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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 12, 2015)
10A THE DAILY ASTORIAN • MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015 JOSHUA BESSEX — The Daily Astorian Willis Van Dusen smiles as he listens to a speech by Sen. Betsy Johnson before accepting the George Award. Chamber: ‘The spirit of cooperation has never been stronger’ Continued from Page 1A people and ideas, but making people care about things,” said Johnson, who praised Van Dusen’s indiscriminate authenticity and generosity, whether it be with her, former President Bill Clinton during his visit in 2008 or with any mem- ber of the local community. “At every public event,” said Johnson, “Willis inevita- bly called positive attention to what he referred to as the As- toria team.” When he and his wife Lisa arrived on the North Coast in the early 2000s for his new job as district sales coordinator they were looking forward to becoming involved in the community. You run into Reid all the time, simply because he is so involved, said Hauke during his presentation of Re- id’s George Award. Over those years, said Hauke, Reid’s been a volunteer of every type for the chamber, downtown association, Astoria Regatta Court, Astoria Rota- ry Club, Camp Kiwanilong, the Clatsop County Histori- cal Society, the Astor Street Opry Company, the city and more — all the way down to skimming logs to rebuild Fort Clatsop at the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park. “He helps whenever he can, however he can, because he’s a good guy,” said Hauke. Reid’s also a Chamber member two times over, speaking to the three goals of the chamber’s board set for wife Lisa. The two have owned Lucy’s Books since be at the banquet, with an au- thor visiting Lucy’s for Second Saturday Artwalk. Astoria-Warrenton “One doesn’t exist without the other,” said Reid about the relationship between Astoria joint Chamber of Commerce. full-time employees and two part-timers, along with vol- unteer boards overseeing the staff, the chamber’s ambassa- dors and for other volunteers. It advertises its members, organizes marketing cam- paigns and marshals volun- teers to put on such annual regional attractions as the Un- Wined wine tasting in March; the Crab, Seafood and Wine Festival in April; Fourth of JOSHUA BESSEX — The Daily Astorian Executive Director of the Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce Skip Hauke showed off his ‘80s garb during the banquet. His costume included a gold chain from City Lumber. Columbia Crossing in October. themed banquet foreshadowed its series of events in early - sary of “The Goonies,” cen- tered around the weekend of the annual Goonies Day June tours, in addition to treasure - more. For the past year, Reid has been president of the cham- ber’s board of directors. He is being replaced by Asto- ria Scandinavian Midsum- mer Festival organizer Loran Mathews. “In my experience, the spirit of cooperation has nev- er been stronger,” said Reid, • Remodeling the chamber - rine Drive, an ongoing project. • Developing a plan to sup- port trade and service sector chamber members. The cham- ber is in the midst of develop- ing a promotion to encourage people to hire — not just shop — locally, educating the pub- lic about local contractors and service providers. • Growing the chamber to 600 members, a goal it achieved in mid-July. The chamber now stands at more than 620 business, non- - ual members, including Buoy Beer, not even a year old and named Chamber Member of the Year. Its award was accept- ed by co-owner Luke Colvin, a George Award winner in 2008. Reid said the constant in- creases in membership in- creases the power the chamber has to affect issues important to the local economy. “This current surge in our member- of the value the chamber mem- bers, like you, feel they get from their membership.” Osborn: ‘In arena football, you’re so close to the action’ Continued from Page 1A “We’re excited to see our fan base growing organical- ly, and we will need dedicat- ed fans such as Jim in order for the Thunder to succeed in what is becoming an ex- pectant and successful sports market,” Rob Boelke, the Thunder’s director of media relations and digital market- ing, said in an email. The Thunder, owned by Terry Emmert, the heavy haul transport magnate in Clackamas, had an uneven expansion season. The team round of the playoffs, and - tendance at Moda Center was slightly better than league average. Marketed as a high- er-scoring, free-wheeling complement to the National Football League, the Are- na Football League built a - nancially imploding after the 2008 season. Restructured and reborn in - capture the same fan interest, although it has gained some pop culture buzz with celebri- ty owners like rock stars Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of the Los Angeles KISS, which — like the Thunder — were an expansion franchise last year. Many fans drawn to the league hope to get an up-close preview of future NFL stars. Kurt Warner, an NFL and Su- per Bowl most valuable play- er, was once a quarterback for the league’s Iowa Barnstorm- ers, and many other league players have made the jump over the years. Usually, though, fans see talented players who are struggling to keep playing professionally. One of the Thunder’s quarterbacks, Darron Thomas, is a former Oregon star who gave up his senior year and declared She and Carl Burkhart have been involved in the North Coast Communities in Schools’ backpack pro- gram, the Warrenton-Ham- mond School District’s Hall of Fame, the Warrenton High Wauna Mill likes to take his grandson, Christiaan, to Thunder games. “TV does not do it justice,” he said. “NFL, you can’t get a better view on TV. In arena football, you’re so close to the action, TV does it no good at all.” While his allegiance to the Thunder is strong, Osborn has not forsaken the NFL. The Oakland, Calif., native still has Raiders stickers on his truck. “I’m a football fan,” he ex- plained, grinning. — Derrick DePledge You Are Invited to A Fu n N igh t of Com ed y, M ys tery and M URD ER! but did not catch on with a team. referee high school and mid- Burkharts: They spearheaded Warrenton Kids Inc., raising Continued from Page 1A dle school football on the North Coast, thinks the league is more fan friendly than the NFL and that the players are more accessible. The paper- School Scholarships Inc. and improving the Warrenton City Park with grant fund- ing. They’ve spearheaded Warrenton Kids Inc., raising veteran, arrived in the mid- through dinner and silent auction. Carl Burkhart, a U.S. Army a community lawn mower for his neighbors, among other endeavors. 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