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Monster Mud Drags coming to the LC Fairgounds this weekend!

Jul 262011

Mud Drags @ LC Fairgrounds

Just when you thought it was safe to drive down Harney Street, Debra Jones and her gang are filling the Lincoln County Fairgrounds with more fun and excitement for our summer recreational pleasure. She’s calling it “Monster Fun at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds,” and will run Saturday and Sunday, July 30th and 31st.

“Monster Fun” races start at 10 am both days. Gates open at 7am. Five bucks gets ya in. Kids five and under get in free. Saturday night there’s a free concert by “Classic Rock Club” on the main stage at 6pm, free with admission. There’s also a big spaghetti feed Saturday from Noon to 7pm provided by PEC. And Bi-Mart Monster Truck Rides are five bucks.

Check ‘em out at www.TownAndCountryFair.com

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Bring your dog and touch a little bit of American history…

Special Events, Toledo 1 Response »

Jul 152011

Here’s something you can’t do everyday with your kids AND your dog that touches so much American history. The Yaquina Pacific Railroad Historical Society in Toledo is celebrating the post office’s issuance of a commemorative “Forever” stamp in honor of a little dog that walked onto the pages of American history in the late 1800′s.

Its seems that, Owney, a little mixed terrier, showed up one day at the Albany, New York postal office rail yard and more-or-less adopted the place. Owney grew very popular with the mail workers and was allowed to sleep in his favorite spot, atop piles of empty, but very aromatic, mail bags. Workers said Owney was much enamored with the scent of the bags and soon took a liking to railroad mail cars as well. Soon, he was riding on them, all over the country. And at each stop of the train, Owney would watch some mail come and other mail go, and enjoyed being the mascot of the postal workers who loved him. Before his train pulled out enroute to its next stop, they’d clip a delivery tag to Owney’s collar, so he’d never get lost. Eventually, he would be re-routed back to Albany.

Over time, they started noticing something. No mail train Owney rode on was ever robbed or crashed. They took that as a sign of good luck. At one point in his travels, Owney was given an around-the-world-trip with his beloved mail bags destined for Asia, the Far East and Europe. They said Owney had such a good time, they sent him around the world again, cared for by soft-hearted postal workers every mile of the way.

Later, Owney reportedly was a guest of honor at a political convention, and rode with light bulb inventor Thomas Edison on the first Ferris Wheel at the Chicago Exposition. When Owney eventually died, the postal service took his body to a taxidermist and preserved it in a display that exists today at the Smithsonian Postal Museum in Washington D.C.

Owney’s likeness is also now available on the US Postal Service’s latest version of its Forever Stamp. And to celebrate the event the Yaquina Pacific Railroad Historical Society is holding “The Owney Station Celebration” Wednesday, July 27th at their train museum in Toledo. It runs from 10am to 7pm. From 10-5 there will be a stamp release with hand cancellations. From 2-6 there will dog agility and obedience demonstrations. At 4, an Owney look-alike contest. At 6 o’clock, coloring contest winner awards. And of course, the Loose Caboose Cafe will be open and ready to dispatch any hunger pangs that may befall you during the event.

The stamp art features an original illustration of Owney, with many of his famous tags and medals gleaming in the background. There are many sites around the internet that tell much more of Owney’s story. Just Google “Owney” and enjoy a wonderful journey of your own tracking the life of a little homeless dog that warmed so many hearts around the world.

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Newport Chamber of Commerce Update

Entertainment, Special Events 4 Responses »

Jun 072011

Clams For Cancer – June 10th!

Western Title & Escrow presents the 3rd Annual ‘Clams For Cancer’ on June 10th from 4 to 7pm. Please join us at Western Title & Escrow, located at 255 SW Coast Hwy in Newport. Enjoy delicious clam chowder, crackers, bread and beverages for only $10/adult and $5/child. All proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society. For tickets or questions, call 541-265-2288 or email amitchell@westerntitle.com

Amazing Race

Have you ever watched reality TV and thought, “I could do that.” Here’s your opportunity: The Greater Newport Chamber Young Professionals are hosting an Amazing Race, modeled after some popular shows. Two person teams will solve clues, find eight locations, complete challenges and race through Newport. This contest will challenge intellect, athletics and ability, but all in the spirit of good fun. Teams may sign up for the July 16th competition at the Chamber office, for $30 per team until July 8th or $45 per team afterward. Teams may consist of 2-men, 2-women, or co-ed (age 18 or older), with a first place prize for each category at the conclusion of the event. Volunteers are needed to staff the race route during this “rain or shine” event. Full details and race stipulations are available at www.newportchamber.org, or the Chamber Office, 555 SW Coast Hwy.

Savory Cafe & Pizzeria To Feed Entire School

Savory Cafe has committed to providing a complimentary lunch for the entire Newport Preparatory Academy and Newport High School on June 8th. In celebration of a variety of positive events that occurred in this past year, such as the passing of the School Bond, Girls State Track Champions, and Boys Baseball doing well at State, Savory Cafe Owner Mike Bowers wants to help give back to the schools, students and staff. Savory Cafe is planning to feed an estimated 1,000 students, staff and school officials at the Wednesday event.

Semper Paratus Society

Your invited to join the Semper Paratus Society. Become a member and join in the support of Coast Guard City USA. We are united to serve the best interests of our city and its coasties. We encourage action, commitment, participation, and involvement. For more information call 541-265-5381.

Annual Awards Banquet – June 24th

It is that time of year again! The Chamber’s Annual Awards Banquet is slated for June 24, 2011. The much anticipated event will be held at the Best Western Agate Beach Inn starting at 6pm. The entertaining evening will include: *Complimentary Wine/Beer Social *Catered Dinner *Silent & Live Auction *Entertainment provided by Chamber Board *Raffle Drawings *Recognition of Incoming & Outgoing Board Members *Presentation of Awards and more. Tickets: $25/Individual; $275/Table of Eight. Call the Chamber office for tickets and information 541-265-8801.

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Amazing Race, How Sweat the Sound…

Chambers of Commerce, Special Events No Responses »

May 312011

Photo: Newport Chamber

Provided by Newport Area Chamber of Commerce

Have you ever watched reality TV and thought, “I could do that.” Here’s your opportunity: The Newport Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals are hosting an Amazing Race, modeled after some popular shows. Two person teams will solve clues, find eight locations, complete challenges and race through Newport. This contest will challenge intellect, athletics and ability, but all in the spirit of good fun.

Teams may sign up for the July 16th competition at the Chamber office, for $30 per team until July 8th or $45 per team afterward. Teams may consist of 2-men, 2-women, or co-ed (age 18 or older), with a first place prize for each category at the conclusion of the event.

The race begins and ends at Rogue Ales Brewers On The Bay, with registration beginning at 8:00 a.m. on July 16th. A clue will be given to start the competition. At the completion of each challenge, teams will receive their next clue. Teams may participate in the event, without actually “racing.” Volunteers are needed to staff the race route during this “rain or shine” event. Full details and race stipulations are available at www.newportchamber.org, or the Chamber Office, 555 SW Coast Hwy.

Participants are encouraged to sign up early, since limited numbers of teams may join.

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State money better spent on getting Granny to the doctor?

Entertainment, Newport, Special Events No Responses »

May 302011

State Capitol

A brand new lawmaker in the Oregon House is asking a fundamental question about how to spend the state’s scarce funds. Should over a million dollars a year go to making TV ads encouraging people to drive less when gas it over $4.00 in many places? Shouldn’t that money be spent on senior citizen transportation services, some of which have been slashed due to state budget cutbacks. He asks, “Shouldn’t that money be spent on getting granny to the doctor?”

The story is in the Oregonian. Click here.

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Ye Merrie Greenwood at Glastonbury on the Port of Toledo Green – Now Playing!

Special Events, Toledo No Responses »

May 072011

Ye Merrie Greenwood, Port of Toledo grounds

A bit of jolly olde England and a taste of everything hand-made and hand-crafted right before your eyes is only part of the fun and interesting experiences you’ll enjoy on Toledo’s Port Green, right on the Yaquina River. You’ll see how primitive technology laid the ground work for what we take for granted today. Lots of great arts and crafts as well as an extremely well done puppet show. It’s really good. Lots of belly laughs from kids and adults.

There are bawdy and clumsy fighters, weighted down with steel and iron regalia that still manage to stay upright and bash each other silly. There is the compulsory fire eating woodsman who insists that although it looks dangerous, it really is. Watch craftsmen fashion shining armor for knights dueling for a faire maiden’s honor. Jewelry, cabinetry, clothing construction, singing by the Madrigal Singers, the Renaissance Singers, the Monger’s Guild, entrancing storytelling that enthrall kids and adults, and of course, Renaissance Dancing.

Its all going on Sunday, 10am-4:30pm on the Port of Toledo Green, right next to the RxR Museum. Tickets are $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and kids, and children under 5 are free. You can literally spend hours there and be totally entertained with all the knight fighting, fire eating, Chamber Music, choirs and all the craftsmanship breaking out from one end of the performance area to the other. An all day fun excursion if you pay attention to the schedule.

Fun stuff in Toledo!! Ye Merrie Greenwood at Glastonbury, Port of Toledo Green, 10-4:30 Sunday. And yes they have food. And it’s really good!

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One better than a TV News Anchor….A NEWPORT ANCHOR!

Newport, Special Events No Responses »

May 062011

You don’t have to be a Salty Dog to sport an anchor on the Oregon Coast, but you’ll need to pump some iron to toss The Newport Anchor!

The inaugural Newport Celtic Festival & Highland Games presented by Toby Murry Toyota on June 10-11-12 will feature two unique events in addition to the traditional Highland Games contests of skill and strength. Both contests are intended to become traditions at the annual festival and will feature a $100 cash prize to the winners.

The Newport Anchor Toss
To connect Newport’s active fishing and seafaring community with the maritime heritage of the seven Celtic nations, organizers have created an innovative challenge called the Newport Anchor toss. Unique to the Newport Games, the contest will be open to all Highland Games athletes at the event. The 65 lb. anchor saw years in the briny deep until local fisherman Dave Richcreek found it in his nets one day and donated the rusty relic to the Games. Tossing this cast iron weight for distance will be no feat for the weary, but the winner walks away with a $100 cash prize.

The Clan MacLaren Challenge Caber
The Clan MacLaren Challenge Caber is a special event designed to test the very best Highland Games athletes. The caber toss is a traditional Scottish athletic event involving the tossing of a large wooden pole called a caber, similar to a telephone pole. Cabers at the regular games contests vary in length from 12 feet for novices and up to 18 feet in length and can easily weigh over 100 lbs. The object is not the sheer distance of the throw, but rather to have the bottom end of the caber land directly 180 degrees from the thrower. A perfect throw ends with the ‘top’ end nearest to the thrower and the ‘bottom’ end pointing away in a straight line. Hand crafted by Raymond Mabey especially for the Newport Games, The Clan MacLaren Challenge Caber is 18’6” in length and 140 lbs. The caber challenge will be open to all Highland Games athletes who successfully toss the ‘regulation’ caber during competition. The winner of the challenge caber contest will pocket $100 and have their name engraved on the Newport Caber for posterity. Both the Newport Anchor and Clan MacLaren Caber Challenge are scheduled for Sunday afternoon at the conclusion of the regular competition.

Highland Games 101
The Highland Games are open to both men and women with divisions ranging from novice to master. Persons interested in taking part can pick up a copy of official rules and entry form at the Newport Recreation Center or download the full package from newportcelticfestival.com. Advance entries must be postmarked by June 8, 2011, with day of games entries accepted as space allows. A series of free Highland Games clinics are being offered by the Newport Rec Center. Clinics are held at 6:00pm every Wednesday night before the event. Interested parties may contact Liam Hughes at the Rec Center or call 541-574-5453 for more info.

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Blessing of the Fleet, 2011

Fishing, Newport, Special Events No Responses »

Mar 192011

(Click image to play video)

The hometown pageantry of the Blessing of the Fleet returned to Yaquina Bay Saturday, as fishing boat captains and their crews sought the blessings of Newport’s religious leaders who were aboard the Coast Guard Vessel Victory, parked just east of the Yaquina Bay Bridge. One by one the commercial fishing vessels, crews with guests aboard sailed single file by the Victory to receive their blessing for good fishing, fair weather and safe return home with a bountiful catch for their families andfor the local economy.

The Blessing of the Fleet begins with a Coast Guard salute to Newport’s commercial fishing fleet with a high speed run downriver and a rapid ascent over the Yaquina Bay Bridge.

The Blessing of the Fleet originated on the island of Sicily as ancient mariners asked for God’s blessing as they headed out to sea, and the practice was started her in Newport many years ago. The Fishermens Wives organization took it over and expanded it to embrace an annual memorial to remember and celebrate the lives of fishermen who have lost their lives at sea. The wives have also created fun events during the day that celebrate the fishing industry and the skills that are required to make it successful.

The Fishermens Wives want to remind everyone that their annual Newport Wild Seafood Weekend is set for September 10th and 11th on Newport’s Bayfront and they expect it to be a great fundraiser as well as a deliciously memorable time for all.

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The Blessing of the Fleet Highliner Competition: The Battle of the Brothers!

Newport, Special Events No Responses »

Mar 192011

(Click image to play video)

In another Blessing of the Fleet story, here is an abridged version of some of the competition (not all; edited for time) and capped off with a classic “Battle of the Brothers” that proved to be the most exciting competition of them all. Chris and Michael Retherford going all out at the end, showing how it’s done at sea when there’s a lot of work to be done and not a lot of time to do it.

Here’s how the competition winners stacked up:
1st Place, Chris Retherford, 3:49, wins $500
2nd Place, Michael Retherford, 3:51, wins $100
3rd Place, Ryan Barrett, 3:57, wins $50
4th Place, Luke Welch, 4:05, wins $50

In the “40+” age bracket
1st Place Mike (the elder) Retherford, $500
2nd Place Sara Skamser, $100
But Mike and Sara combined the total, each getting $300.

And in the Battle of the Brothers at the end…you’ll just have to watch!

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Blessing of the Fleet – Survival is the main thing…

Newport, Special Events No Responses »

Mar 192011

(Click image to play video)

The Annual Blessing of the Fleet celebration along Newport’s waterfront kicked off this morning with a memorial to those fishers who have lost their lives at sea and prayerful rememberance of those loved ones.

At 9:30am, the Fishermen’s Wives conducted another Survival Suit Competition between the Coast Guard and all comers. Contestants had to jump into their bright orange suits, get their hood on, zip it up and swim to an outlying survival raft that fishermen who lose their craft at sea must remain in until the Coast Guard or some other rescue vessel can get to them and bring them back to shore.

In the competition today:

Team competition:
1st Place: Tiger Blood, Coast Guard, 41:98
2nd Place: FV Excalibur, 45:98
3rd Place: The Mermans, Coast Guard, 49:97

Individuals: Men
1st Place: Brandt, Tiger Blood, 32:68
2nd Place: Matt, Team Gumby, 37:15
3rd Place: Michael, Excalibur, 37:59

Individuals: Women
1st Place: Chelsea, Team Gumby, 52:50
2nd Place: Michaela, Loyalty Days, 1:10:46
3rd Place: Danica, Loyalty Days, 2:19:29

And for their performances, all the above competitors won cash prizes.

The actual Blessing of the Fleet takes place during the noon hour, followed later in the afternoon with the Highliner competition, involving timed completion of standard shipboard duties for fishermen.

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