The “All About Albacore” class  is this Saturday.   I want to go.   I’ve been waiting for this course.  I am severely challenged in the fish cooking department.  Besides, cooking courses are a great way to dirty up someone else’s kitchen and have a little fun with friends. 

 Astoria has two options for cooking classes.  I’ve had appetizers with Chris at the Baked Alaska in his kitchen inside Mise en Place and attended a party where Eric at the OSU Seafood Center put on a demo course of what was soon to be our main course!   If I could celebrate all my birthdays with a cooking class I would!  According to my family, this is just one more sign of getting older and…geeky.  This from the same folks who won’t let me get a ham radio.  What do they know? 

The OSU Seafood Center is really wonderful for lots of reasons.  The Seafood School is but one of it’s many contributions to the community.   The school is relatively new and very popular.    I first became acquainted with their facility when I attended a class on canning.  I’ve always been interested in canning my own tuna- it’s so tasty!  Once you’ve tasted home-canned tuna it’s very hard to buy store bought again.  Their website offers an online database of recipes searchable by type of seafood.  If any of you are lucky enough to attend the Albacore course this weekend I’d love to hear how the Cherry Cola Grill was!

Here’s the synopsis of the tuna class:

Try out summer barbecue dishes that we have put together to compliment the local bounty of troll-caught Pacific Albacore tuna.  Bursting with Omega-3’s, Albacore is both nutritious and delicious!

Cherry Cola Grilled Albacore

Baked Beans

Corn on the Cob

Potato Salad

Grilled Flatbread

To view the entire course schedule click here and download the PDF file.

Mothers day in Astoria means the opening of Sunday Market!  It also means brunch at the Silver Salmon for our family.   After stuffing ourselves to the point that we need a nap we somehow find the energy to roll ourselves out the door and down the street.   Usually live music greets us as we get within earshot of the hustle and bustle that IS Sunday Market.  It’s a day to see old friends who have moved away but return yearly to see good ol’ mom on her special day.   By the time we are done greeting all of our friends, family and assorted four-legged market attendees we’ll be packing some good stuff home.  A bag of kettle corn for Jamey, fresh flowers for the kitchen table,  homemade dog treats for Scout and a soft toy for G.   I keep debating on which Bill Dodge print I am going to get for my office.   I’m excited and hope we get some warmer weather next weekend to truly make the day memorable!

 Astoria Sunday Market 

Sunday 10 am to 3 pm 

 May 11- October 8th. 

Rain or Shine. 

LaDeDog is a new destination dog boutique at 120 Tenth Street in downtown Astoria. I had heard about it and read an article about it but had never took the time to visit it, until yesterday! What a nice surprise. The boutique truly lives up to it’s name and is a ’boutique’ in every sense of the word.

Wicki loves “Earl the Chicken”!

 You will find gourmet treats, the latest couture and ‘bling’ as well as the more practical outdoor apparel & accessories. You are encouraged to bring your well behaved ‘best friend’ to sample treats from the bakery bar & to try on the latest fashions or peruse the large supply of squeaky toys! You can also shop online at www.ladedog.net

LaDeDog is sponsoring a “yappy hour” on Saturday May 10th between 5-6pm where special doggie treat samples will be available as well as human refreshments.  They will be featuring the “Fence Puppies” and quilted dog portraits created by Ronni Harris. If you are interested in purchasing a custom canvas portrait, bring your dog in for a complimentary photo.

In my opinion, this boutique is truly worth visiting.

More info from the Chamber website:

April 25, 26, 27 2008

Hours:
Friday 4-9pm
Saturday 10-8pm
Sunday 11-4pm

Admission:
Friday $8
Saturday $10
Sunday $5
Weekend Pass $18
Free to those under 12 years.

The Crab and Seafood Festival is held at the Clatsop County Fairgrounds, 4 miles southeast of Astoria on Hwy 202.
Shuttle service is available for $1 from area hotels, campgrounds and park-and-ride locations at the Port of Astoria and Astoria High School.

Over 200 vendors bringing together the flavor of the Northwest in food, arts, crafts and wines.
Enjoy the Crab Dinner served by the Astoria Rotary Club (market price)
Live Musical Entertainment All Weekend

For more information, contact the Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce at 503-325-6311 or 1-800-875-6807.

Monday March 31st the first cruise ship of the 2008 schedule sails into the Port of Astoria. Anxiously awaiting the arrival will be some of the 140 “blue coasted” volunteers, 20-30 vendors, music, and shuttle buses ready to take visitors all over the North Coast. The volunteerism and organization that has been established to enhance the “cruisers” experience here is something for the community to be proud of! The number of cruise ship visitors is rapidly increasing every season as more and more ships make Astoria a “port of call”. The biggest benefit is for Astoria- our local economy is receiving a major boost every time a ship pulls in!

So I say Ahoy! to the cruisers and Thank You to the many volunteers who have helped to make their stops a success!

2008 Cruise Ship Schedule from the Port of Astoria

(may be updated)

Day                           Date               Cruise Line