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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 4, 2017)
SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2017 Food Share from 8A stages of a new fundraiser set tentatively for next September. I’m also looking for more grants for food. So, there’s money out there, I just have to find it.” While any one of these issues would create a challenge for food share, all three at once have cre- ated a considerable burden on the institution. It also shows that, like most nonprofits, food share is running on razor-thin margins. And the need is great. According to City of Florence officials, there is a housing crisis in the Siuslaw region, with home prices and rental rates skyrocket- ing. Many working residents are working low wage jobs that only provide minimum hours. To sup- plement this, they work two to three jobs just to cover costs. Even with that, some of these workers live in their cars or tents in friend’s yards. Some senior residents are find- ing that programs like Social Security are stretched too thin, with more than 70 percent of their income going to rent alone. This often does not include the cost of utilities. These economic factors have placed additional stress on pro- grams like Florence Food Share, as its purpose is not to provide full time food for families, but to supplement them in hard times. “Food share really helps those people who are either the work- ing poor or the unemployed or seniors on a fixed income,” Barton said. “It helps them so they don’t have to choose between getting prescription medication or eating, or choosing between paying their heating bill during the winter bill or eating. Because of us they can do both.” But as wages go down and rent rises, people are relying on these programs more and more for everyday survival. But this does not mean that these programs are giving up. Florence Food Share President Rick Klessig said, “I know we’re at that lean time of year where funds are low for operating expenses. The pantry is doing fine. I know typically things will pick up as the season progresses. “I would encourage the com- munity to remember, during this season, that we need food for the shelves, we need cash for operat- ing expenses. ... We do the best we can to fill a need. We always need resources.” He said that nonprofit organi- zations often have to “roll with the punches,” especially as need grows among the people food share serves. Barton also refuses to give in to despair about their setbacks. “When I’m asked if food share is in danger, that thought never crosses my mind,” Barton said. “I can’t let it cross my mind.” The people she serves at food share require that she keep her optimism. “It’s hard for me when I see somebody who could be my son walking through here, it breaks my heart,” Barton said. “For the elderly that are coming through here, that could be my mom or my dad on a fixed income, and they have no choice. I thank God we’re here for them.” Upcoming fundraising events for Florence Food Share include the 17th annual Food Share Pounding on Saturday, Nov. 18, at Grocery Outlet, 2066 Highway 101. The 22nd annual Empty Bowls Fundraiser will be held Friday through Saturday, Dec. 1 to 3, at the Florence Events Center, 715 Quince Street. For more information or to inquire about volunteering or donating, visit florence foodshare.org. 9 A Apply for Soroptimist ‘Dream’ grant by Nov. 15 Don’t miss the chance to apply for the Soroptimist International Club of Florence’s annual “Live Your Dream Award.” These awards are for women who are head-of- household and want to fur- ther their education. The funds are given directly to Planning the individual to help with living expenses while attend- ing school. The application period is open now through Nov. 15. An application can be found online at soroptimist. org/liveyourdreamawards.ht ml. The “Live Your Dream” link contains information about eligibility, a video and instructions for the applica- tion process. A local woman was award- ed a $1,000 grant by the Florence Soroptimists and her application was forward- ed to the Soroptimist International of the Americas Northwest Region to be included in a pool for an additional award. She was then selected to receive an additional award of $1,500. For more information about the award or filling out the application, call Nancy Bosket at 541-902-7250 or email siflorence@soropt imist.net. be more actively involved in Florence, is also inadequate for current needs. According to Langborg, the station houses critical equip- ment that will be needed in the event of a Cascadia subduction zone earthquake. However, since it resides in the tsunami zone along the Siuslaw River, it is ineligible for necessary seismic retrofitting. “It is my recommendation that both districts work togeth- er to address these problems by creating a joint facility,” Langborg said. In his report, the chief direc- tor evaluated the ongoing inte- gration of SVFR and WLAD under the IGA. “It is my opinion that the IGA is successful,” he said. “Both districts have made tremendous gains this past year and service levels are improving.” Recommendations from the management teams from both organizations were included in the information given to the directors, including one final, significant point — it was time to begin conversations about the eventual merging of the two districts. The current IGA establishes a shared administration for the fire and ambulance districts, but operations remain sepa- rate. Langborg said, “I believe it is time to begin discussing our future and determine what our future could look like if the two districts were to move towards an operational merg- er.” starting the service, but we still plan to hold the pilot project for the full 12 months. It’s the right thing to do to ensure that the selected vendor is the best fit for the service and for the community they will be serv- ing.” Fortunately, the funding for the pilot program, $290,110, has been secured as part of a larger block grant. This money will be available to purchase the vehicle as soon as it has been selected and approved by LTD management. Lang and other LTD offi- cials are eager to begin transit service between Lane and Lincoln counties and feel the delays, while regrettable, are all part of initiating a new service line. “We can’t wait to share more details as they are made available. We plan to provide broad outreach in anticipation of the date we begin service,” Lang said. For more information about LTD and its services, visit LTD.org. from 1A the delivery of EMS. It is time WLAD employees suggest- ed renewing operations meet- ings and improving internal communications. They also suggested having another open house as a way of communi- cating more directly with the public. Later in the day, Langborg presented a summation of the reports from both departments and made recommendations to the directors that focused on the future of the two organiza- tions. “The fire district needs to take a greater role in EMS,” Langborg said. “The members of SVFR want this and our community expects it. It is unusual for a fire district not to that SVFR reconsider our involvement and determine what our role should be.” Another major concern for Langborg is the inadequacy of the WLAD facility near PeaceHealth Medical Center on Ninth St. This concern was repeated in comments from both WLAD and SVFR employees, and the stakeholders identified the facility as a priority. “The ambulance district does not meet our current needs,” Langborg said. “The replacement and/or remodel of this facility has been discussed for years.” He added that SVFR Station 2, located next to Florence City Hall in Historic Old Town tion process for the “vendor,” Transit from 1A or company, that will be Lang continued, “It is also because of the purchase of the vehicle. The procurement process in government is very deliberate, which makes it lengthy. This is because we have to comply with FTA (Federal Transit Administration) standards and regulations, as well as be good stewards of public funds.” To a lesser degree, LTD’s delay is also due to the selec- awarded the contract to oper- ate and manage the as yet unnamed Florence to Yachats route. “Because we’ve had such a great response from prospec- tive service providers, we need to be fair and equitable in choosing who will be deliver- ing service during the pilot project,” Lang said. “To do so requires us to undergo a pro- curement process that length- ens our overall timeline for THIS WEEK ON THE COAST A W EEKLY L ISTING OF C OMMUNITY E VENTS IN THE F LORENCE A REA S UBMIT ALL E VENTS I NFORMATION VIA E MAIL TO P RESS R ELEASES @T HE S IUSLAW N EWS . COM Nov. 4 Falling Leaves Bazaar Sponsored by St. Mary’s Women’s Guild 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Open to public St. Mary Our Lady of The Dunes 85060 Highway 101 Pre-holiday Country Store 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Open to public Florence United Methodist Church K9Genius Academy Grand Opening 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., 2 p.m. ribbon cutting Open to the public and leashed dogs 1790 Highway 101 in Florence 541-590-5131 Sol Seed Reggae/Fusion Music Night 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. $10 cover Bay Street Grille 1341 Bay St. Nov. 5 Florence Ukulele Club “The Flukes” 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. – Beginners 3 to 4 p.m. – Song Circle for all levels All welcome – Loaner ukes available Siuslaw Public Library janetwellington@charter.net LRP Presents “Annie” 7 p.m. Tickets required Florence Events Center Open to public Florence City Hall ci.florence.or.us Nov. 7 Free Healthcare Assistance 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Department of Human Services Office 3180 Highway 101 in Florence 541-337-0661 Nov. 8 Dunes City Council Meeting 6 to 8 p.m. Open to public Dunes City Hall 82877 Spruce St., Westlake Nov. 9 Nov. 6 Florence, Lane County Dems Meet 1 p.m. Open to public Florence Senior Center Last Resort Players Present “Annie” 7 p.m. Tickets required Florence Events Center eventcenter.org Melody Ann Beaudro P RINCIPAL B ROKER Licensed in the state of Oregon 1749 Hwy. 101 Cell: 541-991-2151 Melody@trhunter.com www.trhunter.com TR HUNTER CUSTOM ENGRAVING & CUTTING Free Healthcare Assistance Oregon Health Plan insurance enrollment and renewal 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Department of Human Services Office 3180 Highway 101 in Florence 541-337-0661 Florence City Council Meeting 5:30 p.m. Siuslaw Friendship Club Meeting Guest speaker Mike Bones 11 a.m. Open to public Shorewood Retirement Residence 1451 Spruce St. Nov. 10 Coastal Women Veterans Luncheon 11:30 a.m. Open to all women veterans Shorewood Retirement Residence 1451 Spruce St. 541-997-1249, towanda1249@yahoo.com LRP Presents “Annie” 7 p.m. Tickets required Florence Events Center Nov. 11 Veterans Day Ceremony 9 to 11 a.m. Open to public Florence Elks Lodge Wise Woman Emerging Workshop 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. $75 workshop Yachats Commons 541-610-2677 Handmade Holiday Gift Gallery 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Open to public The Studios at Jayne Smoley Design 1458 First St. Florence Veteran’s Day Parade 541-997-5691 541-361-9080 jmirvis@charter.net Florence, Oregon Veteran’s Day Social 4 to 5 p.m. Meet Spruce Point veterans Spruce Point Assisted Living 375 Ninth St. 541-997-6111 2nd Saturday Gallery Tour 3 to 5 p.m. Open to public Various locations in Historic Old Town Florence and Uptown 101 2ndSaturdayGalleryTour.com LRP Presents “Annie” 7 p.m. Tickets required Florence Events Center Nov. 10 to 12 17th Yachats Celtic Music Festival Tickets required for most events yachatscelticmusicfestival.org MM Piano Studio ESTATE JEWELRY AND ANTIQUE FURNITURE!!! Mary Morganti We buy, sell and consign quality estate/heirloom jewelry & furniture. Gold, silver, platinum jewelry with precious & semi precious stones. Auto, Home, Life, Business Flood, Antique Auto, RV’s Medicare Advantage Plans Medicare Supplements Health Insurance Call 541-997-8104, Florence Antiques Phone (541) 997-9497 1234 Rhododendron Dr / Florence CCB# 55030 County Transfer & Recycling Teacher-Pianist Accompanist Commerical • Residential Weekly, Bi-Weekly, Monthly, One Time Pick-Up. Private Lessons in Florence for Ages 6-Adult. Easy curb side recycling program- No additional costs to our customers. 5078 Coastwood Lane Call us at 541-997-8233 FLORENCE Awards • Plaques • Name Badges Gifts • Signage • Glassware Grand Marshals – Korean War Veterans 2 p.m. All patriotic groups and individuals are welcome to participate Open to public Historic Old Town Florence Glass For Every Purpose 1780 Kingwood St. 541-997-8526 Great prices on all top national brands! 685-A Hwy 101, Florence, OR. 541-997-3273 Member MTNA and OMTA Call or Email 520.850.3563 m maryjo3663@msn.com Village Grooming 4981 Highway 101, across Munsel Lake Rd 541-305-5411 Call for appointment
