This calendar is the place to find fun events happening throughout Grays Harbor County including Aberdeen, Hoquiam, Westport, Ocean Shores, Elma, Montesano and beyond.
Have an event that isn’t listed? Please email events@GraysHarborTalk.com with the following information:
- Name of Event
- Date, time and location (name of business if applicable and complete address)
- Organizer(s) name
- Cost
- URL to purchase tickets
- Website URL
- SHORT description of event
- Photo
Our editors will review and post within a few business days.
James Clarkson, author of Tell My Story: June Crain the Air Force & UFO, looks back over 30 years of UFO Investigations in the Pacific Northwest.
Kick off Spring with a day full of fun activities at Seabrook celebrating Daffodil Festival. 4000 Daffodil bulbs are currently sprouting all around town. Be sure to catch them in full bloom during the month of March. Here is the schedule of festivities for the festival, mark your calendars.
8:00 a.m.: Mountain Bike Ride
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Spring Saturday Market
11:00 a.m.: YOW (Yellow, Orange, White)! Parade
11:30 a.m.: YOW! Contest
12:00 p.m.: YOW! Picnic & Festive Contest Judging
Seven different species of owls indigenous to the Northwest will be presented by staff from For Heaven’s Sake Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation. Facts and information will be discussed to educate attendees and provide an opportunity to view live owls up close. Sponsored by the Friend of the Elma Library.
The Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team (COASST) will deliver a free training session for citizens interested in joining the COASST Marine Debris program. The COASST Marine Debris program is focused on the intersection of science, conservation, and communities. Through an interactive, hands-on workshop, trainees will learn how to collect data on the characteristics and location of debris – data that will ultimately be used to map the source and transport pathways of debris and to identify potential harm to people, wildlife, and local coastal ecosystems.
There is no charge to attend, but we ask participants to provide a $20 refundable deposit if they would like to take home a COASST survey toolkit. Beach surveys are best conducted in groups of 2 or more – please come with a survey partner in mind or plan to join a team during training. No prior experience is necessary, just a commitment to survey a specific beach at least once a month. Training activities take place indoors. Reserve your training spot by calling emailing.
If you ever have had a desire to yell and scream at a crab racing down a wooded track, the City of Westport has the event for you. On Saturday, April 18, the coastal town of Westport, Washington will be holding its 28th Annual World Class Crab Races. Under the big tent at the Westport Marina, hundreds of crab enthusiasts will gather together to watch crab races, listen to live music, and of course, feast on the deliciousness of the under-sea crustaceans.
Come learn from the lessons the Watts family, third-generation forestland owners, have learned over the years of managing their 70-acre tree farm. Topics covered will include pre-commerical thinning, invasive species removal, restoration, and road building. There will be time for questions and discussion.
If you ever have had a desire to yell and scream at a crab racing down a wooded track, the City of Westport has the event for you. On Saturday, April 18, the coastal town of Westport, Washington will be holding its 28th Annual World Class Crab Races. Under the big tent at the Westport Marina, hundreds of crab enthusiasts will gather together to watch crab races, listen to live music, and of course, feast on the deliciousness of the under-sea crustaceans.
Each spring, hundreds of thousands of shorebirds stop to rest and feed along the Washington Coast and in the Grays Harbor estuary during their migration northward. Coming from as far south as Argentina, these Arctic-bound shorebirds are among the world’s greatest migrants. Some birds travel over 15,000 miles round trip! The concentration of birds during spring migration offers people a great chance to view a number of shorebird species.
Pre-registration is recommended for fee events and must be postmarked by April 16, 2018.
Each spring, hundreds of thousands of shorebirds stop to rest and feed along the Washington Coast and in the Grays Harbor estuary during their migration northward. Coming from as far south as Argentina, these Arctic-bound shorebirds are among the world’s greatest migrants. Some birds travel over 15,000 miles round trip! The concentration of birds during spring migration offers people a great chance to view a number of shorebird species.
Pre-registration is recommended for fee events and must be postmarked by April 16, 2018.
Exhibits, Lapidary Dealers, Demonstrations and a silent auction.
Each spring, hundreds of thousands of shorebirds stop to rest and feed along the Washington Coast and in the Grays Harbor estuary during their migration northward. Coming from as far south as Argentina, these Arctic-bound shorebirds are among the world’s greatest migrants. Some birds travel over 15,000 miles round trip! The concentration of birds during spring migration offers people a great chance to view a number of shorebird species.
Pre-registration is recommended for fee events and must be postmarked by April 16, 2018.
Exhibits, Lapidary Dealers, Demonstrations and a silent auction.
The annual home and garden spectacular returns to the Elma Fairgrounds May 19-20. Come visit the pavilion, which will be full of vendors offering both gardening and home-improvement items.
Saturday at 1:00, renown garden writer and editor of Pacific Horticulture will give practical ideas that will make gardening for the whole family lots of fun.
On Sunday, Marianne Binnetti will delight her audience with “Container Wars.” Two gardeners will be selected to fill several containers each, while Marianne discusses the what, why and where of this type of gardening. In the end the audience will vote on which planters they like. You won’t want to miss this entertaining and educational presentation.
This workshop seeks to describe the measurable differences in stream micobial populations as related to human impacts in forest, residential, and industrial areas. Simple interventions to minimize these impacts will be described.
Tour of the GHC Fish lab optional to follow
The annual home and garden spectacular returns to the Elma Fairgrounds May 19-20. Come visit the pavilion, which will be full of vendors offering both gardening and home-improvement items.
Saturday at 1:00, renown garden writer and editor of Pacific Horticulture will give practical ideas that will make gardening for the whole family lots of fun.
On Sunday, Marianne Binnetti will delight her audience with “Container Wars.” Two gardeners will be selected to fill several containers each, while Marianne discusses the what, why and where of this type of gardening. In the end the audience will vote on which planters they like. You won’t want to miss this entertaining and educational presentation.
Cascades Job Corps College & Career Academy
Meetings 1st Monday Monthly at 10:00AM
Cascades Job Corps College & Career Academy is a tuition-free career training and education program that will connect students with the skills and educational opportunities they need to establish real careers in the high-demand healthcare and information technology industries. Students in the Cascades program receive FREE college education on local campuses, wrap around services, and extensive tutoring, mentoring, and skills development. Students also have the opportunity to earn Microsoft Imagine Academy certifications and industry-recognized credentials in healthcare or information technology via hands-on, practical experience.
Attend the information/application workshops for Cascades Job Corps College & Career Academy onsite at the Aberdeen Timberland Library and learn about this exciting NEW Job Corps Pilot Program. We offer two specific Career Pathways:
Healthcare
Associates of Sciences Degree in Pre Nursing or Biology
-Medical Administrative Specialist
-Certified Medical Assistant
Information Technology
Associates of Technical Arts Degree
-Computer Applications Support Technician
-Network Technician
-Game & Web Development
Basic Qualifications:
• 16-21 years of age
• Meet income standards (varies by applicant)
• No pending court dates
• No court fines over $500
• Motivated and committed
This program is completely FREE to eligible students!
If you are ready to take the next step contact Eric, or visit www.CascadesJobCorpsCCA.com
Eric Thompson
Office: 206-212-6189
Text: 253-265-7054
Thompson.eric@jobcorps.org
Should Ocean Shores invest in tsunami vertical evacuation structures?
National experts will discuss the issue and take public questions during a panel discussion from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday, June 12 at the Ocean Shores Convention Center. There will be plenty of time for the public to ask questions about tsunami engineering, funding, siting and modeling of wave heights and inundation.
The panelists are national experts in their fields representing: Degenkolb Engineering, the Washington Geological Survey, the University of Washington, and the Washington State Emergency Management Division.
In April, scientists and preparedness experts visited Ocean Shores and spoke about tsunami science, risk, preparedness and mitigation, with more than 300 residents attending their public presentation. Many Ocean Shores residents and visitors are aware of their tsunami risks and understand that Ocean Shores lacks natural high ground in the event of a major Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake generated tsunami.
“This is exciting not just for Ocean Shores, but for the entire state,” said Maximilian Dixon, Earthquake Program Manager for the Washington State Emergency Management Division. “The more vertical evacuation structures we can build in the most vulnerable locations along our coast, the more lives we will save when a tsunami eventually hits. This is just a start, though. We need many more discussions and many more of these structures built up and down the coast.”
Ocean Shores city officials have heard from residents, who have specific questions about vertical evacuation approaches and would appreciate the opportunity to talk to a panel of experts. This panel has been assembled at the city’s request to provide in-depth information on tsunami risks and vertical evacuation refuges.
In 2016, the first tsunami vertical evacuation refuge in North America was built in Westport, as part of the new Ocosta Elementary School. Other refuges are being considered along the Washington coast.
“History was made when what was once thought of as an unachievable, vertical evacuation project in the Ocosta School District, became a reality,” said Chuck Wallace, deputy director of Grays Harbor County Emergency Management. “Ocosta Elementary School and Gymnasium is North America’s first, vertical evacuation, tsunami engineered, Safe Haven building.”
Six years ago, there were a series of meetings in Ocean Shores to discuss the types and locations of tsunami vertical evacuation refuges. These efforts were referred to as Tsunami Project Safe Haven. Planning reports were assembled from this collaboration between Washington State Emergency Management Division and the University of Washington.
Later this year, the Washington State Emergency Management Division will be publishing a new Roadmap Manual. The manual will help coastal communities better plan for and build tsunami vertical evacuation refuges. This Ocean Shores panel is part of the Roadmap project.
The National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation (NTHMP) is funding these efforts. NTHMP is also providing funding for tsunami inundation studies, improved signage and other projects related to tsunami planning and safety.
The panel meeting is hosted by the city of Ocean Shores, Washington State Emergency Management Division, Grays Harbor Emergency Management and the University of Washington Institute for Hazard Mitigation Planning and Research.
More information about the Washington coast tsunami risk and vertical evacuation can be found at http://mil.wa.gov/tsunami
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
“We are coming together because we are tired of Grays Harbor County’s economic devastation and we are working together to make our city a better place for everyone,” says Mashyla Buckmaster, organizer with Harbor Rising and Chaplains the Harbor.
June 12th, 2018
CONTACTS:
Mashyla Buckmaster (360) 580-4278
Stina Janssen (360) 301-3340
Downtown Future Housing Site Tour and Vigil to advance vision for 2,000 affordable housing units in Aberdeen Revitalization Plan
Aberdeen, WA – Residents of Aberdeen who have experienced homelessness first-hand and housing-insecure families advocate that affordable housing must be a central emphasis in Aberdeen’s Revitalization Plan. Saturday, under the banner “Harbor Rising,” we will gather to welcome the Most Reverend Michael Curry, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, to the streets of Aberdeen. Having sermonized at the Royal Wedding, Curry is now an international household name. Presiding Bishop Curry’s presence honors the work of our local community, which is rising to the challenge as we face down a housing crisis and advance lasting solutions.
Local residents will lead a downtown tour highlighting both our plight and our potential for future affordable housing and treatment centers, demonstrating our vision to the Presiding Bishop and members of the New Poor People’s Campaign visiting from across Washington State. We will end the day with a vigil at Aberdeen City Hall to honor the many lives lost due to homelessness in our community. The tour will meet at 3:00pm Saturday, June 16th in the parking lot next to Jay’s Fruit Stand (corner of South G St and E Heron St, Aberdeen, WA 98520) and will end at City Hall (200 E Market St) for a vigil.
Making housing a central priority in Aberdeen’s Revitalization Plan would address issues at the heart of citywide concern for Aberdeen’s economic future.
In recent weeks, the City has responded to homelessness with ordinances that would punish homeless people for the housing crisis. There have been community efforts to evict the largest homeless camp in the city. Like the City and the business community, we want a better future for our city and we want businesses and workers to do well.
We mourn the devastating loss of the Aberdeen Armory, which housed vital services including Meals on Wheels, the Museum of History, and Coastal Community Action Program, a provider of housing assistance. Despite the backlog the fire’s destruction will place on housing resources, we know that as a resilient community, we will rise.
Those who know homelessness firsthand have a vision to restore our county and its people by rebuilding our housing stock. One in sixteen people—approximately 1,000 people—are homeless in Aberdeen (DSHS 2017). For every 100 extremely low-income families in Grays Harbor, there are just 17 housing affordable units available. For the 1,775 extremely low-income households in the county, there are only 615 affordable units available, and for the 1,715 very low-income households, only 605 affordable units are available (American Community Survey Data 2016).
Meanwhile in Aberdeen, 11.7% of housing, 862 units, stand vacant (US Census 2010), most of these currently unfit for human habitation. We propose that 2,000 units be built or restored in Aberdeen to fill the gap in affordable housing availability. Harbor Rising imagines responsible agencies partnering with local organizations to provide housing including pathways to home-ownership and employment in housing construction and restoration. The Future Housing Site tour, led by people who have experienced homeless and housing insecurity first-hand.
The tour will end at City Hall for a vigil for those who have died on the street, prayer, and words from Presiding Bishop Curry.
Harbor Rising is made up of people with experiences of homelessness and housing insecurity, local residents, and organizations including Chaplains on the Harbor, Democracy Rising, Blind Justice and more.
Cascades Job Corps College & Career Academy
Info Session Every 1st Monday Monthly at 10:00AM
Cascades Job Corps College & Career Academy is a tuition-free career training and education program that will connect students with the skills and educational opportunities they need to establish real careers in the high-demand healthcare and information technology industries. Students in the Cascades program receive FREE college education on local campuses, wrap around services, and extensive tutoring, mentoring, and skills development. Students also have the opportunity to earn Microsoft Imagine Academy certifications and industry-recognized credentials in healthcare or information technology via hands-on, practical experience.
Attend the information/application workshops for Cascades Job Corps College & Career Academy onsite at the Aberdeen Timberland Library and learn about this exciting NEW Job Corps Pilot Program. We offer two specific Career Pathways:
Healthcare
Associates of Sciences Degree in Pre Nursing or Biology
-Medical Administrative Specialist
-Certified Medical Assistant
Information Technology
Associates of Technical Arts Degree
-Computer Applications Support Technician
-Network Technician
-Game & Web Development
Basic Qualifications:
• 16-21 years of age
• Meet income standards (varies by applicant)
• No pending court dates
• No fines over $500
• Motivated and committed
This program is completely FREE to eligible students!
If you are ready to take the next step contact, or visit www.CascadesJobCorpsCCA.com
Eric Thompson
Office: 206-212-6189
Text: 253-265-7054
Thompson.eric@jobcorps.org
Aberdeen Founders’ Day
Dine and Dance event
Come and enjoy a favorite local band Six Pack Pretty for an evening of dancing after dinner which will be catered by the Welcome Inn.
We’ll be serving Prime Rib dips and having a dessert auction with lots of delicious sweets to pick from.
GH Wine Sellars will be serving some of their favorite wine and the Beer will be provided by Steam Donkey at our No Host Bar.
Tickets are $30 per person
For more information please check out our Facebook page:
Aberdeen Founders’ Day Parade & Festival
The fun starts at 11:00 AM for the Aberdeen’s 5th Annual Founders’ Day Parade!
It’s a family friendly social event you won’t want to miss.
We have a rich proud history and today is tomorrow’s history which you can be a part of.
Come and join us for a fun filled day
