April 19: Westport Winery Great Lecture Series: Birds & the Bees

Do you know about the birds and the bees? If not, maybe you should attend Westport Winery’s next Great Lecture called “Learning About The Birds And The Bees”. Although it may not include what you first think, you will garner valuable information. This seminar will feature Dianna Moor and Erin Potter, both longtime gardeners who will teach you about the best habitat to create in your own garden to promote healthy pollinators. This free class will be held at the winery on Sunday, April 19 from 3-5pm.

Dianna Moor has been a Master Gardener since 2006, an avid birder for a decade, and serves on the board of the Grays Harbor Audubon Society. In her portion of the class Moor will talk about gardening with native plants in order to provide food, shelter, and nesting opportunities for birds. “I hope those who attend my talks will go home and look at their gardens through new eyes.” She wants you to ask yourself if your garden is full of plants that look lovely for a few short months, but don't provide anything for the birds, butterflies, or bees.

Moor said the second step in the analysis of your garden is listening. “Do you hear any birds in your yard besides crows, starlings and house sparrows? If that is all you are hearing, you probably have too much lawn.” Moor will teach you what to plant to attract birds, and how to keep them in your yard. You will also learn how you can help rid your space of bugs, mosquitoes, and yes, crane flies! It's all about the plants. She said it’s also critical to use products in your home garden that promote a healthy environment for animals, plants, and people.

Erin Potter, a member of the Organic Beekeeping Society said her instruction will offer a similar view in terms of bees. She will begin with an overview of the conventional hive structure. She will then educate everyone on the cycles and functions of worker bees, drones and queen bees. And she will finish her conversation with details on the natural cycle of a honeybee colony in a temperate (four-season) climate.

Potter has been gardening for eight years and bases many of her organic beekeeping practices on the organic gardening practices she has learned. Potter is a mother and instructor at Grays Harbor Community College. She is also a Lieutenant Commander in the Coast Guard Reserves where she writes emergency plans and practice emergency exercises.

In coordination with the Roberts family, Erin is placing a hive on the winery property on April 26. This is just one strategy implemented by Westport Winery and Vineyards By-the-Sea in the Salmon Safe program’s habitat enhancement section.

Westport Winery is open daily between 11am and 6pm. For more information or reservations on this class call the winery at 360-648-2224. Westport Winery is located on the corner of Highway 105 and South Arbor Road (halfway between Aberdeen and the Westport ‘Y’). For early notification on all of Westport Winery’s Great Lectures, Culinary Classes, Concerts, and Festivals email: WineClub@WestportWines.com to have your email address added to their early notification list.

Stormwatching, the real deal

Everyone with a TV knows that the coast was hit with an amazing storm on December 3 and 4th, and Westport was not spared the brunt of Mother Nature.

My family and I hunkered down in our 2nd floor condo at Westport by the Sea and listened to the wind howl. And howl. And howl. The wind started whipping just after nightfall, and power was out by 11PM on Sunday. Come Monday morning, as we wandered out to survey the damage, we realized that the winds were still going strong. We did get a chance to see the high waves crashing in the Half Moon Bay and over the revetment wall at the Marina, which is always a wonderful sight.

With no power, we decided to try to head to town to stay with family, but the roads out of town in both directions were closed due to fallen trees. All day Monday, and well into the night the winds continued. Westport does not have an official weather station, but up and down the coast, wind gusts were reported at as much as 120 - 150 MPH. In Hoquiam, the nearest official weather station, the weather gauge broke at 81 MPH. The winds continued until late Monday night.

We spent most of the day huddled up, calling out of town to get intermittent weather reports from friends and family with internet access (in Seattle and beyond). With so many areas in the Grays Harbor PUD district out, and so many downed power lines between us and Aberdeen, the rest of the week kept us in the dark, without power, until it finally came on mid-morning on Saturday (5 and a half days!).

During the week following the storm, 2 things became apparent: (1) Westport is not high on the list for emergency response, and (2) People on the beach know how to take care of themselves. When we went around to check on elderly neighbors, it was quite clear that our neighbors were fairly prepared. Luckily, the weather was in the 50's, so the temperatures were not an issue. But for the most part, people were equipped with food and supplies to make it through the week. For those that weren't, the only real option in town was the Senior House, and Verna seemed to have that under control.

Since I have lived here, we have lost power about twice a year, and this was the longest we have ever been without. In spite of the challenges of living without hot water, cable TV, and high speed internet, we try to count our blessings:

(1) Really, really amazing night skies. Yes, without all the light pollution, the sky over our beaches are absolutely the most fantastic sight you might ever set eyes on.

(2) Time with our families to reflect to enjoy simple things. Yes, we can stand to look each other in the eyes and have a conversation without the TV blaring the in the background.

(3) The joy of a hot shower after and a warm meal. We tend to take things for granted, and its good to appreciate the small things.

So, yes, I am so happy to be back online, but the simple life is not so bad.

A New Point of View in Westport

Interesting reading in today's Tacoma News Tribune (yes, its a paid advertisement from the South Sound New Homes section, but still interesting reading):

A New Point of View in Westport

It's 5:00 a.m. on an August morning in 1977... There are 300 charter fishing boats cranking their engines to take an estimated 3,000 fishermen onto the high sea in search of the mighty king salmon. At the end of the day the boats return. After cleaning up, a dinner out and then dancing and celebrating into the week hours of the morning. In the 60's and 70's this scene played itself out every day between Memorial Day and Labor Day in this coastal village hailed as The Salmon Fishing Capital of the World.

Fast forward to an August morning in the present day. At 6:00 a.m. the 35 charter boats are warming up to take 400 men, women, and children out sportfishing. A new addition to the marina scene, walkers and joggers headed out for the paved waterfront path. The 2.5 mile path departs the marina, meandering along Halfmoon Bay to the Jetty where the first surfers are unloading their long boards for a day on the waves. The trail then borders the beach on one side, and on the other a 300-acre grassy dune, being sculpted into an oceanfront Scottish Links-style golf course. The trail ends at the Westport Lighthouse.

Back at the marina, the shops are beginning to open, but not just selling kites and ice cream. New shops are presenting an eclectic array of art, jewelry, and memorabilia. You can still find a great bowl of clam chowder, but the influx of culinary talent has infused a new energy into the menus. The Wild Salmon with Kumquat Ginger Butter at Takohachi or Seafood Cioppino at Anthony's at the Islander are delectable examples of the culinary evolution taking place in Westport.

Driving the revolution is the recent discovery that Westport offers the most beautiful and least known sandy beach in the state. That realization has inspired new residential development along the coast geared to meet the needs of today's beach cruisers. Besides the new golf course and convention center, several new residential communities within the city limits of Westport are taking beautiful shape.

The Point at Westport Harbor is a stunning example. This small community of condominiums boasts a 360 degree view of the Harbor and Olympic Mountains. The architecture is modern with a nod toward the maritime past and the interiors showcase the impressive views. While energy efficiency and sustainability directed the thoughtful design, carefree enjoyment was the goal. Your front door is just a few steps away from the private dock, where crab, perch and in the fall even coho salmon are landed! A short stroll away are the marina shops and restaurants an the start of the oceanfront walking/biking path.

It doesn't matter if you don't fish, surf, or hike... Westport was never about "all there is to do". Westport is about relationships. A relationship with the environment shared with family and good friends. It's about taking time to appreciate the beauty and tranquility that surrounds you on the coast. The air is pure, the weather is mild and a good book, a good friend or a great dinner can return a sense of balance to your life. Take the short journey to the coast to discover the"new point of view" in Westport.