27 October 2015
Foam container survey nets a different kind of feedback
Two separate online surveys at the City’s website are intended to find out the public opinion of single use, foam food containers.
One survey is aimed at consumers, the other at businesses in the food and beverage industry.
Expanded polystyrene foam; also known as EPS; degrades at a glacial pace. If simply discarded, it can break into small pieces that wildlife can eat and is difficult to clean up.
It’s not easily recyclable, and if thrown away, it can take up lots of space in landfills.
The two surveys, at www-dot-ci-dot-florence-dot-or-us, will be available through November 6th.
City manager Erin Reynolds said they’ve already received some interesting feedback about something that’s not on the survey. Many consumer respondents have said they object to the continued use of plastic grocery bags.
Clinic set to reopen after unknown odor dissapates
PeaceHealth officials say they never could find the cause of the strong odor detected in the Family Medicine Clinic last week.
That odor prompted closure of the building to patients and staff Wednesday afternoon.
The clinic will remain closed today, but according to Senior Communications Specialist Kat Rannow, it will reopen tomorrow.
Testing was done in an attempt to identify the odor. Rannow said results did not reveal any threat or need for further concern. She said the odor has since dissipated.
Open burning resumes in rural areas
Open burning in most rural areas of Lane County is now allowed. Fire officials along with the Lane Regional Air Protection Agency lifted burning restrictions yesterday morning.
Burning is never allowed inside Florence City Limits, and those outside the city have several steps they must follow before lighting their piles of yard debris and brush.
Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue is requiring a no-cost burn permit this year. You can apply online or stop by the main fire station.
Burning is allowed only between ten AM and 5 PM. Fire Marshall Sean Barrett says only organic matter… limbs, brush, and the like, are allowed. No household garbage and, of course, no hazardous materials can be burned.
Barrett says you’ll need a copy of your burn permit on premises and you must follow all the requirements on it.
Legendary film score composer debuts work in Florence
A 95-year old silent film classic is getting a new treatment this week in Florence. Florence resident Ken Wannberg has written a new musical score the 1920 German feature “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari”.
It will be shown on the screen Thursday evening at City Lights Cinemas, accompanied by Wannberg performing his composition live.
Michael Falter says Wannberg has impressive cinema sound credentials.
Michael Falter – “That’s what Ken Wannberg did for a living. He was working with Spielberg, one of the greatest emotional directors of all time, where you punctuate a scene with, whether it’s sadness or happiness, or whatever it is. That’s what he’s doing here and so you’re constantly on this emotional coaster with Ken Wannberg’s score and fitting the movie. It’s great.”
Wannberg’s Hollywood credits include Star Wars, Return of the Jedi and The Empire Strikes Back; along with Saving Private Ryan; and Schindler’s List.
Falter calls Caligari a – quote – “creepy, great Halloween film”… Showtime is at seven…
Siuslaw students walk to help a classmate
Students at Siuslaw Elementary School will spend part of the day Friday helping a Florence third grader battling Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
Andres Orrin-Irraestro is undergoing treatment for A-L-L at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland. His parents and two younger siblings are making frequent trips to Portland to support him in his fight. That takes a big bite out of the household budget.
Principal Mike Harklerode says students want to help out, so they will hold a “walkathon” Friday morning from ten until 11 at the school track. It’s mostly symbolic to show support, but Harklerode said they will accept donations from students and the community.
Structure on Washington coast to provide tsunami shelter
Seismologists say a catastrophe like the earthquake and tsunami that devastated communities in Japan in 2011 is inevitable in the Pacific Northwest, and could happen any time.
Coastal communities from Northern California to British Columbia have a number of projects in the works that are intended to protect lives during a similar disaster.
The projects include the nation’s first structure built as a vertical tsunami refuge.
The tsunami refuge will be the roof of a gym of a new elementary school under construction in Westport, Washington, that is being built to withstand a strong earthquake.
The gym’s roof will be 55 above sea level, above the tsunami surge projected by scientists.
Voters approved a $13.8 million bond to build the school, which will be completed next spring.
