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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 23, 2017)
6 A SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2017 Local film to screen at City Lights Yachats seeks volunteers for Ivy Pull On Saturday, Aug. 26, the Yachats Trails Committee will partner to support the ninth annual 804 Trail Ivy Pull in Yachats. This volunteer event contin- ues the Yachats community’s effort to manage invasive ivy on the historic 804 Trail and restore natural habitat. Anyone wishing to partici- pate in the Ivy Pull should meet in the Overleaf Lodge's parking lot (280 Overleaf Lodge Lane, Yachats) at 9 a.m. on Saturday the 26. Participants should bring work gloves, a water bottle and weeding tools - or they may choose from the gloves and tools that will be on loan at the site. Following the Ivy Pull, at about noon, the Overleaf will host a barbecue for all partici- pants and everyone is wel- come.In appreciation of the time and work the volunteers put into this project, the Overleaf Lodge & Spa will provide Ivy Pull participants with day passes for the spa facility as well as a chance to win a gift certificate good toward a variety of spa treat- ments. WINDS OF CHANGE THE OREGON COAST HUMANE SOCIETY LOOKS BACK PHOTO BY JACK DAVIS/SIUSLAW NEWS Director Barri Chase (center) discusses some changes in the scene being filmed with actor Roger Willie (far right) at the Ada Fishing Resort. City Lights Cinemas will bring writer, producer and director Barri Chase and her recently completed film, “The Watchman’s Canoe,” to Florence for two screenings on Thursday, Aug. 24, at noon and 6:30 p.m., with a Q&A at each screening. “The Watchman’s Canoe” was filmed on the Southern Oregon Coast June through July of 2016. It is a kid’s adventure/drama starring Roger Willie from “Windtalkers” and Adam Beach from “Flags of Our Fathers.” The film also intro- duces local talents Kiri Goodson, Carter Jon Edwards and Matthew Johnson. It was produced, written and directed by Oregonian Barri Chase. The film, set in 1969, tells the tale of Jett, a fair- skinned Native American girl who struggles to fit in with her peers on the reservation. After summoning the bushes and trees to shield her from her bullies, she realizes her special connection with nature. With the help of a tribal Watchman she embarks on a spiritual journey to discover her destiny. The communities of Coos Bay and the Southern Oregon coast worked together to fund this film. It screened at The Egyptian Theatre in Coos Bay, July 28 through 30, to audi- ences of over 300 each night. City Lights owner Michael Falter said, “Exhibiting home- grown films is one of our high- est priorities and we congratu- late Barri Chase on her upcom- ing festival tour and are so excited that we can present this to Florence audiences.” FRAA artist Jo Beaudreau featured at OPB this month Florence Regional Arts Alliance (FRAA) will be fea- turing the photography of Jo Beaudreau in the lobby of Oregon Pacific Bank, 1355 Highway 101, through the month of August. The exhibit will be a small selection of Beaudreau’s sim- ple snippets from the Oregon Coast show, explORE. Beaudreau describes her- self as a “Photographer, busi- ness owner and ‘good-doer.’” She said she hopes her photography will encourage visitors and locals alike to explore nature and its simple and complex beauty. “Each snippet is a moment in time to stop, reflect, absorb and carry on,” said Beaudreau, who has a bache- lors of fine art degree. Her work has been displayed at numerous shows and loca- tions across America, and most recently at the Florence Visitor’s Center. She also does commission, commercial and portrait work. An active supporter of the art community in Florence, she serves on the the City of Florence Public Arts Committee; she is co- chair of the Siuslaw Vision 2025 Vision Keepers; she is on the Florence Events Center Gallery Committee and is the 2nd Saturday Gallery Tour Coordinator. Beaudreau’s local busi- ness, BeauxArts Fine Art Materials, is located at 2285 Highway 101, Suite H (by Coastal Fitness). Breaking news, photo galleries and MORE! Let Paul show you a new car or truck. Stop by today! 2150 Hwy. 101 • Florence (541) 997-3475 • 1-800-348-3475 The Oregon Coast Humane Society (OCHS) has seen many improvements, changes, and challenges in the past two years. There have been new board members added and a corpo- rate name change from the familiar “Florence Area Humane Society” to the current “Oregon Coast Humane Society.” The name change accomplishes several positive things, including better describing the broad geography that the shelter serves as one of the few “No Kill” animal shelters on the Oregon Coast. Nonproit organizations, which include the OCHS, must adhere to certain rules to main- tain a nonproit status and must be run as a business. Some of those rules include mainte- nance of certain inancial records and the performance of annual audits/compilations, etc. No audit was conducted for several years. Therefore, a qualiied CPA irm that specializes in nonproits was hired to audit the organization and determine the actual inancial status of the corporation. Revisions were made to the corporation’s bylaws, and stricter procedures, accounting, and budgets were also established. The animal shelter selected a new Manager approximately two years ago who was a long-tenured employee of OCHS. Several necessary changes were subsequently identiied and addressed, and there are more proactive changes scheduled to occur. Under previous management, the Animal Shelter was run more like a sanctuary, and large numbers of cats and dogs made it dificult for all to receive ultimate care. The costs were high for the size of the organization. With all the adoptions and placements of dogs and cats in “forever homes” during the past two years, the numbers are now more manageable and individual care is much improved. Additionally, OCHS staff distributes pet food to local pet owners in need. OCHS has also been providing spay/neuter assistance and medical care through the Sarah Fund to pet owners needing inancial assistance in those areas. A new website was designed that included current information and photographs of many of the animals at the shelter, business hours, and special events information. Many more additional features are planned and under current development. Active participation on a social media site (Facebook) has also occurred. OCHS recently purchased a reliable, late-model cargo van to use for transporting ani- mals, fund raising, and picking up donations. It can be seen around town—the OCHS logo clearly painted on the sides. Additionally, OCHS purchased a Ford Escape. This vehicle makes it possible for several staff members/volunteers to economically travel together for occasional out-of-area shelter-related OCHS business. Both vehicles were purchased from a local dealer. A Volunteer of the Month program was established in 2016 to recognize outstanding service of those who dedicate their time and efforts for the beneit of the dogs and cats at our shelter. Recognition plaques have been awarded monthly. A full time “Director of Development” (DD) was hired early this year and is current- ly working on numerous and ambitious assignments that include fund raising, community events, volunteer recruitment, and overseeing the thrift store’s operation/rebranding. Two major events already completed are the hosting of the irst annual “Volunteer Appreciation Day” held at the Event Center and creating and entering an OCHS loat in the Rhody Days Parade. Other community and fund raising events are too numerous to list but include the Christmas Store, a long-time tradition open in October every year and always a inancial success due to all the community and business contributions received throughout the year as well as hundreds of hours of work by unpaid volunteers. In addition to the Christmas Store, the DD is currently planning another big annual fund raising event–the Wine and Chocolate Gala to be held at the Three Rivers Casino on Septem- ber 22nd. Tickets for the Gala will be available August 22nd. The public’s support of the Bot- tle Drop and the Hamburger/Hot Dog events have proven to be a major source of revenue for the shelter as well. There is much gratitude and thanks for all the community support in making these events successful. The aging shelter facility has suffered from minimal maintenance for many years due to insuficient funding to care for both the animals and to give attention to the building that houses them. One of the issues was a failed heating system that had not worked for several years. This was addressed this past winter with repair and replacement of both furnaces so that the animals and staff can be more comfortable in colder weather. Many thanks to the Western Lane Foundation which approved a grant request that paid a substantial portion of the costs. Due to age and water intrusion, the vinyl siding of the animal shelter was in need of replacement–one of many costly repairs that has been addressed and recently completed. Important projects that directly affect the daily lives of the dogs and cats living at the shelter are currently being planned and scheduled, including cleanup and refurbishing of the exer- cise yards. Other needed improvements are being discussed with plans for accomplishment this calendar year. The Thrift Store, located at 1193 Bay Street, was in danger of foreclosure. The task to reorganize, improve services to the public, and secure the proitability and longevity of this vital source of income to OCHS was a great undertaking. The OCHS Board of Directors is hap- py to report that the mortgage has been paid off in full, and the thrift store is operating more eficiently and smoothly, enjoying positive feedback from old and new customers. It is, however, a very old building that has had little maintenance over the past (approx- imately) twenty years and is in need of substantial repairs. For the time being, the thrift store has undergone a recent interior “facelift” of sorts that has created a more pleasant environment for shoppers, staff, and volunteers. The weeds have been cleared and replaced with attractive lowering plants. It is a much more inviting shopping experience for the com- munity and visitors, with an improved merchandise presentation. This summer, a new Man- ager with an extensive retail and marketing background was hired full time, and a sales staff member was promoted to Assistant Manager. OCHS was awarded the “Best Place to Volunteer” in 2016 by the Siuslaw Newspaper readers. Volunteers are a valuable asset and are needed for a variety of jobs and tasks at the Shelter and the Thrift Store. Applications can be illed out at either location. The OCHS Board of Directors thanks you for allowing us to serve the community. OCHS recently welcomed new board members who bring exceptional professional skills and ener- gy to the organization and who have quickly gone to work in their areas of expertise to help achieve the goals and mission of the organization. The Board is currently seeking qualiied candidates in areas of accounting, inance and/or legal background. Volunteers for both the Animal Shelter and Thrift Store operations are also welcomed. Interested parties should contact the OCHS at (541) 997-4277. In closing, the board members and staff would like the public to know that the welfare of the animals in our care is our utmost priority in spite of recent allegations to the contrary. We need to work together as a community to provide the best care and to ind loving homes for our furry, 4-legged friends. Robert Bare, President Oregon Coast Humane Society Board Paid For by the Oregon Coast Humane Society Visit the Siuslaw News online at WWW.THESIUSLAWNEWS. COM D EADLINE FOR P RESS R ELEASES I S E VERY M ONDAY AND T HURSDAY BY N OON . E MAIL P RESS R ELEASES @T HE S IUSLAW N EWS . COM .