Coast Explorer Blog

A newly expanded home décor showroom at Purple Starfish Gift Boutique in Depoe Bay presents new displays to make you feel at home. These comfy displays feature tableware, lighting, home accents and functional furniture. Among the newest lighting choices offered is the sea urchin lamp with its beautiful coral shade from Elaine Groth. The boutique’s knowledgeable staff can assist you in designing your own comfortable reading nook, seaside sitting room or nautical-inspired getaway. Lamp prices begin at $195. Purple Starfish Gift Boutique, Depoe Bay (541) 765-2336

A new book has been published titled Images of America: Newport, which tells the history of the City of Newport through stories imagery, history and lore. The authors are staff members Diane Disse, Jodi Weeber, and Loretta J. Harrison of the Lincoln County Historical Society. Through rich photographs and text, the book follows the history of Newport from its early inhabitants through the two World Wars illustrating the beauty and bounty of the area and the independent, hearty and versatile people who populated it.


The book is now available for $22 at the Burrows and Log Cabin museums and online through the Society’s website: www.oregoncoasthistory.org, and Amazon.com. Lincoln County Historical Society (541) 265-7509

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.

To the delight of serious shoppers, Seaside’s distinct shopping districts offer a wide variety of shopping experiences whether you’re adding to your wardrobe, finding the perfect piece for your home or searching for a great bargain.


THREE DISTINCT SHOPPING AREAS IN SEASIDE offer their own personalities and a variety of unique stores. Downtown is filled with fun and plenty of stores that range from trendy fashion to imports, toys to candy. Cross the Necanicum River into the east side of downtown Seaside known as the historic Gilbert District and you’ll find specialty boutiques and several shops that offer home decorating solutions, antiques and art. Save time for the short trip to the Seaside Factory Outlet Center with their famous name brand selections and discount prices.

DOWNTOWN SEASIDE
Take a stroll down Broadway to find the wide variety of shops in the heart of town. At the Seaside Carousel Mall, 16 shops offer a medley of goods from toys to leather goods and apparel to imports. Across the street is Kay Lynn’s for fashion forward women’s apparel and trendy accessories. There are plenty of candy stores, souvenir shops and casual apparel nearby. Don’t miss Shearwater Gallery for the great selection of original art and artisan jewelry.

THE HISTORIC GILBERT DISTRICT
The block radiating from the corner of Broadway and Holladay east of the Necanicum River offers an excellent concentration of home decorating stores including Fairweather House & Garden, Isabell Ross, Natural Nook and Palapa Beach plus art at Sunrose Gallery and the Gilbert District Gallery. There are antique stores too, including the large Seaside Antique Mall. Apparel stores range from SeaSoles Shoe Boutique to Pacific Outdoor with sportswear, outerwear and footwear for the active outdoorsy set.



SEASIDE’S FACTORY OUTLET
The Seaside Factory Outlet Center features 27 name brand stores offering factory direct prices for savings on fashions, gifts, cookware, tools, shoes, paper products and more.
At the outlet center shoppers can save 20-70 percent off regular retail prices on merchandise from such manufacturers as Nike, Black & Decker, Pendleton, Harry and David, Paper Factory, Zumiez, Eddie Bauer and Liz Claiborne.

PELICAN PICKS SHOPPING: Fall/Winter 2010-11
Things we love about coastal shopping from the readers & staff of Coast Explorer Magazine

DAV Rubber Boots for Kids at Cotton Club in Seaside
These great black and white kids’ rubber boots made a hit with us because they are perfect for Oregon’s climate. They’re so versatile they can be worn when stomping in puddles, running with the dog on the beach or for daily wear to school. Priced at $39.95. Cotton Club, 415 Broadway in Seaside, (503) 738-6225

Jade Bracelets at The Sweater Shoppe in Gleneden Beach
We love the variety of jade beads in these affordable handcrafted macramé bracelets. The beads come in butterfly, tortoise, dragons, hearts and round beads. Priced at $29. The Sweater Shoppe, Shops at Salishan, Gleneden Beach, 
(541) 764-3777

Art Couture Dress at Ambiance in Astoria
This unique artwork immediately caught our eye. The dress is constructed by artist Debra Cheuvront-Kelly of old laminated sheet music. We love the creativity and imagination involved in this artistic display. Priced at $189. Ambiance, 229 14th Street in Astoria, (503) 325-9139

Leather Luggage Tags and Passport Covers at The Paper Clip in Seaside
Most luggage looks alike, but we love the way these colorful leather monogram tags make yours stand out. The matching passport cover holds your credit cards, passport and even has a place for your pen. Now you’re ready to travel! Luggage tags are $12.95, and passport/travel organizer is $20. The Paper Clip, 203 S Holladay Drive in Seaside, (503) 738-6613

Vintage Western Outfit at Seaside’s Garbo’s Vintage Wear
What fun it is to pick something off this rack, something from another rack and another and come up with a put-together look – retro yet stylish. Matched with a pair of cowboy boots and tooled leather purse, this completes the outfit. Look for styles from the ’20s to the ’90s at Garbo’s Vintage Global Wear, 411 Broadway in Seaside, (503) 368-4272

Got something you love that deserves to be a Pelican Pick? Send it to us at: editor@coastexplorermagazine.com and you may see it here in a future issue.