KAST Coastwatch will be back on the air Monday morning. The NNB Engineering team has been working everyday to ensure that our new studios will be functional and ready to go.
My first guest in our new Warrenton facility will be Mayor Gil Gramson.
Our news team faced some real challenges over the past week in providing coverage but came through in covering the lock-down of Astoria schools after a child reported a potential gunman and then Friday in providing coverage of the small plane crash in the Columbia River. My thanks to our engineers and to our news team in working together to get those stories on the air and on the web.
Comments expressed
April 26, 2009
April 17, 2009
A Program Note
KAST Coastwatch in the Morning will be on hiatus for the next week as our engineering team moves our offices and studios to our new Warrenton facility.
This move has been two years in the making and represents a 2.2 million dollar investment by our company.
Our new building is located on S.W. Main CT. between the city municipal building and the city park and community center area.
We will not be off the air during the move and will be providing substitute network programming during those times we are normally broadcasting local programming as our new studios are being completed.
Our plan is to be back on the air with our local news and talk programming on April 27th.
It is important to note here that this move does not involve our transmitters, towers, or our commitment to cover news we have covered in the past for all our local communities.
This move has been two years in the making and represents a 2.2 million dollar investment by our company.
Our new building is located on S.W. Main CT. between the city municipal building and the city park and community center area.
We will not be off the air during the move and will be providing substitute network programming during those times we are normally broadcasting local programming as our new studios are being completed.
Our plan is to be back on the air with our local news and talk programming on April 27th.
It is important to note here that this move does not involve our transmitters, towers, or our commitment to cover news we have covered in the past for all our local communities.
April 14, 2009
Father Ted Hits The Road
The Portland Archdiocese has passed on the word that Star of The Sea parish priest Ted Prentice has decided to resign his post at the Astoria church. The Archdiocese says Fr. Ted made the decision to leave as of April 20th "..in the best interests of the parish" after it was found that he had misappropriated some $83,000 in parish funds. That's about double the amount reported when this first came to light and very close to estimates my sources told me had simply disappeared. The Archdiocese now says it will cooperate with any local investigation law enforcement decides to conduct.
It would be interesting to find out exactly where that money went.
It would be interesting to find out exactly where that money went.
An Open Letter
I urge you to copy the following, add your name, print and mail it. If you have friends or family without web access please make copies for them to send. Consider sending a copy to the legislators and congressmen listed to the left of this post. It's time they heard from all of us on this issue. tf
Gov. Ted Kulongowski
160 State Capitol
900 Court Street
Salem, Oregon 97301-4047
Dear Sir,
I'm struggling to understand your decision to discourage industrial development in Clatsop County. In light of Oregon's unemployment rate and the continuing downward trend in private investment here it is unfathomable to me that you would not be in the lead when it comes to supporting the construction of Bradwood Landing LNG.
It is clear that this is a time-tested, safe, clean industry. It is clear that the company seeking to employ hundreds of workers over the multiple years construction will require is a good community partner. They have taken many steps to get involved in supporting programs and organizations that help our food banks, our schools, our needy. Northern Star Natural Gas has made it their business to be a visible force for good in Clatsop County since the inception of the Bradwood proposal.
The process for siting the terminal storage facility has been transparent. The company has dealt with every objection in an entirely open and honest manner. They have worked to preserve our lower Columbia environment by providing far more mitigation than required by law. They continue to work with the state in completing the permitting process.
Those who object have yet to make a meaningful case against this project. Every single argument against this project quickly folds under further investigation.
Now is the time to support this project. By doing so you support the wishes of the majority here who struggle to make ends meet and don't have the time to stand on a street corner with a protest sign.
Please do what is right.
Gov. Ted Kulongowski
160 State Capitol
900 Court Street
Salem, Oregon 97301-4047
Dear Sir,
I'm struggling to understand your decision to discourage industrial development in Clatsop County. In light of Oregon's unemployment rate and the continuing downward trend in private investment here it is unfathomable to me that you would not be in the lead when it comes to supporting the construction of Bradwood Landing LNG.
It is clear that this is a time-tested, safe, clean industry. It is clear that the company seeking to employ hundreds of workers over the multiple years construction will require is a good community partner. They have taken many steps to get involved in supporting programs and organizations that help our food banks, our schools, our needy. Northern Star Natural Gas has made it their business to be a visible force for good in Clatsop County since the inception of the Bradwood proposal.
The process for siting the terminal storage facility has been transparent. The company has dealt with every objection in an entirely open and honest manner. They have worked to preserve our lower Columbia environment by providing far more mitigation than required by law. They continue to work with the state in completing the permitting process.
Those who object have yet to make a meaningful case against this project. Every single argument against this project quickly folds under further investigation.
Now is the time to support this project. By doing so you support the wishes of the majority here who struggle to make ends meet and don't have the time to stand on a street corner with a protest sign.
Please do what is right.
April 13, 2009
Seaport Air
So far so good. Even with a poor economy, launching at a time of year when air travel isn't necessarily at it's peak, and major airlines have been cutting flights, Seaport Air is being used by locals to make that trip to Portland and back far easier.
Commuter air service is subsidized by Connect Oregon II dollars which made it possible to start up but that money does run out eventually. The only way to keep this service viable is to use it . The airline has been proactive in offering good deals on advance bookings and actively advertising the service locally.
I would urge you to consider including Seaport in your travel planning.
Commuter air service is subsidized by Connect Oregon II dollars which made it possible to start up but that money does run out eventually. The only way to keep this service viable is to use it . The airline has been proactive in offering good deals on advance bookings and actively advertising the service locally.
I would urge you to consider including Seaport in your travel planning.
April 09, 2009
Salmon Fishing Here Spared
The Pacific Fisheries Managment Council has sent it's recommedation on west coast Chinook salmon fishing to NOAA fisheries and the north oregon and washington coasts have been spared the decision to shutdown the fishery again this year in California and most of Oregon.
Fishing will be allowed here and that means good news for local charters, hotels and restaurants that depend on that annual chase for silvers and Chinook. It remains to be seen whether NOAA and it's new leadership will agree with the PFMC on the decision. We should know early next month.
The issue for us is how accurately this is reported in the media. Associated Press is doing a better job with this but a story on the wire this morning says fishing is shut down in California and most of Oregon. It's only until you read to the end that fishing is allowed on the North Oregon and Washington coast.
If you hear a report on the PFMC decision that doesn't include the news that fishing is open here be proactive and call that news outlet to let them know at this point the biggest salmon fishery
on the coast is still on and healthy because that action supports our local economy at a time when we all need to take full advantage of every opportunity.
Fishing will be allowed here and that means good news for local charters, hotels and restaurants that depend on that annual chase for silvers and Chinook. It remains to be seen whether NOAA and it's new leadership will agree with the PFMC on the decision. We should know early next month.
The issue for us is how accurately this is reported in the media. Associated Press is doing a better job with this but a story on the wire this morning says fishing is shut down in California and most of Oregon. It's only until you read to the end that fishing is allowed on the North Oregon and Washington coast.
If you hear a report on the PFMC decision that doesn't include the news that fishing is open here be proactive and call that news outlet to let them know at this point the biggest salmon fishery
on the coast is still on and healthy because that action supports our local economy at a time when we all need to take full advantage of every opportunity.
April 08, 2009
Huh? No Way!
I shared this on the show this morning.
NEW YORK (AP) - The Fox network is making a reality show out ofthe troubled economy. An upcoming series titled, "Someone's Gotta Go," lets employees of a small business decide which one of their colleagueswill be laid off. Fox says it has no air date yet for the series, which is beingdeveloped by the company behind "Big Brother" and "Deal or No Deal." Each week, a different company lays off an employee. Fox also wouldn't reveal the show's host, which it says is a business consultant who will offer advice to participating companies. (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
This is like selling tickets to a train wreck.
NEW YORK (AP) - The Fox network is making a reality show out ofthe troubled economy. An upcoming series titled, "Someone's Gotta Go," lets employees of a small business decide which one of their colleagueswill be laid off. Fox says it has no air date yet for the series, which is beingdeveloped by the company behind "Big Brother" and "Deal or No Deal." Each week, a different company lays off an employee. Fox also wouldn't reveal the show's host, which it says is a business consultant who will offer advice to participating companies. (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
This is like selling tickets to a train wreck.
April 07, 2009
But Will It Fly?
I would support a recreational district to keep the Astoria Aquatic center open. Even though I don't use the pool, I understand the value of the facility to the community.
Others may not be quite so generous. In comments added to previous posts on the Blog there is a call for those who use the pool to take on the burden leaving the majority of city taxpayers out of the mess.
In order to be effective and acceptable to most city taxpayers this district will have to offer something of value beyond the pool. This suggests a division between parks and recreation in the city of Astoria. If the newly formed committee looks at the big picture and doesn't limit it's discussion to the AAC it may be possible to craft a win-win situation that would significantly improve recreational opportunities while dedicating more of the parks budget to take care of our infrastructure in the long-term.
In this economy voters are unlikely to pass a district measure that would increase taxes unless there is significant thought given to what we stand to gain over time. I would strongly suggest that if the city goes this direction they do not down-play the cost by comparing the tax increase to the cost of a pizza. Instead be clear about how this district will make our community better on the whole.
Others may not be quite so generous. In comments added to previous posts on the Blog there is a call for those who use the pool to take on the burden leaving the majority of city taxpayers out of the mess.
In order to be effective and acceptable to most city taxpayers this district will have to offer something of value beyond the pool. This suggests a division between parks and recreation in the city of Astoria. If the newly formed committee looks at the big picture and doesn't limit it's discussion to the AAC it may be possible to craft a win-win situation that would significantly improve recreational opportunities while dedicating more of the parks budget to take care of our infrastructure in the long-term.
In this economy voters are unlikely to pass a district measure that would increase taxes unless there is significant thought given to what we stand to gain over time. I would strongly suggest that if the city goes this direction they do not down-play the cost by comparing the tax increase to the cost of a pizza. Instead be clear about how this district will make our community better on the whole.
April 03, 2009
Liberty Ghost Story
We do a lot of business with the Historic Liberty Theater so I thought I'd heard all the stories about the spirits that some say hang out there.
Here's a new ghost story just in time for the Liberty's 84th birthday.
Our concert with Julianne Hough last weekend was a sell-out. Patrons lined up early to get the best seats in the general admission venue. Apparently though we had some audience members who never buy a ticket but are always in attendance when we throw an event at the venerable theater.
I'm told that something happened on the second floor construction area that hasn't been seen by anyone before.
The stairs to the second floor from the backstage entrance would be familiar to many who at one time would climb those with their children to take dance classes at the old Maddox Dance Studios. Since the building was taken over by Liberty Restoration some of the old studio spaces have been used as dressing rooms but most of that area has been gutted awaiting refurbishment in the future. We even seriously considered taking the space to build our new studios when we were looking at every possibility of staying based in Astoria.
The old second floor hallway today provides a private passageway from the backstage area to the MacTavish Room and the rest of the public portions of the theater.
There have long been stories of a ghost that would turn on the basin faucets in the old second floor restroom. Another story of a female apparition that sometimes appears in the mirror
in remodeled women's restroom adjacent to the MacTavish Room. Stories from volunteers about feeling like they were being watched somehow in the basement areas of the theater. Stories about a well dressed gentleman appearing in the balcony and stories of theater seats that
stay down all by themselves even after having been folded up.
This latest encounter beats all those.
One of the performers was making her way down the dimly lit second floor hallway when she turned the corner heading to the MacTavish room entrance and came upon a couple walking toward her. They were dressed for a night out but the clothing was not of this century. The performer came face to face with the couple and asked "are you real?". The man said nothing but the woman leaned slightly forward and said " Boo, deary" and both immediately
disappeared.
This is the first time I've heard a story this detailed about what appears to be an intelligent haunting at the Liberty Theater.
It's odd that these stories were not generally known in the days the Liberty served as a movie theater. With one exception. I've been told by people who worked taking tickets and concessions that they would dread having to go to the old basement storage room. They would say that you would get the definite feeling that there was something in there that just wanted to be left alone.
So as we celebrate the 84th birthday of the Historic Liberty Theater in Astoria on Saturday with recognition of the institution's place in our entertainment and arts history we can also recognize it's growing reputation as a place where it may be possible to experience the supernatural as well.
Somebody call Jason at TAPS.
Here's a new ghost story just in time for the Liberty's 84th birthday.
Our concert with Julianne Hough last weekend was a sell-out. Patrons lined up early to get the best seats in the general admission venue. Apparently though we had some audience members who never buy a ticket but are always in attendance when we throw an event at the venerable theater.
I'm told that something happened on the second floor construction area that hasn't been seen by anyone before.
The stairs to the second floor from the backstage entrance would be familiar to many who at one time would climb those with their children to take dance classes at the old Maddox Dance Studios. Since the building was taken over by Liberty Restoration some of the old studio spaces have been used as dressing rooms but most of that area has been gutted awaiting refurbishment in the future. We even seriously considered taking the space to build our new studios when we were looking at every possibility of staying based in Astoria.
The old second floor hallway today provides a private passageway from the backstage area to the MacTavish Room and the rest of the public portions of the theater.
There have long been stories of a ghost that would turn on the basin faucets in the old second floor restroom. Another story of a female apparition that sometimes appears in the mirror
in remodeled women's restroom adjacent to the MacTavish Room. Stories from volunteers about feeling like they were being watched somehow in the basement areas of the theater. Stories about a well dressed gentleman appearing in the balcony and stories of theater seats that
stay down all by themselves even after having been folded up.
This latest encounter beats all those.
One of the performers was making her way down the dimly lit second floor hallway when she turned the corner heading to the MacTavish room entrance and came upon a couple walking toward her. They were dressed for a night out but the clothing was not of this century. The performer came face to face with the couple and asked "are you real?". The man said nothing but the woman leaned slightly forward and said " Boo, deary" and both immediately
disappeared.
This is the first time I've heard a story this detailed about what appears to be an intelligent haunting at the Liberty Theater.
It's odd that these stories were not generally known in the days the Liberty served as a movie theater. With one exception. I've been told by people who worked taking tickets and concessions that they would dread having to go to the old basement storage room. They would say that you would get the definite feeling that there was something in there that just wanted to be left alone.
So as we celebrate the 84th birthday of the Historic Liberty Theater in Astoria on Saturday with recognition of the institution's place in our entertainment and arts history we can also recognize it's growing reputation as a place where it may be possible to experience the supernatural as well.
Somebody call Jason at TAPS.
April 02, 2009
Save The AAC
Reading the comments to my previous post one thing is obvious. The Astoria Aquatic Center needs a business plan.
Comments regarding hours of operation, customer service and, structure of user fees all point to a crying need for a business plan that would address specific areas of operation at AAC that prevents it from being successful.
This also requires a major change in thinking about the city parks department as a whole. Should the ACC remain under the department? Should it be a stand-alone operation?
Should all user fees for all parks department services be raised to help off-set the drain on city resources that results from the operation of the aquatic center? That would include use of meeting spaces, elimination of free community services with fees attached to events like the annual Easter Egg Hunt and the Monster Bash. Groups that currently use city ball fields at low or no cost would have to raise additional funds to pay for that use. Cemetery service fees would have to increase. Cooperative agreements between the city and other entities like the schools and the Coast Guard for use of city park facilities would need to be re-examined to recover actual costs of operation of the department and all it's facilities including the AAC.
Perhaps we do none of these things. Perhaps we put the Aquatic center on the market seeking a private owner/operator willing to take the risks involved with it's operation. The doors close until we find someone who can run it at a profit. If that were to happen it would represent a first and I fear the wait to re-open the doors would be very, very long.
Comments regarding hours of operation, customer service and, structure of user fees all point to a crying need for a business plan that would address specific areas of operation at AAC that prevents it from being successful.
This also requires a major change in thinking about the city parks department as a whole. Should the ACC remain under the department? Should it be a stand-alone operation?
Should all user fees for all parks department services be raised to help off-set the drain on city resources that results from the operation of the aquatic center? That would include use of meeting spaces, elimination of free community services with fees attached to events like the annual Easter Egg Hunt and the Monster Bash. Groups that currently use city ball fields at low or no cost would have to raise additional funds to pay for that use. Cemetery service fees would have to increase. Cooperative agreements between the city and other entities like the schools and the Coast Guard for use of city park facilities would need to be re-examined to recover actual costs of operation of the department and all it's facilities including the AAC.
Perhaps we do none of these things. Perhaps we put the Aquatic center on the market seeking a private owner/operator willing to take the risks involved with it's operation. The doors close until we find someone who can run it at a profit. If that were to happen it would represent a first and I fear the wait to re-open the doors would be very, very long.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)