Community News Briefs — Aug. 27, 2025
Published 1:30 am Wednesday, August 27, 2025
NFB-Clallam to meet
The National Federation of the Blind Clallam County Chapter will meet on Monday, Sept. 8 from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. in the Sunshine Room at KSQM 91.5 FM in the Sequim Village Shopping Center. The NFB of Clallam County is a community group for blind and low vision individuals who want support and information about living with blindness or low vision.
Justine Chorley from the Clallam County Emergency Management Program will give a presentation on emergency preparedness.
For more information about NFB of Clallam County, call Kyle Parrish at 360-775-095 or send an email to kyle.novision@gmail.com
Cultural heritage talk
Join the North Olympic Library System (NOLS) and Humanities Washington at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 3 for “Coming Home: How the Nez Perce Tribe Regained Their Cultural Heritage,” a free virtual talk with author and historian Trevor Bond. Register in advance at NOLS.org/HW to receive the Zoom link for the presentation.
Belongings deeply important to tribal communities are often housed in museums far away from those communities. In this talk, Bond shares the story of how the Nez Perce Tribe and their allies purchased the largest and oldest collection of Nez Perce material culture — including dresses, shirts and other regalia — from a museum over 2,000 miles away from their homeland.
The talk will explore issues surrounding collection and curation, and the changing relationships between museums and Native communities. It’s a story that transcends the efforts of one Northwest tribe to show how many Indigenous communities are reuniting with their heritage.
Bond is director of the David G. Pollart Center for Arts and Humanities and the associate dean for digital initiatives and special collections at Washington State University Libraries. He is the author of “Coming Home to Nez Perce Country: The Niimíipuu Campaign to Repatriate Their Exploited Heritage,” a finalist for the 2022 Washington State Book Award for nonfiction.
This talk is presented in partnership with The Thomas S. Foley Institute for Public Policy and Public Service, which educates citizens across the state about democratic institutions and public affairs, and is based at Washington State University. For more information, visit foley.wsu.edu.
Lifeguard training
The YMCA of Sequim is offering a Lifeguard Certification Course from Sept. 6-21, providing teens and adults the opportunity to gain the skills needed to keep their community safe around water.
The comprehensive course is open to anyone 15 and older and will cover essential lifesaving techniques, rescue skills, CPR, AED, and First Aid training.
Participants who successfully complete the course will earn their official YMCA Lifeguard Certification, a nationally recognized credential that opens doors to employment opportunities and helps ensure safer aquatic environments. The course fee is waived for those wishing to join the staff.
The course will take place at the Sequim YMCA, 610 N. Fifth Ave. Candidates must pass a swim test by Aug. 28. Registration closes Aug. 30. Space is limited, and early sign-up is encouraged.
To register or learn more, visit olympicpeninsulaymca.org/ymcalifeguard or call 360-452-9244.
Ferguson to address Dems
Governor Bob Ferguson will give the keynote address at the Clallam County Democrats Roosevelt Luncheon at 12:30 p.m. on Sept. 6 at 7 Cedars Hotel & Casino, 270756 U.S. 101 in Sequim.
Tickets are $60 and can be purchased at the Clallam Democrats headquarters at 124A First Street in Port Angeles. Checks made out to Clallam County Democrats can be sent to Clallam County Democrats at P.O. Box 2454, Port Angeles, Washington, 98362. Payments can also be made online through Act Blue. Credit card payments can be made by calling Jon Hamilton at 360-477-8325.
Faith news
MaryEllen “M.E.” Bartholomew will present “What Are YOU Waiting For?,” a message based on her journey through waiting for life to happen, listening to spirit, and being willing to follow where spirit leads, when she speaks at Olympic Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 1033 N. Barr Road, at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 31.
Bartholomew is an energy medicine practitioner as well as a singer and speaker around the area. She was formerly involved with the Peace Choir, both in the organization and singing. For the past 15 years she has been singing at the Center for Spiritual Living in Sequim. Well-known in the local Toastmaster community, she loves giving humorous speeches and emceeing events.
One can attend the service either in person or via Zoom.
For more information, visit olympicuuf.com.
Humane Society event
The Olympic Peninsula Humane Society invites the community to a special barbecue celebration on Sunday, Sept. 7 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 2nd Chance Ranch, 135 Dun Rollin Lane in Port Angeles.
This family-friendly event celebrates the beginning of a new chapter by introducing the new OPHS executive director, Spenser McGinty, who has over 10 years experience in nonprofit animal rescue.
Enjoy a burger or hot dog (while supplies last) and a chance to stroll through the scenic 2nd Chance Ranch Gardens, recently featured on the Master Gardener tour.
There is no admission charge, but donations are appreciated. A 50/50 raffle (cash only, no need to be present to win) is a way to contribute. All proceeds will support OPHS.
The site is ADA accessible, and portable restrooms will be available. Attendees are asked to leave their dogs at home.
For more information, visit the OPHS website, op-hs.org.
