Olympic Cellars will host a West Coast inaugural ball on Jan. 20 in Port Angeles in honor of the historic election and inauguration of the first black American to the presidency and the connection between the cities of Washington, D.C., and Port Angeles.

Kathy Charlton, Olympic Cellars' owner, said the inspiration for the event came in the form of a history lesson.

"Thousands will be gathering in the first national city on this historic day. It's time for the 'second national city' in the 'other Washington' to join our nation's capital in celebrating a new day," said Charlton.

Port Angeles was established in 1862 via an executive order issued by President Abraham Lincoln. The town site came to be known as the "Second National City" following the federal government's establishment of Washington, D.C. Tributes to Lincoln's influence are found in the naming of Lincoln Street in the heart of town, Lincoln School and Lincoln Park. In 2009, the U.S. will commemorate the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth.

President-elect Obama, who, like Lincoln, is from Illinois, has approved "A New Birth of Freedom" as his 2009 inaugural theme, a phrase taken from a lesser-known part of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.

Olympic Cellars Winery invites the public to celebrate this historical inauguration at the Olympic Peninsula Community Ball on Tuesday, Jan. 20, at the Naval Elks Lodge, 131 E. First St., Port Angeles. The event, which features a no host bar, appetizers, live music by Fat Chance and big-screen coverage of inauguration day events, will take place from 6:30-10 p.m.

Tickets for the ball must be purchased by Jan. 13 and are available in Olympic Cellars' tasting room, 255410 Highway 101, Port Angeles; online at www.olympiccellars.com or by phone at 452-0160. Tickets also can be purchased at Necessities & Temptations, 217 N. Laurel St., Port Angeles, 457-6400. The cost is $20

Donations to this celebration of country, community and people are welcome. Call Olympic Cellars at 452-0160 to contribute.