Housing
Housing shortages continue to be a problem for Florence, but the City of Florence is working on ways to solve the shortage through Florence HIP, the Housing Implementation Project. Opportunities for housing and particularly affordable housing is slim in the area and the City is looking for a chance to interact with the community for some of those solutions. They have put together an open house for Thursday the 29th of September at the Florence Events Center to give a presentation. The open house will then continue in an online forum until Monday October 7th. Information gathered will be instrumental in how future housing development programs will move forward in the future.
Air Advisory
There is an Air Quality Advisory posted by the National Weather Service for the coast and for the Eugene / Springfield area through tomorrow morning at 11 am. the alert is for unhealthy or sensitive groups and is expected to be more dangerous in the mornings than the afternoon. It is expected to be better along the coast, but still cautionary. Young adults and older adults and people with heart or lung problems can be especially vulnerable. For the area of Oak Ridge conditions are expecte to be hazardous.
Festival of Books
This weekend’s Florence Festival of Books features a different schedule than in previous years. The first ten years of the Festival of Books were each spread over three days. This year, organizers have condensed everything into just one day. This Saturday, the festival begins at 9 AM in the Florence Events Center theater with a panel discussion featuring several authors with tips on how to get your own book published. They’ll pay special attention to out to publish an “E”- book. Nearly 60 writers and publishers will be assembled in the exhibit hall from 10 until four. Then, Oregon writer William Sullivan will be the closing keynote speaker at 4:15 again in the theater. Festival co-organizer Kevin Mitge said Sullivan is a familiar author to many in our area.
“Most people know him as the author of all the hundred-hike books, but he’s also written some fiction and some mystery.”
His topic?
“D.B. Cooper and the Exploding Whale, folk heroes of the Northwest.”
In addition to helping aspiring authors get published, the Florence Festival of Books is a great “pre-holiday” shopping opportunity. The festival is Saturday at the Florence Events Center. There is no charge for admission.
Mapleton Pool
The Mapleton Pool Building, Community Engagement, and Board goals for the year are on the agenda for this week for the Mapleton School Board. They are slated to meet Wednesday evening beginning at six PM at Mapleton High School. In addition to the three items, they will also hear an updated financial report as well as consider a recommendation to consolidate checking accounts and hear about two new middle school volleyball coaches. The head coach Tiffany Krueger and her assistant, Haley Strenke (STRENK-ee).
Renovations at Popular RV Site
Renovations and improvements at a formerly private owned campground just west of Winchester Bay will soon provide a wider range of services. The former “Discovery Point” was purchased by Douglas County in 2018 as an addition to Umpqua Dunes County Park and Campground. 26 of the existing campsites had been renovated and a new restroom/shower facility had been completed by last year. The next step is renovation of the final 26 campsites and the opening of a 34-hundred square foot commercial retail space. Douglas County Commissioners recently awarded a concession contract to the owners of the Pelican Market on Highway 101 in Winchester Bay. Jeff Bailey, a co-owner of the market, says they’re “planning a one-stop-shop user experience for O-H-V enthusiasts”. He also said he, along with his dad and his brother will operate both stores. The additional campsites and the store are set to open in March next year.
