Siuslaw Outreach Services
Siuslaw Outreach Services has received a grant for $3,500 from the Autzen Foundation. The grant is designated for the SOS Emergency Voucher Fund. This fund is used for a wide variety of emergency situations, with assistance being provided in the form of vouchers redeemable at local businesses. The Autzen Foundation is based in Portland.
“The timing on this grant was great because we had just used up the last remaining funds from a previous grant, and this is the season where we typically experience a very large increase in the number of people seeking assistance. This past Monday, for example, we had 55 people come to our office, and our average is about 30.” said Executive Director David Wiegan.
In 2015 SOS provided services to 2,902 individuals, a new record and an increase of over 10% from 2014.
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Venturing into a national forest in search of the perfect Christmas tree is a long-standing family tradition for many. The Siuslaw National Forest will begin issuing Christmas tree cutting permits Monday, Nov. 21, at its offices in Corvallis, Hebo, Reedsport and Waldport.
Permits cost $5 a piece or are free with a fourth-grader’s Every Kid In A Park pass. Every Kid passes are free to any student attending the fourth grade this school year. In addition to a free Christmas tree permit, the Every Kid pass provides students and their families free admittance into national parks and day-use fees with other federal land agencies, such as the U.S. Forest Service.
Before purchasing a Christmas tree permit on the Siuslaw National Forest, staff members advise buyers to have a specific tree or cutting location in mind.
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The Harbor Street Boat Launch will be closed on Friday, November 18 from 9:00AM to 5:00PM for maintenance. The launch will be unavailable to launching or returning vessels. Boaters are directed to the boat launch at Cushman. Normal service will return Saturday, November 19.
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Memory screenings will be offered November 22nd as part of the National Memory Screening initiative of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. A screening is the first step towards the proper diagnosis and treatment of memory disorders including Alzheimers and dementia. The confidential screenings will be conducted at Spruce Point Assisted Living and Memory Care on 9th Street in Florence. The screenings will be held between 10 and 3pm and are free, but you should make an appointment by calling 541-902-7945
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The average cash price for a gallon of regular gas in Florence dropped seven cents this week to $2.29. With the highest volume of Thanksgiving travelers expected since 2007, the drop comes at a welcome time.
Triple-A reported this week the national average price fell a nickel a gallon to $2.16, while the statewide average price in Oregon also dropped a nickel, but it’s significantly higher at $2.49 a gallon.
Triple-A reports the west coast continues to have the highest prices for regular with every state in the region in the top ten.
Hawaii is number one at $2.90, followed by California at $2.75 a gallon on average.
Washington is third, followed by Alaska at number four. Nevada moved ahead of Oregon this week to the fifth highest average at $2.51.
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Fund raising efforts are underway for the annual Community Christmas Basket project in the Florence area. Members of the Florence Chapter of Soroptimist International are coordinating the effort, but they say it is a true community effort.
Carol Bennett is working on fund raising efforts. She said they’ve already raised some money, but it takes more than $20-thousand to put together food boxes with the “makings of a holiday meal” for more than 400 households.
The distribution of the holiday food boxes will once again be at Siuslaw Middle School… This year it will be Saturday, December 17th. Volunteers are also working on collecting and sorting gifts that will be distributed the same day at a different location.
Donations for the project can be dropped off at Hoberg’s Complete Auto Repair or mailed to post office box 1209 in Florence.
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