NEWS BRIEFS: Coast Guard air crew from Port Angeles rescues four off San Juan Island . . . and other items

PORT ANGELES — A Coast Guard air crew has rescued four people whose vessel ran aground near Eagle Point on San Juan Island.

All four people, none of whom was identified, were transferred with no reported injuries to emergency responders waiting on a nearby road Monday afternoon, according to a Coast Guard news release.

Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound in Seattle received a radio call at 1:20 p.m. from a good Samaritan vessel reporting that a 23-foot recreational vessel had run hard aground.

An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Air Station/Sector Field Office Port Angeles and a 45-foot response boat-medium crew from Station Bellingham were launched to assist.

The air crew arrived on scene at 2:13 p.m. and observed the vessel rocking heavily.

All four people were able to make it out of the boat and onto the rocks, where they were hoisted by the air crew.

The vessel could not be recovered due to its location. Coast Guard officials are working with the owner to develop a salvage plan.

There have been no reports of pollution from the grounded vessel, and the incident is under investigation.

Weather on scene was reportedly 1- to 5-foot seas and 14 mph winds.

Comic heroes

“Superhero America: The Comic Book Character as Historical Lens” is the name of T. Andrew Wahl’s free public talk at the Port Angeles and Sequim libraries Thursday.

Wahl, head of the journalism program at Everett Community College, will show how comic-book heroes reflect historical events in a talk at 1 p.m. at the Sequim Library, 630 N. Sequim Ave., and at 6 p.m. at the Port Angeles Library, 2210 S. Peabody St.

These programs are a warmup for the Comic Con, also free, at the Port Angeles Library all day Friday.

For details about its workshops and other activities for all ages, see the North Olympic Library System website, www.NOLS.org, or phone 360-417-8500.

Friday reading

SEQUIM —Sequim writer Michael Bunnell calls his latest novel, The Friendly Little War of Lyman Cutler, a “musical comedy without the music.”

Lovers of literature can find out what he means Friday, as Bunnell is the featured writer in the Fourth Friday Reading series at The Lodge, 660 Evergreen Farm Way, just off Fifth Avenue.

Admission is free to the 6:30 p.m. reading, while listeners and writers are invited to come early to find seats, order coffee and possibly sign up for the open-mic section.

Bunnell, a poet, essayist, songwriter and writing teacher, will give the main reading.

Then come five-minute readings at the open mic. For guidelines and other information, email rmarcus@olypen.com.

Peninsula rifle rendezvous set this week

PORT ANGELES — The Peninsula Long Rifles will sponsor a free mountain-men rendezvous at their range on Slab Camp Road, about three-fourths of a mile off Lost Mountain Road, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

The public is invited to come see the equipment, games and lifestyles typical of early 1800s mountain men.

Visitors can watch muzzle-loading shooting contests and purchase period merchandise from area traders.

For more information, visit www.peninsulalongrifles.com.

5K walk planned

PORT ANGELES — My Choices, 824 E. Eighth St., a nonprofit pregnancy care center, will host a free 5K Walk-for-Life starting at City Pier at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Following the walk, there will be live music, children’s games and local crafts for sale in the pavilion area of the pier.

Michael Rivers, the First Baptist Church Praise Team and the Sequim Valley Foursquare Worship Team will perform live music during the afternoon.

Donations of diapers and baby wipes are being sought to support the mission of the center but are not required for participation.

For more information, phone Wayne Roedell at 360-808-1048 or the My Choices office at 360-452-3300.

Organic shopping

DUNGENESS — Nash’s Farm Store, 4681 Sequim-Dungeness Way, will hold a free Organic Shopping Tour from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday.

Kia Armstrong, host of KSQM’s “Organic Farm Report” and manager at Nash’s Organic Produce, will provide information about cooking seasonally using whole foods, the health benefits of eating organic produce, enticing the family to try new foods, how to include local products in the pantry and simple ways to make local and organic food affordable for the average family.

She also will share recipes, food storage tips and ways to shop effectively at local farmers markets.

For more information, contact Patty McManus at patty@nashsorganicproduce.com or 360-681-6274, or visit www.nashsorganicproduce.com.

Newcomers’ picnic

PORT ANGELES — The Newcomers’ Club of the Olympic Peninsula will host its annual picnic at the Salt Creek Recreation Area, 3506 Camp Hayden Road, on Tuesday, Aug. 4.

Socializing begins at 11 a.m., with lunch served at noon.

The club will provide the meat, and members will bring sides to share.

Dress in layers and bring a chair.

Dogs on leashes are welcome.

RSVP to 360-681-0713 by noon Friday, July 31.

Registration open

PORT ANGELES — Creative Learning Preschool, 712 E. Fifth St., is accepting registrations for the fall.

The school year starts in September and ends in June.

Pre-kindergarten classes are Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Classes for kids ages 3-4 are Tuesday and Thursday.

Hours are from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and noon to 3 p.m.

Classes for kids ages 4-5 are available.

For more information on registration and prices, phone Debbie Roberts at 360-417-8090 or visit www.creativelearninginfo.com.

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