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Polk County News 2A Polk County Itemizer-Observer • October 28, 2015 Remember loved ones long gone NEWS IN BRIEF Law enforcement takes part in sweep By Emily Mentzer Honor loved ones The Itemizer-Observer INDEPENDENCE — The Day of the Dead, Dia de los Muertos, is not the same thing as Halloween, even though the dates are very close. In fact, Halloween, or All Hollow’s Eve, is the night be- fore Day of the Dead, which is on Sunday. This year, the community is invited to participate in the festivities on Sunday and Monday at the Independ- ence Civic Center, 555 S. Main St. The events are similar in that images of death abound, but Dia de los Muertos is about honoring loved ones who have died rather than scaring off evil spirits. “It’s also known as All Soul’s Day, when we can commemorate our loved ones, remembering all the good they did, and the good examples they were to us,” POLK COUNTY — Polk County law enforcement agencies took part in the 13th National Family Violence Apprehension detail on Oct. 21. The sweep focused on locating people who have outstand- ing warrants for domestic violence related crimes. October is Domestic Violence Awareness month. The Polk County Sherif’s Oice, assisted by Dallas, Inde- pendence and Monmouth police departments and the Oregon State Police, arrested seven people. What: Dia de los Muertos, Day of the Dead, or All Soul’s Day. When: Sunday, 12:30 to 4 p.m. and Monday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Where: Independence Civic Center, 555 S. Main St. Admission: Free. Of note: Community members may set up a display hon- oring their loved ones from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Sunday’s events will include displays, art work, face painting and refreshments. Monday, the center will be open for peo- ple to view displays. For more information: Juan Navarro, 503-838-1212. iCLIPART/for the Itemizer-Observer People paint their faces on Day of the Dead. said Elena Pena, co-organiz- er of the event. “In turn, we want to change what we can do for our own good.” The day has a long histo- ry, and is connected to the Catholic Church, but all are welcome to put up a display honoring a loved one, enjoy each other’s company and the festivities. “It’s kind of like when someone in the community dies and people come to- gether and bring teddy bears,” Pena said. “It’s what- ever comes from the heart, be it flowers or whatever they’re willing to do.” Juan Navarro, Independ- ence community liaison and co-organizer of the Dia de los Muertos event, said fam- ilies often cook a departed’s favorite food, tell stories about them and generally honor and remember them. “The spirit feeds them- Nominate for 2016 ‘Military Child’ selves with the aroma of the food,” Navarro explained. “The next day, they go and eat those foods to honor (those who have died).” In his house, his grand- mother recently died. “She loved tamales,” Navarro said. “So I would cook tamales.” The family would put up some candles and pictures of her, tell stories of her and stay up all night with the dis- play. The next day, his family would feast on those tamales in honor of his grandmother. POLK COUNTY — Operation Homefront is asking for nomi- nations for the 2016 Military Child of the Year, a national award. This award is presented to an outstanding child from each branch of service: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and the National Guard. The recipients each receive $10,000 and a laptop, and are lown with a parent or guardian to Washington, D.C., for a special gala on April 16. Anyone can nominate a child. Nominations are due Dec. 11. For more information on how to nominate a child or to see photos from past events, go to MilitaryChildOfTheYear.org. Christmas Cheer looking for families DALLAS — Dallas Christmas Cheer is gearing up for the hol- iday season and looking for families in need and donations. Christmas Cheer is a local nonproit providing a holiday food box to families in need during the holidays. Boxes are delivered on Christmas Eve. To sign up, contact your school counselor or pick up an ap- plication at the Polk County Resource Center, Academy Build- ing, 182 SW Academy St., Suite 220, Dallas. To help the program, go to www.dallascc.org to ind oppor- tunities to donate or volunteer. New economic development strategy more focused DALLAS — After the city of Dallas redefined its goals with its Dallas 2030 vision in By Jolene Guzman The Itemizer-Observer NAME THAT ROOSTER! As previously published in the Itemizer-Observer, our unnamed but popular downtown rooster needed a name, so we appealed to our customers for suggestions. Below are the final choices. Choose your favorite name! 2014, the city and Economic Development Commission reviewed its economic de- velopment strategy. What it found didn’t ex- actly align with the city’s new objectives. “It would periodically get updated and things seemed to get added, but things never seem to be taken off of it,” said Jason Locke, Dallas’ commu- nity development director. The strategy had become unwieldly, unfocused and some objectives didn’t des- ignate a responsible party to make sure it was completed. “There were no real de- fined roles, and therefore, ❏ Brewster ❏ Chester ❏ Rusty Submit vote by Nov. 10th Drop ballet off at SomeThings or email vote to Somethings@Qwestoffice.net ■ Old New In Between ■ ■ ■ 857 Main St, Dallas Tues - Sat 10:30 - 5:30 Sun 12 - 4 • Mon Closed Downtown Merchant TURKEY GIVEAWAY 31 Tu rkeys! RECYCLE A little effort. A big difference. not necessarily a whole lot of accountability,” Locke said. “Stuff just wouldn’t get done because the various parties didn’t think it was their responsibility.” The commission scrapped the old plan On Oct. 19, the Dallas City Council approved a new nine-point strategy, along with $12,000 to distribute the city’s new branding and marketing materials. The strategies cover ex- pected items, such as down- town revitalization, provid- ing a guide for opening busi- nesses; ensuring that com- mercial and industrial prop- erties are available; focusing on tourism; and making sure the city’s infrastructure and utilities are available and in good condition. Others were more specif- ic. The city’s third strategy is to attract craft brewing and wine industry businesses. “And a tourism strategy cannot be underestimated because a lot of people who open businesses or bring companies to a town come to that town first as tourists,” Locke said. Dallas would like to im- prove its first impression by launching a new, more user-friendly website and distributing its newly creat- ed marketing materials en- titled “Take a Closer Look.” Locke said possibly the most important strategy is “workforce development,” or ensuring businesses have an adequately educated and trained pool of workers in the area. The chamber of commerce will be in charge of leading that, working with the Dallas School District and Chemeketa Community College. “You can’t make products or serve customers if you don’t have a trained work- force or at least a workforce that has basic knowledge of how to be a worker,” Locke said. Unlike the previous plan, each strategy has an as- signed party to oversee it and more partners wil emerge. “They will be identified as we go through the process of getting the tactics and im- plementation measures to- gether,” Locke said. Mid-Valley Christian Academy Navigators Faith, Integrity, Leadership Enter the Drawings for your chance to win one of 31 Turkeys! Look for Posters & Drawing Boxes starting Nov. 2nd! Drawing at each store listed below: A-Team Locksmith 689 Main St. Brixius Jewelers 837 Main St. Capitol Auto West Valley Chevrolet 812 SE Jefferson Country Insurance 141 SW Court St. Courtyard Coffee House 156 SE Mill St. Court Street Hair 155 SW Court St. Dallas Alteration Center 131 SW Mill St. Dallas City Cleaners 144 SW Washington St. Dallas City Vapors 143 SW Court St. Dallas Yoga & Balance Studio 115 SE Court St. Domino's Pizza 772 Main St. First American Title Co. of Oregon 807 Main St. Four Season's Styling Center 861 Main St. Grandma's Attic Sewing Emporium 167 SW Court St. Harvest CrossFit 172 SW Court St. Heartstrings Florist & Artisans 137 SW Court St. Home Comfort 1827 S. 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