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PeninsulaNorthwest
SUNDAY, AUGUST 25, 2013
PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
Jay play on Mount Walker a real treat encounter the area’s “camp robbers.” The viewing areas are seldom “They’ll just overrun with tourists carrying Joan think you’re picnic fare, and I’m convinced Carson getting into the these birds have scouts posted picnic supplies. where there might be some mug“Don’t panic. ging opportunities. They won’t That is what they attempted leave without to do to us. checking the Eight to ten sharp-eyed birds food situation.” became a mob. The jay on Knowing we would need to the branch con- pay for the entertainment, I tinued sitting came equipped with a partial loaf still, waiting. of leftover French bread. Starting to It was apparent that during take photos, I urged my spouse to the summer, the younger birds get his camera working, too. had learned what people are for. He was enjoying the show, the I don’t know how many were ‘Get the camera’ real show I wasn’t aware of. juveniles, but at least two still It took only moments after Then I turned around, and had their dark feathers instead exiting the car near the Southern there was another jay, a dark-col- of the adult gray-and-white Lookout before we spotted a jay ored juvenile. plumage. sitting on a nearby tree. It was sitting on the top of the One youngster was a typical “Get the camera!” open car door less than a foot young bird. I couldn’t move fast enough from my head and almost too He still believed it was his and had the back door open in close to focus on. right to be fed by anyone having seconds. He intended to be first in line food. While digging through the bag for any food that might appear. While I tried to tear a piece When planning our trip to containing binos, bird book, camfrom the loaf, he pushed his head into the crook of my elbow holdMount Walker, I was hoping to era and jacket, I told myself: EYEBALL TO EYEBALL with a gray jay is a “catch-yourbreath” moment. These handsome birds are known for their bold ways, but a recent encounter at Mount Walker was over-the-top. Spring is the best time to visit Mount Walker, located just south of Quilcene, but this year we decided on a summer trip. For a birder, August can be pretty quiet, but these jays made up for the low bird count. As the vehicle traffic up the mountain was also pretty sparse, I suspect they were waiting for us.
BIRD WATCH
ing the entire loaf. He clearly had learned to “think big.” While I held tightly to the small loaf, he held just as tightly to my fingers and tugged as hard as he could. That only encouraged his waiting companions, and they decided to gang up and get in on the action. Three jays (at least) landing on your shoulders, arms and hands is an experience hard to describe.
They express concern that the birds will become dependent on our handouts. They worry the birds will lose their fear of humans and somehow be hurt. This has been said for decades, and I am sure their hearts are in the right place. However, there are still large numbers of gray jays, and they appear to be prospering. More important, they are terrific spokesmen for other birds and wildlife. Anyone who has visited a Trust takes time park, a campground or other easily accessible natural area and Don’t we all wish the chickabeen touched by this gregarious dees, nuthatches, bushtits and hummingbirds would come to our bird will never forget the experioutstretched hands at least once ence. The more eyes opened to in awhile? really see the “wild” creatures we I know some people do manshare this planet with, the better age to accomplish this, but they have been patient in gaining the it will be for all of us. bird’s trust, and it takes time. ________ As someone who isn’t against Joan Carson’s column appears every instant gratification, I’m thankSunday. Contact her at P.O. Box 532, ful for gray jays. Poulsbo, WA 98370, with a selfThere will always be some addressed, stamped envelope for a reply. who frown on feeding these birds. Email: joanpcarson@comcast.net.
College offers retraining funds for fall quarter PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
RAINBOW
ASSEMBLY OF OFFICERS
Port Angeles Rainbow Assembly No. 33 recently held an installation of officers. Standing from left are Kylie Dove, Alyssa Porter, Lisa Cook, Amisha Cook, Mariah Crowley, Rainbow Dad Paul Carmean, Mother Adviser Kathy Crowley, Vivian Reese, Kayla Blomberg, Katie Bowes, Sherry Cook and Aliya Tapia; kneeling from left are Baylie Devlin, new Worthy Adviser Madison Drew, Tara Menlove and Morgan Reick; and sitting from left are Anesa Tapia, an unidentified relative, Wendy Reese, Hannah Washke, Eliza Marie Smith, Evelyn Woodin-Stockert and Elizabeth Woodin-Stockert.
PORT ANGELES — Applications are being accepted for worker retraining benefits and enrollment for fall quarter classes at Peninsula College. Funding for eligible students includes tuition, books, child care and approved supplies for the program in which they are enrolled. To be eligible for worker retraining benefits and financial assistance, applicants must fall into one of the following categories: ■ Have been laid off due to a company closure or downsizing within the past two years. ■ Have been displaced as a homemaker within the past two years, meaning they were dependent on the income of another family member but are no longer supported by that income. ■ Have owned their own business but had to close it due to local economic conditions within the
unding for eligible students includes tuition, books, child care and approved supplies for the program in which they are enrolled.
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past two years. ■ Be employed but need additional skills to retain their job. ■ Have been honorably discharged from the military within the past two years. The worker retraining program is an allocation of funds that Peninsula College receives from the state. It provides funding for professional-technical programs at Peninsula College to prepare students for living-wage jobs in the area and to fund eligible students so they can enroll in and complete their chosen programs. Phone 360-417-6359 or visit tinyurl.com/ktcebhy.
Briefly . . . Mobile dental clinic to visit PA Sept. 9-20 PORT ANGELES — The Washington Dental Service Foundation SmileMobile is coming to Port Angeles from Sept. 9-20 to care for children with dental needs. Children birth through high school age with limited access to dental care can be scheduled for appointments by phoning 888-286-9105. The SmileMobile is staffed by a clinic manager, a dentist and local volunteer dental professionals in each community it visits. It will be located at Jefferson Elementary School, 218 E. 12th St. Examinations will be provided Monday through Wednesday, Sept. 9-11. Follow-up appointments will be scheduled on a space-available basis for the duration of the stay. The SmileMobile accepts as reimbursement for service Washington Services Cards (Provider One) and a sliding fee based on family income. The program is funded by Washington Dental Service and in partnership with Seattle Children’s
How’s the fishing? Lee Horton reports. Fridays in
PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
Hospital, and operated by Washington Dental Service Foundation, a nonprofit organization funded by Washington Dental Service.
Sequim service set SEQUIM — The city is making preparations to take part in the National Day of Service and Remembrance from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 14. Members of the City Council and city staff will join community volunteers in participating in a morning of community service projects throughout the city. Projects will focus on the new Gerhardt Park, a 7-acre park at South Third Avenue and Reservoir Road; the painting of fire hydrants throughout the city; and the dog agility course at Carrie Blake Park. Opening ceremonies will take place at Gerhardt Park, 1610 S. Third Ave., at 8 a.m. Those interested in volunteering can phone the City Clerk’s Office at 360683-4139.
have been involved in the performance of a service that has a long-lasting and beneficial effect on the island community and/or Jefferson County. Qualifications of the nominee must be listed. Nominations should contain specific information concerning the volunteerism, activism and leadership abilities of the nominee. Nominee forms and deposit boxes are located near the pot-belly stove at the rear of Nordland General Store, 7180 Flagler Road. Nomination forms may be mailed to the Citizen of the Year Committee c/o Mary TennBrink and Ray Harker, 155 E. Beach Road, Nordland, WA 98358. The announcement of the award will be made at the Jan. 20 meeting of the Marrowstone Island Community Association.
Finish GED soon
OLYMPIA — Students who have started but not completed their GED test should finish by early December or will have to Nominations open start from scratch in January and pay a testing fee NORDLAND — Nomiagain, according to officials nations are open through from the Washington State Dec. 31 for Marrowstone Board for Community and Island Citizen of the Year. Technical Colleges. Any Marrowstone In January, the national Island resident may submit GED Testing Service will a nomination for the replace the current fiveaward, which is presented by the Marrowstone Island part test with a four-part series that is considered Community Association. more rigorous and a better Nominees must be an island resident and must indicator of students’ readi-
ness for college and careers. Like the current version, the parts can be taken separately, but all must be passed to receive a high school equivalency certificate. The current test officially expires Dec. 31, but students are warned to complete all five parts by early December because most test centers are closed over the holidays. The GED test is offered at Peninsula College in Port Angeles on most Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. throughout the entire year. To schedule GED testing, phone 360-417-6346 or email testing@pencol.edu. New tests will be offered only on the computer. The $150 fee for the entire test will remain the same in 2014. Current GED test-takers can verify their progress and contact a local testing center by clicking the “GED Test Verify” button on www.sbctc.edu.
Full school added SEQUIM — The independent Five Acre School is adding a full middle school for grades 6-8 for the 20132014 school year. Previously, the school served preschool through sixth grade. Curious parents and students are invited along with those already enrolled to an informational gathering at the school, 515 Lotzgesell Road, at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
Shirley Sandoz, left, and Fabienne Farley of the Cabin Fever Quilt Club of Jefferson County recently exhibited quilts in the juried section of the Pacific West Quilt Show in Tacoma. Enrollment for the middle school is open to students from throughout the community. Five Acre School curriculum features projectbased learning, meaningful assessment, fine arts and music, and emphasizes personal responsibility and social competency. For more information, phone the school at 360681-7255.
Quilters at exhibit TACOMA — Two members of the Cabin Fever Quilt Club of Jefferson County recently exhibited quilts in the juried section of the Pacific West Quilt Show in Tacoma. The Association of Pacific West Quilters selected quilts created and quilted by Fabienne Farley of Port Townsend and Shirley Sandoz of Marrowstone Island, along with more
than 300 other quilts. Cabin Fever Quilt Club meets each Monday at 10 a.m. at the Tri-Area Community Center, 10 West Valley Road in Chimacum. Visitors are welcome. For more information, visit www.cabinfever quilterswa.com.
Open house slated PORT TOWNSEND — The PT Smooth Talkers Toastmasters Club is having an open house to celebrate it becoming a chartered club. It will be held at Seaport Landing Retirement & Assisted Living Community, 1201 Hancock St., at 7 p.m. Wednesday. The club says there will be “food, drinks and fun for everyone.” For more information, phone 360-379-3814. Peninsula Daily News