Aberdeen
Monday, Sept. 7
• The Dance Club of Grays Harbor will meet at 7 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, 1712 S. Boone St. Dinner will be available from 5-7 p.m. for a nominal fee. A drawing will take place for a dance lesson with Arlene Hoiland. Music for dancing will be provided following the meeting.
Thursday, Sept. 10
• A luncheon and program designed for women of all ages “A Li’l Bit of Country,” will take place at 11:30 a.m. in the Rotary Log Pavilion. The event, hosted by Grays Harbor Christian Women’s Connection and sponsored by Stonecroft Ministries, will feature Nicki Davis of Clatskanie, Ore., speaking on “Classroom of Life.” The special feature will be the country fair and music will be by Sue Shaffer. Cost is $12 and is all-inclusive; reservations and cancellations are necessary, call Jeanette at 532-7998 or Linda at 532-3129.
• Rain Drum Studio will host a Kindermusik open house from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at 209 E. 8th St. Kindermusik is a music and movement program for children newborn to 7-years-old. Educator Lilith Piri will be on hand to discuss the benefits of music and the fall classes. For more information, call Piri at (360) 589-6869, e-mail raindrumstudio@gmail.com or visit www.raindrum.kindermusik.net.
Friday, Sept. 11
• Storyteller Rebecca Hom will present “Stranger, Guest, Family: A Welcome to the Bosnian Heart,” at 6:30 p.m., at the Aberdeen Timberland Library. She will tell tales of peace, justice and humor from the Islamic world, with specific focus on her experiences during a stay in Bosnia with Muslim friends during 2005. There is no cost to attend. The event is a preview event for the library system’s fifth Timberland Reads Together one-book-one-community program, held each year during October.

Beaches
Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 5-6
• Kelper’s Festival is planned for Labor Day Weekend in Pacific Beach and Moclips. Saturday’s activities include a firemen’s pancake breakfast from 8-11 a.m., a kiddies parade at noon, tug-a-war at 2 p.m. on the beach at Analyde Gap, Teddy bear kite drop at 2:30 p.m. at Pacific Beach State Park for children 3 to 9-years olds and a street dance at 7 p.m. at Pacific Beach’s Main Street Park next to Wacky Warehouse.
Sunday’s activities include Kelper’s parade at noon, beginning at Moclips Flats and ending at Main Street in Pacific Beach and Shake Rat Olympics at 2:30 p.m. on Main Street in Pacific Beach.
Sunday, Sept. 6
• “No Labor Cooking,” a culinary class offered by Chef Erin Worth at Westport Winery, will take place from 3-5 p.m. This will be the last culinary class for the summer, and will feature five dishes that take minimum effort to create. Cost is $25 per student or $20 per wine club members. Reservations are required; call the winery at (360) 648-2224. This is also the last day of Yappy Hour for the year. Guests are invited to bring their canine companions to the winery’s patio.
Friday, Sept. 11
• The second annual Freedom Walk is planned for 11 a.m. in Westport. Participants will meet at the viewing tower at the marina to walk in remembrance of the destruction and loss of lives on Sept. 11, 2001. Walkers will proceed to the VFW Hall, 211 E. Pacific Ave., where a light lunch will be available. There will be cars following along the walk; a relief station with EMTs in attendance will be available at the halfway point. The walk is sponsored by different Veteran’s organizations, and fire, police and ambulance departments. For more information, call Verna MacDonald at 268-1285.
Friday-Sunday, Sept. 11-13
• The Up Your Wind annual kite festival will take place at the Pacific Beach State Park. Everyone is invited to bring kites and win voted prizes.

Elma
Friday-Sunday, Sept. 4-7
• Elma’s 11th annual citywide garage sale, sponsored by the Elma Chamber of Commerce, is set to take place during Elma Outlaw Days. A map of garage sale locations will be distributed by local businesses the morning of the first day of the sale.
Saturday, Sept. 5
• Elma VFW Auxiliary will host basket bingo from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Elma Senior Center, 100 W. Main St. Doors will open at 10 a.m. Children 5 and up and adults are invited. Proceeds will support veteran relief projects. A bake sale and snack bar will be available.
Wednesday, Sept. 9
• Bible Study Outreach is planned for 9:30-11:15 a.m. every Wednesday at the Faith Lutheran Church, 1296 Monte Elma Rd. The interdenominational groups from different churches and communities in East County have been studying selected books of the Bible together (concurrently with the school year) for 31 years. New members are welcome. For more information, call Pat Ronholt at (360) 249-4827 or JoAnn Marzolf at (360) 482-3128.

Elsewhere
Friday-Saturday, Sept. 11-12
• The 51st annual Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Association Tree Fair and Trade Show will take place from noon to 5 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, at the Vancouver Hilton in Vancouver, Wash. The selection of winning trees in eight species categories of competition will be the highlight event; winners will be eligible for further competition for the honor of supplying the White House Christmas tree. Cost is $10 for members and $15 for non-members. For more information, call the association’s office at (503) 364-2942.
Wednesday, Sept. 16
• The 50-year reunion of the Montesano High School Class of 1959 will take place beginning at 4:30 p.m. at the Little Creek Hotel and Casino. Social time begins at 4:30 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m., a reunion program will begin at 7 p.m. followed by dancing and more visiting time until midnight. Forty-six classmates and 33 guests are registered; if you are a member of the class and have not registered yet, call Jo Ann at 532-6261.

Grays Harbor Area
Saturday, Sept. 5
• Ranger Arnold Hampton, his family and park staff will host an afternoon of events for children at Schafer State Park. Activities include sack races, trash and treasure hunts and rubber duck races on the river. Prizes will be awarded. Guests should bring a picnic and enjoy the fun; there is no cost, but donations will be accepted.

G.H. County Fairgrounds
Saturday, Sept. 5
• Car races will take place at the raceway. Gates are set to open at 4:30 p.m. with racing starting around 7 p.m. For ticket information, call (360) 482-4374.
Sunday, Sept. 6
• The Big E Weekend Car Races are set to begin at 7 p.m. Gates will open at 4:30 p.m. For ticket information, call (360) 482-4374.
Monday Sept. 7
• The World of Outlaws car races is set to begin at 7 p.m. Gates will open at 4:30 p.m. For ticket information, call (360) 482-4374.
Saturday, Sept. 19
• The Elma McCleary Youth Soccer Club will host a pancake breakfast (dinner) fundraiser from 4-8 p.m. at the pavilion. Cost is $5 for adults, $4 for adults 55 and over, and children 5-12, and free for children 4 and under.

Hoquiam
Saturday, Sept. 12
• Entries are being sought for the Loggers Playday Parade; applications are available after 3 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, at the Hoquiam Elks Lodge, 624 K Street or by calling Bonnie Cable at 532-0334 — please leave a detailed message with your name, address, and contact information if your call is not answered. Applications are being sent to school for the newest category in the parade — the School Spirit Award. First place will receive a trophy and a $500 scholarship for graduating students.
Miscellaneous
• A new food bank has opened, and is open for business from 10 a.m. to noon Mondays-Wednesdays at the Harbor Assembly of God, 716 M Street.

McCleary
Saturday, Sept. 19
• The McCleary United Methodist Church will participate in the citywide garage sale, and is looking for vendors. Tables can be rented inside for $10, and can be used for selling used items, crafts, food and home party sales; outside space can also be rented. The church will host its sale from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will serve biscuits and gravy from 7-10 a.m. for a nominal fee. The church is located at 3rd and Oak.
• The McCleary Chamber of Commerce will host its 15th annual citywide garage sale from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., in conjunction with the 13th annual Simpson Families Helping Simpson Families swap meet. For more information, call McCleary Video at 495-3344.
Throughout September
• The city’s water system will be flushed, weather permitting, throughout the month, to dislodge normal residue accumulations from inside the waterlines. The activity may cause some discoloration of the water, but will not present any health hazards. Five fire hydrants will be opened for short periods of time, residents should stay clear of the area and exercise added caution when driving by an open hydrant. Lower-than-normal water pressure may be experienced as the crew flushes the lines near your area. Once the system has been flushed in a residence’s immediate area, it is suggested that their own system be flushed by running water in the bathtub or outdoor spigot until the water runs clear. It is also recommended to be sure the water in the washing machine runs clear before doing laundry. For more information, call the city at 495-3667.

Montesano
Sunday, Sept. 6
• Bishop Greg Rickel, Diocese of Olympia, will make his first official visit to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, as part of the Sunday worship and reception following. He will preach and celebrate the Communion with church members and will be on hand for discussion at the reception. The church is nearing its 100th year with the Diocese. For more information, visit www.stmarksmonte.com.
Tuesday, Sept. 8
• The Grays Harbor County Civil Service Commission will meet at 4:30 p.m. in the County Commissioners’ large meeting room on the first floor of the Administration Building, 100 W. Broadway. Entrance is by the back door.
Wednesday, Sept. 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.
Thursday, Sept. 10
• GriefShare recovery seminar and support group meets from 7-8:30 p.m. every Thursday at the Church of God, 317 E. Spruce St. GriefShare features nationally recognized experts on grief and recovery topics. The topic to be discussed will be “Your Family and Grief.” The only cost for the series is $12 for the manual. For more information, call the church at 249-3242.
Saturday, Sept. 11
• The Children’s Advocacy Center will celebrate its 10-year anniversary from 3-7 p.m. Free barbecue hamburgers, hotdogs and refreshments will be served. Everyone is invited. The center is located at 514 E. Broadway Ave. To R.S.V.P., call Angela or Carla at (360) 249-0037.
Saturday, Sept. 12
• St. Mark’s Episcopal Church will host its 59th annual rummage sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. All proceeds will be given to local community needs. For more information, visit www.stmarksmonte.com.
• Storyteller Rebecca Hom will present “Stranger, Guest, Family: A Welcome to the Bosnian Heart,” at 2 p.m., at the W.H. Memorial Timberland Library. She will tell tales of peace, justice and humor from the Islamic world, with specific focus on her experiences during a stay in Bosnia with Muslim friends during 2005. There is no cost to attend. The event is a preview event for the library system’s fifth Timberland Reads Together one-book-one-community program, held each year during October.
Tuesday, Sept. 15
• The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will host its first workshop from 7-9 p.m. at the city hall, 112 N. Main St. The workshop is the first in a process that will lead to land use plans for Lake Sylvia and Schafer state parks. The public is invited; for more information, visit www.parks.wa.gov/plans.
• A blood drive hosted by the American Red Cross will take place from 2-7 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Parrish. 10,000 units of whole blood will be collected. Walk-ins are welcome.
Saturday, Sept. 19
• Harbor Saw Relay For Life team will host its first annual Run, Walk or Ride Poker Run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Friends Landing. The event will end with socializing and a barbeque lunch. Those who do not register for the run are invited to stay for lunch at a cost of $5 per person. Prizes are awarded for the best hands. Entry fee is $20 per person and includes a T-shirt, lunch and possible prizes. All proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. To register, send your name, T-shirt size and check payable to the American Cancer Society to: Attn: Debi, Harbor Saw and Supply, 3102 Simpson Avenue, Hoquiam, WA 98550. Registration will also be available the day of, however T-shirts may not be available.
• The Montesano Lions’ 5th annual Turbo Turtle Trek will take place at 2 p.m. Turtles are $5 for one, $25 for 6 or $50 for 13 and can be purchased in Montesano at Price and Price Realty, Sterling Savings Bank, Timberland Bank, Burkhamer Property Services and Edward Jones. Prizes for winning the trek include a $1,000 grand prize, four tickets to a Seahawk game, a trip for two on a Brusco tug towing a ship in Grays Harbor, a chartered fishing trip and more. For more information, call Turtle Central at 249-6602.
Monday-Tuesday, Sept. 21-22
• An AARP Driver Safety Class will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the W.H. Abel Memorial Timberland Library. The class, recently updated, is designed for motorists 50 and older. It covers a wide range of driving situations. Participants 55 and older who complete the course, will qualify for a reduction in their insurance premium. Drivers under 55 may also qualify. There are no tests; the class is $14 per person. AARP members can receive a $2 discount with proof of membership. Pre-registration is required; call Danny Wills at 249-5977.
Miscellaneous
• The Senior Citizen Lunch Program for Sept. 7-11 will feature:
Monday: Closed for Labor Day.
Tuesday: Hamburger soup, rolls, Jell-O Salad and chocolate chip cookies.
Wednesday: Barbecue chicken, creamy potato casserole, green salad and sherbet.
Thursday: Gepetto’s will provide lunch.
Friday: Hamburger gravy over mashed potatoes, veggies and angel cookies.
The cooks note that the menu is subject to change, due to their mood. Alternate meals are available with two days notice; visit www.monteseniorcenter.webs.com. The senior center is located at the Silvia Center, 120 W. Marcy Ave.