SEQUIM — The city of Sequim is seeking applicants to serve the remainder of a four-year term on the Arts Commission.
Applicants must be residents within the Clallam County boundaries of the Sequim School District.
The term for this position expires in December 2018. The position will be open until it is filled.
The voluntary commission advises city officials on matters related to art and culture.
Arts Commission members are appointed upon the basis of demonstrated interest in, and knowledge and support of, the arts.
For more about the commission, or to obtain an application, see www.sequimwa.gov, go to Sequim City Hall at 152 W. Cedar St., or call 360-683-4139.
Applications are to be given to City Clerk Karen Kuznek-Reese at the Sequim Civic Center or electronically at kkuznek@sequimwa.gov.
Mount Rainier post
MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK — Tracy Swartout has been named acting superintendent for Mount Rainier National Park, effective Monday, Jan. 8.
Swartout will replace Superintendent Randy King, who will retire in January following a career of more than 40 years with the National Park Service, including the past 14 years at Mount Rainier.
Swartout will serve until the superintendent position can be announced and filled.
In addition to working as Mount Rainier National Park’s deputy superintendent for the past five years, Swartout has held a variety of NPS positions throughout her 18-year career, including stints in Utah, Washington, D.C., and as superintendent of Congaree National Park in South Carolina.
Swartout received a bachelor’s degree in environmental geography from the University of South Carolina and a master’s degree in natural resource management from the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada.
She also completed postgraduate work at Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment, and the United States Department of Agriculture’s Graduate School.
Paws to read
PORT ANGELES — Children can read to therapy dogs at the Port Angeles Library between 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Thursday.
Dogs from the Olympic Gentle Paws Therapy Dog Club will be available at the library at 2210 S. Peabody St.
“Research shows that the more a child reads, the more their reading skills improve,” said library officials in a news release.
“For nervous or self-conscious readers, reading to therapy dogs can be a helpful way to practice reading without feeling intimidated or judged. For readers of any age and level, Olympic Gentle Paws therapy dogs are here to listen.”
For more information, see www.nols.org and select “Events,” call the library at 360-417-8500, or email Discover@nols.org.
Book discussion
PORT ANGELES — The Second Tuesday Book Discussion Group will discuss Denise Kiernan’s “Girls of Atomic City” at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9.
The group meets at the Port Angeles Library, 2210 S. Peabody St., at 11 a.m. every second Tuesday of the month.
During World War II, Oak Ridge, Tenn., was home to 75,000 residents.
It consumed more electricity than New York City.
Thousands of civilians, mostly young women, were recruited, enticed by solid wages and war-ending work, according to organizers of the book discussion group.
Few would guess the true nature of the work done there until the end of the war when the secret was revealed.
In the book, the author interviews women who lived there, capturing the spirit of the times through them.
Copies of “Girls of Atomic City” are available in various formats including regular print, large print, audiobook on CD, and downloadable eBook, which may be requested online by visiting the library catalog at www.nols.org.
A limited number of copies of each book discussion selection are available at the library the month prior to each meeting.
The program is supported by the Port Angeles Friends of the Library. To participate, simply read the book and attend the discussion; no reservations are needed, and drop-ins are welcome.
For more information about library book discussion groups, see www.nols.org, call 360-417-8500, or email discover@nols.org.
