Cityofoceanshores.com Newsletter ~ 09.2008

Clamming Time! Summer is over and that means that the clam season is only days away. In case you didn't know, razor clams are found by the hole left on the sand surface as the clam's neck is withdrawn. When this dimple is found, a scoop or two of sand is dug away beside the dimple and the clam is found by reaching into the sand in the side of the hole. Be careful not to dig too close to the dimple or the clam will be damaged. Most clams are dug with special narrow-bladed clam shovels. Clams can also be dug with a "clam gun" or "tube". This is simply a 4 inch diameter pipe or tube with a handle and a small air vent at the closed upper end. Digging is done by pushing the tube down over the clam dimple with a rocking motion. The air vent is then blocked with a finger or thumb and the core of sand, with the clam enclosed, is pulled up and dropped on the beach. Then you put in your bucket, take it home, clean it, fry it and eat it. Yummy good.

Ocean Shores Real Estate Update It's slow out here at the beach much like the rest of the country. However, since our real estate market is so dependent on the success of the Puget Sound real estate market, we have some reasons to be optimistic. Home sales around Western Washington during September rose 4.1 percent from a year ago, reversing a 19-month pattern of declines. Industry folks say the recent economic turmoil is taking a toll on activity, but also suggest negative news reports are keeping buyers on the fence and creating misunderstandings about the availability of home loans. With the passage of the bailout bill, we will see an improvement in the loan arena easing up restrictions for buyers who have been locked out of the market or who are waiting to jump in before the bottom hits (if it hasn't already). No one knows for sure, but at this point, with interest rates at historic lows, there's no guarantee that they'll fall much further. We're starting to see more sales now from investors and buyers who have taken a lot of their worth out of the market and are now putting it into real estate. Good idea.

Commercial Real Estate & Downtown Developments
With the construction of the Boardwalk Shops of Ocean Shores project underway along with the new Fire Department being built on Point Brown, downtown is definitely projecting excitement with these new developments. Another new restaurant is gearing up to open on Ocean Shores Blvd sometime in December and a new sign went up next to the Barber Shop on Point Brown Ave announcing a new building which will feature a new donut shop. Good news for downtown.

New Construction Going Strong
Nearly one-third of all homes sold in Ocean Shores this year so far are new construction. This doesn't account for the "custom" market, the private homebuilder or homes that people hired builders to build for them. 51 out of the 169 homes sold this year so far were built in either 2007 or 2008. This part of the local real estate market seems to still be strong. If you're interested in new construction, I can help. Email me!



!!! Dreamscape Condos @ New Pricing!
Rediscover Luxury! Located at the Southern tip of Ocean Shores, these units include 2 or 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, kitchens featuring maple cabinets, tile floors & granite counters; living rooms w/fireplace & separate dining area w/private decks. Watch ships, whales & fishing boats from the comfort of your own private getaway. Seconds from pristine beaches. Several condos available with prices that range from $259,000 to $399,000. Don't wait until they're all sold! Isn't it time to Live Your Dream? Email me or call me at 360.581.9020 for more info today. These will not last at these new prices!

Upcoming Events
Clam Dig!
2008 Clam dig schedule (Tentative) October - 16th (8:30pm -1.5), 17th(9:17pm -1.5), 18th (10:08pm -1.2). November - 13th (6:27pm -1.6), 14th (7:15pm -1.8), 15th (8:04pm -1.6), 16th (8:54pm -1.2). December -11th (5:23pm -1.1), 12th (6:13pm -1.5), 13th (7:02pm -1.6), 14th (7:50pm -1.4) Cat Fanciers' Association Cat Show
Saturday, October 25 - Sunday, October 26, 2008
A cat show is composed of a number of separate, concurrently running, individual shows held in the various judging rings throughout a show hall. 120 W. Chance A La Mer Ave. Ocean Shores, WA 98569.

Jazz at the Beach -Jazz Festival

Friday, November 7 - Sunday, November 9, 2008
Jazz bands from around the United States and Canada join together to offer over 100 hours of live jazz at several venues throughout Ocean Shores.

Winter Fanta-Sea

Friday, November 28 - Sunday, November 30, 2008
Over 70 arts and crafts booths feature thousands of unique handmade items just in time for the holidays! Bring the kids, Santa will be there to listen to all of your Christmas wishes.


News


Diggers should be happy as count for clams climbs
Two beaches easily accessed by South Sound razor clam diggers should have more clams, while two others will have fewer clams and Kalaloch will remain closed. The Copalis and Mocrocks beaches, running from Ocean Shores north to the Moclips River, have clam populations that are the strongest since 2004-05. The populations at Long Beach and Twin Harbors are down from last year, as much as 43 percent at Twin Harbors. Kalaloch will stay closed early in the season to give a rebounding population of small clams time to grow. Harvesters are allowed to take only 15 clams, and must keep the first 15 they dig regardless of size or condition. Each digger must keep his or her clams in their own container. A license is required for anyone age 15 or older. There are various license options, like a combination fishing license, shellfish/seaweed license or razor clam-only license. Descriptions of licenses and instructions on purchase are available at fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov.
Weatherwax Debate Heats Up
Should the Weatherwax property - an undeveloped 120 acre forest tract near the center of town - be included under the Critical Areas Ordinance? That was the question council members and citizens debated at a recent City Council Meeting.

The City Council unanimously approved a request to set a public hearing at the Oct. 13th City Council meeting concerning adopting revisions in the critical areas ordinance as set forth by the Washington State Growth management act. Since the Weatherwax property has multiple characteristics typical of a critical area, it could still be developed, but it would require stricter regulations should it be designated as a critical area, said Ken Lanfear, director of public works.

City officials say the Weatherwax property can fit into multiple areas, and problems lie with how to classify it. Citizens' comments were restricted to whether or not to hold the public hearing, and any comments concerning the ordinance would have to be made during the public hearing.

Jeff Daniel
Associate Broker Coldwell Banker Ocean Beach Properties
1.360.581.9020 (cell) - 1.888.469.3100 (toll free) - 1.360.289.3111 (fax)
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