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A Sea Of Holiday Lights at Oregon Coast Aquarium |
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Covering 180 miles of Oregon coast travel: Astoria, Seaside, Cannon Beach, Manzanita, Nehalem, Wheeler, Rockaway, Garibaldi, Tillamook, Oceanside, Pacific City, Lincoln City, Depoe Bay, Newport, Waldport, Yachats & Florence.
11/06/07
Secrets of the Season |
A Sea Of Holiday Lights at Oregon Coast Aquarium
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| Holidays twinkle at the aquarium |
(Newport, Oregon) - The Oregon Coast Aquarium will host its 15th Annual Sea of Lights Friday and Saturday, November 30 and December 1 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. both evenings. A tradition for many families, visitors come from all over the region to enjoy a weekend shopping, attending the Sea of Lights in the evening and spending time together. The entire Aquarium will be adorned with holiday decorations, a large Christmas tree and thousands of colorful lights with the annual celebration. Admission is two items of food for Oregon Food Share, a new toy or pet food for the Lincoln County Animal Shelter or $2 for adults and $1 for kids.
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“This is a fun, relaxing way to kick off the holidays and spend time with family while giving to those in need,” said Cindy Hanson, Aquarium Public Relations Manager. “We are asking people to be extra generous with food donations this year, because Lincoln County Food Share is struggling to keep up with demand.”
Last
year the Aquarium collected over 2,300 pounds of food for Lincoln County
Food Share, which serves six independent food pantries, two meal sites
and six supplemental nutrition programs. Recent economic conditions and
high unemployment rates have put increased pressure on the emergency food
system and the pantry has been especially low this year. Nancy Smith,
Executive Director of Lincoln County Food Share said that the food supply
has improved since they alerted the public to the shortage. “We
put the call out to the community and we do now have food, but the overall
downturn of the economy has created an on-going increased demand. The
message we’d like to get out there is that families struggle year
round.”
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Guests will enjoy holiday music and children can talk to Santa and have their photos taken. After visiting with Santa, guests can make their way through a sea of twinkling lights to the sounds of music and caroling throughout the Aquarium. There will be hot chocolate, holiday treats and Aquarium gifts including memberships, commemorative bricks for the entryway, adopt-an-animal and tile art. In addition, the gift shop will be open with holiday displays and gift ideas. Visitors can look at pets that are available for adoption on the “Pet Christmas Tree” from the Lincoln County Animal Shelter.
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| Some things are cute year-round, like their sea otters |
The Sea of Lights offers one of the last chances to see the “Claws” exhibit, which closes at the end of December 2007. The exhibit explores the world of marine crustaceans from around the world, including crabs, lobsters, shrimp, isopods, and copepods. “Claws” introduce visitors to the beauty and diversity within this group of organisms with interactive displays, interpretive graphics and audio-visual media. An animated video with a dance floor instructs children of all ages how to do the crab dance!
The
Oregon Coast Aquarium was named among the “Top 10 Aquariums for
Kids” in the nation by Parents magazine as well as top ten ratings
by Coastal Living magazine and USA Today. Visitors can get within inches
of marine life in Passages of the Deep, walking through a 200-foot clear
underwater tunnel that runs through three ocean habitats encountering
sharks, rays and thousands of other fish native to Pacific northwest waters.
Oregon Coast Aquarium. 2820 SE Ferry Slip Rd. Newport, Oregon. 541-867-3474. www.aquarium.org
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D Sands Condominium Motel, Lincoln City. Free, fresh baked cookie upon check-in is just the start. All rooms beachfront and up against Lincoln City's most famous stretch of beach: the D River. Each room comes as a suite or mini-suite, and has a kitchen and balcony or patio. Some w/ gas fireplaces, while all have a DVD Players; movies to rent come with free popcorn. Heated indoor pool, a spa, and this fabulous beach is lit at night. Rooms sleep from two, four to six - including a deluxe fireplace suite. Gift certificates orspecial occasion packages. www.dsandsmotel.com. 171 S.W. Highway 101. 800-527-3925. |
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Lincoln City Vacation Homes Something for everyone: smaller homes with a view to a large house that sleeps 15. All are either oceanfront or just a few steps away – all with a low bank access and fantastic views. Most are in the Nelscott area; one is close to the casino. You’ll find a variety of goodies: fireplaces, multiple bedrooms, dishwashers, Jacuzzis, washer/dryers, hot tubs, cable TV, VCR, barbecues; there’s a loft in one, and another sprawling home has two apartments. Pets allowed in some homes – ask first. Each comes with complete kitchens. Most have seventh night free. Prices range from winter $85 to summer $230 per night. www.getaway2thecoast.com. 541-994-8778. |
Tradewinds Motel, Rockaway Beach. All rooms are immaculate and have TV’s, VCR’s and in-room phones w/ data ports. Oceanfronts have queen bed, a double hide-a-bed, kitchen, cozy firelog fireplace and private deck. Both types sleep up to four people. Others are appointed for a two-person romantic getaway, yet still perfect for those on a budget. Elaborate oceanfront Jacuzzi suite has two bedrooms, kitchen, double hide-a-bed, fireplace and private deck, sleeping as many as six. For family reunions or large gatherings such as weddings, some rooms can connect to create two-room and three-room suites. Some rooms pet friendly. 523 N. Pacific St., Rockaway Beach. (503) 355-2112 - 1-800-824-0938. www.tradewinds-motel.com |
Inn At Spanish Head, Lincoln City. Lincoln City’s only resort hotel built right on the beach with all oceanfront rooms - nestled against a rugged cliffside overlooking a soft, sandy beach. Dine in penthouse restaurant and bar, for casual meal or candlelight dinner. An array of seafood specialties, juicy steaks and other Northwest favorites, including decadent Sunday buffet. Rooms range from bedrooms to studios to 1-bedroom suites with microwaves and refrigerators to full kitchens. Also, wi-fi, spa, saunas, exercise room and year-round heated swimming pool. Kids will love the game room and easy beach access. Full-service conference/meeting rooms for that inspirational retreat; extensive wedding possibilities. 4009 SW Highway 101, Lincoln City. 1-800-452-8127 or 541-996-2161. www.spanishhead.com |
 Inn
at Cannon Beach. Beautifully wooded natural setting at quiet south
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strolling. Handsome beach cottage-style architecture. Lush flowering
gardens and naturalized courtyard pond. Warm, inviting guest rooms.
Continental buffet breakfast. Warm Cookies. Family and Pet Friendly.
Welcome gifts. Smoke-free. Complimentary Wireless Connectivity. Wine
and book signing events. 800-321-6304 or 503-436-9085. Hemlock At
Surfcrest, Cannon Beach, Oregon. www.atcannonbeach.com. |
The Ocean Lodge. There will not be another property built like this in Cannon Beach in our lifetimes. Rare, premiere ocean front location; handsome, dramatic architecture and tasteful, fun (nostalgic) beach interiors. Overlooks Haystack Rock. 100 percent smoke free. Imaginative special occasion packages. Massive wood burning lobby fireplace. Library w/ fireplace, stocked with impressive book collection. Pet and family friendly. Lavish continental buffet breakfast. In-room fireplaces, mini-kitchens. Jacuzzi tubs in select rooms. DVD players, complimentary movies. Morning paper. Warm cookies. 888-777-4047. 503-436-2241. 2864 Pacific Street. Cannon Beach, Oregon. www.theoceanlodge.com |
DIVE
INTO LUXURY, HISTORY AT THE TIDES THE TIDES BY THE SEA, Seaside. For over 80 years a favorite of Seaside visitors. 51 oceanfront condos, individually owned and decorated. Suites for couples, small apartments with fireplaces and kitchenettes, one or two bed family units with fireplaces, kitchens and dining rooms. Oceanview cottages sleep anywhere from two to eight, w/ two bedrooms, some with lofts, fireplaces and kitchens. Heated outdoor pool, enormous grounds w/ picnic tables - all at quiet southern end of Seaside. 2316 Beach Drive. 800-548-2846. www.thetidesbythesea.com. |
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