NEWS BRIEFS: Dry weather prompts tree farm closures in Jefferson, Kitsap, Mason counties . . . and other items

Olympic Resource Management, a Pope Resources company, will temporarily close all general public access to its Hood Canal Tree Farm properties in Jefferson, Kitsap and Mason counties effective Friday.

The closure will remain in effect until significant rainfall occurs, the company said.

Notice of reopening will be posted at www.poperesources.com.

“Exceptionally dry weather conditions make for extreme fire danger that threatens private and public resources,” the company said in an email.

Pope Resources owns and manages approximately 69,000 acres of forestland on its Hood Canal Tree Farm in Kitsap, Mason and Jefferson counties.

Photo contest

WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer is asking for photos from residents of his 6th Congressional District, which includes the North Olympic Peninsula, in his third Facebook Cover Photo Contest.

The deadline to submit photos is 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Photos must be original, high-quality and taken in the region of the 6th District.

All entrants must own the copyrights for their submission.

On Thursday, July 2, Kilmer, a Democrat from Gig Harbor and a Port Angeles native, will post the photos of five finalists on his Facebook page.

Fans of the page can “like” their favorites. Voting will end at 5 p.m. Monday, July 6, and the winner will be announced Tuesday, July 7.

The winning photo will appear as the cover photograph for Kilmer’s Facebook page.

“Washington state is home to some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world, and I’m excited to see how my constituents will capture the beauty of our region,” Kilmer said.

For consideration, residents can submit original, high-quality photos along with their names, photo locations and brief descriptions to Kilmer at Photocontest@mail.house.gov.

Grief support program now in Quilcene

QUILCENE — Jefferson Healthcare Hospice has expanded its drop-in grief support program in Quilcene.

Beginning this Saturday, the Grief Support Group will meet twice each month on the second and fourth Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

The group will meet at the South County Medical Clinic, 294843 U.S. Highway 101.

This program welcomes anyone who is grieving a death, recent or in the past.

Each session is facilitated and includes such topics as common grief reactions, coping with stress or grief within families.

Grief and loss support services are provided at no cost, and no registration is required.

For more information, phone Bernie Ward-Crixell at 360-385-2200, ext. 4684.

Wine, art show

PORT ANGELES — Olympic Cellars Winery, 255410 U.S. Highway 101, will host an arts and crafts show and sale from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

Sales from the “For the Birds (and Other Critters)” show will benefit the Olympic Peninsula Humane Society.

Artists featured at the show include Patricia Ford (birdhouses), Sharon Prosser (feeders), Maryann Proctor (colorful paintings), Nancy Lawrence (ceramics) and Natalie Brown (metal sculptures).

Wine is available for purchase along with the art.

For more information or to volunteer, phone the Humane Society at 360-457-8206.

Sanctuary Day

FORKS — Get Into Your Sanctuary Day will celebrate the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary’s natural and cultural marine resources at the Kalaloch Lodge, 157151 U.S. Highway 101, this Saturday.

The free daylong event kicks off at 9:30 a.m. with free yoga on the beach with Poser Yoga.

At 11:30 a.m., the sanctuary and Surfriders seek volunteers to help clean up and walk the beach.

Lynne Barre of NOAA Fisheries will talk about Southern Resident killer whales at the Kalaloch Lodge at 3 p.m.

Finally, sustainable seafood dinners with Olympic Culinary Loop restaurants will be offered at the end of the day.

For more information, contact Nicole Harris at nicole.harris@noaa.gov or 360-457-6622.

Sock puppets

FORKS — The Forks Library, 171 S. Forks Ave., will offer a children’s Superhero Sock Puppet Storytime at 2 p.m. Monday.

This free program features stories, puppets, fingerplays, songs and movement exercises.

Participants also will create a superhero sock puppet for storytimes at home.

For more information, phone the library at 360-374-6402, email youth@nols.org or visit www.nols.org.

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