But those who know know that September could be the best month of all. Google AI tells me that September is part of the Oregon Coast’s “second summer” that brings some of the warmest, clearest, and calmest weather of the year. Well, that’s good, because I think I may have missed the “first summer.” Joking aside, my husband tells me that the prevailing wind is now from the south/southwest, signifying a seasonal shift. Ba-dee-ya, dancin' in September!

Here’s a look ahead at two things (three if you count Gnarly’s Noods) happening tonight through the next couple weeks as we enter September.

Tonight – meet the Manzanita City Manager candidates

Come and meet the candidates for the new Manzanita City Manager tonight, August 25. There will be a roundtable discussion from 6 – 7: 30 pm with the four finalists, Christopher Longinetti, Kevin Orton, Kathryn Schreiner, and Jennifer Watkins.

Participants are asked to attend for the full-time period to meet with all the finalists and share their impressions of the candidates with City Council.

More info on candidates is available here.

Learn about the North Coast rainforest

North Coast Communities for Watershed Protection (NCCWP) is sponsoring a presentation of aerial photographs by Richard Felley entitled: The North Coast Temperate Rainforest Isn’t Disappearing — It’s Gone.

Learn what you can do to help at 6 pm tonight (Tuesday, Aug. 25) when Richard presents his photos and leads a discussion at St. Mary’s by the Sea Parish Hall (275 S. Pacific Street in Rockaway).

Annual Labor Day community picnic

Manzanita Grocery & Deli aka Little Apple is hosting its annual Labor Day community picnic at the Pine Grove Community House on Monday, Sept. 7 at 12 pm. All are welcome. Donations benefit the North County Food Bank.

Hoffman Center happenings

• Visual art submissions will be accepted Sept. 1 – Oct. 30 for 2027 gallery exhibition consideration.

• The September gallery exhibition opens on Thursday, Sept. 3, featuring work by Sherrie Wolf, Lisa Conway, and Rachael Bowles. Meet the artists and learn more about their work at the opening reception on Saturday, Sept. 5 from 3 to 5 pm.

• Fundraiser on Sept. 6-7: Purchase rare art prints by Liza Jones and Paul Miller.

Documentary films at the coast

Right here in our backyard – The 4th Annual Documentary Short Film Showcase from the McMinnville Short Film Festival will be hosted by NCRD in Nehalem on Saturday, Sept. 12.

Tickets are available at the door. Doors open at 6:30 pm and films start at 7 pm.

Some food news

Eat your (local) veggies! There’s a new honor system farmstand in front of the Neahkahnie Smokehouse, courtesy of Moss Creek Family Farm in Bay City. This small farm uses regenerative, sustainable, and organic practices.

Their original plan was to stock the farm stand Thursday through Sunday but after a great opening response, they plan to stock the stand Tuesdays through Fridays through the end of October. Self-service payment options include cash, Venmo and Square. Follow them on Instagram.

While you’re in Wheeler, pop into Neahkahnie Smokehouse, open Thursdays 12 - 5 pm, Fridays 12 - 6 pm, and Saturdays 12 -5 pm. And yes, they have more than smoked salmon. They offer salads and baked treats and recently started offering smoked albacore.

Did you know that Gnarly’s Noods is back for a short time? Tuesdays from 4 - 7 pm or until she sells out at the Gnarly’s Taco food truck on the river in Nehalem. Tonight’s menu is below, and she also has gluten-free glass noods and black sesame rice crispy treats!

If you weren’t already hungry, you are now.

Tomato, tomahto.

Moon River Farm will have bulk boxes of tomatoes available! 🍅🍅🍅

Fifteen pounds for $45. Great for freezing, roasting, having a tomato-girl party, salsa, and more! Reach out to your fav farmers at farmers@moonriverfarmers.com or (503) 753-6327 to be put on a waiting list and they will reserve boxes for you as they become available.

Don’t forget

• Check out the sale items on the patio at UnFurl where you’re sure to find a hidden treasure or two!

• Drop-in Open Studio time at Heart of Cartm in Wheeler is every Thursday and Sunday from 3 – 6 pm.

• Every dog has his day! September 12 is Muttzanita.

• September 19 is the Mudd Nick Foundation Charity Event.

  

Support a cause. Donate blood, pick up some fresh flowers, swing by the Coastal Junkers furniture sale at the grange.

Looking toward September, it’s almost Muttzanita time! Be sure to nominate your favorite pooch for the Mayor of Muttzanita. And save the date for the Mudd Nick Foundation Charity Event.

Saturday, August 15

Hit the Summer Pop Up at Bare Moon Botanicals on Laneda Avenue this Saturday. Check out vendors Wembley Park Vintage, Wrackline Designs, and SeaHag Creations while enjoying music from StarHoney. And yes, of course, there will be plants. Duh.

Then spend a peaceful evening along the Nehalem River enjoying a Hawaiian dinner courtesy of our beloved Buttercup. I may go for the millionaire shortbread with macadamia crust (with a side of teriyaki).

And dinner at The Salmonberry is always a good idea this time of year. Grab a friend and have a beer in a boot. And did you know they deliver via Grubhub?

Saturday, August 22 — Fundraising auction and furniture sale

Coastal Junkers will be holding a furniture sale outside at the White Clover Grange on Saturday, August 22. Access opens at 11 am with furniture sold at sticker price until noon. After that you can make an offer. Cash only for couches, dressers, storage cabinets, bookshelves, side tables, dining tables, chairs, and more.

All funds raised go to support food security in North County. Shop a great inventory of furniture, eat some Gnarly’s Tacos, and jam to some tunes. Watch for sneak peeks of the inventory on Instagram and Facebook as the event gets closer.

Blooms at the Beach

One of my favorite things about summer is picking up fresh produce and fresh flowers. Both are readily available at the Friday Farmers Markets. But if it’s not Friday?

Bare Moon Botanicals has fresh flower bouquets in their cooler. And for a screaming deal, there’s the Friends of NCRD flower bouquet sales outside The Little Apple, Thursdays through Sundays. One hundred percent of your purchase helps fund NCRD youth, fitness, and aquatic center scholarships.

Donate blood

There are a handful of appointments available to donate blood -- tomorrow, August 12 from 12 – 3 pm at Nehlaem United Methodist Church. Call 1-800-REDCROSS or visit the American Red Cross website to schedule an appointment. The American Red Cross has declared the second national blood crisis in its history with blood donations at a four-year summer low. You can also donate platelets to help cancer patients.

More things to know

Plastics paused - The HUGGS North County recycling program is temporarily paused for at least six weeks due to a shortage of volunteers. The initiative collects soft plastic films to fund park benches featuring suicide prevention resources.

• They are asking that people not drop off plastics at any of the drop-off locations until further notice. (I drop mine off behind Wisteria Chic in Manzanita, but there are additional locations in Nehalem, Wheeler and Rockaway.)

• For more info and if you are interested in helping/volunteering, contact Laura Swanson at laura@nehalemtel.net.

Another UPS drop off spot? So I’ve heard! RTI in Nehalem takes UPS packages —saving you a trip to Seaside ACE Hardware or Garibaldi Beach Beagle.

Three more Summer Saturdays at Alder Creek Farm - Aug 15, 22, 29. Learn about gardening, help harvest, and have fun.

Upcoming events at Perch Makers Table

• Stitching B! Every Sunday, starting August 16 from noon to 2 pm, bring your supplies and hang out at the table. (free)

• Starting Aug 18 – BYOP (bring your own project) after hours from 5-7 pm ($15 fee).

One more Wheeler concert - Tevis Hodge Jr. is playing on August 22 at the Wheeler Waterfront Park. A variety of blues, plus jazz, jug band, folk and even old timey novelty tunes. Tickets here.

Beyond Manzanita

Road trip to (rather than through) Clatskanie! Saturday, August 15 is the 11^th year of the Clatskanie Garlic Festival from 10 am – 3 pm. The night before, Friday, August 14, is Pasta Palooza in the Park. Tickets available here.

The following weekend, August 21 - 23, go south to the family-friendly Bay City Pearl and Oyster Festival. Enjoy music, driftwood art, a pancake breakfast and more at the Al Griffin Memorial Park.

Save the dates

September 12 is Muttzanita. Nominate your favorite pooch for Mayor of Muttzanita now through Sunday, August 23. You can stop in at Four Paws on the Beach to pick up an application or you can find one online at www.muttzanita.com/mayor-of-muttzanita. Send questions and submit the form along with your photo to mruona@hotmail.com.

Saturday, September 19 is the Mudd Nick Foundation Charity Event. For more info and to register, visit MuddNickFoundation.com.

We still have nine more farmer’s markets, two more Concerts by the Bay, multiple months of Mudd Dogs, lots of evenings to sit on the patio at Salmonberry, Steeplejack, or the Winery. And there are sure to be many more glorious sunsets.

For the rest of my summer days, I want to be intentional about beach time. Whether it’s walking on the beach, hiking the path to Short Sands, or simply lounging in the sand with a beach read and a picnic.

Luckily, Hunky Dory will be opening soon and you can pick up a picnic-to-go. You might like to check out Perch Makers Table opening this weekend. Or perhaps a leisurely stroll through the Wonder Garden and into the Hoffman Center speak to you.

Hunky Dory time

Watch for the Hunky Dory Market and Deli to open hopefully by mid-August (dependent on red tape stuff like inspections and licensing) in Wheeler. Owner Alaya Wyndham has been busy behind the scenes prepping her gluten-free Italian deli. When I visited last week, pantry items including pastas, low-sugar sauces, spices, condiments, and more were at home on the shelves. Beautifully labeled wines chilled in the cooler ready to tempt.

Alaya plans to be open Mondays through Thursdays from 9 am to 6 pm and on Fridays and Saturdays from 11 am - 8 pm. The gluten-free menu will include a nice assortment of cold and toasted sandwiches with Boar’s Head meats and cheeses, as well as vegetarian and vegan options. Soups of the day will include veggie and meat-based varieties, and salad options will be potato, pasta, and Caesar.

Fresh baked scones, muffins, and cookies will be available when she opens, followed by her own gluten-free breads a little later. Upon opening, the focus will be on high quality drip and pour-over coffees, but will expand to include espresso by fall. Additional beverages include summer spritz, N/A wine and beer, kombucha, probiotic sodas, and Italian sodas.

There will be some outdoor seating where you can enjoy shared plates such as charcuterie, crudites, fruit and cheese, salads, and salty snacks and popcorn, along with wine, beer, and cider by the glass. The covered deck is coming in the fall and look for the wood-fired pizza oven in late August.

Buttercup now has … butter!

Buttercup Ice Cream and Chowders is now making housemade butter!

Three flavors using fresh ingredients made in house are now available in the grab-n-go section.

• Nehalem Bay Butter—house made butter with their signature Nehalem Bay seasoning and a hint of lemon.

• Santa Fe Butter—house made butter with their signature Santa Fe seasoning, lime, and cilantro. Think smoky, southern-style butter with just a hint of spice.

• Spiced Honey Butter—house made butter, honey, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Apparently it tastes like the stuff you get at Texas Roadhouse … only butter!

You may not get as excited as I do about butter. It’s my favorite food group. My garage fridge is stocked with butter. I own a sweatshirt that says “BUTTER” and I have butter socks from T-Spot.

One of my favorite quotes is from Julia Child, “If you’re afraid of butter, use cream.” Or in this case, ice cream from Buttercup. Summer flavors include: Raspberry Honeycomb, Burnt Chocolate, Marshmallow, Pistachio Kulfi, Banana Cream Pie, (vegan offerings are Passionfruit Vanilla Bean and Mojito Sorbet).

Perch Makers Table opens this week

I ran into Katie a few days ago and jokingly asked her what was going on 🎶 behind closed doors 🎶 … well, apparently quite a bit because she is having a soft opening this Thursday, July 30!

Perch Makers Table is officially opening this Saturday, August 1. Stop in at 123 Laneda Avenue and see what and who is around the table. Regular hours will be 10 am - 5 pm every day, closed Wednesdays.

Music on the Bay and at Nehalem Bay Winery

Did you know that Nehalem Bay Winery, established in 1974, is one of Oregon’s 10 oldest wineries and one of the first tasting rooms located on the Oregon Coast? Open every day from 10 am - 5 pm, they offer traditional white and red varietals made from celebrated world-class fruit from the Willamette Valley. Tastings are $10 for a flight of five pours; complimentary with the purchase of a bottle of wine.

On Saturday, August 1, Nehalem Bay Winery is hosting Day of the Dog, the annual fundraiser for Tillamook County Animal Rescues. Bring your pooch for the dog treats, and music; silent auctions and food and wine for you.

Also — tickets are still available for the Wheeler Concert by the Bay series, organized by Communitea Nonprofit. August 8 is Christopher Worth, and August 22 is Tevis Hodge Jr. Get more info and tickets here. Pack a picnic … maybe from Hunky Dory.

Miscellaneous

Everyone is invited to a free opening reception on Friday, August 1 from 3 to 5 pm at the Hoffman Center. The August Gallery Exhibition features works by Jamin London Tinsel, JD Perkin, and Mike Vos. More info here.

August classes at the Hoffman Center include somatic art exploration, painting, and ceramic glazing.

Okay, so I don’t own a sewing machine but have always wished I knew how to sew. This is a ways out, but I thought it was a great event! Sign up now while space is available and get to know your sewing machine at Heart of Cartm on August 29.

A few odds and ends and reminders follow, along with a short list of FAQs that I’ve been collecting.

I hope everyone’s having a ball this summer!

More than Pinball

Will Irace, a well-known figure in the pinball community, is the owner and operator of North Coast Pinball in Nehalem. He recently published a memoir titled Can You Feel It? Stories from North Coast Pinball, about his transition out of corporate life to open the arcade in 2021.

Some of the online reviews (but go buy the book from Will) that jumped out at me include:

“His book is described as a reflection on finding wholeheartedness, community, and passion.”

“This book is a memento for everyone who has walked through North Coast Pinball’s doors and wants to revisit a living memory. But even for those who have never been there, it offers a thoughtful portrait of community, belonging, and the unexpected places that shape our lives.”

I think it’s safe to say that the space Will has created is about a lot more than pinball. I wanted to introduce him for those who don’t know Will or been in his shop. I hope to meet up with Will in the future so I can share more about his story and experience the magic of the inclusive space he’s created.

North Coast Pinball is open 11:30 am – 6 pm Thursdays through Mondays with monthly tournaments and teen nights typically held the third Friday of the month. You can book birthday parties and rent out the space for private events as well.

Learn more on his You Tube channel.

Play ball!

Congrats to the Neah-Kah-Nie Pirates Senior National baseball team for winning the JBO (Junior Baseball Organization) state championships this past weekend in Albany. (Our neighboring Nestucca Bobcats took second place.) The Senior National level comprises local 7th and 8th graders, who were supported by dedicated parents and mentored by an awesome set of coaches. Coach Steven Overstreet, the Neah-Kah-Nie High School head baseball coach, oversees the JBO program for our region. The Senior Pirates head coach Ryan Vandecoevering was also supported by a strong group of assistant coaches; Doug Buys, Shawn Scott and Chad Bash, all of whom are also parents of team members.

This victory is an amazing accomplishment for a great group of hard-working kids, a win for our community, and a great example of coming together to celebrate youth baseball.

Odds, ends, and reminders

Honestly, it felt like (for the first time since I started this newsletter) that there wasn’t a lot to share this week! Here are some reminders and a few new tidbits.

• North Tillamook Library Friends Art in the Library Series presents the work of Tom Grogg for the months of July and August. Tom is a resident of Arch Cape, a recent transplant from Newport Beach, Calif., where he and his wife owned a successful art gallery. Tom is an illustrator in all media – watercolor, oil, ink, charcoal, and Chinese brush. Please stop by the Manzanita Library to enjoy viewing his work this summer.

  

• Local life coach Deb Montgomery of Travel & Talk is hosting the July 30 event from 6 – 8 pm with guest coach Thom Walters. An intimate four-course dinner will be served brought to you by chef Kelsey Engstrom from Dine Wabi Sabi.

• Get your tickets to the Artist Studio Tour on July 18 from 11 am – 5 pm. This is a self-guided tour of artist studios across Manzanita, Nehalem, and Wheeler who open their studios for the day. Proceeds go to the Hoffman Center non-profit arts program.

• Tickets are still available for the Wheeler Concert by the Bay series. Get your tickets and pack a picnic to enjoy on the concert lawn at the Wheeler Waterfront park. Tickets for both July and August concerts here.

• The Tiny Stacks Concert Series features songwriter Deb Montgomery on July 21 from 6 – 8 pm, at Cloud & Leaf Bookstore.

A few FAQs

These are some of the questions I have repeatedly heard asked (probably mostly from people new to the area). Hope there’s something useful in here for you!

Where can I mail UPS and FedEx packages?

Dollar General in Rockaway takes FedEx packages. ACE Hardware in Seaside takes UPS packages. Beach Beagle in Garibaldi takes both!

I have a piece of art I need framed. Where can I go locally?

Bonnie of Art Happens in Nehalem is your local go-to. I’ve personally had her frame several pieces of art, including stretching and framing a canvas painting. Contact her at arthappens@msn.com.

Is there any place around here to get alterations done?

Yes! I recently discovered a local seamstress. Thanks to the ladies at UnFurl. Marta Randall is a seamstress who does very nice work. She lives in Neahkahnie. Contact me at angieshatfield@gmail.com if you want her phone number.

I’m tired of driving to Portland to get my hair cut. Any suggestions of someone local who cuts and colors hair?

Yes. Try Myriah or Lucy at The Studio House & Co. Myriah cuts my hair.

Where does everyone go for pedicures?

Try Queen House Nails in Seaside or Nail Lab Tillamook. You can book online at Nail Lab. Both are about the same price. I went to Nail Lab for the first time last week and would lean toward going to them next time.

Who does everyone use to get their windows cleaned?

Chase Behrens of Pacific Rays Window Cleaning is your guy. Chase has cleaned my windows for the past four years. Read about him here. You can get on his books by emailing him at info@pacificrayswindowcleaning.com, or calling or texting 971-415-1009.

Help! I don’t have a printer. Where can I print something?

The Manzanita Library offers wireless printing!

Go to https://catalog.tillabook.org/OurServices and upload documents you need printed. The library also offers notary services and tech help.

I just need a teaspoon of cardamom and hate to pay over $10 for a jar I’ll rarely use.

Check out Wild Manzanita for bulk spices (and a lot more items like rice, flour, nuts, etc.)

Send me any burning questions, or if you have an answer to a popular question - shoot me that info to share.

Walnut Studiolo designs and makes original handcrafted leather and wood goods with a modern, simple aesthetic in their Nehalem workshop and ships product around the world. “Studiolo” is an Italian architectural term that literally translates to “little study.”

Geoff previously worked for the second largest architecture firm in Portland and is the designer and maker. Valerie is a professional project manager who previously worked in wind renewable energy and now manages the business side of Walnut Studiolo. Together they’ve been successful at not only moving their business to the coast but growing it into new categories and now are at the stage in their careers where they say it’s a privilege and joy to get to play.

How it all started

While living in Portland Geoff would commute to work on his bike, which led him to design a leather holster for a bicycle U-lock. Valerie had the idea of selling the product on Etsy, and just like that, their first product was born. The 2009 recession motivated them to start their own business, which they ran out of their Portland garage for two years while still working full time. Eventually the business took over their house and expanded into a yurt in the backyard. This, combined with them both losing their jobs within 18 months of each other, led to Geoff and Valerie going all-in on Walnut Studiolo.

“It was a huge leap of faith,” said Geoff about starting the business full time. “We didn’t grow up in entrepreneurial families. We followed our hearts, not our minds.”

Steps along the way

In 2009, they attended the BikeCraft event in Portland where they were one of the few companies showing functional bike accessories. This led to being written up in BikePortland and Bike Snob NYC. Additional early press in places including Gizmodo, Wired, and Real Simple helped them gain visibility.

In 2013, sustainable shoe company Oliberté reached out to them and a handful of other artisans around the world with a challenge: make something new out of their upcycled waste shoes. Geoff and Valerie received a box of all left shoes with the task of designing something.

Geoff, who learned to play cribbage as a kid from his grandma, dissembled a shoe and had the idea of using the tongue to craft a travel cribbage board. This was their entry into a new category of products - ultralight travel games. The cribbage board remains a top seller today.

I feel compelled to tell those who need to know that Geoff has also designed a Cribbage Board Belt and a 6-pack Frame Cinch Beer Carrier.

“We make things we like to use,” they explained. “The thing that all our products have in common is that they are things we wanted to exist.”

In 2014, they used Kickstarter to launch their leather bicycle carrying handle and were chosen as one of the top 24 Kickstarter designs (out of like 25K) to be retailed by the MoMA Design Store in NYC, and later in Tokyo.

That same year they also worked with Rejuvenation Hardware in Portland to design and make leather pulls and handles for cabinetry. Geoff says it was an honor to work together, but eventually when Rejuvenation was bought by Williams Sonoma, the manufacturing was outsourced. Rejuvenation no longer carries the leather pulls but still sends people to Geoff and Valerie.

“I like to explore leather and wood together,” Geoff explained. “These mediums are used to soften a space, architecturally. My architecture background opened me up to run with it.”

Valerie and Geoff have clearly put a lot of thought into creating their business. Valerie explained that it was important that their business be compatible with their ethics and social values, minimize waste and environmental footprint, as well as be American-made and responsibly, locally sourced. Plus, all their packaging is plastic- free.

“We are as environmentally conscious as possible,” Valerie said.

Fine vegetable-tanned leather

The leather they use is a soft, non-toxic vegetable-tanned leather. They explained that veg tan is the “old-fashioned way” used up until the industrial revolution.

“This leather takes two weeks to tan versus three days,” explained Valerie. “Walnut Studiolo buys whole vegetable-tanned tooling leather sides from a fifth-generation tannery in St. Louis, Missouri and cuts it into pieces and straps before assembling into various products. “It’s most efficient to use straps,” she explained. “There’s less waste and it’s better for the planet.”

Showing me the small amount of scrap leather that results from their designs, they shared that for the past 10 years they’ve shipped scraps to an organization called Help Heal Veterans, who turns the scraps into free leather craft kits for vets.

Oh, and they wrote a book

Along with visibility, comes … a book deal? The publisher DK Books approached them to write Idiot’s Guide: Leather Crafts. They created the projects and wrote it in three months, Val did all the text, and Geoff was the hand model for all the photos taken in their backyard yurt in Portland.

How they got to the coast

By this point, their business had taken over their home and yard. They were encouraged by Prosper Portland, the economic and urban development agency for the city of Portland, to get a commercial space. While the idea of having a mortgage and a loan was a bit daunting, they ended up placing two offers but both were rejected. They took this as the universe saying the timing wasn’t right.

The decision weighing on their minds, they went on a four-day bike tour down Hwy 101 and saw the old restaurant/bar building (now called Nehalem River Inn) at the corner of Hwy 53 and Miami-Foley was for sale. They couldn’t stop thinking about it.

They thought maybe we can live our dream, just not in Portland.

“This was a groundbreaking thought process, like an epiphany,” they said.

They visited the property and were crestfallen when they determined it was not going to work. Discouraged, they pulled over to process this, and around the corner saw the property with the red barn (that is now their home and workshop). Geoff said, “that’s what we need … why can’t we find a barn like this?”

As they turned the corner, lo and behold, they saw a “for sale “sign. It was a goosebumps moment. Super excited and feeling like it was meant to be, they called the next morning. After initially thinking it was no longer available, the universe aligned, and they were able to purchase the property at a time of historically low mortgage rates.

It had always been their dream to move to the coast someday.

Geoff grew up coming to Manzanita. The parents of his best friend from first grade through high school had a place here. He remembers skateboarding up and down Laneda and camping along the Nehalem River. He and Valerie got married at Camp Westwind in Otis near Lincoln City.

Turns out moving their business allowed Geoff and Valerie to move here.

“Working at home for ourselves paid us in freedom,” said Valerie. “It was a chance to not take that escalator and put our feet in the sand.”

They moved to Nehalem on New Year’s Day 2016. Geoff described it as a “dark and stormy night.” The power was out and they were surely thinking what have we done.

The barn was not insulated and there was no vapor barrier below the concrete floor. Rainwater flowed straight into the workshop and seeped up through the floor. It was so humid that the metal in their shop rusted and packaging paper was limp, damp, and curled within days. They had to bring in dehumidifiers before the leather mildewed.

Today they have over 50 products on the website (many more if you count all the SKUs with different colorways and hardware combos). They also do custom orders. Locals can purchase one-of-a-kind products (not on the website) at the Manzanita Farmer’s Market on Aug. 7 and Sept. 4. Things like beautiful wood spoons and spatulas.

Driftwood art for Manzanita Oceanfront Inn

Over time, Geoff started working more with wood. This led to his driftwood art and driftwood cribbage boards. Earlier this year he was approached by the folks at Escape Lodging who own Manzanita Oceanfront Inn. The interior designer on the remodel project had a vision of driftwood art in the rooms over the fireplaces. The contractor, Cove Built, recommended Geoff. He was commissioned to create 20 different driftwood pieces to go over 20 fireplaces, each one unique.

You can see all the sculptures and the behind-the-scenes creating of the driftwood installations on the Walnut Studiolo blog.

Geoff worked on the project for two months. He found the right driftwood pieces, sanding and polishing the driftwood to bring out the natural artistic beauty and turned them into unique driftwood sculptures. He then installed the 20 pieces at the Inn along with custom wood plates explaining each piece. His driftwood pieces have names like Flying Fish, Mammoth Tusk, Bird Beak, Orca, and Sea Lion.

“Driftwood is a part of a tree that’s been forgotten and abandoned,” says Geoff. “The wood’s journey – it’s there to be seen if you can reveal it.”

Time for play … and gardening

As they adjusted to living and working in the country and taking care of five acres, their life and business developed into a “slow moving” homestead with vegetable gardens, fruit orchards, tropical houseplants, and medicinal plants. Valerie started a “homestead” category on the website selling excess freeze-dried produce from their gardens, granola, oatmeal, and other products using natural ingredients.

She gave me a little tour of their garden and greenhouse, where I was the lucky recipient of a pie cherry, raspberries, pansies, a bean sprout flower, green coriander, anise hyssop, and sorrel. Oh, and I saw how asparagus grows for the first time (!).

Reflecting on leaving Portland and moving to Nehalem, along with the growth of their business, Geoff says that now he is able “to play” more.

“We made the decision to go on our own path,” they said. It’s hard work, but joyful work.”

Valerie said something else that stuck with me. “You don’t have to monetize your joy,” she said. “There are so many ideas, products, and hobbies we’ve enjoyed that we don’t bring to market.”

And what better place to play and find joy than the wonderland that is the North Oregon Coast.

“Sand, Sea & 250 Years of Liberty” – that’s the theme for this year’s Manzanita 4th of July parade, an annual tradition spanning more than 20 years. Also having a birthday, Highway 101 turns 100 on July 11. And closest to my heart, a joyous happy “birth” day to my first grandchild who was born on June 17. If you’ve ran into me in town, you’ve no doubt seen a pic of precious baby Sabrina. 💕

Also, be sure to try your sleuthing skills at the first Magical Manzanita Scavenger Hunt and take a peek inside the newly opened Manzanita Oceanfront Inn — with a preview of next week’s Community Member Monday profile with Geoffrey and Valerie Franklin of Walnut Studiolo who created driftwood art for the inn. Plus, I’ve got a few odds and ends and a unique “Table Talk” opportunity hosted by life coach Deb Montgomery, leadership coach Thom Walters, and nutritionist Kelsey Engstrom from Dine Wabi Sabi.

Manzanita’s Fourth of July parade

The Manzanita Independence Day hometown parade down Laneda Avenue begins at 1 pm on Saturday, July 4. Festivities feature an F-15 flyover at 10:18 am, pancake breakfasts, and community contests.

You can still register to be in the parade up until July 3. The parade is free and 100 percent volunteer-run and community funded through donations and poster sales. I believe you can still purchase posters at Cloud & Leaf and Bahama Mama’s.

One of the best things about our parade is that you can just walk to the route minutes before and watch the parade! If you feel the need, you can set up chairs on the sidewalks (not in the street and leaving at least 48” walking space for pedestrians) after 7 am on July 4.. To view the parade route map click here.

Nehalem Historical Society presents 100 Years of Highway 101

First, let’s get this out of the way. I have come to realize that when referring to Highway 101, I always call it “the” 101. Apparently, saying “the” 101 means you’re from California, but I was born and raised in Oregon where most people just say “101.” Go figure.

In any case, on Saturday, July 11 at 3:30 pm, Nehalem Valley Historicanl Society (NVHS) welcomes Megan Lallier-Barron, curator of the “101 at 100” exhibit at the Oregon Historical Society. She will present the fascinating history of a (the?) highway that plays an important part in our daily lives.

$10 at the door. Proceeds benefit NVHS education programs.

Magical Manzanita Scavenger Hunt – July 9

Here’s an adventure for your inner pirate! The Magical Manzanita Scavenger Hunt is a family-friendly, educational event on Thursday, July 9 from 2 – 4 pm. This is a walking adventure for teams of up to six people working together to solve clever clues, learn local history, and solve fun challenges.

Entry fee is $40 per team of six or $10 per person if signing up as individuals. Grab your mateys and sign up now before they sell out!

All proceeds support The Pine Grove Community House. For more info, contact rickjacksong8r@gmail.com.

Manzanita Oceanfront Inn opens for business

As of last week, Manzanita Oceanfront Inn (formerly Sunset Surf Motel) on Ocean Road is open for business with a beautiful refresh. Whether you’re planning a visit to Manzanita or are a resident with no room for guests, a hotel room with “parfum de nouveau maison” and sink-in new beds with fresh linens is tempting.

Escape Lodging did a lovely job on the remodel while honoring the simplicity and charm of the 38-room property. Everything is fresh and inviting with updated bathrooms and kitchenettes.

Alas, while the pool is gone, there are plans to install a large hot tub in the grassy area looking out over the Pacific. Public Coast Brewing tastings are a special touch available upon check in. They have a new ADA room, and they’ve also combined a few rooms in the building on the corner of Ocean Way and Laneda to provide more space (and two bathrooms) for families. And of course there are pet-friendly rooms.

Driftwood sculptures from Walnut Studiolo

For a local artistic touch, Escape Lodging worked with Geoff and Valerie Franklin of Nehalem-based Walnut Studiolo to create 20 unique driftwood sculptures, one for each of the fireplace rooms at the inn. See the virtual gallery on Walnut Studiolo’s website here.

For more on Walnut Studiolo (that sign you pass on Hwy 53), come back to Manzanita Connections on Monday, July 6. I’m featuring Valerie and Geoff Franklin’s story as a Community Member Monday profile.

Also - they will be at the Manzanita Farmer’s Market this Friday, July 3 with a selection of one-of-a-kind wooden spoons, spatulas, and more. These are beautiful products for locals not available on the website.

Reserve your seat at “Table Talk”

Here’s a fun and unique opportunity! Enjoy an evening of dinner and conversation around how to live in ways that calm — not inflame — your whole system. Local life coach Deb Montgomery of Travel & Talk is hosting the July 30 event from 6 – 8 pm with guest coach Thom Walters and chef Kelsey Engstrom from Dine Wabi Sabi.

Nehalem River Ranch update

You may know that Nehalem River Ranch sells shares of beef and pork. But did you know that owner Jared Gardner also offers family events, educational workshops, and summer chef dinners?

There’s a family campout and cookout over the 4th of July weekend. Three Saturday dinners are planned for Aug. 8 with Coastal Soul chef LaNicia, Sept. 5 with chef Daniel Silver, and Oct. 3 with chef Shimron of Naphtali’s. These are smaller group dinners than you’d find at wineries or farm-to-table events in the valley, in order to foster more conversations and connections! You can also register for a soil health workshop on Aug. 26.

And … don’t forget to reserve your retail cuts and fall beef shares now. New beef cuts arrive at the end of July.

Odds and Ends

• The July gallery opening reception at the Hoffman Center for the Arts is Friday, July 3 from 3 - 5 pm, featuring works by Heidi Keith and Hans Miles.

• Get your tickets to the Artist Studio Tour on July 18 from 11 am – 5 pm. This is a self-guided tour of artist studios across Manzanita, Nehalem, and Wheeler. Proceeds go to the Hoffman Center non-profit arts program.

• Tickets are still available for the Wheeler Concert by the Bay series. Get your tickets and pack a picnic to enjoy on the concert lawn at the Wheeler Waterfront park.

  • July 11 is singer/guitarist Kris Stuart performing folk music, blues and country melded together in songs of sin and salvation.

  • July 25 is Lauren Sheehan, who brings her down-home music uptown, mixing old blues, early jazz and roots of country for a blues billy-good-time sound.

  • Tickets for both July and August concerts here.

• The Tiny Stacks Concert Series features local songwriter Deb Montgomery on July 21 from 6 – 8 pm, at Cloud & Leaf Bookstore.

  

Coffee with Katie of Perch Makers Table

I sat down with Katie Simmons last week to find out more about her vision behind Perch Makers Table. She is building this from the ground up and hopes to open her doors in mid-July or August in the space that was formerly The Cove on the corner of Laneda and N. Carmel Avenue. Katie describes her vision as a curated space for regional makers to show their work with a big community table where people can gather to work on a project.

“This is the thing I’ve wanted to build here for a long time,” said Katie. “We’re still in the early stages and I am completely buzzing about it.” Perch Makers Table will be for locals, for visitors, for anyone who needs somewhere beautiful to settle in on a rainy (or any) coastal day.

Katie moved here nine years ago from Issaquah, Wash. Her husband Abram has lived here 25 years, and between them they have five kids. A breast cancer survivor, she is boldly following her dreams here at the beach and hasn’t stopped thinking about having a shop in town.

Katie started Perch Handmade in 2020, did hand lettering and sewing, and taught herself water coloring. I first met Katie outside Cloud & Leaf Bookstore with her pop-up shop and was drawn to her colorful prints and postcards. Upon getting an iPad around the start of Covid, she started learning digital design and teaching classes. She also designed the wallpaper you see when you visit Cloud & Leaf. Last year was her first farmer’s market season here in Manzanita.

This past January she started thinking what if a few little shops and studios got together. She was in the middle of reading, You Are A Badass At Making Money, when she woke up one morning electric with the grass roots idea that is Perch Makers Table.

She quickly got to work raising funds and was successful in leasing the beautiful building at 123 Laneda Avenue. She envisions people walking in and being greeted with a table for 10-12. Anyone can sit and bring a project, purchase a craft project to work on, or even check out a game. She plans to sell small kits for painting, embroidery, and macrame.

She pictures the space furnished with upcycled secondhand furniture with splashes of bright color juxtaposed against the clean white space. You can sit on a comfy sofa and color or knit. And there will be a table and classes for kids in one of the smaller rooms.

The main interior will be tiered rental spaces leased to about 50 varying local artists to sell their products. She also plans to host small approachable workshops led by local artists, have live music, and rent out the space and community table for private events.

If you’re an artist and are interested in becoming part of Katie’s ground-up effort, visit perchmakerstable.com to complete an application form at the bottom of this page. You can also Support Katie with a donation and secure your seat at the table. Stay up to date on progress by following her at @perchmakerstable.

A tour of NCRD with Kiley

I recently had the pleasure of a formal behind-the-scenes tour at North County Recreation District aka NCRD with Kiley Konruff. We are so lucky to have such a wonderful resource here in the area. Kiley shared that the week of June 21-26 is “try me” week at NCRD. You can drop in and try any of these classes for free.

Also, if you’ve yet to take a class at NCRD or take advantage of all NCRD has to offer, you can buy a 10-visit punch card for $50.00. Any member of your family (or visiting adult kids) can use the card.

Visit the NCRD Performing Arts Center this upcoming weekend to see 70 Neah-Kah-Nie School District kids ranging from first graders up to 18-year-olds perform in the Missoula Children’s Theatre. They will perform the play Peter and Wendy on Friday, June 19 and Saturday, June 20.

This is a partnership between NCRD, Mudd Nick Foundation and the Neah-Kah-Nie School District. Kiley was instrumental in bringing the program to the area eight years ago.

Myriah, artist and hair stylist, wins library card design contest

Nehalem resident Myriah Mathews is the winner of the Tillamook County Library’s 2026 Adult Library Card Design Contest! The contest invited artists to create an original design that captures what makes Tillamook County special.

You may know Myriah from The Studio House in Nehalem where she is a hair stylist. She currently takes appointments on Mondays, Thursdays, and one Sunday a month at the salon, as well as house call services upon special request.

What you may have not known is that she is also an artist. She started drawing in January 2021 following a two-month road trip with her dog Beau.

Much of her work celebrates the joy of noticing. “With a love of faces and seeing things others might miss, I tell stories using images that represent people in intuitive collage drawings,” explained Myriah.

Her work is available on her website using print-on-demand links. Available products include a coffee table photograph book titled From Here to There celebrating a collection of favorite photos with titles taken over the last 15 years, a travel journal with inspirational quotes, a coloring book that gives space for self-reflection, and a license-plate inspired road trip game called Road Trip Ramble. She is currently working on a book (told by beloved Beau) to be released later this year.

Myriah’s products are also for sale locally at The Studio House.

Food scene

The Porchlight (formerly The Lighthouse location) is now open! They softly opened about 10 days ago. Right now they are open from 3 pm – 11 pm but look for earlier hours to be added. Closed on Mondays.

Owners Jacob Gardea and Sam Michael are starting with a sample menu that they expect to expand. The menu items and recipes are their own. They also know that gluten free and other allergen friendly options are important from their work at The Happy Elephant and are offering GF buns and eventually GF pizza crust.

They have made a bunch of changes inside the large space, but since I’d never been there before I can’t tell you exactly what. One side is 21 and over and there’s seating on the porch. Also look for social media eventually to stay updated.

Also around town …

Gnarly’s Tacos in Nehalem has new summer hours … and breakfast burritos!

The Roost is open for Father’s Day Brunch. Why should moms have all the fun?

Yolk is now Poach503. If you were confused by the name change, rest assured that it’s the same delicious food and same people/owners.

Can’t make it to the Farmers Market? Visit Moonriver Farm’s farmstand behind Wolfmoon Bakery (enter through the alley) on Wednesdays from 3 - 6 pm. Bring a bag or basket to take home your fresh loot. Subscribe to their email list to keep informed of the weekly “pick list.”

Music, art, and bookish events

Hoffman Center is selling tickets for their popular Artist Studio Tour on July 18. Event runs from 11 am - 5 pm Tickets are $30.

Don’t miss the Summer Solstice Patio Party at Pine Grove Community House on June 21 from 4 pm - 6 pm, featuring Rhythm Method playing live dance music.

There will be live music by Bikini Drone at the San Dune Pub on Friday, June 26, 9 pm to close. $10 charge.

I continue to be amazed at the number of authors we have in our own backyard and thereabouts. And also amazed that Holly is able to bring so many people to Cloud & Leaf Bookstore.

• Friday, June 19, 5:30 pm — Dr. Ivana “Evie” Polonijo, Lead by Example Workshop.

• Tuesday, June 30, 5:30 pm — Book launch and author conversation with Lisa Jackson, author of Not what it Seems: The Savannah Series.

• All the events: https://cloud-leaf-bookstore.square.site/events

Have you seen the new plant section on the back patio at Finnesterre? This gorgeous selection of flowering plants and succulents is the artistic work of Manzanita local and photographic botanical artist Ron van Dongen.

Happy Father’s Day!

Sunday, June 21 is Father’s Day.

Did you know that Sea Dream has new men’s items? Make sure you go to the way back at UnFurl to check the men’s section, which by the way has new summer hours. Now open Mondays as well!

Cheers to all the dads!

A further excuse … on the way home yesterday, we spotted Hood strawberries in Warrenton, frantically turned around, and bought what the “berry guy” said was the last of his Hoods from HiIlsboro. (Pssst …. don’t panic. I’m told Sauvie Island still has Hoods).

So instead of getting started on this newsletter, I’ve been kinda busy eating the world’s best strawberries, my favorite sign of summer here in Oregon.

As a result, this week’s newsletter is a short list of what I had in my queue.

Fish on!

Oregon Free Fishing Days are June 6 and 7. You can fish, clam, and crab anywhere in the state without a license, tag, or endorsement. For more info, visit the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife site.

World Oceans Day

Next up is the World Oceans Day event on June 8.

Join representatives from the North Coast Land Conservancy’s Marine Program and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife at Neahkahnie Beach in celebration of the Cape Falcon Marine Reserve’s 10th anniversary and to hear about marine conservation.

You can also partake in a guided scavenger hunt, walk a sand labyrinth created by Za at Centerpoint Healing Arts, and there will be anniversary cupcakes. More info.

Feeling crabby?

An annual favorite of many, the 2026 Nehalem Bay Crab Derby is Saturday, June 6 at Kelly’s Marina.

Kelly’s will release 26 tagged crabs into the Nehalem Bay that morning and for a $10 fee, you can enter to catch a tagged crab that puts you in a drawing to win the $1,000 grand prize.

Proceeds from ticket sales go to local nonprofits, the MuddNick Foundation and Animal Haven By The Sea Rescue.

Bare Moon grand opening and special event

If you haven’t been into Bare Moon Botanicals at 430 Laneda Avenue yet, here are a couple reasons (along with picking up a few plants and veggie starts for summer) to explore the shop.

Rebecca and Cosette are officially celebrating their Grand Opening on Saturday, June 6 from 4 – 6 pm.

Then the next weekend, Saturday, June 13 from 5:30 – 7 pm, is a Candle Making and Plant Bingo event. You’ll make a candle with your choice of scent and also play bingo to win plants while your candles are curing.

Purchase your ticket prior to the event here.

Soak up some culture

Check out the Hoffman Center for the Arts June Gallery Exhibition featuring works by Dennis Worrel, Mark Andres, and Richard Rowland. Opening reception is Saturday, June 6 from 3 -5 pm.

Also, check out the website for more June events. Carve Japanese pottery cups, create botanical illustrations in ink and watercolor, join an open write session – all in June.

And … the early bird gets the worm – get your tickets for the popular Artist Studio Tour on July 18.

Over at Cloud & Leaf Bookstore … here’s the early June lineup for Books after Hours.

• Sue Granzella will be reading from her book Pushed to the Edge: Teachers’ Stories from the Culture Wars on Saturday, June 6 at 5:30 pm.

• Saturday, June 13 at 5:30 pm, Liz Prato, author of Purgatoire: A Novel in Stories will be in conversation with Laura Stanfill.

You know the drill. Show up, drink wine from grandma’s crystal, and listen to stories.

Coming up later this summer

The 2026 Wheeler Concert Series by the Bay includes four concerts in July and August. Get your tickets early for an evening of live music in a picturesque, outdoor setting at the Wheeler Waterfront Park. Great music and good vibes with a gorgeous view of the Nehalem Bay!

The lineup:

• 7/11-Kris Stuart

• 7/25-Lauren Sheehan

• 8/8-Christopher Worth

• 8/22-Tevis Hodge Jr.

All concerts are from 6 – 8 pm. Bring your own picnic, blankets, chairs. (No pets allowed.) This year look for local restaurants to participate as well.

The events are sponsored by Communitea Nonprofit whose mission is to support artists and nurture community connections. Ticket proceeds go direct to the musicians.

P.S. Below is the June calendar of events courtesy of Wynn Rankin at Base Camp Manzanita is below and on the Manzanita Connections home page uner the What’s Happenin’ tab.

Carolina shared that they have two oyster farms from Netarts Bay at the market this year. Pearl Point Oysters is selling bags of oysters, and starting June 12 the Oys food cart will be serving oysters on the half shell alongside crispy fries.

We can expect some earlier harvests than usual (bring on the strawberries!) and lots of returning favorites. Sam’s CBD is coming back and there’s a new Mexican bakery.

Chef Gabe from PicNic Eats (private parties, events, and catering) is bringing a fresh twist to things like ferments, hot sauces, fresh condiments, seasoning blends, and the like, now available at the farmer’s market.

The market is working on improving accessibility and will have beach wheelchairs on site available first come, first serve. They are adding an ADA picnic table on a gravel pad and are working with Public Works to improve accessible parking and access to the food court and music area come July.

Memorial Day — May 25

Memorial Day comes early this year, actually as early as calendar-ly possible. Since it’s always the last Monday in May, the earliest day it can fall on is May 25. What you didn’t know you needed to know.

The Nehalem Valley Historical Society is hosting an event to honor our veterans at 11 am on Memorial Day at the Nehalem American Legion Cemetery on Necarney City Road.

Coffee with the Mayor

Join Manzanita Mayor Kathryn Stock at 10 am next Thursday, May 28 at City Hall for coffee and ask her all the questions.

Riverbend Players presents The Odd Couple

One of the funniest feuds in Hollywood history is coming to the NCRD Performing Arts Center. Riverbend Players is hosting an opening night gala for The Odd Couple, directed by Frank Squillo, at 6:30 pm on Friday, June 5 prior to the 7 pm show. The comedy runs on weekends June 5 through June 21.

Get your tickets to see Felix and Oscar now!

New outdoor adventures for your four-legged family members

Wheeler resident Katie Erickson has opened a new business. For dogs! Dogs from Bay City to Manzanita.

She is offering two-hour dog experiences as part of her business called Dogtown Adventures. Think of it as an elevated dog walking experience. Fido gets not just a walk around the block, but an action-packed adventure on the beach or in the woods complete with fresh air, a sense of freedom, and companionship with other dogs.

Katie moved from Washington state to Seaside in her early teen years. After following a career in hair-industry management, she found herself back on the coast reflecting on what her next steps would be and searching for something enjoyable and fulfilling while being helpful to others.

Katie saw a need in the area for something like this but says she’s still evolving the business and is flexible. While dogs of all sizes, breeds, and ages who need exercise and/or socialization could benefit, dogs who are left at home while their owners work long hours may be especially happy about this opportunity.

So how does it work?

“In a perfect world, we meet, and I take the dog with my dog and go for a half-hour walk,” she explained. She likes to get a dog away from its owner and see how the dog reacts and make sure it’s a good fit. She talks about expectations and behavior before taking dogs on a longer adventure. All dogs wear Garmin collars for tracking.

You can schedule an introduction session online. Or reach out to Katie via email at dtaoregoncoast@gmail.com or on Instagram.

“I don’t have a masters in ‘doggery,’” she says laughing. “I’ve grown up with them. My patience is insane and I’m very spatially aware of what’s going on.” She’s also certified in first aid for dogs and cats.

“I just have a love for making animals happy cause that’s kinda what they do for us.”

More local business check-ins

Coming at the end of the month: Early Summer Sound Bath & Guided Visualization at Sea Dream in Nehalem.

If unwinding while lying down on a yoga mat and being serenaded with crystal singing bowls sounds like just the relaxation and meditation journey you’ve been dreaming about, sign up here. Class goes from 11 am – 12:30 pm on Thursday, May 28.

The sign is up at Hunky Dory Market & Deli! Alaya is busy working toward a grand opening during the July 4 weekend if all goes as planned. However, the doors may softly open ahead of that … so drive very slowly through Wheeler so you don’t miss it. I for one can’t wait to see what’s on the shelves and in the deli grab and go section. Read more here.

By the looks of all the activity in the parking lot of the Manzanita Lighthouse, the new owners of what will be called Porchlight have been very busy cleaning up the restaurant and getting their workspaces in order. They don’t have a set open date at this time and are currently working on the menu, but you can expect it to be mostly American bar food.

🎶 Love, American-style 🎶. Coming soon.

Reminder

If you have something for the June What’s Happenin’ around Nehalem Bay calendar – let one of us know below.

Message Wynn at Base Camp Manzanita

I’ve also included a short reminder of additional upcoming events and a new monthly calendar that aims to capture what’s going on from Neahkahnie Mountain to Neah-kah-nie High School.

Cinco de Mayo eats

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at The Bunkhouse – Gabe and Marisol are serving up traditional Mexican food for Cinco de Mayo at The Bunkhouse between 2 pm and 7 pm today. Rusty Moose is open tonight for Taco Tuesday with a watermelon lime spritzer drink special. And there’s always El Trio Loco with margaritas and a big menu to choose from, open 11 am – 8:30 pm every day.

Farmers Market season - the best time of the year!

Our very own Manzanita Farmers Market opens Friday, May 15. Here’s the list of vendors. Looks like we can expect all our favorites plus several new vendors to check out this year.

When will Classic Street open?

Those of us impacted by the Classic Street closure will be happy to know that according to Rick Rempfer, the public works director for the City of Manzanita, the project is coming along nicely and is on track for completion by the end of May. Paving is currently scheduled for the week of May 11. After that, landscaping and other final touches will follow.

Off to the Farmers Market we go!

Celebrating all the moms

Mother’s Day is this Sunday, May 10. Hopefully many of you are lucky enough to still have your mom. For those of us who aren’t as fortunate, may we celebrate all the mother figures in our lives (yourselves included). I will be spending the weekend with my daughter, who will very soon be a mother, the best gift ever.

Some ideas …

Gift a treatment at Spa Manzanita or how about a restorative wellness session? Julie Bliss is offering Reiki and sound sessions at The Studio House in Nehalem. Book here.

Any of the restaurants in town would be a lovely place to take mom, but did you know that The Roost in Wheeler is having a special Mother’s Day brunch with live jazz music? Every mom will receive a flower and have her name put in a basket to win some fun gifts.

You could take mom shopping and enjoy live music by Cristen Glover & Alfonso PeBenito on the porch at UnFurl on Mother’s Day. You know she wants this pink & white donkey shirt, modeled by assistant manager Tamara Tuttle. It spoke to me and is now hanging in my closet. UnFurl always has the best colorful joy-invoking things!

On Saturday, May 9, The Hoffman Center is hosting an author reading with Julie Swendsen Young from her debut novel, Rules for Mothers. The event runs from 4 pm – 5:30 pm and is free and open to the public. Registration is recommended. Book sales and signing will follow the reading.

On Sunday, May 10 at 3 pm, Cloud & Leaf Bookstore is hosting the award-winning author Jane Kirkpatrick who will be signing the newest books in her The Women of Cannon Beach series, inspired by a true story set locally beginning in 1888.

I believe Sarah at Neahkahnie Blooms is still taking flower orders for delivery Thursday through Saturday. Also check out River City Flowers or pop into Bare Moon Botanicals for a fun plant (or three).

The Nehalem Bay Garden Club plant sale is Saturday, May 9 from 10 am to 4 pm out at North Fork Road and Hwy 53.

Shout out to Rebekah and Cosette at Bare Moon for their community bulletin board in front of their shop - and those cute little red-heart thumb tacks ❤️ !

New calendar about town

Also found on the bulletin board at Bare Moon is a “What’s Happenin’ around Nehalem Bay this May” calendar. Created by Wynn Rankin of Base Camp, the idea is to provide a monthly at-a-glance, all-in-one-place list of what’s going on from Neahkahnie Mountain to Neah-kah-nie High School.

I’ve posted the monthly calendar on Manzanita Connections, but you’ll also find hard copies (easier to read) posted around town and in the Visitor’s Center. I believe this project is a work in progress and subject to change, but a welcome addition! If you have something to add or a suggestion for the calendar, stop into Base Camp, email Wynn Rankin, or you can send me a note.

Community celebration of a new public artwork

Yesterday when I was visiting the library, to my delight, I saw the new sculpture - a spectacular piece of public artwork - Marine Layer - being installed next door at The Wonder Garden.

Ketzel Levine, who volunteers as the Hoffman Wonder Garden coordinator and took over the Hoffman’s small existing garden in 2018, was in the garden helping with the installation. Serendipitously, Mayor Kathryn Stock was also there. So I snapped this pic!

Marine Layer Sculpture Dedication on May 9

You can meet the artist Juan Ferreira and toast to this exciting new addition to Manzanita at the dedication ceremony this Saturday, May 9 from 1 - 3 pm.

Marine Layer, a spectacular piece of public artwork, is a sculptural gateway inspired by the ever-present weather of the Oregon coast. It celebrates the environmental forces that shape Manzanita’s landscapes from Neahkahnie Mountain to the Hoffman Wonder Garden.

Juan Ferreira is a Colombian-born multidisciplinary artist and design professional based in Nehalem.

Post Office Cleanup

Down the street, perhaps you’ve noticed the freshened-up landscaping around the outside of the Manzanita post office. When local resident Mary Ruhl recently noticed the post office grounds starting to look a little unkempt, she decided to do something about it.

Mary gathered a group of volunteers to help spruce up the grounds. They recently weeded, laid mulch, and put in some plantings at the post office.

A nice example of community caring and initiative taken to beautify the grounds!

More upcoming events

The first Tiny Stacks Tuesday is May 12 at 6 pm with musician Juliet Yanko. Tiny Stacks is a new concert series launching its inaugural season at Cloud & Leaf in Manzanita.

Hosted by Holly Lorincz and the North Coast Creative Forum, the series features a curated lineup of exceptional musicians. This partnership is dedicated to bringing premier live performances to the community through a season defined by artistic excellence.

Tickets and more information available at https://tickets.tinystacksmusic.com/.

Tillamook County Library presents One Book One Coast at 2 pm on Friday, May 8 at the Manzanita library.

Calendar reminders

Last but not least, I wanted to include these reminders:

• May 9 - Repair Cafe at Heart of Cartm

• May 15-17: Manzanita Open Golf tournament

• May 15: Liz Cole Reading and early book shopping at Pine Grove

• May 16: Library Book Swap at Pine Grove

Manzanita Lighthouse to become Porch Light?

It looks like the sale of The Lighthouse on the 101 is final. The owners of Happy Elephant will be running the restaurant, which I’ve heard will be divided into an “Abby’s Pizza1-style” family side and adult side. The sign indicates the new name will be Porch Light. Stay tuned for updates.

Which brings me to tomorrow—Earth Day. Along with an Earth Day celebration at Alder Creek Farm, this week I’m talking about a few things that touch on our environment, sustainability, and a healthier planet.

Read more below about Heart of Cartm, a Salmonberry Trail work party, a plant sale focused on climate-adapted species, and a food drive in the name of emergency preparedness. In the spirit of reuse, plan to donate your old books and pick up some new-to-you ones at the North Tillamook Library Friend’s Book Swap in May.

On a lighter note, a big welcome to Bare Moon Farm and don’t miss the grand opening celebration at Driftwood Collective.

Reuse, repair, and reimagine at Heart of Cartm

Last week I had the pleasure of meeting Kate Cloran, director at Heart of Cartm in Wheeler. While her career has traversed nonprofit leadership, marketing, and community engagement, at one point she decided she wanted to be a park ranger and live in a van. That’s what brought her to the coast where she worked as a park ranger at Nehalem Bay State Park. And like so many, she decided to stay.

Heart of Cartm is a creative reuse nonprofit organization with a resale store selling the “odd and impractical” to use Kate’s words. The store is open 12-5 pm Thursday through Monday. They take donations Thursdays and Fridays.

Kate says they are currently in a growth phase. Last year, they opened the Heartworks Studio workspace next door to the store where they host monthly Repair Cafés. Every second Saturday, expert fixers are on hand to repair items such as clothing, lamps, small appliances, jewelry, and more. The next Repair Café is May 9 from 3-5 pm. Go online and register your repair. You can also volunteer to be a fixer.

Looking forward, Kate envisions the space as a community hub where people can come in and work and socialize and perhaps learn something new. The goal is to support a circular economy that keeps things out of the landfill. Soon, they plan to offer additional classes such as plastics 101, composting, mending, and sewing.

Time to reimagine waste and all the possibilities.

Celebrate Earth Day at Alder Creek Farm - April 22

Looking for a way to celebrate Earth Day? Head over to Alder Creek Farm tomorrow April 22 from 3 pm to 5pm to celebrate the grand opening of a new trail, thanks to Lower Nehalem Community Trust stewardship volunteers. Get your hands dirty planting native shrubs and shop for native plants to take home. All ages welcome.

Join the work party on the Salmonberry Trail

On Saturday, May 2, the Salmonberry Trail will be partnering with SOLVE to remove invasive species along the Wheeler segment of The Salmonberry Trail.

Sign up to participate and meet behind the railroad tracks on Marine Drive and Hemlock Street in Wheeler at 9 am. Volunteers will focus on the south section of the trail near Waterfront Park. Once the ivy is removed, wood chips will be laid in preparation for planting native species in the fall.

You can also take a walk along the Salmonberry Trail with Lynnee Jacks of the Oregon Coast Visitors Association to learn more. Read her recent article here.

Spring plant sale at the Hoffman Center

Do you know which plants thrive in our coastal environment? On Saturday, April 25 from 10 am – 1 pm, you can shop an assortment of climate-adapted plants and even wildflowers at the Hoffman Center’s Wonder Garden.

Recycle your books at North Tillamook Library Friends Book Swap

Your old books are someone else’s new books. Keep those books circulating throughout the community!

North Tillamook Library Friends Book Swap is Friday, May 15 and Saturday, May 16 at The Pine Grove Community House. Refresh your summertime reading and support your community library at the same time.

Donate books you no longer want on Friday, May 15 from 10 am – 2:30 pm. If you can’t make it on May 15, you may donate your books at the library during regular business hours through May 14.

Shop for new-to-you books on Saturday, May 16 from 9 am - 3 pm. Bring your kids, bring a friend, bring your book club. Buy as many bookbags as you want for $10/each and fill ‘em up!

Special Members* Only Event: Friday, May 15, 5 pm – 7 pm

Sit back and enjoy local celebrity Liz Cole weaving magical tales that spring from her lifelong passion for books. Liz Cole is an award-winning actor with a long career on stage and TV, most notably Seinfeld and various Star Treks. Now she delights in bringing stories to Manzanita, a perfect mission for a latter-day English major.

Be the first to shop for books, before and after the reading. Doors open at 5 pm. Reading begins at 5:30 pm. Tickets are limited. If you’re not currently a member of the Library Friends, join today so you can attend.

Here comes the Food Can Tsunami

Want to be part of the tsunami of all food drives? EVCNB is having its 5th annual “Food Can Tsunami” on Saturday, April 25 between 10 am and 1 pm. This is a community emergency preparedness event benefitting the North County Food Bank and Nehalem Bay Community Services Food Pantry.

Clean out your pantry, pack up your cans, and take them to a designated drop off location in the Nehalem Bay area, including Manzanita City Hall, Nehalem City Park and Wheeler Upper Park, as well as locations within specific neighborhood clusters.

New in town: Bare Moon Farm Botanticals

Somebody new slipped into town! And they brought plants!

Meet Rebekah and Cosette Lowry of Bare Moon Farm. They just opened the doors of their retail shop at 430 Laneda Street, Bare Moon Farm Botanicals. The cute little shop is set back from the sidewalk, but you’ll see their beautiful wood sign (made by Beach Bum Laser Designs in Seaside) near the street.

Bare Moon Botanicals is a welcoming little place with seasonal – indoor and outdoor – plants, fun planters, air plants, seeds, microgreen kits, potting soil, and soil amendments from The Soil Sorcery, plus a few gardening tools and gloves.

If the name is familiar that’s because Bare Moon Farm used to be their working farm in Cloverdale. Rebekah and Cosette sold the farm and moved to Astoria with hopes of opening a retail space. But as fate would have it, they ended up finding the perfect spot here in Manzanita.

The building has lots of room outside in the front for plants and a soap maker area inside. Just what they needed because Cosette has been making cold process artisan soap (Check out the Sleepy Monk soap!) for 27 years and been selling it at co-ops and other places along the coast. They also make linocut prints on cards, T-shirts, and more. (Ask to see the Anthony Bourdain t-shirt.)

Body butters, bath salts, face and body scrubs, herbs and tinctures, candles, and local goodies such as honey, tea, jam, and toffee, also live among the plants.

Mainly, it’s just a friendly little spot to wander into and talk to plants.

Open Thursday through Monday. Check Instagram for updates.

Stay out past 5pm(!) at Driftwood Collective’s grand opening celebration

I wrote about Yvette Bendickson and her lovely shop last month when she softly opened. Now it’s time for the grand opening. There will be live music and libations — until 7 pm! Who said the sidewalks roll up at 5pm in Manzanita?

Seriously, if you haven’t been in yet, you’re in for a treat. Peruse the wares of about 40 artists and you also might meet a few artists who plan to attend.

Growing up near the mountains in Eastern Washington, he was into winter sports and snowboarding yet a day’s drive from the coast. As he got older, he and his friends eventually started making regular trips to Mount Hood for spring skiing and to extend snowboarding season.

Chase had always felt called to the ocean and soon realized, “Wow, the coast isn’t that far.” Something that those of us who were born or have always lived within a couple hours of the beach may take for granted.

He learned to surf at Short Sands and found his community right there at the beach. Manzanita is like a little island, he says. Chase met his people on that island and was accepted right away.

He describes our piece of the Oregon coast as having the “perfect little recipe” to fall in love with. After that first visit, he knew he wanted to live here.

“Nature is like my church,” said Chase. “Most of my passions and activities have always been in nature. That’s what brought me here. But what made me stay and want to settle here was definitely the community.”

From wine making to window cleaning

Back in 2019, Chase’s passion for nature and surfing took him to New Zealand where he learned the craft of wine making. Chase drew on that experience as a wine maker to find work at several wineries in the Willamette Valley, bringing him closer to the Oregon coast.

He managed the wine making process from vine to bottle, working in the cellars managing the fermentation and making of the wine. Because winemaking is very seasonal, typically August through November, he would come back to Manzanita between wine seasons.

In 2019, he also worked as part of the wine making team at The Winery in Manzanita, as well as worked in the tasting room.

He continued commuting to and from Manzanita while trying to figure out how to work and live full time in a seasonal town like ours. He quickly got to the point of “how am I going to make it work, how am I going to stay here?”

“You have to get creative to make it work and stay long term,” said Chase. “When you come to Manzanita, your choices are basically to work in the service industry or as a contractor. I needed to figure out what to do in this community to coexist.”

Chase knew that he wanted to integrate into the community and be more involved. He wanted to find something that would fill a need in the community.

“I kind of wanted to find my own thing,” said Chase. These coastal communities have gorgeous beach homes, and I saw a big need not being met. Window cleaning was something I could start on my own, without a huge startup cost.”

He simply decided, “I’m going to commit to this.” And it really worked out. He ended up being good at it and enjoying it. A bonus was that it gave him the perfect excuse to meet more people and become part of the community.

“It’s like we live in a place, that once you meet someone that actually lives here in the community, you’re going to see them again and again. It’s fun like that.”

Starting Pacific Rays Window Cleaning

He moved to Wheeler in 2023 and started Pacific Rays Window Cleaning. This was coincidentally around the same time we moved to Manzanita and Chase left a flyer on our door. This month he starts his fourth season cleaning windows around town.

The name for his business came to Chase while he was on a beach walk. Looking back at the homes on Manzanita Beach, he pondered the sun rays coming off the windows from the Pacific Ocean. Aha. “Pacific Rays” it was.

Creative? Yes. However the first week on the job, he knocked on a client’s door, and the man who answered exclaimed, “You must be the famous Ray?!” It stuck and Ray became his window cleaning alter-ego.

Today he has 300 or so clients, both residential and commercial. He tries to keep his business as close to home as possible, with about 90 percent located in Manzanita. He also has commercial clients in Seaside and still does the windows of several wineries in the Willamette Valley. He’s been expanding the business and is adding his first employee this year.

His main season starts the first week of April and goes through December. In the late fall and winter, he also does pressure washing, gutter cleaning, solar panel cleaning, and even a few Christmas light jobs. He’s also thinking about adding screen repair/rebuilding.

Chase likes the camaraderie that comes with servicing the residential sector. He sees a huge need in Manzanita, one that comes with the perfect excuse to meet cool people.

He knows that it’s not easy to make living here work. “I’m feeling pretty blessed to be sustainable within Manzanita, and each year I’m so excited for the next year. It’s the dream. I’m really happy with where it’s going, it’s nice to feel part of the community.”

Finding his surfing community

Reflecting on those early days around 2013-2015 at Short Sands, Chase says there wasn’t a huge younger community. When he first came here, he knew every young person.

After Covid, he noticed the expansion of people moving here from Portland and has noticed more younger people migrating here to live in a place for the community, not just for the job. As more people moved here, the group gathering after work at Short Sands grew.

“We all met doing what we love, being by the ocean, hiking, and surfing,” said Chase. He described it as old school. “I don’t have to get on my phone; just wrap up the day and go to the beach and I know there will be friends down there at some point.”

Chase met his partner Lydia at Short Sands. She would come from Portland for the weekends in her camper van during Covid. Listening to his story, it may have been love at first sight (a second time) at Short Sands. His first conversation with her didn’t go too far, but luckily, they met again, surfing at The Cove in Seaside. After a couple years, they settled together in Manzanita.

What do you do in the off season?

Working in the wine industry meant he could take advantage of the off season to travel. In addition to both islands of New Zealand, he’s traveled through all Central America, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia.

“I’ve always had a big passion for travel internationally and experiencing new cultures,” said Chase. “A lot of surf motivated travels for sure. I’ve also done some volunteering. It’s a fun way to have a well-rounded year. Also, the weather can be rough here. I always say – take a quick trip to dry out.”

After having a crazy travel plan last winter that included Panama, Morocco, Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines over a three-month period, he and Lydia tried something new this year.

“Coming off this work season, we wanted to be more frugal. Our goal was to not get on a bunch of airplanes, keep our carbon footprint down, and keep it more chill.”

They had heard of an organization called Trusted House Sitters, where you essentially pet sit in exchange for free room and board.

I asked if they had a dog. He said no, but they like to say they are “pet samplers” and usually the first ones their friends call when they need a pet sitter.

After building a profile and doing a few jobs on the Oregon coast, they hit the 101 in early January and did pet sitting gigs in Santa Cruz, the central California coast, San Diego/Encinatas, and Santa Barbara. “It was a fun way to be resourceful but have a vacation break.”

This is also the time of year that Chase works on his bookkeeping, taxes, and other administrative duties for the business. He has been able to put most of his earnings straight back into growing the business.

Customized window cleaning for beach homes

We know how hard it is to keep our windows sparkling living near the ocean.

Chase knows this too. Salt messes up our windows, and wind is a problem. Sand blasting hard against our windows can create broken seals and fog between the panes.

Chase has adapted certain methods that are specific to our coastal climate. He uses a pure water system that filters hard water from your home spigot into ultra-soft water that dries spot free on your windows. This helps repel water off your windows during the rainy season making them stay clean for longer without hard water stains. He also has a special screen cleaner to ensure the best results.

“I have customized my window cleaning packages around our Oregon coast climate. A lot of thought has gone into it. The professional equipment I use and the techniques I use are next level,” said Chase. “I’ve invested in top of the line equipment to ensure top of the line service.”

He has also paid close attention to the little details that add up to a professional person showing up on your doorstep. A person you can trust and will no doubt see again out in the community.

“What’s so beautiful about Manzanita is that the more time you spend there, the more and more you get hooked,” says Chase. “Then the more people you meet, it makes you feel good about being there and a part of something. It’s a reassuring feeling when you’re just cruising around in day-to-day life and you wave and honk to 10-20 people every day.”

“I’m thankful to find something I can lean into, and have it support me in my mission to settle in Manzanita and make it work.”

Our windows thank you too.

Time to clean your windows?

Chase is excited to get this season into full swing. He tells me that it’s standard for people in our area to get their windows cleaned twice a year. Once in the fall/early winter and once in the spring/early summer. He does in-person bids to introduce himself and create trust.

You can get on his books now by calling or texting Chase at 971-415-1009 or emailing him at info@pacificrayswindowcleaning.com.

More info on his website.

I think spring really is here now. Get ready for these upcoming activities below.

But first …

Single Fin opens tomorrow — April 8

If you’ve been following Charles, former chef at Salmonberry, then you know that he’s been working on opening his own food truck in Wheeler. Well, the time has come. The truck is ready; the sun is out; the menu is here.

Single Fin North Coast Fish Shack opens tomorrow, Wednesday, April 8. It’s the same space, same truck as what was Rice & Shine. You know where you’re going for lunch.

Charles will be starting with a mini menu that includes oyster shooters, fresh guacamole, smoked salmon sourdough toast (on Wolfmoon bread!), and a Kokoda (Fijian-style ceviche). He’s also offering two seared fish sandos, classic and Baja options on challah bread or a GF pub roll. (Basically, everything except the salmon toast is gluten free.) Beverages include beer, kombucha, and several fun non-alcoholic items.

Picnic tables outside along with cornhole and Jenga will make you want to stay a while. Also, there’s an indoor space with music and locally made surfboards on the walls giving off fish shack vibes. (PSA: He also sells surfboard wax, you know, in case you need to pick some up at lunchtime.)

Hours are noon to 5 pm Wednesdays through Saturdays, with plans for extended summer hours including Saturday and Sunday dinners.

Follow Charles on Instagram for updates.

Puffin Welcome Celebration – April 18

While Tufted Puffins are found along the Pacific Coast from Alaska to Northern California, the most accessible viewing spot is in our own backyard at Haystack Rock, where they return every April for nesting season.

The Haystack Rock Awareness Program (HRAP) is hosting its annual Puffin Welcome Celebration at Haystack Rock on Saturday, April 18. This event offers a morning packed with educational activities, talks, and a chance to witness the beauty of these iconic sea birds. More details here.

For more fun, Tufted Puffin socks are for sale at Wanda’s in Nehalem. Wear ‘em loud and proud to the celebration.

Life coaching on the beach – month of April

For North Coast locals interested in having a personal coaching session, now’s your chance to book a 45-minute walk and talk (or virtual session) with Travel & Talk’s certified life coach Deb Montgomery.

Life coaching sessions beside the water or on the beach offer a unique opportunity to pause and have a conversation about what matters most to you right now.

For the month of April, Deb is offering first-time walk and talk coaching sessions to locals at a reduced rate of $75.

Book a session at www.travelandtalk.com/booking and be sure to use promo code COACHINTRO for the discount.

Here’s to meaningful walking and talking.

April is National Poetry Month

Celebrate poetry month on Sunday, April 12 from 4:00 - 5:30 pm at the Hoffman Center.

Airlie Press poet Nicole Alston Zdeb will read from her new collection, The End of Welcome. Awarded poets from the 2026 Neahkahnie Mountain Poetry Prize contest will read their winning poems to open this annual event celebrating poetry. Books will be available for sale and signature.

More info: https://hoffmanarts.org/events/airlie-press-poetry-event-2026/

Cloud & Leaf Books After Hours

Stop into the bookstore on Saturday, April 18 at 5:30 pm to listen to Evan Morgan Williams, author of The Divide, read from his latest collection while you sip wine from (Holly’s) grandma’s crystal.

More May events at the bookstore: https://cloud-leaf-bookstore.square.site/events

World Labyrinth Day – May 2

Be part of a rolling wave of peace around the world at World Labyrinth Day on Saturday, May 2 from 9 – 11 am.

Za Connor is a local sand artist, labyrinth guide, and yoga therapist with Center Point Healing Arts. This is her fourth year organizing the free community gathering on the beach for World Labyrinth Day.

She uses a rake at low tide to create large-scale sand art spiral labyrinth walks in the sand, providing interactive beach experiences and nature-inspired walking meditation. It takes her about three hours to rake the design that then washes away with the rising tide in a spirit of respect for our coastal ecology.

World Labyrinth Day starts in New Zealand and circles the globe with hundreds of walks offered worldwide. For more info on Manzanita’s World Labyrinth Day, visit https://www.centerpointhealingarts.com/field-notes.

Manzanita Open Golf Tournament — May 15-17

Every time I drive the LONG way to town (when oh when is Classic Street opening?), I pass the golf course. And with more sunshine, I’ve observed, comes more golfers.

The Manzanita Open Golf Tournament is May 15-17, but you need to sign up now to participate. Pay by April 15 (and don’t forget to file your taxes).

Register now: https://www.eugeneschmuckfoundation.org/tournament-info

The Eugene Schmuck Foundation supports a wide variety of North Tillamook County non-profit organizations and school programs. Donations are always welcome.

Read on to learn about a new art collective opening this week in Manzanita, a brunch food cart coming to Garibaldi, Whale Watch Week, and the Manzanita Day celebration. Calling all locals to get your tickets now for the North Coast Whiskey Festival, and it’s time to think about CSAs, beef and pork shares, and more.

Do you speak whale?

Oregon State Parks hosts its annual spring Whale Watch Week along the Oregon Coast March 21 through March 29, with the closest volunteer-staffed site being at the Neahkahnie Mountain Overlook.

Volunteers and park rangers are available to help visitors spot whales and answer questions from 10 am to 1 pm daily. Spring is the time the gray whale migration can be within a few miles of the shore as the whales with their calves in tow return from their winter breeding grounds in Baja. Wow, wish I spoke whale. 🐳

Pacific Northwest artist collective opening in Manzanita

Driftwood Collective, a Pacific Northwest gallery located in the former Bahama Mama’s space in Manzanita, will softly open its doors this Thursday, March 26 with plans for a May 1 grand opening. Yesterday I had the pleasure of getting an inside peak and meeting owner Yvette Bendickson, whom I realized I had previously met at the Manzanita Farmer’s Market.

Yvette and her husband have been driving back and forth between Manzanita and Spokane, Wash., for 32 years after being introduced to crabbing and fishing at Kelly’s Marina. They bought a house in Manzanita in 2016 and have continued to spend time here with their two grown boys. Now she’s here full time and opening the gallery she dreamt of since she was 15 years old.

Formerly a graphic artist, Yvette started making and selling pottery during the pandemic. Through this journey, she met a number of artists over the years and hence her idea for the collective. Her gallery brings together work from about 40 artists, all from the Pacific Northwest including Bellingham, Bend, Friday Harbor, Portland, Spokane, and even Manzanita and Wheeler. Her mission for the shop is to celebrate the spirit of the coast by uplifting local artists and connecting their work with the community.

The new space welcomes you with brightened up white walls and new floors. Walk in and to the left is the retail section with work from a range of artists such as painters, photographers, candlemakers, ceramicists, sculptors, jewelry makers, and more. She also sells her own pottery that is ever-changing and inspired by the sea. On the left is the gallery showcasing paintings and sculpture. Don’t miss the macrame octopus sculptures for sale.

Yvette also plans to hold events and classes in her space. Spring hours are Tuesday through Sunday. More info: https://www.driftwoodcollective.net.

Buttermilk biscuits and pour-over coffees, anyone?

Sure to be worth the drive to the “Big G” food cart pod in Garibaldi, SeaBiscuit is a chef-owned, brunch-centric food cart opening in early April.

Chef/owner Jordan Dodge will offer classics like biscuits and gravy, biscuit breakfast sandwiches, and his signature “Sea Biscuits” that will feature seasonal catch reeled in right off our coast. And for the icing on the cake (err biscuit), he will be serving pour-over style coffee roasted by Sleepy Monk Roasters.

“One of our main focuses with the project is to source as many ingredients locally as possible,” said Jordan. “We have about 98 percent of the menu sourced to farms and business within Oregon and most of our key ingredients such as eggs, milk, cheese, are coming directly from Tillamook/Oregon coast.”

Jordan grew up in Portland and started cooking professionally in 2017. He worked at the now closed Wolf and Bear’s food cart, Danwei Canting, and Marco’s Cafe, where he eventually became the brunch sous chef and learned how to cook “a million eggs at once.”

“I needed to get out of the city and moved out here about two years ago and have been working on getting this food cart started ever since,” says Jordan. “I am looking forward to bringing high quality, locally sourced meals made with love and care to the coastal community and those who come to visit.”

Soft-opening hours are TBD, but the plan is to be open brunch hours from 9 am - 2 pm, Wednesday-Sunday during the summer. And since it’s a little drive to Garibaldi, you’ll be happy to know that the website will be updated real time with hours of operation and projected monthly schedules. Follow Jordan for updates and opening day info.

Mark your calendar

• By mayoral proclamation, March 31 is Manzanita Day, a celebration of the shrub for which Manzanita is named. Join the Hoffman Center at the Wonder Garden from 11 am to 1 pm. Mayor Kathryn Stock will read the official city proclamation to open the event, followed by a live raffle drawing. Get your tickets here. Noon is the launch of the inaugural session of a new horticultural education series, with the first day’s focus on all things Arctostaphylos (aka Manzanitas).

• Get your tickets for The 2026 Variety Show at Pine Grove on Friday, April 3. Only $15 for an action-packed night of fun.

  

• April 12 at Nehalem River Ranch is Sunday Steelhead Ecology Tour and Dinner with a river walk led by Matt Thornton of The Wilderness Calling Conservation Initiative (www.thewildernesscalling.org). More info and tickets.

• Calling all locals — you’ll want to secure your tickets early for the North Coast Whiskey Festival on Saturday, May 2.

  

  Additional local participants to include Steeplejack, Left Coast, Offshore Grill, The Rusty Moose, The San Dune, The Spinn, and El Trio Loco. Plus, Cloud and Leaf is hosting a poetry reading and reception with Carlos Reyes in conjunction with the whiskey festival, on May 2 at 5:30 pm.

• Save Saturday, June 27 for the Living Locally gala fundraiser, a beloved summer gathering of great local food, talent, and a live auction at Alder Creek Farm. More details and RSVP coming soon.

Sign up

• Nehalem River Ranch – fall shares of beef and pork are available now.

• Place your flower CSA orders with Autumn and Zach of River City Flower Farm.

  

Easter’s on it’s way

It feels early in the season, but actually Easter is pretty much right in the middle this year. You may need to stay warm on Easter morning, so grab a coffee in Manzanita and head to the beach. I wasn’t able to verify local restaurant operating hours for Easter, but Manzanita News & Espresso is always open.

For brunch, Wanda’s Cafe is open as usual. In Wheeler, The Roost is having Easter brunch specials including smoked salmon Benedict and stuffed French toast along with their usual menu offerings and tempting pastries. You can also check with The Bunkhouse, and of course, Yolk. If you’re a restaurant and doing something special, chime in with a comment for all to see.

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She currently lives in Nehalem with her partner Zach Costello and a full house of fur babies. In 2024, she purchased Bahama Mama’s and just last week opened the doors of her new digs next to the winery on Laneda.

How was it growing up in the Nehalem Bay area?

Casey moved here with her parents, Dan and Jean Henley, and sister in 1987. Her father was a logger and helped his father C.C. Henley develop a plot of land across from the Adventist walk-in clinic on the 101 known locally as “Henley Hill.”

She told me excitedly of the time she and her sister sled down Henley Hill in the snow using old plexiglass domes commonly used for skylights that her dad had lying around the house. Fast forward and just a few years ago, she felt the same excitement when there was enough snow on Manzanita beach that people were making snowmen in the sand and using their snowboards to go down the dunes. Maybe the magic of this place doesn’t really change.

Casey also remembers as a kid riding fun cycles on the beach in the summer. “I just thought that every beach town had their little fun cycle beach set up, and when you live in a beach town you get cool fun cycle trikes to ride on the beach.”

As far as surfing goes, it wasn’t as well-known back then as it is today. She had a couple of friends in high school who were into surfing, but any organized surfing was by word of mouth. With the help of fellow classmates, the Neah-Kah-Nie High School librarian, and several locals from Rockaway and Wheeler, they raised funds and got a surf club going that gathered at Short Sand Beach. Casey had never surfed before but started taking lessons and learning more about the ocean, currents, and tides. But once she graduated, the surf club lost its momentum.

In talking with Casey, I could tell that her work ethic started at a young age. She has worked at a number of local establishments that are still here today.

“Little Apple was my first job when I was 14,” said Casey. “We would have the school bus drop us off there and stock shelves, face things. I became OCD about everything.” That early attention to detail has no doubt served her well in her retail career.

Did you ever want to leave Manzanita?

After she turned 19, she moved to Ashland in Southern Oregon, which she says was a good step up, not being Portland or Eugene.

“I was really intrigued by the arts. I knew I couldn’t afford to go to Southern Oregon University but thought it would be nice to get out of little Manzanita,” says Casey.

“I am just so glad I got to live there a year and half,” she says. “It was so freeing to get out of a small town and get immersed in another part of Oregon.” However, being young and trying to make it with rent and paying expenses for an unreliable car was hard to do.

“I didn’t really have a path,” said Casey. “Growing up in a small town, I just wanted to get out and explore. I knew I didn’t have the finances to actually leave the state.” So, she thought, “I’ll check out Portland and see what that’s about.”

She lived in the Portland area for seven years, during which time she worked at Subway, Home Depot, Fred Meyer, and Market of Choice. She also went to school at the Art Institute of Portland for a bit, which meant she started spending time downtown. She laughingly told me that the parking overwhelmed her. And unfortunately, her bike got stolen. Turns out she didn’t have a concept of locking her bike at night.

Casey kept working hard to stay ahead and was managing three Subway stores, but then, enter Murphy, the puppy. She brought Murphy home to her apartment that was not pet friendly. Being young, she told herself, “No one’s going to know I have a puppy, it’ll be fine.”

Turns out it was hard to smuggle a growing Australian shepherd-lab-pitbull-mix up and down the stairs. Eventually she had to choose between Murphy or her apartment.

She called her mom who was living in Wheeler at the time, and to her mom’s delight, asked to come back home.

She and Murphy were at the beach all the time after that. “He was a happy boy at the beach,” she says. And so was Casey. She was living with her mom in the family house. Her older sister moved back about the same time. Her dad lived down the street. And she had her dog.

What did you do when you returned?

Once Casey moved back from Portland, she reconnected with a group of locals that would go to Short Sand regularly and picked up surfing again. She has fond memories of family barbecue nights and says there’s still such a community of people who go there regularly.

“Being out in the water, knowing that there are people out there who watch your back, and know you’re safe, that’s what I gravitated to.”

She started volunteering with Nehalem Bay Fire & Rescue, and they paid for her to go to Tillamook Bay Community College (TBCC) to get her Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification.

“My knowledge of surfing and the ocean really segued into the water rescue team,” she said.

She ended up volunteering for a total of 10 years but left a couple years ago in anticipation of buying a business and her dad’s health.

What was your path to owning your own business?

A winding path of multiple jobs, lots of hard work, and a positive attitude that she credits to her mom, have culminated in Casey owning her own business here in Manzanita. Listening to her story, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride in all she’s accomplished.

“You’ve got to have multiple baskets of eggs around if you’re going to make it around places like this,” said Casey. “You have to be resourceful.”

“At one point I was doing five different things. I was a bartender, hostess, and waitress at the San Dune and The Lighthouse. I did portrait photography on the side and volunteered with the fire department. I also was cleaning a couple vacation rentals through Watchman Services. Every day it was two or three things I had to do; it was a lot.”

She had started taking classes at TBCC again with the expectation of getting a business degree, and knew she wanted to own a business. In fact, in 2019, she tried to buy Wanda’s Café (where she had also worked). In hindsight, she says it was a blessing in disguise that it didn’t work out with the pandemic hitting.

But first, in May 2019, she went to Wyoming to help her cousin who had just purchased Half Moon Lake Lodge in Pineville, Wyoming. Casey opened the saloon and restaurant including setting up all the vendors, creating a bar and restaurant menu, and hiring a team. She worked every single day for three months.

At the end of the summer, she was very ready to come home. “It was a fantastic experience, and it got me in line with how the Small Business Administration loan process works, really gave me an awakening of what this process looks like and kind of prepared me to buy the business here.”

Back home at the coast, she worked as a general area manager at Subway for a short while. Then in January 2020, Joel Vandyke, who had purchased what was formerly called Manzanita Bikes and Boards in 2016, hired Casey as manager of Bahama Mama’s. (Turns out, Casey had done Joel and his wife’s wedding photos years before.)

She credits Joel with building a solid foundation for Bahama Mama’s. “He brought in Manzanita sweaters, sunglasses, Roxy, Quiksilver, Reef sandals, Maui Jims, some high-end name brand things that people recognized,” she said. “They were like, wow I can get that in Manzanita, that’s really cool.”

When Joel decided to move to Florida, he and Casey started talking about her buying the shop.

To get the loan to buy Bahama Mama’s she needed to have a 10-year lease agreement, which meant she needed to find a new home for the business. When the building on the corner of 3rd and Laneda was proposed on Facebook almost two years ago, Casey was first in line. She had a friend look up the tax address and wrote a letter to the owner. Within two days, she had a reply.

“It was really just the timing. I feel super lucky and super fortunate,” said Casey. “I worked really hard, but there were so many things that happened. My dad passed away the year I bought the shop,” she says. “2024 was a year of chaos, storms and rollercoasters, it was hard to go through all these life changes without my dad.”

On June 4, 2024, she signed her name on the dotted line and took on full responsibility for the store. Twenty-one months later, she is now completely moved into her new building with a big thanks to Zach, lifetime family friend Terry Kelly (who largely manages rentals at the shop), and her sister and brother-in-law Amy and Joseph Jones.

“I’m just so thankful cause things worked out so well. The timing is going to work out for us; we’ll be open for spring break.”

How do you see Bahama Mama’s connecting with the community?

“We’ve always relied on high school kids to work here,” she said. “We teach them that mentality of giving people good customer service.”

She employs five to six local high school kids through the summer, from the middle of June through Labor Day, and some of them work on the weekends off season. She currently has three high school seniors who have worked at the shop for several summers, as well as another group of 14–16-year-olds who she’ll hopefully have for a couple years. Next year, she’ll recruit some younger teens, and the seniors can help train them.

Reflecting on what it was like being in high school growing up here, Casey says, “We had nature, the beach, but not a lot of organized groups doing surf lessons.”

She’d like to collaborate with the high school, or at least with her high school kids from the shop in the summer to get them involved and to appreciate what we have here at the beach. Maybe send them on a tidal pool adventure, get involved with the Northwest Coast Trails Coalition, or collaborate with the high school on a surf club.

She says, “Growing up here, you need some encouragement to learn about the ocean, the trails, about where we live. Some kids are super ambitious. Other kids don’t have that. I was a shy kid and didn’t want to make waves. I was very much a fly on the wall. I wish someone would have taken my hand and said let’s go do this thing.”

About the shop

As you walk into Bahama Mama’s, the commingling scents of sunscreen and surfboard greet you. The layout feels more open and the merchandise looks right at home in the beautiful new building. Casey is still figuring out the optimal storage solution for the wetsuits and stashing of the bikes in the back of the building.

Casey estimates about 90 percent of her business to be tourists. A lot haven’t been to Manzanita or even the West Coast before. Locals come in when they need something specific or they have guests visiting from out of town. It’s the place to find Manzanita merchandise and name-brand surf wear and swimwear, sandals, sunglasses, lots of fun socks, and more.

Bahama Mama’s rents surfboards, boogie boards, and wetsuits, with daily and 3-day rates. Casey says that there are several local surfboard shapers and she will be excited to offer local shaped boards for sale on consignment.

The fun cycles from Casey’s youth are alive and well. She rents these three-wheeled beach trikes by the hour. Beach cruisers and 7-speed bikes rent by the hour, day, or 3-day period. They also rent wagons and beach chairs for visitors.

Casey and Terry are gearing up for the season and waiting for the spring weather to hit so they can throw open the doors, let the fresh air in, turn on some tunes, and allow shopping on the patio. Soon the pinwheels will be out on the deck.

I had to ask about the pinwheels that would always catch my eye walking by. Casey shared that she loved them as a kid and started bringing them into the store.

“A woman came in and bought a whole bundle. She said my friend is in the hospital and can’t have flowers, she has a window that the morning sun hits and refracts light. She was taking her a big vase of pinwheels. How great is that?”

In retrospect, Casey also added, “It would have been such a struggle to have tried to have done this on my own. Having a community and a family behind me to help support me in all of my ventures has been the only way I could have reached these goals.”

Bahama Mama’s is open every day from 10 am to 5 pm, except Thanksgiving and Christmas, with extended hours in the summer. Hours are 9 am - 6 pm for spring break. You can reach Casey at bahamabeachshop@gmail.com or call the store at 503.368.BIKE.

Steeplejack had a soft opening yesterday in Manzanita, exciting things are happening in Wheeler, and there’s one more weekend to see the Riverbend production of Stephen King’s Misery in Nehalem.

Read on for more food scene news and mark your calendar for the North Coast Whiskey Festival. Also, all library card holders (consider this your notice to get a card!) are invited to enter the Tillamook County Library Card Design Contest.

Coming to Wheeler: Hunky Dory Market + Deli

I am super excited to share that Wheeler is getting a deli. Not just any deli. A Hunky Dory Market and Deli at 687 Nehalem Blvd. LOVE the name! I met with owner Alaya Wyndham just this morning to hear about her plans for the “Pacific Northwest meets Italian deli” coming to Wheeler in late spring.

Alaya lives in Wheeler with her husband and their two sons. She has a background in the food industry and worked in wine and spirits for 10 years. After the birth of her first son, she went back to school in nutritional therapy, which ended up leading to teaching people to cook and owning a meal prep business in Portland during the pandemic. Food equity and access to quality nutrition are important to her, as well as supporting local farmers.

The front of the building will be a retail market offering a highly curated selection of fresh produce, eggs, butter, coffee, olive oils, and more. She’ll sell freshly made pizza dough and pasta, and eventually bread, all gluten free—but you won’t be able to tell that it’s gluten free. Wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizzas, sandwiches and paninis, a couple soups of the day, and other prepared food will be available in the deli and via online ordering.

In June they’ll start construction on a covered deck on the empty lot on the corner of Hall Street and the 101, complete with heat lamps to accommodate outside sitting with a view of the Bay. She hopes to be open every day except Sunday.

Alaya wants to know if there’s an item you think she should carry and what last minute items you’d like to be able to pick up for dinner. Drop her a line at hello@hunkydorymarket.com. Also, you can sign up for her newsletter on the website or follow along on Instagram to stay hunky.

Steeplejack softly opens

With much anticipation, Steeplejack quietly opened its doors yesterday afternoon. A little rain and several bouts of hail didn’t deter us locals. The front room seats about 20 people which was full when I was there and again when I drove by at dinnertime. There’s also a back room that seats about 16. The front patio will no doubt be hopping with more people when the warm weather arrives.

Because you want a burger … sorry, a bad photo of the current menu:

Looks like there will be happy hour specials and Wednesday is the “All Day Hometown Hook up” special giving you 15% off your bill. I know several people who went yesterday, and the verdict was “great burgers.”

Photography from local artist Kim Rose Adams

The wood walls inside Steeplejack are gorgeous and provide a natural backdrop for several pieces of North Coast and travel photography from local nature photographer and illustrator Kim Rose Adams.

Kim has lived in the PNW for 20 years, after moving here during Hurricane Katrina. She enjoys hiking in beautiful places, and says, “I actively read up on geology and the natural sciences to better understand my subject matter, so visiting places with volcanic features excites me!”

She is also an illustrator and has her own line of stickers with mostly the North Coast as inspiration. Several of her large photography pieces are available for purchase at Steeplejack, and you can also check out Kim’s work at Manzanita News & Espresso, Offshore Grill’s Coffee House, Pelican & Piper, Cloud & Leaf, or her Etsy store.

Don’t miss Misery

Our recent dark and stormy weather sets the mood for a Stephen King play, and specifically for the Riverbend Player’s production of Misery. I went to the Sunday matinee and am still thinking about the acting. Get tickets for the final productions on March 13, 14, 15.

Granted, Misery is not the typical Riverbend production. Not necessarily family friendly as it comes with a content advisory for adult language, psychological suspense, and moments of staged violence. But you don’t want to miss it if you’re a Stephen King fan and/or appreciate good acting. Having seen the movie, I knew what was coming yet still found it intense. The actors were very convincing. I could feel both characters. Author Paul Sheldon’s pain and the psychotic mind of “number one fan” Annie Wilkes.

The play is directed by Randy Schultz and with only three actors, is the smallest cast of a Riverbend play. Michelle Stern, who recently moved to Rockaway Beach from Seattle, makes her Riverbend Players debut as Annie. Jacob Merwin from Tillamook plays Paul Sheldon. Coincidentally, I met Jacob for the first time just days before when I visited Beach Beagle Print and Ship in Garibaldi. Jacob is also a park ranger at Nehalem Bay State Park. And Dawson Carter from Bayside Gardens is the perfect Sheriff Buster.

North Coast Whiskey Festival – Coming May 2

Mark your calendars for May 2 when Chip MacGregor kicks off the North Coast Whiskey Festival in Manzanita with whiskey tastings, classes, and more. The main event will be at The Pine Grove Community House with some classes and meetings to be held at local bars in town.

Chip has gathered a dozen or so of the finest whiskey distillers from around Oregon for this event. Whether you’re a whiskey newbie or a seasoned pro, it’s the perfect place to discover new flavors, meet fellow enthusiasts, and just have a great time. Don’t miss out on the fun, the stories, and the smooth pours.

Sure to sell out, tickets are available here. More about our very own Chip MacGregor.

More news on the food scene front

• Single Fin, the food truck replacing Rice & Shine in Wheeler, is shooting to open April 1 (or maybe earlier!) with a small menu focused on PNW seafood, ceviche, fish sandos, and coconut curry fish soups with gluten-free and dairy-free options. Follow Charles (former chef of Salmonberry) on social media for updates.

  

• Speaking of The Salmonberry, Deb Montgomery, Jesse Clark, and Shannon Steele, will be providing live music to go with your food on Monday, March 16 from 5-7 pm.

• Wheeler Whirl opens back up this Thursday, March 12 with new menu items and a Black Forest float.

• Coming soon … a little further away under the “Big G” with Fornax Pizza in Garibaldi, SeaBiscuit Kitchen will serve up breakfast sandwiches and tuna melts on scratch-made buttermilk biscuits.

• Rusty Moose is switching Game Night to Fridays starting this week, March 13.

  

Other business comings and goings

• Bahama Mama’s opened back up this past weekend in its new space, gearing up for spring break.

• Driftwood Collective is moving into the former Bahama Mama’s space and plans to open April 1 with a grand opening May 1. As the name indicates, the gallery will showcase a collection of artists across painting, sculpture, photography, ceramics, mixed media, and contemporary design.

• The Cove has unfortunately closed but owner Susan may have a few pop-ups with her remaining merchandise.

Design a new library card

Tillamook County Library patrons are invited to showcase their creativity by designing the next library card. They are looking for artwork that captures what makes our county special. Whether you’re an experienced designer or simply passionate about creating, enter your design by 6:00 pm on March 31. For rules, eligibility, and more info, visit: https://www.tillabook.org/LibraryCardContest.

You can pick up a form as well as drop off your design at any branch. And if you don’t have a current library card, stop in the Manzanita branch and talk with librarians Tara or Karli.

The Spinn is now open

If you were in Manzanita over the weekend and walked down Laneda, you may have seen the lights on in the window at The Spinn café. They had a soft opening this past Saturday and will be open irregular hours this week. Starting March 1, they will be open 8 am – 10 pm every day. Yep, seven days a week. A big round of applause.

Locals always get a 10 percent discount, but better yet, locals get 30 percent off for the first two weeks of March! Time to try all the menu options and crepes of every kind. I mentioned earlier that I enjoyed the prosciutto crepe. Friends (who unashamedly ordered two each) loved the lemon curd, berry, apple, and lox box crepes as well. The apple fennel salad was said to be “awesome.”

Sounds like a Yelp review, but one happy local named Kim told me, “The berry crepe was fresh and amazing. I took the apple crepe home. The space was bright, open, and aesthetically modern, so close to the beach! I love that the windows look out to the sidewalk for a socially connected feel. Can’t wait to try an affogato!”

If you’ve never had an affogato, it’s time. An affogato is traditionally a scoop of gelato, or Tillamook ice cream in this case, "drowned" in a shot of hot espresso.

Steeplejack opens March 9

If a good brew is what you’ve been waiting for, the wait is almost over. Steeplejack Brewing officially opens on Monday, March 9 in the old Neahkahnie Bistro space. Hours will be 12 – 8 pm Sunday through Thursday and 12 – 9 pm Friday and Saturday.

Still being finalized, the menu is small for now with plans to expand. Get ready to order from a handful of burgers, including a smash burger, a peanut butter-bacon number, and a Spicy Suzie. There will also be a chicken sandwich and a sausage sandwich, and fries of course. If you’re there for the beer, order the Manzanita Lager, a special signature beer created just for us that’s seasoned with sea salt.

Bahama Mama’s is on the move

You may have noticed that Bahama Mama’s is closed while owner Casey Henley moves the store to its new building next to The Winery at Manzanita. She plans to open her doors in the new space this coming weekend. If you need something in the meantime, reach out to Casey. I’ll be sharing more about Casey (who grew up in Manzanita) and her journey in a few weeks.

An aside, I just learned from Casey that Bahama Mama’s grew out of Manzanita Bikes and Boards about a decade ago. Apparently, there was a trend (that many of you who have been around longer than me already know) in naming businesses. Being a word person, I love it. There used to be Bread and Ocean, Salt & Paper, Bikes and Boards …

And of course, Cloud & Leaf.

Coming to Cloud & Leaf this spring

I was happy to see that my UO journalism professor and author Lauren Kessler will be in town March 28 reading from her memoir. Everything Changes Everything: Love, Loss, and a Really Long Walk is a memoir about her journey on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in Spain after the sudden deaths of her husband and daughter. Such great loss, which unfortunately so many people can relate to.

Also, in March in celebration of Women’s History Month, the Hoffman Center is hosting a special event with award-winning authors, Portlanders Lidia Yuknavitch and Monica Drake, to kick off the 2026 Manzanita Writers Series. Lidia and Monica will be reading from their newly released anthology The Big M: 13 Writers Take Back the Story of Menopause.

More info and tickets available here. Following the event, Holly is having a cocktail hour with the authors at Cloud & Leaf.

You can (and should!) buy these books at Cloud & Leaf, but did you know that you can also order books on Bookshop.org? Make sure to choose Cloud & Leaf as your favorite bookstore and they will receive the full profit from your purchases.

Estuary cleanup and killer whale events

The 14th Biennial Nehalem Estuary Cleanup is Sunday, March 8. Register to join one of 10 zone teams in a community-wide effort to collect marine debris from Nehalem Bay. Rise and shine (it’s also the switch to Daylight Savings) and meet zone leaders out in the estuary at 9 am. A volunteer celebration in Wheeler follows.

Cape Falcon Marine Reserve is celebrating its 10-year anniversary with two events on Saturday, Feb. 28. Part 1 is an “Ask the Experts: Marine Reserves + Killer Whales Panel Presentation” at NCRD.

Speakers will explain the differences between the three different killer whale ecotypes, dive into the benefits of marine reserves for killer whales and other endangered species, and talk about how to be an active steward of these important protected areas. Part 2 of the event is a “Searching for Killer Whales Watch Party” at Arch Cape. More info.

North Oregon Coast Symphony concerts

The North Oregon Coast Symphony continues its 2025-26 season with two family concerts in March titled “Adventures in Sound.”

• Saturday, March 14 at 3 pm in the Nehalem Elementary School Gym

• Sunday, March 15 at 3 pm at the Bob Chisholm Community Center in Seaside

The concerts feature Serge Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, the 1812 Overture by Tchaikovsky, Holst’s “Jupiter” from The Planets, Grieg’s “In the Hall of the Mountain King”, and Glière’s Russian Sailor’s Dance.

Local favorite Liz Cole, an award-winning stage and TV actor, will return as narrator.

Tickets are available at the door. $10 for adults, and ages 18 and under are free. For more information, visit nocsymphony.org.

Back to food, err sourdough

If you didn’t hop on the sourdough bandwagon during Covid, it’s not too late. Learn the basics of sourdough bread at the North Tillamook Library in Manzanita on Friday, Feb. 27 from 3 - 4 pm.

What brought you to the Oregon Coast?

The coast is not new to April. She is originally from a tiny town in San Luis Obispo County on the central coast of California and basically grew up at the beach. Her dad had her in the water teaching her how to surf at a very young age. Her high school was the closest high school to the beach in the continental United States.

She started working as a journalist when she was 18, while she was still a college student at University of California, Santa Cruz. She also met her now-husband Jesse Andrew Clark during this time. With very strong values and ethics, April was determined to be an independent journalist, not a corporate journalist. She wrote for and later became a managing editor with the Independent Media Institute in Berkeley, which edits and syndicates articles by independent journalists for publication in national and global outlets. She also freelanced for the San Francisco Chronicle and a variety of other news outlets and magazines. After working as a journalist for about 16 years, she became burned out. She still edits books but became passionate about yoga, something her mom was also into.

“I began my yoga teaching career after training with Yoga Tree in early 2015, an institute in the Bay Area where great yoga teachers, many world-renowned, taught and offered a training program,” she said.

Simultaneously, while living in the Bay Area she was guided by dreams and visions of lush green gardens and a deep, perhaps subconscious feeling of being pulled North.

Having never been to Oregon or any further north than Humboldt County, they took a road trip in the winter and ended up landing in the west hills of Portland in 2015. Here she focused on yoga, teaching many classes all over the city and surrounding areas.

“We were married in 2019 when I was 30, after living and loving together for about a decade, and actually had our honeymoon here in Nehalem,” said April. Neither of them had visited before, but they both had an eerie feeling of belonging and at one point simultaneously said to each other, “I could see us living here someday.”

They thought someday meant retirement age, but life had other plans.

Covid ended up changing the trajectory of their lives. April got very sick with what was most likely Covid, but tests weren’t available yet. In early 2020, she was finally diagnosed with myocarditis, heart inflammation caused by a virus, and suffered from severe brain fog, loss of appetite, and extreme insomnia.

“I was completely bedridden for a full year. I couldn’t even stand long enough to wash a dish,” explained April.

She says she felt pulled to the ocean and told her husband in a delirium of sleeplessness, “I won’t be able to heal here. I have to go to the sea.”

As she slowly was beginning to heal, they found and bought their house and moved to Nehalem.

“I healed quickly once I was at the coast,” she says.

It turns out that things worked out well for Jesse to live on the Oregon Coast too. Jesse is a documentary filmmaker. He won an Emmy for the Covenant of the Salmon People, a cultural portrait of the Nez Perce tribe fighting for a way of life they have sustained for millennia. Jesse also recently joined the board of the Lower Nehalem Community Trust, where he is part of several committees and also contributes film and media.

April says, “Obviously we love it here. We decided to have a baby and raise our child here and open a business here.”

How did Sea Dream come to be?

When I asked April how Sea Dream was created, she said “The journey of healing kind of changed me.” She describes it as a crazy two to three-year journey that saw the death of an old self and saw her emerge differently.

She’s no longer afraid to identify with the feminine arts, such as intuitive connection and knowing, intrinsic energy fields, dreams, and heart connections, that society often belittles and tries to make trite.

Living near the ocean again, she started looking for a place where she could have yoga classes, and she always wanted a retail shop. Whales and the sea frequented her dreams, perhaps the building where Sea Dream currently is housed was talking to her. She learned about the space coming up for rent and it felt meant-to-be.

Her business, Sea Dream, had a home. The name coming no doubt from those whale dreams and the idea that the river, where Sea Dream is located, is always dreaming of the sea.

“It all felt very magical,” she said. “I feel like a lot of people who wind up here at the coast feel called in some way. Neahkahnie Mountain draws you here. It really drew me in, feels mystical.”

In March of 2024 when she was newly pregnant, she opened Sea Dream, a dreamy space in the old whiskey distillery space in Nehalem. Initially a retail shop that transformed on occasion into a space for yoga, Reiki, and sound bowls, it became a full-time yoga space during her daughter’s first year of life. Now Sea Dream is going back to a mix of retail, yoga, and more.

How is Sea Dream changing?

When Sea Dream officially opens back up the first weekend in March, it will offer a lovingly curated and cultivated selection of goods and offerings that support your home, body, creativity, and inner/spiritual life.

“Sea Dream 2.0” as April affectionately calls her new and improved business, is meant to help people find peace and spiritual grounding, and about feeling good in your body, home, and life.

The shelves around the perimeter of the building will hold candles, body care products, crystals, sage bundles, and other things that help your home and life feel good, as well as wellness and healing products. The empty space in the middle of the building will host workshops, and additional displays holding clothes and other merchandise can be rolled out from the back room on shop days.

It’s important to April to offer brands that she knows well and has a personal connection with. Many of the offerings are created locally and/or sourced directly from small artisans and artist friends and family. Everything in the shop is ethically sourced.

Weekends will be “shop days,” and once a week, April will shift the space into a “workshop space” with a variety of offerings taught by local people. The biggest difference with her shop is that the workshops will expand from yoga and healing offerings to also include arts and crafts. She’s already hosted her first seed exchange. Look for additional workshops on propagation, herbalism, wine and painting nights, and other art workshops.

April wants her space to be a community space where people can gather and have small group events or lectures. She says, “Talk to me about your ideas. I want this space to really be used, be available to people.”

She hopes to supplement free events with higher priced events such as mini retreats in the summer. “It’s important to me that there’s a low bar to entry to some of the workshops so everyone can afford to come, especially if you feel called to something.” She offers a sliding scale and scholarships for people who need it.

Sea Dream will continue to host yoga studio classes through the end of February. If you missed the soft launch pop-up on Valentines Day, make sure to follow April on Instagram for grand opening details in early March.

The plan is for the retail shop to be open from 11 am – 4 pm, Fridays through Sundays, and possibly more days once summer hits. Also, you can sign up for classes and workshops at https://www.seadreamyoga.com/signup.

How important is community and supporting local to you?

April stressed how invaluable community is to the operation of a tiny local business and that when you’re a small family business, business is actually deeply personal, even though society teaches us to believe the opposite.

“We’re trying to create a space that is truly for healing—at every level—which means paying teachers equitably and encouraging a cooperative and collaborative way of business,” said April. “While these ideas are not the mainstream narratives nor what we are shown examples of often in our modern world, I firmly believe we can be successful in business while keeping heart and soul intact and caring for people over profits.”

We talked about how the word economy means “home” in the original derivation of the word. April learned about this when she was working alongside Jodie Evans from CODEPINK, and they co-created and edited The Local Peace Economy Workbook and accompanying website. Peace economies prioritize things like community well-being, mutual aid, and raising each other up.

“I think localizing our economies as much as we can, supporting each other, and moving towards collaboration rather than a scarcity mindset of individualism, is the only pathway towards the world we need to create and live into,” said April.

“At the deepest part of my core, I believe, especially in a small town like this but really in every community, we come up with everybody succeeding. There is no competition for what you are bringing to this community.”

“More and more we need to lean on community to help each other, lean on each other, be a spiderweb netting of support and strength for each other,” she continued. “The more we can light each other up and highlight each other, not see each other as competitors but see each other as a network of support and cross-pollination, the better we are all going to do, and make our way through these times.”

“That’s one of my favorite things about this area – it’s already so embedded into the culture,” said April. “Community support and connection are already so much a part of it. Every day I could cry for gratitude of landing here.”

The Offshore Grill Coffee House quietly opened its doors on Superbowl Sunday. They are now serving coffee out of the adjacent, freshly remodeled space that was previously the bookstore. The new space has counter seating and a few tabletops surrounded by retail. They’ll be open the same hours as the restaurant, 7 am – 8 pm Wednesdays through Sundays. Score!

The Spinn Café: Coffee, Cocktails & Crepes

I had the pleasure of seeing a little behind-the-scenes action at The Spinn Café (located in the old lobby area of The Spindrift) in Manzanita last Friday. The paper is off the windows, they’re awaiting final inspections, and recipe development is deliciously underway.

The 4-1-1 on food and drink, to whet your appetite:

Crepes for any time of day: Savory crepes (imagine prosciutto, Dijon, and Gruyère). Okay, I may have been a taste tester for this one. It hit the spot, with arugula on top. Next time I’ll choose a sweet crepe from chocolate, Nutella, fresh fruit, and whipped cream options.

Build-your-own charcuterie boards: Choose from items such as crackers, GF crackers, cheeses, smoked oysters, salami, salmon. You get the idea.

Salads: TBD but the crew is leaning toward offering an Italian chopped salad, a smoked salmon dill number, and some type of apple bleu cheese salad. Pass me a fork!

The great news is that they’ll be open from 8 am to 10 pm seven days a week. Yep, you heard that right.

Thirsty?

For coffee snobs who know, they have a beautiful Slayer espresso machine from which organic coffee drinks will be made with beans from Columbia River Coffee Roaster in Astoria. The wine bar is stocked with all Oregon wines. Plus, there will be craft cocktails, beer, cider, nitro cold brew, and a sparkling lemonade on tap. For dessert there’s an affogato menu with root beer and marionberry float options as well.

The new configuration seats about 30 people made up of a few tables in the center with counter seating around the perimeter so you can watch the tourists go by while enjoying your local’s discount.

The official opening date is sometime in March but keep an eye out for the doors to be open periodically beforehand if they pass their inspections earlier. Watch their Instagram page for updates.

Movin’ on up the street

You may see Casey from Bahama Mama’s moving out soon. She’s shutting her old doors and opening her new doors next to the winery … bear with them since they may be closed for a few days to accommodate the move. And stay tuned for more about the new shop next month.

Over in Nehalem …

Sea Dream is quietly opening its doors this week. On Friday, Feb. 13 from 12 pm – 3 pm, they are hosting a free Seed Swap.

Show up with saved seeds that have done well in your local gardens and be ready to exchange your seeds and share knowledge and resources. No experience with seed saving or propagation is necessary. A fun seed-related art activity is also planned.

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And on Saturday, Feb. 14, make sure to stop in for a Valentine’s Day pop-up sneak peek. Sea Dream is officially opening in March with new retail and expanded workshops. (Pssst. Also, April Clark will be featured in the Community Member Profile next week!)

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Riverbend Players 2026 season open for business

The Riverbend Players are throwing open their doors to the 2026 season of theatre! Tickets are available now for specific plays or save 20 percent when you buy a season pass. Stephen King’s Misery is the March production. You won’t want to miss Oscar and Felix in The Odd Couple this June. Dracula is September’s play, and December brings the Riverbend Player’s first musical production, Winter Wonderettes.

Real life theatre – the floods of 1996

History buffs, long-time locals, and even newbies won’t want to miss an afternoon with the Nehalem Valley Historical Society (NVHS) when they look back 30 years ago at the floods of 1996. NVHS will host a panel presentation by Mark Beach and Vivi Tallman, and everyone is invited to share stories of the flood and hear how the community came together during this time of destruction. Tickets are $10 at the door, with proceeds benefitting NVHS education programs.

Lower Nehalem Community Trust news

LNCT 2026 Community Garden Registration is open through Feb. 14. Visit the Community Garden webpage to learn more and sign up now. If you are looking for a way to make a positive impact on local nutrition access or have ever wanted to learn to grow more of your own food, this is your opportunity!

Located at Alder Creek Farm and natural area in Nehalem, the LNCT Community Garden season runs from late February through October with “work parties” on Tuesdays and Saturdays, 9 am - noon, rain or shine. All are welcome, with no prior garden experience necessary.

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Sponsors needed for Estuary Cleanup year — Every two years, LNCT, the Nehalem Bay Watershed Council, and Heart of Cartm host a community-wide cleanup of Nehalem Bay that engages around 100 locals and visitors in cleaning up the estuary. The 14^th Biennial Nehalem Estuary Cleanup is scheduled for Sunday, March 8.

LNCT is still seeking sponsorships, which can be in the form of a cash contribution, (which provides the greatest flexibility for event needs), or an in-kind donation such as food, services, supplies, or volunteer appreciation gifts. Posting a flyer at your business and/or promoting the cleanup on your social media channels is also very much appreciated.

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Plus, don’t miss the Estuary Storytelling Evening on Wednesday, Feb. 18 from 5 pm – 8 pm at Heartworks Studio in Wheeler.

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For Valentine’s Day, National Random Acts of Kindness Day, and any day … kindness goes a long way.

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In just a few days, we’ll be turning our calendars to February, the month of love, and soon Punxsutawney Phil will emerge looking for his shadow. A smile comes to my face when I see the daffodils in my yard poking their yellow heads out through the dirt, signifying hope and resilience.

Below is a short roundup of local happenings. Scroll to the end for a link to the recipe for World Peace Cookies, because don’t we all need cookies? But first, today is Fire Service Appreciation Day in Oregon! Thank you to all the members of Nehalem Bay Fire & Rescue for keeping our community safe.

Flower power

The North Tillamook County Women’s Association (NTCWA) monthly meeting at Pine Grove Community House will include a presentation highlighting River City Flower Farm and the craft of flower farming. The event starts at 11:30 am on Feb. 3 and is open to all.

Calling all cupids. Sarah at Neahkahnie Blooms is taking Valentine’s Day pre-orders. She is closed from Jan. 31 – Feb. 2, but she’ll open on Feb. 3 to accept your orders up until Feb. 9. Men, plan accordingly.

Have a heart

It’s time for the NCRD “Pop Goes the Heart” annual fundraising event. Buy a chance to pop a balloon and win prizes at the wine and cheese reception from 6 – 8 pm on Saturday, Feb. 7. All proceeds collected or donated will go directly toward member scholarships and new fitness equipment, helping Friends of NCRD continue to serve our community and expand access to recreation for everyone.

Reminder — Artists can still submit their artwork at NCRD for Art for the Heart on Thursday, Jan. 29, 9 am – 7 pm or on Friday, Jan. 30 from 9 am – 3 pm. The exhibition opens on Feb. 1 at 1 pm.

The Hoffman Center February gallery opening reception is Saturday, Feb. 7 from 3 – 5 pm and features works by Brenda Fugle, Claudia Hollister, and Alison Dougherty.

On Feb. 11, you can drop in at the Hoffman Center for a visual arts workshop with Ben Rosenberg. Get ready to make one-of-a-kind Valentines with a wide range of inks, paints, papers, collage materials, drawing media, crayons, and pastels.

Eat your heart out

Don’t forget, the 16th Annual PIE DAY auction and feast is Saturday, Feb. 7 at White Clover Grange Hall. Sample the cooking talents of 50 local bakers and restaurants. There will be berry, apple, meringue, cream, and chocolate pies, as well as meat and other savory creations, (+ gluten free options). I’m told the pies are magnificent.

Play with heart — Super Bowl LX

The San Dune Pub opened early for the playoff game last weekend so I’m pretty sure they’ll be in full swing for the Super Bowl (Go Hawks!), which airs at 3:30 pm on Sunday, Feb. 8. Watch their Facebook page for updates.

It’s still a bit early to know, but I’m guessing Little Apple will have some great game day snacks to pick up, and it’s hard to compete with the smoked salmon from Neahkahnie Smokehouse.

Flea market in Wheeler

Don’t miss the first annual flea market in Wheeler inside the Old Wheeler Hotel. Artisans, antique dealers, and crafts people will be selling their wares from 11 am – 4 pm daily during the weekend of Feb. 13 - 15.

Changes at Sea Dream

Exciting things are happening at the Sea Dream yoga studio in Nehalem. Watch for the reopening of their new and improved retail shop coming in March. Owner April Clark is planning a party to celebrate!

Weekly wellness and yoga workshops and arts and crafts workshops will be available. Sign up for her mailing list on the Sea Dream home page to stay in the know. Also … coming in February … I’ll be talking with April and telling you more.

A little extra

If you are one who gets comfort from being in the kitchen, now would be a good time to make World Peace Cookies. If it were only that simple.

Bake World Peace Cookies