Disabled American Veterans sponsors a veterans benefits outreach 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Jan. 8 at Port Angeles Library, 2210 S. Peabody St., Port Angeles.

Veterans and their families can receive help with benefit application.



The Kid's Closet announced on Dec. 26 that nearly 100 wishes from local children and families were fulfilled thanks to the help of other families.

The family owned and operated children's and maternity store offers a selection of new and gently used maternity and children's clothing, toys, furniture, strollers and furnishings.

The Kid's Closet is located at 112 S. Lincoln St., in Port Angeles and open Tuesday-Saturday between 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Call 457-KIDS.



Laraine Claire, a licensed massage therapist, recently joined Sequim Massage, 1003 E. Washington St. Suite 3. Both Claire and owner Jim Jeffko are certified in Lomi Lomi, a Hawaiian-type of massage. Call 683-8722 for an appointment.



JP Morgan Chase, responding to an earlier application to WAMU, recently awarded $7,500 to OlyCAP in general operating support for asset building programs in Clallam and Jefferson counties. Asset building programs create opportunities for low-income working families to strengthen their financial future, improve their financial management skills, secure their savings, achieve economic self-sufficiency and build wealth, according to Peter Badame, OlyCAP's asset building program manager. OlyCAP is the peninsula's largest nonprofit community services agency, integrating programs that assist low-income individuals and families.



Peninsula College Entrepreneur Institute and the

Incubator at Lincoln Center are presenting the Entrepreneur Youth Challenge 2009, a business plan competition, from 4-8 p.m. Feb. 11. Innovative and business-minded youths are sought to participate in this year's event, which offers $1,500 awards to two individuals and/or teams.

The Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe sponsors the competition, which is in its second year. Interested high-school-aged youths must submit an intent to enter form by 5 p.m. Jan. 16. This form and other related documents can be downloaded from the PCEI Web site at pceinstitute.com.

The competition consists of a written business plan, an oral presentation and a visual display.

Professional business mentors will be available for those wishing extra support in developing their written business plan or presentation skills.

More information is available at pceinstitute.com or from Linty Hopie, Peninsula College entrepreneurship coordinator, at 417-6504.



Estes Builders supports the local Salvation Army Christmas Angels Program every December.

This year, longtime trade partner Tom's Plumbing of

Sequim joined the homebuilder to donate $900 and purchase gifts for 23 children.

Estes Builders can be reached at 683-8756 or www.

estesbuilders.com.



Marguerite Glover was elected Realtor of the Year at the Sequim Association of Realtors Christmas party at 7 Cedars Casino in December. She and her husband own Peter Black Real Estate, 317 E. Washington St.



Washington's minimum wage increases 48 cents to $8.55 an hour beginning Jan. 1, 2009.

The state's minimum wage applies to workers in both agriculture and nonagricultural jobs, although 14- and 15-year-olds may be paid 85 percent of the adult minimum wage, or $7.27 an hour.

The Department of Labor & Industries adjusts the state's minimum wage each year in September as required by Initiative 688, which Washington state voters approved in 1998.

The initiative requires the state to adjust the minimum wage according to the change in the federal "CPI-W," which is a national index covering the cost of goods and services needed for day-to-day living. That index rose 5.9 percent during the 12 months ending Aug. 31, 2008.

Free minimum wage and worker-rights posters are available from any L&I office or by calling 866-219-7321 or downloading from the L&I Web site at Wages.Lni.wa.gov.



Anne's Sequim Antiques, 253 W. Washington St., will be closed January and February except for Saturdays from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.