CHILLY WEATHER HASN’T dampened the pursuit of pleasure and meaning on the North Olympic Peninsula.
From the Kinetic Skulpture Race in Port Townsend, to a fiber festival in Sequim, to a farm tour, to the last weekend of Hickory Days in Forks, the place is jumping.
For more information on the second annual North Olympic Fiber Arts Festival in Sequim, the Forks Hickory Shirt/Heritage Days grand finale and the Wildlife and Nature Art Expo in Port Townsend – which includes a talk by author Tim McNulty hosted by the Port Townsend Marine Science Center.
For other events, check this section, the roundup below and “Things to Do This Weekend,” which can be found by clicking on “Calendar” at left.
Solar power tours
Solar-powered and energy-efficient homes and buildings in Jefferson and Clallam counties will join others around the state and across the country for the American Solar Energy Society’s 12th annual National Solar Tour on Saturday.
The event is the largest demonstration of installed renewable energy technologies and energy-efficient building practices in the nation.
Saturday’s self-guided 2007 Solar Home Tour – from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – offers local residents an opportunity to find out how their neighbors are trimming their energy bills, increasing their energy independence and taking steps to address global warming.
In Jefferson County, 18 homes are included on the tour.
In Clallam County, there will be 11 homes, Sequim High School and the Clallam County Public Utility District “House on Wheels.”
Statewide, there will be more than 200 homes open for tours.
Maps and other information, including presentations on grid-tied solar-electric systems, will be offered at the tour’s kick-off location.
When a grid-connected solar electric system generates more power than the appliances within the home are consuming, the excess electricity goes back out into the utility network.
In Jefferson County, the kick-off is at Wildberry Farm (Cochrane family), 2343 Thomas St., Port Townsend.
Directions: Coming into Port Townsend on state Highway 20, take a left on Sheridan Street.
At second stop sign, take left onto Hastings Avenue heading west.
In about a quarter-mile, take a left on Thomas Street.
Wildberry Farm is the first farm on the right.
Park on Thomas and walk down drive to barn. Look for a parking area in a pasture. Carpool if possible.
In Clallam County, the kick-off is at the Clallam PUD “House on Wheels,” 83 Idea Place, Sequim.
Directions: Halfway between U.S. Highway 101 and Old Olympic Highway on Carlsborg Road, turn east.
The House on Wheels will be parked at the end of the street by the PUD’s barn-warehouse.
For more information about the tour, click on www.solarwashington.org.
Homecoming parade
PORT ANGELES – A parade will precede the Port Angeles High School Roughriders’ Homecoming game tonight.
The parade will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Clallam County Courthouse parking lot, turn south onto Peabody Street, head east onto Fifth Street, turn north onto Francis Street, then east onto Fourth Street to end at Civic Field, where the game against Bremerton will start at 7 p.m.
In the parade will be the high school band, dance team, cheerleaders and various clubs and teams with their own floats.
Spectators at the game will also be treated to a fireworks show.
“It will be a really professional show,” Ward said.
“It should be a lot of fun.”
Admission to the game will be one can of food, which will be donated to a local food bank.
Homecoming activities will wrap up on Saturday with a dance from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Port Angeles High School Gym.
Rock show
SEQUIM – The Clallam County Gem and Mineral Show will host a rock show today through Sunday.
“Natural Treasures” will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at Carrie Blake Park in Sequim.
Vendors from all over the Pacific Northwest, and from elsewhere in the country, are expected at the three-day show.
“Some of our vendors come from as far east as Missouri and Colorado,” said Wanda Power, the group’s secretary and past president.
Club members also will display their creations, and give demonstrations in lapidary, wire-wrapping and other jewelry-making arts.
A raffle and silent auction are also scheduled.
For more information about the club or the rock show, visit the group’s Web site at http://olympicrocks.com or phone Foster Thompson at 360-681-7981 or Power at 360-681-2323.
Ragmalia tonight
PORT ANGELES – The Juan de Fuca Festival will open its 2007-08 season with the music and dance theater Ragmalia tonight.
The program, “From Temple to Theater,” will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Port Angeles High School Auditorium, 304 E. Park Ave.
The Ragmalia Music and Dance Theater, which is from New York City, will perform both classical dance from Southern India and highlights of the company’s contemporary collaborations.
Set to diverse music, from classical Indian music to thundering taiko drums of Japan, the program includes original poetry and a cappella vocalizations of Zap Mama.
The program will include an excerpt from Vital Force with taiko drummers of the Wadaiko Ensemble of Tokara, Japan.
Tickets are available at Port Book and News in Port Angeles, Pacific Mist Books in Sequim, or by phoning the Festival office at 360-457-5411.
Kottke performance
PORT TOWNSEND – Guitarist-singer-composer Leo Kottke will perform a solo concert at the McCurdy Pavilion at Fort Worden State Park tonight.
This concert, which begins at 7:30 p.m., marks Kottke’s first visit to Port Townsend in five years, is presented by Centrum and UpWest Arts.
Tickets are available online at www.centrum.org, and in person at the Centrum ticket office, at Quimper Sound Music in Port Townsend and at The Food Co-op in Port Townsend.
By phone, tickets are available at 360-385-3102, or toll free at 800-733-3608.
Tickets range from $20 to $25, depending upon seating.
Pumpkin Patch
CARLSBORG – The Pumpkin Patch, a 33-acre farm four miles west of Sequim on U.S. Highway 101 at Kitchen-Dick Road, is open daily at noon through Oct. 31.
Pumpkins sell for 25 cents per pound; admission to the corn maze is $12 for adults or $6 for children 15 and younger, while the straw maze is $4 per child.
Horseback rides are $5 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under.
Hours are from noon to 6 p.m. Sundays through Thursday, and from noon to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
The popular pumpkin catapult will give visitors an opportunity to win $100 by launching pumpkins from a giant slingshot into a garbage can.
Music and a country store also are available this year.
School surplus sale
SEQUIM – Books, videos, shop tools, overhead projectors, computer keyboards and other items will go up for grabs today during the Sequim School District’s surplus property sale.
“There are lots of books: library books, textbooks, wonderful books,” said Marilyn Walsh, coordinator of the sale, which will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Community School Commons, 220 W. Alder St., Sequim.
For a complete list of items, visit www.SequimK12.wa.us and click on the “surplus equipment” link at the bottom of the page.
A list can be picked up at the district office, 503 N. Sequim Ave.
More information is available from Walsh at 360-582-3260.
Buyers must pay with cash or checks, and all sales are final.
Eating locally
PORT TOWNSEND – If everyone ate a diet that was from 10 to 20 percent locally produced, what would the implications be for the community?
That’s the question that will be discussed during a free brown-bag lunch hosted by Local 20/20 today.
The discussion will be from noon to 2 p.m. at the Port Townsend Masonic Hall, corner of Van Buren and Jefferson streets, in Port Townsend.
Katherine Baril of Washington State University Jefferson County Extension will present regional economic information, historic trends and local opportunities.
Discussion will include potential new food processing and marketing opportunities, ideas for new community gardens and backyard food production, and expansion of local markets.
Local 20/20 is a network of individuals and organizations working toward local sustainability by integrating economy, ecology and community through action and education.
Meetings are on the first Friday of each month.
Those new to Local 20/20 are welcome to arrive in time for an 11:45 a.m. orientation.
For more information, visit www.L2020.org or phone Deborah Stinson at 360-379-1406.
Volkswalks scheduled
PORT TOWNSEND – Two Volkswalks will begin at the kitchen shelter at Chetzemoka Park, 900 Jackson St., on Saturday.
Start times for the 6.2-mile walk and 3.1-mile walk will be held between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
They will conclude at 4 p.m.
The group will walk on city streets and the beach.
The walks, sponsored by Evergreen State Volkssport Association and the Olympic Peninsula Explorers Volkssport Club, are free; however, each participant must register.
Water and restrooms will be available at the start and finish lines.
Pets will be permitted on the walks.
Owners are responsible for leash and cleanup laws.
Embroidered patches will be sold for $7 for participants who complete a walk.
Event credit only is $3.
For more information, phone Janet Lenfant at 360-681-5405, or e-mail opepresident@hotmail.com.
History on Sunday
PORT ANGELES – Stories and pictures of Clallam County parks will be presented at the first 2007-2008 series presentation of History Tales of Clallam County.
The presentation, by Joel Winborn, manager of Clallam County parks, will be held in the Port Angeles City Council Chamber, 321 E. Fifth St., at 2:30 p.m. Sunday.
The program, sponsored by the Clallam County Historical Society, is free and open to the public.
Clallam County parks include Salt Creek Park, Voice of America Dungeness Park, Lake Pleasant Park and Camp David Jr.
For more information, phone the administration office of the Historical Society at 360-452-2662.
Bingo night, prizes
PORT ANGELES – A bingo night will be held at Laurel Park Assisted Living, 1133 E. Park Ave., from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Bingo prizes will include a dinner at Applebee’s, an overnight stay at the Quality Inn-Sequim, and golf and gift baskets.
All proceeds will go to Children’s Hospital in Seattle.
Refreshments will be served.
For more information, phone 360-452-7201.
Author signs books
SEQUIM – Alvin J. Harris, a retired surgeon and author, will sign two of his books, Death, Dear Doctor and Take Two Tabs Then Die, today.
The book signing will be held at Pacific Mist Books, 121 W. Washington St., from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Harris practiced orthopedic surgery in Sequim for 20 years before retiring in Palm Desert, Calif.
Haybox class, dinner
PORT TOWNSEND – A haybox-making class and potluck dinner will be held at Port Townsend EcoVillage, 510 35th St., off San Juan Avenue, on Saturday.
The free class will begin at 3:30 p.m., followed by the potluck at 5 p.m.
A haybox is a wooden, insulated box that slow-cooks food without using electricity.
Participants will help design and create hayboxes.
People who want to bring home a working haybox should bring a cooler or wooden box large enough to hold a grain-cooking pot.
Solar cookers will also be demonstrated.
For more information, phone Gretchen Sleicher at 360-379-9123, or gsleicher@igc.org.