Livestock Commission - first Tuesdays, 5:30 pm, City Hall

Library Advisory Board - first Thursdays, 5 pm, Library

Planning Commission - second Wednesdays, 7 pm, City Hall

City Council - second Thursdays, 7 pm, City Hall

Cemetery Board - third Tuesdays, 5:30 pm, City Hall

Athena Library Friends Association Board - quarterly meetings -- next one on Thursday, July 16th, 6:30 pm, Library; contact Nancy Parker at bank or phone 566-2520 for more information

GEM Theater board - contact Joe Schenck or Rob McIntyre 566-0117 for information

Ambulance Board - contact Kevin Schreibner for information

School Board - second Mondays, rotates among schools, call 566-2551 to confirm place and time.

Old Quilt Batts - contact Doreen Munck or Lela Morton 566-9442 or Charlene Webb 566-2032 for information; usual work sessions held at Sacred Heart church hall on first Thursdays and third Saturdays starting about 8:30 a.m.

Helping Hands - contact Judy Weidert for information

Good Samaritan Ministries - contact Deborah Johns for information

Athena Civic Memorial Association - contact Karen Montee 566-3418 for information

Athena-Weston Lions Club - contact David Lynde 566-3887 or Dean Parker for information

American Legion Post - contact Eric Pickard 566-2480 or Irene Boatright for information

Cyndi Calvert is leaving as assistant recorder at City Hall July 10th. A hiring committee of Faye Case, Carrie Bremer, and LaVerne Mitchell reviewed applications, conducted interviews, and made its recommendation to the City Council for approval at a special meeting on June 19th. Candidate Linda McClure has accepted the city's job offer. Best wishes to Cyndi as she follows her dream to complete her college degree.

Carol Speed is spearheading in our area a project called "Oregon Day of Service" -- to take place Saturday, July 25th. Talk with Carol about projects you would like to see done around town and also to volunteer.

Photos and commentary from Hodaka Days June 26, 27, 28 -- are online; CLICK HERE to reach a page with complete site navigation links at the bottom. The SPECIAL LIBRARY OPENING! Saturday morning the 27th drew over 70 to admire the new libary and see Hodaka displays. A special presentation of a Hodaka bike was made to the city and accepted by Mayor Chuck Vickery at the Saturday night banquet catered by Leyah's Catering. The bike will be on display for some weeks at City Hall. This year the raffle under the aegis of the Gem Theater in cooperation with Hodaka owners group benefited the GEM, Inc. restoration project to the tune of about $2400.

Summer reading program at library is in full swing. The most recent activity was a session with professional photographer. Results of the kids' photo shoots will be displayed on Monday, July 20th, along with a display and introduction to the nearly 70 titles added to childrens' collection through a grant from LIBRI foundation in cooperation with ALFA. There were about 50 participants -- audience and cast -- for the fun and successful play production of The Runaway Bookmobile directed by Kristen Hansell.

Come one, come all! You are welcome to participate ... even if you cannot always attend. Athena Library book club's next meeting will be a discussion of Three Cups of Tea on Monday, July 20th, 6 :30 pm at the library. Participants enjoyed the 2009 OREGON READS discussion of "Stubborn Twig" so much that they decided to establish a monthly reading group. A display related to "Stubborn Twig" is still up at the library and includes a screen door from one of that era's internment camp barracks at Heart Mountain in Wyoming. The August book group title will be The Master Butchers Singing Club. At the July 20th meeting, book titles for September and October will be chosen. And does anyone have a catchy name to suggest for the book group?

As a result of resignations of Kevin Fernalld and Ron Reinhart from the Council, there are 2 vacant slots to be filled by appointment. Please submit your letter of interest at City Hall before July 7th as appointments will be announced by Mayor Chuck Vickery at the Council's July 9th meeting. Dyann Swanson at City Hall can answer any questions you may have about eligibility, duties and responsibilities, and term lengths.

The swimming pool opened June 15th; swim schedule and rates posted at pool and at City Hall.

Sally Geissel is arranging a special exhibit for Caledonian at the library ... do drop by and take a look. Athena Caledonian Games
July 11 & 12, City Park -- sheep dog trials, parade, bagpipes, clan tents and MORE ... More info (including vendor and parade applications) at: www.athenacaledoniangames.org

At this time, Councilor Laverne Mitchell is overseeing administration and public library; Eric Pickard oversees Public Safety (police and fire); and Carol Speed oversees Public Works and serves as Council liaison to other organizations and agencies.

On June 19th, the Oregon State Library Trustee Board met at the Athena library. Carrie Bremer gave a tour of the building before the formal meeting began. Ken Reading, director of Umatilla County Special Library District, also spoke about the district and its activities and services.

Congratulations to Elizabeth McIntyre and Dale Peters, teachers at Weston-McEwen for winning this year's Eastern Oregon University's Inspirational Teacher awards.

Public safety info from the city is now available from a service that messages you as you select--cell phone, email, text. Check it out at www.nixle.com ... or ask Officer Marc Calvert to explain it to you.

By all reports, the school band has had a very exciting, informative, and fun-filled trip to Washington DC, New York, and Philadelphia. Thanks to all the community support shown for the trip.

Postal rates increased May 11th to 44 cents for first class letter and 28 cents for post cards. Please also remember that Post Office bulletin board is only for community events and legal notices approved by Postmaster Karen ... commercial notices should go on the boards next to Doubletree and/or Sugar Shack that have been refurbished by FFA kids.

The Chamber of Commerce will not hold meetings in July and August. The Chamber continues its selection of a Yard of the Month through the summer.

If you have ideas that would make good senior projects for high schoolers, let Dyann at City Hall or Carrie at the Library know. Such projects are a requirement for graduation and give a lot to the town as well!

Sue Friese has volunteered to represent Athena on the Umatilla County Tourism Committee (replacing Larry Nye who resigned due to pressures of other commitments).

If you want to be part of the Community Dispute Resolution Program and train as a mediator, please contact Joe Schenck at 541-310-7116 or email him at joe @ bluemountainmediation.org (removing the spaces around the @ symbol).

The American Legion needs donations of wheelchairs, crutches, and walkers in good condition. Contact Tim Kennedy at 566-1919 if you can help out.

Cats and dogs both require licensing; see City Hall. And remember to keep yards mown and weeded ... the police officers can give tickets if if areas become too overgrown, especially the portion between front of yard/sidewalk/street.

Please come in any time to get your new library card so you are on the new automated system. Bring an ID with you, please.

---

The Future Farmers of America (FFA) youth have revamped the two outdoor bulletin boards with donation support from PGG and others and monetary support from Athena Chamber of Commerce and PARTNERS Promoting Athena. The work included repair of posts, wood framing, shingles, and painting and staining all parts. The same group has also refurbished and replanted the whiskey barrel sidewalk planters.