Community Happenings

Soup Labels

After the first of the year, Campbell’s soup labels will no longer be accepted at local schools. If you have saved labels please get them in as soon as possible to the receptacle at Forks Outfitters.

Olympic National Park to Offer Free Admission on Four Days in 2018

The 2018 entrance fee-free days are:

Jan. 15: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

April 21: First Day of National Park Week

Sept. 22: National Public Lands Day

Nov. 11: Veterans Day

The Hurricane Ridge Road is scheduled to be open for the holiday on Monday, Jan. 15, in addition to its normally scheduled days of Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Weather permitting, the road is scheduled to open at 9 a.m. and close to uphill traffic at 4 p.m. Hurricane Ridge is subject to high winds and heavy snow during the winter and the road’s opening is always dependent on current road and weather conditions. For up to date information about road opening times and conditions, please call the park’s recorded Road & Weather Hotline at 360-565-3131 or follow @HRWinterAccess on Twitter.

The entrance fee for Olympic National Park is $25 per vehicle. The entrance fee waiver does not cover camping or special tours such as guided snowshoe walks. Normally, 118 of the 417 national parks charge an entrance fee. The other 299 national parks do not have entrance fees.

Supporting Persons on the Autism Spectrum

Clallam County Developmental Disabilities Administration Continuing Education Training will take place on Friday, Jan. 26 at the Kit’la Center, 100 La Push Road, with two classes on the topic Supporting Persons on the Autism Spectrum.

Supporting individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder can require unique and individualized supports. This course will provide an introduction to the diagnostic criteria based on the DSM-5 edition and explore how we can provide the best support possible for individuals living with Autism. It will look at specific strategies for supporting the individuals as well as the care providers.

Dr. Edward Fischer has worked 15 years with individuals with developmental disabilities and autism. He works for the Developmental Disabilities Administration in Region 3 with the Regional Clinical Team. He is also associate faculty at two universities where he teaches clinical and forensic psychology and serves as dissertation chair and committee member.

Clallam County Developmental Disabilities Administration Continuing Education Training will take place on Friday, Jan. 26 at the Kit’la Center, 100 La Push Rd., with two classes.

Class 1: Continuing Education Course – 6 CEUs

Time: 9 a.m-4 p.m. with an hour for lunch

Who: Professionals who are interested in learning more about what autism is, how to recognize early signs, and what we can do to support children and their families when concerns arise.

Class 2: Family and Friends Course – 2 hours

Time: 6-8 p.m.

Who: Family and friends who are interested in learning basic information about autism, what to do if you suspect a child has autism, and solutions for challenging behaviors.

Options for registration: email miranda.lindsey@quileutenation.org put “Training Registration” in the subject line, include name, phone, and class you wish to attend, call 360-374-5865 and leave a message with your name contact information and the class you wish to attend or fax that same information to 360-374-5066.

WDFW plans first razor clam digs of 2018

starting New Year’s Day

State shellfish managers have proposed the first round of razor clam digs in 2018, starting with the addition of New Year’s Day on two beaches followed by a weeklong dig extending from late January into early February.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will confirm that schedule prior to each dig, provided that upcoming marine toxin tests show the clams are safe to eat.

Under WDFW’s plan, Twin Harbors and Mocrocks beaches will open for digging at noon Jan. 1, extending a dig previously scheduled for New Year’s Eve dig at four ocean beaches. Starting Jan. 28, WDFW then plans to open various beaches for razor-clam digging through Feb. 3.

No digging will be allowed at any beach before noon.

Dan Ayres, WDFW coastal shellfish manager, said the Jan. 1 opening is designed to give families a chance to ring in the new year digging clams on the beach.

“We know that digging razor clams is a New Year’s tradition for many families and we want to help them keep tradition alive,” Ayres said.

That and other digs are proposed on the following beaches, dates and evening low tides:

Dec. 31, Sunday, 5:12 p.m.; -1.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks (previously announced and pending final toxin results)

Jan. 1, Monday, 6:02 p.m.; -1.7 feet; Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Jan. 28, Sunday, 4:06 p.m.; -0.4 feet; Mocrocks

Jan. 29, Monday, 4:59 p.m.; -1.0 feet; Copalis

Jan. 30, Tuesday, 5:47 p.m.; -1.5 feet; Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Jan. 31, Wednesday, 6:33 p.m.; -1.6 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

Feb. 1, Thursday, 7:17 p.m.; -1.5 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Feb. 2, Friday, 8 p.m.; -1.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

Feb. 3, Saturday, 8:42 p.m.; -0.4; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

All diggers age 15 or older must have an applicable 2017-18 fishing license to harvest razor clams on any beach. Licenses, ranging from a three-day razor clam license to an annual combination fishing license, are available on WDFW’s website at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov and from license vendors around the state.

Under state law, diggers at open beaches can take 15 razor clams per day. Each digger’s clams must be kept in a separate container.

Yoga Storytime at the Forks Branch Library, first Saturdays at

10:30 a.m., Jan. 6,

Feb. 3, March 3, April 7, and May 5.

Storytimes at the North Olympic Library System (NOLS) feature picture books, fingerplays, music, and plenty of movement and wiggles. Studies show that children who are read to before the age of five develop essential pre-reading skills, supporting later success in school. Activities such as talking, reading, playing, and singing all play an important role in early childhood development, which is why they are included in storytimes at NOLS. These activities support skill development and encourage children to interact with their caregivers and peers in a fun, literacy-rich environment.

The Forks Branch Library is located at 171 Forks Ave. South. For more information about storytimes and other programs for youth, visit www.nols.org, call 360.374.6402, or email Youth@nols.org.

Septic 101 Class

Interested in learning about your septic system? Attend the Septic 101 class!

Clallam County Environmental Health is offering a free informational septic system class in January.

Septic 101 is an introductory class designed for homeowners wishing to learn more about their septic systems. The course describes different types of septic systems, general system care and maintenance, and do’s and don’ts for a healthy system.

The class will be held on Thursday, Jan. 18, from 6-8:30 p.m., at the Dungeness River Audubon Center at Railroad Bridge Park, located at 2151 W. Hendrickson Road in Sequim.

Pre-registration for classes is required and available online through www.clallam.net/septic or by contacting Environmental Health at 360-417-2258. Register today. Spaces are limited.

Environmental Health Services, 111 E. Third Street, Port Angeles, WA 98362, Phone: 360-417-2258, Fax: 360-452-9795.

Interested in becoming certified to inspect your septic system yourself?

Attend Septic 201 “Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Self-Inspection” classes

Clallam County Environmental Health is offering free DIY septic inspection classes in February and March of 2018.

Septic 201 “Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Self-Inspection” classes provide an overview of the What, Why, & How of safely inspecting your septic system and include an instructional video, a brief demonstration, and a short exam.

Please note, not all septic systems are eligible for homeowner inspection, and systems located in the Marine Recovery Area – between Bagley Creek watershed and the eastern county boundary – must have an initial inspection by a licensed septic inspector.

Septic inspections are required by state law. Conventional gravity septic systems need to be inspected every 3 years; all other systems need to be inspected annually.

Remember: Pumping is not the same as an inspection.

Classes are scheduled as follows:

Thursday, Feb. 8, 5:30-7 p.m. at the Dungeness River Audubon Center at Railroad Bridge Park, 2151 W. Hendrickson Road in Sequim.

Thursday, March 22, 6-7:30 p.m. at the Clallam County Courthouse, Commissioner’s Meeting Room #160, 223 E. Fourth Street in Port Angeles.

Pre-registration for classes is required and available online through www.clallam.net/septic or by contacting Environmental Health at 360-417-2258. Register today. Spaces are limited.

Environmental Health Services, 111 E. Third St., Port Angeles, WA 98362. Phone: 360-417-2258, Fax: 360-452-9795.