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About Seaside signal. (Seaside, Or.) 1905-current | View Entire Issue (April 1, 2016)
4A • April 1, 2016 • Seaside Signal • seasidesignal.com SignalViewpoints Will my sandwich card be honored at the brew pub" Exclusivity has no place at the Dorchester Conference E very town should have one. In L.A., a city of neighborhoods, we lived on Mar Vista’s Beetho- ven Street. The Beethoven Market was the place to go. Whenever our then 5-year-old son wanted candy, chips or simply got bored, we would stroll down the hill. It was the place to go for coffee, smokes if you smoked, milk, half- and-half and everything else you would need in a pinch. A terrifying moment came when SUBMITTED PHOTO/SEASIDE SIGNAL I was teaching Sam to ride a The Gearhart Grocery in an undated photo. From “Gearhart Remembered: An Informal bike. Lesson learned: never teach a kid to ride a bike going History.” downhill. At breakneck speed delivered an I tackled him and the bike onto the grass before heading into impassioned traf¿ c on Las 3almas. But we went to that grocery every day Facebook plea and never came away empty-handed. Thus I can understand the poignancy of the closing of the Monday: Gearhart Grocery. “All of us Gearhart residents at Gearhart SEEN FROM SEASIDE received the news Grocery love their beloved our communi- R.J. MARX market would ty members, be giving way to whether they Will the sandwich card be transferable? another barrel-and- frequent our oak establishment, store or not,” a brew pub and smoked-meat deli, a sudsy version of the Logan wrote. venerable Oregon jerky shop. “While we know that a brew pub will not replace grocery Although we’ve been here a little less than a year, we go needs, we do believe it would be a great asset to the commu- to the Gearhart Market every day. I love getting Buoy Beer nity. The fact of the matter is, that although people love us, &]ech 3ilsner in the big bottles and the fact that they have they do not shop here nearly enough for us to be a successful, Lange pinot noir. Along with turkey sandwiches, egg salad pro¿ table business. This is what community members need to and more, all on your choice of breads. My favorite is “Dave’s keep in mind when weighing the idea of a new business. As a Killer.” Their desserts never disappoint, with a small but deli- store, we provide beer, wine and hard sodas — exactly what a cious selection of pies and cakes. brew pub would offer. The grocery store, owned by Molly and Terry Lowenberg “While Gearhart is notorious for its tight restrictions, I do of Sum 3roperties, has been for sale for over two years, strug- not believe that the potential brew pub violates any of these,” gling unsuccessfully to compete with Safeway, Costco and Logan continued. “Every complaint we have heard, whether Fred Meyer. it be negative or positive, has been emotionally charged and If their plans move forward, the grocery would close inconsiderate of the business owners and buyers. By appeal- and the interior remodeled. Meats will be smoked and beers ing or being unsupportive of this transition, you are also being brewed on-site. Families will be served at the nine tables, unsupportive of your fellow community members. separated from a brewing area visible through a glassed area. “While we appreciate the community’s concern, we hope “It’s really more deli than beer,” engineer Mark Mead of that this open letter will give community members a fresh Mead Engineering Resources, representing the owners, told perspective and enough additional information to allow sup- Gearhart planning commissioners at a March meeting. portive attitudes and decrease the negativity while we move The owners have “been trying to ¿ gure out what to put in forward.” place of the store, and this is what they came up with,” Mead Clam shovels said. Mead said the owner felt the brew pub was needed “be- Maybe the little corner store is the part of us that has never cause there wasn’t one in Gearhart itself.” changed since we were little and ¿ rst stretched out our arms to “I would love to have some place, to get dinner,” 3lanning put a nickel on the counter. It is the world slipping away. Commissioner Virginia Dideum said. “This would be good for We love Ken’s Market in Seaside. We go there when we the community.” Dideum was joined by Richard Owsley, Russ don’t even need anything and always buy something. Taggard and Carl Anderson in supporting the plan. Cannon Beach Hardware, aka Screw & Brew, is one of my Commissioners David Smith, Terry Graff and Jeremy top ¿ ve destinations in midtown Cannon Beach. You’ve got Davis voted against the brew pub, citing the comprehensive your brew, but you’ve also got your hardware and supplies. plan’s dictum: “The city will prevent the city from becoming a I stopped by Bud’s on 101 in Gearhart last week, and could tourist destination.” buy a quart of milk and a clam gun. Longtime residents may take that for granted, but I sure don’t. For or against? My friend Chris Anderson tells me he loves going into the Opinions were divided: Baby Ruth and Snickers bars ver- Stop & Go on Highway 101 because they automatically ring sus a growler re¿ ll. Bottom line was, opponents couldn’t ¿ nd up a grape soda for him the minute he walks in the door. a compelling enough reason to stop it, at least not according to It’s not just markets — it’s the way we live. the report submitted by 3lanner Carole Connell. David Smith remembered a time so civilized in Gearhart, In weeks and days to come, the market became topic num- landlords would lower or waive rent during winter months ber one in Gearhart, supplanting the Neacoxie Barn and even for businesses in town to help them survive the slow times. the short-term rental debate. It was clear: You were either for “During the winter landlords would waive the rent while the us, or against us. tenant went hunting and ¿ shing during the winter, and then A postcard questionnaire was mailed to homeowners and came back and when the season returned, opened up the busi- asked: ness again,” Smith said. “Do you want Gearhart Store to be a Beer 3ub" NO. Yes.” John Allen at 3aci¿ c Way is so old-fashioned he doesn’t “Reverse the comprehensive plan so Gearhart becomes have wireless Internet at his cafe — for the sole reason of more like Seaside" NO. Yes. encouraging people to talk to each other. Now that’s a novel “Do you want overnight vacation rentals in our R-1 resi- idea. dential ]ones" NO. Yes.” Bob McEwan still drives a donkey cart around town, It’s pretty clear where that one is headed. some days. It’s nice that the grocery has carrots for his be- 3assions run so high grocery employee Alyssa Logan loved 3ancho. Will the new brew pub" D id you know there’s a large grease spot on our chest" April Fool! And, happy birthday to Debbie. SCENE & HEARD One upon a time CLAIRE LOVELL when Bob 3ack- wood was leading Dorchester, a local person could go to the conference on a Friday night and hear the keynote speaker. There was excitement for us low-on-the-totem Republicans to be close to the big shots and hear what was going on in the party. Today, one has to be a paying delegate to get in on the speeches. I think it’s a mistake, there’s an exclusivity about it that borders on snobbishness — maybe we can read about it in the paper. Under the old rules, I have heard Ronald Rea- gan, Maureen Reagan, Nelson Rockefeller, Tom McCall and a host of celebrities whose names I’d have to ¿ nd in old notes or pictures. It was especially irritating because I saw Tucker Carlson, whom I like, on the news the next evening. I have a snap of Bob 3ackwood and me at one of those conferences taken by his wife. I had a lot of fun. Only once was I able to go as a delegate. It’s a lot of work at which I did not excel, tsk. Clarence Sigurdson was there in those times as well. On March 12, the hills and I went to Astoria for the farewell to Dr. Neikes. It was held in the Barbey Marine Museum, which was once the railroad depot for S.3. & S. I think they called Mr. Barbey “Graham” in Astoria. That was his middle name. In Seaside where he lived before, we called him John. John Graham Barbey. That was so long ago. There was no formal service for doctor Bob. 3eople just ate and exchanged stories. I saw only one person I thought I knew — a nurse mate from St. Mary’s. I approached her and asked, “Are you Angie"” “My name is Tracey Ficken,” she said. “You’re not Tracey, you’re Angie,” I told her but she insisted. “Angie is my mom.” Tracey is a nurse, too, and is an exact replica of her mother when we were both at St. Mary’s. I don’t know if she worked with Dr. Neikes. My experiences with him were mostly in obstetrics. He didn’t want to be called until the baby had all but arrived. They told us we have an opportunity to say a few words but it never happened. Still, I’m sure the doctor would have been pleased to see the number of people who came to say goodbye. Why isn’t Seaside on the TV weather map from 3ortland" I don’t know about you but I think our rain is just as import- ant as the next guy’s. (More important to me.) We learned on 3alm Sunday of the death of Charles McCarthy, a former pastor at the Seaside U.M. Church. He was not here long but endeared himself to our congregation. He later married a Seaside girl, Lorraine Allen Sarpola. Our sympathies to Lorraine, his sons and other family members. Laugh line: One evening, an older woman went on a blind date with a 93-year-old man. When she came home her daughter asked if she’d had a good time. “Oh, no,” She answered. “I had to slap him three times.” “Did he get fresh with you"” inquired her daughter. “No,” answered her mom, “I thought he was dead.” (Courtesy of Joel Osteen.) Blessings for those whose goodness and generosity have brightened the days of the Easter season. Kiwanis Pancake Feed comes to convention center The annual 3ancake Feed sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Seaside is Tuesday, April 5, from 5 to p.m. at the Seaside Convention Center. Tickets are adults, seniors, 6 children, 5 and families $20. Contact a Kiwanis member for tickets tickets are also available at the door. All money raised goes to- ward youth activities in Clat- sop County. Kiwanis sponsors the Key Club at Seaside High School and the Builders Club at Broadway Middle School. Some of the other programs Seaside Kiwanis has support- ed are: Camp Kiwanilong, college scholarships, Seaside Kids, Clatsop County CASA, backpack programs, Safety Fair and more. Seaside Kiwanis was chartered in 1925 and has been serving the community ever since. LETTERS Clothing donations made big difference I wanted to thank those busi- nessmen in Seaside who recent- ly donated dozens of dress shirts, ties and even suits to young men that are presently incarcerat- ed in one of the Oregon Youth Correctional Facilities. Most of these young men have complet- ed high school and some college while ¿ nishing a program called Employment Skills Workshops. Once a month for seven months they have focused on develop- ing excellent employee skills, overcoming barriers to success and more while serving their sentences. They are preparing for transition out of the facility and into the work force. They were in need of clothes for their upcoming job interviews and that is where the men in this community stepped up. Doz- ens of shirts and ties came into the Seaside Chamber of¿ ce and even a half dozen suits. It was a phenomenal show of kind- ness and hope. I want to thank these men, most of who I do not know their names or businesses, for their generosity, while not judging but helping these young men to a new start. Shirley Yates Pastor, “At the Water’s Gate” Seaside No beer Having painfully sat through the 3lanning Commission meeting of March 10, I could not help but wonder if the “nay” voters had even read the Com- prehensive 3lan and understood its goals. Speci¿ cally, where in the good conscience of anyone does the approval of a “bar” in EDITOR Steve Forrester R.J. Marx 3lease reconsider what Gear- hart has always been about, and do not degrade it by approving the request to open a brew pub. Do what’s right for Gearhart. Rick Sabol Gearhart No thanks The news that the grocery store we frequent is being re- placed by a brew pub" That is the last thing we need, and will change the fabric of this small but close-knit community. I must say that I am in shock that this has been passed (“Brew pub plan gets conditional go- ahead,” The Daily Astorian, March 14). It will be like hav- ing the ¿ remen’s ball 24. It is not in the best interest of the people who live in Gear- hart. My husband and I strongly object to this ridiculous approv- PRODUCTION MANAGER CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Betty Smith John D. Bruijn CIRCULATION MANAGER SYSTEMS MANAGER Heather Ramsdell ADVERTISING SALES Claire Lovell Jon Rahl Esther Moberg Katherine Lacaze Eve Marx ADVERTISING MANAGER PUBLISHER the heart of the city of Gearhart ¿ t the goal of maintaining a “residential community”" The current “residential community” provides a won- derfully idyllic place where families, children and guests can stroll, ride bikes and visit with the rest of the communi- ty. 3articularly, where our little kids and grandkids can stroll or ride their bikes without wor- ry of being in a safe environ- ment. I certainly am not going to allow my grandchildren to visit in front of a bar. This approval should be reconsidered. The Gearhart Grocery has been a delightful cornerstone to downtown and a perfect place for our little ones to pop in for a treat and not feel threatened. A place that serves beer, be it a bar or a pub, is not a place for minors. Carl Earl Laura Kaim Brandy Stewart al by members of the 3lanning Commission. There are more places to get a beer than one can count, so leave Gearhart out. Liz and Ed Meaney Gearhart WINGS event good The Seaside and Astoria American Association of Uni- versity Women held its 14th an- nual Women Interested in Go- ing to School 2016 Conference Feb. 6, in collaboration with Clatsop Community College. WINGS has enjoyed communi- ty support from the media, in- dividuals and the business com- munity since the beginning, and we want to say a big thank you. Sixty-six women experi- enced a potentially life-changing day. We couldn’t have done it without the support of the writ- ers and editors at The Daily As- Seaside Signal Letter policy The Seaside Signal is published every other week by EO Media Group, 1555 N. Roosevelt, Seaside, OR 97138. 503-738-5561 seasidesignal.com The Seaside Signal welcomes letters to the editor. The deadline is noon Monday prior to publication. Letters must be 400 words or less and must be signed by the author and include a phone number Ior veri¿ cation. :e also reTuest that submissions be limited to one letter per month. Send to 1555 N. Roosevelt Drive, Seaside, OR 97138, drop them off at 1555 N. Roosevelt Drive or fax to 503-738-9285. Or email rmarx@seasidesignal.com torian, Seaside Signal and Can- non Beach Gazette. In particular we saw a big bump in registra- tion following the Jan. 28 story by Edward Stratton, “Outreach helps give Latinas wings.” We collected donations from 126 donors. Forty-one women attended the full-day session, and 25 women par- ticipated in the new half-day Latina session. We expect this initiative to continue to grow. Local women can now see a path to a brighter future for them- selves and their families and ¿ - nancial incentives to get started. Thank you so much for the con- tinued support for WINGS. Pat Lehman Co-chairwoman, WINGS AAUW Seaside Bobbi Brice Co-chairwoman, WINGS AAUW of Astoria SUBSCRIPTIONS Annually: $40.50 in county • $58.00 in and out of county • e-Edition: only $30.00 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Seaside Signal, P.O. Box 210, Astoria, OR 97103. Postage Paid at Seaside, OR 97138 and at additional mailing of¿ ces. &opyright 2015 by the Seaside Signal. No portion of this newspaper may be re-produced without written permission. All rights reserved.