Mark your calendar and join us for the Columbia City Celebration on Saturday, September 10, 2005! A detailed event schedule is enclosed with this newsletter.

We'll start the day with a Strawberry Pancake Breakfast, served in the Knapp Social Center, 1925 First Street. The breakfast will include pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream, ham, scrambled eggs, juice, tea and coffee. Tickets may be purchased at City Hall ahead of time, or at the door. Ticket prices are $5.00 for an adult $3.50 for children 10 and under.

The silent and oral auctions will be held in the Community Hall, 1850 Second Street. The highest silent bidders will be announced following the oral auction.  Auction items include:

• McMenamins Hotel Oregon Aviation Museum Package - $140 value

• Looking Glass Inn, Lincoln City - 2 nights lodging - $178 value

• Ten-yard load of base rock, delivered by Morse Brothers - $175 value

• Shilo Inn - 1 night stay - $80 - $300 value, depending on location

• Gift Box of Oregon Products - $100 value

• Ski Ashland lift tickets - $72 value

• Portland Spirit River Cruise tickets - $64 value

• Mount Hood Railroad Excursion Train tickets - $46 value

• Alterna Hair Products from Salon En Vogue - $43 value, and many, many more!

The City was able to put together five great raffle prizes this year!

1st place: Weber Gas Grill (Value $400)

2nd place: Westover Inns Gift Certificate (Value $300) Good at:

• Schooner's Cove, Cannon Beach

• Surfrider Resort, Depoe Bay

• Pelican Shores Inn, Lincoln City

• Looking Glass Inn, Lincoln City

• Lakeshore Inn, Lake Oswego

3rd place: 17" Flat Panel Color LCD Computer Monitor (Value $250)

4th place: Gift Certificate (Value $75) St. Helens Chamber of Commerce Good at any participating store

5th place: Gift Certificate (Value $25) St. Helens Chamber of Commerce Good at any participating store

The Friends of the Library will hold a book sale in front of City Hall, The Caples House Museum and store will be open, and the historical book, "Columbia City Days," and 2005 Columbia City T-shirts will be on sale. The Friends of the Library will hold their annual meeting at 3:00 p.m. in the Community Hall.

All of the proceeds from the Celebration are used to operate the Columbia City Community Library. We hope to make this the biggest and best Celebration ever!

We will need volunteer help with the breakfast and the oral auction, and the Friends of the Library will need help with their book sale. Please, call City Hall to sign up for the job you want. This is a fun time to volunteer and help the Community Library.

The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, August 9, 2005, at 7:00 p.m. to accept comments about a proposal to annex approximately 11-1/2 acres into the City of Columbia City. The territory proposed for annexation is located on the west side of Highway 30 and to the south of "K" Street, in the Chimes Crest area.

This matter will also go before the City Council for a public hearing on Thursday, August 18, 2005, at 7:30 p.m. Written comments about the proposal will also be accepted.

COUGAR SIGHTED IN COLUMBIA CITY

A mature cougar was recently sited in the 1700 block of Ninth Street. The Oregon State Police ask that you contact them immediately if you spot the cougar - call (503) 397-3131.

Keep your pets indoors. While you may have left your pet in the backyard in the past, you may want to start bringing it indoors with a cougar in the area. Cougars can easily kill the largest dog and leaving your pet out may prompt an attack.

Keep an eye on your children. Don't let your children play unattended in the back yard, especially when cougars are known to be in the area. You also want to keep your children away from dense brush, which the cougar may use for cover.

Be cautious at dusk and dawn. Contrary to popular belief, most predators are most active at dusk and dawn. This is a time to be especially cautious.

Don't leave food or garbage outside. The strong smell of food or garbage may attract a cougar into your yard. Feed your pets indoors and keep your garbage securely stored.

Remember, cougars are very different than bears. Cougars do not bluff charge, and playing dead is never recommended in a cougar attack.

Don't run. Cougars are a powerful predator. Running may trigger an attack.

Face the cougar and retreat slowly. Keep direct eye contact with the cougar while you slowly retreat towards safety.

Look larger than life. Raise your arms above your head to make yourself look larger than normal. This may help to intimidate the cougar. You may also want to throw rocks and yell at it. Aggression will often scare it off.

Pick up your small children. Cougars will often select small prey, such as children or pets. Pick your children up to discourage the attack.

Report the sighting. If you see a cougar in town, please report the sighting immediately by calling the State Police at (503) 397-3131.

We’d like to extend a special thank you to the following:

• Bernie Albertine, Alice Barchus, Marian Calnon, Gloria Chinell, Dolores Heinz, Shelia Jackson, Dorothy Warrington and Phyllis Rowley for helping with an especially large July newsletter and utility billing.

• Theresa Knight for designing another very special Columbia City Celebration T-shirt.

• Columbia River Girl Scouts Troop, #2041, for donating the funds to purchase a new park bench for Jim Bundy Memorial Park.

• Pat and Mary Dugan for donating a park bench to the City.

• Marian Calnon and Stan Hopkins for continuing to weed and mow Jim Bundy Memorial Park.

• Barbara Jones for maintaining the flowerbeds at City Hall.

Interested in library services? Be sure to attend the August 4th City Council meeting at 7:30 p.m. to hear a presentation about the North Coast Library District Project. The district library proposal may be placed on the ballot during the November 2006 election. If you'd like to review a copy of the North Coast Library District Feasibility Study, please stop by City Hall.

Hot weather draws people to the Trestle Beach area, and many of the visitors park along Highway 30. The congested area raises concerns about traffic safety. Representatives from the Oregon Department of Transportation, Oregon State Police, and Columbia City Police will attend the August 4th City Council meeting at 7:30 p.m. to discuss the matter. If you would like to share your ideas about the situation, please attend the meeting.

05/16/05 Motorist assist on Highway 30 near Chimes Crest.

05/19/05 Traffic hazard removed in area of Highway 30 and "L" Street.

05/19/05 Citizen complaint of City ordinance violation. Boat and trailer parked on the street in the 3600 block of Tahoma.

05/20/05 Theft of services reported.

05/20/05 Incomplete 911 call in area of 1700 block of Ninth Street.

05/20/05 Assist St. Helens Police with a suicidal subject with a knife.

05/20/05 Burglary reported in the 200 block of "G" Street. Turned out to be unfounded.

05/21/05 I.D. theft reported from resident in the 2500 block of Seventh Street.

05/21/05 Incomplete 911 call in the 1900 block of The Strand.

05/21/05 Minors with alcohol reported in the 100 block of "K" Street.

05/23/05 City ordinance violation reported in the 700 block of Eighth Street. Motor home parked on the street.

05/23/05 Citizen assist at City Hall.

05/23/05 City ordinance violation reported. Boat on trailer parked on the street in the 3600 block of Pacific Street.

05/23/05 Premise check conducted.

05/26/05 Open door to residence reported in the 2300 block of Sixth Street. Residence secured.

05/26/05 Assist Sheriff’s Office on traffic stop on Highway 30 near "E" Street.

05/27/05 Theft of property in the manufactured home park on Metlako Way.

05/27/05 Hazard removed from Highway 30 near "A" Street.

05/27/05 Assisted motorist after motorist lost a wading pool from vehicle while traveling on Highway 30.

05/28/05 Warrant arrest made in the 2400 block of Fifth Street.

05/28/05 Possible intoxicated driver reported on Highway 30 near Deer Island Store headed toward Columbia City. Unable to locate vehicle.

05/28/05 Assisted Sheriff’s Office with unwanted subject.

05/28/05 Alarm reported at the Mini Mart. Checked okay.

05/31/05 Vehicle impounded and citations issued after driver on traffic stop found to be suspended.

05/31/05 Assisted the fire department on an electrical fire at the Columbia City Grade School.

05/31/05 Citizen assist near Highway 30 and "E" Street.

05/31/05 Suspicious person checked.

05/31/05 Assisted motorist who was out of gas.

06/01/05 Vehicle blocking the road in area of Second and "L" Streets. Vehicle was removed.

06/02/05 Three premise checks completed.

06/03/05 Animal abuse reported.

06/03/05 Citizen assist. Hypodermic needle recovered in the 400 block of "A" Street.

06/03/05 Welfare check of six-year old girl walking on Highway 30.

06/03/05 Noise complaint received in the 500 block of Pacific Street.

06/03/05 Intoxicated driver reported on Highway 30.

06/04/05 Loose dog reported. Owner was located.

06/04/05 Traffic accident reported on Highway 30 near "L" Street.

06/04/05 Suspicious person contacted near Fifth and Pacific Streets. Person was intoxicated and taken into custody for detoxification.

06/07/05 Motorist assisted with directions to another location.

06/07/05 Assisted St. Helens Police. Located a subject wanted by St. Helens Police and detained for SHPD officers.

06/07/05 Suspicious circumstances reported.

06/07/05 Ordinance violation reported in 1500 block of Third Street.

06/07/05 Loud music reported.

06/08/05 Vehicle reportedly blocking the street in the 2700 block of Sixth Street. Vehicle removed by owner.

06/08/05 City ordinance violation reported in the 1600 block of Third Street.

06/08/05 Animal complaint. Aggressive pit bull reported in 2000 block of Fifth Street.

06/09/05 Assist State Police on traffic stop on Highway 30 near "A" Street.

06/09/05 Removed traffic hazard on Highway 30 near Pacific Street.

06/10/05 Traffic stop resulted in several citations being issued including possession of less than an ounce of marijuana and minor in possession of alcohol.

06/11/05 Animal complaint in the 2000 block of Fifth Street.

06/11/05 Motorist assist near Highway 30 and "E" Street.

06/13/05 Noise complaint reported in the area of "C" and Sixth Streets. Loud party

A person under four years of age and 40 pounds or less must be properly secured with a child safety system.

A person who is at least four years of age and under six years of age or weighs between 40 and 60 pounds must be properly secured with a child safety system that elevates the person so that a safety belt or safety harness properly fits the person. "Proper fit" means the lap belt of the safety belt or safety harness is positioned low across the thighs and the shoulder belt is positioned low over the collarbone and away from the neck. When the rear seat of a vehicle is not equipped with a shoulder belt, the requirement to use a booster seat does not apply provided the person is secured by a lap belt.

A person who is at least six years of age and weighs 60 pounds or more must be properly secured with a safety belt or safety harness.

This offense is a Class D traffic violation resulting in a $94.00 fine.

Pick up truck restrictions prohibit children under 18 years of age from riding in the open bed of a pick up truck. This offense is a Class B traffic violation resulting in a $237.00 fine.

Teresa Knight has produced another great T-shirt graphic for this year’s Celebration! This year's design boasts a Chinook salmon. Stop by City Hall to purchase your T-shirts today, or purchase your shirt during the Celebration.

Available T-shirt colors:

khaki, green, salmon, and blue

Sizes and prices:

Small - X-Large $10.00

XX-Large $12.50

XXX-Large $13.50

Great summer reading is available at your Community Library! Check out books like Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling and The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kid.

August Hours:

Mondays, August 8th & 15th 10am-2pm

Monday, August 29th 4pm-8pm

Wednesdays, August 10th, 17th & 31st 4pm-8pm

Closed: August 1st, 3rd, 22nd & 24th

Automatic bill payment pays your water and sewer utility bill through an automatic deduction from your bank account. You'll still receive your monthly utility bill showing your water usage and other charges, and the amount due will be deducted from your checking or savings account on the bill's due date (on or after the 10th of the month). Automatic bill payment is easy to set up, and even if you're on vacation or ill, you'll never have to worry about paying your bill again.

To sign up for automatic bill payment, please complete provide a voided check and complete an authorization form at City Hall. When the system is operating, you will still receive a bill and newsletter, but there will be a message: "Auto Pay. Do Not Pay."

August 4th - 7:30 PM Regular City Council Meeting at City Hall

August 9th - 7:00 PM Planning Commission Meeting at City Hall

August 11th - 7:30 PM Municipal Court at City Hall

August 15th - 7:00 PM Friends of the Library Meeting at the Library

August 18th - 7:30 PM Regular City Council Meeting at City Hall

August 25th - 7:30 PM Municipal Court at City Hall

Breakfast includes pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream, ham, scrambled eggs, coffee, tea and juice. Tickets may be purchased at City Hall or at the door. Adults are $5.00 and children 10 and under are $3.50. Breakfast will be served in the Knapp Social Center, 1925 First Street.

The Book Sale will be held in the Community Hall, 1850 Second Street.

The Silent Auction will be held in the Community Hall, 1850 Second Street.

The public auction will be held in the Community Hall, 1850 Second Street. Auction items will include a wide variety of gift certificates, admission and lift tickets, and other items.

Tickets are $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00.

1st place: WEBER GAS GRILL value $400

2nd place: WESTOVER INNS GIFT CERTIFICATE value $300

Good for use at: 

• Schooner's Cove, Cannon Beach

• Surfrider Resort, Depoe Bay

• Pelican Shores Inn, Lincoln City

• Looking Glass Inn, Lincoln City

• Lakeshore Inn, Lake Oswego

3rd place: 17" FLAT PANEL COLOR LCD COMPUTER MONITOR value $250

The Friends invite you to attend their annual meeting in the Community Hall, 1850 Second Street.

Dr. Charles Green Caples built his home in 1870, overlooking the broad Columbia River with a view of Mt. St. Helens. The family lived here until 1959. Located at 1915 First Street.