1st Annual Restaurant
Week: BYOA (Bring Your Own Appetite)!

3/27/09

It's a gargantuan gastronomical gala!

March 27 through April 2, Newport's 1st Annual Restaurant Week will feature 3-course prix-fixe (set price) meals at over a dozen of Newport's favorite eateries.

From fine dining to quick service establishments, each will offer a salad or appetizer, entrée and dessert—along with special menus, promotions and discounts. The special 3-course meals will be available at lunch and dinner; gratuity and beverages are not included.

Make plans now to leave the cooking to the pros, and enjoy the fare at your favorite restaurants, or sample places you haven't yet visited. Fancy or fast food, seafood or French—don't miss a week of diner's delights starting March 27.

Blessing of the Fleet Events Launch Fishing Season!

3/21/09

Be a part of Newport's sea-faring tradition on March 21, at the annual Blessing of the Fleet: a community ceremony honoring local fishermen and their families and kicking off the spring fishing season.

The event is open to all vessels wishing to ask for protection at sea, bountiful catches, and peace of mind for families at home. Parade begins at 12:45 pm on Yaquina Bay, near the Port's international terminal. Boats will pass in front of the lifeboat Victory, where local ministers onboard will ask blessings as each vessel passes.

The full day of events will include Survival Suit Races at 9:30 am at the Newport Tradewinds dock, a service honoring the fishing community and its families at the Fishermen's Memorial Sanctuary at Yaquina Bay State Park, and The Great Newport Seafood Cook-Off—20 teams creating delectable dishes with crab, cod, sole and shrimp, 6 pm at Newport Middle School.

A Whale of a Good Time, March 21-28

3/21/09

They're b-a-a-c-k. Those mighty, majestic mammals of the deep—California gray whales—passing through on their twice yearly migration between their breeding grounds off Baja California and winter feeding in the Bering Sea.

And there's nowhere better to catch a glimpse of a flapping fin or a slapping tale—or even a full body breach—than the waters off Newport during Whale Watch Week, March 21-28.

Throughout the week, trained volunteers from Oregon State Parks will be available at key sighting points to answer questions and help visitors spot whales. Or book a whale watching charter. While you're here, stop by the Hatfield Marine Science Visitor Center to learn more about the grays and other marine mammals through special programs, talks and activities. The Center will be open every day during Whale Watch Week, from 10 am to 5 pm.

Come Raise a Brew to Brewer!

5/15/09

Come get your paws on some great brews May 15-17, at Rogue Ale's 3rd Annual Brewers Memorial Ale Fest, benefiting the Central Coast Humane Society and Oregon Coast Therapy Animals. The event celebrates Brewmaster John Maier's faithful canine companion Brewer, who passed away on May 20, 2006. Brewer grew up in the brewery and eventually rose to the rank of CEO of Rogue Ales.

The dog-friendly brew festival will be held inside the Rogue Ales Brewery and includes 30+ microbreweries, live music, doggy musical chairs, dog wash, dog dancing and celebrity dog look-alikes (Rin-Tin-Tin, Lassie, Benjy and of course, Brewer).

$10 admission fee gets you a festival mug and 3 taster tickets.

Catch a flight from Portland to Newport: $49 one-way!

To introduce their new direct service from Portland to Newport, Seaport Airlines is offering $49 fares, one-way. The super saver fare on the 35-40 minute flights are good on mid-week round trips beginning in April, and are subject to change and availability.

Seaport currently operates routes between Boeing Field in Seattle and PDX, as well as serving Eastern Oregon Regional Airport at Pendleton, Astoria Regional Airport, and Newport Municipal Airport.