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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 25, 2018)
SIUSLAW NEWS | SATURDAY, AUGUST 25, 2018 | 9A Spirituali-Tea to seek Wood carving by Dan Hefferon on exhibit at Chamber ‘Eudaimonia’ Monday Those interested in dis- cussing diverse spiritual ideas in an atmosphere of respect and inquisitiveness are in- vited to join a group that has been meeting for years at 875 Seventh St., beginning at 6:30 p.m. This week’s topic will be eu- daimonia. When Varun Soni, dean of religious life at USC, was in college, he embarked on a spiritual journey to find hap- piness. As part of his journey, he spent a semester living in a Buddhist monastery in Bodh Gaya, India, studying Bud- dhist philosophy, scripture and practice. It was there that he first en- countered Buddha’s First No- ble Truth: Life is suffering and to live is to suffer. But what connects us as hu- man beings is our shared de- sire to be free from suffering. He eventually realized that happiness was the wrong goal for him, and in some ways, it was a trap. He found that hap- piness arises, and ceases based on external conditions that are often beyond control. What he was really seeking was equanimity, a calm and resilient state that is beyond happiness, and that emerges from internal conditions that are often within control. He went on to say that folks are looking to thrive in their lives, they are looking for well-being and a sense of be- longing, they are looking for meaning and purpose, for sig- nificance and authenticity, for joy and inspiration. And ultimately, they are try- ing to embody what ancient Greek philosophers called eudaimonia, a state of human flourishing and peak perfor- mance in the art of living. He found that in terms of achieving eudaimonia, spiri- tuality and science are now in agreement: The single most important factor for human flourishing is the cultivation of loving and enduring rela- tionships. The depth and quality of our loving relationships deter- mines how we feel about our lives, and so the best way for us to achieve eudamonia is to spend time living meaningful- ly and sharing life experiences with the people we love. All are welcomed to bring their thoughts for a lively dis- cussion. At the end of the gather- ing, the group will read all the prayer requests that have been left in the Prayer Pole in the garden of the Florence Play- house, 208 Laurel St. Dan “Heffy” Heffron of Hef- fy’s Gallery is this month’s fea- tured artist at the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce’s Visi- tors Center. “This is incredible wood carving, true artistry,” said Chamber Executive Director Bettina Hannigan. “There’s a table-sized turtle that’s just gor- geous, plus some stunning wa- tercolor paintings by Jowanna Gosselin.” Heffy’s Gallery is presenting 18 pieces of exceptional wood carvings and Gosselin’s water- colors throughout August. He specializes in wood burning sculpture and using unusual burl woods. “The turtle took three and a half months and its shell is made from a lightning-strike maple burl from Michigan,” ex- plained Heffron. Heffron has been carving wood professionally for more than 40 years but engaged in the building trades and logging industry in his native Michigan “to support his habit.” “Heffy is a new chamber member and is already working to make a difference for Flor- ence and the chamber,” Han- nigan said. Heffron is self-taught and makes his own tools for his unique style, and plans to offer carving and sculpting classes, in wood and stone, soon. He loves combing the local beaches after winter storms for the best materials. He opened Heffy’s Gallery on July 4, at 1856 37th St., be- hind Linda’s Thrift Shop at 37th Street and Highway 101. The 1,000-plus square-foot shop features about 170 pieces of Heffron’s work, including a carving of a golden eagle with an eight-foot wingspan. The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. COURTESY PHOTO The wood carving of artist Dan ‘Heffy’ Heffron will be on dis- play at the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce Visitors Cen- ter through August. FUUF ponders vision of future at next meeting On Sunday, Aug. 26, from 10 to 11 a.m., Dr. Ruth Miller will deliver the message titled “La- bor in the Emerging Culture: A Vision for the Future.” The meeting will be held at the Florence Unitarian Univer- salist Fellowship (FUUF). As Labor Day weekend ap- proaches, Dr. Miller said she sees a western industrial cul- ture that has reached a turning point: human labor produces less than machine labor, and there are fewer jobs for those who work with their hands than for those who work with their heads. Karl Marx predict- ed this time, and it has come. “What does that mean for the future?” Dr. Miller will share historical and economic trends that suggest a different kind of culture is emerging, in which both labor and management shift radically, and offer a vision of a culture that honors all peo- ple and all effort. FUUF, located at 87738 Highway 101 at Heceta Beach Rd., is wheelchair accessible. Each service concludes with refreshments and a dialogue circle to explore the questions that come up during each wor- ship service. For more information, visit www.florenceuuf.org. from page 1A cial culture (bugs) were being washed out of the clarifier into higher levels of E. coli and en- our effluent discharge stream terococcus bacteria discharged and rendering the UV disin- into the Siuslaw River..” fec-tion system less effective Mike Miller is Public Works during the peak flow period,” Director for Florence and is re- Miller said. “We believe that the sponsible for the proper oper- current extended dry and warm ation of the Wastewater Treat- weather pattern played a role in ment Plant. the unwanted bacterial growth.” Miller reports that he is Miller went on to explain that working closely with staff to staff has been very proactive in correct the unexpected bacteria their response to the increase in problem. harmful bacteria outflow from “The peak flow periods for the plant and the latest test re- the wastewater plant are typi- sults indicate the bacteria is in cally 10 a.m. until 11 p.m. Our retreat. issue during this last week was Messmer said city staff have that the filamentous bacteria taken water quality samples in had uncontrolled growth in the the affected area, upstream on treatment system, creating a sit- the Siuslaw River and down- uation where the plant’s benefi- stream on the Siuslaw River. Notices have been posted to ad- vise the public of the potential hazards and to avoid contact with the water. “The public is highly advised to thoroughly cook any shell- fish harvested in the imme- diate vicinity of the Florence Wastewater Treatment Plant and to take universal precau- tions by washing hands with soap and clean water,” Messmer said. “Our dedicated and highly trained wastewater treatment staff are working hard to restore the biological balance so that the plant can quickly return to normal operations.” Miller added that the while the process taken to address the bacteria situation at the plant has begun, it may take a bit lon- ger than hoped to completely rectify itself. “The good news is that recent fecal coliform test results of the wastewater plant effluent was well below our discharge per- mit parameters. Additionally, our test results for the Siuslaw River upstream, downstream and at the discharge outfall area indicated no measurable organ- isms per 100 ml of water for fecal coliform. One test result is not necessarily an actual per- mit violation, however we feel strongly that being good stew- ards of our natural resources, it is better to be proactive in no- tifying the public of a possible or potential health concern,” Miller said. CITY Saturday, September 8, 2018 At Florence Golf Links Florence, Oregon Sponsored by A Charity Golf Tournament To Benefit SIUSLAW OUTREACH SERVICES FUNDS RAISED WILL GO TO HELP NEEDY INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES EXPERIENCING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, HOMELESSNESS AND OTHER FORMS OF CRISIS. Entry Fee: $99/ Player OR $396 Team of 4 Early Bird Discount if paid by 8/10/18: $89 per player OR $350 per team Register at Florence Golf Links or SOS. For more info call 541-997-2816