Robin Risley, CRS, GRI, Principal Broker's Blog

Marine Reserves Presentation as part of the 12 Days of Earth Day in Cannon Beach

Sat, 16 Apr 2011 19:02:44 -0700

Nadia Gardner , local conservation planner, discussed marine reserves around the world and then narrowed the discussion to Oregon. A marine reserve is an area closed to fishing and other extractive activities. The objective is to conserve marine habitat and biodiversity and provide opportunities for marine research. There are also Marine Protected Areas which would allow specific extractive activities such as crabbing or salmon fishing.

There are two designated pilot sites: one being on the central coast north of Newport at Otter Rock and the other one on the south coast south of Port Orford called Redfish Rocks. There are other sites being considered.

The area that Nadia spent time discussing was the area closest to Cannon Beach..it lies between the southern part of Arch Cape to just north of Manzanita called Cape Falcon. Oregon State Park's Oswald West is to the east of this stretch of ocean. There will be a Marine Reserve piece, a Marine Protected Area piece and shore side fishing area....quite complicated. There were many stake holders involved in the process and it took alot of time to iron out.

As you can see there was a involved audience with lots of great questions.

Cannon Beach Sculpture Without Walls morphs into The Public Art Program 2011

Sat, 16 Apr 2011 18:14:41 -0700

For five years now, Cannon Beach has had a very successful Sculpture Without Walls Program (see last year's blog). As a result we now have six exceptional sculptures sprinkled throughout town.

This year, the committee wanted to take it a step further by moving the focus to a particular project within the city. So...the fence along 3rd Street will become an expression of art.

Pictured here from left to right are: Leslie Garvin, committee member, Eloise Damrosch, Executive Director for The Regional Arts & Culture Council, Terri Hopkins, Director of the Art Gym, Marylhurst University, Bonnie Laing-Malcomson, Arlene and Harold Schnitzer Curator of Northwest Art and Rich Mays, Cannon Beach City Manager.

We were proud to have such exceptional individuals to jury 47 submissions and select 3. Their choices will be presented on May 2nd at Cannon Beach City Hall. The public is invited from 5-7 to view the three choices and give their input to the committee.

Please come to Cannon Beach and be part of the process!

Grab your earth friendly bag and come to the 12 Days of Earth Day!

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 18:37:29 -0700

The 12 Days of Earth Day started yesterday with the Fire Mountain School children welcoming the Tufted Puffins (see below) to Haystack Rock. There was even a things "to do" write up in The National Geographic Traveler issue about the greeting.....along with a wedding happening in London!

Last evening Paul Jepson, a professor of environmental and molecular toxicology, and director of the integrated Plant Protection Center at Oregon State University spoke about pollination biology. Pollination has been a key concern of his....the plight of wild and domesticated bees.

Ed Johnson who attended the talk walked away feeling that there was alot that we, in Cannon Beach, could do about encouraging the health and well being of the bees in our area.

Come to Cannon Beach and join in on the celebration.

Oregon Heritage Conference in Astoria a success!

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 18:26:18 -0700

April 7th - 9th brought a larger than expected conference to Astoria. The planners had anticipated about 125- 150 attendees but were delighted to have over 200. This conference was made up of community leaders, historical societies, museums, historic cemeteries, schools, historic preservation commissions, tribal, state and federal governments.

The Oregon Heritage Commission had their meeting at the Eliot Hotel at 8 am, sharp. Jan Mitchell (second row, second in from the right) was elected chair. Jan is well known for her good work as chair on the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial in 2005-6. This national event was planned by a committee made up of Oregon and Washington residents.

Congratulations, Jan! Astoria and Clatsop county are proud.

In Gearhart...the tennis court has disappeared!

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 17:15:11 -0700

If you drive west on Pacific Way towards the ocean, at the stop sign, look to your right and there is this giant hole where the Public Tennis Court has been for decades.

There will be a new water and water treatment system. The Gearhart Community is excited because when this is completed in 2012 their water will cost alot less. They have been purchasing water from the city of Warrenton and the expense has encouraged the town to get their own.

To the west of this hole is a huge sand hill where the sand from this hole has gone for the moment.

I envision it being a giant play area for the summer visiters...we'll wait and see!

The Happiest Closing!

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 19:53:29 -0700

About a year ago I received a referral from a good friend.

The children of a lovely lady had just inherited a house in "The Cove" of Seaside.

This jewel of a home was what we call here a "Hansen House" handmade in the "40's with lots of built-ins. This special place had not only an ocean view but a Seaside Golf Course view, as well.

This was and is a difficult market, as you all know, but these sellers stuck with me made good suggestions and we all worked together.

Some buyers rode by on their bicycles and fell in love.

Again a wonderful couple who really wanted the house.

One of those great experiences that you just have to savor in these times.

I wish you all a happy sale like this!

One of the First Signs of Spring...Glorious Skunk Cabbage!

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 19:39:06 -0700

Right around Spring Vacation Skunk Cabbage start popping out from the wet ground near wetlands, marshes and streams. It is one of the first flashes of color...and aroma!!

As spring evolves large green leaves roll out to form two foot high leaves sometimes having a width of one foot...you feel as if you have walked into a prehistoric garden. The flowers that look like large yellow lillies are a big attraction to butterflies, beetles and flies.

The beautiful green folige lasts through the fall and gives a calming effect to the forest. One must be careful tho , as they are poisonous to humans and mammals.

Year of the Rabbit Celebrated!

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 20:51:06 -0800

Dragonfire Art Gallery is such a special place to go while you are visiting Cannon Beach.

This weekend we attended an event to honor The Year of The Rabbit. There was live music, saki, wine, wonderful appetizers and, of course, art work galore featuring rabbits.

We found out what our signs were and received fortunes. Also we individually were read to about our sign. I am a fire boar...which really turns out to be pretty cool. Tommy was a water horse and that was too.

Eeva and Marcia, pictured below, have a special way of combining learning with enjoyment of the arts...kudos. We came away enlightened!

Undone........... Redone!

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 20:36:02 -0800

It is amazing the amount of work one has to go to make repairs in the winter time at the beach!

The top picture is of Breakers Point in the north end of Cannon Beach. The complex has been here since the 1980's and is oceanfront. It is time for a facelift. The windows and siding are being replaced. Most of the owners have been there since the inception. The CC&R's do not allow nightly or even monthly rentals. You need to rent for at least two months at a time. It is a very quiet place to stay. The workman are taking such care to make sure that the elements are not getting through to the units.

Seven miles to the north is Seaside and the Trendwest time share. It too is getting a makeover after about 10 years. Trendwest is also having the siding and windows replaced. I hope it can be completed by Spring Vacation as it is a very popular place to stay for visitors all over the country.

Enjoy a workout on Tillamook Head

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 20:12:36 -0800

There is a terrific seven mile hike from Seaside to Cannon Beach over Tillamook Head.

This time of year the old timers remember a run called the "Terrible Tilly Run" where you were knee deep in mud through some of it. That run gave participants bragging rights.

Now most hikers wait until the trail has dried up a bit so that it is a more enjoyable experience.

This land was a gift from the Elmer Feldenheimer Family for a Forest Preserve for everyone's to enjoyment.

You feel as if you are on top of the world during most of the walk. The ocean view is dramatic with the Tillamook Light House the birds and wildlife.

If you want to get away from the summer madness...go take a walk in the woods.

Gate whimsy in Seaside

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 19:49:33 -0800

One of my favorite homes in the south part of Seaside has taken gate design to another level.

My friend, Patty, collects all these interesting objects and puts them together to make the most interesting pieces of art........ from gates, to curtains, room dividers and lamps.

It takes a certain kind of mind to puzzle through and come up with a work of art that speaks to you..This piece is made for the outdoors and is useful, too. Everytime you open the gate it makes one smile.

Doesn't it make you want to put all your favorite objects together and create?

When real estate creates friendships

Sat, 19 Feb 2011 19:18:06 -0800

I have some dear friends who had a relative looking for a beach house that had to be near them.

Elaine and I combed the area for a house that would be just right for her as a home to make memories for years to come.

We looked and looked until we found the right one.

She loved it from the moment that she saw it. The home wrapped itself around you...just right if you came by yourself for a getaway and big enough for those times when the whole family was there.

To our surprise when reading the legal description it was located in Grimes Addition. From that moment on she knew it was meant to be as this was her maiden name.

That was five years ago and as she had hoped her family loves it and she sometimes steals away to knit and walk the beach. A very happy transaction...may you all have one like that!

Historic opportunity on a sunny day in Seaside

Sat, 19 Feb 2011 19:04:09 -0800

On the south end of Seaside, you can wander along Beach Street until you come upon this National Historic Trail marker which guides you along the Lewis and Clark Trail to the salt works.

In the winter of 1805 and 1806 Lewis and Clark chose to stay the winter in this area of Oregon instead of the Washington side.

They came to this very spot to make salt from the sea water to preserve game and fish meats. They write in their journal about using this method for whale.

It's such a pretty day...if you are in the area stop by to enjoy one of the spectacular historic pieces of Seaside.

Historic

Sometimes we just have to play!

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 19:45:47 -0800

The Oregon Symphony just takes you to another place in your mind.

We have had tickets for the last 20 years and it's just something you have to do for yourself.

Last Monday's performance was exceptional. It was Sergei Rachmaninoff 's Concerto No. 3 in D minor for Piano and Orchestra. The pianist was 23 year old Yuja Wang from China. She had an astounding command of the piano...her fingers just flew. For more information about her you could go to yujawang.com

It was a perfect evening.

U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley expresses priority for education at Clatsop County Town Hall

Tue, 08 Feb 2011 20:09:44 -0800

Saturday evening we attended a Town Hall Meeting at the Warrenton Grade School.

It was well attended with at least 60 residents. State Representative Deborah Boone and State Representative Brad Witt were present and invited to speak when questions about education in Oregon were brought up.

Katherine Carey, Warrenton Grade School Student President, took the first question for the senator. "How will you improve our education system?" He took time answering her question and summed it up by saying, "The nations that are the best educated are going to be the most productive. We need to think long term as well as short term."

Garrett Goody, Warrenton Student Body Treasurer, was concerned about what the government was going to cut in education. Here locally he said that they were considering cutting several positions and elective classes and we don't have many to cut...it is a big deal!

Emily Hughes, was one of many students representing Tongue Point Job Corps. She stressed how important the Job Corps has been important to many young people's lives.

I was impressed at how engaged and concerned our young future was that evening.

Tufted Puffins are almost here!

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 18:06:05 -0800

Have you ever seen a Tufted Puffin?

Well, if you haven't you should plan on making a trip to Cannon Beach's Haystack Rock a National Bird Sanctuary. Puffins are dear to our community. Last year around mid April the school children gathered to welcome the puffins home as part of the Earth Day Celebration.

Last evening I attended the second of four part lecture series held by The Cannon Beach Library and last night with the Haystack Rock Awareness Program HRAP. It was free and very well attended and enjoyed by all.

The topic was "Tufted Puffin Monitoring" put on by Shawn Stephenson who is a wildlife biologist for the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. We learned that the puffin population has had a extreme decline in the last 20 years....from 4,600 to 142 along the whole Oregon coast.

The good news is that the largest colony of puffins (51) is at Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach. Instead of nests they have burrows and they are paired for life. The oldest recorded puffin was 33 years old.

During mating season they become more colorful as seen in the picture above.

If you want a unique experience...come to Cannon Beach in April and Welcome the Puffins Home.

Lastnight, I just made it!

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 21:29:19 -0800

For the next few months travelers on Highway 26 going from Portland to Manzanita, Arch Cape, Cannon Beach, Seaside, Gearhart and north are going to have to keep track of their time.

The Dennis Edwards tunnel will be closed for construction during certain hours.

IT WILL BE OPEN from 6 am to 8 pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and

OPEN FRIDAY AND SATURDAY ALL THE TIME.

IT WILL BE CLOSED evenings 8pm to 6 am on Sunday thru Thursday.

Spring Vacation and three day holidays will be open.

The road will be posted with flashing lights and there is a detour that will take you about 15 minutes out of your way when the tunnel is closed.

This picture was taken about 7 pm on Sunday before they would close it at 8 pm.

Two Historic Waterfront Buildings Burn in Astoria

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 21:10:15 -0800

On December 16th 2010.....Number 10 6th street and Gunderson's Cannery Cafe were wiped away by fire.

The generosity of the town of Astoria was felt by many of the displaced tenants.

At this writing most of the twenty or so tenants have found other locations: Steve Allen, CPA, The Lazy Spoon Cafe, Eagle Financial Group, Kaleidoscope Therapy, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Dr. N. Red Carritte, CASA of Clatsop County, Clatsop Behavioral Healthcare, Psychologist, Daryl Birney, J.M. Browning Logging,Inc., Attorney Don Haller and Dinah Urell of Hipfish.

To get more information on relocations and displaced tenant needs, visit http://astoriafire.wordpress.com

Meet Oliver a new addition to Cannon Beach!

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 20:45:02 -0800

Last year Cannon Beach was selected as one of the Top Dog Friendly Beaches in the United States.

Alot of the restaurants have fenced in areas for man's best friend...The Lumberyard, Bill's Tavern, The Warren House to name a few.

Most of the hotels welcome dogs and have doggie treat bags.

We have a contest at the Surfsand every year to show off your pets. They have contests for cutest, biggest, smallest and the dog and owner who look most alike.

The Earth Day and Fourth of July Parades welcome dog participation and encourage dressing up.

There is a pet shop called Puppie Love with everything that you can imagine.

As you enter the beach from most streets you will find a box with bags for your doggie pick-up so everyone else can enjoy the beach, too.

Andy Kerr came to my house yesterday with his new puppy Oliver. Look how energetic and ready to play he is. He is a cardigan Corgi. I know we will have many years of playing ahead.

The Relief Pitcher during the high tide

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 19:57:32 -0800

Last Thursday we had a very big rain storm and the river overflowed it'd banks!

This happens a couple times a year but this event was remarkable.

We laugh because the Pitcher has such good hamburgers that they had customers right to the end of closing the road between Seaside and the junction.

It is a terrific spot for the locals and you should try it on a better day!

Well here we go again!

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 19:48:31 -0800

This last Thursday, the road actually became closed on Highway 101 between Seaside and the junction to to Portland (highway 26) I think this is the highest I have seen it in years.

This tends to happen when we have a full moon, a high tide and lots of rain. They had land slides as a result of the rain in Tillamook county.

We think of ourselves as living in the wild and wooley upper left edge.....Disneyland doesn't have anything over a ride like this. Smaller or low profile cars have been known to be swept off the road and into the stream running along the highway.

We are hoping Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) will put it as a high priority soon.

If you see this...

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 19:33:39 -0800

TURN OFF YOUR COMPUTER!

That is what our computer tech told us.

I had taken a picture of the screen of our computer and emailed it to Michael Eayds.

He came by our house and took it home to get out the virus....so be careful.

It came at a very busy time in our business and I want to thank Michael for his quick response to our problem.

Pulitzer Prize Winner featured at the Cannon Beach Arts Symposium

Wed, 22 Dec 2010 20:23:54 -0800

We are honored to have Dr. Taylor Branch, a Pulitzer Prize winning author "Myths and Miracles of America in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Years" and Professor Quintard Taylor Jr., University of Washington History Dept., Seattle to lead a three day seminar from January 28 -30, 2011.

January 28

6pm there will be Freedom Songs at the Coaster Theater

7pm Professor Quintard Taylor Jr "Civil Rights in the Northwest" a champagne and Dessert reception follow

January 29, 2011

Neal Main will lead a walk featuring Haystack Rock and the tide pools, Ecola and Oswald West State Parks' old growth forrests.

11 am Commemoration of the 50th Anniversay of the Freedom Riders. Sundance Award nominee, Stanley Nelson will show his film.

4pm book signing

7 pm "Myths and Miracles in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Years"

January 30, 2011 8-11 Breakfast and walks available

To register please call (503) 739-0452.

2011 is Full of New Beginnings!

Wed, 22 Dec 2010 19:44:45 -0800

In the last three months, exceptional events have happened to our family.

Babies will dominate our holiday celebration.

It's as if this difficult market has washed away and the fun and excitement of new beginnings has come to the forefront.

It's contagious, our business has picked up and our attitudes have improved.

From our house to yours....avery happy holiday to you all.

Here's to a prosperous 2011!

Clatsop Association of Realtors Give a Helping Hand

Mon, 20 Dec 2010 19:58:32 -0800

This last Thursday a group of realtors met at the Clatsop Community Food Bank Warehouse .

The goal was to become familiar with the building and get to know more about what a wonderful program they have. This is a new building and they are very proud of the warehouse, classroom and kitchen.

We had to put on hair nets and rubber gloves. We broke out two 500 pound boxes and made individual packages to be reboxed and handed out later. At the end of two hours our task was complete and we had done 1,000 pounds of oatmeal and cranberry cereal mix. A good time was had by all. Marlin Martin said he was very impressed at how serious we were at getting our job completed. There is discussion about doing this more often.

Here you see Tommy Huntington, Marlin Martin and Vic Kee....with the boxes.

Clatsop Association of Realtor Give a Helping Hand