1. St. Patrick’s Day at Galway Bay: The best Irish bar on the whole, wide North Beach . . . O.K., it’s the only Irish bar on the North Beach. But it’s also one of the best places to have a pint outside of Samuel Beckett’s homeland. Always good music, consistently delicious food and the beer, oh, the beer. Have you tried Smithwick’s? Or Galway’s own signature brew? Three bands plus a piper. No cover charge.

2. Speaking of Beckett, read his famous (and famously misunderstood) play, “Waiting for Godot.” Aloud. To your significant other. Then, when he/she scurries away, continuing reading it aloud. To your dog. Then, when she/he scurries away, answer the phone, and continue reading it aloud. To a telemarketer.

3. Drink green beer. Ponder, “Did they use green dye for this, or Ocean Shores water?”

Will a little rain, a little wind stop the Irish? Don’t think so. The Ocean Shores parade is scheduled to depart from the vicinity of Galway Irish Pub at 1 p.m. today, finishing up there about an hour later. After that, it will be music, food and drinks at Galway, the rest of the afternoon and evening.

She’s 10 . . . and she’s a 10.

Don’t let her cute looks fool you, she’s the feistiest thing this side of Al Lizakowski!

All by MacLeod Pappidas, the fine young photographer on loan from The Daily News:

The clam-party of the year!

Friday, March 27, 2008

7:00 p.m. ~ Crowning of King & Queen Clam

Come dance the night away to the sounds of the Johnny Ray Band and cheer as we crown the very first King & Queen Clam, Bob & Berda Augustus.  This fun event will be held at the Shilo Inn, Ocean Shores and will also feature a pasta & salad bar—all for $20.00 per person.  Tickets are available at the Ocean Shores/North Beach Chamber of Commerce.  Call (360) 289-2451.

Saturday, March 28, 2008

8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. ~ Pancake Breakfast

Admission: Adults, $3; kids, $1; 4 and under, free.

 SATURDAY 
 10 a.m. Explore the Shores: 
 Children are invited to participate in an interactive program that allows them to visit with scientists and beach specialists. Admission is free when accompanied by a paying adult.
  Noon: The amazing lives of Crows and Ravens, Mark Izatt, the “Crow Man” of Grays Harbor 
 1 p.m. Driftwood: What is it? Where did it come from? What could it be used for, Neil Eldridge, director, Ocean Shores Interpretive Center 

Taken by Carol Sroke today near Duck Lake:

I’m giving up on trying to get this photo to show up right, here. It’ll be in the newspaper . . . 
And to think, I almost sank in the muck, I was so excited to photograph a batch of these parasailors . .  ..

Losing my mind dept.: I posted the list of nominees a few weeks back, but forgot to post the winners (the winners list appeared in the Feb. 4 edition of the North Coast News).

    Top:    OCEAN SHORES  winners  

         Bottom:  NORTH BEACH (Ocean City-Taholah)     winners    

Best Event: Sand & Sawdust                                                                                                                                     Kelpers

Gaelic proverb, passed on by Nicky Anderson from a favorite Web site of hers:

Cha deoch-slàint, i gun a tràghadh.

It’s no health if the glass is not emptied.

click here for the web site