05-22-09

Read for the Need makes national news… Memorial Day observances set... Siuslaw Public Library moving books...

Quite often when someone you know is featured on a national television newscast it’s not necessarily a positive thing… but a regular feature on NBC’s Nightly News has changed that. It’s called “Making a Difference” and it was developed in response to frustrated viewers who wanted more good news in bad economic times.

The story introduced by news anchor Brian Williams last night featured 11-year Taylor Graham of Florence and his Read for the Need Book Sale. Graham, family and friends held their fourth sale over Rhody Weekend, filling the gym at Siuslaw Elementary School with tables full of books… tables that held far fewer volumes by the time the sale ended Sunday afternoon.

They’ll take the proceeds from that sale and put them to work next week… they’re hosting the “Need for Speed” shopping cart derby. Entrants can sponsor shopping carts for up to $150… they’ll get two carts… the first one paid for by proceeds from the book sale, the second paid by your entry fee thereby effectively doubling the amount of cash used to buy food for the shelves at Florence Food Share.

Information on the shopping cart derby is available online.

This weekend marks the official beginning of the summer season… Memorial Day is a huge recreational weekend. But it’s original meaning was to honor and remember those who have died in service to our country’s military. In Reedsport they mark it with an entire weekend of activities including a community barbecue on Sunday followed by a concert by the U.S. Marine Corps Band. Monday there’ll be a Memorial Day Parade in the city on the Umpqua along with… another barbecue and a flyover by the Oregon Air National Guard’s 142 Fighter Wing. By the way, the Marine Band plays again Tuesday in Winchester Bay. In Florence, there’ll be a special dedication ceremony at Veteran’s Park on Bay Street in Old Town. It will feature comments by the Veterans Services Administator Val Conley of the Oregon Department of Veteran’s Affairs. That ceremony is set for 11 O’Clock Monday.

If you’re thinking about heading to the library to pick up a few extra books for the long weekend… you’re too late. The Siuslaw Public Library is closed today and won’t reopen until Tuesday… and even then you probably won’t be able to check anything out. Library Director Steve Skidmore says they’re moving into the critical stage of their building expansion. Employees and volunteers will be spending the weekend moving more than 50-thousand books, periodicals and other materials into storage. That’s so the empty shelves can be relocated into the new addition. Once that’s done, the books will be returned… but Skidmore says it will be June eighth before items will be checked out. He also notes that anything currently checked out… won’t be due until June 23rd.

TAKING A LOOK INTO COAST RADIO SPORTS:

Competition begins at 11 this morning at Historic Hayward Field in Eugene for the OSAA 4A Track and Field finals. The 16 Siuslaw Vikings are competing in 18 different events, including both girls’ relays. Several finals are set for today, but the majority of events wrap up tomorrow.

Prep Baseball… The Siuslaw Vikings open up the first round of the OSAA playoffs in Tillamook against the Cheesemakers. Today’s winning team will face number seven ranked Gladstone on Tuesday. Today’s game will air on Coast Radio Sports beginning at 4:15.

The Pac Ten regular baseball season wraps up this weekend… Oregon will host Arizona… the Beavers are in Palo Alto against Stanford. The Beavers, at 33-and-16 look to be a favorite to make the 64 team NCAA Tournament… but could definitely improve their chances by taking at least two games from the Cardinal.