Discovering Westport

Plan Fourth of July at the Beach

2011-06-23T10:11:00.000-07:00

One of our favorite times at the Beach is the Fourth of July. We are usually just getting used to the summer days, Westport is finally bright and noisy with visitors and fishermen, and everyday the giant American flag flies proudly over the Maritime Museum visible from our house miles away.

We love to dress the kids in their matching red, white & blue and head down to the presentation of the colors by the U.S. Coast Guard Grays Harbor at the Maritime Museum. The Old Fashioned Fourth of July is one of those events that makes me thankful as a parent to live in a small town.

This year, according to Westport-South Beach Historical Society president Peggy Coverdale, visitors can enjoy musical entertainment with Captain Pete’s Lollapalooza (Pete Darrah of the Wilapa Seaport Museum & percussionist for the Grays Harbor Banjo Band), a magic show (amazing tricks and outrageous fun with magician Jeff Evans) a cake walk, clowns, children's games, face painting, vendors, a plant sale, silent auction, hot dogs, strawberry shortcake and root beer floats at the former Coast Guard Lifeboat Station.

The 4th will also mark the opening of a special exhibit of limited edition Lighthouses by Harbour Lights. The collection was recently donated by Gretchen and John Lamb of Aberdeen and is valued at more than $10,000. The Destruction Island Lens Building will be open, providing visitors an opportunity to examine a first order Fresnel lens up close. The museum itself will also be open from 10AM until 4PM on July 4.

The Maritime Museum is located in Westport’s Marina District. The Westport-South Beach Historical Society operates the museum and is presenting its 17th annual "Old Fashioned Fourth." Museum admission will be $5 for adults and $2 for children under age 12. There is no charge for admission onto the grounds and access to the events.

When the Maritime Museum's Old Fashioned Fourth is over at 4PM, visitors can enjoy a dinner in one of Westport's many restaurants or stroll on the waterfront, until the Shoalwater Bay Casino presents the South Beach community's spectacular fireworks demonstration. The exhibition will beginning at 10PM in Tokeland—where the fireworks will light up the skies.

We will probably hit the beach after dark, and watch the amateur pyrotechnics go wild with their fireworks, make a fire, and have too many smores. The boys love to eat food they cooked on sticks :) The beach on the 4th, with all the families, the campfires, the fireworks, is quite a sight. Somehow, the next day, it all gets cleaned back up.

Where ever you go on the 4th, have a great one! See ya at the beach!

Rusty Scupper Pirate Daze 2011 - Tentative Schedule

2011-05-24T09:24:00.000-07:00

If you've not visited Westport for the Rusty Scupper Pirate Daze festival, you need to make plans now to come down to the beach from June 24 - 26 and check out this event. It's entertaining, family friendly, and really a one-of-a-kind festival. Particularly with this year's launch of the new Pirates of the Caribbean movie, it should be a great event.

New for this year will be the Pirates Breakfast at Half Moon Bay Bar & Grill and an inflatable bounce house amusement area near Scallywag Alley (Scallywag alley is an area for kids games. All games are $0.50 each).

Also, during this weekend, the Maritime Museum and Washington's Tallest Lighthouse are charging reduced admission of $2 to enter either attraction! That's half the normal price!

Here is the tentative schedule, updates will be posted as they are available:

Friday, June 24, 2011

12:00 Noon Festival opens with pirates, vendors, games in Scallywag Alley, inflatable amusements for children, train rides, Sword Balloons,.

1:00 PM Northwest Gypsy Quest Belly dancers perform on the street by the Main Stage; Rusty Scupper Pirate Band performs on the Buccaneer Stage; Captain Arr performs next to the Islander

1:30 PM Mini Brig Battle - Jade Dragon Pirates

2:00 PM Boom Pirates Black Powder Demonstrations (definitely worth watching)

4:30 PM Jade Dragon Pirates - Swordfights with Children

6:00 PM Pirates of the Caribbean Characters Contest.

7:00 PM Pirate After Party @ Viking Bowl

Saturday, June 25, 2011 (Entertainment on various stages goes on all day)

8:00 - 11:00AM Pirate Breakfast at Half Moon Bay Bar & Grill ($5/person if dressed in pirate garb; $8/person if dressed in street clothes)

10:00 AM Pirate Daze street fair opens

10:45 AM Pirates invade Westport

11:15 Pirates & Scallywag costume contest/Boom Pirates Black Powder Demonstration

11:30 Jade Dragon Swordfights

11:45 Treasure Chest Drawings

2:00 Folk Style Belly Dancers on Main Stage

3:15 Mini Brigs Demonstration & Play Comedy Pirates in Red Pants Performance

4:00 Hops Ahoy Belly Dancers

4:30 Vintage Costume Contest

6:30 Jade Pirates Wedding Vow Renewal

7:00 Pirate Potluck @ Viking Bowl

Sunday, June 26, 2011 (Entertainment on various stages goes on all day)

8:00 - 11:00AM Pirate Breakfast at Half Moon Bay Bar & Grill ($5/person if dressed in pirate garb; $8/person if dressed in street clothes)

10:00 AM Pirate Daze street fair opens

10:30 AM Belly Dancers Performance

10:45 Professional Pirate and Scallywags Contest

11:30 Treasure Chest Drawings

11:45 Salty Dog Costume Contest

12;00 Mini Brig Battle

2:00 Pirates on Parade!

4:00 Closing Announcements

New Commerical for Westport Washington Tourism

2011-05-24T08:52:00.000-07:00

Have you seen the new Westport commercial? Now airing on... well, I don't really know where its airing, but a friend whose daughter is in it posted it on Facebook. It's cute. Watch it!

Take a Little Vacation from Howell at the Moon Productions on Vimeo.

NW Backroads filming in Westport, Washington

2011-05-23T20:54:00.000-07:00

"Northwest Backroads" is a weekly outdoor magazine show highlighting the people, places and things that make the Pacific Northwest unique. Its goal is to give viewers a leg up when looking for that perfect vacation spot, hidden getaway or interesting tidbit of Northwest culture.

So today they filmed at the lighthouse, the Maritime Museum, Seafood Connection on Float 8, and on the Islander Patio while having lunch at the Half Moon Bay Bar & Grill. Lunch is always a little more fun when you have cameras in your face!

Look for Westport on a future NW Backroads episode!

Lacey Resident Hooks 133 lb Halibut off Westport

2011-05-23T09:21:00.000-07:00

It's been a strong Halibut season, which is coming to a close here this week. Most of the folks we've been talking to were catching halibut in the 30 - 40 pound range. One of our guests caught a 54 pounder. But this one take the cake!!

It took Mike Homes of Lacey more than an hour to reel in this 133 pound halibut near the shore area off Westport. That's a lot of Halibut fillets!!

Westport Charter Boat Association supports sustainable recreational fishing with the following schedule of directed and open fishing days in 2011:

· Rockfish – limit ten and open year round

· Lingcod (limit two now through 10/15/11)

· Halibut on Sunday and Tuesday to 5/29/11 as directed

· Salmon season is open 6/18/11 to 9/18/11 (limit is two) with the first 8 days, through 6/28/11 as Chinook-only days. During this period the Chinook must be hatchery fish (missing adipose fin).

· Salmon fishing for all species starts 6/26/11 (limit is two), Sunday through Thursday only. Coho must have an adipose fin clip. All Chinook may be retained

· Tuna starts early July to mid October, 7 days per week.

Ryland Akana from Po'okela Street Band to play in Westport at Half Moon Bay Bar & Grill

2011-04-19T12:13:00.001-07:00

This Friday & Saturday night (April 22/23), from 8pm - close, Ryland Akana, lead singer of the Po'okela Street Band will be giving solo performances at the Half Moon Bay Bar & Grill. Bruddah Ry is the originator and front man of PSB, and has been performing professionally for 30+ years. Along with the others in the group, Ry is instrumental in writing and the arrangement of all PSB music. His musical influences stem from from "grass roots" Hawaiian music and artists such as Hawaiian slack-key icon "Pops" Gabby Pahinui, the Sons of Hawai'i and Olomana. His appreciation for contemporary music came from Hawaiian national recording artists Cecilio & Kapono, and Kalapana. The passion for Reggae music was influenced by, none other than the Godfather of reggae music himself, Bob Marley.

During his performances, the Half Moon Bay Bar & Grill will be donating $1 from all Kona draft beer purchases to the Surfrider Foundation to support their Clean Water Classic Surf Contest which will take place in Westport May 13 - 15.

Hawaiian drink and dinner specials will also be offered both nights.

Westport’s 24th Annual World-Class Crab Races & Crab Feed - Saturday, April 16, 2011

2011-04-14T09:59:00.000-07:00

It's the 2nd weekend of April and in Westport, that means CRAB RACES!! It brings back memories of my previous life, as a big city dweller, a group of coworkers and I used to go to a place called Brennan's Pub, in Marina del Rey. Every Thursday night Brennan's ran Turtle Races, which was a crazy event where for $1 you could choose a "racing turtle" as your own. Each participant would place their racer down in the center of a circle (on the Brennan's outside patio) and then everyone would yell at their chosen turtle until one of them reached the outside circumfrence, thus being declared the winner. Prizes were awarded out of a giant trash bag, and were not anything you could discuss in polite company. It was crazy, and the liberal vegan that I was at the time found it really wrong. But the beer was cheap, it was walking distance from my office, so I witnessed a lot more Turtle Races than I care to admit.

The point is that this weekend is Westport's version of that event. At the Crab Pavilion, a giant tent set up in the Marina district for this event, anyone can register and borrow a racer crab for $3. When your heat is called, racing human places racer crab on a slanted table and the racing human pounds on the table and yells at his crab and the first crab to slide to the bottom of the table is declared the winner! Again, lots of fun for those who are into it, mixed with possible feelings of conflicted guilt if you're an animal lover, with any misgivings removed by the time you take your first bite of the fresh Dungeness Crab from the Crab Feed.

If this sounds at all intriguing to you, below is the Westport Chamber's description of the event with all the details. Rain or shine, hit the coast for the 24th Annual Westport Crab Races and Crab Feed on Saturday, April 16, 2011.

Festivities are centered at the Crab Pavilion, with admission just $2 per person for live music by Catch of the Day, and the main attraction - "World Class Crab Races!" Then dig into the tastiest, freshest local Dungeness Crab dinner you'll ever have, with all the trimmings (just $10 for half or $15 for a whole portion).

Enter the Crab Pavilion for the event - Westport's World Class Crab Races run from 1pm to 5pm - sign up starts at 11am. Select a racer from one of our field of draft picks ($3 registration gets you a crab that's been training since their last molt), or you can bring your own fresh racing crab if you prefer. Racing registation begins at 11am and the heats start at 1pm. Lots of prices donated by local merchants are up for grabs in this annual fun event.

The crab feed will go from 11am to 5pm. The dinner ($10 for half a crab/$15 for a whole crab) includes assorted salads, baked beans, and garlic bread, plus coffee or a soft drink. Hot dogs and other beverages, including beer & wine will also be available for sale. If you prefer to catch your own, take part in sport crabbing right off the docks or the fisherman's boardwalk any time during the season. Westport is home to the most delicious Dungeness Crab you'll find anywhere in the world.

Whale of a Sale - Collectibles & Junque - A whole pod of things you can't live without!

2011-04-12T12:13:00.000-07:00

As if there wasn't enough to do in Westport this weekend, the Westport South Beach Historical Society will be putting on their "Whale of a Sale" on Saturday & Sunday, April 16 & 17 from 9am - 5pm at the Westport Maritime Museum on the Marina. There will be Toys & Games, Sporting Goods, Books, Pet Supplies, Jewelry, Small Appliances, Household Goods, Small Furniture, and more!

The proceeds will benefit the Historical Society, who are the caretakers of Washington's Tallest Lighthouse & the Maritime Museum on the Marina.

Watercolors & Wine - Monday's July 25 - August 22 @ the Winery

2011-04-11T14:02:00.000-07:00

I was always one of those kids that got an "E" for effort in art and all things creative. Actually it more of an "E" for save your effort for something you might actually be good at, like math. I was always a left brained gal, but as I get older, certain things that were off limits for me are becoming interesting.... things like layups, the idea of running marathons, and painting pretty pictures.

So maybe the 26.2 miles will have to wait until my kids can get them selves ready in the morning without my assistance, but the Winery has an interesting offering this summer that I might just have to schedule around. Ken Mitchell will be giving a 5 week (1Monday each week) workshop on watercolors, and it just sounds like a lot of fun. The last time I held a paintbrush and a cocktail at the same time did result in disaster, but still, I'm a lot older now.

Anyway, the details are below, you can get more info directly from the source. Maybe I'll see you there!

Artists of all stripes are invited to join renowned watercolor instructor Ken Mitchell in a watercolor workshop this summer at Westport Winery. This course will be held in the winery’s gathering room over five Mondays, July 25, August 1, 8, 15, and 22, from 9am to 4pm. This course is for all levels, from beginners to experienced artists. The final class will include a group critique which students may invite guests to attend. Mitchell has a BA and MA in Fine Arts from Colorado State University. He has taught art at all levels for the past 30 years and has won numbers awards for his watercolor and oil paintings. From murals to stage sets to illustrations, Ken has excelled as a professional artist his entire life as he has also taught others the techniques to pursue their own dreams. The course fee for this class is $100. This fee includes instruction only. Students need to bring their own paper, pencils, watercolors, brushes, and non-glass containers. Lunch is available to purchase during class. Sack lunches and outside food and drinks are not allowed. Students need to provide the following supplies. These can be purchased from Cheap Joe's Art Stuff at 374 Industrial Park Dr., Boone, N.C. 28607 (1-800-227-2788) or Daniel Smith Art Supply at 4150 First Ave. South, Seattle, WA 98134 (206-223-9599) or online. 1. Watercolor paper: white 140 or 300 lb., 2 sheets 22"x30", cold press (we will be cutting them into 2-4 sheets each during workshop). 2. Brushes—synthetic, blend or sable (synthetics and blends are less costly). Rounds #0, #4, #10 and a flat 1-1/2" or any brushes you prefer if already a painter. 3. Beginner should look for the seven colors with a * after them. All paints are in 15ml tubes. Ken prefers Windsor Newton, Grumbacher or Daniel Smith brand paints: yellow (aureolin*), orange (cadmium yellow), red (alizarin crimson*, rose madder* or Indian red), violet (permanent mauve or mauve), green (Hooker's green and sap green*), blue (cobalt blue or Joe's blue* or ultramarine blue* or cerulean blue or manganese blue), brown (burnt umber*), and white (Chinese white). 4. 16"x 12" plastic (no glass please) watercolor palette or a large white plastic plate or similar size 5. Water container (medium sized plastic cup like a white plastic butter container) 6. Roll of paper towels 7. Other--painting sponge, additional painting equipment or materials you normally use (if you already paint), a board to tape your paper to (optional) and a roll of masking tape (optional).

Close up Eagle!

2011-04-11T13:34:00.000-07:00

Eagle on the beach - enjoying the sunshine. There isn't really much more you can say about this one - what a sight!!

5th Annual Tokeland/Northcove Studio Tour

2011-04-10T11:25:00.000-07:00

Artists from the Tokeland area are proud to present their fifth annual art studio tour on Saturday, April 16 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This free annual event showcases the diverse talents of 15 artists, working in a variety of media including: painting, photography, ceramics, metalsmithing and furniture.

Judith Altruda’s jewelry studio will showcase her recent work with anticlastic forming, a technique originating in the Bronze Age for shaping metal. She will have hammered cuff bracelets in copper and bronze, etched silver and gold rings set with sea glass, ancient Greek coins and gemstones.

The Mann Studio, headquarters of Wally and Marlene Mann, will show recent works in acrylic and oil painting and pastels.

Knock on Wood, the workshop of Jeffro Uitto, will have driftwood furniture, including benches and chairs.

Sharing the space with Uitto will be Shoalwater Bay tribal artist Earl Davis, who will show carvings and native masks.

Merrill Photography, studio of photographer Marcy Merrill, will be demonstrating colloidal wet plate photography, an early photographic process dating from the 1850s. The effect is that of an old fashioned “tin type.” Marcy will have a photo booth set up in her studio to take pictures of visitors.

At the Tokeland Hotel, artists Brad Saunders and Emily Maldonado will have lamp work beads and native cedar flutes.

Kennedy Creek Pottery focuses on sculptural ceramics with functional and decorative work, and Kimmi Kerns will have graphic designed tile work.

Bev King Lufkin, plein air painter, will present a new series of hand colored pen and ink sketches of the South Beach and watercolors. Janet Karlsson and Barbara Sampson will have watercolor paintings, with Sampson demonstrating watercolor techniques throughout the day.

Free maps showing the studio locations can be picked up at the Tokeland Hotel, the Westport Chamber of Commerce and local businesses in the South Beach area.

Music by Elias at Half Moon Bay

2011-03-15T00:50:00.000-07:00

Confirmed!! Elias Kauhane will be entertaining with live Hawaiian music at the Half Moon Bay Bar and Grill on Saturday, March 26. Details to follow, but if you've never had the opportunity to hear the sweet sounds of an acoustic ukulele and hawaiian melodies, you should make it a point to come see him sing & play on March 26!

Whales Breaching off Westport Marina

2011-03-12T11:15:00.000-08:00

More than 20,000 California gray whales swim along the Washington coast from March to the end of May every year on their 5,000 mile trek from Baja to the Bering Sea. Gray whales up to 52 feet long and weighing up 36 tons can be seen just off Westport marina.

Westport locals say to bring binoculars for the best onshore whale watching from the beach at Westport Light State Park. Or visitors can reserve ahead for one of the Westport whale watching excursions that often find gray whales just outside the marina entrance.

Whale watching excursion boats are based in the Westport marina, taking visitors on a 2-2 ½ hour cruise to view gray whales from the water at a safe distance. All of whale-watching boats are fully US Coast Guard certified and inspected, and have the latest safety equipment onboard.

Westport excursion skippers often see whales returning year after year like ‘Old Spot,’ the elder male, who generally shows up early in the season. Gray whales are mainly seen just outside Westport harbor in a place locals call ‘The Whale Hole’ where they rest on their journey north.

Westport is located on the Washington coast in Grays Harbor County where boat building, sport fishing, and commercial fishing traditions dating back to the turn of the century live side by side with surfers catching waves on Half Moon Bay, and fun along Westport’s 18-mile sandy beach. Visitors can tour the Westport Maritime Museum, enjoy ocean views from the South Beach jetty and the Westport Viewing Tower, or the historic Gray’s Harbor Lighthouse, Washington’s tallest and third tallest lighthouse on the Pacific Coast.

Winery Eclipse Concert Series Starts on June 26!

2010-06-07T12:05:00.000-07:00

Tickets for Westport Winery’s Eclipse Concert on Saturday, June 26 are now on sale. This evening of music, food, wine, art, and lunar magic begins with hors d’oeuvres at 6p.m. The Ericka Corban band will begin playing at 7p.m. Guests may purchase wine, beer, and sodas before and during the concert. This is the first of the winery’s Twilight Concert series held outdoors in the gardens adjacent to the vineyards.

Westport Winery’s much anticipated new red wine Bella, will be released for its first tasting at this event. Bella is a bold blend of Tempranillo, Primitivo, Refosco, Barbera, Merlot and Syrah, barrel-aged to perfection. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this wine benefits the Mt. Rainier Chapter of the American Red Cross.

In addition to music from the Twilight movie, the band will be performing rock, jazz, country, and original songs by Ericka Corban. The other members of her band are Mattaniah on the ukulele and accordion, Mike Peterson on drums and percussion, Jeff Perrin on the bass guitar, and Joe Perry on the electric guitar.

At 6p.m. that evening the Roberts family will unveil the latest commissioned art in their sculpture garden by Mike Peterson a renowned metal artist (and drummer in the band). Peterson elected to create a sculpture for the wine Shorebird Chardonnay. This wine benefits the Grays Harbor Audubon Society.

The price to attend the concert is $20 per person and space is limited. Tickets include the concert and hors d’oeuvres. All ages are welcome at the winery which is open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. for wine, cheese, chocolate and charcuterie tasting. In case of inclement weather the performances may be moved indoors. Westport Winery is located on the corner of Highway 105 and South Arbor Road (halfway between Aberdeen and the Westport ‘Y’). For more information call Westport Winery at 648-2224.

Destination Turin Culinary class at the Westport Winery

2010-02-10T12:33:00.000-08:00

Even though we've been having amazing warm and sunny weather the past few weeks, February and Valentine's day always causes me a bit of wanderlust. Just as I was imagining a week abroad, I recieved this announcement for a cooking class featuring the Piedmont region of Italy. I will admit, I had to look up Turin, but it sounds wonderful. If you're experiencing some wanderlust, the entire announcement is listed below.

Also, if you haven't been in lately, the Winery is now carrying award -winning Estrella Family Creamery cheese, created locally in Montesano. Very worth the trip!

Join us at Westport Winery for the second stop following the travels of Jules Vernes’ intrepid adventurer Phileas Fogg as we travel to the Piedmont region of Italy. On Sunday, February 21, from 3p.m. to 5p.m. Chef Erin Worth, will share with students some of the secrets in creating authentic Piedmontese cuisine in her class called Destination Turin. Each of these five courses will be expertly paired with Westport’s award winning wines with an emphasis on selections made similar to those in the Italian tradition.

The class will start with bread and Bagna Coda (Bah-nya Kaw-dah) a classic dip comprised of olive oil, garlic, anchovies and spices. As an appetizer the class will learn to create an antipasto called Uova alla Sarda (Ew-oh-vah ah-la sar-dah) or Sardinian hard-boiled eggs paired with Pinot Noirvana. The next course will feature Panzanella (pahn-sahn-ella), a bread, tomato, and cucumber salad paired with Night Watch. The soup of the day is Mestra di cicerchie (may-strah dee chi-chair-kee) or chick-pea which will be paired with Charterboat Chick’s Cabernet Sauvignon. An entrée of Agnolotti(ah-nyuh-LAHT-tee), a Piedmontese stuffed pasta filled with meats and cheeses will round out the dinner menu paired with Jetty Cat Red. However, no meal is complete without dessert. And this is where Chef Worth will teach you to make Zabaglione (za-bal-yone) with a cookie that is hand dipped in chocolate to go with the custard complimented by Going Coastal, Westport’s sparkling Gewurztraminer.

The price to attend this class is $30 per person or $25 for wine club members. Reservations are required to attend this latest culinary adventure. For more information call Westport Winery at 360-648-2224.

Grayland Beach Shipwreck Find

2010-01-09T17:30:00.000-08:00

One neat area out here that we rarely get to explore is Washaway Beach. This is the beach area between North Cove and Tokeland that is known for recent rapid erosion that has in the past 5 or 10 years has caused huge parts of a neighborhood to fall into the ocean. The beach is kind of neat to walk (and sad, also because so many lost property there), because you can see old foundations and septic tanks and water pipes the have been abandoned where homes have washed away.

A coastal storm over New Years caused a little more erosion and also uncovered a bit of a treasure that has caused some excitement on the South Beach. An old shipwreck, about 100' long was found peeking through the sand. According to the Daily World, "they" believe the ship is the "Canadian Exporter", a freighter that went down in 1921 at the mouth of Willapa Harbor.

According to Rex Martin, the Executive Director of the Maritime Museum, its a pretty complicated process to determine who owns the salvage rights to the wreckage, and it would be a bit of a job to uncover the whole thing. So it sounds like it might just end up laying there until it breaks up into flotsam. But in the meantime, its a sight to behold.

We went down there this afternoon to check it out, and there were more people on the beach than I've ever seen down there, actually more than I've ever seen on a South Beach outside of a warm clam dig. The shipwreck itself is pretty cool. Definitely worth a look. To get there, drive south on the beach to just south of Warrenton Cannery Road, or drive South on highway 105 from Westport, and park on Warrenton Cannery Road and it's just south of the entrance.

Safety first! The county has posted "no trespassing" signs and built a sand barricade where the road has washed away, due to the danger involved in walking down there. Be mindful of the tides, and don't get caught out there in a storm.

Another great culinary class at the Westport Winery...

2010-01-06T14:46:00.001-08:00

The Westport Winery has announced their latest culinary class, which looks fabulous. One of these days, I will get a babysitter and check out Chef Worth.

From the Winery Announcement:

It’s time to begin the tour of the culinary world in eight days in 2010 at Westport Winery. Following the path of Jules Vernes intrepid adventurer, Phileas Fogg, the winery has crafted a calendar of world foods to explore this year.

The first destination is Paris, France, on Sunday, January 17, from 3p.m. to 5p.m. At this class the winery’s chef, Erin Worth, will teach and serve a five-course menu created for Francophiles. The appetizer course will feature petatou de chevre fraise, a potato tart, topped with fresh goat cheese from Estrella Family Creamery. This will be followed by bouillabaisse, a classic French shellfish and fish stew featuring fresh local seafood. A salade Niçoise will be served next, this is butterhead lettuce topped with potatoes, green beans, egg, olives, tomatoes, and tuna. The entrée will feature roulade de boeuf, braised beef stuffed with vegetables, breads, and meat. This gustatory experience will finish with a classic chocolate silk Napoleon pastry with vanilla Anglaise.

As always each course will be paired with one of Westport’s wines. The price to attend this class is $30 per person or $25 for wine club members. Reservations are required to attend this latest culinary adventure. For more information call Westport Winery at 648-2224.

Get married at the Beach! Learn how at the Harbor Bridal Show!

2010-01-04T12:15:00.000-08:00

The second annual Harbor Bridal Show is Saturday, January 9 at Westport Winery. From the venue to the food and wine, from the hair to the gown, and from the announcement to the music, this casual and personal presentation will help answer questions and offer suggestions on each aspect of wedding planning with the least stress while staying within a budget.

Paula Rudberg-Lowe, the editor of South Sound Event and Wedding Magazine will share current trends in wedding planning along with important etiquette considerations. The team from Dunsire’s Printers will offer suggestions on how to keep costs down and quality up on each piece of printed material.

Margaret Tingwall and Lorrie Walsh from Passion Salon will teach you how to create lovely hair, skin, and make-up for your bridal party. A bridal fashion show presented by Lorna’s Line will inspire you, while the designers from Bayside Floral will explore how to best compliment the gowns. Merrill Photography will show you how to capture both candid and staged memories that will last forever.

The Roberts’ family from Westport Winery will discuss various beverage and catering options. Suzie’s Cakes will offer samples and suggestions on how to be both original and traditional with the perfect wedding cake. Jenny Leighton and Lindell Stacy-Horton will perform music and highlight options to help you set the mood for your guests. And Journey Travel will explore some of the best means to find the perfect honeymoon.

Space is limited for this incredibly personal and educational one-day event so pre-registration is required. There is no charge to attend the Harbor Bridal Show. Brides-to-be and their guests can register for either the 10am to noon session or the 2-4pm session. Because of space limitations children are not invited to participate in this event.

Westport Winery is located on the corner of Highway 105 and South Arbor Road (halfway between Aberdeen and the Westport ‘Y’). The winery is open daily, year around from 11am to 6pm and after hours by reservation. For more information and registration call Westport Winery at 648-2224.

Razor Clam Season Set for 2009!

2009-10-11T23:02:00.000-07:00

Razor clam season tentatively set
to open in mid-October

Digging at all beaches will be restricted to the hours between noon and midnight.

Tentative opening dates and evening low tides in October are (the best time for digging is 1 - 2 hours before low tide):

Friday, Oct. 16 ( 5:50 p.m. -0.5 ft.)
Saturday, Oct. 17 (6:38 p.m. -0.8 ft.)
Sunday, Oct. 18 (7:23 p.m. -1.1ft.)
Monday, Oct. 19 (8:06 p.m. -1.1 ft.)

In addition, WDFW has tentatively scheduled four other digs through Jan. 3.

Digs scheduled in November include:

Wednesday, Nov. 4 (7:33 p.m. -1.3 ft.)
Thursday, Nov. 5 (8:18 p.m. -1.2 ft.)
Friday, Nov. 6 (9:07 p.m. -0.9 ft.)
Saturday, Nov. 7 (9:59 p.m. -0.5 ft.)
Saturday, Nov. 14 (4:34 p.m. -0.3 ft.)
Sunday, Nov. 15 (5:21 p.m. -0.7 ft.)
Monday, Nov. 16 (6:05 p.m. -0.9 ft.)
Tuesday, Nov. 17 (6:47 p.m. -0.8 ft.)

Digs scheduled December 2 through Jan. 3 include:

Wednesday, Dec. 2 (6:32 p.m. -1.2 ft.)
Thursday, Dec. 3 (7:18 p.m. -1.4 ft.)
Friday, Dec. 4 (8:04 p.m. -1.3 ft.)
Saturday, Dec. 5 (8:51 p.m. -0.9 ft.)
Thursday, Dec. 31 (6:16 p.m. -1.1 ft.)
Friday, Jan. 1 (7:01 p.m. -1.8 ft.)
Saturday, Jan. 2 (7:45 p.m. -1.6 ft.)
Sunday, Jan. 3 (8:29 p.m. -1.2 ft.)

The WDFW website lists "Twin Harbors" as the location for a 4 day clam dig. That is actually code for the 18 miles of beach that stretches from Willapa Bay to Grays Harbor, ie. Westport/Grayland/Tokeland.

I have made a little primitive map which shows where the best places to find Razor Clams are. If you want to go to Westhaven, I recommend following the map to Westport, then turning toward Westhaven State Park on Jetty Access Road. Park at the state park and walk down to the beach.

To try Grayland, you can access the beach either on Bonge Road or Grayland Beach Road. The area in between these two roads are prime razor clam habitat.

Good luck & happy Clamming!

Cranberry Festival Week! Grayland/Cranberry Coast

2009-10-04T22:43:00.000-07:00

I love autumn at the beach! The crowds are gone, the air is crisp, and most often, the sun is still out. We have been having the most wonderful late-summer-early-fall weather this year, and the weatherman is forecasting sunny skies through this weekend - Cranberry Fest weekend!

I love Cranberry Festival weekend, for the kitschy community festival, for the cranberry harvest tours, for the bog jog, but mostly, because I am one of those people who will do anything for a blue ribbon, I love Cranberry Fest weekend for the cranberry cookoff. Unfortunately, I will be headed south for a wedding, which leaves the cookie category up for grabs this year :) Haha.

If cooking is not your thing, there are other reasons to head to Grayland this weekend. There are harvest tours (by bus), there is a cranberry eating contest (have you ever tried to eat uncooked, unsweetened cranberries?), a "biggest berry" contest among the farmers, and some farm fresh cranberries to be purchased. There are also food vendors, cranberry crafts, and live entertainment. After you stuff yourself with fair food and kettle corn on Saturday, head to the bogs for a friendly 5k "Bog Jog" to work it off on Sunday morning. There may be nothing nicer than the quiet cranberry bog lined roads of Grayland for a fall workout.

Check out the Cranberry Coast Chamber for specifics!

Secrets From The Sea Beachcombing Great Lecture at Westport Winery

2009-10-04T22:41:00.000-07:00

Beachcombing is one of the best things about living on the coast. If you have ever wanted to know more about everything from sand dollars to agates, you are invited to attend the next free Great Lecture at Westport Winery. Secrets From The Sea will be presented by Gene Woodwick of the Ocean Shore InterpretiveCenter on Sunday, October 18 from 3-5pm. This class is open to all ages and is free to attend. Pre-registration is required as space is limited.

Gene became an Olympic Peninsula ethno-centric after she and her husband moved to Forks to teach in 1960. She cooked at the Sappho logging camp of Rayonier, Inc. when he was head teacher at the Beaver Elementary School. She later worked for the Port Angeles Evening News and the Associated Press as a hard news reporter covering the area from Lake Cresent south to Lake Quinault and from the ridge of the Olympic Mountains to 200 miles out into the Pacific Ocean. During this time she covered the development of Ocean Shores. She worked for over 32 years at King County newspapers as reporter, editor, and columnist for four newspapers specializing in land use, inter-governmental issues, logging and tourism.

Gene moved back to the coast in 1984 and worked for newspapers in OceanShores and as a freelance writer. She also worked at the Grays Harbor Economic Development Council, Grays Harbor Tourism and the Chehalis Fisheries Enhancement Task Force. In 1987 she was hired to develop the Interpretive where she now serves as the curator under the directorship of Neil Eldridge. Gene continues to write for the Puget Sound Historical Maritime Museum journal The Sea Chest and the Washington State Museum's journal The Columbian.

For more information call Westport Winery at 648-2224.Westport Winery is located on the corner of Highway 105 and South Arbor Road (halfway betweenAberdeen and the Westport ‘Y’). The winery is open daily, year around from 11amto 6pm.

Cranberry Festival Week! Grayland/Cranberry Coast

2009-10-03T22:42:00.000-07:00

Just in time for the 14^th Annual Cranberry Festival the Westport Winery is offering its latest culinary learning opportunity with a class called Cranberry Crazy. On Sunday, October 11, Chef Erin Worth will create, sample, and share five recipes utilizing locally grown cranberries. The five-course menu includes: Cranberry Mulled Wine, Bibb and Butternut Salad with Pumpkin Seeds and Cranberry Vinaigrette; Chorizo, Kale and Cranberry Bean Soup, Cranberry-Orange Quick Bread, Ruby Chicken, and Pear-Apple Cranberry Crisp. The price to attend this class is $25 per person or $20 for wine club members. And don’t forget to stop by the winery to taste one of three wines made with cranberries on your way to the Cranberry Festival in Grayland on Saturday and Sunday, October 10 and 11.

Reservations are required to attend this latest culinary adventure. For more information call Westport Winery at 648-2224.Westport Winery is located on the corner of Highway 105 and South Arbor Road (halfway between Aberdeen and the Westport ‘Y’). The winery is open daily, year around from 11am to 6pm.

Crush me, Squeeze me, Make me wine (at the beach)

2009-10-02T12:17:00.000-07:00

Are you looking for a grape-stomping good time? Just head to Westport Winery on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, October 2, 3, and 4 to participate in their annual Crush Me, Squeeze Me, Make Me Wine At The Beach Festival from 11am to 6pm. The winery will provide bins of grapes for you to stomp your way into purple-footed bliss. The featured “stomp grape” this year is Merlot with plenty of fresh wine grape sampling to boot.

On Saturday, October 3 at 5pm the winery will hold their Lucy and Ethyl Look-Alike Contest featuring guest judges...last year’s Lucy and Ethyl. This contest is open to men, women, children, and dogs with one pair of winners selected from each category. All ages are welcome to attend this fun-filled event featuring live music from classical guitarist Scott Lindenmuth along with Italian wedding soup as the hearty repast to get you in the mood of this Tuscan tradition.

This event is free and all ages are welcome at the winery. Wine is available to purchase by the taste, glass, or bottle. Reservations are not necessary to participate in this event just stop by Westport Winery located on the corner of Highway 105 and South Arbor Road (halfway between Aberdeen and the Westport ‘Y’). For more information call Westport Winery at 648-2224.

One Eyed Crab in the NY Times

2009-09-06T12:14:00.000-07:00

Who doesn't love to see their name in lights? We recently saw our local crab eatery written up in the NY Times. Check it out here, then head to the beach for some deep fried crab legs. Totally worth the drive!

The One Eyed Crab, 2309 Westhaven Drive, Westport, Wash.; (360) 268-0891.

This just in... Half Moon Bay Bar & Grill takes home another Blue Ribbon - 1st place at Bite of Seattle

2009-07-17T15:35:00.000-07:00

We couldn't be prouder! The Half Moon Bay Bar & Grill bested out 61 other restaurants in a competition judged by 4 independent food critics to take home the #1 entree at Bite of Seattle. Not bad for a little seafood shack on the marina!

Congratulations to brother Donovan & his crew!

If you're in the City this weekend, head over to Seattle Center and give a shout out to Team Half Moon Bay Bar & Grill!