4 B
SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2015
Gold panning topic at tonight’s STEP meeting
Opportunities for gold min-
ing exist in Oregon streams and
dredging for gold will be the
topic for guest speaker Brian
Cole at tonight’s, May 6, meet-
ing of the Florence Salmon and
Trout Enhancement Program
(STEP).
The group meets at 7 p.m. at
the Elks’ Lodge in Florence and
the public is invited to attend.
Cole, a pioneer hunter and
fisherman, dredges for gold in
area streams using a water vac-
cum in the creek. With a back-
ground in geology from the
University of Oregon, Cole has
been active in a number of
issues relating to the outdoor
environment in the Siuslaw
region, including serving on the
Oregon Dunes Restoration
Council, as well as the commit-
tee overseeing the Western
Snowy Plover — among oth-
ers.
Cole has also served as pres-
ident of the Florence Rod and
Gun Club and is owner of BJ’s
Ice Cream.
“There is a lot of controversy
surrounding dredging,” Cole
said. “And a lot of misconcep-
tions. There is a bill in the
Oregon legislature that will try
to regulate and even stop
dredging, citing harm to fish
populations and other environ-
mental concerns.
“With a background in geol-
ogy and hydrology,” Cole con-
tinued, “I will talk about the
natural stream flows and how
dredging impacts the streams.
We can talk about whether
there is an impact on fish, as
many claim, or if there are ben-
efits to the habitat because of
dredging work.”
Cole recommends that prior
to the meeting, members go to
YouTube and watch a video
about dredging and lead in the
Umpqua River. Once signed
into YouTube, search for “Lead
Dredged Out Of The Umpqua
River, Oregon 2013.
Dredgers took seven buckets
of lead out of the river in five
days, near Tyee.
Lead, which is a known con-
taminant, leaches from the
sinkers and weights that are lost
each year in rivers during fish-
ing season.
Prior to the talk, the club will
review the 2015 steelhead sea-
son and look forward to a busy
May.
The main focus now shifts to
the annual fundraising raffle,
with the drawing held
Memorial Day Monday.
Anyone interested in learn-
ing more about STEP can
attend a meeting or contact club
president Ron Caputo at 541-
997-4961.
Florence Lions to host 32nd annual Bass Tournament
The Florence-Siuslaw Lions
Club has announced its 32nd
annual Elliott Fun Bass
Tournament to be held June 6
and 7. Two-person teams will
fish from boats on Siltcoos
Lake from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday, June 6, and from 6
a.m. to 11 a.m. Sunday, June 7.
This is an open tournament
that welcomes any anglers
interested in friendly competi-
tion.
The cost of entering the tour-
nament is $60 per team for
early registration and $75 for
registration on-site. Interested
parties can contact Jerry
Coffindaffer at 541-997-8108
or Mark Meyers at 541-999-
9104.
There is a 49-team limit.
The tournament is headquar-
tered at Ada Fishing Camp.
Weigh-ins are at noon and 5
p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m.
on Sunday. All fish are released
back into the lake.
The last practice day is
Saturday, May 30.
Trophies are awarded for the
first 10 places in the tourna-
ment, as well as in the cate-
gories of “Saturday Big Fish,”
“Sunday Big Fish,” “Women’s
Tournament Big Fish,” and
“Youth Big Fish.”
Optional Big Fish Pools and
Option Pool also are available.
During these two days,
teams are treated to a chili
lunch. In addition, the Lions
Club is offering hamburgers
and hot dogs at its food booth.
Run wild at Flippers, Feathers and Fins Fun Run
NEWPORT — Wild animals
are a centerpiece of visitor
experience at the Oregon Coast
Aquarium.
The morning of May 16,
however, humans will take
center stage as they compete in
the Flippers, Feathers and Fins
5K and Kids’ Dash.
Runners and walkers of all
ages are invited to flock to
Newport for the annual event,
now in its third year.
The scenic route winds
through the aquarium and
along the Yaquina Bay estuary
where racers will be greeted
with facts about native wildlife.
The 5K is open to runners
and walkers 10 years and older.
The closed-course 1K Kids’
Dash race is perfect for aspir-
ing little athletes ages two to
nine years old. Parents are
invited to accompany their
children on this run through the
aquarium’s grounds.
Flippers, Feathers and Fins
5K aand Kids’ Dash partici-
pants will receive an official
finisher medal, post-race
refreshments and free admis-
sion to the aquarium for the
day.
Race entry is $35 for the 5K,
and $20 for the Kids’ Dash. A
$5 early registration discount is
available through May 3.
Discounts are also available
for aquarium members. All
proceeds benefit the animal
care and marine science educa-
tion programs at the aquarium.
Tech race shirts are available
to preorder for $5. Shirts will
also be available for sale on
race day, but size availability
may be limited.
Racers with strollers are
welcome but should be aware
the course has uneven ground
with some gravel.
The Flippers, Feathers and
Fins 5K and Kids’ Dash is
made possible thanks to the
support of the Newport New
Times, Samaritan Pacific
Health Services and Portland
Running Company.
Drivers: Know rules of sharing roads with cyclists
There are many bicycles on
today’s roads. More people are
using bicycles as a means to
commute for entertainment and
for exercise. Some of the more
common reasons include low
cost to operate, reducing the
consumption of fossil fuels,
and exercise.
Motorists should remember
these tips when sharing the
road with a cyclist:
• A bicycle is considered by
law to be a vehicle. When a
cyclist has stopped and remains
astride their bicycle at an inter-
section and/or for a traffic sig-
nal, they are to be treated as a
vehicle waiting for their turn to
proceed.
• Many children riding bicy-
cles on the street may lack the
necessary training and skills
for safe cycling. They may not
be aware of all dangers.
• Be alert for small children
on oversized bicycles. This
may increase the likelihood for
loss of control.
• When you are preparing to
make a right turn, watch for
cyclists who may pull up
alongside your vehicle.
Remember to shoulder-
check your blind spots.
• When you are about to
make a right turn, do not pull
up beside a cyclist and then
turn directly in front of them
and cut them off.
• When parked at the curb,
always check for cyclists
before you open your vehicle
door. It’s the driver’s responsi-
bility not to open the vehicle
door into traffic.
• Cyclists are entitled to
make left turns in the same
manner as motorists. Since
they are more exposed to traf-
fic on left turns, they will need
extra consideration, especially
on multi-lane roads.
• Cyclists are required to
ride as close as practicable to
the curb, however they may
need to ride further out when
they have to steer away from
drainage grates, pot holes,
debris, loose gravel or sand,
wet or slippery surfaces, rutted
or grooved pavement and even
dogs. Be aware of the roadway
conditions that may affect a
cyclist.
• Do not sound your horn
unnecessarily when you are
overtaking a cyclist. It may
startle them and cause them to
lose control. If you feel that
you must use your horn, tap it
quickly and lightly while you
are still some distance away
from the cyclist.
Cyclists should also remem-
ber that, when they are riding
their bicycles on streets and
highways, they are considered
by law to be a vehicle.
Therefore they are required
to obey all the rules of the road,
which apply to other (motor-
ized) vehicles, plus those that
apply only to bicycle operators.
Cyclists using the streets and
highways should:
• Never ride against traffic.
It is one of the leading causes
of crashes, accounting for 15 to
20 percent of all crashes with
cars.
• Not hold onto, attach them-
selves, or attach the bicycle to
any other moving vehicle.
• Only ride side by side on
the road with another cyclist
when it does not impede other
traffic. If traffic doesn't have
enough room to pass you safe-
ly, ride single file.
• Ensure the bicycle is
equipped with at least one
white light to the front and a
red light and or red reflector
mounted on the rear of the
bicycle when riding between
sunset and sunrise.
• Ensure the bicycle has
effective brakes.
— Lincoln County Sheriffs
2285 Highway 101 • Florence, OR 97439
(541) 997-8866
Strawberries
5 Gallon Bucket (28lbs)
Washed & Sliced Oregon Grown Strawberries.
Great For: Smoothies • Freezer Jam • Toppings
Sign up by May 23rd
Delivered by May 30th
(Weather Permitting)
$
60/Bucket
Delivery sites in Gold Beach, Bandon, Coos Bay,
Reedsport, and Coquille
Visit the Siuslaw News online at
WWW.THESIUSLAWNEWS.COM
NOW BUYING
USED
CARS & TRUCKS
Under 100,000 miles.
2150 Hwy. 101 • Florence
(541) 997-3475 • 1-800-348-3475
PLANT SALE
Florence Garden Club
Saturday, May 9th,
9 AM to 1 PM,
Disabled American
Veterans,
1715 21st St.
(across Hwy. 101
from McDonalds)
Many varieties,
great selections.
No sales prior to 9AM.
Proceeds for local
Scholarships
Also Giant Raffle, Lots of
Prizes to give away!
Sat.-Sun.
10am-6pm
4785 Laurel Ave.,
Westlake Oregon
Thurs.-Sat.,
8am-4pm,
Estate Sale.
5452 Bouchet Dr.,
just N of Laurel Bay Gardens.
Garage/Moving Sale
Fri-Sat May 8-9
9am-4pm
82804 Ocean Blvd., Westlake
Freezers, housewares,
fishing gear
Tuesday 4/28
Brad Hanscom
Tanny Cosko
Florence
Florence
Safeway
Safeway
Wednesday 4/29
Janice Landrum
Sandie Arsenault
Florence
Florence
Safeway
Grocery Outlet
Thursday 4/30
Maryann Olsen
Mary Bumgarner
Florence
Florence
Tree Rivers Casino Resort
Safeway
Friday 5/1
Laird Krieger
Jimmy Davis
Florence
Florence
Safeway
Safeway
Saturday 5/2
Kevin Bass
Norma Saxon
Florence
Florence
Safeway
Safeway
Sunday 5/3
Carol Tucker
Donna Riggs
Florence
Florence
Grocery Outlet
On Your Feet With A Splash
Monday 5/4
Dennis Sydow
Jerry Martin
Florence
Florence
Rite Aid
Jambo World Crafts