this just in:Bring your sweetie – it’s Library Lovers Month.  The Friends of the Library 2^nd Saturday Used Book Sale will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 14, at 710 Point Brown Ave. NE.  FREE childrens’ books!  10 CENT SALE on all other books (except hardbacks published since yr 2000). Time to build up your winter reading stock.  Proceeds help support Ocean Shores Library special programs, unfunded needs, and future Library Expansion.

Why do they insist on calling it the antiquated “Copalis Beach” and “Mocrocks,” rather than what-everyone-knows as “Ocean Shores” and “North Beach”? It’s just the way the Dept. of Fish and Wildlife does it . . . anyway, here are the dates and evening low tides for this weekend’s clam dig:

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.

The second review from members of the Friends of the Library. While the Friends are tackling these book reviews with their usual gusto, you don’t have to be a member to submit a book review to the North Coast News. Those interested in submitting a review, but not quite sure how to write one, can use the following as a guideline. She gives a summary of the plot (without giving away too much), uses a well-chosen excerpt to give readers the flavor of the writing, neatly captures the author’s body of work, has some sharply crafted phrases of her own (“seems to be on the other side pressing against the back of the book”) . . . bravo!:

By C. Dingler

In the claustrophobic world of P.D. James’ latest Dalgliesh book, “A Private Patient,” doors are often double-locked. Yet there is no security at the elegant private clinic at Cleverell Manor. 

Murder intrudes, changing everything. Memories of long ago murders cannot be locked out either. The reader follows Police Commander Adam Dalgliesh and his assistants from one door to the next. Within sight of the Manor, a ring of stones stands, closed and secretive. Legend says that a woman was burned there as a witch. Now another woman, an investigative reporter, who has flung open doors to reveal the secrets of others, is herself murdered. 

If I was running the Recession, here’s how it would go:

*Geico regretfully announces that, due to declining revenues, it will lay off the lizard,.

*In an effort to save on ink and paper, journalists around the U.S. have been asked to reduce the use of cliches by 30 percent, and slash hyperbole in half.

*Joe Biden, the Vice President of the United States of America, has been let go. President Obama said this will save more than $1 million in salary, benefits, Secrect Service, etc. Biden will receive a stipend of $25,000, to be “on call.”

*Saying it will save more than $100,000 per year, the Seattle Mariners announced they would discontinue the position of Third Base Coach. “We hardly ever have any runners get that far, anyway,” said a team spokesperson.

*The Pentagon has announced that, due to steep budget cuts, it will start 25% fewer wars, over the next decade. “We’re going to have to be very selective about where and when we go to war,” said a general. “There may be times when we have to say, ‘Sorry, guys, we can’t afford to fight you, we’re just going to have to talk this out.’”

*Paris Hilton has been laid off. “We’re not really sure what she does,” said a company spokesman. “But she won’t, anymore.”

*Boeing announced it was laying off CEO James McNerney, saving the company more than $20 million. Because of this layoff, thousands of Boeing production workers will keep their jobs.

*To save money, Company X laid off its entire Human Resources department. One month later, it planned more cuts. “That’s where we realized where we went wrong,” said a company spokesman. “There wasn’t anyone to handle the layoffs, so we had to keep everybody!”

*Citing “rising labor costs that we can’t justify,” Hollywood has given Adam Sandler his walking papers. As an actor, at least. He has been offered a position as a Assistant to the Production Assistant, at minimum wage (plus tips).

The following received votes in the “Best of the Beach” North Coast News’ readers poll. (Winners announced in the print edition this week):

Ocean Shores

Last night, North Beach High boys basketball rolled to its ninth straight win, another blowout, this time over Ocosta. The 14-3 Hyaks host Valley on Friday night, the last home game of the year.

Grays Harbor Sheriff Log

Jan. 22

Ocean City

Security assist with suspicious person/circumstance.

Possible death threats to parents.

Copalis Beach

Car windows broken and items stolen from vehicle.

OS Police Log

January 25, 2009

Cardinal Ave NE

Overturned boat in canal.

Copalis Ave NE

Cougar sited in roadway then went into wooded area.

Chance a la Mer NW

Possible theft/break in at storage unit using screwdriver.