The new year begins on the North Olympic Peninsula with a murder mystery, a hike, a cruise and a way to get in shape — among other attractions.
For more about arts and entertainment events, see Peninsula Spotlight, the Peninsula Daily News’ weekly entertainment guide, in today’s print edition.
Other events are in the “Things to Do” calendar, available online at www.peninsuladailynews.com.
PORT ANGELES
Murder mystery
PORT ANGELES — A circus-themed murder mystery is planned for dinner New Year’s Eve at Olympic Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.
The dinner with a mystery will be from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday at the fellowship at 73 Howe Road.
Participants will be asked to answer the question: Was the killer the raging ringmaster, the talented tigh rope walker, the amazing acrobat or the lion tamer?
This is a potluck gala with vegetarian soup provided.
Suggested donation is $5 to $10, and proceeds will go to MANNA and Friends of the Fields.
For more information, phone Rose Marschall at 360-808-2662 or Sandra Howard at 360-417-8812.
Art Is a Gift
PORT ANGELES — Today is the last day of the annual show and sale, Art Is a Gift.
The sale — showcasing Pacific Northwest artists and raising funds for the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center — is open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. in an upstairs room at The Landing, which is at the intersection of Lincoln Street and Railroad Avenue on the Port Angeles waterfront.
The sale is in this new location thanks to The Landing owner Paul Cronauer, who donated the space.
It benefits the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center at 1203 E. Lauridsen Blvd., which is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a “silver milestone.”
Admission is free to the center, which is likewise open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
For more details about downtown’s Art Is a Gift as well as the activities at the arts center itself, visit www.PAFAC.org or phone 360-457-3532.
Masons breakfast
PORT ANGELES — Port Angeles Masons Lodge No. 69 will host an all-you-can-eat New Year’s Day breakfast.
The breakfast will be from 8:30 a.m. to noon Sunday at the Masonic Lodge, 622 S. Lincoln St.
Donations are requested of $8 for adults and $5 for seniors 65 and older.
Children younger than 10 will be admitted free.
Those who donate two or more nonperishable food items will receive a $1 discount.
Proceeds from the breakfast will benefit the Masons charity and scholarship funds.
Lights tour
PORT ANGELES — All Points Charters and Tours will offer its last glimpses of the city’s holiday lights tonight.
The seasonal two-hour tours, which began earlier this month, start at 7 p.m. from the Safeway parking lot at Third and Lincoln streets.
The tour is of decorated residential areas.
Fares are $7.50 for adults, $3.75 for children 6 to 12 and free for children younger than 6.
Reservations may be made by phoning 360-460-7131.
SEQUIM
SARC open house
SEQUIM — Planning to get into shape this coming year?
The Sequim Aquatic Recreation Center showcases its facility and a variety of classes during a free open house on New Year’s Day.
The open house at the center at 610 N. Fifth Ave. will be from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
No admission will be charged and classes will be offered free.
“We are encouraging people to come by and see everything that SARC has to offer,” said Susan Sorensen, chairwoman of the SARC board.
“When we have an open house . . . it’s amazing how many people come in and go, ‘I’ve lived here for five years and never knew this was here,’” Sorensen added.
During the first six months of the year, the facility is lowering admission prices and expanding hours.
General admission will be $8 for adults, $4 for youths and free for children 2 and younger, as opposed to former fees of $10 for adults, $5 for youth and $2.25 for children 3 to 7, and a new, fee-free infant (0-2) age group
On Sunday, hours will change as well, with the facility open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.
Now, the center is open from 5:45 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
New Year’s walk
SEQUIM — The Olympic Peninsula Explorers will hold a club walk on the Olympic Discovery Trail from Railroad Bridge Park to Robin Hill County Park on New Year’s Day.
Participants will meet at the Sequim QFC parking lot, 990 E. Washington St., at 9 a.m. Sunday before heading to Railroad Bridge Park to begin the walk.
Three options are available: five- 12- and 15-kilometer walks.
Strollers are OK. Wheelchairs can be used.
Pets must be on leashes.
For more information, phone Mary Allen Clark at 360-452-0593.
PORT TOWNSEND
Teddy Bear Walk
PORT TOWNSEND — The Olympic Chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society will hold its annual Teddy Bear Walk on Sunday.
Participants will meet at North Beach Park, 5880 Kuhn St., at 1 p.m. for the New Year’s Day walk.
The hike will be from 1 to 3 miles, depending on the weather, and will venture into Fort Worden State Park after passing through the Chinese Gardens.
Other destinations include Hidden Pond and the big willow.
For more information, phone Fred or Ann Weinmann at 360-379-0986 or fweinmann@cablespeed.com.
Birding cruise set
PORT TOWNSEND — An early winter bird migration cruise to Protection Island is planned on New Year’s Eve.
The three-hour cruise will leave from Port Townsend’s Point Hudson Marina at 1 p.m. Saturday.
“Our New Year’s Eve cruise is an annual tradition for many people, giving everyone a chance to see lots of birds and wildlife,” said Anne Murphy, executive director for the Port Townsend Marine Science Center.
Naturalists from the center will be on board to tell about the island and its birds and marine mammals, she said.
“It’s a fun trip for all ages.”
Cruises to Protection Island National Wildlife Refuge at the mouth of Discovery Bay are aboard an enclosed motor-yacht.
Tickets are $55 per person or $50 for members of the center, Burke Museum, Audubon or the Washington Ornithological Society.
Proceeds from the trip help to fund center programs.
The cruise may include an additional stop at the Kilisut Harbor/Mystery Bay area between Marrowstone and Indian Islands.
On-board refreshments will be available.
For reservations, phone the Port Townsend Marine Science Center at 360-385-5582 or 800-566-3932 or email cruises@ptmsc.org.