JANUARY 26, 2017 // 9
BEST CHEAP DATE
The Beach
Runner-up:
Columbian Theater, Astoria
Honorable Mention:
Second Saturday Art Walk,
Astoria
By DWIGHT CASWELL
It was an unseasonably
warm day when I last spoke
with the object of my affec-
tions. I watched a flight of
pelicans go by, and as I sat
on a log by her side gulls
drew near, looking for hand-
outs. She reclined gracefully,
her toes splashing in the
foam and her back against
the wooded cliffs. A gentle
breeze stirred the grass and
PHOTO BY DWIGHT CASWELL
A colorful sunset at Indian
Beach in Ecola State Park.
caressed her shapely dunes.
I gave her the news, “Beach,
once again Coast Weekend
readers have decided that
you are the Best Cheap
Date.”
For a moment a cloud
veiled the sun and a look
crossed the popular figure’s
face. She seemed wistful and
perhaps peeved. “Again?”
she asked and then, resign-
edly, “Again.”
“It’s a great honor, Beach.”
“It’s just that people are
so fickle. Last year I was
Best Place for a Picnic. Now
I’m back to being just an-
other cheap date. It’s not my
fault we had a wet summer.
Go talk to Sky.”
“But you’re the Best
Cheap Date.”
“Is that any better, being
really good but cheap?” The
cloud darkened.
“Maybe it’s the econo-
my,” I suggested. “Perhaps
young people are looking
for a frugal alternative
to $10 cocktails.” The
cloud passed, and Beach
brightened. “Or maybe it’s
demographics,” I continued.
“A lot of young people are
moving here from places
like Portland, where beach-
es are covered in goose
poop.”
“More young people. Yes,
I have noticed more surf-
boards lately.” She positive-
ly glowed. “I like the sound
of that.”
“And what happens to
young people?” I asked.
“They have a very good
time. Sunning, surfing,
running and playing frisbee
with their dogs. Walking
hand-in-hand. And eating
organic lunches from the co-
op and drinking craft beer.”
“What I mean, Beach,” I
said, “is that young people
fall in love and get married
and have children and get
more dogs, and then what
happens?”
“I know! They visit me
and we have family pic-
nics!” A great gust of wind
blew sand all about. “I like
it! I like it!”
BEST GARDEN CENTER
Brim’s Farm & Garden
W E T HA NK
o u r c o m m u n ity
fo r vo tin g
S treet 14 Ca fe
w in n e rs in the
fo llo w in g to p
c a te go rie s :
• Best Cu stom er S ervice
• An d rew Catalan o , Bes t Chef
• Best Coffee
W e a re a ls o thrilled a n d tha n k you for
votin g u s a s on e of you r
F avorite Bakeries an d Breakfast S p ots ,
K at Zaro a s on e of you r
F avorite Baristas , a n d Allyx O ’Con n or
a s on e of you r F avorite S ervers !
N EW Ho u rs: 6:30 to 4pm d a ily
D in n er Thu rsd ay throu gh S atu rd ay 5 to 9p m
Learn m ore at w w w.s treet14cafe.com
Find u s on Facebook: facebook.com / s treet14as toria
503-325-5511
L ocal, Handcrafted, Seas onal
1410 Com m ercial S treet | Astoria
Astoria, Oregon
Runner-up: Dennis’ 7 Dees, Seaside
Honorable Mention: Basket Case Greenhouse,
Long Beach, Washington
By LYNETTE RAE
McADAMS
Tucked in on the south
side of Astoria, across the
Old Youngs Bay Bridge, this
family owned and operat-
ed nursery and feed store
has been offering the same
superb service and products
since 1986. Bursting with
essentials for every farm and
garden, Brim’s has become
a staple for both rural and
urban plant and animal lov-
ers, so it’s no surprise that
for the ninth year running,
Coast Weekend readers
have rewarded its standard
of excellence by naming it
Best Garden Center in the
Columbia-Pacific region.
Packed with specialty
plants and seasonal favorites,
the Brim’s greenhouse never
disappoints, offering beauty
and color year-round but also
rot- and disease-resistant
Sale on the almost ENTIRE STORE!
PHOTO BY LYNETTE RAE MCADAMS
Daniel Lacy, a crewmember at Brim’s Farm and Garden, shows
off his excellent customer care skills by insisting on carry-out
service for a 50-pound bag of goat feed.
PHOTO BY LYNETTE RAE MCADAMS
Even in the depths of winter,
the greenhouse at Brim’s is
full of texture and color.
varieties that speak to the
company’s 60-plus years
of gardening on the coast.
When spring rolls around,
stop in to avail yourself of
their wide selection of seeds
(all non-GMO), as well as
flower and vegetable starts
in 4-inch pots or 6-pack
containers, and all the tools
you’ll need to get going.
(There’s even a special sec-
tion in small sizes for kids.)
Also a one-stop spot for
farmers, Brim’s takes pride
in carrying high-quality
fencing, food and supplies
for almost any animal you
could think of keeping,
including horses, cows, lla-
mas, goats, pigs and alpacas.
Small animals aren’t for-
gotten either, with specialty
fare for rabbits, guinea pigs,
chinchillas and more than a
few feathered friends. Dog
and cat lovers will appreci-
ate the enormous selection
of food, toys and treats, and
anyone with a backyard
flock will delight in all the
provisions for poultry —
chief among them the fresh
batches of baby chicks and
turkeys that arrive each year
with the promise of spring.
Whatever you need for
your farm or garden, there’s
a good chance Brim’s has
it, and best of all, you can
be sure it will always come
with friendly service and
advice you can trust.
Up to
One day only!
75
Clearance
Items
(503)325-5720 • 1-800-851-FINN • 1116 Commercial • Astoria