Corvallis e-News | July 2023

In this issue: Fires on July 4, JAWS at The Majestic Theatre, summer reading at the Library, and more!

Corvallis Fire Responds to Two Major Incidents On July 4

On the first Red Flag Warning Day of 2023, Corvallis Fire responded to two major fires that occurred simultaneously in the mid-valley area as most people were enjoying their July 4 holiday.

The first incident began just after 4 p.m. July 4, with a report of a grass fire near Colorado Lake Drive in Linn County.

In the second fire, while crews were still working the grass fire in Linn County, CFD was dispatched for a report of a structure fire at a home on Conser Drive in northeast Corvallis.

These two fires required the full firefighting resources of not just Corvallis Fire, but also nearby agencies in a three-county area. This illustrates the significant fire danger posed by extreme heat and dry weather on these Red Flag Days, and the lack of firefighting resources locally to address a large scale event or simultaneous events like these.

“We were able to bring both incidents under control thanks to the incredible work by CFD crews, all of our mutual aid partners, and the off-duty Corvallis firefighters who were called back in to assist,” said Corvallis Fire Chief Ben Janes. “If it not for the exceptional work by our staff and the assistance from agencies in Linn, Benton and Polk counties, we would have lost many more structures.”

Click here to read more about the July 4 fires.

Circle Boulevard Resurfacing Project Gets Underway

A project to rebuild and resurface a portion of Circle Boulevard in northeast Corvallis is underway. The project will construct a new road bed and asphalt surface on Circle between the railroad crossings at Highway 99W and Conser Street near the HP Inc. campus.

The City of Corvallis Public Works Department is coordinating this multi-phase capital improvement project. Work is expected to intensify in July and continue through September, although schedules are dependent on weather conditions and other factors.

This stretch of Circle Boulevard has experienced road bed failure over the years, resulting in a bumpy ride for many travelers. Rebuilding the road will be a complex, time consuming project. Here are a few key points to keep in mind as we work to improve Circle Boulevard:

The project will proceed in phases to reduce the impact to traffic flow on Circle Boulevard as much as possible. Circle will remain open to public travel, but travelers should expect lane reductions, lane shifts and other delays throughout the project. All business accesses will remain open throughout construction.
The intersection of Four Acre and Circle Boulevard will operate with STOP signs instead of the traffic signal.
A temporary 25 mph speed zone will be posted and enforced for the entire length of the project, to increase safety for travelers and construction workers alike.
Some phases of the project will require periodic side street closures. Detours will be posted to advise travelers of upcoming closures.
Some phases in August and September will involve overnight work between the hours of 6 p.m. and 7 a.m.

Click here to read more about this project.

Shark Week at Majestic Theatre!

Join us at The Majestic Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 15 for a special showing of the hit movie JAWS. The fun evening event will include costumes, prizes, and JAWS-themed concessions.

In the 1975 film, a killer shark unleashes chaos on a beach community off Cape Cod, and it's up to a local sheriff, a marine biologist, and an old seafarer to hunt the beast down. JAWS is rated PG. Tickets are $15.

Cooling Centers Available in Corvallis and Benton County

When significantly higher temperatures are forecasted, cooling centers will be available at locations in Corvallis and Benton County.

Higher risk individuals (including elderly, infants, and those with pre-existing health conditions that affect thermo regulation and are living in older and/or poorly insulated/ventilated dwellings) are at greater risk during extreme heat events.

Summer Reading is Underway at the Library

Summer @ Your Library 2023: Find Your Voice!

June 1-August 31

Summer reading is underway this summer for kids, teens, and adults, featuring free books for participants.

Find out more and get started: cbcpl.net/summeratyourlibrary

See all of the Library's summer events: corvallisbenton.librarycalendar.com

Open Streets Returns on August 20

Your favorite FREE street festival that re-imagines our most shared public spaces – streets and parks – returns on August 20! Open Streets Corvallis will bring games, activities, food & drink, and more the streets of Corvallis.

This year's car-free route travels from Central Park to Peanut Park. You’ll find giant games in the parks, bicycle-powered rides, cultural activities, local food and drink, street installations, dance, music and more.

We're recruiting volunteers to help out. For more information, visit: https://openstreetscorvallis.org/

Avoid Over-Fertilization When Caring for Lawns

Many people take advantage of sunny weather to fertilize lawns, which makes this a good time to review helpful resources for lawn care practices that protect your lawn AND our local waterways in Corvallis.

Oregon State University Extension has numerous practical guides including lawn care for western Oregon.

Remember to follow the fertilizer application rates found on the fertilizer container. Lawn over-fertilization can result in unintended/harmful effects, such as an increased need for water by your lawn, accumulation of salts within your lawn (weakening plant and soil health), and nutrient run-off creating algae blooms in nearby streets and streams. Excess nutrients in streams can lead to lower oxygen levels from algae die-offs and decomposition, lowering stream health.

City of Corvallis staff are committed to protecting our local water ways and welcome opportunities to share information about preventing nutrient runoff. If you have any questions or would like someone to come talk with your group, please call 541-766-6454 or email Ted.Hart@corvallisoregon.gov.

Volunteer Opportunities on City Advisory Boards

The City of Corvallis is looking to bring some fresh perspectives and voices to the table on our new Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Advisory Board — it's one of several volunteer opportunities available right now. Check out the complete list of vacancies here: https://www.corvallisoregon.gov/advisorygroups

Serving on a City advisory group is a great opportunity to learn more about city policies, share your perspectives with the City Council, and get involved with the Corvallis community. For more information about these opportunities, send an email to pio@corvallisoregon.gov.

Annual Water Quality Report Now Available

The City of Corvallis Public Works Department’s annual water quality report is now available for 2023 to download at www.corvallisoregon.gov/waterreport.

The report offers a snapshot of the municipal water system in Corvallis, including an overview of how water is produced, treated, stored, distributed, and tested regularly to ensure a safe, secure, and affordable water supply for City customers.

As Corvallis enters its summer season, Public Works officials advise residents to save water by watering wisely. Click here for more information!

For more information on the Corvallis municipal water system and tips on reducing water use, go to www.corvallisoregon.gov/water.

What's New at the Library this Month?

There's a lot going on at the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. Check out any of the events below to learn more!

Outdoor Storytime, 10:30am Tuesdays and Thursdays in June, July and August. Storytime is moving to Central Park for the summer!
Free Employment Help: Wednesdays, 10am-noon, 2^nd Floor Classroom, drop-in. Job-seekers can drop in to meet with an Employment Specialist from Worksource Oregon.
Tech Help Lab: 1^st and 3^rd Wednesday, 2nd floor Classroom, Drop in for free, basic, one-on-one tech help from a library staff member. Bring your computer or device or use one of ours
Teddy Bear Picnic with Red Yarn: July 6, 10:30 AM, Central Park. Join Red Yarn for a high-energy, playful children’s concert featuring folk songs and puppetry. Penny Carnival follows the concert!
Oregon Rocks!: July 12, 10:30-11:30, Main Meeting Room. School-age children are invited to take off on a geology adventure and explore our ever-changing planet Earth with the Museum of Natural and Cultural History
Huitzilopochtli: Aztec dancing, music and storytelling: July 19, Starker Arts Park. Aztec dancers & musicians will present dances in authentic regalia and live-music to tell stories of their Aztec ancestors.
Takohachi: Traditional Japanese Mythology Musical Storytelling: July 26, Starker Arts Park. Experience Japanese folklore and mythology through traditional music and storytelling.
Get a Library Card: Sign up for an All-Access e-card to get access to all services and materials including placing holds on materials, downloadable books, audiobooks, magazines, streaming movies and more!
Home Delivery Service: Get your holds delivered to you! Delivery is available to patrons with current library cards who live within the library service district.
Books & More from Home: Read ebooks, download audiobooks and magazines, or watch streaming video all from the comfort of your home with your library card!
Library Newsletter: Want to get monthly updates, upcoming events, and other library news straight to your inbox? Sign up for our email newsletter!