Jumpstart creativity at annual writing boot camp
T
he Florence Regional Arts Alli-
ance (FRAA) welcomes writers of
all levels and genres to join “Writers on
the River” for another exciting year of
literary classes and events.
Get down to the brass tacks of cre-
ative writing with this fun workshop
designed to bring out the Navy Seal
writer in you! The 2018 Writing Boot
Camp will take place on Saturday, Jan.
20, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, at the
FRAA Art Center classroom on 120
Maple St. in Historic Old Town.
Offered just once a year, this expe-
riential Writing Boot Camp will help
writers define their goals for the New
Year; unleash their true voice within;
develop a regular writing practice with
tools to fuel their creativity; empower
their writing with simple techniques;
get back into the writing flow and stay
there all year, with proven strategies for
success.
Boot Camp includes plenty of writing
drills, so be prepared to drop and write
20 sentences!
No two workshops are ever alike, so
it offers a great refresher for prior at-
tendees to flex their creative muscles.
Grab your pen and ditty bag and enlist
now.
Classes fill up quickly; pre-regis-
tration is suggested. Cost: $20 FRAA
members, $25 non-members, payable
at the door. To register, call Catherine
at 541-708-2120 or e-mail CJReditor@
gmail.com.
Visit www.fraaoregon.org/ for more
information.
Meet your drill sergeant: FRAA cre-
ative writing instructor Catherine J.
Rourke is an award-winning journalist,
columnist, author and editor educated
at the City University of New York, the
University of Oxford/England and the
Walter Cronkite School of Journalism.
PHOTOS COURTESY CATHERINE ROURKE
With more than 30 years’ experience as
Award-winning journalist
a staff editor and writer for newspapers,
Catherine Rourke stands
magazines and major publishers, she
at the head of the class
now serves as a book editor for Amazon
during a Writers on the
in print and digital formats.
River seminar. The next
The author of “Forgive Us Our Press
class, Jan. 20, will be a
Passes — Confessions of a Modern-Day
“boot camp” inspired two- Muckraker,” Rourke is the recipient of
hours of writing instruc-
a 2017 National First Place press award
tion.
for her columns in the Siuslaw News.
S OUTH C OAST F OLK S OCIETY OFFERS DANCE
Th e South Coast Folk Society will host
a free traditional dance class every Mon-
day for two hours starting at 7 p.m. at
the North Bend Housing Authority, 1700
Monroe St.
Th e public is welcome. Th is is a begin-
ner’s level class, and a friendly social gath-
ering. No previous dance experience is
required. All ages and abilities can enjoy
dancing to the live music provided by area
musicians.
Th e dances will be taught, and no part-
ner is needed.
Th e emphasis will be on easy tradition
dances from America and around the
world. Th ese include squares and circles,
line dances and set dances, folk dances and
ballroom. Many of the dances will be ac-
companied by live music, and musicians
are invited to come and join in.
Light refreshments will be served.
For more information, email south-
coastfolksociety@gmail.com or call Paul at
541-404-8267.
Journey to ‘Paris’ to support animals
Mark your calendar for Saturday, Jan.
27, for “Paws in Paris,” a premier event to
benefi t the Oregon Coast Humane Society.
Th e Florence Events Center, 715 Quince St.,
doors open at 3 p.m. for an aft ernoon of a
taste of Paris with chocolate, wine and art.
When you arrive, imagine hearing tra-
ditional café music, indulging in wine and
numerous chocolate treats from a choco-
late fountain. Stroll through the famous
Montmartre and watch renowned painter
Michael F. Wood paint animal portraits.
One, valued at $3,000, will go on auction.
As you move through the streets, you will
be transported to the Eiff el Tower for a vin-
tage photo op. On to the stalls of the Marché
— Paris’ famous fl ea market, where you will
be able to purchase items and participate in
a silent auction bidding. A live auction will
feature bigger items.
Tickets are available in advance for $25,
or for $27 at the door.
For more information, visit eventcenter.
org or call 541-997-1994.
Submit events by the 15th:
PRESSRELEASES @
THESIUSLAWNEWS . COM
6 • COAST CENTRAL • Arts & Entertainment • JANUARY 2018
Florence Area
D INING
1. 1285 RESTOBAR
1285 Bay Street
Florence, OR
(541) 902-8338
www.1285restobar.com
4. INTERNATIONAL
C-FOOD MARKET
1498 Bay Street
Old Town Florence
(541) 997-9646
2. A&W FAMILY
RESTAURANT
17th & Hwy. 101
Florence, OR
(541) 997-8124
5. The Grill & Lounge
a t S a n d p i n e s
1201 35th Street at
Kingwood, Florence
01 & 35 St.
Highway 101
23
541-997-4623
6. Bridgewater Fish House
and Zebra Bar
1297 Bay Street
Old Town Florence
541-997-1133
bridgewaterfi shhouse.com
3. SURFSIDE RESTAURANT
AT DRIFTWOOD SHORES
RESORT & CONFERENCE
CENTER
88416 1st Avenue
Florence, OR
(541) 997-8263
1-800-422-5091
L ODGING
A. DRIFTWOOD SHORES RESORT & CONFERENCE
CENTER
88416 1ST AVENUE
FLORENCE, OR.
541-997-8263
1-800-422-5091
B. OLD TOWN INN
170 HWY. 101
FLORENCE, OR
800 587-5879
www.old-town-inn.com
C. RIVERHOUSE INN
1202 BAY STREET
FLORENCE, OR
888 824-2752
www.riverhousefl orence.com