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Covering Dallas, Monmouth, Independence, Falls City and surrounding areas since 1868

6/20 News in Brief

*Benefit auction set at Eola Hills*Lions fete members, select officers*4-H seeking exchange host families*MINET launches overhauled website

June 20, 2012

RICKREALL -- The 16th annual Summer Solstice Benefit Auction will take place on Saturday at Eola Hills Wine Cellars, 501 S. Pacific Highway.

The event is a key fundraiser for Partnerships in Community Living, a nonprofit organization that assists individuals with mental and physical disabilities.

The silent auction starts at 5 p.m. and lasts until 6:30 p.m. Dinner, which includes chicken marsala, pork roast, salad and wine, begins immediately after.

That's followed by an oral auction, with prizes ranging from artwork by local artists and gift baskets to a trip to Todos Santos, Mexico.

Andy Carson of Portland's FOX 12 News will serve as master of ceremonies.

Cost to attend is $25 per person. Tickets are still available, but must be purchased in advance by calling Gwen Whelton at 503-932-9590.

Lions fete members, select officers

MONMOUTH/INDEPENDENCE -- The Central Lions Club of Monmouth-Independence honored some of its most active members and tapped new officers during its annual installation meeting on June 5.

Kathy Zehner was named Lion of the Year, while Bruce Gordon and Marc Powell received the Melvin Jones Fellowship and Helen Keller Award, respectively. The latter awards are bestowed for volunteerism.

The organization also selected its new leaders for 2012-13. Deb Bach was named president. First- and second-vice president are Robin Puccetti and Danny Jaffer, respectively. Bill Jobe was named "Lion Tamer" and Powell, "Tail Twister."

The Central Lions coordinate a sight and hearing screening in the community every year and run the "flags for first graders" project.

4-H seeking exchange host families

POLK COUNTY -- Polk County 4-H is seeking two to four area host families for Japanese students involved in the Oregon 4-H exchange program.

The students will stay with local families between July 22 and Aug. 18. Families with children who aren't involved in 4-H are eligible to be hosts.

Those selected will be expected to provide all meals and lodging for the youth, ages 12 to 16. You do not need to provide special travel or entertainment since the program emphasizes taking part in regular family life or community activities, said Debra McBeth, Polk 4-H coordinator.

Host families must complete an application, pass a background check and provide two references. Host families with kids will be matched with Japanese students of comparable age and with similar interests.

To be a host family for the exchange: Debra McBeth, 503-623-5578; e-mail to cdmcbeth@peoplepc.com.

MINET launches overhauled website

MONMOUTH/INDEPENDENCE -- The Monmouth-Independence Network (MINET) recently launched a new, more user-friendly website that offers information on pricing, services and access to tools for MINET customers.

The overhauled site, www.minetfiber.com, will provide schedules for residential and business service pricing, online ordering and bill pay, customer- and technology-support tools and speed testing.

It will also feature web tools for weather, the 2C1C monthly newsletter, Latino services, and real time MINET Alerts. For business interests, the new site describes government cloud services, network monitoring and other services.

"This site represents the benefits MINET provides the citizens of Monmouth and Independence," said Ross Schultz, MINET manager.

For more information: www.minetfiber.com; 503-837-0700.