Friday, March 14, 2025
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The Week in Review. What I think.

Greetings Homepage readers!

solar eclipse lincoln city
(photo by Justin Werner)

Well, Easter is behind us and an eclipse is in front of us.  Some folks see eclipses as portents of doom. Others see visions of Heavenly intervention.  I guess it depends on which side of the spiritual coin you choose.  Either way, an eclipse is pretty cool.  I like them because they make me pause for a moment and appreciate just how very small I am in the big scheme of things. And they mess with my chicken’s brains.  Which is always funny.

Speaking of fools-April Fools day came and went without much damage to my ego.  No one pulled “a good one” on me this year (all of my friends have become way too polite.)

The grandchildren haven’t quite grasped the concept of the day and it was difficult to explain to them why I kept telling them that their shoes were untied and then breaking out in laughter when they looked at them (none of which have laces- only hook and loop straps).  Getting old isn’t for the meek folks. 

Beachgoers look for hidden driftwood

Homepage, for the first time, dipped its journalistic big toe into the prank headline pool by offering a story with a twist on the popular “Finders Keepers” glass float promotion held in Lincoln City.  Homepage offered free driftwood to any that could find it on the beaches. We titled the promotion “You Find ‘Em, you Keep ‘Em.”  Some amusement was expressed.

Vandalized protective netting

In local news, vandals destroyed the protective netting that surrounds the outfield of K1 at Kirtsis park ball diamond.  Park employees reported the crime to police who immediate called for a dragnet around the park. But, as it was pointed out to the officer in charge, the only available net had been cut and was full of holes.

What would motivate someone to gather the tools needed to cut a heavy duty net, cut the net (have you ever tried to cut netting? it takes forever!) and then try to secretly leave the area dragging 100 feet of nylon netting behind themselves.  The mind boggles.

I, of course, have my theories about this crime which I forwarded to the local constabulary.  Could the perpetrator be a renegade gill netter?  He would of course need to be working off of a very small boat.  I suggested keeping an eye out at the D River for anyone trying to catch migrating salmon in front of Kyllo’s.

Another theory that comes to mind is that someone from the Portland Trailblazers organization was seeking larger net making material to increase the size of their basket as they seem unable to hit the small ones currently in use. 

Lastly I believe that the netting was destined for the landscaping black market.  With the never ending proliferation of fake pier decorations in nearly every single front yard on the entire Oregon coast it’s clear someone was looking to move hot nets.

Tacky décor is a crime.

It’s got to be easy to find buyers of stolen marine décor. They all want the same look: three poles bound together by mooring rope with a fake seagull jammed atop and then garishly wrapped in netting.  Mmmm, I can almost smell the ocean.  Clearly, this should provide the detectives of the Lincoln City Landscape Crimes Squad with enough circumstantial evidence to begin arresting every home and business owner that has these things in their yards.  Crime doesn’t pay and it usually lacks good taste.

County wide, the biggest news was the changing of camping rules at Moonshine Park.  With a name like “Moonshine Park” you have to know it didn’t have many rules to begin with. 

Response on the Lincoln City Homepage Community Facebook page was interesting.  There were very few comments but many, many “shares.”  Shares are like whispers between folks that would prefer to not have their stills found.  

Moonshine Park users react to new rules

Statewide, Oregon’s governor signed HB4002 into law.  The bill recriminalizes possession of “hard” drugs.  And while there is nothing really funny about people’s lives being destroyed by drug use, it is amusing to think that a majority of Oregonian voters thought it was a good idea to allow drug addicts to possess and use drugs without consequence and that there would be no societal ramifications from it.  Well, as it was said in the movie Forest Gump; “Stupid is as stupid does.”

Looking forward to a mighty fine week.  I hope you are too.

 

New city park silent auction and social hour

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Lincoln City Parks & Recreation (LCP&R), in partnership with Chinook Winds Casino Resort and the Friends of Lincoln City Parks and Recreation 501c3, announce a special Social Hour and Silent Auction on Fri 4/19, 5:30pm at Chinook Winds Casino Resort 1777 NW 44th St.

The theme is ‘Coastal Dream – A Park for All! Where Everybody Finds Their Favorite Spot.’

The event will include complimentary appetizers, no-host cash bar, silent auction, raffle, free guest prizes and more!

All are welcome to attend this free event, and no RSVP is required.

This event launches the public fundraising campaign for first new Lincoln City Community Park in over 20 years The 6.71 acre park is located at 4815 SE 51st St (the former Taft Elementary School site).

The park will  host a number of first for a public sites in Lincoln City, such as the first  inclusive and accessible playground, first permanent pickleball courts, first covered multi-sports court, first public turfed multi-sport field, a special event stage and lawn, picnic shelters, open space trail, and much more.

Moonshine Park rules changed

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According to a news release form Lincoln County,–

“To address issues with overcrowding, guest and staff safety, and access to county recreation facilities, Lincoln County Parks will require overnight camping reservations during the 2024 season.”

Parks Supervisor Kelly Perry said, “First, we have introduced a maximum limit of six individuals per campsite at Moonshine, down from the previous allowance of 10, This adjustment is necessary to alleviate strain on our septic system, which is currently over capacity.”

Perry continued, “Additionally, Lincoln County Parks has implemented restrictions on the number of vehicles permitted per campsite. Each campsite is now limited to one RV/vehicle and one additional vehicle.

It’s important to note that reservations are now required for all campsites. This change
aims to prevent the disappointment, inconvenience and even open conflict experienced
by many visitors under the previous first-come, first-served system, which often led to
overcrowding and frustration due to lack of available space.”

Following a review period, reservations for the B-loop will be open for the upcoming summer season starting May 1. This decision was made to provide equitable access to all visitors while assuring local residents have access to a beloved gathering spot. So far, 80% of reservations through the new system have been Lincoln County residents.

For day use visitors, Moonshine Park continues to have a total of 27 spaces available.
Day use fees are $5 per day or $35 for an annual pass – this has not changed. To
ensure the safety and enjoyment of all park users, overflow parking within the park will
not be permitted to ensure clear fire lanes and access for emergency vehicles.

To make reservations, visit the Parks website at
https://www.co.lincoln.or.us/1149/Campground-Reservations.

Explore Lincoln City announces “Tap and Brew Trail,”

According to a news release from Explore Lincoln City a new self-guided tour of Lincoln City’s beer scene will be available online in time for “National Beer Day designated on April 7.

“This self-guided journey invites beer aficionados and adventurous travelers alike to immerse themselves in Lincoln City’s dynamic brewery scene at their leisure. The trail is not just a celebration of craft beer—ranging from hoppy IPAs to rich stouts—but also an opportunity to enjoy Lincoln City’s stunning natural landscapes, including the picturesque Siletz Bay.
Guided by the digital passport, participants can explore local favorites, from the oldest bar on the Oregon Coast to family-owned breweries, and even a tiki-themed spot known for its selection of Oregon microbrews. After downloading the free passport, participants can check in at each location and work their way towards redeeming prizes.”
Here’s how the Tap and Brew Trail works:
  1. Sign up online: Use the checkout here to sign up for this free passport. There is no app to download.
  2. Explore the passport: This mobile-exclusive passport is a collection of curated breweries and pubs to explore during your stay.
  3. Redeem: When visiting a participating business, visitors should present their pass to a staff member to activate a unique pin to check in at that location. Each stop on the trail gets you one step closer to winning great prizes! Current participating locations include Aces Sports Bar & Grill, Beachcrest Brewing Company, Gilgamesh Brewing – The Coast, McMenamins Lighthouse Brewpub, Pelican Brewing – Siletz Bay, Snug Harbor Bar and Grill, The Beach Club & Event Center, The Pines Dine – A Food Truck Village and Zeller’s Bar & Grill with more locations to be potentially added in the future.

Oregon Heritage Commission to meet April 17 and seeks to fill vacancies

oregon state parksPress release- 

The Oregon Heritage Commission will meet April 17 in Forest Grove and online.  

 To view the full agenda and/or to register for the virtual meeting option visit here

There is one appointed position currently vacant on the Oregon Heritage Commission and two positions that will become vacant July 2024. The Heritage Commission is especially seeking members with knowledge and experience related to community institutions, heritage tourism, or education/higher education and who have experience working with diverse cultural groups. The Commission seeks applications from those that live in the Southern, Willamette Valley, and Central Oregon area.

The Commission is the primary agency for coordination of heritage activities in the state. This includes carrying out the Oregon Heritage Plan, increasing efficiency and avoiding duplication among interest groups, developing plans for coordination among agencies and organizations, encouraging tourism related to heritage resources, and coordinating statewide anniversary celebrations.

The group meets four-six times per year in changing locations around the state and will offer virtual options to attend meetings. Commissioners are also asked to occasionally participate in meetings or events in their regions and work on other projects outside of meeting time. Appointed Commissioners are reimbursed for their travel and related expenses while conducting official commission business.

To request appointment, go to Governor Tina Kotek’s Boards and Commissions webpage at https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Pages/board-list.aspx

More information about the Oregon Heritage Commission is available online at www.oregonheritage.org and from Commission coordinator Katie Henry at 503-877-8834 or [email protected]

Special accommodations for the meeting – including translation services – may be made by calling (503) 986‐0690 or [email protected] at least 72 hours prior to the start of the meet

Vandalism at Kirtsis Park

vandalized protective netting

The netting on the outfield fence that protects adjacent fields from errant fly balls was cut into pieces this week.

According to Lincoln City Park and Recreation staff on scene, “The net had been sagging throughout the winter due to heavy rains and because the field was still wet we couldn’t bring out the necessary equipment to tighten the cables.  Then, sometime this week we discovered that someone had entered the field and sliced up the netting.”

Damaged netting awaits disposal

Staff indicated that the netting was damaged beyond repair and a new one was being ordered.  Estimated cost will be in excess of two thousand dollars

 

Realtors deliver Easter goodies to locals

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Eager egg hunters scramble for goodies

Saturday, March 30th, was a busy day for young Easter basket fillers.  Throughout the city several groups sponsored Easter egg hunts for our kids.

One group, Taylor & Taylor Realty Co., held their inaugural Easter egg hunt at a lot adjacent to their office located at 3891 NW Highway 101.

debbie Williams
Debbie Williams, Taylor & Taylor Realty Co.

“We were overwhelmed by the response,” said Debbie Williams, Principle Co-Supervising Broker. “There were way more kids than we expected but luckily we had more than enough treats for everyone.”

As kids anxiously gathered at the starting point like engine revving NASCAR drivers, parents and organizers watched the event with approving smiles.

Kids getting their baskets filled

When the “go” signal came the youngsters, armed with buckets and baskets, dashed about the wooded lot in search of the most coveted of prizes-a plastic egg filled with chocolates.

But, during the dash there was no time to look inside the eggs. Like legislators voting on a bill, the goal was clear-grab as many eggs as possible and inspect the contents later.

Nearly every knee showed a bit of dirt from pouncing on not so well hidden prizes. And several near miss collisions kept things interesting for onlookers.

Extra goodies found inside

According to Williams, “We plan to make this an annual event along with our Halloween trick or treat party. It’s was a pleasure for all of us to do something fun for Lincoln City kids and families.”

Bill Recriminalizing Hard Drugs Signed into Law

Press release 4/1/24: “Today, the Governor signed into law HB 4002 A, a bill reversing much of Oregon’s drug decriminalization experiment in response to a deadly addiction crisis plaguing major cities, suburban neighborhoods, and rural communities across the state.
The bipartisan proposal cleared the Oregon Senate with overwhelming support exactly one month ago.
Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp (R-Bend) released the following statement:
‘Now that the Governor has given the recriminalization bill her stamp of approval, we can finally end the chapter on Oregon’s experiment with decriminalizing hard drugs. HB 4002 is not a perfect solution; legislators will undoubtedly have much more work to do in
upcoming sessions. But it sets a standard for how the state should approach the drug addiction crisis: by empowering law enforcement and our behavioral health systems to work together to help Oregonians struggling with chronic addiction seek life-saving treatment.'”

New Fun! Find ‘Em and Keep ‘Em hidden treasure promotion!

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Debris Lincoln City beach
High tides have swept some of the treasures out to sea

Just in time for Spring Break, Lincoln City Homepage introduces a new fun activity for everyone.
During the night and wee hours of the morning the Homepage Fairies have been busy hiding treasures along the Lincoln City beaches.
Our inaugural Find ‘Em and Keep ‘Em promotion has begun.  This year’s theme is; “If you can carry it-you can keep it!”

Beachgoers hunt for the elusive driftwwod
“If You Can Carry It-You Can Keep It”

Hidden along the 7 miles of glorious beaches are driftwood logs, branches and sticks carefully placed by the Homepage Log Fairies.

All driftwood is hidden somewhere in plain sight between the ocean and the cliffs.

So put on your snooping glasses and be on the lookout for the rare wood.  Just remember, none of them are marked or valuable (unless you just happen to love driftwood).

These all-natural pieces of dead trees will look great on any mantle or even might be big enough to become a mantle. Display the bigger ones in your front yard! Roast hot dogs on the smaller, skinnier ones. It’s family fun for everyone courtesy of the Lincoln City Homepage!!!

And happy April Fools Day to you all.

The week in review: What I think.

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Greetings Homepage readers!

This last week was a bit sleepy as far as local news was concerned. That’s a nice way of saying it was pretty boring around here.  But, don’t fret, election season is just starting to warm up!

Salem Capital building

Speaking of election season, the state legislature finally stopped doing whatever it is they do.  Nothing too harmful seemed to come out of this short session and the subsequent release of hot air from the area spread our way making for some nice weather. 

Neither Senator Anderson or Representative Gomberg (as of the posting time) face any opposition in their reelection bids.  Good thing?  Bad thing?  I guess it depends on how pissed you are or aren’t. 

But, if you want a race to watch, it would be the Lincoln County commissioner race for commissioner Hall’s seat.  So far, there are 5 contenders for that sweet $100k plus per year paycheck.  I’m always for getting rid of incumbents.  Experience is helpful in most free market positions, but in government it almost always leads to corruption, entitlement and forgetting that elected officials are elected to protect the people from the government not the other way around.

whale watching weekendSpeaking of bloated mammals, whale watching has returned to the coast. I’m glad that it makes people happy to watch for the spouts of these magnificent creatures.  It’s not my cup of tea but I enjoy seeing others get excited by the short blasts of spray emanating from their blowholes (the whale’s not the viewers).  There are many visitor centers that have state sponsored hosts to show visitors where to look and how to spot a spout. 

If you want to skip talking with the hosts, here are my whale watching tips:

1.  Look west-they swim in the ocean (If you look east and see a whale you’ve probably eaten the wrong gummies). 

2. While looking at the ocean, you’ll notice that it is, primarily, a horizontal surface.  If you see water traveling vertically it’s either a whale or you are about to be killed by a waterspout.

The weather surely has lived up to the adage of “March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.”  Heavy winds, rains and accompanying power outages and damage hit the coast hard this last week of the month.  As of this writing, the sun is gloriously shining and I’m looking forward to a beautiful Sunrise Service for Easter Sunday tomorrow.  For you pagans, enjoy your chocolate bunnies.

Leavenworth, WA

It’s spring break here and Homepage fled the area to go to Leavenworth WA.  Why?  Why not?  It’s beautiful there and smells like apples all the time.  I’ll have more to say in a separate piece about Leavenworth (It was a bit of a disappointment this time).

On the Lincoln City Homepage Community Facebook page the top posts continue to be about glass floats and agates.  However, yesterday, a post about a (presumed) homeless guy hawking glass floats at the SW 51st street turn around drew over 150 comments within a few hours of posting. Thoughts ran about 80/20 with 80% urging sympathy for the entrepreneur and 20% pissed off about drug addicts and bums infecting the city.  Needless to say, a lot of comments were removed and some people got banned from the site.  Most of the removed posts came from those siding with being compassionate to the homeless while wishing harm on those that disagreed with them. Most of those getting banned found new and interesting ways to share their fascination with fornication and feces.  Go figure. Keep it clean and civil folks.

Speaking of Facebook, I propose a ban on the use of the following “words” on all social media platforms (I’m waiting for an affirmative post from Elon):

  1. “Kiddos”
  2. “Doggos”
  3. “Fur babies”

Punishment for using those “words” would include confiscation of the offender’s fake Stanley mug, deny them service at Dutch Bros for a month and force them to publicly wear pants that have neither Paw Patrol figures or marijuana leaves on them. Repeat offenders would also have to update their profile photos from their sophomore year in high school 6 years ago to a current mug shot.

2 out of 3 dogs agree with me

One last thought about Facebook posts from my dogs; “Your cat doesn’t like you, that is why it left”.

Looking forward to a mighty fine week.  I hope you are too.