Pacific City
SUN
Variety of community activities featured in the Sun’s calendar of events.....................4
After the Storm
TCVA awards more than $754,000 in tourism grants.................................................... 6
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TPUD to host town hall on March 11 at Kiawanda Community Center............... 7
FPCSA awards the Bob Rissel Flight Scholarship to Aubree Fagen
A Passionate Trio
Weiss Kaplan Stumpf Trio headed to the coast for March 16 Neskowin Chamber Music concert
PCDA seeks applicants for scholarship programs The Pacific City Dorymen’s Association, which says it’s committed to supporting local students, is seeking applicants for its annual scholarship program. The PCDA has four $1,000 scholarships available — including an open scholarship, a Nestucca High scholarship, the Kiwanda Scholarship, and the Paul Hanneman Heritage Scholarship. By applying for the Open or Nestucca High scholarships, applicants are also entered into the other two. PCDA also administers the Smith Family Scholarship, which also promises a $1,000 award. Applications can be found on the PCDA website at pcdorymen.com. Applications are due May 9. The nonprofit has also released its 2025 schedule of events. Upcoming activities include a membership meeting on May 24, starting at 3 p.m., at Pacific Coast Bible Church; the Blessing of the Fleet on June 14, noon, at Cape Kiwanda on the beach; the PCDA Beach Cleanup, July 5, 9 a.m., at Cape Kiwanda on the beach; Dory Days, July 18-20; and its final membership meeting of the year, Aug. 23, 3 p.m. at Pacific Coast Bible Church.
PLEASE TAKE ONE
Vol. 19, No. 467 • March 7, 2025
New specialty license plate will support shark research at OSU Vouchers are now on sale for a new specialty Oregon license plate that researchers hope will inspire people to think differently about the sharks living just off the Oregon Coast. Sales of the “Vibrant Ocean” plate, which features three shark species commonly found in Oregon, will support the Big Fish Lab at Oregon State University. Funds will be used for research to better understand the role sharks play in Oregon’s coastal marine ecosystem; outreach and education efforts in the community; and training opportunities for students and staff. “Funding shark research is hard. Sharks are not delicious or cuddly but they’re critically important,” said Taylor Chapple, an assistant professor and founder of the Big Fish Lab. “Our mission in the Big Fish Lab is to better understand the importance of sharks and to share their story broadly. This license plate will help us do that.” The Big Fish Lab must sell 3,000 vouchers before the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles will begin manufacturing the plates. The vouchers cost $40, with about $35 going directly to the lab. For more information, visit https:// marineresearch.oregonstate.edu/vibrantocean. The Big Fish Lab was established in 2019 and is the first and only dedicated shark research program in Oregon. It is based in the College of Agricultural Sciences’ Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station at Hatfield Marine
Science Center in Newport. As apex predators, sharks play a critical role in ocean ecosystems by regulating species abundance, distribution and diversity, but they are also some of the most threatened due to overfishing, habitat loss, climate change and pollution, Chapple said. “The 15 species of sharks off our shores help keep Oregon’s coastal ecosystems and the economies dependent on them vibrant and productive, from the crab in your pot to the salmon on your grill. Oregon’s ocean abundance is largely thanks to our sharks,” he said. “The public’s support helps us better understand these critical predators and ensure the continued vibrant oceans that define Oregon.” The license plate was designed by Natalie Donato, a third-year Honors College undergraduate student from Folsom, California. Donato, who is studying marine biology and ecology in OSU’s College of Science, is also an artist with an interest in interdisciplinary approaches to science communication that incorporate artwork. Her design features a large salmon shark in the center, with two blue sharks on the left and a common thresher shark on the right. “I set out to create a scene that represents the feeling of a vibrant underwater world, depicting the sharks in a more realistic form and the vivid, inspiring feeling that resonates with me when I view the ocean,” she said.
WeekenD BRUNCH
The Friends of Pacific City State Airport just awarded the Bob Rissel Flight scholarship to Aubree Fagen, who has a 4-point high school GPA and is enrolled in Tillamook Bay Community College’s Medical Technician Program. “One of the missions of this nonprofit is to promote aviation safety and education,” said Sally Rissel, who administers the scholarship program. “Bob was a longFRIENDS OF PACIFIC time resident of Pacific City CITY STATE AIRPORT recently awarded the Bob and a private Rissel Flight scholarship pilot. He was to Aubree Fagen. a committed advocate for the importance of Pacific City Airport and loved encouraging young people to consider an aviation career.” Rissel said that FPCSA has been fortunate to partner with the Tillamook Air Patrol Cadet program under the leadership of Deborah Maynard, where young people can learn to fly and be exposed to aviation careers. After completing ground school and other requirements, four of their cadets have now been awarded Bob Rissel flight scholarships to use for active flight training hours. The newest award was given to Fagen, who has completed the CAP Private Pilot Ground School and has 10 hours of dual flight instruction. Capt. Mark Farrier of Farrier Aviation Ground School supports the program with significantly reduced flight instruction costs. “Congratulations to past Flight Scholarship recipient Ali Harding, a resident of Pacific City who just soloed and will soon be doing her cross-country flight,” Sally added. Noting that Ali works part-time at Cold Water Coffee, Sally said she encourages people to congratulate her on this accomplishment. Ali’s long-term goal is to be a missionary pilot in Burma. Scholarships are open to any young person pursuing their private pilot license with the exact requirements of the CAP program. Information can be obtained from Sally Rissel at heronlanding123@ gmail.com. Those that are interested in donating to this scholarship program can send a check to: Friends of Pacific City State Airport, P.O. Box 1101, Pacific City, OR 97135.
Saturdays & Sundays 10:30 am - 2:00 pm
Discover weekend brunch at the beach! Stop by and try delectable brunch offerings such as chicken and waffles, vegan avocado toast, Dungeness crab eggs benedict, and more. Available Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30am - 2pm at our Pacific City, Cannon Beach, and Siletz Bay locations.