Casting call: ‘Bounty’ set for May 17
Registration is now open for the fifth annual Bounty on the Bay, a celebration of fishing, rivers and estuaries that benefits the Tillamook Estuaries Partnership.
Fishing enthusiasts will gather at the Old Mill in Garibaldi and on scenic Tillamook Bay May 16 and 17, raising money for TEP’s efforts to implement the Tillamook Bay Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan. Over five years in development, the CCMP establishes 63 scientifically-based, community supported actions that restore water quality, enhance degraded habitats, reduce sedimentation, and lessen the impacts of coastal flooding.
The two-day fundraising event kicks off Friday at the Old Mill in Garibaldi, with a hearty buffet-style pasta dinner followed with angling seminars by local pro guides. TEP then hosts a spring Chinook fishing tournament – for hatchery salmon only – on Saturday, featuring a great day on the bay, fishing prizes donated by area sponsors, and an opportunity to hire one of several local guides who donate proceeds to salmon habitat enhancement efforts.
The activities culminate Saturday evening with a sumptuous seafood dinner - a hallmark of the event- and silent auction, hosted by TEP board members, staff and volunteers. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, all contributions are tax deductible and go towards TEP’s Habitat Enhancement Program. Guided fishing spots are going fast, but a few were available at presstime. To learn more, or to register online, head to tbnep.org. Or, call 503-322-2222.
A project you can bank on
Don’t lay down your burdens just yet. SOLV is counting on your help at the 13th annual Down by the Riverside cleanup event, set for Saturday, May 17, across the state.
From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 17, thousands of Oregonians will volunteer at 300 public areas, with several school and community projects occurring the week of May 10. They will work on building trails, planting native plants, creating community gardens, removing invasive species, participating in town spring cleanups, and a number of other projects that will enhance cities, parks and green spaces. Lincoln City’s main project is Down By The Lakeside, sponsored by the Devils Lake Water Improvement District. Paul Robertson, DLWID’s Lake Manager said, “SOLV is a great organization, and we just wanted to dovetail the work they do in watersheds around the state by creating our own version of the cleanup. Since we have the World’s Shortest River, we figured to make a half-day event of it, we had better extend the Down by the Riverside to the whole lakeside.”
The DLWID cleanup is set for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 17. Meet at the Union 50 Club, on SE First St. (turn east at the light opposite the D River State Wayside). There will be free T-shirts for the first 20 participants, plus continental breakfast, and a pizza lunch for all attendees. For details, call 541-994-5330.
For a complete list of Down by the Riverside projects on the central coast, head to solv.org.
Breathe easy, cyclists: There’s still time to Reach the Beach
Pacific City is preparing for the arrival of 2,000 cyclists, all raising money for the American Lung Association of Oregon. As part of Reach the Beach 2008, they’ll be arriving at Cape Kiwanda in PC on Saturday, May 17. This event, now in its 18th year, raises money to support clean Oregon air and healthy lungs.
Participants can choose between five routes, starting in Corvallis (110 mi.), Portland (103 mi.), Salem (80 mi.), Amity (55 mi.) and Grand Ronde (26 mi.). It’s a supported fundraising bicycle ride with two lunches, 10 rest stops and a finish line beach party in Pacific City. The cost is $35 plus additional pledges.
Volunteers are needed, too, both along the routes and at the finish line. To register or learn more, head to reachthebeach.org, email info@goodsportpromotion.com or call 503-459-4508.
Yaquina Birders head to Bonaire
This month’s meeting of the Yaquina Birders and Naturalists will let you do a little “armchair traveling,” to the waters off the coast of Bonaire.
On Thursday, May 15, Bori Olla will present “Bonaire Underwater: 2008.” This footage was shot on a number of coral reefs ringing the island of Bonaire, an island in the Netherlands’ Antilles, just off the coast of Venezuela. The video includes clips of the truly small (inch long secretary blennies) to the fairly large (8-foot long green morays). Attendees will also see stunning octopus, squid, turtles and lots of schooling fish.
The meeting, open to the public as well as members, starts at 7:30 p.m. at the OSU Hatfield Marine Science Center, 2030 Marine Science Drive in Newport. The group assembles in the education wing, room 30/32, which is accessible through the staff entrance (not the visitors center door).
Whale writer
The majority of cultures worldwide understand that whales are of much greater value alive than dead.
– Doug Thompson, in
“Whales, Touching The Mystery.”
“I heard Doug Thompson interviewed on Alternative Radio one night,” said Carla Perry, “and was entranced by his stories of the whales in Laguna San Ignacio, and the local fishermen who banded together to protect the whales of their lagoon, after the whales initiated repeated contacts. Coincidentally, his publisher contacted me, asking if the Nye Beach Writers’ Series would like to have him visit Newport for a reading and film showing. ‘Well, yes,’ was my answer.” Writers On The Edge has teamed up with the Oregon Coast Aquarium, Mountain Writers of Portland, and New Sage Press to present two days of events in Newport for all ages.
Friday May 16, 6:30 p.m.: Welcoming Reception for Doug Thompson; talk, film showing, and book signing. Lobby of Aquarium, 2820 SE Ferry Slip Road, in South Beach. Admission: $5. Hors d’oeuvres with no host wine/beer.
Saturday, May 17, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Children’s Crafts and Whale Bio Facts, hands-on with Doug Thompson, plus book signing, also at the aquarium. Free, with aquarium admission.
Saturday, May 17, 7 p.m.: Nye Beach Writers Series’ with Doug Thompson reading from his book Whales: Touching The Mystery, and Q&A. Open mike follows. Newport Visual Art Center, 777 NW Beach Drive, in the Nye Beach area of Newport. Admission $5; free to students.
Ever since his first contact with a gray whale while surfing as a teenager in southern California, Doug Thompson has had a passion for whales. For more than 30 years, he has traveled the world as a whale naturalist, guide and activist. He’s led more than 100 long-range natural history expeditions from Mexico to New Zealand. In 2002, he co-founded SummerTree Institute with his wife, Robin Kobaly. SummerTree focuses on environmental education and expeditions, and works to bring back the thrill of discovery to environmental education.
At the Nye Beach Writers’ Series on Saturday night, copies of Thompson’s book will be available for purchase and autographing, followed by an open mike session. Open mike readers are welcome to display and sell copies of their own books. Light refreshments, wine, and coffee will be available.
Writers On The Edge is also offering a summer writing workshop in August for youth aged 7 to 10. Pre-registration is required; class is limited to 12 students. All participants receive full scholarships. Workshop students will perform at the Aug. 16 Nye Beach Writers Series. Workshop details and Writers’ Series schedule information is available at www.writersontheedge.org. To receive email notification of upcoming events contact Carla Perry at 541-574-7708, or send an email to info@writersontheedge.org.
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| Tillamook Estuaries Partnership board member Charlie Wooldridge works the barbecue at a past Bounty on the Bay, preparing teriyaki barbecued tuna and sturgeon. Contributed photo. |
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