Coos County Public  Health will be sponsoring a  Food Handler Class in  Myrtle Point at the Myrtle  Point OSU Building, 631  Alder, on Thursday, March  19th at 1:30 p.m. To register  for the class, please call  (541) 756-2020, ext 643.  Those who pass the exam  and pay the required $10 fee  (cash or money order only)  to the Coos County Public  Health will be issued a Food  Handler Card.  The Food Handler  Training Manual can be  obtained at  www.oregon.gov/DHS/ph/fo  odsafety/ or from your  Public Library.

The Coquille Chamber of  Commerce is raffling off a  2009 Roadrunner Scooter  50cc. It is a real gas saver at  102 miles per 1.5 gallon  tank. Tickets are for sale at  the Chamber Office and are  $5 each, with no limit on  how many you can buy!  Winning ticket will be drawn  at the Coquille Gay 90’s  Button Drawing on June 6th,  2009. Ticket sales end June  6th and you need not be present  to win!

Late in the summer of  2007 I received an unexpected  phone call.  “This is Bill Shatner calling  for Ken Means.” I heard  an iconic voice resonate  through the receiver.  The voice sounded familiar  but I could not place the  name. The momentary pause  was not lost on the unknown  caller.

But in a matter of  seconds it hit me, William  Shatner the famous actor,  was on the line.  After a few moments of  exchanging pleasantries we  cut to the chase. He was  inquiring if I would be interested  in producing a commission  piece for him and  his family to enjoy. His  request, a hand carved  American Bred Saddle  horse, loosely based on a  horse he once owned. Of  course this was a project I  could not refuse.  I studied the breed from  reference books and personal  pictures Mr. Shatner provided  of his own beloved  horse.

I then produced several  renderings each depicting  the distinct gate of the  American Bred.  Soon I received another  call. “Ken this is Bill,” and  this time there was no mistaking  the voice on the other  end. When our conversation  ended I had a pretty good  idea of the feeling this  horse, named Boston Legal  after his television show,  would portray.  I went to work on the full  scale drawing.

It included  every detail, strong musculature,  protruding veins, a  proud head; in essence the  pose Mr. Shatner had specifically  chosen. Before I knew  it I was rolling up the final  drawing, placing it in a six  foot long container and  shipping it to California.  It didn’t take long before I  received another call. This  time he joked, “Ken this is  Bill, Bill Shatner...I know  you know who I am.” I had  to chuckle out loud at my  earlier bewilderment.  “Your drawing is wonderful.  It’s just what we talked  about. I want it.”  With his final approval I  got started. I selected the  wood that would be used for  this one of a kind animal. I  chose 4” by 16” basswood  planks for the carve ability  needed for such a large animal.

I finished the building  and carving portion by May.  With this realistic rendition I  believe the beauty is in the  details. I added extra definition  to the muscles, leg position  and eyes. The eyes,  unlike that of a carousel  horse, had to show a life  like feeling so I chose to  carve and paint them by  hand.

I completed sanding  and painting in July.  When I personally delivered  the horse I had the  pleasure of meeting Bill and  Elizabeth Shatner. The  Shatners were very gracious  and I was treated to a viewing  of their extensive art  collection.  I am very pleased to say  the Shatners are very happy  with their hand carved  American Bred Saddle  horse. Boston Legal is a  piece I am proud to introduce  to this iconic family.

Coos County Public  Health will be sponsoring  ServSafe Manager  Certification Course on  Monday, March 23rd from 8  a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Oregon  Coast Culinary Institute.  Cost of the class is $116. To  register for the class, please  call Coos County  Environmental Health at  541-756-2020, ext. 643.

Donor Sign Honor  Plaques: View sign and samples  at Sterling Savings  Bank. Plaque purchase  forms are available at:  Sterling Savings Bank, 259  N. Adams St., Dog House  Grooming Spa & Dog  Wash, 1185 West Central &  Coquille’s Gentle Groomer,  160A Central in Coquille.  Car/Couch Blankets, Tshirts,  Fleece Coats, Raised  Feeders, Homemade Dog  Treats are available at Dog  House Grooming Spa &  Dog Wash.  Homemade Dog Treats  are available at Coquille’s  Gentle Groomer.

On March 11, 2009 at  approximately 5 p.m., the  Coos County Sheriff’s  Office received a report of  two people chasing another  person with an axe at 93685  McKenna Ln in Coos Bay.  Two Deputies responded  and contacted Glen Sears,  42 of Myrtle Point; Jodi  Sears, 44 of Coos Bay; and  Brian Cade 48 of Coos Bay.  It was determined that Glen  offensively contacted his  sister Jodi.

Jodi and Brian  attempted to get Glen out of  the house. During the struggle  Brian obtained a hatchet  to protect himself from  Glen. Glen eventually left  the residence. Glen was  arrested a short distance  away and transported to the  Coos County Jail.  After arriving at the jail,  Mr. Sears was combative  and resisted efforts to get  him onto the Booking area.  Jail Deputies had to assist  the Patrol Deputy in controlling  Mr. Sears. Eventually  they were able to get Glen  to booking and safely  secured. Mr. Sears was  lodged on the charges of  Harassment Domestic and  Resist Arrest.