WHIDBEY ISLAND — The sounds of prowlers and growlers will fill the air from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island on Friday.
Field carrier landing practice operations are scheduled at the outlying field in Coupeville in the early afternoon that day, the Navy announced last week.
“Residents living in Coupeville and around the OLF [outlying landing field] should anticipate an increase in jet noise,” the Navy said in a statement.
Jet noise has prompted complaints from neighbors, who say the noise at the field in Coupeville can be heard in Port Townsend and other areas of the North Olympic Peninsula.
The Navy has released flight schedules for OLF Coupeville weekly for community planning purposes.
Practice operations are driven by the fleet replacement squadron student training curriculum and pre-deployment carrier EA-6B Prowler and EA-18G Growler squadron flight qualifications, the Navy said.
It can also fluctuate due to weather, maintenance and operational requirements.
The Navy has provided a new comment form, available at http://tinyurl.com/PDN-navycomment.
After completing the “PDF fillable” form, email it to comments.NASWI@navy.mil.
Comments, including noise complaints, also can made at 360-257-6665.
Oso donations
PORT ANGELES — The Associated Student Council and fellow students of Peninsula College are seeking donations on behalf of those affected by the Oso mudslide, as well as those helping in recovery efforts.
The drive runs through Monday.
Donate nonperishable items to The Bookaneer bookstore at Peninsula College, 1502 Lauridsen Blvd., from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday.
For more information, phone Elizabeth Wasson, donation organizer, at 360-912-1150.
Hiking in the NW
PORT ANGELES — The Port Angeles Garden Club will present a PowerPoint by Donna Downes at 10 a.m. Monday on hiking the Olympics.
The group meets at First Presbyterian Church, 139 W. Eighth St.
Potential members and guests are welcome.
For more information, phone President Patty Wheatley at 360-457-0843.
Spring vegetables
PORT TOWNSEND — Washington State University Master Gardeners will present a lecture, “Spring Vegetable Gardening by Seed and Starts,” at the WSU Extension office, 380 Jefferson St.
The lecture is from noon to 1 p.m. Monday.
This free brown bag garden talk will be presented by Jefferson County Master Gardener Roger McPherson.
McPherson has been a Master Gardener since 1999 and will give tips on how to grow the best vegetable garden possible, with advice on starting gardens by seeds and starts.
The “Garden Talk: Aphids to Zucchini” lecture series is sponsored by WSU Jefferson County Master Gardeners and is held at noon on the third Monday of each month from March through November.
For more information, email Jefferson County WSU Master Gardeners at mastergardenerjefferson@gmail.com.
Nutrition menus
PORT ANGELES — Port Angeles Senior Nutrition Site dinners will be served at 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday at the Port Angeles Senior Center, 328 E. Seventh St.
A suggested donation is $5 for those who are 60 or older.
People younger than 60 can attend for $8.
Reservations should be made 24 hours in advance to 360-457-8921.
Menus are subject to change.
■ Tuesday: Fruit cup, chef salad, garlic bread, ice cream sundae.
■ Wednesday: Antipasto salad, baked fish, rice barley, Harvard beets, apricots.
■ Thursday: Three-bean salad, broccoli and cheese casserole, roasted reds, garlic bread, fruit cup.
■ Friday: Tossed salad, chili, cornbread, orange slices, brownie.
Toxic-free series
PORT TOWNSEND — As part of the Port Townsend Marine Science Center’s new campaign, “Gone Green? Go Blue! Support Your Local Ocean,” there will be a series of free workshops from Tuesday through May 27.
Workshops will be every Tuesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Natural History Exhibit near Fort Worden beach.
“The workshops will explore the journey of reducing toxic chemicals in our everyday lives and are open to the public,” said Jean Walat, the center’s program director.
Activities will include making toxic-free products, learning about the tools available (e.g., cellphone apps) that help people choose toxic-free products and learning how actions make a larger difference.
There also will be a potluck with healthy food to celebrate everyone becoming more toxic-free.
“We understand that facing uncomfortable subjects like toxic chemicals in your personal life are scary,” said Megen Veley, program lead. “So we want to invite you to a workshop where personal action meets collective action.”
All materials will be provided, and with completion of the workshops, each attendee will receive a marine center original Toxic Free Zone T-shirt.
To register, phone 360-385-5582, ext. 104, or email mveley@ptmsc.org.
A Discover Pass is not required to attend the workshops.
Dinner, auction set
PORT ANGELES — Fairview Grange, 161 Lake Farm Road, will have a spaghetti and meatballs dinner, along with a Chinese/dessert auction, at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
Dinner includes homemade spaghetti and meatballs, salad, French bread and ice cream.
The cost is $10. Children younger than 12 are admitted free.
New items or desserts are appreciated for the auction.
All proceeds will benefit Fairview Grange.
For more information, phone 360-461-9008.
‘New in Town’ talk
SEQUIM — Residents who are new to Sequim or those who are considering relocation can attend the “New to Town Conversation” at First Federal Bank, 333 N. Sequim Ave., from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday.
The sessions for other dates — June 25, Aug. 27 and Oct. 22 — will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Sequim-Dungeness Valley Visitor Information Center, 1192 E. Washington St.
This is an opportunity to meet other people who are new to Sequim, Sequim natives who can share their knowledge and history, representatives of nonprofits with volunteering ideas, plus more information on handling the stresses of moving.
Light refreshments will be served.
RSVP to Catherine Mich at 360-582-1081.
Sea captain talk
PORT TOWNSEND — Sea captain and photographer Jacques Thiry will speak at the Unity Spiritual Enrichment Center, 3918 San Juan Ave., at 7 p.m. Friday.
Presented by Unity of Port Townsend, Thiry will give a slide show presentation on his experiences building and sailing Brig Unicorn, the tall ship made famous as the Black Pearl in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” films.
Thiry’s lecture focuses on his inspiration to build a tall ship and how the many challenges involved were overcome as if by design, according to a news release.
A question-and-answer session will follow.
A minimum donation of $10 is asked at the door.
All proceeds will help support the enrichment center.
For more information, visit www.unitypt.org.
Scandia meal slated Friday at PT church
PORT TOWNSEND — The Daughters of Norway Thea Foss No. 45 will hold its 10th annual Scandia Dinner at St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 1335 Blaine St., at 6 p.m. Friday.
The menu includes Scandinavian meatballs and gravy, red potatoes, carrots, lefse, cole slaw, pickled herring, relishes, cucumber salad and cookies.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with the music of The Norms: Laurel Stone (fiddle), George Yount (harmonica, ukulele), Sally Chapin (guitar), Kellie Nyby (mandolin and bodhran) and Alison Hedlund (fiddle).
There are a limited number of tickets for $20 available at Maricee’s, 913 Water St., or from Sonja Schoenleber at 360-379-2612.
A portion of funds raised will benefit graduating seniors from the five high schools served by membership.
For more information, phone Jean Kaldahl at 360-379-1802 or email her at katrina4@cablespeed.com.
Rowing classes
PORT ANGELES — The Olympic Peninsula Rowing Association (OPRA) is offering several rowing classes to kick off the season.
The first adult beginners class will be held Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the OPRA boathouse on Ediz Hook, 1431 Ediz Hook Drive.
The cost for the six-session beginners row is $50. The instructor is Brazilian rowing coach Rodrigo Rodriquez.
There are also youth beginner and youth advanced classes being offered in the afternoons. Participants should be at least 12 years old.
To register for adult beginner classes, email Colleen Brastad at cbrastad@olypen.com.
To register for youth classes, email John Halberg at halberg@olypen.com.
For more general information, phone 360-452-3493.
Volunteer training
PORT ANGELES — The Olympic Coast Discovery Center is seeking docents for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary.
A six-session training for new volunteers begins Wednesday, April 30.
Topics include sanctuary ecosystems and wildlife, marine research and deep-sea corals, current marine issues, communicating with the public and more.
Two field trips are included as part of the six-session training.
Docents typically volunteer two to four hours a week.
The training will take place in The Landing mall, 115 E. Railroad Ave., Suite 206, and is free of charge, though registration is required.
Dates of training sessions are April 30, May 7, May 14 and May 28 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Field trips are May 17 and 21 in Neah Bay.
To register or receive more information, contact Jacqueline Laverdure at 360-457-6622, ext. 21, or jacqueline.laverdure@noaa.gov.
Find more online, visit www.olympiccoast.noaa.gov or www.facebook.com/usolympiccoastgov.
Vet outreach beginning on Peninsula
The Department of Veterans Affairs’ Tacoma Vet Center will deploy a Mobile Outreach Team beginning Monday, April 28, to the Olympic Peninsula.
The mobile team will be at the following local locations for dates and times shown:
■ Port Townsend: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 29, Elks Lodge, 555 Otto St.
■ Port Angeles: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, and 9 a.m. to noon Friday, May 2, Elwha Klallam Heritage Training Center, 401 E. First St.
■ Forks: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, May 1, Elks Lodge, 941 Merchants Road.
For more information on services provided, visit www.vetcenter.va.gov.
For more information on this event or to make an appointment, phone Jason Scott or Mark Buckler at 253-565-7038.
Veterans are also welcome for walk-in services.
4-H Club awards
POULSBO — Two Olympic Peninsula 4-H teams took home awards at the recent Kitsap County CatNip Club Spring Fling Cat Show at the Crystal Grange.
Pure Country 4-H Cat Club of Clallam County was well represented with Janey O’Conner (intermediate) and Faith McFall (junior).
Janey, in her second year of the cat program, won Reserve Championships in fitting and showing and costume, and championship in type and judging with her cat, Phantom.
Faith, in her third year, won a Reserve Championship in judging and just missed a Reserve Championship in fitting and showing after three rounds of tiebreakers with her cat, Lucky.
Six members of Jefferson County’s Paws-N-Claws 4-H Club participated in the cat show.
Following are their results:
■ Junior Jonathan Holt showing cat Luna: Fitting and Showing, blue ribbon, score 95; Type Class (household pet shorthair), blue ribbon and call back; Cage Decoration, Junior Reserve champion.
■ Junior Celeste Gardner showing cat Yin: Fitting and Showing, blue ribbon, score 95; Type Class (Purebred), champion; Cage Decoration, blue ribbon; Cat Costume, Junior Reserve champion; Breed Identification Class, Junior Reserve champion
■ Intermediate Veda Dosey showing cat Taj: Novice Intermediate Fitting and Showing, champion, score 90; Type Class (household pet longhair), blue ribbon; Cage Decoration: blue ribbon.
■ Senior Katie Bailey showing cat Patches: Fitting and Showing, Reserve champion, score 98; Type Class (household pet longhair): blue ribbon; Cage Decoration, Reserve champion.
■ Senior Annaliese Chamberlin-Holt showing cat Jadin: Fitting and Showing: blue ribbon, score 95; Type Class (household pet shorthair), blue ribbon; Cage Decoration, champion; Judging Class, Reserve champion; Breed ID Class, Reserve champion.
■ Senior Sam Smith showing cat Misa: Fitting and Showing, champion, score 99; Type Class, red ribbon; Cage decoration, blue ribbon; Judging Class, champion; Breed ID Class, champion.
PA students’ integrity recognized
PORT ANGELES — Twenty-one Stevens Middle School students were recognized by their teachers as Students of the Month for March.
The following seventh- and eighth-graders were recognized for their integrity: Devan Andrew, Kim Brunken, Zion Davis, Alyssa Ellis, Mariah Fortman, Julia Hampton, Jae Harrell, Seamus Harris, Aidan Higbee, David Homan, Shawn Jimmicum, Korbin Kirkman, Brooke Knight, Robert Mast, Makena Merideth, Kaylee Rickel, Hailey Robinson, Natalie Steinman, Holly Tilton, Tristian Turner and Charles Whitmire.
As a reward, they dined at the North Olympic Peninsula Skills Center. Lunch was prepared by skills center culinary arts students.
Science award
SALEM, Ore. — Jennifer Grauberger, a 2011 Port Townsend High School graduate, has been selected for two prestigious science awards at Willamette University in Salem, Ore., where she is in her junior year as a chemistry/pre-med student.
Grauberger has been selected to receive the Iota Sigma Pi, National Honor Society for Women in Chemistry Scholarship Award.
This national scholarship selection recognizes top women in the field of chemistry.
Grauberger was nominated by university faculty.
She has also been selected as a Webber Science Scholar Mentor to the Webber Science scholars for her senior year.
Grauberger is serving as a chemistry faculty-selected Webber Science Scholar.
Grauberger has also been selected for the Order of Omega Greek Honor Society. She is the supervisor of the Willamette Emergency Medical Services, co-president of the Chemistry Club, an executive officer of the university Pre-Health Club and has golfed and played soccer for the university.
Grauberger is the daughter of Dave and Vicky Grauberger of Port Townsend.
Volunteers lauded
WASHINGTON — ShelterBox USA, an international humanitarian relief organization, recently honored its Pacific Northwest volunteer team with the Team of the Year Award for its work in supporting the charity’s efforts to assist families made homeless by disaster.
Of the 39 members on the Pacific Northwest team, three are from Sequim: James Pickett, Ryan Schaafsma and Tom Schaafsma.
The team earned the award in recognition of its fundraising and awareness-raising efforts.
The team is composed of volunteers throughout the Pacific Northwest, mostly concentrated in Washington and Oregon.
In 2013, the team raised nearly $100,000 for disaster relief.
“Nominated and selected by their peers, this team’s involvement in ShelterBox is an inspiration to many,” said Emily Sperling, president of ShelterBox USA, in a news release.
“Their leadership in raising the profile of ShelterBox has meant that nearly 100 more vulnerable families affected by disaster have received emergency shelter.”
Navy team places 2nd in state round
PORT ANGELES — The Port Angeles High School Navy CyberPatriot Team placed second in the State Recognition Round for Washington State.
They competed three times this school year against 420 schools from all over the nation.
These teams included Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, Civil Air Patrol and Naval Sea Cadet Corps.
Teams compete at their local high schools, and results of the competition are scored by the Air Force Association.
According to www.uscyberpatriot.org, the CyberPatriot National Youth Cyber Education Program was created by the Air Force Association to inspire high school students toward careers in cybersecurity or other science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines critical to the nation’s future.
At the core of the CyberPatriot program is the National Youth Cyber Defense Competition, which challenges teams of students to resolve real-life cybersecurity situations in a virtual environment.
