Library Expands; Backstreet Moves; and UT pedals

Library expansion making progress…

Since late February, regular visitors to the Siuslaw Public Library have experienced something different almost on a daily basis.
205 – “It changes from day to day. Right now we’re completely open, all the book… people have access to all the books and all the cassettes and the DVDs.”

Library Director Steve Skidmore says only $300-thousand of the $1.7-million expansion and renovation project is coming from public money… the rest, about 80-percent, is being funded through private grants and donations. When it’s all done, more space will available in the ‘front’ of the house for books and other resources. There’ll be additional private meeting and study space, and volunteers will have more room in the ‘back’ of the house to sort books and do other work.
207 – “Scheduled to be completed by September 18th, I think probably by the end of August we’re going to have things close to being done.”

There’ll also be more parking. Part of the funding went to pay for additional property at the corner of Eighth and Maple Streets. Skidmore anticipates that the outside portions… the parking, landscaping work and sidewalks… will be the final items to be completed.


The Florence Arts Community gathered for a gallery opening Saturday.
208 – “Back Street on Bay Street! We’re kind of back a little bit so hey, it still works.”

It was the grand opening of the new location for the Back Street Gallery, recently relocated from Laurel Street just off Highway 101 to new digs at 1421 Bay Street. It’s a co-op of nearly two-dozen artists according to president Jennifer French.
209 -- “The other place has been wonderful. It served a wonderful purpose. We learned how to be together, how to grow, how to run a business together and now that we’re on Bay Street we’re ready and we’re just a bunch of giggling idiots.”

French says the Bay Street exposure… and their Laurel Street experience… is invaluable for local artists.

They started in Austin, Texas June sixth and by the time they reach Anchorage, Alaska in mid August the 50 bicyclists from the University of Texas will have ridden more than 4,500 miles… and more importantly will have raised more than $110-thousand for cancer research. The “Sense Corps Texas 4,000” splits riders over two different courses, “Rockies” and “Coastal”. The riders on the latter will be in Florence by this afternoon where they’re expected to stop at St. Andrews Episcopal Church. Terri Pennington says this is the fourth year they’ve hosted the riders. They’ll have dinner at the Church and then talk about the ride at seven pm. Every rider has a personal connection with the disease… either directly as a survivor or through a close friend or family member. Pennington says local bicyclists are welcome to join the group as they ride into town this afternoon… or tomorrow for their eight AM departure.

TAKING A LOOK INTO COAST RADIO SPORTS:

American Legion Baseball:

Bryce Weidman threw a complete game with 17 strikeouts as the Three Rivers Sandblasters held on for a two-nothing shutout win over the Mid Valley Rockets yesterday afternoon in Florence. The win put the ‘Blasters back at .500 in league play after losing Friday night, 12-2 to Corvallis’ Richey’s Market and then Saturday 3-2 to the Springfield Titans. Three Rivers is back on the diamond this evening at Corban College in Salem against the Post 9 Highwaymen.

Northwest League Baseball:

The Emeralds went one-one-and-one over the weekend… losing Friday night 5-1 to the Spokane Indians; picking up an 8-2 win Saturday; then giving in to the rain yesterday. The Indians and the Ems double up at Civic Stadium for two games tonight.

Pac Ten Football:

Single game tickets for Oregon State Beaver Football go on sale this morning online only. Phone or ticket office sales open up in two weeks. Single game tickets are available for the home opener September Fifth against Portland State, then a non-league game against Cincinnati as well as Pac-Ten rivals Arizona, Stanford, UCLA and Washington.