Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 3, 2017)
REGION Thursday, August 3, 2017 East Oregonian Page 3A HERMISTON Student homebuilding program gets national attention By JAYATI RAMAKRISHNAN East Oregonian For three years, Hermiston School District has been offering students a hands-on opportunity to learn how to build a home. This week, they caught the attention of the National Association of Home- builders. The association sent a representa- tive from Washington, D.C., to look at the district’s newest student-built home and talk with contractors and district members about the program. The home, at Southwest Angus Court, is the third in the Fieldstone Crossing neighborhood, where all the homes so far have been built in part by high school students from Hermiston, Umatilla and Stanfield. “Nationally, we did a survey, and labor and workforce are the biggest issues for employers,” said Alicia George, the NAHB representative who came to visit the home on Tuesday, and spoke to a group of district employees, school board members and builders. “It’s great to see you guys finding a solution.” George said there were several programs around the United States that allow students to work in construction and learn skills that could translate into a job. But she said she was impressed Staff photo by Jayati Ramakrishnan Alicia George from the National Association of Homebuilders looks on as Curt Berger, director of the Columbia Basin Student Homebuilders program, describes the work students did on one of the homes in the Fieldstone Crossing neighborhood. with the community involvement from Hermiston. “The fact that the school board is here, the homebuyers — there’s a lot more investment from the community,” she said. George also said the home was unusually high-end for a project that students worked on. The new owners of the home, Brittany and Taylor Smith, were also at the home as George walked through, and were excited to move in come September. They said they were drawn to the home by the size and the quality, as well as the location. Brittany, a teacher at Sunset Elementary, said the student-built aspect also appealed to her. “In a way it’s giving back to the community,” she said. “We like to see students doing something that has the opportunity to benefit them PENDLETON BRIEFLY Teen music camp gets ready to rock Space still available for Aug. 14-18 camp By TAMMY MALGESINI East Oregonian From humble beginnings, expanding on a Garage Bands 101 class at Pendleton Center for the Arts, the Rock & Roll Camp is tuning up for its 12th year. In addition to focusing on playing musical instru- ments, the camp highlights everything from writing music and promoting bands to rock journalism and creating merch, said Bonnie Day, outreach and education coordinator at the arts center. There is no charge for partic- ipants. The camp runs Monday, Aug. 14 through Friday, Aug. 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. In addition to the arts center, space is utilized at the First Christian Church and a rehearsal/recording studio at the Jazz Club building, Day said. The camp crescendos with an outdoor concert Friday, Aug. 18 at 7 p.m. in the 400 block of Main Street, Pendleton. Nearly two dozen musi- cians from throughout the Pacific Northwest serve as EO file photo Kylee Peck of Pendleton plays violin with the band Roanoke on their song “Without You” during the final concert of the 2016 Rock & Roll Camp in Pendleton. This year’s camp starts August 14 and still has open- ings for participants. counselors for the program. In addition, arts center staff and a handful of other volun- teers are key in making the camp a success, said Peter Walters, founding director. Walters, who says the title is somewhat fancy, sees himself as a sort of head cheerleader for the event. However, after 12 years of coordinating the annual camp, Walters is passing the baton to Addison Schulberg next year. Schulberg, who performs with the local band Misty Mouth, has come up through the ranks with the camp. As a teen, Schulberg attended each year, and then later was invited back to serve as an intern, a counselor and now as a co-coordinator this year with Walters. Day and Walters said the camp offers a place for young musicians to try things out and to receive encouragement. The team of counselors, arts center staff and volunteers jell in making it a positive experience for the youths, Walters said. “They make everyone feel welcome and feel like they can express themselves and have fun without being judged,” he said. “We’ve managed to connect with something that kids care about.” In addition to having fun, Walters said the musician counselors also gain profes- sionally from the experience. “They also learn from the campers,” he said. “It’s a place where you can experiment with style and experiment with tools and resources.” The counselors, Walters said, look forward to partici- pating in the camp each year. They let their bandmates know in advance that they won’t be available for touring during the week of the camp. While there are many highlights during the week- long event, Walters said it’s easy to point to the camp’s concert finale as a key part of the program. For more information or a registration form, contact 541-278-9201, info@ pendletonarts.org, stop by the arts center or visit www. pendletonarts.org. ——— Contact Community Editor Tammy Malgesini at tmalgesini@eastoregonian. com or 541-564-4539 COMING EVENTS THURSDAY, AUGUST 3 ADULT OPEN GYM, 6 a.m., Pendleton Recreation Center, 510 S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton. Half- court basketball. Adults only. PRESCHOOL STORY AND CRAFT TIME, 10:30 a.m., MIl- ton-Freewater Public Library, 8 S.W. Eighth Ave., Milton-Freewa- ter. (Lili Schmidt 541-938-8247) BOARDMAN SENIOR MEAL SERVICE, 12 p.m., Boardman Senior Center, 100 Tatone St., Boardman. Cost is $4 for seniors 55 and over or $5 for adults. (541- 481-3257) PENDLETON SENIOR MEAL SERVICE, 12 p.m., Pendleton Senior Center, 510 S.W. 10th St., Pendleton. Costs $3.50 or $6 for those under 60. Pool, puz- zles, crafts, snacks, Second Time Around thrift store 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For Meals On Wheels, call 541- 276-1926. (541-276-7101) HERMISTON SENIOR MEAL SERVICE, 12 p.m., Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church par- ish hall, 565 W. Hermiston Ave., Hermiston. Cost is $4 for adults, free for children 10 and under, $4 for Meals on Wheels. Extra 50 cents for utensils/dishes. Bus service to parish hall by donation. (541-567-3582) SENSORY STORY TIME, 12:30 p.m., Boardman Public Li- brary, 200 S. Main St., Boardman. For children from birth to age 4. (541-481-2665) SKILLS FOR LIFE, 3-5 p.m., Pendleton Recreation Center, 510 S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton. Gym activities and life skills for middle and high school students. Registration requested. (Danny Bane 541-379-4250) KARATE OPEN GYM, 5-6 p.m., Pendleton Recreation Cen- ter gym, 510 S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton. Lars Hansen will lead this all-ages class. Wear comfort- able clothes. No experience nec- essary. (Casey Brown 541-276- 8100) THURSDAYS ROCK: FARM TO TABLE, 5-8 p.m., Arts Por- tal Gallery, 508 N. Main St., Mil- ton-Freewater. (Laura Rose 541- 938-5516) YARN CLUB, 5:30 p.m., Hermiston Public Library, 235 E. Gladys Ave., Hermiston. (541- 567-2882) ARTISTS’ RECEPTION: SMALL WORKS 2017, 5:30-7 p.m., Pendleton Center for the Arts, 214 N. Main St., Pendleton. The work of 17 local artists, each measuring no more than 14 inch- es in any direction, will be on dis- play though Aug. 26. Some piec- es will be available for purchase. Jessica Lavadour’s new epoxy resin works also will be on dis- play in the Lorenzen Board Room Gallery. Free; beer and wine will be available for purchase by do- nation. (Roberta Lavadour 541- 278-9201) UMATILLA COUNTY CHIL- DREN AND FAMILY GRIEF RE- COVERY CENTER ORGANIZA- TIONAL MEETING, 6 p.m., New Hope Community Church, 1350 S. Highway 395, Hermiston. Meet- and-greet at 5:45 p.m. followed by meeting at 6 p.m. All those interested in volunteering are en- couraged to attend. (Matt Terjeson 503-720-1620) THE ARC UMATILLA COUN- TY BINGO, 6-10 p.m., The Arc Building, 215 W. Orchard Ave., Hermiston. Doors open at 6 p.m., seats may be held until 6:30 p.m., then all seats first come, first served; games begin at 7 p.m. Proceeds benefit Umatilla County citizens with developmental dis- abilities. 18 years or older, must have proof of age and photo I.D. Basic pot $20, prizes range from $20-$750. (541-567-7615) in the long run.” The money from the purchase of each home goes toward the construction of the next. The district has enough land to build a total of 22 homes in the neighborhood. Taylor said they had to wait for the students to come back to school so they could add some final touches before the couple moves in. Bob Barton, the president of the Northeast Oregon Homebuilders Association, said the program caught the attention of the national organization because of the success of the students. “These kids are going right into the trade,” he said. The program has led several students to pursue careers in construction. George said it’s important to get students interested in those careers. “Our association is still recov- ering from the economic downturn. It’s on the upswing, but building is coming to a halt from a lack of workforce,” she said. “You could need a painter and they’re just not there.” But she said the goal of her orga- nization is to assess what’s working at the national and local level, and share strategies between the two. “(The) main push is to revive the industry,” she said. FIDDLERS NIGHT, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Brookdale Assisted Living, 980 W. Highland Ave., Hermiston. Enjoy light refreshments, listen to some favorite oldies or join in the jam session. All ages welcome. (541-567-3141) FRIDAY, AUGUST 4 ADULT OPEN GYM, 6 a.m., Pendleton Recreation Center, 510 S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton. Half- court basketball. Adults only. HEPPNER FARMERS MAR- KET, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Heppner City Park, 444 N. Main St., Heppner. Local produce, crafts, baked goods and more. (Don or Jo Ann Shannon 541-676-8957) FREE FIRST FRIDAY, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Tamastslikt Cultural Institute, 47106 Wildhorse Blvd., Pendleton. Free admission all day. (541-966-9748) STORY TIME, 10:15 a.m., Hermiston Public Library, 235 E. Gladys Ave., Hermiston. (541- 567-2882) PENDLETON SENIOR MEAL SERVICE, 12 p.m., Pendleton Senior Center, 510 SW 10th St., Pendleton. Costs $3.50 or $6 for those under 60. Pool, puzzles, crafts, snacks, Second Time Around thrift store 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For Meals On Wheels, call 541- 276-1926. (541-276-7101) PENDLETON SENIOR MEAL SERVICE, 12 p.m., Pendleton Senior Center, 510 S.W. 10th St., Pendleton. Costs $3.50 or $6 for those under 60. Pool, puz- zles, crafts, snacks, Second Time Around thrift store 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For Meals On Wheels, call 541- 276-1926. (541-276-7101) SUMMER STRINGS MU- SIC CAMP CONCERTS, 3:15 p.m. and 5 p.m., Peace Lutheran Church, 210 N.W. Ninth St., Pend- leton. Camp participants will per- form. 3:15 p.m. performance fea- tures intermediate ensembles; 5 p.m. performance includes Suzuki class, advanced level ensembles and advanced, intermediate and beginner level orchestras. Free. (JD Kindle 541-276-0320) County backs tax break boost business PENDLETON — The Umatilla County Board of Commissioners gave their support to a business seeking a state incentive to expand. Columbia River Logistics Service Corporation, 30900 Launch Lane, Umatilla, qualified for the Oregon Investment Advantage program, which could eliminate the company’s income tax liability for several years. To qualify, Columbia River Logistics must create at least five full-time, year- round jobs and its facility operations must be the first of their kind in Oregon for the company. Business Oregon, the state’s economic development agency, operates the incentive program and requests local government indicate their support or opposition to the application. Business Oregon asked the county, the city and the Port of Umatilla to weigh in. Larry Givens, chairman of the county commissioners, responded with a letter to Business Oregon stating the county supports the business expansion. Commissioners on Wednesday morning in Pendleton formalized the support with a 3-0 vote in favor. Commissioners also approved a $10,000 grant to the Pendleton Downtown Association for that organization’s fencing project. This is the second and final donation of $10,000 from the county to help the association with the project. Two new officers join local departments SALEM — Two local police departments are about to get officers fresh from the Oregon Public Safety Academy. Deputy Lance Bose of the Morrow County Sheriff’s Office and officer Brent Holden of the Umatilla Police Department are graduating Friday, Aug. 11, from the basic police class. They join 35 others new officers for the graduation ceremony at the academy in Salem that caps 16 weeks of education and training. Members of the academy’s 369th graduating class covered dozens of subjects, from survival skills to emergency vehicle operations to ethics and drug recognition, according to a written statement from the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training. You Never Know What You’ll Find At A Collectors West Gun & Knife Show! August 5 th & 6 th Pendleton Convention Center 7t4BUBQ4VOBQt*OGPDPMMFDUPSTXFTUDPN
