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BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB WORKS TO AVERT CRISIS
Board seeks $300K loan
to cover past-due debt,
consolidate mortgages
B Y J ACK D AVIS
Siuslaw News
During its Jan. 28 meeting, the Boys
and Girls Club of Western Lane
County board of directors said it has
been working virtually nonstop in
search of a viable solution to its cur-
rent financial crisis.
In addition to rate increases and cut-
backs, the board is preparing a loan
consolidation proposal to submit to
Oregon Pacific Bank next week. The
approximately $300,000 loan would
reduce the club’s monthly cash flow
requirements by an estimated $4,000,
according to board member Bob
Forsythe. The loan would consolidate
current building mortgages on the
Quality Child Care of Florence
(QCCF) and Teen Center buildings of
more than $200,000 and approximate-
ly $90,000 in past-due debt.
The club has historically had three
primary external revenue sources:
grants, donations and fundraisers.
Income from both donations and
fundraisers are down. Board members
cited the economic weakness of the
past several years and donor fatigue as
reasons for the revenue decline.
Aside from sports and other self-
funding activities sponsored by the
club, the three major revenue drains
have been ABC Preschool (ABC),
QCCF — both stand-alone entities
operated by the club — and the club’s
after-school program, operated in con-
junction with the Siuslaw School
District.
Kari Blake, business manager for
the school district, said the club has
received checks from the district rang-
ing from $8,500 to $9,500 per month
to help subsidize the club’s after-
school program expenses. The school
district pays the money directly to the
club from a five-year ongoing U.S.
Department of Education 21st Century
grant.
The grant is classified as Title II-B.
This is the second time the school dis-
trict has applied for and received it.
See
CLUB 7A
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
Florence
flu cases
on the rise
High-risk residents
should get vaccinated,
hospital says
B Y J ACK D AVIS
Siuslaw News
Florence is experiencing an increase in
the number of flu cases, according to Linda
Sherwood, PeaceHealth Peace Harbor
Medical Center infection preventionist.
More than one strain of flu virus is active
in Oregon and Lane County this year.
According to the Oregon Health Authority
Flu Bites weekly publication, most of the
positive influenza tests are for influenza
type A (H3), although a few influenza type
B have also been seen.
To lower risk of serious influenza dis-
ease, people are advised to get a flu shot if
they have not had one yet this season.
Preventative measures include hand wash-
ing and staying home when sick. Persons
who have the flu and are at high risk for
complications may need to receive antiviral
medication.
See
FLU 7A
COURTESY PHOTOS
Members of Florence Herb Enthusiasts create herbal planters at Thyme Garden in Alsea during one of the group’s outings.
Local group plans
to attend health-care
rally in Salem
The Florence chapter of Health Care for
All Oregon is calling for concerned citizens
to join hundreds from across the state to
make a powerful statement about our cur-
rent system.
“The goal is for 2,500 of us to show up
and be counted, letting our representatives
know we want change in a system that
leaves so many people out and diverts so
much health care money into wasteful over-
head,” said organizer Stuart Henderson.
“This history-making rally on the Capitol
steps Feb. 11 will offer a chance to empow-
er ourselves and have fun doing it, by
inserting people’s voices into the opaque
legislative process.”
Health Care for All Oregon is a grass-
roots coalition of more than 100 organiza-
tions that are determined to create a better
way of financing health care for every per-
son who lives or works in Oregon. Its mis-
sion is to provide publicly funded, private-
ly delivered, high quality, affordable, uni-
versal health care to everyone.
People will be free to choose their med-
ical provider to give them the care that they
need, free to choose their career, job, and
See
RALLY 7A
HERBAL REMEDIES
Florence Herb Enthusiasts seek additional leadership
B Y C HANTELLE M EYER
Beveridge began FHE in September
2004 with Marlena Armstrong and
Lynn Giordano.
lorence Herb Enthusiasts (FHE)
“At that time, we met in the confer-
are on the hunt for volunteers to
ence room at the library with six other
maintain leadership within the
people,” Beveridge said.
club and ensure the continuation of
Now, they have an average of 75
programming.
members and contact 300 people
Founder Jacquie Beveridge said,
about their educational meetings.
“In a little over 10 years, we’ve had
Fifty-five people attended their
about 130 programs featuring speakers
January meeting, which featured
who are local as well as from Albany,
Karen Hazelwood.
Alsea, Eugene and Elkton.”
“We’re one of the larger clubs in
Programs have covered healthy
town now,” Beveridge said.
cooking practices, natural cleaning
Word of mouth has been a big way
and body-care products, diuretic
of keeping up membership.
herbs, flower essences, mushrooms,
“A lot of people come up to us and
The group learns to make lavender wands at a meeting.
fermented foods, dream pillows and
say, ‘Oh, yeah, I saw about that in the
how to grow different plants in the coastal cli-
ue, as long as people step up and make that hap- paper.’ It’s just great,” she said.
mate.
People from as far away as Eugene and
pen,” Beveridge said.
“We have the resources for more programs
Volunteers have already stepped up within the Newport attend the FHE meetings.
and people willing to speak,” Beveridge said.
Beveridge said, “They have nothing similar
club, but more people are needed to help with
What they don’t have, however, is additional
to what we do in their area. We have a very
administrative duties and setting up for events.
leadership to help current leaders Suzanne
wide variety of educational topics for the com-
“I hope you can help us continue to provide
Kennedy and JJ Love since Beveridge will miss
quality education for our members and the com- munity.”
upcoming meetings.
munity at large,” Beveridge said in an email to
“It certainly sounds like the club will contin-
the Enthusiasts.
See HERB 7A
Siuslaw News
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