News in Brief

Real ID available in July — Oregon will begin issuing “Real ID” option driver’s licenses July 6 which will comply with the “Real ID” TSA requirement for boarding flights at any airport beginning Oct. 1. Oregon DMV advised in a press release that it will not be possible to issue updated driver’s licenses to all Oregonians who may need them before the TSA requirement is in place and suggested the alternative of applying for a passport or passport card. A passport card cannot be used for international air travel but complies with the Real ID requirement for domestic air travel. The cost of a passport card for people 16 and older is $65. The Real ID fee for a driver’s license is expected to be an additional $30 above the existing fee for a new or renewed license. For more info, visit www.Oregon.gov/REALID.

Business

Thelma’s Place seeks sponsors — Thelma’s Place, a nonprofit daytime respite care service for those with Alzheimer’s or dementia and their caregivers, is seeking sustaining members who would commit to long or short term monthly tax-deductible sponsorship of the program. For more information, visit thelmasplace.org.

Country Side Living Holds Senior Prom — Country Side Living Memory Care is holding their first “senior prom” for their residents, families, staff and community partners 2:30-4 p.m. Friday. At the prom, Country Side Living residents will all wear a special outfit or dress, many of them donated by Hospice or community members for the special event, as well as enjoy refreshments, decorations and live music. There will also be a king and queen crowned at the event. “It is going to be a special time. We have wanted to do something like this for a few years now,” says Natalie Stewart, activities director, “We can’t wait to see the residents all dressed up and have a good time.”

NeighborImpact receives $12,000 grant — The Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation has awarded $12,000 to NeighborImpact’s Food Recovery Program for costs associated with collecting food from grocery stores and delivering to 55 emergency food sites which feed more than 22,000 persons each month in Deschutes County. “NeighborImpact is very thankful to the Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation for this grant award,” said Carly Sanders, food program director for NeighborImpact. “This gift to our Food Bank allows us to continue to work collaboratively with other hunger relief organizations in our area to make sure no one goes hungry.”

Education

RPA Open Enrollment starts Saturday — Redmond Proficiency Academy will hold open enrollment from Saturday through March 1. The tuition-free public charter school will hold a preview night from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Feb. 19 at both the high school, 657 SW Glacier Ave., and middle school, 150 SW 25th Ave. For more information, to schedule a private tour or to apply online, visit rpacademy.org.

St. Thomas Academy receives Spark! Creative Learning Grant — St. Thomas Academy received a $996 Spark! Creative Learning Grant from SELCO Community Credit Union. The grant allowed second-grade teacher Lynn Fleenor to purchase a collection of Caldecott Award-winning books to use in a program highlighting a reading-art connection where children can create art based on the books. “We’d like to thank SELCO Community Credit Union for their generous gift and for recognizing the value of reading,” Fleenor said in a press release. “There’s a critical window in every student’s life where we can inspire a love for reading, as well as art. Through this program and with these amazing books and new art supplies, St. Thomas Academy can better accomplish those goals for its students.”

Redmond students on George Fox dean’s list — These Redmond students were named to the fall 2019 dean’s list at George Fox University in Newberg: Tianna Brown, senior, management; Carson Elliott, freshman, accounting; Nancy Harris, senior, interior design; Anna Land, senior, biology; and Natalee Stanton, sophomore, social work. The recognition requires a grade point average of at least 3.5 and at least 12 credit hours.

Former teacher honored by World Arts Foundation — Karen Barker, of Powell Butte, was honored by the World Arts Foundation in January with a “lifetime achievement award” for her work in the community and her contributions as a teacher in Portland public schools for 33 years. Barker retired in 2009 and then helped create the Maurice Lucas Foundation, which provides education and recreation programs in the Portland area to promote the success of students from middle school through college. “I am humbled to receive such a distinguished award,” said Barker. “I feel blessed to be part of an organization where I can share my passion of working with today’s youth. I have faced challenges both personally and professionally but each one has strengthened me to be the person I am today. I still love mentoring, teaching and guiding kids. Winning this award would not have been possible without the trust and deepest respect from the Maurice Lucas Foundation.” Barker works part time as the high school program manager at the foundation and was nominated by a former co-worker and a former parent of a student involved in the program. She was one of 13 individuals to receive the award this year.