Wearing a variety of Santa Claus hats, members of the Brookings-Harbor Redshirts descended on the U.S. Post Office Friday morning to mail 137 Christmas packages to U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

Sam Crowl took the prize for best headgear, sporting a festive red and white model with reindeer antlers.

Photo illustration by Scott Graves/The Pilot

GOLD BEACH – Can Curry County continue to cut its discretionary spending? 

If federal support disappears, or other revenue is not found, county officials are gearing up to cut more spending – but not without some dire predictions of what that will mean. 

SWOCC President Patty Scott, left, congratulates Curry County Dean Janet Pretti over a glass of sparkling cider. The Pilot/Charlie Kocher

On the heels of that milestone came Monday’s announcement of a $25,000 donation to the project, just in time to help fund the purchase of furnishings, fixtures and equipment.

GOLD BEACH – Twenty-four Curry County residents have been chosen to help the county government avoid an impending financial catastrophe.

Those named to the Citizens’ Committee include Brookings City Manager Gary Milliman and Brookings-Harbor School District Superintendent Brian Hodge.

Board of Commission Vice Chairman David Itzen and Commissioner Bill Waddle revealed the names Tuesday morning, saying the selections represent a geographic cross-section of county residents with diverse backgrounds.

The Thanksgiving holiday begins today in Brookings with a community dinner provided by Brookings Christian Fellowship.

The free meal will be served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at VFW Post 966, 507 Pacific Ave.

Pastor Mike Whitman of the Fellowship said everyone is invited. The Wednesday date reflects the church’s belief that thanks should be given every day, he said.

Meanwhile, the Thursday schedule includes free community dinners at:

Early openings on Black Friday typically kick off the holiday shopping season, and the tradition isn’t only for big box stores.

A Wild Bird and Backyard General Store at 1109 Chetco Ave. in Brookings will get into the act by opening its doors at 6 a.m. Friday.

Editor’s note: This is the second in a series of special articles examining Curry County’s fiscal crisis and possible options.

 Hanging in the balance of the federal budget showdown is a five-year extension of payments to 700 counties in 41 states – including Curry County.

Officially, it’s called the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act. In shorthand, many officials call them “timber payments” or “SRS.” Some bluntly call them “federal welfare.”

Coach Lori Cooper instructs an Azalea basketball player. The Pilot/Lorna Rodriguez

Azalea Middle School Physical Education teacher Lori Cooper entered the teaching profession because she loves to coach.

“My dream  was always to help a team win a championship – league or state,” Cooper said.

In addition to her physical education duties during school hours, Cooper serves as coach or assistant coach for two high school teams and one middle school team.

The Port of Brookings Harbor might get into the airport business.

Port commissioners have begun discussing taking over operation of the Brookings Airport from Curry County, which currently manages the facility.

“It would be a natural for the Port to handle,” said Commissioner Jim Relaford.

Ted Fitzgerald will officially become the Port of Brookings Harbor’s executive director.

He has held the position on an interim basis for the past year, but the Port’s Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to give Fitzgerald a three-year contract starting Jan. 1, 2012.

He will make $85,000 a year with the possibility of an annual performance bonus. The contract also calls for the Port to pay 15 percent of Fitzgerald’s gross monthly salary into a 401(k).