By TOM KELLS

Happy New Year Charbonneau residents : It ’ s that time of year that many of us make resolutions , and may I suggest that if you ’ re not already participating in one of our wonderful clubs , groups or classes , that you give one or more a try . Here is just a partial list : Charbonneau Women ’ s Club , Mah Jongg , Book Club , Fitness Classes , Aerobics , Yoga , French Conversation , Bridges Groups , Knitters , Quilts , Garden Club , Stretch , Charbonneau Arts , Poker , Ball Room Dance , Solo Sisters , Boys & Girls Aid and Alzheimer ’ s Support . I ’ m sure ,

if you decide to join one of these groups , you will have a wonderful time and meet some really wonderful people .

Jan . 16 , Community billiards , shuffleboard and ping-pong : Join us for an afternoon of fun playing one or all of the games available for play . Regardless of your ability , come have some fun . We play in the Lounge , which is in the Clubhouse . Join us Thursday , Jan . 16 , from 2-430 p . m ..

Jan . 22 , Charbonneau Food Drive : Volunteers will be accepting donations in the lobby of the Activity Center on Wednesday , Jan . 22 from 830 a . m . to 1 p . m . Items in need this month are : juice , deodorant , canned fruits ( not applesauce ), laundry pods , liquid dish soap and liquid dishwasher soap . You may also make monetary donations that really help fill in for items in need . Please make any monetary donations out to Wilsonville Community Sharing . Your gifts of donation

are really appreciated .

Jan . 29 , Fireside Chat : Come to the Fireside Chat in the Clubhouse Fireplace room on Wednesday , Jan . 22 , starting at 6 p . m . Community Safety Coordinator Neil Kennedy will address “ How safe are we here in Charbonneau ?” and also discuss scam operators targeting seniors . This will be like a coffee with the sheriff night ; come with all of your questions .

Jan . 30 , New Resident Meet & Greet : Are you fairly new to Charbonneau ? Would you like to learn more about Charbonneau and some of the things that go on in Charbonneau ? Come to the Activity Center Fireplace room on Thursday , January 30 from 10-11 a . m . A wonderful lady by the name of Mary Fieweger will host the meeting and Mary usually has a board member present to also explain things about our wonderful community . When you attend , bring your sweet tooth because Mary always has some goodies to share .

By SUE SWANSON & NEIL KENNEDY

Pets are family members and add so much to our lives . In preparing ourselves to be ready for an emergency event , we may overlook the specific needs that our pets have . One of the workgroups of the Emergency Preparedness & Public Safety committee is exploring the needs of the “ displaced ” in a disaster : those who must leave their home if it is damaged or need to seek safety elsewhere . If your home is uninhabitable for you , it will also be uninhabitable for your pets . Here are some basics to know about preparation to care for pets in a disaster .

What you can do now to prepare

When storing supplies for yourself in disaster preparedness , don ’ t forget to include the same for pets :

■ Have an extra supply of pet food on hand at all times and rotate to keep expiration dates current .

■ Include your pet ’ s water needs in your total water storage preparation for your household .

■ Have a supply of meds for your pet , if needed .

■ Most first aid supplies that you store may also be used for pets ; the Red Cross has a pet first aid supply list and a downloadable first aid guide for pets here : https :// www . redcross . org / get-help / howto-prepare-for-emergencies / pet-disaster-preparedness . html .

■ Make a “ Go-Bag ” ( evacuation kit ) for your pets including the above plus extra leashes , bowls , toys , blankets / towels ,

See EPPS / A22