Never too late to prepare for next winter

Winter’s over. Are you enjoying the warm days of spring and forgetting the winter woes? It’s never too early to correct that which plagued you during the cold months.

Steps can be taken to weatherize your home. Many older homes have windows and doors that are not air tight and allow chilly drafts. Spring is a good time to get estimates on replacement windows and make a decision.
Read more

Never mess with the big dogs

A strong young man is standing around with the other old timers boasting about how he can carry more than everyone there.

One Ol timer bets him one weeks wages that he can wheel something in that wheelbarrow that that young punk could never carry.
Read more

2010: 13th Annual Red Cross REAL HEROES Read their thrilling HERO stories here!

The Southwest Washington American Red Cross and Fred Meyer are proud to present the 13th Annual Real Heroes, who were honored at the recent Banquet in March.

“The Real Heroes Event celebrates everyday people who have taken extraordinary action to save a life or lives without regard for their own safety. The fundraiser helps offset the costs of Red Cross services provided in a six county area of Washington State: Clark, Cowlitz, Klickitat, Pacific, Skamania and Wahkiakum,” explains David Fenton, Senior Development Director at Red Cross.

The Real Heroes are selected by a committee of honorary leaders. The individuals are chosen from nominations made by emergency personnel, family, friends, or the public at large.

This event is well supported by the business community. The Presenting Sponsor is Fred Meyer. Other major sponsors of the event are: Vesta Hospitality Group, Stichman Legal & Mediation Services, Rehrig Pacific, Tidewater, Corwin Beverage, Waste Connections, Davidson & Associates Insurance, and Kaiser Permanente Foundation.

“We want to express special thanks to Dan and David Productions, LLC from Longview, WA who filmed, edited and produced the Real Heroes DVD,” commented Suzanne Arnits, Community Partners Director for the Red Cross. She continued, “Not only does the video program do an outstanding job of telling our heroes’ stories; it also educates the audience about local Red Cross needs.”

Below is a synopsis of each heroic act:

Youth Rescue Hero: Donald Blaylock, of Cowlitz County, is the husband of Penny Blaylock and grandfather of Genesis age 6. Genesis began choking on a piece of chicken at which time Penny began to panic and screamed for Donald. Don came running and did abdominal thrusts to dislodge the object and save his granddaughter’s life. Both grandparents experienced overwhelming relief that their granddaughter’s life was saved. Don had been trained in Red Cross CPR and First Aid from work.

Workplace Rescue Heroes: Ayre Williamson-Shilling and Andrew Kallenberger, of Clark County, are Red Cross trained staff members at Lacamas Swim and Sport Club. A 69 year old man collapsed on a treadmill while experiencing cardiac arrest. Ayre Williamson-Shilling and Andrew Kallenberger quickly rushed to the unconscious man to provide assistance while grabbing the AED (automated external defibrillator). Soon the victim had quit breathing and had no pulse. They started CPR using the breathing barrier provided with the AED. Next, Ayre attached the AED to his chest and the machine walked them through the necessary steps. The AED indicator said that the man’s heart was in “V-fib” so his heart was shocked and much to their surprise, he revived. Many health clubs do not have trained staff or an AED on site. The man who suffered cardiac arrest recovered and recently returned to the gym to give thanks and work out.

Water Rescue Hero: Marcia Brueggemeyer, of Skamania County, was hiking at Glacier National Park on the U.S.-Canadian border when a man ran down the trail screaming “he fell off the bridge, the boy fell off the bridge.” A four year-old had wriggled out of his grandfather’s grip while walking over a swinging bridge made of rope and planks. The boy plunged headfirst 30 feet down into the glacier fed water. The current swiftly carried the child downstream about 100 yards over rapids dumping him into Waterton Lake which is five miles from civilization. After 15 minutes in the water the boy was lifeless. Marcia and the boy’s grandfather got to a motor boat and drove it to the boy’s location. The grandfather pulled the boy from the water. Marcia immediately checked Mason for a pulse and for breathing but he had neither. She began CPR as the grandfather radioed for help. Medical assistance was available when they arrived at the dock. The four year old boy spent four days in intensive care, was not expected to live, but is now completely recovered.

Youth Good Samaritan Hero: Evan Gleaves, of Columbia County, was the passenger in his friend’s car heading across the Lewis and Clark Bridge from Rainier, OR to Longview, WA. When traffic came to a stop at the top of the bridge Evan, fourteen, jumped out of the car to discover a man had unsuccessfully attempted to jump off the bridge. Evan was one of four individuals who grabbed a hold of the frustrated jumper and pulled the man safely back on the bridge. Once safe the man was restrained until professional rescuers arrived. Evan said he “couldn’t pass something up like that”, and he was “really scared reaching over the railing to grab his foot because he could have pulled me over.”

Adult Good Samaritan Heroes: Roy Ostroski and Isabel Van Vladricken, were traveling separately on Highway 14 in Skamania County. Upon arriving at an intersection, there was a collision between a motorist who failed to yield while turning left and hit the motorcyclist. The motorcyclist bounced off the bumper of Roy Ostroski’s Chevy pick-up and was wedged under the left front tire and the hot pavement with his left leg severed. Roy Ostroski, of Skamania County, immediately jumped out of his vehicle, applied pressure to the wound, and made a tourniquet out of the motorcyclist’s shredded jeans. Isabel Van Vladricken, of Clark County, tried to call 911 and immediately assisted in additional aid. The two were about to begin CPR when the motorcyclist suddenly started gasping for breath and had a faint pulse. Remarkably, the Skamania county motorcyclist survived. Both Roy and Isabel had Red Cross CPR and First Aid Training.

Animal Rescue Hero: a dog named Maximus, began relentlessly barking that type of bark sure to get anyone’s attention. Brenda Christina, of Clark County, was about to take a shower, but followed her dog Maximus to the garage. An old electric drill had caught on fire completely destroying two vehicles and damaging the kitchen. Brenda called 911 and waited outside. Maximus likely saved Brenda’s life and much of her home because the bathroom is at the other end of the house.

Professional Fire Rescue Heroes: Firefighters Randy Bradshaw, Eric Bergquist, Kacy Clark, Troy Hicklin and Ryan Satcher responded to a residential fire in Cowlitz County. First to arrive was Longview Engine Company 82. Upon arriving at the scene, frantic neighbors informed the fire crew that the owner went back inside the residence.

Captain Randy Bradshaw pushed through the smoke filled residence in search of the man to no avail while Master Firefighter Eric Bergquist maintained the pump and Firefighter 1st Class Kacy Clark manned the hose. The fire advanced rapidly with flames roaring through the attic, garage and utility room. Medic 23 from Cowlitz 2 Fire and Rescue heard the dispatch deploying to the scene. Lt. Troy Hicklin and Firefighter Ryan Satcher, grabbing a light box, entered the house and found the resident lying unconscious on the kitchen floor. Hicklin and Satcher quickly hoisted the resident by the legs and shoulders and carried him outside to the lawn where they immediately administered oxygen and checked for vitals. The resident of the home continues to recuperate from the injuries sustained from the fire.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation’s blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit our website at www.swwashington.redcross.org or join our Facebook fan page at www.facebook.com/swwashington.redcross.org.

Interesting Easter Trivia

• According to widespread belief, Easter owes its name to “Eastre”, the Anglo-Saxon goddess symbolizing hare and egg. Another theory suggests that it comes from the early German word “eostarun”, meaning dawn and white.

• Easter always falls between March 22 and April 25.
Read more

Sunnyside Grange Info

Sunnyside Grange members have been busy making lap quilts for the Shrine Hospital. This is our community service project for the year. A total of 41 were made. Also 12 bed dolls were made for the children along with stuffed toys.

Members were busy making cookies for the rest stop. At our last meeting members worked on resolutions for the coming convention in Bellingham.

New Chehalis wayfinding signs

The Chehalis Community Renaissance Team and the City of Chehalis unveiled the first of 32 new wayfinding signs Friday, February 26. These easily noticed 3 feet by 5 feet signs are one of the early projects to be completed under the Renaissance plan.

The signs are visually striking; using the City’s new color scheme and the recently adopted city logo. The signs will be placed at various points throughout the City to provide guidance and direction for motorists and pedestrians to Chehalis landmarks and districts such as the Lewis County Historical Museum, Chehalis-Centralia Airport, Vernetta Smith Timberland Regional Library, Veterans Memorial Museum, County Courthouse, parks and trails, historic neighborhoods, and of course to the downtown and west side shopping areas. (See example shown here, photograph taken by Larry McGee).
Read more

42nd Annual Coin Show

This FREE coin show, put on by the Cowlitz Coin Club is coming to town once again this year on Sunday, April 25th.

10am – 4pm

There will be a $25 gold coin raffle and more.
Read more

TechnoFunnies – April 2010

What works to prevent burglary, what doesn’t

The FBI reports that a burglary occurs somewhere in the United States every 15 seconds.

That’s surprising, but even more surprising is the fact that in 6 out of 10 cases, there was no forced entry. The thief got in through an unlocked door or window, or he found a hidden key outside the house.

Hidden keys don’t work to prevent burglary, because thieves can find them. Dogs don’t help much either, because most dogs will cozy right up to a burglar who gives them a hot dog. Read more

Avoiding Pitfalls When Building Your Dream Home

by  James Moen, Hiline Homes

There’s nothing like the pride of ownership you feel in your brand-new home. Your home is filled with your hopes and dreams for the future.  It also displays for the world to see your tastes and preferences.

While it is possible to buy a house that you can make into a home, fully realizing the pride of ownership means getting involved in the construction itself. This is by no means an exhaustive list of the challenges before you. Rather, it is a broad-brush look at some important starting points. Read more

Next Page »