the land, for the salmon, and for all those Trust supporters who pitched in and made it happen. The stretch of Neahkahnie Creek and 7.27 acres of buffer zone, pictured in the map below, will be protected from development in perpetuity and its quality as a waterway habitat will be ensured. In 2013 LNCT sister organization Lower Nehalem Watershed Council began a restoration project upstream in Neahkahnie Lake. And underway now is Oregon Department of Transportation’s replacement of the culvert under Highway 101 at the conservation site to improve fish passage. Working in concert with these efforts, LNCT’s preservation of the Creek will help secure access to quality spawning and rearing habitat, enhance in-stream habitat, remove invasive species and establish native vegetation. Species that benefit from these coordinated efforts include Coho, winter steelhead, cutthroat trout, western brook lamprey, northern red-legged frogs, and northwest salamanders. Securing fish
n See, TRUST Page A2
North Tillamook Library Board completes renovation fundraising Big Wave fundraising dinner garners $2,700
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ork is underway renovating the interior of North Tillamook Library in Manzanita, and thanks to successful fundraising in January, the renovation is fully funded. On January 26, 80 Library Lovers enjoyed a spaghetti dinner at the Big Wave contributed by owners Brian and Carol Williams. Event proceeds totaled $2,700 from tickets, donations and the silent auction of an Allen Olson bowl; $1,700 will be used to pay for new furniture, including reading lounge chairs and tables and chairs for library staff. The remaining $1,000 is budgeted for 2016 general maintenance. “Our community is so supportive of the library,” said Gail Young, board member and event chair, the event was sold out in December. I believe our friends love coming together to celebrate what this library means to our community.” This is the second Library Lovers’ Dinner that Brian and Carol Williams have hosted. “When the Williams first offered their services to the library in 2014, we were reeling from water damage to the building,” said Kay Stepp, board president. “They
saved the day then. This year, when we were struggling with how to find the money to pay for much needed new furniture, Brian called again. They are, indeed, our guardian angels.” Also, in support of needed new furniture restricted gifts of $900 were received in December and the silent auction of library furniture prior to the closing netted Big Wave owners Carol and Brian Williams with Library Lovers Event Chair Gail Young. $1,177. said Stepp. “This generous donawill continue through the month of Good news for the tion makes it possible for us to February. The schedule calls for the library renovation continued when renovate the entire interior and library to reopen prior to March 1. The Ford Family Foundation ensure an attractive learning enviRenovation plans for the nearly awarded North Tillamook Library ronment for the children of north 30-year-old facility have been a grant for $5,531, specifically to underway for a year, following extend the renovation into the Chil- Tillamook County.” Renovation will continue receipt of a major bequest from dren’s Room, repairing the floor, through February. The reopening the estate of Linda Anne Easely in installing new carpet, painting and celebration is scheduled for Satur2014. redoing the lighting. day, March 12, at 3 p.m. “The Easely bequest made it The Ford Family Foundation, possible for us to plan for the many located in Roseburg, Oregon, was North Tillamook Library needed maintenance upgrades,” established in 1957 by Kenneth W. renovation begins said North Tillamook Library and Hallie E. Ford. Its mission is Nearly 10,000 books were Friends president Kay Stepp. “In promoting “successful citizens and addition we believed we had a vital rural communities” in Oregon moved to storage on Jan. 14, making way for a month-long and Siskiyou County, California. renovation of the North Tillamook “We are so appreciative of The n See LIBRARY, Page A2 Library in Manzanita. Renovation Ford Family Foundation Grant,”
Tillamook County-wide Early Chilhood Screening Fair March 2-4
illamook County’s Early Childhood T Screening Fair will be held March 2-4 at the Tillamook County Fairgrounds. All Til-
lamook County children ages 2 to 6 years of age are encouraged to participate in this comprehensive screening fair, which is provided free of charge. Formerly known as Multi-modular preschool exams, this one-of-a-kind program has been a feature of Tillamook County for 45 years. Since that small beginning in 1971, more than 20,000 Tillamook County kids have been served. At the 2015 screening, 109 children from all around Tillamook County received free screenings in 12 health and developmental areas, with referrals made for follow up with professional providers in 215 identified areas of concern. The value of screening services provided per child is more than $1,000 each. Community partnerships, generous in-kind and financial donations, along with more than 100
volunteers both locally and from Portland-area university programs make it possible to offer these services free of charge to our community’s young children to help ensure they begin school as ready to learn as possible. “These comprehensive screenings in 12 vital areas of children’s health in a single appointment are unique to Tillamook and give a clearer picture of our children’s overall development than any one provider can offer,” stated Gina Seufert, community partnership leader and VP of physician and clinic services at Tillamook Regional Medical Center. “And resources are available to help families with the professional services follow up as needed.” Transportation to and from the Fairgrounds has been identified as a barrier for some families, especially those from North and South Tillamook County. “Our community partners group is committed to making sure any child who needs it has transportation,” stated Kim
Lyon, NW Regional ESD Tillamook administrator. “When families make a screening appointment for their child, please let the scheduling staff know if transportation is needed and we will be happy to make arrangements for pick up as well as the return ride.” Tillamook Regional Medical Center is honored to lead this community-wide project, which can only be accomplished through the support and involvement of so many local and regional partners, including the school districts, the NW Regional ESD, Head Start Centers in Tillamook County, the Tillamook County Health Department, OHSU, OSU Extension Office, Tillamook Family Counseling and more. To schedule an appointment for your child, please call 503-815-2292. To make a donation in support of this community program, please visit AdventistHealth.org/TRMC/giving or call 503-815-2302.