Ride the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

The Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad kicked off its Summer schedule Memorial weekend and is running during the weekends through the Summer. Step back in time and experience a bit of yesteryear. Enjoy the beautiful Oregon Coast line by riding the rail behind a vintage locomotive.

This hour and a half round trip chugs along Tillamook Bay and gives passengers views of the ocean and Nehalem Bay. Departures are from Garibaldi and Rockaway Beach. Great for all ages. Dinner trains run on select weekends. http://www.ocsr.net/

Memorial weekend at the coast

Friday, May 22, 2009

The weather forecast for Memorial weekend at the beach looks good! Party sunny skies are expected along the Oregon Coast, with highs in the 60’s. Memorial weekend is the official kick-off of Summer, but it’s also a time to remember our fallen soldiers and to honor those who have served in the military.

There are several events worth attending this weekend:

May 23-24 - Celebrating Veterans & Freedom - At Fort Stevens State Park. http://www.visitftstevens.com/

63rd Fleet of Flowers Memorial Day Ceremonies - Nationally acclaimed Memorial Day event. Pay tribute to those lost at sea while watching the flower bedecked fishing fleet sail to sea. Ceremony: 11:00 Reception: Immediately following Location: Depoe Bay Harbor Cost: Free http://www.fleetofflowers.com/

May 22 & 23 The Smothers Brothers at 8PM at Chinook Winds Casino Resort.

May 23-25 Native American Market at Chinook Winds Casino Resort. FMI 888-CHINOOK.

Memorial Day Pie and Ice Cream Social. Wonderful assortment of pies made from the favorite recipes of Ladies Club members. 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Free. Yachats Ladies Club House, W 3rd & Pontiac. Yachats, Oregon.

The 12th Annual Spring Arts & Crafts Festival produced by Crafts on the Coast takes place on Saturday, May 23rd, 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday, May 24th, 9 am to 4 pm inside Yachats Commons, Highway 101 and 4th streets in Yachats, OR.

Florence Old Town Market - Boardwalk, Florence - Featuring local and Northwest artists, crafters, farmers, fishermen, imports, live music and food vendors. - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. - 541.935.6600 - www.florenceoldtownmarket.com

Seaside Wine Walk

Friday, May 15, 2009

The semi-annual Seaside Downtown Wine Walk is this weekend, Saturday, May 16th. Fourteen Oregon Wineries will be showcasing their wine at downtown businesses, offering wine tastings and complimentary appetizers.

A commemorative event wine glass ($5) and ID bracelet is required for wine tasting. Wine glass sales and ID check stations will be open from 1-7 p.m. on Saturday. Wine pours start at 3 p.m.

Glasses and ID bracelets can be purchased at: The Carousel Mall (300 Broadway), Salmonberry Square (810 Broadway) and The Resort at Seaside.

Dogs and beer lovers unite in Newport

Thursday, May 14, 2009

The 3rd Annual Brewers Memorial Ale Fest will be held this weekend in Newport, May 15-17. The event is a benefit for the Central Coast Humane Society and Oregon Coast Therapy Animals. Last year 3,200 people and 471 dogs attended the festival.

The festival was created in memory of Rogue Brewmaster John Maier's faithful companion Brewer, who passed away on May 20, 2006. Brewer grew up in the brewery and eventually rose to the rank of CEO of Rogue Ales.

The dog-friendly brew festival is held inside the Rogue Ales Brewery and includes 30+ Microbreweries, Live Music, Doggy Musical Chairs, Dog Wash, Dog Dancing and Celebrity dog look-alikes (Rin-Tin-Tin, Lassie, Benjy and of course, Brewer).

$10 admission fee gets you a Festival Mug and 3 taster tickets.

Award winning paintings on display in Florence

Monday, May 11, 2009

The Backstreet Gallery in Florence is full of color this month. A traveling exhibition of the Spring Watercolor Society of Oregon Conference award winners is on display through May 31st at the gallery. Fourteen Oregon artists are featured in the show. The winner of the Sweepstakes award was “Bagdad”, a watercolor of a bar in Portland, by Bart DeGraaf.