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OL.V 46, ISSUE 2
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Cannon Beach’s yoga scene now stretches past pre-pandemic offerings
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tober 28, 20
Poster Artist
Miska Salemann
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For the Gazette
cross the country, yoga studios were among many businesses forced to cease or modify services due to public health concerns. Even YogaWorks, one of the most popular studio chains in the country, suffered tremendously during the pandemic, ultimately filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and closing all its U.S studios. Fortunately, with heavy support from loyal locals, Cannon Beach’s oldest yoga studio managed to stay afloat. Not only that, but new instructors and yogi’s are experimenting with different ways to practice and teach yoga, taking classes to the beach, inside galleries, and for remote students, from the comfort of home. Cannon Beach local, Julie Jessum, is eager to get back to class. Jessum has spent years taking and teaching yoga classes, and has Photo courtesy of Christen Allsop, owner of Cannon Beach Yoga Arts been longing for the in-person instruction that was absent during barn, but having a dedicated space the National ing yoga from home, in-person the pandemic. changes the way that you are classes are also available with Library of Health found that “I’ve done online classes, and working together. That is really modified rules. Class sizes are yoga-based interventions have I really don’t care for them,” adprecious,” added Allsop. now limited to 6 people, down some beneficial effects on attenmitted Jessum. “I feel like there is from 25. Masks are optional, but Despite a difficult past few tion, executive functions, and a better connection to the teacher, years, Cannon Beach is still bring- depression among the eldely. vaccinations are required. there is a higher level of energy ing in new yoga talent. Kathleen Allsop is hopeful that more Most recently, Callan has overall in the studio.” people will feel comfortable com- Callan began teaching yoga in started offering classes inside For months, Jessum has driven Cannon Beach and Seaside in ing into the studio, but she has Miska Studio Gallery. As a patron all the way to Nehalem just to 2019, right at the start of the also begun offering yoga on the of both yoga and art, she was be able to take in-person classes. pandemic. beach, weather-permitted. inspired to bring the moving pracFortunately, there is now a closer Callan has been an instructor “Being a tourist town, that’s the tice to a more creative space. option. way we have supported our visitor for over 20 years, but she has no“We’re on to something here,” Christen Allsop, the owner of ticed that her instruction style has population,” said Allsop. She noted Callan, discussing the new Cannon Beach Yoga Arts was undergone many changes since notes that the drop-in population appreciation students have for art firm in her conviction that remote she began in Cannon Beach. makes up roughly 60% of the after taking a class. “Combining classes aren’t going away, but she “Going back into the studio, I studio’s revenue. viewing art with mindful medihas also fought hard to bring back am a much different teacher than Allsop is very grateful that she tation...It seems to have an even in-person options. “It’s a totally was able to keep her studio open, I would have been without the more powerful healing experinew normal,” said Allsop. “Zoom but also acknowledges that busipandemic,” said Callan. ence.” or online classes are really here to ness is still very slow. “It’s going For Callan, yoga is much more Callan acknowledges that the stay.” to take some time, it’s not even than a physical challenge. “Some- last few years have not been easy, Allsop explained that brick and remotely close to 2019 revenue times there is this preconception but she is optimistic for the future. mortar studios can no longer rely yet.” of yoga on Yoga Journal or on TV. “Like anything in life…you can on in-person classes, since many Before the pandemic, much of You think ‘I could never do that’... go ‘Oh poor me,’ or can go ‘how people are still hesitant to come the studio’s revenue was supplebut yoga is really deeper than that, can we make this work, and how back to in-person classes with the mented by workshops, teacher it’s bringing the mind, body and can we make this better?’” Callan risk of contracting the virus. training, and various events. spirit back into alignment, and encourages the latter mindset, “It’s both a blessing and a Without those offerings, Allsop that really is the definition.” “We can study more, we can concurse,” said Allsop. “For those must rely on her local students Callan underscores the impact nect more, we can be a little more students who don’t live locally, with memberships. of mediation on the body, especompassionate with each other.” it’s a way we have connected with “It’s important to have a cially in stressful times such as a Pandemic or not, yoga contina broader community.” dedicated space for this type of global pandemic. She also notes ues to bring the local community While many of Allsop’s work were doing…I’ve taught that yoga can be particularly together in Cannon Beach. students are content with practiceverywhere from a college to a powerful for seniors. Research by
City candidates address issues at forum Will Chappell
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Gazette Reporter
here was widespread agreement amongst the candidates for Cannon Beach City Council and Mayor at a forum held October 13th at the Coaster Theatre, with funding for the proposed new city hall being the major point of disagreement. All six candidates for city council as well as both mayoral candidates, Erik Ostrander and Barb Knop, attended the forum, hosted by Vote Smart Cannon Beach. City council candidates Gary Hayes, Lisa Kerr and Jenee Pearce-Mushen all supported the proposal to build a new city hall. The other council candidates, Deanna Pauli-Hammond, Vote Smart Cannon Beach hosted a political forum in the Coaster Theatre for all local city Robin Risley and Laurie council candidates. Gazette photo by Will Chappell Simpkins, as well as both candidates for mayor expressed The candidates agreed that affordable and middle-income further regulation, although concern at the budget of the housing in the community, but parking during the summer specifics were not discussed. proposed city hall. All said that tourist season is a prime concern none offered concrete proposals They agreed that a high denthe $17.5 million price tag was to address the issue other than sity of short-term rental properhigh and expressed doubts about for the community that needs to investigating state or federal be addressed. They uniformly ties was depleting the long-term the prudence of that project as grants. Ostrander went so far as supported implementing paid rental market and detracting proposed. to say that there was little that parking downtown, with most from the character of the town. All candidates agreed on the Rockaway Beach’s city governcalling for parking passes for All of the candidates also need for a new city hall building local residents and employees. ment could realistically do to expressed strong commitment and expressed excitement for When it came to the issue of address the issue. to protecting the environment of the forthcoming redevelophousing, the candidates were Candidates were also largely Cannon Beach. ment of the disused elementary less clear on their proposals. in accord that short-term rental school campus as a community All bemoaned the lack of properties in the city needed gathering point.
Miska Salemann signs this year’s Stormy Weather Arts Festival posters. The art piece used for the poster is ‘Rocking the Milky Way.’
City Manager Discusses Safety Issues in Cannon Beach A
Deb Atiyeh Reporter
t the October 17th ‘Coffee with Councilors,’ and in a follow-up interview, Cannon Beach City Manager Bruce St. Denis answered questions about the new city hall/police station project, why the prepared food tax was necessary, and why he feels strongly that the project must move forward. The city hall, police station and other critical infrastructure must be brought up to current seismic safety standards in the event of a earthquake or other natural disaster. The current building will not survive even a moderate seismic event. The new building will be equipped with satellite phone and satellite Internet capabilities, new radios, and updated technology that will be critical in the event of a natural disaster. The building will be constructed to a ‘Category 4’ risk level. It is important that this critical infrastructure remain intact and function after a disaster, as it will be the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) for this area. St. Denis said that after an event, emergency managers will be monitoring and mapping locations of injuries, damaged buildings and infrastructure so that incident commanders can make the best possible decisions. Communications must be maintained with the county, state, and federal governments to request assistance, and be kept informed of the status of those requests. The city will also need to be in communication with contractors and suppliers to provide assistance where possible. St. Denis said the city will not be able to help anyone if the current city hall/police station collapses, and we lose our communication equipment, records and access to emergency power. St. Denis added that most of the city staff cannot afford to live in the city of CB, and travel here will be extremely difficult, so they may be operating with a skeleton crew and will need to be as efficient as possible. National and regional rescue personnel will be focused on high density areas like Portland. The large fuel tanks along the banks of the Willamette River in northwest Portland will rupture in a major seismic event, and helicopters flying supplies from the emergency stockpile in Redmond in central
n See
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