Logging Resolution Possible? Military Heritage Museum Picnic; Chez Flo; No Chowder, But Plenty of Cars

Coast Radio News
Local News

22 August 2013

Congress Expected To Actually Make A Decision

Resolution of a stalemate on logging federally managed lands in western Oregon could be on the horizon.  Congressman Peter DeFazio said he’s looking forward to actually accomplishing something next month when Congress reconvenes.

Peter DeFazio – “The idea is we’re going to have a real legislative process for a change.  Washington D.C.’s a mess, we don’t do real legislation much any more.  But we’ll pass a bill out of the House.”

That bill will provide protection for large groves of Old Growth timber, but at the same time allow for increased logging of second growth stands on land of the former Oregon and California Railroad.  The effort is a cooperative one between the Springfield Democrat and Oregon Republican Greg Walden.  DeFazio said the two have differences of opinion on things like wilderness and Old Growth…

Peter DeFazio – “But he shares the same objectives that I have, which is… is going to be predictability and certainty for the counties in terms of revenues.  And certainty in terms of the protections we’re going to provide for those resources like Old Growth.”

Much of the revenue generated by the increased logging on the O&C land would go to the counties where the timber is located.

No Chowder, No Blues, But Plenty to Cruise

There won’t be any chowder, but there will be plenty of classic cars and several garage sales at this year’s Florence Fall Festival.

The annual Rods and Rhodies Invitational Car Show is set for September 6th, 7th and 8th in Old Town.  Bay Street will be closed between the bridge and the Boardwalk as roughly 100 highline classics will be on display throughout the weekend.

At the same time, the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce is coordinating and promoting a community wide garage sale.  Anyone planning on having a garage sale that weekend can list it on a master map that will distributed for the day.

One thing missing this fall, though will be the clam chowder that has been prevalent in past Fall Festivals.  Organizers had initially planned on having a scaled back version of the former Chowder Blues and Brews the same weekend.  It was going to be called the Taste of the Coast and feature vendors and food without the live music… but efforts to secure vendors were unsuccessful so it was cancelled last week.

More information on the Rods and Rhodies and the garage sale can be found at the Chamber Visitor Center.

Chez Flo

The Florence Playhouse on Laurel Street in Old Town will be converted into nightclub “piano and wine” bar called “Chez Flo” this coming weekend during the FloTones annual summer show.

The vocal jazz ensemble will take a musical trip down memory lane with selections from several different decades.

Vocal director Laura Merz said it will be very casual and special musical accompaniment will include her on keyboard, Sarah Gage-Hunt on flute, Ron Green on trumpet, Lynette Kristine on Bass and Randy Curtola on drums.

Tickets are only $10 for shows Friday and Saturday night at seven pm; plus a Sunday matinee at two.  Two more shows are set for August 30th and 31st as well.

Museum Picnic to Show Off Progress

The Oregon Coast Military Heritage Museum picnic is set for this Saturday at the facility on Kingwood Street near the airport.

Museum President Tim Sapp said it’s a way for the board of directors to say “thanks” to the community for all the support they’ve received in the past year.  It’s also, he adds, a good chance for people to catch up on the progress that volunteer work crews have made towards completion in the past several months.

In addition to the free food, there will be musical entertainment.

The barbecue will run from noon to three Saturday and it is open to the public.