Dec 2016 Volume 15, Issue 6

City of Independence River City Briefs

MERIT Helps Entrepreneurs MAYOR Independence Population John McArdle According to the Portland State University MERIT is a non-for-profit organization that pro- COUNCIL Population Research Center, the estimated vides training, advising, access to capital and Jerry Hoffman access to market data to people starting new population for Independence as of July 1, Nancy Lodge businesses. 2016 is 9,250, a 475 person increase from Diana Lindskog Explore and Define Your Business is a 12-hour Marilyn Morton last year. course that is designed for participants to define Forrest Peck Staff researched official US Census files, and refine their business concept and to examine Tom Takacs their personal and financial readiness, as personal and the city has grown noticeably in the CITY MANAGER financial management is a strong indicator for David Clyne last 57+ years: 1960: 1,930; 1970: 2,594; business success. 1980: 4,024; 1990: 4,425; 2000: 6,035 CITY HALL Each participant completes a personal financial Phone: 503-838-1212 and 2010: 8,590. statement, participates in class discussions, learn about individual development accounts, and re- Fax: 503-606-3282 sources for credit and financial education classes. Website: ASH CREEK ART CENTER The class costs $100.00 if income qualified. www.ci.independence.or.us Second Saturday Family Art Classes : 2-4pm. WHAT: Explore and Define Your Business Facebook: Jan. 14: Still Life oil pastel paint- WHO: People thinking about starting their own https://www.facebook.com/ ings inspired by Cezanne with Paula Booth. business. IndependenceOregon WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 7-28, 2017, 6:00-9:00 pm This class will be held at the Independence POLICE Women's Club at 340 S. 3rd St. Independ- WHERE: Chemeketa Center for Business and Phone: 503-838-1214 ence. Second Saturday Family Art Classes are Industry, 626 High St NE, Salem (2nd floor) Fax: 503-838-5548 COST: $100, if income qualified. Scholarships are designed for children and their accompanying PUBLIC WORKS adults. available for those who live within Polk County, Phone: 503-838-4781 based on income. Registration is not required and the program is For more information, call Mona Edwards, Pro- Fax: 503-838-2599 free to participants. gram Coordinator, 503.584.7314. LIBRARY Phone: 503-838-1811 Fax: 503-838-4486 “Breaking Chains—Slavery on Trial in the Oregon Territory” MUSEUM Phone: 503-838-4989 Please join the Independence Heritage Museum and the Heritage Museum Society for an informative discussion about slavery in Oregon. Author R. Gregory Nokes will be on hand to lead the discussion. An excerpt from his book: CITY HALL “First Slaves. There are two versions of how Robin and Polly Holmes, both Missouri slaves, came to HOLIDAY CLOSURE Oregon. One, told by Robin Holmes, is that his owner, Nathaniel Ford, persuaded him to come in ex- change for his freedom. The other, told by Ford descendants, is that Holmes begged to come and City Hall will be closed on Ford brought Holmes—and Holmes’ wife and children–against his better judgment. Monday, January 16, 2017 Whichever version is correct, and certainly Holmes’ version is most believable, the family of slaves to observe Dr. Martin Lu- joined a wagon train of fifty-four wagons in 1844 for an eight-month journey along the Oregon Trail ther King, Jr holiday . from Independence, Missouri. It was among the first emigrant wagon trains to leave for Oregon, and Robin and Polly Holmes would be among the first African-Americans to live in Oregon. They brought their three small children, and settled with the Ford family in what is now Polk County. Years later, Holmes and Ford would face each other in a landmark court case that would help shape Oregon’s policy toward slavery and slaves. The case was a habeas corpus suit brought by Holmes against Ford in 1852 seeking custody of his children, who Ford tried to keep. A remarkable feature of the case is that it provides a rare written record of the relationship between a slave-owner and a slave—from the slave’s point of view.” DATE: Monday, January 23rd TIME: 7:00 pm PLACE: Independence Civic Center, 555 South Main Street, Riverside entrance The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be provided. THIS MONTH AT THE INDEPENDENCE PUBLIC LIBRARY For Youth: 9am. Learn how to use this great genealogy resource that Family Story Time: Wednesdays at 10:30am. An hour is available for you to use free at the Independence Public of stories, songs, finger-plays, crafts and more. This Library. The program is free and is appropriate for all skill program is open to children of all ages, but is designed levels. to meet the developmental needs of children ages 3-5. Mystery Book Club: Thursday, January 12th at 6pm. This Cuentos in Español – Sábados a las 3:30pm. Un pro- month’s selection is A hero of France by Alan Furst. Cop- grama de cuentos, canciones, manualidades y más. ies are available for checkout at the library. Tiny Tots on Tuesdays at 2pm (starting Jan. 17th). For e-Reader Workshop: Friday, January 6th and Tuesday, children ages 0-2 and a parent or caregiver. This is a January 10th – Drop in between 6:30 and 8pm on either lap-sit story time designed for the youngest audience. day. Did you get a new e-Reader? Let us help you get it This program features lots of interactive activities. set up to work with the library’s e-Book collection. Be sure Chess Club: Thursdays at 4:30pm. Children in first to know your Adobe ID and/or Amazon login and bring grade and up are invited to join Nancy Albritton for a your library card. No library card? Just bring picture ID chance to use and improve their chess skills. No expe- and we can help you get signed up for one. rience is required and children at all levels are welcome. Adult Coloring Program: Friday, January 13th at 4pm. Wacky Wednesdays – 3pm Does the New Year have you stressed out? Come join us January 4: Lego Freestyle….Use your imagination! for an hour of relaxing coloring fun. Now it’s YOUR turn to January 11: Snowman Crafts (2 sessions – 3pm & color! 6:30pm. Choose the one that fits your schedule) January 18: Book Tasting – Kids will sample some new reads for the New Year! MARIJUANA REGULATIONS PASSED January 25: “Snow Forts” (2 sessions – 3pm & 6:30pm. Choose the one that fits your schedule) 1. Citizens of Independence voted to enact a 3% tax on For Teens: (6th grade & up) recreational marijuana sales, and the council elected that Teen Cooking Club: Friday, January 27th at 4:30pm. the Oregon Dept. of Revenue will administer the collection Pasta fun! (for 6th grade and up). of the tax. For Adults and Older Teens: 2. At their 12/17 meeting, the City Council voted to regu- Scrabble with Betty: Wednesday, January 4th at 1pm. late marijuana businesses. A business license ordinance Love games? Join Betty and other friends for a fun for marijuana businesses will take effect in January. game of Scrabble. We’ll provide the boards and a dic- If you are a marijuana business and would like more infor- tionary or two! mation, please contact the City Recorder at 503-838- Ancestry.com Workshop: Saturday, January 7th at 1212.

Public Meeting Schedule Date(s) Time Place

City Council Jan 10 7:30 PM Civic Center—Chambers Jan 24 7:30 AM Civic Center—Chambers Historic Preservation Commission Jan 17 4:00 PM Civic Center—Chambers Hop & Heritage Festival Commission Jan 25 6:00 PM Civic Center—Event Center Museum Board Jan 11 4:30 PM Heritage Museum Library Board Jan 23 4:00 PM Independence Library Parks & Rec Committee Jan 19 6:00 PM Ash Creek Meeting Room Traffic Safety Commission Feb 15 6:00 PM Ash Creek Meeting Room Western Days Commission Jan 11 7:00 PM Civic Center—Event Center MINET Board of Directors Jan 26 7:30 AM Henry Hill Center, 750 S. 5th

Want to Recycle? Independence on Facebook You can keep up-to-date with what’s Brandt's Sanitary Service offers 2 ways going on in the city and get timely to recycle: announcements about city-related 1. at their 24-hour recycling center, lo- events and activities. Find us at: cated at 158 Pacific Avenue South; or http://www.facebook.com/ 2. curbside recycling. For more infor- IndependenceOregon mation, call Brandt’s at: 503-838-0464.