Garden plots available at city memorial park
Applications are now open for gardeners to apply for a plot at the June Robinson Memorial Park community gardens. Plot rental is $45 per year for either a raised bed or ground plot and is dependent on availability.
Apply online at https://form.jotform.com/242966636801161 by Jan. 15. Contact Parks and Events Specialist Carrie Kann at ckann@sequimwa.gov or 360-582-2454 with questions.
Disabled veterans office closes for holiday
The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) office at the Sequim Museum & Arts administration building at 544 N. Sequim Ave., will be closed Wednesday, Jan. 1. It will reopen 10 a.m.-2 p.m. every Wednesday to serve veterans who are needing help with claims or other information. Services are free and veterans do not have to be members of DAV to receive assistance. The office is by walk-in; no appointment is necessary. For more information, call 360-775-6482.
Polar Bear Dip readied for Jan. 1
Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County invites the community to the 37th annual Polar Bear Dip at Hollywood Beach in Port Angeles at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 1, an event started by volunteer Dan Welden to help raise funds for the organization.
Hot drinks, tasty muffins, a crackling fire, and participation certificates will be available.
Participants can donate online at volunteerhospice.org, at the event, or at VHOCC’s offices at 829 E. 8th St., Port Angeles. For more information about the event, contact Welden at 360-477-2586.
Clallam Democrats elect executive board
On Dec. 15th, the Clallam County Democrats met at the Lower Elwha Heritage Center in Port Angeles to elect a new executive board for 2025-2026. The following officers were elected — Chair: Ellen Menshew; Vice Chair: Paul Kolesnikoff; State Committee Persons: Julie Johnson, Kenneth Reandeau; Treasurer: Jon Hamilton; Recording Secretary: Christy Holy, and Corresponding Secretary: Denise Mackenstadt.
Trustees for District 1 include Tim Wheeler, Maja Cox and Carlyn Syvanen; District 2: Kris Grier, Hank Warren and Betsy Robins; District 3: Bill Atkinson and Linda Middleton.
Members say they are “committed to promoting wise environmental stewardship, social justice, economic prosperity for working families, and vital social programs by electing principled public servants who will pursue these goals at the county, state, and federal level. For more information, visit clallamdemocrats.org.
Salmon Coalition seeks volunteers
The North Olympic Salmon Coalition and the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe seek volunteers to help plant native trees and shrubs along the Dungeness River from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Jan. 11, 2025.
RSVP for details on location and parking at nosc.org/events/. The event is family-friendly, organizers said.
Orientation begins at 10 a.m. and volunteers are free to leave as their schedule requires.
Tools and gloves will be supplied, though you are welcome to bring your own. Snacks and hot drinks will be provided. Bring warm, waterproof clothes, boots, and a lunch.
Staff said they look to improve water quality and create healthy habitat for the fish and wildlife. The agencies partner on the 2022 Caldero Project that resulted in the construction of a side channel on the Dungeness River that staff said created nearly 1,000 feet of critical off-channel habitat for salmon.
The event will conclude with a tour of the restoration project. Contact the Salmon Coalition with questions at (360) 504-5611 or outreach@nosc.org.
Volunteer Hospice hosts orientation
Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County (VHOCC) hosts in-person volunteer orientations for those interested in learning more about or volunteering with the organization.
The first session is scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, at a location in Sequim to be revealed at the time of registration. A second orientation will be held Wednesday, Jan. 8, at VHOCC offices, 829 E. 8th St., Port Angeles.
Registration for both sessions is required by calling 360-452-1511 or emailing reception@vhocc.org.
Volunteers serve in a variety of roles such as front desk receptionist, in the organization’s lending closet or delivering medical equipment to patients’ homes. They can also serve at the bedside of hospice patients or offer grief support and spiritual care or handle various tasks in the office or at fundraising events.
VHOCC is a nonprofit serving Clallam County from Joyce to Diamond Point, and all its services are free. It provides end-of-life nursing care, loans, medical equipment and supplies and offers education programs, grief support groups, one-on-one bereavement services and practical workshops on life after loss.
To learn more about the nonprofit, call the organization at 360-452-1511, or visit its website at volunteerhospice.org or its Facebook page.
Fraud prevention event set at Adventist Church
Sequim Seventh-day Adventist Church, 30 Sanford Lane, Sequim, hosts a free fraud prevention seminar at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 12.
Organizers say it will focus on how to outsmart phishing expeditions, scams and identity theft attempts.
Port Angeles Police Department, Clallam County Sheriff’s Office, the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, and Neighborhood Watch will be presenters.
The event is sponsored by the Women’s Ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. For more information, call 360-683-7373 or email to sequimadventists@sequimsdachurch.org.
Sequim Schools open referral for Highly Capable Program
The Sequim School District has opened its referral process through Jan. 31 for students currently in K-12 who may qualify for Highly Capable (Hi-Cap) Program services.
Anyone may refer students, including but not limited to: teachers, parents/guardians, staff, friends, students, and members of the community, however, parent/guardian permission will be required for testing.
If you are unsure of the characteristics of Highly Capable learners, refer to davidsongifted.org/prospective-families/gifted-traits-and-characteristics.
Referral forms are online at the district website sequimschools.org/instruction/highly_capable___hi-_cap_/process_and_forms.
Paper referral forms are available upon request. Referral forms must be fully completed and received by close of business on Jan. 31. Due to time constraints, referrals received after then will not be considered. All referrals must be returned to Highly Capable Program Coordinator Jodi Olson at Sequim Middle School, school building secretaries or the District Office.
Questions concerning Hi-Cap services in the Sequim School District may be directed to Olson at 360-775-7083 or jolson@sequimschools.org. More information can be accessed on the Sequim Highly Capable Program webpage at sequimschools.org/instruction/highly_capable___hi-_cap_.
Students who were previously identified by Sequim School District will continue to receive services and do not need to re-apply.
Free state park days announced for 2025
Staff with the Washington State Discover Pass Program recently announced 12 Discover Pass free days for 2025 when visitors won’t need a Discover Pass to park a vehicle at a Washington state park or on lands managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).
The 2025 Discover Pass free days are:
• Wednesday, Jan. 1, New Year’s Day, First Day Hikes*
• Monday, Jan. 20, Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Sunday, March 9, Billy Frank Jr.’s Birthday
• Wednesday, March 19, State Parks’ 111th Birthday
• Tuesday, April 22, Earth Day
• Saturday-Sunday, June 7-8, Free Fishing Weekend
• Thursday, June 19, Juneteenth
• Saturday, Aug. 9, Smokey Bear’s Birthday
• Saturday, Sept. 27, National Public Lands Day
• Friday, Oct. 10, World Mental Health Day
• Monday, Nov. 11, Veterans Day
* First Day Hikes is a national initiative led by America’s State Parks, encouraging people to ring in the New Year surrounded by nature.
The Discover Pass is required to park on state lands managed by Parks, DNR and WDFW with more information at parks.state.wa.us.
