Aberdeen
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.
Saturday, Sept. 19
• The works of five local artists will be featured at Clyde and Sylvia’s Frames-N-Things during Aberdeen’s art walk. Artists include painter Bruno Pieraccini, photographer Margaret Sherwood, painter Phyllis Emmert, writer Harvey Price and artist Wayne Fjeld.
• An art walk — “Future of Grays Harbor,” will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and will feature artists, photographers, performers, food, creativity and kids’ art wall. To register as a vendor or for more information, visit www.artwalk.jaiwa.com.

Beaches
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.
• The Associated Arts of Ocean Shores will host its 41st annual Arts and Crafts Festival at the Ocean Shores Convention Center. Over 100 booths, both indoor and outdoor will feature thousands of handcrafted items from artists and craft persons from all over the Pacific Northwest. There is no charge to attend. Hours are noon to 5 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call the Visitor Information Center at (360) 289-9586 or (800) 762-3224.
Monday, Sept. 14
• The North Beach Singers invite those who love to sing to begin practicing for the winter holiday concert in December. A welcoming potluck will take place at 5 p.m. at the Galilean Lutheran Church, 824 Ocean Shores Blvd. in Ocean Shores. Practice sessions will take place from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Mondays. The North Beach Singers is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization, which puts on two concerts per year to benefit the local food bank. Suggested membership dues for the winter season are $20 to help cover costs for music, equipment and facility use.

Elma
Saturday, Sept. 12
• Labor of Love Outreach Clothing Bank will host an open house from 1-3 p.m. Refreshments will be served. The event will be cancelled if it is raining. The clothing bank is located at 207 N. 3rd St.
• 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.
Tuesday, Sept. 15
• An Awana kick-off for children in 3 to 6th grade will take place at 6:15 p.m. at the Elma Alliance Church, 315 N. 3rd St. For more information, call 482-3722.

Elsewhere
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
Tuesday, Sept. 15
• Alzheimer’s Association caregiver support groups provide opportunities for people to learn, share and gain emotional support from others who are also caring for someone with dementia. Recognizing that some rural caregivers find it challenging to attend traditional support groups, the association has a telephone support group that offers the benefits of a face-to-face group without the need to leave home. The toll-free teleconference group will be available from 7:30 to 9 p.m., facilitated by registered nurse Barbara Bridges. Those interested in participating or who would like more information can contact Linda Whiteside at (800) 848-7097 or linda.whiteside@alz.org.

G.H. County Fairgrounds
Saturday, Sept. 12
• Car races will take place at 7 p.m. Gates will open at 4:30 p.m. For ticket information, call (360) 482-4374.
• The Elma Wrestling Club will host a mixed martial arts exhibition. For more information, call Phillip Pine at (360) 470-1443.
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
Tuesday, Sept. 15
• Families Against Methamphetamines will sponsor a support group for families and friends of addicts from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Harbor Assembly of God, 716 M St., in the fellowship hall around the back of the church. Organizers say that participants will be able to share with others, become educated and receive encouragement. For more information, call Sue at 533-2619.
Saturday, Sept. 19
• The Dance Club of Grays Harbor will host “Harvest Hoe-Down” dance party with music by “The Musicman,” Charlie Baer, from 7-11 p.m. at the Hoquiam Masonic Hall, 513 K St. Arlene Hoiland will teach a free swing dance lesson from 7-8 p.m. General dancing, mixers, demos, refreshments and raffle prizes will take place from 8-11 p.m. Cost is $6 per member and $10 per guest. Singles are welcome.

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. For more information, call Kathy at 495-3703 or Barbara at 495-0091.
• 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
Friday, Sept. 11
• Recruitment for boys ages 7-11 for Cub Scout Pack 4016 will take place at 6 p.m. in the multi-purpose room at Beacon Elementary. For more information, call Amy Wright at (360) 249-8422.
• A nationwide prayer gathering through Cry Out America will take place at courthouses across all 50 states to pray for their community and for the spiritual condition of our nation. The gathering will take place locally at noon at the Grays Harbor County Courthouse. Several local pastors will lead the prayer. To learn how to be involved in Cry Out American, visit www.awakeningamerica.us or call (888)-929-2537.
• 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.
Sunday, Sept. 13
• The parents of the Montesano High School class of 2010, will meet at 7 p.m. in the high school’s library.
• 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 “Why?” The only cost for the series is $12 for the manual. For more information, call the church at 249-3242.
• Montesano High School alumni from 1950s and early 1960s will have their monthly social at 1 p.m. at Gepetto’s Restaurant, 126 E. Pioneer Ave. The gatherings on the third Thursday of each month include visiting, laughing and sharing stories about growing up in a small town during that time. Alumni are welcome to share pictures from the 1950s.
Visit www.bulldogtimes.com for alumni news and photos.
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 Parish. 10,000 units of whole blood will be collected. Walk-ins are welcome.
Thursday, Sept. 17
• The local Alzheimer’s Association caregiver support group will host a free public viewing of Part 4: Caregivers; the last part of The Alzheimer’s Projects, a HBO documentary series that investigates what it means to have Alzheimer’s, the effects on the lives of families and caregivers and the recent advances in Alzheimer’s research. The viewing will take place at 7 p.m. at the Montesano Methodist Church, 401 E. Spruce Ave. The running time of the segment is approximately 48 minutes. For more information, call (360) 249-4259.
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 Ave., 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.
• Tickets are available now for a tour of internationally acclaimed Cavanah Garden, to take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The garden is located in Schafer Meadows near Montesano. Tickets are $10 each and are available at Thriftway, The Abel House and at the garden on tour day. Additional ticket locations will be announced in the newspaper. Proceeds will benefit Montesano Community Education.
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. Classes can fill up quickly, so early registration is recommended.
Miscellaneous
• The Senior Citizen Lunch Program for Sept. 14-18 will feature:
Monday: Grilled cheese, tomato soup, fruit salad and gingersnaps.
Tuesday: Baked chicken, roasted potatoes, veggies and pudding parfaits.
Wednesday: Lasagna, Caesar salad, garlic bread and ice cream.
Thursday: Chicken noodle soup, rolls, Jell-O salad and oatmeal raisin cookies.
Friday: Sloppy Joes, tater tots, carrot raisin salad and cupcakes
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.

Oakville
Thursday, Sept. 17
• Janice Clark, children’s book author, poet and essayist, will read from her books and share her experiences as a writer from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Oakville Timberland Library. Clark’s books of poetry and her first book in her “Hall of Doors” series for children will be available for purchase and signing. The library is located at 204 Main St.