Lincoln City, OR – The 2017 Lincoln City Summer Kite Festival is going to be an exciting, or in this case X-kiting, good time. This year’s theme, “X-Kitement,” will be on full display June 24th and 25th at the D River Wayside.
Each year, in anticipation of the Kite Festival, a naming contest is held to pick the theme of the event. Progressively working though the alphabet, this year’s theme was determined using the letter “X.” The winner, Judy Mauro from Salem, picked “X-Kitement” which will be the theme of the 2017 Kite Festivals. This quirky and creative theme was selected from over 400 entries that were submitted this past January. A playful take on the word excitement, “X-Kitement” sets the tone for an equally playful Summer Kite Festival in June.
Get in on the “X-Kitement” at the D River Wayside in Lincoln City, where kite fliers from around the Pacific Northwest will take flight and show off their latest stunts. And, watch as colorful “big show” kites beautify the summer skies. Activities during the festival include kids kite making, professional kite demonstrations and the Running of the Bols, which is a footrace across the beach with each participant harnessed to a parachute kite. The festival runs from 10am-4pm each day.
For more information about the Lincoln City Summer Kite Festival, contact the Lincoln City Visitor & Convention Bureau at 800-452-2151 or visit OregonCoast.org.
Lincoln City Homepage’s Justin Werner will be on location both days and if you would like to show off your kite just walk up to him and let him know.
Depoe Bay OR — Bring your binoculars for a chance to see gray whales passing by the Oregon coast during Spring Whale Watch Week March 25-31. Trained volunteers from the Whale Watching Spoken Here program will be stationed at 24 designated whale watch sites 10 a.m. — 1 p.m. daily to help visitors learn about the whales’ migration and feeding habits and offer tips on how to spot them. A map of the watch sites is available online at www.whalespoken.org.
The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) Whale Watching Center in Depoe Bay will also be open 10 a.m. — 4 p.m. daily during the Watch Week. The Whale Watching Center has interpretive exhibits on whales, “whale size” windows with panoramic ocean views, and rangers on hand to answer questions. The Whale Watching Center is located at 119 SW Hwy. 101 in Depoe Bay.
OPRD coordinates both the Spring and Winter Whale Watch Weeks in partnership with Oregon State University’s Hatfield Marine Science Center and Washington State Parks.
More information about the Whale Watching Spoken Here program is available at www.whalespoken.org or by calling (541) 765-3304.
So you are in a party with your friends, and your phone is running low on battery. Oops!
The ideal solution is to charge your phone using a charger or a power bank, but not everyone carries power banks or chargers with them all the time, especially in a party.
What if you can charge your phone wirelessly using another phone when it runs out of battery?
Isn’t that great? Well, thanks to Sony, you might soon be able to use your friends’ phones to charge your own device.
According to a recently published patent application, Sony is working on a new futuristic technique that enables wireless power exchange between various nearby consumer electronic devices, including smartphones, computers, microwave, washing machine, fridges, and TVs, without cords.Wireless charging isn’t a new concept at all, but this is the first time when the Near Field Communications (NFC) technology is being used for power transfer wirelessly between two devices over considerable distances.
NFC is a technology that allows data transfer over a short-range, which is why two devices have to be placed nearby, under a certain distance, for the given wireless technology to work.
Titled “Configuration of Data and Power Transfer in Near Field Communications,” the patent describes where any consumer electronic with NFC chip might be able to search for other devices with the similar technology and connect with them to transfer power, the same way a device searches for available Wi-Fi hotspots.
However, the patent doesn’t detail how well this technology would actually work and has no word over the distance for which this technology might work between two devices.
“The distances over which the wireless communication can be achieved is typically consistent with distances used for wireless electrical power transfer through the power transfer antenna,” Sony’s patent document reads.
The patent also does not specify that these devices would necessarily be smartphones or computers; instead, it uses the term “portable consumer electronic device,” which could be a fridge, TV, computer, microwave, washing machine, and so on.
This wireless charging technology could eliminate one of your worst pains of always carrying out bulky power banks and multiple charging cables, provided your friends or smart appliances are willing to share their battery power to charge your phone.
However, patenting an idea does not necessarily mean we will ever see the idea come to life, but if succeeded, your phone will automatically start charging while you walk into a room – Thanks to Smart TVs, microwaves and other devices with NFC-enabled.
Details for the 21 AUG 2017 Total Solar Eclipse at Lincoln City, OR:
Latitude: 44° 57′ 29″ N
Longitude: 124° 01′ 04″ W
Duration of Totality*: 1m 55s Partial phase start: 9:04:41AM (PDT), at “1:00 o’clock” on the sun’s disk Totality Start*: 10:16:07AM (PDT)
*All times shown are calculated for the lat/long specified above, and are accurate to within a couple of seconds, due mainly to influences of the “edge effects” at the start and end of totality. For a more detailed explanation of this, please see the “About Accuracy” section of this great 2017 eclipse page by Ernie Wright of NASA! Please also note that these times have been converted from UTC; if you see times on other sites that say “UTC”/ “UT”, or “GMT”, those are NOT the local times for you in Lincoln City!
Lincoln City is in the path of totality for the Great American Eclipse of August 21, 2017!
Observers there will see (appx.) 1m 55s of totality!
(Get your eclipse glasses – you MUST have them to safely view the partial phases!)
The Chamber of Commerce would like to invite all to a Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening at the Lincoln City Outlets celebrating the opening of Torrid, Fashion For Women Sizes 10 To 30. The Lincoln City Outlets are located at 1500 SE East Devils Lake Road. Torrid is located near the Nike Factory Store. The Ribbon Cutting will be at 10:00am on Saturday, March 25th. Following the Ribbon Cutting will be the Grand Opening Celebration.
The first 50 customers will receive a gift card valued up to $100.
For more information contact the Lincoln City Chamber of Commerce at 541-994-3070 or email [email protected] or visit the website at www.lcchamber.com. The Lincoln City Chamber of Commerce is an organization made up of local business members supporting one another and the community. Their office is located at 4039 NW Logan Road in Lincoln City.
On March 8, 2017, the Oregon Department of Justice (DOJ) released 48 pages of investigative reports containing numerous criminal charges leveled by Lincoln City City Attorney Richard Appicello against his own mayor, Don Williams, and alleged co-conspirator, transparency advocate Ross Smith.
The documents claim that Appicello and Chief of Police Keith Killian visited DOJ headquarters in Salem at least twice, and met with DOJ investigators, including then Special Agent David Kirby. Another DOJ investigator, James Williams, is also mentioned as being involved initially.
On October 26, 2016, the DOJ’s Director of Civil Rights, Erious Johnson filed suit against Kirby and Williams, among others. In his suit, Johnson alleges that Kirby and Williams violated state and federal law by engaging in “political profiling” of Johnson. Johnson also alleges their criminal investigation of him was illegal as it lacked the requisite “reasonable suspicion.”
On the same day, an Oregonian article on Johnson’s lawsuit stated:
[Oregon Attorney General Ellen] Rosenblum fired one [DOJ] employee this summer and demoted the former chief counsel [Darin Tweedt] earlier this year. Another investigator tied to the surveillance left the agency.
Lincoln City, OR – Local experts lead the hunt for sea stars during Lincoln City’s Tide Pool Clinic, a fun and educational way to explore Lincoln City’s rocky shores.
Beginning in March, the Lincoln City Visitor & Convention Bureau will partner with the Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition (aka CoastWatch) to provide a fun opportunity for visitors to learn about intertidal marine life. Clinic leader Fawn Custer, of CoastWatch, is excited to share her knowledge and expertise of marine conservation.
“We have a very dynamic coastline,” says Custer. “As the tides rush in and out, the marine organisms that live there have to adapt to these conditions. That is why our tide pools are much more diverse than other coastal areas. They are constantly changing with every tide.”
Custer brings 25-plus years of teaching experience to this year’s Tide Pool Clinics. As the Volunteer Coordinator for CoastWatch, she has worked with over 1,300 volunteers along the Oregon Coast to educate students about marine science in the region.
“My favorite part about teaching marine science is that I am learning as well. Whether it’s from my students or from the class, I love discovering something new.”
Assisting Custer with the Tide Pool Clinics is Athena Crichton, from the Oregon State University Hatfield Marine Science Center. Educated at the University of Hawaii at Hilo and Oregon State University, Crichton has spent the last 16 years teaching courses at the Hatfield Marine Science Center. She also teaches marine education at the Oregon Coast Aquarium.
With the recent resurgence of sea star populations, Custer expects visitors to see a few this spring. “Since 2013, we have seen a slow and steady increase in the populations. We would love to have participants help us count and measure them at the clinics.”
When the tide gradually recedes along the beach, exposed rocks reveal small pools of water where colorful, exotic creatures reside. Sea stars live side by side with sea anemones and sea urchins, creating a cornucopia of colors that surrounds the rocky shores. These are just a few of the coastal marine creatures that visitors can discover and learn more about at the Tide Pool Clinics.
Clinics are held at the NW 15th Street beach access in Lincoln City, one of the most accessible locations for tide pooling on the Oregon Coast. These free clinics begin with a brief orientation from Custer and Crichton, where they will describe local marine habitat and the types of creatures’ participants may discover. They will then take attendees on a guided tide pool tour. Clinics last for approximately one hour and participants are encouraged to ask questions and provide feedback.
The first Tide Pool Clinic is Thursday, March 9th at 3:30pm. Participants should plan to arrive 10 to 15 minutes early and dress in layers for Oregon Coast weather. Parking is available along NW 15th Street and at the Seagull Beachfront Motel parking lot.
The Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition (CoastWatch) is a proud sponsor of the Tide Pool Clinics. CoastWatch is a private non-profit organization dedicated to conservation and education of the Oregon Coast region. Learn more about CoastWatch by visiting OregonShores.org.
For more information on the Tide Pool Clinic, call 800-452-2151 or visit OregonCoast.org.
Oregon’s credit unions drove a positive, $2.2 billion impact on the state’s economy last year, according to a just-released, independent economic analysis performed by ECONorthwest. The 2016 Northwest Credit Unions’ Economic Impacts report measured jobs, economic output, and income supported by Northwest credit unions, as well as the direct benefits delivered to nearly two million Oregon credit union members.
What’s in it for the members? $159 million in direct benefits last year.
The key difference between local credit unions and other financial services providers, is credit unions’ not-for-profit, cooperative structure. Credit unions are owned and driven by the members who use their services. Unlike for-profit financial institutions that must pay stockholders, credit unions exist only to serve their member-owners’ financial needs, and are uniquely positioned to return direct benefits to them. Those benefits include value such as better interest rates, lower fees, and other services that hard-working Oregonians need.
The 2016 Northwest Credit Unions’ Economic Impacts report finds Oregon’s credit unions returned an average benefit of $81 to each member, or $159 million to members collectively. When members spent their benefits in local communities, that generated $161 million of economic impact in the state.
“The return to members is an impressive 50 percent higher than it was two years ago, when ECONorthwest performed a similar analysis,” said Troy Stang, President and CEO of the Northwest Credit Union Association (NWCUA). “Credit unions’ cooperative, not-for-profit structure holds them inherently accountable to the members who own them, which is why credit union membership is such a value for Main Street consumers.”
Jobs, Jobs, Jobs
The ECONorthwest analysis documented that Oregon’s credit unions are providing family-wage jobs for 5,845 professionals, who earned a total compensation of $418 million.
“Every credit union job supports two others, meaning the state’s credit unions supported 16,600 jobs in the economy,” said Michael Wilkerson, PhD, Senior Economist for ECONorthwest.
Consumers’ Financial Lifeline
Nearly 50 percent of Oregon’s population belongs to a credit union.
Credit unions are financial service partners to consumers in 31 of Oregon’s 36 counties. Credit unions’ popularity is outpacing the population growth. Since 2014, 637,685 new members have joined a credit union in Oregon or Washington, representing 13 percent growth. The region’s population grew just 2.7 percent during the same period.
Loans, Loans, Loans
In addition to the economic impact documented by the 2016 Northwest Credit Unions’ Economic Impacts report, the National Credit Union Administration noted that as of September, 2016, Oregon’s credit unions had more than 950,000 active loans–an investment of $14.2 billion in members and communities.
“Credit union loans represent a significant investment in working-class Oregonians,” said Stang. “Those loans put members in their dream homes, help them buy the cars that get them to work, and help them start small businesses.”
Join a Credit Union and Make 2017 the Year You Take Control of Your Money
Nearly all Oregonians are eligible for credit union membership. Own your money. To find a credit union that’s convenient for you, please visit www.asmarterchoice.org.
Read the 2016 Northwest Credit Unions’ Economic Impacts report here: https://nwcua.org/credit-union-impact/
Concerns about beach parking access for elderly, disabled keep access point open to cars
State officials have decided to continue allowing parking on the beach from a controversial access point in Lincoln City.
Strong opposition to a proposal banning vehicle access from N. 35th Court, on the north side of town, prompted the decision, officials said.
“Rather than taking the extreme measure of closing it down, we’re going to focus on what people said they were most worried about — safety,” OPRD spokesman Richard Walkoski said.
OPRD officials will make their recommendation to the Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission, which makes decisions, at a meeting on Feb. 8.
The entry point is one of only two places in Lincoln City where people can drive vehicles onto the beach and park. The more popular access point — and the one in better shape — is at N.W. 15th Street.
Until recently, the N. 35th Court site was rarely used by vehicles. It includes a small parking area and sandy pathway to the beach, and was used mostly by pedestrians.
In the summer of 2015, however, a handful of people began using the access point to drive onto the beach.
Property owners nearby weren’t happy with the drive-in access. A petition to outlaw access was signed by 28 property owners, kick-starting a review by the state.
OPRD proposed a rule closing the beach to vehicle access. They took public comment and held a series of meetings in Lincoln City and Salem.
In public comments tallied by OPRD, 67 people were opposed to the closure while 22 were in favor.
Those who opposed the closure cited a lack of other places to drive onto the beach in Lincoln City, which imposed a hardship on the handicapped and elderly.
“My youngest son has mobility issues and uses a wheelchair,” wrote Amy Hunt in public comments. “It is not possible for (him) to hike down to the beach and wheelchairs cannot be pushed through sand. Denying cars beach access would literally take away the beach from my 10 year old who loves it.”
They also mentioned having the ability to load equipment such as kite boards and jet skis.
“This is a great beach to drive down and park on,” Eric Creighton of Otis wrote. “My family and I would like to come down to park and watch the casino fireworks and enjoy the sunsets. This is also a good spot for kite boarding and launching jet skis.”
Supporters of the closure said the access point is dangerous and creates congestion and problems in an area heavily used by families.
“Vehicle beach access at N 35th Court in Lincoln City has created an extreme safety risk for children and families using the beach and playing in the stream at this location,” wrote Shawn Engelberg of Lincoln City. “I have observed several hair-raising episodes between vehicles and pedestrians.”
Others mentioned the better beach access for cars at N.W. 15th Street.
“Cars really have no place on our beaches,” wrote Carrie Saucy-Bowersox. “They leak pollutants and encourage people to drive instead of walk. I understand that disabled access is an important part of our beach system and I want that access to continue. But we shouldn’t allow access in a place that is expensive to maintain. We have a nice access point on 15th St.”
A casual beach stroll is a classic romance activity…but in Lincoln City you might find a glass treasure during that stroll. On February 11th & 12th, Float Fairies are hiding 14 heart-shaped glass paperweights on our beach for lucky lovers. Visit the beach in Lincoln City and hunt for a glass hearts.
This is a special event within the Finders Keepers event that runs from mid-October through Memorial Day. Regular glass floats will still be up for grabs.
Each year, in anticipation of the Kite Festival, a naming contest is held to pick the theme of the event. Progressively working though the alphabet, this year’s theme was determined using the letter “X.” The winner, Judy Mauro from Salem, picked “X-Kitement” which will be the theme of the 2017 Kite Festivals. This quirky and creative theme was selected from over 400 entries that were submitted this past January. A playful take on the word excitement, “X-Kitement” sets the tone for an equally playful Summer Kite Festival in June.
Get in on the “X-Kitement” at the D River Wayside in Lincoln City, where kite fliers from around the Pacific Northwest will take flight and show off their latest stunts. And, watch as colorful “big show” kites beautify the summer skies. Activities during the festival include kids kite making, professional kite demonstrations and the Running of the Bols, which is a footrace across the beach with each participant harnessed to a parachute kite. The festival runs from 10am-4pm each day.
Lincoln City is in the path of totality for the Great American Eclipse of August 21, 2017!
