Free Veterans Dinner

The Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9106 is hosting a free dinner for all Veterans, Saturday, Feb. 22, from 5-8 p.m. at the VFW Post, 110 Spartan Ave. Family members are also invited with a $10 donation requested. Community members may also attend. All proceeds from the dinner support VFW’s local Veterans support and family programs.

Across America, the initials VFW are a familiar sight and symbolize a commitment to the nation both at home and abroad. The Mission of the VFW is to foster camaraderie among United States Veterans of overseas conflicts, to serve our veterans, the military and our communities, and to advocate on behalf of all veterans. No One Does More For Veterans. This dinner is just one way the VFW serves our Veterans here at home and what better day to host such a dinner; Washington State Patriotic Day! For more information, please contact the VFW at 360-374-5489.

OPGA River Clean-up

On Saturday, Feb. 22, the Olympic Peninsula Guides’ Association (OPGA) is hosting its Annual River Clean-up with an after-party at Blakeslee’s Bar and Grill.

If you would like to volunteer for the river clean-up, stop by Forks Outfitters, 950 S. Forks Ave., anytime between 5:45-8 a.m. where a table will be set up outside with a sign-up sheet, instructions, garbage bags, and donuts! If you are already planning on being on the river, swing in and pick up a bag or two to do some clean up during the day. If you just want to come out and help keep our beautiful area trash free we will have some problem areas pinpointed that won’t require boat access, just make sure to bring work gloves and clothes that can get dirty. $150 in cash prizes will be given to the person(s) who pick up the most garbage from the river!

Hope Center Activity Group

The West End Outreach Services Hope Center is organizing an activity group. A planning meeting will be held at the Center on Founders Way on Feb. 25 at 10 a.m. with a “gentle hike” planned for Friday, Feb, 28.

This month’s topic will be winter hiking and the ten essentials to bring along. This activity is open to everyone.

Music for a Cure Benefit Concert

Vocalist Monica Henry will be singing jazz classics at the annual “Music For A Cure” Leukemia and Lymphoma Society benefit concert hosted by the Forks Elks Lodge, 941 Merchant Rd., on Feb. 29 from 7-9 p.m. Entrance to this “age 21 or older” event is by donation and all proceeds go to the LLS to support cancer research and patient/family assistance!

Hunter Safety Class

Hunter Safety Class will be held March 9, 11, 16 and 18 at the West End Sportsmen’s Club. Classes are from 6-9 p.m. The online field test will be on March 14. The class test will be held March 21, 8 a.m. – noon also at the Sportsmen’s Club. The classes are free.

Daddy Daughter Dance

A Daddy Daughter Dance will be held on Saturday, Feb. 22, at the First Congregational Church, 280 S. Spartan Ave., from 6-8:30 p.m. The evening is open to any parent figure accompanied by a child and will include a photo, cupcake, crafts, refreshments, dancing, and many everlasting memories.

The cost is $25 for one adult and one child and $10 for each additional child. Tickets can be purchased at the door. All funds raised will go towards sending local teens to Young Life Camp this summer.

Family Night

Forks First Baptist Church, 651 S. Forks Ave., is having a Family Game and Finger Food Night on Saturday, March 7, from 3-7 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Games included will be the new sensation, Wingspan, the Farmer’s Game and many others. Everyone is invited!

Tax-Aide

Tax-Aide volunteers will be at Forks City Hall, in the Council Chambers, 500 East Division St., every-other-Saturday, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on the following dates:

Feb. 29 and March 14, 28 and April 11

No appointment is required. First-come, first-served.

For more information about AARP Tax-Aide, including which documents to bring with you, visit the AARP website here or call 1-888-AARPNOW (1-888-227-7669).

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is offered in conjunction with the IRS.

Together We Read

Digital Book Club

The North Olympic Library System (NOLS) is joining public libraries nationwide in the digital reading program Together We Read, which offers simultaneous access to the same eBook for a two-week period. The eBook selection for this program is “Lean on Me” by Pat Simmons.

“Lean on Me” will be available to download with no waiting list through the Washington Anytime Library from Feb. 19 through March 4. Readers will only need a library card and the Libby app to download a free copy of the eBook to their personal devices. Patrons are invited to participate in an online discussion after downloading the title. To join the discussion, or learn more about the program, visit togetherweread.com/us.

“Lean on Me” tells the story of Tabitha Knicely, a woman overwhelmed with sorrow and exhaustion caring for her beloved great-aunt, whose dementia is getting worse. When her neighbor Marcus Whittington accuses Tabitha of elder neglect, he doesn’t realize how his threats to have Aunt Tweet taken away add to Tabitha’s pain. Then Marcus gets to know the exuberant elderly lady and sees up close how hard Tabitha is fighting to keep everything together. Tabitha finds herself leaning on Marcus more and he’s becoming more than happy to share her burdens.

The Together We Read digital book club is facilitated by Rakuten OverDrive. To request one-on-one assistance from a NOLS staff member who can help you download eBooks and eAudiobooks to your personal mobile device, request an appointment at nols.org/technology-appointments.

“Pruning Ornamentals” by Keith Dekker

Master Gardener Keith Dekker will discuss pruning three plant groups: mounding shrubs, cane growers and trees and tree-likes to redirect growth energy, reveal beauty, improve health by allowing greater access to air and light, and reduce wind and snow breakage. He will focus his discussion on late winter pruning of roses, hydrangeas, clematis and wisteria. Dekker will cover the right tools for pruning and correct pruning techniques. He will provide information on the pruning budget which is determined by the kind of cut, the size of cut and the total amount of foliage removed. Attendees will learn how to avoid costly mistakes and will receive guidelines to pruning by season.

A Clallam County Master Gardener since 2017, Keith Dekker has been involved in horticulture for over 45 years. For the last 29 years, his career has focused on the comprehensive care of residential landscapes in the Pacific Northwest. Keith is an active volunteer with PlantAmnesty, a nonprofit organization with the mission of “Working to end the senseless torture and mutilation of trees and shrubs.” He contributes to his community by teaching classes and giving talks to promote best practices for successful, sustainable gardening. Keith currently is president of the Master Gardener Foundation, and has his own business specializing in fine pruning.

This presentation is part of the “Green Thumbs Garden Tips Education Series” lectures sponsored by WSU Clallam County Master Gardeners and occur on the second and fourth Thursday each month from noon to 1 p.m. at the Clallam County Courthouse, 223 E. 4th St., Port Angeles. They are free and open to the public; however, donations are accepted and appreciated. For questions, call 360-565-2679.

Meditation Virtual

Reality at the Forks Branch Library

Enjoy a guided meditation with virtual reality (VR) at the Forks Branch Library of the North Olympic Library System (NOLS) on Friday, Mar. 13 from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Adults and teens 13 and older can experience immersive and interactive 360° video using Oculus Rift and Go headsets. Guided meditation and relaxation sessions will last about 15-20 minutes per user and are on a first-come, first-served basis with a waiting list if needed. Using VR has potential safety concerns; participants must be 13 years or older (no exceptions). Adult participants must sign a release waiver, and participants aged 13-17 must have a parent signed release waiver. Waiver forms are available to pick up in advance at the library, or at www.nols.org/virtual-reality.