State of the City address Tuesday
Mayor Rick Olson will present McMinnville's annual State of the City address in a joint chamber/city club luncheon set for 11:45 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21, at the McMinnville Community Center, 600 N.E. Evans St.
Olson said he will touch on the financial condition of the city, including where the budget ended up last year and what the challenges lie for the coming fiscal year. He said he also plans to address major accomplishments of 2011, goals and objections adopted for 2012, and the status of signature undertakings like the Northeast Gateway Project.
Olson was elected to the post in 2008, following 24-years of leadership by businessman Ed Gormley, who opted not to seek another term. Olson served previously as president of the council.
The cost is $15 per person. Reservations are requested by Monday, Feb. 20, at 503-472-6196 or chamberinfo@mcminnville.org.
:PRUDENTIAL SALE
Prudential Northwest Properties, with offices in McMinnville and Newberg, has been acquired by Minneapolis-based HomeServices of America.
HomeServices is a subsidiary of MidAmerican Energy Holdings, a subsidiary in turn of Berkshire Hathaway. MidAmerican is also the parent company of PacifiCorp, whose holdings include Pacific Power.
HomeServices is the nation's second largest independent residential real estate brokerage and largest provider of brokerage-owned settlement services. It offers a broad array of mortgage, title, escrow and insurance products.
Prudential Northwest was founded in 1948. It operates 21 offices encompassing nearly 500 sales associaties.
Bert Waugh Jr. serves as chairman of the board, while his son, Jason, serves as president and CEO. HomeServices will be retaining them in their current roles.
Jason Waugh said, "We are joining an organization known for its strength and stability, one that is consistent with our high standards of service and integrity, making this a win/win for our customers and brokers."
Ron Schock manages Prudential's two Yamhill County offices, located at 224 N.E. Baker St. in McMinnville and 2318 Portland Road in Newberg.
:KIDS EARTH ART
A new web-based business, Earth Art by Kids, has been launched by McMinnville residents Brent and Shelley Searle. The aim is to showcase artwork from the Oregon Agriculture in the Classroom program.
The program's calendar contest draws more than 1,000 entries a year, but only 13 are selected for the finished product. The Searles entered into an agreement with the program to merchandise some of the artwork not featured in the calendar, in exchange for a portion of the proceeds.
The website, www.earthartbykids.com, offers customers the chance to select up to 100 images, all created by kindergartners, for placement on apparel, puzzles, posters, stationary, tote bags, throw pillows, blankets, hats and other products. Framed prints are also available.
Brent Searle said it was a learning curve to put the website together. He said he got valuable help from his son, Jacob.
"I think the artwork makes you smile," said Shelley Searle. "You can't help it."
:WOODLANDS MEETING
The Yamhill Small Woodlands Association will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22, in the OSU Extension Service's local auditorium, located at 2050 N.E. Lafayette Ave.
Malcom Hiatt of the Oregon Department of Forestry will discuss funding for fire protection on forest land. He will also discuss a forest land classification committee being established this year to re-evaluate forest land in the county.
Yamhill County Assessor Scott Maytubby will explain how the county tax system works and answer questions.
A social half-hour will precede the main program at 6:30. The meeting, open to the public, will include refreshments and door prizes.
For more information, call 503-538-5700.
:Timber sAlE
The Wilkenson Timber Sale, consisting of 3,276 thousand board feet about five miles west of Yamhill, has been purchased by Banks Timber LLC for $1.03 million.
Sold in an oral auction conducted Wednesday by the federal Bureau of Land Management, the timber was appraised at $486,158. Banks Timber was one of four active bidders.
:Women in Business
The McMinnville Area Chamber of Commerce's monthly Women in Business session is set for 5:15 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21, at La Bella Casa, 406 N.E. Third St.
Cost is $10, which includes a glass of wine and light hors d'oeuvres. Those attending should RSVP to the chamber by Monday, Feb. 20, at 503-472-6196 or chamberinfo@mcminnville.org.
:Symposium speakers
Two Yamhill County wineries will be represented on a panel assessing Oregon's position in the world market. The panel discussion is an element of the Oregon Wine Industry Symposium, slated to run Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 21 and 22, at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland.
Sam Tannahill of A to Z Wineworks in Dundee will participate on the panel. David Millman of Domaine Drouhin of Dayton will serve as panel moderator.
The symposium is anticipated to attract more than 1,000 attendees.
Molly Walker, the News-Register's business editor, can be reached at mwalker@newsregister.com or 503-687-1272.
