ShakeOut Earthquake Drill set for Oct. 17

At 10:17 a.m. on Oct. 17, students, families and businesses will drop, cover and hold on for the Great Washington ShakeOut. The event also includes a tsunami siren test and evacuation drills in some schools. At about the same time, more than 120 Washington tsunami sirens along the inner and outer coast will be tested using the real wailing sound of a tsunami warning, not the Westminster Chimes that are typically used during the monthly tests. PLEASE DO NOT CALL 911. Besides the tsunami sirens, those who have downloaded the free MyShake Earthquake Early Warning App on their phones will also get a test. NOAA Weather Radios will also sound an alarm. To make sure you’re signed up for alerts, visit mil.wa.gov/alerts. From 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., on Oct. 17, the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe will team with the Washington Emergency Management Division for an event at the vertical evacuation tower, 2373 Tokeland Road, Tokeland. If you’re in the area, learn about the tower and practice walking to the top. For more information, email kufkin@shoalwaterbay-nsn.gov

Timberland Regional Library author talks

The Timberland Regional Library branches in Pacific County continue a series of author talks called “Pacific County Loves to Read” this month. Karen Tully (young adult science fiction) will speak 5 p.m. Oct. 18 at Raymond; David Campiche (photography, poetry) will speak 11 a.m. Oct. 19 at Ocean Park; and Peter Adams Young (historical fiction, Civil War re-enactor mysteries) will speak 3 p.m. Oct. 19 at Ilwaco.

Second annual Library Friends auction

OCEAN PARK — Friends of Ilwaco/Ocean Park Libraries are hosting second annual auction. Viewing of items will take place at Ocean Park library from Oct. 15-26. Auction bidding will culminate at 4 p.m. on Oct. 26 in conjunction with Oyster Crackers concert. Funds will be used to assist libraries for community needs not in TRL budget. Help support our libraries.

Port of Peninsula recall meeting

OCEAN PARK — A workshop meeting is planned Oct. 18, 2 to 4 p.m. for those residing in the Port of Peninsula District who wish to help organize efforts for the recall of two (of three) Port of Peninsula commissioners. The first step is to approve a Letter of No Confidence which will be presented to the port’s board of commissioners. The meeting will be in the Ocean Park Library meeting room, 1308 256th, Ocean Park. Email bonnieundocked@gmail.com if you would like a copy of the port district map or have any questions about the meeting. More information on the subject may be found at facebook.com/portofpeninsulaforreal.

Novelist Karl Marlantes doing a Q&A

ASTORIA — Karl Marlantes will appear at 7 p.m. Oct. 18 at the Liberty Theater in Astoria for a Q&A session moderated by Marianne Monson of the Writers Guild of Astoria. Tickets are $25 ($15 for students), online in advance at libertyastoria.org. Marlantes, a 1963 graduate of Seaside High School, has written four books, including a novel, “Deep River,” which chronicled the lifestyles of Finnish immigrants who settled in the Lower Columbia in Southwest Washington.

Dan Brubeck Quartet concert Oct. 19

CHINOOK — The Water Music Society will present its annual fall concert featuring the Dan Brubeck Quartet 4 p.m. Oct. 19 at the Chinook School Event Center, with a social hour beginning at 3 p.m. with music from the Ilwaco High School jazz band. Tickets are $35, online at watermusicsociety.com or at the door. Savory treats, beverages and a no-host wine bar will be available, plus CDs to purchase.

Finnish American Folk Festival paint party

NASELLE — The Finnish American Folk Festival committee is hosting a 2 p.m. Oct. 19, paint party with Abbie Mumley at the Naselle Community Center, 14 Parpala Road, Naselle. Supplies will be provided. The cost is $40; people must register to attend through the FAFF website nasellefinnfest.com or www.facebook.com/NaselleFAFF.

Finnish auxiliary hosts laksloda event

ASTORIA — The Finnish Brotherhood Lodge Auxiliary is hosting a laksloda luncheon Saturday, Oct. 19, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Suomi Hall, 244 W. Marine Dr., Astoria. The meal includes laksloda (traditional salmon and potato casserole), green veggies, beets, freshly baked break and apple crisp. Cost will be $20 for adults, $10 for children 10 and younger.

Ilwaco prepares for big annual Halloween celebration

Ilwaco has an agenda of fun in October leading up to Halloween, much of it sponsored by the Ilwaco merchants Association. The annual candy drive at Ilwaco City Hall is under way, being collected by staff at 120 First Ave. N. Bite-size candy is donated so that it can be distributed ahead of time to homes where the occupants may not be able to splurge on Halloween goodies for trick-or-treaters. Ilwaco Fire Department will host a kids’ pumpkin patch noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 19. The same day, the Ilwaco Cider Co. on Spruce Street will host a “Bogs, Bobbers and Bevs” seasonal event noon to 6 p.m. The annual Witches’ Paddle will take place on Black Lake noon Oct. 26. On Halloween Night, Oct. 31, Lake Street will be closed to traffic 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. for the annual block party. There will be children’s games outside the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum. The Fire Department’s Haunted Station will be open from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. There will be free parking next to the museum on Lake Street. The Ilwaco Cider Co. will offer music from Herded Catz 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and host the “Thriller” dance performance, choreographed by Annika Kay, at 8 p.m.

Grays River Grange hosting candidate forum

The Grays River Grange is hosting a candidate forum on Tuesday, Oct. 22 at the Grange Hall, 11 S Hull Creek Rd, Grays River. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. for coffee and refreshments and the program will begin at 6:30 p.m. Confirmed candidate attendees include U.S. Rep. Marie Glusenkamp Perez and her opponent Joe Kent, plus other candidates for state and local offices.

AAUW hosting election forum Oct. 23

ILWACO — The Willapacific branch of the American Association of University Women will host a voters’ forum from 7-9 p.m. Oct. 23 at the Hilltop School auditorium, 314 Brumbach Ave. N.E., in Ilwaco. Candidates who have informed organizers they will attend include U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D) and challenger Joe Kent (R); state challengers Andi Day (D), senate; and Mike Coverdale (D) and Terry Carlson (D), house; Pacific County Commissioner Dave Tobin (D); and Public Utility District candidates Debbie Oakes and David McClain.

Harvest Dinner at Johnson Park

A ”Harvest Dinner” is scheduled at the Johnson Park Community Center in Rosburg on Nov. 8. The dinner, a fundraising event for the Community Center, is sponsored by Altoona Grows, a recently established local charitable organization. The cost for the dinner is $30 for adults and $15 for those 12 years old and younger. The dinner features a menu centered around local, fresh and in-season food such as elk, salmon, chicken, wild mushrooms, root vegetables, squash/pumpkin, a dessert table and more. The doors will open at 5:30 pm with the dinner beginning at 6 pm. Tickets for the dinner can be purchased online at altoona-grows.square.site or at the Johnson Park library on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12-5 p.m. All proceeds will benefit Johnson Park Community Center, a volunteer-run community hub and one of the essential features of West Wahkiakum County. Having served for many years as the Rosburg School, the Johnson Park Community Center now houses the West End Food Pantry, extension offices for the Wahkiakum County Health and Human Services and the County Sheriff’s Office, and a library. A sewing and craft room are available free to use by appointment and an exercise/activity room and gym are available 24/7 with a membership or can be rented along with the meeting and cafeteria event space.

Fiber arts festival set for November

LONG BEACH — The Columbia Pacific Fiber Arts Association will host its third-annual fiber arts festival 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 9 and 10 at the Long Beach Elementary School. It will feature craft classes and displays. Details will be announced closer to the date.

Uniquely Local Quality Crafts Holiday Gift Bazaar

SEAVIEW — An event billed as a “Uniquely Local Quality Crafts Holiday Gift Bazaar” will be held 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 1 and 2 at the Peninsula Church Center, 5000 N Place, Seaview. The participating vendors offer different wares ranging from baskets made from crab pot rope to chainsaw carvings. As well as crafts, there will be a bake sale fundraiser for Shoeboxes of Joy, and a Long Beach Grange fundraiser offering breakfast burritos and hotdogs. Fresh cranberries will be available from CranGuyMa farms. More details will be announced later.

Fundraiser concert for Clint Carter

LONG BEACH — Area musicians will host a fundraiser to help pay for treatments of Clint Carter, the leading light of the North Coast Blues Band, who has cancer. The event will be 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Nov. 16 at the Long Beach Elks Lodge at 110 Pacific Ave. in downtown Long Beach. Admission is by a suggested donation of $25 at the door. There will be a spaghetti dinner and silent auction with the celebration of Carter’s 70th birthday. The Strange Tones, Chad Rupp & The Sugar Roots, Rae Gordan, Mary McPage, TJ Wong and King Ken are among those appearing.

Register now for Beekeepers Workshops

LONGVIEW — Designed to build basic beekeeping skills, the class covers topics including bee biology, equipment, seasonal management requirements, identification, and management of pests, as well as honey removal and processing. The four-session evening course — Jan. 20, 27 and Feb. 3, 10 — serves as an introduction to beekeeping for new beekeepers. Cost for the four-session course is $40 per person (includes 1 additional family member free). Register by Jan. 10 at bee-keepers-workshops-2025.cheddarup.com. Classes will be held at the Cowlitz County Training Center, 1942 First Avenue in Longview. Class size is limited to 30. For more information or to register, contact Gary Fredricks at 577-3014 Ext 3 or FredricksG@cowlitzwa.gov.

Peninsula Senior Activity Center

OCEAN PARK — See complete calendar of events at tinyurl.com/Senior-Center-calendar. Ongoing senior center services: Medical equipment for loan: A wide array of medical equipment that has been donated and is available for loan. Drop by or call during office hours. Haircuts: Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (call 360-665-3999). Meals on Wheels: call Sally 360-533-3311, Mondays and Wednesdays. Dial-A-Ride: provides service in Pacific County only.

AlAnon meetings on Peninsula and Zoom

AlAnon Family Groups are open to any adult. The only requirement for membership is that there is a concern about problem drinking by a relative or friend. The Ocean Park AlAnon group meets every Monday, 1:30-2:30 p.m. at the Ocean Park Library Meeting Room, 1308 256th Lane in Ocean Park. Contact Maureen McCaslin at 360-214-8086. Zoom AlAnon group meets Fridays at 10 a.m. To receive a Zoom invitation, email dbelais@yahoo.com. A New Day meets at the Timberland Library on Mondays at 1:30 p.m.