Backstreet Gallery, a co-op of 24 local artists in Florence, is this month’s featured local exhibitor at the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce’s Visitors’ Center, 290 Highway 101. Visitors to the exhibit will get to see more than a dozen pieces within a theme of “A Summer Flight to the Oregon Coast.” The artists have each chosen an original piece of their artwork depicting birds. Represented artists include Stephanie Ames (photography), Kristin Anderson (fused glass), Pattie Brooks Anderson (ink on watercolor), Kathryn Damon-Dawson (watercolor), Russ Dixon (wood), Charles Draper (photography), Meredith Draper (bas relief/paper clay), Daphne John (fiber art), Claudia Ignatieff (oil), John Leasure (oil), Colleen McKnight (gourd art), Karen D. Nichols (paper painting collage), and Jane Rincon (watercolor). “We are delighted with Backstreet Gallery’s display this month. It fills the walls of the Chamber’s Visitors Center with some really stunning original artwork,” says Chamber executive director Bettina Hannigan. “They are […]
(LOON LAKE, OR) Recent news releases by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) about the status of their camping facilities at Loon Lake in the Oregon Coast Range remain confusing to the public. The entire Loon Lake, and Loon Lake Lodge and RV Resort and Loon Lake Watersports and Marina, not affiliated with the BLM, remain open. It is true that due to winter snowstorm damage, the BLM closed its campground and recreation facilities on the west end of Loon Lake for the 2019 season. However, inaccurate article headlines and television news reports relating to the BLM press release have not been corrected, further compounding the public confusion. Also, social media comments continue to state the inaccurate news reports. The lodging and marina businesses located at Loon Lake have experienced many cancelations and a lack of new reservations as a result. The beach and docks at the BLM are closed, […]
As of May, and continuing through September of 2019, Florence-area visitors and residents have a new option to see one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in America. The Florence-Yachats Connector Bus Service shuttles passengers between these two fun destinations so passengers can relax and take in the awe-inspiring ocean, lake, and forest views—for just $5 for a day pass, or $2.50 for a one-way pass. Service includes two round-trips per day, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:35 p.m. except holidays. The bus picks-up and drops-off at Grocery Outlet in Florence, makes one mid-route stop at Carl G. Washburne State Park, and makes its turn at 3rd and Pontiac (Historic Log Church) in Yachats. For details, route maps, location of stops, and more information visit www.ltd.org/florence-yachats-connector or call Lane Transit District at 541-902-2067. Exact change or pre-purchased tickets are required. The bus is fully accessible and bikes are […]
A publication out of Houston, Texas, has named Florence as one of the top eight coastal places to retire. In its recent edition, Where to Retire magazine looked at several categories including cost of housing, quality of life, arts and community involvement. They also considered climate, the Rhody Festival, and the Winter Music Festival as major benefits. The magazine’s website boasts that Where to Retire is “The authority on retirement relocation since 1992.” The publication’s editor Annette Fuller says though she has never visited, Florence sounds like an ideal place and some of the views she has seen from photographs, amazing. “The Heceta Head Lighthouse, with that red roof, when that is on the horizon, oh my god, it is absolutely compelling for us to see,” she writes. Other retirement destinations mentioned in the best-of list were Washington, North Carolina; Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida; Bainbridge Island, Washington; Carlsbad, California; Picayune, Mississippi; […]
The Florence Area Chamber of Commerce is now receiving applications for the board of directors. The chamber is on the move and looking for dedicated and industrious individuals who wish to serve the Florence community. Nominations will be reviewed by the Nominating Committee and if selected, nominees will be included in the membership election in late May. Applications must be received by May 10th for consideration. Click here to download the application and information.
USHarbors.com has tallied the votes from across the country and from among their 4 million users. Florence was voted #2 Best Harbor of 2019 in the US, overtaking Lubec, Maine, in the final week of voting. Padanaram/South Dartmouth, Massachusetts, was voted #1. The Best Harbor contest kicked off in January with nominations of 1,278 harbors across 23 states. During the nomination phase readers of US Harbors narrowed down the list of eligible harbors leaving 90 across the US. Online voting began in early March. Rounding out the top five were Florence, Lubec, ME, Rockland, ME, and Oyster Bay, NY. The organization announced in its news release that “Over the past few months US Harbors has been on a mission to find out which community our users deem the Best Harbor of 2019. It’s been a long, tight race. For us the best part of the contest was getting to read […]
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Whale Watching Week starts March 23 here in Florence. Book a cozy, comfortable room in one of our award-winning lodgings for your base of operations, then grab a coffee or hot chocolate to go from one of our great coffee places before hitting the road for the day. Better yet, order a lunch to go from one of our many excellent restaurants and head north on Highway 101 to the many state parks, turn-outs, or attractions (Sea Lion Caves, Heceta Head Lighthouse, Cape Perpetua) for the best views. Bring your binoculars or telephoto camera lenses for close-ups, and appropriate clothing. As we like to say, “There is no bad weather in Florence…just bad clothing choices!” Look for the “Whale Watching Spoken Here” signs along Highway 101 so you can talk to the volunteer experts and learn more about these majestic migraters. Even though whales live off the Central Oregon Coast […]
The Florence Area Chamber of Commerce’s Visitor Center features a different local art exhibit each month. In February the exhibit spotlights a variety of works by local and Northwest artists from The Blue Heron Gallery in Old Town. “Visitors will find a beautiful display of a wide variety of jewelry, sculpture, and artwork in several mediums by locally-, regionally-, and nationally-acclaimed artists,” says Jack Butler, owner of the Blue Heron Gallery, Sticks and Stones Gallery, and Wind Drift Gallery. “It’s exciting to be invited to participate in the Chamber’s monthly exhibit,” he adds. “We appreciate that the Chamber supports our vibrant arts community.” “We are delighted to have a sampling of The Blue Heron’s collection on display at the Chamber’s Visitor Center this month,” says Chamber executive director Bettina Hannigan. “The Chamber is listed in the local art tour map because of our monthly displays of photography, paintings, or three-dimensional […]
Branding – are you? Branding is one of the most productive marketing tools you can use to build your business. Florence “A city in motion”, the chamber’s marketing “Oregon’s Coastal Playground”, Nike – “Just Do It”, ROLAIDS “How Do You Spell Relief?” you get the idea. Personally, I think the most important part of marketing is the actual interactive experience. Are you living up to your branding? Who are you targeting and what is important to them? My mom trained me early, there is a big difference between inexpensive and cheap. This concept extends to a multitude of business tangibles. I’ll share the one greatest tool you can use to brand your business – CUSTOMER SERVICE. When is the last time you’ve heard “The Customer is Always Right”? Can you say Nordstrom? How do you feel when you’re the customer and you’re treated right? That’s what I’m talking about. Customer […]