28 October 2015
Grade schoolers to walk in support of fellow student
Students at Siuslaw Elementary School will spend part of the day Friday helping a Florence third grader and his family.
Andres Orrin-Irraestro is undergoing treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia 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 at large.
Teachers and counselors are also using the situation as a way to inform students about cancer… and helping others.
Students are urged to wear Siuslaw Blue and Gold and the public is welcome.
Average local gas price has fallen 92-cents since July
Lower crude oil prices and an increase in domestic inventory are pushing gas prices lower again this week. According to Marie Dodds with Triple-A, the national average price for a gallon of regular gas fell a nickel to $2.20… the Oregon average dropped four cents and is at $2.32 this week.
The local average only dropped three cents this week… but it’s still well below the national average price at $2.05 a gallon. The highest average price of the year in Florence was in late July: $2.97.
By Labor Day prices had fallen an average of 23 cents… and since then have plummeted an additional 69-cents a gallon to the current price.
Dodds says she expects the Oregon average price to fall below the two dollar mark by the end of the year. Based on the current trends, the local average could break that barrier in the next two weeks.
Low Income Heating and Energy Assistance Program
Assistance for low-income families to help them pay for heat this winter will be available once again through Siuslaw Outreach Services. Housing Assistance Manager Bob Teter says the first round of sign-ups of the season for LIHEAP (lye-HEEP) will be held Monday at SOS. Space… and dollars… are limited for the one-time per year financial aid.
Teter says you can apply in person at SOS on 12th street or call 997-2816 beginning at nine-AM Monday.
Siuslaw National Forest Resource Advisory Council
The Siuslaw National Forest is looking for volunteers to help decide how to spend money for natural resources and road projects in Western Oregon.
Last month, the Resource Advisory Committee made recommendations to distribute $621-thousand among 29 different projects on and off federal lands. The money was allocated by Congress as part of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act.
New committee members are selected from a variety of areas including tribal and local governments; non-profit groups; industry, recreational and environmental organizations; and the community at large.
Siuslaw National Forest Supervisor Jerry Ingersoll says it’s an opportunity to have a – quote – “real impact” on how federal money is invested.
Information on how to apply for one of the positions, or how to nominate someone else, can be found on the Siuslaw National Forest website under the “highlights” section.
Spooky, scary silent classic gets new score… to debut 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…
