Athena Community Website

Dyann Swanson has retired from City Hall. An enormous debt of gratitude is owed for the way Dyann managed to update procedures, sort files/records/reports, tackle projects, keep finances and all the rest on track, and have a smile on her face at the same time. Nancy Parker is now the City Recorder and will keep things humming now with the help of the new assistant Michelle Fox.

The city has revised the dog ordinance; check at City Hall to be sure you and your canines are in compliance. License your pets! License fees due by January 1st!

Santa is coming to town. He'll visit at Athena Grocery on Dec. 10th, 9 am - noon. And then be at the library Dec. 14th from 4-6 pm, sponsored by the Lions Club, with opportunites for photographs.

The Lions are also holding a raffle fundraiser with three groupings of prizes ... buy tickets and view the goodies at the Athena Grocery; drawing will be on Dec. 16th.

Nominations for Athena's First Citizen Awards are available at Athena Grocery, One Stop, Post Office, City Hall, and US Bank. These are due by December 31st. The annual Chamber of Commerce banquet will be held on January 23rd at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church hall.

There are three very special online services available at the library, including downloads of audio books, e-books for your Kindle or MP3 player, and student tutoring services. Support for these offerings comes from Libraries of Eastern Oregon and the Wildhorse Foundation. The library's website has full details about how to sign in from your home computer to access these services.

The City Council is investigating projects to increase the amount of aquefer water available to the city, especially during dry summer season. Under consideration are deepening one well, new water piping along Main Street in conjunction with next year's ODOT repaving project, and added water storage facilities. Kim King of Public Works staff is now fully certified in wastewater collection and treatment.

Thanks to Katie Zmuda and her team for organizing the great holiday season bazaar on Saturday the 3rd. Music, food, crafts, decorations, jewelry, music ... something for everyone!

The current art exhibit at library features some stunning photographs, mainly of people. Last month's display of art by people in prison attracted a great deal of attention and admiration. Display coordinator Amy Rogers is to be congratulated for the variety she has found for library displays!

WATCH OUT! Careful driving is critical in town. There are children everywhere on bikes, walking to and from school, popping out of the park, etc. There's also quite a few older folks who walk slowly, sometimes using mobility devices such as canes, walkers, and motorized chairs. Speed limits are meant to be obeyed. Citizens who notice autos traveling in excess of speed limits should note license plate number, date, time, and place and turn in at City Hall so that the police can remonstrate with offenders. The source of information remains anonymous according to information given by Mayor Chuck Vickery.

Triangle Little League still needs volunteers on the board to coordinate the snack bar, umpire roster, and equipment. Phone Chet Sater at 541-566-1185 if you can help out.

The newly formed Athena Knit&Crochet Club is meeting on third Mondays at 7 pm at the library. Bring yarn, needles, and other needlework projects along to relax, get new ideas, and chat. The group will also undertake several charitable projects during the coming year. For more information contact Erika Laseter on Facebook.

The Fire Department building has a new roof!

It's time to join the Chamber of Commerce, which is open to all in the community not just business people. It's a great way to support the town and be involved in improvements. Check the city's monthly newsletter for meeting times.

AA/NA Recovery open meetings are held in the rear meeting room at the library on Thursdays at 7 pm.

Remember that doing business locally keeps Athena humming ... whether it's grabbing a coffee or a lunch, getting auto body or mechanical work done, picking up a new broom or batteries, having your hair done, hiring someone to help with gardening or house repairs, or seeking out unusual gifts. The options for shopping right here in town have really grown; just explore a bit! (And save gas by doing business close to home!)

Pack those water meters!! What works? A plastic sack of leaves, packing "peanuts," or crumpled or shredded newspaper.

ALFA will sponsor a Fabric Faire in the spring; date TBA. Donations of fabrics and sewing notions will be needed, so please start cleaning out your cupboards! After the holidays, ALFA will announce how donations will be collected. [Do not bring to library!!] Clint Sloan has offered storage at C&C Tarps building on west College Street ... if you take there, be sure items are packed securely in plastic bags so they will stay in good condition until spring.

SENIOR CONNECTIONS is having some marvelous times for the over 60 crowd--bingo, potlucks, day trips. Please contact Doris McMillan (541-566- 3394) or Mary McGill (541-566-0369) for more information and look for activity announcements in the city newsletter.

The Athena Book Group now meets on second Mondays at 7 pm at the library. Everyone is welcome. Each month's book selection is listed in the city's newsletter.

The Planning Commission has recommended approval of Mike Humbert's plans to build a car wash at corner of Main and Second. Some demolition and property improvements are already underway.

Shawn Coffman and Evelyn Erler have been appointed to the Livestock Committee.

In February, the Athena Library Friends Association will hold its annual meeting; keep you ears open and eyes peeled for date and details. ALFA has committed $2800 and the Umatilla County Cultural Coalition has awarded $600 toward archival standard supplies and stipends to contract assistants to finish organization of Athena Press collection and to sort and index photographs, scrap books, news clips, ledgers, and an array of other materials in the library's Local History room. ALFA has also given funds for a new counter for a catalog computer and two tower shelving units for the increasing DVD collection (over 1000 DVDs available for checkout now!).

A truck accidentally struck one of replica vintage street lights on Main Street (between the Library and 5th Street). The driver did not realize what had happened at first, but as soon as he did, he contacted the city with all insurance information, so the replacement costs will be covered. However, getting bids and coordinating delivery, installation, and electrical work will take some time.

Work continues on the structural reinforcement and facade refurbishing at the GEM Theater. Volunteers to assist with various of the theater's restoration steps are always needed; contact Rob McIntyre at 541-566-0117.

The city's Library Board recently held a used book sale which earned over $200. The board's membership is listed at the Athena Library website. This board serves primarily as advisory group to librarian and the city on library policies. Members serve at the discretion of the Mayor and City Council.

If you have memorabilia, photos, or clippings about Caledonian Games and its history, please speak with Sue Friese at 566-3880. A grant to compile an archives has come from the Umatilla County Cultural Coalition. Or mail materials to P.O. Box 161, Athena, OR 97813.

The fire department has obtained thermal imaging cameras and a used pump truck plus some other equipment using funds that the volunteer fire department raised. Good job, folks!

If you know out-of-town folks coming to town who want a place to put their RV, do contact Everett Pixler at 541-566-9246 for reservations ... rates start at $20/night with reductions for longer stays.

The ODOT project to re-align, repave, fix up, IMPROVE Main Street which is also a state highway should begin construction in June 2012. ODOT staff plan to keep Main Street open to traffic by doing one side of the highway at a time. But there will be congestion at times, and certainly DUST and machinery NOISE. So everyone needs to be prepared to be patient.

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

Chamber of Commerce - third Thursdays, 11:30 am, Doubletree Cafe; contact Gene Wright or Joe Schenck 566-0209 for details.

Athena Library Friends Association Board - quarterly board meetings (October, January, April, July) at the library; contact Robert Moore, Nancy Wright, or Alan Schroeder or ask at library for more information.

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

Ambulance Board - contact Kevin Scheibner for information

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

Ol' Quilt Batts - contact Doreen Munck or Lela Morton 566-9442 or Charlene Webb 566-2032 for information.

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 - first Thursday meeting at 7 pm at Weston's Long Branch; and third Tuesdays, at 1 pm at Athena's Doubletree Cafe.contact David Lynde 566-3887 or Dean Parker for information and to confirm meeting times and places

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

Sunset Housing Board - contact Tim Albert, Nancy Parker or Karen Montee for more information

Blue Mountain Mediation, a non profit organization that provides free community services for neighbor to neighbor disputes. The volunteer mediators can help resolve conflicts before going to court. For more information call Joe Schenck 541-310-7116 or email at bmm@bluemountainmediation.org.