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❘ AUGUST 5, 2015 ❘ $1.00
RELAY FOR
LIFE 2015
Hall of Fame
inductees
PROGRAM INSIDE
SPORTS — B
SERVING WESTERN LANE COUNTY SINCE 1890
FLORENCE, OREGON
HEROIC SPLASH
Co-op
gallery
celebrates
10 years
Community invited
to Backstreet Gallery’s
anniversary party
B Y J ACK D AVIS
Siuslaw News
Backstreet Gallery, an artist-owned
co-operative in Florence, will cele-
brate its 10-year anniversary Friday,
Aug. 7, from 6 to 8 p.m.
The public is invited to join in the
festivities that include food, beverages
and cupcakes. In addition, guitarist
Michael Anderson will provide music.
Small art pieces created by the co-op’s
artists will be raffled off throughout
the event.
The gallery, at 1421 Bay St., has
featured the works of more than 50
local artists over its 10-year history.
Currently, the co-op has 24 members
and several consignment artists.
In 2005, a group of local artists
pooled their resources to create a co-
operative gallery.
“Bill Durst became president and
filed as a co-operative corporation,”
co-op secretary Kathryn Damon-
Dawson said. “Jennifer French and
Sally Wantz found a good deal on a
house at 327 Laurel St. We rolled up
our sleeves and altered the five rooms
into gallery space.”
The old real estate adage, “location
is everything,” was true for Backstreet
Gallery’s first location, which was
located on a backstreet away from
other shops, restaurants and tourist
attractions.
According to Damon-Dawson, “In
the first four years, out-of-towners sel-
dom crossed the threshold.”
Even though rent would be triple
what they were paying on the Laurel
Street location, gallery members voted
to move the gallery to Bay Street in
2009. The move paid off.
“Within the first three hours of
opening on Bay Street, more cus-
tomers arrived than during an entire
month at Laurel Street,” co-op mem-
ber Geraldine McMahan said.
In addition to being a showplace for
co-op members’ artwork, Backstreet
Gallery hosts a number of art-focused
events.
PHOTOS BY CHANTELLE MEYER/SIUSLAW NEWS
“Batman” takes a turn on the waterslide provided by Siuslaw Public Library at last week’s children’s summer reading program finale.
‘Every Hero’ has a good time
Library summer reading program ends with
‘fun in the sun’ in Mapleton, Florence
Siuslaw News
S
iuslaw Public Library wrapped up its
children’s summer reading program,
“Every Hero Has a Story,” last week in
Mapleton and Florence.
The July 29-30 event provided lunch and a
free book for every child present, about 300 par-
ticipants in total.
Library Director Meg Spencer said, “We had
an additional 100 kids and teens sign up for the
summer reading program this year compared to
last year. There were 831 participants at last
count.”
Children’s Librarian Gayle Waiss said the
library measures the finale’s attendance mostly
through how much food they serve.
“It’s hard to get a headcount,” Waiss said.
Volunteers and library staff served hot dogs,
chips and fresh-cut watermelon with pudding
for dessert. There was also plenty of water and
juice packs.
The Friends of the Siuslaw Public Library
(FOL) also teamed up with the library to provide
a free book for every child.
According to FOL and Siuslaw Public Library
board member Susy Lacer, who is also a
Florence City Councilor, the free books num-
bered in the hundreds.
Four tables featured board books, early read-
ers, chapter books and young adult books.
One middle school student said, “It’s like
book heaven. Look at all the books!”
LIBRARY 6A
See
Children’s Librarian Gayle Waiss poses
with a fellow “Incredible Hulk” during
the superhero-themed finale in Florence.
See
State Natural Site
C O O L P L A C ES Darlingtonia
Mercer Lake Road, Florence ❘ 541-997-3851
TO VISIT THIS SUMMER
INSIDE
S PECIAL F EATURE :
This summer we are
highlighting unique
spots that make the
central Oregon coast
one of the coolest
places to live and play.
A new location will be
featured each week.
Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B5
Courts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A10
In Brief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A11
Library Tidings . . . . . . . . . . . A5
A T A GLANCE : There are few
places along the coast like
Darlingtonia State Natural Site,
the only Oregon state park dedi-
cated to the protection of a single
plant species.
Located on Mercer Lake Road
just after the turnoff from
Highway 101 north of Florence,
this 18-acre botanical park is
home to the darlingtonia califor-
nica, also known as cobra lilies or
pitcher plants. The rare plant is
Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A4
Police . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A2
Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B
Weather Data . . . . . . . . . . . A2
COURTESY PHOTO
THIS WEEK ’ S
carnivorous and lures insects with
its sweet nectar, then traps them
with the stiff hairs and sticky wax
in its knobby head.
A boardwalk starts right at the
site’s parking lot but instantly
transports you to dense woods
and wetlands. A couple of trails,
one paved and one unpaved, are
ideal for easy walks through a lush
assortment of vegetation, includ-
ing rhododendrons and spruce,
cedar and shore pine trees.
TODAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
67 52
69 55
71 56
68 56
WEATHER
Full Forecast, A3
USLAW
SI
S igns 3
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B Y C HANTELLE M EYER
& G R A P H
I C
'ų
8
GALLERY 6A
INDOOR / OUTDOOR
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WINDOW GRAPHICS
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