As a member of the full time faculty, it makes me so “happy” to join the Fort George Brewery to invite neighbors to support Clatsop Community College at Happy Hour for Higher Ed. Soon after the November news broke about the college budget crisis and pending layoffs, community-minded CCC alumnus Chris Nemlowill approached me asking, “What can we do to support the college?” The next time I saw him (dropping our daughters off at the local preschool) I said, “How about a Happy Hour for Higher Ed?” With typical forward momentum, Chris and Jack embraced the idea, and voila! Friday nights is Happy Hour for Higher Ed. No, this is not a meeting! And no, you don’t have to work for the college to turn out. December 1st through March 23rd, the Fort George will donate $1 for every pint sold in the Lovell Tap Room from 3-6pm on Fridays. With time and community support, this fun promotion could add up to a sizable and much needed donation for the college.
College employees have already had a lot of fun at the December events, and hopefully the New Year will bring out even larger numbers of folks to enjoy good beer and good community for a great cause. The Tap Room is such a warm, cozy venue for winding down after the work week. The big table invites inclusive conversation, and the adjacent game room even encourages a little friendly competition. With foosball, shuffle board and the bean bag toss for the Fort-friendly kids of all ages, Happy Hour for Higher Ed is emerging as a real gathering place for good folks from the college and beyond. I hope students, new and old, and others from the community will turn out to visit with college and employees and others at this fun, weekly event..
-Nancy from Astoria
