AUGUST 2001 NEWSLETTER

Mark your calendars for the Annual Columbia City Celebration on Saturday, September 8th. The Celebration is great fun for the entire family and will include live entertainment, raffle, auction, carnival games, crafts fair, parade, and a great time for everyone!

Columbia City was incorporated in 1926, so this year we will be celebrating the City's 75th birthday! Longtime resident Mabel Pennell will serve as the Grand Marshal.

A new event included in the parade this year is the lawn mower contest. Almost everyone has a lawn mower, and with a little imagination we are certain that those mowers can be transformed into small replicas of the best Rose Festival Parade floats! Dress up your mower and enter the contest! All types of mowers are welcome, so decorate your riding or push mower for entry in the parade. We look forward to the creativity of our contestants!

Parade entry forms and booth application forms are available at the City Hall.

This year's auction items include, but are not limited to, the following:

Beaver Bark

Southwest Airlines Company

3rd Avenue Salon (donated by Allstate Insurance)

Village Inn

Children's Museum

End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center

The Grotto 2001 Festival of Lights

Japanese Garden Society of Oregon

Oregon Coast Aquarium

Oregon History Center

The Oregon Zoo Foundation

Wallace Theatre Group

The Wax Works and Ripley's Believe It or Not

World Forestry Center

Unit of wood from Friesen Lumber

One year of residential recycling service from

Hudson Garbage

Front end alignment and tire rotation from

Les Swab Tire Center

Ten cubic yards of 3/4" minus rock from

Morse Brothers, Inc.

Signed poster from the Oregon Shakespearean Festival

Sightseeing cruise on the Portland Spirit

Lift tickets for Ski Ashland

Lift tickets for Timberline Lodge and Ski Area

Tans and video rentals from Bill's Kwik Video and Tan

Volunteers are still needed to help during the Celebration. If you are interested in volunteering during the Celebration, please give us a call at City Hall. All proceeds from the Celebration will be used to staff the Columbia City School and Community Library.

We'd like to thank all of you who took time out of your busy schedules to complete and return our Parks Master Plan questionnaire. The following were the most popular answers to the survey questions:

Favorite recreational activities:

1. Walking

2. Fishing and boating

3. Picnicking

4. Play equipment

Preferred new park development areas:

1. Waterfront (51%)

2. West of Highway 30 (22%)

Desired future park facilities:

1. Trails or paths

2. Viewpoint park

3. Fishing dock

4. Play equipment

The development of the Parks Master Plan is still underway, and public involvement is an extremely important part of the process. The draft Parks Master Plan will be available for public inspection by mid-August. Please visit City Hall to review the draft plan and to view the park planning map prepared by CIDA, a company of landscape architects, planners and other professionals, and share your thoughts with us. The final Plan will be presented to the City Council during their Regular City Council Meeting on September 6, 2001. We hope you are able to participate in this very important process!

Bernadette Albertine, Laura Flynn, Dorothy Greyell, Helen Sandstrom, Amy West and Claudia Yoes helped us with the June newsletter and utility billings.

Barbara Jones from the St. Helens Garden Club delivered a beautiful bouquet of flowers for City Hall in celebration of Garden Club week.

Laura Flynn brought in a flat of delicious homegrown raspberries.

UNLAWFUL DUMPING

Police are asking for help from anyone who might have seen the party who continues to dump grass clippings in the street at the corner of Sixth and "I" Streets. Please call City Hall if you have any information.

Carol Almer has accepted a position with Springbrook Software and has resigned from her position of Bookkeeper. Carol had been with the City since May of 1998, and her knowledge of computers was instrumental in the City becoming more efficient. Carol will be missed, but we wish her good luck in her new job.

Sealed bids will be accepted for a 1991 Chevrolet Caprice, four-door, V8, automatic, air conditioning, am/fm radio, auto door locks/windows, 111,627 miles. The minimum bid is $500.00. The vehicle may be viewed by appointment (503) 397-4010. Sealed bids must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 30, 2001. Send or deliver sealed bids to: City of Columbia City, SEALED BID, 1840 Second Street, P.O. Box 189, Columbia City, OR 97018.

Kent Verner has recently resigned from the Planning Commission, and there is a need to fill his term until it expires the end of December 2002. Planning Commission meetings are scheduled for the second Tuesday of each month. The seven Commissioners work with the Zoning Ordinance, the Subdivision and Partitioning Ordinance, the Comprehensive Plan, and other ordinances relating to development and long-range planning. If you are interested in applying, please contact City Hall.

We would like to extend a sincere "thank you" to Kent for his service to the City as a member of the Planning Commission for more than four years.

If you want to step back in time, pay a visit to the Caples House County Store. Shari and Larry Ouilette have been diligently working to make this store a quaint place to visit and shop. Wooden articles, wreaths, pillow tops, primitive candles and baskets are only a few of the items available for sale. Apples and pears grown on the Caples property will also be available later in the season. The scheduled hours are from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday or by appointment. The store is also open occasionally during unscheduled hours - watch for the "open" flags displayed along the Second Street entrance and the open signs out on the Highway.

WATER SYSTEM UPDATE

Groundwater well: The City's well project continues to move forward. We are currently in the process of upgrading the electrical service to the site and completing electrical, plumbing, meter and disinfection improvements to temporarily connect the well into the City's water system. We expect the new well to be connected into the system in late August or early September, and the water will be used to supplement the water supply from St. Helens. Grant and loan funds will be used to complete the improvements needed to permanently connect the well into our water system, including a well house and telemetry, during the water reservoir construction.

Reservoir project: The City has received the draft Reservoir Siting Analysis. The report identifies a preferred site for a new 1-million gallon water reservoir to supplement our current storage capacity of 400,000 gallons. The State Health Division has approved the draft report, including the identified improvement needs, and we are now working with the funding agencies to secure the grant and loan funds needed to complete the project. The City's current water storage capacity is equal to just 40% of the recommended storage capacity for our current population. The new water reservoir is expected to meet our storage capacity needs through the year 2020.

Water rates: The City has received the draft Water Rate Study which identifies an immediate need to increase revenues received from water sales. The increase is needed for several reasons. On June 15, 2001, the City of St. Helens increased the wholesale water rate from $0.77 per 100 cubic feet to $1.28 per 100 cubic feet. This resulted in a 66% increase in the amount we pay to St. Helens for water purchases. The study also shows that our water sales revenue has not covered the cost of water operations in the past. Water system operating costs continue to increase for various reasons, including rising energy costs, the institution of a franchise fee, and implementation of a cross connection program.

The Study recommends a 42% increase in revenue from water sales. The City Council is currently comparing a number of water rate structures that will generate the needed revenue. The Council may also elect to phase in the rate increase over a period of time. A public hearing will be scheduled to obtain citizen input about water rates in the very near future.

WATER HEATER SAFETY REMINDER

Please remember to test your relief valve on your water heater. The City places a check valve at the water meter, creating a closed system; therefore, pressure may build up. You should test the valve on your water heater every six months. Simply pull the little lever-type handle to a straight out position, allow the pressure to escape, and return the handle to its original position. This will avoid dangerous pressure buildup.

The City has a sewer system requiring holding tanks for most properties within the City. In several areas around the City, tanks are shared with one or more properties. The tanks hold the solids while the sewer main line collects the effluent, which is piped to St. Helens for treatment. The City maintains the tanks and is presently setting up a pumping schedule throughout the City.

It is very important to treat the septic and sewer system with care, and it is unlawful to place fats, greases, explosive liquids, sand, mud, kitty litter, and other materials that are harmful to the system or would cause a blockage. Violators may be fined and charged for any resulting damages.

Household greases and fats should be poured into a container or allowed to cool so the fat or grease can be removed with paper toweling and disposed with household garbage. Buildup of grease in the septic system causes blockages and increases in treatment costs.

Please do not place bones, banana, orange or grapefruit peelings in the garbage disposal. Disposable diapers and sanitary supplies should not be placed down household drains. Solvents absolutely should not be put down the drains. Solvents are explosive and present a danger to sewer workers. Thank you for your cooperation.

Ask the Oregon Construction Contractors Board for their FREE publication, "16 Ways To Avoid Remodeling, Repair, Construction and Landscape Problems." It covers lots of smart tips EVERY homeowner should know before starting a building, remodeling or repair project.

Beware of "high-pressure" sales tactics or "too good to pass up" deals. Honest and reputable businesses will be

HAPPY to have your business next week or next month and won’t pressure you to decide today.

Check out the contractor with the Construction Contractors Board. Ask if the contractor is currently licensed, bonded, insured and if the business has a CLAIMS history.

Don’t pay ANY money or agree to ANY work without a detailed, written contract. Plan to get 2-3 bids, but remember the lowest bid may not necessarily be the best. The saying "you get what you pay for" usually applies to home improvement projects.

For more information contact: Oregon Construction Contractors Board (503) 378-4621 ext. 4900, or www.ccb.state.or.us, or 1-888-366-5635 (automated inquiries).

The City requires anyone doing business within the City to have a City business license. Before the contractor is issued a business license, the contractor’s registration is verified as current. This process assures the homeowner help from the Contractors’ Board if a claim is filed. If you are unsure, contact City Hall to verify that a contractor has a business license before hiring them to complete work for you.

GRAND MARSHAL – MABEL S. PENNELL

COLUMBIA CITY'S

75TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION 2001

At 86 years young, Mabel Pennell is one of the most active individuals I know. She is also one of my best friends. Mabel has contributed her time, talents, and energy to help raise funds each year for the City’s Celebration and important causes.

A recent article in the South County Spotlight highlighted some of Mabel’s history. She celebrates two birthdays – officially: July 29, the actual day she was born and July 30, the day the doctor recorded as her date of birth.

Mabel was the second of three daughters born to Harry and Miriam Sturgess in Clive, Alberta, Canada. Harry and Miriam were both born in England. Harry came to Eastern Canada to get established and then sent for Miriam, his bride-to-be. She booked passage on the Titantic, but was turned away because of overbooking and had to take a later ship (considered a miraculous blessing by Harry and those of us who know Mabel).

After several years in Canada, they moved their three daughters, Marie, Mabel, and Grace, to Longview, Washington and then to St. Helens.

Mabel remembers spending many summers at Rockaway Beach where her parents had a beach house. She describes the beach as the "perfect playground." It wasn’t uncommon for Miriam to house and feed her daughters’ teenage friends. Mabel also remembers swimming with her sisters for hours at the Natatorium and liked riding horses.

Mabel excelled in her schooling as she has done throughout her life, and became the 1934 St. Helens High School salutatorian.

The day after graduation, a representative from the telephone company visited Mabel at her home. She had heard Mabel’s speech at graduation and was very impressed with her and the speech. Remembering the trials of the Depression, Mabel accepted the offer of part-time employment as a telephone operator and went full-time when a position opened.

During the war years, Mabel left the telephone company to work for Pope and Talbot as a lumber stenographer. After the war, she reapplied at the telephone company and while waiting for a position to open up worked part-time at a bonding company in Portland and attended business school. Eventually, she returned to the telephone company and worked in various departments and in supervisory and managerial capacities until her retirement.

Not to be defeated in her goals for furthering her education, she commuted by Greyhound Bus to Portland after work to attend classes at the former Lincoln High School offered by the University of Oregon. Later she also attended classes offered by Oregon State University.

Mabel loved to golf and took lessons. It was on the golf course where she met her husband, Lotus Pennell, an Oregon State electrical engineering graduate who worked with Bonneville Power Administration. Lotie and Mabel moved to Columbia City in the early 1980’s and, as she says, "fell in love with our ‘little city.’ I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else, and have no time to listen to complaints about Columbia City."

In Yellowstone National Park one year, Lotie and Mabel stopped for two bear cubs in the road. Other drivers behind them were getting impatient and, as soon as it was possible, they were ready to continue down the road. As Mabel turned toward her open window, she saw the paws of the Mother Bear resting on the door and let out a scream. It was difficult to tell which one was more frightened … Mabel or the bear!

While golfing in Banff in the Canadian Rockies, a band of elk was spotted on the fairway, "looking like they owned the place," she said. Those coming up behind them were getting impatient again, but Mabel wasn’t about to tee off for fear of hurting one of the elk.

Other travels included Hawaii, Spain, and England where they visited her father’s childhood home and her mother’s little grade school.

Children have always held a special place in Mabel’s heart. She and the children she gave her time, heart, and wisdom to have a legacy of true love and friendship that has maintained throughout her 86 years.

Mabel’s volunteer activities include serving on the now-discontinued Christian Women’s Club Board, driving for Meals-on-Wheels and working at the Senior Center; providing meals and services to those in need; and helping to plan monthly activities for Grace’s Seniors, a group associated with her church, Grace Baptist. She is also a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America.

Mabel and Lotie were also involved with the OSU Beaver Caravan and canvassed businesses for donations for their auction to raise funds for the Beaver Club, now called the Oregon State Athletic Association. They loved going to OSU football games and the Rose Bowl.

"Anything for a good cause," she says. Her charitable endeavors have left their mark on Columbia City, too. We have had good causes to raise funds for, and she has been at the forefront helping out.

Mabel says that her husband, "was truly very special, so kind and thoughtful of her and others, too. He loved children and was very versatile. He could dine with dignitaries or sit on a floor helping refugees solve problems with school, life, and the English language. He had a high degree of patience. He lived the ‘Golden Rule.’"

It sounds like Mabel just described herself, too, without realizing it. I am truly honored to name Mabel S. Pennell as our Grand Marshal for our Columbia City’s 75^th Anniversary Celebration 2001 … Happy Birthday to Mabel and Columbia City!

DID YOU KNOW.....

Rubber bands last longer when refrigerated.

Peanuts are one of the ingredients of dynamite.

There are 293 ways to make change for a dollar.

The average person's left hand does 56% of the typing.

A shark is the only fish that can blink with both eyes.

There are more chickens than people in the world.

Two-thirds of the world's eggplant is grown in New Jersey.

The longest one-syllable word in the English language is
"screeched."

On a Canadian two dollar bill, the flag flying over the Parliament building is an American flag.

All of the clocks in the movie "Pulp Fiction" are stuck on 4:20.

No word in the English language rhymes with month, orange, silver, or purple.

"Dreamt" is the only English word that ends in the letters "mt".

All 50 states are listed across the top of the Lincoln Memorial on the back of the $5 bill.

Almonds are a member of the peach family.

Winston Churchill was born in a ladies' room during a dance.

Maine is the only state whose name is just one syllable.

There are only four words in the English language which end in "dous": tremendous, horrendous, stupendous, and hazardous.

Los Angeles' full name is "El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reina de los Angeles de Porciuncula".

A cat has 32 muscles in each ear.

An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain.

Tigers have striped skin, not just striped fur.

In most advertisements, the time displayed on a watch is 10:10.

Al Capone's business card said he was a used furniture dealer.

The characters Bert and Ernie on Sesame Street were named after Bert the cop and Ernie the taxi driver in Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life."

A dragonfly has a life span of 24 hours.

A goldfish has a memory span of three seconds.

A dime has 118 ridges around the edge.

It's impossible to sneeze with your eyes open.

The giant squid has the largest eyes in the world.

In England, the Speaker of the House is not allowed to speak.

The microwave was invented after a researcher walked by a radar tube and a chocolate bar melted in his pocket.

Mr. Rogers is an ordained minister.

The average person falls asleep in seven minutes.

There are 336 dimples on a regulation golf ball.

"Stewardesses" is the longest word that is typed with only the left hand.

COLUMBIA CITY CELEBRATION

(Registration 9:00-9:45 a.m.)

(Pre-registration encouraged--forms at City Hall)

(Spaces available for $10.00)

Exhibits, Crafts, Food Booths, Game Booths

(Must provide own booths and outdoor cover)

(Spaces with electricity $15.00 on a first-come, first-served basis)

(Open to children of all ages)

CAPLES MUSEUM -- OPEN HOUSE

(No charge, but donations gladly accepted)

SILENT AUCTION (9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.)

Columbia City Grade School Gym

(Location to be determined)

(Spaces available for $10.00)

(Must provide own table)

Columbia City Grade School Gym

Live entertainment, and more!

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