Chinook School Fundraiser

Fundraisers here are important community events. The 'Friends of Chinook School' held an Octoberfest dinner and auction last week. Proceeds are going toward restoration of that historic building.

We gathered at the Sanctuary Restaurant (now closed- but open for the special event) for an evening filled with locals talking, eating, bidding on items (in tent out back) and some ended up singing German songs. The decor was very festive and appropriate on the dark fall night.

We were not successful bidders this auction- but Brett had his eye on an actual 'River pilot experience'... Watch out next year.









Andre in Klipsan

KEVIN HEIMBIGNER photo. From the Chinook Observer, Oct 25,2006

KLIPSAN BEACH — A wayward sea lion was found at the corner of 220th and M Street in Klipsan Beach early Thursday morning. Doug Remon, seen here with the sea lion, went to Jack’s Country Store to purchase some food for the exhausted sea lion that neighbor Melanie Grill named “André.” After a couple of hours, officers from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife came to Andre’s rescue, netted the 100-pound creature, and safely returned it to the shore of the Pacific Ocean, about a mile away.

Cranberry Harvest Time

The local bogs are filled with water and the hum of equipment is louder than the ocean waves on the sand.

When you arrive at local meetings- the growers arrive bearing gifts of fresh picked cranberries, organic juices and baked goods.

The Cranberry Festival was last weekend. Today is a beautiful day and the harvest is in full force. Posted by Picasa

Italian Pasta in Astoria








We have to drive into Astoria to do banking for the business. If we go in the evening- after work hours and use the ATM- then we can try different restaurants.

Last night we went to Fulio's Pastaria in town. Brett had the shrimp puttanesca and I had squash gorgonzola ravioli. The Tiramisu was yummy.

Field Trip to Courthouse in South Bend





I was as the Pacific County Courthouse yesterday to view the internal test of the 'Vote Tally System'. I will be going again next week when the Sec. of State's office comes to certify the process prior to election.... and again (many times) to observe the actual vote tally process. It is a one hour drive away.

I had time to take a few photos of this historic building. One surprise... under the dome- the people walking into the County Clerk office are Fay(from Burger Night last night) and Tony.





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Burger Night has returned!


The Depot's Wednesday Burger Night has returned!
The locals waited for the tourists to leave- and the return of the mid-week institution in Seaview.

We always go late- around 8pm- so that we can chat with the neighbors.

Here Fay Brill (white sweater) chats with the Oman's. Fay is selling her house to our friend Kristina. We told Fay that we are very sorry to hasten her departure from our community (she is returning to family in the midwest)... but very glad that our friend has found a great house in Seaview.


Since it was Paris' birthday (#21) we raised a toast to her- and enjoyed the chocolate tart for her birthday. Happy Birthday Parie!



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Skamokawa


The little town of Skamokawa was a bustling company town 100 years ago- filled with loggers.

The River Life Interpretive Center is housed in the old school house.

The Columbia River flows in front of many historic homes. Posted by Picasa

Campaign signs



This is the historic 1905 Grays River Covered Bridge in Wahkiakum County.

The last photo is on Puget Island. They have a small ferry that runs across the Columbia River to Oregon.



Another Super Saturday



The last Saturday before the ballots drop this week. We had a full house of volunteers getting Ryan's mailing together. Here are John and his family.

Brett made up more McGavick signs- ready for getting out in Pacific and Wahkaikum Counties.

















Political Candidate Rite of Passage


The local Raymond newspaper hosted a Forum at the High School for the County Candidates.

True to the way these things usually work- the questions were rigged by the reporter at the podium- she did not use a single question put forth by the community board that was so carefully chosen and advertised as being fair and balanced.

And- as usual- the audience was filled with only supporters for their candidate friends. But it was good experience and a necessary 'rite of passage' for our candidates.


The big thrill was when the fire alarm went off in the middle of the forum. We all had to evacuate the building for a short time.

Columbia Forum


Food for the mind. Every month the Columbia Forum Dinner Club hosts a speaker. It is held at the Seafood Consumer Center in Astoria.

This month the speaker was the President of the Janus Corp. - a non-profit that handles 'at risk' kids. He spoke on Organizational Change in relation to non-profit groups.

David and Laurie invited me- as I sit on a few non-profit boards and the topic was very relevant.

The food was delicious. Appetizers of oysters with puff pastry, calamari and I chose a Panther Creek Pinot. Dinner was King Salmon with squash, corn relish, asparagus with black-eyed peas and a cheese biscuit. Dessert was a yummy carmel apple pie. The crust was awesome.

The audience was equally filling. Many business owners and very credible professionals.

Kristina's new house

Our friend Kristina is purchasing this house not far from us in Seaview. It will be nice to have her and her son, Torsten, down more often.

You can visit Kristina's business web site: Dream Soft Bedware Posted by Picasa

Ann and Bill's house

This house belongs to the shoe (pictured below) owner. The house was moved from across the street and raised up for an addition. The front door belonged to the original Tinker Hotel. Don't you love the rock fence with the gate? Posted by Picasa

Our auction winnings


After a fun evening at the Ocean Beach Education Foundation dinner- we took home our auction winnings.
1. A private 1-1/2 hour flute concert.
2. An hour carriage ride.
3. A lovely oval stained glass.
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A tale of 2 pairs of shoes.


Ann (on left) purchased her cute shoes right here in Long Beach.
My shoes came all the way from Morocco- Aura had them made and brought them home to me.

During the silent auction festivities, I lost my heel.

Ocean Beach Education Foundation Dinner Auction






The Annual fall event had a "Our Kids are Out of This World" theme this year.
People dressed in 'spacey attire' and enjoyed the silent auction, dinner and live auction.

They decorate the Elks Lodge and put up a huge tent for the auction items.


































The creative table decor included glow sticks that many wore as necklaces or crowns for the evening.