Autumn entertainment on the North Olympic Peninsula ranges from fall festivals to a conversation on civility to a whale of a welcome in Port Townsend this weekend.
Arts and entertainment events appear in Peninsula Spotlight, the Peninsula Daily News’ weekly entertainment guide, appearing in this edition.
Other weekend events are in the “Things to Do” calendar, available online at www.peninsuladailynews.com.
Here are some of this weekend’s other highlights:
PORT ANGELES
Civil discourse
PORT ANGELES — A forum on civil discourse will be held at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 510 E. Park Ave., from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.
Retired state legislator Lynn Kessler will open the forum.
Kessler, who retired in 2010 after 18 years as a representative of the 24th District, received a national award for her practice of civil discourse during her time in Olympia.
Peninsula Dispute Resolution Center mediators will hold a workshop during the second hour to allow participants to practice speaking and listening to each other.
The final hour will feature Paul Benz, co-chairman and lobbyist for the newly formed statewide interfaith coalition Faith Action Network: A Partnership for the Common Good.
He will address upcoming issues in the state Legislature.
The event is co-sponsored by Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Prince of Peace Lutheran in Forks, First Presbyterian in Clallam Bay, Dungeness Valley Lutheran and Congregation B’nai Shalom.
For more information or to make a reservation to attend, phone 360-452-2323.
Vision-loss fair
PORT ANGELES — A Vision Loss Info Fair for those with noncorrectable vision-loss problems will be held at the Vision Loss Center on the lower level of the Armory Square Mall, 228 W. First St., from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Informational booths will be staffed by organizations who serve members of the low-vision and blind community.
The state Department of Services for the Blind, members of the National Federation for the Blind, Clallam Transit, low-vision support groups and Guide Dogs for the Blind will all be at the fair.
“We are trying to get the word out that these resources are available to residents of the North Olympic Peninsula who are dealing with noncorrectable vision-loss problems,” organizers said.
The event is being held as part of the National Federation for the Blind’s Meet the Blind Month and White Cane Awareness Day 2011.
For more information, phone 360-457-1383.
Free diet classes
PORT ANGELES — Certified diabetes educator and registered dietician Amy Ward will hold separate classes on eating skills for those with hypertension and those with diabetes today.
The classes will be at the Port Angeles Library, 2210 S. Peabody St., with the hypertension class running from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. and the diabetes course running from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
The free classes are sponsored by the Volunteers in Medicine of the Olympics free clinic.
For more information, phone 360-457-4431 or email info@vimoclinic.org.
Harvest Carnival
PORT ANGELES — Peninsula Pre 3 Cooperative will host its 14th annual Harvest Carnival at the Vern Burton Community Center, 308 W. Fourth St., from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday.
There will be games, prizes, face-painting, crafts, a photo booth, concessions, a cake walk, four raffle baskets and a silent auction.
Cost is $3 for children, $4 for adults and $14 for a family of four or more.
For more information, phone April Amundson at 360-504-2365 or email april@raygruver.com.
Seniors dance set
PORT ANGELES — A Timeless Memories Seniors Dance will be held at the Port Angeles Masonic Lodge, 622 S. Lincoln St., from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday.
The dance, presented by the Esther Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, will feature music from the 1940s and 1950s plus music by a local combo.
Appetizers, hot cider and punch will be served.
Advance tickets are $25 per couple or $15 for singles and at the door will be $30 for couples and $20 for singles.
To purchase tickets, phone Vickie Larson at 360-457-9444.
Free adoptions set
PORT ANGELES — The Olympic Peninsula Humane Society is running a special “Catober” adoption event through Saturday.
All spayed or neutered cats and kittens will be available for free as long as the adopter donates a 40-pound bag of dog food or a large bag of nonclumping cat litter and a large package of paper towels.
Preferred dog food brands are Kirkland Signature, Purina, Iams or Science Diet.
All adoptions include spay/neuter, a rabies vaccine, a microchip and a free vet check.
The Humane Society office at 2105 W. U.S. Highway 101 is open to the public from noon to 4:30 p.m. today and Saturday.
Harvest Festival
PORT ANGELES — The Airport Garden Harvest Festival will be held at Airport Garden, 2200 W. Edgewood Drive, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
The event will include kids’ games, crafts, a petting zoo and concessions.
Proceeds from the event will support the Silver Spurs 4-H Club.
Oktoberfest benefit
PORT ANGELES — The Port Angeles Moose Lodge will hold an Oktoberfest benefit at the club, 809 S. Pine St., today.
The event will include an authentic German meal, beer, raffles and prizes, and live music from The Toll City Trio.
Food will be served starting at 5 p.m. and will be available until it runs out.
Music will begin at 7:30 p.m.
Admission is by donation.
Proceeds will be donated to Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County.
Family Flicks
PORT ANGELES — The Port Angeles Library, 2210 S. Peabody St., will launch Family Flicks, a monthly movie series for families, at 2 p.m. Saturday.
Offered the third Saturday of each month, the free program, which is sponsored by the Port Angeles Friends of the Library, will feature children’s movie classics, discussion and popcorn.
“The program is part of the library’s ongoing efforts to provide opportunities for free family-friendly fun,” said Lisa Musgrove, branch manager.
“Movies can highlight how literature can translate to excitement on the big screen and encourage reading.
“We want the matinee movies to draw attention to the North Olympic Library System’s large collection of movies.
“This should be a fun thing to do during those cloudy days of fall.”
For more information, phone 360-417-8502, visit www.nols.org or email youth@nols.org.
Fall plant sale
PORT ANGELES — The Port Angeles Garden Club’s second annual fall plant sale will be Saturday.
The sale will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 31 Stephanie Lee Place, Port Angeles.
Club members will provide plants — trees, bulbs, perennials, shrubs vines and others — from their gardens for sale to the public.
Proceeds from the sale will support club projects.
Harvest fest slated
PORT ANGELES — The Montessori Garden School, 242694 U.S. Highway 101, will hold a Harvest Festival from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday.
The event will include apple cider pressing, zucchini car-making and -racing, pumpkin painting, a fresh menu, family portraits, a hay bale maze and music.
Tickets are available for each activity and are $1 each or 12 tickets for $10.
Proceeds benefit the school scholarship fund.
For more information, phone 360-457-6610.
Meet-and-greet set
PORT ANGELES — Olympic Cellars Winery owner Kathy Charlton will host a meet-and-greet for Olympic Medical Center hospital commissioner District 3 candidate Jack Slowriver on Saturday.
The free event will be held at Olympic Cellars, 255410 U.S. Highway 101, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will include wine.
Singles group meets
PORT ANGELES — A get-together for a singles group for those older than 40 is planned at Downriggers on Saturday.
Dinner will be at 7 p.m. at the restaurant at 115 E. Railroad Ave.
After dinner, participants will go to Wine on the Waterfront, said organizer Mark Mulcay.
People can mingle in a casual, relaxed atmosphere and find common interests and friends, he said.
For more information, phone Mulcay at 815-677-3903.
SEQUIM
Train show
SEQUIM — The North Olympic Peninsula Railroaders Train Show and Swap Meet is planned Saturday and Sunday.
The show will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at the Sequim Prairie Grange, 290 Macleay Road.
The show and meet are free and open to the public.
Railroad items will be available for sale, display and operation.
Various door prizes and gift certificates will be awarded.
For more information, phone Lauren Scrafford at 360-379-3280 or email e78milrd@q.com.
Guild fundraiser
SEQUIM — The Sequim Guild of Seattle Children’s Hospital will host its annual Fall Regional Outreach Meeting as a fundraiser for Seattle Children’s Hospital today.
The luncheon will be at 11:30 a.m. at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 525 N. Fifth Ave.
Reservations were due by Wednesday.
The focus of this year’s meeting will be on autism.
Jason Russo, a registered nurse in the Autism Center at Seattle Children’s, will be the featured speaker.
Patrick McCready, now an 18-year-old senior at Sequim High School, and his mother, Cathryn McCready, will show a PowerPoint presentation and reveal the numerous hurdles in the road to success.
For years, Seattle Children’s Hospital played an important role for the McCready family, and they are willing to share their story to help others.
Hospital trustees also will speak at the event.
Lunch is $16 and will be served at noon, with the program following the meal.
The guild will have sales tables available for shopping.
For more information, phone Barbara Loska at 360-582-0090.
Sprout film fest
SEQUIM — Snap, a local nonprofit for people with developmental disabilities and their families, will sponsor the free Sprout Film Festival on Saturday.
The event will be at Olympic Theatre Arts, 414 N. Sequim Ave., with programs at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Snap is presenting The Sprout Touring Film Festival from New York City.
In addition, Snap will show “Wretches & Jabberers” at its fundraising event that day at 6 p.m. at the same place.
Tickets are $25 for this event, which includes appetizers, a silent auction and wine.
For more information, phone Jenell DeMatteo at 360-379-8934 or email dematteo@olypen.com.
Plant a terrarium
SEQUIM — Washington State University Master Gardener Rita Dinger will close the 2011 season of the Class Act at Woodcock Garden educational series by demonstrating how to plant a terrarium Saturday.
The talk will be at 10 a.m. at the Master Gardener Demonstration Garden, 2711 Woodcock Road.
Dinger will discuss the origin of terrariums, how to select a container and what types of plants are appropriate for the environment created in the glass garden.
Dinger was recognized as the 2010 Clallam County Master Gardener of the Year and has provided more than 1,500 hours of volunteer work at demonstration gardens, plant clinics and in public education.
She is the Sequim Plant Clinic manager and the culinary herb garden manager at the Woodcock Garden and has taught numerous classes and written newspaper articles on garlic, herbs, sustainable vegetable garden planning and crop rotation over the past several years.
The Class Act at Woodcock Garden series is sponsored by the Master Gardener Foundation of Clallam County.
The final Sequim-based plant clinic for the 2011 season will be held following the presentation from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Trained Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer questions about gardening issues.
For more information, phone 360-417-2279.
Hospice benefit
SEQUIM — Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County will host a Zumbathon dance fundraiser at Calvary Chapel, 91 S. Boyce Road, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday.
There will be door prizes, light refreshments and a silent auction.
A donation of $15 is suggested.
Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County has served the community since 1978, relying solely on donations, community fundraisers and small grants for its income.
Zumba is a Latin-inspired, calorie-burning dance and fitness exercise.
The Zumbathon will provide a selection of dance steps including swing, tango, samba, cumbia, merengue and reggae.
For more information, phone 360-683-8887.
Thrift shop open
SEQUIM — The Sequim Dungeness Hospital Guild Thrift Shop, located at Second and Bell streets, will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
Halloween items, fall clothing, dishware and many accessories for the home will be featured.
All white-tagged items will be marked at half-price during this sale.
The shop is in need of volunteers.
For more information, phone 360-683-7044.
Oktoberfest event
SEQUIM — Suncrest Village, 251 S. Fifth Ave., will hold its second annual Oktoberfest celebration benefit from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
The event will offer entertainment, a traditional Bavarian buffet complete with a beer garden, fresh pretzels, free kids’ meals and a silent auction.
A $10 donation is requested.
Proceeds will benefit the Sequim Senior Meals Program.
Suncrest Village, Olympic Community Action Programs and the larger Sequim community are working together to raise funds to ensure that vulnerable elders receive meals five days per week.
For more information, to donate or to volunteer, phone Marie Maxted, activity director, at 360-681-3800.
Growing up in dairies
SEQUIM — Lifelong area residents Doug McInnes and John Jarvis will discuss “Growing Up Dairy Farming” this morning at the Dungeness Schoolhouse.
The presentation will be at 10 a.m. at the historic building at 2781 Towne Road in Sequim.
It is the first in a series of oral history sessions offered by the Museum and Arts Center in the Sequim-Dungeness Valley.
“Then & Now: Old Timers’ Perspectives” will be presented the second Friday of the month at the Dungeness Schoolhouse through December.
“Sequim Wartime Memories” is scheduled in November, while “Holiday Traditions” is set for December.
The cost is $10 for MAC members, $12 for nonmembers and $1 for students 17 or younger.
Program fees support continued MAC programming.
Pumpkin patch
SEQUIM — The Sequim Pumpkin Patch along U.S. Highway 101 at Kitchen-Dick Road is open for the season.
The patch is open every day at 9 a.m., closing at dark on weekdays and running until 11 p.m. or midnight (if there are customers, they will stay open reasonably late) on Fridays and Saturdays.
Evening maze adventures and the patch’s Haunted House are open at 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
The cornfield maze is $5 for youths ages 12 and younger, $10 for ages 13 and older.
Horseback rides are available for $5, a pumpkin launch will allow participants to use a propelled launch to send three pumpkins flying for $5 for a chance at a $100 prize, and there is a straw maze for $5 for youths and free for adults Fridays and Saturdays.
Visitors can pick up a U-pick pumpkin, and field trips and birthday parties can also be planned.
For more information, phone Theresa Lassila at 360-461-0940
SHS Band fundraiser
SEQUIM — The Sequim High School Band will hold a carwash fundraiser in the parking lot of Tarcisio’s, 609 W. Washington St., from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
Proceeds will help pay for band trips to events in Victoria, around the state and in Anaheim, Calif.
PORT TOWNSEND/JEFFERSON COUNTY
Welcome the Whales
PORT TOWNSEND — An open house at the Port Townsend Marine Science Center will “Welcome the Whales” on Saturday.
The open house will be from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Marine Exhibit at Fort Worden State Park. Entrance is included with regular admission.
Early October marks the time of year when the Southern Resident orcas begin their frequent fall feeding forays into the lower Salish Sea, following the chum salmon as they return to spawn in their home streams.
“We will be offering salmon and orca crafts, activities on stream health and salmon habitat, studies of local salmon runs, information about how orca and salmon habitats interface, and we’ll talk about recent sightings of orcas,” said Chrissy McLean, the center’s marine program coordinator.
“This year, we’re proud to partner with the North Olympic Salmon Coalition,” she added.
“Jac Entringer, their outreach and volunteer coordinator, will be joining us for some extra ‘fishy fun.’”
Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for youths and free to center members.
For more information, phone 360-385-5582, email info@ptmsc.org or visit www.ptmsc.org.
Silent auction
PORT LUDLOW — The Community Enrichment Alliance of Port Ludlow will host a silent auction to benefit Tri-County Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse Victims on Saturday.
The auction, which has the theme “The Beauty of Autumn,” will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Bay Club, 120 Spinnaker Place, Port Ludlow.
A $5 entrance fee will be credited toward any winning bid of one item.
Wine and appetizers will be served while a musician serenades participants.
For more information, phone event co-chair Mary Stuart at 360-437-8140.
Centrum gala set
PORT TOWNSEND — Centrum’s 21st annual Gala Dinner and Auction will held in the Fort Worden Commons starting at 5:30 p.m. Saturday.
The event raises funds for programs and youth scholarships.
This year’s gala is sponsored in part by First Federal and Port Townsend Paper Corp.
Dinner reservations closed earlier this week.
Dinner, live entertainment and a look back at the 2011 season will be paired with silent and live auctions of getaways, items and experiences donated by Centrum supporters.
A sample of more extravagant auction items includes an African safari adventure, a seven-day cruise and a winemaker’s dinner for eight.
A full list of items up for bid is available at www.centrum.org/gala.
Music will be provided by Suzy Thompson, artistic director of the Festival of American Fiddle Tunes; violinist Peter Evasick; and keyboardist/accordionist George Radebaugh.
Two students who benefited from Centrum scholarships in 2011 will also perform.
Fort Worden Commons chef Dusty Cope has planned a four-course dinner that includes an appetizer course prepared by the chefs of Ichikawa Japanese Cuisine and Castle Key Restaurant.
Apple Festival
CHIMACUM — Finnriver Farm will host a free Apple Festival from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Finnriver Farm is located at 62 Barn Swallow Road, off Center Road.
The event will include hot cider, face-painting, workshops, the ability to meet cider apple growers, booths, family fun and games, music, sweet treats and a Cape Cleare salmon cart.
For more information, phone 360-732-4337.
Young professionals
PORT TOWNSEND — A test lab on what role young professionals can play in re-creating waterborne transportation infrastructure will be hosted today by the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce’s Young Professionals Network.
It will be from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Port Townsend Community Center, 620 Tyler St.
It is free to chamber members and $5 for others.
Tim Caldwell, former Port Townsend Chamber of Commerce general manager and longtime proponent of passenger-only ferry service (POF), will make a brief presentation on why such service is making a comeback in many Puget Sound communities.
Caldwell is a member of the Port Townsend Main Street Transportation Committee.
“Our ongoing investments in our waterfront, marinas, transit service and visitor centers have brought the necessary POF support services to the water’s edge,” said Caldwell.
“We have positioned ourselves to develop a profitable business model to directly link our communities to our I-5 corridor market.”
This is the second in a series of Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce’s Young Professionals Network workshops designed to help facilitate communication and problem-solving.
Each addresses common business struggles and community issues.
Donate life jackets
PORT TOWNSEND — Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 47 will collect new or gently used life jackets to the Point Wilson Lighthouse at Fort Worden State Park from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. each Saturday through October.
The collection is part of the auxiliary’s “Lend a Life Jacket” program.
They collect the life jackets and distribute them for public use at the Port Townsend Boat Haven.
Auxiliary members will give tours of the lighthouse in exchange for the life jackets at the collection events.
Grieg discussed
CHIMACUM — Research specialist Carol Pease of Seattle will discuss Norway’s famous composer, Edvard Grieg, on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of his death.
The event is sponsored by Thea Foss No. 45 of the Daughters of Norway and will be held at the Tri-Area Community Center, 10 West Valley Road, at 1 p.m. Sunday.
Grieg developed a style unique to Norway’s mountains, waterfalls and fjords, incorporating their sounds and spirit into his music.
Pease will focus on his dramatic, melodic “Peer Gynt Suite.”
She will present photos and sounds, with the Royal Symphonic Orchestra of London
The public is invited to this free presentation.
Scandinavian refreshments will be served.
For more information, phone 360-379-1802.
Tharinger to speak
PORT TOWNSEND — State Rep. Steve Tharinger will speak to the American Association of University Women’s Port Townsend chapter Saturday.
The meeting will be at Quimper Unitarian Universalist Church, 2333 San Juan Ave., with refreshments at 9:30 a.m. and the meeting running from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Current and prospective members are welcome
Tharinger serves the 24th District, which includes all of Clallam and Jefferson counties and a portion of Grays Harbor County, and is also a Clallam County commissioner.
Tharinger was elected to the Legislature in 2010.
His presentation will focus on education and how it is impacted by funding.
AAUW is open to those who hold an associate degree or higher from an accredited institution.
For more information, email porttownsend@aauw-wa.org or visit www.aauwpt.org.
‘The Tenant’ screened
PORT TOWNSEND — The Port Townsend Film Institute will present the Brazilian film “The Tenant” as part of the institute’s Global Lens Series on Saturday.
The film will be screened at the Rose Theatre, 235 Taylor St., at 10 a.m.
Admission is $5.
The movie deals with Sao Paulo resident Valter, whose relatively peaceful life with his family is disturbed when three young criminals move in next door.
Genealogical event set
CHIMACUM — Genealogist Eileen Johnson will answer the question “Is Your Internet Research a Shot in the Dark?” when she addresses the Jefferson County Genealogical Society’s monthly meeting Saturday.
The meeting will be at 9:30 a.m. at the Tri-Area Community Center, 10 West Valley Road.
As more family history and genealogical information becomes available online, Internet searches can be productive and also more of a challenge.
Johnson will explain how searching can be less tedious and more rewarding by using searches targeted for specific needs.
An active member of the Jefferson County Genealogical Society, Johnson is a frequent contributor and presenter at family history programs.
The meeting is free and open to the public.
For more information, visit www.wajcgs.org.
Ukuleles Unite
PORT TOWNSEND — Ukulele players of all skill levels are invited to the first meeting of Ukuleles Unite at the Quimper Grange, 1219 Corona St., from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday.
The group was formed by George Yount, Germaine Arthur and Bruce Cowan.
Loaner ukuleles are available, and no experience is necessary.
For more information, phone Yount at 360-385-0456 or Cowan at 360-385-5147.
Homebuyer class
PORT TOWNSEND — A free homebuyer education class, which will provide participants with a certificate required for many new homebuyer programs, is set Saturday.
The class will be from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Mountain View Commons, 1925 Blaine St., Port Townsend.
It is sponsored by Homeward Bound in partnership with Eagle Home Mortgage.
The class will teach aspects of the homebuying process and fulfill requirements of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development with a certificate issued by the state Housing Finance Commission.
To register, phone Melinda Szatlocky at Homeward Bound at 360-460-5533 or 360-565-2068, or email info@homewardbound.org.