note: the above Photoshop “mashes” together 2 photos, one of a carver, one of a castle

It all starts today . . .

In Ocean Shores, the unofficial kick-off to summer is the Five Star Sand and Sawdust Festival. Aside from peanut butter and razor clams, what could go together better than chainsaws and sand castles?
It may sound weird, but it works, judging by the masses that have been entertained over the years.
This year’s beach/Convention Center festival runs today through Sunday.

Saturday and Sunday, at the main beach entrance (end of Chance a la Mer), sponsored by Cutting Edge Kites.

How about some nice, fresh razor clams, Tacoma?

Seattle, we have plenty of free parking (even on the beach!) . . .

And you, Olympia, leave all your political squabbles behind, and come get your toes in the sand . . .

It’s a big weekend, our here in Ocean Shores/the North Beach. Saturday: last clam dig of the year, salmon bake and “Cultural Day” (Native music, dancing and story telling) at the Quinault Casino; and a Youth Fishing Derby, on the lake (North Bay Park, starts at 8 a.m.).

Clam dig + Chocolate on the Beach Festival + EMS Conference = big weekend on the beach

Several hundred Medievalists belonging to a group called Society for Creative Anachronisms are frolicking about Ocean Shores, tonight enjoying a low-key dance at the Convention Center. They’ll be wearing Middle Ages dress all weekend, and many of them will be frequenting local restaurants. This is a friendly group, and only joust if provoked.

sca long web

More than 300 kids 12 and under are enjoying a massive Christmas party at the Convention Center, hosted by Pat and Don Scott and a team of volunteers. The kids are getting all sorts of loot: they all get to pick four toys, and then some big-ticket items (bikes, telescopes, giant stuffed animals) are raffled off.

kids xmas crowd web

Chance Beck, 8 years old, is clearly thrilled with his new bike. (Settle down, kid!)

kids xmas chance beck web

Love to get some brief movie reviews for the newspaper: what’s currently playing at our local cinema, even reviews of video/DVD’s. Pay: a byline! And, possibly, free movie tickets.

Contact: tscanlon@northcoastnews.com

Seattle’s King 5 TV was here Wednesday night, a bit of the ACE Hardware Ladies Night made their weather coverage; it’s about the last minute and a half of this clip.

The nice thing about a hardware store having an event: Blackout schmackout, they’ve got generators. ACE Hardware’s popular Ladies Night, with live music, champagne, snacks and no-men-allowed, happens tonight at 7.

It happens tonight, 10 to midnight. Wear pajamas, get $5 off purchases of $20 or more. Knock down pins by “bowling” a turkey for chance to win prizes. IGA . . . look for it, just off the Roundabout-in-progress.