I never dreamed that I would ever find myself blogging … but Seaside-Sun.com has so inspired me, and now, here I am, with my very own blog. I have had so much fun with Seaside-Sun.com on a personal level that I wanted to become a more active participant, personally and professionally. I am out and about every day seeing people in business and I thought I would share some of what I come across each week.

So, have you visited Pacific Outdoor yet? Seaside’s newest business opened up in The Historic Gilbert District last week. Positioned between Lil’Bayou and Sun Rose Gallery on Holladay, featuring the highest quality of outdoor gear available, please welcome Matt Clark! Check it out soon. See the photo by clicking here.

A Great Shop, in Gearhart, truly one great shop, is now featuring ROBEEZ, those fabulous soft-soled leather footies for infants and toddlers. Only the best for your baby, right? The luxurious footwear comes with charming images to choose from: mermaids, sailboats, frogs, crab, monkeys and more. See A Great Shop’s ad on the CHOICES page in Coast Weekend on March 2nd. See the photo by clicking here.

Did you attend the inaugural Bridal Fair at Salmonberry Square last Saturday? Please e-mail Nyssa any feedback of this new event at nperrin@dailyastorian.com. See the photo by clicking here. See another photo by clicking here.

Curves of Gearhart begins its 8th Annual Food Drive Promotion on February 27th. Just bring a bag of non-perishable food items to your local Curves between Feb. 27th and March 11th and join with NO SERVICE FEE! All groceries will be donated to LOCAL food banks. Get fit for a cause! Go see Dianna and her fabulous staff at Curves in Gearhart Plaza for details or see Di’s ad in The Daily Astorian on Friday, Feb. 24th and Tuesday, Feb. 28th.

Ever visit our gorgeous Yamhill County Wine Country? Granderson’s now has a McMinnville location keeping Patty very busy. Next time you visit the McMinnville area, please stop by, say hello and see her space. Granderson’s “Tea at The Sea” continues to get rave reviews. The great word of mouth had her booked solid for a multi-course Valentine’s Day Dinner.

Near McMinnville you will find Carlton, a charming rural historic community. If you are a plant lover, an avid gardener or an outdoor art lover, please look up Norm and Deb at Arbutus Garden Arts. Meeting them and seeing their Nursery/Gallery is a real treat that you will not forget. Go online to www.arbutusgarden.com for more information on Norm and Deb’s one-of-a-kind business. And tell them Nyssa sent you!

Check out Beach Books Children’s Story Hour featuring Peaches McBeaches … every Saturday at 1 p.m. Reward good behavior with BOOKS! Any dog lover will want to run right down and buy a copy of “Marley & Me” by J. Grogan … I laughed. I cried. I blew through it in just a few days. It is a wonderful, wonderful true story and I heartily recommend it.

Crocs … don’t you see them everywhere? Those colorful & incredibly comfortable shoes available at Nu 2 U … did I hear someone say IPO? See a photo by clicking here and here, too.

Welcome Cheryl Cochran, new Executive Director of SDDA. Word on the streets is that she’s a real go-getter and SDDA has landed another winner. I am looking forward to working with her on the next Wine Walk and many other projects in the future.

A melancholy farewell to Bree Phillips, former Executive Director of SDDA who is now a new broker at ReMax River/Sea in Astoria. So, go buy a house from her soon, OK?

I am looking forward to checking out the Fisher Poets tonite … the event runs all weekend. I heard a rumor that a TV show will be in town filming the event. True? Not true? We’ll find out!

OK, well, since it is my Dept. of Shameless Promotion, I might as well be shameless: Do you need a new landscape design or know someone who does? Consider my mother, Carolyn Perrin, for your next landscape design. She does wonderful landscape designs, working in Portland, The Gorge and now, The North Coast, specializing in native species. She is breath of fresh air and has a true passion for her work that shows through in all she does. Please contact her at cperrin@easystreet.com for more information.

And that concludes my first blog. Feel free to check back weekly for the word on the street from Nyssa and don’t hesitate to send me any feedback or tips for my next blog! E-mail me at nperrin@dailyastorian.com. Thanks to all who visit and participate on Seaside-Sun.com!