Late in the year 2009, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) met with County Commissioners at Laverne Park to discuss limbing and removal of trees that have become dangerous to park users.

Residents of Fairview watching the removal are concerned that many of the trees being removed or marked to be removed are no danger to the public, and the removal, which is not staggered, will leave the park looking deforested and bare for campers.  Seedlings are on site for replanting but it will be many years before they will provide the shade visitors to Laverne have come to expect.

Matt Goodwin from Coquille celebrated twenty years of part time employment at the Coos County Road Department on January 4th, 2010.  Matt helps out in the shop with equipment maintenance.  He is very dedicated to his job, and his work is very much appreciated by the staff.

Jacki Pinkston, president of the Coquille Kiwanis Club and Corky Daniels, Kiwanis Club treasurer, present a $400.00 check to the Coquille Art and Education Enhancement Center (CAEEC) to help cover the cost of flooring suitable for the dance classes being held at the center.
The center holds dance classes in hip-hop, tap, belly dancing, and a very popular recent addition, ballroom dancing.  For more information on these classes and the other classes held at the center, call 541-824-0320 or go to thecoquilledowntownstudio.com.

First meeting of the newly formed Funding Committee for the Friends of the Coquille Library Foundation. (L to R) - Robin Goche, Tony Spenader, Anne Conner, President, Larry Close, Shawn Jennings and Karen Murphey.
If you have ideas or would like to volunteer please stop by the Library and introduce yourself.

Rotary President Bob Main presented a special award of “Thanks” to Coquille Police Chief Mark Dannels for a year of innovative service to the community.		High School Principal, Sharon Nelson, was surprised with the Chamber of Commerce “Positivity” award, presented by past President Bill Marino.

Area businesses joined with Hawks View Cellars and Arrow’s Delight Chocolates to bring Coquille “Visions in Chocolate,” the 5th Annual Chocolate Fantasy, in which local service groups give citizenship awards.

Rotary President Bob Main presented the Rotarian of the Year award to RICH FISH and a Special Award of Thanks to CHIEF DANNELS.

Tom Aiken presented The Lion of the Year award to ALDO MARCA.

Fire Chief Dave Waddington called ANDY PIBURN to the podium as the Volunteer Firefighter of the Year.

Past Chamber President, Bill Marino, surprised LORETTA SPENADER, who is so deserving of the award for Citizen of the Year.   COQUILLE PRODUCE MARKET & DELI was named Business of the Year for all of their efforts during community events.  The Chamber Volunteer of the Year award went to KEN HEISTAND from Pacific Power and the Positivity award to SHARON NELSON.

Judge Martin Stone introduced Arlene Soto, Director of Southwestern Business Development Center, who talked about how her agency is geared to help small business prosper.

The Chamber gave a vote of thanks to Fran Capehart, Event Coordinator, for an enjoyable evening of wine and chocolate tasting.

In cooperation with a number of other organizations in the Coquille Valley area, the Coquille Valley Elks Lodge will be handing out some Christmas food baskets to needy families before Christmas. Food collected by the high school, middle school, and elementary school in Coquille, along with the high school in Myrtle Point, was picked up recently to be sorted and gotten ready to fill boxes. Each family will also receive a $15 gift certificate to purchase turkey, ham or food of their choice.

These pictures show Elk members loading food into the pickups at the Lincoln Elementary School, which had over 1200 pounds for us. This is a program that we do every year at this time, and we certainly appreciate the involvement we get from the schools.¤