VOL. 46, ISSUE 20
Election Q&A
New Partners in Hospitality
Pages 2-4
PAGE 4
FREE
Concerts at Cannon Beach Community Church PAGE 8
CANNONBEACHGAZETTE.COM
September 30, 2022
What the Coaster Theatre means to Cannon Beach: A vision brought to life celebrates 50 years Deb Atiyeh
S
Reporter
ince 1972, the Coaster Theatre has entertained locals and visitors to Cannon Beach and the north Oregon coast, and this year is celebrating 50 years of bringing performing arts and cultural expression to Cannon Beach. Built in the early 1920’s by Ray Walker, it was operated as a skating rink from the 1930’s into the 1960’s. In it’s earliest years the skating rink was also used once a week as a silent movie theatre, with Miss Weeks playing the piano. Folding chairs were placed on top of the rink for seating. Admission was 15 cents for adults and 10 cents for children. In the 1960’s, Richard and Margaret Atherton purchased the building with a dream of turning it into a theatre. The transforma-
tion was a full time job with over 55 people in town working on this project. Violinist Paul Bellum, then director of the Portland Chamber Orchestra, was the first to perform on the new stage. Tickets were $5 for a family. Classical guitarist John Carr and “tune strummer” Bill Steidel followed in Bellum’s footsteps. Paul Revere and the Raiders rented the theatre for $15 a night and raised the roof! In 1968 Atherton, along with Stan Glarum, the musical director of Lewis and Clark College in Portland, and Fred Kline, head of Portland State Arts Department, were instrumental in starting Portland State University’s (PSU) Haystack Program in Cannon Beach. PSU’s Summer Stock Company was a feature of the program at the theatre, and so began a long history of PSU Theatre Arts Department productions in Cannon Beach, directed by
1970s era production of A Christmas Carol.
Conversation on Wetlands at Coffee with the Councilors Beginning in 1969, PSU players performed one play a week, rehearsing in the morning, again in the afternoon, and performing in the evening, spending day and night at the theatre and sleeping in the theatre loft. Photos courtesy of Coaster Theatre Asher Wilson, Jack Featheringill, William Tate, and Tom Hill. Beginning in 1969, PSU players performed one play a week, rehearsing in the morning, again in the afternoon, and performing in the evening, spending day and night at the theatre and sleeping in the theatre loft. Maurie Clark, a Portland patron of the arts, purchased the building in 1972, and hired Ray Watkins and Bill Campbell to design and remodel both the interior and the exterior. Upon completion, Maurie Clark presented Cannon Beach with the Coaster Theatre Playhouse as we know it today. Maurie supported it with his time, talent and financial resources. Upon Maurie’s death in 2001, the Coaster Theatre
became a non-profit theatre, and is now supported by wonderful volunteers, sponsors, donors, and patrons like the Clark Foundation. Culture is the life blood of a vibrant community; it inspires creativity and gives us a sense of well being. Going to the Coaster Theatre enhances our quality of life and contributes to the magic of our existence. We go to be entertained, to laugh, sing, dance, act, tell stories, listen to poetry, to play, imagine, celebrate art and music, and to dream. It connects the people of our community and enriches our lives. With sincere gratitude to the Coaster Theatre for all that it has contributed to our community for the past 50 years. Thank you.
The Elementary School rejuvenation project - A dream of real possibilities A
Deb Atiyeh Reporter
s one nears Cannon Beach, one sees the presence of Haystack Rock. On the road into town, one sees the river that winds into the sea; the sky meets the sea becoming infinity, and the anticipation of natural wonder invites us. As we cross the bridge, the old grade school comes into view, and the bridge to possibility awakens us. In the early 1800’s, several members of the Lewis & Clark expedition, accompanied by their young Shoshone interpreter Sacajawea and her infant son, visited the Clatsop-Nehalem village at this site alongside Ecola Creek. In their spirit, what will we create? Remember it is nature that brings us here, and in the spirit of community we will gather to grow, learn, and flourish in the possibilities that we dream. As the dream begins to be realized, the first of three schematic design community outreach meetings for the Cannon Beach Elementary School Rejuvenation Project Community Outreach was held at Cannon Beach City Hall on September 14th. City leaders, along with the architect design team from CIDA, presented the preliminary design concepts for the re-development of the elementary school at NeCus’ Park. A member of the Clatsop-Nehalem Confederated Tribe was present, and it was well attended by local residents. The architect and City are collaborating with Clatsop-Nehalem tribal members on all aspects of this project. A Clatsop-Nehalem tribal member, who is an architect, reported that the tribal leadership favors keeping the Cannon Beach Food Pantry on site because welcoming guests is part of the native tradition of feeding people. He explained that it is an integral part of their culture and community. Cannon Beach residents in attendance were enthusiastic about the initial plans. One resident ex-
An architectural rendering of proposed Elementary School rejuvenation project. Courtesy image City of Cannon Beach pressed the desire to optimize the gym for the mental and physical well being of the community, as that is something that is currently missing in Cannon Beach. Another resident said that elk should be able to roam the property, as they were here first and should be tolerated. Many residents said that they don’t want a fence or wall around the community heritage garden; preferring an open setting where the elk could continue to roam. One resident said that this is a “go big moment, a once in a generation opportunity to get it right. If we need to spend more to get it right then we should do it. Go big with the ideas”, he said. Another resident said that the dynamic of the experience is important, and that
access to Ecola Creek should be open to people with canoes and kayaks. Residents who attended were engaged and committed to involvement with this project, and the creative opportunity for this community gathering place. City leaders are reaching out to
the residents of Cannon Beach to hear what we want this place to become. Help shape this future vision at the next community outreach meeting on October 19th. Visit the City of Cannon Beach website under “Meetings” for full details and pictures of the architectural designs.
P
Deb Atiyeh
For the Gazette
rotection of local wetlands, including the proposed development next to the wetlands at Forest Lawn and Hemlock was the main topic of discussion at the September 19th “Coffee with Councilors”. Resident Betty Gearen talked about hydrology concerns related to development next to wetlands. “Hydrology is the study of the distribution and movement of water both on and below the Earth’s surface, as well as the impact of human activity on water availability and conditions.” Gearen told about the construction of houses on a wetland in her neighborhood between Washington and Taft along Hemlock Street, and how it took a dozen or more concrete trucks to fill in the wetland. Gearen feels that the City should do a comprehensive hydrology study along with an assessment and inventory of all of the City’s wetlands, opposes any development on wetlands before a comprehensive plan is in place, and believes City codes should be updated before any development occurs on wetlands. She asked how the proposed developments will upgrade or degrade the future environmental benefits that the wetlands provide. Councilor Robin Risley commented that a comprehensive hydrology study should be done by the City to protect our underground water. Resident Betsy Ayers asked if the City could put a moratorium on wetlands development until the current City code audit is completed. Many of the codes are old and should be updated to better reflect current knowledge. Cannon Beach City Manager Bruce St. Denis replied that the City code is not strong on protecting wetlands, and the codes to protect wetlands need to be addressed. Resident Jan Siebert Wahrmund believes that the City code on wetlands needs to be enforced, and that we must protect what we have before it’s too late. She feels that our codes must be strengthened to protect our remaining wetlands, especially with the current reality of climate change. Resident Lisa Kerr, attorney and former member of the Planning Commission, said she studied this issue thoroughly with the Planning Commission. She added that our current City codes do not clearly address wetlands, and questioned if we should “sacrifice our wetlands for luxury housing”. Kerr said that the Cannon Beach city code on wetlands is out of date and very old in relation to today’s environmental concerns. According to Kerr, the “Oregon Coast Alliance” (ORCA) has weighed in against the development next to the wetlands at Forest Lawn and Hemlock. ORCA looks at the effects of Oregon’s forest practices and the impact on local wetlands, streams, and riparian areas. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “wetlands play an integral role in the ecology of the watershed. Wetlands are a critical part of our natural environment. They reduce the impacts of floods, absorb pollutants, and improve water quality”. The State of Washington has a combination of natural and permit buffers, and can require as much as a 300-foot setback from a wetland. Wetland setbacks in Clatsop County generally run 35 to 50 feet, while the City of Cannon Beach requires a 5-foot setback. The State of Oregon generally requires a 50-foot setback from wetlands, but it is a complicated mix of codes and regulations. The State wetland codes are not black and white, as there are different classes of wetlands. There are currently 3 separate wetlands being considered for development in Cannon Beach.