Lions Clubs Radio

Listen to holiday music at: http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/news-and-events/radio.php

RAINIER COMMUNITY NEWS WEBSITE LAUNCHED!!!!!

Hello Linda ,     This past Wednesday, the Rainier Community News website went  live at a launch presentation hosted at the Rainier Emergency Food Center. It has taken two years , starting with the idea, to bring it to life. It will still take time for it to grow into a site that is  driven  by and for our community. This can only happen if we all participate with involvement and ideas on how to keep it growing. One of the main features is that it is FREE to participate with business ads, for sale ads and what's happening in our area.  We hope that the entire community will support and participate, making this a true community information center. PLEASE let us know your thoughts and participate where you can with ads, local history stories, information, links to your  web site, and your non profit group. Please share this site with your friends and neighbors, church groups, civic groups and make it a great place to get the word out. Please visit and learn to navigate the web site. Some of the information, at present, is dated but put there to show  some of the features we have available .   www.rainiercommunitynews.com If you'd like to talk more or have any questions or comments, don't hesitate to call Juliette or myself for more information. Be sure to check out the meeting notes below and the PowerPoint presentation  here.  Juliette: 360-446-9222 George: 360-292-5363     Sincerely, George Johnson RCC Chair Last month's meeting notes can be accessed   here.     Mark your calendar: The regular coalition meetings are the second Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the Rainier Emergency Food Bank.    Rainier Community Cares: Working together to create positive opportunities and enhance community pride while promoting an alcohol - and drug-free environment for youth.  New! Youth Mental Health First Aid Training     Similar to 'First Aid' and  CPR, 'Mental Health First Aid' teaches individuals how to help those experiencing mental health challenges or crises Earn 8 clock hours through ESD 113 Click here to REGISTER Type in the session id (52671) and register WHO:   Open to school professionals, parents, and adults who care about youth. Must be 16 or older to participate. WHAT:          First-ever training on mental health first aid in Rainier WHEN:          January 8 and 22; February 5 and 19; 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. OTHER:         Snacks available! WHERE:        Rainier High School 308 2nd Street West, Rainier Library Room WHY: Mental health challenges - such as depression, anxiety, psychosis and substance use - are shockingly common in the United States. In fact, more than 1 in 5 American adults will have a mental health problem in any given year. This nationally certified course prepares communities with the knowledge and skills to help individuals who are developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. This training helps the public better identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses. Click here for more information on Mental Health First Aid.  TAUGHT BY: Student Assistance Professional Chris Chitwood, with support by professionals at the Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery.

Contact Us:                                                                                                                          Juliette Pia  George Johnson Coalition Coordinator for RCC Chair of RCC Email Email 360-446-9222 360-292-5363 Rainier Community Cares is a community coalition supported by TOGETHER! TOGETHER! engages and mobilizes families, schools and the community to advance the health, safety and success of our youth. the TOGETHER! website    Pass on this information about the Rainier Community Coalition

Youth Mental Health First Aid Classes 2014

This is the first time mental health first aid training has been done in Rainier.

The Rainier Lions Club is sponsoring the "Youth Mental Health First Aid" classes in Rainier. This is being done through Rainier Community Cares and the Rainier High School.  

There is no charge for this course, which will be taught over 4 different sessions. January 8 & 22; February 5 & 19 from 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM  at the Rainier High School Library Room.

To REGISTER:  https://www.escweb.net/wa_esd113/default.aspx

Session ID #:        52671

FFA Food For All Results for 2014

Last year, 2013,  the Rainier Community Garden grew over 3,000 pounds which they donated to the Rainier Emergency Food & volunteers who worked in the garden.  The numbers aren't in for 2014.  

Look at the impact of FFA gardens nation wide:

WSU Master Gardeners Program 2015

Caroling for Cans Sings Joyfully About Rainier

The Rainier Chapel parking lot was filled with cars when George drove up to meet the volunteers going "Caroling for Can."  Three truck load of singers on hay loaded trailers left the parking lot to sing around town.  

Thank you all for your joyful music!  You're an inspiration to us all! 

The article & picture below were submitted by Brandi Knight-Howell:

Brandi Knight-howell

12:59pm Dec 14

These kids worked very hard last night for a great cause!   Two hours of caroling in the cold for donations for the food bank! I am searching right now for a special patch for them to put on their brag vest for all their hard work! Also any cub scout that has not earned their messenger in the piece patch, earned it last night. Please let us know so that we make sure we have it for them at the next pack meeting! Good Work boys and also to all the siblings and family that also helped!

Note:  We will deliver a truck load of food to the Rainier Emergency Food Center tomorrow & let you know how many pounds of food we collected.  George J.

Fife Lions Ham Dinner 2014

Caroling for Cans 2014

The Rainier Lions Club will be “Caroling for Cans” this Saturday night in Rainier.  We will be joined by the FFA, Boy & Cub Scouts, Mormon Church members, Rainier Emergency Food Center, as well as others in Rainier in singing for cans of food for the Rainier Food Bank,  so that we can all help feed those less fortunate than ourselves.

We will be carrying on the long standing tradition of Christmas carolers. Why do Christmas carolers travel in groups going from house to house singing and celebrating the season today?  It is believed that Christmas caroling developed in or around the 15th century with those too poor “singing for their supper,” going from door-to-door until they had enough food to sustain themselves.

  

The Rainier singers will be asking for food for our area's hungry and homeless from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM. We will meet and start at the Rainier Chapel at 5 P.M. this Saturday evening, December 13, 2014.  Anyone interested in  participating is welcome to join us.  The more the merrier.  It was great fun last year.

Unfortunately we can’t reach every single home, but you may also drop off canned & non-perishable food at Main Street Cookie Store or Ginger Street store in Downtown Rainier.

If you have any questions, please call George at:  (360) 292-5363 or Evan at:  (360) 280-0205 

FREE STEDI Business Workshop

Subject: If you want more sales, come learn from a pro and it's free - another STEDI workshop

Hi everyone,

Fred Evander asked me to make sure you were all aware of this upcoming workshop.  It’s a critical one for all types of businesses – how to increase your sales!

Liz Jamieson is an expert at teaching this topic and will provide very practical suggestions you can implement immediately.  Please join us and call if you have any questions.

How to close more sales!

Thurs, December 4

8 - 10 am with coaching afterwards

Highway Diner

10109 US 12, Rochester 98579

Victoria Wortberg, Program Manager | Washington Center for Women in Business | Thurston EDC

Serving Thurston County since 1982
Thurston Economic Development Council
665 Woodland Square Loop SE, Suite 201  | Lacey WA 98503
PH: 360-754-6320 | Fax: 360-528-2098 | vwortberg@thurstonedc.com

EMyth Business Coaching

God Bless America

This is wonderful! Does the year 1940 ring a bell for anyone . . .? No TV, yes radio, and people did sit around the radio to listen. Some even placed earphones in a large bowl to create a loudspeaker.

 

The worry, the privation, the pain and loss in the Big War . . . may we never see that again!

 

 

 

 

THE STORY BEHIND A GREAT SONG

Frank Sinatra considered Kate Smith the best singer of her time, and he said that when he and a million other guys first heard her sing "God Bless America" on the radio, they all pretended to have dust in their eyes as they wiped away a tear or two.

Here are the facts... The link at the bottom will take you to a video showing the very first public singing of "GOD BLESS AMERICA".  But before you watch it, you should also know the story behind the first public showing of the song.

 

The time was 1940. America was still in a terrible economic depression. Hitler was taking over Europe and Americans were afraid we'd have to go to war. It was a time of hardship and worry for most Americans.

This was the era just before TV, when radio shows were HUGE, and American families sat around their radios in the evenings, listening to their favorite entertainers, and no entertainer of that era was bigger than Kate Smith.

Kate was also large; plus size, as we now say, and the popular phrase still used today is in deference to her, "It ain't over till the fat lady sings". Kate Smith might not have made it big in the age of TV, but with her voice coming over the radio, she was the biggest star of her time.

 

Kate was also patriotic. It hurt her to see Americans so depressed and afraid of what the next day would bring . She had hope for America, and faith in her fellow Americans. She wanted to do something to cheer them up, so she went to the famous American song-writer, Irving Berlin (who also wrote "White Christmas") and asked him to write a song that would make Americans feel good again about their country.  When she described what she was looking for, he said he had just the song for her.

He went to his files and found a song that he had written, but never published, 22 years before - way back in 1917. He gave it to her and she worked on it with her studio orchestra.  She and Irving Berlin were not sure how the song would be received by the public, but both agreed they would not take any profits from God Bless America. Any profits would go to the Boy Scouts of America. Over the years, the Boy Scouts have received millions of dollars in royalties from this song.

 

This video starts out with Kate Smith coming into the radio studio with the orchestra and an audience. She introduces the new song for the very first time, and starts singing. After the first couple verses, with her voice in the background still singing, scenes are shown from the 1940 movie, "You're In The Army Now."  At the 4:20 mark of the video you see a young actor in the movie, sitting in an office, reading a paper; it's Ronald Reagan.

To this day, God Bless America stirs our patriotic feelings and pride in our country.  Back in 1940, when Kate Smith went looking for a song to raise the spirits of her fellow Americans, I doubt whether she realized just how successful the results would be for her fellow Americans during those years of hardship and worry..... and for many generations of Americans to follow.

Now that you know the story of the song, I hope you'll enjoy it and treasure it even more.

 

Many people don't know there's a lead in to the song since it usually starts with "God Bless America....." So here's the entire song as originally sung.....ENJOY!

Let us pray God still does Bless America, and it's not too late.

VIDEO OF KATE SMITH SINGING "GOD BLESS AMERICA"

 

REMEMBER TO THANK A VET-  TODAY AND  EVERY DAY! 

Inspirah "Art with a Heart."

Trish Becerra - Artist & Designer at Inspirah, spoke at the Yelm Chamber of Commerce on November 12th about her products and new website launch on November 26th.  

We like  her designer hats.  She will make custom designed hats and other articles of clothing for your business, too.  Contact Trish at:  trish@inspirahdesigns.com 

Trish creates "Art with a Heart."

Please check out her new website at:  INSPIRAH

VA Homefront

National Call Center for Homeless Veterans

Rainier Cares Website Launch December 10, 2014

Come Join us for FREE dinner and dessert on December 10, 2014.  We'll be launching Rainier's new website.

You can promote for FREE:

1. Your Business  
2. Service Organization for FREE.  
3. Advertise your family's garage or yard sale
4. School Activities
5. Civic Activities

We'll have resources for health care, dental care, mental health care, etc., non-profits, civic groups, city wide blog and much, much more.    

We made this website because many people in the community asked for it.  

We're here for YOU!

Hands of Hope Update

November 24, 2014

Dear friends of Hands of Hope,

As you know I return to Peru each Christmas to recharge my batteries, feed my soul, and bring Christmas cheer to the school community of Taucca. Before I left Peru last August I asked the community what was needed for the children - the response was "rubber boots for the rainy season and warm jackets to help protect them from the cold." I would therefore like to offer the opportunity for those who wish to make a donation at this time to be able to do so. I realize these are tough times for many, so please know there is no expectation attached to this message. I am genuinely thankful for all the good wishes and contributions that have kept this dream alive the last few years.

Warmest regards
Dana

Please make checks payable to: Quipunet for Hands of Hope#18
Checks can be sent to: Dana Reynolds 1001 N Yakima Ave #504 Tacoma WA 98403

WA Employment Security Department: Shared Work Program for Private Employers

Karen Robbins, from Washington State's Employment Security Department, spoke about their Shared Work Program, at the Yelm Chamber of Commerce on November 12th.  This program is for private employers who have employees with at least 2 quarters of unemployment taxes filed with the Washington State's Employment Security Department.  

In the last few years over 100,000 employers have been helped to save jobs in Washington state.  If your business has a slow down, or other impacts on your business which may require you to lay off your employees, please look into this program.  Washington State has been able to subsidize employees & employers through a US Federal Grant.  This grant does run out on June 30, 2015.  

Sponsor a Bee Hive

Reduce Your Ecological Foodprint - Invest in Honey Bees:

Bee Forever Apiary

Yelm Chamber of Commerce OPEN HOUSE

You're invited to the Yelm Chamber of Commerce OPEN HOUSE on December 9, 2014 from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM at the Prairie Hotel.

Cecelia Jenkins is retiring as head of the Yelm Chamber of Commerce after 17 years of dedicated service.  Please come and thank her for everything she's done for Yelm.

Need a Ride????

Lions Night at the Theater December 9, 2014

TICKETS SELL OUT FAST!!!!

Order Your Tickets TODAY!!!

Contact Bernice Beck @ (360) 458-4545

SEA MAR Information

Sea Mar Community Health Centers have opened an office in Yelm.  They provide OBGYN services, as well as family medicine, dental clinics, mental health and many other valuable services.  Please feel free to call and make an appointment at:  (360) 400-4800.  If you make an appointment, you need to keep it.

White Elephant Sale & Raffle

 Rainier Emergency Food Center

White Elephant Sale & Raffle

Friday:  Dec 12:  11- 6 PM

Santa 4 – 6 PM Greets kids

Instant Pictures with Santa available for $2

(Covers the expense of photo paper.)

 

Saturday:   Dec 13  

Silent Auction   3-7 pm

Winners announced @ 7:05 pm

SEA MAR Community Health Center in Yelm

Belinda Montgomery, Clinic Manager at the SEA MAR Clinic in Yelm, spoke at both the RCC meeting last Wednesday night and after "The Anonymous People" movie a week ago Monday.

SEA MAR offers medical care to anyone, whether or not they have insurance or the ability to pay.  Next year their services will expand to include dental services.  For more information about SEA MAR, or to make an appointment, please call:  (360) 400-4800.

Remember, all services provided are kept confidential.  If you make an appointment, please keep it.   

You can apply for medical insurance November 15, 2014 - Feburary 15, 2015.

Annual Rainier Community Survey

RAINIER COMMUNITY CARES

 made a dramatic impact on our community this year.  

Rainier Community Cares is funded by a grant.  Please take the survey on Survey Monkey - to help us keep our funding.  This funding has provided Rainier with:

• FREE "Movies in the Park,"
• Movie & a Dinner
• Family Fun Day
• Parenting Classes
• CPR Training
• Parents Matter Posters
• Community Leadership Training
• Rainier Cares Website (Launch date 12/10/14)
• and much much more......

SUPPORT Rainier Community Cares by taking this brief Survey:

Rainier Community Cares Survey

Pack #307 Picture

Wolfs Practicing their Native American Chant they learned!

See the comments and picture on Facebook HERE

Family Portrait Christmas Cards:

George & I went to the Yelm Chamber of Commerce meeting last Wednesday.  It was held at the Prairie Motel in Yelm at noon.  We had a wonderful lunch that was catered by Casa Mia.  One of the people who attended, gave out a flyer of their Christmas Cards with a candy cane.  They're doing family Christmas card portraits this coming weekend.  The package includes 50 cards and envelopes:

Sheriff's Budget Cuts Shouldn't Impact Rainier

According to the Nisqually Valley News, the Thurston County budget cuts to the Sheriff's budget shouldn't impact the city of Rainier.  

BY JENNA LOUGHLIN jloughlin@yelmonline.com |0 comments

At a recent meeting, the Rainier City Council heard about how budget cuts to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Department will impact the city’s coverage and a program designed to help small businesses succeed.

City Administrator Charmayne Garrison took the opportunity of having the department’s Lt. Paul Counts in the audience to ask him how the proposed cuts could affect Rainier. The County Commissioners adopted the 2015 budget, which included the sheriff’s budget, on Tuesday, Oct. 28.

READ MORE:  HERE

If You Want To Learn More:

• Visit www.thurstonedc.com/programs-services/stedi.

• Call the Thurston Economic Development Council at 360-754-6320.

Please Help Sgt Smith and His Family

I read about this on Facebook this morning:  A fire broke out at Sargent Smith's home at 5 AM yesterday, November 13, 2014.  Their family of three lost everything.  They are lucky they are alive.

You can read about this & donate to help them:  HERE