NEWS BRIEFS: Campfire restrictions begin today in park, forest … and other items

Campfire restrictions begin in Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest today.

Campfires are restricted to developed campgrounds and picnic areas only until further notice.

Olympic Peninsula federal land managers are instituting fire restrictions because of the long-term forecast for hot and dry weather, the current commitment of firefighting resources battling numerous wildfires around the nation and the strain new uncontrolled fires would place on these resources.

“With the high fire danger and staff already committed to suppressing fires across the country, we are enacting this fire restriction to conserve our firefighting resources and to help prevent additional fires,” said Olympic National Park acting Superintendent Lee Taylor.

Gas camp stoves can still be used in Olympic National Park’s wilderness backcountry but should be operated well away from flammable vegetation and forest litter. Taylor urges extreme caution with any open flame.

Fireworks are prohibited on federal public lands. Campfires should be never be left unattended. Smokers should dispose of cigarette debris in some type of an ashtray.

Change of hours

SEQUIM — The hours of operation for the Sequim Civic Center have changed effective today.

The center, 152 W. Cedar St., which is also home to the Sequim Police Station and City Hall, will be open Mondays through Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The schedule change stems from a July meeting in order to provide working citizens more access to city services, as well as improved coordination between city departments, according to a news release.

For more information, call 360-683-4139 or visit www.sequimwa.gov.

Highway 112 delays

SEKIU — Drivers could see delays on state Highway 112 starting the first week of this month.

On Tuesday, state Department of Transportation contractor crews will begin to stabilize and repair two damaged sections of roadway located at the far west end of Highway 112.

Drivers will encounter around-the-clock, signal-controlled, one-way alternating traffic and a reduced speed limit at milepost 1.83.

After work is completed there, crews will relocate to milepost 0.5.

During this project, crews will construct a rock buttress wall to stabilize the hillside supporting the road, and also resurface the roadway, Transportation said.

The project is scheduled to be completed in October.

For information, see www.wsdot.wa.gov/Regions/Olympic/Construction.

Unity speaker set Sunday

PORT ANGELES — Unity in the Olympics’ 10:30 a.m. Sunday worship service speaker will be Margi Lantos.

Her lesson at the church, 2917 E. Myrtle St., is titled “The Power of Faith.”

According to a news release: “An unseen energy within every human being exists that gently guides us through our dark moments. It gifts us with lightness for the body, mind and soul and brings forth an incredibly powerful heartfelt level of trust to help us lessen the heavy weight of life.”

Lantos is an intuitive consultant, speaker-workshop facilitator, Reiki-Shamanic Master, TV producer of “Your Soul Awareness” and author of “Journey Inward.”

A time for silent meditation will be held from 10 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.

Child care is available during the service.

Meditation retreat

PORT TOWNSEND —Buddhist teacher Heather Martin will kick off a nonresidential weekend retreat with a free presentation tonight at 7.

The presentation, as well as the retreat events Saturday and Sunday, will be held at the Port Townsend Yacht Club, 2503 Washington St.

The cost is $30, though no one will be turned away.

The weekend events will begin at 9 a.m., ending at 5 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday.

New and experienced meditators are welcome to attend the events, which “increase one’s ability to calm the mind and quiet the internal monologue,” according to a news release.

Martin is the guiding teacher for the Salt Spring Island Vipassana Community in British Columbia, where she has lived for more than 30 years.

For more information, visit www.ptsangha.org.

Norway dances

PORT ANGELES — Members of the public are invited to the Sons of Norway’s dance evening Sunday.

A $3 donation is suggested for the dance, which will include Scandinavian, swing, ballroom and folk dances at Scandia Hall, 131 W. Fifth St.

Lessons will begin the event at 6:30 p.m., followed by a dancing program from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Refreshments will be served afterward.

Partners are not required.

For more information, call 360-457-7035 or 360-452-6334.

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