City Plans Block Party; Jeep Show and Shine; Scholarship Awards; Gas Prices Fall

City Plans Block Party

The Power of Florence is just over a month away and in conjunction with the volunteer day the City of Florence is planning a community block party on the evening before.  July 19th the section of Bay Street between Laurel and the Siuslaw River Bridge will be closed to vehicle traffic and there will be live music and events similar to last year’s 125th celebration of Florence as a city.  Megan Messmer, with the city of Florence will be coordinating with the organizers of Power of Florence to help bring support to the all volunteer day that will follow on Saturday, July 20th.  the popular Portland Ensemble, 5 Guys Named Moe will be performing.  One of the events scheduled for the Power of Florence is a restoration of the Singing Dog Park.  Jolene Medeiros is organizing a Bark in the Park fundraiser in the Grocery Outlet Parking lot in addition to a dog park cleanup beginning at 8 am that morning.  She has set up a special facebook page, Florence Oregon Dog Park for more information.  Donations for the restoration project can be made at Banner Bank.

Jeep Show and Shine

The Oregon Coast Military Museum is hosting its third annual Jeep Junction show and shine on Saturday June 15th at Johnston Motor Company.  The event will be from 10am until 2 pm and is open to any military jeep, vintage CJ through the current model of Wrangler.  Jeep owners can register the morning of the event and the first 25 registrants will receive a goodie bag.  The Florence Siuslaw Lions Club will be serving hamburgers and hot dogs.  The event is sponsored by Tony’s Garage and Johnston Motor Company.

Scholarship Awards

Last week’s Siuslaw High School Scholarship Awards ceremony was a big success according to school superintendent Andy Grzeskowiak.  Local organizations and community groups awarded $244,950 in local scholarships to 35 graduating seniors to attend college or career training programs.  48 organizations participated.

Gas Prices Fall

Gas prices continue to ease back as the summer season approaches.  According to Marie Dodds with AAA Oregon gas has dipped in Oregon another 3 cents a gallon for regular.  The state average stands at $3.39 a gallon while here in Florence the price is averaging 3.14 cents a gallon.  Dodds says that refinery maintenance has concluded and prices should continue to go down at least for the next several weeks.