Ice Machine in the works? King Tides; Dry Weather and Gypsy Jazz goes Latin Swing

Coast Radio News
Local News

2 January 2014

Seafood Processor Hoping For Florence Location

Another commercial ice maker for the Old Town Wharf could be in the works.  That’s if a California man is successful in his efforts to raise money using an internet “crowd-sourcing” site to help get his seafood processing facility up and running.

Gunther Mothes (mo-diss), who also goes by the nickname “Smokey” is planning on a commercial facility near the docks that would buy, process and can Oregon Albacore.

Mothes, who is currently based in Corona, California, has already made several visits to Florence to scout out potential locations.

His primary product would be “sashimi grade” tuna; smoked and packed into 7-ounce cans.

During his Florence visits he learned about the decade long effort to restore the ice maker on the docks that ended last year with the unit being sold to an Astoria company.  He said if he can raise additional cash using the website “Indiegogo” he would include an ice-maker in his plans.

A crowd-sourcing effort is currently underway at indiegogo.com .

Low Snowpack

Snowpack levels across much of Oregon are below normal levels, following a year that also was the driest on record in Eugene-Springfield.

National Weather Service meteorologist Colby Neuman says the entire West Coast is dry.

He says there is time to rebound from the abnormally dry conditions in the next few months. But if that doesn’t happen it could create concerns for water supplies, plants and an early fire season.

Through Tuesday, the National Weather Service recorded 21.19 inches of rainfall in Eugene, breaking a nearly 70-year-old record for lowest rainfall.

King Tide Project

The second phase of an effort to photograph some of the highest tides of the year is currently underway.  The “King Tide” project will document how extremely high tides and rising sea levels could potentially impact man-made structures along the coast.

It is co-sponsored by the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development and the Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition.

Volunteers are asked to take photographs at the highest point of the high tides today and tomorrow.  Organizers say they can focus on any feature, but photos of man-made features and wetland areas are of special value.

They are also asking for followup pictures from the same location of ordinary high tides as a comparison.

The first round of King Tides took place in early December… the third phase is expected later this month.  More information can be found at the Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition website.

Delayed Concert Slated for Tonight

Latin Swing guitarist Lulo Reinhardt and his band will appear on stage at the FEC January 2nd.
Latin Swing guitarist Lulo Reinhardt and his band will appear on stage at the FEC January 2nd.  (facebook photo)

A West Coast Tour delayed by immigration difficulties and originally scheduled to begin last month is finally underway for noted Gypsy musician Lulo Reinhardt.

He’ll make an appearance this evening at the Florence Events Center.

The nephew of Gypsy Jazz legend Django Reinhardt has developed his own style that he calls “Latin Swing”.

The Florence date, along with another in Washington State was initially planned for last month, but a visa request was denied by the Department of Homeland Security on the basis that Reinhardt was not “culturally unique”.

Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley intervened and helped gain approval for the visa.

Tonight’s concert at the FEC begins at seven.