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IBy Gretchen Ammerman Oregon Coast TODAY

t has been a fun year so far in terms of photo shoots for our covers. I ran through the small forest behind the Yachats Commons after two happy kids holding glass and ceramic mushrooms, climbed down big rocks down to Siletz Bay with my neighbor who was dressed as a superhero and this week, thanks to a running injury, stood very still to capture photos of one of my very favorite local couples for this week’s cover story about the Sweetheart Dance at the Lincoln City Cultural Center (page 10).

Aracelly Guevara and Dr. Jerry Robbins graced our cover once before a few years ago and are very gracious about the awkwardness of “dancing” for me while I shout out ideas for moves. Aracelly even held a chocolate rose in her teeth for me, which turned out better than any of us thought it would at the time.

They really make me want to take up dancing, although it’s probably going to have to wait until I’m no longer using crutches.

Shell out and eat well

Join another Central Coast crustacean celebration, the Crab Krack fund-raiser at Newport’s Agate Beach Best Western this Sunday, Feb. 16.

Enjoy live music by Whole Lotta Louis, silent and live auctions with Rep. David Gomberg acting as the auctioneer for the live event and, of course, a delicious dinner featuring crab donated by local fishermen and Pacific Seafood. Funds from the event will help the Lincoln County Historical Society maintain its two buildings — the Pacific Maritime Heritage Center on Newport’s Bayfront and the Burrows House Museum.

Recent building projects at the heritage center include ongoing work on the new multipurpose room and replacing all of the defective rubber tiles on the rooftop patio. The tile replacement led to the discovery of water damage in multiple areas. But, after all the leaky spots were patched and the water damaged siding replaced, the rooftop patio, which has one of the best bay views in the city, is once again open to the public.

More than 50 auction items from local artists and businesses will be up

for the bidding. Works from favorite local artists include a quilt from Jean Amundson, two glass tile mosaics on bamboo trays by Joanne Daschel and a hand sculpted blue heron by Jo An McAdams. Businesses offering adventures include a guided fishing trip for two from River Hawk Guide Service, a five-hour fishing trip from Tradewinds and a private guided tour of the Yakona Nature Preserve by JoAnn Barton.

Goods on offer include jewelry, clothes and a seafood and wine gift basket from the Newport Chamber of Commerce in honor of the city’s biggest annual festival.

New to the event this year will be a timelapse of the crab fishing boats leaving and returning from Port Dock 5. This is a prelude to an Ebb and Flow documentary called “Newport: The Dungeness Crab Capital of the World” that will be played in the Doerfler Family Theater.

The doors will crack open at 4 pm at the Agate Beach Best Western, located at 3019 N Hwy. 101 in Newport.

Tickets are $65 for members of the Lincoln County Historical Society and $75 for non-members. For more information and tickets, go to oregoncoasthistory.org/crabkrack.

A fresh look at the old country coast culture

Plan your dream getaway with Bridie’s Irish Faire in Newport

You don’t need to have Irish roots to appreciate the culture and admire the island. With its lush green hills, intricate Celtic knots and pints of Guinness, the traditional things that say “Ireland” are a draw for even those with no Irish ancestry.

Entering Bridie’s Irish Faire, a shop nestled on a hillside in Newport’s charming Nye Beach District, is a bit of an immersive experience, including the faux cottage, complete with a thatched roof and antique stained-glass window, that adorns the interior.

With inventory that features imported sterling silver jewelry and unique apparel made of lush merino wool, linen and silk, Bridie’s is a great place to shop for yourself or choose a gift and, while there, have a chat with owner Susan Spencer. Twice yearly, Spencer provides boutique tours to Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales, so the conversation with customers often leads to shared travel experiences and ancestral homelands.

“What makes Bridie’s tours different from those of the larger tour companies is that I escort small groups of 24, and we take our time and enjoy the journey,” she said. “Each hotel stay is two or three nights, so the pace is more leisurely. I also try to include some historically relevant visits in places like Blarney Castle and its famous stone or places like Midleton Distillery that are purely for fun. Hospitality is as natural as breathing to the Irish people, as you will experience with every encounter in a village shop or pub.”

“On our last Irish tour, our guide mentioned he knew a Celtic healer, Patrick Noone, in Ballinasloe, County Galway,” Spencer said. “We were going to be within a reasonable proximity of his farm, so the guide scheduled a time for our group to visit. Patrick walked the group through his sacred land — pastures with Black Thorn trees filled with Connemara ponies and cattle, a fertility stone, a passage tomb and a Fairy Ring. We were given permission to enter the Fairy Ring and tie a reed infused with a wish to a Witch Hazel tree. That was one of the most magical experiences in all of my travels to Ireland.”

Spencer first opened Bridie’s Irish Faire in 2006, in Salem, where she also started the Ceili of the Valley Society, a nonprofit group that facilitates Irish music and dance education. In 2008, the business relocated to Newport.

Keeping her group size smaller than many tour companies also provides the ability to be spontaneous and take advantage of special, unplanned opportunities that might appear.

“Bridie is a nickname for Bridget,” Spencer said. “Every house in Ireland has a Bridget and a Mary, so there are many nicknames for each. My father traveled to Ireland in the early 1960s and met his teenaged cousins, Bridie and Kathleen Cox for the first time. He took them touring and, since they had never been further than about five miles from home, it was quite exciting for them. Before my dad passed away in 1992, he gave me letters Bridie had written to him. I wrote a letter to Bridie, at an address that was 30 years old, and she wrote back. We corresponded until her death in 2004, so when it came time to name my new Irish shop, Bridie’s seemed like the obvious choice.”

The first tour through Bridie’s Irish Faire was in 2009, and the May 2025 tour will be number 24. These custom experiences offer a blend of city vibrance and country

charm, and include visits to ancient sacred sites, natural beauty locales, castles, cathedrals, distilleries, breweries, afternoon tea, and unique transportation opportunities such as steam trains, boat cruises, pony and trap or jaunting car rides. Because Bridie’s twice-annual tours regularly sell out a year in advance, those interested in the 2026 tours should plan and reserve early.

“My belief is that because nearly every person who emigrated from Ireland, whether it was due to the hardships of the Famine of the 1840s or other later economic hardship, they left because they had to, and this has created a strong yearning to return for generations,” Spencer said. “I have an abiding love for Ireland, not to mention the wit and charm of the people. I am always happy to introduce another group that is ‘returning’ to this beautiful island.”

Bridie’s Irish Faire is located at 715 NW 3rd Street in Newport and is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 am to 5-ish. For more information, go to bridiesirishfaire.com or call 541-574-9366.

Bridie’s owner Susan Spencer at Giant’s Causeway

Rich

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Experience the allure of this oceanfront beach cottage, just few yards away from miles of sandy beaches. This inviting home features 3 bedrooms and 1.5 baths within its generous 1,200+ sq. ft. of living space. The property features the charming original carriage house, fully revitalized with a complete outside rebuild. It comes with its own dedicated 200 amp service, offering a world of possibilities. Complete the inside and create a stylish guest retreat, creative studio, or versatile workspace, this space is ready to be transformed into whatever your imagination desires. Embrace coastal living at its finest!

Help celebrate Valentine’s Day with the result of a perfect pairing: Finders Keepers IPA, a brew from Beachcrest Brewing Company in honor of Explore Lincoln City’s ever-popular glass float program.

The special release honors the 25th anniversary of the beloved Finders Keepers program, which has delighted beachcombers with hand-crafted glass floats since 2000.

“Walking along the beach in Lincoln City and discovering a glass float creates such a fun and memorable moment — we wanted to craft an IPA that captures that same sense of surprise and whimsy,” said Matt White, brewer and co-founder of Beachcrest Brewing Company. “The bright, tropical notes and citrus aromas mirror the delight and excitement of spotting that telltale twinkle of a glass float hidden along the beach.”

Finders Keepers IPA is dry and crisp with an assertive hop backbone and a lovely floral aroma, creating an approachable craft beer that pairs perfectly with a day of beach exploration. From a culinary standpoint, it pairs well with strong and assertive dishes including creamy cheeses like brie or gruyere, salty

proteins like bacon or fried chicken, flavorful veggies like stewed greens or salty taters, and spicy and herbal foods with some heat or not-too-delicate seasoning.

The Finders Keepers program was inspired by the Japanese fishing floats that used to show up on Oregon beaches in decades past. Since the inaugural year, the program’s “Float Fairies” have secretly placed more than 75,000 handcrafted glass floats along Lincoln City beaches for visitors to find and keep.

“The collaboration with Beachcrest Brewing Company honors our beloved Finders Keepers program while highlighting the creative spirit and sense of community that makes Lincoln City so special,” said Kim Cooper Findling, director of Explore Lincoln City. “We’re proud to be collaborating on a Finders Keepers IPA that’s made with the same level of care and artisanal craftsmanship as our locally made glass floats.”

Beachcrest Brewing Company is located within the Salishan Marketplace at 7755 N Hwy. 101 in Gleneden Beach. For more information, go to beachcrestbrewing.com.

Feel the beat

Get your pulse racing at the Sweetheart Dance

The Lincoln City Cultural Center and the Lincoln Pops Big Band invite you to spend Valentine’s Day with Louis, Cole, Glenn and Duke — Louis Prima, Cole Porter, Glenn Miller and Duke Ellington — and all your Big Band favorites at this year’s fun and friendly Sweetheart Dance this Friday, Feb. 14.

If you’re “In the Mood” for this kind of “Moonlight Serenade,” you’re invited to attend. Tickets include cookies, sweet treats and a flower for every lady. If “It’s Been A Long, Long Time” since you said “Let’s Dance,” they’ve got you covered. The floor will be open, but a partner is not required. You’re free to just sit back and tap your toes through three sets of great music.

The dance is a fund-raiser for the cultural center’s Piano Fund. There will also be a raffle and other ways to support the nonprofit center.

“We are upgrading our piano this year to a refurbished Yamaha C2, and we’ll be focusing our concert fundraising in that direction,” said Director Niki Price. “All the cultural center’s proceeds from this dance will go toward the new baby grand.”

The piano purchase price is $18,000.

“We’ve already raised $4,000 at the paddle raise in October,” Price said. “So, for the next six months we will be having a ‘Grand Time’ while we chip away at the

$14,000 left to raise. We might even be able to have it delivered before it’s paid off, so we can enjoy it while we pay it off.”

The evening will include three sets performed by the Lincoln Pops Big Band, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and passing along the heritage of the Big Band era. Members include current and retired professional musicians, band directors, former high school and college players and even a few talented local high school students. With 18 to 21 musicians, the Pops’ sound includes trumpets, trombones, clarinet, piano, drums, guitar and vibraphone, along with a rotating cast of vocalists.

A Lincoln County collective for more than 30 years, the band has evolved into one of the finest big bands in Oregon. Under the artistic direction of Matt White, the Pops play all types of dance music, including swing, Latin and jazz tunes. They’ve got a regular gig on the third Thursday of each month at the Gleneden Beach Community Hall.

This week’s cover models Aracelly Guevara and Dr. Jerry Robbins are long-time dancers who have attended countless Pops performances.

“We keep dancing to keep young,” Guevara said. “It is a form of exercise, but it is such a unique one and I feel that everyone should take the time to learn it. I dance just for me but I like to be with my partner — I feel like time stops when we are dancing together.”

Looking back on the 20 years she lived in New York City, Guevara is surprised that her passion for dancing was not ignited until her move to the Oregon Coast.

“It is a blessing to have this amazing band in this tiny town,” she said.

Both Guevara and Robbins used the word “meditation” to describe dancing and expressed appreciation for the long-term benefits of it and gratitude for their local bigband.

“It keeps my brain young,” Robbins said. “And I agree that the Lincoln Pops are very, very special. It’s just an incredible resource for the community. And it also turns out that the cultural center is a great place to dance.”

The joint will start jumping at 7 pm this Friday, Feb. 14, at 540 NE Hwy. 101. Tickets are $20. For more information, go to lincolncity-culturalcenter.org or call 541994-9994.

Jeri

Our amazing resident at South Beach Manor! Friendly, calm, a voracious reader with a zest for life, interested in “how things work” and the “whys” of life and accomplished hiker extraordinaire. WE celebrate YOU! 100 years!

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Whether you’re starting your morning with a treat or indulging in a delightful brunch, our Strawberry Pancakes are made to satisfy. Topped with a dollop of fresh whipped cream and freshly sliced strawberries, each bite is a perfect harmony of sweet, tangy and buttery goodness.

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Coast Calendar

Timeless Yin Yoga

Luminous Soul Center • Gleneden Beach

Yin yoga is a slower, sustained practice that works primarily on nourishing the deeper tissues, ligaments and tendons and focuses on the meridian channels in the body. First class free. Book at luminoussoulcenter.com. 10 am, 6645 Gleneden Beach Loop. FMI, call 971-313-2383.

Corks & Cupcakes

Lakeview Senior Living • Lincoln City

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with cupcakes, wine and elegant snacks. 3-7 pm, 2690 NE Yacht Avenue.

Valentine’s Dinner Dance

Tillamook Elks Lodge

Dinner starts at 5 pm, with music and dancing at 7 pm. $10 admission, with dinner options from $20 to $30. For reservations, call 503-842-6623. 5-11 pm, 1907 Third Street.

Bloody Valentine’s Bash

Vin and Bräu Lincoln City

A glam Valentine’s celebration, featuring performances by Sweeney Gray & The Shades and local drag favorite Mai Faye Rit. 6-8 pm, inside the Pines Dine, 5040 SE Hwy. 101.

Night Market

Aquarium Village • Newport

Find unique gifts, an artist meet-and-greet, karaoke, an open mic, food and more. 6-9 pm, 2925 SE Ferry Slip Road. FMI, go to www. primaltones.com.

Sunday, Feb. 16 Get

Biosphere Day

Driftwood Public Library Lincoln City

Years Exploring Inner Worlds” Yachats Commons

A retrospective exhibit of paintings by West Coast artist Charles Swank, who opted out of the art world to pursue a spiritual life while raising a family. 10 am to 4 pm, 441 Hwy. 101. FMI, go to pollyplumb.org. Continues Sunday.

Galentine’s Day Luminous Soul Center • Gleneden Beach

Indulge in a day of self-care and sisterhood, with candle making, chair massage, reiki, oracle readings, aura pictures and lunchy bites. $60. Book at luminoussoulcenter.com. 12:30-5 pm, 6645 Gleneden Beach Loop. FMI, call 971-313-2383.

Learn all about the Cascade Head Biosphere Reserve at this free family event, with brilliant imagery, puzzles, maps, hints for hikes, snacks and a lot more. 1-4 pm on the second floor at 801 SW Hwy. 101.

Willamette Writers

Newport Public Library

Kim Taylor Blakemore leads this hands-on workshop on how to transform flat scenes and muddy endings into compelling, page-turning moments. 2 pm, 35 NW Nye Street. FMI, go to willamettewriters.org.

Drag Bingo

Beach Club and Event Center Lincoln City

Come for the bingo, stay for the glam of drag artist Queen Sativa and enjoy a night of laughter, prizes and show-stopping moments. 21-and-over. $10. 6 pm, 2020 NE 22nd Street.

Comedy on the Coast

Chinook Winds Casino Resort Lincoln City

An evening of 21-and-over laughs, headlined by Derek Richards, featuring Kris Shaw and hosted by Bo Johnson. $15. 7 pm, 1777 NW 44th Street. Saturday,

Pancake Breakfast

Bay City Arts Center

Connect with your community and show your support of the arts

— as well as your love of pancakes. $10 for adults, $5 for children 12 and under. 9 am-noon, 5680 A Street.

“50 Years Exploring Inner Worlds” Yachats Commons

Sunday Sounds

Cafe Chill • Waldport

Open mic with host Mac “The Duke” Esposito. Family-friendly acts, seasoned performers and fledgling talents welcome. 1-3 pm, 540 NE Commercial Street.

“A Course in Miracles”

Congregational Church of Lincoln City

This ongoing spiritual self-study program offers a warm welcome to all. 2-3 pm, 2435 NW Oar Place. FMI, call Pam at 541-961-0084 or Mary Anne at 480-310-3433.

Drop-in Figure Drawing

Newport Visual Arts Center

Practice figure drawing with a live model in fitted clothing. Easels, paper and charcoal provided, or bring your own materials. $5-$10 donation suggested. 2-4 pm, 777 NW Beach Drive. FMI, call 541574-3364.

Oregon Legacy Series

Driftwood Public Library • Lincoln City

The series continues with a visit from John Larison, whose latest novel, “The Ancients,” was released last October. 3 pm on the second floor at 801 SW Hwy. 101.

Crab Krack

Agate Beach Best Western • Newport

Enjoy a delicious crab dinner while raising funds for the Lincoln County Historical Society. 4 pm, 3019 N Hwy. 101. Tickets, $75, available at oregoncoasthistory.org/crabkrack.

A gentle form of movement while your body is supported. Open to anyone 50 and older. A donation to the instructor is suggested. 11:30 am, inside the Lincoln City Community Center at 2150 NE Oar Place.

Geology

Unearth treasures from the Pacific as you hunt for gemstones, agates, jasper, petrified wood and other coastal jewels with a local expert. No registration required. 10 am. FMI, go to www. explorelincolncity.com/events/exploriences.

Gentle Yoga Sessions

Lincoln City Cultural Center

This New Moon Yoga class features slow, gentle movements guided by the breath and awareness for flexibility in body, mind and spirit. Safe and appropriate for all levels. Noon, 540 NE Hwy. 101.

Tai Chi for Health

Recreation Center No matter what age, tai chi can help you focus your mind, improve your health and strengthen your body. $32 for four sessions. 12:30-1:30 pm, 225 SE Avery Street.

Cribbage Club

Pioneer Joe Coffee Gleneden Beach Forget the rest. Come play with the best. 4 pm in the Salishan Marketplace, 7760 Hwy. 101. FMI, call 541-574-7668. Bingo

Panther Creek Community Center • Otis Food served from 4:30 pm. Bingo runs from 5-7 pm, 655 N Wayside Loop, follow the signs from the Otis junction. FMI, email pcsacc@centurylink.net.

pm, 540 NE Hwy. 101. FMI, call 541-9921002 or email sachdeva.kanwal@gmail.com.

Trivia Night

Beachcrest Brewing • Gleneden Beach Show off your knowledge for the chance to win prizes. Teams of up

Your guide to live music on the Central Oregon Coast

Don’t see your favorite band or venue? Email the details to soundwaves@oregoncoasttoday.com and we’ll get you listed.

Thursday, Feb. 13

Bret Lucich

Oshen’s Restaurant • Gleneden Beach

An experience to remember from this singer-songwriter, entertainer and musician, with a wide variety of music for listening and dancing. 5:30-7:30 pm, at Salishan, 7755 N. Highway 101, 541-764-9026.

Thursday Jam Night

Newport Eagles Lodge

Hosted by Donnie King. Musicians, dancers and party-goers welcome. 6-8 pm-ish, 106 E Olive Street, 541-265-2430.

Karl Smiley

The Drift Inn • Yachats

This award-winning songwriter loves to mix it up with his unique and personal spin on rhythmic blues, traditional folk and some covers. He plays his own brand of fingerstyle guitar and loves to fly free with his whistling or scat breaks. 6-8:30 pm, 124 Hwy. 101 N., 541-547-4477.

Jam Session

Snug Harbor • Lincoln City

Open mic jam session. All musicians welcome. 8:30 pmmidnight, 5001 SW Hwy. 101.

Karaoke

Zeller’s Bar & Grill • Lincoln City

8:30 pm-12:30 am, 1643 Hwy. 101, 541-994-8100.

Karaoke

Bay Haven Inn • Newport

Have a great time with local host Dr. B. and support a small, local venue. 8:30 pm-midnight, 608 SW Bay Blvd.

Friday, Feb. 14

Connie & Friends

Fishing Rock Eatery & Lounge • Depoe Bay

Acoustic contemporary. 5-8 pm, 3245 Hwy. 101.

Barbara Lee Turrill

Café CHILL • Waldport

Singer-songwriter-guitarist playing artisanal folk: slightly political and emotionally rich. 5-7 pm, 540 NE Commercial Street.

Bret Lucich

Oshen’s Restaurant • Gleneden Beach

An experience to remember from this singer-songwriter, entertainer and musician, with a wide variety of music for listening and dancing. 5:30-7:30 pm, at Salishan, 7755 N. Highway 101, 541-764-9026.

Roger DeCarlo

Zurita in Nye Beach • Newport

Acoustic, classical guitar and tableside serenades. 5:30-7:30 pm, 711 NW 2nd Court, 541-272-5078.

Gabe Hess

Pelican Brewing • Lincoln City

Enjoy a pint with a view, alongside live music. 6-8 pm, 5911 SE Hwy. 101, 541-614-4216.

Garibaldi Jam

Garibaldi Community Hall

Mostly old-time favorites and Country-Western standards. Cut a rug on the large dance floor or simply sit and enjoy. 6-8 pm, 6th Street and Acacia Avenue.

Hannah Paysinger

The Drift Inn • Yachats

Hannah’s rich and playful vocal tones are accompanied by a uniquely expressive piano style that some have described as indie-folk-pop. 6-8:30 pm, 124 Hwy. 101 N., 541-547-4477.

Lisha and the Outlaws

Sea Note Restaurant and Lounge • Yachats

Coastal diva Lisha Rose and friends serve up a love fest where everyone is a Valentine. 6-9 pm, 333 Hwy. 101 N.

Bloody Valentine Bash

Vin & Bräu • Lincoln City

Kitsch glam rocker Sweeney Gray headlines this 21-and-over bash. 6-8 pm, inside the Pines Dine, 5040 SE Hwy. 101.

Karaoke

Bay Haven Inn • Newport

Have a great time with local host Dr B. and support a small, local venue. 8:30 pm-close, 608 SW Bay Blvd.

Karaoke

Zeller’s Bar & Grill • Lincoln City

8:30 pm-12:30 am, 1643 Hwy. 101, 541-994-8100.

DJ Metal

Chinook Winds Casino Resort • Lincoln City

Playing club hits in the Rogue River Lounge. 10 pm-1:30 am, 1777 NW 44th Street. Lincoln City, 888-244-6665.

Saturday, Feb. 15

Tsunami Zone

Fishing Rock Eatery & Lounge • Depoe Bay

Get out of the way for this coastal rock experience. 5-8 pm, 3245 Hwy. 101.

An experience to remember from this singer-songwriter, entertainer and musician, with a wide variety of music for listening and dancing. 5:30-7:30 pm, at Salishan, 7755 N. Highway 101, 541-764-9026.

Wild Hog in the Woods

Beachcrest Brewing Company • Gleneden Beach

A wild mix of old-time, swing, sleaze-jazz, ragtime, blues and tin-pan alley tunes played with verve and gusto. 5-7:30 pm, at Salishan, 7755 N. Highway 101, 541-234-4013.

Ludicrous Speed

Newport Elks Lodge

This Corvallis-based ska band is bringing its highly danceable, seven-piece sound to the coast in a free show. 6 pm, 45 SE Moore Drive.

Carson Poncé

Vin & Bräu • Lincoln City

This Portland-based singer-songwriter blends Americana and rock into a captivating storytelling experience. 6-8 pm, inside the Pines Dine, 5040 SW Hwy. 101.

Shy Shy and Gary

The Drift Inn • Yachats

Oregon Coast locals playing folk, blues and originals. 6-8:30 pm, 124 Hwy. 101 N., 541-547-4477.

Feelin’ Groovy

Primaltones Community Venue • Newport

A 21-and-over Valentine’s event with live music, dancing, a photo booth, covered outdoor social area and more. Tickets, $20, available at www.primaltones.com. 7 pm-close, 2925 SE Ferry Slip Road.

Jesse Lee Falls

Schooner Restaurant & Lounge • Netarts

Original funk and soul band. 7-9 pm, 2065 Netarts Basin Boat Road, 503-815-9900.

Karaoke

Bay Haven Inn • Newport

Have a great time with local host Precious. and support a small, local venue. 8:30 pm-close, 608 SW Bay Blvd.

Karaoke

Zeller’s Bar & Grill • Lincoln City 9 pm-2 am, 1643 Hwy. 101, 541-994-8100.

DJ Metal

Chinook Winds Casino Resort • Lincoln City

Playing club hits in the Rogue River Lounge. 10 pm-1:30 am, 1777 NW 44th Street. Lincoln City, 888-244-6665.

Sunday, Feb. 16

Sunday Jam

Bay Haven Inn • Newport

A chance for professional musicians to collaborate and improvise. 3-6 pm, 608 SW Bay Blvd.

Overdue Bills

Yachats Underground Pub Fun old acoustic Americana covers and originals. 4-6 pm, 125 Oceanview Drive.

Sunday Jazz Jam

Beachcrest Brewing Company • Gleneden Beach Instrumentalists and vocalists are welcome to sit in. 4-6 pm, at Salishan, 7755 N. Highway 101, 541-234-4013.

Mike Tolle

Luna Sea at Seal Rock

Acoustic folk blues. 5-7:30 pm, 10111 NW Pacific Coast Hwy., Seal Rock, 541-563-5862.

Bret Lucich

Oshen’s Restaurant • Gleneden Beach

Karaoke Snug Harbor Bar & Grill • Lincoln City Hosted by Doctor B. 8:30 pm- midnight, 5001 SW Hwy. 101.

Ludicrous Speed • Saturday, Feb. 15, in Newport

soundwaves

Joren Trouble Now

Fishing Rock Eatery & Lounge • Depoe Bay

While wife June is away, Joren Rushing holds down the fort along with multi-instrumentalist Robin Remaily, presenting classic hits from the golden age of radio. From Patsy Cline and Marty Robbins to the Beatles, they do it all with style. 6-8 pm, 3245 Hwy. 101.

Chuck Tourtillott

The Drift Inn • Yachats

With musical influences ranging from classic rock, blues, folk and country, Chuck has developed a rich repertoire to share with his audiences. 6-8:30 pm, 124 Highway 101 North, 541-547-4477.

Karaoke

Snug Harbor Bar & Grill • Lincoln City

Hosted by Doctor B. 8:30 pm-midnight, 5001 SW Hwy. 101.

Monday, Feb. 17

Dave Hill

Oshen’s Restaurant • Gleneden Beach

Vocals and acoustic guitar featuring music of singersongwriters of the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s and more. 6-8 pm in the Salishan Marketplace, 7755 N Hwy. 101, 541-764-9026.

Matt Neely

The Drift Inn • Yachats

Serving up high-energy bluegrass favorites, country classics, gritty blues and sultry acoustic jazz, there is something for everyone. 6-8:30 pm, 124 Highway 101 North, 541-547-4477.

Tuesday, Feb. 18

Linda Yapp

Zurita in Nye Beach • Newport

Mellow acoustic classics and easy listening to dine by. 5:308 pm, 711 NW 2nd Court, 541-272-5078.

TBA

The Drift Inn • Yachats

Not some fancy band name. Just “To Be Announced.” But it will be live and it will be fabulous. 6-8:30 pm, 124 Hwy. 101 N., 541-547-4477.

Lincoln City Bluegrass Jam

Eagles Lodge • Lincoln City

Classic and contemporary bluegrass, old-time Americana and country music. Bring your acoustic instrument to play and sing in the Jam Circle, or just come to listen. All welcome. 6-8 pm, 737 SW 32nd Street.

Jam Session

Wing Wa Taphouse • Depoe Bay

Open mic jam session. All musicians welcome. 8 pm-close, 330 US-101, 541-765-2288.

Karaoke

Zeller’s Bar & Grill • Lincoln City

8:30 pm-12:30 am, 1643 Hwy. 101, 541-994-8100.

Wednesday, Feb. 19

Live Music

Wednesdays

Salishan Coastal Lodge • Gleneden Beach

Enjoy an acoustic set from Hayley Lynn on the outdoor patio of the Attic Lounge, weather permitting. 5-7 pm, 7760 Hwy. 101.

Randy McCoy

The Drift Inn • Yachats

Randy writes and performs songs on guitar, ukulele and mandolin. 6-8:30 pm, 124 Highway 101 North, 541-5474477.

Karaoke

Zeller’s Bar & Grill • Lincoln City

8:30 pm-12:30 am, 1643 Hwy. 101, 541-994-8100.

SPECIAL THANKS FROM TRACEY TAYLOR TO MY PARTNER IN LIFE, CHRISTIE; TO MY BUSINESS PARTNERS, JEROME, LILA & GITL; TO OUR LOCATION PARTNERS, LINCOLN CITY OUTLETS; TO OUR INSTRUCTORS, STEPHANIE, CHERYL, JEWEL, ANNIKA, MATT, KELLY, JOANNE & SARAH; TO MY FAMILY FOR ALWAYS STEPPING

Overdue Bills • Sunday, Feb. 16, in Yachats

learn a little Keystone species gets a little kelp

Elakha Alliance outlines efforts to reintroduce sea otters to Oregon waters

Briefly interrupted by the pandemic, the annual Williams Lecture Series is back with an important presentation at the Lincoln City Cultural Center on Thursday, Feb. 20.

Chanel Hason, director of outreach and community relations for the Elakha Alliance, will discuss the organization’s efforts to restore sea otters to the Oregon Coast. She will also cover how these charismatic marine mammals are vital to the health of our coastal ecosystems and the history behind their disappearance.

Hason has a rich background in marine biology, environmental education and nonprofit management. She is an otter alum from CSU Monterey Bay, and volunteered with sea and river otters at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. She has conducted marine science research on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and worked for Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment program at the Ritz Carlton Reserve in Puerto Rico. She moved to Oregon in 2016 to obtain a degree in Sustainability Education from Portland State University. Hason is also a former Miss Scuba USA, having represented the United States in Malaysia at the 2013 Miss Scuba International Pageant.

The quest to restore sea otters received a recent boost, when the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians received a three-year, $1.56 million grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to support Tribal efforts to

return sea otters to the Oregon and Northern California coasts.

The grant is through the America the Beautiful Challenge, a partnership between the Department of the Interior, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Defense and Native Americans in Philanthropy.

The project is titled Bringing Xvlh-t’vsh Home: Indigenous-led Planning for Sea Otters’ Return to the Oregon and Northern California Coast.

“I am pleased that after years of collaboration with the Elakha Alliance and others, we will now be able to take steps with other Tribal nations and partner organizations to return this culturally important species to their ancient home,” said Tribal Chairman Delores Pigsley. “This funding will enable us to build capacity and expertise to lead or participate in sea otter reintroduction and management and to elevate the role of coastal Indian Tribes in marine stewardship.”

The grant will support additional planning and technical capacity within the Siletz Tribe as well as the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians; the Yurok Tribe; the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation and other regional partners and collaborators.

The project will also focus on building support for sea otter reintroduction from coastal Tribes, ocean stakeholders and coastal communities in the region: completing key scientific studies and conducting socio-

economic assessments of potential reintroduction sites.

Sea otters have long been recognized as a keystone species that promotes the biological productivity and ecological resilience of nearshore and estuarine ecosystems. Sea otters were once plentiful from Alaska south to Baja, but have been absent from Oregon for more than a century due to the maritime fur trade.

With kelp forests declining at an alarming rate due to ocean warming and over-predation by sea urchins, sea otter reintroduction is considered part of a longterm solution to restore and maintain healthy nearshore ecosystems in Oregon. In estuaries, sea otters protect eelgrass habitat by keeping populations of small crabs, including invasive green crabs, under control.

“Indian people of coastal Oregon and Northern California referred to sea otters by many different words,” Pigsley said. “These many names reflect their presence and importance to our people. We now know that they enabled rich marine and estuarine ecosystems that provided food and materials our ancestors needed for life. This grant will help us to bring these relatives home.”

The Williams Lecture Series is presented by the Oregon Coast Community College Foundation.

The Thursday, Feb. 20 presentation begins at 6 pm at the Lincoln City Cultural Center, located at 540 NE Hwy. 101. For more information about the Elakha Alliance, go to elakhaalliance.org.

SUDOKU is a number-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. King Features

SUPER QUIZ

Take this Super Quiz to a Ph.D. Score 1 point for each correct answer on the Freshman Level, 2 points on the Graduate Level and 3 points on the Ph.D. Level.

Subject: FOUR-WORD SONG TITLES

Provide the final word to complete the song title. Bonus if you can name the artist(s). (e.g., “Good Golly Miss ___.” Answer: Molly, Little Richard.)

FRESHMAN LEVEL

1. “Can’t Buy Me ___”

2. “You Don’t Know ___”

3. “Nobody Does It ___”

GRADUATE LEVEL

4. “You Can’t Hurry ___”

5. “Blinded by the ___”

6. “Show Me the ____”

PH.D. LEVEL

7. “Only Time Will ___”

8. “Waiting for the ____”

9. “Just Like a ____”

Last Week’s Answers:

1. Love, The Beatles 2. Me, Ray Charles. 3. Better, Carly Simon. 4. Love, The Supremes. 5. Light, Manfred Mann. 6. Way, Peter Frampton.

7. Tell, Etta James. 8. Worms, Pink Floyd. 9. Woman, Bob Dylan.

Don’t drag your feet this Valentine’s Day

Whether you celebrate Valentine’s Day, Galentine’s day or Palentine’s day, drag your partner or friend to Lincoln City for three fabulous events this Friday, Feb. 14, and Saturday, Feb 15.

Friday, Feb. 14

Have a bloody good time at Sweeney Gray’s Bloody Valentine’s Bash, featuring performances by Sweeney Gray & The Shades and local drag favorite Mai Faye Rit.

The bash runs from 6 to 8 pm at Vin and Bräu, inside the Pines Dine, 5040 SE Hwy. 101 in Lincoln City.

Start off the first ever drag night at the official opening of Allies at the Coast, with performances by Mai Faye Rit, Sweeney Gray and Misty Gray.

The party starts at 9 pm at 1512 SE Hwy. 101 in Lincoln City.

Saturday, Feb. 15

Get ready for a night of fierce fun with Queen Sativa at Drag Bingo at The Beach Club and Event Center. Come for the bingo, stay for the glam and enjoy a night of laughter, prizes and show-stopping moments with the Queen. 21 and over only. Tickets are $10. Doors open at 6 pm, bingo starts at 7 pm, 2020 NE 22nd Street, Lincoln City.

Tillamook Bay, Garibaldi Date

Siletz Bay, Lincoln City Date

Feb. 17

Feb. 18

Feb. 19 11:38 am 1.2 10:28 pm 2.5 4:01 am

Thurs., Feb. 20 12:46 pm 1.1 11:11 pm 2.9 4:41 am 6.0 7:14 pm 4.0

Yaquina Bay, Newport

Date Low Tides High Tides

Thurs., Feb. 13 6:29 am 2.6 6:59 pm -0.2 1:04 am 7.8 12:23 pm 8.7 Fri., Feb. 14 7:10 am 2.3 7:29 pm 0.3 1:32 am 8.0 1:03 pm 8.3 Sat., Feb. 15 7:50 am 2.1 7:57 pm 0.9 1:59 am 8.1 1:44 pm 7.7 Sun., Feb. 16 8:31 am 1.9 8:24 pm 1.6 2:26 am 8.1 2:26 pm 7.1 Mon., Feb. 17 9:14 am 1.9 8:51 pm 2.4 2:52 am 8.1 3:13 pm 6.5 Tues., Feb. 18 10:03 am 1.8 9:18 pm 3.1 3:20 am 8.1 4:09 am 5.8 Wed., Feb. 19 11:00 am 1.8 9:50 pm 3.7 3:52 am 8.0 5:22 pm 5.4 Thurs., Feb. 20 12:08 pm 1.7 10:33 pm 4.3 4:32 am 7.8 7:05 pm 5.2

Alsea Bay, Waldport

Date Low Tides

Feb. 13

Feb. 14

Feb. 17 10:01 am 1.7 9:43 pm 2.1 3:32 am 7.5 3:54 pm 6.1

Tues., Feb. 18 10:45 am 1.6 10:08 pm 2.7 4:00 am 7.6 4:44 am 5.7 Wed., Feb. 19 11:35 am 1.6 10:33 pm 3.3 4:30 am 7.6 5:40 pm 5.3

Thurs., Feb. 20 12:33 pm 1.7 11:04 pm 3.8 5:07 am 7.5 6:46 pm 5.0

Pearl s of 2 0 2 5 Wisdom

Annual OCCC Foundation Gala

Saturday, March 15, 2025 • 5 pm

Oregon Coast Community College • Newport

Proceeds from Pearls of Wisdom help fund scholarships, increase teaching capacity, and enhance the collegiate experience for all students. Make your reservations today!

Learn about innovative College programs

Savor a gourmet dinner with fine wine

Hear directly from OCCC’s inspiring students

Engage in a raffle and lively auction featuring unique donated treasures

Raise your paddle to support the Scholarship Fund

Images from an artistic life

Charles Swank retrospective on display in Yachats this weekend

By “Dangerous” Dan Stein

For the TODAY

How did artist Charles Swank, a resident of Olympia, Washington, end up with a Retrospective Art Show in Yachats? Sometimes good things just happen. By the unlikeliest of paths, Polly Plumb Productions is able to welcome Charles Swank for the retrospective, “50 Years Exploring Inner Worlds” at the Yachats Commons this Presidents Day weekend, Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 15 and 16. Swank is an old friend of mine; and I have been a collector of his work since we met in Santa Cruz in the late 1970s. On a trip last spring, Swank took me up into his attic where more than 200 paintings from the past 20 years were rolled up. Long story short: I came home with a pickup load of canvases, promising to try to find homes for them. Polly Plumb was gracious enough to offer to host the show. Swank is a very unusual human being. He learned early on what he wanted from life and stuck with it. Turns out it was two things. To paint and live a deeply spiritual life. He has managed to combine the two in his art. After completing an MFA at Yale, in the words of one of his mentors, Swank “committed artistic suicide” by moving from the East Coast art scene to small town Santa Cruz to raise a family. What followed was a lifetime of day jobs, but the freedom to paint as he wanted. Among his jobs he has been a house painter, a butler for McDonald’s heiress Mrs. Joan Kroc and a teacher’s aid to developmentally disabled kids, a job he loved.

What he didn’t do was sell paintings. And this was by choice. He had no stomach for the business world or self-promotion. A very late change of heart and the offer of help from his old friend, gives you the opportunity to view and own, if you wish, some beautiful works of art at reasonable prices.

Modestly and tongue-in-cheek, Swank maintains that these paintings have saved the world. And in the next breath, said that compared to anything else, art — even his — has absolutely no value. You decide. At the least, these paintings are tickets to a world that most of us rarely think to visit.

His paintings are not your usual coast art of waves and trees. They are abstracted geometric visions, beautiful, accessible and fun. You might experience them as spiritual, ethereal or even psychedelic. Even if you are not an art aficionado, they will surprise and please you.

At the artist’s request, all paintings will be offered for sale on a sliding scale, most between $200 and $2,000. Some smaller ones will be available for less.

And, as this weekend lands just after Valentine’s Day, all visitors will receive a free gift: a piece of art that you can cut out of certain select canvases or choose from some pre-cuts. Everyone, who so chooses, will go home with no less than a square foot of art.

The Charles Swank retrospective will be open from 10 am to 4 pm this Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 15 and 16, at the Yachats Commons, located at 441 Hwy. 101. For more information, go to pollyplumb.org.

“Art Breaker”

beach reads Make a proper scene in Newport

Are flat scenes, saggy middles or muddy endings keeping your manuscript from being all it can be? Learn how to transform these issues into compelling, page-turning moments at the next Willamette Writers Coast Chapter meeting at Newport Public Library this Saturday, Feb. 15.

Kim Taylor Blakemore will lead a hands-on approach to mastering the internal and external goal-motivationconflict framework for both protagonists and antagonists. Learn how to define characters’ goals, the motivations that fuel them and the conflicts that challenge their journey. With guided prompts and proven methods, this workshop will equip you to drive character-driven stories with confidence and clarity.

In addition to the provided exercises, participants will have the chance to discuss their own work and scenes that have not been working — whether flat, meandering or not quite gelling — and use the framework to unlock the dramatic action.

Blakemore is an author, book coach and developmental editor with a passion for storytelling and nurturing authors. She has taught workshops for organizations such as Women Writing the West, Willamette Writers, History Quill, the Women’s Fiction Writers Association and Sisters in Crime. Her novels include “The Deception,” “After Alice Fell,” “The Companion,” “Bowery Girl” and “Cissy Funk.” As K.T. Blakemore, she has written “The Good Time Girls” and “The Good Time Girls Get Famous.” She is also the editor of “Echoes: An Anthology of Short Fiction” and” 3rd & Oak: Stories.”

The Willamette Writers Coast Chapter hosts a mix of in-person and virtual events from September through June. Willamette Writers, the parent organization, is the largest writers association in Oregon and one of the largest in the nation.

Saturday’s program begins at 2 pm at Newport Public Library, located at 35 NW Nye Street. For more information, go to willamettewriters.org.