Editor position filled at Sequim offices of PDN
SEQUIM — Joe Smillie is the new Sequim-Dungeness Valley editor for the Peninsula Daily News, responsible for overseeing the PDN’s news coverage of East Clallam County.
He succeeds Jeff Chew, now co-owner and senior producer of a Sequim-based video website, www.videOly.tv.
“Joe’s got energy, ideas and solid instincts, and he is quickly familiarizing myself with the diverse issues that matter to our readers,” said John Brewer, PDN publisher and editor.
Before joining the PDN, Smillie worked in Eastern Washington as a reporter at the Whitman County Gazette, a weekly newspaper in Colfax.
He and his wife, Paula, have three children.
Smillie can be contacted at 360-681-2390, ext. 5052, or jsmillie@peninsuladailynews.com.
The PDN’s Sequim offices are downtown at 147-B W. Washington St.
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New declutter classes
SEQUIM — Brenda Spandrio, aka The Declutter Lady, continues her series of free workshops this month — January is national Get Organized Month — to share ways in which people can declutter and organize at home and at work.
The workshops are at Quality Inn & Suites, 134 River Road.
Participants have a choice of attending an afternoon or evening session of the following:
■ Conquering Computer Clutter: 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursday (Jan. 24)
■ Managing Paper Clutter: 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29.
RSVPs are requested. To RSVP or for more information, phone Spandrio at 360-504-2520.
Or email brenda@the declutterlady.com.
Her first series of workshops, “Decluttering When You Don’t Know Where To Start,” was held last week.
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Tourism funds available
PORT ANGELES — The deadline is 5 p.m. Feb. 1 for groups, clubs and organizations to submit an application for a tourism promotion grant from the Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce.
A total of $60,000 is available to help fund projects, special events and festivals that will attract overnight visitors to Port Angeles in 2013.
This tourism promotion money comes from Port Angeles hotel-motel-B&B bed taxes.
Grants usually range from $500 to $15,000.
There are restrictions on the money’s use.
To obtain criteria for receiving a grant, contact Russ Veenema, chamber executive director, at 360-452-2363, ext. 13, or russv@olypen.com.
Interested organizations also can write to Veenema at the chamber, 121 E. Railroad Ave., Port Angeles, WA 98362.
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Vet changes name
PORT ANGELES — Veterinarian Nicole Burton recently married Christopher Wagnon and will now practice under her married name, Nicole Wagnon.
Wagnon practices veterinary medicine and surgery at Blue Mountain Animal Clinic, 2972 Old Olympic Highway.
The clinic is owned by veterinarian Sharon Jensen.
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ECHHO board election
PORT TOWNSEND — Hank Hazen has been elected chairman of the board of directors of ECHHO, succeeding Tom Branigan.
Hazen has been a volunteer driver with ECHHO since 1998 and a member of its board since 2004.
Don Lee is vice chairman. Ken Davenny is treasurer. Thelma Parris is secretary.
ECHHO — Ecumenical Christian Helping Hands Organization— is a nonprofit organization founded in 1997 that works with volunteers and community organizations to provide transportation, chores, social support and medical equipment to Jefferson County residents to help them continue to live independently.
In 2012, ECHHO served 970 area residents, providing more than 2,000 services.
For more information, phone Executive Director Ken Dane at 360-379-3246 or email ken@echhojc.org.
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Hospice board members
PORT ANGELES — Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County recently held its annual business meeting to elect and introduce new board members.
A luncheon was held for its volunteers at the Cedars Dungeness Golf Club prior to the meeting.
The board of directors consists of Ken Brown, president; Dr. Ed Hopfner, vice president; Dennis Beguelin, treasurer; and Dr. Joe Cress, secretary.
Dick Hendry was elected to join the board, effective this month.
Hendry is a retired Peninsula College jobs counselor. He has a small farm in the Freshwater Bay area and a landscaping business.
Volunteer Hospice needs more volunteers to serve in various jobs. Contact Marilyn Nelson at vsm@vhocc.org or phone the office at 360-452-1511, ext. 5.
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Serenity board meeting on Tuesday
PORT ANGELES — Serenity House of Clallam County’s annual board meeting will be held in the Tempest Building, 535 E. First St., at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday (Jan. 22).
New officers will be elected at a brief business meeting, followed by recognition of volunteers and a light supper.
The public is welcome.
Serenity House is a private nonprofit agency dedicated to ending homelessness in Clallam County.
For more information, visit www.serenityhouseclallam.org, email serenity@olypen.com or phone 360-452-7224.
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Retirement lecture
PORT ANGELES — Thrivent Financial for Lutherans will host “Your Retirement Income: Optimize It. Protect It. Enjoy It,” a free educational workshop for people at or near retirement.
The workshop will be held at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 132 E. 13th St., from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday (Jan. 23).
The workshop presenter will be Stephen C. Moser. A light complimentary dinner will be served.
For more information, or to register for the workshop, phone Thriventem ailancial’s office in Sequim at 360-681-8882 or email stephen.moser@thrivent.com.
