Community has certified commercial kitchen

It's official. The kitchen in the Odessa Community Center is now a USDA-certified commercial kitchen thanks to a year-long community effort spearheaded by Lindsy Starkel overseeing the project funded in part by the Odessa Chamber of Commerce, grant monies and individual donations.

At its noon meeting Tuesday, the Odessa Chamber members present were informed of the kitchen's new status. Chamber president Marcus Horak said there were some minor fixes still to be completed on various pieces of equipment in the kitchen, but that the kitchen was now available to whatever groups wanted to prepare food for Deutsches Fest, operate a food-based business or put on a large banquet.

On the subject of Deutsches Fest, Chamber administrative assistant Jennifer Martin said she had contacted several carnivals but that none had returned her calls, a very familiar scenario to those who have attempted to bring carnivals to Odessa in the past. However, Martin has been in touch with Mark Vlk of Lincoln Paintball to see whether he might be able to offer something in town. Other possibilities mentioned were to offer bus service to his country location (although most thought parents would not likely send their children off on a bus to a place they were unfamiliar with) or to promote Lincoln Paintball as a separate available venue if Vlk were to agree to be open Fest weekend.

Another activity Martin has found involves an outdoor mechanical bull attraction that can accommodate riders from the ages of five on up. The operator controls the activity level of the bull and has his own insurance to cover liability. The cost to provide this service, however, is $2,500 for the entire weekend. Discussion then centered on whether the Chamber should pay for it, find business sponsorships or charge admission. The operator does not charge the riders once his up-front fee is paid but had no objection to the Chamber setting up an admission booth and collecting from each rider. Rides by donation was also a possibilty put forth. Discussion will continue on this subject.

Martin also said a location has been found for the Youth Garden for this year's Fest in the former NAPA building on First Avenue. As of now, no group or individual willing to oversee the Youth Garden has been found. Various game tables (air hockey, pool, basketball) are in storage and available to be put into the new venue, but since the Youth Garden has now been decoupled from the pop booth, it generates very little revenue. Suggestions included having volunteers maintain order and simply offer the facilities for free, having the place open without volunteer oversight (most members found this idea unfeasible) or continue looking for a group to take on the responsibility for setup and allow them to offer food or snacks for profit. Martin will continue to pursue the matter.

Marketing of Fest

The marketing committee reported on its most recent meeting that they had discussed the use of a web-based business called Constant Contact. The company generates a newsletter using content provided by the purchaser. The cost is $21/month send out the newsletter and to compile an email list based on responses generated by the newsletter.

More information will be provided at a later date, so no action was taken.

Spring Fling wrap-up

Laura Estes of the Odessa Quilt Club reported on the club's successful quilt show during Spring Fling. A total of 332 people paid admission to the show, and 319 participated in the door prize drawings (80 of them from Odessa).

In the downtown quilt walk, the quilt entitled Purple Passion, which was displayed at Experience Quilts!, received the most votes for favorite quilt. Over the week prior to Spring Fling, quilts were displayed in 20 businesses throughout the downtown area, as well as at the Odessa Historical Museum which opened for the event. Christ Lutheran Church in Odessa also displayed quilts on all of its pews. Those quilts will be donated to a charitable arm of the church hierarchy.

Quilt shows were also held in Ellensberg and Harrington the same weekend, and Estes said she spoke with people who had indeed attended more than one show that weekend.

The raffle quilt was won by Tucker Barksdale of Winthrop, a quilter who participates right along with his wife. Estes said she liked the idea of an avid quilter, and a male one at that, winning the raffle quilt.

Estes also spoke to the Chamber about future possibilities for the quilt show, such as expanding it to utilize the space in both the school gym and the community center to bring in juried quilt shows. One drawback to such grandiose plans is the lack of overnight accommodations. Once the local 12 motel rooms are filled, visitors must travel to Ritzville or Moses Lake to find rooms.

Website crash

The Odessa Chamber's website crashed recently, and Horak said that the faulty coding that caused it has now been fixed.

Community float

The Odessa community float is nearing completion and will be ready for this coming weekend's Lilac Parade in Spokane. The junior/senior high school marching band has been practicing marching and playing for the past few weeks. Committee member Justin Parr will drive the float.

Other

Odessa High School senior Kimberly Nelson appeared before the members to practice her prepared speech prior to competing in the state FFA competition.