Aberdeen
Thursday, Dec. 17
• The Dance Club of Grays Harbor will host an adult Christmas party beginning at 5 p.m. Dancing will take place from 7:30-9:30 to the music of The Dukes of Swing, and the attire is semi-formal to formal. Cocktails begin at 5 p.m., with dinner following at 6 p.m.; seating is limited. Purchase tickets in advance only at $25 per person, by calling the lodge at (360) 532-2211.
Friday-Saturday, Dec. 18-19
• A Christmas Carol, directed by Kathe Rowe, will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday 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, Captain’s Cove in Aberdeen, Harbor Drug in Hoquiam, Valu Drug in Montesano or Dolores’ and Fay’s in Ocean Shores.
Thursday, Dec. 31
• The Dance Club of Grays Harbor will host a formal dance to music by The Dukes of Swing from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Elks Lodge, 1712 S. Boone St. Snacks will be served throughout the evening with a champagne toast at midnight and a breakfast buffet at 12:15 a.m. Cost in advance is $25 per person or $30 at the door. For reservations, call (360) 532-2211.
Miscellaneous
• A miniature Christmas village is on display at the center of the Southshore Mall. Viewing of the village 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
Thursday, Dec. 31
• The Elks Lodge in Ocean Shores will host a New Year’s Eve party for its members and guests at 5:30 p.m. A variety of appetizers will be offered. Music will be by The Mobile Dance Unit with DJ Chris. Party favors and champagne will be offered at midnight. Cost is $30 per person; purchase tickets at the office or in the lounge. There is no reserved seating; call (360) 289-2581.

Elma
Thursday, Dec. 24
• The Elma Church of God will host “Candles, Carols and Communion,” a Christmas Eve service at 11 p.m. The church is located at 109 S. Sixth St.

Hoquiam
Friday, Dec. 18
• The Grays Harbor Art Guild invites everyone to “The Harbor Poetry Project” from 7-9 p.m. at The Six Rivers Gallery, located behind Levee Lumber. The event is free; guests need to bring their own chairs. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call Lori Maki at 532-7767.
Saturday, Dec. 19
• Snow Ball, a dance party, will take place from 7-11 p.m. at the Hoquiam Masonic Hall, 513 K St. Arlene Hoiland will teach a free Rumba dance lesson from 7-8 p.m. General dancing to live music by Kregg Mattson will take place from 8-11 p.m. with mixers, demos, refreshments and raffle prizes. Singles are welcome; Cost is $6 per member and $10 per guest. The event is sponsored by the Dance Club of Grays Harbor.

McCleary
Thursday, Dec. 17
The Mark Reed Health Care District Board will hold a special meeting at 5 p.m. at the Community Center, 726 W. Simpson Ave. Items to be discussed will be the presentation of the 2010-2013 strategic plan, replacement facility update, financial summary, and financial dashboards and statements. The executive session will be first, followed by an open meeting at 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 24
• Volunteers are needed to help set up the lighting of the luminaries at McCleary Cemetery at 3 p.m. For more information, call Kathy at 495-3703.

Montesano
Sunday, Dec. 20
• The Wynooche Valley Grange will host a potluck dinner at 1:30 p.m. for everyone in the valley from new and old grange members to friends in the valley. Santa will be visiting; guests should bring a wrapped gift with a name on it for Santa to pass out. Guests should also bring canned foods for the Montesano Food Bank. For more information, call 249-6290. The grange is located at 708 Wynooche Valley Rd.
• “My King,” a Christmas musical, will be performed by The Music Makers Children’s Choir of the First Baptist Church of Montesano at 6 p.m. The church is located at 303 W. Pioneer Ave. For more information, call 249-4401 or e-mail fbcmonte@reachone.com.
• The Masonic Lodge will host a children’s Christmas party at 2 p.m. Santa Claus will visit and there will be a clown for games, candy and refreshments served. The public is invited to attend. The temple is located at 308 First Street in Montesano (above Whitney’s). For more information, call Buckley Strong, past master, at 532-2061.
Miscellaneous
• The Senior Citizen Lunch Program for Dec. 21-25 will feature:
Monday: Sausage gravy, biscuits, hashbrowns, carrot raisin salad and lemon dessert.
Tuesday: Potato soup, cheesy breadsticks, green salad, applesauce and gingerbread.
Wednesday: Cooks’ choice.
Thursday: Sloppy Joes, french fries, coleslaw, strawberries and ice cream.
Friday: The center will be closed due to the holiday.
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.
• The Montesano Senior Center is selling 2010 calendars as a fundraiser for the organization. The calendar includes events and happenings throughout the Montesano area, as well as ads by local businesses, photos of senior center events and is packed with contact information for area clubs, churches and elected officials. Calendars sell for $12 and are available at the senior center, 120 W. Marcy St., some area businesses and from center volunteers.

Olympia
Friday, Dec. 18
• Mixx 96.1 KXXO will host its annual toy and fund drive “Wrapping Up the Holidays,” from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. outside its studios, at the corner of State and Washington, in downtown Olympia. The station says that The Alpine Experience will match the first $2,500 in cash donations received. Those who will receive the donations include The Holiday Connection (Thurston County Housing Authority, Behavioral Health Resources, YMCA Child Care, Senior Services of South Sound, Evergreen Vista Low-Income Housing, Family Support Center and the Union Gospel Mission), Barb’s Family and Friends, YWCA “The Other Bank,” and the Lewis County Long-Term Recovery Organization.
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. SE, 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.