Last Day to Register
Today is the deadline to register to vote in Oregon. Oregonians can register either in person, online before midnight or via the mail, which must be postmarked by today. Oregon is one of eight states where elections are conducted entirely by mail. Ballots will start going out on tomorrow. Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan says for people experiencing homelessness, they can register anywhere with an address.
“They could use, for example, the local elections office. They could use any different address that can receive mail as their residence for purposes as voting, as long as they’re an Oregon resident and otherwise eligible to vote.”
Oregon has been a vote-by-mail state for more than two decades. But Fagan notes that voting in person is an option. That can be helpful, for instance, if someone with disabilities needs accommodations or if that’s simply how a person feels most comfortable casting their ballots.
“Every single county elections office, no matter how small the county, is required to have in-person voting booths. If somebody prefers to vote in person, that’s always an option for Oregonians.”
Fagan says false information about the election is the top concern of her office and also the biggest threat to elections nationwide. However, she notes voter fraud is exceedingly rare. Still, Fagan says people have resources if they hear or see something online that seems fishy.
“Make sure that you’re checking that with trusted election sources because unfortunately there are people across the country profiting and making money off of spreading conspiracy theories and big lies.”
Weather Changes Coming
The national weather service is forecasting a change in the weather patterns that will arrive this weekend. We should see changes as we move through the week with the biggest changes to occur beginning late Friday or early Saturday morning. a pacific frontal system is expected to bring cooler, wetter weather into the area with as much as one to two inches of rain possible. Overnight lows in the upper 40’s with highs in the lower 60’s by the weekend. The National weather service has also extended the Air Quality Alert for Florence though conditions are currently in the good level.
LRP Production
The Last Resort Players has had two small post-covid productions, but they are in rehearsal for a major endeavor beginning November 11th. Laura Merz is the producer and director of Neil Simon’s musical comedy Sweet Charity. (-3)
“Angela Palmer who is our choreographer, we grew up together, she always loved it too. So, when an opportunity came up LRP was looking for directors and I said I will direct but only if I can do what I want to do and they said go.”
Casting too place in late spring with local stage veteran Joanie Schmidt tabbed for the title role. Schmidt says she is very excited to return to the stage with such a talented cast.
“Such an incredibly joyful, life giving thing to be back on stage and with this incredible cast that is so much fun and so incredibly talented.”
The show opens Friday, November 11th and wraps up Sunday, November 20th. There will be four evening performances and three matinees. A complete schedule, along with ticket sales, can be found at event-center-org or at the Florence Event Center box office.
Healthy Holiday Options
This Sunday the Florence 7th day Adventist church will hold a healthy options holiday food tasting. The event will feature simple plant based samples and recipes. The event will be at 1 pm at their location 4445 highway 101 just south of Shervin’s Automotive. Seating is limited.