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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (June 19, 2019)
COMMUNITY MyEagleNews.com Wednesday, June 19, 2019 A3 City hosts regional economic symposium Contributed photo/Teresa Aasness Children received a free helmet and fitting from Debi Hueckman at the Grant County Safe Communities Coalition’s booth. Families First hosts another successful Family Fun Day 12th annual event draws a crowd to John Day city park for older ones. “It’s always fun to see kids and show them how to wear their helmet and explain why it’s so import- ant,” Hueckman said. “Knees and elbows heal, but brains don’t always. Protecting your brain is why we wear helmets.” Among the other booths were the Chester’s Thriftway ring toss, the Grant County Childcare Resource & Referral ball and basket toss and Straw- berry Wilderness Commu- nity Clinic was passing out sunscreen sample packets. Patti Wright at the Fron- tier Early Learning Hub booth was giving par- ent surveys to determine what the parent educa- tion needs are in the area, and those filling out a sur- vey received a free book. The Grant-Harney county organization received an Oregon parent education grant, Aasness said. Visitors could fill up on an inexpensive lunch, and when the day was over, 240 hamburgers were sold, as well as 152 hot dogs and 200 snow cones, each sell- ing for just $1. Families also enjoyed a free swim at Gleason Pool during the event. Aasness said Families First does all the planning for the big event, including finding sponsorships and organizing volunteers. “I think it’s amazing,” she said. By Angel Carpenter Blue Mountain Eagle Children came in droves to Saturday’s 12th annual Family Fun Day at the John Day city park, along with parents and other family members and friends. Young and old enjoyed the day set aside to cel- ebrate families, visiting 16 booths, including the ever-popular inflatables with 171 kids registered for them. The Ninja Warrior Race inflatable obstacle course made a return for a sec- ond year, and the inflatable bouncy house and slides were also a hit. Families First Parent Resource Center Executive Director Teresa Aasness said she enjoyed watching kids and adults take on the Ninja Warrior Race. She said it was the younger children who seemed to have a better handle on it. “It’s popular with kids of all ages,” she said. Debi Hueckman of Grant County Safe Com- munities Coalition was manning a booth this year, handing out brand new helmets in a free exchange By Richard Hanners Blue Mountain Eagle About 45 government officials and professionals attended the Regional Eco- nomic Diversification Sum- mit hosted by the city of John Day on June 10-11. The purpose of the REDS event was to show federal funding agencies and per- mitting agencies the strate- gic investments the city has been making in housing, broadband, riverfront rec- reation areas and economic development, City Manager Nick Green said. “The event introduced elements of our compre- hensive economic develop- ment strategy, which builds on the city’s 2017 Strategy for Growth by identifying opportunities for economic expansion and population growth,” Green told the Eagle. Representatives from the Economic Develop- ment Administration, USDA Rural Development, Federal Emergency Administration, Federal Highway Adminis- tration, Forest Service and Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco were invited to the summit. State agencies invited to attend included the depart- ments of Land Conservation and Development, Environ- mental Quality, Fish and Wildlife, Transportation and Parks and Recreation. Representatives from the offices of Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and Rep. Greg Walden, the state offices of Business Oregon and Regional Solutions, and the Oregon Trail Electri- cal Cooperative were also invited. “Gov. Kate Brown called in and gave the concluding remarks, thanking the par- ticipants and re-emphasizing Contributed photo John Day agricultural project leader Matt Manitsas, checkered shirt, leads a tour of John Day’s new commercial greenhouses during the Regional Economic Diversification Summit in John Day on June 11. Contributed photo Forty-five government officials and professionals attended the Regional Economic Diversification Summit in John Day on June 11. the state’s ongoing support for the work we’re doing,” Green said. Consultants for the city included the Walker Macy landscape architecture firm, which provided an over- view of the city’s area plan concept. EcoNorthwest pre- sented the economic context for our economic develop- ment strategy and the focus areas, Green said. City staff took partici- pants on a tour of the Inno- vation Gateway project at the former Oregon Pine mill site, the city’s commercial greenhouses and the pro- posed integrated park sys- tem of riverfront trails, beaches and parks. During a stop at the Kam Wah Chung State Heritage Site, state park manager Dennis Brad- ley provided a brief history of the site, Green said. “Participants then had the opportunity to work in teams to identify funding opportunities and discuss ways the city could pursue various aspects of our strat- egy,” Green said. Rhys Roth, from the Center for Sustainable Infrastructure in Olym- pia, Washington, facili- tated a discussion of financ- ing opportunities for the city’s proposed wastewater treatment plant and hydro- ponic greenhouses, the John Day River riparian corri- dor and outdoor recreation, as well as streets, business development and academic opportunities. The city hopes to use the greenhouses to incubate a local food production indus- try by establishing a partner- ship with regional growers, food outlets and distribu- tors and creating a “focused learning center,” according to the city’s presentation. The city also hopes to “amplify the brand of John Day to attract more visitors and residents,” seek partner- ships to enhance and sup- port existing businesses and attract new entrepreneurs to John Day, according to the city’s presentation. “It was an incredible event, to see so many dif- ferent agencies and indi- viduals coming together to find ways to help us suc- ceed,” Green said. “To have a group of this caliber work- ing together for one city is truly remarkable. It felt great to see their support, and I think it will generate some good opportunities for the city in the future.” Youth Arts Program now led by Juniper Arts Council this year. Opportunities for the fall term will be announced as soon as they are available.” Goodwin described the position at Slater as a “dream job,” and said the staff there have been welcoming. “The hard part is leav- ing YAP,” she said. “Some By Angel Carpenter Blue Mountain Eagle The Grant County Youth Arts Program, which started in 2014, will undergo a change this year. The program, founded by Rebecca Bogardus and Janine Goodwin, has pro- vided opportunities for youth ages 4-18 to learn fine art, drama and music through a summer pro- gram called “Summer at the YAP.” Youths and adults also practiced in music groups and presented winter and spring concerts to showcase their talents, and a pilot pro- gram offering music lessons for Dayville School stu- dents started in the spring of 2018. Bogardus moved out of state last year, and Goodwin announced at the group’s May 10 “Music of the Western Hemisphere” con- cert that she has accepted a position as music teacher at Slater Elementary School in Burns and will step down as YAP director. The Youth Arts Program has received support from the local Juniper Arts Coun- cil since 2015 and will now be led by the council. “Currently, the Juni- per Arts Council is work- ing to keep the YAP a vital 1809 First Street • Baker City • (541)523-5439 BARGAIN MATINEE IN ( ) Adults $7 ALL FILMS $6 ON TIGHTWAD TUESDAY MOVIE SCHEDULE JUNE 21-27 TOY STORY 4 (G) When a new toy called “Forky” joins Woody and the gang, a road trip alongside old and new friends reveals how big the world can be for a toy. FRI- THURS (4:20) 7:20 9:40 ROCKETMAN (R ) A musical fantasy about the fantastical human story of Elton John’s breakthrough years. FRI- THURS (4:00) 7:00 9:35 MEN IN BLACK: INTERNATIONAL (PG-13 ) FRI- THURS (4:10) 7:10 9:45 $9 Adult, $7 Senior (60+), Youth 126139 In this new adventure, the Men in Black tackle their biggest threat to date: a mole in the organization. The Eagle/Angel Carpenter Youth guitarists play a selection at the May 10 concert. The group of eight guitarists were led by Levana James. part of arts education and performance opportunities in Grant County,” coun- cil president Kris Beal said. “The JAC has can- celled Summer at the YAP 124275 50 Years of Crazy Love! Rob and Charlotte McCumber This should be celebrated, and it will be. June 29th, at 3PM at the Canyon City Community Hall, in Canyon City, Oregon. There will be a potluck. Smoked turkey, ham and cake will be provided. Please bring your favorite side dish. of the students have been with us since the beginning in 2014.” She said she’ll miss all the youth and adults involved with the program. “It’s been an honor to be part of their growth as musicians and a joy to watch them learn,” she said, adding several teachers and advisers have been espe- cially helpful. “I’m especially proud of our string orchestra, the first I know of in Grant County,” she said. Goodwin said in what- ever way YAP continues or transforms, “it will continue to get better.”
