Aquarium Visitors Donate More than Two Tons of Food

Visitors to the Oregon Coast Aquarium’s annual Halloween event, Creatures, donated 4,295 pounds of food for Food Share of Lincoln County and Newport Food Pantry. It also brought in pet food for the Central Coast Humane Society. “So many Lincoln County families are in need during these challenging economic times,” said Carrie Lewis, Aquarium President and CEO. “People were very generous with their donations at the door, and we’d like to say thanks and remind everyone about our next food drive, the Sea of Lights, (in) December.” Lewis said the Aquarium would be decked out  for the annual holiday celebration, with colorful lights, holiday music, Santa and many gift ideas.

The two Aquarium events, Creatures and Sea of Lights, are among the biggest food drives of the year for Food Share of Lincoln County. “We have had USDA subsidies cut by 30 percent this year,” said Nancy Smith, Executive Director of Food Share of Lincoln County. “We have to make up the difference, and the food brought in by these events go a long way toward helping us do that,” Smith said. The Sea of Lights event is held from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. December 2 and 4. Admission is $2 and two items of non-perishable food, or pet food, or a new unwrapped toy, or $5.

 Report an error

Wavelength Begins “Worst Case Scenario” Series

As part of its public service commitment, the Wavelength has focused on “Signature Issues” important to the community we serve. Our first series was “Home is Where the Hunger Is,” which focuses on the issue of food insecurity and hunger. As Toledo moved forward with its Water Master Plan, we began writing stories under the theme of “Toledo’s Water Future.” We will continue to focus on these issues in the months and years ahead.

You will now find stories in our “Worst Case Scenario” series. The first one, published today, is a report on how Toledo residents have come together to form a CERT team (see below).

And what is the “Worst Case Scenario?” It is a massive subduction earthquake and anticipated tsunami predicted to occur very soon (on the geologic calendar) with the potential for devastating coastal communities from Southern British Columbia to Northern California. The fact is, Toledo, like the rest of the coastal region, is far from ready, although it is getting there. In the coming months, we will explore what local agencies are doing, and what you can do to improve everyone’s chances of survival.

The series:

CERT Team formed in Toledo.

Toledo begins earthquake preparedness planning.

 Report an error

CERT Team Launched in Toledo

Toledo’s CERT team extricates training dummies in a building collapse exercise. Building collapse is one of several emergencies CERT volunteers trained for, and a likely scenario in a Cascadia subduction mega-earthquake that experts predict will happen here, perhaps in our lifetimes.

Toledo’s newly organized Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) completed six weeks of training Saturday, Oct. 29, with practical exercises including search and rescue, fire suppression and first aid. Volunteers Amanda Le Pine, Dennis and Lu Ann Abeene, Jessica Bayya, Annette Brooks, Tina Ramsey-Towns, Joe Wellons, Dawn Marie Werter and Scott Sinsel will now serve the community in times of disaster. Nancy Lynne is the CERT team leader and organizer.

Toledo Emergency Manager and Fire Chief Will Ewing said, “I am very excited to have CERT as part of our emergency response team. They are all very large-hearted people interested in helping the community.” He described their role as working alongside Toledo emergency responders to effectively mitigate hazards.

CERT will have an organizational meeting November 7 at 6 p.m. in the Toledo Fire Department classroom. The meeting is open to all, and volunteers may join at any time. Training is ongoing, and can also be attended at the other county CERT team training events or online.

Toledo CERT received an $11,000 grant from FEMA for purchase of supplies and equipment, much of which will be spent locally according to Lynne.

CERT volunteers Ramsey-Towns and Bayya plant to work with Dean Sawyer, Confederated Tribes of Siletz Emergency Manager, to establish a CERT team in Siletz in the near future.

 (Editor’s note: This is part of a Wavelength “Signature Issue” series that will continue into 2012). Read other stories in the series here)

 Report an error

Editorial – Orphan Park Deserves a Name

When it was just a roadside patch of dirt, it was commonly called “Orphan Park” – a weedy, neglected odd lot of city-owned property on Business 20, just east of its junction with Main Street. Today, it looks like it has been adopted. It sports a Sam Briseño original bench and professional brickwork, thanks to about $2,500 of city investment for materials, and a lot of volunteer labor from former mayor Jim Chambers. The park looks good. It has clearly been given some love. Now it deserves a name. Parks Committee? Your move.

 Report an error

Trash Haulers Fight Hunger

For the fourth year in a row, Lincoln County trash and recycling haulers will take donations of non-perishable foods to help local residents in need. This year’s food drive is from September 19 through September 23. The event is county wide with all the Lincoln County hauling companies taking part.

Participants can leave donations on top of their trash cart on their regular service day or bring them into the office of the garbage and recycling hauler in their area. Food collected through the drive will go to support Food Share of Lincoln County’s network of pantries. For more information call Food Share at 541-265-8578.

 Report an error