Ocean Shores Blog

First ever Halloween Gala in Ocean Shores

By Piper Leslie
Published: 10/11/18 Topics: Comments: 0

Join us for our Spooktacular 1st Annual Halloween Gala! There will be live and silent auction items, many hors d'ouevres, cash bars, live music courtesy of the band Raucous, and a costume contest with $1000 in prize money.

Tickets are $35 a person, which may be purchased at the Chamber office located at 114 E Chance a la Mer, Unit 100, over the phone by calling 360-289-2451, online by clicking the link below, or at the door (limited tickets will be available). You don't want to miss out!

The gala is 6-10 pm, Friday, October 26 at the Ocean Shores Convention Center.

*All proceeds go to the Ocean Shores/North Beach Chamber of Commerce*

Read more Leave comments

Author: Piper Leslie – Chamber Director
Blog #: 0611 – 10/11/18

Washington State Chili Cookoff sends winner to World Food Championships

By Cindy Stearns
Published: 09/27/18 Topics: Comments: 0

Washington State Chili Cookoff heats up the North Beach Sunday, October 7. The winner of the event receives a Golden Ticket. That’s the entry into the World Food Championships (WFC) in November in Orange Beach, Alabama.

This event features a wide array of competitors, from veterans to newer chefs who will be testing their chili skills for the first time. The host venue for this chili cookoff is St. John’s Chapel by the Sea Presbyterian Church in Moclips.

“Our focus this year is to send our winner from the Washington State Chili Cookoff to WFC ,” said Cynthia Stearns, event organizer. “We have sent several competitors [to the WFC] over the years. When they make the top 10 at WFC, prize monies are awarded. The winner in Chili at that competition is awarded $10,000.”

WFC is the largest competition in Food Sport. According to WFC, the 2017 event was the largest Food Sport tournament in history with well over 1500 contestants on 449 official teams. This included people from 42 states and 13 countries while 30,000 foodies watched the battles in 10 official categories.

Since its debut in 2012, WFC has brought food stars to TV, awarded more than $1.5 million in prize money and created “Food Sport” to the culinary world. The winner of the chili category will then compete against the other categories (including burger, steak and seafood). The overall winner is awarded $100,000.

Texas Chili Red is the major competition at the Washington state cookoff. It’s the traditional chili (meat and sauce). Washington State Chili Cookoff follows Tolbert rules. The Original Terlingua International Frank X. Tolbert - Wick Fowler Memorial Championship Chili Cookoff (OTICCC) was founded in 1967. It’s known as the “granddaddy of all chili cookoffs” in the United States and worldwide.

In addition, the competitors will prepare an open category chili. This may be anything from a chili verde to a vegetarian.

“We are combining the traditional, purist side of the chili world with Tolbert with the WFC excitement and prize monies for people to advance and compete. There have been three of our competitors make the Top 10 and are looking for Washington to bring home the top prize this year,” Stearns said.

To compete or judge, please email: washingtonstatechilicookoff@gmail.com For more information, please contact: Cynthia Stearns, 360.589.7751. St. John’s Chapel by the Sea is at 4612 SR 109, at the border of Moclips and Pacific Beach.

Read more Leave comments

Author: Cindy Stearns
Blog #: 0609 – 09/27/18

Remember When at the Heritage Fair 2018

By Lee Marriott
Published: 09/22/18 Topics: Comments: 0

The fourth annual Heritage Fair for the Museum of the North Beach Saturday, October 13 features a live and silent auction, with many artistic, decorative and collectible items up for bid. These auctions are a fundraiser specifically for the New Museum Building Project. The museum is working to bring back a wonderful piece of history in the form of the landmark Moclips Northern Pacific Railway Depot. This replica will be the new home for the museum of the North Beach.

Enjoy a buffet dinner of baked Quinault salmon, baked herb chicken, top sirloin, vegetable casserole, assorted salads, desserts and no host bar.

We are having an exciting program with the focus on Remember When, in a lively and entertaining panel discussion and video presentation featuring some of the most well-known names in the North Beach area. The panelists are Rob Curtright of Moclips, Jim Donahoe of Ocean Shores, Patrick Hogan of Hogan's Corner, Phillip Martin Jr. of Taholah, Tom Quigg from Aberdeen and Thorn Ward of Ocean Shores.

Tickets are $40.00 per person. Deadline for your RSVP and ordering tickets is October 5, 2018. Please make your check out to MBTS. Mail to: Museum of the North Beach, PO Box 231, Moclips, WA 98562. Tickets will be mailed to you promptly.

TICKETS ALSO AVAILABLE IN OCEAN SHORES at:

WINDERMERE: 360-289-3373

DOLORES' & FAY'S: 360-289-4543

For more information call the museum at 360-276-4441 or email lee@moclips.org.

Read more Leave comments

Author: Lee Marriott – President
Blog #: 0606 – 09/22/18

Green Lantern Lunch Program feeds Kids in the North Beach

By Phyllis Shaughnessy
Published: 09/01/18 Topics: Comments: 0

She saw the need and she's filling it for kids in the North Beach. Founder of Green Lantern Lunch Program Phyllis Shaughnessy developed a program delivering lunches to kids in the North Beach.

Volunteers pack lunches and go out to kids at their homes. Green Lantern Pub stepped up as a venue to assemble the lunches. St. John's Chapel by the Sea (PCUSA) has supported the effort in many ways including half of the congregation volunteering with GLLP.

Listen to the interview with Phyllis by DeAnna Lee of Seattle Wolf radio.

Read more Leave comments

Author: Phyllis Shaughnessy – Founder
Blog #: 0603 – 09/01/18

4K for Cancer Team Seattle bicycles into Moclips

By Cindy Stearns
Published: 08/01/18 Topics: Comments: 0

4K for Cancer Team Seattle returns to the North Beach in August. This is the fourth year St. John's Chapel by the Sea PCUSA of Moclips has hosted this group. There are 27 bicyclists in the 2018 version. They have cycled over 4,000 miles to fundraise for young adults with cancer.

Everyone is invited to meet and greet with them 6-8 pm, Wednesday, August 8. There will be pizza and more to enjoy while you converse with members.

"These are an inspiring group of people. Each year, we hear their stories, learn about the trip and are amazed at the calibre of person you find with 4K for cancer," St. John's Chapel by the Sea PCUSA church member said.

Thursday morning, there is a Dedication Circle. The group gets ready for the day's ride. On their legs, names are written of those whom they are dedicating their journey to, that day. It may be a person dealing with, survivor of, or who has died from cancer.

"We would like to thank Ocean Shores IGA, Frontager's Pizza, Seagate Restaurant and Lounge and Moclips Country Store and Deli for donating food for the riders." A local to Ocean Shores said.

Also, as they head through Grays Harbor, Thursday, August 9. Team Seattle members will be interviewed on SUNNY 102.1 radio by Rhys Davis. Jodesha Broadcasting will also include interviews on The Jet with Johnny Madson and on Coffee Talk KBKW with Doug McDowell.

Locals thank ShuJack's Bar and Grill for providing Philly sandwiches for lunch. They praise all of the people and businesses that are involved in the 4K benefit for cancer and make it a goal for anyone traveling through Grays Harbor to get involved in such a great cause.

Read more Leave comments

Author: Cindy Stearns – Member, St. John's Chapel by the Sea PCUSA
Blog #: 0599 – 08/01/18

Lavender Festival finds a home in Grays Harbor

By Cindy Stearns
Published: 07/15/18 Topics: Comments: 0

Dale's Lavender Farm hosts the third annual Lavender Festival. This two-day festival was July 21-22, 2018 on Ocean Beach Road. This is the creation of Tom and Dale Dineen, the owners of the property and home, on-site for this annual event.

Vendors dotted the farm, with a view of the lavender fields. Both days were sunny and inviting, bringing out locals and visitors to this rural Hoquiam location on the way to the North Beach.

Musicians played on stage and strolled the grounds, setting a relaxed and enjoyable vibe for visitors and guests of the event.

People were able to visit vendors with lavender products and more. Gnomes, plants, teas and a variety of items were available for your shopping pleasure. Many were local vendors and new businesses to Grays Harbor.

Dale's Lavender Farm is located at:

48 Robertson school Road

HOQUIAM, WA 98550

Mile Post 8 on Ocean Beach Rd

On way to Seabrook

Phone: 360-589-8101

Plan now to attend the 2019 festival!

Read more Leave comments

Author: Cindy Stearns, Ocean Shores
Blog #: 0604 – 07/15/18

AtTheBlue.com at Blue Heron Resort

By Libby Rogers
Published: 04/22/18 Topics: Hood Canal, Timeshares, Vacation, Vacation Rentals Comments: 0

YourShare.biz, which offers resort and owner direct vacation rental bookings for timeshare properties announced today that it has opened a new website AtTheBlue.com for the Blue Heron Condos on Washington State's pristine Hood Canal.

Participating homes are advertised on the custom built full ecommerce website at BlueHeronHolidays.com and on hundreds of prominent websites worldwide such as VRBO, Booking.com, AirBnB, Expedia and more.

For a century the Southwest corner of Washington State, the Southeast corner of Hood Canal has been the private get away for the rich and famous of Seattle's and Western Washington State including such luminaries as Bill Gates and the Nordstrom retail family.

Four decades ago, a stunningly beautiful condo resort complex was built and named Blue Heron after the magnificent birds so abundant in the area. The Blue Heron Resort features 26 one, two and three bedroom townhomes surrounding a large lawn common area, complete with towering evergreen trees.

At its center is a large year-round pool, hot tub, community center, lounge, sports facilities, gym and sauna. But folks flock to Blue Heron for its own private beach just across the State Route 106. There owners and guests can launch a boat, pick oysters, go water skiing and swim in the crystal clear salt water.

Owners at this resort get an impressive eight weeks use per year and get full weeks every sixth week of the year. With so many weeks to choose, owners can put their unused dates into the Yourshare program and get great income for dates that previously went unused.

Yourshare's innovative program offers greater marketing than most timeshare resorts can accomplish and they do it for a lower commission fee. Owners only pay a fee when their dates are booked. There is no enrollment fee, a long term contract is not required and Yourshare handles all details such as advertising, reservations phones, guest and owner services.

AtTheBlue.com allows guests to discover one of the Northwest's most stunning locations for family getaways and romantic rendezvous. Now they can book instantly online at great rates and friendly service.

For the resort itself, every guest becomes a possible new owner in a majestic Northwest resort which most did not know existed. Now, they can try it by renting before buying into the membership.

To book online go to AtTheBlue.com or call 360-614-3191 open every day of the year.

Read more Leave comments

Author: Libby Rogers – Author, MayPartners Public Relations
Blog #: 0587 – 04/22/18

Sponsor: YourShare.biz – Yourshare.biz makes it easy for guests to find quality timeshare vacation rentals, for owners to rent out unused weeks, and for resorts to generate income and attract buyers for their available weeks. Everyone wins with these well maintained properties in attractive locations. – http://YourShare.biz

Seaway Dance Hall at Copalis Beach Rocked Out

By Wm. May
Published: 03/01/17 Topics: Comments: 0

Just West of the Green Lantern Tavern in Copalis Beach Washington State is a very strange looking building where Rock and Roll reigned supreme in the 1960's.

Hundreds of thousands of Quonset huts were produced by the U.S. Military in World War Two, These prefabricated structures of galvanized steel were semicircular cross-selection looked like half of barrel looking upside down on the ground.

After the war, Quonset huts were sold as surplus to the public and a very large version ended up along side the road by the Pacific ocean where enterprising music lovers decided it would be a perfect venue for the hoards of teenagers who came to the beach each weekend.

Dubbed the Seaway Dance Hall, many young rock bands got their first serious gigs there and my group "The District Five" was one of them.

At the age of 15, we were made to feel like stars as the walls of the hut seemed to pulse and swell by guitar amps played far too loud and dancers who jumped, and yelled and screamed. We played a little better, played a little longer and glowed with the acceptance the crowds gave us as we were starting our musical careers.

Bigger name bands from Washington State and the Northwest also appeared including names that may be unfamiliar except by those who haunted the Seaway all summer long.

Bands like - The Beachcombers, Little Bill & The Bluenotes, The Candidos, The Chaotics (Sumner), The Chessmen, Dennis Wayne and the Cole Jets, The Epics, The Frantics, The Galaxies, The Intricates, Noblemen, Cymantha McGugin & The Cherry Frost , The Titans.

The Seaway also showed movies during the slow season, but the wise owner had put the chairs onto risers which could be rolled out of the building to clear the floor for dances which were only held in the months of June, July and August.

Today the building sits dark and quiet just waiting for a new generate of music lovers to rediscover what great music, salt air and a bunch of fun loving people can do to transform a humble Quonset hut into a musical Manson, at least for a while.

Read more Leave comments

Author: Wm. May – Beach Lover, Plumbob Publishing
Blog #: 0517 – 03/01/17

24 Miles of Canals at Ocean Shores

By William May
Published: 01/22/16 Topics: Ocean Shores WA Comments: 0

I know you’ve heard places referred to as the Venice of the north or the Venice of where ever but in the case of Ocean Shores, the comparison is apt. Here me out before you accuse me of hyperbole: when they were building a town out of this sand bar, they built in 24 miles of canals!

That’s 24 miles of canals in a town with a population of less than 6,000. There might be more miles of canals than roads downtown. So it’s not trite to call Ocean Shores the Venice of the West Coast.

Unlike Venice though, these canals aren’t crowded with oil slicks and boats! They’re slow moving pristine fresh water, despite the whole town being a peninsula between the ocean and a saltwater bay. That means you can tucker yourself on the ocean beach, either riding horses in the salty spray, or flying kites in the sand, and then the next day relax in a canoe for a mellow day on the canals.

Where did this canals come from? Well up until the 60’s there wasn’t much going on in Ocean Shores. Some farms and ranches here and there, mostly people that thought their ocean beach was the best kept secret in the world.

Soon or later, word got out about the seemingly endless dunes and beaches on the Washington coast, and the tourists came. Somebody had the bright idea of building world class nightclubs, and all of a sudden, the Hollywood jet set was partying it up in Ocean Shores!

But none of this has anything to do with the canals right? Well when you’re catering to celebrities that have been to all the fanciest places in the world, you’ve got to class the joint up a bit! Canals it was then, surely using Venice as the inspiration. But unlike Venice, Ocean Shores has roads too, so you don’t have to abide a nasally Italian tenor.

The canal system is centered around Duke Lake, which is a big long green body of water running north to south the whole length of the town. The Grand Canal runs parallel to Duke Lake, and many tributary canals flood out in all directions from the Grand Canal, with each smaller canal being the focal point of a residential cul-de-sac.

Don’t forget then, that even though the town is appropriately named Ocean Shores, and there is tons to do on the ocean beach, there is plenty to do on the bucolic Ocean Shores canals.

Read more Leave comments

Author: William May, Oyhut Bay Vacation Rentals
Blog #: 0487 – 01/22/16

Chim Chimney! What to Know on Chimney Sweeping

By William May
Published: 01/01/16 Topics: Vacation Rentals Comments: 0

It’s that time of year to curl up around a warm fire - New Years has just happened, the weathers getting a little chilly, maybe there’s a light dusting of snow on the lawn. You open the flue, light your kindling, and wait for the romantic crackling to start.

But then you start wondering: when was the last time you got the chimney swept?!

It may sound like something of a Dickens novel, but modern chimney sweeping is something every homeowner needs to do. Soot deposits can clog your flue, smoking out your house, or worse, soot can create a fire hazard.

Sweeping also alerts you to any maintenance needs, and boy is it easier to repair a brick than replace the whole chimney!

So how do you go about getting your chimney swept? Well, this is something best left to the professionals. The last thing you want to do is wedge a ladder up your chimney and track soot all over the house.

Find a local sweeper who’s certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America, or the National Chimney Sweeps Guild. These groups ensure their members know what they’re doing with a brush, and can help diagnose any repairs that need to be made.

Professional chimney sweeps will set up tarps that capture failing soot, and will first inspect the flue to make sure there’s no major damage. Cleaning is done with brushes (not boys climbing up!) and high powered vacuums.

Cost typical depends on how many flues you have. While you may only have one firebox, other appliances in the house may have their own flues, such as dryers, heaters, and anything that needs to vent to the outside air.

Average prices should start around $150 and go up to $200 if video equipment is used. Video better enables diagnose of damage. For a more thorough inspection, ask for a Level II inspection.

So this winter before you pick out the movie and butter up the popcorn, make sure your fireplace is ready to go by getting it professional swept. And remember, it’s lucky to see a chimney sweep!

Read more Leave comments

Author: William May – Volunteer, Vacation Rental Association
Blog #: 0481 – 01/01/16

Clammers Rejoice! Christmas Present from Dept. of Fish and Wildlife

By William May
Published: 12/16/15 Topics: Fishing Comments: 0

Pardon the triteness, but, a Christmas miracle is in the works! Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife may allow Razor Clamming on Copalis beach during the Christmas holiday.

The announcement came last Friday after Copalis passed two successive rounds of marine toxin testing. A final test late this week will finalize the decision. If the go-ahead comes, clamming will be allowed during the evening tide on December 24th, 25th, and 26th.

Recently, naturally accruing algae has produced marine toxins which make the consumption of Razor Clams unsafe. These toxins are still present in other ocean beaches, which resultantly, will not be open for clamming.

The recent Razor Clamming restriction is yet another chapter in this years continuing story of unsafe algae toxin levels. The 2015 algae bloom is the largest in over a decade, and has produced incredibly high levels of domoic acid. Shellfish can accumulate high concentrations of this acid during filter feeding. If ingested by humans, this neurotoxin can result in brain damage, and even death.

While that sounds bad, levels have been trending down lately, and so clammers are anxious to get back to the beaches and make up lost ground. Last year was a bumper season with almost 400,000 digger trips, and the harvest of almost 5.5 million clams according to the Department of Fish & Wildlife

If you’re crossing your fingers for some Razor Clam stocking suffers, make sure you know the main rules: each clammer may only take the first 15 clams their dig, and clammers older than 15 must have a 2015-2016 fishing license.

Read more Leave comments

Author: William May – Reporter, OceanShores.com
Blog #: 0465 – 12/16/15

Sponsor: OceanShores.com – The center of Ocean Shores & the North Beaches of Washington State. Activites, Restaurants, Shops, Hotels & Vacation Rentals. Put your ad here to build your business. – OceanShores.com

El Nino Looms; Don't Fret Too Much

By Taylor May
Published: 12/01/15 Topics: Comments: 1

December 2015 brought us some great snow here in the Pacific North West. Just a few weeks ago there were amazing morning runs to be had at Stevens, Crystal, Snoqualmie, and others.

However, as much as we don't want to admit it, El Nino is on its way. What does that mean for us Northwest Skiers? Better than last year, but less snow than the average. Typically, El Nino hits the West Coast after New Years. This year looks to be no different, with Alaska experiencing warming temperatures, and California getting some much needed rain. The Northwest is right in the cross hairs for the rest of the winter.

El Nino is a complicated event relating to cyclical temperature changes in the southern Pacific Ocean and atmosphere. These cycles are made up of warm (El Nino) and cool (La Nina) phases, which phases lasting a few months, to a few years. 2016 is set to be a strong El Nino, which means the Polar Jet Stream and Pacific Jet Stream will split and create an area of low pressure off the West Coast, bringing rainstorms to California and parts of Alaska. Don't fret too much about the word “strong” though, as there isn't always a direct correlation between high temperatures and a strong or weak El Nino; sometimes weak El Nino's produce the hottest, driest winters.

A strong El Nino doesn't mean NO snow, but we should expect warmer than average temperatures for the rest of the winter. These conditions should persist from eastern Oregon all the way up to skiing grounds in British Colombia. Given our season last year, even a decrease from the average would still be an improvement!

Read more Leave comments

Author: Taylor May – Contributor, Northwest Skiers Magazine
Blog #: 0479 – 12/01/15

Sponsor: Northwest Skier – A magazine For skiers, snowboarders and everything snow started in 1964 now an online source of with news, comments, articles, photos and videos. If you slide, visit our Website and join the email list to get instant mountain info year round. – NorthwestSkiers.com

Special Insurance for My Condo or Vacation Home?

By April Klazema
Published: 07/01/15 Topics: Insurance, Property Management, Vacation Rentals Comments: 0

If you own a condo in Florida or Hawaii, or a vacation home in some other exotic locale, you are likely curious about what kind of insurance you need to get to cover the property.

Will a general homeowner's policy do? Or will you have to acquire a different kind of insurance to cover the vacation home?

Determining the purpose of your home

To answer this question, we'll ask you a question of our own: for what purpose is the vacation home being used?

If the purpose of the vacation home is for personal use only, then a homeowner's insurance policy will be sufficient to cover the property. Perhaps you and your family take frequent trips to the West Coast and always stay at the vacation property when you do.

Or maybe you spend your summers in one part of the country and live out your winters somewhere else. In these and other similar scenarios, your insurance company will usually be more than happy to provide you with a second homeowner's policy to cover your vacation home.

The bottom line in these scenarios is that your vacation property is still being used as a residence. As a result, the insurance rules for the property are the same as for your full-time home.

Using your home as a rental

On the other hand, if you rent out your property to vacationers or other tenants when you are not using it, then it cannot be protected under a homeowner's policy.

If you are accepting money to allow someone to stay at your vacation home, that qualifies as commercial use, and your vacation home qualifies as a business. Businesses can never be insured under homeowner's policies, and you will need to set up a different kind of insurance policy as a result.

If you are renting out your vacation home for profit, the insurance you are looking for is vacation rental insurance.

A policy of this type will provide you with commercial liability insurance—meaning that if a customer sues for your injury sustained on your property, you will not be liable. It should also include provisions that reimburse you in case your guest damages the property, steals your belongings, or skips out without paying rent.

Don’t fall victim to insurance confusion when it comes to your condo or vacation home! If you are only using the property for personal residential use, a homeowner's policy will cover it.

If you are using the condo or house as a rental, then vacation rental insurance is pivotal to keep you, your building, your belongings, and your finances safe!

Read more Leave comments

Author: April Klazema – Author, Vacation Rental Association
Blog #: 0406 – 07/01/15

State Gives Razor Clams the Boot

By William May
Published: 05/18/15 Topics: Fishing, Government, Ocean Shores WA Comments: 0

And just like that it was over.

This has been one of the best razor clam digging seasons in years. But Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife giveth and the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife taketh away.

Today state shellfish managers announced, "Digging will remain closed on ocean beaches for the remainder of the razor clam season because of elevated toxin levels."

The result in cancellation of the two openings that were tentatively scheduled to start May 15 and May 22.

The culprit is domoic acid, a natural toxin produced by certain types of marine algae. This is bad stuff which can be harmful or even fatal if consumed in sufficient quantities. The Clams absorb the acid in their fat cells and can retain it even after the ocean is free of the stuff.

So if you dug any clams and froze, bottled or canned them it is now time to toss those critters in the trash and write it off to bad luck.

But there is good news. The phenomenon of domoic acid is nothing unusual. Clams have been going through this cycle forever. The waters will clear and razor clamming will resume again this autumn.

Until then we'll just have it switch over to greasy hamburgers and deep fried fish. Is it no wonder we all love Razors?

Read more Leave comments

Author: William May – Razor Clammer, OceanShores.com
Blog #: 0396 – 05/18/15

Velella Velella Attack Ocean Shores

By William May
Published: 04/15/15 Topics: Ocean Shores WA Comments: 0

With the unseasonably warm weather, people are not the only creatures trekking to Ocean Shores Washington.

The aptly named Velella Velella jelly fish have been washing up by the millions on West Coast Beaches.

"They do look messy," said Jackie Martin, a property manager at By the Sea Vacation Rentals, "The last time we saw these was six years ago and they washed away fairly closely."

The warmer temperatures causes the creatures to migrate closer to the land and in the millions. When the wind blows in a certain direction, the jelly fish are blown off course and up onto the beach.

As small cnidarians, Velella Velella are members of a an ocean surface community that includes the better-known cnidarian siphonophore, the Portuguese man o' war. Each individual is about 7 cm long, usually deep blue in color with a small stiff sail that catches the wind and propels them on the surface of the sea.

Velella Velella are carnivorous little guys, catching plankton in their tentacles that hand down in the water They are not poisonous, and they do not have a sting.

Says Martin, "They can be handled with out any problem, but people should wash their hands after touching them."

The wind and high tides may wash them right off the beach, or they could be in evidence for months all the way into summer.

Read more Leave comments

Author: William May, Plumbob Publishing
Blog #: 0393 – 04/15/15

Welcome to the New OceanShores.com

By William May
Published: 04/01/15 Topics: Ocean Shores WA, Vacation, Vacation Rentals Comments: 0

Since 1996, OceanShores.com has been the center of everything about the city of Ocean Shores and the North Beaches of Washington State. Now it is getting bigger better, and faster.

Operated by Plumbob Publishing this new revamped website pledges to find and publish everything that every visitor and resident wants to know about the area. Lodging, restaurants, activities, shopping and more.

From the tip of Damon point in south Ocean shores to the cute Quinault tribal village of Taholah, every corner is covered including Ocean City, Copalis Beach, Seabrook, Pacific Beach and Moclips. Even relevant news from Hoquiam, Aberdeen, Montesano and even Westport, Grayland and Tokeland will make its way here.

Businesses can publish full descriptions, photos, videos, special offers and news.

Visitors can search for places to stay, where to eat and shop and how to have a splendid time at one of the countries most scenic and enjoyable getaway locations..

For extra help, guests can call our toll free number open 9am to 8pm everyday of the year. They can get help about most any subject about ocean shores.

Residents too can find what they need for services, government information and more. There are even free classifieds for non-commercial use. Sell household items, give away a pet, or post your news.

The staff are quickly available to consult with advertisers, businesses and visitors to help them get the maximum benefit out of having OceanShores.com as the perfect place to find what they need.

If you have suggestions, comments or even complaints feel free to complete the inquiry form. Getting better is what OceanShores.com is all about.

Read more Leave comments

Author: William May, OceanShores.com
Blog #: 0391 – 04/01/15

Razor Clams Season Announced Early.

By Emmalee David
Published: 10/17/14 Topics: Fishing, Ocean Shores WA, Westport WA Comments: 0

There are many activities to be experienced along the Washington coast. The landscape offers a different ecological landscape than what many of us see in Seattle and east. What excited me after a long warm summer spent hiking high in the mountains was receiving the tentative dates for Razor Clam digs!

Razor Clams are a meaty shellfish that can be found along the pacific coast from California up to Alaska. Harvesting Razor Clams and preparing them is an intrinsic characteristic of Washing coast culture. What makes this activity a great candidate for your fall explorations is that you only need 3 things; a clam shovel, a bucket to place them in, and your fishing license.

One thing to be noted is during the fall digging season low tides happen during the night meaning you must dig for your treasure under darkness. While the rising popularity and resurgence of Razor Clam populations has brought many newcomers to the sport, you might find the majority of people harvesting during spring when low tide appears during daylight. Feel like braving the night? Possibly braving the weather? It's likely you'll be rewarded with many opportunities and a less crowded beach! Check the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife for updates.

Hope you see you out there.

Read more Leave comments

Author: Emmalee David – , Istay Reservations
Blog #: 0375 – 10/17/14

Fast efficient mobile websites for Vacation rentals

By William May
Published: 05/23/14 Topics: Comments: 0

We are just going to go out and say it, "Our new mobile website, for smart phones, is by far the most comprehensive, beautiful and functional mobile website ever."

Yes, other lodging managers have built mobile websites, but no one has built anything like this" Said, Salman Arshad of Redstone Systems.

Redstone Systems, creator of HelpBook.me software for the Inn, Resort & Vacation Rental industries just added this new mobile website capability. While that may not sound earth-shaking it is actually evolutionary - the first efficient, effect and persuasive mobile websites for smart phones.

Redstone started by studying hundreds of mobile websites for Inns, Resorts & Vacation Rental management.

Joseph Romain, Creative Director said "The variety was astounding, as was the lack of features. None of the websites had all the design and foresight necessary to book unique properties on a smart phone."

Some websites had nice graphics, some had adequate photos, showed property amenities or maybe a map. But none of them made properties shine. And none made it easy to envision what the guest was getting if they rented that particular property.

"Let's face it, smart phones are a 'very small piece of paper' on which to write a graphic novel so to speak, "Said William May, project manager. "The other websites look like someone just jumbled things together from scratch without enough fore thought."

"So we started from scratch. To figure out how mobiles should work and then do it, rather than copy what others had done"

The Redstone Advisor Board includes many experts in graphics, video and other commercial creative arts. Their input commanded the staff to start with a clear goal, and have every aspect of the website support the mission.

HelpBook.me mobile websites are, first and foremost, places to advertise and promote properties. To show their beauty and benefits. So HelpBook mobiles use full size photos, logos and graphics.

But they must also streamline the ability to select and book properties online. Other websites often taken the viewer back to a properties primary website - but those are impossible to se or use on a smart phone.

So HelpBook mobiles are fully featured and allow guests to book homes online, with full security using the payment system from Istay.net.

Best of all, HelpBook mobiles are fully deployable from a back-end database driven system. Once necessary data - such as photos, descriptions and amenity lists are secured - regular websites can be created in hours.

Then, that same data is used to create HelpBook mobiles sites in very little extra time. The fundamentals of good graphic and website design are followed, making the websites easy to use - but also impressive and persuasive.

Booking hotels and other lodging is said to be growing at a fast pace, and now all Redstone HelpBook.me properties have the ability to persuade, facilities and complete bookings for Inns, Resorts & Vacation Rentals online.

"No other company can do it as fully, as impressively and as fast as our software," notes Arshad.

- - - - - - - - -

Redstone Systems is an affiliate of the Vortex Organization that provides services, training and support for unique Inns, Resorts & Vacation Rental management firms, and administration for lodging networks such as Goldener Resorts, Sunspot Vacation Rentals, Varoom Cooperative and more.

HelpBook.me is the best lodging management software that you can not buy. The system is only available for use by members of the Vortex Organization.

Read more Leave comments

Author: William May – Volunteer, Vacation Rental Association
Blog #: 0365 – 05/23/14

Government Officials Driving Tourism Economy Away

By Ron Lee
Published: 06/01/12 Topics: Government Comments: 0

Businesses, Chambers and tourism groups in every destination throughout the United States are spending money to grow their tourism segment of their economies.

That is a wise move.

Tourism is a clean, responsible industry that brings in visitors anxious to shop, attend events, tour attractions, rent lodging, and pay the taxes that go with them.

Manufacturing, distribution and other market segments sometimes seem more attractive to civic leaders, but those businesses are hard to attract, require years of courting and subject towns to intense review and - for many - rejection. Plus, big industries can leave town far quicker than they arrive, dumping lots of people out of work. Like it or not, Vacation Rentals are here to stay.

All destinations will have some luck and attract some visitors with good advertising, promotions, public relations and business participation.

Trouble is, however, many will fall short of their potential. Sometimes what the area offers just doesn't compare well with other desirable destinations. But another big mistake is when local government officials fail to offer what consumers want. Today, that one big thing is tourists who ask for, and even demand, access to good, clean, upscale vacation rental homes.

For at least a decade, the vacation rental industry has been exploding. Even during the recession the number of visitors who demand to stay in a house or condo instead of a hotel room has continued to climb.

So it is surprising to find small communities, who beg for tourists, then kill the industry by disallowing vacation rentals, making it ridiculously expensive to get permitted, or making them impossibly difficult to get approved.

They implement overzealous regulations and requirements that they would never impose on long-term rentals or full-time residents. What is good for the goose is good for the gander - as the old saying goes. So, if leaders believe that vacation homes must have new standards for health and safety, then why do they not require them for everyone? Failure to do so is just old fashioned hypocrisy.

On a recent trip to a beautiful Washington State Destination, a review of city and county rental regulations revealed a lack of insight by elected officials.

A clerk at the county office said, "We don't have any rentals in many areas of the county and it's surprising because some of the areas are so beautiful." she then paused and added, "Or maybe that's because vacation rentals aren't allowed there." Duh.

The geography of the area is gorgeous. The land is pristine and beautiful, with cute villages, attractive shops and periodic festivals and events. Agriculture is big business with products esteemed worldwide.

There are a number of conventional well-kept motels and cottages. But there are also properties that have seen better days and detract from the scenery. Many appear abandoned. They are not shabby chic, they are just plain shabby.

New home developments have been stymied by the economy, although some recent additions bode well for demand. Peeking out among nicely kept homes, are houses and cottages that have seen better days. Many of those, as well as some of the nicer second homes, sit empty year round, even during the busy summer season.

The reason?

City and county officials have made short-term vacation type rentals illegal, or permits difficult to get. The up to $750 annual special use permit is one of the highest known in the country and requires begging neighbors for permission, and having the kind of inspections that would cause long-term rental home owners to go ballistic. With the inspections and other nonsense they require, costs can exceed many thousands of dollars.

And for what reason?

Like most areas, the reasons cited are that vacation rental homes "could" get used as party houses. Or that "Tourists drive cars through the neighborhoods and sometimes the trash isn't taken out to the street on time." complained one person at a county "scoping session."

No one wants trouble in their neighborhoods, but these possible issues never materialize. Some neighbors even say they "do not want people in the area that I don't know personally." Supposedly, "It destroys the character of the neighborhood", whatever that means.

There is no right in the Constitution that you must know and like your neighbors. But it is a foundation of American liberty that owners have a bundle or rights related to their real estate, including the right to right them out. So much for freedom.

In jurisdictions where rental permission is more easily obtained, but just as rigorously policed, and where owners must engage a competent local manager or management firm, problems do not happen.

The County even caved into neighbors in one desirable neighborhood who don't want "to have different neighbors each week," as the County clerk explained. Fear of problems is valid, but refusing entry to visitors feels a lot like simple xenophobia, the "fear of others."

A local real estate leader, who wished to remain anonymous, said, "You know the reasons for the lack of vacation rentals is regulations, don't you? Most people just won't spend the money to see if their neighbors will allow them to rent." How come the expensive applications fees are non-refundable, if the permit is denied? Looks like just another shake-down by officials.

Communities who enacted vacation rental prohibitions years ago, are seeing the light and revising laws to allow vacation rentals in all residential areas with proper permitting; and the requirement that properties be occupied within reasonable rules.

Doing otherwise scares away visitors. Consumers have decided they want to stay in vacation rentals and no amount of meddling in the free market by officials will dissuade them. Take away vacation rentals and they are sending visitors elsewhere, while local shops, restaurants and attractions lose out. It is not just home owners who lose.

The cities and counties where vacation rentals are allowed gain fee income; shops, events and attractions do more business; additional jobs are created; and tourism taxes flow.

Let's hope that officials in counties and communities, all over the country, wake up and stop killing the tourism business they so desperately need - by giving consumers what they want - many more vacation rentals.

Read more Leave comments

Author: Ron Lee – Volunteer, Vacation Rental Association
Blog #: 0212 – 06/01/12

Sponsor: VRAI – As a fast growing industry we need your help and support. Join today to learn, share and promote your properties. – VRIA.org

Glorious Days on Washington State Beaches

By William May
Published: 05/15/12 Topics: Comments: 0

With winter still ebbing, the arrival of spring and even summer like conditions reminds us that the long days of sun and fun are upon us. A quick trip to the Coast of Washington State reveals that 80 degree temperatures are not here yet but the bright beating sun surely is.

So it is time to plan your summer at the beach. Vacation Rental managers are not yet sold out but will be soon. To get your choice place get off the couch and make that call today. Or checkout the wide range of properties on any of the websites offered by the Vacation Rental association such as WashingtonCoastVacationRentals.com.

The need for sun protection wasn't on the packing list and what a mistake. Thursday at Ocean Shores dawn brought calm, little wind and a great many visitors out on the streets, in the shops and restaurants and driving, walking and riding bikes on the beach.

"This is the earliest crowds we've seen and it’s a happy site for shopkeepers, "Said Jennifer Sturm who along with her husband Michael operate a unique Gift shop "Flying Cats" located on the Point Brown Boulevard, one of the main drags leading into town.

"The town is lucky to receive visitors year round and business is always good, but summer is when the crowds swell and our shop is often so packed the customers jostle each other around the merchandise," said Michael.

Washington coastal waters often feature big frothy waves but this week the water was calm and fishing boats from Westport Harbor trolled up and down not far off the beach.

Just weeks before, razor clam digging had been in high season and that too brought a steady stream of cars down the roads leading to the South Beaches including Westport Washington as well as to the North Beaches, how to Ocean Shores, Copalis Beach, Moclips and other small enclaves.

Lu Ann Kolten, owner of Beachy Day Vacation Rentals in Westport reports, "The winter was good this year other than a week in January which brought us our first deep snow fall in many years.".

Patrick Kolten, Lu Ann's husband and a native of France said, "I get every morning and find myself beaming along with the bright sunshine. We have many cabins, homes and condos ready for visitors if they call early."

To make reservations for late spring, memorial day, summer and later you can see beach rentals from the WashingtonCoastVacationRentals.com.

- - - - - - - - -

The Vacation Rental Association (www.Vrai.org) is a not-for-profit association of vacation rental owners, managers, suppliers and others who support the industry. VRA sponsors numerous local websites. In Washington State those include WashingtonCoastVacationRentals.com, OceanShoresVacationRentals.com and WestportVacationRentals.com.

Read more Leave comments

Author: William May – Manager, Goldener Resorts
Blog #: 0207 – 05/15/12