National Plan for Vacation Day - 1/31/2023

Happy National #PlanForVacation Day! 

This year, we hope you plan to visit Florence, Oregon! Enjoy miles of sandy beach at Heceta Beach
and dune buggy rides in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area while you’re here, but most importantly, take advantage of the benefits—from reducing stress to preventing burn out—of planning for an unforgettable adventure.

Circles in the Sand -10/8/2022

 

We are excited to travel north next week for our 5th annual Circles in the Sand draw at Heceta Beach, in front of Driftwood Shores Resort and Conference Center in Florence, Oregon. The labyrinth walk will be on Saturday, October 8th, 2022, starting at 5:00 PM.

For more information.

Vintage Trailer Rally at Heceta Beach RV Park October 8th

 

Rollin' retro with a healthy helping of kitsch and camp: that's what's in store for the central Oregon coast burgh of Florence this weekend. Dozens of kooky trailers, gussied up in all manner of wacky exteriors takes to the roads on Saturday, October 8 noon to 3pm at Heceta Beach RV Park. 

Deja View's story on Riparide by Hannah.

Hidden at the end of the lane on the Oregon's Central Coast, this beachfront property is a time capsule and the perfect place to recharge.

From the moment you step inside, you’ll be charmed by the retro elegance of this home. With a wet bar, vintage pool table and bedroom set up on the second floor overlooking the ocean, you’ll find yourself reconnecting with friends over a game of poker or shooting a round of pool while the sun sets behind you.

The home is spacious and well equipped to house a small group, with four beds, upper and lower-level decks and patios, two bathrooms, multiple dining areas and plenty of space to connect by the fire. Just outside the front door, a private drive takes you down a hidden path through the dunes to the beach – you’ll enjoy a quiet stretch of the coast all to yourself, perfect for an afternoon picnic or a late-night bonfire with good company. More.....

Third Annual Vacation Rental Week - March 7-11, 2022

Whales Watch Vacation Rentals is thrilled to participate in the third annual Vacation Rental Week! Professionally-managed vacation rentals provide value and benefits for guests and property owners alike. This celebration of Vacation Rental Week is our chance to highlight these and to encourage you to book a stay or entrust your vacation property to a professional manager. 

 As a guest, vacation rentals are a great alternative to hotels in every aspect, offering you much more for your money, including additional space, privacy, convenience, and amenities. As we continue navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s important to point out vacation rentals offer a cleaner, more socially-distanced experience as well, with less touchpoints and outside interaction compared to hotels. 

Vacation rentals also present you with a unique opportunity to create a more personalized, memorable vacation experience when compared with traditional hotels. You’ll have the practical comfort of an actual residence, the ability to explore the neighborhood, and the opportunity to discover aspects of your destination you might not encounter when staying at a hotel. If you’re vacationing with family, vacation rentals are an excellent option, typically offering multiple bedrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and easy access to local entertainment.

#VacationRentalWeek

2/18-2/20 Annual Wine & Chowder Trails and Great Glass Float Giveaway

 Join us for this fun filled three day weekend in Florence! Friday, Saturday, and Sunday search for and enter to win hidden glass floats around town. On Saturday stroll through Old Town and sample wines from a dozen of Oregon’s finest wineries. On Sunday be your own judge and let us know which is your favorite chowder from the dozen different samples available all along Bay Street. Glass Float Hunt & Chowder Trail passports ($5 each) are available Friday at the Visitors Center (290 Hwy 101) and in Old Town at Gazebo Park Saturday and Sunday. Commemorative Wine Trail glasses and tasting tickets will be on sale at Gazebo Park in Old Town Saturday. Glasses are $5 and tickets are $1 each. Live music, surprise performances, and more. Register for wine pairing dinners, clam digging clinics, and other events!

For more information: FlorenceChamber.com, 541-997-3128

Battle the Burnout Blues

 Battle the Burnout Blues Need a vacation? You’re not the only one. 

The stress of living with the pandemic for nearly two years has taken a toll on workers’ mental health. According to a study from Destination Analysts, more than two-thirds (68%) of American workers feel at least moderately burned out and 13% are extremely burned out. 

This National Plan for Vacation Day, the U.S. travel industry is doing its part to combat the burnout blues by encouraging Americans to plan all of their days off for the year at the beginning of the year. We’re joining organizations across the country to share tips, planning resources, destination ideas and other incentives for Americans to get the most out of their earned time off. If you need some vacation inspiration, check out Whales Watch Vacation Rentals is offering a one day discount of 20% off of a new booking on National Plan your Vacation day. Use Code:  [OregonVacation] 

Take some time on January 25 to dream of—and plan for—brighter days.

#PlanForVacation

#BookDirectAndSave

 Here's a  handy website.  Search on any of the big listing sites then paste the listing into this website:

https://bookdirect.ly/

They'll find the property managers site for you - where you can save by not paying extra fees to a third party.

From OPB: How and Oregon battle between human and nature inspired Frank Herbert's "Dune"

How an Oregon battle between human and nature inspired Frank Herbert’s “Dune”

13th Annual Rods 'n Rhodies

 

Community Wide Garage Sale 9/10-9/12

Think of it as your own personal episode of the famous “American Pickers” TV show. Shoppers are you looking for bargains? Of course! And what fun to have an entire community sharing their goodies! Plan your weekend in Florence for the Rods ‘n Rhodies Invitational Car Show and our Community Wide Garage Sale.

 https://florencechamber.com/event/annual-community-wide-garage-sale-2-2/

I Found My Smile in Florence Oregon

We love our Sandy smiles stickers. Have you gotten yours yet? They're all over town and they're FREE! Remember we're all short staffed so be patient and kind and find your smile in Florence! #ifoundmysmileinflorenceor bit.ly/SandyTheSticker

View on Facebook

·Share

New Oregon Coast Quest book hits the local shelves

 it's HERE! Oregon Sea Grant's 2021-22 Edition of The Oregon Coast Quest Book will soon be on its way to a bookseller near you! Check the Quests website for details and to see the growing list of where to find a $10 book. This edition is *green* and contains maps and directions for 27 Quests in seven counties, with updates to old favorites and a few new additions. https://seagrant.oregonstate.edu/quests

Beyond Your Front Door Oregon

 Beyond Your Front Door Oregon is a new radio show being broadcast here in Florence.

The first episode can be found here:

Here's the link to today's show about clamming on the Oregon coast. Hope you enjoy it and thank you for listening

https://soundcloud.com/user-772733150/clamming-on-the-oregon-coast-with-mikebones?in=user-772733150/sets/beyond-your-front-door

A lively interview with popular central coast clamming instructor, Mike Bones. Mike shares do’s, dont’s and how-to’s about clamming on the Central Oregon Coast. Original air date: July 17, 2021.

The fog horn is back!

 So many of our local residents are happy to see and will soon hear the north jetty fog horn!

Today, with team work from Aids to Navigation Team Coos Bay and an aircraft from U.S. Coast Guard Sector North Bend the installation was completed.

Photo Credit:

AUXPA1 Deb Cordone

43You and 42 others

8 Comments

13 Shares

Like

Comment

Share

In 1953, the late Frank Herbert, author of the Dune series of science fiction books, came to Florence

 
In 1953, the late Frank Herbert, author of the Dune series of science fiction books, as well as many other works of fiction and non-fiction, came to Florence, Oregon, to do research for a magazine article that he was going to write about a US Department of Agriculture project there.  The USDA was seeking to stabilize the dunes by planting beach grass, thus changing the ecology of the dunal areas, a very controversial project at the time.  In several interviews, Mr. Herbert credits the time spent in the Florence area out on the dunes as the inspiration for the setting for what he called his "messiah story".  By 1963, Mr. Herbert's agency began submitting Dune for publication.  Two years later, after 22 rejections, Dune was accepted for publication, and the rest, as they say, was history. 

Six Dune books, as well as over thirty other fiction and non-fiction books and innumerable magazine articles later, on February 12, 1986, Frank Herbert passed away, leaving, in addition to his legacy of writing, a large personal library that helped to illustrate the wide range of his interests and research.  In the late 1980's one of his daughters moved to Florence as a business owner and resident, and took an interest in the new library building under construction.  Shortly after the library building opened she presented the library with almost 400 books, pamphlets, recorded books on phonograph records, posters, photographs and other materials from the late Frank Herbert's personal library.  This represented about one fifth of his personal library, and is a very eclectic collection of non-fiction, fiction and author's copies of his various works in many languages. 

The books have been catalogued and are visible in the library's on-line catalog , but do not circulate.  Visitors to the main branch can view the collection in it's locked cases in the library conference room, where, in addition, storyboard art and posters from the original Dune movie which were presented to Mr. Herbert are on display. 

http://siuslawlibrary.net/frank_herbert__collection0.aspx

Fire Weather Warning

🔥🔥

Headline	Fire Weather Warning
Description	The National Weather Service in Portland has Issued a Red Flag Warning for Wind and Low Relative Humidity, Which is in Effect from 11am to 10pm PDT Friday. * Affected Area, in Oregon, Fire Weather Zone 602 North Oregon Coast Range, Fire Weather Zone 603 East Slopes of the Central Oregon Coast Range, Fire Weather Zone 604 Willamette Valley Fire Weather Zone 605 North Oregon Cascade Foothills, Fire Weather Zone 606 Central Oregon Cascade Foothills, Fire Weather Zone 608 Below 3500 Feet Willamette National Forest and Fire Weather Zone 612 Central Oregon Coast. * winds, Northeast 10 to 20 MPH with Gusts Up to 35 MPH. However, East Wind 15 to 30 MPH with Gusts to 50 MPH Can be Expected Near The West End of the Columbia River Gorge in Fire Zones 604 And 605. * Relative Humidity, As Low As 15 Percent. * Impacts, Conditions May be Favorable for Rapid Fire Spread Which May Threaten Life and Property. Use Extra Caution With Potential Ignition Sources, Especially in Grassy Areas. Outdoor Burning is Not Recommended. A Red Flag Warning Means That Critical Fire Weather Conditions are Either Occurring Now, or will Shortly. a Combination of The Above Conditions Can Contribute to Extreme Fire Behavior.
Expires	4/16/21 11:00 AM

To view this message online, click here

Heceta Beach spring Beach Cleanup 4/17/2021

 

Join SOLVE at the North Jetty Beach in Florence from 10 AM – 1 PM! This event is part of the Oregon Spring Cleanup, presented by PGE.

Note that there are some beach restrictions in this area (on the north side) for snowy plover nesting season. Help protect this amazing shorebird! Please look out for signs, do not cross roped off areas even if you see trash, and keep your pets leashed.

Help us protect marine life and maintain the beauty of our coast. Be prepared by dressing for any weather and wearing sturdy shoes. You are encouraged to bring your own reusable bucket/bag, gloves, and water bottle to help reduce plastic waste. If you happen to forget, SOLVE will provide bags and gloves. Don’t forget about the small stuff! The most commonly found items of trash found on Oregon beaches are tiny bits of plastic and cigarette butts, which can be harmful to shore birds and marine life. Bring an old colander to sift the sand for these items. This beach cleanup is family-friendly, and volunteers of all ages will find the event fun and rewarding.
Remember our ocean shores can be dangerous. Avoid logs in the water. Keep your distance from marine mammals, and never turn your back on the ocean! If you find any hazardous material, please alert your Beach Captain. And remember, it’s more fun to work as part of a team. Bring a buddy, stay safe and have fun!
Hauling and disposal services donated by Central Coast Disposal and Lane County.
Meet at North Jetty Beach
Take Hwy 101 to Florence, follow 35th St to Rhododendron Dr. Follow Rhododendron Dr. north to N Jetty Rd. Stay on N. Jetty to end at the beach in Harbor Vista County Park
Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/JPS53Hmcirq

Celebrating Vacation Rental Week, March 8-12, 2021!

 

Whales Watch Vacation Rentals is thrilled to participate in the second annual Vacation Rental Week! We’d like to use this opportunity to highlight the value and key benefits of professionally-managed vacation rentals for both guests and property owners alike, and to encourage you to book a stay or entrust your vacation property to a professional manager. 

As a guest, vacation rentals are a great alternative to hotels in every aspect, offering you much more for your money, with additional space, privacy, convenience, and amenities included. Vacation rentals offer a cleaner, more socially-distanced experience as well, with less touchpoints and outside interaction compared to hotels, which is a key benefit as we navigate the last mile of the pandemic. 

Vacation rentals also present you with a unique opportunity to create a more personalized, memorable vacation experience when compared with traditional hotels. You’ll have the practical comfort of an actual residence, the ability to explore the neighborhood, and the opportunity to discover aspects of your destination you might not encounter when staying at a hotel. If you’re vacationing with family, vacation rentals are an excellent option, typically offering multiple bedrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and easy access to local entertainment. 

For property owners, safely renting your second property through a professional manager can be an easy and reliable revenue source, transforming it into an asset that offers a significant return on your investment. You’ll also be able to use the property when you choose, spending your own vacations there with family, while renting it to guests the rest of the year. 

A professional vacation rental manager will handle all the logistics, securing responsible guests, and maximizing your return through an expert understanding of the industry and in-depth knowledge of the local community. They’ll also handle cleaning the property to the highest standards, advertise, handle inquiries, collect deposits and balances, generate agreements, and follow-up post-rental, so you can sit back and simply enjoy the experience.

 Finding a vacation rental to book or a professional manager to represent your property is fast and easy. Our friends at the Vacation Rental Management Association (VRMA) provide a free search tool https://www.vrma.org/page/find-a-vrm to locate property managers and their available properties worldwide. Find a vacation rental or professional manager for your property and get started in this exciting industry today!

#VacationRentalWeek

U.S. 101 re-opens with 24 hour flagging.

ODOT contractors retrieve 28-ton drilling rig from rocks below U.S. 101 on Saturday, highway re-opens 24/7 with flaggers at Brays Point

 https://yachatsnews.com/odot-contractors-retrieve-28-ton-drilling-rig-from-rocks-below-u-s-101-on-saturday-highway-will-re-open-24-7-with-flaggers/?fbclid=IwAR261o4M2CqYQ4oJZEAI4FJj8nxIGpQXQWBaNHIHXqDt2tq70VvdbS8QUYY