Dale Schmidt will leave his position as aquarium president soon for the midwest. (Photo Oregon Coast Aquarium)(Newport, Oregon) - It's been a month of big changes, milestones and additions already at the big tourist attraction in Newport. Oregon Coast Aquarium President and Chief Executive Officer Dale Schmidt announced his resignation, a major grant was presented to the facility and it celebrated its ten millionth visitor this past week.Schmidt began his tenure at the Aquarium on December 1, 2004, and announced in early September that he would be leaving his position here a position for the Assistant Zoo Director and Chief Operating Officer at The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Columbus, Ohio. The move will bring Schmidt closer to his family in the Midwest. A national search for Schmidt’s replacement has begun.Schmidt originally from the Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Clearwater, Florida where he served as Executive Director. He previously served as the Vice President of Operations at the Florida Aquarium in Tampa following a career of increasingly responsible positions with Busch Gardens and Universal Studios Florida.
A fur seal at Oregon Coast Aquarium"I am very proud to have had the opportunity to lead such a fine team of staff and volunteers," Schmidt said. "Our accomplishments over the last four years are truly a testament to the dedication and hard work of the board of directors, staff, and volunteers. I have really enjoyed my tenure at the Aquarium, but the opportunity to move closer to family and become part of a dynamic institution such as the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium was an offer too good to refuse. I have every confidence that the positive steps we have taken since my arrival will continue making this the preeminent attraction and ocean education center we all envision it can become."
Fred Postlewait, Chairman of the Aquarium Board of Directors, said Schmidt has served well in his position as President and CEO at the Aquarium. "Dale has done a marvelous job in leading us the past four years and we wish him the very best. We are grateful for everything he has done for the Aquarium and the community."
Getting a sea lion kiss at the aquarium.Aquarium management noted some significant forward motion for the facility since Schmidt took over. Milestones he is getting at least partial credit for include getting named in the "Top Ten Aquariums" by various media in the last four years, stabilizing the aquarium's financial situation, increased revenue and attendance, and the passing of a county room tax to help support the aquarium and the local fairgrounds. During Schmidt’s time, the aquarium was also able to complete a five-year plan for its future, and improve its outreach programs to students all over the state, as well as greatly increase its public image.Some big money came the way of the facility recently as well.
One of many freaky and colorful ocean fish at the facility.The Aquarium has received a two thousand dollar grant from US Bancorp, which will assist the Aquarium with one of its primary objectives: to foster an informed stewardship of the coastal environment. The money will got to funding onsite and outreach programs during the coming school year.
Passages of the Deep, one of Oregon's biggest tourist attractions.Schmidt said the programs are engaging a larger number of students, through this donation and other efforts. Schmidt said all Aquarium exhibits and programs focus on coastal habitats, from the forests of the Coast Range , through rivers and estuaries, to the shoreline and the open sea. “It is a complex story that we tell,” Schmidt said. “What makes the coastal ecosystem special, how the habitats work together and what can affect them.” In 2007, 28,777 students from 103 schools in Oregon benefited from the Aquarium's outreach programs. Visitors come from all over the state and the world, like Japan and Germany, and many others. Since its opening in 1992, ten million people have walked through the Oregon Coast Aquarium’s doors.
The Scott family from Idaho (photo Cindy Hansen, Oregon Coast Aquarium).The aquarium was able to celebrate its ten millionth visitor this week.When Peggy Scott approached the admissions desk at the Oregon Coast Aquarium with her family on September 11, she had no idea what awaited her. Most of the Aquarium staff stood waiting with prizes and fanfare to bestow upon some lucky person while visitors were counted down to a major milestone. As she was approached by Cherie Whittington, Aquarium Visitor Services Manager, Scott’s eyes widened with surprise as she was told about her status as the Aquarium’s 10 millionth visitor. She was presented with prizes that included a lifetime family membership, a gift basket full of Aquarium merchandise and an announcement over the Aquarium’s PA system.“I had no idea what was going on,” said Scott. “This is unbelievable.” Scott smiled and accepted the prizes graciously as Aquarium staff surrounded her and her family with cheers and applause. The Scotts, including husband Rusty, son D.J. and daughter Rachel and their families, were visiting Newport from Napa and Caldwell Idaho. “We hadn’t been here since Keiko was here and decided it was time to visit the Oregon coast again,” said Scott.
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RELATED STORIESClick here for video of Dec. storm aftermathWatching Transformations of Oregon Coast Beaches Seasons change and so do beaches, revealing different sides and a variety of eye-popping sightsStaggeringly Cool Ideas for Oregon Coast Romance Be it the season of Valentine's or be it any time of the year, Oregon's coastline has essentially cornered the market for cuddle-inducing possibilities and gushy activities for the hand-holding setDay or Night Mysteries and Merriment on Oregon Coast It's more than just nightlife that comes to life, but the beaches offer major opportunities
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A spiny dogfish, one of five species of sharks that reside in the Oregon Coast Aquarium’s Passages of the Deep exhibit.(Newport, Oregon) – It’s something TV show host Craig Ferguson would get jazzed about: a week full of sharks at Oregon Coast Aquarium.The aquarium will celebrate Sharks August 1 - 14 with a variety of events highlighting the fascinating world of sharks. All of the sharks exhibited at the Oregon Coast Aquarium are species native to Oregon’s coastal waters. Visitors will meet the sharks from Oregon’s coast during the two week celebration of sharks.Shark Week Activities:August 1-14 Shark books, DVD’s and educational toys available in the Aquarium Gift Shop; August 1 - 14 Shark Information Station with bio-facts, 10 am - 4 pm; 
August 5 & 12 Theater Presentation, “ Myths & Misconceptions,” 2 pm; August 6 & 13 Shark Dissection, 2 pm; Saturday, August 7 and Saturday, August 14, Face Painting, 11 am –2:30 pm; August 7 & 14 Dive Presentations about sharks, 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30.Sharks have been depicted as man-eaters and killers for centuries. The reality is that of the more than 350 species, only a handful pose any threat to humans. Sharks and their ancestors have presided over the seas for nearly 400 million years, but in the wild today, shark populations are suffering from human activity. More than half of the shark species taken in high-seas fisheries are classified as Endangered, Vulnerable or Near Threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Through habitat destruction and overfishing, humans have become more dangerous to sharks than they are to us.
“One of the biggest impacts on shark populations is the practice of shark-finning – catching a shark, slicing off its fins and then discarding the body at sea,” according to the Pew Charitable Trust, a Conservation organization that recently introduced legislation to outlaw this practice. Up to 73 million sharks are killed for their fins, valued for the Asian delicacy “shark fin soup.”The Aquarium’s Shark Celebration spotlights sharks as important members of their ocean habitats, unlike the man-eating monsters portrayed in the movies. Sharks live in oceans around the globe - from warm shallows to the cold, deep sea and even fresh water lakes. Oregon Coast Aquarium, South Beach (Newport), Oregon. (541) 867-3474. www.aquarium.org.More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... 
(Newport, Oregon) - There will be a murder in Newport this weekend, and the public is asked to help solve the case in both Nye Beach (pictured above) and the Oregon Coast Aquarium.October 8 and 9 are the dates of the Nye Beach Murder Mystery – a benefit for the Aquarium and Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). It’s an interactive “whodunit” of sorts, a mystery set in 1898 where a colorful local character gets whacked at nearby farm.
There will be a seasonal spooky aspect to this storyline, as the murder takes place at a well on the farm. This well is associated with many unsubstantiated local legends, disappearances, and ghost stories. Some even claim it is the most haunted well in OregonIt’s all based on the murder mystery, “Body in the Bloody Water Well” written by Ram Papish. The spring murder mystery in Nye Beach has proven so popular that local officials decided to resurrect the festival and combine it with this benefit aspect.Participants are encouraged to wear 1890’s costumes throughout the event, and the cast will later vote for best costume at the “Big Reveal” Saturday night. 
The event begins Friday, October 8 at 7 p.m. at the Oregon Coast Aquarium with a Sleuth Social, where guests will get to go all “CSI” on the suspects and interrogate them. Bring your best “good cop, bad cop” routine out for this one. All this happens while enjoying light appetizers and no host beverages. Admission is $15 for adults and $8 for youths 5-15 years old. Children under 5 years old are free.The festival continues on Saturday morning when guests pick up clue packets at Nye Cottage Beads in Nye Beach (on Coast Street) at 9 a.m. Participants will then go digging for the murderer by visiting designated merchants in the Nye Beach area from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. and meet suspects – in full character and costume - to gather clues. Saturday evening at 7 p.m. brings the “Big Reveal,” where the person responsible for the crime will be revealed and prizes will be awarded for best costume at the Oregon Coast Aquarium. There will also be a raffle and photo opportunities for participants.Murder mystery packets are $10 and available at Nye Cottage in Nye Beach. The packet includes two sleuth cards good for admission into the Aquarium for the Big Reveal Saturday night and discounts from local area merchants. For more information call 541-265-6262.
Friday, October 8. 7 p.m. Sleuth Social at Oregon Coast Aquarium. Saturday, October 9. 9 a.m. Guests pick up clue packets at Nye Cottage Beads, Nye Beach, $10 per packet. 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Clue search at participating Nye Beach merchants 
October 23. Glass Gala at Inn at Spanish Head to kick off the 2010 – 2011. Finders Keepers Promotion. Evening includes a raffle, silent auction, and DJ. Doors open at 6 p.m., dinner starts at 7 p.m. $70. Lincoln City, Oregon. 800-452-2151 or www.oregoncoast.orgOctober 22-23. Yachats Guitar Fest. An evening of acoustic guitar music. 6 p.m. Yachats Commons, Hwy 101 & W 5th. Yachats, Oregon.October 23. Mushroom class with Wild Gourmet. 9 a.m. Regatta Grounds. W Devils Lake Rd. Lincoln City, Oregon. 541-992-3798October 30. Halloween Harvest Festival. 10 a.m. Various spooky and scientific events. Oregon Coast Aquarium. 2820 SE Ferry Slip Road. Newport, Oregon. 541-867-3474. www.aquarium.org.
Jellyfish Jubilee Chef Mike Downing (Photo by Cindy Hanson)(Newport, Oregon) - The Oregon Coast Aquarium is preparing for its annual fundraiser Saturday, September 25, 2010 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The third annual Jellyfish Jubilee; A Celebration of Food and Wine will fill the Aquarium with the aromas, tastes and sounds of exceptional Northwest cuisine, wines, music and a silent auction benefiting the Aquarium’s exhibits and education programs. The all-inclusive event will also provide an opportunity to see the Aquarium’s new Swampland exhibit, which opened Memorial Day weekend, 2010. Participating restaurants include some of the region’s finest culinary establishments, including Bay 839, The Bay House, Chinook Winds, Georgie’s Beachside Grill, La Maison, Local Ocean Seafoods, Nana’s Irsih Pub, Quimby’s, Rogue Brewers on the Bay, Savory Café and Pizzeria, Starfish Grill and Tsunami Coffee & Chocolate Company. Wineries include Adelsheim Vineyard, Duck Pond Cellars, Edenvale Winery, Oak Knoll Winery and Sokol Blosser Winery. Chefs and vintners have been anticipating the opportunity to share their passion for extraordinary food and wine during this unique event surrounded by the shimmering waters of the Aquarium.
The aquarium's Swampland exhibit.The evening will also include live jazz from Perpetua, animal encounters, interpretive dive presentations and a silent auction.Highlights of the silent auction include a cruise donated by AAA Oregon-Idaho, a float plane flight for two around the Willamette Valley; three days of golf at The Oregon Golf Club, Pumpkin Ridge and Persimmon; an Oregon coast package that includes stay at a beach home, visits to the Hatfield Marine Science Center and Oregon Coast Aquarium; a Salishan package; two Romance and Culture Packages at Hotel Monaco with tickets to leading Portland arts and music companies; a cooking class for two from Lincoln City Culinary Center; four President Box seats at 2011 Bach festival from the University of Oregon; golf for four at Chambers Bay and the Home Course and overnight stay at Hotel Murano in Tacoma and many other items including coastal lodging, magnums of fine wine and restaurant packages.
More of the Swampland exhibit.Tickets for admission to the event are $100. Aquarium members qualify for a 10% discount. Lodging discounts will be offered by the Holiday Inn Express, The Whaler Motel, La Quinta Inn & Suites, Tyee Lodge Bed and Breakfast and Ocean House Bed and Breakfast. Visitors wishing to take advantage of lodging discounts must mention they are attending the Jellyfish Jubilee.West Coast Bank is the presenting sponsor of the Jellyfish Jubilee for the third year. Major Sponsors are Wildlife Trading Company of New Mexico and Foam It Green.com. Sponsors include Animal Medical Care of Newport, Leopold Ketel & Partners, Marta and Ken Thrasher and Wilder Development. Media sponsors are Northwest Palate, Oregon Coast Magazine and All Classical FM.