THE HOLIDAYS PUT these meetings on hiatus (all these groups are open to the public):
■ Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce — Weekly luncheon meetings are held Mondays at noon in the second-floor meeting room of the Red Lion Hotel, 221 N. Lincoln St.
However, the chamber will take a holiday break from its luncheon meetings this Monday and on Dec. 30, then resumes Jan. 6 with its annual meeting for chamber members.
■ Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce — Weekly luncheon meetings are held Mondays at noon at the Port Townsend Elks Lodge, 555 Otto St.
However, the chamber won’t meet this Monday or on Dec. 30 because of the holidays, resuming its Monday schedule Jan. 6 with a program by Peter Schrappen, government affairs director of the Seattle-based Northwest Marine Trade Association.
■ Forks Chamber of Commerce — Luncheon meetings are Wednesdays at noon at JT’s Sweet Stuffs, 80 N. Forks Ave.
However, the chamber won’t meet this Wednesday or Jan. 1. It will resume with a business meeting for members on Jan. 8.
■ Port Angeles Business Association — Breakfast meetings normally are Tuesdays at 7:30 a.m. at Joshua’s Restaurant, 113 DelGuzzi Drive, Port Angeles.
However, the group will not meet this Tuesday or on Dec. 31. It will resume its meeting schedule Jan. 7 with a program to be announced.
There is a $3 minimum charge by Joshua’s for those who do not order breakfast.
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Nippon Paper receives award for biomass plant
OLYMPIA — The Nippon Paper Industries USA paper mill in Port Angeles received an honorable mention for Leadership in Innovation from Gov. Jay Inslee at the second annual Washington Industrial Energy Leaders awards ceremony at the Capitol.
Nippon was cited for its newly completed $85 million biomass cogeneration plant which will produce about 20 megawatts of electricity after it completes final testing this month.
The electricity will be sold by Nippon as renewable energy.
“Energy efficiency means an improved bottom line for industries, and I am proud of the commitment toward innovative energy savings demonstrated by the awardees,” said Inslee.
“A strong economy and a cleaner environment for future generations are certainly important, and a thriving industrial sector helps create and maintain jobs in our state.”
The Washington Industrial Energy Leaders program recognizes companies that are making exceptional progress toward improved energy efficiency.
The program is sponsored by the WSU Energy Program, Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, state Department of Commerce and Bonneville Power Administration.
Inventory count
SEQUIM — McComb Gardens will be closed for inventory count from Christmas Day, Dec. 25, through New Year’s Day, Jan. 1.
For more information, email info@mccombgardens.com, phone 360-681-2827 or visit www.mccombgardens.com.
Holiday closures
SEQUIM — Wind Rose Cellars, 143 W. Washington St., will be closed Dec. 25-26 and Jan. 1-2.
Wind Rose will be open for New Year’s Eve from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
For more information, phone 360-681-0690 or click on www.windrosecellars.com.
Diabetes education
PORT TOWNSEND — Jefferson Healthcare has been awarded the American Diabetes Association Education Recognition Certificate for a quality diabetes self-management education program.
Jefferson Healthcare has applied for and received this recognition since 2000.
Programs that achieve recognition status have a staff of knowledgeable health professionals who provide participants with information about diabetes management, according to Jefferson Healthcare.
The process of application, “. . . gives professionals a national standard by which to measure the quality of services they provide,” said Amber Benner, diabetes education program manager.
“It assures that our Jefferson Healthcare patients receive the highest quality diabetes self management education.”
For more information, visit www.jeffersonhealthcare.org.
New repair shop opens in Hadlock
PORT HADLOCK — NorthWest Tool & Trade, a small-engine repair shop located at 1893 Irondale Road, recently opened for business.
Winter hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
The shop repairs and services outdoor power equipment.
Used tools and equipment can be bought and sold, and the shop carries commonly used parts for the do-it-yourself repairperson.
The interior features fine antiques and collectibles, with Christmas baskets, too.
A chain saw art gallery will open this spring.
The public is invited to stop in for a cup of coffee and some Christmas cookies while they last.
The shop is owned by Kerry Hayes and Joyce Bush.
For more information, phone 360-554-0606 or 619-733-4876.
At-home dining
SEQUIM — Nourish restaurant in Sequim is launching a Dine at Home dinners to-go service.
Customers can order gluten-free, organic meals by noon Tuesday and collect their meals Saturday.
Orders can be made by phoning 360-797-1480 or visiting www.nourish sequim.com.
The restaurant will be closed Christmas Day.
New tech services director
PORT ANGELES — Jarred Blauser has been selected as the new director of educational technology services for the Port Angeles School District.
His appointment begins Jan. 13.
Blauser is a network support technician for the Olympic Educational Service District in Bremerton.
“We are very excited at the selection of Jarred Blauser,” Port Angeles School Superintendent Jane Pryne said.
“His years of experience with the Educational Services District assisting school districts, including the Port
Angeles School District, in the areas of planning, tech support, tech infrastructure and training make him an excellent choice for the director position. We’re thrilled with the interview committee’s unanimous choice and look forward to Jarred’s arrival.”
Pryne added that “his hiring aligns with the School District’s Strategic Plan ‘adaptability’ goal to create a data-driven adaptable education system in support of student achievement.”
Prior to working for Olympic Educational Service District, Blauser was an instructor/support specialist for Peninsula College.
Blauser received a Bachelor of Arts in business administration with a major in management information systems from Washington State University in 2012 and an Associate of Arts degree in 1998 from Peninsula College.
Olive tasting bar
PORT ANGELES — Sandy Spencer has opened a new store, Lively Olive Tasting Bar at 929 Water St. in downtown Port Townsend.
The store encourages customers to taste samples from the stock of more than 40 varieties of extra virgin olive oils and balsamic vinegars, including traditional as well as flavor-infused products.
To promote freshness, the olive oils are contained in stainless steel fusti containers, and customers’ selections are placed in a choice of three different size bottles.
A selection of specialty food products that complement the olive oils and vinegars is also available at Lively Olive, including Washington-made pastas, dried mushrooms and dipping sauces.
Lively Olive is open daily from 10 a.m. with an extended closing time of 6 p.m. through Dec. 24.
For more information, email Spencer at Sandy@livelyolive.com or phone 360-385-3993.
First Federal branch gets new manager
SEQUIM — Anthony Aceto has been named manager for First Federal’s Sequim Village branch.
Aceto has nine years of experience in banking, most recently as an assistant branch manager for BBVA Compass Bank in Southern California.
He attended Riverside City College in Riverside, Calif.
Anthony and his wife, Ashley, said they chose the Olympic Peninsula as the perfect place to raise their family.
They currently live in Sequim, and Aceto said he looks forward to getting involved in the community.
“I am thankful for the opportunity to work at First Federal. I am looking forward to working with our existing customers as well as establishing new banking relationships in this community,” Aceto said.
“I am pleased to welcome Anthony to the First Federal team and to the Sequim community,” said Dawnya Textor, vice president, director of retail banking and former Sequim Village branch manager.
