The following events are scheduled this weekend or in coming weeks.

Optimist club invites kids to bowl for free

The Bay Area Optimist Club will host an afternoon of free bowling from 3 to 5 p.m. on Saturday at North Bend Lanes, 1225 Virginia Ave.

The event is for children ages 5 to 12. Space is limited. For more information and to reserve a spot, those interested can call Jessica Chavez at 888-9799, ext. 2114.

Lions to televise annual auction this weekend

The 45th-annual Coos Bay Lion’s Club TV Auction will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday on KCBY TV channels 4 and 11. A list of the auction items is scheduled to print in The World on Saturday.

Coquille center to teach about stained glass

A seven-week series of stained-glass classes will begin next week at the Coquille Valley Art Center.

Classes will be offered at two times — from 6 to 9 p.m. on Monday; and 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday, March 7, at the center located at 10144 Highway 42.

 The cost is $66 for members and $78 for non-members. For more information, those interested can call Cheryl at 572-2302 or the Art Center at 396-3294.

Diabetes class to meet at CB hospital

Bay Area Hospital’s kidney program is the discussion topic for the March meeting of the diabetes education review class.

The class will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the hospital, 1775 Thompson Road, Coos Bay. For more information and to RSVP, those interested can call 266-7928, and leave a message if there’s no answer.

Brownies host event for grade-schoolers

The Lakeside-Hauser Brownie Troop 536 will host an open house for girls in first through third grades from 3 to 4 p.m. on Tuesday at the Lakeside Senior Center, 915 N. Lake Road. There will be crafts, games and snacks at this free event.

For information, those interested can call Janelle at 756-6052.  

Dolphin Players play reading Tuesday in NB

The Dolphin Players will host a reading of the 2007 Pulitzer-winning play “Rabbit Hole,” by David Lindsey-Abaire, at 7 p.m. on Tuesday at the North Bend Public Library, 1800 Sherman Ave.

This potent new play contains both laughter and tears, as well as some adult language, a press release said. The public is invited to come and read, or just listen and enjoy. For information, those interested can call Leah at 267-7042.

Women’s group hosts speakers in Coquille

Scrapbooking is the topic of the March Girl’s Night Out program in Coquille.

The group will meet from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday at Fraziers Banquet Room, 23 E. First St., Coquille. Food options will be mini-chef salads or finger-food sandwiches. The event will be $7.50, inclusive.

The featured speaker will be Mary Ellen Robertson, who will share scrapbooking ideas. Special guest will be Donna Paris from Portland.  She is a marathon walker, bowler and former fitness instructor. Fears ruled her life until she learned the secret to overcome them, according to a press release.

Reservations are requested, and free nursery care will be provided upon request. Reservations should be honored, canceled by the Sunday before, or used by a friend. To register, those interested can call Retta Ryan at 572-0552.

Women’s luncheon to focus on first aid

All women are invited to join the Wednesday Women’s Time Out monthly luncheon. The Bandon event will be held in a new location, at 11:30 a.m., on Wednesday at Bandon Bill’s Grill at the Best Western Inn at Face Rock, 3225 Beach Loop Drive. Cost of the luncheon is $12 inclusive.

The theme this month is “911, What Is Your Emergency?” Emergency Medical Technician Intermediate Chris Speed of Port Orford will give first aid tips and tell the group how to be prepared when making a 911 call.

Also speaking will be Donna Paris of Portland, a home executive, marathon walker and former fitness instructor, who has made it through some challenging “white waters” of her life, according to a press release.

For reservations and information on complimentary preschool childcare (moms are asked to bring a sack lunch for their child), those interested can call Rosalee at (541) 332-5133 or Myrtle at (541) 332-2703 or e-mail cobledrcoble@briskweb.net by 5 p.m. Friday.

Bingo players to meet at North Bend event

The Coos Chapter Order of the Eastern Star is hosting a bingo night.

Doors open at 6 p.m. with games starting at 6:45 p.m., on Wednesday at the Masonic Center, 2002 Union Ave., in North Bend. There will be cash prizes. This is an adults-only event.

Inspirational speaker to address women’s club

“Let’s Do Lunch!” will be held from 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 6, at the Red Lion Hotel, 1313 N. Bayshore Drive in Coos Bay, and is sponsored by the Coos Bay/North Bend Connection.

Guest speaker will be Donna Paris from Portland. Paris is a home executive, marathon walker, bowler and former fitness instructor who has made it through the challenging “white waters” of her life. Fears ruled her life until she learned the secret to overcome them, according to a press release.

The cost for the luncheon and program is $12 inclusive. Reservations are required, those interested need to call Ruth at 759-3202 by Monday. If unable to use, please cancel. There will be complimentary childcare provided with advanced notice.

Shigeo Oku and Tom Kyelberg from the Coos County Beekeepers also will speak. Those interested in attending a six-hour long bee class on Saturday at the Bee School can call Joan at 269-9361.

Coquille genealogists to learn about settlers

The Coquille Valley Genealogy Club will meet at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 6, in the meeting room of the Flora M. Laird Memorial Library, 435 Fifth St., in Myrtle Point.

The speaker for the evening will be Dale Hoffman. Hoffman’s forefathers were among the first five settlers in the upper Coquille Valley area. The Hoffman Wayside State Park is a part of his heritage.

Everyone is welcome and refreshments will be served.

Miss Coos seeking young princesses

Miss Coos County Program organizers are launching a new program, the Miss Coos County Princess Program. Girls between the ages of 4 and 9 are eligible.

The participation fee is $120. The princesses will be escorts for the Miss Coos County contestants during the future evening wear portion of competition and the opening number. Rehearsals will be held on Sunday afternoons in March and the first week of April.

Princesses will receive the following: an official Miss Coos County Princess T-shirt to be worn during the opening number; a party dress, tiara, shoes and gloves to be worn during the evening wear portion of the show; an autographed photo of Miss Coos County; two tickets to the pageant and the opportunity to be Miss Coos County 2008’s escort to the Miss Oregon Pageant in Seaside at the end of June. During her year of service, the princess will be Miss Coos County’s official escort.

For more information, those interested can call Maureen Everetts at 290-3466.