Update on Refuge Trails

August 11, 2020 By Leave a Comment

Kiwa Trail closure August 12th & 13th for a prescribed burn to improve habitat. This closure MAY be extended to the entire Auto Tour. Stay tuned to our website here for updates.

For more information about prescribed burns at Ridgefield NWR check out Refuge 20/20.

The Kiwa trail reopened Saturday August 8th. Besides the 12th & 13th, visitors are asked to use the trail as a one-way counter clockwise loop to minimize the need to pass visitors in narrow areas and allow everyone to recreate safely and comfortably. Be aware that parking is limited on this popular trail so you may need to do a loop around the auto tour to wait for a spot to park. Parking is not allowed along the shoulders of the auto tour.

The Auto Tour Route on the River S Unit is open to vehicle traffic ONLY. No bikes or pedestrian access at this time.

There will be no public access to bathrooms, informational kiosks, and the viewing blind due to the inability to provide the public with regularly disinfected surfaces according to CDC guidelines and/or proper social distancing opportunities in these spaces.

The Refuge is fee free at this time.

Current open  gates times for the Auto Tour Route on the River ‘S’ Unit are: 6 AM – 8:30 PM.

For Walking Trails during this closure, the Carty Unit is open.

Note that gates close automatically. Vehicles must exit the Refuge before the gate closes and there is no entry before or after hours. Please expect increased traffic and long waiting times to navigate around the tour and plan accordingly.

Filed Under: Refuge

Thought for the Week

August 10, 2020 By Leave a Comment

“If I Had my Life to Live Over,

I’d dare to make more mistakes next time. I’d relax, I would limber up. I would be sillier than I have been this trip. I would take fewer things seriously. I would take more chances. I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers. I would eat more ice cream and less beans. I would perhaps have more actual troubles, but I’d have fewer imaginary ones.

You see, I’m one of those people who live sanely hour after hour, day after day. Oh, I’ve had my moments, and if I had to do it over again, I’d have more of them. In fact, I’d try to have nothing else. Just moments, one after another, instead of living so many years ahead of each day. I’ve been one of those persons who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat and a parachute. If I had to do it again, I would travel lighter than I have.

If I had my life to liver over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring, and stay that way later in the fall. I would to go more dances. I would ride more merry-go-rounds. I would pick more daisies.”

– Nadine Stair, 85 years old, Louisville, KY

Today is the first day of the rest of your life!

Filed Under: Thought for the Week

Views of Library

August 7, 2020 By Leave a Comment

The old library room is gutted, (above) and the new building is in the process of being updated. Below is a photo of the circulation desk.

Curbside pickup is now at the new temporary library.

We’re still taking donations! Help fill up the space…

Filed Under: Library

I don’t understand…

August 5, 2020 By Leave a Comment

Could someone explain to me why the side door of the Post Office is locked from the outside, forcing everyone to go through the lobby? That’s where there’s a big chance you’ll see other people and possibly be exposed to COVID-19. If the side door were unlocked a person could access their PO box without even seeing anyone else.

Doesn’t make sense to me – what do you think?

Filed Under: Downtown

Thought for the Week

August 3, 2020 By Leave a Comment

“During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act.”   Author unknown

Filed Under: Thought for the Week

Vote Now!

August 1, 2020 By Leave a Comment

I didn’t realize until I filled out my ballot last night that it should have been mailed yesterday to ensure it was postmarked by Tuesday, August 4. So I’ll take it to one of the drop boxes in Ridgefield today. The closest to me is at the RACC, 510 Pioneer Street. This is a walk-up box only. There’s a second one at the Pioneer Street exit and east of I-5, at the north end of North 1st Circle, in the middle of the cul-de-sac.

Allow enough time to read all the write-ups – there are a lot of candidates.

Filed Under: Misc.

Step Up to Finish Up

July 31, 2020 By Leave a Comment

The Friends’ first “virtual” fundraiser, Step Up to Finish Up!  A Fundraising Walk for the Ridgefield Community Library kicks off on Saturday, August 1 and runs all month long.  It’s easy to participate…all you do is WALK!  Walk in your home, in your neighborhood, around town, or on your favorite trail.  Walk for your health…and walk for your library!  Every “step up” brings us closer to “finishing up” the library!  Registration fees:  $25 individual or $35 family (in the same household).  Individuals and families who register will automatically be entered into a drawing to win a great door prize!  The drawing will take place at noon on September 5 in front of the temporary library at 228 Simons Street, Ridgefield.  You do not need to be present to win.  Keep track of your “walking” time and/or mileage in August, then bring your log sheets to the “temporary” library on Saturday, September 5 between 10 am and noon, and the first 50 people who turn in their log sheets will receive a participation gift!  All proceeds from this event will benefit the Ridgefield Community Library Building Fund.  For more information and to register please visit the following link on Eventbrite:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/step-up-to-finish-up-friends-of-ridgefield-community-library-fundraiser-tickets-109368807046?utm-medium=discovery&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-source=strongmail&utm-term=listing

Please note:  The log sheet mentioned on Eventbrite is not ready yet to be downloaded, and a log sheet will NOT be available for pick-up at the library.  There is another link to this event that is shorter, and works for some people, but not for me, so that’s why I’m giving you the link that works for me.

Feel free to contact Jeanne Androvich, 808-276-7088, if you have any questions.  If you’d rather NOT register online, you may mail a check made payable to Friends of Ridgefield Community Library to Friends of Ridgefield Community Library, Attn:  Jeanne, PO Box 534, Ridgefield, WA 98642.

Please include the following registration information with your check:

Name – Mailing Address (for receipt) – Email Address (for contact purposes) – Individual or Family Registration $ Amount – Donation Only $ Amount (any donation amount will be appreciated).

Filed Under: Library

Bricks at Community Center to be Removed

July 30, 2020 By Leave a Comment

Tevis Laspa has been charged with the task of removing the bricks from the walls of the Community Center.

If anyone has a brick on the walls of the RCC and would like the brick as a keepsake, please contact Tevis by August 5. He makes no guarantees that the bricks will come out in one piece, as some are mortared in place and may not come willingly, but he will do his best.

Filed Under: Library

Library Makes its Move!

July 30, 2020 By Leave a Comment

With construction beginning soon on your BIGGER, BETTER Ridgefield Community Library, we’re moving to a temporary location! Here’s what you need to know:

Last day at the Main Street location: July 30

Temporary location: 228 Simons St, Ridgefield (the former Umpqua Bank Building)

Curbside pickup resumes at new location: August 5

For library services July 31 – August 4, visit https://www.fvrl.org/ or call 360-906-5000.

Filed Under: Library

Thought for the Week

July 27, 2020 By Leave a Comment

You might be from the Northwest if…  (cont’d)

    1. You notice ‘the mountain is out’ when it is a pretty day and you can actually see it.
    2.  Put on your shorts when the temperature gets above 50, but still wear your hiking boots and parka.
    3. Switch to your sandals when it gets about 60, but keep the socks on.
    4. Have actually used your mountain bike on a mountain.
    5. Think people who use umbrellas are either wimps or tourists.
    6. Buy new sunglasses every year, because you can’t find the old ones after such a long time.
    7. You measure distance in hours.
    8. You often switch from ‘heat’ to ‘a/c’ in the same day.
    9. You use a down comforter in the summer.
    10. You carry jumper cables in your car and your wife knows how to use them.
    11. You design your kid’s Halloween costume to fit under a raincoat.
  • You know all the important seasons: Almost Winter, Winter, Still Raining (Spring), Road Construction (Summer) Deer & Elk season (Fall).
  • You understand these jokes and send them to all your friends in the northwest or those who used to live here.

Author unknown – but obviously from the northwest!

Filed Under: Thought for the Week

Protest In Ridgefield

July 26, 2020 By Leave a Comment

A group calling themselves ‘Freedom of Assembly Ridgefield, WA’ held a protest against systemic racism yesterday at Overlook Park. Several people spoke about their experiences and after the rally many marched around downtown Ridgefield chanting “Black Lives Matter.” About 30 people attended and the group handed out a leaflet listing books, movies, and podcasts of interest as well as organizations that address the issue of systemic racism.

As a white woman living in Ridgefield, which is overwhelmingly white,  my question is: What are five concrete things I can do, beside reading a book or watching a movie, to combat racism?

 

Filed Under: Events

Naming Opportunities

July 24, 2020 By Leave a Comment

Now that the contract to build the library has been awarded, it’s time to think about the furnishings for the building.

A Naming Opportunity presents a unique chance for individuals, families and businesses to write a chapter in the history of the Ridgefield Community Library. Through a Naming Opportunity-level gift, you become a part of the library’s legacy for generations to come.

Gift levels range from $100,000 to $100. Email me (kathywinters179@gmail.com) and I’ll send you a complete list.

Filed Under: Library

Lots of Smiles in Ridgefield Today

July 21, 2020 By Leave a Comment

I’m happy to report that the Executive Board of the Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries voted last night to award the contract to construct our new library to Union Corner Construction. This means we can start remodeling the existing building and former Community Center into a bigger, better library.  HURRAH!

It’s been a long hard pull for the Friends of the Library, and thanks are owed to all the members who have worked so hard to raise money for the project.

Seven bids were received and the bid came under estimates, at $2,484,000. Adding in sales tax and a 20% contingency, gives an estimated budget of $3,250,000,leaving about $350,000 for remaining soft costs and FF&E.

Union Corner Construction is a forty year old company that specializes in commercial construction. They built the Cascade Park Library as well as the west room of our Community Center.

The first step will be in moving the contents of the present library into the former bank building across the alley. The plans originally were to use a human chain to pass the books, but with COVID-19 that’s probably not going to happen. I’ll keep you posed….

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Library

Thought for the Week

July 20, 2020 By Leave a Comment

You might be from the Northwest if…

  1. You know how to pronounce Sequim, Puyallup, Issaquah, Oregon, and Willamette.
  2. Consider swimming an indoor sport.
  3. Can tell the difference among Japanese, Chinese and Thai food.
  4. In winter, go to work in the dark and come home in the dark, while only working eight-hour days.
  5. Never go camping without waterproof matches and a poncho.
  6. Are not fazed by “Today’s forecast: showers followed by rain,” and “Tomorrow’s forecast: rain followed by showers”
  7. You cannot wait for a day with “showers and sun breaks.”
  8. How no concept of humidity without precipitation.
  9. Know that Boring is a town in Oregon and not just a state of mind.
  10. Can point to at least two volcanoes, even if you cannot see through the cloud cover.
Filed Under: Thought for the Week

Kits for Kids

July 18, 2020 By Leave a Comment

Kathleen at the Ridgefield Library has been putting together creativity kits for kids. She has three and is working on a fourth.

The paper beads kit is for kids 10 and older and includes paper strips, toothpicks and string.

The mini banjo is for kids seven and older and includes all the items needed to make a mini banjo.

The jack-in-the-box is for children four and older and include a template, stick and glue dots.

You can pick up a kit at the curbside pickup. Phone the number on the post when you get there and someone will bring a kit to you. The hours are 10 – noon and 2 – 5pm Monday through Saturday.

That Kathleen – she’s a wonder!

Filed Under: Library
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