Hunger for the Holidays; Early morning blaze destroys home; Community Chorus with a Christmas gift; and transition to rain...

Hunger for the Holidays…

Although the number of households seeking assistance with food in the Florence area may not have grown dramatically in the last 18 months, the size of those households has. That’s because family units have combined to help make ends meet. Ultimately that has meant more people than ever going hungry in our community. Carol Bennett is one of the organizers of the Community Christmas Basket Program. She says the same economic realities that leave an estimated one in six Americans without enough food are also making it tough to raise money for this year’s holiday distribution. Each year for the last 30 the Soroptimist Club has organized the project that includes a food box containing groceries for a traditional holiday meal as well as gifts and toys. As of Monday evening Bennett said they were $6-thousand short of what they require for their basic needs. Many of the traditional donors have had to cut back on their giving she says, but a tax-deductible donation of $32.95 will feed a family of four. That can be mailed to Post Office Box 1209 here in Florence. Bennett points out that the Community Christmas Baskets are independent from Florence Food Share.

Both organizations will be represented this afternoon on KCST’s Community Forum beginning at 4:05.

Firefighters struggled with a blaze early this morning in Florentine Estates. Neighbors of the home at number 175 Florentine Avenue heard smoke alarms, saw smoke coming from the roof and called 9-1-1 about 1:45. Siuslaw Valley Fire Marshall Sean Barrett said the owner, Irma Brown spends the winters in Arizona and was away. But when she comes home it will be to a total loss.
205 – Started above the ceiling in the kitchen. We had to pull the whole ceiling in the whole building, the investigations ongoing, we’re not sure, and it’s pretty much a whole loss. I mean it’s standing, but it’s going to have to be removed and tore down.”

Barrett said they were still investigating the cause but he did not feel it was related to the cold. Two earlier fires this week, one of them last night, were however. Two residents have lost pump houses when makeshift heaters caused fires that destroyed the buildings.

A gradual warming trend is expected by Friday, but when it comes it will bring with it precipitation that will overlap the arctic air. That precipitation will likely begin as snow in the Willamette Valley but is expected to transition to freezing rain later in the afternoon.

The Community Chorus of Florence is presenting a “Gift of Music” this Sunday at the Florence Events Center. They’ll feature old classics and new choral works including the world premiere of “The Feeling of Christmas” by local composers Ken Wannberg and Shirley Packard. Tickets are $15 for adults, they’re available at the FEC Box Office.

Taking a look at Coast Radio Sports…

After ending the last two seasons with only a handful of team members, and in light of budget constraints, it was doubtful that there would be a Siuslaw High School Wrestling Program this year. But, even after the School Board opted to eliminate the sport in a cost-cutting move, backers mounted a fund-raising drive and were able to preserve it. That was encouraging to head coach Neil Wartnick who offered to start the season as a volunteer coach.
210 – “It becomes kind of an adventure. A lot of the guys who show up have never wrestled before. I think the young men who’ve come out are enjoying it very much.”

With the aid of some enthusiastic transfers, they’ve been able to convince 17 or 18 wrestlers to fill out the team with experienced hands as well as newcomers. Because of the uncertainty earlier this year, the initial schedule didn’t include any action until later this month. But they were able to add the Coast Classic in North Bend this weekend to the schedule.
211 – “It’s a big tournament; you’ll see some of the best teams in the state. Roseburg will be there, Newburg, a number of the best teams at the 6A, 5A and 4A level. Anyway, it’ll give our more experienced kids a chance to really see where they’re at right now.”

The first chance to see the Vikings wrestle on their home mat will be January seventh against North Bend.