Community News Briefs — Aug. 2, 2017

Pioneer picnic is Sunday

The Sequim Pioneer Picnic will be at noon Sunday, Aug. 6, at the Sequim Prairie Grange outdoor kitchen. The Grange is at 290 Macleay Road in Sequim. The picnic is potluck with the Pioneer Association providing beverages, hot dogs and buns. Anyone living in the Sequim area for more than 40 years is considered to be a Pioneer. Come out and join other pioneer descendants, rain or shine.

City of Sequim seeks parks board applicants

The Sequim City Council is seeking applicants to fill three vacancies on the Parks, Arbor and Recreation Advisory Board. This voluntary board meets the first Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. and advises the city council on issues involving city parks and publicspaces. Terms expire on June 30, 2018, 2019 and 2020. The positions are open to residents within the Clallam County boundaries of the Sequim School District or within the Sequim city limits.

Applications are available at the Civic Center, 152 W. Cedar St., or online at www.sequimwa.gov. The positions are open until filled.

For more information, contact Assistant City Manager/Parks Manager Joe Irvin at 582-2457 or jirvin@sequimwa.gov.

Free stickfighting class available for veterans

Each Saturday in September, join instructor Kathrin J. Sumpter of Sequim Martial Arts/Sequim Doces Pares for a free, one-hour eskrima stickfighting clinic exclusively for veterans. Clinics are 10-11 a.m. each Saturday in September. No stickfighting or martial arts experience is necessary. All ages and fitness levels are welcome. Learn the foundational basics of this Filipino art from Sumpter, a fourth-grade black belt. Sign up by calling 683-4799. Space is limited. A minimum of four students are required to host this class.

Hospital Guild’s thrift shop open Saturday

The Sequim Dungeness Hospital Guild’s thrift shop, 204 W. Bell St., Sequim, will be open from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5. Featured are an unusual wood storage cabinet, home accessories, end of summer fashions, designer handbags and jewelry, kitchenware and glasses and dishes. Books and puzzles also are available and all white-tagged items will be marked half-price. Consignors and new volunteers always are needed. Call 683-7044 for information.

Kilmer to host town hall

In order to hear directly from residents of Washington’s Sixth Congressional District, U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-WA) announced he will host a series of town halls throughout the region. The events are open to the public and all are encouraged to attend. Participants will have the opportunity to hear an update on Congress and ask questions. Kilmer hosts a “Clallam County Town Hall” from 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 8, at Peninsula College’s Little Theater, 1502 E. Lauridsen Blvd., Port Angeles. Contact Kilmer’s district office at 253-272-3515 for hearing devices or other special accommodations at the town hall meetings.

Healthcare, net neutrality up for discussion

The group Indivisible Sequim — a local resource for social justice and furthering the democratic process — presents two topics at its August meeting set for 2-3:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 6, at the Sequim Transit Center conference room, 190 W. Cedar St. The meeting includes a screening of the documentary “Fix It: Healthcare at the Tipping Point,” and a discussion of net neutrality.

Email info@indivisible sequim.org or see www.indivisiblesequim.org for more information.

Learn all about guardianship issues

Certified professional guardians from Guardian Institute/Bridge Builders, Ltd., will answer questions about guardianship from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 10, at the Sequim Library, 630 N. Sequim Ave. They will explain the qualifications of a professional guardian, the education required, the responsibilities, the difference between a lay guardian and a professional guardian. Staff will introduce the development of a Volunteer Guardian Advocate Program that will train volunteers to fill the need for guardians for low-income individuals in need of guardianship.

Commission considers shoreline program

The Clallam County Planning Commission meets at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2, at the Clallam County Courthouse, 223 E. Fourth St., Port Angeles. The agenda includes a revised Draft Clallam County Shoreline Master Program (June 2017) Planning Commission Review Draft. For more information, call 417-2277.

Lady Washington grounding studied

The United States Coast Guard concluded a vessel inspection of Lady Washington in Port Townsend Boatyard on July 25, and the inspecting officer determined the tall ship was undamaged and fully cleared to resume regular operations. The causes of Lady Washington’s grounding in Sequim Bay on July 24 are still under internal investigation. Grays Harbor Historical Seaport will issue a statement once the investigation concludes. The Lady Washington was slated to visit Port Ludlow Aug. 22-28 and four other Washington state stops before visiting several California ports. See www.historicalseaport.org/public-tours-sails/sailing-schedule/ for more information.

Sequim Lions sponsor free health screenings

Sequim Valley and Port Angeles Lions Clubs will offer free mobile health screenings Friday-Saturday, Aug. 4-5. The 62-foot long medically equipped Lions Health Screening Unit travels through Washington and Northern Idaho to provide free health screenings. Patients will be checked for glaucoma, diabetes, high blood pressure, sight and hearing.

The screenings are a program of the Northwest Lions Foundation for sight and hearing. Screenings are open to all and no appointments are needed. The unit will be at the Sequim Walmart parking lot, 1284 W. Washington St., from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 4; and will be in the Port Angeles Safeway parking lot, 110 E. Third St., from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Call 452-2185 or 417-6862 for information.

Pennies For Quarters is now a nonprofit

The Internal Revenue Service has announced that Pennies For Quarters is exempt from federal income tax, allowing the organization to receive tax deductible donations. This designation affords the organization the opportunity to apply for grants more easily.

Pennies For Quarters continues to research best practices for its program and consult with local, state and federal agencies in order to provide the best possible help for Clallam County’s homeless veterans. Officials still are in search of property with the correct zoning and with access to city utilities or a community water system that will support the project.

To support the organization, there will be a barbecue fundraiser at New Moon Craft Tavern, 130 S. Lincoln St., Port Angeles, on Aug. 20. Visit www.penniesforquarters.org for information.

Sequim grange marks 75th with potluck

Sequim Prairie Grange #1108 will celebrate its 75th anniversary on Wednesday, Aug. 9, with a potluck at 5:30 p.m., a short program before dinner with cake and ice cream afterward. Call 683-5456 for more information.

Rotary clubs sponsor blood drive

Every two seconds, someone in the U. S. needs blood. It is indispensable and required in the treatment of millions of patients, including individuals with cancer and other life-threatening diseases, patients undergoing organ transplants and trauma victims. The Rotary Clubs of Sequim-sponsored drive will be from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (closed 1:45-2:45 p.m.) Friday, Aug. 11, at the Sunland Golf &Country Club. Appointments are available and walk-ins are welcome between appointments. Visit www.bloodworksnw.org/drives or call 1-800-398-7888 to make an appointment or check for eligibility.

TAFY sets bike/car show

The Answer For Youth (TAFY) is having a bike and car show from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, at Hillcrest Baptist Church, 205 Black Diamond Road, Port Angeles. Lunch is served from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. for a donation. Karaoke will be from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. with Jim and Tammie Gilbertson. Hourly raffles and a bouncy house and activities for children will keep everyone entertained. All proceeds will go to assist TAFY.

Rotary’s salmon bake next weekend

The Sequim Noon Rotary Club will sponsors its 49th Annual Salmon Bake &BBQ from noon-4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 13, at the Sequim Boys &Girls Club, 400 W. Fir St. Plates are wood-fired salmon or pulled pork for $18 for adults. A jumbo all beef hot dog and a drink will be available for children under 12 years of age for $5.

Tickets are available from Noon Rotary Club members, The Fifth Avenue, Thomas Lumber, Boys &Girls Club, Beal Blinds or at the door.

Proceeds benefit Sequim children, local charities and Sequim Rotary projects.

Garden society has two events in August

The Sequim Botanical Garden Society invites you to work alongside its members at the Sequim Botanical Garden in Carrie Blake Community Park near the band shell, east of Sequim. On Tuesday, Aug. 8, at 1 p.m., members will have a brief discussion on irrigation in the home garden especially for summers in Sequim.

This “Work to Learn” Party is a chance to meet and welcome new friends and share collective wisdom of what works best in peninsula gardens. The next “Work to Learn” Party is at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26. Bring your gardening gloves, your tools, sunscreen and hats.

For more information, contact Jean Pier (jeana pier@bellhill.net) or 681-2308, and follow on Facebook at fb.me/SequimBotanicalGarden or visit SequimBotanicalGarden.org.

Get the buzz on bees

Join Sarah Red-Laird, the Bee Girl, at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 11, at Nash’s Farm Store, 4681 Sequim-Dungeness Way in Dungeness, as she returns for another talk on the world of bees and honey.

The talk, sponsored by the North Olympic Peninsula Beekeepers Association, is free and open to the public.

Senior menu set

Sequim Senior Nutrition Site menus are served at 4:30 p.m. at the Shipley Center, 921 E. Hammond St., on Tuesdays-Fridays. Suggested donation is $5 (60 and over), $8 guest and a 24-hour advance reservation is needed. RSVP to 683-8491. Menus are subject to change.

Thursday, Aug 3: Carrot salad, turkey a la king/biscuits, baked tomatoes, sherbet

Friday, Aug. 4: Tomato juice, biscuits/country gravy, scrambled eggs, fruit cup, choice cream pie

Tuesday, Aug. 8: Pea salad, slice of ham, macaroni/cheese, broccoli/cauliflower, blueberries/cream

Wednesday, Aug. 9: Strawberry Dreams salad, garlic bread, dessert pizza.