6A | SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 2020 | SIUSLAW NEWS
PHOTOS BY MARK BRENNAN/SIUSLAW NEWS
A group of people gathered Wednesday afternoon at the corners of Highways 101 and 126 carrying signs of
support for the Florence Police Department and police in general. Passing cars were encouraged to “honk for
the badge” and wave.
RALLY from page 1A
through
overaggressive
policing— with protestors
calling for a reassessment
of the techniques and
training of police officers
across America.
The push to review and
update policing proce-
dures, with slogans such
as “Defund Police,” has led
to the fear among many
that there will be budget-
ary reductions negatively
impacting local law en-
forcement from being able
to do their jobs.
In Florence, local res-
idents chose to promote
themes of “We need po-
lice,” “We support our po-
lice” and “No Police = No
Peace.”
Barry Sommer was one
of the rally participants
and his motivation was
simple: show support for
the Florence Police De-
partment.
“It was a friend of mine
last week who said he was
going to go out and show
his support for police. I
said I’d join him,” Sommer
said. “He said since I’m on
Facebook, maybe I should
post it. I did, at which
point Sherry (Harvey) saw
it and … well, the rest is
history.”
On Facebook, people
shared a simple graphic
that said “Support Law
Enforcement: Come out
to show Florence Police
we care.” Two pictures of
signs read “All Lives Mat-
ter” and “Stop the Divi-
sion.”
When she shared the
image to the “Florence,
Oregon” Facebook group,
Sherry Harvey wrote that
it was about “respectful
support for our police,
sheriff and Oregon State
Police.”
According to Sommer,
“For me, it was a simple
way to show my support
for law enforcement. I was
glad I could participate,
and it was a thrill to have
the FPD chief to drive by
and give us a thumbs up.
I’m grateful there was no
conflict — and everyone
had a positive experience.”
Others at the march,
many holding signs, were
reluctant to go on the re-
cord with their comments
when asked by the Siuslaw
News, but were willing to
provide their observations
and thoughts with ano-
nymity.
One of the most visible
of the supporters held a
large American flag and
a sign stating, “All Lives
Matter.”
When asked why he was
carrying that particular
sign, the man respond-
ed that he “Supports the
police, but also didn’t feel
innocent people should be
treated differently because
of skin color.”
Other
supporters
echoed similar sentiments
but were also reluctant to
go on the record with their
comments.
One couple in particu-
lar was very supportive of
the tough stand taken by
President Donald Trump.
They stated that “The
press coverage of the riots
in Washington were em-
blematic of a loss of tra-
ditional Christian values,”
which they believe re-
quires Americans to hold
law enforcement in high
regard.
If there was a common
message among both
groups of protestors this
past week, it was their
strong support for the
Florence Police Depart-
ment.
Enjoy safe bike rides What to do on summer ‘staycation’
Riding a bicycle is not only
a great way to help the plan-
et by reducing vehicle emis-
sions, but it’s also an ideal
physical activity. According
to Harvard University, bik-
ing at a moderate speed of 12
to 13.9 miles per hour will
cause a 155-pound person to
burn 298 calories in 30 min-
utes. At a faster rate of 14 to
15.9 miles per hour, a person
of the same weight will burn
372 calories.
People can ride bikes at
any time of year, but cy-
cling is most popular when
temperatures are moder-
ate and precipitation is low.
Bike riding has always been
in fashion, but it experi-
enced a boost in popularity
when people were asked to
remain socially distant for
COVID-19. Walks and bike
rides at a safe distance from
others became popular and
accessible ways to get fresh
air and exercise.
Anyone who rides a bike
needs to take certain precau-
tions. Cyclists often share
the roads with large and
powerful cars and trucks.
Safety is a two-way street, re-
quiring diligence by drivers
and bike riders.
• Bike riders should be
dressed in bright clothing so
they can be seen. A well-fit-
ting bicycle helmet is a must,
and should be worn every
time a bike is ridden.
• Equip your bike with a
horn, bell and bright head-
light.
• Cyclists should ride in
the same direction as traffic
on the far right-hand side.
• Ride a bike that fits you
well. If the bike is too big, it
can be difficult to control.
• Drivers should remain
alert of cyclists sharing the
road and give wide clearance
when possible.
• Safe Kids suggest using
hand signals to alert others
to your plans. Cyclists can
extend the left arm out for a
left turn; make a 90-degree
angle with the left arm to
indicate a right turn. Putting
the left arm down with the
palm facing backward indi-
cates stopping or slowing.
Cycling safety is import-
ant as temperatures rise
and more cyclists are on the
road. — Metro
Adults may see
staycations
as
great opportuni-
ties to catch up
on summer read-
ing and finish
projects around
the house. Chil-
dren, however,
may not always
approach time off
at home with that
same enthusiasm.
Parents con-
fronted
with
the challenge of
keeping kids hap-
py and engaged
during
stayca-
tions can try
these kid-friend-
ly ideas to ensure
everyone enjoys their time off,
even if the bulk of it is spent at
home.
• Find a place to swim. Wheth-
er it’s a nearby lake or a day at the
ocean, a weekday afternoon spent
swimming is a great way to re-
mind the family that a staycation
is still a vacation. If swimming in
a lake or in the ocean is not possi-
ble and you don’t have the luxury
of a backyard pool, purchase an
inflatable pool (or two) that the
whole family can enjoy.
• Embrace your inner art-
ists. Parents can visit a local arts
and crafts store and spend a day
painting or making projects with
their children. Choose a theme,
like making jewelry or painting
a family portrait, and then ex-
change your masterpieces or cre-
ate a family art exhibit when the
session is over.
• Go fishing. Fishing can be a
fun activity for the whole family
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Medicare Advantage Plans
Medicare Supplements
Health Insurance
Kevin Kirkpatrick, Financial Planner
Phone (541) 997-9497
1234 Rhododendron Dr / Florence
We buy, sell and consign quality
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Gold, silver, platinum jewelry with
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Call 541-997-8104,
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County Transfer & Recycling
Separating recyclables from your trash
reduces the amount of waste that ends up in landfi lls,
saves energy, and reduces emissions!
Items that can go into your recycle cart are:
• Cardboard (fl atten) and Paper (magazines, junk mail,
newspapers, scrap paper, cereal boxes, egg cartons)
• Plastic milk jugs and transparent drinking bottles
(rinse – no lids)
• Metal food and drink cans (rinse – no lids)
Florence recycling picked up on same day as your trash.
541-997-8233
5078 Coastwood Ln, Florence OR
wasteconnections.com
Since 1983
Retirement Planning
Wealth Management Strategies
Life, Disability, and Long Term Care Insurance
503-542-9432
kevinkirkpatrick@fi nancialguide.com
Registered representative of and offers securities and investment
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and a great way to get out of the
house without breaking the bank.
Create a competition to see who
can catch the most and/or the
biggest fish. If you catch fish that
you’re allowed to take home, in-
volve the whole family in making
a delicious fish dinner that night.
Staycations can be fun for the
whole family, especially when
parents take time to organize a
host of kid-friendly activities.
— Metro Creative Connection
Alva Bracey
Broker
Your goals are my
top priority.
Let’s get together!
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Tires • Brakes • Shocks
Alignments
Call, Text or Email
Cell: 541-505-1180
Insect & Pest Removal
4325 Highway 101
Florence, OR 97439
541-997-7178
Trapping • Mole/Gopher
Dead Animal Removal • Honey Bee Removal
Crawl Space Cleaning • Exclusion Work
Fumigation of Antiques and Commodities.
(541) 997-4027
Alva@CBCoast.com
541-997-7777
100 Hwy. 101,
Florence, OR
COAST REAL ESTATE
MODEL TRAIN
ENTHUSIASTS
Over
ars
50 Ye ce!
rien
Expe
CALL ME TO BUY, SELL OR TRADE!
I’M LOCATED HERE IN FLORENCE.
541-255-9822 - Larry
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Us TOO Florence
Prostate Cancer Education
Support on the Oregon Coast
www.ustooflorence.org
• Tuesday Evening Group (2nd Tuesday)
5-7 p.m. - Ichiban Chinese/Japanese Restaurant
• Urologist Dr. Bryan Mehlhaff attends.
• Tuesday Lunch Group (3rd Tuesday)
12 noon – 1:00 p.m. – Ichiban Chinese/Japanese
Restaurant
• Urologist Dr. Roger McKimmy attends.
Contact Bob for more information:
(H) 541-997-6626 • (C) 541-999-4239
maribob@oregonfast.net