SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 2015
5 A
Graduates, don’t look back... because your old room is now a hot tub
Or maybe even at the grad-
uation ceremony itself:
Ned
“Before we call our next
Hickson
T O THIS YEAR ’ S HIGH
SCHOOL GRADUATES :
As you cross the stage to
receive your diploma, remem-
ber that you’re crossing a
brand new threshold in your
young life. That’s because, in
most cases, your parents have
already arranged for the con-
tents of your room to be
hauled on to the front lawn
and sold, probably during the
graduation ceremony itself.
graduate, I’d like to turn
your attention to the roller
blades I’m wearing. They,
along with other items
belonging to Jeffery
Schlopendorf, will be avail-
able for purchase after the
ceremony in the courtyard.”
That’s right; by the time
you get home, you’ll be lucky
if you’re room still has the
same light switch.
I know this may sound
harsh, but it is something that
parents do out of LOVE. It’s
about your parents helping
The Florence Organic Farmers’ Market
will start its 19th season on May 23
and continuing through October 31.
The market will be open THIS SATURDAY
from 10am-2pm at 310 Highway 101 ( Pro Lumber)
The market accepts WIC
and Farm Direct Nutrition vouchers.
For more information, call Maria at 541-902-8815.
you make that important tran-
sition into independence,
even if it means turning your
bedroom into patio space
between the new hot tub and
gazebo. I know it’s hard to
believe, but that’s how much
your parents are willing to
sacrifice in order to help you
find your place in the world -
which, by the way, doesn’t
include living in the attic,
basement or any of the utility
closets.
No.
This means finding a job.
Something that will allow you
to apply the cumulative
knowledge you’ve acquired
through 12 years (or more) of
education. It means eventual-
ly competing in today’s tough
job market against like-mind-
ed graduates.
It means, in many cases, a
career in the food service
industry.
For those who might be
contemplating this opportuni-
ty (or who might be wearing
a hair net at this very
moment), keep in mind that
some of the world's most suc-
cessful business people got
their start in the food service
industry. And keep in mind
that just because I can’t think
of any right now doesn’t
mean it's not true, because
I’m pretty sure I read it some-
where. Really.
Okay. Fine.
I’m a big fat liar.
It doesn’t mean that work-
ing in fast food can’t be
rewarding. In fact, ask any
writer and they will tell you
that there’s nothing more
rewarding than being a fry
cook. To prove it, I’m going
to stop and pose this question
to each of my fellow journal-
ists in the newsroom…
You see? Just as I expect-
ed: everyone agrees there is
nothing more rewarding than
being a fry cook.
[Editor: Please note you
are surrounded by big fat
liars.]
So, what does all of this
mean exactly?
For you graduates, it means
taking your first steps into the
world on your own. As you
do, I’d suggest you stop by
that table in the courtyard.
You never know when a
cheap pair of roller blades
might come in handy.
Ned is a syndicated columnist
with News Media Corporation.
His book, “Humor at the Speed of
Life,” is available online at Port
Hole Publications, Amazon Books
and Barnes & Noble. Write to him
at nedhickson@icloud.com
Learn tips for growing food in Florence
On Saturday, June 6, begin-
ning at 3 p.m., at Real Food
Co-op, learn more about grow-
ing food in this unique area.
Many folks find the wind,
sandy soil and cooler tempera-
tures difficult to grow food in.
Talk with local organic gar-
deners to get ideas about how
to make your garden grow.
You will also have an oppor-
tunity to tour the garden in
front of the co-op. This garden
provides an opportunity for
folks to see that you can pro-
duce food in a small garden in
Florence.
Learn organic methods of
dealing with pests like slugs,
snails, cabbage moths and
aphids. There are also many
types of organic fertilizers and
soil amendments that are avail-
able in Florence that you can
ask our gardeners about.
Come with your gardening
questions to Real Food Co-op
at 1379 B Rhododendron Dr.
For more information, call
541-997-3396.
Real Food is open 10 a.m. to
6 p.m., Monday through
Saturday.
The Real Food Co-op is ded-
icated to supporting local sus-
tainable farms and producers.
City Club to hear about
90x30 program outlook
Compartiendo Alimentos (Food Share) de Florence
es una despensa de alimentos que sirve a personas
necesitadas con cajas de comida de emergencia en el
área del Oeste del Condado de Lane. Nosotros distri-
buimos un suministro de 3 a 5 días de alimentos para
nuestros clientes, sin costo alguno, hasta 16 veces al
año, y estamos disponibles para todas las personas que
califi quen por bajos ingresos. Nuestra misión es aliviar
el hambre en el Oeste del Condado de Lane y creemos
que nadie debe sentir hambre, sin importar su raza o
grupo étnico. Compartiendo Alimentos (Food Share)
recientemente recibió dos becas específi camente para
ayudar a nuestra comunidad Latina, así que por favor
visite nuestra despensa y disfrute de nuestra “Área de
Comida Internacional”, que ahora provee harina de
maíz, o masa, tortillas de maíz, salsa mole, hojas de
maíz para tamales, salsa para enchiladas, jalapeños, y
mucho más. Nos encontramos en 2190 Spruce Street,
Florence, Oregón, en el mismo estacionamiento que
la Iglesia New Life Lutheran. ¡Gracias!
On Friday, June 5, the
Florence City Club will hear a
presentation on 90x30, an
organization whose purpose is
to prevent 90 percent of child
abuse by 2030.
Lynn Anderson and Jessika
Kaczenski will share the chal-
lenges they have seen facing
local children and families and
the actions that have been ini-
tiated by the West Lane
Regional Leadership Team.
These actions include local
accomplishments in Florence
and Mapleton, including the
first county-wide child abuse
prevention month in Lane
County. They will be fol-
lowed by Jeff Todahl who will
discuss how a 2011 meeting
of passionate advocates for
children has grown into a
county wide organization
dedicated to ensuring all chil-
dren's safety and well being.
Florence City Club meets
at the Ocean Dunes Golf
Club. Lunch is served at
11:30 a.m. and the meeting
starts at noon.
For more information, con-
tact Sharon Hobart at 541-
914-7784.
FAHS seeks yard sale
items for store
Visit the Siuslaw News online at
WWW.THESIUSLAWNEWS.COM
Florence Area Humane
Society (FAHS) is looking to
fill this year’s Christmas Store
with lots of lights, wreaths,
ornaments and everything to
celebrate that magical season
this December.
With that in mind, FAHS is
asking that any of your yard
sale items that are not sold this
spring be dropped off to the
FAHS Thrift Store for the
Christmas Store annual fund-
raiser.
All sales from the Christmas
Store help to support the lost
or abandoned dogs and cats at
the shelter, that are waiting for
their own forever home.
The FAHS Thrift Store is
located at 1193 Bay St., in
Florence.
Chowder
competition
Introducing your brand-new local bank.
Community banking is where we got our start 125 years ago. And it’s what we deliver
everywhere we go. Which is why even though Siuslaw Bank is now Banner Bank,
you’ll still find the same local employees you know, and trust and an unwavering
commitment to serving your community.
Visit one of our many convenient branches or find us at bannerbank.com.
Let’s create tomorrow, together.
MEMBER FDIC
The first Oregon Coast
Chowder competition of the
summer is Friday, June 5, at
Three Rivers Casino Resort’s
Event Center in Florence.
Chowder on the Oregon
coast is serious business,
with many restaurants claim-
ing to have the “best” in the
Northwest.
The Oregon
coast chowder competition is
a way for local business to
prove their seafood medley is
worthy enough to be awarded
the “best.”
There will be a $500 cash
prize for the winning busi-
ness.
The chowder competition
is the kickoff event to “Fire It
Up!” weekend, a barbecue-
flavored food lover’s festival.
In addition to chowder,
there will be “cook offs” for a
variety of barbecue offerings.
Saturday’s special pulled-
pork cook off is from 3 to 7
p.m., and Sunday’s barbecue
variatal is from 11 a.m. to 5
p.m.
Both events will feature
complimentary beer tastings,
food samplings and a chance
to vote for your favorites.
There is no admission fee
for the event. For chowder
competition
applications,
email Erin Reinke at
ereinke@threeriverscasino
.com or call 541-999-9997.