Summer’s just beginning, and so are the weekend opportunities for both entertainment and learning.
Bring a dish to the international potluck tonight and meet some of your neighbors, watch dogs compete in the Hurricane Ridge Kennel Club’s 2008 agility trials, learn about an historic hike that changed plans for the wilderness coastline or pick any number of other ways to get out of the house.
Here’s a sample of what’s up.
International potluck
PORT ANGELES — An international potluck social will celebrate the foods and cultures of Mexico, Central America and South America today.
The social will be from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Port Angeles Senior Center, 328 E. Seventh St.
The potluck — which is free and open to individuals, families and children — is organized with an Hispanic theme by the Community Multi-Cultural Alliance.
Those attending are asked to bring their favorite foods and snacks directly to the center, beginning at 6 p.m.
Musical performances and displays of arts and cultural items from Mexico, Central America or South America are also welcome.
Anyone with questions, or who wants to contribute food, other items or talents, can phone Diana Somerville at 360-452-1212.
“While we celebrate our southern neighbors, all are welcome — Asian, Pacific islander, American Indian, Hispanic, black, LBGT and ‘none of the above,'” said Somerville.
“Wherever you and your ancestors hail from, please come and share your food, your music, your stories and your culture for an evening of family fun.”
Somerville is vice president of the Community Multi-Cultural Alliance, a Clallam County-wide group focused on how to improve diversity, equality and cultural awareness.
Its members include community, governmental, religious, educational and business leaders and representatives from the Coast Guard and Lower Elwha Klallam tribe.
Dog agility trials
SEQUIM — Dogs will compete for titles and prizes at the Hurricane Ridge Kennel Club’s 2008 agility trials today, Saturday and Sunday.
The trials at the Blake Family Property, adjacent to Carrie Blake Park, 202 N. Blake Road, will be at 1 p.m. today, 9 a.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. Sunday.
Admission to the agility trials, which are open to the public, is free.
The trials are licensed by the American Kennel Club, and will feature more than 600 dog runs.
Dogs will compete in novice, open and excellent classes, with some also competing for their master agility championship titles.
Spectators are asked not to bring their dogs to the trials.
For more information, click on www.hrkc.org.
Dog park anniversary
SEQUIM — Lots of cake and frolic are in store as Sequim’s off-leash dog park celebrates its first anniversary on Saturday.
The party, open to all people and dogs who play well with others, will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the canine playground, which has a large fenced field for big dogs and a smaller pen for small ones.
Dogs must be kept on leash until they enter the free-range area, which is behind the Guy Cole Convention Center in Carrie Blake Park, 202 N. Blake Ave.
The nearly two-acre dog park opened in April 2007, thanks to support from the city of Sequim and many local donors.
For information about supporting the park and volunteering to maintain it, visit www.SequimDogParks.org.
Hike commemoration
PORT ANGELES — A presentation about an historic hike led by former U.S. Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas to stop a planned highway along Olympic National Parks’ wilderness coast is planned today.
The presentation, hosted by Olympic Park Institute and Olympic Park Associates, will be in the Science and Technology Building at Peninsula College, 1502 E. Lauridsen Blvd., at 7 p.m.
Admission is free.
Two organizers and participants in the 1958 hike, Polly Dyer and Donna Osseward, will share their recollections, while wilderness historian and author Doug Scott will set the context.
Nature photographer Pat O’Hara will present a brief slide show of the wilderness coast.
The Olympic coastal strip was added to Olympic National Park by former President Harry S. Truman in 1953.
Soon after, the National Park Service proposed a highway along the length of the coast, with access roads and developments planned for major beaches.
To focus attention on the issue, wilderness advocates asked Douglas to lead a hike along the coast.
A group of 70 people joined Douglas for the two-day, 22-mile hike from Ozette Lake to Cape Alava, then south along the coast to Rialto Beach.
A second hike led by Douglas along the southern portion of the Olympic coast a few years later finally put the highway proposal to rest.
For more information, phone Darek Staab at 360-928-3720, Ext. 23, or e-mail dstaab@yni.org.
Women’s expo
SEQUIM — A business and lifestyle expo for women is planned on Saturday.
“What Women Want” will be at the Pioneer Park clubhouse, 387 E. Washington St., from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Admission is free.
The event will feature businesses owned by local women and representatives of national companies with products and services for sale.
Those attending can schedule a portrait or receive financial planning advice, a skin-care consultation and organizational tips — and hear how local women started and maintained their businesses.
There will also be refreshments, a book signing and massages.
The expo is sponsored by Sensaria Natural Bodycare, Slumber Parties, Stampin’ Up!, Home Interiors, Scentsy, Willow Pond Consulting and Intuitive Development Center, Stick Stash Stow, Tastefully Simple, PartyLite, Lia Sophia, Aglow Mind & Body Rejuvenation, At Home America, Kika’s Portraits and Tupperware.
History award, tale
PORT ANGELES — The Clallam County Historical Society will present its annual Heritage Award on Sunday.
At the same time, Dona Cloud, archivist for the historical society, will present the final History Tale of Clallam County for the 2007-2008 series.
Both events are part of the annual meeting of the historical society, which will be in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 321 E. Fifth St., at 2 p.m.
Cloud will talk about Gregers Lauridsen, a turn-of-the-century businessman who engaged in real state, banking and operated a general store in Port Angeles.
Lauridsen Boulevard was named after him.
The drawing for the annual raffle to benefit Lincoln School is also scheduled.
The program is free and open to the public.
The Clallam County Historical Society and its 450 members are celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.
The organization preserves and interprets the historical record of Clallam County for the community, students, researchers and visitors.
For more information, phone 360-452
