SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2015 N EW F LORENCE This past Tuesday did more than herald in the month of September. It marked the offi- cial first day of business for Old Town Barbershop, 1341 Bay Street, in Florence. “I designed my shop to fit the surroundings,” says owner- proprietor Geraldine Lucio. “I really want to bring to life the best of barbering from the past- and present.” With her modern garb and happy smile, Lucio may not look the role of traditional bar- ber but in many ways she’s exactly that. Customers need only walk across the threshold to feel transported back in time. In the waiting area, antiques decorate the walls and floor. Even the ceiling sports a giant airplane model from a bygone era. These are in place to accent the greatest fixtures of all: three authentic early 1900s barber chairs, carried here by Lucio from Texas — where she received her training and holds deep roots to her trade. A prestigious line of local dignitaries attended Tuesday’s grand opening and ribbon BARBERSHOP HAS O LD T OWN FLAIR Retzer and Pattie Panther. The event was attended by more than 50 people, including local business owners and serv- ice industry representatives. Guests coming furthest were Lucio’s sister and father from Floresville, Texas. It seems a big part of her traditional val- ues stem from her barber fami- ly. Her grandfather (before retirement), father and brother are all in the business. “I am so proud of my daugh- ter,” Gerald Lucio says. “Until now, I never knew how proud my own father — and any father can be — of their child. “It’s an amazing feeling.” Old Town Barber Shop is now high on the list of got-to- go-see-it places in Historic Florence. The public is invited to sit in a chair and enjoy a haircut given the old fashioned way. COURTESY PHOTO “I hope people come when Geraldine Lucio (second from left) celebrates the grand opening of her new barbershop they can slow down and relax. on Bay Street in Old Town with members of the Chamber Ambassadors and her father, “Then they receive a true Gerald Lucio (second from right). time-honored barber experi- ence.” — Submitted by Eileen West, cutting ceremony, including director of the Florence as well as Chamber ambassa- freelance writer Cal Applebee, executive Chamber of Commerce, dors Betty Blake, Carol Siuslaw Library to present ‘Devil Cat’ author Fleagle Siuslaw Public Library is the place to be on Thursday, Sept. 10, at 2 p.m. to see a PowerPoint presentation by author Judy Fleagle about her latest book “Devil Cat and Other Colorful Animals I Have Known.” It will be in the Bromley Room at no charge to the public. “Devil Cat” is a collection of five stories of which four recount Fleagle’s most memo- rable rescues (two dogs and two cats). These animals beat the odds to become not just good, but great animal com- panions, and their stories are over-the-top. The fifth story includes the bizarre tale of “Devil Cat,” in which neighbors try every- thing to protect their pets from an aggressive feline in Frankie Jorgensen, left, former president of the Florence Area Humane Society, accepts a copy of “Devil Cat and Other Colorful Animals I Have Known,” donated by author Judy Fleagle. COURTESY PHOTO the town of Los Gatos, Calif., which strangely enough means “the cats.” These stories written over the years as they actually occurred form a memoir of the author’s life as seen through her most remarkable pets. “Devil Cat” is a departure for Fleagle, who is known for her bridge books and “Around Florence.” This time, she didn’t have to spend months doing research because the stories were already written. She just had to figure out how to put them together. Then, she commissioned 15 paintings by Karen Nichols and worked with publisher Bob Serra of Pacific Publishing to come up with what one librarian hailed as “a perfect jewel of a book.” Because “Devil Cat” is about animal rescue, the presentation will also be a fundraiser for the Florence Area Humane Society. Forty percent of every book sold at the event will go to the FAHS. So come for an entertaining presentation, and an opportu- nity to support the local humane society. For more information, contact Siuslaw Public Library at 541-997-3132 or go online to crossings author.wordpress.com and click on events. One-day nonfiction writing workshop offered in Yachats YACHATS — Have you wanted to start writing but seem unsure how to begin? Many people aspire to write for themselves, publication and multiple other reasons, but can’t seem to get started. This frustration often results in the aspiration disappearing. Writer, publisher and educa- tor Matt Love, author/editor of 14 books about Oregon and columnist for Oregon Coast Today, is offering a one-day “Getting the Writing Going” nonfiction workshop on Saturday, Oct. 10, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., in Yachats. In this workshop, partici- pants will experiment with dif- ferent and innovative tech- niques to define an editorial voice and purpose for various forms of nonfiction writing. Whether a memoir, travel writing about the Oregon coast or blogging reviews about food, Love will help guide par- ticipants during the beginning process of becoming a writer and present options for them to publish their work. The workshop will be held in the greenhouse of the Yachats Farm Store, which was recently named one of the seven won- ders of the Oregon coast by Travel Oregon. The class costs $105 and caps at 12 participants. To sign up, email Love at nestuccaspitpress@gmail.com or call 503-812-1524. Welcome to 80 Years of Excellence! We Make All Our Own Ice Cream – Over 50 Flavors – Including Sugar-free Ice Cream & Non-fat Frozen Yogurt in a variety of flavors. “Over 5 Generations of Old Fashioned Goodness!” Tw o l o c a t i o n s i n F l o r e n c e H i g h w a y 1 0 1 N & B a y S t r e e t i n O l d To w n Wa l d p o r t • W i n c h e s t e r B a y • A s h l a n d • S i s t e r s FLORENCE FESTIVAL OF BOOKS an authors & publishers fair for those who like to read, write, or publish books Sept 26th 2015 10 AM - 4 PM Florence Events Center Free admission! Meet the authors-have book signed! Hear authors read! Have a book? meet publishers here! ‡ZZZ.eventcenter.org www.shoppelocal.biz 7 A