VOL. 43, ISSUE 5
CANNONBEACHGAZETTE.COM
March 8, 2019
Message
in a
{water}
bottle
Artwork takes new
forms in Cannon Beach
By KATHERINE LACAZE
For Cannon Beach Gazette
I
n the words of regional
artist Pooka Rice, “art is
the best way to facilitate
messages.”
During a Feb. 22 work-
shop, she showed a handful of
participants what that means by
demonstrating how to integrate bits
of recycled beach plastic into a col-
lection of attractive paintings that
communicated a strong message
of ocean stewardship and environ-
mental protection — “art that tells
a story,” as Rice put it.
The workshop, held at the
Cannon Beach History Cen-
ter and Museum, was offered
as part of the Haystack Rock
Awareness Programand Can-
non Beach Arts Association’s
collaborative
Environmen-
tal Art Series: Trash Talk Art
Workshops.
The arts association, whose
mission includes education,
received funding from the Ore-
gon Coast Visitors Association
to help offer the workshops
at a lower cost, making them
more accessible to the public,
said Meagan Sokol, arts educa-
tion director.
From trash to treasure
The mammoth issue of plastic pol-
lution negatively impacting beaches,
bodies of water, and marine life in gen-
eral is not unique to Cannon Beach,
but there is no better place for people
to contribute to mitigating the prob-
lem than in their own community, said
Rice, who is also HRAP’s outreach
coordinator.
“If we all work together and do our
part, we can impact it,” she added.
Cannon Beach’s iconic Haystack
Rock is protected under the Oregon
Islands National Wildlife Refuge and
as a Marine Garden. HRAP is dedi-
cated to preserving the site’s natural
resources, including the intertidal and
bird ecology, primarily through educa-
tion, such as citizen science and stew-
ardship programs that draw locals and
visitors alike.
In the course of pursuing that mis-
sion, bringing awareness to the plastic
problem has surfaced as a key compo-
nent. Microplastics are permeating var-
ious levels of the food web and caus-
ing widespread damage. For example,
the bright colors of the plastic pieces
attract wildlife, meaning “we’re giving
them junk food — literally,” Rice said.
Comp plan
revision ahead
Will it be a touch-up or
fresh start?
By CARA MICO
For Cannon Beach Gazette
Housing, emergency management,
foredune management, arts and culture
stand at the city’s goals list developed at
the council’s annual December retreat.
Among takeaways was the need for a
strategic plan to help organize the many
priorities into something that staff can
work with. Whether the council will start
from scratch or revise the current plan
was the topic of a Feb. 19 council work
session.
St. Denis said he wants to focus on a
visioning process fi rst so that the city can
“better scope” projects within the plan.
Some council members said they pre-
ferred to review and update the current
plan rather than start from scratch.
Projects, including relocation of City
Hall and the police station, “will have a
lot of moving parts,” councilor Brandon
Ogilvie added. A strategic plan could help
“see how it all fi ts in.”
Mayor Sam Steidel said “hell no” to
a new strategic plan, a process under-
taken in 2016. “I’d much rather look at
the comprehensive plan.”
See Plan, Page A7
Hiring decision
could be
near for new
superintendent
By R.J. MARX
Cannon Beach Gazette
Art for all
While the bouquet of multicolored
plastics and other debris is harmful to
marine life, it can be reframed into an
interesting and alluring art material,
as Rice demonstrated at the workshop.
See Plastic, Page A7
PLASTIC
POLLUTION
‘If we all work
together and do
our part, we can
impact it.’
Pooka Rice, artist and HRAP
outreach coordinator
Katherine Lacaze
Artist Pooka Rice demonstrates how to incorporate plastic marine debris into
beautiful artwork during an environmental art workshop. As the outreach
coordinator for the Haystack Rock Awareness Program, she is heavily invested in
protecting marine ecology and the natural resources in the area.
Members of the public had the opportu-
nity to meet Seaside School District assis-
tant superintendent candidate Susan Pen-
rod Monday at a meet-and-greet at the
high school.
Penrod, K–12 curriculum administra-
tor at the Eugene School District, toured
school facilities, met community lead-
ers and visited with the public in a day of
introductions.
Superintendent Sheila Roley, who said
she plans to step down in winter 2020-21
school year, said Penrod could fulfi l the
superintendent’s role after her retirement.
“Roles will transition over time,” Roley
said.
Penrod is one of 23 candidates and fi ve
assistant superintendent fi nalists, Roley
said.
“We see in a Susan a lot of things we’re
looking for in a superintendent.”
A Willamette University graduate,
Penrod’s experience include pre-k work,
career and technical education experience,
and educational jobs throughout the state.
Married and the parent of two, Penrod
said the North Coast was a big draw.
“We’ve been coming here many years
and enjoy and all that you have to offer
here,” she said. “So when I saw this posi-
tion open, I thought what a great opportu-
nity to combine where I like to vacation
with where I would like to work.”
See Hiring, Page A7
Chamber celebrates 50 years at awards ceremony
By R.J. MARX
Cannon Beach Gazette
In 1969, Chamber of
Commerce president Rich-
ard Atherton asked board
members to suggest future
goals for Cannon Beach.
Suggestions included paint
up and clean up, keep vacant
lots and streets from rub-
bish. The majority was for
preserving natural beauty
and retaining a village atmo-
sphere. Planning for a swim-
ming pool was suggested.
Fifty years later, the
chamber celebrated its 50th
year with the membership
awards ceremony at the
Chamber Community Hall.
The chamber is focus-
ing on a year-round audi-
ence, chamber president
Greg Swedenborg, not just
the three summer months,
a theme continued through-
out the evening. Along with
sustainability and a sense of
environmental responsibil-
ity, the chamber presented
a message of “love it like a
local.”
The chamber’s execu-
tive director Jim Paino paid
tribute to chamber members
new and old. He introduced
a program designed to part-
ner newer members to net-
work and to “get acclimated
to Cannon Beach. It’s such
Colin Murphey/The Daily Astorian
See Chamber, Page A7
James Paino, executive director of the Cannon Beach Chamber of Commerce, addresses the
crowd at the annual awards banquet.