Occupy Small Business…
Jan Meekcoms says the facts are indisputable… when small businesses begin ringing up sales, the economy will begin making a turnaround. Meekcoms, the Oregon director of the National Federation of Independent Business, is calling on Oregonians to reserve the day after Black Friday for “Small Business Saturday”.
She points to a recent study released by the US Small Business Administration showing that 98 percent of all of Oregon’s employers are small businesses… and they provide 57 percent of all private-sector jobs. Small business advocates like Meekcoms say small businesses can provide truly unique gifts and the most genuinely friendly customer service. Profits derived by locally owned businesses are liable to stay in town, rather than being funneled out of the area.
Oddly enough, however, the concept of Small Business Saturday was started by a major corporation… American Express. Meekcoms says that’s ok.
Dental Van Makes a Difference
A free program offered by a local dental clinic has been paying off. When Drs. Justin Linton and Brian Holmes, along with the staff of Florence Dental Clinic visited Siuslaw Elementary School November 14th and 15th to treat 40 students there were fewer ‘urgent care’ procedures needed. Erin Linton says they’ve been providing free care to low-income students at Siuslaw and Mapleton for several years now. The mobile van is funded through donations by Marilyn Buchanan and Florence Kiwanis, and many of the supplies are donated. Linton says assistance from parents has also been helpful in decreasing the number of serious treatment programs required… She says the program will continue.
Empty Bowls teaches Community Involvement
One of the most effective fund raisers for Florence Food Share is the annual Empty Bowls event, the first weekend in December. Local realtor Desiree Johnson says over the past few years it’s also been an awareness raising event that has involved local students at Siuslaw High School as well as after school programs at the Boys and Girls Club.
Desiree Johnson – We had some artisans show up and teach them how to make bowls and the first time they got together they learned how to make the bowls. The second time they got together they glazed them, got them ready for firing.”
Johnson says the Boys and Girls Club members not only learned how to work with pottery and create something, it showed them how easy it is to get involved.
Desiree Johnson – “We hope to expose them to the need in the area, to learn how to think about ‘how can I help my community?’”.
The Empty Bowls event is set for next Friday and Saturday. Most bowls will sell for five or ten dollars and all will come with a coupon good for a cup of soup at a participating area restaurant.
Look, up in the sky! It’s a bird, it’s a plane! It’s… a plane.
The Oregon Air National Guard will begin night flying training around the state next week. Pilots with the 142nd Fighter Wing based in Portland will be conducting routine night flying training during the evenings of November 29th through December 1st. Wing Commander Colonel Michael Stencel says it’s their responsibility to notify the public when they do things outside of the normal daytime hours. The F-15s will be using night vision goggles, engaging in night aerial refueling and other tactics and procedures during the evenings. Stencel says all operations will be concluded by eight PM.
4A Football Playoffs
Semi-final playoff football is on tap tomorrow morning in Cottage Grove for the Siuslaw Vikings as they take on the Central Panthers at 11 o’clock. The winner of the game will face either number 2 ranked LaSalle, or number 3 Elmira in the championship game next weekend… The pregame show tomorrow begins at 10:30.
Civil War
It’s Civil War Saturday tomorrow… the number nine ranked Oregon Ducks will host the Oregon State Beavers with the Pac-12 championship game… and possibly roses… on the line for the Ducks. Kickoff is at 12:30 from Autzen Stadium… the Beaver pregame show is set for 11:30 on KCFM… no pregame show on KCST for the Ducks. The game will be joinedin progress immediately following the conclusion of the Siuslaw-Central game.
