Labor history meet set Local history, contemporary workers’ issues and music to be featured ASTORIA — Respected Ore- gon historians Irene Martin, Bryan Penttila and Regan Watjus will discuss the As- toria area’s industrial and labor history at a day-long mini-conference on Satur- day, March 14 at the Colum- bia River Maritime Museum. “The coastal city has a vibrant and sometimes vola- tile labor history,” said Ron Verzuh, a labor historian and Oregon vice-president of the Pacific Northwest La- bor History Association, the sponsor of the event. “The history of radical Finnish trade unionists speaks to the richness of the region’s labor history as does the celebrat- ed Astoria Labor Temple.” Coffee and introductions will take place from 9:30 to 10 a.m. Labor educator Mar- cus Widenor will moderate the labor history panel from 10 to 11:30 a.m. At lunchtime, Nathan Moore and Kate Downing of the Eugene-based Low Tide Drifters, fisherpoet Mary Garvey and banjo-playing folklorist Joe Seamons will play and discuss their labor and social issues music. The mini-conference will also address the growing minimum wage movement represented by groups like $15 NOW. “Our Oregon” research director Daniel Morris, Oregon School Em- Submitted photo by Brian Halbrook Eugene-based Americana band The Low Tide Drifters will perform and discuss their labor and social issues music. notforsale Let’s Ea t ASTORIA ployees Association staff member Mimi Khalili, and Portland labor activist Ryan Wisnor will offer their views on low-wage concerns at a panel moderated by labor historian Bob Bussel from 1:30 to 3 p.m. At the end of the day, Pacific Northwest historian and labor educator Norm Di- amond will lead a discussion about the future of labor his- tory in the region from 3:15 to 4 p.m. To register, email Verzuh at rverzuh@shaw.ca. There is no registration fee, but participants will be asked to complete a registration form. Those who wish to join the PNLHA may do so at the registration table. The PNLHA was found- ed in 1968 as a nonprofit association dedicated to preserving the history and heritage of workers in Or- egon, Washington and Brit- ish Columbia. Its next annu- al conference will be held at SeaTac in Seattle from May 1 to 3. Liberty Theater kicks off new Third Thursday Comedy Series ASTORIA — The Liberty The- ater’s Third Thursday Com- edy Series begins two days after St. Patrick’s Day with an Irish comedian. George Casey brings “A Night of Laughter with the King of Blarney” at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 19. Casey was born in a remote seaside village on the west coast of Ireland legendary for its sto- rytelling. Growing up in a large family, he saw humor everywhere and honed his skills as a comic. Casey has been entertain- ing audiences all over the U.S. with his self-deprecating sense of humor and clean jokes. Some of the acts Casey has opened for and toured with in- clude Rosemary Clooney, The Osmond Brothers, Ray Price, Three Dog Night, Brooklyn Bridge, Donald O’Connor and Bobby Vinton. He performed with Vinton as his special guest in Vinton’s Blue Velvet LON G BEAC H PEN IN SU LA SUNDAY JAZZ MARCH 29TH, 5-8 PM: Daily! Recording Artist John Stowell playing his Jazz Guitar for your dining pleasure! For additional restaurants, stories and our Coastal M enu Guide- coastweekend.com click on Dining. European Style Coffeehouse by day, intimate bistro offering neo-regional cuisine by night. Regional selection of beers, wines and vintage cocktails available. Weekly Specials: 5-8 PM Sushi & Martinis Mondays Taco & Margarita Thursdays (3 Buck Tacos) WEDNESDAYS ARE BURGER NITES SMALL BITES HAPPY HOUR 5-6 PM 38th & L, on the Seaview Beach approach 360-642-7880 depotrestaurantdining.com G reek-style Steam er Clam s Astoria’s Ow n Chow der 243 11th Street, Astoria, OR 97103 503-325-1787 M anhattan Chow der www.AstoriaCoffeeHouse.com Shark B urgers Follow & “Like” us on Facebook Fish Tacos We cater your event! Theatre in Branson, Missouri, until its close in 2002. He is a regular act at The Riviera Ho- tel and Casino in Las Vegas. Tickets are available at the /LEHUW\ 7KHDWHU ER[ RI¿FH call 503-325-5922, ext. 55 or visit ticketswest.com Another Third Thursday Comedy Show will take place April 16 featuring ventrilo- quist Lynn Trefzger. N O R TH CO AS T & P E N IN S U L A D IN IN G Open 7am S E R V I N G B R E A K FA S T, LUNCH & SUPPER Submitted photo Comedian George Casey will perform at the Liberty Theater on Thursday, March 19. Espresso & Ice Cream 1335 Marine Dr., DT Astoria (503) 741-3055 W e D eliver Ch a rlie’s Ch o w d er H o use a n d Tiki Lo un ge 5 03 -74 1-3 05 5 1335 M a rin e D r., A storia P la za Ja lisco 5 03 -3 3 8-4 4 4 0 O pen 7 D a ys W eekly Poker M a chin es! March 12, 2015 | coastweekend.com | 15