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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (June 6, 2018)
10A | WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 2018 | SIUSLAW NEWS Last Resort Players celebrates 25th anniversary T he spring of 1993 was an exciting time in Florence. There was a new hospital, a new Siuslaw Library, and, most inter- esting of all, plans for building an all-purpose event center were afoot. Bob Barker, a local res- ident with years of experience in theater, had urged that the building include a full theater complete with fly loft and full backstage facilities. Fundraising was in full swing. At that time, the only venues for shows and concerts were the Siuslaw High School, the Elks Club and various churches. There was no place to hold large expositions and exhibits. Barker had an idea that a pop- ular play combined with an ex- hibit by local artists could help raise awareness of the need for a municipal facility and possibly money as well. Thus was born the Florence Performing and Fine Arts Festival. A large metal truss supported tent (60’ x 40’) was erected by a STAR from page 9A If the primaries were done away with, and the ballot had Trump, Clinton, Sanders, Ru- bio, Ted Cruz and others, per- haps the election would go be- yond just tactical voting and become something more sub- stantive. “I think that psychology is a big part of it,” Roberts said. “By giving people a new method of voting that allows them more expression on each candidate, I think psychologically it will break some people out of that trap where they feel like they have to vote for that person because the system is rigged to elect that person.” That’s not to say that STAR would create a Trump loss or give another candidate like Sanders a win. The results could stay the same. But Roberts be- lieved the process could help quell the divisive political party politics that has enveloped the nation over the years. Instead of voting for a party, people could just vote for individuals they think would just do a good job. Original cast of the ‘Loggers Lament’ crane, a stage was set up at one end with seating for about 100 spectators and a juried art show exhibition area in the rear. There were only two problems: there was no heat and no way to se- cure the tent at night. The second problem was more easily solved than the first. An RV was parked by the tent and several of us took turns spending the night in it as se- curity guards — interrupted at intervals during the night when the real Florence police cruised by. Heat was another issue alto- gether. The first annual Florence Per- how each candidate gets their name out to the public will still be based on campaign do- nations. “Money will still be a huge component,” Roberts said. “We do run into people who say that the number one problem is money in politics, and ask why we aren’t working on that. We understand that, and we do see that as a huge problem. “Because it’s such an enor- mous task to work on money and politics that, rather than redirecting energy into ending Citizens United, we believe that this is something that is a small- er chunk of change that we have the capacity to effect here local- ly in our area. Rather than just being overwhelmed by money in politics, we believe this is an achievable goal here locally. It is a step toward freeing people to vote for their favorite candi- dates, which is huge.” And there are still questions about how STAR will be im- plemented in the future. Right now, it is for non-partisan rac- es. What will it look like when it gets into more heated, and financially backed, races state- wide? Will people become confused in how to use the system? And will they trust the mathematical algorithms used in the runoff? That’s something for the voters to decide in November, when STAR is expected to be placed on the Lane County bal- lot. For more information about the process, or to sign the peti- tion to get STAR on November’s ballot, visit www.starlane.us or www.equal.vote. Beyond Lane County, STAR is also running a twin campaign in Multnomah County. opened the Florence Events Center with “Music Man” in the fall of 1996 and have nev- er looked back. We became the center’s resident company, tra- ditionally performing a musical on the first two weekends of November and two plays in the spring and summer. Be sure to see the LRP’s latest offering, “A Nice Family Gath- ering,” opening at the Florence Events Center on June 8. Written by Phil Olsen and directed by Judy Kaplan, this family comedy is guaranteed to make you laugh and maybe even shed a tear or two. It’s the story of a man who loved his wife so much, he al- most told her. Performances are Friday and Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. June 8 to 10 and 15 to 17. Tickets are $18 and are avail- able at www.eventcenter.org or the FEC box office at 541-997- 1994. Let Paul show you a new car or truck. Stop by today! Has it been 5 years or more since your tank was pumped? Then it’s time! Call us to today to schedule an appointment. Check Saturday’s paper for a coupon good on your next service. Lowest Prices Guaranteed—We will match any competitors price ! 541-997-8885 2150 Hwy. 101 • Florence (541) 997-3475 • 1-800-348-3475 Visit us online: www.TheSiuslawNews.com Let me Showcase your property. New Listing A First Step STAR wouldn’t be the end- all-be-all to fixing voting in America. It’s just a first step. “I think it’s a powerful, rev- olutionary first step,” Roberts said. “I don’t think it’s a cure-all patch for everything, but I think it’s absolutely a step in the right direction for our voting meth- od. Whatever changes need to be made to go along side of it, we can address those one at a time.” Even if money could be saved by not doing primaries, forming and Fine Arts Festival took place in September — and if you’ve ever camped out on the Oregon coast at that time of year, you know what the nights are like. WE FROZE! Actors and audience alike. Trying to solve the problem with generators only made things worse. The au- dience could hardly hear us over the roar. But all agreed that the first venture of what was to become the Last Resort Players was a success. Our festival was even- tually able to contribute $5,000 toward the building of the Flor- ence Events Center, 715 Quince St. And here we are 25 years later celebrating a quarter of a centu- ry run as the Last Resort Players! We shared the tent during the day in 1993 with the fourth An- nual Family Farm Music Festival and on Sunday morning with an Ecumenical Church Service and Gospel Music Fest. The Last Resort Players Dan Gilday Broker 541 554-1844 NEED TO MOVE? NEED TO DOWNSIZE? FEELING OVERWELMED? WE CAN HELP! 2131 Royal St Georges Dr – Great location in gated community near Florence Golf Links. This 1625 sqft home has 2 bdrms, 2 baths with an op- tional 3rd bdrm. Open concept with lots of light. Master to patio and landscaped backyard. New carpet and new paint inside and out. Turn-key condition. $328,500. #2839-18617473 1749 Highway 101 • 541-997-1200 Join us for a Free Seminar! WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13TH AT 4:00 PM at the FLORENCE SENIOR CENTER 1570 KINGWOOD Speakers will be : Cindy Wobbe of Jeannine, RNCC Rob Shepherd, “Senior Real Estate Specialist” Sponsored by: Rob Shepherd ABR, GRI, SRES Principal Broker 1625 12th Street, Florence