16 October 2015
State estimates 540,000 Oregonians participated
The normal routines of life halted for a few minutes yesterday morning at 10:15 as an estimated half-million people in Oregon participated in the Great Shake Out. People dropped to the floor or ground, covered their heads and held on to simulate what they would do in the event of an earthquake. After a few minutes they went about their normal routines.
Participating in the drill was a good way to familiarize yourself about what to do… and it also helped raise awareness about the dangers of a large off-shore quake and what effects it may have.
But, says Gabi Rasmussen with the American Red Cross, it’s important to continue taking measures to increase your preparedness.
Everyone should know how to prepare for a quake she says. Know what to do during one; as well as after.
The Red Cross has a 28-page online guide to help you prepare for disasters. It’s available on the organization’s website.
OPB contributes to UCC Strong fund
A Florence based bank with a branch in Roseburg has contributed $25-hundred to support victims and families of the shooting on the campus of Umpqua Community College two weeks ago. Oregon Pacific Bank CEO Ron Green said the donation went to the “UCC Strong” fund managed by the Greater Douglas United Way.
Ron Green – “We feel it’s almost a responsibility. You know we are part of the Roseburg-Douglas County business community, we have employees and families who are part of the community, we feel like it is just important to provide some sort of resource, the best that we can, to try to contribute to the healing.”
Green said the bank has encouraged other businesses and individuals in the Roseburg area to contribute to the United Way fund.
Documenting the highest tides of the year
Coastal visitors and residents are being encouraged to document the first of three “king tide” events expected along the Oregon Coast between now and the end of this year.
Tides will range from a low of minus 1.2 and a high of 8-plus-feet over a three day period, October 27th, 28th, and 29th.
The Oregon King Tide Project is encouraging photographers to detail the highest tides, as well as the proximity of the water to any manmade structures like buildings, seawalls and roads. Project coordinators also encourage photographers to return to the same location at a regular high tide and take a comparative photo.
They can all be posted online at Oregon-king-tides-dot-net.
Two more high tide episodes are expected in late November and late December.
Finding fall color
Fall color is just beginning to become very prominent around Oregon. For the past few weeks the leaves have been slowly turning color, creating a multi-hued backdrop along many of the state’s roadways.
Have you ever wondered what causes the leaves to change color?
Paul Ries (reese), an urban forester with the Oregon Department of Forestry say leaves on deciduous trees are green because photosynthesis creates chlorophyll. When the amount of daily sunshine begins to decrease and temperatures fall at night, that process begins slowing down, allowing the natural color pigments of the leaves to come through.
Ries says it’s different every autumn. The amount of rainfall and wind can shorten the fall viewing time. He suggests a drive through the Coast Range, or along country roads in the Willamette Valley to get the full effect.
City Council to talk temp street closure; City Manager evaluation
The Florence City Council will conduct a regular business meeting Monday night; then will have a special work session Wednesday morning.
Monday’s meeting at six pm will include several items, including a public hearing on a temporary street closure in Old Town to facilitate maintenance and repairs to the Laurel Crossing Condos.
Wednesday morning at ten, the council will discuss the evaluation process for City Manager Erin Reynolds, as well as potential planning and code enforcement code changes.
Both meetings are at Florence City Hall.