Aberdeen
Friday-Sunday, Dec. 4-6
• A Christmas Carol, directed by Kathe Rowe, will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, and at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, at the Driftwood Theatre, 120 E. Third St. To purchase tickets, call Sue Keltner at (360) 532-8243, e-mail jlkeltner@techline.com or visit City Center Drug, Top Food and Drug and Captain’s Cove in Aberdeen, Harbor Drug in Hoquiam, Valu Drug in Montesano or Dolores’ and Fay’s in Ocean Shores.
Saturday, Dec. 5
• Roy Lowry of Ocean Shores will be the featured artist for December at Clyde and Sylvia’s Frames-N-Things, 113 E. Wishkah. A reception in his honor will take place during a holiday open house from noon to 4 p.m. His passion is in watercolors featuring local scenes.
Sunday, Dec. 6
• The Dance Club of Grays Harbor will host a 593 Singers Dance Party from 1-5 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, 1712 S. Boone St. Arlene Hoiland will teach a dance lesson from 1-2 p.m. and dancing will take place from 2-5 p.m. Cost is $5 per person; light refreshments will be served.
• Sweet Presence will perform at 6:30 p.m. at the Central Park Neighborhood Church, 7010 Bryrwood Drive. The group performs southern gospel music.
Monday, Dec. 7
• The Dance Club of Grays Harbor will have its membership meeting and social at 7 p.m. Dinner will be available from 5-7 p.m. for a nominal fee. Dancing will follow the meeting.
Thursday, Dec. 10
• “Sounds of Christmas,” a luncheon and program for women of all ages, will begin at 11:30 a.m. at the Rotary Log Pavilion. The Goldenaires of Weatherwax High School, directed by Pat Wilhelms, will be featured. The guest speaker will be Lois Williams of Lacey on the topic of keepsakes. Reservations and cancellations are required; call Jeanette at 532-7998 or Linda at 532-3129. Complimentary daycare will also be provided by reservation for ages 1-12.
Saturday, Dec. 12
• A free boater education course is planned for 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the upstairs community room at Aberdeen High School, 410 North G Street Class size is limited to 30 on a first-come-first-serve basis. The Grays Harbor Sheriff’s Office says that as of Jan. 1, 2010, all operators of motorboats of 15 horsepower or greater, between the age of 12 and 30, will be required to carry a Boater Education Card when operating a boat on Washington waterways. By 2014 all boaters born on or after Jan. 1, 1955, will be required to have a card. Boaters born before Jan. 1, 1955, are exempt. Cards are $10 and good for a lifetime. For more information, call Deputy Brad Russell at (360) 249-3711 or e-mail Brussell@co.grays-harbor.wa.us. For more information on the mandatory boating safety education program, visit www.parks.wa.gov/boating.
Monday-Tuesday, Dec. 14-15
• The Driftwood Players will host auditions for the winter production of “The Foreigner” at 7 p.m. both days at the theater, 120 E. Third St. The play, written by Larry Shue, is a comedy that takes place in a resort-style fishing lodge in rural Georgia. Director Margaret Tingwall is looking for five men between the ages of 25-60 and two women, one 30 years old and one 60 years old. The show is set to open Saturday, Feb. 13.
Miscellaneous
• A miniature Christmas village is on display at the center of the SouthShore Mall. Viewing is free, but donations for the completion and expansion of the display are accepted. The village is sponsored by the Gregorian Group and the SouthShore Mall.

Beaches
Friday-Saturday, Dec. 4-5
• The Grayland Holiday Market Place, featuring one-of-a-kind gifts such as candles, cranberry products, cranberry fudge, beach glass jewelry and crafts, will take place from 1-7 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, at the Historic Grayland Community Hall (left on Grange Rdoad from Highway 105 in Grayland). A Christmas cookie walk will take place from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday. Money will be collected for the Westport Food Bank.
Wednesday, Dec. 9
• The Pacific Beach Ladies Aid will host a holiday dinner and bake sale from 3-7 p.m. at the Ladies Aid Hall, second and Central in Pacific Beach. The sale will feature baked goods, candy, towels, pillowcases, a door prize and white elephants. Cost is $9 per adult, $4.50 for children 5-12 and free for preschool children.

Elma
Saturday, Dec. 5
• The Elma VFW Auxiliary will host a food and toy bingo from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Elma Senior Center, 100 W. Main St. Adults to children 5-years of age are invited. Proceeds will be used to purchase gifts for the VFW’s Christmas families. A bake sale and snack bar will be offered.
Saturday, Dec. 12
• Washington Old Time Fiddlers Association District No. 17 will offer music for listening and dancing from 7-10 p.m. at the Grange Hall. The public and musicians who play acoustical instruments are welcome. Donations and finger food will be accepted.

Grays Harbor Area
Sunday, Dec. 13
• The Friends of Schafer and Lake Sylvia plan to resurrect the traditional Yule log ceremony at 1 p.m. at Schafer State Park. Members say that it was an important Satsop Valley tradition from many years ago. Guests are asked to bring a plate of cookies to share and will have the opportunity to warm up at the big fire with some special hot spiced tea. Caroling will also be offered. For more information and directions, call (360) 789-9953 or visit www.TheSchaferStateParkTeam.org.

Grays Harbor College
Saturday, Dec. 5
• The student government at Grays Harbor College will host its 16th annual spaghetti feed from 4:30-7 p.m.
Monday, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 9
• Auditions for the musical production of “42nd Street” are planned for 7 p.m. Monday and 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Bishop Center. The classic Broadway musical tells the story of Peggy Sawyer, a star-struck chorus girl in the mid-1930s looking for her big break into stardom. Performances are scheduled for early March. For more information, call Brad Duffy at (360) 538-4172 or e-mail bduffy@ghc.edu.
Through Thursday, Dec. 10
• An art exhibit featuring works from local artists is on display at the Spellman Library gallery. Participating artists include Ron Arel, Elizabeth Bolton, Kathi Butorac, Johnny Camp, Kathryn Cotnoir, Julie Daniels, Debbie Delia, Phyllis Emmert, Jenny Goeres, Donna Graham, Mary Lou Gregory, Robert Hunter, Carrie L. Larson, Bev King Lufkin, Erik Sandgren, JoAnne Sanford, Lindell Stacy-Horton, CaraBeth Stevenson and Ron Westman. Gallery hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday.

G.H. County Fairgrounds
Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 5-6
• A swap meet featuring many vendors will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday.

Hoquiam
Saturday, Dec. 12
• The Grays Harbor Genealogical Society will meet for its annual Christmas potluck at 10 a.m. at the Hoquiam Timberland Library. Doors will open at 9:30 a.m. For more information, call Pam Hagedorn at 532-6611.

McCleary
Sunday, Dec. 13
• The McCleary Museum will host a holiday open house from 1-3 p.m. Guests will have the opportunity to make a Christmas ornament to take home. Christmas caroling, hot cider and cookies will also be offered. The museum will also sell its 2010 calendar. It is located at 514 S. Second St. For more information, call Tammy at (360) 495-3477 or Elsie at (360) 495-3695.

Montesano
Thursday, Dec. 3
• The Planning Commission and Downtown Plan Steering Committee will meet from 6-8:30 p.m. at city hall, 112 N. Main St. The public is invited to this rescheduled meeting.
Wednesday, Dec. 9
• The Citizen Corps meets at 9 a.m. on the second floor of the Forestry Building, 310 W. Spruce St. A meeting of the Local Emergency Planning Committee follows at 10 a.m. the same day and in the same location. Both meetings are open to the public. For more information, call 249-3911.
Saturday, Dec. 12
• “The Tiger, the Rabbit, and the Rescue of Spring” will be performed by Last Leaf Productions, a live theater troupe based near Seattle, at 2 p.m. at the W.H. Abel Memorial Timberland Library, for children and their families. The play is approximately 45 minutes long; guests will have the opportunity to receive autographs and ask questions afterwards. The event is sponsored by the Friends of the Montesano Timberland Library and there is no cost to attend. For more information about the troupe, visit www.lastleaf99.org.
• The Dance Club of Grays Harbor will host a dance to the music of the Dukes of Swing at 8 p.m. at the Moose Lodge, 3 Monte Elma Rd. There is no charge to attend.
Miscellaneous
• The Girl Scout Troop 40317 of Montesano is collecting new and like-new clothing and books for elementary age children. The items will be distributed to students of Montesano schools from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at the Montesano Church of God. For more information or to arrange for a pickup of donations, call 249-2286.
• The Senior Citizen Lunch Program for Dec. 7-11 will feature:
Monday: Taco soup, cornbread, Jell-O and peanut butter cookies.
Tuesday: Goulash, green salad, cheese breadsticks and peach cobbler.
Wednesday: Chicken and homemade noodles, mashed potatoes, green beans and birthday cake.
Thursday: Gepetto’s will provide lunch.
Friday: Clam chowder, cheese bread, green salad and pineapple upside down cake.
The cooks note that the menu is subject to change, due to their mood. Visit www.monteseniorcenter.webs.com for more information. The senior center is located at the Silvia Center, 120 W. Marcy Ave.
Satsop
Saturday, Dec. 5
• Through the Montesano Community Education program, an evergreen wreath-making class will be offered by Paul Peterson of Satsop Nursery from 1-3 p.m. at the nursery. Students will learn how to make a fresh wreath and should bring cutters and a sharp knife. Cost is $8, and the nursery’s materials fee will vary depending on selection. To register, call Leticia Moody at 249-1988 in advance.

Elsewhere
Friday-Sunday, Dec. 4-6
• The Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia (SOGO) will perform for shoppers at Barnes and Noble Booksellers, 1530 Black Lake Blvd. S.W., in Olympia. When purchasing items, inform the cashier at the checkout that you are supporting SOGO, and a portion of the proceeds from the sales will be donated back to the group. For more information on ensemble playing times, visit studentorchestras.org.
Friday, Dec. 11
• Love to Dance Club will meet from 7-11 p.m. at the Eagles Hall, 805 Fourth Ave. E. (corner of Plum and Fourth), in Olympia. Karen Ideker will teach a class at 7 p.m.; dancing with music by Shelia White will take place from 8-11 p.m. Arlene Hoiland and Mark Van Hemert will perform a demonstration. Cost is $10 per person; guests should bring their own beverage (ice will be provided). Soft drinks will be available for purchase. For more information, call JoAnn Jamison at (360) 943-5867.
Friday-Sunday, Dec. 11-13
• “An Old Fashioned Christmas” will be showing at the Historic Fox Theatre Friday, Dec. 11. Tales and songs for the whole family will be offered. Tickets are $15 each; all proceeds will go towards the theater’s restorations.
The Dickens Of A Home Tour will take place in Centralia Saturday, Dec. 12. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 the day of the event.
“Victorian Tea” will be presented by the Visiting Nurses Foundation from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, at The Tea Cup, 204 N. Tower in Centralia. The Victorian High Tea is a part of the Dickens of A Christmas weekend in downtown Centralia. Reservations must be made by Dec. 10 by calling (360) 623-1560 or 807-1717. Tickets are $25.
A VIP ticket package is available to all three events for $50, and all tickets can be purchased at Visiting Nurses Thrift Shop, 222 S. Pearl St., in Centralia.
Saturday, Dec. 19
• The Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia Brass Choir will present an Italian Christmas concert featuring traditional and contemporary music at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the First Christian Church, 701 Franklin St. S.E., in Olympia. The 16-member brass ensemble, directed by Greg Allison, will feature the Two Tenors, story telling, audience sing-along and local arranger Mark Thome’s rendition of Gesu Bambino and Song of the Bagpipers. Cost is $5 per student or senior, $10 per adult and $25 per family; to purchase, call (360) 561-2056. For more information, visit www.studentorchestras.org.
Monday, Dec. 21
• A “Messiah” sing-along will be offered at 7:30 p.m. at the Washington Center, 512 Washington St. S.E., in Olympia. Handel’s masterpiece will be performed by guest conductors, soloists and members of the Evergreen Christian Community Choir, Masterworks Choral Ensemble, Olympia Chamber Orchestra, Olympia Symphony, Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia and Opera Pacifica. The audience will participate as the chorus. There is no cost to attend; vocal scores will be available for purchase. For more information, visit studentorchestras.org or call (360) 561-2080.