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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (June 24, 2020)
8 Wednesday, June 24, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Unsecured pets can distract drivers With summer travel sea- son upon us, families are hit- ting the road 4 and that of course, means four-legged family members, too. To ensure safe travels for every- one, it9s important to take heed of a pet travel safety issue 4 pets and distracted driving. When we think of dis- tracted driving, the typical culprits that come to mind include texting, eating, applying makeup, chatting on the phone or even daydream- ing. We seldom consider that traveling with an unsecured pet is a dangerous distraction. TripsWithPets recently polled pet parents who often drive with their pets. The poll showed that a whopping 60 percent of pet parents partake in unsafe distracted driv- ing habits involving their pet. Additionally, 42 percent of respondents admitted to being distracted by their four- legged travel companions, yet 77 percent indicated that they do not secure their pet in their vehicle. According to the poll, drivers were pet- ting their dogs, putting them in their laps, and frequently checking their mirrors (or turning around) to check on them. Further, many drivers (25 percent) snapped pictures with their dogs while driving. It9s pretty easy to under- stand how an unsecured pet can be a distraction while driving. Some pets may become anxious or excited causing them to jump around or bark while in the vehicle. Additionally, a happy and loving pet may just want to be near you and crawl on your lap while driving. Oftentimes, pets can be frightened and there is always an element of unpre- dictability with any animal. When looking for comfort, dogs and cats may naturally opt to be near you and add to the possible perils caused by these distractions. Properly securing your pet in your vehicle is not only about alleviating this poten- tial driving distraction that could cause an accident. It is also a proactive approach should there be an accident or sudden stop 4 even a fender bender can injure an unse- cured pet. We wear seat belts for our safety in case of an accident and should take the same care to secure our pets. A pet that is not restrained properly in a vehicle can be seriously harmed or even killed if thrown from a vehi- cle. Airbags can go off and injure a pet in your lap. In the event of an accident, fright- ened pets can easily escape from a vehicle and run off. Further, a pet that is not prop- erly secured may not only be harmed but could also put others in danger through the force of any impact from an accident. Ensuring your pet is safe while traveling in your vehi- cle means finding the pet safety restraint that is right for him. Options include pet seat belts, pet car seats, travel crates, and vehicle pet bar- riers. Planning to have the right pet safety restraint for your trip will not only keep you and your pet safe, but also offer you peace of mind and take one more distraction away. ISTOCK.COM/HUMONIA Safely securing your pet in the car helps to keep them safe. Cultural organizations hit hard by shutdown The majority of Oregon9s cultural organizations are facing suspension of opera- tions or permanent closure due to the COVID-19 impact, reveals an Oregon Cultural Trust survey released last week. The most comprehensive survey of Oregon9s cultural community since the crisis began, the survey includes data and comments from 330 cultural nonprofits represent- ing 83 percent of Oregon counties. Participants project a collective loss of $40 mil- lion and average losses of $121,281 through June 30. The majority of respondents (54 percent) have annual rev- enues of less than $250,000 and operate outside of the Portland Metro area. More than half (51 per- cent) of respondents have not applied for the federal Payroll Protection Program (PPP), likely due to the fact that 44 percent employ less than one full-time staff mem- ber 4 relying mostly on a volunteer workforce. Of the 49 percent that did apply for PPP, only 73 percent have received funds to-date. More than 90 percent of those that did receive PPP funds report the funding is <not adequate to support their financial losses.= <The PPP loan is a finan- cial band-aid for the short term, but for us to continue to provide our essential ser- vice&there will be a need for continued relief funding well into the next fiscal year and possibly beyond,= reports the Tillicum Foundation, which operates nonprofit radio sta- tions in Astoria, Tillamook and Warrenton. <Quite frankly right now it looks grim,= reports the Oregon Coast Council for the Arts, <when the PPP monies are gone we may be looking at a 8staffless9 OCCA for a while.= Because most cultural We’re In This Together organizations rely on large gatherings for ticket and rental revenue, they rank at the top of Oregon busi- ness sectors most severely affected by the crisis. They also will be the slowest to reopen, given the indefinite ban on large gatherings due to COVID-19. <Without any earned rev- enue, we are relying entirely on philanthropy and govern- ment support,= reports the Portland Art Museum. <[Without relief funding,] we will have to close our doors and lose the invest- ment of our community over 30 years,= reports the Gilbert House Children9s Museum in Salem. The survey also revealed particular hardship for cul- tural organizations in rural areas. Bend9s High Desert Museum reports that <muse- ums and cultural organiza- tions in more rural areas will be hit hardest immediately and will have a much lon- ger recovery period 4 we saw this during the recession and the indicators point to a similar pattern now&fund- ing to help organizations like the High Desert Museum be resilient for the next 12-24 months is critical.= Survey comments also reflect the concern cultural organizations have for the vulnerable populations they serve. The Shadow Project, which provides learning sup- port for children with dis- abilities, reports that <during COVID-19 these children are even more vulnerable, at highest risk of falling further behind and exacerbated men- tal health disorders.= <Underserved rural popu- lations define the youth and families we serve,= reports the Drexel H. Foundation in Vale, where 21 percent of the population lives in poverty. Their outreach programs are <free to all, reducing eco- nomic barriers to learning, cultural experiences, and art participation for all eth- nic groups. Grantors have canceled funding opportuni- ties we had counted upon&. [t]oo many resources have disappeared.= The Nugget Newspaper offi ce is open to visitors! Our hours continue to be limited, so we do recommend making an appointment if an in-person meeting is required. For the well-being of our staff and clients we are heeding CDC guidelines for social distancing and masks. The Nugget Office: 541-549-9941 CONNECTING BEND & SISTERS TO PORTLAND METRO & SALEM MON•TUE•THURS•FRI•SUN Rates, Schedules & Reservations at shuttleoregon.com or 541-903-0724 Running at 50% capacity to provide distance; please travel with a mask. Our cleanliness and your safety is our priority. Want to talk to or pray with someone or need a delivery or other help? Call Wendy at 541-389-6859. Need an encouraging word every day? www.sisterschurch.com Looking for a spiritual activity for kids of all ages? www.sisterschurch.com/what-we-do/ministries SISTERS COMMUNITY CHURCH Committed to serving Sisters in word and deed News & Letters to the Editor: Jim Cornelius, 541-390-6973 (cell) editor@nuggetnews.com Classifi eds, Subscriptions, Announcements, Events: Lisa May, lisa@nuggetnews.com Display Advertising: Vicki Curlett, 541-699-7530 (cell) vicki@nuggetnews.com Offi ce hours are Mon. & Fri., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tues. & Thurs., 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The Nugget Newspaper