City Info Weekly - 2010/04/21 (Archive)

Questions about Longview programs or services? Don't forget to check with ASK Longview! View our Television Commercial here.

The City Info Weekly Page is updated every Wednesday

View City of Longview Press Releases

Only a few days left to mail back your 2010 Census Form

The City of Longview would like to remind residents that there’s still time to fill out and mail back your 2010 Census form and help our community get the funding it needs. Please fill out and mail back your census form TODAY!  If you have already mailed back your form, you can avoid a visit from a census worker.  What ever you can do will help make a difference.  For each one percent increase in the mail-back response rate, we help save $85 million in taxpayer funds for the expensive follow-up work load.  So not only is it safe, easy, and important, but mailing back the census form can help all of us in these tough fiscal times.

More information:  Visit the U.S. Census website at http://www.census.gov/

Are you prepared for an earthquake?

A statewide earthquake “Drop, Cover and Hold” drill will be held on Wednesday, April 21 from 9:45 a.m. to 10 a.m.  The purpose of the drill is to remind Washingtonians what to do when the ground starts to shake!  Many local schools and businesses will be participating in the drill.  People are encouraged to conduct a drill at home, at school or at work.  Imagine that an earthquake is occurring.  DROP under a sturdy piece of furniture, COVER your head and neck with your arm, HOLD on to a leg of the furniture and move with it.  Sooner or later we are going to get an earthquake that knocks us off our feet.  How soon we get back up depends on how prepared we are.

More information:  For more information about earthquake preparedness, visit the Department of Emergency Management website at www.co.cowlitz.wa.us/DEM.

Take the City’s Smoke-free Parks Survey

The Ad Hoc Committee appointed by the City of Longview to explore whether parks should be smoke free has established an online survey for citizen input on the question.  To access the survey go to www.mylongview.com and click on the “Tobacco Survey” on the homepage.  The survey is also available on the Cowlitz County Health Department web page.  The online survey is available until May 7, 2010.  Any information gathered will be used to develop recommendations to the Longview City Council on the future of smoking in City parks.  Report and recommendations to the City Council are expected to be made by the end of May or early June. 

More information:  For questions or information about the work of the Ad Hoc Committee, contact Dick Mueller of Longview Parks and Recreation at 442-5400, or Paul Youmans at Pathways 2020 at 423-8704.

Kid’s Fish-In

Registration is now being accepted for the annual Kid’s Fish-In event on Saturday, June 5 at Martin’s Dock in Lake Sacajawea Park. Children 5 to 14 years may participate for $7 each, which includes the use of a rod and reel. There are seven sessions to choose from starting at 8 a.m. and ending at 1 p.m. The event is limited to the first 500 kids on a first come basis. Pre-registration is required at the Recreation Office, 2920 Douglas St., or online at www.mylongview.com/reconline. This event is a partnership of Go Play Outside, Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, and Longview Parks & Recreation.

More information:  Please call 442.5400.

Highlands Partners Café

On April 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Highland area residents are invited to a casual forum to discuss issues that affect the neighborhood.  Join us in this relaxed gathering made up of small group conversations at the McClelland Center, 951 Delaware. A light lunch will be provided free of charge. There will be many topics for residents to provide input related to community partnerships focusing on neighborhood issues. This forum is funded by The North West Health Foundation and sponsored by the City of Longview, Highlands Neighborhood Association, Highlands Activities & Beautification Committee, and Emergency Support Shelter. Your perspective is important, so please join us for this critical conversation facilitated by Axel Swanson.

More information:  Please RSVP by calling 360.442.0612 or email elizabeth@communityorganizing.net.

Garage Sales Guidelines

The City of Longview would like to remind residents that while conducting a garage sale does not require a permit, garage sales are a regulated activity within city limits.  Sales of secondhand merchandise conducted from residences and designated as garage sales, estate sales, yard sales, and/or moving sales are allowed without a permit provided they are conducted under the following requirements:

• A garage sale event may not exceed four consecutive days, and goods must be removed between sales. Residents may conduct garage, estate, yard and/or moving sales from their residence for up to 20 days in a calendar year.
• No sale shall begin before 8 a.m. or continue beyond 9 p.m.
• No goods or merchandise shall be offered for sale that are not owned and used by the persons conducting the sale.
• No more than four residences may combine merchandise in the sale.
• Garage sale signs shall not be placed more than six blocks or 2,400 feet from the location of the sale, and these signs shall not be placed on utility poles, trees, medians, or other devices located within the public right-of-way.
• Signs may be put up as many as two days prior to the scheduled event, and must be removed within 24-hours after the event has concluded.  Failure to do so can result in a civil fine.

More information: Questions about garage sales may be directed to the Code Compliance Division at 442-5093 or 442-5082 Monday through Thursday between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. 

What’s happening at the Longview Public Library?

Take part in one of the library’s many family and youth programs taking place through Wednesday, April 28:

• April 21, Wednesday, 10:30 - 11 a.m., Mother Goose Time - Bubbles, Bouncy rhymes and Baby songs, for 0 – 18 months old.
• April 21, Wednesday, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m., Cupola Kids - “The Woods, the Pond and the Garden”; Northlake Garden Earth Day Project.
• April 22, Thursday, 10:30 - 11 a.m., Preschool Storytime, ages three and up.
• April 23, Friday, 10:30 - 11 a.m., Toddler Time.
• April 23, Friday, 11:15 – 11:45 a.m., Toddler Tales.
• April 24, Saturday, 2-4 p.m. Salsa - Laughing Tomatoes / Jitomates Risueños and A Garden of jokes and poetry! / Un jardín de chistes y poesia.
• April 27, Tuesday, 6-8 p.m., Teen Tuesday; Ride a “Dark Horse” - Make and eat “mochi” (Japanese ice cream) while you get acquainted with Dark Horse Comics, the largest independent American comic book publisher.  (Special Guest!!)
• April 27, Tuesday, 6-8 p.m., Family Crafts & Stories - Get squirrelly with Squirrel Nutkin, ridiculous rhymes, and fun crafts.

More information:  Contact the Longview Public Library at 442-5300.

Friends of the Longview Library Book Sale coming in May!

Get ready for summer reading with books at bargain prices!  The Friends of the Longview Library invite you to a used book sale featuring paperbacks and children's books. The sale will be held in the Longview Public Library Auditorium the following dates and times:

• Wednesday May 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Thursday May 6 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Friday May 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

More information:  please call Elizabeth Partridge at 442-5321.

Sign up for your Community Garden space now

Spaces are now available for the Community Gardens on 32nd Avenue on a first come basis.  Plot sizes are 10’ x 40’ or 20’ x 40’ and ranges in price from $27.50 to $54.50, depending on size. Gardeners may start planting around May 1.  The plots will be tilled and water is supplied, but gardeners must bring their own tools. The season ends November 1, except for those who have rented year-round garden spaces.

More information: To register or get more information, please call 442-5400.

Questions about Longview programs or services?  Don’t forget to check with ASK Longview!