The Corporation for  National and Community  Service awarded a $61,841  grant to Southwestern  Oregon Community College  to continue its 30 year sponsorship  of the Coos County  Retired Senior and  Volunteer Program (RSVP).  Coos County RSVP’s  Mission is to engage persons  55 and older in volunteer  service to meet critical  community needs and to  provide a high quality experience  that will meet the  needs of senior residents  and volunteers alike.

This  grant covers RSVP’s services  from April 1, 2009  through March 31, 2010.  In Coos County, 538  RSVP volunteers in 2008  contributed more than  102,000 hours, serving better  than 100 sites. Their volunteers  save Coos County  approximately $2 million  worth of services annually.  RSVP volunteers are at  work at the American Red  Cross, Senior Nutrition  sites, nursing homes, hospitals,  visitors’ centers, museums,  and in schools and  youth groups throughout  Coos County.

Volunteers  share what they’ve learned  from work careers and hobbies,  learn new skills, and  do the types of things they  never got a chance to do  before. RSVP Volunteers  make a positive impact on  and in our community, and  they find the personal satisfaction  of a job well done.  Members receive special  benefits for the volunteer  work that they do, such as  free excess liability & accident  insurance, free RSVP  newsletter, training and support,  and most importantly  the opportunity to enrich  personal satisfaction and  make a positive impact on  your community.  Those interested in learning  more about RSVP can  contact 541-888-7332.

WHAT: “Pedal Away  Polio” – Rotary Club of Bay  Area Sunrise  WHERE: Cycling Tour  from Myrtle Point to  Reedsport  WHEN: Saturday, April  11, 2009 – Starts at 8:00  AM Contact: Tom  Burdett, 404-1028, 756-  2003 or  americanpress@verizon.net.

WATCH OUT! There  will be bicyclers on the  highway from Myrtle Point  to Reedsport this coming  Saturday, April 11th. It  begins at 8 p.m.  The purpose is to raise  funds and awareness for the  needed eradication of Polio  in our world. Rotarians and  other cyclists will participate  to ‘Pedal Away Polio’.  So, if you are out there on  the highway between Myrtle  Point and Reedsport this  Saturday, April 11th, be  sure to give care and consideration  for the bicyclists.  If you would like to assist  at a Relay Station, donate  funds or even ride a stretch,  let us know.  “Thanks to all who have  helped this event get its  start”. For inquires please  contact Tom Burdett at 756-  2003, 404-1028

Hand Painted Chairs, Crafted by the Committee for
Coquille’s Future Dog Park

Some of you may have  already noticed the beautifully  designed childrens  chairs being displayed in the  window at Frazier’s Bakery.  The chairs were hand painted  by members of  Coquille’s Future Dog Park  and they come in a variety  of delightful designs. There  is the ever popular “Time-  Out” chair, a chair adorned  with a “Sheriff’s Badge”  and another that sports colorfully  painted fish and  other sea creatures and  many more!

You really must see them  in person to appreciate the  detail and artistry of their  designs. The chairs are currently  on display at  Frazier’s Bakery in Coquille  and since there are a limited  amount available, you’ll  want to get yours first! It is  worth the trip downtown to  check them out! You won’t  be disappointed!  All proceeds will go  towards Coquille’s Future  Dog Park. For more information  or if you are interested  in purchasing one of  these delightful chairs,  please call Linda at 396-  2579.


Some of the hand painted chairs being displayed at  Frazier’s Bakery in Coquille. The chairs are being  sold to raise money for Coquille’s Future Dog Park.

Tips to Survive and Thrive in a Challenging Economy
Free Workshop for Small Business Owners

The Small Business  Administration, Department  of Agriculture, and Oregon  Economic & Community  Development Department  have joined forces to provide  training sessions in  Coos Bay and throughout  Oregon to help small businesses  survive this tough  economic climate.

A session  called “Tips to Survive and  Thrive in a Challenging  Economy” is planned for  Coos Bay on April 9.  If you are thinking about  launching a new business,  growing a current one, or  are struggling to keep your  current doors open, attending  this free workshop is a  must.  Dennis Lloyd, Lead Lender  Relations Specialist with the  SBA, will facilitate a panel  of business advisors who  will provide tips on how to  protect your business.  Attendees will learn: How  to respond to the current  credit market; where to go  for help; critical steps to  secure capital for your business;  and, how to take a  proactive stance now.  The Coos Bay training session  will be held on April 9  from 10:45-12:45 a.m. in  Lakeview E of Empire Hall  on the Coos Bay campus of  Southwest Oregon  Community College.  To register for these events,  contact Melissa Davis at  503-326-2657

Albert Edwin Smith, 92, of Sutherlin, formerly of Coos Bay died April 1, 2009 in
Sutherlin. Arrangements are pending with Myrtle Grove Funeral Service-Bay Area,
269-2851.

A memorial celebration  for Langlois resident,  David Lawrence Allen,  will be held 10 a.m.,  Saturday, April 11, 2009  at Zion Lutheran Church  in Port Orford.  David was born  December 26, 1934 in  Ionia, Michigan, the son  of Charles and Leona  Allen. He died Saturday,

April 4, 2009 in Bandon  at the age of 74.  He was reared and educated  in Redlands, CA  and graduated from the  University of California at  Riverside with a  Bachelor’s Degree. He  worked for General  Telephone Co., Southern  California Edison,  Washington Water &  Power and Itron, while  living in Spokane; Dayton  Power & Light and the  State Teachers’  Retirement System of  Ohio, while living in  Dayton, Ohio. Following  his retirement in 1998, he  and his wife, Llyla,  moved to Langlois where  they have lived in the log  home thy built.

He was a member of the  Lutheran Church in Port  Orford, enjoyed working  around his home and garden  but mainly loved his  family.  He is survived by his  wife of 54 years, Llyla;  son, Jeffrey Allen; daughter,  Lisa & Richard  Standiford; grandchildren,  Maywah & Daniel Hill;  David Standiford and  Katlin Standiford.  The family suggests  memorials be made to the  charity of one’s choice.  Arrangements are under  the arrangements of  Amling Schroeder  Funeral Service, Bandon,  Oregon.