Board to address grad requirements
The Sequim school board is scheduled to talk about graduation requirements at a workshop at 6 p.m. Dec. 18, with their regular board meeting to follow.
The board’s agenda includes a special programs report, discussion of district math strategic planning, a finance committee update and more.
Sequim school board’s new meeting dates are generally the first and third Thursday of each month. On Monday holidays, the board meets the following Tuesday evening. Board workshops are generally at 6 p.m. with the regular board meeting at 7 p.m. Meetings are in the boardroom at the Performing Arts Building, 533 N. Sequim Ave.
For more information, call 582-3260.
WSP reminds drivers
to properly secure loads
With a recent collision involving the Bellevue football team’s bus on Interstate 5, the Washington State Patrol reminds drivers of the importance of properly securing the loads on their vehicles. It was reported the collision started when vehicles attempted to avoid a ladder in the roadway that fell from the back of a pickup truck.
For more information on loss of load or load securement and how to report possible violations, go to the WSP Web site or www.wsp.wa.gov/traveler/loadloss.htm.
Working the trails
Peninsula Trails Coalition will have its monthly work party from 10 a.m.-noon on Saturday, Dec. 20. Volunteers will be planting flower bulbs along the trail east of Sequim, rain or shine. Bring a shovel and work gloves. Meet at the southern terminus of Keeler Road (off West Sequim Bay Road), as it adjoins the trail. Lunch will be provided if you RSVP by noon Thursday, Dec. 18. For more information or to RSVP, contact Carrie at 681-0420, peripateticme@tfon.com.
Watch out for deer
Vehicles and deer can be a lethal combination on Washington roads. As the weather gets colder, deer and other wildlife migrate from the mountains and there is a greater risk of collisions when they dart across roads and highways, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. More deer-vehicle accidents occur between October and December than any other time of the year. The Washington Department of Transportation reported 1,648 collisions involving large, nondomestic animals from 2007, resulting in 212 injuries and two fatalities.
Be attentive from sunset to midnight and hours before and after sunrise as these are the highest-risk periods for deer-vehicle collisions. Deer seldom run alone. If you see one deer, others may be nearby. When driving at night, use high beam headlights when there is no oncoming traffic. Brake firmly when you notice a deer in or near your path and stay in your lane. Many serious crashes occur when drivers swerve to avoid a deer and hit another vehicle or lose control of their cars.
Lending a helping hand
Olympic Cellars Winery in Port Angeles will donate half the cost of a case of Working Girl White or Handyman Red wine to the Calloway family of Sequim. David and Joanna Calloway have lived in Sequim for the past 17 years. Recently David was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Joanna has taken a leave from her job at the Sequim Safeway to care for David. To purchase a case of wine in the name of the Calloway family, visit Olympic Cellars’ tasting room from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., daily. For more information, contact the winery at 452-0160.
Check the tube
Washington television broadcasters plan a 60-second test for viewers to learn if their televisions are equipped for the transition to digital programming that takes place Feb. 17, 2009. If viewers’ programming turns to "snow" with white noise, a blank screen, color bars or a warning text during the test, they can go to www.dtvanswers.com or call 888-DTV-2009 for assistance. Tests will be for 60 seconds beginning at 5:28 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13, and at 5:28 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10. Participating stations include: KCTS 9, KING 5, KIRO 7, KOMO 4, KONG, KMYQ22, KSTW 11 and Q13 FOX.
Handel with Care
Sequim’s ninth Handel with Care, a community sing-it-yourself "Messiah," takes place from 3-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 28, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 100 S. Blake Ave. Dewey Ehling is the director and Pat Marcy, 21 instrumentalists and four soloists will accompany the singers. A suggested $10 donation will go to Sequim Community Aid. Funds raised will be matched by an anonymous couple. All singers and listeners are welcome.
Library closed
The Sequim Branch of the North Olympic Library System, 630 N. Sequim Ave., closes for remodeling on Dec. 29, and is expected to reopen on Feb. 14, 2009.
Improvements include new carpet, fresh paint, comfortable furniture, a cool teen area, colorful children’s space, and a quiet study and tutoring room. The Sequim Library face-lift project is collaboratively funded by NOLS, the Friends of the Sequim Library, and a bequest from the Helen Adams estate.
During remodeling, library materials can be returned anytime.
Held materials can be picked up 1-4 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
During the closure, the library will continue to accept donations of gently-used popular items.
A grand reopening is planned when renovations are complete.
Call 683-1161 or visit www.nols.org and click on "Sequim Branch Library."
Humes Ranch history told
Russ Dalton presents "Up the Elwha to the Humes Ranch" at January History Tales at
2:30 p.m. Jan. 4 in the Port Angeles City Council chambers, 321 E. Fifth St., Port Angeles.
Dalton, a Port Angeles native and former employee at Olympic National Park, tells the story of the Humes Ranch, from its original construction through the cabin’s recently completed second restoration, and how it is now prepared for another 100 years of life.
The cabin, built in 1905, was occupied for nearly 50 years, first by members of the Humes family and later by Herb and Lois Crisler.
During the next five decades it received maintenance and was formally restored in 1970.
The structure was nominated to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.
The Clallam County Historical Society presents History Tales at 2:30 p.m. on the first Sunday of each month in the Port Angeles City Council chambers.
The society has about 450 members and was established in 1948 to preserve and interpret the historical record of Clallam County for the community, students, researchers and its visitors.
Health care reform meeting
The League of Women Voters of Clallam County, AAUW, YMCA Youth in Legislature and the Sequim Senior Activity Center are co-sponsoring two venues on health care reform, one in Sequim and one in Port Angeles.
The meeting in Sequim will be at St. Lukes Episcopal Church from 2-3:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 19. The Port Angeles meeting will be held at the YMCA from 5-6:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 29.
