Friday, March 4, 2022 | Seaside Signal | SeasideSignal.com • A5 Retirement: Vandenberg oversaw convention center’s $15 million remodel Continued from Page A1 With steady growth, Vandenberg and others recognized the need for expansion. Studies in 2009 and 2013 were the prelude to expan- sion to the convention cen- ter’s $15 million renova- tion in 2018, paid for by an increase in room tax. Renova- tions and Russ upgrades to Vandenberg ballrooms, offi ces, the lobby, lighting, storage and more are among the major changes unveiled, as the facility grew 55,000 square feet or 20%. The project was noted for coming in on-time and under budget, largely due to Vandenberg’s steward- ship and collaboration with convention center staff and commissioners, contractors, management team and city partners. The center remained active and booked 420 con- struction days and was occu- pied for 290 of those. “It was a six-year plan- ning, 18-month construc- tion,” he said. “It’s one of the highlights that I have accomplished here. We’re seeing groups book the center 10 years in advance is our current window of scheduling. We’re seeing larger groups we hadn’t seen prior. Our calendar’s look- ing really full for the next two or three years looking forward. So I defi nitely see a recovery from this COVID pandemic that we’ve been dealing with.” The building is ready for the years ahead, he said. “It’s prepared. It’s modern- ized. It has increased in size. People love the look when they come down.” Overdose: Harm reduction program can save lives Continued from Page A1 The harm reduction pro- gram trains people in the community to recognize symptoms of overdoses and administer naloxone while additional medical help can arrive. When bystanders are trained and administer naloxone, survival rates increase substantially, King said. The caution comes as social services advocates and law enforcement see an increase in the use of syn- thetic opioids like fentanyl, which is signifi cantly stron- ger than morphine and her- oin and can be blended with street drugs. “A lot of times the per- son taking it doesn’t know that there’s something else. So that is leading to a lot of overdoses, as well,” King said. “Using prescription opioids with other medi- cations or substances like alcohol or benzodiaze- pines can make you more at risk for overdose. It’s everywhere.” Anyone can be at risk for overdosing. “It isn’t just someone that we see in our syringe exchange weekly,” she said. “It can be fam- ily, friends, co-workers or patrons.” Piroshky Piroshky Bakery coming to Seaside for one-day event Narcan, designed to deliver naloxone nasally during an overdose, is pro- vided at needle exchanges and to community organi- zations, including emer- gency responders and businesses. People exiting jail are also provided Narcan in the belief that they’re at high risk for overdoses, King said. “We also provide nal- oxone at the health depart- ment and people with Ore- gon Health Plan can get it for free from their local pharmacy,” she said. Brian Owen, the CEO of the chamber, said he is moving forward with con- necting hotel staff and oth- ers to the program and off ering training at desig- nated locations. “It’s going to take some time, it’s going to take some conversation,” he said. “We’re educating and get- ting this resource into the hands of our hotels, restau- rants, retailers. “We have a better oppor- tunity to save that fi rst fi ve minutes before our medical fi rst responders and that’s what this is really geared toward: It’s to get the right people on the scene at that time. And for you then to step back.” Business Directory REAL ESTATE CONSTRUCTION B oB M c E wan c onstruction , Seaside Signal Piroshky Piroshky is heading to Seaside on March 12. Local residents can order a taste of Seattle’s interna- tionally renowned Russian bakery Piroshky Piroshky for pre-order pickup at Cleanline Surf, 60 N. Roosevelt Drive. “We’re currently tour- ing the United States with pre-order pop-up events for our 30th anniversary,” com- munications director Shawn Nichols said. “Based on guest feedback, we are vis- iting new cities, and Sea- side was one specifi cally requested by our customers. When visiting new locations we put out a call for a local partnership and our friends at Cleanline Surf welcomed us with open arms.” The products delivered at the pop-up are the same as the products off ered in their stores. “Our bestsellers are a great place to start,” Nich- ols said, recommending the smoked salmon paté and beef-and-cheese as two of the most popular savory items. “We also just added the Impossible beef and onion R.J. Marx Jenna King and Kathryn Crombie of the harm reduction program at the Clatsop County Public Health Department. inc . E xcavation • u ndErground u tiitiEs r oad w ork • F ill M atErial s itE P rEParation • r ock owned and operated by M ike and Melissa Eddy REAL ESTATE BROKER EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY Your real estate vision is my expertise. melissaeddy@windermere.com C eline M C e wan beachhomerealtor.com 503-440-3258 503-738-3569 34154 Hwy 26, Seaside, OR P.O. Box 2845, Gearhart, OR S erving the p aCifiC n orthweSt S inCe 1956 • CC48302 The Reuben Piroshky. for our vegan guests,” he said. “If you’re looking for something a little sweeter, our chocolate cream hazelnut roll is fi lled with house-made hazelnut chocolate with bits of hazelnut. We also have a rotating seasonal menu that updates monthly. For March we have our white chocolate cherry, and Reuben Piroshky, a classic Reuben sandwich inside our famous dough.” If successful, he fore- sees a return to Seaside. “Absolutely,” Nichols said. “One-thousand percent.” Founded in Seattle’s historic Pike Place Mar- ket, Piroshky Piroshky has off ered hand-crafted Russian pastries to loyal fans since 1992; order at piroshkybak- ery.com. BRIEFS Khan to focus on new business ventures developments in Seaside and the Ocean Crest Resort in Moclips, Washington. After 13 years, Masudur Khan has withdrawn as a member of Seaside Lodg- ing Hospitality LLC, Doel Hospitality LLC and City Center Hos- pitality LLC, which operate the Inn at Sea- side, River Inn, and the Salt- Masudur Line Hotel. Khan Khan will focus on new business ventures in real estate development and hospitality as the founder and CEO of Khan Proper- ties Group. Khan Properties focuses on a hybrid model of hous- ing and hospitality spe- cializing in renovation and expansion of exist- ing properties as well as new construction projects in the Pacifi c Northwest. Khan Properties Group has expanded its real estate portfolio into retail and food and beverage. Khan and his group are exploring partnerships with nation- wide companies to further innovate and expand the residential and hospitality off erings in the area. Cur- rent projects and ventures include Gilbert Block in Seaside, three multifamily Rodriguez is transit district employee of year ELECTRICAL ELECTRICAL • New Construction • Repairs • Generator installation & servicing • New construction • Remodels • Remodels • Panel Changes & Upgrades • Add Circuits or Lighting CCB #198257 Serving the North Oregon Coast since 1950! • Generators CALL US for your next electrical project! • Repairs 503-739-7145 712 S. 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