Count of homeless scheduled for tonight

News from Naselle:

Sports calendar for the Naselle Comet teams this week: Today (Thursday), high school boys basketball in Naselle with Firm Foundation at 5:30 p.m .; Friday, high school girls basketball at Astoria at 6 p.m .; Saturday, high school girls basketball in Naselle with Lake Quinault at 3 p.m .; Monday, middle school boys basketball in Naselle with South Bend at 5:45 p.m., JV girls basketball at Ilwaco at 4 p.m .; Tuesday, high school boys and girls basketball in Naselle with WSD at 5:45 p.m .; Wednesday, high school boys and girls basketball at Willapa Valley at 4 p.m., middle school boys basketball at Ocosta at 5:45 p.m. Go Comets!

Just an FYI, tomorrow (Friday) marks the end of second quarter and the first semester. The school year is half over.

Westend news:

I’m not sure if there are tickets still available for the annual Crab and Oyster Feed sponsored by the American Legion Deep River Post #111, coming up this Saturday. The ticket price is $28 per person and they can be purchased from Ken Elliott 465-2274, Nick Nikkila 465-2595 or Dale Rose 465-2234. The price for the dance only is $5 per person.

Happy hour begins at 6 p.m. and no outside alcoholic beverages will be permitted in the building. The menu includes crab, oysters, baked beans, potato salad, coleslaw and garlic bread. Bring utensils to crack your crab, your own garlic butter for dipping and any other appetizers you may want. Fresh lemon slices are great for cleaning up after the feast, squeeze on your hands to get rid of the fish odor.

Proceeds from the event will be used to support our veterans, youth and local charities.

Another great idea from the West End Food Pantry--birthday boxes! As you do your own shopping throughout the week, think about a child, or an adult for that matter who has an upcoming birthday and no extra funds for baking a cake or cupcakes for that special day. Some suggestions to donate to the food pantry might include cake mixes, frostings, birthday candles, party favors or anything birthday related. The boxes are then brought to the West End Food Pantry to be given to children who are about to have a birthday!

This sounds like another way to make those less fortunate feel very special. I am planning to donate a couple of Birthday Boxes to the Pantry.

The West End Food Pantry is open on Thursdays, 1-5 p.m. and is located in the north end of the Grays River Valley Center at Johnson Park. The Pantry Board of Directors is currently looking for volunteers to commit to helping out on Thursdays, and also fill several board positions. For more information, please contact Shonda Ware or Suzie Whalen.

I have been asked by Carole Glowacki, Community Outreach Coordinator for Health and Human Services in Wahkiakum County, to include the following information in this week’s column:

The actual Point-in-Time (PIT) count date of recording is today (Thursday), but you have until January 31 to record your pertinent information. Please read the following information carefully, so a valid count can be achieved.

“The PIT count provides a snapshot of homelessness in Wahkiakum County on a single night in January of each year. While it is not possible to count every homeless person, the methodology includes outreach efforts targeting known areas and general canvassing to capture the best picture possible. The count allows us to look at trends over the years by using consistent methodology. The PIT includes use of a survey tool which provides a means for gathering information directly from individuals and families experiencing homelessness about their needs and the causes of homelessness.

"The PIT results, along with other data and information, help Wahkiakum County plan for addressing needs and making progress toward goals to reduce, end, and prevent homelessness in our county.

"The count is conducted in conformance with Federal and State requirements. The Federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (as amended) authorized the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to require the PIT count of all Continuums of Care. Washington State requires an annual PIT count that follows HUD requirements authorized through the Homeless Housing and Assistance Act (ESSHB 2163, as amended) and RCW 43.185C.030. More information about HUD’s guidance for PIT counts may be found on the HUD Exchange website.

"The 2018 point in time count (PIT) will take place on January 25, 2018, data can be gathered at any time within the last 10 days of January 2018, but must reflect where a person spent the night on the night of January 25.

"This count includes: Individuals and families with a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings, including a car, park, abandoned building, bus or train station, airport, or camping ground as well as those living in a camper or travel trailer with no functioning kitchen, toilet or running water.”

Happy Birthday to the following: Monte Givens, Deanna Gjovik, Holly Parrino, Esther Gregg, Brittany Legler and Garrett Boggs. Wishing each of you a very special day.

Happy Anniversary to Craig and Diane Matthews. Wishing you many more celebrations together.

A special Happy 25th anniversary to my cousins, Tom and Tina Hammonds this week. Here’s to another 25, at least. Thank you for all the things you both do for family and our community. Make the most of your special day. Love you both.

For those of you that know my sister, Diane Gray, formerly a recent employee of Okie’s in Naselle, please feel free to give her a call on Saturday to wish her a Happy Birthday. I am so very proud to call her my sister and my friend. She deserves to have nothing but the best in her life and given that, she would probably share it with whoever might need it. She is caring, unselfish and fun. Thank you for being here with me and I will do everything I can to make your special day special. Love you very much, Sis.