NEWS BRIEFS: Sequim schools to undertake voluntary water testing . . . and other items

Published 12:01 am Sunday, May 8, 2016

SEQUIM — The Sequim School District will perform voluntary water testing throughout the district in light of news reports of high levels of lead in drinking water in Flint, Mich., and in some Tacoma Public Schools buildings.

The news reports have brought up concerns about the safety of drinking water in schools, said the district in a news release.

The district’s tests will use a protocol approved by the state Department of Health, it said.

“Safety of our students and staff is paramount,” Superintendent Gary Neal said.

“For this reason, we have taken steps to initiate water testing in our facilities and will keep our parents and the public informed of the test results.”

Open house slated

SEQUIM — The Shipley Center will host its eighth annual open house to celebrate national Older Americans Month from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday.

The open house at the senior center at 921 E. Hammond St. is free and open to the public. No RSVPs are necessary.

Board members will lead group tours of the ­Shipley Center.

Self-guided tours also can be made.

Other activities throughout the center will include refreshments, door prizes, demonstrations and a bake sale.

For more information, phone 360-683-6806.

Earth Summit

PORT TOWNSEND — The Sophomore Science II class will present its first Port Townsend High School Earth Summit at the high school, 1500 Van Ness St., at 7 p.m. Monday.

Chris Chase, Port Townsend Shipwrights’ Co-op’s restoration project manager for the Western Flyer, will start off the evening.

He will tell of the history of the boat, which was chartered by author John Steinbeck and his friend marine biologist Ed Ricketts and speak about Ricketts’ passion for understanding the marine ecosystem, chronicled by Steinbeck in his 1951 Log from the Sea of Cortez.

At 7:30 p.m., students will offer presentations on issues surrounding climate change such as extreme weather, ocean acidification, sea level rise, loss of glacial and sheet ice, migration timing, changes in albedo and emerging diseases.

Posters of place-based student work will be in annex hallways.

For more information, email Lois Sherwood at lsherwood@ptschools.org.

KONP sets talk guests this week

PORT ANGELES — Here is this week’s schedule for the 1:05 p.m. to 2 p.m. local talk show segment on KONP radio, at 1450 AM, 101.7 FM and www.konp.com on the Internet outside the Port Angeles area.

Station General Manager Todd Ortloff hosts the Monday through Thursday segments.

This week’s scheduled lineup:

■ Monday: Master Gardeners Judy English, Bill Wrobel and Jeanette Stehr-Green take calls from listeners.

■ Tuesday: Clallam County Fire District No. 2 Fire Chief Sam Phillips and Assistant Chief Mike DeRousie discuss wildland/outdoor fires and burn bans.

Second segment: Scott Brandon from the North Olympic Peninsula Skills Center with some computer tech and drafting students.

■ Wednesday: Pre-empted by Seattle Mariners game.

■ Thursday: Alfredo Quarto discusses the Mangrove Action Project, which works globally to address issues of mangrove wetland loss and the importance of mangroves for the planet’s future.

Second segment: Clallam County Public Utility District.

Squadron set to meet soon

SEQUIM — The North Olympic Sail and Power Squadron will hold its monthly meeting in the Cedars at Dungeness’ Legend’s Room, 1965 Woodcock Road, at 5 p.m. Monday.

Vickie Carroll, Jamestown S’Klallam tribal elder and cultural coordinator for the tribe, will present on the topic of the Tribal Canoe Journeys, the sequence of canoe journeys taken annually and celebrated by the indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast.

Social hour begins at 5 p.m. and will be followed by a short meeting.

Dinner will start at approximately 6 p.m., with the presentation scheduled from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The public is welcome to attend, and dinner purchase is optional.

Bat presentation

PORT TOWNSEND — The Jefferson Land Trust Natural History Society will sponsor a presentation by biologist Sarah Schmidt, “Bats: Gentle Friends, Essential Allies,” at Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 2333 San Juan Ave., at 7 p.m. Monday.

Schmidt will share stories and photos on bat behavior and adaptations, their importance to the balance of natural systems and threats to their health and conservation, according to a news release.

The talk is free and open to the public, with a suggested donation of $5 to help fund Natural History Society programs.

For more information, phone Noreen Parks at 360-379-4007.

Whitman graduate

WALLA WALLA — Port Angeles native Madeline Duppenthaler will graduate from Whitman College on May 22.

She will receive a Bachelor of Arts in anthropology.