Big Wave Café to host benefits for Rinehart Clinic, Pine Grove Community House, Manzanita Business Alliance

Published 4:00 pm Sunday, January 6, 2013

MANZANITA – Following the success of last year´s dinner that raised

several thousand dollars for a local handicapped access ramp, Brian

and Carol Williams plan to use their Big Wave Café to drum up more

support for area causes.

The Williams are kicking off their local giving with two fundraising

dinners – the first, scheduled for Jan. 15 will benefit the Pine Grove

Community House. Last year, the Williams hosted a benefit for the

local nonprofit organization, raising $2,400 toward the $15,000 needed

to build a new handicapped access ramp at the downtown Manzanita

venue. ¨Were so lucky to have that facility,” said Brian. ¨Everyone

uses it.¨

Pine Grove Community Club Board Treasurer Tom Mock couldnt agree

more. ¨The Pine Grove is the heart and soul of Manzanita,” he said,

adding that he and fellow board members are looking at making another

improvement to the property this year. ¨We plan to landscape the

(building´s) backyard and make it an outdoor venue when the weather is

right. We want to add a deck and plants. You could barbecue out

there.¨

The Pine Grove fundraiser, an all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner, is

scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m., Jan. 15 and will cost $10 per plate. Those

who attend are invited to bring a dessert to share.

At 6 p.m. on Feb. 5, the Big Wave Cafe will host a low-cholesterol,

low-sodium, low-fat meal in conjunction with American Heart Month,

with proceeds benefitting the Rinehart Clinic.

Tickets will cost $20 each, and will be good for a complete

heart-healthy, multi-course served dinner with pre-dinner

heart-healthy appetizers and post-dinner heart-healthy desserts.

Tickets will be available at Manzanita Lumber and the Rinehart Clinic.

There will be 70 tickets available for one seating.

¨This is sort of a Valentine to the community with Brian´s help,” said

Leila Salmon, a member of the Rinehart Clinic Board of Directors.

Rinehart Clinic Board President John Sorenson said that this dinner,

with its focus on health, is ¨just the right event to kick off the

clinic’s year-long centennial celebration,¨ and added that he is

grateful to the Williams for donating the entire cost of this dinner

at the start of American Heart Month.

¨The Rinehart Clinic has played a pivotal role in healthcare in this

area for almost 100 years,¨ said Brian. ¨We are very fortunate to have

such a valuable asset in our region.¨

Lindsey Putnam, who works at the Big Wave, has agreed to design a

commemorative menu, which will double as an event poster, for the

dinner.

¨Brian and his family at the Big Wave exemplify the community spirit

which makes the area so special in supporting the time-honored medical

care provided to North County for the past 100 years,” said clinic CEO

Ellen Boggs.

The Williams will round out their series of local fundraising events

with the Manzanita Business Alliance March Open House, at a time and

date to be announced prior to that month. The free event will serve as

an opportunity for area business owners to find out more about the MBA

and sign up as members, said Brian, who serves as vice president of

the organization.

The open house will feature beer and wine along with fresh seafood

appetizers, and be open to all business owners in Manzanita, Nehalem,

and Wheeler.

¨The MBA plays a key role in the greater Manzanita area, benefitting

many stakeholders,” said Brian. ¨Membership gives you a voice in

future strategic and event planning as well as an opportunity to

network with other business owners.”

He added that he believes locals will rise to the occasion to support

the organizations he plans to feature at the restaurant. ¨That´s one

of the things I love about this community – everybody rallies.”

The Williams moved to north Tillamook County from Chicago to purchase

the Big Wave Cafe in September 2011. Brian left his position as senior

vice president at Career Education Corporation for Le Cordon Bleu to

return to Oregon, where he and Carol grew up.

Carol, who makes the Big Wave´s desserts, is a graduate of Le Cordon

Bleu Portland and studied with renowned French pastry chef, Pascal

Tisseur at Petite Provence, an upscale French bakery in Portland.