Community news briefs — March 11, 2020
Published 1:30 am Wednesday, March 11, 2020
Yacht club hosts guest speaker
Perry Knudson, Armstrong Marine’s managing director, will speak to the Sequim Bay Yacht Club about the variety of boats built by Armstrong Marine from 7:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 11, at the John Wayne Marina, 2577 W. Sequim Bay Road.
Knudson’s presentation is “Anywhere. Everywhere. Armstrong Marine.” The event is free and open to the community. In addition to research vessels, Armstrong Marine builds custom boats for patrol and law enforcement, passenger vessels, rigid inflatable hulls for police, survey vessels, fishing boats, fire boats, dive boats and landing crafts.
Grange meeting set for March 11
The Sequim Prairie Grange’s monthly meeting is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 11, at the grange, 290 Macleay Road.
The public is welcome to attend, see what the grange is about and what members are doing in the next couple of months for the community. Afterward, enjoy a snack and conversation with grange members. For more information, call 360-582-0100.
Census party at library
To celebrate the U.S. Census for 2020, the North Olympic Library System hosts a Census Party from 2-3:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 21, at the Sequim Library, 630 N. Sequim Ave.
Lorraine Ralson, partnership specialist for the U.S. Census Bureau, will be present to answer questions. Number-based games will be available to play and refreshments will be served at this all-ages event. Computers will be available for use and staff available to answer questions or help attendees get to the Census website.
Visit www.nols.org, email to sequim@nols.org or call 360-683-1161 for more information.
Learn about marine heat waves
Dr. Jan Newton talks about “Understanding the Marine Heat Waves in Your Own Back Yard” in a free presentation scheduled for 6-7 p.m. Friday, March 13, at Peninsula College’s Keegan Hall (M125), 1502 E. Lauridsen Blvd., Port Angeles.
Hosted by the NOAA Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, Feiro Marine Life Center and the Peninsula College STEM Club, this event features Newton, the Senior Principal Oceanographer with the Applied Physics Laboratory of the University of Washington. She will explain how marine heat waves are influencing life in the waters off the Olympic Peninsula.
Marine sanctuary council to meet in PA
The advisory council for the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary will meet at 9:45 a.m. Friday, March 13, at the Elwha Klallam Heritage Center, E. First St., Port Angeles.
The Sanctuary Advisory Council is comprised of 21 representatives of various local and regional organizations and agencies whose role is to advise the sanctuary superintendent on matters of policy and in reviewing strategic plans.
Items on the agenda include whale conservation, the Whale Trail, marine debris impacts on aquatic ecosystems and U.S. Geological Society oil spill contingency plan updates for each sector along with research vessel acquisition updates.
Public comments are taken at 11:45 a.m. and the meeting adjourns at 3:30 p.m.
For a copy of the agenda, contact Chris Butler-Minor as hris.butlerminor@noaa.gov or 360-406-2092.
See olympiccoast.noaa.gov/involved/sac/meetings.html.
Library friends to host monthly sale
The Friends of Sequim Library hosts its monthly book sale from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, March 14, at the Friends building behind the Sequim Library, 630 N. Sequim Ave.
This month’s newly donated items include a complete set of Richard Woodman’s Nathaniel Drinkwater maritime novels; a complete set of The Harvard Classics published in 1909, and a group of six factory wrapped books published by The Lakeside Press. There is also a complete, 14-volume set of the Time-Life series “The Civil War” by Shelby Foote, as well as 30 art instruction books (watercolor, drawing, acrylics, oils), sheet music for piano and guitar, newly-published fiction, and a selection of Hawaiian music on CDs. The outside sale area will feature buck-a-bag all day.
Proceeds benefit children’s and adult programs at the Sequim Library.
Science, tech event set in Port Angeles
Feiro Marine Life Center hosts a free, community-oriented Science & Technology Celebration from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, at the Vern Burton Community Center, 308 E. Fourth St., Port Angeles. Community members are invited to engage with scientists.
The event kicks off at 10 a.m. with Captain Peter Wilcox, founder Inside Passage Decarbonizing Project, on stage with the keynote opening presentation, “Decarbonizing the Inside Passage.” Dr. Carrie Garrison-Laney offers information about tsunami hazards in “Tsunamis in the Salish Sea,” and at noon Matt Jordon takes the imagination to celestial bodies in the night skies and reveals the importance of “Saving the Dark.” Sonja Larson, a specialist in response technology, talks about how technological advances in oil spill preparedness and response will affect spill response options in the Pacific Northwest.
The “Science on Display” display honors the broad spectrum of retired and active scientists and science educators living or working across the north Olympic Peninsula.
Free park day on tap
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission announces that Thursday, March 19, is the next state parks free day, when visitors are not required to display the Discover Pass for day visits at state parks.
The free day is to honor the State Parks’ 107th birthday and is the third of 12 State Parks free days in 2020.
The “free days” are in keeping with legislation that created the Discover Pass, a $30 annual or $10 one-day permit required on lands managed by Washington State Parks and the Washington departments of Natural Resources and Fish &Wildlife.
Other upcoming “free days” include: April 11 (spring free day); April 22 (Earth Day); June 6 (National Trails Day); June 7 (Free Fishing Day); June 13 (National Get Outdoors Day); Tuesday, Aug. 25 (National Park Service Birthday); Saturday, Sept. 26 (National Public Lands Day); Wednesday, Nov. 11 (Veterans Day) and Friday, Nov. 27 (Autumn free day).
Spring birding field trip set at Audubon Center
Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society hosts a “Spring Birding for Beginners and Newcomers” field trip from 8:30-10 a.m. on Saturday, March 21, starting at the Dungeness River Audubon Center, 2151 W. Hendrickson Road.
There is no cost.
Attendees are encouraged to bring binoculars (some loaners may be available), for the walk around the park. Led by Stacey Fradkin, the group will walk along the Olympic Discovery Trail. All levels or birders are welcome.
Attendees are also encouraged to stay for the “Focus On” series talk about bats, held at the river center at 10 a.m. For more information, contact Fradkin at Fstacey3@msn.com or 505-670-3153.
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at monthly dance
Wear your green celebrating St. Patrick’s Day at Clallam Mosaic’s monthly dance, set for noon-3 p.m. Saturday, March 21, St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 510 E. Park Ave., Port Angeles.
Charge of the dance, hosted by a local nonprofit empowering people with special needs, is $10. Accompanying caregivers attend for free, although donations are accepted to defray the costs.
A light meal features corned beef sliders, baked potato bar, coleslaw, cream puffs, and sugar free cookies. Coffee, tea and water will be available.
For updates — or possible event cancellation information — visit www.clallammosaic.org. The next dance is the Rainy Day Dance on Saturday, April 11.
Senior menu set for March at schoolhouse
Sequim Senior Nutrition Site menus are served at noon at the Dungeness Schoolhouse, 2741 Towne Road. Suggested donation is $5 (60 and over), $8 guest and a 24-hour advance reservation is needed. RSVP (at least 24 hours in advance) to 360-565-5038. Menus are subject to change.
The remaining menu for March includes:
Friday, March 13 — Salad bar w/fruit, baked ham and potato casserole, roll & butter, dessert
Tuesday, March 17 — Salad bar w/fruit, corned beef and cabbage with potatoes, dessert
Friday, March 20 — Salad bar w/fruit, hamburger stew, roll & butter, dessert
Tuesday, March 24 — Salad bar w/fruit, beef goulash w/ buttered egg noodles, dessert
Friday, March 27 — Salad bar w/fruit, salmon burgers w/fixings, dessert
Tuesday, March 31 — Salad bar w/fruit, shepherd’s pie, roll w/butter, dessert.
Focus On Series to spotlight bats
Presented by the Dungeness River Audubon Center, the Focus On Series explores the world of bats, from 10 a.m.-noon on Saturday, March 21, at the center, 2151 W. Hendrickson Road.
Attendees will learn about the adaptations allowing bats to thrive in the darkness of night and why locals should be inviting them into their yards.
Cost is $5 for members, $10 for non-members.
This series dives deep in the lives of different animals and plants. For more information, call 360-681-4076 or email to rceducation@olympus.net.
Grange to host breakfast
The Sequim Prairie Grange, 290 Macleay Road, hosts a pancake breakfast from 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Sunday, March 22. Cost is $7 for adults, $3 for children under age 10. Breakfast includes an egg, slice of ham, all the pancakes you can eat and a bowl of homemade applesauce, plus coffee or tea.
For more information, call 360-582-0100.
‘Smart Driver’ course on tap in Sequim
Community members are invited to an AARP “Smart Driver” course set for 9 a.m.- p.m. March 23-24 at KSQM FM, 609 W. Washington St.
The course can help drivers reduce overall maintenance and car insurance costs, as well as refresh driving skills and strategies, learn about new car technology, help them stay safe behind the wheel, and learn about new local and state laws, organizers say. Participants must attend both days.
Cost is $20 ($15 for AARP members).
To register, call the Shipley Center at 360-683-6806.
Kitsap Bank sponsors 2020 Meowgaritas and Mutts
The Olympic Peninsula Humane Society announced last week that Kitsap Bank is the title sponsor for the 2020 Meowgaritas and Mutts, the organization’s largest fundraising event of the year.
The fiesta-themed event, which includes dinner and a silent auction, is held at the Vern Burton Community Center from 5:30-10 p.m. Saturday, April 25. It draws more than 400 attendees annually and helps OPHS care for the more than 1,500 animals that come through its doors each year.
Tickets are $60. Get them and learn about sponsorship opportunities at www.ophumanesociety.org.
Senior menu set for March
Sequim Senior Nutrition Site menus are served at noon at the Dungeness Schoolhouse, 2741 Towne Road. Suggested donation is $5 (60 and over), $8 guest and a 24-hour advance reservation is needed. RSVP (at least 24 hours in advance) to 360-565-5038. Menus are subject to change.
The remaining menu for March includes:
Friday, March 13 — Salad bar w/fruit, baked ham and potato casserole, roll & butter, dessert
Tuesday, March 17 — Salad bar w/fruit, corned beef and cabbage with potatoes, dessert
Friday, March 20 — Salad bar w/fruit, hamburger stew, roll & butter, dessert
Tuesday, March 24 — Salad bar w/fruit, beef goulash w/ buttered egg noodles, dessert
Friday, March 27 — Salad bar w/fruit, salmon burgers w/fixings, dessert
Tuesday, March 31 — Salad bar w/fruit, shepherd’s pie, roll w/butter, dessert.
