Aberdeen
Saturday, Aug. 29
• The WSU Master Gardeners of Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties will host a plant clinic from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Dennis Co.
Monday, Aug. 31
• Rain Drum Studio will host “Kindermusik for the Young Child,” a free demo class, at 5 p.m. at St. Mary’s School open house. The school is located at 518 N. H Street. The Kindermusik class is geared toward children ages 4-7, and teaches them how to read music and play simple songs on their own instruments. Scholarships are available. For more information, call Lilith Piri at (360) 589-6869, e-mail raindrumstudio@gmail.com or visit www.raindrum.kindermusik.net.
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.

Beaches
Saturday, Aug. 29
• Westport Winery will host “Dinner at the Dunes Revisited,” featuring a four course meal in remembrance of the Dunes restaurant in Grayland that burned in the late 1990s. The winery’s chef will create some of the Dune’s most popular menu items. Cost is $30 per person; reservations are required, call the winery at (360) 648-2224.
• Northwest Freeride will host its first annual Grayland Open Jet Ski Competition from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Grayland Beach Road. Featured will be high-flying aerial action, barrel rolls, back flips and much more. There is no cost to attend, but those wishing to enter the event can download an application and learn more information, by visiting www.graylandopen.com.
Sunday, Aug. 30
• Kelly Calhoun, curator of the Museum of the North Beach, will speak from 3-5 p.m. at Westport Winery. The lecture “The Sands of Time,” features history of Grays Harbor’s beach communities, with special emphasis on the north beach from Ocean Shores and Oyehut to Moclips and Taholah. There is no cost, but reservations are required, call the winery at (360) 648-2224.
Thursday, Sept. 3
• Audrey Seymour, former member of the Royal Air Force, will share her experiences during World War II while stationed on air force bases in England, at 1 p.m. at the Westport Timberland Library. The public is invited; refreshments will be served. The library is located at 101 E. Harms Ave. For more information, call the library at (360) 268-0521.

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. Organizers say those wishing to include their address listed on a printed map to be distributed by local businesses the morning of the first day of the sale, should e-mail debbie@elmachamber.org or call the Elma Chamber of Commerce at (360) 482-3055, by Tuesday, Sept. 1. Cost is $5.

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.

GH County Fairgrounds
Friday-Sunday, Aug. 28-30
• Customs Northwest’s 17th annual Unfinished Nationals Car Show will begin at 9 a.m. each day.
Saturday, Aug. 29
• Car races will take place at the raceway. Gates will open at 4:30 p.m., with racing starting at 7 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 older, and children 5-12, and free for children 4 and under.

Hoquiam
Friday, Aug. 28
• The Harbor Art Guild invites all to an opening reception showcasing the artwork of young local artists from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Six Rivers Gallery, 210 6th St. The show, featuring area youth under 25 years of age will run through Sunday, Sept. 20.
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 St..
Matlock
Saturday, Aug. 29
• Gordon Wilhelm and his gospel music group “The Renegades” will perform southern, bluegrass and country gospel music from 7-8:30 p.m. in the large shelter at Schafer State Park. There is no cost, but donations will be accepted. Guests should bring camp chairs; light refreshments will be provided. For more information, call (360) 789-9953.
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.

McCleary
Thursdays, through Sept. 3
• Arts and crafts will take place in the covered picnic area of the McCleary park for children ages 5-8 from 1-2 p.m.; children ages 9-12 from 2-3 p.m. and teens from 3-4 p.m. All materials will be supplied, however it can be messy; students should come in clothes that can get paint on them. Crafts will feature painting, bead creations, mosaics, foam art, crepe paper creations and others. Teen and adult volunteers are welcome; there is no charge to attend.
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
Thursday, Sept. 3
• 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 “When Your Spouse Dies.” The cost for the series is $12 for the manual. For more information, call the church at 249-3242.
Wednesday, Sept. 12
• 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 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 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. Saturday, Sept. 19. The garden is located at 707 Middle Satsop Road. Tickets are $10 each and are available at Thriftway and at the garden. Additional ticket locations will be announced in the newspaper. Proceeds will benefit Montesano Community Education.
Miscellaneous
• The Senior Citizen Lunch Program for Aug. 31 through Sept. 4 will feature:
Monday: Hot dogs, macaroni salad, baked beans and lemon cake.
Tuesday: Taco salad, Jell-O and pumpkin bars.
Wednesday: Hamburgers, fries, veggies and dip and blueberry cake.
Thursday: VFW will provide lunch.
Friday: Pepperoni pizza, green salad, fruit salad and ice cream novelties.
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.
• The Montesano Food Bank is open from 1-3 p.m. the first four Fridays of the month. It is located at 213 W. Spruce St. For more information, call Lynn Kiser at 249-4163.

Satsop
Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 29-30
• The Sea-Tac Volkssport Club will sponsor a volksmarch at the Satsop Development Park. A 6.2-mile (10 km) and a 3.1-mile (5 km) walk will start between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday. The walk will finish by 5 p.m. Saturday and by 4 p.m. Sunday. Walkers will walk on paved road, gravel shoulders, gravel and dirt logging roads. The trail encircles the Satsop Development Park and follows an old logging road up behind the park. The trail is suitable for large-wheel strollers, but not for wheelchairs. Pets are permitted, but not in the buildings; owners are responsible for leash and clean-up laws. Follow the Volkssport signs to start at the second tower in the development park. For more information, call Dorman Batson at (253) 838-3554 or e-mail dlbatsonfedwy@comcast.net.