potpourri
Weld done, everyone
Oregon Coast Community College will
launch its new welding program with a
ribbon cutting ceremony this Friday, Jan. 31,
at Taft High School in Lincoln City.
The program, established in partnership
with the Port of Toledo, Northwest Oregon
Works and the Lincoln County School
District, will see students and adult learners
firing up their torches starting in February,
with classes in Lincoln City and Toledo.
“Since I arrived at the college in 2014, I
have heard from industry and community
about the need for welding and maritime
workforce training,” said OCCC President
Dr. Birgitte Ryslinge. “Through this private-
public collaboration we start building,
rather than importing, our future maritime-
industrial workforce. This means high-
skilled, high-wage jobs for Lincoln County
residents, and boosts our collective economy.”
Bud Shoemake, port manager at the
Port of Toledo, spearheaded the grant-
writing effort that secured $261,285 in US
Department of Transportation funding for
the project, which will see a welding lab
established adjacent to the shipyard.
“This year we partnered with the Lincoln
County School District and had high
school students from both Waldport and
Toledo working as interns in our shipyard,”
Shoemake said. “These schools both have
industrial programs which have allowed their
students to progress into the internship. The
vocational welding lab will provide students
at the other high schools in Lincoln County
the same opportunity to participate in
industrial training.”
At the same time as the program gets
rolling in Toledo, the college will begin
teaching welding classes at Taft High
School, thanks to funding support from the
school district. The welding courses will be
available to both community members and
high school students from within Lincoln
County.
The Lincoln City ribbon cutting will start
at 2 pm this Friday, Jan. 31, at Taft High
School, 3780 SE Spyglass Ridge.
The first classes are already full, thanks
to online registration forms that have been
posted for months on the college website.
For more information, call 541-867-8501.
Project Homeless Connect
Service providers will gather at
Newport’s Church of the Nazarene this
Friday, Jan. 31, for the 12th annual Project
Homeless Connect.
The event offers people experiencing
homelessness access to immediate goods
and services, such as energy and housing
assistance, pet and dental care, eyeglasses,
insurance enrollment and a warm meal.
Guests can get a haircut and a hot
shower as well as information about medical
services, Oregon Health Plan enrollment
and access to services dealing with mental
health and addiction.
Project Homeless Connect will run from
10 am to 3 pm at 227 NW 12th Street.
Get in the loop
The Yachats Coastal
Gems walking group will
head to Depoe Bay this
Tuesday, Feb. 4, to tackle
the Three Loops by the
Sea route.
The walk consists
of three loops that
take in two seaside
residential areas as well
as the “World’s Smallest
Harbor,” which served
as one of the backdrops
for “One Flew Over the
Cuckoo’s Nest.” Walkers
will be treated to incredible views of the ocean, including vessels making the
hazardous entry to the harbor through the “Hole in the Wall.”
The three- and six-mile walks have varied walking surfaces including
forested trail and a few mild hills. Walking sticks and sturdy shoes are
recommended. Dogs are allowed but must be on a six-foot non-extendable
lead; and owners must carry and use appropriate cleanup materials.
The group will meet in the back of the bar at Gracie’s Sea Hag, located at
58 N. Hwy. 101, Depoe Bay, at 9:45 am for registration, then start the walk
at 10 am.
For more information, email yachatscoastalgems@gmail.com or call
Maryann at 541-961-4279. RSVPs are greatly appreciated. Text or call on
the day of walk.
oregoncoastTODAY.com • facebook.com/oregoncoasttoday • January 31, 2020 • 5