“Growing Great
Organic Garlic” by Pam Larsen
Pam Larsen presents “Growing Great Organic Garlic” on Aug. 13, from noon to 1 p.m. A link to her talk is available on the WSU Clallam County Extension website.
In her comprehensive lecture, she will discuss the health benefits of garlic and how to maximize them. Pam will provide information on soft neck and hard neck varieties and how to decide which category might work best for your garden. She will discuss cultivating this low maintenance crop, and diseases that affect growing garlic in the north Olympic peninsula’s maritime climate. Attendees will learn when to harvest, how to prepare this vegetable for maximum storage life, and drying options to retain the bulbs’ benefits.
Larsen has grown organic garlic locally for more than 15 years. She is the founder of Sequim Organic Gardeners, Co-Founder of Sequim Community Organic Gardens and a published author in The American Gardener magazine. Additionally, Larsen is the creator of The Rainshadow Planting Guide, which lets gardeners know when to schedule vegetable planting in Sequim’s unique gardening climate.
WSU Clallam County Master Gardeners sponsors the “Green Thumbs Garden Tips” education lectures which are held on the second and fourth Thursday each month through October. In November, December, and January, one lecture is offered. For questions, call 360-565-2679.
Book Discussion Groups Meeting Virtually
Join the discussion! The North Olympic Library System (NOLS) has taken its four monthly Book Discussion Groups virtual! Registration through nols.org/book-discussion-groups is required for each event in order to receive the Zoom meeting info, but all are welcome to participate. To register or see the full schedule, visit nols.org/book-discussion-groups, or call your local NOLS branch. Paperback copies of the upcoming book selections will be available for pick up any time after the current month’s discussion, during curbside service hours at the Port Angeles Main Library or Sequim Branch Library (see location notations below) on a first-come, first-served basis. Copies in other formats such as large print, book on CD, and eBook may also be available to request through the NOLS catalog.
The August Book Discussion Group Schedule is:
2nd Saturday Book Discussion Group: The Library Book by Susan Orlean
Saturday, Aug. 8 at 3 p.m. (paperback copies available at the Sequim Branch Library)
2nd Tuesday Book Discussion Group: My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry by Fredrik Backman
Tuesday, Aug. 11 at 11 a.m. (paperback copies available at the Port Angeles Main Library)
Novel Conversations Book Discussion Group: Belonging by Nora Krug
Wednesday, Aug. 26 at 4 p.m. (paperback copies available at the Sequim Branch Library)
Wednesday Evening Book Discussion Group: The Friend by Sigrid Nunez
Wednesday, Aug. 26 at 6:30 p.m. (paperback copies available at the Port Angeles Main Library)
This program is generously supported by a donation made in memory of Sally Albiso, the Port Angeles Friends of the Library, and the Friends of Sequim Library. For more information about this and other programs at your library, visit www.nols.org, call 360.417.8500, or email discover@nols.org.
NOLS asking
for feedback
The North Olympic Library System (NOLS) is looking for feedback to help plan for upcoming programs and services. Participants may fill out an online survey at bit.ly/NOLSFallSurvey. Paper copies of the survey are available during curbside pickup at each NOLS location. Curbside library service, including returns and holds pick up, is available 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at all NOLS locations, and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Port Angeles, Sequim, and Forks.
During the past few months while the Library’s physical locations have been closed, staff have been offering virtual programs and services. “It’s really been a time of experimentation to see what works,” commented Library Director, Noah Glaude. “Like many other organizations, we had to do a hard pivot in March to move services into an online environment. In a very short amount of time, the Library moved its Summer Reading Program online for the first time, expanded WiFi services, and designed a whole new programming model. This summer, NOLS has hosted events on Zoom, Facebook, and even offered some “take and make” kits for both kids and adults. The Library has been trying lots of different things to see what best serves the community.” Highlights of the experiment have included a Books & Libations tea program for over 100 participants, a visit with author Jessi Bloom, a Harry Potter party, and ongoing Storytimes.
“Moving forward into the fall, the Library would like to ensure that the services and programs offered by NOLS are meeting community needs,” continued Glaude. “We have managed to get through summer, and want to take a breath and get input about what people want. What they wanted in April may not be the same as what they envision wanting or needing in October.”
The survey is open through Aug. 8. For additional information and updates on programs and services, visit www.nols.org, email Discover@nols.org, or follow North Olympic Library System on Facebook and Instagram.
$100 million rental assistance headed to Wa communities
The Washington State Department of Commerce is distributing approximately $100 million in state Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding through its existing network of homeless services grantees and organizations serving homeless youth to operate a new rent assistance program launched Aug. 1. The program will focus on preventing evictions by paying up to three months of past due, current and future rent to landlords for eligible participants.
“Funds addressing Washington’s homelessness crisis were limited before the pandemic, and the need is deepening as this pandemic continues to push more people toward the brink while we work to carefully reopen our economy,” said Commerce Director Lisa Brown. “We are targeting limited resources as quickly and equitably as possible, to those with the greatest needs.”
This rent assistance program will address some of the need resulting from the coronavirus pandemic, and hopes to reduce some of the stress both renters and landlords are facing now and in the future. Rent assistance is limited to three months and the program ends Dec. 31.
A survey recently showed 17% of renters in Washington state missed their July rent payment. Since February, state’s employment has declined 12% – over twice that of the worst point in the Great Recession – and use of basic food assistance programs has increased by 15%.
Commerce provided guidance and formula-based grant amounts to its Consolidated Homeless Grant program lead grantees and organizations serving the Office of Homeless Youth in every county of the state. These organizations will use grant funds to provide up to three months of rent assistance that will be paid to landlords on an eligible client’s behalf. Complete program information is on the Commerce web page.
Equity is a primary program goal, with a focus on groups of people who historically have not been provided equitable access to rent assistance and those who have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. These communities include ethnic and racial minorities, immigrants and refugees, individuals who identify as LGBTQ+, individuals with disabilities or who are deaf and Native Americans.
Funding is expected to begin making its way into communities late this week.
