Now is the chance to participate in the recovery process by offering a name for each one. Simply email social@aquarium.org to put your best creative efforts to work. Who knows? You may be one of the two winners to receive a gift basket from the Oregon Coast Aquarium.

Next time you are on the Coast you can see these females in their new home, hopefully with names, and enjoy all the terrific exhibits rain or shine.

On the same night the Pacific Communities Health District sponsors the 15th annual lighted boat parade on Yaquina Bay. This spectacular parade of lighted boats may be viewed from both sides of the Bay. Boats range in size from commercial fishing vessels through sail boats and even sea kayaks. This parade is a fund raising effort by PCHD for Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital to add to needed equipment in the hospital’s birthing center. For tickets to ride a lighted boat, call Marine Discovery Tours at 541-265-6200. The event begins at 5 pm.

Join us for one of the year’s most special weekends on the Oregon Coast.

There are old shroomers and bold shroomers
– but no old, bold shroomers.

Knowledge and experience are the keys to this fascinating hobby. Before you venture into the woods whether it is the Winter/Spring season or the Summer/Fall season it is an excellent idea to do research or take a class at your local county extension service or community college. One of the best ways is to team up with those who have wide experience. My late mother was an avid shroomer and did it by the book — such as, “when in doubt, don’t pick it”.

Yellow Chanterelle Mushroom

Several varieties grow in abundance on the coast and several are harvested commercially. For example the morel (morchella elata) is advertised for sale this year at $132.00 per pound dried. Native Americans gathered a few varieties. It was not until immigrants arrived here from Scandinavia and Russia that mushrooms began to be widely sought as people identified species familiar to them from their home countries.

My Mother was raised during the Great Depression and was taught by her father, a Swedish immigrant, how to find edible and delicious fungi to supplement the family diet. I am also fortunate to have relatives by marriage who are immigrants from Russia. They delight is shrooming here in season. Good web sites include a local one and http://www.fsl.orst.edu.

Dark Morel Mushrooms

I had breakfast with out of town guests today at The Coffee House on Newport’s Bay Front. I was served the most delightful omelet of fresh, locally grown organic spinach and local wild mushrooms. Yummmm!

I’m not an educated opera buff; however, it was a truly wonderful experience to see and hear some of the very best opera singers in the world, not to mention the world class musicianship of the Met orchestra. The next performance is Verdi’s Aida on the morning of October 24 at the Newport Performing Arts Center.

This performance was the first of a series of nine to be presented during the 2009/2010 season. More details can be found at the Oregon Coast Council of the Arts site.

What terrific way to spend part of a weekend at the coast. Come on over, soak in some opera, and check out the latest Oregon Coast Real Estate listings.

Once hunted to near extinction for their pelts, Sea Otters are making a comeback as a protected species. Recognized as a keystone species, otters play a critical role in maintaining healthy kelp beds that in turn supports thousands of organisms in the marine ecosystem. The last recorded Sea Otter to be trapped off Newport was in 1906.

This writer has had the privilege of watching whole herds of these very social creatures in Alaskan waters. If you are not able to make the Alaskan trip, how about dropping by the Oregon Coast Aquarium?

An annual event here on the Central Coast is the Oregon Tuna Classic. Over the past four years, this competition has landed more than 13,000 pounds of fish for distribution to food banks in the area.  Tasting home canned tuna is a sure-fire way to break the habit of buying commercially processed fish.  The Tuna Classic is on July 18 this year and the sport season lasts until mid-September.  Come on over and have some fun on the Oregon Coast.

Read the story at the NewsTimes

Even better than a view from the bridge will be a view from the Regatta Condos. I’ll be there enjoying the best, least-crowded view on the Bay — and you’re invited! Call me at 541-563-3862 to reserve your spot. I’ll be serving some healthy munchies and bottled water — something light after you’ve had your fill at the Nye Beach Clambake.

Earlier on Saturday afternoon, the Newport Symphony presents an exceptional 4th of July concert with a patriotic theme. This is a FREE event held 4 pm at the Newport High School.

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sapius1/3011240588/

Enjoy a long weekend at the Coast. Get your reservations early as this is one of the most popular weekends of the year.