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.
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.
The Bowl is Back! Channel Point Village’s Chowder Bowl Friday fundraiser returns. Enjoy a delicious lunch of homemade clam chowder in a bread bowl, dessert bar and a drink for $5. This summer, proceeds will benefit the Hoquiam Senior Center’s Senior Nutrition Program and the Aberdeen Senior Center’s renewal project. Please call to order by the day before (Thurs.) at (360)532-9000.
The Bowl is Back! Channel Point Village’s Chowder Bowl Friday fundraiser returns. Enjoy a delicious lunch of homemade clam chowder in a bread bowl, dessert bar and a drink for $5. This summer, proceeds will benefit the Hoquiam Senior Center’s Senior Nutrition Program and the Aberdeen Senior Center’s renewal project. Please call to order by the day before (Thurs.) at (360)532-9000.
Take a guided tour around this organic farm that also fosters new farmers. The farm activities, stock and produce, as well as the land, and habitat conserved will be seen. Young farmers will share their dreams and successes.
August has been hot so come prepared with water bottle, hat, and close toed shoes. The best tour requires about a 1 mile level walk
We are ready. Are you? Paid Family & Medical Leave is a mandatory insurance program that allows employees to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave to care for themselves or family members during serious illness or injury. While employees can’t take the benefit till 2020, businesses have requirements starting in 2019.
This one-hour forum will include:
• A presentation by Paid Family & Medical Leave staff.
• Time for you to ask questions and get answers.
In 1968, Vietnam, civil rights, women’s liberation, and conservation coalesced—and tragedy led the 6 o’clock news. It changed us in ways still rippling a half-century later. 1968: The Year That Rocked Washington features a collection of online stories and an exhibit at the Washington State Capitol with profiles, compelling photos, and artifacts that document the activism and aftershocks of a landmark year in world history.
Calling all artists and art fans! Village Concepts of Hoquiam – Channel Point Village is hosting a juried Art Show with the theme “Capture the Moment,” exhibiting the creative work of artists from the greater Grays Harbor community. Everyone is welcome! Painters, sculptors, photographers, multimedia artists and others are encouraged to exhibit. Judging categories include Best Use of Theme, Best Use of Color, Fan Favorite, and others. Enjoy a tasting of Wynoochee Wineries wines and music by Ellen Pickell. If you would like to exhibit or if you have any questions, please call (360)532-9000.
