North Bend Airport Discusses Need for Larger Aircraft
I believe there has been quite a bit of criticism of the golf resort, mainly by those that don't feel they are benefiting from it directly. Let's not forget, people from all over the world are visiting Coos County to experience this world class links course and they are spending money in our local community, supporting local businesses and restaurants.
Shouldn't this be a good problem to have?
In a genial “town hall” meeting between one of the top brass from SkyWest Airlines and community leaders, it was announced that flights to San Francisco from the North Bend airport have been operating largely without subsidies this year.
“We’re pushing on it,” Mike Lehman, Coos County Airport District chairman said in reference to the need for a bigger plane. “We’re talking about it.”
However, Lehman cautioned that talks are very preliminary and it’s unlikely the district will have a good economic argument for it for at least a year. He said the airport district will be in a better position to look at the possibility next year, assuming the economy has improved.
Michael Thompson, vice president of market development for SkyWest, listened to comments and suggestions from community leaders Tuesday during a luncheon at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, hosted by resort general manager Hank Hickox. The dialogue was generally upbeat, though Thompson did acknowledge the airline’s transition from Horizon Air — which dropped its North Bend service last year — hasn’t been smooth.
“We all need to admit that the first year was interesting,” said Thompson.
Among the areas for improvement is the need to better accommodate golfers and their cargo. Occasionally, golfers boarding the flight to North Bend to hit the links at Bandon Dunes are asked to offload clubs because of their potential to upset weight balance of the small aircraft.
It’s a frustration that could be resolved with a larger aircraft, Hickox said after the meeting.
Another need for improvement lies in the airline’s ridership to Portland, though Lehman noted northbound flights have been full this summer. He said the airport board is brainstorming solutions to boost northbound ridership year-round. One solution would be for the airline to establish an agreement with another airline service that offers more connecting flights, Lehman explained after the meeting.
Though none of that is likely anytime soon, he added.
“Those discussions are very complex,” he said.
Airport officials announced plans to step up marketing efforts to raise awareness about the airline and its services. The airport’s 2010 budget includes $100,000 for marketing, which came from a $400,000 grant from the Federal Aviation Administration, Lehman said.
“SkyWest has put us into a new line of business and that is marketing,” said Gary LeTellier, Southwest Oregon Regional Airport executive director.
SkyWest, however, has no money for marketing the North Bend service. Thompson said that 96 percent of SkyWest’s business comes from contracting services with United Airlines and Delta.
“The people in this community will determine the success of the airport,” he said.
A Happy Story about First Time Homebuyer Couple in Bandon
Adam and Christina Coleman had dreams of buying their very own house one day, a place they could call 'home' and really mean it. It wasn't something they 'had to do' or were pursuing with any urgency, but it was always a goal, a part of their plan to buy a home. Even before we met, they were already seeking out first time home buyer programs, taking classes in preparation of their loan and credit approval and asking questions to figure out the process.
As their realtor, I knew we had our work cut out for us, mainly to find the right home that fit their wish list and one that would fit their budget and price range. Over the last few years, we stopped looking here and there, and then every so often a house came available that sparked their interest. We had come close to making an offer on a couple houses in Bandon but each time there was something holding them back and I have to say, patience was a virtue in this case.
Obviously, the drop in values over the last year on the coast has helped make more and more first time home buyers able to make the leap. Living in a small beach town on the Oregon coast has its perks, but it can also be difficult to find good paying jobs to make enough money to qualify for a loan and prices here had made it nearly impossible for this young couple. With the help of the USDA Rural Development home loan program, lower interest rates, and a hot pursuit of a house they had been eying for the last year...it finally all came together, like peanut butter on a jelly sandwich, or hot fudge over an ice cream sundae.
We had been following a house on Lexington Ave in Bandon, a house abandoned by its owner as it was deep in foreclosure. I did attempt to find the owner to see about buying the house subject to bank approval of a short sale rather than see it be foreclosed on. That seemed like the right thing to do first. My letters went unanswered. So, we followed the foreclosure dates and upon learning of a final sale date, I headed out to the County Courthouse in Coquille to watch the foreclosure sale take place on the courthouse steps. I knew if we were going to have a shot at buying this house, we would have to beat the other local realtors to the punch.
Luck was on our side that day as I watched an investment group purchase the home for cash (which is required at this type of foreclosure sale). With the permission of the Coleman's, I immediately called the investment group and negotiated a sale within minutes of them buying the property! It was a close call, our offer was not exactly what they wanted, but with the promise that we would close escrow in less than 30 days, we got our offer accepted!
It was like we had a jigsaw puzzle with a bunch of missing pieces magically come together after so much time. The truth is, if Adam and Christina had not been prepared and pre-approved for their loan, this may never had happened. It was a big step for them to have me take the approach I did at the courthouse that day. But all good things happen for a reason and I have never felt so good about a sale as I have this one.
The Coleman's bought a house for under market value with no money down and even negotiated their closing costs be paid by the Seller! They also qualify for the $8,000 first time home buyer tax credit. And the best part is they absolutely love their new house!
Sold! 435 Lexington Ave in Bandon. 3 Bedroom, 1 Bath, 1644 square feet, large corner lot (.28 acre), mature landscape, trees with a shop, in very nice condition. Actual Sales Price $162,000 less a $7,000 seller contribution to buyers closing costs, for a net sales price of $155,000.
Congratulations Adam and Christina from all of us at Beach Loop Realty!
Bandon Oregon 'At a Glance' Market Statistics (April-June 2009)
| Active Listings | # |
| Residential | 173 |
| Land & Lots | 167 |
| Commercial & Business Opportunities |
21 |
| Pending Sales | # |
| Residential | 10 |
| Land & Lots | 5 |
| Commercial & Business Opportunities |
1 |
| Closed Sales | # |
| Residential | 14 |
| Land & Lots | 3 |
| Commercial & Business Opportunities |
1 |
| Closed Sales Summary-Residential | |
| Average Days on Market | 144 |
| Average List Price | $210,629 |
| Average Sold Price | $188,921 |
| % SP/LP | 90% |
| % SP/Original LP | 76% |
| Average Square Footage | 1447 |
| Closed Sales Summary-Land & Lots | |
| Average Days on Market | 407 |
| Average List Price | $84,300 |
| Average Sold Price | $72,333 |
| % SP/LP | 86% |
| % SP/Original LP | 62% |
This time last year (April-June 2008) there were a total of 16 Residential closed sales with an average of 216 days on the market, average list price $318,271 and an average sales price of $284,313. The average sales price for homes this year compared to last year has declined by 34%.
This time last year (April-June 2008) there were a total of 7 Land & Lot closed sales with an average of 410 days on the market, average list pice $138,000 and an average sales price of $121,286. The average sales price for land this year compared to last year has declined by 40%.
Year to Date (January - June 2009) we have had a total of 34 closed sales in Bandon of which 26 were homes, 7 land, and 1 home with commercial zoning.
A Great Day for the Coquille Indian Tribe in Bandon
BANDON - In the same city where they first rejoiced the federal recognition and reformation of their tribe, members of the Coquille Indian Tribe reopened their arms to the community they've grown in since 1989 in celebration of 20 years of restoration.
"We're part of this community. What happens to the community happens to us," said tribal member Cassie Ross, who serves as a member of the tribal council. "It's a good opportunity for our tribe to celebrate a milestone in our journey."
Ross, who grew up in Coos Bay, recalls what life was like before restoration, after the federal government dispersed it and other tribes. They were no longer Native American people. They lost their language. They forgot their traditions and customs.
"We have to go to other tribes to regain our (customs)," the Woodburn resident said.
The weekend-long celebration, held at Bandon City Park and the Port of Bandon Boat Basin, was the first time the restoration celebration has been open to the public in years.
To Ed Metcalf, the chairman of the Coquille Tribal Council, the 20th anniversary of restoration is momentous. Picking at a plate of stick roasted salmon, he described the event as a great day for the tribe. Metcalf has served on the council since the tribe regained its federal status in 1989.
"We're our own entity, our own tribe again," he said. "Our elders and all the people who struggled over the years ... and all the sacrifices they made, all makes it worthwhile."
He added that as a younger man he'd always felt the tribe would one day be restored, as his father and grandfather believed it would.
"I wish they'd been here to see it," Metcalf said.
According to a proclamation from Gov. Ted Kulongoski, the tribe has survived racism, epidemic disease, displacement, forced relocation, attempted cultural eradication, loss of lands and termination of its recognition as a tribal government, "yet perseveres as a cohesive and critical part of Oregon's history, environment, society and economy."
"The Coquille Indian Tribe has devoted itself to the welfare of its members and has made an unquestionably positive impact within its five-county service area," Kulongoski wrote.
Activities and Events Coordinator Denise Hunter, who also is a tribal elder, said the tribe decided to open Restoration Day to the public because Bandon was so welcoming and members felt the experience should be shared.
"We're still natives, we're still here and we feel very blessed," Hunter said. "We wanted to come back here where everything began."
During the celebration, which moved to the park following canoe ceremonies with other local tribes, community members came to listen to speeches from anthropologists and others associated with the tribe, and to view information booths, exhibits and cultural demonstrations. They also came for the food. The tribe prepared approximately 3,000 pounds of salmon, along with fry bread and salad for Restoration Day.
"The salmon was wonderful and the fry bread was wonderful," said Karen Zeck, a visitor from Eureka, Calif.
Zeck said she came to the event because she has an American Indian friend, who she'd thought would like to participate.
"It's a celebration of what their life is. I think it's wonderful, as it should be," Zeck said.
It's definitely a different celebration from the one in 1989, where tribal members gathered in a tent, said Annette Sandberg, a tribal member and volunteer. Then 38, Sandberg said she recalled standing with her siblings, cousins and aunts.
"It was much more home grown and I remember there were photographers. They wanted to know where the Indians were because we are all so light-skinned," Sandberg said.
Until that time, it wasn't popular to be Indian, said Sandberg, who descends from Coos and Coquille Indians. Now, the community is more aware of the tribe's presence, even though social prejudices haven't completely died away. She said that's part of opening the celebration to others - to share tribal traditions and show who the Coquille are.
As Ross put it, "We've been here forever and we will always be here."
CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO
Steve "Pre" Prefontaine Track Legend continues to inspire in home town of Coos Bay
This past Monday, Linda Prefontaine, sister of the legendary and late great runner Steve Prefontaine, returned to Blossom Gulch Elementary School, to fulfill a promise made to the students a year ago.
According to the Oregon Daily Emerald, an author by the name of Bree Donovan from New Jersey was inspired to write a children's book about the track legend and got in touch with Steve's sister, Linda, to learn more about him as a man and an athlete and foremost, to get the blessing from the Prefontaine family to write the book. She told the family she wanted to donate the proceeds to a charity of their choice. Linda asked that the proceeds go to their former elementary school, Blossum Gulch. The book is titled "Steve Prefontaine: Rocketman" of which the book royalties will pay for music, arts and athletic programs at the school.
So far, book sales have generated enough money for a $3,892 donation to the school. You can purchase the book through an independent company called Lulu found on line at Lulu.com.
Just last year I represented a client buying a home in the historic Marshfield district of Coos Bay. Heather and I were meeting at her soon-to-be new home, an adorable 1924 vintage bungalow to go over some details of the sale, when she shared with me that she had just learned that Steve Prefontaine grew up in a little house just around the corner on Elrod Street, maybe a half a block away. I had heard that he was an inspiration to runners in Eugene Oregon, but had no idea he was born and raised in Coos Bay. I remember looking down the streets and sidewalks of this old neighborhood and all the early 1900's era homes a little differently that day.
His child hood home is only 2 blocks from the Marshfield High School and track where "Pre" first began cross country running and overall set 19 National High School Track records during his tenure there (1966 - 1969). The Pete Susick Stadium at Marshfield high school dedicated their track in 2001 in his honor by appropriately naming it "The Steve Prefontaine Track". Each year, on the 3rd Saturday of September, over 1000 runners engage in the Prefontaine Memorial Run, a 10k run honoring his accomplishments that is laid along his former running training grounds and ends in a run past his child hood home on Elrod up to the high school stadium in Coos Bay.
Prefontaine died at the early age of 24 in a car crash just before he was suppose to compete in the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal. He was the inspiration of the "running boom" of the 1970's and his death was said to have been the "End of an Era" by the Eugene Register Guard . His college coach at the University of Oregon, Bill Bowerman, co-founded the 1964 Blue Ribbon Sports, later known as Nike shoe company. Click here to WATCH THE NIKE 30TH MEMORIAL VIDEO.
You can learn more about Steve Prefontaine at the Coos Bay Visitor Center and Coos Art Museum in Coos Bay.
Puffins on Bandon's Elephant Rock not seen since 2001
The World Link News May 31, 2009
BANDON - Grab your spotting scope. Bring along that camera with a big lens. Tufted puffins are back on Bandon's Elephant Rock.
For the first time since 2001, a pair is nesting on the big rock just off Coquille Point. It's one of numerous rocks, reefs and islands in the Coquille Point Unit of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge.
"Local puffin watchers are really excited to see these birds return," said Dave Ledig, South Coast refuge manager for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The compact, jet-black birds with dark orange bills and golden tufted feathers on the sides of their heads are quite striking during spring and summer. The puffins spend most of the year at sea, but for up to 12 weeks in the spring, they're here.
More than a dozen pairs regularly nested on the rock formation in the 1970s and '80s. Biologists believe foxes may be partly to blame for the disappearance of the breeding pairs of puffins at Elephant Rock.
"Table Rock and Face Rock had greater populations of puffins back then, too," Ledig said.
USFWS studies indicate Oregon's tufted puffin population has declined by about 75 percent over the past 20 years. Other seabirds declined, too.
Predators gobble many. Biologists also say there's less food due to changing ocean conditions. City lights might scare some off, but Bandon's worked to lessen light impacts.
Something's working, because some local seabird populations have rebounded.
Want to see the new pair of puffins? Get up early.
"They are most active around their breeding burrows then, and the morning sun from the east provides the best lighting for observation and photography," Ledig said.
But remember to stay off the rocks, reefs and islands.
Port Orford OR In Coastal Living Magazine!
YES! It was so exciting to be thumbing through the recent Coast Living magazine and happen to stumble across a photograph I took of one of my Beach Loop Realty featured properties as a Market Watch home noted in an article titled 'Coastal Dream Towns". Port Orford OR was one of three coastal towns in the Pacific Northwest chosen for this article.
The Pacific Northwest 'Coastal Living magazine' winners for Coastal Dream Towns are... (drum roll)
SCENIC WONDER
Victoria, British Columbia
CULTURAL GEM
Bellingham, Washington
MOST FOR YOUR MONEY
Port Orford, Oregon
Although they did not get the specs exactly right on the market watch description, I think I can forgive them just this once! However, please note that not only is this Port Orford home overlooking the lake, it has direct access to the lake from the backyard and has an Ocean and sea stack view. Oh and did I mention it is on over half an acre on a private end of road location? There is a reason this home was noticed and I am so pleased to share with you the write up on Port Orford.
Click the link below to view Coastal Living magazine's 'Most for your Money' Pick for the Pacific Northwest!
May 2009 Coastal Living Page 61
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MOST FOR YOUR MONEY
Port Orford, Oregon
Allure Factor The westernmost incorporated city in the lower 48, Port Orford enjoys the warmest climate on the Oregon coast. Downtown-a bend in the road along U.S. 101-is minutes from two parks, beaches, and rain forest-swathed Humbug Mountain, which rises directly from the ocean floor to reach 1,756 feet above sea level.
Locals Love Port Orford's Paradise Point Beach, a popular spot for finding agates, semiprecious, gemstones formed of brightly colored bands of quartz.
Home Prices Cottages within a block of the beach have listed for $250,000 and up.
_________________________________________________________________
Market Watch
3 bedrooms, 1 bath,
1950's home on bluff,
overlooking lake
near state park.
$329,000; realtor.com
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For more information on the Port Orford OR Market Watch property, click here for a photo slideshow and details.
Bandon Cranberry Festival 2009 September 11-13th
Here are two websites that will continue to be updated as the 2009 festival nears:
Chamber of Commerce Schedule of Events
BandonCranberryFest.com
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Welcome to the Cranberry Capital
For many years, cranberries have been one of the area's top agricultural crops, and Bandon has long been known as the "Cranberry Capital of Oregon."
According to the USDA, Oregon is expected to harvest about 500,000 barrels of the hardy, tart red fruit this year, about 8 percent above the 2006 crop, which was 465,000 barrels. That amount was up 14 percent from the 2005 crop of 440,000 barrels (a barrel is 100 pounds of berries). Nationwide, the crop is forecast at 6.90 million barrels. Of that total, Coos and Curry counties produce 4 percent.
Each acre of cranberries yields roughly 175 barrels. Bandon is one of four cranberry-producing areas on the West Coast, representing approximately one-third of the total West Coast crop. There are approximately 175 growers in Coos and Curry counties, representing 2,500-plus acres of berries.
Ninety-nine percent of the berries harvested in Coos and Curry counties are sent to plants where they are either frozen or processed into juice concentrate to be used for juice products.
A small amount, about 3,000 barrels, is sold as fresh fruit. Bandon cranberries are prized for their rich color and tart taste - perfect for making juice. The annual harvest usually starts in mid-September and ends around Thanksgiving.
Growers from Coos and Curry counties deliver to Ocean Spray, Cape Blanco Cranberries, Faber Farms and other plants in the area.
Most growers "wet harvest" their crops by flooding the bogs with water.
Each fall, Bandon celebrates its annual Cranberry Festival to honor the industry that has provided a livelihood for hundreds of residents for many years.
Ocean Trails Subdivision, Vacant Land only $58,000!
This is the lowest priced lot in Ocean Trails and certainly one of the best! Other lots are available and priced from $79,000 - $120,000.
This is a no brainer! Call Gina @ (541) 347-1800 and I will be glad to provide sales comparables and neighborhood information.
The map shown here only marks houses that were built by Abercarn LTD. There are additional homes in the neighborhood.
Bandon Oregon 'At a Glance' Market Statistics (January-March 2009)
Bandon Oregon (January-March 2009) At a Glance Market Statistics
| Active Listings | # |
| Residential | 167 |
| Land & Lots | 157 |
| Commercial and Business Opportunities |
23 |
| Pending Sales | # |
| Residential | 5 |
| Land & Lots | 2 |
| Closed Sales | # |
| Residential | 12 |
| Land & Lots | 4 |
| Commercial | 1 |
| Closed Sales Summary | |
| Average Days on Market | 210 |
| Average List Price | $335,715 |
| Average Sold Price | $299,000 |
| % SP/LP | 89% |
| % SP/Old LP | 67% |
This time last year (January - March 2008) there were at total of 17 closed sales (same as this year) with an average of 172 days on market, average list price $324,235 and an average sales price of $289,700.
The information used in this report was retrieved from data provided by the Regional Multiple Listing Service (RMLS).