DECEMBER 27, 2012 n SEASIDESIGNAL.COM
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eavy rains and unstable hillsides increase possibility of dangerous landslides along the Oregon Coast. Page 7
SPORTS
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layers enjoy the chance to play teams they otherwise might not get to.
Page 8
INDEX Classifieds................ 6 Calendar................... 4 Crossword................ 6 Hocus Focus............. 6 Obituaries................. 4 Police Blotter............ 2 Sudoku..................... 6 Sports....................... 8 Viewpoints................ 4
W E AT H E R
YEAR 108 | WEEK 47
SEASIDE, OREGON | 75 CENTS
One hot dog with a side of toxins please Seaside resident campaigning to rid Oregon beaches of dangerous micro-plastics
Sayde Moser
smoser@countrymedia.net
garbage are spinning around like a toilet bowl. Between UV degradation and the mechanical action of the spinning, the garbage – which
“I have butterflies in my stomach,” school board member Nancy Hauger told the rest of the board after it approved a resolution last week authorizing Superintendent Doug Dougherty to hire an architectural firm to design the new school super campus. “It’s exciting times,” Dougherty agreed. The campus would incorporate students from Seaside Heights Elementary, Gearhart Elementary, Broadway Middle School, Seaside High School and Cannon Beach Elementary into one location outside of the tsunami zone. The architectural project, which Dougherty said was one of the most sought after in the North West, hinges on a bond measure which will be submitted to voters in May 2013. While a $90 million dollar bond was discussed with the architectural firm Dull Olson Weekes IBA Group Architects Inc.,
See TOXINS, page 3
See SCHOOL, page 5
By Sayde Moser
smoser@countrymedia.net
Marc Ward is no amateur when it comes to tracking and understanding the plastic debris that float our ocean’s currents, contaminating and killing marine life. In fact, he has spent every winter for more than a decade in Costa Rica saving sea turtles from this very issue. But three years ago, as he was enjoying his summer off on the pristine beaches of Oregon with his wife and young children, he was jolted with a shocking discovery: the same toxic-ridden microplastics that were killing sea turtles and other marine life were spread far and wide on his beloved home-town beach. And what’s more, his one-and-a-half-year-old had a piece of it in his mouth. “When I saw this incredible blanket of material that I knew was toxic, you can imagine how I felt,” he said. “I immediately went into action mode - how do we find a solution to this? It was a
Fate of new multi-school campus relies on the voters
PHOTO BY: ANTHONY RIMEL
Marc Ward loads sand into the filter system he has developed to remove plastics from beach sand during a workshop sponsored by the City of Cannon Beach in September. daunting problem when you think there is 300 miles of Oregon Coast.” Fortunately, through surveys and studies, Ward was able to more closely pin-point the specific areas
of beach called “high-density sinks,” areas where these plastic particles collect at an extremely high ratio. The problem starts in the North Pacific Gyre, where roughly 100 million tons of
KEEPING THE SPIRIT OF GIVING ALIVE
Community members gathered together last week to wrap presents for more than 550 kids, from nearly 250 families, who otherwise might not receive a Christmas present this year. The Seaside Fire Department delivered the gifts, which were donated through Toys for Tots and other toy drives. This holiday tradition has been a community asset for more than 15 years. Pictured at right, McKenna Roberts, 7, of Gearhart, helps her mom Nissa wrap presents. “We have several friends who come do this each year and we thought it was a good opportunity to do something as a family and help out the community,” Nissa said. Below: Laura Freedman of Cannon Beach.
Thursday Partly Cloudy High: 45 Low: 38 Friday Few Showers High: 46 Low: 39 Saturday Morning clouds High: 46 Low: 36 Sunday Sunny High: 45 Low: 38 Monday Cloudy High: 46 Low: 41
Despite rehabilitation efforts, stranded sea turtles pass away NEWPORT — The attempt to revive and stabilize the two sea turtles that were found on the Oregon coast on Monday Dec. 17 came to a sad conclusion last Thursday with both animals passing away. The Olive Ridley turtle (mis-identified as a Loggerhead) never recovered from cold shock and was unresponsive from the moment it arrived at the Oregon Coast Aquarium with very little to no detectable signs of life. Veterinarians pronounced the animal dead late Wednesday night. The Green sea turtle was extremely dehydrated and in cold shock but was responsive. It also had numerous shell and skull wounds. “We had a lot of hope that the Green sea turtle could pull through,” said Jim Burke, Director of Animal Husbandry at the Aquarium. “However, as we were able to warm the animal up it became apparent the wounds were much more serious. We maintained a 24-hour watch and attempted to stabilize the animal but eventually the turtle died early Thursday morning.” The next step for staff will be performing a full necropsy on both animals to determine the cause of death. “We will be looking for plastic in the gastrointestinal tract which may be a result of ingesting of marine debris. Other tests will look for signs of pneumonia due to extending periods of hypothermia caused by exposure to cold water and damage from the intense storm and pounding ocean,” added Burke. The Oregon Coast Aquarium’s animal care staff continues to work with the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife and NOAA to best prepare for the next animal that needs assistance. The agencies urge anyone who finds a sea turtle on the beach to contact the Oregon State Police Wildlife Hotline
Gearhart barn owner Shannon Smith is upset over city and judge’s decision By Sayde Moser
smoser@countrymedia.net
This Green sea turtle was found on Seaside beach last week. at 1-800-452-7888 to ensure appropriate transport and care of the animal. “It is unfortunate these animals didn’t make it. Rehabilitation of a wild animal is a challenging process and I am pleased we could give these turtles the best chance possible for survival,” said Carrie Lewis, CEO at the Oregon Coast Aquarium. The Oregon Coast Aquarium is committed to responding to calls about stranded wildlife and assisting in their rehabilitation. Donations can be made that support the Aquarium’s Urgent Care and Rehabilitation Program. To donate, call 541-867-FISH (3474) or send an email to donations@aquarium.org.
Shannon Smith, owner of the Neacoxie Barn events Center, pleaded no contest on Dec. 17 to the many violations stacked up against her for violating business, noise and city zoning ordinances. The fines totaled $7,000. Judge John F. Orr ordered Smith to pay half the fines, suspending the other half under the condition Smith would pay the $3,500 in full if she is cited with another violation or misses a monthly payment. Payments begin March 1 and are to be paid in 21 installments. “I am saddened that the city has again chose punishment over preservation,” Smith said about the plea bargain, adding she pleaded no contest upon advice of her counsel although she had reservations.
See BARN, page 5
2 n December 27, 2012 n Seaside Signal n Seaside, Oregon
Making lemonade out of lemons Clatsop County Board of Commissioners The North Coast Land Conservancy is moving forward and not looking back after devastating fire By Sayde Moser
smoser@countrymedia.net
“It was a good reminder for us and an opportunity to kind of step back and evaluate who we are and what we can do for the community,” said Teresa Retzlaff about the fire that destroyed the North Coast Land Conservancy office on Rippet Lane at the beginning of this month. Retzlaff, the outreach coordinator for the NCLC, said the conservancy has found temporary office quarters on Roosevelt Drive south of Safeway, and while they plan to rebuild eventually, that’s not at the forefront of their plans right now. “We’re taking some time to be thoughtful,” she said. “We are looking at this as a great opportunity to engage in a conversation with the community about how we can better serve them.” The NCLC office burned to the ground the morning of Dec. 5. Fire
investigators handed the investigation over to the Seaside Police Department, which hasn’t released any further information regarding the fire’s origin. “As far as we know it’s still under investigation,” Retzlaff said. “There hasn’t been any official conclusion as to why it started and I think we’re all a little anxious for that so we can have some closure.” But the lack of closure and the loss of almost all their archives, maps and files has hardly caused them to miss a step. “The essential work is still happening; the land is still here and our conservation work is all still happening,” she said. “We’re working on how to take the next steps, what those next steps should be and how to facilitate a conversation with the community and do some serious listening.” Retzlaff said the Conservancy is grateful for all the support, sympathy and donations they have received so far from concerned citizens. “It really means a lot to us,” she said. “We have a great community that surrounds us and we are really excited to take this time to turn to them and ask them in what ways can we serve them better...
Land conservancy pays back to the community in a lot of ways.” Retzlaff said the fire was a good reminder for them to not get caught up in the day-to-day business, but to remember why they do the work they do and who they do it for. “We are pausing to take stock in who we are and what we are,” she said. “And what is the best path forward for us? We’re excited to take this tragedy and make a whole lot of lemonade with this giant bushel of lemons that got handed to us.” Financial donations are always welcome, she said, now more than ever. “They are the easiest to process right now and they are helping to keep a roof over our heads.” She said NCLC is working internally to come up with a wish-list of things they need while they work on recreating much of the work that was lost. The NCLC will shut its office between Christmas and New Year’s for a much needed break, but Retzlaff invites the community to stop by after the new year. Donations can be made by going to nclctrust. org or mailing a check to P.O. Box 67, Seaside, OR 97138. For more information, call (503) 738-9126.
Annual readings at the coast feature some of America’s finest writers FOREST GROVE – The Pacific University Master of Fine Arts in Writing program will once again host readings by some of America’s finest writers during its 10-day residency in Seaside. Free and open to the public, the evening readings begin at 7:30 p.m. and take place from Monday, Jan. 7, through Monday, Jan. 14, at the Best Western Ocean View Resort, located at 414 N. Prom in Seaside. This evenings are a rare opportunity to hear some of the best writers of contemporary American literature read on successive evenings. Featured authors include poet Marvin Bell, recipient of an American Academy of Arts & Letters Award in Literature, and fiction writer Bonnie Jo
Campbell, who was a finalist for the National Book Award in 2009.
EVENING READING SCHEDULE • Mon., Jan. 7 - Marvin Bell, Bonnie Jo Campbell & Mary Helen Stefaniak • Tues., Jan. 8 - Sandra Alcosser, Frank Gaspar & Pam Houston • Wed., Jan. 9 - Katherine Dunn, Craig Lesley & Leslie Adrienne Miller • Thu., Jan. 10 - Mike Magnuson, Joseph Millar & Kellie Wells • Fri., Jan. 11 - Kwame Dawes, Jack Driscoll & Debra Gwartney • Sat., Jan. 12 - Judy Blunt, Pete Fromm & Ben Percy
• Sun., Jan. 13 - Cristina Garcia, Elinor Langer & David Long • Mon., Jan. 14 - Ellen Bass & Laura Hendrie The authors in the reading series also teach at the residency where MFA students participate in workshops, lectures, classes and other events in preparation for the correspondence semester that follows. Students leave the residency paired with a professional writer who responds to their reading and writing throughout the semester, encouraging and inspiring emerging craft and voice. For more information about the writers or the MFA in Writing program, please contact director Shelley Washburn at (503) 352-1532 or visit pacificu. edu/as/mfa/
appoints itself governing body on County Housing Authority The Clatsop County Board of Commissioners voted Dec. 19 to appoint itself the governing body of the Clatsop County Housing Authority in place of the agency’s existing governing board. The commissioners voted 4-1 to take the action, with Commissioner Patricia Roberts voting against. The action becomes effective immediately. The board acted in response to concerns about whether the CCHA board properly followed state public meetings requirements in handling the agency’s business, in particular that subcommittees of the board were given power to deliberate over contracts and other items outside of properly noticed public meetings. The housing authority manages several low-income housing facilities around the county, including Owens-Adair in Astoria, Tilikum and Wapiti in Warrenton, Clatsop
We are just replacing one board with another.” Board Chair Peter Huhtala
Shores in Seaside, and makes housing grants available to a number of local social service organizations. Board Chair Peter Huhtala said the commissioners’ decision to appoint themselves as the CCHA governing body will not result in any changes to the agency’s staff or facilities. “We are just replacing one board with another,” he said. The board scheduled a special meeting for Friday, Dec. 14 at 9 a.m. at the Judge Guy Boyington Building, 857 Commercial St., Astoria to meet as the housing authority board.
CCC Exhibit presents ‘Community Ground - Art Faculty from Linn-Benton and Mt. Hood Community Colleges’ Clatsop Community College is pleased to announce a collaborative exchange exhibit of visual arts titled: “Community Ground – Art Faculty from Linn-Benton and Mt. Hood Community Colleges.” The exhibit, curated by Richard Rowland, CCC Ceramic Instructor, will feature work from 20 art faculty members from both community colleges and will be held in the CCC Art Center Gallery, 1799 Lexington Avenue, Astoria, from Jan. 10 to Feb. 14, 2013. The opening reception will be held on Thursday, Jan. 10 at 6 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. The college will host related studio workshops on Thursday, Jan. 10 and Friday, Jan. 11 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the CCC Art Center Studios. Contact Richard Rowland at rrowland@clatsopcc.edu for more information. Following the workshops on Jan. 11, artists will conduct a forum and slide presentation from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in CCC Columbia Hall Room 219,
1651 Lexington Ave. in Astoria. This presentation is free and open to the public. “Community Ground” includes a broad spectrum of genres in photography, ceramics, printmaking, mixed media, digital video, installations, painting, calligraphy, basic design, metalsmithing, jewelry, sculpture and drawing. The vast diversity of materials used demonstrates a vibrant creative approach and a passionate and professional commitment to the visual arts by these two community colleges. The exhibit, “Community Ground,” is intended to explore the way many artists bridge the difficult gap between teaching and making art, both full time jobs that require a high level of commitment and focus to their students and communities. This visual creative communication
provides both student and public discourse about the quality and meaning of art. In working with the students, art teachers provide foundational training in skill development and inquiry, reflection, conceptual and critical thinking. Students then begin to develop the tools that will help them discover their own voices, develop a unique way to interact within their communities and help define the cultural landscape. Art gives a way for students and teaching artists to build rich layers of experiences they can share and weave into social fabric. The gallery space has been transformed into a “reflective corridor” that “shimmers” with content, materiality, utility, and expression. One can see that the art faculty is doing what artists do best, mythologizing nature and the world around them.
Seaside Police Blotter and advised unable to locate subjects gone upon arrival; 6:47 p.m., Broadway at McKeowans, Officer responded to assist Fire Dept. with call out and advised Public Works would need to take care of short that occurred in Christmas lights. Public Works was advised; 7 p.m., 1700 blk Roosevelt Dr., officer
responded to report of suspicious subject in the area. Officer advised subject was just using his phone and wanted privacy; 10:48 p.m., Park Dr., caller reported a man trying to rob her with a gun. Officer responded and searched the area but did not locate anyone in distress, or anything suspicious.
ANDREW MARC G02064
vehicle circling. Per Rooney, female approached him. Dec. 19 – 12:09 a.m., 400 blk S. Roosevelt, Officer contacted female subject sleeping on the sidewalk. Officers advised her about sleeping on the sidewalk; 5:10 a.m., 800 blk S. roosevelt, Report of a female sleeping in the seating area. Moved things from property and advised; 3:22 p.m., 900 blk 3rd Ave., Caller reported male in white hoody walking around her house looking in the windows, then walked north on the highway. Officer responded and searched the area, but was unable to located anyone matching the description. Dec. 20 – 12:25 a.m., 500 blk Beach Dr., Report of a someone behind the building. Officers checked the area unable to locate anyone in the area; 12:07 p.m., Doonerberg/Wahanna, officer responded to report of cow in roadway and advised responsible arrived to corral cow; 1:54 p.m., caller reporting male hanging out in the area since 8 a.m. today. Officer located subject and advised not making contact at this time. Male is moving from bench to bench, nothing illegal; 4:46 p.m., officer responded to report of persons in parking garage smoking marijuana
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Dec. 17 – 8:59 a.m., Ave K/ Roose, report of power pole leaning. Officer checked and PP&L was advised; 10:54 am., 300 blk Alpine St., caller reporting attempted scam. Person called her pretending to be grandson needing money. Case taken for information only; 2:36 p.m., 2000 blk Spruce Dr., caller reporting suspicious car approaching children near the grade school. Officers made contact at the school. The concerned person then called back to say they had received information that the parents were familiar with the car, and they were okay to offer the kids a ride; 8:05 p.m., 900 blk 1st Ave., : officer responded to report of laser light being shown through window into drivers eyes while driving by. Officer contacted subjects and warned them against such actions. Dec. 18 – 7:21 a.m., 1600 blk Holladay, caller reported a vehicle that had slid out of the driveway and was blocking traffic. Officer responded and contacted the owner, who removed the vehicle; 1:51 p.m., 1500 blk Roosevelt Dr., subjects reporting verbal disturbance. Officer contacted all subjects and advised them the issue was civil; 3:44 p.m., 1900 blk N Holladay, Complaint of female running into High School as
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Seaside, Oregon n Seaside Signal n December 27, 2012 n 3
n Toxins From page 1
PHOTOS BY: ANTHONY RIMEL
Marc Ward and his assistant screening sand at a public presentation in Cannon Beach in September. Ward said the screening builds up static electricity to attract small plastics. Beach is the first land mass on the Oregon Coast that creates this upwelling of material, so it gets dumped on the heaviest. As it sits, Seaside Beach isn’t a sink, but Ward says many other beaches need to be mapped or remapped to locate any sinks and clean them up. “I realized the only way we are going to be able to reclaim our beaches is by filtering this out of the beach,” Ward said. “It sounds impossible. It’s not.” Ward developed a homemade screening process to filter out plastic particles of all size from the beaches. In the last three years, he has gone through 10 different prototypes to fine tune it. “Now we have the most incredible, manual, low cost system,” he said. “We can take and pull everything the size of a white blood cell out of the sand.” The screens generate a low static charge to which the smallest particle of plastic will bond to. The sand falls through the filter and comes out pristine. “It’s an amazing, incredibly impressive system,” said Ward. “It’s low cost, low tech, it works so efficiently and it’s durable... People’s first thought it always, ‘oh how can you filter the beach? There’s too much beach out there.’ But you don’t have to filter the whole beach.” Ward said 99.9 percent of all the material on the beach is pushed up in the first five meters on the beach “We can take two 2.5 meter screens side by side and go from one end of the sink to the other and filter all the sand right through.” And because of the way the currents work, it doesn’t need to be done every year on every beach. “Where you need to worry about is these high density spots.” Ward has noticed these high density spots seem to be some of the most beautiful and most visited beaches in Oregon. Most people look around and don’t see any major debris or garbage, so they think they’re safe, he said. “If you don’t know what you’re looking for, you’ll see maybe 10 percent at the surface, just a sprinkling,” he said. “Ninety percent of the problem is buried under the wind-blown sand. I can almost see through the sand like super vision because I know what’s going on... I
can look at the beach and know exactly what’s going on.” Ward is now seeing an increase in plastic so small and fine, it looks just like sand. In his latest research, he has been analyzing the sand that bonded to his filtration system. Roughly 168.5 grams of sand out of 100 pounds bonded to the screen in 2010. “I was highly suspicious that it was actually plastic,” he said. “What we found is that yes the sand was actually averaging 20 percent plastic. There was the same kind of contamination in these fragments, probably even more dense... That’s where we have the real problem.” Going through samples taken in 2011 and 2012, the highest density of “plastic sand” was 40 percent. A
lot of it is air born and next summer Ward plans to set up glass colanders on the beach for additional testing. “When you’re on the beach, and the wind is blowing and that sand is pelting you like crazy, getting on your hot dog, your sandwiches, getting on everything, and at least 20 percent and as high as 40 percent of that is this contaminated plastic... Little kids are breathing this stuff, it’s lodging in your throat and lungs. This is a serious problem, when every single sample we’ve ever tested globally is contaminated with PCBs... To me it’s very obvious there is potential there for harm – not on the whole Oregon coast but in these sites.” To clean these sinks would cost an estimated $7,000 a mile, which
Debris filtered from the sand in just a couple square feet of the beach. Ward said plastics are typically heavily concentrated in certain areas of the beach. includes safety gear for a crew, transportation and administration costs. “It’s not that expensive, and we need to filter these sites,” Ward said. So far, the sampling, filtering and supplies to build the screens have come from Ward’s own pocket, which is becoming increasingly taxed and harder for him to fund. So he’s looking for anyone who would like to sponsor a crew to clean the beaches with a tax-deductable donation. He estimated that a crew could
clean one beach in about three days, working eight hours a day. “Because I’ve been working on this for well over a decade, I know what we need to get this done and implement the solution. We’ve found a solution, and it’s like a gift from heaven... If we can prevent one kid form being contaminated from these toxins then I’m happy.” For more information, or ways to help, visit seaturtlesforever.com.
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consists a great deal of plastic – is broken down into smaller and smaller pieces that end up directly in our food system. As more time goes by, more of this material is generated by the gyre. As the gyre continues to spin clockwise off the West Coast, ocean currents pick up large amounts of this debris and circulate it through the ocean system. Because the Oregon Coast is on the corner of the ocean current, its shores get pummeled with debris floating along with the current. “It’s why Oregon is the beach combing capital of the world,” Ward said. But these same currents that bring us lovely glass balls from Japan are also bringing garbage – garbage that Ward believes through years of research to be toxic. “I have an extensive knowledge of these materials and how they travel and what’s actually out there,” he said. “I’ve surveyed data for years and what you get on the beach is a really good indication of what’s out there.” And what he knows to be out there are micro-plastics that absorb high concentrates of chemicals, better than a sponge, he said. As the plastics float in the system, PCBs are absorbed and locked into the matrix. Other toxins and flame retardants can also be absorbed into the plastics. “Originally everybody thought it’s plastic, it’s inert, but we’ve proved that completely wrong,” said Ward. And he’s also been able to prove that while the plastics absorb different toxins, they also release them when heated. Say, when you build a fire on the beach to roast your hot dogs. “Most of these microplastics are five to ten inches below sand,” he said. “So when you build your cook fire on top of this, every single chemical is instantly released into your face in the smoke. If you’re cooking hot dogs over the fire on this kind of site, everything is being released into your food, clothing... It’s highly problematic, although you’re not going to notice anything because these kind of chemicals don’t work like that. You can’t smell them, can’t taste them, you don’t notice any bad effects until a decade later when you develop cancer. “The potential for danger is definitely there if you’re cooking on top of this stuff, or letting your children dig in the sand and put it in their mouths. You’re exposing them and yourself.” While Ward believes it’s a threat to human safety, not every single beach in Oregon has one of these sinks, and on the beaches that do, the sinks don’t cover the entire beach but rather a 100-200 meter section. Ward has mapped maybe a dozen sinks down the coast and has found them in Cannon Beach, Manzanita, Florence, Coos Bay and other areas. Crescent Beach is the highest density sink he’s found. When the ocean current hits a sea mount or underwater geological structure (think of Tillamook Head), everything the current is carrying gets pushed upward toward the surface. Crescent
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NOTICE: Oregon state law requires anyone who contracts for construction work to be licensed with the Construction Contractors Board. An active license means the contractor is bonded and insured. Verify the contractor’s CCB license through the CCB Consumer Website www.hirealicensedcontractor.com. Ward looks through the plastics that have turned up during his demonstration in Cannon Beach on Sept. 27.
4 n December 27, 2012 n Seaside Signal n Seaside, Oregon
Viewpoints Guilding the lily Former Seaside resident writes first book has never been a satisfying project By Sayde Moser
smoser@countrymedia.net
We’ve always had in two sessions, a little pigeons in my neighborbook called ‘Heaven is hood and lately, starlings, for Real,’ written by Todd varied thrushes, juneos, Burpo with Lynn Vincent. sparrows, scrub and stell- It’s about Colton, Todd’s er’s jays and flickers too. four year old son who For the last two weeks, came close to death after there have been flocks a ruptured appendix and of what looks to me like went to heaven for a short ringed turtle doves - the while. I had seen the boy only illustration in my on TV and heard him tell bird book with characterpart of his story, so when istics they have pictured. I had a chance to buy the These birds are a very book, I did. It’s a wonlight buff shade with a derfully comforting tale black stripe on the back for those who may have of their necks and anxieties about the spotted black on here-after and it their wing tips. reiterates many of Some don’t have the things we’ve the black stripe. heard from others I’ll have to ask who have had outmy kid. They’re of-body experisupposed to be ences. Colton is in Los Angeles 11 or 12 now and - kinda like an is so matter of fact SCENE Oregonian gone about his contacts to Alaska. Today AND HEARD with God and CLAIRE LOVELL I saw only three, Jesus - what they I hope they stay look like, how till Gary arrives Heaven is and on the 27th. My husband who is there. You’d be used to hunt band tailed surprised. I almost hated pigeons. I wouldn’t eat for it to end. I highly them - two bites on each recommend it. poor little bird. My sugPutting to rest the lost gestion - let them fly! little ones of Sandy Hook It’s been about five School, there is another years since I went clamsong in our repertoire: ming. It was a long, ‘Jesus loves the little slogging walk to the hard children.’ We go back to sands - and incredibly Colton’s story when he cold. I think I got six told of sitting in the lap or seven clams on my of Jesus and realizing how much he is loved. license which made them If only some of these pretty expensive. Then there’s the cleaning which parents could feel that I never have liked and the and know they’ll see their precious little ones again, splattering of hot grease if they’re Heaven bound. when they cook. Irene Dec. 15 was the sixth Kan says that a few days anniversary of the loss of ago, she and Mark got our friends, June and Don their limit in 20 minutes. Peterson. I had been to (Hey - a poem!) Because their home two evenings the critters were “donut earlier, singing Christmas holing.” I’m still not goCarols. I hope no one will ing anymore, its a young use candles this year that man’s game. they don’t watch every I’m really glad Beach minute. Books is moving to the Q: Joe, did you know old Holladay Drug locawhat some of the Presition. It’s more accessible dents gave back their to a lot of us. salaries to the governHave you noticed how ment? many locals have writA: Moe, wow! That ten about the old Seaidea really caught on. side? I think many of us, Now they have us all dolike John Johnson, like ing it! (Bob Philipps Joke to remember our town Book) as it was. It has lost so much charm in transiClaire Lovell lives tion. Guilding the lily has in Seaside and can be never been a satisfying reached at (503) 738project. 7215. Sunday, I finished
USPS 487-560 Published weekly by Country Media, Inc. at 1555 N. Roosevelts, Seaside, OR 97138; Telephone: (503) 738-5561; email: smoser@countrymedia.net Circulation Manager: Lora Ressler STAFF Director of News: Samantha Swindler Contributing Writers: Claire Lovell, Jon Rahl, Teresa Brown, Darren Gooch, Editor: Sayde Moser Reita Fackerell, Dr. Phyllis Ritchie Reporters: Felicia Struve, Anthony Rimel Graphic Designers: DEADLINES Stephania Baumgart, Rita Reed Production Manager: Susan Pengelly Editorial: Monday by 10 a.m. Advertising: Friday by 5 p.m.. Director of Sales: Don Patterson Advertising (Camera Ready): Sales Associates: Monday by 10 a.m. Howard Shippey, Lauri Moore Classifieds: Monday by Noon Sports Photographer: Jeff Ter Har Legals: Friday by 5 p.m. LETTER TO THE EDITOR POLICY The Seaside Signal welcomes letters to the editor. The deadline to submit letters is noon Monday prior to publication. Letters must be 350 words or less. All letters must be signed by the author and include a telephone number for verification. We also respectfully request that submissions be limited to one letter to the editor per month. Send letters to P.O. Box 848, Seaside, OR 97138, drop them off at 1555 N. Roosevelt Dr. or fax to (503) 738-9285. Letters may also be emailed to smoser@countrymedia.net.
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POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Seaside Signal, P.O. Box 848, Seaside, OR. 97138-0848. Periodicals Postage paid at Seaside, OR 97138 and at additional mailing offices. © Copyright 2012 by the Seaside Signal. No portion of this newspaper may be reproduced without written permission. All rights reserved. The Seaside Signal is printed on recycled newsprint.
Polly Campbell was like any other teenager growing up in Seaside. She knew everyone and everyone knew her. “I felt supported by the whole community, but at the same time there wasn’t a lot of anonymity,” she said. Her mother was a teacher at Broadway Middle School and her father worked as an attorney. In the summer months, she and her sister sold popcorn, carmel corn and snow cones to the tourists. “Growing up on the beach is a unique place to be,” she said. “I got a great education and people worked really hard to find us opportunities.” She wrote now and then for her local newspaper, the Seaside Signal, and attended the University of Oregon for journalism. Now Campbell, 44, lives in Beaverton with her husband, daughter and two cats. And she published her first self-help book in November, ‘Imperfect Spirituality: Extraordinary Enlightenment for Ordinary People.’ “As a writer it was something I always wanted to try,” she said. “To write something that big and long is very different than what I was used to writing. So I was just really curious about the process. It was something I thought about doing ever since I was a kid.” Campbell’s writing appears several in national publications, she is a regular contributer to Psychology Today and she teaches at DailyOM. com. Her book focuses on practical tips and personal anecdotes from her life and lives of others on how to grow spiritually. Each chapter incorporates hours of her own research about the connections between mind, body and spirit as well as interviews with experts in this field of study. “I did quite a bit of research,” she said. “I went over studies, interviewed different people and experts as well as incorporating my own experiences and anecdotes. As I really
7 DAY
CALENDAR
D eadline for Community Calendar is 5 p.m. Friday. Items can be emailed to smoser@countrymedia.net, faxed to (503) 738-9285 or mailed to P.O. Box 848, Seaside, OR 97138.
THURSDAY | DEC. 27
HAM RADIO BREAKFAST: 8 a.m. at Finn’s. (503) 738-9692. SDDA BREAKFAST MEETING: 8:30 a.m., Pig N’ Pancake. Open discussion. FAMILY MOVIE: 2 p.m. at the Seaside Library, 1131 Broadway St. (503) 738-6742. FREE JUKEBOX: 6 – 8 p.m. Seaside American Legion Post 99, 1315 Broadway. (503) 738 – 5111.
FRIDAY | DEC. 28
CHAMBER BREAKFAST MEETING:
Polly Campbell
“I realized this was not only a book I wanted to write, but it was a book I needed to write.” Polly Campbell
got going, I realized this was not only a book I wanted to write, but it was a book I needed to write.” Despite the time and effort Campbell put into tracking down sources and incorporating her research into the book, it doesn’t read like a scientific essay. “I knew I needed a strong authentic voice and research to back it up for credibility,” she said. While she uses her own voice and her own experiences, each chapter also tells a real-life story of someone else - stories Campbell had to find to make the book work and that unveil her journalistic background. “It was pretty demanding and
8:30 a.m. at Twisted Fish. Guest Sally Freeman, Lewis & Clark History Park. (503) 738-5561. SEASIDE DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB: 1-5 p.m., Bob Chisholm Community Center 1225 Ave. A. (503) 738-7817. NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS: 6 p.m., 715 Third Ave., Narcotics Anonymous Help-Line (503) 717-3702. KARAOKE: 9 p.m., Seaside American Legion Post 99, 1315 Broadway. (503) 738 – 5111.
SATURDAY | DEC. 29
DUPLICATE BRIDGE: 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Bob Chisholm Community Center, 1225 Avenue A, Seaside, (503) 738-7817. FAMILY STORY TIME: 11 a.m. Seaside Library at 1131 Broadway. (503) 738-6742. PUPPET MAKING EVENT: 2 p.m. at the Seaside Library, 1131 Broadway St. (503) 738-6742. BINGO: 5 p.m., Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church Parish Hall at First Avenue and Columbia Street in Seaside.
SUNDAY | DEC. 30
BREAKFAST: 9-11:30 a.m. American Legion Post 99 at 1315 Broadway, Seaside. FREE SUPPERS: 3 p.m. Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church at 120 Ocean-
exhilarating,” she said. “I worked long days while my daughter was in school. Tracking down people for interviews and getting it to the level I wanted it at was grueling at times.” Fortunately for Campbell she had developed many of her contacts over her many years as a writer and was able to use her own every day experiences as a wife, mother and woman. “I was coming at it with my own experiences, but knowing that someone else is going to read it and want to relate it to their own life. I wanted it to really speak to people so whether you’re in a car driving to Tillamook or living on the other side of the world, this would work for you and be accessible. That was very important to me: that people relate to this and adapt it in their own lives.” Campbell continues to use her own advice everyday as she practices spiritual living. “We are amazing people, and when you stop trying to fix things you think are wrong in your life and instead throw all your energy into what you do well, you can find so much happiness in life,” she said. “Once you can start feeling better in the moment, then you can start having a whole better life.” Campbell said she wrote the book that she would want to read. “It really takes the pressure off of people,” she said. “It lets them know they’re ok. And these things in our lives that at times feel like liabilities are actually the things that can make us great. We are complicated, interesting people and instead of hiding our flaws, we can look to grow and use them to the best of our abilities. So far the book has been well received, she said, and she is planning a book tour on the coast early next year. “The beach is the place I go when I need to return to nature,” she said. “I have salt water in my veins.” Her book can be found at Beach Books in Seaside or on Amazon. com. Follow her journey at imperfectspirituality.com
way in Seaside. (503) 738-6161.
MONDAY | DEC. 31
NOCHLERS PINOCHLE: 1:30 - 4 p.m. at the Bob Chisholm Community Center at 1225 Ave. A. (503) 738-7393. ALCOHOL ANONYMOUS MEETING: Beginners meeting 5:30 p.m. 715 3rd St. Seaside. (503) 738-5511. NEW YEARS EVE: Rock in the New Year with T.O.R. Seaside American Legion Post 99, 1315 Broadway. (503) 738 – 5111. NEW YEARS EVE OVERNIGHT CAMP: 8 p.m. – 8 a.m., Seaside Youth Center, 1140 Broadway. (503) 738-3311
TUESDAY | JAN. 1
NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS: 11:30 a.m. The Lodge at 12th and Holladay 6 p.m. at 715 Third Ave. Help-Line (503) 717-3702.
WEDNESDAY | JAN. 2
NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS: 11:30 a.m. The Lodge at 12th and Holladay 6 p.m. at 715 Third Ave. Help-Line (503) 717-3702. BINGO: 6:30 p.m. at American Legion Post 99. 1315 Broadway in Seaside. (503) 738 – 5111. *** The improvement Commission meting scheduled for tonight at 7
p.m. has been cancelled.
MISC. MEETINGS:
SEASIDE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION MEETING: Meets every Thursday, 8:30 a.m. at the Pig ‘N Pancake. CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP: Meets monthly on the third Tuesday from 1:30-3 p.m. at the NW Senior and Disability Services at 2002 SE Chokeberry Ave. Warrenton. (503) 738-6412. SEASIDE LIONS: Second Monday each month. (503) 738-7693. DEPRESSION AND BIPOLAR SUPPORT GROUP meets 4 p.m.-6:30 p.m. the third Sunday of each month at the Seaside Library. (503) 7917559. SENIOR LUNCH: Mon-Fri 11:45 a.m. at the Seaside Senior Center at 1225 Ave. A. (503) 738-7393 HAM RADIO: Second Saturday of each month. (503) 738-9692 NORTHWEST OREGON HOUSING AUTHORITY: The regular meeting of the Northwest Oregon Housing Authority (NOHA) will be held at 10 a.m. on Jan. 3, 2013, at the Gable Park Apartments, 2544 Gable Road, St. Helens, OR 97051. For agenda items, please call NOHA at (503) 861-0119, Extension 112.
4-H after school ceramics/pottery class offered in Seaside Once again, youth from around the county will have the opportunity to build bowls, cups and more at the 4-H After School ceramics/pottery class offered in Seaside. The after-school classes will run for
five weeks beginning on Tuesdays, Jan. 8 until Feb. 5 at the Bob Chisholm Community & Senior Center. The classes are taught by 4-H leader and potter Ricia Parcher who shows them different techniques to build and create.
The class is for middle school youth in grades 6-8. Need not be a 4-H member to attend. Space is limited to 12 maximum, so call today to sign up for this free after school program at (503) 325-8573.
Obituary Gilda Joyce Wexler Gilda Joyce Wexler, devoted sister, mother, wife, grandmother and friend, 85, of Seaside and Lake Stevens, WA passed away on Dec. 18, 2012. Gilda was born in New York City on Dec. 15, 1927 and later moved with her family to Portland. She graduated from Grant High School in 1944. Gilda met the love
of her life, Abe Wexler, at a Jewish convention for youth in 1944. They courted for two years and were married on April 6, 1946. In August of 1948, Gilda gave birth to her wonderful son, Eldon and together with Abe were a caring and compassionate family. They moved to Seattle in 1950 and then to Everett, WA in 1955. Abe and Gilda worked cohesively, side by side and in later years with their son Eldon, and created a chain of family owned auto supply stores, Al’s Auto Supply. Her husband Abe and she loved the Oregon coast and often called it their first love. Gilda
enjoyed wintering in Palm Springs with family and friends visiting often. She loved going on vacations and went on travels that took she and Abe all around the world. Gilda enjoyed her neighbors and friends from Seaside immensely as well as her friends in the Lake Stevens and Snohomish WA area. The other loves of her life came in 1992 and 1993 when she was blessed with two darling and endearing grandchildren Koby and Aria. There wasn’t anything she would not do for her grandchildren! Gilda is preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Abe Wexler and
her parents, Eugene and Marian Krantz, and her brother, Raymond Krantz. Funeral services were held in Portland. Gilda leaves behind her dearly devoted sister, Eloise Haskins, devoted son Eldon (Carolyn) Wexler, grandchildren Koby and Aria Wexler. She also leaves several wonderful nieces and nephews who she was extremely fond of. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Temple Beth Or 3215 Lombard Ave Everett, WA 98201 or the American Diabetes Association 1730 Minor Ave Ste 920, Seattle, WA 98101.
Seaside, Oregon n Seaside Signal n December 27, 2012 n 5
Local schools address safety concerns with students, parents
n Barn From page 1 The original amount of $7,000 included 11 $500 citations on zoning violations, five $100 citations for operating without a business license and two citations of $500 a piece for unnecessary noise. Smith said she has several reservations about the citations involving her business license and noise complaints, but was advised not to mentioned her reservations prior to the court date because the city could revoke the plea and go immediately to trial. “I had hoped there would be an opening to at least ask Judge Orr questions about my reservations without it risking the plea arrangements,” she said. In regards to the citations for not having a business license, Smith said the renewal of her license was simply an oversight and her first late notification came in the form of a citation. “Other business owners in town who were also late in filing their business license renewals were called and allowed to rectify their oversight quickly and with no citations,” she said. Smith also said the city would not allow her to renew her license, claiming she was operating an illegal business. Afterward, City Attorney Jeff Bennett said the city could not legally deny her a business license, “but by then another set of citations had piled up,” Smith said. “I was immediately issued a license but the city would
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til days after the tragedy. “I didn’t think we could wait that long to address the situation,” he said. Gaffney met with all teachers and staff before school started on Monday to make sure each adult who came in contact with a student was teaching them the same thing: that they are going to be OK. “We thought they might feel more comfortable talking to us than the next door neighbor and we wanted all the students to know if they needed support all they need was to speak up,” he said. At the end of the day Gaffney met with the teachers and staff again to ask if they felt any students in particular needed more care and attention. “I trusted the teachers to be able to read the students on how much they needed or wanted to talk about it and to use developmentally appropriate terminology,” he said. “I was honestly surprised I didn’t get any calls from parents on Monday, but I think that is a sign of accomplishment on how we handled it.” High School Principal Sheila Roley said word spread quickly at the high school and most of the students were engaging teachers and staff in conversation. “They were incredibly thoughtful and immediately concerned,” she said. “And they recognized this as not the typical situation that occurs in a high school. They
kept saying that they wanted to do something, but they weren’t quite sure how to help.” Before the event in Connecticut, Roley said she’d made arrangements with the Seaside Police Department to update the safety plan at the high school. That meeting is set for Jan. 9. “We’re not changing the procedure, but rather we’re just going to better follow the ones we have in place,” she said. “It’s so easy to get comfortable.” Roley said classroom doors are supposed to be kept locked, although they aren’t always. “It’s not convenient, but we need to do it,” she said, adding they would also be locking most of the 17 doors that lead outside from the high school. Broadway Middle School also went over its safety procedures and decided to keep some outside doors locked from now on. The Cannon Beach Police Department approached Principal Nicki Thomas and said police would like to do a walk through of the building to identify any areas that might be susceptible to danger and give suggestions on how to make the campus safer for students. Superintendent Doug Dougherty said safety is the biggest issue surrounding the new allschools campus, which would be completed in 2017, if approved by voters.
not remove the fines. I felt these citations should not be included in my plea and they should be removed.” Smith had questions regarding the noise violations as well, claiming her citations for unnecessary noise outlined identical circumstances and timing to another recent noise violation that Judge Orr dismissed due to the vague language of the ordinance, which is essentially canceled out by the city’s two other noise ordinances. “I felt Judge Orr should rule consistently in having these citations also dismissed as well,” said Smith. Judge Orr reminded Smith that on acceptance of the plea, she was legally bound to it and could not submit any more evidence to plead her case. “The city would only offer an all or nothing plea deal despite my questioning these six citations via my counsel,” she said. “They would not even look at these issues, and it was this plea to all citations for a 50 percent reduction or go to trial and face full fees, and potentially the loss of my conditional use permit altogether.” The conditional use permit, which has been extended twice, allows her to host
events at the barn after she the completes several fire and safety requirements by the state and city and obtains an occupancy permit. Most recently, Smith was issued a $5,000 citation from the city for continuing to use the barn before completing the requirements of the conditional use permit. Mayor Widdop said Smith has yet to come to a determination on how and when she will be paying the city for the $5,000 citation, which
Fast Facts
From page 1
FRI DEC. 28 REGULAR CAFE 5-8 PM SUPER BURGERS! KARAOKE 9 PM TILL ??
• Six public schools in Oregon are at high risk of tsunami inundation • Four of those schools are in the Seaside School District • Those four were evaluated and determined to have a high potential for catastrophic seismic collapse • The Cascadia Subduction Zone is approximately 70 miles off the Oregon Coast and stretches from Cape Mendocino, Cali to Vancouver Islands in Canada • Over the last 10,000 years, Cascadia subduction zone events have occurred on average every 240 years; It has been 312 years since the last event • It has been predicted that within the next 50 years, there is an 85 percent chance of a Cascadia Subduction Zone event in the Southern region and a 27 percent chance in the Northern region • About 10 minutes after the first earthquake subsides, beaches will see evidence of the incoming tsunami • The cities of Cannon Beach, Gearhart and Seaside will become inundated within about 15-20 minutes • Gearhart Elementary Schools students and staff must evacuate on foot three-quarters of a mile • Broadway Middle School depends on a retrofitted bridge to still be standing in order for them to evacuate • Cannon Beach Elementary and Seaside High School must each evacuate on foot 1.2 miles. It takes Cannon Beach students 25 minutes to get out of the tsunami zone, and that’s in the best of conditions
which was awarded the project, the actual amount has yet to be determined. An estimate for basic architectural and engineering services necessary to implement the project has also been submitted in writing and will be implemented if the bond measure passes. A letter from Dull Olson Weekes predicted the construction costs to range from $63 million to $77.5 million, at $225 to $250 per square foot. However the district cannot enter into a contract for services until the bond measure is passed. The firm will also help the school district with preparation and presentation of the bond measure and has presented a written proposal for design services that will be performed prior to the May 2013 general election. When the first requests for proposals were sent out, 17 different firms showed interest, Dougherty said. Of those 17, eight submitted proposals which were reviewed by three board members, four district staff and a representative from Willamette Educational Service District. The proposals were scored based on specific criteria and half of them were eliminated. The remaining four firms came in for a twohour interview where they were asked for specific details such as the name of the principle architect, project manager and how they would address seismic components of the building. After another scoring process, two firms were
selected and members of the board and staff visited schools across the state and into Washington that were similar to what they wanted. The last round of scoring showed Dull Olson Weekes as the unanimous choice. An audible sigh of relief could be heard from the members of the board as they moved one step closer to providing a safer campus for their students. “This new building is all about safety,” Dougherty
Widdop said could have been as high as $25,000. “The city has spent in excess of $10,000 [on this issue],” Widdop said. “And that was money not budgeted for. She earned all of these fines; these aren’t our laws, they are state laws.” Widdop added she felt Judge Orr’s decision was “fair and equitable” and “the amount of time everyone has spent on this is so frustrating.” Smith had asked the city
council and planning commission to meet with her for a mediation meeting before the hearing to try and work out their differences and problems. She wrote a letter to the council, which was read at the Dec. 5 meeting, but the council did not respond and did not put in a request to the judge to delay the hearing. Smith said now that the plea bargain is over, she doubts they will want to mediate with her.
“This new building is all about safety.” Superintendent Doug Dougherty
said, adding that it will be designed with the Cascadia subduction zone in mind. The board is still negotiating with Weyerhaeuser Corp. on the purchase of 50 acres of land for the school east of Seaside. The City of Cannon Beach recently approved the purchase of an option on 55 acres of land that has been discussed as a replacement location for the Cannon Beach Elementary School, even though those students have been included in the designs of the new super campus. However the school district will not be paying to build a new school in Cannon Beach and those costs are up to the city if they chose to pursue that option. “There is nothing left to discuss,” Mayor Widdop said. “We’ve had discussions about this until we were blue in the face. It’s time to move on and hope that she does what she needs to do.” Smith said she feels that any other city wouldn’t be making this process so difficult for her. “From the bottom of my heart I am convinced that I’m doing something good for my town,” she said.
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After the tragic school shooting in Connecticut on Dec. 14, teachers and staff within the Seaside School District took it upon themselves to address any questions or concerns facing their students the following week. “We communicated with parents on that Friday through email and letters about how they can help themselves, help their children and connections to different websites with resources on how to cope with a tragedy like this,” said Gearhart Elementary School Principal Sande Brown. Brown said the staff met the Monday morning after the school shooting and decided to spend the day listening to the students to see if they were talking about it. However an alert from the National Association of Elementary School Principals said often times children won’t talk about a tragedy unless it’s brought up. “When we asked how many kids were familiar with something scary that happened in Connecticut, almost all the kids raised their hands,” she said, adding that with the help of the school counselor, they were able to help the students understand their feelings and let out any fears they were experiencing, instead of keeping it locked inside. “We did things a bit differently at Seaside Heights,” said Principal Dan Gaffney, whose school wasn’t scheduled to have the counselor un-
n School
6 n December 27, 2012 n Seaside Signal n Seaside, Oregon
Seaside, Oregon n Seaside Signal n December 27, 2012 n 7
Storms increase landslide danger on Oregon coast By Jeremy C. Ruark The News Guard
Heavy rains, saturated grounds, unstable hillsides and Mother Nature have increased the landslide danger along the Oregon coast, according to officials at the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI). “The Oregon coast range is one of the most landslide prone areas on earth,” said Ian Madin, DOGAMI chief scientist. “We need to know where the landslides are in order to manage the land so that we minimize the impact on streams, roads and structures. Madin said of the two types of landslides in Oregon, the debris flow landslide can be lethal. “A debris flow landslide occurs during heavy rainstorms,” said Madin. “It is a wall of mud coming down the canyon at 40 mph. They are lethal. When people get killed or injured it is almost always a debris flow type of landslide that is the cause.” The deep-seated landslides are much slower and less threatening. “Those slides tend to be thousands of acres,” he said. “They may be stable for years, decades, even centuries until something disturbs them and they will begin to move slowly, a couple of feet a day. This type of slide likely won’t kill anyone, but it will tear apart roads, buildings and power lines.” Because of the heavy rains this fall and winter and the unstable hillsides, Madin is urging people traveling the Oregon coast to be aware of the potential of dangerous landslides. “Be cautious,” said Madin. “The places that are most likely to be hazardous are when you pass a side stream. That’s where debris flows come down. Drive slowly. Keep and an eye out. If there
“A debris flow landslide … is a wall of mud coming down the canyon at 40 mph. They are lethal. When people get killed or injured it is almost always a debris flow type of landslide that is the cause.” Ian Madin
is muddy water coming down the road don’t go any further. It may be that there is a debris slide around the corner flowing onto the roadway and you may be buried under 40 feet of flowing mud.” The challenge is finding the landslides before they cause injury, death and damage, said Madin. “We know that the debris flows are very common in the coast range when there is heavy rain,” he said. “What we don’t know is where they are likely to occur. But geologists are gaining ground on tracking the landslides by using new technology called lidar-based mapping. “It is a laser range finder in an air craft that scans back and fourth across the earth measuring the elevation of the ground,” said Madin. “It is sending out a signal and reading the reflection.” DOGAMI has completed lidar-based landslide inventory mapping for the North Fork Siuslaw River watershed in Lane County and the Big Elk Creek watershed in Lincoln and Benton Counties. DOGAMI located 2,840 landslides in these two watersheds. The study, released as DOGAMI Open-File Report O-12-07, Lidar data and landslide inventory maps of
PHOTOS/NEWS GUARD
The power of Mother Nature is illustrated in these landslide photos taken of Foss Road in north Tillamook County in 2010. not be used as an alternative the North Fork Siuslaw River Fork Siuslaw River and Big ing ways to use this amazing Elk Creek watersheds as to site-specific studies in criti- technology every day.” and Big Elk Creek waterexamples. cal areas. sheds, Lane, Lincoln, and But the challenge is find“Using lidar imagery as The sources of small Benton Counties, Oregon, ing funds to pay for the landshallow debris flows, which a base map allowed us to was funded by the United slide studies and research. accurately map an astounding are common in mountainous States Environmental ProtecAccording to Madin, Oregon number of slides,” said Bill areas of the Pacific Northtion Agency (US EPA) and does not fund a specific Burns, DOGAMI engineering west, are likely not captured the State of Oregon. The program to map landsides. geologist. “Prior to this study, in this study. purpose of the study is to asHe said partnering with city, Besides landslide maponly 261 slides had been sist US EPA and the Oregon county, state and federal ping, the study provides Department of Environmental located in these two wateragencies is one option. sheds. But with the lidar and examples of methods that Quality (DEQ) in under“We need to establish such can be used to identify both a landslide mapping protocol standing potential landslide a partnership,” said Madin. developed here at DOGAMI, landslide and nonlandslide sources and to improve “We really want to work we were able to quickly and sources of sediment and ability of these agencies with those agencies to help precisely map landslides, stream warming. to identify other potential them make a reasonable plan even in heavily forested “This is just the tip of the sources of stream sedimentato deal with the hazards of iceberg in showing what lidar landslides.” areas.” tion and warming by using Burns cautioned that these can do,” said Madin. “As high-resolution lidar data. To preview the lindar data and maps are designed the lead agency in the state For the study DOGAMI mapping publication, visit: for regional applications and acquiring and imaging lidar combined newly acquired www.oregongeology.org/ that the data and maps should we are finding new and excit- pubs/ofr/p-O-12-07.htm. lidar data with existing lidar data and examined previous landslide studies before Serving All of Clatsop beginning new mapping. Although lidar data were acCounty Since 1976 quired for seven watersheds in the Coast Range, landslide mapping focused on North • Pruning Services
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Man arrested for weapons related threats On Dec. 14 at 3:16 p.m., Astoria Police responded to the area of the Sunset Empire Transportation District’s Office at 900 Marine Dr. A worker had reported that a couple had been having a fight on the premises, and when confronted the man involved told them he hoped “they were safe in there” because he had a gun. Officers responded, arriving in the area almost immediately. They located a subject who matched the description. When he no-
ticed police interest in him the man became agitated and started walking away from the police quickly. Officers were able to incercept the suspect at 7th and Marine where he was detained and searched. No gun was located but the subject was carrying a concealed knife that violates the Oregon Revised Statute related to carrying concealed weapons. He was not charged for this offense. The suspect was identified as Willaim Spivey, a
51-year-old who lists his address as Portland but whom Astoria Police have been contacting regularly since September. He was arrested and booked for Criminal Trespass and Disorderly Conduct II. At 4:59 p.m. Astoria Police department responded to the 500 block of Bond to a report of a disturbance. Spivey was cited and released for Harassment due to the argument he was having with a woman at the location.
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Thanks to the following supporters of the 2012 Danny Mac II Scholarship Golf Tournament! Tournament Sponsor: Teevin Bros Land & Timber Co. Banner Sponsors: A-1 Ready Mix Clatsop Distributing Co. Seaside Aquarium Hole Sponsors: Beach Development Holbrook Construction Coastal Repair & Maintenance Don Udell dba Ray Neibuhn Plumbing Pig’N Pancake Inc. Roy A. Lloyd Construction Sopko Welding State Street Laundry Truckes One Stop TD&M Ent. Inc. White’s Heating Ram Clinic Rosemarie Sibley CPA Knutsen Insurance Bruce’s Candy Kitchen Cotton Club Sign One
Remax A Affordable Carpet Ballou’s Beach Club Dundees JL French Seaside Stop & Go Gearhart Gro North Coast Cutting Inc. Sterling Bank Tuff Concrete Seaside/Gearhart DQ Special Thanks To: Gearhart Golf Links McMenimins & Crew Donald Braun Clean-Sweep Maintenance Doogers of Seaside Norma’s Restaurant Reed & Hertig Rileys Restaurant Mimmies Flowers Red Dwarf Graphx Ter Har’s Human Bean Natural Nook Shear Pleasures Salon & Spa
Pizza Harbor Beach Books Seaside Food Bank Dave Bartholet WOW Frito-Lay Recreation Lanes Gearhart Junction Cafe Les Scwhab The Bridge Tender Pig’N Pancake Bagels by the Sea Seaside Bath Salts Roycatzzzz Mark & MJ Doust Marilyn & Wade Holbrook Tom & Deri Butler John & Jeanette Nicolazzi Kara Ward Dave & Renee Hughes Scott Howell Rosemarie Sibley Rich & Christina Walsburn Sterling Bank: Dawn, Merri & Sandie
A heartfelt thanks to all the golfers who participated in this year’s event from the family: Tom & Susan McDonald Lisa & Mark Whisler Jay McDonald
S02103
8 n December 27, 2012 n Seaside Signal n Seaside, Oregon
Holiday Classic is ‘Great Competition and Great Basketball’ By Anthony Rimel
arimel@countrymedia.net
Seaside High School started the Holiday Classic Basketball Tournament in 1966 as a fourteam boys tournament. Forty-six years later the tournament has grown to a 16-team event for both boys and girls teams. It is the largest 4A basketball tournament in the state. This year boys and girls teams from Astoria, Elma, LaPine, Madras, Newport, Estacada and Central Linn are visiting Cannon Beach for the three-day tournament, which began Thursday morning. The hometown Seagulls are also competing, to round out the event. Seaside High School Athletic Director Jason Boyd said one of the nice things about the tournament is that it brings in around 200 kids for three days during December. Boyd said teams aren’t charged to participate in the tournament because they want to encourage participation. Boyd said the Athletics/Activities Booster Club sponsors the event, and proceeds support the school’s sports and other activities. He also thanked
Junior Aaron Tadei during the Seagull boys’ win against West Linn on Dec. 20.
Freshman Whitney Westerholm, #5, and Senior Jesse Olson during the Seagulls girls’ dominant win over West Linn on Dec. 20.
the events sponsors. “It’s a lot of community support that makes this work,” he said. Boyd said as an orga-
said he was happy with the event so far, saying that there was good competition and good basketball being played.
nizer he’s happy that all the teams made it to Seaside, despite the storms and flooding. On the first day of the tournament he
Seaside Senior Maddy Villegas plays for the girls basketball team, and said the tournament is fun because they get to
play teams they normally wouldn’t. Villegas said the Seaside basketball teams don’t compete in any other tournaments. After the girls first game against West Linn, which Seaside won solidly 65-15, Villegas said she was pleased with her team’s tempo, and was optimistic about how they’d fair in the tournament. “I’m excited because we’re going to win this,” she said. Lucas Clark, a senior on the Seaside boys basketball team, said he also liked the opportunity to play other teams. “It’s a good tournament,” he said. “It gives us a chance to play other teams.” Clark said that playing tournaments like this give the team more playing time, which helps them get better. He also said he thinks people like the structure of a tournament because it creates a story arc. “There’s a plot to it,” he said. “There’s a beginning, a middle and an end.” The Seagulls boys team won their first game against West Linn on Thursday night 52-42.
Local artists showcased during Seaside Art Walk years, and was a founding member of the North Coast Land Conservancy, as well as its Executive Director for 10 years. Neal is now working with his grandson Michael Wing. Together they established PacificLight Nature Images, a partnership that is dedicated to raising public awareness about the region’s natural resources through nature photography. Their photography centers around coastal and Columbia River landscape, ecology and the rich estuary habitat with the surrounding wetlands and forest systems. “We take pictures, take walks, take deep breaths, make memories, ride waves, harvest timber, and step into a habitat that used to belong to other travels,” Neal said. “We thought we could never catch all the salmon, never cut all the big trees and never pollute the oceans. With renewed humility, we are learning to share this place, to live together with our partner trail makers. We celebrate this partnership as we use our images to inspire others to honor nature’s trails.”
This snowy owl photo, taken by Neal Main is one example of the art that will be featured at the Fairweather House and Garden at the beginning of next year. The art showcases wildlife in the context of its habitat.
“We take pictures, take walks, take deep breaths, make memories, ride waves, harvest timber, and step into a habitat that used to belong to other travels.” Neal Main, NW naturalist and photographer
Snowy owl photo captured by Michael Wing.
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that illustrate the dynamic nature of coastal wildlife. Fairweather House and Garden is located in the historic Gilbert District of downtown Seaside at 612 Broadway. The exhibit will start at 11 a.m. and will run through 5 p.m. For more information go towww. fairweatherhouseandgarden.com. Neal taught biology at Seaside High School for 30
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Neal Main and Michael Wing, NW naturalists and photographers, will be featured at the Fairweather House and Garden throughout the first quarter of 2012, with an unveiling of new photo images for the first Saturday Seaside Art Walk on Jan. 5. The show highlights imagery exploring wildlife in the context of its habitat, as well as capturing action images