I wanted to share some great news with the residents of Ridgefield.

Ridgefield Living magazine is returning to your mailboxes beginning in February. We have been on forced hiatus since June due to some problems the State of Washington had when we announced we were expanding our free circulation from 1,50 homes to 4,300 homes.

There were legal problems, all of which I am not privy to, that were settled by our corporate headquarters in N. Carolina and now we can bring Ridgefield’s favorite magazine back to you all.

Several changes: First I will no longer be the Editor, that role will be aptly fulfilled by Cindy Lebeau, with whom I will be working as Content Editor. Since I’ve lived here for a dozen years we want to keep my knowledge of the community front and center to better serve our readers. Cindy will be handling the administrative details, advertising, as well as contributing to the editorial content decisions.

The second change: The magazine will now be called RIDGEFIELD LIFE. But will have the same type of stories about residents, their children, businesses, pets, gardens, hobbies, and leisure and community support activities. And, as before, we will continue to seek suggestions as to stories our readers are looking for.

You can send ideas and suggestions to me at rick.browne@n2pub.com or to Cindy at cindy.lebeau@n2pub.com.

We’re delighted to bring your magazine back and hope that not only enjoy what we produce but want to take an active hand in contributing ideas, family photos, and your enthusiasm.

Merry Christmas and see you in the New Year

Rick Browne

Ridgefield Life

Content Editor

Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365-page book. Write a good one.

Brad Paisley

We’re all in the holiday spirit!

I’ve posed this before on Thanksgiving, but I think it bears repeating. Author is unknown.

I am Thankful for

The mess after a party?

Because it means I have been surrounded by friends.

The taxes I pay?

Because it means I am employed.

The clothes that fit a little too snugly?

Because it means I have enough to eat.

My shadow that watches me work?

Because it means I am in the sunshine.

The lawn that needs to be mowed?

Because it means that I have a home.

The spot at the far end of the parking lot?

Because it means that I can walk.

The complaining I hear about the government?

Because it means we have freedom of speech.

The lady in church who sings off key?

Because it means that I can hear.

The exhaustion I feel at the end of the day?

Because it means I have been productive.

The huge heating bill?

Because it means that I am warm.

And I am thankful for friends like you!

Happy Thanksgiving

Author – Anonymous

Congratulations to Frank Shuman, whose winning ticket was drawn Saturday in the raffle sponsored by the Ridgefield Community Gleaners Association. Frank won the lovely original watercolor painting generously donated by Patricia Thompson and painted by Kathy Winters. All proceeds from the raffle will be used to purchase fresh produce for the Ridgefield Family Resource Center during winter months when gleaning is over for the season.

Thanks to Tony Zebrun of the Starliner Cafe, who donates space in his refrigerator to store perishable produce during the time the Resource Center is not open.

Ridgefield Community Gleaners are volunteers who collect vegetables and fruit from local gardens to provide to Ridgefield families who are supported by the Ridgefield Family Resource Center. For more information, send inquiries to rcgleaners@gmail.com.

Draper Orthodontics has been an FYI advertiser for the last five years, and has just renewed for another year. I asked Amy Draper to write up information about their business. Here’s what she wrote:

 

   “Draper Orthodontics is located just up the road in Woodland and has been serving the Ridgefield community for the past six years.  Dr. Draper and his family are Ridgefield residents and love to support the schools and the community of Ridgefield.  

   If you are interested in braces or Invisalign for yourself or your children, please give us a call and we will gladly set up a complimentary consolation to meet with you.

   At Draper Orthodontics, we pride ourselves in giving our patients the individualized care they deserve and love the small town feel of our office and community.  We pride ourselves in treating each patient as our own family.

Mention that you saw this advertisement on FYI98642 and receive $500 off full orthodontic treatment for all new patients starting in 2018.

Smile With Us Ridgefield!”

You bought a lottery ticket, right? Rushed out there and grabbed one in hopes it could make your life better? Even though your one ticket may not win, you did it anyway, because it’s worth a shot, right?

So did you vote?

There’s still time. Mail your ballot so it’s postmarked today and you may be the tie breaker. You may also drop the ballot in the box at the Pioneer Street exit, east of I-5, at the end of North 1st Circle.

Remember to set your clocks back an hour when you get up this morning. Daylight Savings Time is over, and we’re back to dark evenings.

Someone left this stroller in front of our house on 4th Avenue North. If it’s yours, please come get it.

1st Circle: Paving, one lane traffic control on 1st Circle with minor impacts to So. 56th Place. This is reconstruction of the road in conjunction with the Vancouver Clinic construction.

No. Main Avenue from Depot Street to the Wildlife Refuge: Intermittent lane closures with flagging. This is utility work in preparation for the upcoming Main Avenue Access Improvements project. The project will complete a pedestrian path to the Wildlife Refuge and replace the existing bridge and culvert over Gee Creek. The bridge replacement will address periodic flooding on the road and remove an existing barrier to fish passage. The full project is expected to begin construction in early spring of 2019.

So. 15th Street and So. 45th Avenue: Intermittent traffic control will be in place as work is completed on So. 15th Street. Frontage improvements are being completed as part of the Cloverhill subdivision. The road is being realigned for safety and sight distance and to match the City’s future planned So. 45th improvements that will include road widening and frontage improvements.

For a map of road construction projects, see: https://ridgefieldwa.us/government/city-departments/public-works/public-works-map/

This is the most current information available to City staff at this time. Construction schedules are subject to change based on weather conditions, supply availability, unexpected conditions and other factors that may impact the work underway.

Thank you for your patience and support.

We are a group of local Ridgefield residents who want to ensure that the children of our community have a good Thanksgiving dinner. To that end, since 1995, we have been collecting donations and putting together a Thanksgiving basket of food for local residents who ask for assistance at this time of year. Last year we helped 37 families have a Thanksgiving meal like the one listed below.

What started as a mission to teach our children the value of volunteerism, grew into an endeavor that brings those children back as adults to continue helping us serve this community.

Due to the rising food costs, we are seeking donations to continue this philanthropic tradition. We have received donations from the Ridgefield Lions, Friends of the Library, Teachers and other individuals. A typical basket consists of the following items and costs approximately $50.

A turkey. 5-10 pounds of potatoes, dressing, canned veggies, gravy, rolls, milk, pumpkin pie, olives, cranberry sauce, whipped cream, butter.

Your cash donation would be greatly appreciated. If you have any questions, please call or email: Marney Hefflin at 360-606-9815 email: marney98642@aol.com, or Carla Bonebrake at 360-601-8662, email: ltcarla@comcast.net

Checks can be made out to Carla Bonebrake and sent to Carla Bonebrake, PO Box 1055, Ridgefield, WA 98642

 Thank you for taking the time to read this and making a donation.

We get into the spirit of things – here’s City Hall, decorated for Halloween.

This bike was left behind the Sportsman’s during BirdFest Weekend. If you know who’s it is, please contact Terry Hurd at 360-887-3141.

The golf cart zone. Several yeas ago the City Council decided to declare the downtown area a golf cart zone so citizens could legally use golf carts in that area. A few commercial carts have been spotted, and now hand-built carts are starting to show up.

The cart shown above is one-of-a-kind. It has all kinds of tricky features including lights that change color to match the music it play and storage on the roof. We are truly unique!

Pioneer Street, west of 45th roundabout – One lane traffic control through October 26, 2018. Expect delays. This work is to connect sewer to the future multifamily housing.

1st Circle & So. 56th Place – Paving, one lane traffic control on 1st Circle, minor impacts to So. 56th Place. This is reconstruction of the road in conjunction with the Vancouver Clinic construction.

Pioneer Street, adjacent to the former View Ridge Middle School in downtown Ridgefield – Intermittent lane closures/traffic control as work on the school remodel continues.

So. Royle Road from Hillhurst to So. 15th Street – One lane traffic control as NW Natural gas installs gas lines.

Main Avenue from Depot Street to the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge – Intermittent lane closures with flagging.  This is utility work in preparation for the upcoming Main Avenue Access Improvements project.  The project will complete a pedestrian path to the Refuge and replace the existing bridge and culvert over Gee Creek. The bridge replacement will address periodic flooding on the road and remove an existing barrier to fish passage.  The full project is expected to begin construction in early spring of 2019.

So. 15th Street and So. 45th Avenue – Traffic control will be in place as work is completed on So. 15th Street. Frontage improvements are being completed as part of the Cloverhill subdivision. The road is being realigned for improved safety and sight distance and to match the City’s future planned So. 45th improvements, which will include road widening and frontage improvements.

For a map of road construction projects, see: https://ridgefieldwa.us/government/city-departments/public-works/public-works-map/

This is the most current information available to City staff at this time. Construction schedules are subject to change based on weather conditions, supply availability, unexpected conditions and other factors that may impact the work underway.

The City’s first priority is safety! So, please use additional caution anywhere work is underway, be considerate of flaggers and workers, and report any safety concerns through the City’s app or by contacting City Hall.

Thank you for your patience and support.

To connect with the City for more up-to-date information, visit the City’s website and Community Events Calendar at www.ridgfieldwa.us, download the City’s App Access Ridgefield or check out the City’s Facebook page.