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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (May 20, 2015)
4 A ❘ WEDNESDAY EDITION ❘ MAY 20, 2015 Siuslaw News P.O. Box 10 Florence, OR 97439 RYAN CRONK , EDITOR ❘ 541-902-3520 ❘ Opinion EDITOR @ THESIUSLAWNEWS . COM DEAR READERS S iuslaw News aired a commercial on KCST last week during Rhody Days that was intended to be humorous. We apologize to anyone who didn’t take it in that manner and may have been offended. —Editor 1 2 5 T H A N N I V E R S A R Y F L A S H B A C K 1890 ❙ T T HE W EST F LORENCE T IMES T HE S IUSLAW O AR T HE S IUSLAW N EWS S IUSLAW N EWS ❙ 2015 his year marks Siuslaw News’ quasquicentennial, our 125th anniversary, a remarkable achievement for any business in a small community like Florence. To commemorate this milestone, throughout the year we’ll feature some of the town’s history as origi- nally published in the newspaper, including historic articles and photos from more than a century ago. Japanese television crew shoots Florence dunes O RIGINALLY P UBLISHED M AY 15, 1980 T HE S IUSLAW N EWS , V OL . 20, N O . 20 Thanks to a fervid interest in American- style football, the sand dunes near Florence will soon be getting some international public- ity. It all has to do with the Nov. 30, 1980, Mirage Bowl in Tokyo between UCLA and Oregon State University, and a publicity scheme on the part of the Nippon Television Network in Japan. A Japanese television film crew recently spent a morning on the dunes south of town, taking footage of the sand, dune buggies and a pair of Japanese women trying to cross the dunes in high heels. The two women also will be shown crab- bing in Newport, felling trees and rolling logs near Albany and scrimmaging with the OSU football team on a widely-watched morning television show in Japan later this summer. All of it is designed to show the public there what sort of place the Beaver football team comes from, and to help create interest in the Mirage Bowl. The week before, the TV people, described as Nippon’s “No. 1 film crew,” spent the week in Los Angeles, doing what people in LA do, seeing what they see — material with which to introduce the UCLA Bruins. There, the women played basketball with Kareem Abdul Jabaar, as well as running through some of the more typical tourist sights. The two women were selected by the net- work for the LA-Oregon excursion after a nation-wide contest. In return for the trip and attention, the women will serve as the focus of the program, lending a continuity to the episodic nature of the show. The women were dropped off at the foot of a steep dune to attempt an ascent in nylons and high heels, while cameras whirred. So strenuous did one of the women find the two- hour session that she had to be carried from the dune back to the entourage’s van. But then, what could be any more traumat- ic as scrimmaging with 250-pound football players in full padding — they’d done that earlier in the week in Corvallis. The Japanese crew was being shown the countryside by Aki Hill, women’s basketball coach at OSU, and her assistant Ross Cook. Hill, originally from Japan, was serving as interpreter for the group. “They want to see what Oregon is about,” Cook said. “The idea is that the program will help the people decide which team to cheer for.” Hill further explained the reason for the trip. “The west coast of the USA is in a popu- larity boom right now (in Japan). They have magazines just about the west coast,” she said. That, coupled with the interest in American football Japan has recently shown, should make the television segments a suc- cess. The game will be an official Pacific 10 conference game, the first to ever be played in another country. Cook said the bowl probably will sell out the 80,000 tickets — with far more people than the Beavers are accustomed to playing before in Corvallis. RJ Barret and Myron Fullmer, drivers of dune vehicles at Sand Dunes Frontier south of Florence, took the group across the dunes. “They seemed to be terrifically interested in the dunes,” Barrett said. “They had me go over the same dunes several times, I think to get a feel for the steepness. “They were awfully nice people. We were tickled to have them come.” Director Takei Izumi headed the crew, which consisted also of camera, sound and light persons and an engineer. Takei proved to be as accomplished a diplo- mat as director when fielding touchy ques- tions. When asked through Hill which team he expected to win the Mirage Bowl, he would only say that it was too difficult to predict. And when asked which place he preferred, after seeing some of both Oregon and California, he said it “depends.” “If I were (concerned with) only living myself, I would definitely take Oregon. But for my work, I would like LA,” he said. “Oregon really protects the environment. It is quite popular and famous in Japan. Eugene is especially well-known there,” he added. After finishing the translation, OSU coach Hill said, “Eugene? Not Eugene — Corvallis!” Which makes one wonder — have the Japanese fans ever heard about a game called the Civil War? LETTERS Good service Deepest thanks Having recently moved to Florence from (gasp) California, my husband and I got ready for the dreaded DMV visits to obtain our new auto registrations and driver’s licenses. We were not able to make appointments so we went in and, as expected, it was very crowded. We took our number and prepared to wait. The first thing I learned from overhearing other folks talking was that this was a very unusual day because the office was usually fairly empty. The second thing I learned is that this DMV does not even resemble the California DMVs. First of all, these people are nice. They are patient. They are helpful. The two women working the counter, Shannon and Christina, were the absolute epitome of what customer service should be and never is anymore. These women never let the crowded condi- tions rattle them or rush their customers; they efficiently took as much time as necessary with each transaction, being polite and kind with everyone. You know what? We didn’t mind waiting at all. Cris Reep Florence I’ve lived here in Florence since 1972. It’s been a good life, humble enough, but very good. Thirteen years ago it was necessary to replace both of my hips so that I could continue serving my neighbors in my little barbershop in Old Town’s Maple Street district. I’ll never for- get the good folk of Florence who expressed concern, helped me in and out of doors and got more haircuts than usual, understanding the “out of pocket” expenses that came my way. Recently, I developed an abscess in my stom- ach that raised my blood sugar to a deadly level. My extended illness caused me to close the doors of my business for five months. But for the tons of well wishes, Christmas cards and much-needed donations from all my beloved friends and acquaintances, I’d not have this chance to revive my shop. Thank you all, from the deepest reaches of my heart. You know who I’m talking to. This is the best community in the world. Because of you, I’m back. Wende Jarman Florence Right to protect Kelsey Juliana and Olivia Chernaik resorted to a lawsuit to force Oregon lawmakers to reduce carbon emissions and help forestall cli- mate change. But Judge Karsten Rasmussen said he lacks authority. When the elected officials refuse to act, we are told that our recourse is in the courts. Mixed messages are being sent. We want to encourage our youth to engage in solution-oriented actions. We want them to help us find solutions to the problems created by pre- vious generations; those they will inherit. Then, when they do, a judge shuts the door in their faces. I’ve no doubt that these young women are not so easily dissuaded. They will continue to fight USPS# 497-660 for fairness and justice. But what about our response? Are we really willing to accept that environmental rights shouldn’t be protected in our courts? And further, that “We the People” lack the power to require our government and legal system to protect the welfare of the people and the planet? L ETTERS E DITOR P OLICY The Siuslaw News welcomes letters to the editor concerning issues affecting the Florence area and Lane County. Emailed letters are preferred. Handwritten or typed letters must be signed. All letters should be limited to about 300 words and must include the writer’s full name, address and phone number for verification. Letters are subject to editing for length, grammar and clarity. Publication of any letter is not guaranteed and depends on space available and the volume of letters received. Libelous and anonymous letters or poetry will not be published. All submissions become the property of Siuslaw News and will not be returned. Write to: Editor@TheSiuslawNews.com Nobody’s fool Shortly after my last letter to the editor (“Beach Patrol,” April 29), I received a call from a Lane County sheriff to inform me the money used for patrolling the beach did not come from the sheriff’s budget. It came from a grant that they received from the state. I talked to a fellow in front of the post office and he told me the grant was from vehicle licenses and gas taxes received from the forest service and state. The curfew as far as he knew was for noise in the sand dunes, not on the beach. Right on, Mary Jo Leach (“Can’t Fool Me Twice,” May 13, page 4A). Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Virgle Bechtold Florence Copyright 2015 © Siuslaw News Publisher, ext. 327 General Manager, ext. 318 Editor, ext. 313 Advertising Director, ext. 326 Office Supervisor, ext. 312 Production Supervisor Press Manager DEADLINES: Wednesday Issue—General news, Monday noon; Budgets, four days prior to publication; Regular classified ads, Monday 1 p.m.; Display ads, Monday noon; Boxed and display classified ads, Friday 5 p.m. Saturday Issue—General news, Thursday noon; Budgets, two days prior to publication; Regular classified ads, Thursday 1 p.m.; Display ads, Thursday noon; Boxed and display classified ads, Wednesday 5 p.m. Soundings, Tuesday 5 p.m. NEWSPAPER SUBSCRIPTION RATES: In Lane County — 1-year subscription, $71; 10-weeks subscription, $18; Out of Lane County — 1-year subscription, $94; 10-weeks subscription, $24; Out of State — 1-year subscription, $120; Out of United States — 1-year subscription, $200; E-Edition Online Only (Anywhere) — 1-year subscription, $65. Mail subscription includes E-Edition. Website and E-Edition: www.TheSiuslawNews.com WHERE TO WRITE Published every Wednesday and Saturday at 148 Maple St. in Florence, Lane County, Oregon. A member of the National Newspaper Association and Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association. Periodicals postage paid at Florence, Ore. Postmaster, send address changes to: Siuslaw News, P.O. Box 10, Florence, OR 97439; phone 541-997-3441; fax 541-997-7979. All press releases may be sent to PressReleases@TheSiuslawNews.com. John Bartlett Jenna Bartlett Ryan Cronk Susan Gutierrez Cathy Dietz Ron Annis Jeremy Gentry TO THE Check out Community Rights Lane County online at http://communityrightslanecounty.org. We believe community members have the right to protect what we hold dear. Michelle Holman Deadwood Pres. Barack Obama The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Washington, D.C. 20500 Comments: 202-456-1111 Switchboard: 202-456-1414 FAX: 202-456-2461 TTY/TDD Comments: 202-456-6213 www.whitehouse.gov Gov. Kate Brown 160 State Capitol 900 Court St. Salem, OR 97301-4047 Governor’s Citizens’ Rep. Message Line 503-378-4582 www.oregon.gov/gov U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden 221 Dirksen Senate Office Bldg Washington, DC 20510 202-224-5244 541-431-0229 www.wyden.senate.gov FAX: 503-986-1080 Email: Sen.ArnieRoblan@state.or.us U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley 313 Hart Senate Office Bldg Washington, DC 20510 202-224-3753/FAX: 202-228-3997 541-465-6750 State Rep. Caddy McKeown (Dist. 9) 900 Court St. NE Salem, OR 97301 503-986-1409 Email: rep.caddymckeown@state.or.us U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio (4th Dist.) 2134 Rayburn HOB Washington, DC 20515 202-225-6416/ 800-944-9603 541-269-2609/ 541-465-6732 www.defazio.house.gov State Sen. Arnie Roblan (Dist. 5) 900 Court St. NE - S-417 Salem, OR 97301 503-986-1705 West Lane County Commissioner Jay Bozievich 125 E. Eighth St. Eugene, OR 97401 541-682-4203 FAX: 541-682-4616 Email: Jay.Bozievich@co.lane.or.us