Fisher Poets Gathering Reflects Experiences of the Sea; Historic Maritime Community of Astoria, Ore., Hosts Ninth Annual Fisher Poets Gathering

Business Wire, Jan 30, 2006

The Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce

WHAT:   A mix of poets, musicians and tale-tellers will journey
        to Astoria, Ore., the former canning capital of the world, to
        share their work in the long-standing fisherman tradition of
        oral story-telling as part of the ninth annual Fisher Poets
        Gathering. Attendees are treated to a combination of humor,
        rowdy song and touching personal accounts. In addition to the
        evening performances, the three-day event includes visual arts
        and workshops, and art exhibits at nearby galleries. The
        popular literary event gives voice to the stories and poetry
        of commercial fishing life often recorded in journals or
        shared via radio during long hours at sea.

WHO:    More than 50 writers, musicians and artists from the
        Pacific Northwest, Alaska, British Columbia, California and
        other coastal communities including local favorites Wesley
        "Geno" Leech, Harrison "Smitty" Smith, and Jon Broderick, the
        event founder.

WHEN:   Friday-Sunday, Feb. 24-26, 2006
        Weekend events include:
        --  Poetry, prose and open mike readings
        --  Artistic workshops in photography, creative writing, video
            and painting
        --  Fishing industry "issues" panel/lecture
        --  Art gallery exhibits and live music

WHERE:  Events are held in downtown Astoria within walking
        distance of lodging and restaurants. Astoria is located on
        Oregon's historic North Coast, where the Columbia River meets
        the Pacific Ocean, 70 miles northwest of Portland. It is the
        oldest American settlement west of the Rockies and has a rich
        maritime history. Still home to a working waterfront, Astoria
        boasts a vibrant community including art galleries, museums,
        restaurants, shops, Victorian homes, and the internationally
        acclaimed Columbia River Maritime Museum.

COST:   Weekend admission buttons are available for $10; day passes
        are $5.

LODGING: Oregon's North Coast offers a wide selection of
         accommodations from Victorian Bed and Breakfasts and small
         historic Inns, to hotels, motels, campgrounds and vacation
         home rentals. Please visit www.oldoregon.com or call the
         Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce at (800) 875-6807
         for information.

CONTACT: The Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce at
         (800) 875-6807, or visit
         http://www.clatsopcc.edu/fisherpoets/.

Editor's Note: Event photographs and poetry samples available.