Winter Music Festival
Rachel Pearson with Florence Art, Culture and Entertainment says sales for the annual Winter Music Festival are brisk and that multi-day festival packages are getting slim. The annual festival according to Pearson will be adding more diversity. Traditionally bluegrass has been a male dominate genre.
“So we did a lot of research and came up with this fantastic group of women called Della Mae, they really do put together music that can relate to women and kind of go outside the bluegrass box so to speak.”
Della Mae will be the Saturday night headliner for the festival. FACE is also bringing back last year’s popular Henhouse Prowlers as the Friday night headliner. For more information on the festival and where to purchase passes you can go to wintermusicfestival.org.
Recreational Crabbing
Recreational crabbing is now open coastwide in Oregon’s bays and ocean, the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) and the Department of Fish and Wildlife announced. Recent tests show safe levels of domoic acid in crabs from Cape Blanco to the California border, where closures had been in place since November 14. Harvesters are reminded to eviscerate crabs before cooking, as toxins cannot be removed by cooking or freezing. The commercial ocean crabbing season is still in flux, with a proposed opening date of December 15.
Santa Paws Photo Op
The Oregon Coast Humane Society has organized another photo-op with Santa and your favorite pet. It is in conjunction with a pet food drive to help feed the animals at the local shelter for this holiday season. Elizabeth Thompson says bring your furry friend to Mini Pet Mart Friday from ten to two. Just bring a suggested $20 donation.
“This is the last chance to get your picture done with Santa Paws. We will be down on Bay Street on Saturday before the tree lighting. We’re going to be at the Gazebo from 2:00 to 3:00 we’ll have some Elves down there that you could also bring your pet and have a picture taken with but yes this is the final Santa Paws and we’re really excited about it cuz the pictures are looking great this season.”
Thompson said Santa Paws will only be at the Friday event at Mini Pet Mart, but there will be plenty of jolly, smiling elves in Old Town Saturday afternoon.
Deer Entanglement Dangers
Deer entanglement is on the rise in Oregon, and the ODFW is asking residents to clean up their yards to protect wildlife. Key actions include removing unused items and keeping holiday decorations at least eight feet off the ground during late fall and winter, when bucks’ antlers are largest. Holiday lights, hammocks, dog lines, tomato cages, and sports nets are common culprits, along with decorations hung within bucks’ reach. Bucks rubbing their antlers to mark territory or shed velvet are at increased risk of becoming ensnared. Residents are advised to contact ODFW for help with distressed wildlife and avoid attempting rescues themselves.