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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 30, 2020)
6A | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2020 | SIUSLAW NEWS SHELTER from page 1A the night while maintain- ing social distancing and sanitation required under COVID-19. The cold weather shelter temporarily set the shel- ters up at the Presbyterian Church while work is done on FECWS’s new site be- tween Spruce Street and Highway 101 near Sand Ranch. This site, owned by fellow 501(c)3 nonprof- it First Step Florence, will also be temporary while the COVID-19 pandemic con- tinues. People were able to sleep in the shelters in beds with lots of blankets. Although the church doesn’t have the electrical capacity to heat the units, the First Step Florence site will have enough power for lights and heat for every unit. “Fortunately, the weather looks like we won’t need to open again this week,” Burke said. “We also have rain coming, which also affects the temperature. It was cra- zy — we went from the 40s down to freezing.” Nighttime lows are pro- jected to remain in the 40s for the next two weeks. This also allows for proper PLANNING from page 1A facility and office build- ing on multiple lots along Kingwood Street. The par- cel is located more specif- ically between the Oregon Coast Military Museum to the south and the Florence Public Works building to the north, within the Limit- ed Industrial District which is regulated by Florence City Code Title 10 Chapter 20. The decision to approve the application design was more involved than antic- ipated by the applicants, as Larry Farnsworth lis- tened carefully while Senior Planner Roxanne Johnston reviewed the process the Farnsworths and the city have gone through to bring PHOTOS BY NED HICKSON/SIUSLAW NEWS The Florence Emergency Cold Weather Shelter re- ceived 20 Pallet Shelters from Lane County to use at a temporary site currently under construction. In the meantime, the Presbyterian Church of the Siuslaw is hosting the shelters. sanitation for the Pallet Shel- children, FECWS has the ters, as bedding will remain option to house them at an in the units for three days alternative location. before getting laundered by The FECWS is open to FECWS volunteers. all persons in Western Lane The FECWS provided free County on nights with freez- transportation to the site ing temperatures. On days through the Rhody Express, when the shelter is open, with people able to access the small white signs showing bus from all Rhody Express a shelter will be placed on stops between 4 and 6 p.m. Highway 101 and elsewhere that day. in Florence. Volunteers served a hot For more information, meal that night, as well as contact FECWS board mem- breakfast on Tuesday be- ber Greg Wood at 541-991- fore the site closed at 8 a.m. 8208 or go to www.facebook. Dinner was fried chicken, com/FECWS. To make a vegetables, tater tots and a tax-deductible donation to dessert, all prepared by vol- the shelter, send funds to unteers. PO Box 659, Florence, Ore. For families with minor 97439. the resolution to the com- mission for consideration. Johnston also discussed the city regulations regard- ing the use of barbed wire, stating that an exemption was needed for addition- al security for the business and its renters. Her comments were well received by the Planning Commission. After the exemption for barbed wire came a discus- sion on site illumination. City Planning Techni- cian Dylan Huber-Heidorn gave a detailed analysis of the materials related to the lighting plan submitted by the applicants. He presented diagrams, fact-filled graph- ics and mathematical equa- tions to ultimately show the proposed plan would create excessive light spill over. Basically, the angle and the intensity of the light to be installed needed to be modified or perhaps ex- changed for other instru- ments to mitigate the excess lumination. As the applicant, Farn- sworth responded, saying that barbed wire was an essential element of the overall project, primarily to ensure the integrity of the rental units. He was also concerned with the rejec- tion of the lighting plan, suggesting the back and forth between he and the Planning Department was difficult and at times un- wieldy. “In conclusion, the basis for the lighting plan is a se- curity need. It’s important to our customers,” Farnsworth said. “Really, it is a business need and we don’t want to put light sockets in every unit, that would just never work in this industry, so we will be good neighbors with our lighting design. We are containing anything that might be cross driveway visible in the facility so you can’t see it from Kingwood. So, we think we have come up with a really great plan.” Unfortunately, not all of the commissioners agreed with Farnsworth and there was pushback on the need to comply with light spill- over and the lack of evi- dence in the official record to support the approval of an exemption. “We simply don’t have the ability to allow the exemp- tion based on the informa- tion we have on the record,” said Planning Commission Vice Chairman Phil Tarvin. “But we do have the op- portunity to work with the applicant to try and find a condition that is acceptable and that will allow us to move forward tonight with finality.” However, the applicant still expressed displeasure. “We don’t agree with Dylan’s trigonometry. It’s just ... we are done with the process,” Farnsworth stated. “I’m sorry we are so frus- trated, but it’s been like this through the entire planning process. It’s been a night- mare, just ridiculous.” Ultimately the decision was made to allow for a canted or angled installa- tion of the lighting instru- ments to address the spill- over issue. There was then a unan- imous vote by the com- mission to approve the ap- plication, with conditions related to the lighting that was accepted by the appli- cants. The resolution was passed. Further in the meeting, Planning Director Wendy FarleyCampbell shared the upcoming projects her de- partment will be bringing to the Planning Commis- sion in the months ahead. The meeting was then ad- journed, with the next com- mission meeting scheduled for January. For more information, visit www.ci.florence.or.us/ bc-pc. What are you doing New Year’s Eve? The origins of NYE traditions Food People of Japanese heri- tage might eat soba noodles on New Year’s Eve. The To- shikoshi Soba, which means “year crossing buckwheat noodle,” denotes the cross- ing from one year to the next. Nibbling the noodles represent traveling from one year to the next as well as let- ting go of the previous year’s regrets. In Spain, people gobble grapes to bring good luck in the coming year. The goal is to eat 12 green grapes during Drinking champagne the 12 remaining seconds The use of champagne for until the New Year. Those celebrations is rooted in the able to do so will have 12 Christian ritual of consum- months of good fortune. ing wine during the Eucha- rist. In the year 496, a wine Dropping the ball from the Champagne region Revelers have long of France was offered during watched the giant ball drop the baptism of the Frankish in New York City’s Times warrior Clovis, according to Square in person and on the Champagne Committee television. This tradition of France. It then became may be rooted in the custom customary for champagne of sailors using “time balls” to be used at religious events to set their own timepieces like consecrations and at while at sea. These chro- coronations or soirees. nometers were employed Eventually the tradition be- by using a spyglass to scan came associated with secular the harbor looking for balls rituals, such as celebrating that were dropped into the the new year. water at certain times, PBS Buying or Selling? I can help. reports. The first ball was installed in 1829 in Ports- mouth, England. The Times Square ball was first used in 1907, according to the Times Square Alliance. during their new year festival known as “Akitu.” This ritu- al required making an oath to the sitting or new king. Romans also swore oaths of loyalty to the emperor when the New Year started. Eve. Fireworks were invent- ed in the seventh century in China. According to Antho- ny Aveni, an astronomer and anthropologist at Colgate University, the fireworks were designed to ward off evil spirits. In cultures Fireworks & noisemakers around the world, fireworks, Fireworks are a big part banging drums and other of celebrations and are not efforts were used to chase to be outdone on New Year’s away spooky creatures, espe- Making resolutions Historians trace the mak- ing of resolutions to the An- cient Babylonians. Citizens made spoken resolutions Patio will be open for seating starting this Friday Dec. 4th. First come, fi rst served, no reservations. We are doing everything we can to safely serve our community. We are open: 11-7 daily 9 201 VOTED F BEST O F LO E N C R 1285 Bay Street, Old Town Florence (541) 902-8338 www.1285Restobar.com M,W,F Classes 8 to noon T,Th 8 to noon Classes begin September 8 NOW OPEN AND ACCEPTING STUDENTS 1035 Royal St Georges Dr – Fairway frontage and solid, well built home with great golf course views. This home is full of luxury amenities in- cluding stainless appliances and gas range, pro- pane fi replace, an elevator, media/theater room, and expansive Trex deck overlooking the green. $850,000. #3137-20502246 1749 Highway 101 • 541-997-1200 Metro Creative Connection Open for take-out and patio seating! Monday thru Friday 8 to noon Richard Beaudro Principal Broker 541 991-6677 cially during the transitional period that is the passing of the new year. Today fire- works and noisemakers are employed not for scaring away spirits, but rather to add to the revelry. New Year’s Eve traditions abound, and many of these annual customs have in- teresting origin stories. — Let me Showcase your property. E Traditions are the glue that hold many celebrations together. Individuals and families embrace many cus- toms that serve as the script for commemorating year- end holidays. Some celebrants may ad- here to traditions without really knowing how they began or why they contin- ue. Here is a closer look at some of the most popular traditions tied to New Year’s Eve, both domestically and around the world. 2100 Spruce street at New Life Lutheran Church Contact us: Director Kristi Ryan bbcpre@yahoo.com Text 541 999 0783 Licensed through the State of Oregon Amy Johnson Broker, CSA 541 999-7875 4th Avenue #106 – Nice beach area lot with water and power services at the lot line. With a little clearing this lot could be ready for your new home. Walking distance to the beach and min- utes to town. Bring your toys and enjoy your little gem on the coast! $55,000. #2995-19651615 1749 Highway 101 • 541-997-1200