OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — The Paradise Fire continued to creep slowly up the slope of 5,301-foot Pelton Peak on Wednesday, fire officials said.
The fire in the Queets Valley in Olympic National Park began at about 700-foot elevation level; fire growth had reached the 3,000-foot level by Wednesday morning, according to http://inciweb.nwcg.gov.
The fire, which was caused by lightning May 17, is burning on both sides of Paradise Creek through heavy fuels on the forest floor. It is reportd to cover about 1,050 acres.
Both the eastern and western edges are reported to be quiet, and the crews are successfully keeping it north of the Queets River, fire officials said.
One of the fire crews fighting the fire in the Queets River drainage left Wednesday for time off. It was replaced by another.
For more information, see http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/ and the Paradise Fire Facebook page.
Forest Service road closure
OLYMPIA — The Church Creek trailhead and the South Fork Skokomish trailhead will be inaccessible during a temporary closure of Forest Service Road 2361 beginning July 16.
The road, which is in the Church Creek area of the Olympic National Forest’s Hood Canal Ranger District, will be closed from Milepost 3.0 to 3.5 to allow replacement of pipe culvert with a larger version.
The road is expected to re-open in about 45 days.
Zydeco at library
PORT HADLOCK — Jefferson County Library, 620 Cedar Ave., will become a Zydeco dance hall from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. July 17
Dance instructors Cheri Van Hoover and Doug and Debbie Groenig will teach Zydeco dance steps for the first hour followed by an hour of dancing to live Zydeco. Admission is free.
Zydeco, which originated among the Creoles of southwest Louisiana, has basic dance steps that are easy to learn, organizers say.
Friends of the Jefferson County Library will provide light refreshments.
For more information, see www.jclibrary.info or call 360-385-6544.
Volunteers sought for upcoming art event
PORT ANGELES — The Port Angeles Fine Arts Center, 1203 E. Lauridsen Blvd., is looking for volunteers to assist with special events such as the upcoming William (Shakespeare) in Webster’s Woods, set Aug. 21-30.
There are other volunteering opportunities as well, according to Betsy Robins.
“We need people who would like to help intermittently with children’s art classes, clerical duties, groundskeeping, painting or other talents, and particularly those who can commit to regular welcoming of visitors to our gallery,” Robins said.
Volunteers will receive docent training and information about each exhibit and the history of Esther Webster’s gift to the city.
Docents are asked to give one three-hour shift per month.
For more information about the center and how to volunteer, phone Robins at 360-457-4610 or visit www.pafac.org.
Puffin cruises scheduled later in July
SEQUIM — The Dungeness River Audubon Center is sponsoring Protection Island puffin marine sunset dinner cruises, which will leave the John Wayne Marina, 2577 W. Sequim Bay Road, at 6:30 p.m. and return at 9 p.m. Friday, July 17, and Saturday, July 18.
The cost is $75 per person.
Passengers will cruise on the 55-passenger, 65-foot Glacier Spirit around Protection Island for a narrated program on marine bird life and marine mammals found between the marina and the Protection Island National Wildlife Refuge.
The two-hour tour includes a dinner.
The menu includes fresh-baked Pane d’Amore bread, dill and garlic salmon, Capt. Pete’s party potatoes, Northwest Caesar salad and chocolate-drizzled raspberry brownies.
Wine can be purchased onboard.
Dress is casual, but bring a warm jacket.
Proceeds benefit the education programs of the Dungeness River Audubon Center and Railroad Bridge Park.
For reservations, phone 360-681-4076 or email rivercenter@olympus.net.
There is a limit of 50 people per cruise.
For more information, visit www.DungenessRiverCenter.org.
Class reunion
PORT ANGELES — The Port Angeles High School Class of 1960 will hold its 55th class reunion July 24-26 in Port Angeles.
Events include a gathering at Peninsula Golf Clubhouse that Friday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and a picnic at Lake Crescent that Saturday.
The cost is $25 per person for the weekend festivities.
Contact Cindy Bruch Schlaffman at 360-460-1375 or schlaff@wavecable.com for further information.
Gleaners available
PORT ANGELES — WSU Clallam County Gleaners are ready to pick any over-abundant, unwanted harvest and redistribute it to food banks and programs.
Gleaning is a part of a home-grown solution to reducing food waste, increasing access to fresh and nutritious produce to our community members in need, while strengthening community food systems.
For gardeners who are experiencing more produce than they can use or give away, that produce can be passed on to food banks and other programs by having gleaners collect it.
To report excess produce or to join the gleaners, phone Meggan Uecker at WSU Clallam County Extension at 360-417-2279 or email muecker@co.clallam.wa.us.
Airman graduates
SAN ANTONIO — Air Force Airman David R. Quilici recently graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio.
The airman completed an intensive eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate degree in applied science through the Community College of the Air Force.
Quilici is the son of Adam D. and Jennifer A. Quilici of Citrus Heights, Calif., and grandson of Cheron Dudley and Mena Quilici of Port Townsend.
He is a 2014 graduate of Del Campo High School, Fair Oaks, Calif.
Dean’s list honoree
WACO, Texas — Port Angeles native Wilson Brannon Eiland from the School of Computer Science and Engineering has been named to the Baylor University dean’s list for the spring 2015 semester.
To be named, a student must be an undergraduate with a minimum grade-point average of 3.7 while enrolled in a minimum of 12 semester hours.