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Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Vision becomes reality for SK8 CJ
By
Judy Hoyle
IVN Contributing Writer
The long awaited grand opening of the Cave Junction
Skate Park, the newest feature at Jubilee Park, is scheduled to
take place this Saturday, August 16.
The “free for all” event will run from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
and feature locally and regionally renowned bands including
Oneironauts, Only Natural, Wilderness, Mista Chief, Catsxan,
Ras Deezum, Vega in Lyra, Mr. Shatta, Rosie Wittman and
Maca Key. Sound will be by event co-sponsor HWFT.
Activities throughout the day will include free bicycle
repair, helmet giveaways, drawings for prizes and skateboard
and bike demonstrations. Event sponsors include Wheels a
Turnin’, Good Earth Organics and Havoc which has recently
expanded their Grants Pass store inventory to include boards
and bikes. No alcohol, weapons or illegal drugs will be allowed
at the event.
Organizer Maureen Connolly is hoping as many original
skatepark volunteers as possible from throughout the park’s two
decade history will be there to take the ceremonial “first skate”
immediately following the ribbon cutting ceremony at noon.
The first C.J. skatepark was dedicated in 1997 at the Labor
Day Festival, when organizers Thom LeGay and Andrea Thom-
as were on hand to cut the ribbon. Their group of volunteers
installed a concrete slab and built wooden and metal structures,
which lasted about nine years. LeGay later raised funds to have
a larger concrete slab poured, which was incorporated into the
current design.
“We’re building on 20 years of effort,” said Connolly,
who teamed with Stacey Williams to realize Williams’ dream of
a first-class park for the community to use and enjoy.
The pair of mothers co-chaired the Sk8CJ Committee, a
project of “Y.E.S.” (Youth Empowerment and Support), which
also sponsors the annual Barter Faire fund-raiser for the Dome
School.
In 2007, Billy Dillard led a team that built new tempo-
rary ramps as his Eagle Scout project. These were dismantled
in 2012 when they were deemed unsafe by the city. About the
same time, Williams learned that the famous skateboarder Tony
Hawk was coming to Grants Pass to do a demonstration.
Williams was also aware that Hawk’s foundation made
grants to help communities build skateparks, and approached
him during his visit. Together with Connolly, Williams won a
grant from Hawk’s foundation. Next, Cave Junction Mayor Carl
Jacobson helped parlay the boon into acquiring a $60,000 grant
from Oregon Parks and Recreation. The grant required nearly
$29,000 in matching funds, which was raised over the past two
years. Connolly listed eight benefit events and other fundraising
activities including concerts, Valentine’s Day and Halloween
parties as well as in-kind contributions.
Due to the tremendous outpouring of volunteers and
community support, Connolly estimates the value of this first
phase of the park at nearly $300,000. She compares their efforts
to that of a relay racer who carries the baton a distance, then
passes it on to the next runner or organizer who will oversee the
next phase.
Many riders are hoping for more “street” features in Phase
II, including railings and stairs. The park’s designer, Sage Bol-
yard, of Grindline Skateparks, has also recommended a wind-
ing and ramped sidewalk that would weave through the trees.
The final push to complete the project came during the
past few weeks when finishing touches like sod were installed.
She’s proud of the work her grandkids did on the project,
including granddaughter Daisy and her 3-year-old grandson,
Django.
“There’s a whole section Django did by filling a bucket,
and then pouring mortar around the rocks to secure them,” she
said.
Connolly honed her organizational skills during her 30
year career as a critical care nurse and ongoing experience as a
board member of the Medford/Alba, Italy sister city program.
“Grandma Mo” has twice traveled to Italy where she’s visited
her friends and many honorary grandchildren.
Connolly praises Williams’ efforts toward the project’s
realization.
“We compliment each other,” she says of Williams. “She’s
the visionary and I’m the reality.”
Donations for upkeep and further improvements can be
made to Y.E.S., a 501c3 charitable organization, at P.O. Box
812, Cave Junction, OR, 97523. For further information, visit
SK8 Cave Junction on Facebook.
Area youth rides his scooter at the skate park in July 2014.
(Photo by Dan Mancuso, Illinois Valley News)
Southern Oregon
SIMPLE WAYS TO SAVE ENERGY ND MONEY THIS SUMMER:
Set the air conditioning or
heat pump thermostat a
few degrees higher than
normal when no one is home.
Check the system air filter regularly
and change it when it looks dirty. A
dirty filter makes the system work
less efficiently and reduces air flow.
Place electronics and lamps with
conventional bulbs away from
the thermostat. The heat they
produce can cause the air
conditioner to work harder
than necessary.
Have your cooling equipment
serviced each year to keep it
running efficiently.
Alternative Medicine
Will be returning for the monthly clinic
to their Cave Junction location at the
Jefferson state trading Post
M ONDAY , A UGUST 18
L ocated south of c ave J unction at 27893 R edwood h wy
i f you aRe tiRed of being tReated with piLLs , stop by and sign - up today .
HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING, INC.
1010 S.E. MILBANK RD.
www.cavemanheating.com
541-476-0009
CCB #160528
for more information, please call 541.592.6647 or visit
southernoregonalternativemedicine.com
Illinois Valley Lions
42nd Annual - LABOR DAY FESTIVAL
August 30 & 31 st , Sept. 1 st , 2014
Jubilee Park, Cave Junction, Oregon
THEME: FREEDOM AND LIBERTY
Get your Sports Physical for the
upcoming season.
BooTH ParTiCiPaTion EnTrY ForM
There will be no raffles allowed
Check Those that Apply:
O
Business/Individuals
O
Non-Profit Organization
O
Food Provider
Josephine Co Health Dept. Permit Required
O
Electricity
$5.00 usage fee (see below)
Electricity is available on a limited basis for a fee of $5.00 per vendor. Vendors must furnish UL approved cord of
appropriate size and length. Pop-ups, tents, etc. must be fire retardant and approved fire extinguishers must be provided
if preparing hot foods.
Name of Organization________________________________________________Phone:__________________________
Contact Person: ____________________________________________________Primary Phone:____________________
Mailing Address: _____________________________________________________________________________________
City: _____________________________________________________________ State _____
Zip _________________
Booth Description and Items: (i.e. Pop Up, Trailer, Tent, Game, Food Booth, Jewelry, Clothing, what items you
will be displaying and or selling)
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
O Yes I will donate an item for the Lion’s Auction
__________________________________________________ Item________________________________________
Booth Total Size When Completely Set Up: _______x________ O Yes I will donate 1 hour of my time helping in the
Electricity requested: { Yes
{ No
Lions Hamburger booth (Day and time?
___________________________________________
Examination includes:
• Review of your health history
For Kids 6 - 18
• A simple physical exam to determine if you are able
to safely participate in typical sports-related activities
Only $ 20
• Provide sports safety and education tips
Available at the clinic through September and starting Aug. 18
at Lorna Byrne Middle School and Illinois Valley High School.
Additional charges may apply for
consultation, lab or other tests that are
required beyond the sports physical.
To reserve booth: Please pay in advance: $75 for 3 days or $30 per day for 12’ x 12’ space.
Make checks payable to IV Lions
Booth Chairman: David Anderson 541-597-4486 Leave name, phone & address on voicemail.
Call 541-592-4111 for scheduling.
Waiver (must be signed)
The parties to this agreement jointly hold each other harmless and waive all rights of subrogation regarding any and all
liability for bodily injury and Property Damage that may occur during and connected to the Labor Day Festival event.
Participant Signature:___________________________________________________Date:________________________
All entries are subject to the approval of the IV Lions Booth Chairman. All information must be completed in order for
your entry to be considered official.
Mail booth entries with check to: IV Lions • PO Box 796 • Selma, OR 97538
26547 Redwood Hwy. Cave Junction
www.siskiyouhealthcenter.com
This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.