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Published By Your City Hall |
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Ballots On The Way...Make Them Count
 Ballots are arriving soon. Please check your mailbox for your ballot in the coming week. They are expected to start arriving late next week. Ballots should arrive within ten days of October 17, 2024. You should also be receiving the state-produced Voter’s Pamphlet, helping to ensure you have information to make an informed voting decision. There will be many candidates to select from and many issues presented for your consideration, depending upon which district you reside.
Unlike many other places in the world, we have the power to choose our leaders and initiatives. Take this opportunity to share your voice on shaping the future. Your vote helps determine the direction Oregon and our communities should take.
You can find a great deal of election information on both the Coos County Clerk’s webpage and the Secretary of State’s web site. From the Coos County Clerk’s Elections webpage, you’ll find so much information including details on the current November election, ballot drop site locations, and frequently asked questions. The page also has an access point to the Secretary of State’s webpage. At the Secretary of State’s Voting and Elections web page you can register to vote, check your registration or track your ballot, learn more about voting in Oregon, and many more things.
As individuals, we play an important part of the election process, so please join me and VOTE!
-Joe Benetti, Mayor of Coos Bay
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'Meet with the Mayor' Sessions Discontinued
As we move into the winter months, and following the cue of attendees, the Meet with the Mayor session following each City Council meeting will be discontinued starting with the scheduled October 16, 2024 date. There will still be opportunity to informally connect with Mayor Benetti monthly at the Mayors Walk, a collaboration between Mayor Engelke of North Bend and Mayor Benetti. Additionally, Mayor Benetti is happy to have a one-on-one conversation with any community member, generously offering his phone number to those interested to connect: 541-297-6066.
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Signs for Social Change
 PHOTO- Willie Baronet (professor/artist) and Lydia Heins (CAM Director) in front of the art installation currently on display at Coos Art Museum.
On Tuesday, October 8, 2024, Coos Art Museum (CAM) hosted an Art Talk with Willie Baronet whose ‘We Are All Homeless’ project is on display at the Museum through December 29, 2024. Baronet began this project in 1993 with a simple act of purchasing a sign from a homeless individual. From that first purchase, the sign collection has grown to over 2,400 signs and has toured throughout the United States and United Kingdom. The non-profit of the same name works tirelessly to join minds and hearts in a drive for social change. Change starts with an opportunity to rethink stereotypes around those experiencing homelessness, which ultimately inspires each of us to extend empathy. Baronet was connected to CAM through Ashley Horath of the Coos County Homeless Response Office. Lydia Heins, CAM’s Director, took the lead in organizing the installation at the Museum.
Baronet also produced a documentary film that examined the adjacent and delicately woven themes of home, homelessness, compassion, and humanity. As a professor at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, Baronet and three filmmakers traveled the US interviewing homeless people and purchasing more than 280 signs. Signs of Humanity is the documentary showcasing this effort and is available for viewing on Amazon. He continues to expand this body of work as he explores a documentary series.
With more than 95 art installations of ‘We Are All Homeless’ since 2009, Baronet shares some stories about the original owners of each sign, as well as how the signs, in their collective, evoke many emotions.
Check out the art installation at the opening reception at Coos Art Museum on Friday, October 11 from 5-7 p.m. The exhibit will be on display through the end of December. Learn more ‘We Are All Homeless’ here: https://www.weareallhomeless.org/.
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Gearing up for Annual Bus Jam Event
The kickoff for the annual Bus Jam was Saturday, October 5, 202, marked by the arrival of the North American Railcar Operators Association (NARCOA) Speeders. Around 40 vintage rail cars (putt putts) arrived at the Coos Bay Boardwalk with a delivery of toys for the Bus Jam. This year’s rail car participation was the largest since the inception of Bus Jam and this year’s travel from the north to Coos Bay, added a stop in Reedsport. The Speeders draw a lot of interest from the community when they are in town and a sign that its time to pull together and support the Bus Jam effort over the coming weeks to ensure that the needs of those struggling in the community are met during the holiday season. A special thanks to the Coos Bay Fire Department for their help in unloading the gifts from the railcars and delivering to Umpqua Bank for storage until the distribution event in December. The Bus Jam is a Coos Bay-North Bend Rotary Club event.
 The next event will be the NW Natural / McKay’s Market Shopping Spree where the Golden Shopping Cart will be up for grabs. This year the Coos Bay vs North Bend competition pits the High School Principals. Eli Ashton will represent Coos Bay, as Marshfield High School Principal and Chris Pendleton will represent North Bend, as North Bend High School Principal. On Monday, November 4, 2024, at 8 a.m., the principals will have a quick moment to shop the downtown McKay’s Market and grab as many high protein items as they can to take home the Golden Shopping Cart. NW Natural generously supports this event by purchasing all the food items collected by the two challengers, with the McKay’s Market team generously supporting the event through organization to cleanup while keeping the store open to the public. Items purchased here become a piece of the Bus Jam distribution in early December. Community members can also participate this year by donating at the downtown McKay’s Market through the month of October – keep your receipts to turn in to Tracy Pierce of NW Natural by November 1, 2024, to add your item count to the principal of your choice!
On Saturday, December 7, 2024, Stuff the Bus event occurs at several locations on the South Coast, and locally at the Bi-Marts in Coos Bay and North Bend. Shoppers can bring new items, both food and toys, to stuff the bus. Items collected are then delivered to the Boys & Girls Club in preparation with the distribution event on Saturday, December 14, 2024. Families preregister to participate in the distribution event.
All of these events showcase the generosity of spirit the community has to support those who made a little lift to celebrate the holidays.
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The City of Coos Bay is seeking volunteers to fill positions on the Design Assistance Team, Parks Commission and Budget Committee. Applications are available from the City Manager’s Office at City Hall, by calling 541-269-8912, or on the City’s website at https://www.coosbayor.gov/government/boards-commissions/committee-application. Applications will be accepted in the City Mangers Office through 5 p.m. October 25, 2024. Applicants will be contacted to schedule interviews with the City Council.
Design Assistance Team – The Design Assistance Team acts as an advisory body to the City of Coos Bay Community Development Department, Planning Commission, City Council, and Urban Renewal Agency. Members may include any person possessing interest in furthering the betterment of historic, cultural, architectural, natural or artistic resources in the Coos Bay area. Applicants should have knowledge and expertise in one of the following areas: a) Local History; b) art, graphics, or interior design; c) architecture. There are three terms expiring on December 31, 2024.
Parks Commission – The Parks Commission is comprised of one City Councilor, one Planning Commissioner, and remaining positions are filled by interested persons. Membership, if possible, should include a landscape design professional, landscaping business professional, design professional, parks management professional and a bicycle or pedestrian enthusiast with subject matter expertise. Applications must be a resident of the City of Coos Bay or own property in the city. The Parks Commission meets once a month. There are four terms expiring on December 31, 2024 and one term expiring December 31, 2026.
Budget Committee – Applicants must be a resident of the City of Coos Bay, and they are appointed by the City Council for three-year terms. The meetings are held in May at 6 p.m. There are three terms expiring on December 31, 2024.
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City Requests Development Proposals
 The City of Coos Bay is seeking development proposals for the former municipal fire station site at 150 South Fourth Street. Approximately 0.22-acres m/l of readily available land, ideally suited for Mixed-Use development in Oregon’s largest coastal city.
The property is intended to provide the community with a mix of mutually supporting retail, service, office, and residential uses. The property’s location within the Downtown Parking District means that off-street parking is not required for development. Multiple public parking lots are near the property and available for public use.
Economic development and revitalization are a primary goal of the City of Coos Bay. The City envisions a new development on the property that provides a mix of uses to further revitalize and enhance the economic vitality of the Downtown area. Development proposals for the property should complement the surrounding Downtown both functionally and aesthetically.
The City seeks Letters of Interest from interested development teams. City staff will review Letters of Interest to make a recommendation to the City of Coos Bay Urban Renewal Agency (URA). Presentations will be scheduled with top applicants and the URA. Selection of the preferred development proposal is anticipated thereafter.
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 Alternative Youth Activities (AYA) is empowering youth with basic knowledge and skills to succeed in emerging industries. Our pre-apprenticeship program allows youth to try out a variety of trades to find a fit best for them while learning important skills. We offer hands-on training, instruction from industry experts, employability skills, industry certifications, and problem solving skills. You will also build a professional network that will last after the six weeks of the program. The next cohort starts October 14, 2024. Contact 541-888-2432 to learn more.
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Coos County Community Concert Association
 
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 Southwestern Oregon Community College (SWOCC) invites 5TH to 12TH grade students to join us for “STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) CLUB for Girls” on Tuesday, October 22, 2024. This science-immersion event will be from 6 p.m. to 8p.m. in the College’s new health and science building, Umpqua Hall, on the Coos Campus, 1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay. This is a FREE program.
Students will engage with professors in hands-on activities in Physics & Engineering, Chemistry, Geology, Art, and more. This includes working alongside the college’s SPEAR Student Researchers, who are involved in various STEAM projects. There also will be an opportunity to experience a show in the new Discovery Dome Planetarium. This digital theater space immerses students in a show that takes them on an adventure.
This new program focuses on supporting and encouraging girls through their STEAM educational journey. We will also share books, podcasts, and other helpful resources focused on girls in science. All who participate in this program will be able to stay connected online where we will continue to mentor and share quarterly news and activities with them. STEAM education projects help students visualize career pathways in science, technology, engineering, and math. The “A” adds in the arts, such as humanities, dance, drama, visual arts, and design. When people learn in all these areas together, they gain soft skills that can help grow ability in out-of-the-box thinking and collaboration.
Register soon as spots are limited. For more information on this event, registration, and other upcoming events, contact Krystal Hopper Meyers, STEAM Pathways Assistant, at 541-888-7416, or krystal.hopper@socc.edu.
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 The Coos History Museum will host the November First Tuesday Talk program, “Arctic Archaeology”, on November 5, 2024, from 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Join CHM educator Sire Wren Pro for a thrilling talk about Arctic archaeology, including recent findings in the field and a deep dive into her research on Arctic trade beads from the North American Fur Trade. You won’t want to miss out on this exciting talk, featuring a review of beads now on display from CHM’s collection.
This program will be hosted in-person at the Coos History Museum, as well as on zoom, with an admission price of $7 for non-member adults, $3 for youth, $5 for zoom regardless of membership, or FREE for CHM members in person.
Doors open at 5:30 pm with time to explore the museum. Pre-registration is encouraged. Reservations can be made online https://cooshistory.org/event-registration/, by phone at 541-756-6320 or register in person at the museum’s front desk. Walk-ins are welcome for all Tuesday Talk programs!
First Tuesday Talks are sponsored by the Mill Casino and Mr. Norm Herning.
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