The second round of the “Upriver Farmer’s Market” at Mapleton High School is set for this afternoon. Dave Strom is the Food Systems Coordinator at the school overseeing the school’s farm. (Strom 1) – “The main goal of our market is also to get food from our farm that we’re starting on site and our high school garden team that takes care of our garden are in charge of selling the produce, so all of the proceeds from their particular table go back to their school garden.” Sale items won’t be limited to just produce from the school’s garden. Strom said the first sale of the year, July 3rd, featured food and art items from about a dozen different local vendors. (Strom 2) – “We had artisans, two high school students that have their own booth selling jewelry and printing T-shirts. We also have a another really nice jewelry maker.” The Upriver Farmer’s Market will continue the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of August and September, along with today, from one to five PM.
The Florence Area was recognized last month as one of the “13 Best Beach Towns on the West Coast”. Conde’ Nast Traveler, in a June 23rd online story posted by Caitlin Morton, listed Florence amidst other classic beach destinations such as Carmel-by-the-Sea, Sausalito, and Catalina Island in California. In the article Morton mentioned the Oregon Dunes, Sea Lion Caves and the Heceta Lighthouse in addition to mentioning that Old Town Florence has plenty of seafood restaurants and – quote- “jaw dropping views”. Chamber CEO Bettinna Hannigan called the article a “prestigious” recognition by one of the “most credible and respected voices in the travel industry”.
Local artists are being asked to submit concepts for original artwork that will be featured on the poster for the upcoming 29th annual Empty Bowls Fundraiser for Florence Food Share. Empty Bowls is a popular community event that takes place the first week in December. Artists and art students team up to donate handcrafted bowls and other artworks which are sold during the event. Over the past decade a unique piece created by a local artist has served as the centerpiece of the event poster which will be raffled off to raise additional funds. Food Share executive director Colin Morgan says the artwork should reflect the organization’s message: “Because no one should go hungry.” To be considered, the artist should email a brief description of their concept, the intended medium, and a photo of previous work to last year’s winning artist, Kim Pickell. kpickell63@gmail.com. Submissions are due no later than September 30th.
Construction activity began last week on Fir Street between 9th and 10th near the Florence Justice Center. Following a preconstruction meeting last week with city officials and contractor Ray Wells, Inc., crews quickly mobilized and began mulching vegetation within the right-of-way. While this section won’t be fully developed, it will house a sanitary sewer line for the Elm Park Planned Unit Development and provide access for power installation. Work will continue with clearing along 10th and 11th Streets as crews await delivery of manholes to begin sewer line installation. Ultimately an Early Childhood Learning Center and additional Workforce Housing Units are planned for the site.
