Belfair, WA - The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission and the Washington State Parks Foundation invite the public to attend Centennial 2013 ShellFest at Belfair State Park in Mason County.

The event is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 25, at Belfair State Park, 3151 N.E. State Route 300, Belfair. The day will include exhibits, food, activities and education about restoring and protecting shellfish beds in Puget Sound as part of the Governor’s Shellfish Initiative. 

Activities will include low-tide walks guided by local experts, ice tables and hands-on activities for children. Special presentations by the Skokomish Tribe include cedar bark pounding, short rope weaving demonstrations, songs and drumming and storytelling by Delbert Miller of the Skokomish Tribe. Lunch will be provided by Taylor Shellfish, featuring Chef Xinh Dwelley of Xinh’s Clam and Oyster House in Shelton. Lunch is free with a suggested donation of $5 a person or $15 a family to benefit the Washington State Parks Foundation. The Discover Pass is required in the park on event day. 

Heading into the first weekend of the 2013 Pikeminnow Sport-Reward Program, early reports indicate a potential banner year for Northern Pikeminnow fishing and payouts for participating anglers.

“We expected things to start off good as the river, condition-wise, is pretty good,” said Eric Winther of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. “Typically, lower water years are better for us as the river is not high and muddy.”

Reports from across the lower Columbia River through the Snake River are indicating Northern Pikeminnow are striking hard and early. 
“The Dalles has been the red-hot spot for the last few years, and that was certainly the case on Wednesday – a lot of anglers, and a lot of fish,” Winther said. “And the Tri-Cities station at Columbia Point Park in 
Richland reported that they’ve had their best day in recent memory.”

Olympia, WA - The following Washington State Department of Transportation projects are expected to have some travel impacts. Motorists are encouraged to use caution when traveling in these areas and remember to "give 'em a brake" in construction zones.

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Grays Harbor County

View Grays Habor County summer construction map (pdf 170kb)

PLEASE NOTE: Most activities are subject to good weather conditions and work plans are subject to weather-related adjustments.

Counties: Clallam | Grays Harbor | Jefferson | Kitsap | Mason | Pierce | Thurston

Elma, Washington – Summit Pacific Medical Center’s (SPMC) Chief Financial Officer, Will Callicoat, will be leading a community open house discussion in partnership with CHOICE Regional Health Network on the new health care regulations coming soon as part of the Affordable Care Act. SPMC and CHOICE will host two community education discussions on the topic; both will be held from 6-8pm in the Kelsey Conference Room at SPMC. The dates are Tuesday, May 14^th and Tuesday, July 23^rd. These are free events and no registration is required.

All members of the community are encouraged to attend and learn more about the reforms and how they will affect most people. People who are concerned about the future of their insurance coverage, who want to know more about the potential of penalties from the IRS for not having health insurance next year, and who want to learn more about the Health Insurance Exchange open enrollment starting October 1^st of this year, should not miss this free opportunity.

SPMC is located at 600 East Main Street in Elma. For more information on the event, please contact Will Callicoat at 360-346-2222 or email info@sp-mc.org.  

Olympia, WA - Washington’s next generation of commuters will be taking to the streets as students across the state celebrate national Bike to School Day on Wednesday, May 8. Participating schools have planned special events to encourage students to ride their bikes or walk to school with parents, teachers and community leaders. Many events include an educational component for bicycling and walking safely. 

With these events taking place, the Washington State Department of Transportation reminds motorists to share the road and watch for young bicyclists and pedestrians, especially around school zones. 

“Bike to School Day promotes bicycling for transportation and helps build healthier communities,” said Secretary of Transportation Lynn Peterson. “Events raise awareness of the benefits of bicycling and walking, such as increasing physical activity among children and reducing traffic congestion and vehicle emissions in neighborhoods. They also draw attention to the need for children to have safe places to walk and ride.”