There will be banjos… and much more… this weekend
Traditional folk music fans need not despair, despite the change of name from the Winter Folk Festival to the Winter Music Festival, there will be plenty of the traditional 50s and 60s folk sound. Festival Co-Chair Rachel Pearson said one of this weekend’s acts, Bob Haworth, has authentic “folk” credentials.
Rachel Pearson – “He was a Brothers Four and Kingston Trio member for many years, he’s coming in with traditional banjo and guitar.”
The festival also features last year’s “People’s Choice” winners “Pretty Gritty”. But there will be a wide variety of folk, including Americana, Blue Grass, and Celtic.
Things actually begin this evening on the screen at City Lights Cinemas where director Beth Harrington will present her documentary “The Winding Stream”. It traces the roots of American country music.
The doors open on the artisan fair at the Florence Events Center tomorrow at ten… The music starts at 11 with Florence’s own Billy Jones on stage.
Minimum wage increase proposal
Oregon Governor Kate Brown announced a proposal yesterday for a phased increase in the state’s minimum wage as legislators get ready for a session where it will be a main topic.
Oregon’s minimum wage is $9.25 an hour, $2 more than the national minimum.
Brown proposes raising it to $10.25 outside the Portland metro area in 2017 and eventually to $13.50 within five years after that.
Because of higher economic growth in the Portland area, Brown proposes a minimum 15-percent higher than the rest of the state. It would eventually wind up at $15.52 by 2022.
The legislative session begins February 1st… lawmakers will pick up the debate on Brown’s proposal at that time.
Lane County Man picks up a portion of Power Ball
Dave Braun of Veneta is crediting a case of cabin fever for his $50-thousand win in this week’s Power Ball Lottery. Braun decided earlier this week that he needed to get out of the house so he went for a drive. He went to Dari-Mart in Veneta and bought a ten-dollar quick pick ticket. Wednesday night he checked his numbers and was excited to see that he had matched four of the five numbers drawn.
He didn’t win a share of the $1.6-billion jackpot, but he did win enough, he said, to pay off some bills and get a newer truck.
Siuslaw students show their geography prowess
Students at Siuslaw Elementary and Middle Schools know where they are and where they’re going. 20 finalists… ten from each school, competed in the local round of the National Geographic Society Geography Bee Thursday.
The top three at the middle school included winner Margot Fleming, followed by Graci Immel and Brea Blankenship in 2nd and 3rd. Ava Glowacki (glo-WOK-ee) was the winner in the elementary school, followed by Jacob Blankenship and Sophia Sherman.
Fleming and Glowacki will now take the state qualifying test to see if they can compete at the state finals in Salem later this year.
LCC Foundation funds local scholarships
College scholarships are not just for high school seniors. Last year, Lane Community College in Florence provided nearly $48-thousand to western Lane County residents taking classes at LCC.
Those awards ranged from $500 to $6,000 according to Laura Merz. She’s an Administrative Support Specialist at the Florence Center. She says applications for this year’s scholarships are being accepted through March 3rd. According to Merz, the money can be used for classes that would enable you to pursue a new career or continue your current educational path.
