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About The Columbia press. (Astoria, Or.) 1949-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 12, 2021)
The Columbia Press 4 February 12, 2021 Awards: Chamber honors cities’ top citizens Continued from Page 1 Commercial crabbing opens Feb. 16 The commercial Dunge- ness crab season opens this weekend after a delay of 2 ½ months. The opening is for crabbing between Manzanita and the Washington state border. The season generally starts Dec. 1 and ends Aug. 14. But it was delayed when crabs tested too scrawny. The ocean and Columbia River commercial fishery is the most valuable single-spe- cies fishery in Oregon with an annual harvest of 16 million pounds of crab per season. The season officially opens Feb. 16 this year, but crab vessels may set their gear be- ginning Saturday. The recreational season is open already, and commer- cial crabbers expect to do well despite the delay. Results from recent testing in Washington state indicate levels of the marine biotox- in still are elevated. All crab harvested in Washington must have the guts removed by a licensed crab processor prior to sale to ensure crab going into the market is safe to eat. All crab from Oregon’s har- vest areas have been well be- low alert levels. our children and our com- munity is revered by many,” Warrenton Mayor Henry Bal- ensifer said in making the an- nouncement. “You’ve most likely seen this year’s winner at City Com- mission meetings, decorating our downtown corridor, or at any number of communi- ty events. He has played an instrumental role for years in the school walkathons, weekend backpack program, Thanksgiving baskets and Christmas Toy Drives.” He serves on the Warren- ton Planning Commission and previously served on the Warrenton Business Associa- tion. Moha is an organizer of the Fourth of July celebration, and is active in local youth sports programs and Spruce Up Warrenton, a group of volunteers devoted to im- proving downtown. Also honored at the banquet was Corleen Mathews, who received the George Award as the top Astoria volunteer. The award honors someone who consistently steps up to meet community needs in- stead of “letting George do it.” “Here are a few more things her nominators called her,” community. “Main Street and its fami- ly owners are superb examples of a busi- ness with a heart,” said Judy Hoff, Pres- ident of the Chamber Ambassadors. “From our experience, these are people who don’t draw a distinction be- Mike Moha with his wife, Carla, during tween customer ser- the virtual event. vice and community service. They look for Astoria Mayor Bruce ways to make their Jones said. “(She’s) store and everything our No. 1 helper, a within sight better ev- woman of service, a ery day.” real hard worker be- Normally, the cham- loved by all, a record ber’s annual banquet keeper, supply keeper, is attended by 200 memory keeper, tra- Mathews people or more. This dition keeper, and the perfect George for our com- year’s event was held virtual- ly, with participants “seated” munity.” Mathews has played a ma- in groups with others as if jor role in the success of the they were at a table. Using the online meeting Scandinavian Midsummer platform Remo, those attend- Festival since its beginning. ing paid a small fee and could She volunteers for the As- upgrade their registration to toria School District’s Christ- receive party kits that includ- mas Food Basket program ed the ingredients to make a and helps with the chamber’s cocktail. Crab, Seafood & Wine Festi- There were fewer attendees val and the Great Columbia this year and the program Crossing. was shorter than usual. Warrenton’s Main Street It was a great platform in Market was named Chamber honoring deserving members Member of the Year for ser- of the community, said David vice to its customers and the Reid, the chamber’s execu- tive director. “The Richard Ford Award and the George Award are among the most prestigious, highest honors our commu- nity can give to the super-vol- unteers in our midst,” Reid said. “It is more evidence that we live in a truly special place that we have not several, but dozens, of worthy nomi- nees each year. The selection committees have an extraor- dinarily tough job to narrow that list down. This year’s recipients are deserving of this recognition and so much more.”