Greetings everyone! Thanks for showing up to read my little blog. What a week it has been. Such a relief it is to see signs of Spring: birds chirping, flowers blooming, occasional bursts of sunshine, dog walks in the daylight… warmer, brighter days are just around the corner. And we are ready for brighter days, aren’t we?

Seaside-Sun.com and The Daily Astorian are sponsoring a FREE concert featuring The U.S. Army Field Band and Soldier’s Chorus, next Saturday, March 25th, at 7 p.m. This is known to be a fabulous event. Tickets are FREE but you do need a ticket in hand. Tickets may be picked up at The Daily Astorian office (Astoria location only), the Seaside Civic and Convention Center, and the Chinook Observer office in Long Beach, Wash. Don’t miss this exciting performance from The Musical Ambassadors of the Army featuring an elite 65-member instrumental ensemble and 29-member mixed choral ensemble. It will be an evening to remember.

Thursday, March 23rd, will be an important day on the North Coast: The official dedication of the newly reconstructed Fort Clatsop. The Department of Interior will be making an appearance in support of the rebuilding and it is an exciting day for all of who take so much pride in our local and regional history. The formal dedication begins at 11 a.m. and the day’s events will last until 4 p.m. Be there.

Hey, check out my coupons on the Spring Break pages in Coast Weekend! Have lunch at Mazatlan with a friend (bring the coupon & pick up the tab!). Rent yourself a surrey from Wheel Fun Rentals and play tourist for a day or give a coupon to a visiting friend or relative. Go down to Mediterranean Bazaar and save 15% with the coupon on any one item in the store. There are incredible gifts to choose from, for yourself, friends & family, or your floor. You will also find more Seaside coupons in the March 23rd issue of Coast Weekend, for your buying pleasure.

The Daily Astorian’s quarterly home guide, North Coast Living, hits the streets on March 22nd and will feature the home of a local couple who live at Whaler’s Point at The Cove. This will be the first Seaside home featured in North Coast Living and reflects the trend of condo living. Please look for an article in North Coast Living from my mom on landscape design. It’s an interesting article and anyone who spends any time getting their hands dirty in the garden or would like to have their yard designed will not only enjoy it but learn from it as well. If you just can’t wait a week and need a landscape design, please contact her today at 503.239.6960 or cperrin@easystreet.com. She is an amazing and well-respected landscape designer and you won’t be disappointed in her services.

Need a new sofa or armchair? Before you buy, see Debra, Jeanne or Robin at Randall Lee’s. They have a wonderful and comfy line to order from at very reasonable prices. They come with available slipcovers to order as well. There is a look to suit any home and they are a smart buy for North Coast homes. Please see Jeanne’s informative article in North Coast Living on March 22nd or call Randall Lee’s at 503.738.5729 today!

Don’t forget the Spring Open House at the Seaside Aquarium next Tuesday, March 21st, from 6-8 p.m., a benefit for Friends of Haystack Rock and the Haystack Rock Awareness Program. Please see last week’s blog for all the details or just show up on Tuesday evening! If you can’t attend but would like to support the cause (and it’s a great one) then please contact the fine folks at Friends of Haystack Rock or the Seaside Aquarium.

Sunset Empire Parks and Recreation has an exciting Spring Break lineup planned. Be sure to check out all the events on their website!

More news to come next week. You may even see an extra blog out of me mid-week due to all the exciting things happening on the horizon in Seaside. Stay tuned! And don’t forget to send any tips, feedback or rumors to me at nperrin@dailyastorian.com. Have a great weekend, Seaside!