Discover
2017 Edition
Lincoln City A Visitors Guide Glass Blowing, Biking, Dining, Cascade Head and More!
A News-Times Publication • www.NewportNewsTimes.com
Discover
Lincoln City Publisher James Rand
Advertising Contacts Barbara Moore bmoore@newportnewstimes.com 541.265.8571 ext. 237 John Anderson janderson@newportnewstimes.com 541.265.8571 ext. 238 Teresa Barnes tbarnes@newportnewstimes.com 541-265-8571 ext.223 Kathy Wyatt kwyatt@newportnewstimes.com 541-265-8571 ext. 214 Sandee Beare sbeare@newportnewstimes.com 541-265-8571 ext. 213
Editor
Nancy Steinberg
Contributors
Nancy Steinberg Calley Hair Gretchen Ammerman Dennis Anstine Gail Kimberling Niki Price Nathan Howard Jo-Hanna Wienert Luke Whittaker
Cover
Photo by Nathan Howard
A Publication of the
Discover Lincoln City is published by the News-Times. All rights reserved, material may not be reprinted without written consent from the publisher. The News Times has made every effort to maintain the accuracy of information presented in the magazine, but assumes no responsibility for errors, changes or omissions. Contact Us
From the Editor I’m always looking for new ways to play, especially when I’m on vacation. You too? You’re in luck: Lincoln City presents endless opportunities for trying something new, whether you’re an outdoorsy type or more, for lack of a better word, indoorsy. (Someone really ought to coin a word that means the opposite of outdoorsy!) Outdoorsy: Go in search of glass floats stashed on Lincoln City beaches during the Finders Keepers campaign (p. 22). Or simply walk our gorgeous beaches with no greater goal in mind – sometimes the journey is the destination (p. 29). Fish the Siletz River from the new nature trail at the Siletz Bay Wildlife Refuge (p. 32), or tackle a mountain biking trail (p. 38). Indoorsy: Play some slots or catch a show at the Chinook Winds Casino (p. 46) or bargain-hunt in our eclectic shops (p. 20), especially during Antique Week (p. 9). Catch a movie at the Bijou Theater, where “movies still matter,” (p. 16) or relax at Salishan Resort’s world-class spa overlooking Siletz Bay (p. 34). Whether your Lincoln City adventures find you spending time indoors or outdoors, you’re sure to contribute your own smile to our “Seven Miles of Smiles.” Enjoy!
Nancy Steinberg, Editor
831 NE Avery St. Newport, OR 97365 • 541-265-8571 www.DiscoverLincolnCity.com
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Photo by Jo-Hanna Wienert
Contents Kite Festivals
pg 6
Antique Week
pg 9
Lincoln City Cultural Center
pg 12
Indoor Fun
pg 15
Lincoln City Community Center
pg 18
Shopping
pg 20
Glass Floats
pg 22
Area Map North Lincoln City
pg 24
Area Map South Lincoln City
pg 25
Dining
pg 26
Beaches
pg 29
Siletz Bay Wildlife Refuge
pg 32
Salishan Resort
pg 34
Cascade Head
pg 36
Biking
pg 38
Siletz Bay Music Festival
pg 40
Theatre West
pg 42
Taft District
pg 44
Chinook Winds Casino
pg 46
Beachroom Suites or Studio Suites Full Sized, Fully Equipped Kitchens Balconies or Patios Indoor Pool and Spa Walking Distance to Shops, Restaurants, Outlet Stores
D Sands Motel 1-800-527-3925 • 171 SW Hwy 101, Lincoln City www.dsandsmotel.com Located in the heart of Lincoln City, Oregon, the D Sands Motel offers beautiful oceanfront suites where you can enjoy the sandy beach and the soothing sounds of the Pacific Ocean. Your home away from home, our motel features all the comforts of home while providing all the conveniences of a motel! Our motel accommodations are beachfront suites and studio suites, each with a balcony or patio to lounge on and enjoy the view of the Pacific Ocean and miles of sandy beaches. All of our suites boast a fully equipped full-sized kitchen where you can cook delicious meals after a day at the beach. For your added pleasure, we also offer an indoor heated pool with an oceanfront view and an indoor spa. We have everything at the D Sands Condominium Motel in Lincoln City to make your visit to the beach a special and memorable stay. If there is something you have forgotten, ask our friendly staff! If we don’t have it, we will let you know exactly where you will be able to find it! For your convenience we accept cash or credit cards. We also offer gift certificates!
The Sweater Shoppe. Etc.
Unique Sweaters Contemporary Jewelry Eclectic Jackets Hats & Accessories Travel Wear
Shops at Salishan
7755 Hwy. 101 N. Gleneden Beach
541-764-3777
The Best Breakfast on the Coast! Ever ything is homemade! Featured in USA Today & The New York Times
Otis • 541-994-2813
Xkitement Abounds Get blown away at the Kite Festivals By Calley Hair • Photos by Nathan Howard
No, it’s not a bird. It’s not a plane — it’s not even Superman. That’s actually an 80-foot technicolor inflatable octopus, flapping in the breeze above D River Wayside Park. At the semiannual Lincoln City Kite Festival, some of the most spectacular kites in the world come together in a citywide display. That octopus flutters next to giant whales, bears, newts, dragons, fish, and windsocks, competing for space in the seaside sky in a surreal overhead ballet. “The skies are definitely full of color,” said Eric Johnson, public relations coordinator for the Visitor and Convention Bureau. “Come on down, enjoy some big show kites, and enjoy the sun!” Anyone would be wowed by the sheer size and creativity of some of the big kites, but there are also activities and competitions that appeal to all ages. This year’s theme for both the summer and fall festival, “Xkitement,” will definitely bring the “x-factor,” according to the Visitor and Convention Bureau. Events will include kite-flying demonstrations from seasoned experts, free kite-making lessons for young kids, and the “running of the bols,” a wacky race where each competitor latches onto an 8-foot parachute and runs headfirst into the wind. The “Xkitement” theme was selected following a month-long contest, Johnson said. Kite lovers submitted their ideas, the only stipulation being that the theme had to incorporate the letter X. Lincoln City is working its way through the alphabet — last year’s motif was “Windstock,” a psychedelic, hippie-themed affair. “’Xkitement’ was the one that stood out,” Johnson said. “It’s quirky and fun, and it exudes all the qualities of the kite festival.” The festival can draw up to 20,000 people. The influx more than doubles the town’s usual size of 8,000 residents, reflecting the growing popularity of one of the Oregon coast’s most beloved events. 6
“Historically, our summer kite festival is the more popular one,” Johnson said. “Of course, it’s very weather-dependent. If the weather is sunshiny and there’s wind — hopefully there’s a lot of wind!” It’s pretty likely the wind will kick up enough to display the big kites in all their glory. In fact, the seaside town is so perfectly suited to the event that Kite Lines magazine once named Lincoln City the best place in the world for flying kites. The kite festival started more than 30 years ago, when Lincoln City decided to hold the event as a draw for tourists and kite enthusiasts. Spearheading that effort was then-Chamber of Commerce Director David Gomberg, who’s since been elected to the Oregon House of Representatives. A lifelong kite enthusiast, he and his wife spent their first date flying kites on the beach in Lincoln City, he said. They also own Lincoln City Northwest Winds Kites and Toys, where they sell to like-minded kite enthusiasts and first time fliers. He’s there year after year, showing off his big fliers and chatting up the visitors alongside a close-knit group of professional fliers who return for every festival. “The kiteflyers are never shy, they love to share their passion with people,” Johnson said. “Go down there and chat with them.” The summer festival is set for June 24 and 25. The fall festival
will be held Sept. 30 and Oct. 1. More specific details regarding the schedule of both weekends will be released at oregoncoast.org. “We get people from all over the country, just to come to this little town and see kites,” Johnson said. “It’s a big draw.”
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“SERVING THE PEOPLE WHO CALL THE COAST HOME” Astoria Tillamook Lincoln City Newport Florence
Roby’s FURNITURE & APPLIANCES has been serving the Oregon coast for over 50 years. Our buying power with over 60 members assures you of the very best in pricing. Our team is dedicated to making your shopping experience simply the best!
Furniture • Appliances • Mattresses Jacuzzis • Televisions • Accessories 1535 Commercial St Astoria, OR 97103 Phone: 503-325-1535
1126 Main Ave Tillamook, OR 97141 Phone: 503-842-7111
6255 SW Hwy 101 5111 N Coast Hwy Lincoln City, OR 97368 Newport, OR 97365 Phone: 541-996-2177 Phone: 541-265-9520
1870 Hwy 101 Florence, OR 97439 Phone: 541-997-8214
“We are going back to our roots, Price n Pride is now McKay’s Market!” EMPLOYEE OWNED, OREGON GROWN
McKay’s Markets have been around for 70 years and still going strong. Thank you for shopping at McKay’s! 801 SW Highway 101
541-994-4354
Hours: 6am-midnight • 7days a week YOU’LL SAVE MORE AT LINCOLN CITY’S FINEST STORE!
Over 100 Classic and New Arcade Games Plus Pizza • Burgers • Hot Dogs & More Beer • Wine • Sof t Drinks
HUGE SPORTS BAR with:
10 HDTVs • Pac 12 • Comcast Sports NET & Sunday TIX
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Hours • Sun-Thurs 11am to 12am • Fri-Sat 11am to 2am
Jenifer Kavanaugh (503) 358-2882 or (503) 274-1962 www.vrbo.com #182739 & #360021 www.classicnorthwestretreats.com jeniferk@classicnwretreats.com • dkavfamily@aol.com
Antique Week Make old treasures new again
By Calley Hair • Photos by Nathan Howard
Thousands of visitors from far and wide flock to Lincoln City in pursuit of treasure, but not all of them are pirates. In February, many of these hunters are historians, seeking treasure in the nooks and crannies of a crowded shop, looking for precious odds and ends that another, less observant shopper might just pass by — maybe something older, something formerly sold or discarded. They’re looking for treasure with a story, and they’ve come to the right place. Lincoln City boasts one of the best antiquing scenes around, with more than a dozen storefronts devoted to selling secondhand goods. Year round, it’s a pretty impressive group of vendors, with bargains aplenty. But the treasure-hunting kicks into high gear during Antique Week, a 10-day sale featuring 16 locations and more than 100 participating dealers. There you’ll find everything from trinkets to furniture at even lower than usual prices, with stores across the entire city offering discounts from 10 percent up to 50 percent. From Feb. 11 through Feb. 20, shoppers can peruse Little Antique Mall, Rocking Horse Antique Mall, Coast Clocks, Pop Culture Collectables, Nelscott House Antiques, Beach Bum Thrift, Taft 2nd Hand Buy & Sell, and others during the best treasure hunting week of the year. If you’re planning to meander through one participating Continued on page 10 9
Continued from page 9
store, Granny’s Attic, it’s best to block out a healthy chunk of time. It’s easy to lose track in the winding stalls, each operated by a different vendor and each offering unique secondhand goods. The store specializes in furniture — solid, heavy wooden dressers tend to be their most popular items, the owner said. But there’s no shortage of quirkier merchandise, from a vintage, standup radio to antique birdcages, to an entire wall of old-school camera gear that calls out to the hipster or documentarian within. Members of just about any fandom will also find their niche, with action figures, movie posters and superhero memorabilia dominating a whole section. If a thrifty personal style is the goal, shop the racks of clothes, accessories and jewelry that’ll set the wearer apart in a crowd. Music lovers might gravitate toward the display of high quality secondhand instruments, while anyone looking to redecorate their kitchen should look toward the thousands of plates, crockery, wall hangings and knick-knacks that’ll make the space their own. And that’s just one store. You’ve still got 15 more to go. The fact is that treasure hunters would be hard-pressed not to find what they’re looking for in Lincoln City. Antique Week just makes it easier, not to mention a whole lot more fun. As part of the 10-day extravaganza, the Lincoln City Visitor and Convention Bureau also hosts a Quilt Quest Treasure Hunt. In order to play, shoppers need to find the hidden quilt square tucked away at each of the 16 participating locations. Find the square to earn a stamp — if you collect all the stamps, you’re entered to win the grand prize of a two-night stay at Chinook Winds Casino Resort, with
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an additional 25 shoppers winning second prize of a Japanese float and gift bag. The North Lincoln County Historical Museum gets in on the action, with a quilt exhibit unique to Antique Week alongside various displays that tell the history and culture of the seaside town. The wildly popular Finders Keepers glass float program participates too: The city drops 300 colorful glass art pieces (also iconic relics of Lincoln City’s history) along the beach for anyone to discover and take home with them (see p. 22 for details). Even the movie theater gets in the spirit, with the Historic Bijou Theatre screening old-school classics during the course of the week. Find up-to-date information about Lincoln City’s Antique Week, as well as more details about the upcoming event for February 2018, at lincolncityantiqueweek.com.
Lincoln City Cultural Center Where arts and culture thrive
By Niki Price • Photos by Nathan Howard
Lincoln City, with its seven miles of beautiful beaches, variety of lodging options, and plentiful restaurants, has long been known for its oceanfront hospitality. But a growing group of artists, musicians and culture-lovers, has been toiling to build another reputation for Lincoln City: that of a thriving, growing artistic community. They’re building it brick by brick – and the artistic headquarters is the historic brick Delake School, just north of the D River at 540 NE Hwy. 101. The 1929 school building has been repurposed and renovated, and is now the home to the Lincoln City Cultural Center. A nonprofit center in partnership with the Lincoln City Urban Renewal Agency, the LCCC offers nearly 18,000 square feet of gallery, studio, retail and performing arts space that is open to the public six days a week. Outside, the center offers more than an acre of lawn and another acre of parking, with easy access from Hwy. 101 or (at the signal) from adjoining NE Sixth St. Now in its 11th year, the LCCC offers many outlets for the creative. It’s a place where you can see an exhibit, hear a concert, pick up visitor information or browse the farmers market. You can take a class in dance, yoga, weaving or ceramics; attend a public meeting; or display your own artwork. In short, the LCCC is a great place to build your knowledge, support your creativity and cement your connections in this laid-back beach community. How about a tour? Info Center & Gift Shop Like many trips to Lincoln City, our tour begins at the Lincoln City Visitor Information Center, located on the upper level of the LCCC and open every day except Tuesday. The official tourist information outlet for the city, it offers maps, brochures and visitors guides for Lincoln County, the Oregon Coast and other destinations throughout the Northwest. Staff and volunteers are on hand to answer questions 12
(or at least point you in the right direction). They’ll even offer you a complimentary cup of Cape Foulweather Coffee, roasted locally and donated to the LCCC. If you’ve been lucky enough to find a colorful glass float, as part of Lincoln City’s popular off-season Finders Keepers campaign, bring it with you. The info center volunteers can take your photo, register your prize, and provide documentation on the glass artist who made it. The visitors center shares space with the LCCC Members Gift Shop. There, you’ll find locally-made souvenirs like photo cards, jewelry, painted glass and float stands, as well as household gifts like tea towels, pottery and table runners. Books, scarves, paintings, knitted items – you name it, the LCCC Members probably make it. A portion of every sale goes toward the upkeep of the center. P.J. Chessman Gallery The next stop on the tour is the Chessman Gallery, the fine art space named for center founder P.J. Chessman. This space presents 12 exhibits every calendar year, with works by Pacific Northwest artists in a variety of group and solo shows. The 2017 gallery calendar will include “All About Birds” (April), “Going Green” by the Toledo Arts Guild, and a children’s book illustration exhibit (September). Receptions, complete with wine and nibbles, are offered on the second Friday of the month at 5 pm. New this year in the Chessman Gallery is the “Art on the Edge” Art Studio Tour and Exhibit. The LCCC will be the launch pad for the inaugural tour, which will offer exclusive access to more than a dozen local studios on May 13, 14, 20 and 21. Select artists will also be showing work in the Chessman Gallery, in conjunction with the tour. The show and tour will open with a reception at the LCCC, 5-7 pm on Friday, May 12. For details, call Krista Eddy at 541-994-9994. Auditorium At the Cultural Center’s north end, you’ll find the auditorium and performing arts venue. The LCCC spent nearly $100,000 to renovate this church-like space, which used to serve as the school gymnasium. Now, it’s lined with wood and acoustic panels, and has been outfitted with theatrical lighting and sound to create a
warm and inviting performance space. There’s a show gracing this stage nearly every weekend, but mark your calendars for these highlights: the family-friendly Festival of Illusions (March 26-April 4), the Blues & Barbecue Benefit (July 22) and a jazz tribute to Chet Baker (Aug. 3). For a full schedule, check the LCCC website, lincolncityculturalcenter.org. Classes In keeping with the building’s historical use as a school, the LCCC also offers a variety of workshops and classes, from Zumba and ballet to ceramics and mosaics. The Cultural Center is also home to New Moon Yoga Studio (lincolncityyoga.org) and the Kimberly in Clay ceramics studio, both independent operators offering regular instruction. Downstairs, in the Textiles Workshop, volunteers Lyle and Arlene Gowing teach spinning, weaving and other skills by appointment. To learn more, call the Gowings at 541-992- 5150.
When you go Lincoln City Cultural Center 540 NE Hwy 101 (541) 994-9994 www.lincolncityculturalcenter.org and on Facebook
The Lincoln City Visitor Information Center, the gift shop and the Chessman Gallery are open every day except Tuesday. Summer hours (Memorial Day through Labor Day) are 10 am to 5 pm. During the rest of the year, the Info Center is open 10-4. Other areas are open for classes and events, and by appointment.
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Jennifer Sears Glass Art Studio
Blow Your Own Float, Fluted Bowl, Paperweight, Starfish or Heart Local Artists walk you through the art of creating with molten glass
4821 SW Hwy 101 at the South End of Lincoln City 541-996-2569 www.JenniferSearsGlassArt.com • www.VoltaGlass.com
Balcony. Fireplace. Kitchen. Condos at A Vista d’Mar
1421 NW Harbor Ave, Lincoln City (541) 994-6300 • avistadmar.com
Inside Track Ways to play indoors in Lincoln City By Nancy Steinberg • Photos by Nathan Howard
We know you come to Lincoln City for the beaches, but you have to admit that it can be nice to get in out of the crazy coastal weather once in a while. Especially when traveling with kids, you might need an indoor oasis for an afternoon or two. Here’s an insider’s guide to some of Lincoln City’s best options for indoor fun. All-American Putt ‘n Bat Don’t let this unassuming store-front operation fool you: it’s much bigger on the inside than it seems on the outside! In fact, you’ll find 7,000 square feet of fun inside All-American Putt ‘n Bat, ranging from an 18-hole mini-golf course to MLB-style batting cages to arcade games. The homemade golf course with an American theme wends its way throughout the building, with a range of creative holes. The last hole, installed most recently, is a ton of fun: once you sink your shot, your ball is catapulted fifteen feet through the air at a target. Hit the target and win a free round of golf! Rates are very reasonable: adults 12 & over are $6.00 per round, kids 4-11 pay $4.00, and kids under 4 play free. A second round is only $2.00 so stay for the afternoon! The two batting cages allow batting practice at pitches ranging from slow-pitch softball to 80 mph baseball pitches. At 20 balls for only $1.50, this entertainment is a bargain. While kids are waiting their turn to bat, they can play arcade games or air hockey, or browse the items in the extensive baseball gear shop. American Putt ‘n Bat also has a party room that can be rented very inexpensively. 1255 NW U.S. 101 Puttnbat.com
Delake Bowling Who doesn’t love bowling? It’s a great way to spend some family time together on a rainy day. Come on over to the eight freshly-waxed lanes at Delake Bowl and bowl a few strings. They Continued on page 16 15
Continued from page 15
have lane bumpers for kids so your young bowlers can taste success, and they offer pool tables, arcade games, and a snack bar as well. Bowling is $4.50 per game and shoe rentals are $2.00. 316 SE Highway 101 delakebowling.blogspot.com Bijou Theater You can take in a flick at the multiplex any old time. While on vacation, why not make a movie a special event, by going to the Bijou Theater instead? This oldfashioned yet cutting-edge theater, the place where, as the owners say, “movies still matter,” has operated as a theater since 1937. It currently shows first run, classic, and indie films, and shows matinees every day. In addition to the show of the week, the Bijou screens older films every Saturday at 11:00 am for just $2, often a family-friendly choice. Don’t forget the popcorn! 1624 NE Hwy 101 www.cinemalovers.com Jennifer Sears Art Glass Studio If the Oregon Coast had an official art medium, it would be glass. Maybe it’s the
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fact that glass is made from sand, and we’ve got more than enough of that to go around! If you’re lucky, you can find a glass float on a Lincoln City beach during the Finders Keepers campaign in the winter months, or you can get in the DIY spirit and make your own at the Jennifer Sears Art Glass Studio. The artists at the studio will guide you through the process of blowing a glass float in any color combination you choose, or you can make a bowl, a paperweight, a votive candle holder or a glass heart. Even if you don’t join the fun, it’s fascinating to watch the glass artists at work. Buy their wares across the street at the Volta Gallery. 4821 SW Hwy 101 www.jennifersearsglassart.com Lincoln City Community Center Does bad weather have you climbing the walls? Put that skill to work at the Lincoln City Community Center, where there’s an actual climbing wall to scale, as well as a gorgeous indoor pool complete with water slide, kiddie fun pool, and hot tub. Other amenities include an indoor walking track and weight room. Look for more information on p. 18 in this guide. 2150 NE Oar Pl. www.lincolncity.org
Cap’n Gulls The Eclectic Gift Shop
Over 38 years serving the Oregon Coast
Nautical Specialties • Hand Blown Floats Gifts • Windchimes Jewlery • Souvenirs Seashells • Affordable Family Prices All Souvenir T-Shirts & Sweatshirts Always at Discount Prices
Made in Germany • Tradition since 1774
1317 NW Hwy 101, Lincoln City 541-996-SHOE We carry:
Open at 9:30am
541-994-7743 120 SE Hwy 101 • Lincoln City • Across from D River Wayside
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541-994-3676 1025 SW Hwy 101, Lincoln City mon.-Fri. 8-6 Sat. 8-5
www.coastal-shoes.com
FREE While enjoying the refreshing sensations and relaxing sounds of the Oregon Coast in Lincoln City take time to stop by our gift shop at Sapphire Center
Local Artwork Jewelry Crystals Greeting Cards Books
Children’s Section Fairies & Dragons Incense Statues Collectibles
Open Wednesday - Sunday /Summer Mondays
Your Local South Lincoln City Gift Shop 541-992-4443
4844 SE Hwy 101, Lincoln City, OR 97367
Lincoln City Community Center It’s where to be!
By Gail Kimberling • Photos by Nathan Howard
One of the best kept secrets in north Lincoln County is also one of the most fun: The 30,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art Lincoln City Community Center. Open to the public and located one block from the intersection of Highway 101 and Northeast 22nd Street, the Community Center is a place of fun and recreation for all ages, whether you want to swim, run, climb, lift, or play. The Center’s natatorium features a six-lane, 25-meter pool with a 24-foot indoor water slide, one- and three-meter diving boards, a rope swing, and water basketball. There is also a shallow, warm water instructional pool with water play features – including a 14-foot tall pelican that drops a stream of water on delighted swimmers. And for those who just want to soak their weary bones, the Center’s 12-person hot tub is just the ticket. New to the natatorium is a giant Jumbotron where “Dive-In” movies are shown as swimmers lounge in the pool. For the more adventurous, the Community Center has a 24-foot indoor rock wall with routes marked for beginner to advanced climbers. The wall is open to anyone at least 44 inches tall, and trained attendants and auto-belays ensure everyone’s fun and safety! Pick-up basketball games can be played in a full-size basketball gymnasium. This is also where pickleball is played every weekday at noon. An elevated indoor track provides a safe, dry place for 18
walkers and runners, and the fully-equipped weight and cardio rooms mean there is no excuse for missing a workout, even when on vacation. Two different sizes of meeting rooms are available for rent at the Community Center, and one has a full kitchen attached. These rooms are ideal for meetings, classes, family reunions, weddings and birthday parties. You can rent the pool and rock wall, too! The Community Center is also where you can call to reserve a picnic shelter in one of Lincoln City’s many popular parks, from Regatta Park on Devils Lake, to Southwest 51st Street near the beach in Taft, to Dorchester Park with its outdoor tennis and pickleball courts. Free Wi-Fi, an indoor lounge area, and a viewing gallery in the natatorium add to the comfort of spectators and parents while youngsters play. Outside, visitors will find a basketball court, barbecue grills, and several disc golf baskets on the back lawn. The Lincoln City Community Center is open 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday; and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays and legal holidays. Visitors are welcome to use the Community Center any time. Admission is just $2.50 for children age 17 and under; $3.50 - $6 for adults; and $3 - $5 for seniors over the age of 62. Fifteen-use and three-month membership passes are also available for those who plan an extended stay on the beautiful central Oregon coast. The Community Center is located at 2150 NE Oar Place in Lincoln City. For a pool schedule and more information call 541994-2131, see www.lincolncity.org or check out the Lincoln City Community Center Facebook page.
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Shop Lincoln City From style to souvenirs, we’ve got what you’re looking for By Calley Hair • Photos by Nathan Howard
The smiles in Lincoln City’s Seven Miles of Smiles have many sources: a great meal, a walk on the beach, a big casino win, a fantastic show at the Lincoln City Cultural Center. You’ll definitely be smiling if you do some shopping while you’re here, as we’ve got something for everyone at our diverse shops. Here are a few of the best options in town. Prehistoric Oregon It’s not often you encounter a 400-pound, 15-foot, 200 million-year-old camarasaurus tail. Of course, Prehistoric Oregon isn’t your typical souvenir shop. The $200,000 specimen — the only known, complete tail of its kind — is the crown jewel of the Prehistoric storefront, although it’s just one of hundreds of dinosaur fossils you can examine, touch and even bring home with you. Even cooler, nearly everything you see at Prehistoric is just that — genuinely prehistoric, said storeowner Douglas Bradstreet, who boasts an almost childlike enthusiasm for dinosaurs. “I stockpiled for years and years, and decided to open up a cool shop when I retired,” Bradstreet said. “Every one of these items has a story.” The main store, which opened in 2015, hosts a wide variety of genuine and replica fossils, as well as art pieces, mineral 20
samples, meteorites, and a handful of unique furniture items. But venture down the staircase, into Prehistoric’s extension added in 2016, and you’ll find even more of Bradstreet’s personal collection, bits and pieces of natural history calcified and preserved for millions of years. Some of the smaller pieces retail for a hundred bucks or so, but the aficionado can uncover some truly unusual treasures — an entire juvenile mammoth jaw, or a diplodocus bone, or a three-foot-long edmontosaurus femur. You’ll never be lacking a conversation piece in your home again. 1425 N. Hwy 101 prehistoricoregon.com Lincoln City Outlet Mall If you’re looking for something old, Prehistoric has you covered. But if something new is calling, check out the Lincoln City Outlet Mall located smack dab in the middle of the city’s 7-mile stretch of coast. There, 54 stores have the clothes, shoes, electronics, toys and cuisine to suit every taste. Nuts for nature? So are we. Find your outdoor staples from sturdy, tried-andtrue brands like Bass, Eddie Bauer, Nike,
Columbia Sportswear, Under Armour, and The North Face. If you’re looking for something more classic or professional, try Chico’s, Lane Bryant, Dressbarn, Maurice’s, Gap, or Loft, while trend-seekers can find the most up-to-date looks at stores like American Eagle Outfitters, Levis, Claire’s, Hot Topic, Hollister, Old Navy, Rue 21, and Pac Sun. For the most luxurious of gifts — or, of course, a treat to yourself — peruse the goods at high-end shops including Zales Diamond Store, Coach, and Perfumania. If all that shopping wears you out, you can grab some sushi at Momiji Gourmet Japanese and Chinese Cuisine, or light fare at Snack City. The Lincoln City Outlets draw thousands of locals and tourists every year, said Diane Kusz, general manager of the mall. But the sprawling, outdoor complex is airy enough that visitors never get the claustrophobic vibe that can come from an indoor mall on a busy day. “What’s so nice about being on the coast is that they don’t have to fight the big metropolitan crowds,” Kusz said. “You can shop and be relaxed.” 1500 SE East Devil’s Lake Rd. (at Hwy 101) www.lincolncityoutlets.com
Christmas Cottage As a bona fide beach town, summertime is the busiest period for shopping in Lincoln City. That rule applies to even the most seasonal of stores, like the Christmas Cottage, where holiday ornaments, trinkets and gifts sit on every surface and dangle from every nook and cranny imaginable in an absolute eruption of Christmas cheer. The Cottage has spent 43 years accumulating the most unique holiday memorabilia in the business, and you’d be challenged not to find what you’re looking for. Want a customizable penguin ornament featuring every member of your family by name? Done. What about a sparkly version of your favorite fruit to adorn your tree? They’ve got it. Enough nutcrackers to fill an entire wall? You’re covered. “We gift wrap for free, we personalize for free,” said the store’s manager. “We have a lot of generational customers.” 3305 SW Hwy 101 www.christmascottage.net Siletz Tribal Prints and Gifts If you’re looking for even more personalization, try the Siletz Tribal Prints and Gifts. The printing, consignment and retail store is entirely owned and operated by the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, a coalition of more than 20 tribal groups native to the region. The store showcases art and designs from tribal members, as well as clothing, movies, music and jewelry. Swing by their storefront to pick up a unique pair of flip-flops, or a CD filled with Pow-Wow songs. Siletz Tribal Prints and Gifts also provides copying and
printing services for logos, business cards and stickers, as well as customizable merchandise for businesses and parties. Order ahead of time — or check out the rest of their exceptional products — online at store.stpgifts.com. 1520 NW Hwy 101 www.stpgifts.com Rock Your World If you tend to spend more time at the beach looking down to find cool rocks rather that up to watch the waves hit the sand, Rock Your World might be the shop for you. This intriguing shop offers a spectacular array of rocks, minerals, and handcrafted jewelry made by store owner Laura Joki. Joki uses stones in her metal-wrapped creations that originate anywhere from Lincoln County beaches to spots around the globe. She uses both raw and polished stones in her work, wrapping them in spiraling copper and silver wire; because every stone is different, every piece of jewelry she creates is unique. The shop is also chock-full of raw and polished stones and minerals, as well as other treasures. Want to find your own? Try a free beachcombing clinic led by Joki, where she teaches participants the basics of hunting for local agates, fossils, petrified wood, and other amazing coastal souvenirs. The clinics run through April; check the Lincoln City Visitor and Convention Bureau web site (oregoncoast.org) for more information. 3203 SW Hwy 101 www.rockyourworldgems.com
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Beach Glass
The spheres are here! Finders Keepers stashes glass treasures on Lincoln City beaches for all to find By Nancy Steinberg • Photo by Jo-Hanna Wienert
One of the greatest treasures beachcombers on the Oregon coast can find is a glass float: a hollow glass ball used to buoy Japanese fishing nets starting in the early 20th century (a few are even used today). These colorful orbs have traversed the ocean in circular currents, perhaps for decades, before landing on our shores, and they are rarer than four-leafed clovers. The folks at the Lincoln City Visitors and Convention Bureau want to increase your odds of finding such a special gem on the beaches here: between mid-October and Memorial Day they will stash 2,017 hand-made glass treasures, including mouthblown floats, starfish, sand dollars, and crabs on beaches up and down Lincoln City’s sandy shores. As the name of the promotion indicates, it’s finders keepers: if you find one, it’s yours to keep. The promotion began back at the turn of this century when a local artist thought it would be a unique way to ring in the new millennium. Tourists flocked to the beaches of Lincoln City to find their own signed and numbered miniature works of art. That first year, 2,000 floats were distributed and the number has increased to the number of the year each year of the promotion. For 2017, 2,017 will be distributed. Floats are stashed on public beaches from Roads End to Cutler City. The VCB wants everyone to put safety first: no floats are stashed during storms, and they will never be found on cliffs. Stick to the area between the tide line and the beach embankment. As always, never turn your back on the ocean or play on logs in the surf while you’re float-hunting. The VCB will periodically carry out special stealthy drops of extra glass treats (don’t worry, they don’t actually drop the glass!), bringing the total number of treasures above 3,000 this 22
year, and they’re even nice enough to advertise the schedule for these bonus days. The drops can include any combination of floats and glass sea critters; dates are listed at www.oregoncoast. org/finders-keepers/special-glass-art-drops/. The dates include a set of 300 antique Japanese floats to celebrate Antique Week in February, 15 Earth globes April 22-23 to celebrate Earth Day, and a Mother’s Day drop May 13-14 of 100 glass art pieces. The floats are designed and created by a dozen glass studios from near and far, from right in Lincoln City to as far away as Stanwood, Washington. Successful hunters can call the VCB (800-452-2151), text FLOATS to 24587, visit the float registration page (www.oregoncoast.org/register/), or stop by the Visitor Information Center (540 NE Hwy 101) to register their float, receive a certificate of authenticity, and find out who made their personal treasure. There are lots of other ways to leave Lincoln City with a glass float souvenir. Special drawings are held monthly at the Visitor Center for glass floats. Bring a bag of beach trash to the Visitor Center, 540 NE Hwy 101, and fill out an entry form. People with disabilities who prefer not to beachcomb are also eligible to enter and win a monthly float drawing. And you can always buy one at a local glassblower or gallery (Jennifer Sears Art Glass Studio, 4821 SW Hwy 101; Volta Gallery, 4830 SE Hwy 101; or Alderhouse Glassblowing, 611 Immonen Road, closed through May). And finally, a spectacular display of historical floats is on display at the North Lincoln County Historical Society, 4907 SW Hwy 101. And remember, if you go the beach in Lincoln City this winter and don’t find a float or glass sand dollar, don’t despair: your beach walk was the real treasure after all!
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Global Gastronomy
Lincoln City’s chefs take you around the world, from Nepal to Germany, and back to the Northwest By Calley Hair • Photos by Nathan Howard
In Lincoln City, we tend to work up an appetite, what with the endless shopping, glassblowing, paddle boarding, kite flying, hiking, bike riding, beachcombing, movie watching … you get the idea. Luckily, your options are endless when it comes to picking your meal, with cuisines from all over the world congregating in a diverse collection of fare along our little seven-mile strip of coast. Trying to sample it all can seem overwhelming, but don’t worry — that’s what hearty appetites and happy hours are for. Nepali Kitchen & Coffeehouse The first thing you’ll notice when you walk in the door of this little hole-in-the wall restaurant is the smell — rich, aromatic spices waft through to the kitchen, mingling with the dark wood paneling and smoky fireplace burning on the opposite wall. Then you’ll see the pops of bright color in the form of knitted and woven tapestries draped across the chairs and hanging from the ceiling. Finally, when you take a look at the menu, you’ll know you’ve found the real deal at Nepali Kitchen, with genuine cuisine from the mountainous region available for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike. Can’t-miss items include the momo, or miniature, doughy dumplings filled with chicken or veggies accompanied by a spicy chutney for dipping, the lentil soup, and the bara, or lentil pancake. Wash it all down with a chai tea with 26
just the right amount of sweetness. This little cabin-like treasure is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays. 1816 NE Hwy 101 Kyllo’s Seafood + Grill If you’re looking for the best view paired with some truly local seafood, you really just can’t go wrong with Kyllo’s. For a party, a happy-hour drink, or an intimate date night, the sweeping ocean vistas pair with a roaring fire and mood lighting to create an atmosphere that’s just right. Kyllo’s serves only regionallysourced seafood — the Dungeness crab, halibut, salmon, ling cod, sole, and pink shrimp all come off Oregon coast fishing boats, while the oysters and clams come from Willapa Bay. Start your meal off right with a classic seafood appetizer, like the Dungeness crab cocktail or pan fried bay oysters. Pick a drink from the lengthy beer and wine lists, or the cocktail menu featuring traditional favorites with a twist. True seafood lovers should go for the cioppino bowl or lobster tail, while carnivores might gravitate toward the fresh-cut filet mignon. Finish off with dessert — nobody has ever regretted ordering a marionberry cobbler topped with vanilla bean ice cream.
Happy hour is every weekday from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the restaurant is open seven days a week from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. 1110 Northwest First St. kyllosseafoodandgrill.com The Tie Dye Pizzaria Sometimes, when you just want a really, really good slice of cheesy, delicious pizza, nothing else will do. In those circumstances, swing by The Tie Dye Pizzaria (formerly known as Humble Pie). At first glance, the joint seems divey in the best possible way, with graffitied walls, black-and-white checkered floors and a pool table. But don’t be fooled — there’s actually a dress code. If you wear a tie-dyed shirt, the owner will give you a discount on a medium or large pie. Order by the slice or watch the kitchen staff toss the dough for one of their unique creations, like the Greek Pie (salami, Italian sausage, onions, pepperoncini, feta and mozzarella) or the Chorizo Pie (salsa, chorizo, red onion, olives, bell pepper and mozzarella). You can also build your own, with options for gluten-free pizza lovers. A 12-inch or 16-inch pizza is plenty to share, although we can’t guarantee you’ll want to. Finish the meal off with an éclair or cream puff baked in-house. They don’t deliver, but they do take pickup orders ahead of time. Hours are Tuesday through
Sunday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., extended until 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. 1114 NE Hwy 101 tiedyepie.com Autobahn 101 Say “Weinerschnitzel” without giggling. Good? You’re ready to try Autobahn 101, an authentic German joint with a casual and festive atmosphere. From the outside, it’s easy to miss if not for the giant German flag waving overheard. Park around back and slip in the side door, and you’ll be greeting by two tail-wagging and booming barks from a pair of Labradors. Meander over to the bar and bounce on your stool to the springy polka music while you peruse the extensive beer menu, which spotlights German craft beers like Ayinger Jahrhundert, Spaten Optimator and Ayinger Brauweisse. If you can pronounce it, you’ll want to try it (and even if you can’t, the bartender will be happy to help you figure it out.) With your beer in hand, make sure to peruse the décor, which includes bright, festive streamers hanging from the ceiling and German maps, flags and posters hanging around the walls. If you work up an appetite playing pool or darts in the relaxed, game-friendly environment, Continued on page 28
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give the food a try. The adherence to traditional German fare can be found in the starters, like the house-made soft pretzels and Frikadellen (seasoned burger patties). Hungry for something big? The stuffed cabbage rolls, wurst, and schnitzel sandwich are all worth a try. 1512 SE Hwy 101 www.facebook.com/autobahn101
T
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Pizza • Calzone • Stomboli Sandwiches • Salads • Desserts Gluten Free Pizza Come in and write on the walls! Play pool and other games for FREE!
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Wear Tie Dye and get extra savings! Open Tuesday- Sunday • 1114 NE Hwy 101, Lincoln City
541-994-4840
1213 NE Hwy 101
Wine
Dine-in or Take-out
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Yatai Sushi Yatai Sushi is one of those unique restaurants that manages to combine the best of everything. The fairly new (opened December 2016) sushi joint boasts lightning-fast service and casual, walk-up ordering with some truly gorgeous presentation, creative rolls and high-quality cuts of fish. The result is a hybrid that works for just about any occasion — a family dinner, a work meeting, a first date, or a lunch break. With a cheery green exterior, the restaurant along Highway 101 is tough to miss. The interior is sophisticated but cozy, with polished wood benches, chalkboard menus, strung lights and a giant work of art painted by the owner herself (“Not finished yet! Please don’t touch,” the sign next to it reads). Specialty sushi rolls run in the $10 to $13 range, while the classics cost around $5. The real unexpected gem, however, is the nigiri, or simple cuts of raw fish over a bed of rice. True sushi-lovers will swoon over the gorgeous, half-inch thick cuts of rich and fatty salmon.
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(503) 392-4400 | www.cafeonhawkcreek.com
Sandy is Dandy!
Come romp, dig, climb, surf, and explore all of Lincoln City’s gorgeous beaches By Nancy Steinberg • Photos by Nathan Howard
What is it about that strip of sand and rock between the land and the sea that is so alluring? Everyone loves the beach, especially in Oregon, where it is not only stunningly beautiful but easily accessible and always, everywhere, public property. Along the 7.5 miles of Lincoln City coastline there are dozens of free beach access points: some large state parks, some tiny parking areas with room for one or two cars, and some no more than well-worn paths that only the locals know. Here’s a guide to some of Lincoln City’s beaches and access points, north to south. Road’s End State Park Why not begin at the end – Road’s End, that is. The northernmost beach in Lincoln City proper is part of Road’s End State Park, found by turning west off of Hwy 101 at the light at the Lighthouse Square plaza (watch for signs). Two adjacent parking areas are located on Logan Road, and beach access is a snap. If you’re content to simply stare at the water over lunch, picnic tables with spectacular views are available in the parking areas as well. Rock hounds will love this beach – it’s hard to know whether to look up at the views of offshore islands or to look down to find the ample agates and other geological delights that dot the sand. If your beach walk takes place at low tide, you can scramble around the rocky headland to the north, Road’s End Point, to a lovely hidden cove – just be sure to watch the tides or you could get stuck there until the water ebbs again! NW 26th St./Jetty Ave. Jetty Avenue runs in fits and starts roughly parallel to Hwy 101, and along Continued on page 30 29
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its length are a number of beach access points. Of course, they all lead to the same stretch of wide, flat, uncrowded beach. At NW 26th St. is a small parking area, bathrooms, picnic tables, and a long, steep staircase leading down to the beach. There are some great climbing rocks here, accessible at low tide, and a small creek spills onto the beach, perfect for small explorers. NW 15th St./Harbor Ave. Following the shoreline south, you’ll either be on Jetty, Harbor, or Inlet Avenue. At the intersection of NW 15th St. and Harbor is a teeny, tiny parking area, with enough room for perhaps two cars. But fear not: if you can’t get a parking space here, you can drive down the ramp and park right on the beach! This is the only spot in the area that allows vehicles on the beach (between the signs only). Do not stray outside of the marked area, as the sand gets soft and getting out can be much harder than getting in. One reason to access the beach here is the lovely set of tide pools that are exposed at low tide. D River State Recreation Area The D River – touted as the world’s shortest – empties from Devils Lake across Hwy 101 onto the sand here at D River Wayside, one of the most visited state parks in Oregon. This spot, sometimes referred to as Wecoma Beach, is the quintessential Oregon sandy beach – wide, flat, windy, and with higher surf than nearby spots. It is the site of two annual kite festivals. Canyon Drive Beach Access Where SW 11th St. dead-ends at the ocean is Canyon Drive Park and, across the street, a lovely public beach access point. The trick is following 11th St. to this hidden gem, as it twists, turns, and sometimes disappears. But stick with it and head west – it’s worth it! Canyon Drive Park offers a grassy play area and a small, bucolic pond. It has also served as the staging area for the Nelscott Reef surf competition. Nelscott Area/SW 35th St. Access Some of the world’s elite surfers descend upon the Nelscott neighborhood of Lincoln City just north of the Inn at Spanish 30
Head every year for a surf competition at Nelscott Reef offshore. Even when the reef break isn’t churning, this stretch of coast is a popular surfing spot. A moderate-sized parking lot at SW 32nd Street and Anchor Ave. attracts lots of traffic, but you’ll find cars parked haphazardly along the road between there and the access at 35th St. This access is perfect for watching the surfers, climbing on the exposed rocks just to the south, and enjoying photo ops with the statue of Joe the Sea Lion at the access point. There is also a public parking lot at 35th St. and Hwy 101. Taft and Siletz Bay To the north of tranquil Siletz Bay is the Taft neighborhood, dotted with adorable vacation cottages and great restaurants, including world-famous Mo’s. The Taft access at SW 51st St. allows easy access to the shore of the bay as well as oceanfront beach. The bay beach is littered with massive piles of driftwood, making for easy fuel-gathering for evening bonfires and fairly comfortable seating. Seals are often hauled out on the sand spit across the bay (the Salishan Spit). This is a popular area for sand castle construction (try your hand at the annual sand castle contest here in August!) and kite flying. The bay shore can also be accessed at tiny Siletz Bay Park on the north side of Schooner Creek adjacent to the Water’s Edge Condominiums. Josephine Young Memorial Park, SW 65th St. This sweet neighborhood park offers access to the shore of Siletz Bay, rather than the ocean. Turn off of Hwy. 101 at SW 62nd Street (near the Freed Gallery), follow it as it turns into Fleet St., then turn right at the beach access sign on SW 65th. A tiny parking lot, bathroom, and picnic table are available at the park entrance. Tide tables are your friend when visiting this park, as at high tide there is precious little beach to walk on. At low tide, you’ll find a long stretch of beach along the shore of the bay, often littered with the massive carcasses of immense trees. Especially during migration seasons, this is a wonderful spot for bird-watching. One species you won’t see too many of is humans: this beach spot is well off the beaten path, despite being in a residential neighborhood. No matter when you are here at the coast, Lincoln City’s beaches are awaiting your visit, changing with the seasons, the tides, and the time of day. We know you’ll find a favorite and return again and again.
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Welcome to Lincoln City, ancestral territory of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians 541-444-2532 or 800-922-1399 • ctsi.nsn.us
Enjoy one of fifty-one charming rooms and suites. Palace Inn’s King Spa Studio Suite with In-Room Spa & Fireplace. (541) 996-9466 or 1-866 996-9466 550 SE Hwy 101 • Lincoln City
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Sales, Service & Installation
541-994-3200 1603 SE East Devil’s Lake Rd. Lincoln City, OR
Your Hometown Tire Center Since 1980 Gerber Tire & Service Center of Lincoln City, OR has been your hometown tire center since 1980. We offer a guarantee on all workmanship, as well as manufacturer's and nationwide warranties on all of our products. We are looking forward to meeting you today!
•Tires and wheels •Brakes and alignments •Shocks and struts •Lube and oil change •Batteries and alternators •Starters and mufflers
•Radiators •Transmission service •Auto diagnostic service •Trailer sales •Trailer hitch installation
1605 SW Highway 101 • Lincoln City • gerbertire@gmail.com Monday - Friday: 8:00am - 5:30pm • Saturday: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Where the Wild Things Are The Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge
By Nancy Steinberg • Photos courtesy of Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Lincoln City offers a full range of accommodations for visitors, from large hotels to small inns to camp sites … to extensive, productive wetlands. OK, that last one is not for human visitors. The Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge at the southern end of Lincoln City provides critical habitat for migrating and resident wildlife, as well
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as a gorgeous, scenic recreation site for humans. Established with a gift of 46 acres in 1991, now grown to 567 acres with additional gifts and purchases of land, the refuge is managed as part of the Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The primary reason for establishing the refuge was to protect habitat for anadromous fish, those species that reproduce in fresh water but spend their adult lives in the ocean, such as salmon and steelhead. Impressive runs of Chinook and coho salmon, cutthroat trout, and steelhead come through the estuary at the mouth of the Siletz River on their way to upriver spawning grounds. The refuge also provides critical habitat for a tremendous range of birds, particularly migratory wildfowl and shorebirds, many species of which use the refuge as a wintering grounds. A recent mid-winter survey counted more than 1,200 birds resting and feeding in the refuge. The site is a birders’ paradise – species that use the refuge’s marshes, mudflats, and meadows include northern pintail, American widgeon, green-winged teal, bufflehead, Canada and cackling geese, great blue herons, whimbrel, dunlin, savannah sparrow, marsh wren, and common yellowthroat, among many others. Raptors also patrol the marshes searching for prey, including osprey, northern harrier, bald eagle, and redtailed hawk. Other, more elusive residents of the refuge include black-tailed
deer, elk, river otter, beaver, and even bobcat and coyote. Seals haul out on Salishan Spit at the mouth of the estuary, and can also be seen bobbing in the waters of the bay at high tide. In 2004 the Fish & Wildlife Service undertook a restoration of 80 acres of Millport Slough at the mouth of the estuary. The slough had been diked for 100 years, preventing the tides from ebbing and flowing. Once the dike was removed, normal tidal flow was restored, the brackish-water plants and animals native to the area returned, and the estuary began to function normally. Now the Fish & Wildlife Service largely leaves the refuge alone, aside from monitoring for invasive plants in the forests fringing the marsh. (They remove ivy, Scotch broom, and blackberries with the help of dedicated volunteers – contact the refuge to join a work party!) How can human visitors experience the refuge? While the best way is to paddle it in a kayak or canoe, this year the easiest access points to the refuge are under construction. Next summer, the Fish & Wildlife Service will again offer guided paddle tours of the refuge. A notification list for the popular excursions begins forming over the winter, and the trips do fill up so advance reservations are suggested (email oregoncoast@fws.gov to get on the list or get more information). To mount your own paddling excursion in the refuge, you can put in at the nearby beach access at Taft (access is available at Siletz Bay Park; see page 44); from the Siletz Moorage just a very short distance up Hwy 229 nearby (call them to find out about launch fees at (541) 996-3671); or further upriver, at Coyote Rock RV Resort and Marina (www.coyote-rock.com, (541) 996 6824). Coyote Rock rents kayaks as well. Be sure to start your paddle an hour or so before high tide, as boats can easily get stranded in the mud flats of the bay. Limited hunting in parts of the refuge is allowed for geese, ducks, and coots only. Hunting on Millport Slough is allowed east of Hwy 101 only on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday, and in the bay on the west side of the highway seven days per week. Hunters are permitted to enter either unit of the refuge two hours before sunrise and remain until one hour after sunset. The refuge’s
web site contains more information for hunters (www.fws.gov/ oregoncoast/siletzbay/). The newest access to the refuge is on the east side of Hwy 101 at the Siletz River crossing near the large refuge sign. A few parking spaces and an interpretive sign mark the beginning of a short, fairly flat, gravel nature trail along the river. The trail provides access for walking, bank fishing, and eventually, for launching non-motorized and very small motorized boats. On the west side of the highway, the bay is fully open to public access. You can go clamming and mucking around any time, but be sure to bring your boots. Whether you experience the refuge from the water or from the land, be sure to come visit. It is truly one of coastal Oregon’s most beautiful treasures.
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Salishan Resort
Come enjoy unparalleled luxury at Oregon’s premier coastal resort By Nancy Steinberg • Photos by Nathan Howard
All who come here will be renewed by the experience of being in the midst of giant spruces, hemlocks, firs and pines, by the sound and smell of the surf, by the sight of the cranes in the marshes and of the sandpipers on the beach. Barbara Fealy, Salishan landscape architect It’s like stumbling into your dreams. A place you know exists but you can’t find. John Storrs, Salishan architect A little over fifty years ago, visionary Oregon developer and philanthropist John D. Gray and his partners built that place of your dreams nestled into the central Oregon coast’s magnificent forest overlooking Siletz Bay – Salishan Spa & Golf Resort, located in Gleneden Beach just south of Lincoln City. The resort has hosted generations of Oregonians as they’ve celebrated the special events in their lives – weddings, family reunions, business retreats, and just plain fun vacations. Even if you’re not staying in one of Salishan’s newly-remodeled rooms, you can explore much of what the resort has to offer and use some of their renowned facilities. You’re sure to want to make plans to stay there on your next trip to the coast. 34
Salishan’s 250-acre property includes more than 200 luxurious guest rooms, an award-winning 18-hole golf course, a world-class spa, indoor tennis facilities, and four outstanding restaurants where you can dine on anything from onion rings to prime rib. Looking for a quiet stretch of beach for a stroll or a bonfire? Salishan’s private beach access awaits. Interested in live music and creative cocktails? Salishan’s Attic Lounge fits the bill. For many, the Salishan experience begins at the golf course. Surrounded by towering fir and spruce of the Oregon coastal forest and the tranquil waters of Siletz bay, the top-caliber Salishan course re-designed by legend Peter Jacobsen is as magnificent
as it is challenging. Start on the front nine, surrounded by oldgrowth trees, and play through to the links-style back nine with spectacular pond and bay views. Relax with a meal or drink at The Grill in the clubhouse after your game, or browse the pro shop, featuring Nike apparel. Salishan’s spa is second to none. Overlooking Siletz Bay, you can feel your stress melt away as soon as you walk in the front doors. Soothing elements of wood, water, and stone surround you, both in the gorgeous interior of the spa and in the natural environment surrounding it. Whether you want a restorative body wrap, an expert massage, or a salon treatment, you’ll feel renewed, relaxed, and pampered. Be sure to arrive early for your appointment so that you can enjoy the spa’s amenities, including the newly-refurbished outdoor infinity whirlpool overlooking the bay. Guests are also invited to relax in the spa’s Hearth Room where a cozy fire always blazes and the activities of eagles, herons, seals, and fishing boats punctuate the panoramic bay view. Tennis anyone? While the weather on the Oregon coast has been known to be, let’s say, damp, it’s always court time at Salishan, where you can pick up a racquet, play a friendly match, or work with a PTA-certified pro on your game at the Salishan indoor tennis center. With three Plexipave courts and indirect lighting, you’ll have ideal conditions for tennis year-round. The Tennis Center’s indoor viewing area is perfect for watching the action below, as well as for social gatherings of all kinds. If you’ve worked up an appetite with all of these activities, Salishan’s got you covered: choose from one of their four restaurants to satisfy every craving. The Grill in the golf pro shop, open to the public, offers casual dining for breakfast and lunch, as well as a full-service bar. Watch a sporting event on the big-screen TV near the fireplace, indulge in some of their famous guacamole, or have a drink after a round of golf. Another casual option is the Sun Room, open for three meals a day. Soups, salads, sandwiches,
and Salishan’s signature wine collection are all available here, plus a hearty breakfast menu to start the day. Don’t miss anything on the menu made with their incredible smoked salmon! In Salishan’s signature dining room you can cozy up to the fireplace or get a window seat for a spectacular view of Siletz Bay – either way, you’ll be treated to creative Northwest cuisine using the finest regional ingredients. Fresh, local seafood and prime steaks are the specialties here, and many patrons can’t get enough of the famous pot pies. Finally, visitors and locals love the Attic Lounge. The light bites and hand tossed pizzas are just the beginning here – throw in dazzling sunsets viewed from the deck, live music on the weekends, creative cocktails, and themed happy hours, and you’ve got a recipe for a perfect hang-out spot. Once you’ve sampled all that Salishan has to offer, you’ll want to book one of their gorgeous guest rooms for your next trip. With all-new furnishings, expansive golf course and bay views from private balconies, and traditional Northwest interiors featuring homey fireplaces, you’ll be surrounded by the authentic Oregon coast. Check out Salishan’s room specials and package deals on their web site, and visit this iconic Oregon resort.
When You Go Salishan Spa & Golf Resort 3536 7760 N. Highway 101, Gleneden Beach (800) 452-2300 www.salishan.com Golf Pro Shop (541) 764-3632 Spa (541) 764-4300 35
Northern Delights Don’t miss hiking at spectacular Cascade Head Preserve By Gretchen Ammerman • Photos by Luke Whittaker
Spot a rare silverspot butterfly, straddle the roots of a Sitka spruce, or snap a selfie with a stunning backdrop -- Cascade Head Preserve is the peak location for outdoor activity near Lincoln City. More than just a place to hike, the 270-acre preserve shoulders such weighty titles as United Nations Biosphere Reserve, Nature Conservancy preservation and restoration area, and National Scenic Research Area. 2016 marked Cascade Head Preserve’s 50th birthday, making it one of the oldest preserves in the state. Saved from development by a group of committed citizens, it is now managed by The Nature Conservancy, who has owned the land since the 1960s. Thanks in large part to their management, native wildlife and plant sightings are higher than in surrounding areas, and recent reintroduction of the Oregon silverspot butterfly will soon make it one of only four places in the world to catch sight of this highly threatened species. While hiking one of the trails in the preserve, you might cross paths with elk, deer, coyote, snowshoe hare, or the Pacific giant salamander. You may be looked down upon by a bald eagle, great horned owl, northern harrier, redtailed hawk, or peregrine falcon. Or if you are the one looking down, you might get to see the endangered checkermallow or early violet, the plant species that the silverspot butterfly depends upon for survival. Once you are done hiking, if your legs are failing and your lungs are ailing, 36
treat yourself to a guilt free ale at the Pelican Pub in Pacific City to the north. Proceeds from sales of Silverspot IPA, which can also be found in select stores throughout the county, go to the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, where silverspots are raised for release. As the (hopefully one day) popular saying goes, “Drink a beer, save a butterfly.” Nature Conservancy Trail Open year round, this 4.2-mile round-trip hike is considered intermediate, but don’t let that fool you: you’ll gain 1,200 feet of elevation to reach the top. Before you get there, you will pop out from the forest into a meadow with views across the Salmon River estuary, where on a clear day you can see Cape Foulweather and Devils Lake. The path then steepens for the climb to the upper view and turnaround point. There is no parking at the trailhead; instead, you are asked to park at Knight Park, where, on the plus side, bathrooms are available. To reach it, turn west off of Hwy 101 just north of the Salmon River onto Three Rocks Road and continue until you see a large parking area and boat ramp. There are good signs heading from the lot to the official trail head, but make sure to take a minute to remember which way to turn on the way back, as there is no sign at the foot of the official trail pointing the way back to the path to Knight Park. Hart’s Cove Trail Open from July 15 until December 31, this very popular roughly
5.4 mile round trip trail drops about 900 feet on the way to the turnaround point. Although part of the area has been logged, older trees, some more than 250 years old, become more plentiful as you approach the coast. The end of the main trail opens out to a large meadow, then circles back to the south a bit to reach a great view of Hart’s Cove, including a waterfall created by Chitwood Creek cascading into the Pacific Ocean. Continue, if you dare, on the steep, rugged trail that ends at a small area near the water. To reach the Hart’s Cove trailhead turn west off of Hwy 101 at Forest Road 1861, just before the summit of Cascade Head. Continue on this road, bearing left when the road forks. After about 3.3 miles, a guardrail on the left marks the trailhead to an easy short hike (about one mile) to the upper part of the preserve. The Harts Cove parking lot is at the end of the road. Sorry Fido: dogs are strictly prohibited in the entire preserve. But don’t let that make your tail droop - there is a Forest Service trail very close by that is more challenging but definitely less crowded. It doesn’t end with a view but but dogs are allowed so you can enjoy the view of your canine companion tackling the 7.4 mile round trip distance, which includes about 1,300 feet of elevation gain. Parking is in a small lot at the northwest junction of Three Rocks Road and Hwy 101. For more information on Cascade Head, inlcuding information about volunteering there, go to www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/ regions/northamerica/unitedstates/oregon/placesweprotect/ cascade-head.xml.
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History tells a whale of a story Summer June 1-Aug. 31 Wed.-Sun., 12 to 5
Winter Sept. 1-May 31 Wed.-Sat., 12 to 5
Your Ticket to Ride Pedal power in Lincoln City
By Gretchen Ammerman · Photos by Gretchen Ammerman
Beach towns and bikes go together like popcorn and pajamas, but for safety’s sake, it’s best not to ride for long stretches on Hwy 101. While avoiding the highway is difficult in Lincoln City, there are a few safer options for on or offroad riding that will have you feeling like a local in no time. Grease up that chain and get rolling! One of the newest places to play outside is at the Villages at Cascade Head, a 363-acre parcel between Roads End and the Salmon River Estuary that was purchased by the City in 2014. The final plans for the mostly undeveloped land are still to be decided, but for now, the Villages are a great place to recreate on two wheels, (or four; those on training wheels will not be judged). For families with small children, the lack of traffic makes this a great place to take kids just getting their balance, and for those who want a longer ride, the Villages are a great starting point to connect to the Head to Bay Trail. To get there, go east from Hwy 101 on East Devils Lake Road and follow the road past the right turn toward the golf course. Continue until you reach a gate, where there is plenty of parking. To start your road ride, head back to Hwy 101, then cross over and follow the signs for the Head to Bay Trail, a paved boardwalk that parallels East Devils Lake Road. This is one of the first sections of an ambitious project to give cyclists a safe route all the way through Lincoln City. For now, you will go about 1.5 miles from the highway to 22nd Street (look for the bicycle stop sign). Turn right and continue until you reach Hwy 101. You can turn around here, or to add more miles, cross over 101 and continue to the coast then head south; you will pass quite a few city parks with water stops and restrooms. 38
For mountain bike riders, there are a few trails in the Villages; most are only about a mile long but can be combined to extend miles. There is a trail map on the City’s website, www.lincolncity. org. For stronger riders, there is a steep climb that leads to a viewpoint overlooking the beach. If you would like to ride to the beach, start back at the parking area then take the trail on the left that is just past the gate. Follow the trail straight until you reach another gate. Go around it and in a few feet you will see a gravel road, Sal-La-Sea Drive. Turn left and follow it to the Roads End State Park parking lot and restrooms. Lincoln City has also been actively improving and maintaining its designated Open Spaces, underutilized jewels where visitors are surrounded by nature without leaving city limits. Though bikes are allowed, you can go a long way to ensuring it stays that way by following basic bike etiquette, especially by staying on the designated trails. Trail maps can also be found on the “Maps” page on the City’s website. Although there are six, the ones best for biking include (drumroll please): Cutler City: A flat and well-maintained web of trails, with very good maps posted at most trail heads. Agnes Creek: The newest in the City and best for intermediate level riders, as there are some steep sections. While there be sure to admire the bench installed as a Ford Foundation project. Friends of Wildwoods: Very close to Regatta Park, the trail starts flat but has a nice bridge crossing and some climbing. Spyglass Ridge: These steeper and more rugged trails have been significantly improved over the past year, and more improvements are coming. The trailhead is near Lincoln City’s Taft High School -- head onto the trail that snakes off to the right, not the wider
road-like trail to the left. Although the loop is short - only about 0.6 mile – this is a fun ride that involves a climb to a bay view at the peak, some great banked turns, and a couple of obstacles in the form of trees or logs across the trail.
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Sweet Summer Soundtrack The Siletz Bay Music Festival brings world-class performances to the coast By Nancy Steinberg • Photos courtesy of Siletz Bay Music Festival
As summer begins, strains of music waft over Siletz Bay: violins, piano, gorgeous voices. Follow the music, and it will take you to the Siletz Bay Music Festival, celebrating its sixth season this summer, at venues throughout Lincoln City. With a focus on classical music, the festival is also a treat for lovers of jazz, the American songbook, big band music, and more. The festival’s mission is simply to bring high-quality music performances and education to the central Oregon coast. Mission accomplished for the past five years, and this year should prove no different. Festival Artistic Director Yaacov Bergman sets the tone, assembling a remarkable array of talent every year as well as leading the festival’s orchestra. Bergman also serves as Music Director for the Portland Chamber Orchestra and the Walla Wally Symphony, and is the former Music Director of the Colorado Springs Symphony, the New York Heritage Chamber Orchestra, and the 92nd St. Y Orchestra in New York City. His versatility has led to frequent guest appearances across the globe conducting symphonic, operatic, oratorio, and pops repertoires. Past guest artists at the Siletz Bay Music Festival have included violinist Haroutune Bedelian, hailed by the New York Times as an “Alert, subtle artist as well as a superb instrumentalist;” violinist Lindsay Deutsch, whose performances are often heard on National Public Radio and whose credits include the solo violin sound track for the 2006 Robert DeNiro movie “The Good Shepherd;” and international piano soloist Gerald Robbins, who has appeared with many major orchestras including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, London Philharmonic, and the London Mozart Players. Bedelian and Robbins will return this year. This year’s festival, which will take place in several venues between June 21 and July 4, includes a typically star-studded lineup in a set of programs sure to delight. The event kicks off 40
on Wednesday, June 21st at 7:30 pm at the Lincoln City Cultural Center with a program called “Curtain Up!” This concert will feature works of Bach and Mendelssohn played by pianist
Mei-Ting Sun, cellist Katherine Schultz, and violinist Denise Dillenbeck. The very next night the music continues with a duo of trios: Beethoven’s “Ghost” trio featuring Trio Con Brio (Haroutune Bedelian, violin, Armen Ksajikian, cello, and Lorna Griffitt, piano) and Brahms’ Trio in A minor, featuring Ken Peplowski on clarinet (a perennial favorite at the Oregon Coast Jazz Party in Newport every fall), Katherine Schultz, cello, and Gerald Robbins, piano. The rest of the festival is jam-packed with amazing musical selections and guest artists, too many to detail, but a full list is available on the festival’s web site. Don’t miss fabulous pianist Dick Hyman’s 90th birthday celebration, a program entitled “Wallowing in Nostalgia,” on July 3. Or the annual concert benefitting the festival on July 2, this year called “Jazz and the American Songbook,” featuring vocalist Clairdee and celebrating Leonard Bernstein’s 100th birthday. Or the all-American program on July 4th, “Sweet Land of Liberty,” featuring the festival orchestra conducted by Bergman and a full lineup of fantastic guest artists. Part of the festival’s mission from its inception has been education. The festival always includes educational programs, master classes, and Q & A sessions with artists after the performances. In addition, all festival rehearsals are open to the public free of charge. When it comes to education, the festival goes well beyond its own performances, serving as a steward and active partner in a large “Studio to Schools” grant from the Oregon Community Foundation. This program provides performances in Lincoln City schools and supports student performance groups as well. Programs are subject to change, so be sure to go to the festival’s web site (www.siletzbaymusic.org) for the most upto-date information, including venues, ticket prices, and artist biographies. The summer’s soundtrack will be sweet indeed.
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The Play’s the Thing For a fun theatrical romp, catch a show at Lincoln City’s Theatre West By Nancy Steinberg • Photos by Gretchen Ammerman
In the mood to laugh? (And who isn’t, when they’re on vacation?) You’ll find laughs aplenty at the delightful live productions of Theatre West, Lincoln City’s community theater located on Hwy 101 in the Nelscott district. For more than 40 years, this theater troupe with a huge heart, and talent to match, has been mounting plays, mostly farces and comedies, to entertain locals and visitors alike. It can be hard to tell who is having more fun at a Theatre West production: the cast or the audience. Stina Seeger-Gibson, President of Theatre West’s Board of Directors, weighs in on the side of the cast: “People become family when they’re in a Theatre West show. We’re very supportive and accepting, and we have a ton of fun!” Theatre West began in 1975 as a project of the local chapter of the American Association of University Women. With no permanent home at the time, the intrepid theater group performed oneacts and other light plays at any venue that would have them, including Surftides restaurant, local schools, and the old Lincoln City library. As in so many theater tales, an angel figures prominently into the story of Theatre West. Jack Coyne, a Broadway actor and director, retired to the Lincoln City area with his partner, Mark LaRocque, in the late 1970s. The couple bought a storefront in Nelscott and turned it into Panache Antiques, which thrived in that location for about a decade. In 1986, they invited Theatre 42
West, in which Coyne was already heavily involved, to use a part of the building as a permanent home. In 1989, Coyne donated the entire property to the theater company and became its first Artistic Director. Coyne died on Christmas night in 2001, the night before the opening of the last production he directed for the theater troupe,
a revival of “Arsenic and Old Lace.” There are no coincidences in theater – just great stories: “That was the first show that Jack himself saw on Broadway,” commented Seeger-Gibson. Theatre West now keeps a “ghost light” lit for Coyne backstage, a form of eternal flame to memorialize the company’s patron and friend. Coyne’s ghost must be perpetually entertained, as there is constantly something happening in the Theatre West building. The troupe’s board chooses five productions to mount every season, which lean heavily toward comedies and rollicking farces. Theatre West was the first community theater company to receive the rights to produce “Lend Me a Tenor” by Ken Ludwig and “I Hate Hamlet” by Paul Rudnick. The company has also enjoyed a warm relationship with local Tony-winning playwright, William Luce, who granted permission for excerpts of his play, “The Belle of Amherst,” to be performed by the troupe. The 2016-2017 season, which runs through the end of this summer, has been a celebration of the humor of playwright Neil Simon. Next up in that series, running throughout most of May, is “Barefoot in the Park,” a romp through the early days of the marriage of Paul and Corrie. Corrie, probably the original manic pixie dream girl, wishes straight-laced Paul would be more freewheeling. Hilarity, of course, ensues. Theatre West will mount two productions of “The Odd Couple” in July and August, the first featuring a pair of females in the lead roles (Florence and Olive replace Felix and Oscar) and the second featuring males.
In addition, for one special weekend in April, Theatre West actors will present a reprise of their readers’ theater version of “Love, Loss and What I Wore” by Nora and Delia Ephron at the Lincoln City Cultural Center. These performances (April 13-15) are free. All of the actors, technical staff, ushers, and others involved in Theatre West productions are strictly volunteers, mostly from the prodigiously talented local community. Newbies are always welcome to audition; Seeger-Gibson says that every production includes at least one new person, proving that the local talent well will never run dry. If out-of-towners would like to usher, they can call to volunteer and then see the show for free, a nice option if you’re planning a trip to the area. The 72-seat theater offers an intimate experience for audiences (“You can see all the actors’ facial expressions from the last row!” laughs Seeger-Gibson), but its size also means that most productions sell out. Shows run on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, and the curtain always rises at 7:30 pm. Tickets are available by calling the box office at (541) 994-5663.
When You Go Theatre West 3536 SE Highway 101, Lincoln City (541) 994-5663 theatrewest.com
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The Historic Taft District A tradition of fun, food, and frolic
By Nancy Steinberg • Photos by Jo-Hanna Wienert, Lori Maynard
More than a century’s worth of travelers can’t be wrong: Lincoln City’s historic Taft District, a destination for tourists and locals alike, is a great place to spend time at the coast. Whether you want to build a sand castle, eat great chowder, sip a mojito, or blow a glass float, this neighborhood under and around the crabfestooned wrought-iron arch is the place to go. Taft is on the north shore of Siletz Bay, a gorgeous, small estuary that provides critical habitat for birds and other wildlife. Beach access, parking, historic cottages, and some of the shops and restaurants listed here are found on the loop formed by SW 51st Street off of Hwy 101. The Bay Area Merchants Association (www.taftbeach.com) publishes a walking map of the area which includes a listing of local businesses which provides an excellent
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introduction to the neighborhood. A great place to start is by fueling up with coffee and pastry from Captain Dan’s Pirate Pastry Shop. How about a “Shipwrecked” turnover flavored with bacon bits, caramel, apples, and cream cheese? Or a heavenly cinnamon roll? Or perhaps a “Beefy Captain Cookie” – oatmeal with raisins, cranberries, walnuts, hazelnuts, and almond extract, and described in the shop as “Eaten only by the pirate captain when out to plunder. The crew, sad to say, was left to drink rum and eat stale bread.” In addition to the wide range of pastries, muffins, and pies, Dan’s serves delicious brews made with locally-roasted Pirate Coffee and Tillamook ice cream. The fascinating history of the district (and all of Lincoln City) is vividly described in the exhibits at the North Lincoln County Historical Museum. Here you can learn about the town of Taft, established in 1906, the largest of the communities that eventually coalesced into what we now know as Lincoln City. Its early logging, fish processing, and tourism industries are well-documented in the museum’s displays. Taft heated up as a tourist destination in the early 1920s and 1930s; the historic Craddock cottages, still standing along SW 51st St., were built to accommodate the new wave of auto travelers in 1931. It its heyday in the mid-1930s, the annual Redhead Roundup, a Taft celebration of carrot-tops including carnival rides, games, parades, and contests, attracted 25,000 visitors. One of Taft’s most well-known businesses is Mo’s, home of the world-famous creamy clam chowder. This location has a fabulous waterfront view of the bay, where your meal-time entertainment could include kayakers, birds, seals, clammers, kites, and sand castle builders. While the chowder is renowned here, the rest of the fish is top-notch as well. Try the fish tacos, hot crab melt,
When You Go Captain Dan’s Pirate Pastry Shop 5070 SE Hwy 101 www.piratepastry.com North Lincoln County Historical Museum 4907 SW Hwy 101 www.northlincolncountyhistoricalmuseum.org Mo’s 860 SW 51st St. www.moschowder.com Eleanor’s Undertow 869 SW 51st St. Tiki’s at 51st 1005 SW 51st St. www.facebook.com/tikis51st Jennifer Sears Glass Art Studio 4821 SW Hwy 101 www.jennifersearsglassart.com Volta Gallery 4830 SE Inlet Ave. www.jennifersearsglassart.com Where to Stay There are lots of lodging options in the Taft neighborhood. Here are some excellent choices. or the smoked salmon alfredo for a change of pace. For dessert, I’d suggest the peanut butter pie – it’s almost as famous as the chowder! Other fantastic restaurant options abound in the neighborhood. Eleanor’s Undertow – a hard-to -miss pink building – has been serving up burgers, sandwiches, and ice cream for over 30 years. You can also get your salt water taffy fix here. Tiki’s at 51st might make you think your vacation shifted from the Pacific Northwest to the South Pacific, if the ahi wraps, mojitos, and tiki décor are any indication of location. Of course, since this is the Pacific Northwest, the coffee (Stumptown, from Portland) is also excellent. Although you could spend all your time in Taft eating, there’s plenty to do to burn calories as well. The parking at SW 51st St. allows easy access to the beach on the edge of the bay as well as oceanfront beach. The bay beach is littered with massive piles of driftwood, making for easy fuel-gathering for evening bonfires and fairly comfortable seating. Seals are often hauled out on the sand spit across the bay (the Salishan Spit). This is a popular area for sand castle construction (try your hand at the annual sand castle contest here in August!) and kite flying. If standing on the edge of the shore just doesn’t get you close enough to the water, you can kayak in the bay. With all that sand around, perhaps it was inevitable that the Oregon coast would become a glass art mecca. Taft is particularly rich with glass art-related businesses. If you’d like to try your hand at blowing your very own glass float or paperweight, head to the Jennifer Sears Glass Art Studio, a city-owned facility contracting with the Lincoln City Glass Center as Artists in Residence. The artists that work here make and sell their own creations, both here and the nearby Volta Glass Gallery, and help visitors experience the process themselves. Slots fill up in the summer time, so be sure to call for a reservation. There is more fun around every corner in Taft, so be sure to explore and find your own favorite spots.
Looking Glass Inn 861 SW 51st St. (800) 843-4940 www.lookingglass-inn.com Siletz Bay Lodge 1012 SW 51st St. (541) 996-6111 siletzbaylodgelincolncity.com Inn at Spanish Head 4009 SW Hwy 101 (800) 452-8217 www.spanishhead.com Water’s Edge Condos 5201 Hwy 101 (541) 996-9200 www.oregonbeachvacations.com Historic Anchor Inn 4417 SW Hwy 101 (541) 996-3810 www.historicanchorinn.com
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Slots to Do
We bet you’ll have tons of fun at Chinook Winds Casino By Dennis Anstine • Photo courtesy of Chinook Winds Casino
From its humble beginnings in 1995 as a small casino in “The Tent,” today’s Chinook Winds Casino Resort in northwest Lincoln City has grown into a destination like no other on the Oregon coast. Chinook Winds, owned by the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians of Oregon, had 250 slot machines and 12 card tables when it opened under a large tent in May 1995 on property overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Today, the 157,000-square-foot casino is a Las Vegas-style facility that never closes its doors and features more than 1,100 slot machines, some 30 table and poker games and a 1,000-squarefoot bingo hall. It is one of nine tribal casinos in Oregon. On the second floor, the 37,000-square-foot Convention Center is used for many events, including mixed martial arts competitions, amateur boxing, pool tournaments, art shows, fundraisers, and reunions. The casino’s Concerts by the Sea showroom also offers several entertainers each month. The casino’s décor incorporates many symbols and traditions of the Siletz Tribe, including the indoor waterfall that flows into a pond designed to resemble Euchre Creek, an important cultural site to the tribe. The foundation of the waterfall includes a huge boulder from the tribal land. For families visiting the casino, there is a “Play Palace” that offers a supervised activity center and the Games Galore Arcade, which has some 80 games for teens. The resort also offers four full-service dining options: the Chinook Seafood Grill, the Rogue River Steakhouse, the Euchre Creek Deli, and the Siletz Bay Buffet. Don’t miss the renowned “Sparkling Sunday Brunch” at the Siletz Bay Buffet! The 2004 purchase of the neighboring Shilo Inn made the 46
sprawling property a destination resort, offering 243 rooms and many amenities, including a Jacuzzi, steam room, indoor heated swimming pool and workout facility, 7,500 square feet of meeting space, wi-fi, and a complimentary shuttle to the casino located adjacent to the hotel. The hotel is just steps from the beach and its pounding surf and stunning sunsets. Since 2005, the Chinook Winds Golf Resort has offered a challenging 18-hole course on nearly 80 acres of gorgeous coastal property, and the only indoor driving range on the coast. The golf course also includes a pro shop, fitness center, Aces Sports Bar & Grill, and meeting rooms. Chinook Winds is actively engaged with the Lincoln County community, via hosting charitable events and partnering with many local organizations to help promote the area to build up tourism. It makes monetary contributions to various nonprofit organizations and also provides assistance through inkind services, technical support, and team member volunteers throughout the community, including the Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital Foundation, Newport and Lincoln County youth athletics, and Lincoln County schools. The Siletz Tribe is also a major contributor to the Siletz community, Lincoln County, and the state of Oregon through employment, monetary donations, and by purchasing from local vendors. The tribe has distributed more than $12 million through the Siletz Tribal Charitable Contribution Fund and other tribal resources. Chinook Winds itself has donated more than $3 million in cash and fundraising items since it opened in 1995. The revenue generated by Chinook Winds goes directly to the Siletz Tribe after all operating expenses are paid.
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