Bulletin Board/Events

So much going on, often not all of the submitted Events (especially in the “ongoing” section) make it into the paper. Probably a good idea to list them on the Web site, where space is not an issue:

Please submit free/low-cost community events one week prior to publication. Email tscanlon@northcoastnews.com.

Feb. 4

“God Squad,” a program for  children kindergarten through 6th grade, starts Wed. Feb. 4 after school at the Pacific Beach Community Church. The program will run every Wed. through March 25. The kids will have a snack followed by singing, Bible Stories, games, memory work and prizes. Dismissal time is 5:10 p.m. The Church is located at 19 S. 4th St. in Pacific Beach. Any questions, call Hetty Bouma 276-8302 or Dick Potter 276-4549.

Feb. 14

Valentine’s Dinner Dance - Saturday, Feb. 14, Elks Lodge, 199 Ocean Lake Way.

On the menu is a choice Salmon or Rib Steak Baked Potato, Veggie, Roll and a Chocolate Fountain. Dinner hours are 5 – 7:30 p.m. Bring  you friend, sweetheart, wife or husband for a fabulous dinner with dancing, music and raffles all for $20 per person. For more information please call the Lodge at 289-2581.

2nd Annual Chocolate on the Beach Festival
February 13th – 15th North Beach This is the Museum of the North Beach’s biggest event of the year! Events are happening all over the North Beach during the entire weekend.  Highlights include chocolate sampling & pairings, baking contest & bake sales, scavenger hunts and Smore’s fun on the Beach!  Check out more events on www.chocolateonthebeachfestival.com.
 
2nd Annual Chocolate Festival Pancake Breakfast
Sat. February 14 8 – 11a.m.,North Beach Community Center. Donations will be split 50/50 between GHFD #8 and the Museum’s Moclips Rebuilding Project.  On the menu is pancakes, Chocolate Chip pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, coffee and juice.  The community center is located just off SR 109, in Pacific Beach.
 
 Feb. 14-15

Antique & Collectible Show

Seminars, evaluations and ore than 80 booths are planned for this annual show at the Convention Center. Info: www.oceanshoresact.com.

Feb. 16

The North Beach Singers begin practicing for their May 2009 concert on Monday, Feb. 16, at the Galilean Chapel in Ocean Shores, and the group welcomes new singers. 

Titled “Mamma Mia and a Bit of Broadway,” the upcoming program features music from the recent film and Broadway show, with songs made famous by the Swedish rock group ABBA.   

The North Beach Singers will present the concert at the Ocean Shores Convention Center, May 29 and 30. 

If you love to sing and are willing to learn a part (soprano, alto, tenor, or bass), please come and join us.  Practices are every Monday at the Galilean Chapel, 824 Ocean Shores Blvd. NW, in Ocean Shores from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. For information contact Mary Daniels-Lee, 289-4463, or Patricia Smith, 289-4169, or email  psmith@coastaccess.com. 

Feb. 28

“BACK TO THE 50’S”

Habitat for Humanity in Ocean Shores will be hosting their 2nd annual “Back to the 50”s” gala event featuring 50’s and 60’s dance along music by D.J. “T.” The evening’s events will include a buffet, no host bar, dancing and raffles throughout the evening for some really great items.

Admission to the event will be $20.00 per person and raffle tickets will be $1.00 each with all proceeds going to support Habitat for Humanity of Grays Harbor. The dance will be at Ocean Shores Convention Center on Feb. 28, from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Come in your best 50’s attire or just come as you are.  For further information please contact: Jude Lundemo 289-3773 or Sharon Rockey 289-3694

 Ongoing

The Ocean Shores Food Bank is located next to the Anchor Avenue Thrift Store at 846 Anchor Avenue in Ocean Shores. The Food Bank distribution days are the first and third Thursdays of every month.  The hours of operation are 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

On days when the Food Bank is not open, individuals or families who are in need of emergency food assistance may contact the Anchor Avenue Thrift Store located at 848 Anchor Avenue.  The Thrift Store is open Tuesday – Saturday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

The singing group HARMONY is conducting it’s third annual singer
recruitment during the month of February.  If you would love to perform
with a precision choral group come to rehearsal Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 at the Ocean Shores United Methodist Church.  HARMONY performs at a variety of public and private organization functions throughout the year. For more information call Michal Rosencrans at 289-3176.

AARP TAX-AIDE program is offering free tax assistance and electronic filing to seniors and low to medium income wage earners from Feb 2-April 15 at the following locations and times: 

Ocean Shores Library, Tuesday and Thursday 10 AM-2 PM

South Shore Mall, Monday and Wednesday 10 AM-2 PM

Benefits Advisor

The North Beach Senior Resource Center and the Olympic Area Agency on Aging has added a service for the North Beach Residents of all ages. A Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) is at the center every 1st and 3rd Thursday from 12:00 – 2:00. If you have questions about Medicare and Health Insurance supplements and/or children’s health insurance contact  the center at 289 3352 or drop in.

Call for Artists 

If you are a two dimensional artist looking to show your artwork, we are seeking local and regional artists to show in Caffe Amici and Coldwell Banker, 749 Point Brown Ave. Caffe Amici and Coldwell Banker present solo, group or theme shows featuring regional artists from the Northwest. Interested artists may obtain a prospectus by sending email to artist@caffeamici.com; contact the curators by phone at (360) 289-0790; or mail inquiry with self addressed stamped envelope to PO Box 1864, Ocean Shores WA, 98569.

The Ocean Shores Friends of the Library meet on the 2nd Monday of the month at 2 p.m. in the Library Meeting Room. Visit and see what we’re all about.  

AA meeting Mondays  6:30 – 8 p.m. Pacific Positive Action Group, 105 West Chance a la Mer, Ocean Shores, 289 0117.

Scrabble For The Fun Of It Mondays 1 p.m. at North Beach Senior Center. All adults are invited to join for a game of Scrabble, have fun, and meet new people. 

After School Program Grades 1-6. Every Monday, 3:20 p.m. – 5 p.m. at Faith Community Church.  Games, singing, drama, crafts, on-site service projects, and more.  

Pre-register by contacting above churches or call  Kay Ronde 289-2225. 

The Ocean Shores Action Committee for Tourism (ACT) meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 1:30 PM in the Jetty Room of the Convention Center.

We plan, organize, and sponsor family-oriented events designed to bring tourists to our city.  

If you are interested in helping with this endeavor or have ideas or suggestions, you are welcome to attend.  There are no dues or fees.  Information: 360-289-5632. 

Ocean Shores Diabetes Support Group

Meets every Friday at 2 p.m. at the Ocean Shores Library.

We work with Grays Harbor Community Hospital Diabetes Education Team.  Our goals are to improve Health, Increase  Energy and Help people Lose Weight.  For information call Michael Rosencrans 289-3176.

The Friends of the Library is asking for donations for its fundraiser. . We’re looking for good, usable items. 

Sorry, no appliances, clothing or computers. Please call 289-1211 for pick-up or drop off. 

Seated Exercise Class for All Adults

The North Beach Good Neighbor Senior Center, 885 Ocean Shores Blvd., N.W. 

Mon., Tues., Wed., & Thurs. from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. A voluntary fee of $1 per session  is asked to help pay for equipment and instruction. 

This class is good for all adults with osteoporosis, arthritis, fibromyalgia, diabetes and neuropathy.

The Ocean Shores Citizens for Balanced Growth (OSCBG) guides folks on Weatherwax tours every Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Call 589-5116 to reserve a tour. 

Gamblers Anonymous

Meetings Saturday  6  – 8 p.m. at The Connection, 105 W. Chance a la Mer, Ocean Shores. 

For info, call Shawn 289-4884.

The Ocean Shores Interpretive Center is in need of volunteers to serve in host, hostess, or retail sale positions. 

More info: call Diane Beers or Neil Eldridge at 289-4617 or Mary Mattern at 289-3261.  

Bingo at Elks

Thursday nights starting at 6:30 p.m. (snack bar opens at 5:30). Open to the public. Info: 289-2581.

Lunch/breakfast

North Beach Senior Good Neighbor Center, 885 Ocean Shores Blvd. serves lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Saturday and breakfast from 8:30 to 11 a.m. every Sunday.

  Recommended donation is $4.

PAWS volunteers

If you love animals and  have an hour and a half to spare each week  helping  out at the shelter, taking care of the dogs or cats,  please give us a call!  We need more volunteers!  We can always use help at the garage sales on Saturdays from 10am-4pm too!  Please call Lorna Valdez at 289-2924 or 581-1383 (cell) if you would like to be a volunteer. 

It’s lots of fun, and very rewarding for a wonderful cause!

 Energy assistance

Dropping temperatures as winter approaches is a time to remember that no one should have to choose between staying warm and paying for food, rent, medicine or other essentials. Unfortunately, many older people on fixed or dwindling incomes are faced with just such choices.

The good news is that the federal government has just released $5.1 billion from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to assist eligible low-income households in meeting their heating and other energy needs. 

And finding out if you qualify is easy, thanks to a free and confidential online service called BenefitsCheckUp, provided by the National Council on Aging (NCOA), at www.BenefitsCheckUp.org.