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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (March 12, 2016)
4 B SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2016 Discovery Series to feature children’s author, tidepools YACHATS — Tales, tails and tidepools are the focus of Cape Perpetua’s next Winter Discovery Series, which will take place at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 20, at the Visitor Center, 2400 S. Highway 101, three miles south of Yachats. Children’s author Kizzie Jones will read from one of her latest books, and then join nat- uralists at the tidepools for a guided tour. Jones blends her love of dachshunds and the ocean to create whimsical tall tales. Titles to her credit include “How Dachshunds Came to Be: A Tall Tale About A Short Long Dog” and “A Tall Tale About A Dachshund And A Pelican: How A Friendship Came To Be.” Jones’s reading at Cape Perpetua is a homecoming of sorts for the author. “I am so delighted for this COURTESY PHOTO Kizzie Jones opportunity to share with the community,” Jones said. “I wrote these books while vaca- tioning in Yachats.” Jones lives in the seaside town of Edmonds, Wash., and is inspired by her three dachs- hunds, Buster, Josie and Lacey. She has won first-place hon- ors for nonfiction writing from B&G Club expanding softball program Boys and Girls Club of Western Lane County is expanding its girls fastpitch softball program. Until this season, the pro- gram has only fielded a U14 team made up of sixth- through eighth-grade girls. After speaking with a few of the softball leagues on the coast, the B&G Club has decided to expand with the goal of having enough players for three teams: a U10, U12 and U14 team. The program is looking for girls grades 3 through 8 who are interested in playing soft- ball. Must be age 9 by April 1, 2016 to participate. Practices will start in April, with games starting in May. The B&G Club will be hosting and traveling to play teams from Waldport, Coos Bay, North Bend, Reedsport, Bandon and Coquille. Uniforms have been designed and are waiting to be ordered. The program is also looking for coaches, umpires and any local businesses that are inter- ested in sponsoring a team. The cost to play is $100 per player, and includes the cost of the uniform. Participants must be a cur- rent Boys and Girls Club member (a $25 annual fee). The B&G Club has income- based scholarships available. Plover nesting areas marked on local beaches REEDSPORT — Forest Service employees have erect- ed rope enclosures in around designated Western snowy plover nesting sites on the Siuslaw National Forest and within the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. Campfires, pets, bicycles, off-road vehicles and kites are prohibited within the closure areas as they can frighten nest- ing adults, causing them to abandon their eggs. “We appreciate everyone’s efforts in helping this species recover on our Oregon beach- es,” said Cindy Burns, Siuslaw National Forest wildlife biolo- gist. “By sharing the beach, we can continue to make it an enjoyable place to be for all its inhabitants.” Signs attached to the ropes notify visitors that the closures won’t be enforced until March 15. The Western snowy plover is a federally protected shore- bird. Seasonal restrictions gener- ally run from March 15 through Sept. 15 to reduce dis- turbances while the birds are nesting. Nesting areas within the Siuslaw National Forest Siuslaw News www.shoppelocal.biz include: Baker/Sutton beaches Siltcoos estuary north to within a mile of Sparrow Park Road Oregon Dunes Day Use beach Tahkenitch Creek estuary Ten Mile Creek estuary south to the Coast Guard South OHV Trail The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed Western snowy plovers as a threatened species in 1993. Habitat loss from invasive European beachgrass, as well as human disturbances, includ- ing litter and discarded food scraps which attract predators, have contributed to the birds’ decline. Part of the Siuslaw National Forest and its partners’ Dunes Restoration strategy is aimed at removing European beach- grass near nesting areas to improve habitat conditions. Detailed information about nesting restrictions on the Siuslaw National Forest, as well as links to resources from Oregon State Parks, can be found on the Siuslaw Web site at www.fs.usda.gov/siuslaw. Volunters needed for fourth annual Triathlon, Duathlon Dunes City is making plans to host its fourth annual Oregon Dunes Triathlon and Duathlon on Saturday, May 7. Organizers are recruiting volunteers to help staff the event. Volunteers provide invaluable assistance to ensure that the races and venues run smoothly and safely. Volunteers also play a vital support role for all of the par- ticipating athletes by provid- ing encouragement and hospi- tality. Many of the athletes have returned to the Tri/Du each year because they appreciate the enthusiastic volunteers. The commitment is for only half a day and all volunteers will receive a free T-shirt. Dunes City will award a $250 donation to the organiza- tion that provides the most volunteers. Anyone who has a few hours to spare and wants to be part of this exciting event can call Dunes City Hall at 541- 997-3338 to register as a vol- unteer Write on the Sound writers’ conference, while in 2013, “How Dachshunds Came To Be” garnered first-place awards in the Tall Tales category of Readers’ Favorite, the National Indie Excellence Book Award for Cover and Graphic Design and New York’s Beach Book Festival. The Cape Perpetua Winter Discovery Series is an opportu- nity to explore topics and resources relevant to the Oregon Coast during the off- season months between November and March. All presentations and guided walks are free, but a Northwest Forest Pass, Oregon Coast Passport, federal recreation pass or $5 day-use fee is required within to the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area. Upcoming Winter Discovery Series events: March 21 (11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.) — Experiencing Gray Whales: Cape Perpetua volunteer naturalist and former Bureau of Land Management Chief of Interpretation Michael Noack has studied gray whales for many years, assisting with whale research missions and training Whale Watch volun- teers. Visitors will enjoy hearing about his first-hand encounters with these iconic creatures of the Oregon Coast. March 26 (2 p.m.) — Oregon Dunes: They’re more than just sand. Learn about the origins, shapes and future of the longest stretch of coastal dunes in the United States. Dina Pavlis, author of “Secrets of the Oregon Dunes” will share photos, stories and knowledge gained from living and playing within the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. No RSVPs necessary for any of the Discovery Series events. For information, call the Cape Perpetua Visitor Center at 541-547-3289. Do your part and volunteer today to help support these local non-proft organizations in our community! Volunteer•Get involved•Donate Assisting those in need in our Community. Free Hot Meals Mon-Wed-Fri 11 AM - 2 PM HELPING HANDS COALITION PO Box 1296 • 1339 Rhododendron Dr. Florence, OR 97439 Call 541-997-5057 to Volunteer Memory Loss Respite Center of Florence A place in Florence for loved ones suffering from memory loss needs volunteers. Please contact 541-902-8539 for more information. Join the Peace Harbor Hospital Volunteers. You will find an area of interest in a caring organization. Peace Harbor Volunteers 400 9th Street, Florence, OR 97439 541-997-8412 ext. 209 Meals on Wheels are available to people over the age of 60 who cannot get out much due to illness or advanced age and who are not eating properly, regardless of income. Cafe 60 is available for those who prefer to make new friends in a dining room setting. 1570 Kingwood • PO Box 2313, Florence 541-997-5673 laneseniormeals.org Operating Monday, Wednesday and Friday SOS is looking for a few great volunteers! We have morning opportunities available at the front desk! Spend a few hours each week greeting clients, answering the phone and helping our community. All training is provided. Call our Volunteer Coordinator- Lori @ 541-997-2816 Saving men one PSA test at a time. 541-997-6626 maribob@oregonfast.net Someone to talk to... who understands! To include your organization in this directory, please call us @ 541-997-3441