Wednesday, September 19, 2012
A walk on the Beach to build homes…
Since the first stroll in the sand in 1999 the Habitat Beachwalk has become the most important fund raiser for Florence Habitat for Humanity. Organizers this year hope to raise $50-thousand that will be used to purchase materials for homes in the Keener Place Project, just off Airport Road in Florence.
Every dollar raised at the Beachwalk stays in Florence, where the local Habitat chapter has provided homes for 21 low-income families; two more are under construction right now. The walk goes from 9 AM to Noon with registration at the North Jetty parking lot and each participant that brings more than $100 in support will get a free t-shirt. Refreshments and entertainment are provided at the midway point—Driftwood Shores—along with a shuttle back to the North Jetty if needed. This year there’s a new addition to the walk… a sand sculpture competition at Driftwood Shores.
Gas Prices Fall, but Still At Record Level
Gas prices are stabilizing in many markets, but, according to Triple-A, they’re still at the highest level ever for this time of year and continue to set daily records. The national average, as measured by Triple-A, added a penny and a half this week to rise to $3.86, while Oregon’s average price fell by three cents to $4.01.
Locally, the average price dropped by a nickel in the past week, it’s just above the national average at $3.91. Marie Dodds with Triple-A says her group expects pump prices to continue a steady decline through the end of the year. But, she adds, unrest in the Middle East can have huge impact on prices.
Driving Delays
If you’re planning on driving north or east any time soon, give yourself a little extra time. Reconstruction and paving on Highway 126 from the Florence city limits to milepost 9 has traffic restricted to one-lane at more than one location on a 24-hour-seven-day-a-week basis. Drivers should allow extra time, day or night, weekday or weekend.
Now, another project is beginning to the north as a contractor working for the Oregon Department of Transportation replaces guardrails on highway 101 between Cape Perpetua and Florence. Traffic will be restricted to one-lane using flaggers between 6:30 AM and 4:30 PM Mondays through Thursdays for the next four to five weeks.
Tsunami Dock Memorial Planned
A section of that huge concrete dock that ripped away from its moorings in the northern Japan city of Misawa during the massive earthquake and tsunami in March 2011 will become part of a permanent exhibit in Newport. The concrete dock became an instant tourist attraction when it washed up on Agate Beach in Newport three months ago. Oregon Parks and Recreation paid $84-thousand to have a contractor cut it up and dispose of it, but a large piece will be on display outside the Hatfield Marine Science Center beginning early next year. The City of Newport is providing initial funding for the display which will be part of a memorial and informational display about tsunamis.