In a small, rural community like Fort Bragg there are always mixed feelings about “big chains” competing with locally-owned and grown businesses. I’m not going to comment either way, except to report that according to Starbucks’ website, the Fort Bragg store is not on the closure list. This, is seems, it good for employment and tax revenues and not seeing another empty store in these hard economic times. Of course, people forget, that often, the so-called chains, are really a collection of stores owned by local folks in each town where the store exists. Closure of any business in a small town can’t be good. Rising tide lifts all boats, as they say.

In search of family-friendly vacation spots, Elizabeth Blair, a journalist from TravelingMamas.com recently brought her brood to Fort Bragg. The website is written by four mothers. Elizabeth, known as Desert Mama  (she’s from Tucson) has created a story about her visit worth reading.

Lincoln and his people live across the street from the Fort Bragg Dog Park - when they come to play people smile and tails wag. People and dogs of every shape, size, and attitude love Lincoln. He runs fast with the speedy guys, wrestles with the big boys, even just walks around, sniffing and hanging out if that’s what a little one prefers.

When I suggested we should make Lincoln Mayor of the Dog Park, Jim (Lincoln’s human) said Lincoln sees himself more as the Activities Director… he just wants to have fun and make certain other dogs do too. Good enough.

Meet Lincoln and the other well-behaved dogs at the Fort Bragg Dog Park. It’s easy to find, Maple St east from Main Street in Fort Bragg, until it dead-ends at the dog park parking lot - the cross street is South Lincoln - just like everybody’s favorite dog! Open daily, dawn to dusk, free to well-behaved dogs and their people.

Tom and Penny Honer of Fort Bragg, owners of Harvest Markets, are two of the most generous people on the Mendocino Coast. And they are at it again: Harvest Market is helping the Mendocino Coast Humane Society (MCHS) by allocating 10% of all Pet Supply Sales from June 17th through June 24th to MCHS from both Harvest Market in Fort Bragg and Harvest Market – Mendoza’s in Mendocino. You can be of help by making your pet supply purchases during that time period. A nice deed, indeed.

When reading the San Francisco Chronicle the other day, I was surprised to find a long article in the 96 Hours weekend section about a new independent film, which held its world premiere June 7 at the Another Hole in the Head Festival at the Roxie theater in the City. Made in 30 days for $25,000, the filming of the sci-fi flick took place, according to the article, “mostly on a privately owned campground in Fort Bragg.” Director Phillip Hudson, 35, says the movie has brought in $97,000 in international sales (with much of it going to film sales agents). More at www.sfindie.com. Or email the story writer, G. Allen Johnson, ajohnson@sfchronicle.com. Aliens in our woods? One more reason to get off the couch and explore.

After a local service club decided to retire from organizing the annual Fourth of July fireworks show in Fort Bragg this year, the City of Fort Bragg, Mendocino Coast Chamber of Commerce and Fort Bragg Police Department pulled together to rescue the event, which is popular among tourists and locals. Leading the massive volunteer effort this year is KOZT owner/broadcaster Tom Yates.

Volunteers Needed

For the fireworks to happen, says Tom, about 40 volunteers are needed; a half dozen to help with setup on Friday the 4th, 20-30 to help with parking - which means 5-6 hours Saturday night, plus about an hour of training with the police earlier that week and another half dozen or more to tear down and cleanup. It’s a busy weekend for everyone but without volunteers, it’s not going to work. All volunteers will get a volunteers only Crew sweatshirt designed by Alan Ferguson of Braggadoon as a small thank you. It will be a blast!

If you have some civic spirit and want to join the effort, email fireworks@kozt.com or phone the Chamber office at 961-6300.

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Paul Bunyan Days, the oldest small town festival on the Mendocino Coast, includes some events that have been around for a very long time… the Belle of the Redwoods Competition is one of those events. Right now, for the 69th time, the Paul Bunyan Days Association is issuing a call for young ladies who’d like to be this year’s Belle. 

The Belle of the Redwoods Competition is not a beauty contest. Rather, it’s a way for young women between the ages of 16 and 20, who live anywhere on the Mendocino Coast, to have fun and make money. Contestants compete by selling raffle tickets, and the girl with the highest sales is crowned the Belle of the Redwoods during the Paul Bunyan Days Labor Day Weekend festival.

All contestants keep 10% of their ticket sales, and the winning Belle keeps 20%. What’s more, the winning Belle receives an additional $300, second place gets $150, and third $50.

If know someone who’d like to participate in this time honored tradition, they can download an application from the festival web site.

There is probably no community friendlier to families than Fort Bragg, California, a small seaside town on the rugged Mendocino Coast.

Whether you ride the Skunk Train through the redwoods or horses on the beach, there is plenty to keep both kids and parents moving at a full gallop for a weekend or a week. Because the city of 6,000 is compact, it’s easy to get around with everything within minutes of a motel, inn or campground.

Seventeen family-friendly activities:

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Travelers post recommendations on TripAdvisor for places to stay or eat, and things to do on their trips… it seems to be a popular place as 22,786,082 travelers planned trips there this week!

I use them when I’m going somewhere, and I’ve had great results. So the other day I looked to see what people are saying about Fort Bragg… 

Most Popular Hotel: Surf n’ Sand “I am a leary traveler as you can see by my screen name and I could not have been any more PLEASED with this hotel!! It is beautiful! …the view was EXCELLENT!!!! The beach is only yards away on a short walk through a meadow…”  Leary Traveler, Oroville CA, April 13, 2008

 Most Popular B&B: The Atrium “Wife and I spent two nights here… Quiet, spacious room with wonderful bed, nice gas fireplace and overall a very soothing feel to it. What really stands out here are the innkeepers themselves, very down to earth and friendly, more than willing to help or assist but never intrusive…” Bleeker, Sacramento, CA, May 12, 2009 

Most Popular Restaurant: Mendo Bistro “Mendo Bistro is the place to dine in Ft. Bragg. The atmosphere is quaint and romantic, the prices are reasonable, and the food is MAGNIFICO…” PattyCathy, San Jose, CA, May 27, 2008  

Most Popular Thing to Do: Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens “… worth the $10 admission fee for the cliff-side ocean views alone. After a short hike off the main trail, we are greeted with some of the best ocean views I think we saw all trip.  We visited in May so it was mostly the rhododendrons that were in bloom. They were lovely and the garden itself is impressive. There is an ice cream shop there as well that serves up some yummy treats…”  SW-travelers, Sacramento, CA, May 6, 2008

 Other popular attractions: MacKerricher State Park, Glass Beach and Ricochet Ridge Ranch

The county’s coordinator for 4H, Arlene Fuller, has been busy organizing the Coast Water Festival, which takes place from 3:30-6:30 pm Friday, June 6, in front of City Hall in Fort Bragg on Franklin and Laurel Streets. Adults & youth of all ages are welcome. Join the festivities, including live music. It’s free. You’ll learn:

• Learn interesting facts about water!
• Learn how to protect & conserve our water resources!
• Water Harvesting information!
• Learn from Master Gardeners- tips about soil, water and your garden.
• Information on Grey Water collection systems.
• Stormwater runoff pollution solutions!
• Make an edible Groundwater Model you can eat!

For more information please contact Arlene at 961-2508.