SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2017
Free press-release writing
workshop offered June 24
Writing
a
Saturday, June 24,
press release, or
from 10 to 11:30
public service
a.m., at the Port
announcement
Hole
Publishing
(PSA), to submit
office, 179 Laurel
to a newspaper
St., in Old Town
or online media
Florence.
source requires
“The workshop
certain elements
will be a great
to improve the
opportunity
for
Ned Hickson
likelihood of it
publicists and indi-
getting printed or posted.
viduals from local organiza-
During a free one-hour tions of all kinds to get the
workshop led by Siuslaw basics on effective press
News editor Ned Hickson, release writing in a fun and
participants will learn the relaxed setting,” said Hickson.
proper formatting of press “As editor, I see hundreds of
releases, including elements of press releases each week,
Associated Press style that are many of which make the same
utilized by media outlets mistakes. I’m looking forward
around the world.
to helping folks improve their
The workshop will cover press release writing, which
what to include in a press benefits everyone.”
release as well as what to leave
Though the workshop is
out; effective PSA structure; free, pre-registration is appre-
standard photo formatting ciated by emailing nhickson@
used by media outlets; how to thesiuslawnews.com.
contact media outlets and
Workshop seating is limited
which formats are preferred by to 25 and, if necessary, a sec-
editors when receiving sub- ond workshop can be sched-
missions.
uled the same day.
The workshop, sponsored
For more information, con-
by Siuslaw News and Port tact Hickson at Siuslaw News
Hole Publishing, will be held by calling 541-902-3520.
Center seeks kitchen manager
The
Florence
Senior
Center, a nonprofit organiza-
tion, is looking for a part-
time kitchen manager and
cook for Tuesdays and
Thursdays.
In addition to a kitchen
manager, the center is also
in need of volunteer servers
and waiters.
If interested, stop by the
Florence Senior Center,
1570 Kingwood Dr., and pick
up an application, or call 541-
997-8844 for more informa-
tion.
COMING SOON!
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5101 Colter Street
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100 Highway 101
Florence, OR 97439
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Visit us online: www.TheSiuslawNews.com.
Library
Tidings
News about
the Siuslaw
Public Library
Library Tidings,
a regular feature
of the Siuslaw News,
features news about
upcoming Siuslaw
Public Library pro-
grams for adults and
children, new books
and videos, and
other library news of
interest to the com-
munity.
Library Tidings by
Kevin Mittge
Adult Services
Librarian
Siuslaw Public Library
(541) 997-3134
“Radium Girls”
by Kate Moore
Guest Book Review
by Linda Weight
When the Curies discovered
radium in 1898, they probably
had no idea that within a few
years, hucksters and greedy
industrialists would find so
many ways to take advantage of
radium’s unique properties,
despite a lack of knowledge
about its dangers.
Radium was added to cos-
metics, tonic waters, tooth paste
and even food items. It was
billed as a “wonder drug.”
Plus, it glowed in the dark.
When a chemist developed a
paint containing radium that he
named “Undark” for luminous
watch and clock dials, he found-
ed the United States Radium
Corporation (USRC), and soon
had a thriving business.
It took a delicate, careful
touch to apply the luminescent
paint to watch dials. Help want-
ed ads for USRC advertised
positions for young women to
work in a “watch studio.”
It was a far more glamorous
job than working in a factory,
and USRC paid more. The girls
were instructed to dip the fine
camel hair brushes in the paint,
then use their lips to put a point
on the brush, then paint the
number. Lip, dip, paint, repeat.
In addition to the radium they
ingested from putting the brush-
es in their mouth hundreds of
times a day, the radium powder
was in the air, getting in their
hair and all over their clothes.
As the girls walked home at
night, they glowed in the dark.
At first it was a lark for the
girls. They had enough money
to buy nice clothes and they
were young, healthy and care-
free.
But in a few years, first one,
and then many more began to
develop strange symptoms and
health problems. Then they
began to die.
“Radium Girls” is their story.
Beautifully written, carefully
researched, both sad and uplift-
ing, it recounts their history-
making struggle to gain recom-
pense for their suffering and to
change labor laws.
Cuba in Transition
Local residents Vicki Sieber-
Benson and Bill Benson will be
offering a photographic presen-
tation of a recent trip to Cuba on
Saturday, June 24, at 1 p.m.
The couple visited Cuba,
learned about the culture, met
the people, enjoyed viewing the
classic cars that have been kept
5 A
running during the long U.S.
embargo and were also there at
the time that Communist leader
Fidel Castro died, so watched
portions of his funeral.
This program is part of Adult
Summer Reading and open to
everyone interested in a country
“in transition.”
Retirement Party for
librarian Linda Weight
If you haven’t heard, long-
time (31 years!) library employ-
ee Linda Weight will be retiring
at the end of this month.
Linda has maintained the
library’s computer system,
coordinated the volunteers,
worked the reference desk, par-
ticipated in collection develop-
ment and had many more
responsibilities.
The Friends of the Library is
holding an open house retire-
ment party for Linda on
Saturday, June 24, from 3:30 to
5:30 p.m. in the Bromley Room.
Light refreshments will be
available, as will a “memory
jar” that will hold written mem-
ories that members of the com-
munity are encouraged to
record of Linda’s time here at
the library.
This event is open to all who
wish to come and say thanks to
Linda Weight.
Mapleton students help clear Scotch broom
Recently, 27 Mapleton sev-
enth- and eighth-graders from
Jay Blake’s class worked hard
in the rain to remove Scotch
broom plants at Heceta Dunes.
They were assisted by parents
and staff from the Siuslaw
Watershed Council and the
Siuslaw National Forest.
The Oregon Dunes are being
encroached by a number of
invasive species threatening
the open sand dunes, as well as
the native plants and wildlife
that live in the ecosystem.
The
Oregon
Dunes
Restoration
Collaborative
(ODRC), a group of represen-
tatives from federal and state
agencies, educators and private
citizens, has been established
to work on this issue.
“We appreciate the students
coming out when they did,
before the Scotch broom
dropped this year’s seeds,
which would have brought
COURTESY PHOTO
Mapleton Middle School seventh- and eighth-graders prepare to clear Scotch broom.
more plants,” said Matt Smith,
botanist with the Siuslaw
National Forest.
There will be two more
Scotch Broom Challenge
events to work on removing
Scotch broom at Heceta Dunes.
One will be Monday, June
19, from 10 a.m. to noon, and
the other will be Saturday, July
15, from 10 a.m. to noon, in
conjunction with the Power of
Florence.
Feel free to come out and
help. Bring hand saws, loppers,
gloves and water. Meet at the
intersection of Joshua Lane and
Nautilus Drive.
For more information, visit
www.facebook.com/groups/11
34092336613446.
Library to showcase WLCF seeks education
work from local artists scholarship candidates
Siuslaw Public Library is
featuring new art.
Painter Jane Rincon is
showing a collection of her
watercolors. In her repertoire
you will find windswept
beach scenes, detailed shore
birds, animals, landscapes,
architectural pieces and vivid
abstracts.
Rincon’s watercolors blend
fine detailing in her birds with
her loose and vibrant
abstracts. She loves to add
texture through collage.
In the case is a lovely dis-
play by Lavona Wylie, a well
known local basket weaver.
Wylie makes her own
weaving materials and incor-
porates shells, feathers, beads
and other materials into her
designs.
Lavona has been creating
for many years, and her
expertise is evident in the
assortment of beautiful woven
pieces.
This outstanding display
can be viewed through the
month of June at Siuslaw
Public Library,
which is
located at 1460 9th St. in
Florence.
Western Lane Community
Foundation is pleased to
announce that its third annual
Continuing
Education
Scholarships program for
2017 includes eight scholar-
ships totaling $10,500.
These scholarships are
awarded annually and are
designed
for
students
who use permanent home
addresses
within
the
Florence/Mapleton school
district, have graduated from
high school in a prior year,
have obtained their GED,
and/or other nontraditional
students, such as those who
were home schooled and are
eligible to enter higher educa-
tion or trade schools.
Applicants such as second,
third, and fourth-year college
students, students entering
post-graduate programs, or
adults returning to higher
education, trade schools or
special arts programs after
career or family changes are
also encouraged to apply.
Scholarships are available
for traditional four-year uni-
versities, colleges, communi-
ty colleges and approved
trade schools.
While academic achieve-
ment is one criteria used in
determining recipients, other
qualifying
characteristics
include financial need, out-
side activities, work history
and volunteerism, to name a
few.
One of the scholarships is
in the amount of $3,000 and
is designed for a student
majoring
in
a
Lane
Community College (LCC)
nursing program or taking
credits for admission to the
Nursing Program either in
Eugene or Florence.
Those who meet the mini-
mum qualifications are
encouraged to complete an
application, accompanied by
a copy of their transcript of
grades through senior year of
high school or any completed
post high school education,
two letters of recommenda-
tion, and a resume including
honors and awards, clubs,
community service and work
history for the last five years.
Applications
can
be
obtained online or at LCC
and application packets may
be submitted on line, or by
mail.
Please use wlcf@wlcfon-
line.org or P.O. Box 1589,
Florence, OR 97439.
The deadline for post mark
or receipt of the completed
application is June 30, 2017.
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