Aberdeen, WA - The first pontoon from the second cycle in Aberdeen has begun it's 260 mile nautical journey to Puget Sound. The longitudinal pontoon will wait in Tacoma for outfitting and preparation for assembly on Lake Washington.
The Washington State Department of Transportation reports In the second cycle, crews built three longitudinal pontoons, two supplemental stability pontoons and one cross pontoon. They floated out of the Aberdeen casting basin during a blustery rainstorm overnight April 28-29.

Aberdeen, WA, May 7, 2013: Rediviva, (red-uh-vee-vuh) a new restaurant and bar located at 118 E. Wishkah Street in downtown Aberdeen, will be open for business in June 2013. Rediviva is owned and operated by Andrew Bickar, previous Executive Chef of the Ocean Crest Resort and Eric W. Duensing, owner of DC Slices in Washington DC. Rediviva will operate in the newly renovated space that was once occupied by Mallard’s Bistro, directly across from the D&R Theater.

Bickar tells KBKW Rediviva will offer a hand-crafted lunch and dinner menu with a variety of fresh local ingredients and regional fare. “Look for a refined approach to Northwest American cuisine highlighting local seafood, meats, foraged items from the peninsula, as well as locally grown produce,” award-winning Executive Chef Andrew Bickar said of the Rediviva Menu. The focus on fresh items will be apparent, with oysters being shucked at the newly renovated bar daily, as well as craft cocktails, regional wines and local beers.

Rediviva is a collaboration between Chef Bickar and Eric Duensing, who has been previously featured on the Food Network, Travel Channel and the History Channel’s “Modern Marvels”. “I absolutely love the Washington Coast, and am thrilled to be involved with this project”, said Duensing. Designed in cooperation with Scott Sowinski, A.I.A. Associate, LEEDTM AP of Architects West of Coeur d'Alene, ID and Bargreen Ellingson of Tacoma, WA, Rediviva’s interior will feature locally reclaimed wood, contemporary art by Grays Harbor artists, and expansive front windows. The restaurant will also feature design elements from its namesake, the Columbia Rediviva, Captain Robert Gray’s three-masted ship that sailed into and discovered on Grays Harbor 221 years ago on May 7, 1792.

Follow Rediviva’s progress toward opening as they post updates on their social media platforms including pictures, renderings, and construction updates. Follow them on Twitter www.twitter.com/RedivivaNW and Facebook www.facebook.com/redivivarestaurant.

OLYMPIA – The first weekend in May is not usually a busy time for fire suppression forces in southwest Washington, but this past weekend saw an unusually high number of wildfires due to dry east winds across this area. To date, 11 wildfires covering approximately 264 acres were reported statewide, with 9 already successfully contained by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) wildfire suppression team.

DNR firefighting crews continue working to contain the Dog Mountain Wildfire and the C-Line Wildfire, the largest and most challenging wildfires started this weekend. All of the wildfires reported this weekend are under investigation.

“As the state’s wildfire suppression agency, DNR has been preparing for months for the beginning of wildfire season, so we were able to quickly, safely, and effectively respond to the unexpectedly high number of wildfires this weekend,” said Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark, who administers DNR. “Under the dry and windy conditions prevailing across much of the state, we advise all Washingtonians to exercise caution with any activities that could start wildfires, such as starting campfires or burning debris.”

Dog Mountain Fire – Lewis County
The Dog Mountain Wildfire was reported in the early afternoon of May 4, 2013. It has burned approximately 100 acres within a 170-acre area of forestland near the eastern end of Riffe Lake in Lewis County. It is 50 percent contained, and approximately 80 people continue to be assigned to it, under a Type 3 organization lead by Incident Commander Charley Burns. The fire is burning in a recently logged area and 8-year-old forest plantation owned by the Port Blakely Tree Farms.

Bulldozers, fire engines, and water-dropping helicopters are employed in the task of extinguishing this fire that was initially fanned and spread by dry east winds. Steep terrain increases the challenge of reaching pockets of burning material.

Crews continue to construct containment lines and mop-up where possible. The cause of the fire is under investigation. No structures are threatened and no homes have been evacuated.

C-Line Fire – Grays Harbor And Thurston Counties In Capitol Forest
The C-Line Wildfire was reported in the early morning May 5, 2013. Approximately 8 miles northwest of Littlerock, the fire has burned 60 acres on state trust lands that contain logging slash and 20-year-old trees. It was 6 percent contained as of noon Monday, with the goal of reaching 50 percent containment by the evening.

There are approximately 80 people working under a Type 4 management organization to suppress this fire. The Incident Commander is Kent Stanford.  Engines, two helicopters, heavy equipment, and hand crews are on the scene.

The cause of this fire is under investigation.  No homes or structures are threatened. Some Capitol State Forest recreation trails and roads in the vicinity of the C-line and C-4000 Roads are closed due to the proximity of the fire and firefighting traffic in the area.

Olympia, WA - In recognition of Wildfire Awareness Week, May 5 – 11, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) encourages everyone to learn their role in preparing for wildfire safety.

This year, DNR is encouraging homeowners, land managers, first responders, developers, business owners, and civic leaders to focus on “Knowing Your Role” when it comes to preparing communities for wildfire. Visit the Fire Adapted Communities website (http://fireadapted.org/) to learn more about defensible space, fire-resilient building construction, community wildfire prevention planning, the Firewise Program, (www.firewise.org) and Ready, Set, Go! (http://www.wildlandfirersg.org/).

Also, this is the first year that governors from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, and California have joined together to proclaim Wildfire Awareness Week. It’s an important week to learn more about joining forces in local communities to become better prepared for wildfire safety.

If designing or updating a home’s landscape, think of ways to incorporate firebreaks (things that don’t burn) into the landscape design. Defensible space doesn’t have to be an eyesore. Some examples of firebreaks are: concrete, brick or gravel walkways, concrete flower box borders or planters, and water features, such as a pond. Even the backyard swimming pool can serve as a firebreak. Go towww.firewise.org for more specific tips on how to protect homes from wildfire.

Longview, WA - Tacoma Goodwill’s Longview Operations has announced openings in six Washington counties for their Senior Community Service Employment Program. Training and employment for low-income persons 55 years of age or older will start in June in Grays Harbor, Thurston, Cowlitz, Yakima, Klickitat and Kittitas Counties.

The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) is a community service and work based training program for older workers. Funded by the U.S. Department of Labor and run through Tacoma Goodwill’s job training centers, the program provides subsidized, service-based training for low-income persons 55 years or older who are unemployed and have poor employment prospects.

Participants train an average of 20 hours a week, and are paid the highest of federal, state or local minimum wage. They are placed in a wide variety of community service activities at non-profit and public facilities, including day-care centers, senior centers, schools and hospitals. The community service training serves as a bridge to unsubsidized employment opportunities. The program goal is to place 30% of its authorized positions into unsubsidized employment annually.

“Program participants receive assistance with developing an individual employment plan, along with community service placement and training specific to that service assignment,” said Paul Spears, SCSEP Program Manager. “They also receive additional training identified in their individual plans, and supportive services, wages, fringe benefits, annual physicals, and assistance in securing unsubsidized employment,” said Spears.