Community Briefs

Meet candidates at event tonight

The League of Women Voters of Mason County hosts Speed Dating with the Candidates from 6:30-8:30 tonight at the Mason PUD 3 meeting room, 2621 Johns Prairie Road, Shelton.

The event is an opportunity for people to meet and ask questions of candidates running for state House Legislative District 35, Positions 1 and 2; Mason County commissioners, Districts 1 and 2; and Superior Court judge, Position 1. For a list of confirmed candidates, go to lwvmasoncounty.org.

Rededication ceremony at Huff’n’Puff memorial

Twenty-three names of Shelton youths who died while in grades six through 12 will be recognized at a rededication ceremony from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at the student memorial at the City of Shelton’s Huff’n’Puff Trail across the street from Shelton High School.

The ceremony will also note the installation of two new granite benches. The event will be presented rain or shine. Parking is limited at the Huff’n’Puff trailhead and attendees are invited to park nearby at the Shelton YMCA.

Museum hosts talk on oysters

Writer David George Gordon talks about “Heaven on the Half Shell: Washington State’s Oyster Odyssey” at

2 p.m. Saturday at the Mason County Historical Society Museum at 427 W. Railroad Ave. in downtown Shelton.

The Mason County Historical Society hosts the Humanities Washington Speakers Bureau program. Admission is free.

Learn to make small business thrive

The Economic Development Council of Mason County and South Sound Business host a workshop on Small Business Administration programs, contracting and funding opportunities from noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 23 at the Mason County Public Works meeting room in Shelton.

The event connects people with resources and programs to help their business thrive. Participating groups include Business Impact NW, the U.S. Small Business Administration, Washington Apex Accelerator and Women’s Business Center. Information: [email protected].

Hypatia writers at library to talk about their work

Two writers working in residence at Hypatia-in-the-Woods in Shelton will present public programs today and Monday at the Shelton Timberland Library.

Katherine Cusumano will explore the world of arborists in a reading and craft talk from 4 to 6 today. Each summer, “tree guys” from throughout the Pacific Northwest gather for the annual Portland Tree Climbing Competition. The events simulate the perilous work of tree care, racing up Douglas firs and swinging between boughs. In her journalism and essays, Cusumano immerses readers in the high-octane sport of competitive tree climbing. a process that resulted in her climbing a few trees herself.

Cusumano is a reporter, essayist and editor whose work focuses on the intersections of culture, gender and the outdoors. Her work has appeared in The New York Times for Kids and the magazines Outside, Climbing and Bon Appétit. She is a writer in residence at Portland Public Schools through the Literary Arts Writers in Schools program, teaching nonfiction to high school students.

Novelist and essay writer Melissa Duclos leads a workshop for new and seasoned writers from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 21. Writers interested in telling stories from their lives or their imaginations are welcome to the 90-minute generative writing workshop.

Participants should bring a notebook and writing tool. The workshop includes writing prompts, exercises and feedback.

Duclos is the author of the novel “Besotted.” Her essays have appeared in the anthology Feminists Reclaim Mentorship, the Washington Post, The Offing and Salon.com. More of her work is available at Melissa-duclos.com.

Learn about fire prevention, preparedness

The Economic Development Council of Mason County hosts a Fire Prevention and Community Awareness event from 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 29 at the Shelton Civic Center.

Learn about “ready, set, go,” evacuation preparedness, animal and pet safety, and more. Participating agencies include Green Diamond Resource Co., Central Mason Fire & EMS, Sierra Pacific Industries, KMAS, Mason County Emergency Management, the state Department of Natural Resources,

MACEOM, West Mason Fire and MasonWebTV.

Carnelian agates subject of meeting Oct. 31 in Shelton

Chris Herrera will talk about Carnelian agate, including high quality finds from Southwest Washington and the Chehalis River, at a meeting of the Shelton Rock and Mineral Club at 7 p.m. Oct. 31 at Shelton Christian Church, 105 Arcadia Ave., Shelton.

Everyone is welcome and admission is free. The group meets the last Thursday of each month at the church except in November, which will be hosted Nov. 21 due to Thanksgiving. The Halloween gathering will include treat bags for everyone and coffee and refreshments during a short intermission.