Newberg Notices | February 6

Paper Gardens Annual Creative Writing Competition Seeking Local Submissions 

The Arts Alliance of Yamhill County (AAYC) has submissions open for their 2024 Paper Gardens Creative Writing Competition. 

Yamhill County writers are welcome to submit their work to the competition and, if selected, receive publication in the Paper Gardens Anthology. Submissions are accepted up until March 2, 2024 at midnight. 

The Paper Gardens Anthology is an annual creative writing publication from the Arts Alliance of Yamhill County. 2024 is the 31st year for the publication featuring both prose and poetry from local writers.

The age categories range from elementary, middle, and high school with a separate adult category for non-student community members. A participation fee of $4 is required for anyone not currently enrolled as a high school student or younger. Only 4 submissions are permitted per author.

The Paper Gardens Competition includes the following categories: 

• Original Prose: Up to 1000 words
  • Fiction
  • Creative Nonfiction
• Original Poetry: Up to 40 lines
  • Traditional
  • Free Verse 
  • Haiku/Tanku 
  • Poetry of Place – Oregon 

Submissions are made through Submittable, an online platform that accepts both works of writing and payments if necessary. 

Paper Gardens has been a part of the Yamhill community for over 30 years, with various Oregon judges making annual selections for the anthology. A celebration of the winners will take place at the Chehalem Cultural Center on May 9, after final selections are made. For more information, visit the Paper Gardens Creative Writing Competition website. 

Local Farmer Sues Oregon Department of Agriculture 

A local farmer is suing the Oregon Department of Agriculture after they revised existing laws about dairy farms that will have a major impact on smaller dairies, claiming a violation of the 14th Amendment.  

Originally only impacting large dairies and farms categorized as Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs), state-mandated regulations required large operations that confine hundreds to thousands of cows on their farm at a time to certain reporting, monitoring, and maintenance standards along with annual fees. 

Smaller dairies with only two cows or fewer were not considered CAFOs, and therefore unaffected by these laws. Small-scale farmers, like local dairy farmer and owner of Godspeed Hollow, Sarah King, could continue to work without paying annual fees, worrying about expensive equipment and maintenance, or having to keep daily logs, which could be cost and time-prohibitive for an operation of her size.

In 2023, Oregon’s large dairy industry voiced concern over smaller dairies operating without regulation. After these concerns, the definition of CAFO changed to include dairy farms that confined their cows in any way, including for milking — even if only momentarily confined. The Oregon dairy industry also believed there was an “unfair” advantage that smaller dairies held by not needing permits to operate. 

King, and other Oregon farmers such as Christine Anderson of  McMinnville, Waneva Lavelle of Marion County, and Melissa Derfler of Grants Pass, feel it is unfair to hold small dairies and large dairies to the same standards, as their profits, practices, and overall business structures differ greatly. 

Now, they are currently filing a federal lawsuit against the Oregon Department of Agriculture with the support of the Institute for Justice, a public interest law firm that represents clients free of charge in litigation defending vital constitutional rights, according to its website. 

The Institute for Justice filed the lawsuit on January 25, 2024. To learn more about the case, visit the Institute of Justice website. 

Juliette’s House Seeking Custom-Themed Baskets for Silent Auction

Juliette’s House is seeking custom-themed baskets or individual gifts donated by community members for their upcoming Celebrate the Children event. 

The annual Celebrate the Children fundraiser takes place on Saturday, April 27 of this year. Tickets are available for purchase through the Juliette’s House website. 

This fundraising event features food, drinks, live and silent auctions, and a raffle for a brand-new 2024 Toyota Camry. Proceeds from the event ensure the center can continue supporting children in the community.

Donations for the silent auction can be themed baskets as stated, or individual gifts such as gift cards, lessons, services, lodging, or kid-friendly experiences. All item donations will be used in the silent auction, and can be registered through filling out the gift submission form. 

Juliette’s House is also seeking volunteers for the event, with different roles including event setup, promotion, food services, photography, and more. See their volunteer form for more information.

Juliette’s House is a McMinnville-based nonprofit organization committed to assessing and supporting abused or neglected children with compassion to reduce additional trauma, according to its website. 

To learn more about the event and Juliette’s House, visit their homepage.  

Leapin’ Louie Coming to Chehalem Cultural Center

Leapin’ Louie is coming to the Chehalem Cultural Center for a free community show on February 24, 2024.

The Portland-based comedian will be exploring the history of flight through this kid-friendly comedy show and also showing off his amazing lasso tricks, juggling, and more. Through his performance, the audience will learn about wildlife diversity and the importance of protecting our ecosystems. 

Leapin’ Louie features a world-class lasso and whip routine, with juggling, high unicycle, and other stunts. He’s performed for 25 years in 34 different countries around the world, according to his website.

Tickets are available for free through the Chehalem Cultural Center website, and an added $5 donation is optional if desired. Space is limited according to the event’s page.

To learn more about Leapin’ Louie’s act, visit https://comedytricks.com/.