Duck Lake summer scene, from the lens of our man Iversen:

The finalists:

Written by: Lorraine T

Written by: Ricki

Written by: Angel

Vote for your favorite, who will win some of that Buddy & Howie’s candy.

From Ken Lanfear: Minor correction for a couple of your bloggers: the cleanup at the Marine View beach approach is an irregular (as needed) activity of the Public Works street crew, same people and equipment as on the beach on July 5th, not LeMay as given credit by the bloggers. Also, if there is illegal dumping that can be tracked (we check the “dumping”) it is turned over to the Police; however, much of what is collected here is from ‘volunteers’ picking on the beach and in the dunes, and is an activity that we support.

1) July 4, 7:30 p.m.: Report of a man who injured his hand in a fireworks accident, beach between the Shilo and Best Western. He was taken by Ocean Shores ambulance to Grays Harbor Community Hospital, where he was “treated and transferred” (meaning: a serious injury).

2) (police log, July 4, 9:43 p.m.) Beach at Chance: Someone “Lighting off fireworks right by reporting person’s blanket, almost setting reporting person and kids on fire.”

3) (police log, July 4, 10:11 p.m.)Sand Dune Ave NW: “Drunks lighting off fireworks into the dunes.”

Given the above, and dozens of illegal fireworks complaints around the city last weekend, should Ocean Shores:

a) keep things the same

b) completely ban fireworks

c) limit fireworks to July 4 only, reduce areas on beach where they can be set off, create a “family safe zone” on the beach where fireworks can not be lit, and increase penalties for violations, with appropriate enforcement

d) other (please explain your ideas)

*Photo essay by our “shutter bug,” Gary Iversen (now showing at Mermaid Cove, also part Wine, Food & Art Festival)

*A “21 Meal Salute,” visitor’s guide to eating the beach

*Jess Owen, “Culinary Madman”

*Betty Smith’s Part III, “Lady on the Beach” series

*Extraordinarily easy North Beach Quiz

*And plenty more . . . Now available everywhere that fun things are available.

Joan Baus, who you may know as one of the driving forces behind North Beach PAWS, lost her husband Gordon. He passed away last night after an illness. From Joan:

Services for Gordon Baus will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Galilean Chapel. He was 68, and passed away after a long battle with leukemia, “he fought a hard fight,” said Joan. Gordon lived in Ocean Shores since July of 1999. He was active in PAWS, Ocean Shores Yacht Club, Elks Club. He worked at the Quinault Beach Resort in maintenance. Prior to that he worked in plumbing and heating for 30 years at the Highline School District.
He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Joan; mother Leona Baus; five brothers and sisters; daughter Kim Johnson and son Kevin Baus; step-daughter Jennifer Pearce; step-son Lance Perry and his wife Sue; and grandchildren Zech, Zeke, Blake, Jessica, Elizabeth and Erik.
“He was a wonderful man,” said Joan Baus.
“Thanks to the Ocean Shores Fire Department for their help. They were great.”
Donations in Gordon’s memory can be made to North Beach PAWS.

Weather.com says 86, National Weather Service calls it 89, but I’m pretty sure one (or both) use Hoquiam. What do the local thermometers say?

Winner gets a free piece of Buddy & Howie’s candy:

1 p.m., yesterday: tipster emails Ken Lanfear, Public Works Director, about a huge, overflowing bag of trash, plus smaller bag and box, all filled with spent fireworks, beer cans etc. at the Marine View approach. It had all been collected, but would the tide get it?
Shortly after, the trash was hauled away. Big thumbs-up to Public Works, not only for this, but for hustling like mad on Monday (the day-after) to take care of the scores of trash bags filled by Ernie Johnson and the Blue Bag Volunteers.