Saturday, February 28, 2009

"Creating & Operating Multi-Tenant Non-Profit Centers: Part 2 of the Discussion" is planned for this Monday, March 2nd, 6pm, at The Blue Scorcher

:
c-r-b-a@googlegroups.com on behalf of Peter Huhtala (peterhuhtala@gmail.com)
Sent:
Sun 3/01/09 4:52 AM

"Creating & Operating Multi-Tenant Non-Profit Centers: Part 2 of the Discussion" is planned for this Monday, March 2nd, 6pm, at The Blue Scorcher, with a report from Peter Huhtala of the Columbia River Business Alliance and Pat Burness of Clatsop County Women's Resource Center on last week's Meyer Memorial Trust seminar.
Representatives of nonprofit organizations from the Clatsop County area attended a Meyer Memorial Trust meeting on February 24 to learn more about the foundation's initiative to help communities establish "multi-tenant nonprofit centers." A report on this meeting will be presented, followed by discussion on how to proceed with the Meyer Memorial Trust RFP.
Below is an excerpt from the Meyer Memorial Trust (MMT) website:
"...MMT is issuing a Request for Proposals as one of its strategies to support nonprofit services in this time of economic uncertainty when nonprofit organizations are struggling to meet growing demands for their services, while watching their funding sources diminish. In particular, we are interested in proposals for multi-tenant nonprofit centers, shared services programs, and fiscal sponsorships because they offer opportunities for organizations to share costs and stimulate activities that help rejuvenate and better serve their communities."
If you are part of a nonprofit organization that would like to explore this way to save on office, display or meeting space costs, then someone from your group should attend this meeting.
The Blue Scorcher Bakery Cafe is at 1493 Duane Street in Astoria, Oregon
To RSVP for the meeting, contact:
ClatsopNonprofit@gmail.com

Friday, February 27, 2009

Washington State Department Of Ecology Asks Appeals Court To Overturn FERC License Approval

Department of Ecology News Release - February 12, 2009
09-039
Ecology appeals FERC decision on Bradwood Landing license issue to Ninth Circuit Court
OLYMPIA – Citing the Clean Water Act and the inadequacy of a federal environmental review, the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) today asked the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn a federal agency's premature decision to license an energy project along the Columbia River.
If Ecology's challenge is successful, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) will have to reconsider its September 2008 decision to approve the proposed Bradwood Landing liquefied natural gas project. The terminal is slated to be built in Oregon with the natural gas pipeline extending across the Columbia and through Cowlitz County.

Click Here For Complete Report

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Bradwood Landing: DEQ Suspends Review Of Bradwood Landing Due To Referendum And LUBA Decision

Key Oregon agency deals blow to Bradwood‏
From:
c-r-b-a@googlegroups.com on behalf of Peter Huhtala (peterhuhtala@gmail.com)
Sent:
Fri 2/27/09 3:38 AM
To:
C-R-B-A@googlegroups.com
DEQ SUSPENDS REVIEW OF LNG PROJECT DUE TO REFERENDUM AND LUBA DECISION

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has suspended review of the air and water discharge permits requested by the Bradwood Landing LNG terminal because of two important victories by LNG opponents.

DEQ cannot review permit applications if the project violates local land use laws.

First, Clatsop County Citizens for Common Sense passed a referendum on September 16, 2008 that barred LNG pipelines in protected areas.

Second, Columbia Riverkeeper and partners won a challenge at the Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) that overturned the county’s approval of Bradwood Landing.

Based on these two victories, DEQ has suspended review of all permits for the LNG terminal and pipeline.

“DEQ’s action of suspending the permits is another major blow to Bradwood Landing,” stated Brett VandenHeuvel, Executive Director of Columbia Riverkeeper. “Bradwood is trying to push through an incredibly unpopular project, but sixty-seven percent of Clatsop voters rejected the pipeline and LUBA overturned the rest. Considering the broad state-wide opposition and Bradwood’s legal problems, I don’t see this as a viable project.”

A letter issued yesterday from the Oregon Department of Justice said that DEQ will likely deny the permits if Bradwood does not agree to suspend them.

The Department of Justice stated, “if Bradwood is not agreeable to such a suspension, DEQ will be forced to proceed and that means the likely denial of the NPDES and ACDP permits based on the lack of compatibility with . . . land use regulations.”

“Bradwood is over a barrel with DEQ saying either suspend your permits for a long time or we will deny them now,” Brett VandenHeuvel stated.

Laurie Caplan, referendum organizer for Clatsop County Citizens for Common Sense, stated, “We’re celebrating because DEQ’s action is a direct result of our referendum that rejected LNG pipelines. It’s the truest example of democracy where citizens can choose to protect our local economy and safety instead of being a back door to send gas to California.”

“We’re pleased that Bradwood’s permits are suspended because LNG is bad for business. It will harm the fishing industry, decrease property values, compete with renewable energy projects, and stain Oregon’s green reputation,” stated Peter Huhtala, Executive Director of the Columbia River Business Alliance (co-petitioners in the LUBA victory).

The following parties prevailed in the LUBA appeal: Columbia Riverkeeper, Columbia River Business Alliance, Oregon Chapter of the Sierra Club, Columbia River Clean Energy Coalition, Jack Marincovich, and Peter Huhtala (represented by Jan Wilson of the Western Environmental Law Center) and the Columbia River Inter-tribal Fish Commission (represented by Julie Cater).

An NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) permit is a state permit necessary to discharge polluted water into the river. An ACDP (Air Contaminant Discharge Permit) is a state permit necessary to discharge air pollution. Bradwood cannot go forward without both permits. Section 401 of the Clean Water Act requires the state to certify that the project complies with state water quality standards. DEQ has also suspended the application for this permit.

KGW NEWS:Woodburn Bank Bombing Suspects Planned 15 Years

Records Show Bank Bombing Suspects, Described As Constitutionalists And Anti-Government, Planned Nearly 15 Years
05:00 PM PST on Thursday, February 26, 2009
By KYLE IBOSHI - kgw.com

WOODBURN, Ore. -- Court records obtained by KGW suggest the two Oregon men charged in connection with a deadly bank bombing in December often talked about robbing a bank and even practiced a dry-run in Woodburn in 1994.

Click Here For Complete story

USA Today:2009's Top Small Business Trends

By Steve Strauss for USA TODAY

What a difference a year makes!

A year ago, my annual "Top 10 Trends in Small Business" was full of ideas spawned by big changes in technology and the Internet, with things like smart phones and SEO dominating the list.

Click Here for Part One

Click Here For Part Two

In honor of Women’s History Month “A Woman’s Worth” is planned for March 8th, Sunday at 2 PM at the Josie Pepper Center

In honor of Women’s History Month “A Woman’s Worth” is planned for March 8th, Sunday at 2 PM at the Josie Pepper Center, located just behind the Performing Arts Center on 16th and Franklin. Local vintage fashion collector, LaRee Johnson will be sharing reticules, pocketbooks, purses and handbags from her private collection and discussing the relationship of this valued accessory with the value of women in society from Victorian through Modern times. LaRee Johnson is the author of Ladies’ Vintage Accessories, in the 4th edition selling nationwide.

Throughout the last 150 years a woman’s purse has not only been a fascinating evolution of fashion but has also mirrored women’s aspirations and occupations. This lady’s accessory has been the subject of cartoonists and fashion magazines, and has been given symbolic significance by psychoanalysts. The changing size and purpose has charted the rise of women with no means and no status to the professional women of today.

What did the tiny slim reticules of 1850 carry? What would you find in the huge oversize bags women carry today, the contents of which have always been the private domain of women? And the bigger question is how does this reflect on our changing roles in society as women? The program offered by Arts & Ideas for Clatsop Community College will give you a glimpse into the interior of women’s lives with the dreams and fantasies of their dearest accessory: the reticule, purse, handbag or pocketbook.

On display will be a variety of bags made from delicate metal mesh, glorious beaded fantasies, reptile leather, velvet, Lucite plastic, tapestry, and many hand made or designer bags from LaRee’s private collection that date back to early Victorian times. Limited seating for this event which begins at 2 PM March 8th; tickets are $8.00 at the door, light refreshments will be served. The Josie Pepper Center is located at 1642 Franklin, Astoria. For further information please call (503) 338-2366.

Oregon House Looks At Online Voting And Citizen Access

Oregon House looks at online voting, citizen access
Public hearing - Some people express concerns about security and costs

Thursday, February 26, 2009
EDWARD WALSH
The Oregonian Staff
SALEMOregon would move deeper into the electronic age under three bills a House committee considered Wednesday that would make it easier to register to vote, cast an absentee ballot and keep track of how the state government spends taxpayer money.

Click Here For Complete Article

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Contractor Loses Suit Over Coos County Gas Pipeline

Contractor loses suit over Coos County gas pipeline
Oregon Environmental News
By: The Oregonian

Tuesday February 24, 2009, 9:40 AM

MasTec Inc., the contractor fired not long after being hired to build a natural gas pipeline from Roseburg to Coquille, has been ordered to pay $1.5 million in penalties to the U.S. Treasury because of damage caused to pristine streams and rivers...Click On Link Below For Full Story

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2009/02/contractor_loses_suit_over_ros.html

Monday, February 23, 2009

Fisher Poets Gathering February 27, 28 And March 1, 2009

Fisher Poets Gathering 2009

The Fisher Poets Gathering (FPG) is again expecting more than 70 fishing and maritime industry people from several states and British Columbia to bring their original poems, stories and songs to Astoria.

This year's event is on February 27, 28 and March 1. Along with several local music groups who also have strong fishing-industry ties, they will present their readings and music at this 12th annual two-evening program.......Click On Link Below For Details and Schedule

http://www.clatsopcollege.com/fisherpoets/