‘Charleston’s Getting Lit!’ light contest

“Charleston’s Getting Lit!” boat decorating contest, sponsored by Charleston boat owners and merchants, will award more than $900 in prizes for those with the best decorated boats in the Charleston Marina.

Boats need to be decorated by Nov. 25, and judging will be on Dec. 10. Those planning to participate can check the Port office for free lights and decorations.

First-place prizes include $100 off moorage fees from the Port of Coos Bay; $50 gift certificates from Fisherman’s Wharf and Englund Marine; $25 gift certificate from Boat Basin Plaza; $20 gift certificate from Pottery by the Bay; $40 for dinners at the High Tide Restaurant; one kids’ fishing pole from Basin Tackle; certificate for dinner for two at Sea Basket; five pounds of shrimp from Hallmark Fisheries and 5 pounds of shrimp from Bandon Pacific Choice Seafood; and a cook book from Charleston Fishwives.

Second-place prizes include a $100 gift certificate for Davey Jones Locker; $50 from Boat Basin Cafe; $20 gift certificates to Charlietown Market Place and Kinnee’s Gifts and Shells; $25 for dinners at Fisherman’s Grotto; $20 for a shirt at the Old General Store; five pounds of shrimp from Hallmark Fisheries and five pounds of shrimp from Bandon Pacific Choice Seafood; and a cook book from Charleston Fishwives.

Third-place prizes include $40 for dinner at the Portside Restaurant; one night’s stay for two at Cap’t John’s Motel; $20 gift certificate for Headlands Mercantile; $14 gift certificate for Beauty at the Beach Salon; $20 gift certificate for Scoops ‘n’ Soups; $20 gift certificate for Seahawk Seafoods; five pounds of shrimp from Hallmark Fisheries and five pounds of shrimp from Bandon Pacific Choice Seafood; and a cookbook from Charleston Fishwives.

The boats will not participate in the boat parade on Dec. 10, but instead will stay lit at the docks. Those who would like to donate extra lights for decorating can drop them off at the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay office in Charleston, located at 63534 Kingfisher Road.

For more information, those interested can call Stacie at 888-3941.

Santa plans a visit to Winchester Bay

The public is invited to Winchester Bay this weekend for refreshments, door prizes, a visit with Santa, special sale prices and a goodie sack for everyone who makes the round of each store.

Several businesses will be listed on the Holiday by the Sea “Dance Card”: Lighthouse Gallery, Lighthouse Gallery Annex, Pizza Rays, Village Roastery, Finder’s Keepers and Sea Gullery Crafter’s Mall. The card can be picked up at any of these businesses or at the Reedsport/Winchester Bay Chamber of Commerce office in Reedsport.

The dance cards list each participating business, and are taken around to each business and stamped.

Once each store is visited, completed dance cards can be taken to the Village Roastery to pick up a goodie bag.

Santa will be at Pizza Ray’s in Winchester Bay from 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday afternoon. Santa will hand out candy canes to the children. Parents can take photos of their children with Santa. If they don’t have a camera, one of Santa’s elves will be there taking photos.

For more information, those interested can call (541) 271-4471.

Students compete in decorating contest

Local high school students decorated Christmas trees all day on Saturday, Nov. 19, at Pony Village Mall in North Bend, and now visitors can vote for their favorites. The trees were decorated in hopes to raise $500 for their chosen nonprofit organization.

Alyse Johnson, a senior from North Bend High School and intern for the Pony Village Mall Marketing/Events Coordinator Katherine Hoppe, is organizing this youth volunteer opportunity. For three weeks following the decorating day, mall shoppers will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite tree. The winner will be chosen after Dec. 11.

In December, the winner will be announced and a check will be presented to their chosen charity in their name. On Christmas Eve, the decorated trees will be donated to less fortunate families in the community. Not only will these student volunteers be receiving service hours required for their clubs, but they also will be helping others have a festive and happy holiday season.

The local high school clubs participating include NBHS’s Key Club, National Honor Society, International Club, Marshfield High School’s National Honor Society, Key Club, Skate Club, Coquille High School’s leadership class and Reedsport High School’s Student Council. They will be competing on behalf of nonprofit groups such as the Mr. Bulldog Pageant/Children’s Miracle Network, SWOYA, Women’s Crisis Center, Toys for Tots and Mercy Corp.

Applications for toys and food being taken

Christmas toy and food applications will be taken from noon to 2 p.m. Nov. 28 through Dec. 2, at The Salvation Army, 1155 Flanagan Ave., in Coos Bay.

Requirements include identification of applicant, proof of children living in the home and proof of low-income (medical card, food stamps or other)

Food boxes and toys will be distributed on Dec. 20 by appointment. Gifts will be available for children up to 18 if they are still in school.

NB hosts festivities and Santa’s arrival

The public is invited to join the North Bend community at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 1, at the North Bend Community Building.

Festivities begin at 6 p.m., and Santa will arrive at 6:30, just in time to help Mayor Rick Wetherell light the Christmas tree. Santa will be handing out treats to all of the boys and girls following the tree lighting.

The city of North Bend will be giving away two bicycles this year. Children up to the age of 12 will be eligible to win. One girl and one boy will be selected to win after Santa has heard all of the Christmas wishes. The children must be present to win.

To show support for the troops, Christmas cards will be available to sign at the event, and will be mailed out on Dec. 2.

Beverages and cookies will be served, and children activities, fire truck rides and local talents, will run until 8 p.m.

The city of North Bend is sponsoring this annual event.

Hospital opens doors for employee craft fair

Bay Area Hospital will host its annual Employees’ Holiday Craft Fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2, in the hospital’s Myrtle, Pine and Cedar conference rooms, located at 1775 Thompson Road, in Coos Bay.

There will be lots of homemade items and presents for holiday gift-giving.

Craft guild hosts fair, Christmas tree raffle

The Coos Craft Guild is presenting its Christmas tree raffle during the holiday craft fair, scheduled from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2 ,and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3, at the Coquille Community Building.

The winner of the raffle will win a fully-decorated Christmas tree. The trees are donated by Dave’s Christmas Trees and ornaments are donated by Coos Craft Guild members. Tickets cost $1 each.

For more information, those interested can call Jan at 267-2689.

Christmas bazaar set for Holy Redeemer

The 27th-annual Christmas bazaar will be held from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 2 and 3, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 2550 16th St., in North Bend.

Items for sale include handcrafted gifts, baked food and religious articles. A raffle also will be held. The children’s store is open from 4:30 to 7 p.m. on Friday, and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4:30 to 7 p.m. on Saturday.

Sandwiches, soup or salad will be served between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., and cost is $3.50. Dinner will be served from 4 to 7 p.m. both days, and cost is $3.50 per person or $10 per family. Friday night’s dinner will be holiday beef stew, and Saturday night’s dinner will include roast beef.