May   2009

 

Ocean Shores

 

A Community Garden in Ocean Shores

 

A group of volunteers held a groundbreaking ceremony on May 9^th for a community garden on a section of land behind the Galilean Lutheran Church. Event organizers hope to turn the church-owned land, which measures just under a quarter acre, into “Garden by the Sea”, a place where residents can rent plots to turn into their own private gardens.

 

In addition to private plots, there are plans for a children’s garden and an herbal labyrinth plus a separate “food bank” garden in which all produce in the garden will be donated to the Ocean Shores Food Bank.

 

The children’s, herbal labyrinth and food bank gardens will be maintained by volunteers. Garden supporters plan on seeding the garden this spring and hope to have a harvest by late summer or early fall.

 

 

Speed Limits go down at the Beach

 

Drivers will have to pay close attention to speed limit signs around town, as many of them will be changed in June, 2009.

 

The City Council voted 5-2 to approve a controversial ordinance that will lower the speed limits on several city streets including Point Brown Avenue, Ocean Shores Boulevard, Duck Lake Drive, Chance a la Mer and Marine View Drive.

 

Most of the changes are 5 mph drops. For example, the section of Point Brown Avenue between the entry gates south to Albatross Street will be changed from 30 mph to 25 mph on both sides of the street.

 

 

More ships in Port of Grays Harbor

 

Port of Grays Harbor officials say a new shipping agreement with a Norwegian company will dramatically increase incoming vessels, eventually bringing in a ship every two weeks.

 

Deputy Director Leonard Barnes said a regular schedule shipping line service agreement with recently established Partner Shipping promises new vessels into Marine Terminal 4, starting with a ship in mid-June. The agreement makes the Port one of the company’s two West Coast shipping sites.

 

The Partner Shipping Web site said the company, which launched in 2008, has operations shipping throughout Europe, The Middle East and West Africa. The company hopes to jump on the market between the U.S. and the South Pacific.

 

Barnes said the shipping business is facing tough times along with many industries in the current economy. He said Partner’s decision to operate out of Grays Harbor in such times attests to the Port’s strong location, workforce and transportation infrastructure.

 

 

Pontoons on the way to Grays Harbor

 

We were promised that the Pontoons would bring hundreds of “family-wage jobs” to Grays Harbor. At a bill-signing ceremony on the campus of Grays Harbor College, Governor Gregoire made it happen. The state will spend $700 million to both train the workers necessary and construct a huge graving dock on the Harbor to build the floating pontoons necessary to construct the Highway 50 floating bridge across Lake Washington between Seattle and its eastern suburbs.

 

Gregoire signed the legislation authorizing the funding and separate legislation authorizing the bonds to pay for the construction project. The legislation also authorizes tolling to begin soon on the existing floating bridge.

 

At lease 250 construction jobs will be created to build the graving dock and another 100 workers will be needed to construct the pontoons themselves. Factoring in the ripple effect of the new jobs, the governor said as many as 3,000 jobs could be induced from the project at the height of construction in 2013, but she wants construction of the graving dock to start by next year. 

 

 

Marine Resource Committee to look at Coastal Issues

The county commissioners have appointed an 11-member Marine Resource Committee, tasked with looking at coastal issues and ensuring that local, state and federal decisions on marine issues aren’t made in a vacuum. The task force, mostly made up of fishermen, marine experts and environmentalists, will host its first public forum at a0 a.m., on June 20^th, at the Rotary Log Pavilion in Aberdeen.

 

County Commissioner Al Carter said the group will be charged with looking after issues that impact all areas of the coast, for example, a private company’s proposal to set up wind turbines off the coast and a push to develop wave energy platforms. Carter said: “We have wind energy, we have wave energy we have the potential for oil drilling and gas drillilng.u’ve got etland issues and estuary issues. I don’t want people who don’t live on the coast making arbitrary decisions including the federal government. They don’t live here.

 

Those appointed to the committee include Bob Burkle of Montesano, with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife; Roberta Davenport of Rochester, with the state Department of Natural Resources; Eric Delvin of Olympia, with the Nature Conservancy; Kathy Greer of Westport, with the Surfriders organization; R.D. Grunbaum of Ocosta, with Friends of Grays Harbor; Don Harders of Hoquiam, with the Lone Tree Oyster Co.; Robin Leraas of Aberdeen, with the Port of Grays Harbor; Don Samuelson of Aberdeen, with Deep Sea Charters; Ray Toste of Westport, with the Washington Crab Fishers Association; Joe Schumacher of Taholah, with the Quinault Indian Nation; and Lorena Marchant of Aberdeen, with Grays Harbor College.

 

 

   

 

Ocean Shores Convention Center - June 2009 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat   1 2 3 4 5 6   City Study Session 3PM Drivers Safety        9AM – 1PM Drivers Safety        9AM – 1PM ACT 1PM O.S. Chamber Business After Hours 5:30PM     Kite Challenge on Beach             11AM – 4PM 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Kite Challenge on Beach             11AM – 4PM  1:30PM City Council & Public Workshop City Council 6:00PM Master Gardeners Meeting  9AM O.S. Municipal Court 1:30PM        Flag Day Parade at 11AM  (CC Restrooms Open) and Dance at Shilo Inn 6:30PM 14 15 16 17 18 19 20   Set-Up Convention Center for Square Dancers Set-Up Convention Center for Square Dancers  (Plywood Floors) Square & Folk  Dancers               Move In  7AM             1200 People No Catered Meals All Meals ON OWN Square & Folk      Dancers           1200 People No Catered Meals All Meals ON OWN Square & Folk          Dancers          1200 People No Catered Meals All Meals ON OWN Square & Folk Dancers           1200 People No Catered Meals All Meals ON OWN Father's Day  21 22 23 24 Sand & Sawdust Set-Up 25 26 27 Priest Days 250 Attendees All Meals Catered    Priest Days 250 Attendees All Meals Catered Priest Days 250 Attendees All Meals Catered Priest Days 250 Attendees All Meals Catered Priest Days 250 Attendees All Meals Catered Sand & Sawdust Festival Sand & Sawdust Festival 28 29 30         Sand & Sawdust Festival National Assoc. of Postmasters of the United States  (NAPUS)            300 People           All Meals Catered National Assoc. of Postmasters of the United States  (NAPUS)            300 People           All Meals Catered         Planning a visit to Ocean Shores?  Go to our website for lodging, dining, shopping, activity information, and even driving directions!www.TourismOceanShores.com Looking for a great deal ?  www.oceanshoresdiscounts.com               Ella M. Kiaupa, Coldwell Banker, Ocean Beach Properties   888-469-3100 Toll-Free 360-289-3100 Office 360-580-1945 Cell 360-289-3111 Fax www.oceanshoresNow.com     "The finest compliment I can receive is a referral.  Thank you."   Welcome to my World - Ocean Shores, Washington!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 2009

Ocean Shores

 

Ocean Shores Interpretive Center expanding

The Interpretive Center is expanding and has some new activities for visitors. Locals and tourists will be able to explore a new trail, exhibits and a playground. Students from North Beach, Aberdeen and Hoquiam high schools designed and constructed the Interpretive Trail as part of their senior culminating project. The trail which is about 500 feet long leads visitors through a small coastal forest with a wetland area and a boardwalk.

The courtyard was funded by a $21,000 federal forestry education grant the Interpretive center split with the Grays Harbor County Fairgrounds. The grant came via revenue generated from timber harvests under the Secure Rural Schools & Community Self-Determination Act, a federal measure that backs improvements to public schools, roads and stewardship projects.

The exhibit features a weather station that displays temperature, wind direction, humidity, atmospheric pressure and precipitation readings. It also has story boards and information on how to read tide charts.

 

4^th of July

The City of Ocean Shores approved a $39,706 request from the police and fire departments to fund a Fourth of July operational plan.

The plan would pay for emergency “staging” stations at different beach approaches, which include increased police and fire personnel, ambulances and firefighting equipment.

The new ordinance, which goes into effect this year, bans fireworks within city limits except for between the Marine View Drive and Damon Beach approaches, at lease 100 feet away from the dunes. The new ordinance also reflects state law on the discharge of fireworks, allowing them only during the following days and hours.

June 28, noon – 11 p.m.

June 29 – July 3, 9a.m. – 11 p.m.

July 4, 9 a.m. – midnight.

In 2007, dune fires burned more then 20 acres over Independence Day weekend and two firefighters had to be taken to the hospital with symptoms of exhaustion because there weren’t enough personnel to give the firefighters a break.

 

Third Annual Music Festival

The floor of the Ocean Shores convention Center will be thumpn’ with the annual music festival on July 3rd & 4th.

Country Schedule (Saturday)

1p.m. to 4 pm. – Country Jam

6 p.m. to 7 p.m. – Country Dinner

7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Country Dance.

Gospel Schedule ( Sunday)

9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Gospel music

 

NEWS FROM AROUND THE HARBOR

Youth Job Program

Work Source in Grays Harbor expects new federal funding for a summer youth job program. The federal stimulus grants will fund the youth summer jobs for temporary seasonal labor. The program targets young workers of a certain income level, the ages were expanded to include 16 to 24 years old.  Based on how much money Grays Harbor will receive will determine how many positions they can fill.

 

Fishing to be fantastic this Salmon Season

California and Oregon are severely curtailed this year due to declining Chinook populations, fishermen in Washington are planning for a decent season.

“It’s going to ba a great season,” said Doug Frickle, the president of the Washington Trollers Association, who expects it to be about the same as last year, “but we are happy to have any opportunity to fish for salmon and to support our families and incomes.” 

According to the Pacific Fishery Management Council, the upcoming salmon season in Washington is similarly structured compared to recent years with Chinook quotas close to 2008. The biggest bright spot is that coho quotas are substantially higher, which reflects the increased abundance of both hatchery and natural coho stocks. 

For recreational fishermen in Westport subarea, the season begins on June 28, with fishing allowed Sunday through Thursday until July 23. Fishing will then be permitted seven days a week until September 20.

 

Annual assessments for Grays Harbor

The state House approved legislation requiring counties statewide to conduct assessments on an annual basis with the conversion taking place by 2014. The measure passed 77 to 17. The state Senate approved the bill on a 40 to 5 vote. All of the legislators who represent Grays Harbor voted in favor of the measure.

Of the state’s 39 counties, 20 of them already use an annual property tax assessment system. Grays Harbor’s property tax assessments are done every four years.

 

Stimulus Money for Olympic National Park

The park will receive more than $57.8 million in economic stimulus money to put local residents to work building trails, rebuilding ecosystems and renovating campgrounds. Olympic receives the greatest share of the state’s $65 million in stimulus funding generated toward national parks. Nationwide more than $750 million will be spent on the parks system.

This is the most significant investment made in our National Parks in decades, the immediate benefits will be with the creation of new jobs and for generations to come our children and grandchildren will be able to enjoy these special places.

At Olympic National Park, the money will be used to convert two miles of abandoned road to trail, demolish and replace the operationally-obsolete Hoh sewer system, rehabilitate four park road bridges, replace historic roofing park-wide and restore much of the ecosystem along the Elwha River, including the removal of dams.

 

 

Ella M. Kiaupa,

Coldwell Banker, Ocean Beach Properties

 

888-469-3100 Toll-Free

360-289-3100 Office

360-580-1945 Cell

360-289-3111 Fax

www.oceanshoresNow.com

 

 

"The finest compliment I can receive is a referral.  Thank you."

 

Welcome to my World -

Ocean Shores, Washington

Planning a visit to Ocean Shores?  Go to our website for lodging, dining, shopping, activity information, and even driving directions!www.TourismOceanShores.com Looking for a  great deal ?  www.oceanshoresdiscounts.com

 

 

March 2009

Ocean Shores

 

 

Largest Turnout for Clam Fest

The third annual Clam Fest was the largest ever. It may have been called a Razor Clam Festival but the way it packed people in made the Ocean Shores Convention Center feel like a sardine tin.

 

It’s estimated that 9,000 people attended the festival. The clam chowder pots ran out fast as clam fans went from booth to booth trading $1 tickets for small cups of chowder. There were booths of all sorts of clam memorabilia for those who really dig razor clams.

 

The festival also hosted the razor clam queen and king, Berda and Bob Augustus who do a lot of community service. There were 16 entrants in the amateur razor clam chowder competition, so the competition was tight. All top spots were taken by Ocean Shores’ residents.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEWS FROM AROUND THE HARBOR

 

Stimulus Cash for Grays Harbor

 

Grays Harbor will receive more than $2,4 million in economic stimulus money, trickling down from the federal government to local agencies and even to make public housing more energy efficient as well as  construction of roads and sidewalks.

 

Grays Harbor County was awarded $750,000 toward its road realignment and paving projects alone the Wynoochee-Wishkah Road corridor. The total project will cost the county $28.j8 million and will be funded through grants and county road money.

 

The City of Aberdeen received $730,000 toward the $948,000 sidewalk revitalization effort along Heron Street. The city of Hoquiam has been awarded $195,000 to help finish the city’s downtown sidewalk revitalization project.

 

The Housing Authority of Grays Harbor was awarded $627,184 to fix up low-income residential buildings. The money will be spent on buildings that are part of the authority’s low-rent program.

 

The Housing Authority has 12 months to spend the money. The road projects need to be started within the next 120 days.

 

 

Plans to turn Wood Waste to Biofuel

 

Harbor-based wood chip manufacturing company Willis Enterprises LLC has proposed building new wood-based biofuel plant to create liquid fuel and up to 80 new jobs.

Company president Paul Willis announced he is seeking funding for a new $2.5 million to $35 million bio-refinery of Hoquiam to produce lingo-cellulosic liquid fuel from wood products alongside his current chip operations. The plant would require 35 to 50 workers with another 15 to 30 new jobs for harvesting and gathering materials.

The project plans to seek state and federal grants for constructing the new facilities and the City Council unanimously approved voicing support for the proposal.

 

 

Higher Revenue for the Port

 

The Port of Grays Harbor’s operating revenues of $9 million for last year were a 25% improvement over the year before. The higher revenue reflects increased shipping traffic which account for almost 70 % of the Port’s operating revenue. But for the third year in a row, the Port’s operating expenses, $9.2 million, exceeded its revenues because it allowed the Port to catch up on a backlog of maintenance projects it had not been able to address in years past.

 

The Port handled more cargo in 2008 than in any year over the past decade and saw its business activity overall increase 27 % over 2007. The cargo was heavy on agricultural products, biodiesel from Imperium and autos. This represented a continued shift away from timber products, which was mainstay for years bat has slowed to a trickle over the past decade.

 

The growing agricultural export business and a marketing agreement between the Port and the Pasha Group to bring a variety of cargoes to the Harbor seems certain to bring in more business. In order to attract more business they might need to investigate dredging the shipping channel to a deeper depth.

 

 

Job Cuts at Imperium

 

Imperium of Grays Harbor announced that 24 employees will loose their jobs in response to a global drop in demand of biodiesel. The increased cost of feedstock for producing biodiesel and the drastic changes in regular gasoline and diesel prices during the past 18 months has undermined the stability of the company.

 

The Seattle-based company has undergone a number of challenges since opening its Hoquiam facility in August of 2007, the largest biodiesel plant in the country at the time and employed about 60 Harbor workers.

 

John Plaza, founder and CEO of the regional biodiesel manufacturing company, said that the staff cuts had to be made to reduce costs and save money for the company’s future.

 

 

Some of the best Forcast for Coho Salmon

 

This year’s salmon returns are expected to be some of the best since 2001 for Washington. More than 1 million Columbia River coho are expected to return this year, which is nearly double last year’s return but Oregon and California show diminishing numbers of salmon

The Pacific Fishery Management Council adopted three options for this year’s ocean salmon season. The options virtually shut down sport and commercial fishing off the coast of California to allow salmon to rebound, while offering limited commercial and sport salmon fishing in Oregon.

 

In Washington the coho salmon runs appear to be some of the best in years, which could give commercial and sport fishermen a much needed boost. Coho options for all fishermen are eight to nine times that of last year, and Chinook fishing will be allowed, the Council said.

 

 

Grays Harbor Shorebird Festival from April 24 through 26^th

 

Huge flocks of shorebirds scuttle across mudflats and take to the air in massive flocks. These birds feed and prepare for the next leg of their long journey to Arctic breeding grounds. Birders come from all over the world to Grays Harbor to spot birds, take classes and seminars or go on guided field trips.

 

Some of the birds fly 15,000 miles during the migration, which is one of the planet’s great wildlife spectacles. The massive shorebird migration from wintering grounds in South America, Central America and the southern United States funnels millions of birds through Grays Harbor mudflats, beaches and marshes.

 

The Shorebird Festival will be held at Hoquiam High School this year.  Birders should sign up now for limited spots on field trips as they fill up very fast, they can logon www.shorebirdfestival.com  or phone 800-303-8498. The festival itself offers free and pay-to-play field trips to great birding spots.

 

 

 

PUD considering raising Power Rates by 4%

 

Grays Harbor PUD commissioners are considering raising power rates by 4% to offset declining revenues and increased costs from the Bonneville Power Administration. The increase would be about $3.35 per month on the typical Grays Harbor home using 1,300 kilowatt hours. In addition to raising rates, the commissioners are also “looking at all possible cost saving measures,” including cuts in services.

 

 

A Marine Resource Council for Grays Harbor

 

There are plenty of marine resource councils along the Puget Sound but no such groups along the state’s coast. The county commissioners officially created a Grays Harbor Marine Resource Council. The Legislature allocated $50,000 to help set up the group last year. The group will now be charged with looking after issues that impact all areas of the coast, including recent discussions about a private company wanting to set up wind turbines off the coast and a push to develop wave energy platforms.

 

 

Seaport receives a $50,000 donation

 

Ken Birdwell, a software developer from Bellevue WA has donated $50,000 to the Grays Harbor Historical Seaport Authority to ensure kids have an opportunity to continue to learn about the nautical ways of the Lady Washington. The developer for Valve Software said he spent 4 weeks on board the tall ships in 2007 and walked away having nothing but “life changing moments.”

 

After paying a fee to cover on-board expenses and signing a contract, volunteers join the crew and take part in many of the normal activities of sailing a tall ship, such as climbing the rigging, weighing anchor and greeting guests at various ports.

 

Birdwell said he found out the ship’s education program was also geared to youth and he wishes he had the chance to hang out on a tall ship when he was growing up.  Seaport Executive Director Les Bolton said the donation couldn’t have come at a better time, as the recession has taken quite a toll on the revenue the Lady Washington usually brings in. The Seaport is grappling with cutbacks everywhere and is planning its first trip down the Columbia River in more than a decade in an effort to find new ports of call and new sources of revenue for the ship. The donation will be used to support the Seaport’s educational and volunteer programs.

 

 

A Windfall of Housing

 

The cities of Aberdeen and Hoquiam will share about $1.2million from a new federal grant geared toward the acquisition of foreclosed or abandoned properties to build new homes for low-income residents. The money came from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development and the beneficiaries of the money will be Neighborworks of Grays Harbor and Habitat for Humanity.

 

The City of Hoquiam gets $448,918 in neighborhood stabilization funding while the City of Aberdeen gets $756,938. Hoqiuiam City Administrator Brian Shay, said a portion of Hoquiam’s money will be given to Habitat for Humanity, which uses mainly volunteer labor to build homes for low-income residents.

 

Aberdeen plans on giving around $200,000 to Habitat. The rest of the money would likely be given to Neighborworks and could be used to offer low-interest loans to first-time home buyers and to help low-income residents afford homes. Money paid back would go right back into the program. The money can also be used to acquire homes and properties that have been abandoned or foreclosed on and to fix up existing homes or build new ones.

March/April Convention Center Events Calendar        SUNDAY       MONDAY       TUESDAY    WEDNESDAY    THURSDAY         FRIDAY         SATURDAY March 22 March 23 March 24 March 25 March 26 March 27 March 28 W.O.W.           Move-in & Set-up           11AM – 7PM W.O.W.  7AM- 8:30PM Vendor set-up 550 Attendees              No Catering        All Meals on Own Full Facility W.O.W.  6AM- 6PM 550 Attendees              No Catering        All Meals on Own 11:45AM – 1:15PM * LUNCH BREAK * W.O.W.  7AM- 6PM 550 Attendees                     Breakfast & Lunch on Own 11:30AM–12:45PM * LUNCH BREAK * Catered Dinner 7PM W.O.W.  7AM- 12:30PM 550 Attendees                     Breakfast & Lunch on Own Conf. finished at 12:30PM  Possible lunch rush Razor Clam Festival Set-Up Razor Clam Festival 8AM – 8PM Pancake B-fast,  Vendors, Live Music, Chowder       Cook-off, & activities March 29 March 30 March 31 April 1 April 2 April 3 April 4   AAOS begins SET-UP        (Pacific Hall)   AAOS Set-Up (Pacific Hall)   AAOS Set-Up (Pacific Hall)   (TENTATIVE) Jury Trial   ACT Meeting 1:30PM AAOS Fine Art & Photo Show Set-up Full Facility   AAOS Fine Art & Photo Show Judges Reception Full Facility   AAOS Fine Art & Photo Show  Open to public         12PM – 6PM   AAOS Fine Art & Photo Show  Open to public         10AM – 6PM April 5 AAOS Fine Art & Photo Show  Open to  public         10AM – 4PM Art to be picked up between 4:30PM –5:30PM   April 6  April 7 AARP Drivers Safety Class    9AM – 1PM   O.S.F.D.  Accident Scene Safety Meeting            7PM – 9:30PM April 8   AARP Drivers Safety Class    9AM – 1PM   April 9  April 10  April 11    April 12   April 13   City Council Meeting 6:00PM  April 14 April 15   Ocean Shores Municipal Court  1:30PM April 16 April 17 April 18 Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Banquet       4PM – 11PM Catered Dinner

 

Planning a visit to Ocean Shores?  Go to our new website for lodging, dining, shopping and activity information and even driving directions!www.TourismOceanShores.com

 

If you, or anybody you know, have thought about buying or selling some property or building a new home, I would be more than happy to assist you in finding your dream in or around Ocean Shores.

If your property is currently listed with another agent, please disregard this letter.

 

I hope you enjoy the Agent Newsletter. If you have any comments, please e-mail them to me.

 

If you do not wish to receive the Agent Newsletter from me, please reply to this e-mail with the word 'REMOVE' in the subject line.

 

 

   

February 2009

 

OCEAN SHORES NEWS

 

 

Fantastic Clam digging Weekend

 

It couldn’t have been a better weekend for clam diggers. The weather was warm and sunny and plenty of nice size clams. Dan Ayres, shellfish manager with the Department of Fish and Wildlife said that all three days of clam digging were very good.

He said that clam digging beaches saw about 29,500 “digger trips” over the weekend. He added that new numbers from the University of Washington estimate each “digger trip” on a razor clam weekend can add $49 to the local economy.

 

 

Offshore Energy Project

 

A company interested in converting wave energy to electricity is poised to ask the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for permission to build five or six test converters off Ocean Shores and Grayland.

 

Grays Harbor Ocean Energy already has a federal permit to a feasibility study and now it is interested in actually building and installing a wave energy converters but has not yet officially applied to do the construction.

 

Project supporters believe it could supply enough energy to power the entire Olympic Peninsula and make Grays Harbor one of the largest producers of renewable energy in the world.

 

Last July, the commission issued a preliminary permit to Grays Harbor Ocean Energy, giving the company exclusive rights for a feasibility study at the designated locations for the next three years. That permit did not authorize any construction. The deadline for Grays Harbor Ocean Energy to apply for the pilot project license is July 31, 2010.

 

 

NEWS FROM AROUND THE HARBOR

 

 

Car Shipments ready for Export

 

Shipment of vehicles have flooded into Aberdeen, 200 or 300 a day, as the Port of Grays Harbor prepares for their export.

 

A California-based auto shipping and processing company called the Pasha Group is coordinating the shipment of these vehicles. About 1,100 of these vehicles were loaded on the Jean Anne for shipment to Hawaii to replace a fleet of card for Enterprise Rent-A-Car. The Jean Anne typically rotates between San Diego and the Hawaiian islands. When Enterprise car rentals purchased the 1,100 vehicles at a Seattle auction, they asked the Pasha Group to help move them.

 

Michael Pasha, general manager of port development said a small group of locally hired workers helped inspect and process the cars with tests on batteries and tires, then numbered and labeled the vehicles.  A separate division of the company then worked to hire local longshore workers to load the vehicles.

 

“we’re really happy about the working relationship with the Port and the local labor unions,” Pasha said. “That’s why we’re here.”

 

 

Harnessing the Power of the Tides

 

Grays Harbor PUD and the Pacific County PUD are working to get funding for the proposed tidal energy generation project, they hope to power homes from tidal movements running in and out of Grays Harbor. Grays Harbor PUD General Manager Rick Lovely predicted the movement could produce about 1 megawatt of power, enough to light up about 100 homes. He hoped to have a pilot program in the water by 2011.  Putting an underwater turbine beneath the channel from the Chehalis River into the Harbor could capture the energy from the flow of tides along the river.

 

PUD spokeswoman Liz Anderson said the first phase of the effort cost about $150,000 as the districts first measured velocity and scouted potential sites. The next phase of the project would cost about $2 million to fund studies, permits and other feasibility research. The third and final phase of research would be constructing and installing a pilot device to actually test the concept and power output, this could cost another $4 to 5 million. The utility districts plan to apply for $1.5 million in federal funding for the research the rest would come from regional partnerships with companies or organizations.

 

This is not ocean wave energy and it is not wind energy, a number of companies have designed devices that should work for the project but a lot of additional studying has to be done.

 

 

Breaking Ground for a $20 Million Liquid Bulk Storage Facility

 

Gold shovels cut into the dirt of marine Terminal 1, tossing the first scoop of a new bulk storage facility. Port officials and local city officials took turn welcoming the company to the area.

 

Grays Harbor commissioners, officials and county commissioners lined up next to representatives of New Orleans-based Westway Terminals, which plans to begin operations this fall.

 

Westway Terminals specializes in moving and storing liquid bulk around the world. They hold almost anything but oil products, often storing molasses or various chemicals. They expect to store methane on Grays Harbor and expand to other products.

 

The company expects to bring about a dozen vessels into the Port each year and increase that number as the facility develops. About five to ten full-time positions could be created.

 

 

Home Prices decline

 

Single family home prices in Grays Harbor County lost 10.9 percent of their value over the past year, with a median price of $155,000. Over the past five years, local home values went up 55 percent.

 

Even though the Harbor closed only 749 home sales in 2008 as opposed to 1,010 in 2007, the decline wasn’t as precipitous as in other counties.

 

Grays Harbor homes kept their value better than some and in the survey of 16 Western Washington counties, the Harbor home prices were put in the middle of the pack.

 

Planning a visit to Ocean Shores?  Go to our new website for lodging, dining, shopping and activity information and even driving directions!www.TourismOceanShores.com

 

If you, or anybody you know, have thought about buying or selling some property or building a new home, I would be more than happy to assist you in finding your dream in or around Ocean Shores.

If your property is currently listed with another agent, please disregard this letter.

 

I hope you enjoy the Agent Newsletter. If you have any comments, please e-mail them to me.

 

If you do not wish to receive the Agent Newsletter from me, please reply to this e-mail with the word 'REMOVE' in the subject line.

 

January 2009

OCEAN SHORES NEWS

  

Upcoming Event

 

 

Ocean Shores Antique 7 Collectible Show Feb 14-15, 2009

Ocean Shores Convention Center is holding their 7^th Annual Antique Show. There will be over eighty booths offering quite a selection of antiques and collectibles, including furniture, American art, class, dolls, jewelry, dolls and much more. For a small donation to charities one can have their antiques evaluated. Last year's events raised $4,235.90 for the Ocean Shores Food Bank and the SeaPal Quilters for their quilt guild charities.

 

 

Repayment of Utility fund will have to wait

OCEAN Shores - The latest audit report of the City of Ocean Shores revealed that the city had not taken any action to repay the $1.9 million overcharged to the utility fund between 2001 and 2006.  The State Audit's Office had recommended the city pay back the fund as soon as possible. Repayment options range from a lump sum payment or installments over the next 3, 10 or even 20 years.  However, the city currently lacks the funds to begin any sort of repayment plan, according to Mayor Dean Bunkers, adding the city wouldn't be making any transfers back into the utility fund at least this year.

However, Bunkers is optimistic that by 2010 the city's budget will begin to stabilize enough to start examining a repayment plan. In December he came up with a plan to create more than $520,000 in savings and revenue that included collecting fees from inter-local medical aid agreements, buildings, life safety inspection permit fees and "banked" property tax levies.  Bunkers said his goal is to have a payment plan in place by the end of this year.  Until the budget situation improves, Bunkers said repayment will have to be on hold.  "We will just have to wait and see how our revenues turn out," he said.

  

NEWS FROM AROUND THE HARBOR

 

A proposed Seaport Landing project for the Tall Ships.

The tall ship Lady Washington and her companion vessel, the Hawaiian Chieftain have received a new proposed landing area.  The Grays Harbor Historical Seaport Authority announced that the Miller Hull Partnership, a Seattle architectural firm specializing in public projects, will conduct a two-day workshop Jan 14 and 15 for the Seaport's Board of Directors to help develop a collective vision for the project and help it move toward completion at no cost.

The Seaport Landing project, which includes the construction of a new home port for the tall ships will include Seaport offices, learning center, museum and gift shop.  The Seaport Landing, which has been in the works for more than three years, is to be located on the riverfront of South Aberdeen, across the Safeway near the Chehalis River Bridge.  The Seaport has signed a 30-year lease with the Department of Natural Resources for the water rights.

The association with Miller Hull is part of the One-Percent Solution, a public architecture program that connects non-profit organizations with architecture and design firms willing to donate their time, experience and services at no cost.  Currently there are more than 450 firms across the country that pledge more than 175,000 hours annually.  "I was impressed by the project's goals," said Craig Curtis, a partner who has been with Miller Hull for 22 years, "and when I saw the site, I was blown away by the potential for an incredible transformation."

According to Joe Follansbee, the director of communications and membership at the Seaport, the budget for the landing hasn't been finalized, but the cost is being estimated between $4 million and $6 million dollars. A capital campaign to raise funds is unofficially underway and the Seaport is investigating federal and state grants, as well as working to garner community support, which Follansbee says will "demonstrate that Grays Harbor is behind the project."

For those wishing to make donations, visit www.historicalseaport.com or call 800-200-5239.

 

 

Much of Harbors cut off

Recent snow and rain has flooded western Washington. Kelly Stowe, a spokeswoman with the state Department of Transportation, said highways quickly shut down overnight, leaving Grays Harbor and northern Pacific County limited to a few local roads. With U.S. Highway 12 blocked near Devonshire Road, state Route 107 at Montesano and U.S. Highway 101 closed outside Raymond.

Grays Harbor Undersheriff Rick Scott said deputies were busy with rescues. He warned drivers trying to find local routes through the area to avoid roads with water over them. "We've spent a lot of time rescuing people who have ignored road closed signs," he said. "That is a crime. ... We may begin to take enforcement action." Emergency supplies were being flown into the county and local stores had received shipments of emergency supplies and fuel.

 

The Pasha Group signs agreement with Port of Grays Harbor

The Pasha Group, which arranged the recent shipment of Kia vehicles to Marine Terminal 4, joined the Port of Grays Harbor in marketing agreement allowing them a year to study the feasibility of establishing a large-scale automotive processing facility in Aberdeen.

Stan Gabara, vice president of automotive with The Pasha Group, said the company is very attracted to the location, storage, transportation and workforce connections offered at the Port and believes the Grays Harbor is uniquely and strategically positioned to be a major automotive processing and distribution facility long into the future. The Pasha Group, which manages transport for a variety of cargoes, expects to bring in several more vehicle shipments during the next six months as it evaluates whether the Port can be developed into a permanent facility.  The Pasha Group has large automotives sites including a 157-acre facility near San Diego, which employs 275 people before counting long-shore and shipping workers.

Gabara said Grays Harbor has the potential to grow into a large, long-term facility including warehouse storage, car washing stations, body and repair shops and other support facilities.  The Port Commissioners unanimously approved signing the marketing agreements, which prohibits the Port from seeking competing companies for the Terminal 4 site. If another company approaches the Port, the Pasha Group has the first chance at the location. Billy Swor, secretary of the International Longshore Workers Union Local 24, was joined by other union leaders to welcome the company.

 

Willis Enterprises move progressing

Willis Enterprises, a Harbor-based wood chip company, plans to have its move to Port of Grays Harbor property in Hoquiam complete within a couple months. President Paul Willis said the final barge load of chips left the Aberdeen facility on Jan. 9. The company has been storing logs at its new Marine Terminal 3 site and is starting new construction. He mentioned that the project had received 13 of its 15 permits so far. He plans to move forward with concrete work at the terminal, which sat vacant for many years before he signed a 10-year lease in September.

He expected the Aberdeen facility would be closed by the end of February. The new plans also include installing a crane and support facilities in March. Work would be going on at the Port site and would go into full production by March or April. Port Commissioner Stan Pinnick said that

he was pleased that the terminal was starting up operations again. Mike Johnson, contracts administrator for Port, said the terminal was also undergoing some infrastructure improvements including new pilings and electricity systems.

Willis said he has been working to find more space for logs as inventory has backed up during the transitions. The logs have been stacking up while his storage has started to run short. He said though the move has been going a little slower than he would like, but he believes the project has great potential. "Hopefully, the economy returns and it will be a good project in the long term," he said.

 

Weyerhaeuser mills go quiet

The Weyerhaeuser Company announced that it will permanently close its sawmill and the Pacific Veneer mill in Aberdeen. The closures, effective immediately, put 221 people out of work. Weyerhaeuser has eliminated nearly600 employees in the Aberdeen area since 2005, between the closure of the large log sawmill, the Cosmopolis Pulp Mill and layoffs at the Aberdeen log sorting yard and elsewhere. "It was kind of a shock," said Ray Calica, president of the Local 3099 of the Western Council of Industrial Workers. "For the community, this is going to have a very large impact. There are a lot of dollars and tax dollars that are not going to be spent in the Harbor and surrounding areas.

 

Pontoons will be built here

State officials finally decided that the pontoon project for the Evergreen Point floating bridge in Seattle will be located on Grays Harbor, bringing with it 250 construction jobs as the facility is built and 100 more to construct the pontoons. The $306 million pontoon construction project could start as early as August. The news comes as sharp contrast to layoff and plant closure news such as the Weyerhaeuser announcement earlier this week that it will close two local mills permanently.

The issue of where the site will be is still up in the air. The state is considering two Hoquiam sites and one in Aberdeen. Officials from both cities said they're just glad it's coming to Grays Harbor, but whichever city gets it will see significant tax revenue. Program Director Julie Meredith with the state Dot said that a shortened schedule will have engineers looking at how to start building pontoons before the full-scale facility is finished - wherever it ends up. Meredith said the department will recommend one of the three proposed sites within a couple months and finish an initial 

environmental review by year's end, but preliminary construction may begin this summer. She said they may not have the time to wait until the full facility is up and running.

Engineers plan to work with local contractors to try new forming and structural methods to start building the 23, massive concrete pontoons needed to support the structurally vulnerable Highway 520 bridge in Seattle. A $2 million to $5 million preliminary construction contract could create early carpentry, steel work and concrete forming jobs.

  

February 2009

 

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
1	2	3	4	5	6	7
	Groundhog Day	Drivers Safety  9AM – 1PM Sign-up         289-2357	Drivers Safety  9AM – 1PM
8	9	10	11	12	13	14
	City Council Meeting 6PM	Stores Online Mtg. 8AM- 4PM 100 People Catered Lunch	FBLA Event  250 Attendees 8AM – 3PM Catered Lunch	GH Comm. Hosp          8AM-4PM 100pl. Catered Breakfast & Lunch	Move-in\ Set-Up Antique & Collectible Show	Valentine's Day   Antique & Collectible Show          10AM – 5PM
15	16	17	18	19	20	21
Antique & Collectible Show          10AM – 4PM	President's Day (Holiday)		Municipal Court 1:30PM		West Region  EMS Conference 600  Attendees  Catered Breakfast & Box Lunch        Dinner on Own	West Region EMS Conf. 600  Attendees Cater.Breakfast Lunch-On Own 12:30PM -1:30PM               & Dinner too  anytime after 5PM
22	23	24	25	26	27	28
EMS Conf. Final Day 600 Attendees 7 am to 1 pm Cater.Breakfast Lunch-On Own	City Council Meeting 6PM	Mardi Gras (F.E.R.C.)    Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Meeting Times Vary 9AM-10PM				Habitat for Humanity      Back to the 50’s Dance     5:30PM-11:00PM Buffet, Raffles & Dancing

Planning a visit to Ocean Shores?  Go to our new website for lodging, dining, shopping and activity information and even driving directions!www.TourismOceanShores.com

   

Welcome to my World -

Ocean Shores, Washington!

 

 

 



 

December 2008

Ocean Shores

 

 

A proposed new Medical Complex

 

David J. Freeman, an architect of Snodgrass Freeman & Associates, announced that he is working with a developer to build a $7.8 million, 42,000 square foot urgent care clinic at a 1.5 acre site at the corner of Point Brown Avenue and Magellan Avenue. Dr. John Holmes, of Coastal Family Medicine, has decided to merge his practice with the proposed medical complex set to open in early 2010.

 

The new facility could employ up to 30 people, including three family practitioners, two physician assistants, four nurses and a few specialists. Plans are to include a health spa, a drive-through pharmacy as well as classroom space for students in the nursing and medical technician programs at Grays Harbor College.

 

 

 

Seniors join the Virtual World

 

OCEAN SHORES The game is being played in a virtual bowling alley on a wide-screen television at the Harbour Pointe Shores assisted living facility via a Nintendo Wii. Community members raised more than $400 to purchase the console, games, four controllers and charging stations. Volunteers installed the game system at Harbour Pointe and last week, residents got a chance to experiment with it.

The Ocean Shores facility is one of the latest in a growing number of senior communities to get a Wii console. The Wii is gaining popularity among seniors because it operates using a remote control equipped with a motion detector that not only makes it easy to use, but gives senior citizens a welcome break from a sedentary lifestyle, says Wolf, the facility’s executive director.

 

New Energy Project in the Country

 

Grays Harbor Ocean Energy has filed new federal permit applications in seven states, hoping to create the largest new energy project in the country. The company already has a preliminary permit to do a feasibility study off Grays Harbor to see if it’s possible to make money by converting wave and wind energy into electricity.

The company has filed applications with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for projects in Rhode Island, California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New York and New Jersey. Project founder Burton Hamner told that off shore oil platforms that use the movement of the ocean to pump air through turbines, creating electricity and that all of the potential sites could be managed as one project by the company. The total construction cost would be $20 billion to $30 billion and net cash flow would range from $3 million to $5 million annually.

This past summer, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued a preliminary permit to grant the Grays Harbor Ocean Energy Co. the exclusive right to conduct a feasibility study for generating power from wind and wave energy on a 28-mile stretch of the Pacific Coast from Ocean Shores to Grayland over the next three years. The permit does not authorize any construction. The company’s proposal for the Ocean State includes building 100 structures resembling of.

The Grays Harbor project foresees as many as 90 260-foot tall steel wind turbines, as well as wave energy converters to convert ocean waves and wind into a renewable source of energy. Hamner has previously said the project could supply enough energy to power the entire Olympic Peninsula and make Grays Harbor one of the largest producers of renewable energy in the world.

On Grays Harbor, the feasibility study will seek to find out if the turbines would affect gray whale migration patterns and flight patterns of birds, according to Hamner. Hamner said the study will also examine whether or not the locations of the turbines could limit the areas in which fisherman can fish.

 

 

Winter in Ocean Shores

 

On December 13-14 the residents of Ocean Shores woke up to the beautiful sites of fallen snow.  Seldom does Ocean Shores to get snow, especially snow that stays on the ground for a few days. One resident said that she lived here for 17 years and never sow anything like it. It was a treat for Ocean Shores.

The Chamber of Commerce helped the community by providing free snow clearing assistance to snowbound merchants during the pre-Christmas storm. Leslie Reedy, Executive Director, was able to get a large piece of equipment donated by a local community person, Bill Sisco. Her husband Steve Reedy donated his time to do some sorely needed snow removal. The service was provided so that the residents of Ocean Shores could more safely complete their holiday shopping and chores.

 

 

 

Clam dig starts Thursday to Sunday

 

The first clam dig of 2009 is set for Thursday, Jan. 8, to Sunday, Jan. 11, on Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks beaches. Long Beach will be open from Friday, Jan. 9, to Jan. 11. As with previous weekends, beaches will only be open from noon to midnight.

Ayres, Fish & Wildlife coastal shellfish manager said the best time to start digging at all beaches is an hour or two before low tide. He suggests that clam diggers take lights or lanterns with them for safety purposes. He also recommends checking weather and surf forecasts before heading out.

Dig dates and evening low tides are:

  Thursday, Jan. 8 (4:13 p.m., -0.2 ft.) Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks

  Friday, Jan. 9 (5:07 p.m., -0.8 ft.) Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks

  Saturday, Jan. 10 (5:58 p.m., -1.1 ft.) Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks

  Sunday, Jan. 11 (6:45 p.m., -1.2 ft.) Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks

Beaches scheduled to open are:

  Twin Harbors Beach, which extends from the mouth of Willapa Bay north to the south jetty at the mouth of Grays Harbor.

  Copalis Beach, which extends from the Grays Harbor north jetty to the Copalis River, and includes the Copalis, Ocean Shores, Oyhut, Ocean City and Copalis areas.

  Mocrocks Beach, which extends from the Copalis River to the southern boundary of the Quinault Reservation near the Moclips River, including Iron Springs, Roosevelt Beach, Pacific Beach and Moclips.

  Long Beach, which extends from the Columbia River to Leadbetter Point.

Additional digs are tentatively scheduled for Feb. 6 to 8. Those openers will depend on the outcome of marine toxin tests closer to those dates, Ayres said.

Harvesters are allowed to take no more than 15 razor clams and must keep the first 15 they dig, regardless of size or condition. Each digger’s clams must be kept in a separate container.

A license is required for anyone age 15 or older. Any 2008 Washington state annual shellfish/seaweed license or combination license is still valid. Another option is a razor-clam only license available in annual or three-day only versions. Descriptions of the various licensing options are available on the WDFW website at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov.

Ayres also reminded diggers that Washington’s beaches, which are managed by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, are considered state highways and all rules of the road apply. Seatbelts must be worn at all times, the speed limit on the beach is 25 mph and pedestrians have the right-of-way and vehicles must yield at all times.

Also, visitors should not park on approaches to the beach in order to provide clear passage for vehicles that are entering or exiting.

 

 

 

 

NEWS FROM AROUND THE HARBOR

Economic Stimulus Package.

 

Local economic leaders are discussing how and if they can get a piece of the economic stimulus package Gov. Chris Gregoire is hoping to bring back to Washington state. County Public Services Director Paul Easter and Aberdeen Public Works Director Larry Bledsoe said they’ve already submitted road and infrastructure projects to the state to be considered for the package.

Deputy Port Director Leonard Barnes said the Port is already in the permitting process for a marina vessel haul-out and boat repair work yard in Westport, which could generate 50 construction jobs and may add 150 permanent new jobs to Westport. That project costs $7.3 million. Barnes said the Port is also trying to get permits to upgrade its Terminal No. 1 at a cost of $4 million, which would generate more than 50 construction jobs and another 50 permanent new jobs.

Other projects mentioned by economic development leaders include barge slip improvements at Satsop Development Park to give a tank manufacturer access to the Chehalis River, a research & development laboratory and riverbank improvements near Mary’s River Lumber Co. in Montesano, which is looking to expand.

 

 

Temporary lay off for Hoquiam Plywood Company

 

Hoquiam Plywood managers have decided to cease production, shut down the plant temporarily and lay off about 120 workers in a strategic effort to “sit out” a stagnant housing market. General Manager Mark McFeely said

 

prices and demand for plywood have dropped so low that the company’s seven-member board has concluded that manufacturing new inventory is not in the plant’s best interest and it cannot continue to operate at a loss when no one is buying plywood.
 
As workers wait to return to the plant, they and their families will not receive benefits. McFeely said most workers know the closure is an investment in making sure the company remains financially secure instead of operating at a loss until it goes bankrupt. Most workers are OK with the closure, he said, but it’s still difficult.

 

 

Wind-Wind Project

 

In 2001, Craig Dublanko, the chief financial officer for the Coastal Community Action Program began thinking about using wind turbines to generate electricity of low-income housing. It includes the construction of four 1.5-megawatt wind turbines on 29 privately owned acres in the hills off County Line Road where Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties meet. The energy produced will be sold to the Grays Harbor PUD and the profit used to fund CCAP’s many social service programs.

After approval by the Pacific County Board of Adjustment, all permits for the project are now in place and CCAP can move forward to complete financial arrangements. It can also sign a contract with General Electric for the turbines, which are tentatively scheduled to be delivered by July 2009 and up and running two months later. During the lifespan of the turbines, which is expected to be 25 years, it is predicted that as much as $720,000 will be generated annually.

CCAP received $2.7 million in new markets tax credits from Shorebank/Wells Fargo and $3.5 million in renewable energy tax credits from Midwest Wind Finance. With the help of state Sen. Jim Hargrove it also received a $5 million state grant for the project, which will cost between $13 and $14 million.

The original idea was to equip low-income houses with smaller, individual turbines that would turn the meter backwards. When this idea wasn’t feasible, Dublanko and CCAP went back to the drawing board and decided on using larger turbines. With grants from the Renewable Energy Assistance Clearing House and A World Institute for Sustainable Humanity, CCAP set up a test tower in Moclips in 2002 to track wind and then shifted the study to Grayland in 2004 on undeveloped property owned by Randy Rust who supported the project.

“There was a huge learning curve,” said Dublanko. “We aren’t in the wind energy business, so we had to educate ourselves.” “Most of the concerns surrounded noise the turbines would generate and how they would impact wildlife, especially raptors and migratory birds such as the marbled murrelet. But CCAP was able to show that there would be no detrimental impact. Not only was the State of Washington Department of Wildlife convinced, so was the Greater Grayland Neighbors Association.

As Dublanko sees it, the turbines won’t only benefit CCAP. He hopes the 256-foot-high turbines, each with three 145-foot blades, will produce opportunities for tourism in Grayland, that they will promote awareness and education for sustainable energy and will help to re-brand the area as a green hub.

 

Small Electricity Bills for November  

 

This month, Grays Harbor PUD customers will have a little more for the holidays thanks to a smaller electricity bill.

The public utility district decided to give the $5 million refund it received from the Bonneville Power Administration this fall back to ratepayers by reducing charges on November’s utility bills. The $5 million Bonneville repaid to Grays Harbor in October covered overpayments in 2007 and 2008.

 

Bonneville plans to refund money collected from 2001 to 2006 by reducing its power bills to the public utility districts over the next several years. In 2007, the court ruled that Bonneville had overcharged the public utility districts and ordered them to come up with a way to return the money.

 

Hoquiam envision Downtown over the next Decade

 

As 2008 comes to a close, the Hoquiam City Council is looking at its downtown with visions of the past and the future. City officials praised new plans to renovate the historic La Vogue’s Department Store into a 20-suite boutique hotel and restaurant next year. Many members seemed anxious to see how the $4 million project could boost downtown business.

And the council voted unanimously to approve the building’s addition to the Hoquiam Register of Historic Places, which mandates historical preservation while allowing certain financial and construction benefits. Mayor Jack Durney said the council needs to think about what Hoquiam will look like in five or 10 years.

City Administrator Brian Shay also announced a new $400,000 grant to install or improve sidewalks along U.S. Highway 101 through the city, the sidewalk project was considered one of the two most essential transportation projects in the county as the city prepares to redo sidewalks throughout town this year.

 
Riverfront Development

 

Aberdeen’s first major waterfront development, complete with eight 80-foot tall condominium buildings along the Chehalis River, cleared its first permit hurdle.

The proposed waterfront development could feature as many as 252 new housing units in eight, 80-foot-tall buildings intended for “middle income residents,” according to the permit. The bottom level of the buildings would feature commercial storefronts. The permit mentions the possibility of a marina in the future and some kind of public access.

 

In fact, the only way the hearings board would approve the project is under condition that the public have access to the waterway. The developers said they planned to do this by creating some kind of wooden boardwalk, using examples of the boardwalks found in Bremerton and Nanaimo, British Columbia.

 

$900,000 split between Port, Satsop and City of Westport

 

The county commissioners approved splitting $900,000 in state economic development dollars between three projects benefiting the Satsop Development Park, the Port of Grays Harbor and the City of Westport.

 

The Port gets $300,000 to help build a rail switch and crossing for incoming tenant Westway Terminals, a liquid bulk handling and storage company. Another $300,000 will be used for dredging work at a barge slip located on the outskirts of the Satsop Development Park so a tank-manufacturer can use it to float giant steel tanks down the river. The last $300,000 will be used to help upgrade the sewer system in Westport’s marina district.

 

All three All three projects have the potential to attract or create dozens of jobs, the commissioners said. The money comes from the county’s distressed area capital funds — .09 percent of the state’s sales tax generated locally that the state then returns to the county specifically for economic development projects. Projects qualify for the funds so long as their proponents can prove that jobs will be created or retained with the state’s money.

Logo Contest for Seaport Landing

 

The Grays Harbor Historical Seaport Authority is holding a contest to design the logo for Seaport Landing, a proposed new port for the tall ships The Lady Washington and The Hawaiian Chieftain, on the Aberdeen waterfront. The project is currently in the design and fundraising stages, and the logo will be a key component in communications for the project, according to Joe Follansbee, communication director for the GHHSA.

Follansbee said Seaport Landing will serve as a multi-use visitor destination and ship maintenance facility that will “transform a degraded, industrial shoreline on the Chehalis River into a vibrant attraction and anchor point for Aberdeen revitalization efforts.”

The logo design contest is open to anyone. Rules, an entry form and Seaport Landing Materials can be found at http://www.historicalseaport.org/. The public will get their chance to vote on submitted logos on the Historical Seaport Web site. Prizes include gift certificates for a sailing package on the Lady or the Chieftain and a certificate for two youths ages 11 to 17 to sail aboard the tall ships next summer to the San Juan Islands and Puget Sound.

Deadline for entries is 5 p.m. Monday, Feb.2. Judges will select three finalists for online voting, which will take place Feb. 5 through Feb. 15. Winners will be announced Feb. 17. For more information, call Follansbee at 589-0766, or e-mail jfollansbee@historicalseaport.org.

Timberland Bank receives Bailout

On Tuesday, Timberland Bancorp, Inc. announced that the U.S. Treasury had purchased $16.6 million in senior preferred stock, with a related warrant to purchase up to $2.5 million in common stock sometime in the next 10 years. The money was purchased using the billions of dollars authorized by Congress to bail out financial institutions in the wake of the economic meltdown impacting the country.

Michael Sand, Timberland’s President and CEO, said Wednesday that his bank certainly didn’t need the funds, but the bank applied for it in order to increase the financial institution’s capital reserves. Sand said some local residents may be feeling the economic pinch when they get turned down at larger banks that don’t have the capital to invest in new loans. That’s why the federal government is investing in community banks that are already financially solvent to pick up some of that slack. Sand said while the economic crisis is impacting nearly all facets of the economy including his own bank, Timberland is doing better than a lot of other larger banks out there.

Timberland operates 21 branches in Washington state, including branches in Hoquiam, Aberdeen, Ocean Shores, Montesano and Elma.

Ocean Shores

Winter Fanta-Sea Craft Show

 

October  2008

OCEAN SHORES NEWS

 

 

 

 

 September 2008

Ocean Shores

Operation Shore Patrol

Gov. Chris Gregoire has proclaimed the weekend of Sept. 20-21 Operation Shore Patrol Days and volunteers have the chance to make Washington's beaches cleaner.

Shore Patrol is a volunteer group that organizes the beach cleanup. Members are encouraging citizens to volunteer to collect litter that has washed up along state beaches, The event is supported by chambers of commerce at Westport, Ocean Shores, Long Beach and Grays Harbor County.

At last year's event, volunteers collected more than 23,000 pounds of litter between Ocean City and Twin Harbors State parks, according to Pamela McConkey, volunteer program manager for the Washington state parks and recreation commission. Local merchants and service groups will be serving breakfast, lunch and dinner for volunteers.

Water Supply Options

OCEAN SHORES - City and county officials met in Ocean Shores to discuss progress made on a new water system at Hogans Corner that would provide drinking water to residents who live between Hoquiam and Ocean Shores.

County Commissioners last month approved taking a $3 million loan to construct it. They discussed wholesale water supply options with the City Council at a study session. The loan would be paid by those who use the water system and no money would come out of county coffers.

The county's 20-year loan at a 1 percent interest rate comes from a special state fund for drinking water infrastructure projects. "It's a good backup source (of water) for us, especially with all the buildup in Ocean Shores," councilman Mike Patrick said. "Everybody's got to find their comfort zone." The "comfort zone" he is referring to is what option of wholesale water supply would the city be most comfortable with. Whatever the city decides will determine how much ratepayers will pay.

One option presented was having the city commit to buying 350,000 gallons per day in peak month periods, such as between June and August or July through September, although the water system has the capacity of providing the city with 1 million gallons per day. The city's cost obligation would be $105,000 per year and the city would control when and how much water is used in correlation with average daily use. This works out to $2.50 per 100 cubic feet for ratepayers, according to data presented by Michael Olden, project manager for Gibbs & Olson, Inc, the consulting firm the city is using to develop design plans for the project.

If used in non-peak months, a $6,000 monthly base rate would be set for 200,000 cubic feet, which works out to $2.50 per 100 cubic feet.A second option would be for the city to use the county's supply "as needed" which translates to a $10,000 monthly base rate for 200,000 cubic feet, and would be provided to the city as needed and as available. Ratepayers would face a tab of $5 per 100 cubic feet and $2.50 per 100 cubic feet over 200,000 cubic feet. Currently ratepayers pay $5.24 per 100 cubic feet, according to Olden.

"We've always been working to find out what role in our regional water system the city could best utilize," said County utilities director, Kevin Varness. "We've been trying to figure out how to put it together in order to satisfy your needs and what we'll need as well. Mayor Dean Bunkers concluded the meeting by having all parties agree to a timeline, setting the date to reach a decision by the first of January.

Debate continues over Weatherwax property

OCEAN SHORES - Should the Weatherwax property - an undeveloped 120-slice of nature near the center of town - be included under the Critical Areas Ordinance? That was the question council members and citizens debated at Monday night's City Council Meeting. The City Council unanimously approved a request to set a public hearing at the Oct. 13 City Council meeting concerning adopting revisions in the critical areas ordinance as set forth by the Washington State Growth management act.

The act says a critical area can include wetlands, geologically hazardous areas, fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas, critical aquifer recharge areas and frequently flooded areas. Since the Weatherwax property has multiple characteristics typical of a critical area, it could still be developed, but it would require stricter regulations should it be designated as a critical area, said Ken Lanfear, director of public works.

City officials say the Weatherwax property can fit into multiple areas, and problems lie with how to classify it.
"The issue is potentially laden with conflict and we have to trod through it the best we can," city attorney Art Blauvelt told the council. "The Weatherwax may not fall under any one category but you can make it a policy to include it under the critical areas ordinance."
 
 Resident Don Williams testified in favor of the hearing. "It's important for people to know about this," Williams said. He went on to commend the city's planning commission for working hard to balance the use of critical areas. "I hope this public hearing brings the best example of this. The devil is in the details."

 

GALWAY BAY'S   5th ANNUAL

IRISH MUSIC FESTIVAL

at Galway Bay in Ocean Shores, WA

OCTOBER 23 - 26, 2008

 

Featuring 10 Irish Bands from

The Pacific Northwest & Ireland

 

$20 in advance for all days

Stage 1                                    Stage 2

Thursday 10/23     No Cover                                                                                   

6pm - 7:30pm                          Jacob Jones                              N/A

8pm to 10pm                           Oliver Mulholland & Steve Morris          N/A

 

Friday 10/24        $5 Cover after 5pm                     

3pm - 4:30pm                          Jacob Jones                              N/A

5:00 - 6:30pm                          Oliver Mulholland & Steve Morris          Darby O'Gill

7pm - 8:30pm                          Grafton Street                             Ockhams Razor

9pm - 10pm                            Darby O'Gill                              New Shilling

10:30pm - 11:30pm                     Ockhams Razor          Oliver Mulholland & Steve Morris

12am - 1:00am                         New Shilling                              Grafton Street

1:00am-1:30am                         Jam Session w/ All       

                     

Saturday 10/25      $5 Cover before 5pm / $10 Cover after 5pm                

10:30am - 11:30am                    Darby O'Gill                          N/A

12pm - 1pm                           Ockhams Razor                      Grafton Street

1:30pm - 2:30pm                      New Shilling                          Darby O'Gill

3pm - 4pm                            Mark & Colleen Raney                Raybone Experience

4:30 - 5:30pm                         Oliver Mulholland & Steve Morris      Tillers Folley

6pm - 7pm                            Raybone Experience               Mark & Colleen Raney

7:30pm - 8:30pm                      Ockhams Razor           Oliver Mulholland & Steve Morris

9pm - 10pm                          New Shilling                            Grafton Street

10:30pm - 11:30pm                   Tillers Folley                       Mark & Colleen Raney

12am - 1:00am                       Raybone Experience     

1:00am-1:30am                       Jam Session w/ All       

 

Sunday 10/26          $5 Cover before 5pm / Free after 5pm

11am - 12pm                           Mark & Colleen Raney              N/A

12:30pm - 1:30pm                    New Shilling                              Darby O'Gill

2pm - 3pm                              Ockhams Razor                   Mark & Colleen Raney

3:30pm - 4:30pm                      Darby O'Gill                              Tillers Folley

5pm - 6pm                              Raybone Experience                  Ockhams Razor

6:30pm - 7:30pm                      Oliver Mulholland & Steve Morris          N/A

8pm - 10pm                             Tillers Folley                           N/A

 

Plus Guest appearances from Johnny Campbell on pipes and Irish Step dancers

 

 

 

 

 

www.galwaybayirishpub.com

 

NEWS FROM AROUND THE HARBOR

 

Ocean Gold lays off more than 450

Less than a month after the grand opening of a new 95,000-square-foot cold storage facility, Ocean Gold Seafoods has been forced to lay off more than 450 production workers at its facilities, the company's vice president, Richard Carroll, said Friday. Carroll said the company had to cease production at the facilities because whiting fisheries all along the coast have exceeded bycatch limits set by the Pacific Fishery Management Council.

In recent years, the Washington state fishing industry has worked to enhance populations of canary rockfish after it was classified an overfished species. However, whiting fisheries have reported increased numbers of bycatch species - many of them canary rockfish - getting mixed in with whiting catches, Carroll said. The fear of overfishing canary ground fish has prompted the council and the National Marine Fisheries Service to close whiting fisheries on the West Coast. The closure will most likely have a devastating impact on coastal seafood processing facilities like Ocean Gold - where whiting is used in the majority of their products and accounts for nearly 75 percent of revenue, according to Carroll. He added more than 1,000 people at fisheries and other seafood processing facilities along the coast stand to lose wages because of whiting fishery closures.
 
Carroll said it's unclear when production at the facilities can begin again, but he hopes Ocean Gold employees can head back to work by mid-October. The fate of the employees' jobs rests with the action taken by the Pacific Fishery Management Council.

 

Commission authorizes bids for road engineering

Studies show that more than 1,000 motorists are using the Port Industrial Road during peak hours in the late afternoon and evening. That number is expected to increase to more than 2,300 vehicles during any peak hour in the next 20 years.

The Port road parallels prime industrial property and commercial lifeline for freight trucked to and from the Port docks and Port customers and intersecting with a rail line that crosses the road at several points.

In July, the Port was informed that the Senate's Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill included the $4 million to fully fund the Industrial Road improvement project. Barnes said the hope is that by the summer of 2009 construction will be under way.

Ocean Gold employees may be able to return to work

Employees who were laid off from Ocean Gold Seafoods late last month may be able to return to work in early October, according to Heidi Happonen, the company's communications consultant. Happonen didn't know how many of the workers will be able to return to work or if all of Ocean Gold's facilities would re-open.

The Pacific Fisheries Management Council unanimously agreed Thursday to re-allocate canary rockfish bycatch to fisheries around the Pacific Northwest and California that hadn't reached their bycatch limits. The decision added two tons of bycatch limits for the whiting fisheries.

Whether the whiting fisheries can reopen in October is up to the Pacific Fishery Management Council. It has to determine if the whiting fisheries can operate without over-harvesting other species such as the canary rockfish, according to Frank Lockhart, an administrator for the marine fisheries department at the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration. The decision would involve analyzing bycatch numbers at fisheries all along the West Coast, and the decision won't be made for a few weeks.

 

Plans to re-create a depot

MOCLIPS - At the turn of the 20th century, Moclips was bustling, especially the Northern Pacific Railroad depot, which brought tourists and loggers from all over America. Advances in technology and a weakening lumber industry caused the once-booming community to dwindle. The depot was torn down in the 1950s. The remaining tracks at the site were ripped out in the 1980s.

The Museum of the North Beach has been lobbying for building a re-creation of the depot at its former location on Pacific Avenue, and some residents are hoping the project will stimulate a rediscovery of a community that has a front-row seat on the ocean.

Museum board members have been raising funds to rebuild the depot for the past three years. They won acceptance for the project from the state Parks & Recreation Commission in 2005. The original plan was to have the depot open this year, but a switch in architects delayed work. Calhoun now hopes to have the depot open by 2010. Design plans should be completed early next year. Once the plans are finalized, the museum can apply for grants to fund construction, Calhoun said.

 There are no plans yet for what might happen to the current museum, but there has been discussion that the Ocean Crest Resort might convert it into a gift shop, Calhoun said.

The Lady Washington & Hawaiian Chieftain in Grays Harbor

The Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain came home to Aberdeen Monday for a four-week stay on Grays Harbor. The tall ships are in town this month for regular maintenance and an appearance Saturday at the third annual Chehalis Watershed Festival at Morrison Riverfront Park. The ships will be docked at Aberdeen Landing next to Wal-Mart.

Utility should see $5 million check from power agency

The Bonneville Power Administration will pay Grays Harbor PUD just over $5 million next month as settlement in a complex dispute over money charged to the region's public utilities and diverted to private utilities. PUD officials say the payment is a fraction of what the utility has coming and they may still sue to get the rest. The federal power agency also will give the public utility another $3.2 million through reduced power bills starting next year.

Individual PUD electricity customers will see the money in reduced power bills, though the PUD still needs to work out how that will happen. Commissioners discussed giving a rebate to current customers who had accounts in the years covered by the cash payment - that would equal about $87 per account - or not charging homes for electricity for a month. The rebate to large industrial customers could be calculated to more accurately refund the actual amount they overpaid, PUD finance director Doug Streeter said.

Grays Harbor PUD pays about $4.5 million a year to Bonneville for the residential exchange program. According to the statutory formula, Grays Harbor should be paying about $400,000 a year, Lovely said. That means Bonneville would owe the Grays Harbor PUD nearly $33 million, Lovely said.

Proposed waterfront development

A proposed waterfront development in Aberdeen could feature 252 new housing units in eight, 80-foot tall buildings intended for "middle income residents."  Future expansion plans may also include a marina and a "public access waterfront trail," noting that a separate shoreline application for the marina may be coming to the city in the next year.

The permit application says construction of the so-called "first phase" is not likely to start until March 2009, with the "final phase" slated for 2014. The city is still awaiting permit applications for the environmental review of the property, as well as a variance request (because structures would be in excess of a 35-foot height limit) as well as the actual building permit. The permit says that the Aberdeen development would feature office space or commercial development located on the bottom floor of the buildings and more than 250 units on the top floors. It's not clear if the buildings would be apartments or condos, or both.

"The purpose of the proposed work is to provide new housing opportunities that take advantage of the waterfront (and), at the same time, creating new retail space in the downtown," according to the permit application. "The waterfront and the downtown will help to influence the design of the buildings." A map of the development shows eight rectangle structures very close to the shores of the Chehalis River that would be 50 feet by 160 feet long and eight stories tall, with six buildings lumped together on the western part of the property and two together on the eastern portion. The map was designed by Berglund, Schmidt and Associates out of Aberdeen.

The application states that they do not plan to add any new roads to get to the property "but existing public roads may need to be improved." The project plans to use city water and sewer.

Season's first dig set for Oct. 16-18

The first dose of clamming is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 16 to 18 at Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks. Long Beach would see two digs on Oct. 17 and 18. All that are needed to give a green light to the digs are marine toxin tests showing the clams are safe to eat. Because the low tides for digging will occur later in the evening, clammers should take lanterns or lights with them, said Dan Ayres, coastal shellfish manager for the Washington state Department of Fish & Wildlife.

Harvesters are allowed to take only 15 clams, and must keep the first 15 they dig regardless of size or condition. Each digger must keep his or her clams in their own container. A license is required for anyone age 15 or older. There are various license options, like a combination fishing license, shellfish/seaweed license or razor clam-only license. Descriptions of licenses and instructions on purchase are available at fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov.

 

 

Tentative dates and tides are:

  Thursday, Oct. 16. Low tide is 8:30 p.m. at -1.5. Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks.

  Friday, Oct. 17. Low tide is 9:17 p.m. at -1.5. Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks, Long Beach.

  Saturday, Oct. 18. Low tide is 10:08 p.m. at -1.2. Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks, Long Beach.

The beaches

Long Beach runs from the Columbia River to Ledbetter Point; Twin Harbors Beach extends from the mouth of Willapa Bay north to Grays Harbor; Copalis Beach goes from the North Jetty of Grays Harbor to the Copalis River and includes the Copalis, Ocean Shores, Oyhut, Ocean City and Copalis areas; Mocrocks Beach runs from the Copalis River to the southern boundary of the Quinault reservation near the Moclips River and includes Iron Springs, Roosevelt Beach, Pacific Beach and Moclips.

Other weekend clam digs have been tentatively scheduled as well. Those digs are penciled in for Nov. 13 to 16 and Dec. 11 to 14. Other clam tides will be announced after the December dig, Ayres said.

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Convention Center Events Only - October 2008

Planning a visit to Ocean Shores?  Go to our new website for lodging, dining, shopping and activity information and even driving directions!www.TourismOceanShores.com

 

If you, or anybody you know, have thought about buying or selling some property or building a new home, I would be more than happy to assist you in finding your dream in or around Ocean Shores.