Santa visits, benefits, hikes and discussion are among the activities for this weekend on the North Olympic Peninsula.
For information about the Port Angeles Symphony’s Christmas Concert on Saturday and other arts and entertainment news, see Peninsula Spotlight, the weekly entertainment magazine.
Information also is available on the PDN’s calendar at cmg-northwest2.go-vip.net/peninsuladailynews.
SEQUIM
Wonder Ball, benefit
SEQUIM — A Winter Wonder Ball, a fundraising gala benefiting Toys for Tots, is planned at Sinclair Place, 680 W. Prairie St., at 6 p.m. tonight.
Tickets to the formal event are $25 at the door.
Each guest also is asked to bring one new, unwrapped toy to donate.
Attendees have a choice of a prime rib or chicken dinner.
Musical entertainment and a silent auction will be offered.
On Saturday, Sinclair Place will host a Toys for Tots benefit from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
It will feature hot chocolate, cookies, crafts and photos with Santa, and is open to all families who are in need of a little help this holiday season.
RSVP to 360-681-3385.
Book sale slated
SEQUIM — Friends of the Sequim Library will have their monthly book sale at the library, 630 N. Sequim Ave., from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday
Of special interest this month are many jigsaw puzzles, Christmas-themed movies, books and music.
Many books in like-new condition, appropriate for gift-giving, are available.
The Friends have also received a collection of more than 200 vintage softcover science fiction books.
Climate change talk
SEQUIM — Nash’s Farm Store, 4681 Sequim-Dungeness Way, will present “Agricultural Geography and Climate Change on the North Olympic Peninsula” at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
The talk by Laura Lewis, director of WSU Jefferson County Extension, is free and open to the public.
This talk will focus on current food production systems across the North Olympic Peninsula and how they might be impacted by potential changes in climate.
Lewis specializes in plant genetic resources and conservation.
Artist demonstrates
SEQUIM — Sequim artist Jean Wyatt will be at the Dungeness River Audubon Center, 2151 W. Hendrickson Road, demonstrating the techniques she uses to create her “whimsical” drawings from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. today.
This year, Wyatt produced the center’s 2015 desk calendar commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Railroad Bridge.
The few remaining calendars and cards from several of the drawings will be available for $10, $4 of which goes to support the center’s education programs.
For more information, phone 360-681-4076.
Skipping Christmas
SEQUIM — Skipping Christmas by John Grisham will be discussed at the Sequim Library, 630 N. Sequim Ave., at 3 p.m. Saturday.
A description of the novel from Amazon.com says:
“Imagine a year without Christmas. No crowded shops, no corny office parties, no fruitcakes, no unwanted presents.
“That’s just what Luther and Nora Krank have in mind when they decide they’ll skip the holiday altogether. Come December 25, they’re setting sail on a Caribbean cruise.
“But skipping Christmas brings enormous consequences — and isn’t half as easy as they’d imagined.
“Skipping Christmas is a hilarious look at the chaos and frenzy that has become part of our holiday tradition.”
Pre-registration for this program is not required; drop-ins are welcome.
Copies of the book are available at the library in various formats.
To place a hold or for more information, visit www.nols.org.
Breakfast with Clauses
SEQUIM — Staff and volunteers of First Teacher, a program of the Parenting Matters Foundation, will host a breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday.
The breakfast will be in the Sequim Middle School cafeteria, 301 W. Hendrickson Road. Children and community members are welcome.
Tickets at the door are $2 for those 2 to 10, $7 for those 11 and older.
On the menu are scrambled eggs, potatoes, ham, cinnamon rolls, orange juice and coffee.
Proceeds will support the First Teacher program, which provides parents with tools and skills to encourage healthy childhood development.
For more information, phone Nicole Brewer at 360-681-2250.
Boat safety class
SEQUIM — The North Olympic Sail and Power Squadron will offer a free seminar on “Boat Propane Systems and Safety” from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday.
The seminar will be at the Sequim Library, 630 N. Sequim Ave.
The squadron is a unit of the U.S. Power Squadrons.
Christmas dinner
SEQUIM — The Sequim Prairie Grange Hall, 290 Macleay Road, will host its Family Christmas Dinner at 2 p.m. Sunday.
Turkey with all the trimmings and ham will be provided.
Those attending are asked to bring side dishes or desserts.
Buck Ellard will lead some Christmas carols, and Santa is expected to pay a visit.
For more information, phone 360-683-5456.
CARLSBORG
Candlelighting
CARLSBORG — The North Olympic chapter of Compassionate Friends will host a candlelighting ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Sunday for children who have died.
The ceremony will be in the Eastern Hills Community Church sanctuary, 81 Savannah Lane.
The ceremony is part of the Worldwide Candle Lighting Ceremony that the international Compassionate Friends has hosted for 18 years around the world.
“Light a candle for all the children who have died that their light may always shine,” says the website at www.compassionatefriends.org.
PORT ANGELES
‘DamNation’ to screen
PORT ANGELES — The documentary “DamNation,” about the sea change in this country from pride in big dams to a new awareness of how river and human health are connected, will screen at 7 tonight.
This 87-minute picture will be shown in the second-floor conference room of The Landing mall, 115 E. Railroad Ave.
Admission is a $5 donation toward the Coastal Watershed Institute, which is hosting the screening.
The movie features Brenda Francis of the Lower Elwha Klallam tribe and former Olympic National Park Chief Ranger Chuck Janda.
Although it includes the demolition of the dams on the Elwha River, it takes a broader view “about dams, their impact on our culture and tribal devastation — and lays the basis for the groundswell for the ‘deadbeat dam’ movement,” said Anne Shaffer of the Costal Watershed Institute.
New author to sign
PORT ANGELES — The author of Skiing in Olympic National Park, Roger Oakes, will be at the Port Angeles Library, 2210 S. Peabody St., at 7 tonight for a book signing and interactive forum.
Oakes’ curiosity about skiing and mountains led to his writing his first book.
He pitched his idea to officials at Arcadia Publishing, the company responsible for a series of books called Images of America.
After hours of research and his own ongoing involvement with the Hurricane Ridge Winter Sports Club, Oakes highlights the National Park Service and old and newer skiing areas in his book.
For more information, phone Port Book and News at 360-452-6367.
‘Dive In Movie’ set
PORT ANGELES — William Shore Memorial Pool, 225 E. Fifth St., will hold a “Dive In Movie” from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.
The movie is “Toy Story 2.”
Admission is $3.25 for children and $5.25 for adults. Pool passes are accepted.
Doors open at 6:45 p.m.
For more information, contact Leah Gould at 360-417-9767, ext. 3, or lgould@williamshorepool.org.
Art workshop
PORT ANGELES — Port Townsend author and illustrator Jesse Joshua Watson will present a free art workshop for all ages at the Port Angeles Library at 2 p.m. Saturday.
“An Afternoon with an Author: Meet Jesse Joshua Watson” will be at the library at 2210 S. Peabody St.
In the workshop, participants will explore pencil drawing in new ways.
Art supplies will be provided.
Pre-registration is recommended at 360-417-8500, ext. 7705.
Sons of Norway dance
PORT ANGELES — The Sons of Norway group will host its weekly folk-ballroom-swing dance at 131 W. Fifth St. from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.
Dance instruction is planned at 6:30 p.m.
Admission is $2 for members and $3 for nonmembers.
This is an all-ages, no-smoking and no-alcohol event.
For more information, phone Sandy Maxwell at 360-457-7035.
PORT TOWNSEND
‘Cinderella’ at Key City
PORT TOWNSEND — Key City Public Theatre’s “Cinderella” performances continue at 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday.
The show at the Key City Playhouse, 419 Washington St., will run Thursdays through Sundays through Dec. 28.
Tickets range from $10 to $24, except for the specially priced family shows. Those performances — at 2:30 p.m. this Sunday, at 7:30 p.m. next Thursday and at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 20 — include treats for kids and a chance to have photos taken with the characters on stage.
Tickets for the three family shows are $3 for small-child lap seating, $7 for ages 12 and younger, $10 for ages 13-18 and $10 for any adult with a child.
Also, in collaboration with the ReCyclery, this Sunday’s matinee offers $5 off tickets or concessions to those who pedal their bicycles to the playhouse.
Also this season, Key City and the Puget Sound Express offer cruises to the playhouse, the next being Saturday, followed by cruises Dec. 21, 26 and 27.
Boarding is at Port Ludlow Marina.
Tickets are $75 per adult, $55 for children 12 and younger, and include the play, the cruise and onboard refreshments.
For information and reservations, see www.KeyCityPublicTheatre.org or phone the box office at 360-385-KCPT (5278).
Conversation Cafe
PORT TOWNSEND — Open to all, the Conversation Cafe will meet at the Highway 20 Road House, 2152 W. Sims Way, from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. today for conversation and an optional lunch.
The day’s topic is “Librarian.”
Conversation Cafe is an exercise in active listening and nonconfrontational conversation.
For more information, visit www.conversationcafe.org.
Walk slated Saturday
PORT TOWNSEND — All walkers are invited to join the Olympic Peninsula Explorers at 10 a.m. Saturday for a 5/10K (3.1-/6.2-mile) walk.
Those interested can sign up for the walk at the Subway restaurant, 1300 Water St.
All walkers must sign up.
The walk will start promptly at 10:15 a.m.
The Tulip Trekkers will join in on the walk, as this will be done in conjunction with walks throughout the state and country.
The walk is through historic downtown Port Townsend.
This stroll is not recommended for strollers or wheelchairs.
Restrooms are on the route.
The walk is free unless one wishes to have AVA credit.
Rhody Run training
PORT TOWNSEND — Rhody Run training is held at 7:30 a.m. every Sunday.
Runners meet at the Fort Worden Commons.
The next Rhody Run will be May 17 during the annual Port Townsend Rhododendron Festival.
For more information, contact Jeni Little, race director, at 360-385-3163 or rhodyruninfo@gmail.com, or visit www.rhodyrun.com.
Kah Tai work party
PORT TOWNSEND — A work party at the Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park is set from 9 a.m. to noon Sunday.
Volunteers should look for a white Chevy pickup truck parked near the Benedict Street entrance east/southeast of the little pond.
The group will plant trees and shrubs.
Each volunteer is asked to bring a shovel, a mattock (Pulaski tool) and a bucket, if possible.
Scotch broom pullers and trash bags will be provided.
For more information, phone 360-385-0307 or email sikes@olympus.net.
BRINNON
Hempapalooza set
BRINNON — Hempapalooza, a medical marijuana farmers market focusing on education, awareness and responsibility, will be held at Brinnon Herbal Collective, 91 Corey Lane, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
The public is welcome, and there are no admission fees; donations are accepted but not required.
Attendees must have valid medical authorization and ID for all medical cannabis transactions.
Children younger than 18 are not permitted without a parent or legal guardian.
Local vendors with non-marijuana products are welcome and encouraged.
For more information, visit www.potstop.net, phone Nicole Black at 360-301-0844 or email coleyblack@gmail.com.
JOYCE
Lions Club breakfast
JOYCE — The Crescent Bay Lions Club offers breakfast every Sunday, except holidays, from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. until Mother’s Day on May 10.
The cost is $6 for adults and $3.50 for children 12 and younger.
The menu includes eggs cooked to order, hot cakes, French toast, biscuits and gravy, hashbrowns and ham, sausage or bacon.
There are no breakfasts planned for Dec. 21 or 28.
The club is on state Highway 112 at Holly Hill Road.
Proceeds help Crescent Bay Lions members support Crescent School yearbooks, scholarships for Crescent High School seniors, holiday food baskets, glasses for the needy and other community projects.
FORKS
Drum Circle slated
FORKS — Community residents are invited to join Peninsula College students and the Quileute and Hoh tribes today to celebrate the collective courage of past, present and future students in the Forks community.
The celebration will be held at Peninsula College in Forks at 481 S. Forks Ave.
A light meal will be shared starting at 5:30 p.m., followed by the drum circle.
Guests are invited to bring a percussion instrument.
For more information, contact Peninsula College in Forks at 360-374-3223 or email forksoffice@pencol.edu.
Forks writers meet
FORKS — The first meeting of the West End Writers’ Workshop will be held at the Forks Library, 171 S. Forks Ave., from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday.
This time will be used to establish meeting times and criteria for sharing and critiquing creative written works.
The workshop is for individuals who wish to explore their creativity, improve their writing skills and share their creative works for the group to enjoy and contribute productive criticism.
No particular genres of writing are required. Meetings are also open to individuals who do not write but still wish to participate in the reading of written works and discussions.
Those writers wishing to participate are asked to bring at least one and no more than three written works.
For more information, phone Bonny Dunker at 360-374-6789 or email westendwritersworkshop@gmail.com.
Pet photos with Santa
FORKS — Happy Tails 4-H Club will offer Santa pictures with pets — as part of Alex Henderson’s senior project — at Forks Outfitters from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday.
The fee is $10 for a 5-inch-by-7-inch photograph.
The club also will sponsor a food and collar drive for the Friends of Forks Animals (FOFA).
All proceeds from the photos will support FOFA.
Santa visits in Forks
FORKS — The Bakery, next to JT’s Sweet Stuffs at 80 N. Forks Ave., will host the first of three visits with Santa from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
Christmas lists will be heard, and photos with Santa can be taken at the free event.
Visits also are planned from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19, and from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20.
Appreciation Gala
FORKS — The city will hold a 2014 Christmas Party “Appreciation Gala” at Forks Congregational Church, 280 S. Spartan Ave., from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday.
All are welcome to the potluck.
Entertainment includes the Forks LDS Choir, pianist Maureen Winn and “That Lady Hypnotist” Mariana Matthews.
An AR-15 rifle raffle also is planned.
RSVP to Chief Rick Bart in person or by email at rick.bart@yahoo.com.
BEAVER
Santa and ‘reinhorse’
BEAVER — The Hungry Bear Cafe will host Santa for pictures with his “reinhorse” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
The cafe is at 205860 U.S. Highway 101.
For the Joy of It Youth Program is offering 5-inch-by-7-inch photos for a donation. Photos will be mailed within one week.
Free cocoa or cider will be offered.
For more information, phone 253-632-2558.