Selma Center - SCEC Resources and Ongoing Activities

SCEC Resources and Ongoing Activities

The Selma Community Library has been successfully loaning books to the community since Fall 2006. All books have been donated, and we have a roomful of very good books, along with comfy chairs and sofas, making the room cheerful and welcoming to all. The Library Board members, Sharon Reasor, Betty Jones, Patty Dalegrowski and Joan Guilbert have been busy sorting the books as they arrive, into categories such as general fiction, mysteries, classics, poetry, romance, biographies, general non-fiction, humor, spiritual, hobbies, cooking, self-help, and more. The fiction, mysteries and romance books are in a soft alphabetical order. We continue to accept donations of books in good condition. We cannot accept manuals, text-books, encyclopedias, magazines or Reader’s Digest Condensed. We would like folks who borrow the books to be members of the Selma Community Education Center ($5 per year) and to return the books within a week or two. Come stop by and check out our terrific Library, open weekdays between 1-4 P.M.

The Illinois River Room or "Orange" Room is a 30 X 30 foot space with computer access, a large meeting table (seats 8 comfortably), and a large wipe board. This is the only space in the SCEC with wall to wall carpet. The SCEC uses this space for Board meetings and it is a good space for groups who would like to rent a quiet space for focused interaction.

The Deer Creek Room or "Blue" Room provides a multi-use 42 X 24 foot space. This room has been designed to meet a variety of needs and is used for exercise classes, meetings, workshops presentations. A pull down screen and overhead projector are available. A television, VCR, and DVD player will be available soon. 60 people can be comfortably seated in this room. Tables and chairs are available for setting the room up in the way that best suits your needs.

The Pole Building was completed in June, 2006 - the result of an enormous community-wide effort. We received grants from the Meyer Memorial Trust, the Illinois Valley Community Development Organization, and an Economic Development Grant from the Josephine County Commissioners for materials. SCEC members and local residents contributed a total of $7,395.00 in $25.00 to $500.00 donations. Many of the poles were sustainably harvested and donated by Camp Forest. They were hand peeled by a crew of volunteers and the result is a truly beautiful and unique building. Thousands of volunteer hours, donations of materials, and borrowed equipment make this building a real community accomplishment. The 3000 square foot building is the permanent home of our summer Farmers Market and is available for rent.

Gymnasium - The SCEC has a full size gymnasium. The gym provides a large open space that can be decorated for a variety of uses. Tables can be set up to seat 150-200 people, and the space allows for an assembly of 529. This space is frequently used for athletic activities (there is a basketball court and volleyball nets), concerts (there is a stage at the front of the gym and a smaller portable stage that can be placed anywhere in the gym), fund raisers (Walter Mondale spoke here a couple of years ago and several organizations have held large fund raising events including dinner and speakers), and receptions.

The Children’s Room is available for activities with children of all ages. There is a small book area with some comfortable chairs and an arts and crafts area with paints, crayons and some crafting materials. There is a large selection of toys and blocks for toddlers and preschoolers and an area set up for infants with a crib and other baby equipment. There is also a large doll house with lots of Barbies, along with Hot Wheels and Legos for primary age children. We have a television with a VCR and a large floor space for any creative activity you might like. This can be rented as a child care room along with another area (you provide a supervisor) or as a place to have fun or teach classes to a group of children.

Computer/Internet Access. The SCEC offers on-site computer and internet access to the public free of charge (donations welcome!) Computer and internet access is available every weekday 1 to 4 PM. The SCEC also operates a wireless internet router, so you can access the internet through your laptop with wireless internet capability from anywhere in the facility.

The SCEC is solar powered. A 6-kilowatt photovoltaic solar system generates clean, renewable electricity for the SCEC facility. This system uses net-metering, which means there are no batteries and almost no maintenance. Electricity generated by the system directly powers the SCEC generating between $40 and $80 worth of electricity a month. When the system is generating more electricity than the SCEC is using, the excess generated power goes back in to the grid, and the SCEC is credited for the contribution. This project was made possible by a grant from the Energy Trust of Oregon with substantial donations of time and equipment by Bob Maynard from Energy Outfitters, Bob-O Schultz from Electron Connection, and Kerry Whitehead from Renewable Energy Systems.

The SCEC has a Cob Oven, which is an outdoor, wood-fired oven made of clay, sand, and straw. Some version of this oven has been used by indigenous people around the world for centuries. The cob oven was built by a class organized by the Siskiyou Field Institute in September 2005. Oregon winter rains are hard on the oven, and it required some repair in spring 2006. We hope to add some finishing touches soon, including some tile work, a lime plaster finish, and eventually a lean-to roof over the oven. You can see this oven in operation most days when the Farmers' Market is open when vendors are selling pizza, bread, and other goodies baked in the oven. Using the oven does require some expertise, but it is available for public use. You can make arrangements by calling or e-mail ing the SCEC office.

Commercial Kitchen Available. The Selma Community Center offers the use of our commercial kitchen space to community members interested in preparing food items for sale at our Farmers’ Market or other retail and wholesale outlets. Instruction in commercial kitchen use, labeling regulations and general business practices is available. The first kitchen session is FREE, and rental is just $2.50 per hour after that.

This summer, the Center will hold a FREE all day class in food preservation on August 4th. Oregon State University’s Extension Service professionals will be coming right to Selma. If you have always wanted to learn more about drying, freezing or canning, here’s your chance. Call Pamela at 541-490-1853 (cell) for more information about the kitchen and/or the food preservation class.

Dinners and Potlucks. The SCEC holds periodic community dinners and potlucks which are always open to the public. These events are a great place for people to meet their neighbors and learn a little about the SCEC. There is a charge for dinners, because they serve as fundraisers, but potlucks are always free (just bring a dish to share). Dinners are usually headed up by someone in the community who has an interest in a particular style of food, and with help from other volunteers. In addition, we usually have some form of entertainment at these dinners. Many of our dinners are very popular, so it is important to pay for reservations ahead of time or get to the dinner early to make sure you get a seat.

The SCEC Friday Community Market is a new, local effort to provide excellent, affordable, fresh food for everyone during the cooler months AND to provide an affordable, casual place any community member can bring items to sell or barter. All are welcome. Vendors pay just $1 and SCEC supplies the tables. EVERY Friday from 1 to 4 p.m. (Vendor set-up starts at noon) until the Selma Farmers' Market begins in May. Great bargains and variety with new things each week. Save $$ and your health--shop here first each Friday afternoon.

Semi Annual Flea Market and Pancake Breakfast. Twice yearly, the Selma Community Center holds a flea market under the beautiful pole building at the Center. All community members are invited to bring their used items to the Center and enjoy selling or trading to the public. Flea market hours are 9 am to 3 pm. On the same day, Selma Center volunteers host a sumptuous pancake breakfast from 8:30 am to 11 am in the Center’s Dining Room. Participants are rewarded with large crowds and good food. Call 415-1000 to reserve a space!