It has been an absolute delight to work with the Lewis & Clark National Park Association, which runs the bookstore in Fort Clatsop, the main visitor center of the Lewis and Clark National Historical Parks.  Not only do I love, love, LOVE the park itself, the people that work there are pretty spectacular.

If you’ve not been to the Park in awhile, take the time to make a visit.  Personally, my favorite days are summer, when the Fort Replica fills with the sights and sounds of a turn-of-the-century working camp and, in winter, when trails are quiet and imaginations can run rampant with what it was really like to winter over there in 1805-1806.

Lewis & Clark National Park Association is a private non-profit organization which supports educational activities at Fort Clatsop and offers an incredible depth and breadth of Lewis & Clark memorabilia and educational items in their on-site bookstore, as well as online.  They’re a hard-working lot that always has a smile, a can-do attitude, and a passion for history and the park itself.

Consider using our latest brochure for the group, to join and support the educational activities at Fort Clatsop, which you can pick up at the book store, or here at beachdog.com.  As I type, hundreds of schoolchildren are finishing up ranger-led field trips, a Youth Nature Writing Contest has just concluded, Nature Adventure Camp is about to put smiles on kids’ faces, and these are just a few of the many events and programs in store.  This is top-notch, family-fun, educational entertainment, folks.  And it is right here in our own back yard.

Enjoy!

~Keleigh

The Beach to Chowder Challenge, in its 32nd year, has had a little page as a part of funbeach.com for the 14 years or so that site has been active.  We’re delighted to report it now has a home of its own on the web:  www.beachtochowder.com.

The mighty group of volunteers who have headed up the event for much of its existence added a certified half marathon last year, which has made it attractive to even more runners.  You can download their brochure and registration form online, or pick up a copy here in our office, or at the Long Beach Peninsula Visitors Bureau.  Artist Don Nisbett made it easy for us to look good designing that one!

~Keleigh

Today is about remembering those who have given the ultimate sacrifice while serving our nation.   Gratitude doesn’t seem enough to offer the loved ones of these men and women.

I suppose what I should be blogging about today is that Karl, along with Astoria Sunday Market Director Cyndi Mudge, built a brand new site for this event, but what I want to tell you is this: Start training now: The Commercial Fishermen’s Festival is just 3-1/2 months away!

The mission of the Commercial Fishermen’s Festival is to offer fishermen and industry professionals an opportunity to bond and share information that will save lives, improve productivity, increase demand for seafood products, and promote job opportunities. The mission is also dedicated to educating the public about the fishing industry including the steps fishermen have taken to ensure a renewable resource for the future. The Festival will showcase American fisheries and the process of selecting, preparing and cooking seafood.

The REALITY of the Commercial Fishermen’s Festival is FUN FUN FUN!

• Captain Phil Harris Highliner Competition, the Signature Competition of the Festival – No Whiners, Only Highliners! There are three categories:  kids, under age 40, and 40 and above. Cash prize for 1st place is $500 plus prizes from industry leaders.  Additional $500 to overall winner for a total cash prize of $1000.  There is a practice area set-up for competitors.
• Dover Sole Relay – Slimy, Fishy Fun!  Teams of three compete for the highly coveted Dover Sole Crown. This is a relay race carrying a shovel full of Dover Sole – the slipperiest, slimiest fish in the sea.  Winners are based on speed and number of fish left on the shovel.
• Filleting Competition – Surgical Precision at Lightning Speed! Filleters will be competing in three heats with the winners of each heat competing in the final round.  Cash prize plus industry prizes for the top filleter.  Winners are judged on speed and recovery.
• Hyster Competition – Contestants maneuver through an obstacle course
• Survival Suit Races – See crabbers run.  Run crabbers run!
• Wizard of Crab Coiling Competition – Do we even have to explain this?

September 18-19, 2010

When you visit the new site, take a look at the Captain Phil Harris Memorial CD and the Raffle Tickets.  Both of these were also beachdog projects!

The Port of Ilwaco got a little face lift this spring, adding a right sidebar for their social networking activities.  If you’re not yet a fan of Discover Ilwaco on facebook, make a point of it!  Then head down to the Saturday Market tomorrow.  It’s the best!