The Oregon Coast Aquarium will observe Sea Otter Awareness Week, a week-long event to educate the public about the integral role that sea otters play in the marine ecosystem.

The week's activities will include a talk about sea otters, sea otter crafts and an abundance of information about sea otters' natural history and adaptations.

Public Sea Otter feedings at 10:30 am, 1:00 pm and 3:30 pm

For more information click on Sea Otter

NEWPORT -- Seeing the Blessing of the Fleet for the first time in this city was a thrill for the Hankins family of Bonanza, Oregon.

“Really informative -- it’s great learning about the history of the coast,” said Dan Hankins, after a boat tour Saturday to watch the event. “Our captain knew the history of all the boats.”

“And all the new babies,” added wife Vera, to the grins of her three daughters, aged 14 to 18.  “You get a much better view of the fishing community when you realize they all know each other, that they’re like a big family.”

The Hankins braved the chill and rain -- and for a short while, hail -- to watch the annual parade of fishing boats and other vessels at Yaquina Bay.

The event began with a red helicopter fly-by by the U.S. Coast Guard, followed by the blessing of each boat on the water by local clergy.

The Oregon coast welcomes spring with an old mariner’s custom this weekend -- Blessing of the Fleet.

The annual event has been held in Newport since the 1950s, and begins with a Fishermen’s Memorial Service Saturday (March 19) at 8 a.m.

The service is held at the Fishermen’s Memorial Sanctuary at Yaquina State Park.  It’s open to the public.

The sanctuary was commissioned by Newport Fishermen’s Wives, Inc., so that families would have a place of comfort when they’ve lost someone at sea.

Local clergy join in the Blessing of the Fleet, at 12:45 p.m., when an annual parade of fishing vessels, charter boats and pleasure craft begins near the port’s international terminal.

Attend The 12th annual day-long Fossil Fest event on Saturday, February 12 at the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport.

This is your chance to have an up-close look at some exciting fossils and the scientists who work with them! Activities will include a fossil swap and special displays staffed by the North American Research Group.

Bring in your fossils or other beach finds for identification by Oregon's preeminent paleontologist, Dr. William Orr. Dr. Orr will be giving a presentation in the Hennings Auditorium at 1:30pm entitled "Digging up the Kings Valley Groundsloth". He will also be available to sign copies of his book, Oregon Fossils. This program is open to the general public, and as always, admission is by suggested donation.

The Oregon Coast Aquarium is offering activities to chase away the winter blahs this month, including Valentine's Day sea lion kisses, "Pop the Question" special for sweethearts, a birthday party for Hunter, the sea otter and special children's programs.

"Pop the Question" Special is a unique marriage proposal being offered to would-be grooms looking for a memorable way to pop the question. Two divers emerge from one of the Passages of the Deep tanks holding up a sign asking "Will You Marry Me?" The proposals are available February 12, 13 and 14 at the following times: 10:30 am, 11:30 am and 12:30 pm. Reservations can be made by calling 541-867-3474 ext. 2313.

THE CHOCOLATE CLASSIC BENEFITS LINCOLN COUNTY R.S.V.P. PROGRAMS, ASSISTS SENIORS

The ROARING 20’s 20^th Annual R.S.V.P. CHOCOLATE CLASSICS, Saturday January 29, 2011 7pm at Newport’s beautiful Oregon Coast Aquarium.

You LOVE chocolate. WE love chocolate. And we all love making our homes and neighborhoods a better place for all of us.  And ALL YOU CAN EAT CHOCOLATE (guilt free, no less) is a fun and delicious way to help our communities! “What a fun and delicious way to help the community!” Says Tamara Rosser of R.S.V.P. “You’ve NEVER had a better reason to Indulge!”

Fun, Food & Wine on the Oregon Coast

Friday, Feb 25 2pm-9pm $10
Saturday, Feb 26 10am-6pm $15
Sunday, Feb 27 10am-4pm $5

2011 festival theme is "Hollywood & Vine – Take 34"

It wouldn't be winter on the coast without the Newport Seafood & Wine Festival. It's the premier seafood & wine event of the west coast and the original Northwest seafood and wine festival.

Since 1978 the Newport Seafood & Wine Festival has attracted visitors from around the world to the central Oregon coast. The 2011 festival promises to be packed with all of the fun, food and wine you've come to know and love at the Newport Seafood and Wine Festival!

Rescued after being injured by a boat and abandoned by his mother, a young otter joins the Aquarium's all-male raft. The young otter lived in a small pool while in quarantine. The rescued otter has been named "Mojo" and he's already become fast friends with an older otter named Hunter and he's spending most of his time rolling underwater!

Mojo is a young rescued Northern sea otter and he was introduced to the Sea Otter Exhibit at the Oregon Coast Aquarium under close supervision of Aquarium mammalogists Yesterday (Tuesday December 21st) and "Mojo," goes on exhibit today!

For five months, the octopus tank at the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport sat empty, but that's no longer the case.

Ursula the octopus has made her public debut both in person and online.

Right now, an underwater camera is being used to film the octopus purely for entertainment.  But in the near future, OSU and Sea Grant employees plan on using the device inside classrooms.

Watchers line the public docks and book tables for the waterfront restaurants to enjoy this yearly yuletide tradition. If that's not close enough, they can even book a seat on one of several passenger-licensed craft taking part in the event.

Newport's boat parade features a variety of watercraft, including charter boats, fishing boats, sail boats, kayaks and even the Coast Guard.

Newport’s Yaquina Bay will get festive in a particularly spectacular way this Saturday as a couple dozen boats take to the water festooned up in a variety of lights – all for the charity event known as The Annual Lighted Boat Parade.

The Oregon Coast Aquarium will be decked out for the holidays surrounded by a sea of twinkling lights, holiday music, a new art exhibit and unique gift ideas. The 18th Annual Sea of Lights is a festive holiday celebration Friday and Saturday, December 3 and 4 from 6:30 to 9:00 pm both evenings.

A tradition for many families, visitors come from all over the region during the holiday season to visit the Aquarium, shop and spend time together at the beach. The entire Aquarium will be adorned with holiday decorations, a large Christmas tree and thousands of colorful lights.