The air in Old Town Reedsport will be buzzing this weekend as chainsaw sculpting artist converge on the Umpqua waterfront for the 2022 Oregon Divisional Chainsaw Carving Championships. 33 Carvers are participating this year according to Phyllis Devers for the Reedsport / Winchester Bay Chamber of commerce.
“This year because of Covid and the gas, and all that, we didn’t do international, it’s just all from the United States.”
The gates open today through Sunday at 8am at Reedsport’s Rainbow Plaza along the Umpqua River front. Dever’s says that is no theme this year.
“They get to carve what ever they like, it works better for the artist. So you get a lot of nautical and bears. They really don’t like themes.”
Each day the carvers work in a 90 minute The Quick Carve competition, each evening those works are donated by the artist and auctioned off to support the event. Carvers are allowed to use different tools, but the chainsaw is the main tool being used. The 22nd annual Oregon Divisional Chainsaw Carving Championships is 8am through 5pm through Sunday, admission is $5.
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The Florence Housing Implementation Plan Stakeholder Advisory Team (SAT) met for the second time last night. Darci Rudzinski, an urban planner from the Portland Consulting firm APG, presented an audit of city housing development codes. The audit focused on recent state legislation requiring that local governments adopt and apply clear and objective standards for housing development. How cities deal with transitional housing and short-term rental regulations were topics of extended discussion. According to the report, short-term rentals have increased from 62 bedrooms available on line in 2017 to 181 rental properties listed in 2021. Recommendations from the Housing Needs Analysis includes capping the number of short-term vacation rental properties available in residential zones and preparing clear and objective city policy that defines and limits short-term rentals. The SAT is tasked with guiding stakeholder and community engagement strategies and is made up of representatives from City departments, the local business community, education, housing and social service agencies, local health advocates and residential housing developers. Meeting number three will be July 28.
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Learning opportunities are available through the summer. Today may be the final day of regular classes at Siuslaw schools, but students of all ages within the district are eligible to sign up for summer classes. Elementary principal Amy Flora says summer school isn’t just “catching up”. “Some focus on academics, but also a lot of art and fun activities, and project based learning. So, it should be a good experience for those who participate.” The ultimate goal is to create a positive learning experience. “We will do some work to recover some lost learning for some kids who might need some extra practice, but again the focus is going to be having fun and some of that project based learning.” Summer classes for elementary students run from June 28th through July 21st. Information on how to sign up can be found on the Siuslaw School District Website. Transportation and meals will be offered. Summer classes are also available for Middle and High School Students.
