NEWS BRIEFS: Puffin cruises slated for this weekend … and other items

SEQUIM — Puffin Sunset Marine Cruises around Protection Island National Wildlife Refuge have been set for Friday and Saturday.

The cruises by the Dungeness River Audubon Center cost $70 for audubon members and $80 for nonmembers.

Reservations can be placed by calling 360-681-4076 or emailing rcoffice@olympus.net. The two-hour cruises depart at 6:30 p.m. from John Wayne Marina, 2577 W. Sequim Bay Road. Each cruise is limited to 55 people.

The 65-foot vessel Glacier Spirit will travel around the island as a narrated program is presented about marine bird life and marine mammals found between the marina and wildlife refuge.

Birds including — but not limited to — tufted puffins and rhinoceros auklets are expected to be seen on the tour, event organizers said in a press release.

Included is a dessert.

Attendees are requested to dress casual and bring a warm jacket.

Proceeds will benefit the education programs of the audubon center and Railroad Bridge Park.

For more information, visit www.dungenessrivercenter.org.

Program expansion

CHIMACUM — The Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce (JCCC) has announced that it will expand its Chamber Café program beyond Port Townsend beginning Friday.

JCCC will hold it’s new “Community Café” monthly drop-in sessions every third Friday from 10 a.m. to noon at Finnriver Farm & Cidery, 124 Center Road.

Held in partnership with Economic Development Council Team Jefferson, the new sessions are open to county businesses and organizations and are “designed to foster community dialogue with topics driven by attendees,” according to a news release.

JCCC Executive Director Arlene Alen and EDC Executive Director Brian Kuh will host the sessions.

Coffee and light refreshments will be provided.

“Our successful gatherings at the JCCC have introduced many community business leaders to each other and produced meaningful dialogue and activities leading to community action,” Alen said in the release.

“We want to foster countywide conversations so that more people and businesses beyond Port Townsend can connect and benefit from interactions that might not have taken place otherwise,” Alen said.

The JCCC will also continue its Chamber Café program the first Friday of the month from 10 a.m. to noon at the Chamber office, 2409 Jefferson St., Port Townsend.

For more information, contact Alen at 360-385-7869 or at director@jeffcountychamber.org.

Board openings

SEQUM — Applicants are sought by the City Council to fill three vacancies on the Parks, Arbor & Recreation Advisory Board.

Applications are available at the Civic Center, at 152 W. Cedar St., or online at www.sequimwa.gov.

The voluntary board meets the third Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. and advises the council on issues involving city parks and public spaces.

The positions are open to residents within the Sequim city limits. The positions are open until filled.

For more information, contact City Clerk Karen Kuznek-Reese, at 360-681-3428 or kkuznek@sequimwa.gov.

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