First Step Family Support Center, a United Way agency, recently was awarded $10,000 from the Whatton Family Fund in support of their campaign to expand their facility. The award will be used to create a warm and inviting reading resource room in First Step’s new building for families with small children in an effort to enhance community literacy. A first-floor space has been identified and will be named in honor of Evelyn ("Johnny") Whatton. This collaboration will bring together First Step Family Support Center, the Clallam County Literacy Council, the United Way Community Foundation and the Whatton Family Fund.

Sequim Inn-Holiday Plaza Motel has been selected for the 2008 Best of Sequim Award in the Hotels category by the U.S. Local Business Association. The USLBA "Best of Local Business" award program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USLBA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

The Basketry Studio, owned by Kathey Ervin, relocated from Carlsborg Road to 281 Mantle Road, off Old Olympic Highway, Sequim. Ervin teaches beginner and advanced basket-making classes. An open house is scheduled 1-3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, and

9 a.m.-noon Sunday, Nov. 23. For more information, call 683-0050 or go online to www.thebasketrystudio.com.

Irvine House, Serenity House’s new youth transitional housing facility, recently received a $2,000 US Bank Foundation grant. Irvine House, at 420 E. Eighth St., Port Angeles, provides safe, stable living quarters to help people ages 18 to 21 achieve their educational and career goals.

Carlsborg Conference Center is hosting a no-commission gallery to artists, photographers and crafters who are interested in creating their own event. Reservations are available by the hour, day or week. Centrally located between Sequim and Port Angeles at 865 Carlsborg Road, Suite E,, across from the Carlsborg post office. Call Margie at 582-1919 for reservations or to schedule a tour.

Applications for 2009 funding from the Affordable Housing and Homeless Housing and Assistance Funds are available from the Clallam County Department of Health and Human Services. Contact Jill Dole at 565-2608 or by e-mail at jdole@co.clallam.wa.us for application and instruction packets. These funds are generated by recording fees collected by the county auditor’s office specifically for affordable housing and homeless housing and assistance. Funds may be used for projects or activities designated in the Clallam County Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness and as outlined in SB2060 legislation. Applicants may be 501(c)(3) agencies, for-profit entities, a public housing authority or a governmental entity. The deadline for applications is Dec. 10.

Nancy Schade of the Quality Inn & Suites hotel in Sequim has received the Service Excellence, General Manager award from Choice Hotels International, Inc., which serves to recognize properties and individuals in the Choice family that have demonstrated a strong commitment to excellence. In addition Bret Wirta of the Quality Inn & Suites hotel has received the Eco-Excellence award from Choice Hotels International, Inc.

Mike Blodgett has joined Angeles Millwork & Lumber Co. as a contractor sales representative. He has 11 years of experience in selling building materials. He had been a painting contractor and small business owner for eight years and spent the past five and a half years building custom homes. He is looking forward to getting to know the local building contractors and earning their trust through a commitment to integrity and excellence.

John Tillotson joins the retail sales department at Hartnagel Building Supply. Tillotson has 22 years of experience in the building materials market in Washington and Wyoming. He most recently was employed by Thomas Building Center as paint department manager/sales. He enjoys working with the public and interacting with people from all walks of life.

In ongoing training for Pacific Office Equipment, the following individuals have completed training at the top of their respective classes: Russ Connary, Canon DR scanners; Grant Twiss, training in Irvine, Calif., on Canon scanning and document management; Allen Coleman, IT manager, advanced training on Canon document management and LMI solutions; Richard Smith, NEC training on VoIP phone systems; Richard Suzuki, NEC training on VoIP phone systems.

Neil W. Burkhardt of McComb Gardens attended The Green Gardening Program "One Step Ahead: Preparing for an IPM Future in the Northwest, Practical IPM Strategies for Landscape Professionals." The Green Gardening Program is sponsored by Seattle Public Utilities in an effort to promote alternatives to pesticides. For more information, contact the nursery at 360-681-2728.