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U.S. Manufacturing: Some Interesting Data

Some facts about United States manufacturing:
  • Manufacturing in the United States produces $1.8 trillion of value each year, or 12.2 percent of U.S. GDP. For every $1.00 spent in manufacturing, another $1.48 is added to the economy, the highest multiplier effect of any economic sector.1
  • The industry supports an estimated 17.2 million jobs in the United States—about one in six private-sector jobs. Nearly 12 million Americans (or 9 percent of the workforce) are employed directly in manufacturing.2
  • In 2011, the average manufacturing worker in the United States earned $77,060 annually, including pay and benefits. The average worker in all industries earned $60,168.3
  • Manufacturers in the United States are the most productive in the world, far surpassing the worker productivity of any other major manufacturing economy, leading to higher wages and living standards.4
  • Manufacturers in the United States perform two-thirds of all private-sector R&D in the nation, driving more innovation than any other sector.5
  • Taken alone, manufacturing in the United States would be the 10th largest economy in the world.6
  1. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Industry Economic Accounts (2011).
  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2012), with estimate of total employment supported by manufacturing calculated by NAM using data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis(2011).
  3. Bureau of Economic Analysis (2011).
  4. NAM calculations based on data from the United Nations, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the International Labour Organization.
  5. National Science Foundation (2008).
  6. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Industry Economic Accounts (2011) and International Monetary Fund (2011).
Manufacturing
 
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LDS Church Responds to Boy Scout Gay Policy Vote

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints responded today to the Boy Scouts of America vote on its membership policy with the following statement:

“For the past 100 years, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has enjoyed a strong relationship with Boy Scouts of America, based on our mutual interest in helping boys and young men understand and live their duty to God and develop upright moral behavior. As the Church moves forward in its association with the Boy Scouts of America, Church leaders will continue to seek the most effective ways to address the diverse needs of young people in the United States and throughout the world.

Supportive of Gay Youth Participation

The Church’s long-established policy for participation in activities is stated in the basic instructional handbook used by lay leaders of the Church: “young men … who agree to abide by Church standards” are “welcomed warmly and encouraged to participate” (Handbook 2: Administering the Church [2010], 8.17.3). This policy applies to Church-sponsored Scout units. Sexual orientation has not previously been—and is not now—a disqualifying factor for boys who want to join Latter-day Saint Scout troops. Willingness to abide by standards of behavior continues to be our compelling interest.

These standards are outlined in the booklet For the Strength of Youth and include abstinence from sexual relationships. We remain firmly committed to upholding these standards and to protecting and strengthening boys and young men.

The Church appreciates BSA’s reaffirmation of its commitment to “duty to God,” which includes service to others and moral behavior—central principles of our teaching to young men. As in the past, the Church will work with BSA to harmonize what Scouting has to offer with the varying needs of our young men. We trust that BSA will implement and administer the approved policy in an appropriate and effective manner.”

The LDS Church also said that a letter signed by the First Presidency of the Church is being sent to all Latter-day Saint congregation leaders throughout the United States.

To learn more about the church’s official position, visit www.lds.org

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Boys Scouts Change Policy on Gay Youth

Breaking News from KPVI: At Texas meeting, Boy Scouts approve new policy to allow openly gay scouts but not openly gay leaders. The vote was 61% in favor, according to Grand Teton Council Executive Clarke Farrer.

Under the proposal drafted by the BSA national board, openly gay adults will remained barred from serving as Scout leaders.

Today’s vote is unlikely to end the intense debate over the BSA’s long-standing policy.

Several church-sponsored Scout units want to continue to banning opening gay youth, and have threatened defection. Other units welcome the change, but have vowed for the acceptance of openly gay adult leaders.

To learn more, visit www.bsa.org

 
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Dozer Day Happiness: 3 Boys Having a Blast

Dozer Day!  Three boys enjoy the fun that was Dozer Day this weekend in East Vancouver. Kids had the opportunity to operate real heavy machinery at Cemex Quarry. The annual event is organized by the Nutter Foundation in an effort to raise money for charity. To learn more, visit www.dozerday.org
Dozer Day

 

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Thrown Out Professional Baseball Bats Find New Life

Snowbird Joe Pleckinger has taken recycling to another level.

An avid baseball fan, Pleckinger turns broken, worn out professional bats into handy must-have household items and gadgets that catch your eye. You’ll never know which major leaguer crushed it to the fences when you salt your fries, flip your burger, or cut your pizza.

Pleckinger’s shop in Arizona has become his center of innovation, as he turns bat handles into a putting iron grip, a unique spatula, or pen holder. His latest is a towel rack that is a must-have for anyone who loves baseball.

Repurposing these Louisville sluggers has become a passion for Pleckinger, who along with his wife, Carole, spends the harsh Northwest winter months in sunny, warm Arizona. That’s where he has his shop, and that’s where he’s built relationships with professional baseball teams who travel to the land of sun for Spring Training.

He’s friends with staff and players on two professional teams — the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals, and he manages to collect their broken, worn out bats destined for the trash heap.

“I do this for fun,” says Pleckinger, who spends the late spring and summer months in Vancouver/Camas, where he enjoys watching his grandsons, Jake and Zach Blair, play baseball.

“It’s a hobby,” he said. “I just love creating these handy gadgets for people. I’m told how much people love to have these in their homes, so I just keep making more.”

Grandpa Joe, as some call him, continues to expand his line. He recently installed a towel rack in the Camas Little League Snack Shack, and now has a walking cane in his product line. The salt and pepper shakers, though, are fun conversation starters.

“People love the salt and pepper shakers,” said Pleckinger. “And you never know which major league baseball player swing these bats. It’s all about having a good time.”

And for those who are interested in seeing Pleckinger’s products, or would like to hear a good baseball story, are welcome to call him. He can be reached at 623-792-8740 or 360-892-8740.

You’re bound to have a good time. Play ball!

 

Photo by Kris Blair.
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Helen Baller Wins $2500 Umpqua Bank Grant

Camas, WA — Umpqua Bank has announced the 10 winners in the Show Us How You Give photo campaign, providing $25,000 total in grants to schools and organizations across the region. The five nonprofit organizations and five schools – ten grantees altogether – that had the most votes on their photos via Umpqua Bank’s Facebook page each receive a grant of $2,500.

Helen Baller Elementary in Camas, Wash. placed in the school category with 361 total votes.

Helen Baller principal, Aaron Parman, is quite pleased with the grant.

“I am very excited about winning the grant,” said Parman. “It shows the pride that the community takes in Helen Baller. I very grateful for the money and it will be used to support our students at Helen Baller.”

So, what does the school plan to do with the money?

“I am not exactly sure at this point what the funds will go towards,” said Parman. “A building goal is to support literacy and we are in the process of purchasing leveled books and a writing curriculum. It might go to that depending on what our need is. I want to get some feedback from our Leadership Team to help make the decision.”

Check presentations are currently being planned with Lori Wick, the Umpqua Bank store manager at Evergreen Vancouver.

“I also want to thank Diana Sterle for taking the initiative to submit the picture and advertise the grant,” said Parman. “We are very fortunate to have parents and community members who go above and beyond expectations to support all of our students.”

Additional winners include Playworks in Portland, Ore.; Humboldt County Children’s Author Festival in Eureka, Calif.; NeighborWorks Umpqua in Roseburg, Ore.; Clothes for Kids in Lynnwood, Wash.; Tacoma Art Museum in Tacoma, Wash.; Memorial Middle School in Albany, Ore.; B. Gale Wilson in Fairfield, Calif.; Bertha Holt Elementary in Eugene, Ore.; and Coleman Elementary in San Rafael, Calif.

 

 

 

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Public Invited to Rep Pike’s Open House

Open House

The open house is Friday in downtown Camas, from 4 to 6pm at Representative Liz Pike’s new district office – 415 NE Cedar Street. 

The address is 415 NE Cedar Street, Suite A, Camas, WA 98607. Pike’s office asks that you RSVP at 360-786-7812 or email Garrett.Delano@leg.wa.gov

Pike emphasizes no tax dollars were spent to provide tonight’s delicious appetizers prepared by Susan Rosso Page. Enjoy lemonade, cowboy cookies and chocolate truffles donated by Shangri-La Farm and wine donated by Craig Stein of Stein Distributing.

“We’re very pleased with the location of the office and that it will give the constituents direct access to their representative,” said Pike.

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May’s First Friday Event Today in Downtown Camas

The theme for this month’s Downtown Camas First Friday is “Treat Yourself Right” and you’ll be able to explore the many ways to do just that with health, beauty and wellness specialists on hand tonight. You’ll also be able to enjoy live music, art and wine.

The fun starts at 4 pm and goes until 8 pm.

 

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Camas Principal Discusses US News & World Report Rankings

Last week, schools across the nation were abuzz with the release of “Best High School Rankings” by U.S. New & World Report magazine.  The Best High Schools rankings, which are available online only, are produced in conjunction with the American Institutes for Research (AIR), one of the largest behavioral and social science research organizations in the world.

With the data release, U.S. News published detailed information on more than 21,000 public high schools, including school-specific data on enrollment, ethnicity, location, school type and results of state assessment proficiency tests and Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate tests. Using some of this data and a comprehensive methodology, the schools were given a college readiness index score, with the top scoring 4,805 schools receiving a gold, silver or bronze medal and – in the case of gold and silver schools – a numerical ranking.

 
This year, Camas High School (CHS) received a silver medal, and climbed up in the rankings.
“Well, I think it is great,” said CHS Principal, Steve Marshall.  “I love it when CHS makes headlines.  But what I really like is what this award represents. While the methodology behind this award is somewhat controversial, the silver medal status represents a couple of different things: 1) A significant number of CHS students are challenging themselves by taking Advanced Placement classes and, moreover, succeeding in those classes; and, 2) CHS students are doing well on the Washington High School Proficiency Exam compared to other schools around the state.  Both of those areas translate into college readiness.”
Marshall continues: “This is the third time we have been awarded the Silver Medal by US News and World Report. In 2010 we ranked just in the top 5% of US public high schools – right around #950.  This year we were ranked #744.  It is exciting to us climb the rankings.”
 

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Community Gathers to Help Downtown Bloom

Residents, businesses, churches and students had trowels in hand this Sunday scurrying around the streets of downtown Camas. Pushing wheelbarrows, installing hoses, planting flowers and pulling weeds never looked so fun and community oriented. Hosted by the Downtown Camas Association (DCA), Journey Church and the members of the National Honor Society at Liberty Middle School, families and business leaders took over the streets and sidewalks early Sunday afternoon.

Downtown Camas
Several volunteers gathered at Downtown Camas to beautify the area.
Camas Improvements
Children receive instruction on how to set plants into the flower beds.
Bead Paradise, Focus Designs, A.L. Insurance, Navidi’s and Journey Church were among the local shops in on the action. Lacamas Magazine and Kids Ink NW dropped their cameras and tablets to get in on the dirty fun too. Tony Dangerfield led a contingent of Liberty Middle School National Honor Society Members on the beautification day.
The end result…lovely and quaint downtown Camas is even lovelier today.
Landscaping Downtown
Hard at work.

Plants

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