The Colfax

ombine The CDA, City of Colfax , & Colfax Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

Photo by Aaron Cowan Photography feature, pg. 2

VOLUME 2 Issue 1

City of Colfax Sign Up! To sign up for the newsletter or get involved, contact :

Department Spotlight~ Administration Thank you to all of the residents who participated in the Comprehensive Plan public participation and mission statement survey. In the January meeting the Plan Commission was presented the results of

Downtown Assoc. (CDA) Kristie Kirkpatrick 509-397-4366 kirkpatr@colfax .com.

which projects the population to reach 4,696 in

Feb 4, 11, 18, 25 World War 1 series. Library 5:30-6:30. Call 397-4366 to register by Feb. 2. Feb 14, Happy Valennes Day! Specials at the Palouse Hyde Out, Colfax Eagles & more. Call your favorite local hang out for details. Feb 9, 14 Colfax School Board meengs 7 pm

2035 if annexation patterns hold true. The next Plan Commission meeting will be Thursday, March th

12 , 2015 at 6:30 PM at Council Chambers. The draft public participation plan and existing conditions summary will be the topics of discussion

The Cities of Colfax and Pullman are proud to cohost a Short Course on Planning training event. This event fulfills the mandatory Public Records Act

Feb 12 Mayor’s Roundtable Library 6 pm, countywide discussion of issues & concerns. Contact Robin Ohlgren 208-301-1011. Feb 17 Colfax Chamber Luncheon with Fonk’s Catering, noon, Library. Topic is the Palouse Knowledge Corridor with Robin Ohlgren. For lunch reservaƟons, call by Feb. 13 at 397-3712 or [email protected]. Guests are invited to just come listen as well.

training which all city council members and Planning Commissioners must attend every four years. This

Colfax Chamber Jeanelle Miller, President Kathy Clark, Secretary 509-397-3712 colfaxchamber @gmail.com

Feb 2, 16 Council Meengs 7 pm, City Hall

the survey. A population forecast was approved

at this meeting.

City of Colfax Lynda Kramlich 509-397-3861 lkramlich@ ci.colfax.wa.us

Community Calendar

will be held on February 18th, 2015 at the Whitman County Public Service Building at 6:15 PM. Please register at [email protected] today. The website of the City is currently being redesigned and scheduled to be released by February 1st, 2015. It is our intention to offer you the option of utilizing our services online as much as possible. If you have any suggestions for

Feb 18 Short Course on Local Planning and Open Government Laws. Public Service Bldg, 6:15-9:15. For info, City of Colfax 397-3861 Feb 20 Baked Potato Feed, Colfax Golf Club. Social hour 5 pm, dinner at 6. Call 397-2122 for details on this and other Friday Night Meals. Feb 21 Sensaonal Savory Soups with Kelli Collins of Joseph’s Grainery. 9 am—1 pm. Preregister by Feb 14 at 397-4366, Library.

improvements to the new website once it is released, please contact Mike Rizzitiello-City Administrator at [email protected].

Feb 27 Photo Safari of South Africa, Library 6:30 pm Randy Suess shares tales of recent travels with amazing photos and stories.

Uniting efforts and strengthening the Colfax community

Photography Impacting the Palouse Living and working on the Palouse, we often fail to appreciate the beauty of the rolling hills. But for photographers from around the Steptoe Flowers by Wendy McGraw, Almota Roses world, our landscape is a hidden gem waiting to be explored. From rolling vistas and changing seasons to unique rows, lines and lighting, the Palouse is becoming a destination for photographers from near and far. Carol Cooper, Pullman Chamber of Commerce Tourism Director reports that a full ninety percent of their tourism budget is spent attracting photographers to our region. The Chamber focuses on magazine and Internet advertising, brochures and other methods to reach would be visitors. Photographers provide a valuable boost to lodging, restaurant and local business. Besides the Pullman Chamber, groups like Palouse Scenic Byway and local tour operators like Four Seasons Photos also focus on attracting photographers. Palouse River Bend by Aaron Cowan Here in Colfax, photographers are having an impact as well. Drive past the Best Western or Siesta on a spring evening and its not unusual to see their parking lots packed with tourist vehicles. Amy Warwick, local manager of Fonk’s Coffeehouse says, “Our business sees a big boost from photographers, both at lunchtime and those trying to catch the early morning sunlight.”

Sunken Barn I by Francisco Aguilar

Local photographer Francisco Aguilar is intrigued by the beauty of the Palouse. He says, “In every picture, there is a story to be captured. I search for a way to tell that story through my photography.”

1/3 of all tourism visits to the Palouse are photography related. The se beautiful photos are from local photographers who exhibit and sell their works.

Get Involved. Meet with us. Colfax Downtown Association: 1st Tuesday of the Month, 5:15 p.m.@ North 213 Main Colfax City Council: 1st & 3rd Monday of the Month, 7:00 pm @ City Hall Chamber of Commerce: 1st Mondays and 3rd Thursday's at 6pm at the Courtyard

Colfax Business Spotlight Lannette Ring started crafting her art studio four years ago in the back of a home closet selling her products online and as local specialty items. Lannette says she has always been “crafty” and embraced art as a balm and an outlet but taking the step to launching a business was a new adventure that she decided to take on after moving to Colfax and putting her four children in Colfax’s schools. The school system was one of the draws for Lannette’s family after living in Olympia, WA for 14 years and what a success story her family has had. In June of 2013 Abundant Faith Studio outgrew the closet and moved into its first commercial space above Buri’s Medical Equipment on Main Street to provide more space for classes and art parties. Since November, business for the studio has nearly tripled and Lannette and her teaching associate and friend Virginia Cheney are now moving again. The Grand Reopening of Abundant Faith Studio is tentatively scheduled during the first couple weeks of this month. The studio’s new location is in the front of the former Elk’s Building on Main Street which will also be sporting a new front façade. The new space will allow a boost in class sizes from eight to 24! Lannette and Virginia teach weekly kids and adult classes in multimedia art, host private art parties, and even open the studio to community artists on the first Saturday of the month in a “maker space” type open studio where you can work on your own pieces. “Teaching is the most rewarding part of the work,” Lannette says, “you get to help people who say they have no talent or ability create something they find beautiful. They are so surprised that they created something so amazing!” Not only does the studio help folks find their artistic side, art classes also help kids process their emotions. It is especially rewarding for kids who aren’t interested in sports in our community. The kid’s classes teach creativity, collaboration, and independence while giving kids a personal place and activity away from the computer screen. Lannette originally went to school to become a teacher but retired to become a mom. In the true spirit of an entrepreneur, she now experiences the best of both worlds teaching art and being a mom. The crew creates designs for weddings, parties, signs, art, jewelry, mixed media, and recently took on vinyl. She is also a dedicated community member and social entrepreneur. If you are looking for examples of her beautiful artwork you can see her displays in her storefront but also through her donated works like the prizes at the JES Art Fair, the CHS cheer boxes, the Winter Festival tree ornaments decorated by local kids right here at Abundant Faith Studio. [email protected] • (509) 288 - 1282 • M•W• F 8:00 - 5:00 • 1st Saturday Open Studio News from the Chamber The Chamber of Commerce is updating their strategic plan this year and will be implementing several changes: update the logo, mission, charter and website will be internal be we will also be working on adding valuable member benefits and perfecting our local events.

New Members of Colfax Chamber Abbey Tax, Bruce Abbey 397-3882 JM Visioneering, Jeanelle Miller 425-478-5455 Real Time Pain Relief, Carol Moore, 397-3800

Welcome to The Colfax Business Community

Stay Tuned!

Gratitude Special thanks to Les Schwab for assisting with taking down the Christmas decorations at the Codger Pole and City of Colfax Public Works for bringing an extra ladder for those very highly placed decorations!