In the summer getting up in the morning in Yachats usually means there will be action going on downtown. Visitors and village residents moving about preparing to hit the beach or the coffee shops, the gift shops, book store, library, and restaurants. Later in the day the action shifts gears a bit but there is still a lot going on especially at the Market where folks are stocking up on supplies.

In the winter it's sort of the same scenario but with fewer visitors except during the winter holidays when the village fills up with festive folks from all over the country and world. However, as I've written many times in recent weeks this year there hasn't been quite as much action downtown since the Market closed. As you can imagine the Market was the hub of the downtown area. As folks gathered to shop they also pursued the shops, talked with one another, bought newspapers, gossiped, used it as a spot to meet folks arriving in town and a variety of other things that main stores in a small town are known for.

With its demise the center of town was action less so to speak, quite a shock to those who have visited Yachats over the years, imagine the hub gone!

Well this morning as I wandered down the hill I noticed a fleet of trucks outside the Market and workers working feverishly inside the empty building. Then I knew the rumors were true, the Market was going to re-open and from the looks of things, soon.

By the time I hit the post office the word was spreading, no doubt the folks across the street from the Market having their daily visit to the Green Salmon Coffee shop were speculating on what was going on. Several folks I met were outright rejoicing at the thought of being able to buy milk or eggs in town instead of a trek to another store.

I know the senior population who aren't the most mobile of the residents are thrilled, they once again won't have to leave town to shop! Several I spoke with didn't care who was moving into the Market as long as it was a Market! I don't know if you've ever experienced the loss of the only grocery store in your town but it's more profound that you can imagine but today I'm, like many others, feeling giddy with excitement. Soon the action will be back in downtown Yachats!

Come and visit and enjoy the new Market!!

To reach Rick Schultze email: yarick@pioneer.net

As spring approaches it's noticeably lighter in the early morning which is nice for those that begin their day's early. However it's still very dark at night and for Yachats that is really true.

In a little village like Yachats the loss of several businesses and no lights emanating from the shut buildings makes it seem like a bit of a ghost town but that's not to say there is nothing happening in Yachats, far from that, but going through the Village at night without the familiar glow from the Yachats Village Market and recently from the Landmark Restaurant and Lounge just seems odd to the residents.

Of course the first Yachats causality was the Health Clinic, now an empty building with a big for rent sign adorning the front window. Then the market, and now the Landmark. Besides the loss of jobs to local workers and the variety of food stuffs, meals and entertainment offered to the locals and visitors the demise of these three has led to a massive rumor mill.

Who will take over the market if anyone? Who will take over the Landmark if anyone? This is the main topic of conversation these days in Yachats. While there are several outstanding restaurants and many fine businesses operating in Yachats it's the rumors that permeate the air.

The post office, a great gathering information spot in Yachats is usually abuzz with folks asking the same questions. There is skepticism, optimism, and other schools of thought but for sure if you want something to talk about in Yachats, just ask “what's the latest on the store or the lounge or clinic?” You'll get answers and a variety of good ones.

As of today I haven't found one real or substantiated answer to any of those questions and I've asked many folks. Of course when money is involved as it is with all three I've mentioned no one except the financial players really know what's going on. I suspect that at least two of the three will come back to life.

The health clinic is doubtful without a tremendous financial infusion but both the market and lounge have been run successfully in the past and I predict will be again be up and running shortly with lights brightly shinning once again. In the meantime if you want to get in on the action hit the post office or the Green Salmon Coffee shop and starting asking the million dollar question. “What about?”

To reach Rick Schultze email yarick@pioneer.net

That’s a question a lot of us are asking I’m sure. Did you make resolutions and are you keeping them? Did you vow to improve on certain aspects of life? To spend less, work harder? All the above are legitimate questions and we all have answers for them that fit our situations. However, the human side of our good intentions can sometimes overpower the ideals and frankly that’s a good thing. If we didn’t have the option to change our minds how dull and boring would we become? Imagine everyone shopping consciously, cutting back on entertainment, being so green we’d glow, and other great goals? What would we do for scintillating conversations on how to shop, spend, conserve, and other topics if we all agreed? I’m afraid boredom would set in and all the good intentions would gradually fall by the wayside.

So while I didn’t make a bunch of resolutions to change me and the rest of the world on New Years of 2010 I did do a couple of things that I set out to do. The first one was the second I got my tax information I did my taxes. The second one was to join a great fitness club in Florence where my girlfriend and I swim daily, enjoy the sauna and I get good exercise for my beat up body. It’s ironic since I live in Yachats and there are four motels with swimming pools but unless I rent a room I can’t swim here. All the motel owners would love to allow that but unfortunately their insurance doesn’t cover anyone except registered guests and as much as I’d like to I can’t rent a room every time I would like to take a swim. On the plus side of things a friend of mine in Seal Rock recently opened his BBQ restaurant in a fairly small building but just the other day moved to a larger spot close to his original spot. Now that’s a good move for a New Years move; it’s positive and points towards progress.

So I guess what I’m saying to all of us here on the beautiful Central Oregon Coast is to enjoy the New Year, think good thoughts and try to follow through on at least a resolution or two, the good ones of course!

Cheers and have fun!

To reach Rick Schultze email yarick@pioneer.net

Have you heard the word Super?

Well it’s getting to be that time of year when the word “Super” gets used a lot. We already use the word frequently in phrases like supersize, superstore, superstore, supersmart and even superdumb. However now it’s going to be Superbowl! Yes this is the forty fourth time Superbowl has been on the minds and in the speech of millions of people. Football fans and even those who are not necessarily football fans are aware that the Superbowl is going to be talking place. This year the game is being played in Miami at Land Shark Stadium and features the rock group The Who as halftime entertainment.

I’ve watched all but two Superbowls on television mission one because of being stuck on the ground in an airplane during a snowstorm in Montana and the other because I was in the air on the way to Hawaii before laptop computers and in-flight television. That was the 1969 Superbowl when Joe Namath led the New York Jets to victory over the Baltimore Colts. When we were informed of the Jets victory by the flight attendant the mostly young hippish crowd burst into applause and the more conservative passengers sat in silence. Broadway Joe Namath was the flashy young quarterback with long hair in the prime of hippytime!

Of course a lot has changed since then but in essence the Superbowl has remained the most watched sporting event in this country. Approximately one hundred and thirty million viewers will tune in this year, both those in this country and others all over the world. Roughly fifty five million dollars will be spent on food for the game and the viewers will be watching commercials that cost about two and a half million dollars per thirty second spot. These numbers are amazing when you think about it but it says something about the way people think.

Today we are dealing with some major political and economic issues and situations that are simply tragic and heartbreaking but for one Sunday, Superbowl Sunday, millions are going to put everything aside for a few hours to watch a game and enjoy the company of friends and family and root for their favorite team, enjoy commercials, and devourer food and other refreshments. It may only one day but for many including me, it’s a special day which provides memories for years to come. In fact I have forty three now and after this years Superbowl I’ll have forty four good ones!

May your team win and I hope all of you have a great Superbowl Sunday.

To reach Rick Schultze email yarick@pioneer.net.