Susan Marshall, a long-time Canterbury Inn employee, and her two kids Kasen (17) and Hailey (6) had their lives flipped upside down on Tuesday, when a fire burned their new home. Says Susan: “The kids and I moved into an apartment Saturday – they turned on the power yesterday and for some reason a stove knob was on. We had just unloaded everything we own into it the night before – it started a fire, gutted the kitchen and dining area, destroyed everything (still unpacked in boxes in that whole area). Severe smoke damage . . . we lost almost everything.”

She says the community (especially Bill and Linda Sutherland of Exact Heated/U-Haul and Susan’s bosses Ken and Phyllis Elgin) has come through with assistance, as well as the Red Cross: “The support of everyone was amazing. In 45 minutes, people were everywhere.” While she has already had a couch, table, chairs and beds donated, Susan still needs many items for her family: kitchenware, bathroom supplies, work shoes (size 7 1/2) and clothes (size 14) for Susan, toys for Hailey, Xbox/computer games for Kasen, dressers, computers and computer desks, end tables . . . just about everything you can imagine.

If you can help, the Sutherland’s have offered to be a drop-off spot, Exact Heating/Uhaul at 943 Pt. Brown Ave (phone 360-289-3027). If you’d like to find out what else Susan needs, call her at 360-500-6838.

This week’s main North Coast News story (also picked up by the Daily World):

Just about everyone in Ocean Shores came from elsewhere, a “home” that might be 30 miles away, or 3,000. It’s always there, a place to get away, see old friends, visit the old neighborhood.

But what happens when your old neighborhood disappears? When the force of nature wipes it away?

One woman found the answer through a combination of faith and support from family, friends and even strangers. With her former world forever changed, Amanda Reed decided to take a leap of faith and go to her home, or whatever was left of it, and help in any way she could.

On Sunday, May 22, a tornado with winds now estimated at nearly 200 mph ravaged Joplin, Mo.

According to a news report, “Nearly 30 percent of Joplin was damaged. The tornado ripped a six-mile long and half-mile wide swath through the middle of town. Fire Chief John Randles says the city of 50,500 people has been ‘cut in half.’”

The next day, pastor Jim Shiner of Faith Community Church in Ocean Shores, said to assistant pastor Dennis Reed: “Go.”

There was a small fire (more smoke than flames) in one apartment of a six-unit building near the Interpretive Center, yesterday. The OSFD quickly took care of business, supported by neighboring volunteer firefighters. Minor damage, no injuries reported. Release, from the OSFD:
The Ocean Shores Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire at

The “storm drains” (Duck Lake, canals) are being “maintained” (weeds being killed) this week (see previous post for locations).  Photo of the action by Gary Iversen:

Guess he was too shy to post comment himself, but here’s his email about the water shut-off complaint by a resident, which I passed along:

The vast majority of home sellers who vacate their homes in Ocean Shores do not turn off their power or water. Having the water and power on to show and sell a house is very important. Furthermore, once an agreement is in place, buyers will have the home inspected which absolutely requires that the water and power both be on. Only in very few cases (negligent home sellers, foreclosures and short sellers) is the power and water disconnected and sometimes because of failure to pay. The P&S agreements used by all the real estate agents in Ocean Shores have built-in clauses that have the seller paying off all utilties at closing by escrow.

Forwarded email from someone who just wants water service turned off:

just called to schedule a “turn off” of the water at my house.  Simple request…so I thought.  I was told that I could have the meter removed for $41.00 (who wants to buy a house with no water meter?); or I will continue to be billed for the base amounts (water, sewer, storm, ambulance).

From Tamzin Seaborne, yesterday: Cargo ship "DANNY BOY" inbound

to Aberdeen/Grays Harbor from Auckland,
New Zealand at about 6pm this evening

Chuck McPherson, sun setting at Pacific approach, Saturday evening:

Blythe Beebe of Ocean Shores, previously named Miss Pacific Coast’s Outstanding, Teen competed in the Miss Washington’s Outstanding Teen over the Memorial Day weekend in Renton.  She finished in the Top 10 in this state-wide competition, and did a knock-out version of “Over the Rainbow.” (Click here to see/hear it.)

Gene and Larry lost their son, Sean, this morning. Gene sends the news, in the former of a heart-breaking, inspiring remembrance:

Sean Dale Woodwick

Sean Dale passed down the river of life, crossed the bar, and sailed into eternity on May 30, 2011 at 6:10 a.m.
Sean had an extensive knowledge of the maritime history of the Lower Columbia River and of Fort Vancouver.  He particularly loved his regular, 15-mile, walks over the land bridge, through the park, along the river and through the Hudson Bay neighborhood. He was also a walking encyclopedia of the film industry garnered from his vast library from which he also enjoyed introducing friends to classic literature.  One of his prized possessions was notes and signed photographs from the Northern Exposure cast given in honor of his first acting role.  Sean enjoyed music and had a beautiful singing voice.  He will be remembered for his humor and quick wit.
Sean was a gentle and kind soul who loved and appreciated his family and many, many friends, and was so grateful they stood by him during his long, hard-fought and courageous two-year battle with esophageal and brain cancer. There is a long list of doctors and staff people who treated him during this time that he was very grateful to including, Dr. Clifford Pukel, Dr. Riyad Karmey-Jones  Dr. Hoffelt, Dr. Won Lee, Dr. Norm Rokus, the wonderful folks at Southwest Infusion Center; and Home Health Services.