Some Rooms Still Open on Oregon Coast Over Memorial Weekend

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, Wadport, Yachats & Florence.

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Some Rooms Still Open on Oregon Coast Fourth of July

(Oregon Coast) - For room availability on 4th of July, click here.

For those who haven’t made reservations months ago for a place to stay for the Fourth of July on the Oregon coast, there probably won’t be a happy ending for the night. The vast majority of spots have been filled, weeks, if not months ago. Often, people start making their reservations a year ahead of time for this holiday, actually making that arrangement as they leave on the morning of the 5th.

Arch Cape Property Services. Dozens of homes in that dreamy, rugged stretch between Cannon Beach and Manzanita known as Arch Cape. Oceanfront and ocean view , or just a short walk from the sea.
All homes are immaculate and smoke free; some pet friendly (with a fee). Some with broadband, indoor or outdoor hot tubs, fireplaces, decks, and fire pits or barbecues. Call about tempting winter specials that go until March (not valid holidays, however). http://www.archcaperentals.com/ 866-436-1607.

However, a handful of Oregon coast lodgings have told BeachConnection.net about some openings. You’ll find them in Seaside (including one ON Tillamook Head), Manzanita, Wheeler, Oceanside, a few in Lincoln City and one in Depoe Bay.

BeachConnection.net will publish lodging availability reports each weekend throughout the summer, starting the last weekend of June. Hopefully, more lodgings will report back for another report just before the fourth. Then, each weekend, until the end of August, there will be more lodging availability reports published each Thursday morning, as this is the truly busy season where no vacancy signs dominate the landscape of 101.

Also, stay tuned to BeachConnection.net over the summer for the release of our lodging and dining listings on mobile devices. This means that sometime in the next two months, you’ll be able to look up places to stay or eat on your handheld device – and some cell phones – while you’re in a coastal town.

There will be more interesting technological and content announcements from BeachConnection.net coming soon as well, all to enhance your stay on the beach and make it easier to connect to the Oregon coast.

For a hugely detailed look at Fourth of July celebrations, click here.

For room availability on 4th of July, click here.

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. http://www.dsandsmotel.com/. 171 S.W. Highway 101. 800-527-3925.

Weiss' Paradise Suites & Vacation Rentals - Seaside

Unique Luxury Accommodations in Seaside. 1BR Suites, 1BR & 2BR Duplex Units and 3BR Houses, units for 2-8 people. Rent entire property for 20-26. Close to beach, river and Broadway St.
Suites are designed for two adults; vacation rental units for families. All units have kitchen and many have fireplace, deck and jetted tub. Comfy robes, slippers, luxury bath amenities, quality linens and more. 741 S. Downing St., Seaside. 800-738-6691. http://www.seasidesuites.com/

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 Cannon Beach. Beautifully wooded natural setting at quiet south end of Cannon Beach. Great during winter storms with a new book by the fireplace – or when the sun is out for family fun and beach 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. http://www.atcannonbeach.com/.RELATED STORIES

Sandcastle Fest on Oregon Coast Atrracts Thousands The 43rd Annual Sandcastle Day Festival happens June 16 in Cannon Beach

Aquarium on North Oregon Coast One of Oldest in U.S., Celebrates Anniversary The Seaside Aquarium holds its party this weekend, on May 25

Watching Transformations of Oregon Coast Beaches Seasons change and so do beaches, revealing different sides and a variety of eye-popping sights

Structures Found on Oregon Beach May Be 80,000 Years Old - They are the remnants of a forest apparently 80,000 years old, found at Hug Point

Day or Night Mysteries and Merriment on Oregon Coast It's more than just nightlife that comes to life, but the beaches offer major opportunities

CONTACT BEACH CONNECTION

ASTORIA
Where the Columbia meets the Pacific, Land of Lewis & Clark and loads of atmosphere & history

SEASIDE
The Promenade, Tillamook Head, family fun & broad, sandy beaches

CANNON BEACH
A mysterious lighthouse, upscale yet earthy, a huge monolith, fine eateries & an art mecca

NEHALEM BAY
Manzanita's beaches, Nehalem and Wheeler's quirky beauty; laid back Rockaway

TILLAMOOK BAY
Garibaldi, Barview, Bay City, Tillamook & an oceanfront ghost town

THREE CAPES LOOP
The hidden secret of the coast: Cape Meares, a lighthouse, Oceanside, Netarts and Pacific City

DEPOE BAY
A spouting horn downtown, freaky hidden cliffs and whales, whales, whalesNEWPORT
Time-tripping Nye Beach, a bustling bayfront, marine science-central and two lighthouses
YACHATS
Constantly dramatic wave action, a mix of the rugged & upscale
FLORENCE
A lighthouse, ancient bayfront and miles and miles of fluffy dunes

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

BREATHTAKING CLIFFTOP IN NEWPORT

STARFISH POINT Newport - Offers only the finest in luxury condominium lodging. Every unit is focused on the beauty of the sea and the beach.
All units boast two bedrooms, two bathrooms, designer kitchens, wireless broadband Internet, fireplaces, Jacuzzi’s and private decks. Friendly staff dedicated to high quality and superb customer service. 140 NW 48th Street, Newport. (541) 265-3751. (800) 870-7795. http://www.starfishpoint.com/

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New Trail Still a Novelty on Central Oregon Coast

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.

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New Trail Still a Novelty on Central Oregon Coast

After a couple of false beginnings, you'll find the trail starts next to the stairway going up to the highway(Newport, Oregon) - It's still Newport's biggest little secret, even after more than two years.

A new trail in the central Oregon coast resort town debuted in early 2006, and gradually started generating buzz among residents and regulars. It also got anticipation growing for its expansion into a much larger trail system that will stretch from the northern beaches of the town to Yaquina Bay. The trail was unmarked for a long time, but it still remains a kind of "new toy" for many in the area, very slowly drawing in a larger and larger crowd.

This quarter mile hidden path is part of what will be called the "Ocean to Bay Trail." It begins, rather clandestinely, at the east end of the parking lot at Agate Beach State Park, and then meanders under thick rain forest foliage, with pristine, freshly laid gravel covering its length. Along the way, walkers encounter bridges over pretty little streams, more than a couple long wooden boardwalks that snake over chasms and other geographic features, and some untouched wetlands that will likely never, ever be developed.

Jim Protiva, Newport’s Director of Parks and Recreation, calls this leg of the greater trail system-to-come “a step into the wilderness without stepping out of town.” This part goes from Agate Beach Wayside to Big Creek Park and is phase one of the Ocean to Bay Trail. The other stretches will be built slowly over the next few years as money becomes available.

“It’s the opportunity to walk through wetlands without impacting them, and it’s an out-of-the-wind activity in Newport,” Protiva said.

First, the explorer has to find the trail – and you may initially get fooled. An unmarked paved path at the east end of the parking lot at Agate Beach apparently wanders off into the woods. It quickly forks to the south or north; the southern stretch takes you back across a creek running through the wayside, and down a path which wanders below the Agate Beach Best Western hotel, eventually taking you to the western end of the parking lot. This is not the trail, but a pleasant and pastoral diversion, nonetheless.

The new trail actually begins when the paved entrance seems to disappear into a wall of ground, where you find yourself in a tunnel that goes underneath Highway 101. On the other side, a long stairway leads up to the other side of the highway. But next to those steps, the trail actually starts.

During the winter, you’ll see through the leafless trees and into the marshes and sopping wetlands just to the east of the trail. “Those are wetlands so wet they’ll probably never get developed,” Protiva said.

The air here is thick with the smell of nature, marshes and forest.

For three-quarters of a mile this freshly minted trail meanders, and you’ll soon run across one of several footbridges. Protiva says there are three of these, about 40 feet long. Then the long boardwalks begin, each of these around 100 feet long. The look of this green space is primeval, maybe even slightly resembling something out of Tolkien. The end result is pure natural stunner mixed with the nature-friendly ingenuity and the design of Man.

Protiva said this leg cost approximately $275,000.

The second phase will be a mile-long stretch into eastern Newport that goes from Big Creek Park to the public swimming pool. The third phase will be from there to Newport Middle School, about a quarter mile. From there, the fourth section will take walkers on a mile hike to a spot on the eastern part of Highway 20. The last phase will trek a quarter mile further until it ends at the bay.

“There is no timeline,” Protiva said. “We will continue to expand as money is available.” He said that the second phase will probably begin construction in the next year, however.

Currently, the trail is still a secret, although many locals have caught on. “Originally there was no fanfare or signage, so it’s all been by word of mouth,” Protiva said. “Residents have caught wind of it and are using it. But that’s about all.”

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 Cannon Beach. Beautifully wooded natural setting at quiet south end of Cannon Beach. Great during winter storms with a new book by the fireplace – or when the sun is out for family fun and beach 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. http://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. http://www.theoceanlodge.com/

Arch Cape Property Services. Dozens of homes in that dreamy, rugged stretch between Cannon Beach and Manzanita known as Arch Cape. Oceanfront and ocean view , or just a short walk from the sea.
All homes are immaculate and smoke free; some pet friendly (with a fee). Some with broadband, indoor or outdoor hot tubs, fireplaces, decks, and fire pits or barbecues. Call about tempting winter specials that go until March (not valid holidays, however). http://www.archcaperentals.com/ 866-436-1607.

RELATED STORIES

Click here for video of Dec. storm aftermath

Oregon Coast Best of Awards for the Year And the winners are: best of Oregon coast restaurants, lodgings, science, odd events in nature and stunning moments for 2007

Watching Transformations of Oregon Coast Beaches Seasons change and so do beaches, revealing different sides and a variety of eye-popping sights

Staggeringly 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 set

ASTORIA
Where the Columbia meets the Pacific, Land of Lewis & Clark and loads of atmosphere & history

SEASIDE
The Promenade, Tillamook Head, family fun & broad, sandy beaches

CANNON BEACH
A mysterious lighthouse, upscale yet earthy, a huge monolith, fine eateries & an art mecca

NEHALEM BAY
Manzanita's beaches, Nehalem and Wheeler's quirky beauty; laid back Rockaway

TILLAMOOK BAY
Garibaldi, Barview, Bay City, Tillamook & an oceanfront ghost town

THREE CAPES LOOP
The hidden secret of the coast: Cape Meares, a lighthouse, Oceanside, Netarts and Pacific City

DEPOE BAY
A spouting horn downtown, freaky hidden cliffs and whales, whales, whalesNEWPORT
Time-tripping Nye Beach, a bustling bayfront, marine science-central and two lighthouses
YACHATS
Constantly dramatic wave action, a mix of the rugged & upscale
FLORENCE
A lighthouse, ancient bayfront and miles and miles of fluffy dunes

View the original article here

Nicola Roberts 'still has ginger bitch skirt'

Monday, June 6 2011, 09:58 BST Nicola Roberts has said that she still has the skirt on which she painted "I am a rude ginger bitch? Botherd!"

The Girls Aloud star customised the outfit after being called the name by Matt Willis of Busted in 2003.

Roberts told The Guardian: "I've still got it. It's in my wardrobe. I want to get it framed, actually. I'm going to put it where my plaques are."

When her actions were described as 'ballsy', Roberts said: "Well I had to be. What else would I have done? Gone on stage with tear marks? What else?"

Of Louis Walsh's supposed dislike of her when he managed Girls Aloud, Roberts added: "I knew that. I could see that he clearly didn't want me there.

"Don't tell me to smile, seriously. There ain't one inch of a smile in me right now when your eyes are like that, thinking, 'Please God don't let her be in the band'."

Roberts last week premiered her debut solo single 'Beat Of My Drum'.

The singer has said that she would like to be "heavily involved" in the writing of any new Girls Aloud material.

Watch the Nicola Roberts 'Beat Of My Drum' video below:

'Criminal Minds' star 'still not signed up'

Monday, June 6 2011, 10:11 BST Criminal Minds star Thomas Gibson is reportedly still in negotiations to return to the series, less than a month before production resumes.

Deadline reports that the CBS drama's writing team assembled last week to begin working on a seventh season, but are still unsure if Gibson will reprise his role as Aaron 'Hotch' Hotchner.

Talks between the actor and CBS are said to have stalled, though producers are apparently still keen for him to return.

Gibson previously insisted that he is "hoping" to remain part of the Criminal Minds cast.

"I'm planning on being on the show, but we're still talking," he said. "I certainly don't feel like it's time to turn off the lights or anything like that."

The sixth season of Criminal Minds saw both A.J. Cook (Jennifer 'JJ' Jareau) and Paget Brewster (Emily Prentiss) axed from the show. Cook returned full-time beginning with the season finale, while Brewster has been confirmed to reappear in the show's seventh run.

Meanwhile, recent cast addition Rachel Nichols (Ashley Seaver) will not return as a series regular. Criminal Minds showrunner Erica Messer previously claimed that the axing "wasn't an easy decision", while Nichols herself described her exit as a "heartbreaker".

The seventh season of Criminal Minds will air on Wednesdays at 9/8c on CBS in the fall.

Germany: Michael Steiner explains why our commtiment is still needed in Afghanistan

In an article in the Magazin für Europa und Internationales, Michael Steiner looks at the objectives of the Afghanistan mission. The top priorities are to achieve adequate stability and to ensure that fundamental human rights are respected, he says. “Girls must be allowed to go to school,” stresses the German government’s Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Photo: DED/ Britta Radike

Afghanistan is changing – training mechanics with German assistance

All of us, including our international partners, have made mistakes in Afghanistan. To date we have seen a failure to admit this. There has been a notable lack of willingness to admit our own shortcomings in the face of the reality in this country, which has been traumatised by thirty years of violence.

For a long time we were overly optimistic as to the extent we could change Afghanistan to fit our western ideas, and how swiftly change was possible.
2010 was the year of the reality checks in Afghanistan for the entire international community. We, and our international partners, have learned three lessons. Firstly we have modified our objectives to what is realistically feasible – achieving adequate stability in Afghanistan and ensuring that fundamental human rights are respected. That must be non-negotiable – girls must be allowed to go to school.

Photo: Bundeswehr / Martin Stollberg  Under the Taliban girls were not allowed to attend schoolSecondly,

we have understood that the two indispensable pillars on which our commitment is based – military and civilian reconstruction – must be joined by a third, if the Afghanistan we build is to be stable. The political process is equally essential. There can be no purely military solution in Afghanistan. Only a political process which embraces all groups within the country will lead to a stabilisation of the situation. This process of negotiation might well be complicated, but there is no way round it. It must be managed by the Afghan side, even if the international community provides strong support, and the region, in particular Pakistan and Iran must endorse it. And it must, of course, be conducted with the opponents of the regime. Who else? Reconciliation is possible with all groups that accept three fundamental principles: renunciation of violence, acceptance of the constitutional framework and ending all links to international terrorism.

Photo: PIZ EinsFüKdo  Talking to locals near KunduzThirdly,

we now have an internationally agreed timeframe for the hand-over of responsibility for security: 2011 to the end of 2014. Although it is easy to understand the calls of some critics for a speedy end to the mission of the Federal Armed Forces, we must take into account the fact that any precipitous withdrawal from Afghanistan would end in civil war and chaos. And this would not be limited to Afghanistan. Nobody can believe in good faith that we in Europe would be spared, if the centre of this explosive region collapsed into chaos and radical Islamists won a victory not only over NATO but also over the 49 nations involved in Afghanistan with a clear United Nations mandate. We must not repeat the disastrous mistake that the international community made in 1989, when they simply dropped Afghanistan. The experience of the fatal consequences has marked the entire region, and we are still paying for our mistake today. That is why the international community accepted responsibility this time round.

Photo: Bundeswehr / Martin Stollberg  A hydro-power plant in Jurm,

AfghanistanIn spite of all sober realism, and in spite of everything that remains to be done, our success is already tangible. For instance, 80 percent of Afghans now have access to primary health care. The residents of Kabul and Mazar-i-Sharif now have electricity, and seven million boys and even more importantly girls can now go to school. This would all be called into question if we were to withdraw precipitously. Respect for the victims and for those who are serving or have served in Afghanistan whether in uniform or as civilians precludes any such course of action. 
From 2011 to 2014 international troops will gradually hand over responsibility for security in the country to Afghans. By the end of 2014, the transfer is to be completed. But even if no more international combat troops are then seen on the streets of Afghanistan, we will not abandon the country to its fate. Otherwise our strategy will not work.

We will remain committed in terms of economic development, capacity building, and training, including training for the Afghan security forces. The concrete form that this long-term commitment will take will be one of the important issues dealt with at the international conference to be held in December in Bonn, ten years after the Petersberg Conference, in response to a request of President Karzai.
Over the next two years Germany will also be using its non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council to push ahead with Afghanistan.
We are sure of the support of many partners in our efforts. The Organisation of the Islamic Conference, for instance, has pledged to host the next meeting of the International Contact Group for Afghanistan on 1 March at its Headquarters in Jeddah.
The contact group is chaired by Germany and brings together almost 50 special representatives on Afghanistan from around the globe – 15 of them from Islamic countries. In Jeddah we will be attempting above all to make progress on the political reconciliation process.
In 2011 we will have to continue to deal in detail with Afghanistan. The issues are extremely difficult for all of us, in terms of domestic and foreign policy, and at a human level. There is no point in trying to make the truth more palatable. The situation is not easy. And in future we will continue to experience failures and setbacks.
Nobody can guarantee success. But in spite of everything we have made progress. The Afghans themselves say so. And we must now together complete what we started together.

Michael Steiner, Ambassador and Special Representative of the German Government on the situation in Afghanistan.

The Press and Information Office of the Federal Government

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Filed under: Afghanistan, Asia, Badakhshan, Civil Society, Community development projects, Education, Germany, Human Rights, Poverty, Taliban, Tolerance, Women's rights Tagged: | Afghanistan, Civil Society, Democracy, Education, Germany, poverty alleviation, Women's rights

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