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National Night Out

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National Night Out is approaching soon! National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. In Ridgefield, community groups and businesses set up booths in Abrams Park, there are games for the kids and free hotdogs with all the trimmings are supplied.

There are vendor spaces available if you would like to participate.

The event will take place on Tuesday, August 3rd from 6:00PM – 8:00PM in Abrams Park. (400 Abrams Park Rd.)

Click and follow the link to apply…  https://lf.ridgefieldwa.us/Forms/NNO2021Vendor

Contact Jessica at City Hall, 360-887-3557 if you have questions.

Pocket Park #1

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The photo above was Near the Heron Ridge Bridge.  It was taken in 2011.   In 2005 the City of Ridgefield had a  $12,500 grant to treat Japanese knotweed here. Brush was cleared and the knotweed was treated.  After this, Fish First provided 50 potted cedar trees and the city provided $250 for trees as well.  Volunteers, lead by Gary Bock, planted the cedars and the other trees above and below the bridge.  By 2009 the knotweed, blackberries, and nettles came back with a vengeance.  In 2009, some of us volunteered and began cutting brush and treating the knotweed. When the brush was cleared, it showed all the cedars, except the two in the photo, had been eaten by beavers.  All the other trees were gone as well.  Since that time, I’ve organized many volunteer sessions  for treating knotweed and worked to remove the brush.  It was very hard work.  The growth of weeds  each year was formidable.  Tevis Laspa and I worked hard to clear brush each year until the weedy growth was under control.

In the photo above, taken a few days ago, the original cedars can be seen to the right of the picture and are in the midst of trees planted since 2010.

I began planting trees in the cleared area  in late 2010.  It began with a row of willows and cottonwoods on the immediate streambank and then other trees later. There are now over 100 cedars, cottonwoods, willows, Oregon ash, and Douglas fir trees.  They are all in cages or behind a fence.  The cottonwoods on the stream bank are over 80 feet now and the roots have formed a matrix that prevent erosion.  The rest of the trees are providing a canopy that provides shade.  The next step will be to provide vegetation that exists in shady conditions.  Sword ferns, lady ferns, and vine maples are typical plants that thrive under a forested canopy.  Replacing weedy species such as blackberries, Japanese knotweed, and reed canary grass with native species of trees and other plants will help restore Gee Creek and it’s riparian corridor.  This is the first project and there are now 10 such projects on public and private property.  Some time in the future, these projects will help the creek, create habitat, and create a pleasing environment for people to enjoy the creek and walk along the trail.

By Paul Snoey

City Council Appoints Judy Chipman and Rachel Coker for Vacant Positions 7 and 2

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Ridgefield City Council appointed Judy Chipman and Rachel Coker to Positions 7 and 2 respectively, filling two vacancies created by Council resignations.

Positions 7 and 2 were vacated last month when Council Members Sandra Day and Dana Ziemer resigned due to their plans to move out of Ridgefield. State law provides that in a vacancy City Council “shall appoint a qualified person to fill the vacant position.”

Applications for appointment were opened on Friday, June 11 and closed at noon on Friday, June 25. In total, 10 eligible applications were received. The City Clerk provided each Councilmember with a notebook including all applications. Councilmembers reviewed and rated each candidate to select 4 finalists to interview.

At the City Council Meeting on Thursday, July 22, Council voted by ballot to appoint Judy Chipman to Position 7. Chipman took the Oath of Office and was seated for the vote for Position 2. Rachel Coker was appointed to Position 2, and subsequently took the Oath of Office. Both Council members will sit for election in 2023.

Judy Chipman grew up in Ridgefield and moved back to the area 9 years ago. Chipman served on the Columbia Credit Union Board of Directors for 9 years and retired from Bonneville Power Administration in 2017. In 2018, Chipman was appointed to the Ridgefield Planning Commission. Chipman enjoys attending Raptors games, walking her neighborhood, and enjoying the small-town atmosphere of Ridgefield.\

Rachel Coker has served as a member on the Parks Advisory Board since 2019. She has been involved in the community through the Parks Board, attending community events, volunteering at the Lions Club booth at the Clark County Fair, and attending business spotlight events by Ridgefield Life magazine and the Ridgefield Chamber of Commerce. Coker enjoys Eagle’s View Lookout Park, the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, and photographing local events and landscapes.

There’s Still Time!

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Did you see the list of Cornerstone members of the Friends of the Library posted on one wall of the library? Would you like to see your name on that list? There’s still time to have your name included.

Write a check for $1000, fill out the Cornerstone form which you can get at the library, take or mail it to the library and your name will appear on the metal plaque that will commemorate our donors. Don’t delay – the list will be sent to the foundry soon.

 

How’s Your Zucchini?

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Do you have extra vegetables or fruit that you can’t use? Send an email to the Ridgefield Gleaners, rcgleaners@gmail.com, and they’ll pick it up and take it to the Family Resource Center or Neighbors Helping Neighbors that distribute it to people in our community who are having a hard time. They will even harvest the food if you don’t have time.

This is the plot that the Gleaners have at the Community Garden at 5th and Sargent, planted by Carol Tocco and Norman Farrell and watered by Patricia Thompson.

 

Farm to Table

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Join us for an outdoor community dining experience to showcase our local Farmers, wineries, brewers, & caterers.

The evening begins with happy hour and live music in beautiful Overlook Park Downtown Ridgefield overlooking the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. Dinner will served family-style at round tables under soft lighting along South Main Avenue. Come join Ridgefield’s community at its finest with wine, dining and dancing under the soft lights and stars.

Tickets are on sale now, and going fast. Reserve your seat today for $75. Menu and additional details are available on our website. This is a 21+ Event.