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A WEEKEND OF YOGA at the Cannon Beach Yoga Festival offers workshops for every level and variety of interests. Featured instructors Alan Finger and Sarah Platt-Finger, Julie Gudmestad and Tiffany Cruikshank will be on hand for the festival February 25-27. In addition to 12 yoga workshops to choose from, there are some optional workshops. Nada Yoga: An Introduction to the Musical Art of Raga with Benjy Wertheimer & Steve Gorn is a vocal workshop. There are also two Yoga Figure Drawing workshops with Tolovana Arts Colony instructor David Kinhan.


Registration is open now at the Cannon Beach Yoga Festival website. Register by January 8 and the Festival Participant fee is $295; after January 8 the registration fee is $325. Festival Participants are entitled to four workshops as well as the Friday Welcome Gathering & Marketplace, Saturday and Sunday Morning Meditation and Yoga Lounge, Saturday night Community Gathering & Kirtan with Shantala, and the Sunday Closing Ceremony. Optional workshops are available for an additional fee. You may also register as a Festival Guest and choose from the optional workshops offered as well as attend the Saturday night Community Gathering & Kirtan. See the website for a full schedule of events, workshops and fees.

INSTRUCTORS:

For more than 15 years, Tiffany Cruikshank has taught yoga throughout North America, empowering her students to transform their lives through mindfulness and dedication. Her classes and workshops are full of humor, heart and hard work. In addition to teaching yoga classes, retreats and workshops internationally, Tiffany is the Acupuncturist at the Nike World Headquarters in Portland, Oregon, runs 200-hour and 500-hour yoga teacher trainings and has been featured in various video and print ads for Nike and Lululemon. Her book, Optimal Health for a Vibrant Life, was recently published as a 30-day detox for yogis.

South African Tantric and Kriya Yoga Master Alan Finger began studying yoga at the age of 16 with his father Mani Finger and renowned swamis of the past century. Alan and Mani created ISHTA Yoga (Integrated Science of Hatha, Tantra and Ayurveda). The ISHTA style integrates breath-based flow yoga with alignment, meditation and healing bodywork. Before creating a home for ISHTA, Alan co-founded Yoga Zone, Be Yoga and Yoga Works. Alan has authored several books and travels the world to share his teachings.

Sarah Platt-Finger was introduced to yoga while living in Taiwan as a dancer, choreographer, and English teacher. Her curiosity of both Eastern philosophy and physical wellness led her to the ISHTA lineage, where she received her 500-hour yoga certification in 2004. Sarah helped to create the ISHTA Yoga studio with Alan Finger and Julie Wilcox. She is currently the director of the ISHTA Yoga Teacher Training program as well as a lead trainer. Sarah teaches an intelligent flow class that caters to the wisdom of the breath and inspires the reconnection of the individual to the true Self.

Julie Gudmestad has been active in Portland, Oregon, as a yoga teacher and licensed physical therapist for over 30 years. She has integrated Western medical knowledge with yoga training into a unique teaching style, and has taught many workshops in the United States, Canada and Europe. She is a certified Iyengar yoga teacher and a member of the American Physical Therapy Association. Additionally, she wrote the Yoga Journal column, “Anatomy of a Yogi” for seven years.

Cannon Beach merchants, hotels and restaurants are offering specials and discounts to all festival participants and guests. Cannon Beach Yoga Festival (503) 440-1649

Check out the festivities at the coast where you can enjoy all the sights, sounds, scents and shopping of the season.

The holidays are officially upon us! There is so much happening on the coast this season, we have decided to collect a list of holiday events from Washington and Oregon coastal communities. If you’re making your holiday plans at the coast, here is a list of what’s happening. Check here at CoastExplorerMagazine.com for the latest as we will be updating our list throughout the season.

ASTORIA

December 6
Regatta Auction at the Astoria Elks Lodge. Silent auction at 6:30pm and regular auction at 7pm. Home made gifts, sweet shop door prizes, raffles and refreshments. Astoria Elks Lodge, Colleen (503) 325-2036

December 11-12
North Coast Chorale Winter Concert Ghosts of Christmas Past. CCC Performing arts Center, Saturday at 7pm and Sunday at 2pm. North Coast Chorale (503) 861-0180

December 18
Wines For Christmas wine tasting, 1-4pm. Sample a variety of wines from top producers for those special holiday occasions – from bubbly all the way to dessert wines. The Cellar on 10th is located in the Astoria Underground at the corner of 10th & Marine Drive. The Cellar on 10th (503) 325-6600

December 19
Christmas with The Coats 4pm at the Liberty Theater. One of the earliest contemporary a cappella groups The Coats are returning to the Liberty Theater to perform their excellent new holiday show. Almost half of the songs are group originals. An afternoon of holiday music to share with your family. Adults $25, student, seniors and military $20. Liberty Theater (503) 325-5922

The Astoria Winter Market is open from 11am-4pm, Saturday and Sunday and is located at the 14th Street Pilot Station. Santa Claus is making an appearance at the market on December 11, 12, 18 & 19. Astoria Winter Market (503) 325-1010

Scrooged in Astoria is a sweet holiday treat. The Astor Street Opry Company’s (ASOC) third annual holiday show was written by Judith Niland with original songs by Philip Morrill. The play is an ASOC melodramatic adaptation of the beloved classic by Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol, but the characters come from Shanghaied in Astoria. Performances are at 7:30pm, Thursday through Saturday until December19, and 2pm Sunday, December 13. Tickets are $8 to $15, with group, senior and child rates available. The Astor Street Opry Company (503) 325-6104.

December 20
Old St. Nick will be attending the Old-Fashioned Christmas celebration in the Flavel House Museum from 6-8pm. Clatsop County Historical Society (503) 325-2203

December 31
Scandinavian New Year’s Eve. Cannery Pier Hotel sponsors the 2nd Annual Scandinavian New Year’s Eve Celebration with first of 2011 Astoria Bicentennial Birthday Cake at The Loft in The Red Building.
An authentic Scandinavian New Year’s Eve at the Loft in The Red Building with award-winning musicians, dancers, vocalists, performers and traditional holiday foods. Tickets may be purchased at the door for $25 per person or $45 per couple. Tickets for children 12 and older (accompanied by adults please) are $10. Cannery Pier Hotel at (503) 325-4996

CANNON BEACH

Through December 8
Haystack Holidays offer old-fashioned holiday fun with a traditional lamp lighting ceremony, gallery open houses, and wreath-making. Make a holiday wreath on Saturday, November 27 at the Cannon Beach Community Hall from 11am-3pm. Medium is $12 and X-large is $18, materials included. Hear holiday music from the Cannon Bach Chorus on November 28, 3pm at the Nehalem UN Methodist Church and again on December 2, 7pm at the Community Presbyterian Church. December 4 brings a Holiday Tea at the Cannon Beach Library from 2-5pm, gallery open houses 1-5pm, Town Lamplighting at Sandpiper Square at 4pm, buffet dinner and concert at Sweet Basil’s Café for $30 at 6:30pm. December 8 from 5:30-7:30pm at the Cannon Beach Children’s Center is a Holiday Open House with treats and pictures with Santa. Brought to you by the Cannon Beach Chamber of Commerce along with sponsors Bruce’s Candy Kitchen and Susan Buehler DMA Voice/Piano Studio. Cannon Beach Chamber of Commerce, (503) 436-2623

December 17-19
It’s Almost Christmas Artist Sale. Local artists will be selling their wares in the Cannon Beach Gallery for those last minute gift seekers who want to keep their spending local. Artists slated to participate in the event include Bonny Gorsuch, Jessica Sund, Prudence Farrell and Elizabeth Pattison. Cannon Beach Gallery (503) 436-0744

COOS BAY

Through December 31
Oregon coast communities Coos Bay, North Bend and Charleston invite you to the magic of The Holiday Lights at Shore Acres State Park. With more than a quarter million lights, come see why nearly 50,000 visitors from six continents visited last year.
Open every day, 4-10pm through New Year’s Eve. Shore Acres State Park (541) 888-3732

LINCOLN CITY

December 10
The Dorchester House Christmas Lighting, 6pm, located at 2701 NW Hwy 101.
Santa will arrive on a fire truck. You may bring a camera for pictures with Santa in his sleigh. The Dorchester House will warm you up with hot cocoa and cookies. A canned-food item donation is suggested and there will be a Firefighters Toy Drive drop off station. The Dorchester House Retirement Residence (541) 994-7175

December 11 

Miracle on 51st Street including a Community Christmas Tree lighting complete with caroling and roasted chestnuts by the pavilion at the end of SW 51st Street at dusk (approximately 5pm) and a visit from Santa.

Inaugural Kiwanis Jingle Bell 2K Fun Walk and 5K Fun Run to benefit Kiwanis Scholarship Fund. Dogs are permitted for the Fun Walk only. Fun Walk begins at 9am at 51st St. near Mo’s. Fun Run begins at 9am. Kiwanis Club of Lincoln City (541) 996-5803

December 14
Holiday Dinner Toy & Food Drive at 6pm hosted by Lincoln City Chamber of Commerce (541) 994-3070

December 31
Chinook Seafood Grill Christmas Buffet Chinook Winds Casino Resort, 888-CHINOOK

Convention Center New Year’s Eve Party 9pm-2am, $20. Evening includes no-host bar, party hats and favors, balloon drop and toast at midnight, and champagne available for purchase. Chinook Winds Casino Resort, 888-CHINOOK

Rogue River Lounge New Year’s Eve Party 10pm-2am $20. Evening includes no-host bar, party hats and favors, balloon drop and toast at midnight, and champagne available for purchase. Chinook Winds Casino Resort, 888-CHINOOK

Aces Bar & Grill New Year’s Eve Party 9pm-2am, $5 cover charge. Evening includes party hats and favors, balloon drop and toast at midnight, champagne available for purchase, and live music from Ty Curtis. Chinook Winds Casino Resort, 888-CHINOOK

Chinook’s Seafood Grill New Year’s Eve Party 10pm-2am. Evening includes no cover charge, toast at midnight, and champagne and sparkling cider available for purchase. Chinook Winds Casino Resort, 888-CHINOOK

Play Palace & Games Galore Arcade New Year’s Eve with Aladdin 6pm-2am, $30 in advance, $35 at the door, 4 hours for $20. Ages 3 – 11 fully potty trained, no diapers or training pants. Ages 12 & up are welcome in the arcade. Chinook Winds Casino Resort, 888-CHINOOK

New Year’s Eve Champagne Gala and live play Moon Over Buffalo at Theatre West will include pre-show entertainments, champagne all evening, hors d’oeuvres before the play and at intermission, and dinner and dessert after the play. Cost: $50. Call for reservations. Theatre West (541) 994-5663

January 1
Celebrate the new year at the Artist Co-Op Gallery with music and refreshments from 1–3pm. Artists Co-Op Gallery (541) 921-3071

LONG BEACH PENINSULA

Through December 18
The folks in Ilwaco are getting a jump on the holidays with great plans for the 2010 events. The Saturday Christmas market will be open from 11am-4pm November 27, and December 4, 11 and 18. The festivities at the port start at 5pm on December 4, with the lighting of the world’s tallest crab pot Christmas tree. At 6pm, the sixth annual lighted boat parade will commence, with the decorated boats sailing single file through the marina, out to Cape Disappointment and back, followed by an awards presentation. There will be Christmas caroling and the high school jazz band will also participate. Santa and Mars Claus will be on hand for the celebration. Port of Ilwaco (360) 783-1143

NEWPORT

December 7
Holiday Bazaar at the Newport Recreation Center. A Holiday Bazaar featuring local home-based businesses. 6-8pm. Newport Recreation Center (541) 265-7783

December 8-12
The 16th Annual Pacific Communities Health District Foundation’s Festival of Trees is being held at Newport’s Best Western Agate Beach Inn, from Wednesday, December 8 through 12. Festive Gala and Auction Dec 11. Pacific Communities Health District Foundation (541) 574-4864

December 10-12
Little Nutcracker at the Newport Performing Arts Center, 7-9pm. Short and sweet kid’s version of the traditional Nutcracker – mouse mayhem and magic presided over by a Clara drawn from the audience. Newport Visual Arts Center 541-265-2787

SEASIDE

Through December 12
Kiwanis Christmas Trees on sale through December 12 or until they are sold out.

December 11 & 18
Gingerbread Christmas Tea at Butterfield Cottage
Enjoy tea and gingerbread to celebrate the season in the Butterfield Cottage at the Seaside Museum and Historical Society. View gingerbread house creations, the beautiful Christmas tree and festive decorations adorning the cottage built in 1893. Teatime is from 2-4pm. Raffle tickets of $1 each or eight for $5 can be purchased up to the drawing held on December 18. Seaside Museum and Historical Society (503) 738-7065

December 11, 12, 18 & 19
Pictures with Santa from 11am-4pm at the Seaside Factory Outlet, Suite 328 (between Zumiez and Van Heusen). Free picture with option to donate, all proceeds benefit an adopted family

December 17
Midnight Madness: 7pm to Midnight, Santa will be walking around and snacks, hot chocolate and coffee will provided while supplies last

TILLAMOOK

December 10 & 11
A new production of the classic My Three Angels to commemorate thirty years of offering quality theatrical entertainment in the Tillamook area. My Three Angels is set during Christmastime and the arrival of three convicts. Performances are at The Barn Community Theater December 10 and 11 at 7pm, and December 5 at 2pm. Advance tickets and reservations are available at Diamond Art Jewelers, (503) 842-7940

If you are planning on staying overnight check out our Current Lodging Specials page for accommodations.

Does your community have a holiday event that you would like to see on CoastExplorerMagazine.com? Click here to send us your information.

In Cannon Beach, Tolovana Inn is luxurious and yet managers are cognizant of the environment at the same time. Guests love their saline pool that eliminates noxious chlorine odors and residues left on the skin and hair. Tolovana Inn found that guests like to participate in “green” efforts by not having linens changed daily if it’s unnecessary. The inn also uses water and energy saving measures but they don’t stint when it comes to the comfort of their guests. Many of the rooms have been redone with fresh new furnishings and décor. Tolovana Inn is also pet-friendly, with special suites available for pets and their owners, with easy beach access for a romp. Many oceanfront rooms have views of Haystack Rock to the north. Tolovana Inn, 3400 S Hemlock (800) 333-8890.

Open air markets are up and running along the Northwest coast, many of them open through September. Find one near you or take a day trip along the coast to browse the interesting and unique wares and find yourself a little bit of coastal flavor, al fresco style!


From artwork to zucchini, you’ll find an expansive variety of offerings at coastal outdoor markets. Visitors and locals alike can sample bits of the area flavor in food, art and fashion as farmers, artisans and craftspeople present their unique wares for your perusal. Take home a local landscape on canvas or a metal sculpture for your garden. Stock up on wines from regional vintners or cheeses from local dairies. Pick out some ripe tomatoes, fresh garlic or crunchy cucumbers for tonight’s dinner. While most coastal markets are held Saturdays or Sundays, be sure to check dates and times because some are held on week days. The CANNON BEACH FARMER’S MARKET, located at Hemlock and Gower streets, is open on Tuesdays, 2-6pm from the middle of June to late September. At this market you’ll find all-edible fare featuring fresh local meats, cheeses, seafood and baked goods from the area. The MANZANITA FARMER’S MARKET, downtown at 5th and Laneda, is held on Fridays, 5-8pm from the middle of June well into September. Enjoy live entertainment and ready-to-eat foods along with fresh local produce and other farm products. SATURDAY MARKETS AT THE PORT OF ILWACO are held on the waterfront 10am-4pm, May through September. TILLAMOOK FARMER’S MARKET takes place downtown at 2nd and Laurel Avenue from 9am-2pm, from mid-June through September. You’ll find the LINCOLN CITY FARMER’S MARKET open for business 9am-2pm along Highway 101 from May through September. Newport presents the LINCOLN COUNTY SMALL FARMERS’ MARKET 9am-1pm, May through October on Angle Street next to City Hall. YACHATS FARMER’S MARKET takes place from 9am-2pm, May through October on Highway 101 and 4th Street. The ASTORIA SUNDAY MARKET, easily the largest around, is held downtown on 12th Street, open 10am-3pm from early May through early October. Experience outdoor markets and taste the coastal flavors of summer!

BRONZE COAST GALLERY in Cannon Beach is featuring new work by Peter Skidd, who creates sculptural pieces using acrylic on steel, taking color inspiration from his Arizona landscape, and Ben Hammond, who sculpts the human form in bronze. Hammond has won several awards for his art and has created commissioned busts for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Bronze Coast Gallery, (503) 436-1055.