Wednesday, Dec. 29

Donations for Ben

LONG BEACH An account has been opened at KeyBank for donations for Ben Suprunowski, who was recently injured in an automobile accident. Donations can be made at any KeyBank nationwide. If you have questions call Evan Adams at the Long Beach branch at 642-2377.

Whale Watching 

CAPE D Trained whale watching volunteers will be stationed at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center at Cape Disappointment State Park from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., daily through Dec. 31. For more information call 642-3029.

Big Book meeting 

OCEAN PARK The Ocean Park Big Book meeting is at 6 p.m. each Wednesday at Ocean Park Methodist Church at 1202 262nd Place. All are welcome. For information call Jeannie at 665-3831.

Grief support 

SEAVIEW A Grief Support Group meets every Wednesday at      11 a.m., in the fireside room at Peninsula Church Center at 5000 N Place in Seaview. Call 800-772-1319 if you have questions, or just come to this support group.

Neptune Classic Movies 

LONG BEACH The Neptune Twin Cinemas offers family and classic movies with no charge for admission, subject to capacity. All family and classic shows begin at 1 p.m. The movie on Dec. 29 is The Court Jester starring Danny Kaye, Angela Lansbury and Glynis Johns. 1956. 99 min.

Thursday, Dec. 30

Energy Assistance Program

PACIFIC COUNTY The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program through Coastal Community Action Program is now underway. Appointments can be made online at www.coastalcap.org. This program provides financial assistance to help income eligible households make home heating more affordable. Call for detailed income guidelines, or to make an appointment at 800-828-4883; or from the Raymond/South Bend area call 875-8194.

Firewood permits

ILWACO Firewood cutting permits are available for $25 at Cape Disappointment State Park. Please call 642-3078 today and get your permit.

Volunteer firefighters

PENINSULA Volunteers are needed with the local fire departments. For more information call Pacific County Fire District No. 1 at 665-4451, Pacific County Fire District No. 2 at 777-8209, Long Beach Volunteer Fire Department at 642-4421 or Ilwaco Volunteer Fire Department at 642-3188.

Friday, Dec. 31

Holiday closures

PACIFIC COUNTY The Chinook Observer will be closed on Friday, Dec. 31 for the New Year holiday. We will reopen at 8 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 3.  City and county offices will be closed that day as well.

All branches of the post office will close at noon on Dec. 31. Raymond Federal Bank will close at 1 p.m.; Great Northwest Federal Credit Union branches close at 1 p.m. The Bank of the Pacific will close at 3 p.m. 

All Timberland Libraries will be closed Saturday, Jan. 1 for the holiday. Libraries will resume regular schedules on Monday, Jan. 3. For more information call 877-284-6237.

Clamming

PENINSULA A razor clam dig is scheduled on the Long Beach Peninsula from the Columbia River north jetty to Leadbetter Point on Dec. 31 through Jan. 2, pending marine toxin tests, with digging allowed between noon and midnight. The best time to start is an hour or two before low tide and it is recommended you take a lantern for evening digs. Low tides adjusted for Pacific beaches those days are as follows: Friday, Dec. 31, 4:44 p.m. 0.2; Saturday, Jan. 1,     5:37 p.m. 0.5; Sunday, Jan. 2, 6:26 p.m. 0.7. Harvesters are allowed to take no more than 15 razor clams and must keep the first 15 they dig, regardless of size or condition. Each diggers clams must be kept in a separate container. Licenses are available at numerous local businesses.

Wildlife raffle

NAHCOTTA Friends of the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge is holding a raffle in support of their education programs at 1 p.m., Dec. 31 at 2812 271st in Nahcotta. Anyone interested in purchasing tickets should call 665-2957 today!

Saturday, Jan. 1

WELCOME 2011!

2011 will be the 11th year of the third millennium and of the 21st century; and the second of the 2010s decade. The United Nations has designated 2011 the International Year of Forests and International Year of Chemistry. Lets make it a great year!

Sunday, Jan. 2

Peninsula meditation group 

KLIPSAN A meditation group meets on Sundays at 3:30 p.m., in the Golden Sands conference room, off the west entrance.  Contact Kim at 642-2916, Jim at 665-3151, or Barb at 665-4421 if you need more information.

Overeaters Anonymous

PENINSULA There are meetings four times a week on the Peninsula in both Seaview and Ocean Park, on Mondays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays for those interested in the support group Overeaters Anonymous. If you have questions call 665-2535 or Kathleen at 642-8439.

Monday, Jan. 3

Water district meeting

OCEAN PARK The North Beach Water District board of commissioners is holding a special meeting at 6 p.m., on Jan. 3 at 25902 Vernon Ave., Suite D in Ocean Park. The purpose of the special meeting is to review applications for an interim general manager. Call 665-4144 if you have questions.

Al-Anon 

KLIPSAN Al-Anon daytime group meets on Mondays from        1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the meeting room at Golden Sands Assisted Living. If you love someone who has issues with alcohol or you grew up in an alcoholic home, this is for you. Find help and hope and how to deal with this in a healthy way, in a safe environment. Call 665-5300 for more information. 

AA meetings

OCEAN PARK and SEAVIEW Alcoholics Anonymous has two group meetings on the Peninsula. The Ocean Park group meets at 7:30 p.m., at the Ocean Park Methodist Church at 1202 262nd Place on Mondays and Fridays. The second group meets seven days a week at 6:30 a.m., noon and 8 p.m., at 4603 Pacific Highway in Seaview. For more information you can call 642-2902 or go to http://area72aa.org.

Tuesday, Jan. 4

Library Friends meeting

NASELLE The Friends of the Naselle Timberland Library meet at      6 p.m. on Jan. 4 at the library. Meetings are open to the public and new members are welcome. For more information call 484-3877.

 River of Doubt

OCEAN PARK A discussion of the book, River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelts Darkest Journey by Candice Millard will be held from        2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Jan. 4 for adults at Ocean Park Timberland Library. For more information call 665-4184.

Coat drive

SEAVIEW Chicos Pizza is once again gathering coats for the homeless throughout the month of January. Help someone less fortunate today! Call 642-3207 if you have questions.

Grow & Live Spiritually

SEAVIEW Anyone with an interest is invited to the Peninsula Church Center at 5000 N Place in Seaview to find out about spiritual tools and to use them during a gathering each Tuesday from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., led by Rev. Mary Evelyn Long. Coffee and tea will be available. Call 655-5300 for information.

Masonic meeting

ILWACO Occident Lodge No. 99 meets at noon every Tuesday for a no host luncheon at the Imperial Schooner Restaurant at the Port of Ilwaco. Sojourners are welcome. For information call Jim at 665-6577 or Norm at 642-2258.

Do Nothing Club

OCEAN PARK Enjoy the gift of time throughout the year. And theres no better time than now to check out the Do Nothing Club. The club is always looking for a few good men to meet on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. at 24002 U Street in Ocean Park. You can play cribbage, shoot pool or sit around solve the worlds problems. Meet and make some new friends. For more information, call Jack McBride at 665-2721 or Jim Wirth at 665-2420.

Rotary

SEAVIEW The Southwest Pacific County Peninsula Rotary Club meets Tuesdays at 7:30 a.m., at the 42nd Street Café in Seaview. For more information contact Club President Lynn Raymer at 665-2685 or go to www.beachrotary.org.

Wednesday, Jan. 5

Relay for Life meeting

LONG BEACH The local Relay for Life group meets at 6 p.m., on Jan. 5, at the Chautauqua Lodge in Long Beach. The committee meeting is at      6 p.m., the team meeting is at 7 p.m. Come get involved in this effort. If you have questions call Lacie at 783-2094.

Willapa Players auditions

RAYMOND Willapa Players will hold auditions for their winter production, The Hollow by Agatha Christie on Wednesday, Jan. 5, at 7:30 p.m. and Thursday, Jan. 6, at 6:30 p.m. at the Hannan Playhouse on Eighth Street in Raymond. Director LaRayne Watts says that the play is a web of romantic entanglements. There are parts for six men and six women: an older couple in their 50s or 60s; two men from about 35 to 50 and four women from about 35 to 50; a perfectly correct English butler of any mature age; a middle-aged police inspector; and two parts for younger people a young police sergeant and a maid. Production dates are planned for the first three weekends of March. In addition to actors, Watts says that she needs the help of a number of people for backstage work, costumes, and set building. If you are interested in participating in the play but cannot make either of the audition dates, please call Watts at 942-5239.

Chinook Food Bank

CHINOOK Volunteers for the Chinook Food Bank, located at 70 Houchen Street in Chinook, are handing out food on the first and third Wednesdays of each month only. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For questions or in an emergency, call 875-6670.

Advisory Board

LONG BEACH The Pacific County Advisory Board meets at          4 p.m., on Jan. 5 at Willapa Behavioral Health, 2204 Pacific Highway North. Call 642-3787 for more information.

Neptune Classic Movies 

LONG BEACH The Neptune Twin Cinemas offers family and classic movies with no charge for admission, subject to capacity. All family and classic shows begin at 1 p.m. The movie on Jan. 5 is Flying Leathernecks starring John Wayne and Robert Ryan. 1951. 102 min.

Future Events

Farmers Market volunteers

LONG BEACH The Columbia-Pacific Farmers Market will get off the ground in May 2011. An authentic farmers market, this event will be exclusively a food market dedicated to showcasing the spectacular eats of the Columbia-Pacific region and to supporting and celebrating the hardworking people who bring those foods to our community. The market will include 20 or so farmers, ranchers, fishers, growers, and package food producers, and will also feature entertainment and games. It will be a place to meet your neighbor every Friday afternoon/evening and have fun! Many volunteers will be needed each week from noon until 7:30 p.m., mid-May through September. Please contact Gayle Borchard at 642-4421 or planner@longbeachwa.gov if you wish to volunteer.

Weekend navigator

CAPE D Learn how to use your electronic and paper charts, GPS, plotters, radar and depth sounder with a class that runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., starting Jan. 6, at Cape Disappointment U.S. Coast Guard Station mess hall. The Coast Guard Auxiliary is sponsoring this class. The fee is $20. Contact Don at 642-8559 or contact via e-mail at bergerdon@centurytel.net.

Beach cleanup

PENINSULA An all beach cleanup is set for Jan. 8. Volunteers are needed to lend a hand. Just show up at any of the main beach approaches in Seaview, Long Beach, Ocean Park, Oysterville to help the cause.

Ham Radio

NASELLE The Pacific County Amateur Radio Club meets the second Saturday of each month at 9 a.m., at Hunters Inn in Naselle. The next meeting is Jan. 8. Anyone interested in ham radio is encouraged to attend. For more information contact Dick Lemke at 665-2438 or Bob Cline at 665-4496.

Family movies

ILWACO Ilwaco Timberland Library is hosting family movies for all ages from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Jan. 8. Bring your cozy pillows and blankets from home, get comfortable and join library staff for popcorn and family-friendly movies. Browse the library afterward for movies and books to share at home. Check with library staff for the movie titles. For more information call 642-3908.

WWI Posters

ILWACO From Jan. 8 to March 12, the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum in Ilwaco presents the exhibition World War I Posters: On the Home Front, which explores the war through an exceptional collection of 36 lithographic posters that were made to influence Americans support of the war. The posters were used to promote support from the home front, to recruit men, money and resources and to encourage home front sacrifices in order to sustain the military campaign. The local stories of service to World War I will be told through artifacts from families representing Pacific County and beyond. Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday noon to 4 p.m. Thursdays are free thanks to the Ilwaco Merchants Association. For more information call 642-3446 or visit columbiapacificheritagemuseum.org.

Orchid meeting

ASTORIA The Sunset Empire Orchid Society will meet Sunday, Jan. 9, at 2 p.m., at the First Lutheran Church at 725 33rd Street in Astoria in the small meeting room. Please note, this is a new meeting location.  Member KC Heckenberg will be the guest speaker and will discuss obtaining and caring for a community pot of seedling orchid plants.  For information, contact Georgia at 665-5565.

Singers wanted

KLIPSAN If you have been thinking about joining the Bayside Singers, rehearsals begin again on Monday, Jan. 10 at Ocean Park Lutheran Church, 240th and U Street in Klipsan. This group of singers does all kinds of music and is seeking one more experienced tenor and baritone as well as more women. Men start at 1 p.m.; women at 2:30 p.m. If you have questions call Claire at 665-6055.

Toastmasters

ILWACO The Ilwaco Toastmasters Lunch Club meets the second and fourth Monday of each month from noon to        1     p.m., in the Ilwaco Community Building. Meetings are set for Jan. 10 and Jan. 24.  In addition a night group meeting is held the first and third Wednesdays (Jan. 5 and Jan. 19) of each month from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., also in the Ilwaco Community Building. Attendees will learn public speaking, leadership and listening skills in a safe environment. Guests are welcome. Call 642-2152 for more information or go to www.toastmasters.org.

PC Democrats

LONG BEACH The Pacific County Democrats meet at 7 p.m., on Monday, Jan. 10 at the south county building at 7013 Sandridge Road, in meeting room A. For more information or if you have questions call Marshall Tate at pcd@pondhouse.com or call 665-0023.

Transit meeting

LONG BEACH Pacific Transit System holds its regular quarterly board meeting beginning at 10:30 a.m., Thursday Jan. 13 at the Pacific County meeting room at 7013 Sandridge Road in Long Beach.  The public is invited to attend. Call 875-9418 if you have questions.

Crab feed set 

LONG BEACH The annual Ilwaco Sports Boosters Dungeness Crab Feed is scheduled from noon to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 15 at the Long Beach Elks. All are welcome. 

Ridgefield fieldtrip

LONGVIEW On Saturday, Jan. 22, Willapa Hills Audubon will travel to Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge for viewing of winter waterfowl and raptors.  Swans are often present. The field trip will include the auto loop with minimal walking where allowed. Departure from Longview is at 8 a.m., with a planned return of around noon. To reserve your place, call 360-575-9238 or e-mail to John Green at jgreen2317@aol.com.