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PrintVision:Toledo Arts, Recreation and Entertainment July meeting July 23 covered over a dozen current and upcoming events in the community, with few vacant chairs.
Riverfest is reinventing itself, to reemerge in 2014 combined with the Steelhead Derby and slated for the last weekend in July. Opportunities to reshape next year's event now open for consideration.
Lewis County Commission approved the Toledo's formal request to join the Timberland Regional Library System, the next step in the process to realize a local branch. Registered voters within city limits can support Caldwell's vision in a special election this November. Join vision:Toledo in a door-to-door and mailing campaign by contacting caldwell@toledotel.com or (360) 864-6757.
Farm to School, promoting healthier local and regional food in school meals, has met with mixed results. Sheila Richardson's survey of nearby school districts involved in the program revealed costs higher than Toledo School District's currently contracted provider, Chartwells. Meetings with Supt. Bowers and Chartwells have been somewhat productive.
Downtown planter boxes maintained by Vision:Toledo volunteers and local businesses are doing "fabulously well," says Di Morgan, despite the two placed in front of Betty's Cafe succumbing to patron parking errors. Sculptures are securely anchored to prevent misappropriation by roving art lovers.
Framing is underway at Valley View Health Clinic's new site on Second Street and Augustus, favored with good weather during construction. Cheese Days Bingo earned V:T :$873.54. Thanks to donations of gift baskets, Lions Club and volunteers. Special thanks to Ronda Chumbley for three hours calling numbers. Pam McEachern voiced appreciation for Gayle Holmes' efforts on the Wine and Cheese Tasting Garden float, and reported netting $1,741.95 for V:T.
This year's Steelhead Derby attracted 57 anglers landing 17 fish. Cowltiz Tribe provided fish grilled for participants, and Riverview Food Mart & Deli donated $325 to V:T with thanks to all volunteers.
Upcoming events include the Annual Bluegrass Festival August 9-11, Music in the Park August 23, Threshing Bee and Gas Show August 24-25, and a Community Yard Sale September 14, Cowlitz Community Pow Wow September 21, ARTrails September 21-22 and 28-29, plus Any Lahmann's production "Out Of Nothing" screening this Fall, time and date TBA. Additionally, Rick and Tonya Lovell have generously donated space for a neighborhood bulletin board where a lattice fence now stands. Suggestions included one-half board space for community postings with adjoining tourist info like the kiosks already around town. Lastly, a spoiler alert: early sightings of a jolly fellow seen downtown last year by a fortunate few around Christmastime have already been reported. Next V:T Arts, Rec and Events meeting August 27, 2013 at Morgan Arts Centre 6:30 p.m. Visit www.morganartscentre.com or call (360) 864-4ART.
