Chess players parley in Whatcom County | The Bellingham Herald

The Bellingham Chess and Coffee Meetup group recently announced its new Sunday afternoon chess playing gatherings at Haggen’s Barkley Market Street Café, 2900 Woburn St.

Bellingham resident Steve Szirom, who’s coordinating the group, says players of all ages and skill levels can drop by anytime starting at 2 p.m. to meet other local players and play chess.

“We hope to grow the chess group through word-of-mouth and recommendations,” he says

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Szirom, who has played chess since he was 7, said the group’s goals will reflect members’ interests, but could include chess tutoring, simultaneous-play exhibitions, and preparation for local and state tournaments. He hopes to have several U.S. Chess Federation-rated coaches and a chess master to help members become better players.

The group uses the social media-oriented Meetup.com platform. Additional information is at meetup.com/BellinghamChess, or contact Szirom at 360-676-2260 or sszirom58@gmail.com.

The Blaine Library Chess Club has been meeting from 6:30 to 8 p.m on Tuesdays, at the Blaine Library, 610 Third St., but has had a low turnout, so the club welcomes new players. The group is open to ages kindergarten through grade 12 and parents, too. Details: matthewisadad@gmail.com or wahotaho@gmail.com, or call 360-305-3637.

Also, an all-levels chess club meets monthly from 3 to 5 p.m. at Everson Library, 104 Kirsch Drive, for a variety of chess drills and exercises, and practice games. Details: 360-305-3600.

A group for youths, from kindergarten through fifth grade, meets from 2:15 to 4:15 p.m. two Tuesdays a month at Island Library, 2144 South Nugent Road, Lummi Island. Details: 360-305-3600.

Ferndale’s Randy Kaech has been organizing chess groups and tournaments for Whatcom County students for years. Details: 360-384-2792.

For other groups, go to https://www.facebook.com/BellinghamChess, nwchess.com or http://northwestchess.info/nwleague.html.

Lynden guild seeks proposals from directors

The board of directors for Lynden Performing Arts Guild is accepting proposals from prospective directors for the 2016-17 season at Claire vg Thomas Theatre. The guild presents three shows a year and the board likes to include a variety of ages and genres, such as a comedy or farce; a well-known drama; a musical, and at least one large-cast show with roles for children and teens.

Performances are in September and October; November and December; February and March; and April and May.

If you have a show in mind and are interested in directing, fill out the form at clairevgtheatre.com/support/volunteerdirect, and send it, along with a copy of the script, by Jan. 1 to Lynden Performing Arts Guild, 655 Front St., No. 13, Lynden, WA 98264

Proposals can also be submitted electronically to clairevgtheatre@gmail.com. The board will decide by March 1.

Details: Susan at clairevgtheatre@gmail.com, 360 380-5932.