Thanksgiving Traveling
The holiday roadways are expected to be crowded this Thanksgiving. According to Marie Dodds with AAA Oregon says about 16% of the population of the United States will hit the roads and airways next week. That adds up to one of the busiest holiday weeks on record.
“This year’s expected to be the third busiest ever for thanksgiving travel only behind 2005 and 2019.”
Nearly 800,000 of those on the road will be Oregonians. Dodds says of all the travelers about 89% will be on the roads despite the high gas prices which are the highest on record for thanksgiving. She says gas prices have never stopped travel on this particular week. Travelers will seek other ways to cut travel costs.
“those who need to cut down on expenses will do it in other ways such as limiting dining out and shopping and looking for more budget friendly choices in accommodations and other choices.”
She says the most popular regional destinations for Oregonians are Bend, Seattle, and Lincoln City while others are planning trips to Anaheim, Maui and Las Vegas. Travel is expected to be heaviest on Tuesday and Wednesday and on Sunday. Gas prices are continuing to drop, despite high crude prices. Locally the average price for a gallon of regular gas is $4.41 a gallon.
Landfill Waste Reduction
A six-week campaign aimed at reducing the amount of waste that heads for the landfill is underway. According to Daniel Hiestand with the Lane County Solid Waste Management Division, American households generate 23-percent more waste in December than in other months. An equivalent of that increase would be 28,716 Boeing 747s. Hiestand would like people to redefine how they celebrate the holidays on focus on things that truly make them happy. Maybe, he says, it’s fewer material goods and spending time with friends and family, or it can be giving meaningful gifts that respect natural resources. He says you can participate by following along on the WasteWise Lane County Facebook page.
Humane Society Storytime
This Saturday the Oregon Coast Humane Society will present a special children’s story hour at 1pm at the shelter on Rhododendron Drive. Florence author and Illustrator Joan Arlin Hibbs will read from her new children’s book, “The Puppy Who Wanted to Fly.” Hibbs donated copies of the book for the OCHS to sell during the event. Hibbs also donated a piece of art that will be auctioned off on New Year’s Eve. OCHS Executive Director Elizabeth Thompson says Joan’s generosity in honor of her pet Sweetie is a testament for the love she has for animals. Copies of the book can be purchased for $10 at the event and all proceeds will go to the OCHS.
