27 June 2014
City Lights To Premier in August
It’s been a year since movie goers in Florence have been able to get their popcorn, soda and jujubes; then settle in to watch a first run movie without leaving town or stopping by the Red Box on the way home.
August First, the former Florence Cinemas will reopen under the name of City Lights Cinema. Michael Falter and Susan Tive (tyve) have been busy removing the old 35-millimeter projectors and installing digital equipment, a new sound system, and giving the four-screen cinema a deep, deep cleaning.
Both have an extensive background in cinema and bring a specific enthusiasm… as well as a positive outlook.
Michael Falter – “My main feeling is that theaters, good theaters, tend to be meeting spaces; and so, to make it comfortable, to have tables and chairs. If you have beer and wine and coffee then people can actually come and talk. They can talk about the films, they come there to meet, you can have special events, you can have a lot more community dialogue.”
To that end, Falter says they’ll be showing not only first-run movies, but also so-called “art house” films, documentaries, and even simulcasts of live music and theatrical productions.
Lane County Leading 7-County Collection Effort
Lane County is leading a seven-county effort to track down businesses that aren’t paying personal property taxes. The Oregon Legislature approved a 252-thousand-dollar grant last year for Lane County to lead the Southwest Oregon Assessment and Taxation Coalition. It includes Coos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine and Klamath Counties.
Lane County Assessor Mike Cowles plans on hiring a full time appraiser and four temporary employees. They’ll send letters to businesses reminding them about the law requiring them to pay taxes on equipment, computers and other moveable items if the value exceeds $16-thousand.
Auto Theft Down Nationwide; Spikes in Some Oregon Cities
The rate of auto theft in the country went down by about 3-and-a-half percent in 2013. But, in many Oregon cities, it jumped dramatically according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s annual “Hot Spots Report” issued this week.
Despite the spike in some cities… 57-percent in Grants Pass; 55-percent in Albany; and 25-percent in Eugene… auto theft in the state fell by about two percent last year.
Karl Newman with the Northwest Insurance Council says Americans pay billions of dollars each year for auto theft. He adds that the frequency of theft in Oregon is a “strong reminder” to consider optional Comprehensive Coverage. Collision coverage does not pay for losses due to theft, fire, flooding and glass breakage. Comp can help cover the cost of replacing your vehicle if it’s stolen.
Street Closures Facilitate Reconstruction
25th Street between Highway 101 and Spruce will be closed to traffic Monday and Tuesday. 15th street between the highway and Spruce will be closed Wednesday and Thursday.
Both closures are due to the reconstruction work being undertaken on several area streets this summer.
Florence Public Works Spokesman Shawn Penrod says provisions will be made for local access on both streets during the closures.
Life at the Library Means Science at the Beach
A program on Oregon’s Marine Reserves, beach debris monitoring and the importance of ocean health will be featured today at noon at the Siuslaw Public Library.
It’s part of the library’s special “Beach Science” series.
Paul Engelmeyer, the manager of Audobon Portland’s Ten Mile Creek Natural Area and a Surfrider volunteer will speak along with local chemistry teacher Jon Hornung.
The series continues tomorrow with two ‘field trips’. Englemeyer and Hornung will host a marine debris monitoring activity at ten AM at the Ponsler Wayside, 14 miles north of Florence. Then, at 11, they’ll convene at the top of Cape Perpetua for a brief walk and nature talk.