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Fourth of July Celebration in Seaside |
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6/29/2011 9:25:53 AM |
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 Unlike other
Oregon beaches where fireworks are banned to keep from disturbing wildlife living along cliffs and on rocks,
Seaside’s beach has a long expanse free from nesting birds and other wildlife so no such bans exist. You can bring your own fireworks to celebrate
America’s birthday, or enjoy the public display from within the “fireworks free zone”.
Although one of the regular sponsors was unable to help fund the show this year, the committee didn’t let it stop them from planning a first class show. Community fundraisers have helped make up the short fall. This year’s display will be timed to patriotic tunes as well as movie music from favorites like Star Wars and Pirates of the
Caribbean. (If I can’t be at Disneyland, hey, why not
Seaside!) The music will be heard for miles around and will be simulcast on 94.9 FM.
Here are some guidelines for you:
- The “fireworks free zone” will be implemented several hours prior to the show’s 10 pm start time and will stretch several blocks to the north and south of the famous Turnaround at the end of Broadway. The free zone is an area where families can enjoy the public display away from people who are setting off their own fireworks. Look for the orange fence.
- If you plan to bring your own fireworks, please be mindful of that zone and know that illegal fireworks such as Roman Candles, Motars, Firecrackers, Missiles are prohibited. They will be confiscated and violators subject to a fine.
- Overly tall bonfires are not permitted. You may make a bon fire away from beach grass and large drift logs but cannot exceed 3 square feet in size.
- Fire pits or shelters larger than six feet in diameter and two feet are not allowed. Violators are also subject to a fine.
- Please remove from the beach anything you bring to the beach. There will be a community clean-up effort Tuesday, July 5th from 8:00 am to 11:00 am to return the beach to her beautiful, pristine self. But the less we have to clean, the better!
- Have a parking plan in mind. Because traffic is heavily congested after the display, you’ll want to park as close to your exit point as possible. For example, if you’ll be heading south after the fireworks, park to the south of the Prom.
- For young children, have those strollers handy and walk as far as you’re willing to walk rather than trying to park extra close to the beach. It will be much easier and faster to walk a few extra blocks after the show than to drive those blocks!
But wait! I’ve gotten ahead of myself. I’m so excited for the fireworks, I almost forgot about the parade. The parade begins at 11:00 am with all its small town charm and a little bit of big time splendor. One of the parade highlights will be the precision drum and bugle corps, the internationally acclaimed Oregon Crusaders. But part of what makes this parade so special is the fun-loving locals of all ages. Don’t be surprised when a “motorized hat” comes by – it’s collecting donations for the fireworks. (You’ll also be able to drop your donations in the big “rocket” at the Turnaround). After the parade, there will be an Old Fashioned Fourth Of July Celebration at the
Seaside
History
Museum from noon to 4:00 pm with food booths, cake walks, children's games and activities, bingo, music and a silent auction. For more information on all of
Seaside’s 4th of July activities, including a map of the parade route and beach regulations, visit Seaside Chamber.
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Picnics in Seaside |
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6/22/2011 5:09:00 PM |
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 Picnic. Al fresco. En plein air. Dining outside with family or friends is one of the ultimate summertime experiences. Whether it’s impromptu with a bucket of fried chicken from KFC or a well-thought out menu, there’s something about the communal dining table (or picnic blanket) amidst the beauty of earth, sea and sky, that brings us together in a way that helps us remember all that truly matters.
There’s probably not a lot I can tell you about picnicking you don’t already know, right? Ice chest, ice, food, drinks, plates, napkins, utensils. But here’s some food for thought (pun intended):
- Many of us use these special occasions as an excuse to pig out. Then we end the day feeling bloated and guilty. A good rule of thumb as you plan your next picnic: For everything bad balance it with something good.
- Pair your white hot dog buns with high quality dogs – no artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, nitrites or nitrates.
- With those delicious high calorie dips (crab dip’s my favorite) go for fresh, organic veggies and multi-grain crackers.
- If you’re the one famous for your big batches of chocolate chip cookies, this summer try upping the nutrition quotient with some whole wheat pastry flour or quality oats.
- Make sure those kids’ juice boxes are 100% juice.
- Don’t forget the bottled water. In recent years, I’ve noticed plenty of soda is left at the end of the day, but the water is always consumed.
- Bring a marker to label disposable cups and water bottles with people’s names to avoid waste.
- Inexpensive wind shelters for the beach are a great idea to keep the sand from blowing into your food. But make sure you get those stakes down deep. I’ve seen them blow away!
- If you’re planning to barbecue, don’t leave home without charcoal, lighter fluid and matches or a torch. You might also consider a wire cleaning brush to scrub the grill and heavy duty aluminum foil.
- Pay attention to signage regarding alcohol to avoid any unwanted encounters with local law enforcement.
- Don’t leave your food unattended, especially at the beach. Our Oregon Coast seagulls are aggressive and will get your food as soon as your back is turned!
- Bring one bag for your garbage and one bag for your recyclables, and dispose of them in the appropriate place.
If picnics are something you really enjoy, have fun with the accessories. There are stainless steel stakes that stick in the sand or grass for balancing wine glasses and wine bottles. Of course, there are entire picnic baskets with place settings, plates and cups. Consider corn picks in fun shapes for little hands (those things you stick on either end of the hot corn cob).
Three places to hit in Seaside for picnic gear are Rite Aid, the Kitchen Collection at the Outlet Mall and Palapa Beach on the corner of Holladay and Broadway. Have fun, be creative, be a little healthy and a little indulgent. Happy picnicking!
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Hood to Coast 2011 |
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6/18/2011 10:02:13 AM |
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 Ok, it’s a little early to post this but I’m too excited to wait until August to write about the Hood to Coast!! Last year I was a sub and had signed on thinking there was no way I’d end up running (didn’t really want to). BUT a month before the event I got a call that I was needed! I reluctantly said yes figuring that I could handle it, having run a half marathon event in June.
The Hood to Coast is a team relay race and not just any relay race but 197 miles split into 36 legs. There are 15,000 runners participating in the event. Each team member runs 3 legs in rotation and the legs vary in length from 3.5 miles to 7.8 miles, and in terrain from flat terrain to steep hills. Each runner runs anywhere from 13.6 to 19.7 miles (I ended up running 14.10 miles). The race starts early Friday morning on August 26 (starting times are staggered) at Timberline Lodge and ends in Seaside on the beach (ending times vary).
Our team had 12 members and we split into two vans. Our team captain assigned legs, vans and had an organized schedule of stops and places to eat. I was with the group that started the race. When you’re not running you’re in the van moving to the next relay location. So you’re waiting for the runner to come in (while cheering) and then cheering while the next runner heads out. You pass a slap bracelet from runner to runner.
I really had no idea how crazy this event would be. There are teams in elaborate costumes, playing music from their vans, with practiced cheers. And you run day and night (whenever it’s your turn). Two of my legs were in the daytime and one at night.
At night you have to wear flashing vests and a headlamp so you can be seen. There’s an incredible spirit of camaraderie between everyone. They cheer you on whether you’re on their team or not (which is amazing). Your team becomes your family for the day. They look out for you and are there right along with you as you wait in line for one of the many porta potties (there are so many long lines!). This year is the 30th anniversary for the Hood to Coast and I’ve signed up again (fully knowing what I’m in for). I’ve got about two months to get myself ready to run in the Hood to Coast.
The event starts Friday August 26th and ends Saturday August 27th. If you’re not running, then be there to witness all the crazy fun on Saturday on the beach right in front of the Prom. There are vendors, music and crazy runners coming in from the race.
The Portland to Coast relay also runs concurrently and many choose to run that Relay instead.
Either way, I hope to see you there! Cheer us on as we finish and be a part of Seaside history!
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Seaside Farmer |
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6/16/2011 10:15:23 AM |
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 Fresh. Local. Organic. We hear these words more and more in relation to the way we shop and eat. And Seaside is about to experience fresh, local and organic in a wonderful new way with its first ever Farmers Market. Starting Saturday, July 2nd and running through September 24th (except during Hood to Coast Weekend August 27th) the Seaside Farmers Market will run from 1:00-4:00 pm each Saturday. The Market will be held in the parking lot of the new TLC Federal Credit Union at 2315 N. Roosevelt Drive at the north end of town.
The market will feature fruits and vegetables, meats and dairy products, an assortment of whole foods and much more. Artists will also be on hand displaying their handiwork along with live music, fun games and activities for kids. A list of vendors will soon be up at the website.
Representatives from the Sunset Empire Park and Recreation District (SEPRD) along with folks from the North Coast Food Web, community volunteers and the City have worked hard for the past year to bring the market to fruition. The idea was first broached 6 years ago, but it was only in this last year that the dream became a feasible reality. The Seaside Farmers Market has its own Market Manager, staff and culinary liaison.
Efforts to bring the market to Seaside were certainly aided by the examples of other markets that have sprung up in recent years on the North Coast in communities like Cannon Beach and Astoria. But what makes this particular venture unique is that it is really an expansion of the Seaside Community Garden project. You can see the garden as you drive into town from the south on your right hand side. The gardening shed looks like an old trolley car!
New to me is the ability to use your debit card to purchase tokens at the information booth to use while you shop. No cash no problem! WIC vouchers and Oregon Trail EBT cards can also be used at the market.
I asked SEPRD General Manager, Mary Blake, what happens to the market on rainy days and got a wonderful response: “There’s never bad weather on the north coast, just inappropriate dress!” She did say all the booths have canopies, but they’re really more to provide shade and keep the vendors cool! She assured me that weather has rarely been cause to cancel an outdoor event in Seaside.
Blake went on to say that as the community continues to grow in its understanding of the health benefits of eating fresh, local and organic, as well as the social connections that are made and the economic potential for small businesses, there is definite room for growth in years to come. Maybe someday we’ll even see the market go from seasonal to year-round!
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Summer at Parks and Rec |
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6/10/2011 5:40:28 PM |
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 In Seaside it’s known as Sunset Empire Park & Recreation District, or SEPRD, and it includes the Sunset Pool and Fitness Room, the Seaside Youth Center, the Bob Chisholm Community Center, Broadway Park, Seaside Skate ‘n’ Ride Park and a handful of other parks around the community. In the 8 short years I’ve lived in the area I’ve seen continual changes and improvements by a highly dedicated group of people who truly care to bring the best in positive leisure activities to you, thus their motto, P.L.A.Y.
This summer is no exception. Looking at the Summer Program Guide, I’m already so excited about all the things the kids and I could do this summer – swimming, Tae Kwan Do, yoga, salsa dance . . . Of course, I have to narrow it down, there’s so much to choose from! Whether you’re a resident or a visitor, there is no shortage of options. Let me give you a quick tour of this summer’s goings on.
First, there’s the Aquatics Program. SEPRD has a main pool heated to 83.5°f, a warm water therapy heated to 90.5°f and a spa pool heated to 101°f. There is also a weight room. There are swim and fitness classes available for all ages and all skill levels, or you can pay to “drop-in” on a class or attend an open swim. The pool can also be rented for special events like kids’ birthday parties.
Of special note this summer is the kid’s Surf Camp for ages 9 and older, Junior Lifeguard training for the pool and Junior Lifeguard training for the beach. There’s also the All Swimmers Fun Meet August 19; evening Rock ‘n’ Swim with music, games and lots of fun on June 17, July 22 and August 19; and Cold Hard Cash on July 19 where swimmers dive for sunken coins (there’ll be $100 worth tossed into the pool!).
Want to be part of a record-breaking event? Join The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson™ on Tuesday, June 14! In 2010 the first-ever WLSL event established the Guinness World Record for the largest simultaneous swimming lesson ever conducted when almost 4,000 people participated around the globe. They’re trying to break the record this year, and the Sunset Pool is an official host location. The folks behind WLSL want to spread the word that swimming saves lives. The entire world will be teaching these lessons at the same time on the same day! In Seaside the lesson begins at 8:00 AM. (We’re fortunate to be in this particular time zone – some people will be swimming at 3:00 AM!) If you are in town on June 14, please consider joining us!
Additionally, SEPRD has a nice array of youth day camps, including Wonderland Camp for kids with special needs and Recreation classes from Canoeing to Geocaching to Water Rocketry and more. A helpful bonus for skaters and bikers, the Skate ‘n’ Ride Park has live webcams: Too wet? Too crowded? Be in the know before you go.
There’s so much going on at SEPRD and I’m almost out of room. I’ll end with a little tease – SEPRD is bringing us our first Seaside Farmers Market! Says SEPRD General Manager, Mary Blake, “So many good people and groups have come together to make this one happen! And not only will it include our local farmers with their yummy products, but art, live music and some fun kid’s games as well.”
The Market begins Saturday, July 2nd and will run every Saturday for 12 weeks with the exception of Hood to Coast Weekend at the end of August. It will take place in the new TLC Bank parking lot between the highway and the river from 1:00-4:00 pm. I’ll tell you more about the Market in my next blog. But let me say now that if you’re interested in participating as a vendor, artist or performer, the District would love to hear from you.
To learn more about all these great activities and more visit their website or call (503)738-3311.
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Ice Cream in Seaside |
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6/9/2011 5:37:53 PM |
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 On a hot day when you’re walking through downtown Seaside checking out the shops, you will usually see at least a few people carrying around an ice cream cone. And of course, ice cream is one thought that can force all other thoughts out of your head.
So where do you go to get ice cream in Seaside? There are many options!
You can go to the grocery store and buy a pint of Ben and Jerry’s, head over to Dairy Queen for a variety of ice cream treats (my favorite is a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Blizzard with added banana) or visit one of the many restaurants that have ice cream on the menu. But since the best thing to do is find out where the locals like to go for ice cream, I asked friends and family where they like to go for ice cream.
Here are their top three favorites.
The Tuckered Bear (located at 111 Broadway St # 6)ranked most highly rated of the ice cream places. They serve Dryer’s ice cream and are right in the middle of the downtown area. Everyone mentioned that the smell of waffle cones from Tuckered Bear draws you into their shop (and it’s true). “…Their homemade waffle cones are the best and made fresh everyday! The smell is amazing!”, says Vicki Q., a Seaside resident.
Zingers is the second top favorite location to get ice cream. Zingers is located at 210 Broadway across from the Funland Arcade. They offer homemade ice cream (that they make right there in their store) and they also make their own waffle cones. Their ice cream is Ultra-premium ice cream, with 18% butterfat (highest of anyone in town and of course, yummy!). They have a very informative website (that includes the History of Ice Cream) where you can sign up for their newsletter and get discounts.
Flashback Malt Shoppe is another Seaside favorite to visit. They are located at 300 Broadway in the Carousel Mall. It’s a 1950s style soda fountain that also sells licensed nostalgia themed collectibles. They offer fun sundaes, between 20 to 30 flavors of Cascade Glacier Ice Cream (an Oregon company) and have over 20 bottled varieties of old time soda pops. You can get creative with your orders and the staff at Flashback is very friendly. Last time I was there they were having a huge discussion with a customer about different types of green apple soda.
There are many other wonderful places to get ice cream in Seaside. You can ask a local or do the research yourself (yum!). Once you find your favorite ice cream shop in Seaside you’ll be the envy of others wondering where you got that wonderful looking ice cream cone. And be sure to comment below and tell us what you found!
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| | Comments (4) | | Last comment made | | 7/9/2012 11:15:17 AM |
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Jon (Seaside VB Staff) |
6/16/2011 10:17:58 PM |
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Thanks for the question, Dee. Most shops, especially during the summer months, are open on Mondays. Many shops try to have their "closed" days happen on a Tuesday and/or a Wednesday, but it varies from place to place. It's also more frequent during the winter months for businesses to close for a day or two - but again typically during the middle of a week. Many operate seven days per week during the summer.
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So are these ice cream places and other shops in Downtown open on Mondays?
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Jon (Seaside VB Staff) |
6/14/2011 2:58:52 PM |
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Thank you, Vivian, for the comment. It is commonplace for several of our merchants to only take cash. However, it's also worth pointing out that most small businesses in Seaside do take credit cards but require a minimum purchase of $4 or $5 to use your plastic. See you in Seaside!
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vivian schubert |
6/9/2011 6:55:56 PM |
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Make sure to have cash on hand as most places it's cash only.
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Seven Dee's |
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6/6/2011 2:43:31 PM |
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 My grandfather had a large vegetable garden with cherry tomatoes, strawberries, bean sprouts and string beans. He also had a flower garden, multiple shrubs, an apple tree, and a huge green backyard. We loved playing out back, picking fresh fruit and vegetables and looking for duck eggs in the shrubs. It was a wonderful place for kids, and now that I’m older and have started gardening, I appreciate how much work it must have taken my grandfather to care for his backyard and gardens.
As a gardener, one of the things I value most is advice, information and connection with other people in the gardening industry. Thankfully we have a wonderful resource right here in Seaside. Seven Dee’s Nursery is located right off Highway 101, near the junction, and they are an amazing resource for gardeners, plant lovers and visitors alike.
Seven Dee’s was opened in Portland in 1956 as a nursery and landscaping company by the Snodgrass family. Merle and Robert Snodgrass named it Seven Dees, after the first letter in each of the children’s names. Everybody pitched in — aunts, uncles and children — to make Seven Dees the best garden center in town. My mother went to school with several of the Snodgrass kids, and everyone in Portland knew that Dee’s had a stellar reputation. So when they opened up a location on the coast I was so excited knowing they offered great product, and friendly/expert advice.
Seven Dee’s at the junction has a newly refreshed garden center with the largest color source on the coast and a huge selection of hanging baskets. They have expansive grounds that you can wander around in forever. It’s a great place to visit if you are a gardener or a gardener want-a-be as you will have many acres to tour.
Whether you’re looking at plants that are unique to our coastal area or to find a houseplant to give to someone special, Seven Dee’s has an amazing selection to look at. They have very friendly and knowledgeable staff that can help you with any question of concern you might have (believe me, I’ve asked).
They have a new Farmers fresh produce market that is open daily. They offer fruit and veggies from local sources in season so it is a great place to shop for local foods while you are here in town.
If you’re looking for help with your own garden, fresh seasonal produce, or anything that has to do with plants then make sure you visit Seven Dee’s Nursery in Seaside. They are an amazing local family-owned business that will exceed your expectations and make your green thumb much greener!
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Churches in Seaside OR |
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6/4/2011 9:42:09 AM |
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 The buzz of summer is in the air as
Seaside welcomes ever-increasing waves of visitors, happily sharing the beauty and bounty of our coastal getaway. As numbers increase on sidewalks, in shops, on roads and in restaurants, our local houses of worship also expand. Some folks desire a peaceful respite during a busy vacation; brides anxiously check out venues for future nuptials; history buffs enjoy the areas older churches; and some just enjoy connecting and worshiping with others of like-minded faith.
This past Sunday, my family and I attended a good old-fashioned pancake breakfast in the Fellowship Hall of Our Lady of Victory Church in downtown
Seaside. After breakfast, we toured the grounds of the recently renovated church, and then headed inside for mass. This was the first Sunday in the new space, and it was full of both locals and visitors. The official dedication will take place Sunday, July 10th at 3:00 pm.
Although many of us were sad to see the old building go, with its quaint cottage-like charm, we appreciate the need for structural improvements as well as additional space for a congregation that swells dramatically in the summer. It’s a popular place for visitors as it is steps from the beach and adjacent to all the attractions of downtown. Like other
Seaside churches, it is a welcoming, peaceful place that’s an integral part of the community. Thankfully, the building’s designers did a lovely job of creating an edifice that blends naturally into its surroundings.
Another church in town that sees its numbers swell in summer is North Coast Family Fellowship. It is especially popular as it has numerous programs for youths of all ages, including
Vacation
Bible
School in July. VBS is a free day camp for kids going into Kindergarten through 5th grade and is full of all the fun you’d expect including crazy songs, high octane games, arts and crafts, and hilarious skits featuring the church’s older kids. My daughter has attended VBS three times and has always come away with treasured memories.
Of course, even a walk on the beach at sunset taking in our awe-inspiring coastline is cause for worship, and an apt place for prayer and meditation. But should you want to step inside a house of worship while you are here, here’s a list of area churches:
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Calvary Episcopal Church,
503 N. Holladay Dr., 503-738-5773
§ Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints,
1403 S. Wahanna Rd., 503-738-7543
§ Church of the Nazarene,
931 16th St., 503-738-6603
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Faith
Lutheran
Church – LCMS, 1115 Broadway, 503-738-7223
§ Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 2667 Highway 101 North, 503-738-8082
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North
Coast Family Fellowship,
2245 N. Wahanna Road, 503-738-7453
§ Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 120 Oceanway, 503-738-6161
§ Our Savior’s Lutheran Church ELCA,
320 1st Ave., 503-738-6791
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River of
Life Fellowship, 1000 Ave F, 503-738-5534
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Seaside Assembly of God, 540 S
Holladay 503-738-6180
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Seventh
Day
Adventist
Church,
1450 N. Roosevelt Dr., 503-738-8071
§ United
Methodist
Church,
241 N. Holladay Dr., 503-738-7562
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| | Comments (1) | | Last comment made | | 7/9/2012 11:15:17 AM |
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Avrel Nudelman |
6/29/2011 6:34:14 PM |
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For Jewish worshippers there is a NORTH COAST Shabbat Group that meets for services usually the last Friday night of the month April through November at the 8 pm at the Bob Chisum community center behind Safeway. Tee next service is July 29th at 8:00 pm. There is a oneg Shabbat with desserts after service and people are encouraged to bring a kosher dessert to share.
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Seaside Library Summer Events |
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6/3/2011 10:51:05 AM |
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 In just a few short weeks, the kids will be out of school and looking for things to do.
There are lots of activities and events in Seaside this summer for kids of all ages to enjoy. The Seaside Public Library is offering special summer programs all summer long.
These Seaside Programs were inspired by the statewide summer reading program, “One World, Many Stories” (which is a national summer reading program being used across the U.S. this summer). The Seaside Library’s program is designed for children and young adults of all ages to “Travel the World” from right here in Clatsop County. You can sign up at the Circulation Desk or by calling 503-738-6742.
Workshops began May 26th and go through the summer. They will have some special guests accompanying participants on these excursions. Storyteller Steve Taylor will be there on July 1st and Reptile Man, Richard Ritchie, will be there on July 23rd.
Highlights include:
A pretend trip to Italy featuring a two-part Pottery Class creating colorful pasta bowls.
A trek to Brazil to make an amazing Amazonian Floating Bird.
Travel to the Dark Continent for an African Beading Class incorporating recycled maps into stunning jewelry.
A tour to Mexico where travelers will construct handmade Piñatas fit for a Quinceanera.
A trip into time with a Futuristic Jewelry Class where molecules shift before your very eyes.
The Seaside Library will be hosting many great events for not only kids but adults as well. On Thursday June 2, at 7:00 p.m., Captain Deborah Dempsey will tell her story of becoming a Bar Pilot on the treacherous Columbia River.
Deborah has an impressive list of firsts; including being the first female to graduate from a U.S. maritime or military academy and the first American woman to be licensed as a master mariner and to command a cargo ship on international voyages. Deborah was actively recruited by the Columbia River Bar Pilots in April of 1994 and received her license on December 20 of that year. Qualifications for a Bar Pilot are hard-earned and require a 15-to-18 year sea-going career. You can find out more about Deborah’s impressive journey at the event.
I love being able to use the library’s many resources (computers, e-book checkouts, and good old fashioned books too) and love that the Seaside Library offers creative programs for the whole family. Make sure you take advantage of all the library has to offer this summer. We’ll keep you posted on the events as well (since I plan to take full advantage of them!
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