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Students with the Castle Rock High School Band perform under the direction of band instructor Aimee Pyle during a musical concert in Ryderwood Jan. 28. The Choir and Jazz Band also performed during the third of such annual concerts meant to include Ryderwood in Castle Rock activities after the community was incorporated into the Castle Rock School District.

There is nothing more critical to the quality of our lives than our relationships, and nothing is more critical to our relationships than how we communicate.

That ambitious statement is the introduction to the Centralia College Feb. 12 Lyceum presentation by Dr. John Stewart, author of U&ME: Communicating in Moments that Matter. His presentation and his book show how to improve the quality of your life by improving your everyday communicating.

Are you parenting a teen and asking yourself: How come it seems like every conversation with my teen turns into a power struggle? Centralia College Child and Family Studies is offering a Parenting a Teen class that can help parents interact more successfully with their teen.

Parenting a Teen classes help you make sense of what is happening with your teen, and learn tools and strategies to increase positive parent-teen communication and problem solving. 

Volunteers in Winlock are getting ready for what is to be the first of several Clean Up the Coop events this Saturday, with the hope of making sure buildings, sidewalks, parks and the community itself end up looking the best they can.

Organized by local businesswoman Viola Chickese, Clean Up the Coop has received an outpouring of support from local organizations such as the Lions Club, the Winlock Christian Fellowship, the City of Winlock, and a number of private citizens in attendance at recent gatherings to plan the event.

Hopefully the Seahawks fans have regained their voices (and senses) after the huge Super Bowl win on Sunday! Even with the little bit of knowledge I had ahead of time, it was a surprise to see such a one-sided game. Sorry, Broncos fans…

Friday’s Dinner at the Café will be Myra’s Fruit-Stuffed Pork Roll-Ups, which sounds like a winner. Call Linda at (360) 295-0875 to make reservations by Wednesday. Keep in mind that the Café will not have a dinner on Valentine’s Day. Contact Mary at (360) 295-0850 about reservations for the Banquet at the Church.

Oops! Last week’s mention of bricks for Toledo Veterans Memorial Wall listed an incorrect website link. Download applications at www.toledolionsclub.org, pickup apps at The Wall, email dearoldbob@toledotel.com or call (360) 864-8335.

Friends of the Toledo Library report: Jan. 22 recommendation to TRL Board of Trustees for a kiosk in Toledo tabled, awaiting input from stakeholders. Email your support: Cheryl Haywood, Exec. Director TRL, cheywood@trl.org, Regina King, Lewis County Rep, rking@trl.org, and Hal Blanton, Member At Large, hblanton@trl.org.

The school levy is up for vote and I thought it would be wise to have it explained by Shannon Criss, the Superintendent of the Winlock School District. The Winlock community has been very supportive of its schools and has consistently passed school Maintenance and Operations levies. Most of the District’s income comes from the State, but the State does not fund 100% of what is needed for basic education. When patrons pass an M & O levy the state provides additional money in the form of Local Effort Assistance Dollars. For Winlock, that is about $488,000.00 each year. We receive this money ONLY if the levy passes.” Please continue to support the schools.

After six months of poor relations with local officials and ongoing financial setbacks, sewer company Blue Array has officially dissolved, with it’s remaining components being absorbed by former backer JH Kelley.

While it had has been unclear if Blue Array itself would remain in tact after previous owners James Reilly and Victoria Jelderks defaulted on their debt to JH Kelley Jan. 1 (a debt acquired when the two agreed to purchase JH Kelley’s stake in Blue Array back in July), it has since been reported their experimental wastewater treatment plant has been decommissioned indefinitely and neither Reilly nor Jelderks are in any way associated with the company.

The Castle Rock City Council is being asked to re-examine their gambling taxes in light of the fees’ impact on local businesses.

It was stated during the Jan. 27 council meeting the owners of the Pastime tavern (127 Front Ave. NW) have expressed concern regarding the city’s five-percent tax on the gross revenue from their pull-tabs, stating they are not able to turn a profit on the games at that rate, according to Mayor Paul Helenberg.

The Winlock boys basketball team may have not had a very successful season, but one thing is for sure: any team that wants to challenge them in a hunting contest better do their scouting first.

The senior-laden team includes Deven Miller, Skylar Tremayne and Chance Fisher. Add Junior Shad Coleman and you have an all-star group of outdoorsmen.

A rundown of recent local games.

An unknown driver has gone missing after a Vader-area collision Saturday, according to Lewis County Medic One.

Emergency personnel and law enforcement arrived at the intersection of SR 506 and Winlock/Vader Rd. at around 1 p.m. to find an abandoned pickup with significant damage to the driver’s side, though no indication of whom was occupying the vehicle or how many had been inside was found at the scene.

Supporters of law enforcement gathered outside the Lewis County Law and Justice Center Thursday for the unveiling of a memorial to Lewis County officers who have fallen in the line of duty.

The Guardian, a bronze sculpture by local artist James Stafford, had been the result of four years of planning and fundraising by the Lewis County Law Enforcement Memorial Committee and was dedicated to the memories of seven officers and one K-9 killed since 1903, as well as the residents of Lewis County.

A Winlock store is boasting homemade chocolates and snacks in time for Valentine’s Day, with customers already saying it’s some of the best they’ve ever tasted.

Never the Same, located at 503 First St. in Downtown Winlock, opened just back in October and has already created loyal following through it’s homemade fudge and caramel corn, among many other confections.

Toledo student Tukker Johansen was among those who won a free Seahawks t-shirt during an open house at Toledo Tel's Plomondon Rd. offices Jan. 28. Winners also included Jonathan Buell, who won a Roku 3 box with free installation, and Emily Morgan, who won a new Kindle Fire. "Thanks to all who took the time to join us in celebrating our newly-remodeled business office," said Toledo Tel's Sheila Richardson. "We had a great turnout and a lot of fun visiting with everyone."