Dungeness Crab price agreed - Native American Heritage Day - Flo Tones benefit food share - Wild coho fishery active

Crabbers and processors agree on price

When the first crab pots of the commercial Dungeness Crab season go in the water tomorrow morning, crabbers will place them knowing they have a firm, agreed-on price for the season that actually begins on Tuesday. Processors and commercial fishers are expected to ratify the wholesale price of $1.75 per pound sometime today according to Oregon Department of Agriculture Director Katy Coba. Weather permitting, fresh Dungeness could begin showing up at seafood counters by Thursday. Settling the price early is very important as it’s estimated that 75-percent of the catch is traditionally brought in during December and ends up on many holiday tables. If negotiations take too long, it can hamper retail sales and eventually drive prices down. Oregon landings of the crustacean have exceeded 33-million pounds in the past few years but average just over ten million.

Last year’s designation of the day following Thanksgiving as Native American Heritage Day was a one-time commemoration but it was made a permanent event in June. In Thanksgiving comments yesterday President Obama said his administration is “committed to strengthening the nation-to-nation relationship with tribal governments”. He also said Native American Heritage Day is important in order for all Americans to understand the culture and traditions of native Americans and appreciate the contributions they have made and will continue to make.

For the third year in a row the Flo-Tones vocal jazz ensemble will be offering their stylings up in a holiday concert to benefit Florence Food Share. Director Laura Merz says you can start your holiday season off with some wonderful music and provide a caring gift to many people in the community. Sunday afternoon’s concert is at the Siuslaw Valley Christian Center at 10th and Maple. It begins at 4 o’clock and you’re asked to bring cash, non-perishable food items, or both.

Two of the very few places where you can still legally catch wild coho salmon in the Northwest are right here in the Florence area. Dean Hendricks of North Country Lures will talk about the fisheries on Siltcoos and Tahkenitch Lakes next Wednesday when he addresses the Florence Salmon Trout Enhancement Program. The Coho seasons on both lakes opened up October First and run through the end of December.

TAKING A LOOK INTO COAST RADIO SPORTS:

College Basketball:
First the men… Oregon State is in Washington DC tomorrow where they’re taking on the George Washington Colonials… game time is at 11 AM, the pregame show on KCFM is at 10:30. The Oregon Men are at home in Mac Court tomorrow evening against Montana State at 7:30…. Airtime here no KCST will be at 7:00.

The women are on the court this weekend as well… Paul Westhead and the Oregon Ducks are at home as they open up the three-day World Vision International Tournament aginst Cal State Fullerton. Tomorrow they’ll face Wisconsin, then wrap up Sunday against Portland State. The Oregon State Women are at Northern Arizona in the high desert… they face Belmont this evening, then go up against Northern Arizona tomorrow.