Benefits, dances, dinners and education are offered throughout the North Olympic Peninsula this first weekend of spring.
Here is a sample of activities to enjoy this weekend:
‘Perfect Storm’ today
PORT TOWNSEND — A free showing of “The Perfect Storm,” which tells of the last journey of the Andrea Gail, is planned at noon today.
The movie’s screening is one of the events in Port Townsend Library’s Community Read annual program, in which everyone is encouraged to read and discuss the same book.
The Hungry Ocean, by Linda Greenlaw — the captain of the Hannah Boden, and the last person in radio contact with the Andrea Gail — is the choice for the 2010 Community Read.
Greenlaw will be in town next week for public appearances, including speaking at local schools. Her main public presentation will be at 7 p.m. Thursday at Port Townsend High School, 1500 Van Ness St.
The Standbys will perform sea songs at 6:30 p.m.
The final discussion group will be at the Port Townsend Library at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
All Community Read programs are free.
For more information, phone 360-385-3831 or see www.city ofpt.us/library.
Midnight in Paris
PORT ANGELES — First Step Family Support Center’s second annual Midnight In Paris dinner and auction fundraiser will be at C’est Si Bon restaurant at 5:30 p.m. Saturday.
The event is sponsored by First Federal and 7 Cedars Casino.
Proceeds will help support the healthy development of local children and families.
Reservations will be taken through today.
Tickets are $75, the same price as last year.
Reservations can be made by phoning First Step at 360-457-8355.
For more information, visit www.firststepfamily.org and click on “Events.”
Spaghetti dinner
PORT TOWNSEND — The Fred Lewis Scout Cabin Association plans a fundraising spaghetti dinner Sunday.
The dinner will be from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the American Legion hall, 209 Monroe St., Port Townsend.
Tickets are $7.50 for adults and $3.50 for children under 12, and are available at the door.
For more information, go to www.scoutcabinpt.org.
Land trust work party
PORT ANGELES — North Olympic Land Trust will hold a work party on a land trust-owned property on Siebert Creek at 10 a.m. Saturday.
Crews will work on pulling out or cutting down scotch broom, a nonnative invasive plant.
Conifers were planted on this property in 2005 and the removal of the scotch broom is key to the young trees’ survival and a healthy habitat for wildlife.
The work party will meet at the end of Seibert Creek Road off of U.S. Highway 101.
Participants should bring work gloves, water and rain gear.
Tools and snacks will be provided by the land trust.
RSVP to Lorrie Campbell at 360-417-1815 or e-mail lorrie@nolt.org.
Light station talk
SEQUIM — Betty Leffle will present “New Dungeness Light Station: Explore the history of one of the oldest lighthouses in the Northwest, first lit in 1857” from 10 a.m. to noon today.
The talk will be at the Old Dungeness Schoolhouse, 2781 Towne Road.
Admission will be $8 for members of the Sequim Museum & Arts Center and $10 for nonmembers.
For more information, phone 360-681-2257.
Red Cross training
SEQUIM — The Olympic Peninsula Chapter of the American Red Cross will conduct training sessions today and Saturday.
Both training sessions will be at the chapter’s office at 151 Ruth’s Place, 1-D. Sequim.
Today, the chapter will present “Fundamentals of Instructor Training” from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday, adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation and standard first aid will be taught from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at a cost of $45.
For more information, phone 360-457-7933.
Beekeeping class
SEQUIM — An introductory beekeeping class is planned at Sunny Farms Country Store on Saturday.
The class is free.
It will be at 10 a.m. at the store at 261461 U.S. Highway 101 in Sequim.
For more information, phone 360-477-7934.
Storytime in Forks
FORKS — Children ages 3 to 5 are invited to storytime at the Forks Library, 171 S. Forks Ave., at noon today.
Monkeys will be the theme at this event, which will feature stories, rhymes and games.
The program is free and open to the public.
For more information, phone the Forks Library at 360-374-6402, e-mail forks@nols.org or visit www.nols.org.
4-H car wash
PORT ANGELES — The Mane Attraction 4-H Club will hold a car wash benefit Saturday.
The car wash will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Hartnagel Building Supply Inc. parking lot, 3111 U.S. Highway 101.
For more information, phone Jacy Tolliver at 360-461-6777.
Soup party slated
PORT TOWNSEND — The Boiler Room, a coffee house, performance space and hangout for young people at 711 Water St., will host a “Boiler Day Soup Party” benefit starting at noon today.
Local artist Michael Barley hand-turned more than 100 soups bowls for this event.
The bowls were then glazed by dozens of youth and the young-at-heart at the Boiler Room and fired twice more.
Attendees pay $15, draw a random number out of a hat, pick a bowl to keep and fill it with all-you-can-eat soup.
Fresh bread and garnishes will compliment the lunch.
Proceeds will be donated to the Boiler Room.
For more information, phone the Boiler Room at 360-379-0528.
Party at the Palace
PORT ANGELES — A fundraiser for 31-year old Port Angeles native Woody Stangle will be held at New Peking Lounge from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday.
Stangle, diagnosed with cancer, has been out of work while receiving treatment and has a scheduled surgery coming up.
Donations of $1 or more will be accepted at the door for Stangle.
His friends will match up to $400 in donations.
The fundraiser will have two DJ’s and two rooms of music.
Attendees are asked to “dress to impress” with a $2 cover for ladies and men with collared shirts or button-ups.
Men without proper attire will pay a $3 cover.
A percentage of door proceeds will be donated to Stangle.
Drink specials will include test tube shooters and $1 jello shots.
There will be a best dressed contest and a $50 giveaway.
For more information, phone Mike Svec at 360-775-7544.
Spring fling benefit
SEQUIM — The Sequim Sunrise Rotary Club will hold its “Spring Fling Rotary Charities Auction” at SunLand Golf and Country Club, 109 Hilltop Drive, today.
A happy hour and silent auction will begin at 5:30 p.m.
Tickets are $45 and include dinner and wine.
The event raises funds for the Sequim Education Foundation, Welfare for Animals Guild, Dungeness Valley Health and Wellness Clinic and the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula.
Auction items include a seven-day Holland America cruise, tickets for any Southwest Airlines location, private sightseeing flights, Seattle Mariners box seats, private dinner parties, wine and beer, gift cards, a handmade wooden treasure chest and paintings.
Information and pictures of auction items are online at www.sequimsunriserotary.org/auction.
For more information and tickets, phone Eric Mahnerd at 360-681-2662.
Banjo workshop
PORT TOWNSEND — A workshop for beginners on the 5-string banjo is planned Saturday.
The workshop, which costs $15, will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Crossroads Music, 2100 Lawrence St., Port Townsend.
Jeanie Murphy will teach the course.
For more information, phone 360-385-1471 or see www.crossroads-music.com.
Donations for soldiers
PORT ANGELES — The Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary No. 1024 is collecting new fleece throws or fleece yardage to make throws to cover hospitalized U.S. soldiers.
The public can drop off throws or materials at the Veterans Center, 216 S. Francis St., from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today.
To schedule a pickup of items, phone 360-681-7085.
Fair royalty serves
SEQUIM — Clallam County Fair Royalty Queen candidates Marissa Wilson and Stephanie Lundquist will collect baby and personal hygiene items for the Sequim Food Bank at the Sequim Walmart, 1284 W. Washington St., from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
“The need for baby items has increased, especially diapers,” Sequim Food Bank President Steven Rosales said.
Along with baby items, the royalty candidates will be collecting personal hygiene products such as for hair care, toothpaste, deodorant, shaving items for men and women, body wash, soap and other personal items.
Marine center talk
PORT ANGELES — Phillip Lambert, curator emeritus at the Royal B.C. Museum in Victoria will present “Spiny-skinned Animals of the Pacific Northwest” at the Feiro Marine Life Center, 315 N. Lincoln St., at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.
Lambert will provide an illustrated talk on the shallow-water echinoderms of the area, with an emphasis on sea stars.
This is the third presentation in the Feiro Marine Life Center’s Marine Science series.
Lambert has developed various handbooks and guidebooks featuring Pacific Northwest invertebrate marine life and is also known for his underwater photography.
A $5 donation is suggested but not required.
To reserve a space or for more information, phone 360-417-6254.
Grange breakfast
SEQUIM — Sequim Prairie Grange members will serve a pancake breakfast at the grange, 290 Macleay Road, from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday.
Along with pancakes, the menu includes ham, eggs and beverages.
The cost will be $5 for adults and $3 for children 10 and younger.
For more information, phone 360-683-3194.
Norwegian program
CHIMACUM — Thea Foss Lodge No. 45 of the Daughters of Norway will host a program about the proper words and manners to use when a guest is in a home in Norway at 1 p.m. Sunday.
The program will be at the Tri-Area Community Center, 10 West Valley Road.
Sally Chapin, chairwoman for the day, will be assisted by Norway-born Elsa Meadows and Elin Failla.
They will lead a program in which they teach non-Norwegian speakers Jean Kaldahl and Georgia Vasiliou, who will play the part of students.
The public is invited to attend.
Refreshments will be served.
For more information, phone 360-379-1802.
