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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 2, 2017)
2 B SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2017 Florence to welcome Trail Blazers’ Rip City Relay Tour The Portland Trail Blazers and Moda Health have announced that the Fifth Annual Rip City Relay will include a stop in Florence. On Sept. 12, Florence will be the second stop on the week- long journey around the state for a team of Trail Blazers and Moda ambassadors to engage with Trail Blazers fans, help build healthier communities, and showcase the Trail Blazers as “Oregon’s Team.” An entire day of events is scheduled in Florence. As part of the Trail Blazers’ and Moda’s partnership to show- case healthy and active living, events will focus on providing activities for kids, including school assemblies and basket- ball clinics. The visit will conclude with a ceremonial flag raising with city officials, followed by the Rip City Fair, a free communi- ty gathering featuring activities for all ages from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Port of Siuslaw property in Old Town Florence. “The Rip City Relay will be an exciting event for Florence and ties in with the Chamber’s identity as “Oregon’s Coastal Playground” and the City of Florence’s “A City in Motion” theme,” says Chamber execu- tive director Bettina Hannigan. “We encourage Florence-area residents to get active and come down to the Old Town area and Port of Siuslaw property for the afternoon festivities.” Many Trail Blazers personal- M ARINE B OARD : R EMEMBER Labor Day Weekend is one of the top three boating week- ends of the year on many Oregon lakes and rivers, attracting thousands to the alluring banks and warmest water of the season. To keep things fun and safe, the Oregon State Marine Board suggests taking the time to plan your water getaway and stay safe with the following tips: • Don’t drink and boat. Boating is a great social activi- ty, but the Marine Board encourages boaters and persons floating on the waterways, to leave the alcohol on shore. It’s safer for everyone. If arrested for Boating Under the Influence of Intoxicants (BUII), violators can be fined up to $6,250; can lose boating privileges for up to three years and even serve jail time. • Know your waterway. “Be familiar with your surround- ings and always watch where you are going,” says Ashley Massey, Public Information Officer for the Marine Board. “Stumps, deadheads and sand and gravel bars can appear out of nowhere with water depth changes. Start out slow and get your bearings. Water levels around the state are low this time of year which means sand and gravel bars abound.” • Know what rules apply. “There are all types of water- craft on the market; some are considered boats and others are pool toys. Boats are designed differently, and by state law, have specific equipment ities will participate in different legs of the relay, including Trail Blazers TV broadcaster Lamar Hurd, courtside reporter Brooke Olzendam, radio broad- caster Brian Wheeler, Blaze the Trail Cat, the BlazerDancers, and more. The schedule of events for Tuesday, Sept. 12 includes: • Basketball Clinic — Siuslaw Middle School: Trail Blazers youth basketball coach- es take over a PE class to teach local kids how to play like the SAFE BOATING FOR requirements such as having enough properly fitted life jack- ets and a sound producing device, like a whistle. Attach the whistle to your life jacket and you’re set,” Massey adds. “If you plan to float the river, keep in mind that pool toys are designed for use in a swimming pool, have no directional con- trol, and can puncture easily. “If you are planning a relax- ing float, do so in a watercraft designed for the river; one which won’t easily puncture and comes properly equipped with a paddle so you can maneuver away from obstruc- tions.” • Wear your life jacket. Each boat (including canoes and kayaks, inflatable boats, Stand Up Paddleboards) must have a pros. • School Assembly — Siuslaw Elementary School: Trail Blazers personalities take over a school assembly for an hour of flair, fanfare and fun. • 4 p.m. Rip City Flag Raising — Port of Siuslaw Parking Lot: Florence Mayor Joe Henry joins Trail Blazers and Moda representatives to tip off the Rip City Fair with open- ing ceremonies. • 4to 6 p.m. Rip City Fair — Port of Siuslaw Parking Lot: L ABOR D AY properly fitting life jacket for each person on board and at least one sound producing device, like a whistle. Life jackets need to be in good shape and readily accessi- ble — not under a hatch or in its packaging. All youth younger than 13 must wear a life jacket when in a boat that's underway. U.S. Coast Guard statistics show that over half of all boating fatalities occur with small boats on calm waterways, in shallow water and sunny conditions. • Sit on the seat. The growth of wake surfing is luring many people to ride on the swim plat- form, stern, sides and the bow of unenclosed boats. The stern can be a dangerous place for exposure to carbon monoxide Fans are invited to this free community gathering from 4 to 6 p.m., featuring fun for the whole family, including the opportunity to interact and play basketball with Trail Blazers personalities, take photos with the 1977 NBA Championship trophy, and win game tickets and other prizes. For more information, visit Trailblazers.com/ripcityrelay or follow the relay’s progress on Twitter by using the hashtag #RipCityRelay. FUN IN THE SUN and a prop-strike safety hazard. It is illegal to ride on the bow, decks, gunwales or tran- soms of a motor boat when the boat is underway. Sitting on designated seats is the safest option — especially when the boat is towing someone. • Slow down and keep a sharp lookout. Know the boat- ing regulations for your area of operation. Always obey the “slow no-wake” buoys or signs. Boaters are responsible for their wake — including PWCs. Remember to slow down within 200 feet of a dock, launch ramp, marina, moorage, floating home or boathouse, pier or swim float. Be courteous with one anoth- er and share the waterway. Paddlers need to stay closer to shore and not operate in the main channel. Cross only when it is safe to do so. Marine officers will be on the water to assist boaters and help keep the waterways safe. The top violations so far this summer involve not having life jackets or children under 13 not wearing a life jacket, excessive speed, unsafe operation, failure to maintain a proper lookout, riding on the gunwales, deck or transom when a boat is under- way, and overloading. Massey adds, “It’s easier to relax and chill out when you've prepared and planned ahead.” For more information about equipment requirements, regu- lations and ideas on where to go boating, visit www.boatore gon.com. Oregon Parks and Recreation District seeking comments on camping rates SALEM — The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is propos- ing amendments to agency rules related to overnight camp- ing rates for state parks. A $2 per site increase in the base rate for overnight rental fees on select types of camp- sites was approved by the Oregon Legislature as part of the 2017-19 OPRD budget. The deadline for public com- ment on the amendments has been extended to Saturday, Sept. 15. The proposed rule will increase the base rate for yurts, cabins, full hook up, partial hook up, hiker-biker, equestrian and group sites. Tent site rates will not increase, which main- tains a lower cost option for park visitors. The proposed rule is aligned with the views expressed in park surveys that show visitors prefer smaller rate increases on a more frequent basis than a large fee increase in the future. Day-use parking pass prices will not increase. The full text of the amend- ment to Oregon Administrative Rule 736-015-0020 and 736- 015-0040 is available online at bit.ly/OregonStateParkRule making. Comments will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Sept. 15, and can be made online at bit.ly/OregonStatePark Rulemaking. Send written comments to: Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, attn.: Katie Gauthier, 725 Summer St NE, Suite C, Salem OR 97301; or email comments to OPRD. publiccomment@oregon.gov. After reviewing public com- ments, agency staff plan to present a final recommended rule for consideration by the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission at its Wednesday, Sept. 20 business meeting. If approved by the Commission, new rates would be effective Oct. 1, 2018. All Clothing & Books This Sunday & Monday September 3 & 4 Featuring American Graffiti Tribute Cars and the Copper Caddy Hot Rods Food Trucks Vendor Fair Presented by Special Thanks to our Event Sponsors Details @ Florencechamber.com/Events St. Vincent dePaul’s 2315 Hwy. 101 • Florence 541-997-8640
