Minutes from Rockford Horizons October 27, 2009 Meeting

The Horizons Visioning/Strategic Plan was discussed and the progress reviewed.

Communications:
The community events are being posted on the Town reader board. The community calendar is being circulated in the Town utility bill. It is also on the Horizons blog as well as the Town website. A few copies should be posted throughout Town such as at the Post Office and various businesses. Phil Evans will have a presentation at the November 10th meeting to discuss what he has learned from several broadband providers. A survey will be drafted and sent out to the community to find out the desire for wireless and broadband and how many households can afford it. The Town is currently on a contract for administration of the website. The Horizons blog is being updated more frequently.

Community Center:
More programs were discussed to be housed in a facility. The Horizons group is finalizing paperwork for 501(c)3 status with IRS.

Community Garden:
Ther was discussion about the sort of crops that should be planted next year and those that were not popular. A local contractor will be contacted regarding putting raised beds in one of the garden spots. A greenhouse has been donated which will help get seeds started. The three garden spots will be available for use again next planting season. The farmers market was a success this year and the hope is to have music and cooking demonstrations as a bonus.

Patrick Malone was in attendance and helped us with ideas to get youth involved. One incentive is to get a student involved in the website and other projects such as designing placemats and soliciting for donations from local businesses. They would do this during their senior year and upon entering a college would receive an incentive of $1,000.00 toward their tuition (e.g.). Patrick also gave us an application for Horizons Community Capacity Fund which Vivian P. will complete and send in.

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at the Harvest Moon.

You can become a Certified Money Management Trainer

The lack of financial education and current economic conditions has created serious financial distress in households throughout the Inland Northwest. Consumer Credit Counseling Services (CCCS)invites you to become a Certified Money Management Trainer (CMMT) who can provide financial education and, ultimately improve lives and the community.

Please join over 100 leaders this year who have taken this training and use it regularly with their clients and customers.

You will be able to assist families:
Assess finances and set goals
Make and keep budgets
Pay down credit and use it wisely
Build savings
Create an acion plan when facing less income
Manage credit reports and improve scores

Additional perks:
Free resources, tools, books for the people you serve
On-going support from CCCS staff and volunteers
Educational credits or CRA credits
Bring the tools home to your co-workers, clients and family

Training will be held:
Coeur d' Alene, ID on Friday, November 20th
9:30-3:30
First Presbyterian Church, Fireside Room
521 E Lakeside Ave
OR
Spokane, WA on Thursday, December 17th
9:00-3:00
Northtown Office Building, Columbia Room
4407 N Division St, Suite 814

Cost for this training is $45 per person-lunch is provided
Please call 509.242.4205 for more information, special accomodations or if you would like to apply for a scholarship.

Space is limited---Register Today!

2010 U. S. Census is coming to your house soon!

The 2010 U. S. Census forms will be mailed on March 15, 2010. Every household will be given the short form with 10 questions to answer. The American Community Survey (the long form) will be sent to an average of 1 in 6 households nationwide.

It is so important to your community, school and you to complete and mail back the form. This gives the Town of Rockford and Freeman School District information regarding such topics as population, median income, education, buildings constructed, and travel time to work. This data is necessary for grants and programs such as free and reduced lunch program. The ability for Rockford to be included in the Horizons program stemmed from this information.

Please send the completed survey form back as soon as you can or the Census takers will either phone or visit your home to gather this needed information. This takes billions of extra dollars to do. So please participate!

Reminders of this important topic will be posted on this blog periodically.

North Palouse Community Food Bank

The North Palouse Community Food Bank is accessible to all people in need that live in the Rockford, Fairfield, Waverly and Latah area. It is located behind the Fairfield Fire Station on Railroad Street.

The Hours of Operation are as follows:

November 2009
Saturday, November 14th 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Thursday, November 19th 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Saturday, November 28th 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

December 2009
Saturday, December 12th 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Thursday, December 17th 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Saturday, December 26th 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

For emergency needs at times other than scheduled hours of operation, you may call (509) 283-4250 or (509) 844-8551
They will be distributing holidays baskets to many families throughout the area.

Free Yard & Garden Debris Collection Event

Since outdoor burning is not allowed within the city limits of Rockford, this event allows us to dispose of our leaves, grass, brush and other yard trimmings and it is free!

Collection hours are from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm on Saturday, November 7th. The location will be behind the Rockford City Hall.

If you need help hauling your debris, please call the City Hall @ (509) 291-4716 and someone will assist you in loading and will also take it to the collection site.

This is one big step in making Rockford an attractive community!

Community Halloween Events

Here are suggestions for a safe and fun Halloween:

The McIntosh Grange (located at the corner of 1st & Lake Streets) is having a Halloween Party. It will be from 5:30 to 8:00 pm and will have many activities. This includes a cake walk, games, treats and prizes.

The Rockford Lions Club is hosting their annual Halloween Bon Fire in the park from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Roasting hot dogs and hot cider and cocoa will be provided.

These events are free to the community!

Community Book Club

The following is a summary about the "Mayors (Community) Book Clubs" program which has been successful in several cities. The article is from the September 28, 2009 issue of the Nation Cities Weekly:

The project is an effort to develop community-wide early literacy. It is to promote school readiness among children well before first grade. Special components may include free and new books and literacy materials for families of young and school-age children, parent education classes, efforts to expand access to community-based early education resources and public events at which a community leader reads a book to children.

A brainstorming session for the Community Literacy Plan occurs to develop goals which focuses on strengthening local partnerships with schools, public libraries and community partners and developing methods to reach more children in the community while involving parents and older children.

Reading can be used as a means for problem-solving. With older students as mentors, they will be reading to young children and serve as peer leaders on such topics as the importance of helping others, staying healthy (preventing the flu, e.g.)and preparing for and succeeding in school and college. Senior citizens are also encouraged to read with children.

Since there is no library located in Rockford with the closest one being five miles away in Faifield, this would be a great community effort to engage everyone in encouraging and helping our youth to succeed in school and also become future leaders. A lending library is curently being created through the Rockford Community Center (RCC) group. Stay tuned for more information.