A freighter headed up the Columbia River during the a set of the annual king tides at Cape Disappointment.

History Forum focuses on local place names

OYSTERVILLE — The Dec. 4 History Forum will focus on Southwest Washington’s changing place names and vanishing towns and geographical features. What is gained and what is lost in the process and what impact do they have on our history? Please bring your questions and any answers you may have. Organizers are hoping for an interesting and fully participatory gathering at the Oysterville Schoolhouse 10 a.m. to noon.

Local artists featured in art show

GRAYS RIVER — An art show featuring local artists Krsto Novoselic, Gail Wahlstrom, Noreen Fitts, Sandra Prucha and Carol Ervest will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Grays River Grange, 11 S. Hull Creek Road in Grays River. For information, call Ervest at 360-465-2275.

Chinook School Christmas Market

CHINOOK — Friends of Chinook School host a Christmas Market Dec. 7 and 8, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the school, 810 U.S. Highway 101. This holiday market has fun for the entire family, photos with Santa and Frosty, a coloring contest that includes free hot chocolate, and an opportunity to donate to “Toys for Peninsula Kids.” Vendors may register at www.managemymarket.com.

‘Carols, Cookies and Cocoa’ fundraiser

FORT COLUMBIA — The Peninsula Association of Performing Artists has set a “Carols, Cookies and Cocoa” fundraiser from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 8 at the Fort Columbia Theater, 475 U.S. Highway 101, in Chinook. There will be music and skits from local musicians and actors, raffle baskets and a silent auction. A Washington State Parks Discover Pass is not required to enter the park to attend the theater.

Christmas concert features jazz vocalist Halie Loren

CHINOOK — The Water Music Society will conclude its season with a Christmas concert featuring jazz vocalist Halie Loren 3 p.m. Dec. 8. The event at the Chinook Events Center will begin with music from the Ilwaco High School Jazz Band at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20, available online at watermusicsociety.com at the door if any remain. Appetizers and cookies will be served with coffee, tea, water and sparkling cider, plus a no-host wine and champagne bar.

Matt Walsh’s comedy ‘Am I Racist?’

OCEAN PARK — The local political group Peninsula Patriots presents Matt Walsh’s comedy “Am I Racist?” at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, at the Ocean Park Library, 1308 256th Lane. For more information, email or call Diane@PeninsulaPatriots.com, 503-201-8933.

Next set of king tides start Dec. 12

LONG BEACH — The next set of especially high winter tides, often called king tides, begin Thursday, Dec. 12, when there will be an 8.95-foot tide at 9:23 a.m. along the main ocean seashore. Other tides in the set: 9.29 feet at 10:09 a.m. Dec. 13; 9.44 feet at 10:55 a.m. Dec. 14; 9.39 feet at 11:41 a.m. Dec. 15; 9:16 feet at 12:26 p.m. Dec. 16. King tides have become a popular time to observe crashing waves, birds along the ocean and bay shores, and other natural sights.

Next clam dates tentatively scheduled

LONG BEACH and OCEAN PARK — Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife shellfish managers have tentatively scheduled the next razor clam digs on coastal beaches, contingent on safe levels of marine toxins, which have been well within safety thresholds since the spring of 2023. The following digs during evening (p.m.) low tides will be finalized soon:

Tentative dates:

Dec. 12, Thursday, 4 p.m.; -0.5 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

Dec. 13, Friday, 4:50 p.m.; -1.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Dec. 14, Saturday, 5:36 p.m.; -1.6 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Dec. 15, Sunday, 6:21 p.m.; -1.6 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

Dec. 16, Monday, 7:05 p.m.; -1.5 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

Dec. 17, Tuesday, 7:48 p.m.; -1.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Dec. 18, Wednesday, 8:31 p.m.; -0.5 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Oysterville Christmas Sing-Along

OYSTERVILLE — Sing your favorite carols at the annual Oysterville Christmas Sing-Along in the Oysterville Church on Sunday, Dec. 15. Peninsula favorites The Oyster Crackers will perform a melody of Christmas tunes. The sing-along will be accompanied by Barbara Bate and Suzanne Walker-Knutzen. Steve Kovach will offer a Christmas meditation. This heartwarming event is brought to you by the Oysterville Restoration Foundation and community volunteers.

Naselle girls basketball squad host alumni games

NASELLE — The Naselle girls basketball squad will host an evening of alumni basketball. Marie Green, athletic director at Naselle schools and head basketball coach, is recruiting players. The games will be played in the Naselle gym Dec. 23 with the women playing at 5:30 p.m. and the men at 7 p.m. The fee for players is $25. For details or to sign up, contact Green at mgreen@naselleschools.org.

The Brownsmead Flats performing in Raymond

RAYMOND — Sunday Afternoon Live is pleased and proud to welcome The Brownsmead Flats for a return performance to the stage of the Raymond Theater on Sunday, Dec. 29, at 2 p.m. This will be a free concert, and donations will be gratefully accepted. When you see The Brownsmead Flats performing on stage, you may well conclude that they are living the dream, and you may even wish you could be right up there, a part of the band. The Brownsmead Flats have been together for over 40 years, having begun in the late 1970s at local coastal Oregon potlucks and school functions. Their long-time camaraderie and sense of fun draw in their audiences — sometimes quite literally, with audience sing-alongs and even group dances.

Reach out to Rebuilding Together

Rebuilding Together, the volunteer group featured in the Nov. 6 edition of the Chinook Observer, has announced details of where to send donations and how people needing help can get in touch. Send donations to Rebuilding Together Pacific County, P.O. Box 283, Long Beach WA 98631. Email rtpacific283@gmail.com or call 360-244-0277 for information or to volunteer. Its website is rtpcwa.org. The group is also on Facebook at Rebuilding Together Pacific County Washington. Donations may be made through the Pacific Community Foundation at www.spccf.org or on the website or Facebook. Requests for help go to the Olympic Area Agency on Aging’s Senior Information and Assistance center at 1715A Pacific Ave. N, Long Beach, open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays or call 360-642-3624 ext. 2210. This office takes the information and forwards it to the Rebuilding Together Board of Directors for review.

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.