SIUSLAW NEWS | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2019 | 5A ROBOTS from page 1A The LEGO competition presents competitors with a re- al-world based scientific chal- lenge and requires them to em- ploy research, coding, problem solving and engineering to solve the challenge problems. This year, a mixed grade group of students are preparing to compete in the LEGO com- petition, which will be held to- day at Oregon State University. Jaimisyn Kopilec is the mid- dle school’s math intervention and robotics instructor and she will be overseeing the trip to Corvallis. “This is a group of sixth-, sev- enth- and eighth-graders who are competing in the FIRST LEGO League Challenge at Oregon State University,” she said. “We’ve got about 20 stu- dents and it’s a full day. … We get assigned a table to hang out at and practice tables to work on throughout the day.” The first portion of the chal- lenge is to complete as many tasks as possible in 2.5 minutes. The team also has to present their robots to the judges and be prepared to discuss an im- portant aspect of the competi- tion: the core values at the base of all of the work done during the challenge. These values are BOWLS from page 1A One of the most successful fundraising events that the or- ganization coordinates each year is the “Empty Bowls” ar- tisan sale, which is modeled after similar events held in cit- ies across the nation. Over the past decade, it has become one of this area’s primary sources of funding for, with local artists creating and donating hundreds of unique bowls to sell to the public during that time. Judy Plumery, board chair- person for Florence Food Share and the Empty Bowls event, said it is one of her personal fund- raising favorites. discovery, innovation, impact, inclusion and teamwork. “The judges will want the stu- dents to explain how they exem- plified these values during the semester,” Kopilec said. “From what I understand, they will be presenting some sort of theoret- ical problem and the students will need to use these core val- ues to work through it and they won’t have any time to prepare for it.” Another aspect of the chal- lenge is the inclusion of an over- all theme that will positively im- pact the communities where the students live. “This year the theme is ‘City Shapers,’ and the students are supposed to take a public open space or building that needs im- provement or redesigning and work with that space. We have one team that is creating an out- door event space somewhere in the Gallagher Park area where the city has an old public works building,” Kopilec said. The students attending Ko- pilec’s class on Thursday were energized and eager to make the trip to OSU. Mason Jung was one of the most active members of the group and he was eager to share details of the work being done. “What you are seeing here is an endurance course,” he said. “For these robots, we need and coders. We need people that can program and people that can build. There are two parts to ev- ery robot. The programmer will program the robot to do things and the engineer needs to build a project that will work with the robot.” The enthusiasm shown by Jung and all of his classmates was clear when discussing the work and time they have in- vested, and the student’s teacher seemed to appreciate the growth of the team over the semester. “There was one day about a month into it where I just watched this collaboration hap- pening very naturally,” Kopilec said. “To see these kids that didn’t know each other before working together, it was just beautiful.” The Intel Oregon FIRST LEGO League Qualifying Tournament is being held Dec. 7 and 8 at Oregon State University in Corvallis. For more information, visit ortop .org/fll/fll-team-resources/ corvallis-intel-oregon-first- lego-league-tournament. Jung said, “I’m really excited because it’s my first time com- peting and I’m ready. Our robot is ready. Our engineering is a lit- tle off, but I can fix that because I’m one of the engineers.” “I’m a fan of this event, espe- cially because it speaks to our core value of alleviating hunger. When you enter the Florence Events Center and see hundreds of beautiful — but empty — bowls, you can’t help but think about all of the people in our community who wonder on a weekly basis if they will be able to stretch their food budget to feed their families,” she said. Another important aspect of the experience for Plumery is the willingness of the commu- nity to turn out every year to support the fundraiser. “I’m struck by how the com- munity comes together to make this fun event happen,” she said. “The many artists who donate their talents, the restaurants who offer a free cup of soup during December for each bowl purchased, the volunteers who donate their time to organize and run the event and the cus- tomers who purchase bowls for themselves or as Christmas presents — all knowing that their purchase not only gives joy to the recipient, but feeds a hun- gry family.” The Empty Bowl event will continue Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. For information about Florence Food Share, visit www.florencefoodshare.org. J OIN U S I N W ORSHIP THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS Located at Munsel Lake Road and North Fork Road Worship Services 10:00 AM Sunday All are welcome! 541-997-7268 FLORENCE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Worship Services 10:00 a.m. Sunday Adult class 8:30am • Sunday school 10am Coffee Fellowship Following Service 2nd & Kingwood • (541) 997-6025 FOURSQUARE CHURCH COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH Rev. Miller talks about Advent with Unitarians On Sunday, Dec. 8, start- ing at 10 a.m. at the Flor- ence Unitarian Univer- salist Fellowship (FUUF), Rev. Dr. Ruth Miller will deliver the message ti- tled, “Coming Toward the Nature of Prophetic Wis- dom.” “The annual winter hol- iday season is upon us. Advertisers encourage us to shop for gifts. Regular meetings are canceled be- cause there are too many parties and family events. What’s it all about?” Mill- er asked. “‘Advent’ means ‘coming toward.’ What’s coming toward us? What Lutherans hold Advent services on Wednesdays New Life Lutheran Church in Florence will be having short Wednesday evening services starting at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 11 and 18 as people wait for the cele- bration of Christmas. In the series called “Wounded and Waiting for Christmas,” these Ad- vent services will center on waiting and watching The community is invit- ed to celebrate Christmas with St. Andrew’s Episco- pal Church in December. Sunday, Dec. 22, is the fourth Sunday of Advent, with Eucharists at 8 a.m. for Rite I and 10 a.m. for Rite II, with music. On Tuesday, Dec. 24, there will be a 5 p.m. Watch and experience the joy and simplicity of pre-denominational New Testament Worship. (Romans 16:16) Bible Study: Sunday, 10:00 am Worship: Sunday, 11:00 am CROSS ROAD ASSEMBLY OF GOD NEW LIFE LUTHERAN CHURCH, E.L.C.A. Corner of 10th & Maple –997-3533 Wednesday, 7 p.m. - Family Connections Adult Bible Class, 9:30am on Sundays. Sunday Services, 9am and 10:45am. florencecrossroadag.org • office@florencecrossroadag.org 21st & Spruce Street – 997-8113 Pastor Rachel Simonson – All are welcome Adult Forum 9:00 a.m. – Sunday school !0:30 Worship Service Sun. 10:30 a.m. www.florencenewlife Lutheran.org FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH - SBC PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF THE SIUSLAW Here to serve your denture needs: Traditional Worship Service 10:00 a.m. , Reverend Greg Wood Sunday School and Nursery – Organ and Choir All Welcome. Come as you are. 3996 N Hwy 101 997-7136 Dentures Partial Dentures Immediate Dentures Implant Dentures Relines & Repairs Same Day FLORENCE CHRISTIAN CHURCH 2nd & Ivy – 997-2961 –Non-Denominational Worship Service: 9:00 am & 10:30 am Middle School and High School youth groups meet on Wednesday. FLORENCE CHURCH OF CHRIST Pre-Denominational (Romans 16:16) 1833 Tamarack Street (2 blocks east of Hwy. 101 on 18th St.) Bible Study: Sunday 10 a.m.; Worship: Sunday 11 a.m. www.churchofchristflorence.org FLORENCE CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE 12th and Nopal –997-9020 • Worship Service 10:30 a.m. Online Worship Service@ florencenaz.church Wednesdays Celebrate Recovery 5:30 pm facebook:florenceoregonchurchofthenazarene FLORENCE EVANGELICAL CHURCH 1318 Rhododendron Dr. • 541-997-2523 Sunday Service 11am ( Children Sunday School) Mid-Week Activities, all ages. “War is still not the answer.” FCNL We worship in homes at 11am Sundays Call 997-4237 or 902-9511 for locations. RESURRECTION LUTHERAN CHURCH, L.C.M.S. Every Sun., Bible Class 9 a.m., Worship Service 10 a.m. 85294 Hwy. 101 S. – 997-8038 DVD of Weekly worship service available. Pastor Randy Benscoter FLORENCE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP 87738 Hwy 101 at Heceta Beach Road RUAUU? All are welcome to explore the answer. Sunday Worship Service ~ 10:00 a.m. www.FlorenceUUF.org - (541) 997.2840 www.churchofchristfl orence.org DENTURE SERVICES INC. LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED Open 4 days a week! Monday-Thursday 10am - 2 pm William Foster LD Sherry, Offi ce Manager “As a denture wearer myself, I can answer your questions and address your denture concerns.” ~ William Foster, LD Financing: Citi Health Card 12 Month no Interest 524 Laurel St. 541-997-6054 ST. ANDREW’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH 2135 19th St. –- 997-6600 8:30am, Tuesdays, Morning Prayer Sunday Services: 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. - Wed, 11 a.m. Everyone Welcome – Come walk our Labyrinth. SAINT MARY, OUR LADY OF THE DUNES CATHOLIC CHURCH Masses: Sat. 5:30 p.m., Sun. 11:00 a.m. 1.5 miles south of river on Hwy 101 – 997-2312 FLORENCE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST 4445 Hwy 101 (South of Fred Meyer) – 997-3951 Worship on Saturday 10:30 A.M. Adult/Children’s Sabbath School 9:15 A.M. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service with the King’s Col- lege, Cambridge Festival of Nine Lessons, carols and the Holy Eucharist, Rite II. The Christmas Day Eu- charist is at 10 a.m., also Rite II with Christmas hymns. St. Andrew’s is located at 2135 19th St. in Florence. “In Search of the Lord’s Way” Sunday, 7:30 AM KMTR Cable Channel 12 Western Lane Translator Channel 16.2 Then visit the Florence church of Christ 1833 Tamarack Florence, Oregon 4590 Hwy. 101, Across from Fred Meyer –- 997-7418 Sunday School, 9:30a.m. – Worship, 10:45 Wed. Prayer - 6:00 p.m. –Wed. Ministries 1-8 Grade 7 p.m. RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS (QUAKERS) for God in the midst of wounds — whether they be from loss or heartbreak, are from fear around current events or are even from the church itself. New Life Lutheran Church is at 2100 Spruce St. For more information, visit www.florencenewlife lutheran.org or call 541- 997-8113. St. Andrew’s plans annual Christmas services 1624 Highway 101 (next to A&W) –- 997-6337 Pastor George Pagel – Something for the entire family. Sun. Services: 10:45 a.m., Wed. Bible Study 6pm-7pm Website:florence4square.com 1935 25th St. – 997-7660 • Pastor, Ron Allen Wednesday 6 p.m., Sun.; 11 am & 6pm, Bible Study 9:45am Sharing the Hope and Love of Jesus Christ to our community by being Living Proof of a Loving God are we coming toward?” She will discuss why this is the name of the days leading up to Christmas, Dec. 25. “What does prophecy have to do with it? What does it mean for us now and in the future?” These are some of the questions Miller will ex- plore in this Sunday’s pre- sentation. FUUF is located at 87738 Highway 101 at Heceta Beach Road and is wheelchair accessible. Each service concludes with refreshments and a dialogue circle. Siuslaw News + Join Us In Worship 4 lines, approx 15 words, $10 a week 4 week Minimum Deadline 3 p.m. Mondays. To be included in this directory contact the Siuslaw News at 997-3441, or drop off information at 148 Maple St., Old Town, Florence. In 2019 we will be celebrating the 80th anniversary of our business in Florence. It is time to express the appreciation and gratitude we feel, and have always felt, for the friendship, trust and loyalty of those who live in this community. It is your confi dence in us and your continued patronage that has made these 80 years such a pleasurable experience. Th ank you. Johnston Motor Company Since 1939 2150 Hwy. 101 • Florence (541) 997-3475 • 1-800-348-3475 Deadline for Press Releases Is Every Monday and Thursday by Noon. Email P RESS R ELEASES @T HE S IUSLAW N EWS . COM . www.shoppelocal.biz