The Promotions Advisory Committee (PAC) meets today at 3 p.m. at the Convention Center, to begin planning the advertising campaign for 2011. Using a percentage of hotel/motel taxes (NOT the General Fund), Ocean Shores typically spends $250,000 per year on advertising. In recent weeks, local businesses were contacted via email for input on the 2011 campaign.

Today’s agenda:

Ocean Shores is Area 194 on the Northwest Multiple Listings Service report. This shows number of listings, pending sales, closed sales, new construction sales and condo sales. All have July monthly data, year-to-date, and comparisons with 2009. *Thanks to Tom Quigg for providing the info.

nwmls july 2010

With prices falling sharply over last year, home sales in Ocean Shores have been fairly brisk. Not so for the rest of the nation, according to the big news of the day:

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Sales of previously owned U.S. homes took a record drop in July to their lowest pace in 15 years, suggesting further loss of momentum in the economic recovery.

Yes, we have occasional clear nights out here, as Gary Iversen proves:

Which of the following best describes the way you feel about the $44 million Street LID project, which repaved all of Ocean Shores:

a) We needed it, the job was well done, my payment is about what I expected

b) We need it, but the project is more expensive than it should have been

c) I strongly disagree with my “Special Benefits” assessment, and feel I am being asked to pay too much

d) Other (please specify)

The state had hoped to re-open the Simpson Avenue Bridge in September. Now, according to a press release, it looks like that was overly optimistic:

The Washington State Department of Transportation(WSDOT) said today the US 101 Simpson Avenue Bridge will reopen most likely in November after

Jen Hough photo:

Bruce Richardson photo:

There were so many seagulls on the Ocean Shores beaches this weekend, because:

a) They’re protesting their LID assessments

b) Whales in the area dig up tasty tidbits from the ocean floor

c) August, nice weather, DUH!

d) They heard a bunch of people had new hats

does not belong?

Photo by D. Scanlon

After this afternoon’s count, released by the County, “Approve” votes have a slim lead over “Reject” in the Ocean Shores Library lid lift/levy measure.

• Approve 1,047 (50.17%)

• Reject 1,040 (49.83%)

According to Julie Murphy of the Elections Department,there are still 427 questionable ballots to be resolved;