New-in-town group meets today

If you are new to Sequim or considering relocating to Sequim, the “New in Town Conversation” gathering has been designed for you. Meet other newcomers, learn more about the history of Sequim, volunteering opportunities and about how to handle the stresses and strains of relocation.

Events are from 2:30-4:30 p.m. each third Wednesday every other month at First Federal, 333 N. Sequim Ave., Sequim. RSVP to Catherine Mich at 582-1081 or cjmich@gmail.com. The next event is Sept. 20 with guest speaker Colleen Robinson, executive director for Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County.

Library, First Step hosts free play group

A free Tuesday morning play group for children ages 0-6 — along with their siblings and parents/caregivers — is set for 10-11:30 a.m.from Sept. 19-Nov. 7 (except Oct. 17) at the Sequim Library, 630 N. Sequim Ave. Age-appropriate learning activities are provided through art, music, song and dance, circle and story time, literacy, science and more opportunities for families to work hands on together.

First Step Family Support Center is supporting this series of play groups with the help of the Satterberg Foundation, which promotes the healthy development of children and families and strives to ensure that all children in Clallam County grow up feeling loved, safe and cared for.

For more information, call play group facilitator Alicia Simmons at 360-207-4830.

Hospital guild sets monthly meeting

Sequim Dungeness Hospital Guild members resume their monthly business meetings and speaker series at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26, in the community hall of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church on Fifth Ave. The public is invited to the first portion of this meeting — the speaker series, which this month features Staff Sgt. Sean Madison of the Sequim Police Department. Madison will address elder exploitation and abuse. After a short recess, his presentation will be followed with the guild’s business meeting. Coffee and light refreshments will be served. Call 360-683-7044 for more information.

County commission to consider zoning changes

The Clallam County Planning Commission meets at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 20, at the Clallam County Courthouse, 223 E. Fourth St., Port Angeles. The agenda includes a public hearing regarding an application to amend the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Map for about 5 acres of land presently zoned Urban Low Density to Urban Neighborhood Commercial, and a public hearing about the Clallam County Six-Year (2018–2023) Transportation Improvement Program. The agenda also includes a work session about the Draft Clallam County Shoreline Master Program. Call 360-417-2277 for more information.

Officials cancel area fire restrictions

Because of significant and widespread rain with resulting decrease in fire danger, Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest lifted all fire restrictions as of Sept. 18. Restrictions included a ban on campfires outside of developed campgrounds.

Fire restrictions are typically lifted when a significant amount of precipitation is recorded in local weather stations and the fire danger has decreased dramatically, park officials said.

Rainfall amounts since Sept. 17 on the west side of the Olympic Peninsula are over an inch, with amounts of 0.20 inches or more on the east side of the peninsula.

Clallam Dems to host Port commissioner candidates at forum

Candidates for Port of Port Angeles commissioner — incumbent Colleen McAleer and challenger Michael Cobb — are slated to participate in a forum at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 20, the Clallam County Democrats headquarters, 124-A First St., Port Angeles. The event is free and open to the public. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Each candidate will give an opening statement regarding their positions on commission goals and priorities, as well as their qualifications to serve as a port commissioner. These statements will be followed by an audience question-and-answer session. Call 360-452-0500 for more information.

Blood drive set

The Knights of Columbus are sponsoring a blood drive in conjunction with Bloodworks Northwest from 1-7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church (Parish Hall), 121 E. Maple St.; the drive will close from 4:45-5:30 p.m. for a break. Donating persons must be at least 18 years old and in good health. For more information, call Bill Butcher at 360-461-7113 or 360-681-8679.

Have coffee with mayor

The City of Sequim “Coffee with the Mayor” program continues in September. Public Works Director David Garlington joins mayor Dennis Smith at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 21,at the Oak Table Café, 292 W. Washington St. The mayor will be at a published location each month to listen to anyone who wants to chat, ask questions, express a concern, or make a comment about the city or the community. Contact Smith at dsmith@sequimwa.gov.

Speaker talks immune system, memory

The Shipley Center, 921 E. Hammond St., Sequim, hosts Barb Paschal, retired physical therapist and community educator, for a presentation about improving memory and immune systems at 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22. The seventh session of Healthy U! aims to help attendees practice “fun, effective methods” of improving their mental and physical health. There will be time for questions and answers from attendees. The event is open to the public and all ages and is free for Shipley Center members; a donation of $2 from non-members is requested. Register by Sept. 21, by calling 360-683-6806.

Diabetes support group set at OMC

Olympic Medical Center is hosting a diabetes support group meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26, at Seasons Café in the Olympic Memorial Hospital, 939 Caroline St., Port Angeles. The group meets monthly to focus on diabetes education and health maintenance in a casual environment. This month, Renin Oliver of Northwest Kidney Center discusses diabetes and kidney disease. Diabetes support group meetings are free and open to the public. Call 360-417-7125 for more information.

Fair royalty sought

Clallam County Fair Royalty applications are now available at Clallam County High Schools and online at clallamcountyfair.com. Scholarships are available. Fair royalty positions are open to any high school students in Clallam County with a 2.60 grade-point-average or better. Students do not have to be a 4-H or FFA member. Deadline and orientation is Jan. 6, 2018. Royalty must attend the 2018 Clallam County Fair, set for Aug. 16-19. Fair royalty participates in parades and community events. All information is in applications. For more information, call Laurie Davies at 360-681-2024 or email to laurieanndavies@aol.com.

Legislative update set at Sept. 27 meeting

The Clallam County Democrats host a 24th Legislative District update of the 2017 legislative session at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept 27, at the Clallam County Democrats headquarters, 124-A First St., Port Angeles. Presenters are Sen. Kevin Van De Wege, Rep. Mike Chapman and Rep. Steve Tharinger. The trio will also preview legislative and budget issues for the upcoming 2018 session. The event is free and open to the public. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Call 360-452-0500 or see www.clallamdemocrats.org for more information.

Volunteers sought for annual Crab Festival

Organizers of the 2017 Dungeness Crab &Seafood Festival are seeking volunteers for various roles during the 16th-annual fest set for Oct. 6-8 in Port Angeles. Opportunities include crab feed dining and line control assistance, greeting, information/merchandise booth, Grab-a-Crab Derby, crab sales, Crab Revival and more. A volunteer training is set for 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5, in the Crab Central tent, located in the Red Lion Hotel parking lot. Find an online application at www.crabfestival.org/volunteers. Contact volunteer coordinator Kelly Jo Hill at CrabFestVolunteer@crabfestival.org or call 360-461-3950.

Free community dinner on tap at Trinity United

A free community dinner will be served at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 100 S. Blake Ave. The meal includes meatballs, roasted potatoes, vegetables, carrot salad, dessert and beverages. Reservations are required and may be made by calling the church at 360-683-5367 between 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on the Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday before the dinner; or, email to dinnerstumc@aol.com. The church presents the dinners on the last Thursday of each month.

SHS rummage sale slated for Sept. 30

The Sequim High School Choir is hosting a rummage sale from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, at the Sequim Middle School cafeteria, 301 W. Hendrickson Road. Choir members and advocates are raising funds for a trip to Carnegie Hall and are seeking gently-used clothing, household items, etc. Drop off any items at the middle school cafeteria between 3:30-6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29. For more information, call Kim Bedinger at 360-797-4012.

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, Sept. 21: Green salad w/cottage cheese, Italian sausage w/peppers/onions, steamed rice, fruit cup

Friday, Sept. 22: Potato salad, cheeseburger w/fixings, strawberries, root beer float

Tuesday, Sept. 26: Fruit salad, hamburger pie, broccoli/cauliflower, dinner roll, dessert

Wednesday, Sept. 27: Green salad, beefy mushroom/barley soup, turkey/Swiss sandwich, choice chip cookie, watermelon.