Milt Reynolds: Thinking Out Loud

Plain-Talk versus 10-Code The Hermiston Police Department has recently changed their policy regarding emergency communications, returning to the time-honored, traditional yet inconsistent, 10-Code System . I'll bet a couple of doughnuts that the only people vitally interested in this news will be police officers, firefighters and medics . Oh, and all of us scanner-radio addicts. This earthshaking news hit the newspaper just a week ago, meriting one 24-word sentence. After briefly describing Acting Chief of Police Jason Edmiston's summary of the year's crime events, the reporter added this tantalizing tidbit : "He also reported HPD will revert back to the 10-code, a standard communication system used by police, that was changed after Sept. 11, 2001." (Source: Hermiston faces 'anemic' revenue for 2011-12 , Holly Dillemuth, Hermiston Herald, January 24, 2012) I realize that the news is tantalizing only to a narrow slice of Hermiston's popu...

Scavenger Hunt Photography Contest Aspiring photographers can hone their skills this spring by participating in this year's Hermiston ArtWalk Scavenger Hunt Photo Contest . The Desert Arts Council invites photographers to submit five images of "art objects" located in and around Hermiston. Images must be digital and of high resolution, although the submitted photos need only be 4x6 print photos. Winning photographs will be published in a brochure to be featured in a walking tour scheduled for May 4-5, 2012. The event will encourage the public to discover art and features of downtown Hermiston . Suggested subjects might be architectural details of a building, a close-up of a sculpture, or more. The council wants to encourage creativity and artistic excellence . Rules of the contest: Photos must be postmarked by March 1, 2012. Submit five original 4x6 photos, color or black and white. Object photographed must be permanently in place and viewable by the gen...

Yesterday I visited the website of my Neighborhood Food Store (not their real name) and entered a comment on their Contact Us page, briefly describing my experience with the Recycle Area and including a link to my blog. Got a quick email response back today. Didn't expect one until at least tomorrow, today being Sunday. Thanks, NFS! They apologized for the mess (and they used that word, "mess"), and their message did not contain any bit of rancor or impatience or coldness. That's a definite plus...I kind of expected to get a demerit for not contacting the store manage directly. They asked for the exact location of the store. There's only one store of that brand in Hermiston...kind of a lame question to ask...but I Googled the store, snapped a screenshot of the listing and sent it to corporate headquarters with a note saying thanks, here's the address, and I resorted to only one short, snide remark which I quickly apologized for (but did not delete). Drov...

Hermiston: Best Place To Live! My small Oregon community, Hermiston, is one of the top 20 best places to live in the west . I think so, and so does the American Cowboy magazine . According to AC, we have exceptional cowboy culture and charm, respect for history and heritage, recreational and outdoor activities, a strong sense of community and rugged independence , as well as the top-rated, nationally published blog, " Milt Reynolds: Thinking Out Loud ." Actually, as editor of " Milt Reynolds: Thinking Out Loud " I thought it appropriate to insert that last exceptional quality of Hermiston. Those who disagree with this editorial insertion should start their own blog. But it's got me thinking. Is there a chance, perhaps just a slim chance, that the American Cowboy magazine plans to capitalize on our newfound exceptionalism by increasing sales of its magazine? Our we just a simple cog in a giant marketing scheme? Do we actually deserve to be one of ...

A Christian mission whose purpose is to feed, clothe and shelter those in need, and to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ in words and actions. Our vision is to serve the less fortunate by providing material needs for today, and helping to build skills for a better tomorrow. Read more: http://voluntary-reward.blogspot.com/2009/12/agape-house.html

Supplies Needed! Women and men who come to the Domestic Violence Services shelter are in crisis, often leaving their homes with nothing: no extra clothing, nothing for their children, and little or no money. In 2008, the DVS sheltered 189 women for a total of 2,594 nights. 158 children were sheltered for 1,979 nights. 13,840 meals were provided. The following items can be donated to help provide supplies for people needing shelter: Laundry detergent Cleaning supplies 13-gallon garbage bags Paper products Bleach Children's socks and underwear Women's socks, underwear and bras Sweats, all sizes Baby diapers, all sizes Phone and gas cards Frozen meats Lunch meats Frozen dinners Juices Drop items at the DVS office, 240 S.E. Second St, Suite B, Hermiston or call (541) 567-0424 Read more...

Hermiston Public Library You Are an Essential Piece of our Puzzle! Hermiston Public Library needs people like you to volunteer. Give an hour or more a month? Pick out books for a resident of an assisted living facility? Make a new friend? Read to/Listen to a child read? Straighten books on a shelf? Prepare craft items for Story Time? What do you get back from volunteering? New experiences and skills Service to your community. Volunteer service shows how you care about your town and its residents.