1 December 2014
Rhody Path Cost Estimates To Be Pursued
The latest option presented for the Rhododendron Drive Multi-Use Path will likely move forward.
After saying they wanted to halt all planning on the controversial path until after the first of the year, the Florence City Council is reversing course. They’ll talk about whether or not to pursue engineering and cost estimates tonight.
In October, the council reached a consensus to put everything on hold until a new council takes office in January.
But, following a work session November 17th with members of the incoming council, outgoing councilors agreed not to delay work on gathering cost estimates.
Option 3, as it’s referred to, consists of two six-foot shoulders on each side of the roadway in the area between 9th Street and the northern edge of Greentrees.
Council to hear “dark skies” testimony
The Florence City Council will conduct a hearing this evening on whether or not to change the zoning code to include a “dark sky” ordinance.
Interim City Manager Larry Patterson says it’s easier to describe what the ordinance would not do.
Larry Patterson – “I think there’s a lot of confusion that many folks feel it’s turning lights off. It’s more really, about shielding or directing light patterns.”
The Planning Commission approved a recommendation to incorporate the limitations into city code following a work session and a hearing earlier this fall.
Patterson said if approved by the council it would set different standards in commercially zone areas than in residential areas.
The council meets this evening, seven o’clock, at City Hall.
Honor Flight Movie to air in Florence
Pearl Harbor Day in Florence will be commemorated with a showing of a feature-length film documenting a visit to the National World War II Memorial by veterans of that war.
So far more than 20 Florence area vets have made the trip over the past two years, courtesy of Honor Flights.
The movie details the visit last May.
Several of the local veterans will speak of their experiences before the movie.
It’s presented at Three Rivers Casino, Sunday, December Seventh. The doors open at one pm… there’s no cost to attend. But organizers say they will accept donations for Honor Flights.
Shoebox Christmas
A group of Camp Fire kids in Florence say they want to help shape the world.
They’re participating in a program called “operation shoebox” that distributes boxes filled with warm things… hats and mittens; along with toiletries, toys, art and school supplies; to other students who may not have enough money to buy their own.
Rachel Kilfoy, with Spruce Point Assisted Living, said last year Camp Fire assembled and distributed 29 shoe boxes and this year they’re aiming at 40.
Kilfoy said they’re seeking donated items on the list… they can be dropped off at Spruce Point, along with gift cards for additional purchases. She says clean, good sized shoe boxes would be appreciated as well.
A list of requested items can be found at www-dot-kcst-dot-com.
Empty Bowls
A very popular gift source for the holiday season in Florence is also a popular fund raiser for Florence Food Share.
Hundreds of hand-made ceramic bowls will be sold over a three-day span this weekend at the “Empty Bowls” event at the Florence Events Center.
All of the bowls are made by local artists and art students; and all come with a gift certificate good for a complimentary bowl of soup at an area eatery.
This will be the 19th annual “Empty Bowls” in Florence.
Bowls will be available Friday from five to seven PM; Saturday from ten to three; and then again Sunday from noon until three.
