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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
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