Deadline for items appearing in the community calendar is noon on Wednesday, one week before publication at editor@sequimgazette.com or delivered to the Sequim Gazette at 147 W. Washington St.
Events/drama/recreation
• “The 12 Cookies of Christmas” at Sherwood Assisted Living (550 W. Hendrickson Road) and The Fifth Avenue (500 W. Hendrickson Road) from 6-7:30 p.m. on Thursday Dec. 21. Receive a free assortment of festive cookies, take pictures with Santa and Frosty the Snowman, and enjoy live music from country artist Buck Ellard and pianist Isabelle Rose in this event that celebrates the Winter Solstice. 360-683-3348, 360-683-3345.
• Blue Christmas service, 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 21, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 301 E. Lopez Ave., Port Angeles. All are welcome. Organizers say this is an event to mourn and reflect.
• Sequim Farmers & Artisans Market’s Winter Market, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 23, at the Sequim Civic Center Plaza, 152 W. Cedar St. Includes live music from Backwood Hucksters, puppet show from Fabulist Fables.
• Christmas Eve candlelight service, 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 24, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 100 S. Blake Ave.
• Free Christmas dinner, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday, Dec. 25, in the Sequim Boys & Girls Club, 400 W. Fir St. There will be turkey, mashed potatoes, pies, and more available. Santa Claus will also appear from noon-1 p.m.
• Olympic Theatre Arts youth workshop, begins Jan. 8. Learn about all aspects of theater while preparing for a performance of “Charlotte’s Web.” Performances set for Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 20-21. Rehearsals are 3-6 p.m. Monday-Friday, Jan. 8-12, and 3-6 p.m. Monday-Friday, Jan. 15-29. The ensemble of third-, fourth- and fifth-graders are from 3-4:30 p.m., while those in grades 6-12 and leads in grades 3-5 rehearse 3-6 p.m. Tuition is $120 per student, with $10 for additional siblings. Sign up before Dec. 31 for $99. Scholarships are available. 360-683-7326, office@olympictheatrearts.org.
Music/dance
• “Christmas in Washington” Concert Series, 7-9 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 21, at the Field Arts and Events Hall, 201 W. Front St., Port Angeles. All ages are welcome. For information and ticket purchases, visit ChristmasInWashington.com. Tickets are also available at the Field Arts and Events Hall box office.
• Peninsula Men’s Gospel Singers (PMGS) perform traditional carols at “A Christmas Offering,” concert set for 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22, at First Presbyterian Church, 139 W. Eighth St., Port Angeles.
• Queens & Aces, New Year’s Eve Dance at the Sequim Elks Lodge, 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, at Sequim Elks Lodge, 143 Port Williams Road. $15 for Elks members, $20 for non-members. Includes dessert and coffee, party favors, champagne toast, more. 360-683-2763.
Art exhibits/events
• Olympic Peninsula Art Association’s Gallery 223 on Hudon, fall quarter artist exhibit; gallery off of Stone and Kendall roads (follow signs). Show runs through Dec. 30, and is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturdays. opaagroup.org.
• Through December, Blue Whole Gallery, 129 W. Washington St., hosts farewell exhibit for long-time artist Carol Janda, who after 19 years of membership and participation in the gallery is moving to Issaquah to be near family. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Saturday, and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sundays.
Workshops/classes/series
• North Olympic Library System’s Novel Conversations Book Discussion Group — “On Tyranny” by Timothy Snyder, 4-5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20, on Zoom; paperback copies available at Sequim Library, 630 N. Sequim Ave.
• North Olympic Library System’s Wednesday Evening Book Discussion Group — “The Samurai’s Garden” by Gail Tsukiyama, 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20, in the Carver Room at the Port Angeles Library; paperback copies available at Port Angeles Library, 2210 S. Peabody St.
Auditions/Submissions/Rehearsals
• Sequim City Band rehearsals, 7-9 p.m. Wednesdays, at rehearsal hall at James Center for the Performing Arts, 506 N. Blake Ave. New musicians leave message at 360-207-4722 to inform director of interest. sequimcityband.org.
• Juan de Fuca Harmony, a cappella barbershop singing group for women, men. Rehearsals 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays at Sunland Golf Club, 109 Hilltop Dr. juandefucaharmony.org, 907-602-7008, 360-775-6547, 360-460-2801.
• Tidepools, Peninsula College’s annual literary arts magazine featuring art, photography, writing and music created by the people of the North Olympic Peninsula, is accepting submissions. The submission deadline for entries is Friday, Jan. 12; winners will be announced Friday, March 8. Find contest guidelines and enter work online at tidepools.pencol.edu. Youth entries are $5, adult entries are $7.50, and students currently enrolled at Peninsula College can enter the contest for free. For more information, contact Deirdre Frank at dfrank@pencol.edu or 360-417-6489.
Ongoing Events
• Shipley Center classes/activities: Tai chi, exercise classes, basic meditation, computer clinic, some offered via Zoom. 360-683-6806, info@shipleycenter.org. (Note: some classes are limited in size)
Mondays
• Clallam County Master Gardeners plant answer clinics, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. through Oct. 17 (except holidays), at Clallam County Courthouse, 223 E. Fourth St., Port Angeles. mgplantclinic.clallam@gmail.com.
Tuesdays
• Skwim Toastmasters Club. Meets every Tuesday, 7-8:30 p.m. Currently meeting online via Zoom. Get link at 907529.toastmastersclubs.org.
• Storytimes for children, rain or shine, at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesdays through Oct. 31 at the Sequim Library, 630 N. Sequim Ave. nols.org/storytime, youth@nols.org.
Thursdays
• Olympic Peninsula Christian Writers, 6:30-8:30 p.m., third Thursday, currently meeting online via Zoom. Email to opchristianwriters@gmail.com.
• Gardiner Community Cemetery commissioners, 4 p.m., second Thursday, downstairs in Gardiner Community Center, 980 Old Gardiner Road, Gardiner. Public invited to attend.
Fridays
• Sequim Duplicate Bridge Club, 12:30-4 p.m. at Masonic Lodge 213, 700 S. Fifth Ave., starting May 27. Proof of COVID vaccination is required; masks are optional. garygvip96@gmail.com/360-681-4308 or missycs@msn.com/360-681-4070.
• First Friday Art Walk Sequim. Free, self-guided tour of local art venues in Sequim, 5-8 p.m., first Friday of month. SequimArtWalk.com.
• Teen Board Game and Art Night, second Fridays, at Sequim Library, 630 N. Sequim Ave. nols.org/teens, 360-417-8500, teens@nols.org.
