The following activities and events are scheduled this week and next month on the South Coast.

Thursday

Folk music in Empire

Bill York and friends will play easy listening music from noon to 5 p.m. on Thursday at Java Jones Coffee House, 757 Newmark Ave., in Empire.

For more information, those interested can call 888-4477.

Saturday

Author signing books

Author Minettee Meador will hold a book signing for her fantasy novel “Starsight,” from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday at Winter River Books, 170 Second St., Bandon.

“Starsight,” Volume I , published by StoneGarden, is her first novel, which was released this month. The sequel, “Starsight, Volume II,” will be released on November. Her other book, “The Centurion & The Celt,” a historical romance set in 60 A.D. Roman Britannia, will be released with Resplendence Publishing this spring. In addition to her novels, Meador has a feature in the Cup of Comfort for Single Moms coming out in March.

 For more information about this author lecture and book signing, those interested can call visit Meador’s Web site at http://www.minnettemeador.com or e-mail mmeador@minnettemeador.com.

Next week

P.E.O. luncheon

Regional members of the Philanthropic Educational Organization Sisterhood will meet for its annual spring luncheon at noon on Saturday, April 5, at Southwestern College in Empire Hall Lakeview rooms, 1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay.  The theme of the luncheon will be “April Showers.”

Nine chapters of the P.E.O. representing Bandon, Coos Bay, Coquille, Florence and Reedsport will gather to renew friendships and welcome any unaffiliated members, a press release said.

 Any P.E.O. member who would like to attend the luncheon is encouraged to do so. For more information, those interested can call Kay Craig at (541) 997-8585. All reservations are due by March 30.

P.E.O. is a philanthropic and educational organization which promotes the education of women and raises money for scholarships and educational grants, according to a press release.

Food handler classes

Two food handler classes will be offered in April at room 6 in Sitkum Hall, at Southwestern Oregon Community College, 1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay.

• At 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 1; and

• At 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 15.

Those taking the test should prepare by reading “Food Safety: Your Self-training Manual,” available for $2 at the Coos County Health Department-North Bend Annex or at local libraries.

Those who pass the exam and pay the $10 fee will be issued a food handler card. The class is sponsored by Coos County Public Health.

For more information and to register for the Coos Bay class, those interested can call 888-7622.

Later next month

Lakeside book sale

The Friends of Lakeside Library will hold a spring book sale and library open house from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 12, at the Lakeside Senior Center, 915 North Lake Road.

For more information, those interested can call the library at 759-4432.

Square dancing

The Sets in Order Square and Round Dance Club has scheduled three dances in April, at the Coquille Community Center, 115 N. Birch.

• On Saturday, April 12, there will be a square dance, with Coleeta Quigley and Denise Harris. Pre-rounds will begin at 7:30 p.m., with square dancing at 8;

• On Friday, April 18, a Round Dance Party with Jim and Denise Harris will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. New dancers are welcome.

• Saturday, April 26, there will be a square dance, with Quigley and Harris. Pre-rounds will begin at 7:30 p.m., with square dancing at 8.

Ongoing

MP library fundraising

The Myrtle Point Library Foundation is selling engraved bricks and leaves as a fundraiser for the building fund.

The bricks will be placed in the courtyard area. Two sizes are available, a 4-inch by 8-inch brick for $50 or an 8-inch by 8-inch brick for $100. Community members can purchase them in honor of individuals or in memory of loved ones.

Individuals who wish to make a donation of $250 can purchase large leaves made from myrtlewood and engraved with the name of the donor. They will be assembled to make a tree in the entryway of the new expanded library.

A brochure and order form are available at the library. Memorial envelopes also are available for those who wish to donate to the building fund.

Fundraising meetings are held the first Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the library, 631 Alder St. The next meeting will be on April 1.

Myrtle Point Public Library Foundation is a nonprofit charitable organization, and donations are tax deductible.

Artist of the month

Nan Forsberg-Hammons is the artist of the month  at the Coos Art Museum. The works in the exhibit show her ability to create vibrant, colorful and evocative paintings using a variety of mediums and subject matter, as well as using and combining diverse painting techniques, a press release said.

Railroad museum

There are still trains in Coos County, at the Oregon Coast Historical Railroad and Logging Museum, at 766 S. First St. in Coos Bay. The museum features the steam locomotive Engine 104 and a refurbished caboose. It is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Organizers are in need of volunteers. For more information, those interested can call 756-6684.