LONG BEACH Our seafood abundant and outdoor recreation oriented Peninsula is on the verge of receiving national attention through a new reality television series that will showcase the experiences of charter fishermen based out of the Port of Ilwaco.

    Stephen Allen appro-ached the Long Beach City Council in a workshop setting Monday with a sponsorship request for his upcoming Peninsula-focused television show, Fishing Pacific Northwest: By Everyday People for Everyday People.

    Allen showed the council and city staff a promotional video of the 13-episode series that is scheduled to debut on Jan. 1, 2012, and be shown three times per week on the Pursuit Channel through the end of June. He said the idea for the series started with Pacific Salmon Charters owner Milt Gudgell, who wanted to make a film about salmon and sturgeon decline. Allen agreed to work on the film, which eventually turned into a story longer than anticipated.

    Each 30-minute episode in the series will follow fishermen and their experiences on boats operated by Pacific Salmon Charters, a family-owned business at the Port of Ilwaco. Allen and his crew have been filming with Gudgell for the past three years.

    In addition to surgeon, tuna, ling cod, halibut and salmon fishing, the series is also expected to feature Ilwacos annual Blessing of the Fleet, fish filleting, Buds Columbia River Challenge, lighthouses, local Coast Guard personnel and other aspects of Peninsula fishing and boating. Allen said the series will show many shots of the Peninsula and Astoria Bridge and will also discuss a bit of our areas history.

    Reaching more than 38 million viewers, the Pursuit Channel is a fishing and hunting television network that can be found on DirecTV (channel 608) and Dish Network (channel 240) programming.

    Allen said that if the city were to sponsor the project by purchasing advertising spots, then the city could use that time to advertise beach clean-ups, local festivals, and events such as the rodeo or Jake the Alligator Mans birthday.

    Its a perfect match; were marketing this area with the fishing, he added.

    With 12 minutes of advertising per episode, Allen said eight of those minutes would be 16 30-second local advertising spots. One 30-second spot can be purchased for $551, with 15 percent due upon commitment and the balance paid by Jan. 1.

    The council decided to wait until they heard more information from the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee and until Allen meets with Ilwaco city officials.

SandSations

and other business

    In other city business, the council also approved a partial closure of South Third Street from July 19 through 26 for SandSations festivities, as well as a road closure for the Long Beach Rodeo parade on July 29.

    In his mayors report, Bob Andrew said that Pacific County Commissioners have agreed to support the concept of creating a recreation district encompassing the Ocean Beach School District Boundaries to fund maintenance operations for a pool facility. The indoor pool would be funded with the $3.5 million left behind by Verna Oller.

    City Administrator Gene Miles said the proposed recreation district would be brought to the people in a special election, which would require a simple majority to pass.

    In her report, Community Development Director Gayle Borchard noted that the old Obies service station was mysteriously painted overnight, and said she would give those individuals responsible a Change for Good award if she could.

    During public comment, Natalie Hanson asked the city for assistance with the Backpack Ministry, a project the Long Beach Elks are sponsoring to feed local school kids on the weekends. Hanson estimated that it would cost about $500 per month to feed the Long Beach area group.

    Mike Russell approached the council seeking relief from a $175 fee to keep utilities at his home, rather than being forced to disconnect the utilities and pay a much bigger sum later on. Russell is an active member of the Coast Guard and he and his family will be moving to Mississippi soon. Since Russells home hasnt sold before the family moves away, he asked if the city would consider adding a military clause that would offer a discount for military personnel who leave behind their homes when theyre transferred. Councilors appeared amenable to the suggestion.