COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL MARCH 7, 2018
11A
Harrison construction continues LIBRARY HOSTS NEW EXHIBIT
Architecture of Internment explores Japanese-American experience
Above, a Sentinel fi le photo shows progress at Harrison Elementary School as walls were going up. The school is
currently a week behind schedule but expected to be completed by the start of the 2018-2019 school year.
By Caitlyn May
cmay@cgsentinel.com
South Lane School District
Maintenance and Facilities
Manager Matt Allen told the
school board Monday night that
things at the new Harrison Ele-
mentary construction site were
“really fl ying.”
The new school, funded by
the lion’s share of a $35 million
bond aimed at improving secu-
rity and technology as well as
adding infrastructure around the
district, is expected to be com-
pleted by Fall 2018. It’s current-
ly week behind schedule.
“A week behind is a great
place to be,” Allen said.
The new school broke ground
10 months ago with an expected
price tag of approximately $19
million but construction costs
have been driven up by the nu-
merous infrastructure projects
GRAVEL
PICK
U
DEL P OR
I
AVA VERY
IL AB
LE
Family owned and operated for over 47 years.
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79149 N. River Road
around the state sending the
price of the Harrison construc-
tion to around $23 million.
On Monday, Allen detailed
the progress crews have made,
citing “cooperative weather.”
Paving has taken place in the
parking lot, classrooms on both
the west and east end of the
building have been fi tted with
cabinets and windows are in
place in the reception area. He
expects the building to have
power by next week.
Board member Taylor Wil-
hour, via iPad, asked if the early
learning center would be com-
pleted in time for the start of
next year. Bundled with the con-
struction of the new elementary
school, the early learning center
was scheduled to cost just over
$1 million but the price tag has
since increased to $1.8 million.
Allen batted down the rumor,
informing the board that the ear-
ly learning would be completed
in time for the next school year.
Current Harrison staff is
scheduled to take a tour of the
building on March 16. Allen has
extended the opportunity to tour
the new building to the gener-
al public. To schedule a tour,
please contact the district offi ce
at (541) 942-3381.
541-942-4664
ALLIGATOR
AUCTION
the pieces dating back to the 1940s including let-
ters sent by Japanese-Americans and propaganda
published in the nation’s newspapers.
“It’s really about social injustices and when
people come to see this exhibit and see these
panels, they’ll see that it did not start with WWII
but it was decades of build-up of discriminatory
practices,” Pool said. “The same thing is happen-
ing. We have the same social injustices happen-
ing against Mexican-Americans and people of
color. So, to bring awareness of that practice, the
subtle practice, that’s what I’m hoping, to get that
awareness out.”
To highlight the parallels between the intern-
ment of Japanese-Americans during WWII and
the current state of politics surrounding immi-
gration in America, the library has added several
special events during the exhibit’s run.
On March 19, Jesus Narvaez will join Man-
soor Shams for a discussion. Narvaez, a stu-
dent at Lane Community College, has come out
as a Dreamer—in the U.S. illegally after being
brought to the country as a child by his parents.
Shams is a U.S. Marine and practicing Muslim.
An example of the panels being shown during the
“Incidents seem to have been growing in the
library's latest exhibit opening March 10.
last year so it feels like this is an important time
for this exhibit and it will, hopefully show what
By Caitlyn May
happens if you don’t speak up, people end up be-
cmay@cgsentinel.com
ing thrown in prison because they look a certain
way,” Burrell said.
etween a Native-American teepee and
The Pew Research Center (a non-profi t,
the remnants of a display dedicated non-partisan organization that polls emerging
to Black History Month, the Cottage trends and opinions on nationwide issues) re-
Grove Library has cleared a space.
leased data on Jan. 19 of this year that reported
On March 10, several panels will be erected 74 percent of Americans were in favor of grant-
housing old newspaper articles, letters and pho- ing undocumented immigrants, who were brought
tographs detailing an ugly era in American his- into the country as children, a path to citizenship
tory when Japanese-Americans were forced into and 60 percent oppose the expansion of a border
camps and stripped of their civil rights. The ex- wall between the U.S. and Mexico.
hibit, given by Graham Street Productions under
“Hopefully we’ll get some new folks,” Burrell
the guide of the Rural Organizing Project, will run said when asked if events like the exhibit may not
until March 31 and include special events but on reach residents who do not already agree with its
March 1, the space was empty except for a picnic premise. “We certainly do get a lot of regulars but
table where Beth Pool and Pete Burrell sat. The we try to reach out and get a diversity of people.
weekly ukulele group playing close by, a jam ses- There are a lot of people in town that may see
sion circle strumming out the Young Bloods “Get this as controversial. They may not come to a spe-
Together,” as the pair detailed the event they say cial event but they may stumble upon the exhibit
is aimed at raising awareness of present-day par- while at the library.”
allels.
The Architecture of Internment exhibit is open
“It’s weaving contemporary issues in. What’s during library hours, 10 a.m. to 7:45 p.m., and is
going with Latinos, what’s going on with all kinds self-guided. Special events related to the exhibit
of groups who have been targeted because of their run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on March 13 (Lawson
ancestry, color, orientation…etc.,” Burrell said.
Inadam, an internment camp survivor), March 19
The exhibit titled, “Architecture of Internment” (Narvaez and Shams) and March 29 when the li-
is currently traveling around the state and made a brary will show the fi lm, “Never Give Up! Mi-
stop at Cottage Grove High School Monday and noru Yasui and the Fight for Justice” and host a
Tuesday where classes were encouraged to view conversation with the director.
B
The South Lane School Board is
inviting the public to attend a meeting
this Thursday, March 8 to discuss the
qualities and qualifi cations of applicants
for the superintendent's position. The
meeting will be held at 5 p.m. at the
district offi ce.
SATURDAY - March 17th
11AM-4PM
Businesses turn merchandise and
services into advertising dollars
You’re invited
to the 12 th Annual
Souper Fundraiser
Listeners receive great products &
services at a fraction of the cost –
Call KNND 541-942-2468
for a bidder number.
Brought to you in part by the following sponsors
Betty Wright
Tue, March 13, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
The Alligator Auction promises
fun and great deals for
businesses and listeners
A percent of the proceeds to benefi t South Lane Dental Clinic
Join us for a delicious selection of several different soups,
plus bread and desserts, created by Cottage Grove’s finest
cooks. Stay and dine or take yours “to go.”
Y
IT
SHARING
OGRAM
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Tickets $10
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OLPH Catholic Church, 1025 N. 19th St., Cottage Grove
COTTAGE GROVE OREGON
BASIC NEEDS ASSISTANCE
Tickets available at:
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call 541-942-2176