Forks Washington on the Olympic Peninsula

Forks and the West End welcome Mariachi Huenachi! These talented young musicians have performed at venues throughout the Pacific Northwest and are known as one of the best high school mariachi in the area.  The group, based out of Wenatchee High School, is directed by Mr. Rivera and Mr. Davis.  We actually saw some of the students taking advantage of the "photo ops" around Forks earlier today, so they seem to be having a good time here in the Twilight Zone.  See you at the performance Saturday morning, April 10th, at 10:00 am at the FHS cafeteria. (PS--one of your bloggers is an Eastmont High grad . . . go Panthers!)

Things are really heating up here in Forks with the 2010 Quillayute Valley Scholarship Auction starting today and continuing tomorrow.  It's all happening at the Bank of America building in Forks--don't miss the action!

The positive and generous spirit of this event is demonstrated by folks like Lori Norvell-Troutman of Plano, Texas.  Although she has no direct connection to Forks, she's pitching in anyway--donating three valuable autographed baseballs, signed by Nolan Ryan, Pete Rose and Yogi Berra.  Wow! Thanks Lori!!

Check out Paige Dickerson's article in the Peninsula Daily News highlighting this donation and providing further information about the auction.

And if you just can't wait to start finding things to bid on, you should see O.C.C.'s contributions to this year's auction from the craftsmen at their Toy Shop.  Or click here to (hopefully . . .) view auction items online as they come up for bid.

UPDATE: $69,000 RAISED THIS YEAR--THANKS!!

Have you ever heard of a community that rallies each year to provide a scholarship for every graduating senior who applies for one?

It happens right here in Forks and LaPush with the Quillayute Valley Scholarship Auction--and over a million dollars have been raised so far!  The idea is to help jump-start students' careers with some cash to offset college or vocational/technical school expenses.  This year's event happens March 20-21 (coinciding with the New Moon DVD release festivities that weekend), so make plans to be there!  Everyone is welcome at this fun event.

March 11, 2010, Update - Oh my! The O.C.C. Toy Shop crew has been busy this year!  Check out their generous contributions to this year's auction and get your "favorites" list going before your chance to bid begins March 20th.

A major rebuild of Forks High School is getting closer to reality.  This article from Paige Dickerson, in today's Peninsula Daily News, discusses some of the options being considered.  The Quillayute Valley School District is hopeful that funding will be available to preserve at least the historical facade from the original 1925 building.  More information is available at the QVSD website.

This year’s Quillayute Valley Scholarship Auction is right around the corner–March 21st-22nd. For those unfamiliar with the auction, it’s really quite amazing–this tiny community pulls together every year to raise sufficient funds to provide a scholarship for every graduate of Forks High School or Quileute Tribal School who applies for one!! And this has been going on now for 45 years, with over a million dollars awarded in scholarships so far, beginning in 1964 with Forks favorite dentist (and Chamber board member/community leader), Dr. Bob Henry, receiving the very first award.

The Forks Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce its annual scholarships for Forks High School or Quileute Tribal School graduates. This year, the Chamber is able to increase the amount of its award by a whopping 400%. This came about because of the Chamber Board of Directors’ community-minded decision to devote profits from the sale of Spartans gear sold at the Chamber’s Online Store and its Visitor Center Store to scholarships.
This year the Chamber will award two separate $1000 scholarships! Additional funds from the sale of Spartans products have been earmarked for future years. The application will be part of the regular procedure local seniors are familiar with. Successful applicants will show evidence of academic achievement, community involvement and an interest in business–particularly business activities based here in the West End.
Thanks to everyone who has contributed to the cause by buying Spartan t-shirts, hoodies and other products from the Forks Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber is delighted to have funds available to assist local youth meet their goals!

We get so many interesting photographs from our friends all over the world that we thought we’d try something new.We’re inviting Twilight fans–and anyone else interested in Forks and the West End–to send us a photo of them wearing a souvenir item, such as a t-shirt, for example, .Just to be clear about this, the “West End” is basically the Forks, LaPush, Clallam Bay, Sekiu and Neah Bay areas of Washington State, USA.From time to time, we’ll put our favorite shots online as a blog post.Extra credit will be given for the most exotic or unusual locations involved.Not only will you be world-famous if we use your shot , but we’ll also send those selected a “promo pack” from Forks, with stickers, brochures, maps and other fun Forks/LaPush stuff.

Hey, Forks is in MTV News!! Thanks to MTV and Larry Carroll for covering last week’s Summer School in Forks: a Twilight Symposium. And who can resist visiting Forks, LaPush and the West End after seeing this impressive “The Home of Twilight” video?

See, here’s proof that everyone in Forks isn’t in bed by midnight on Sunday night! Forks Police report that around 2:00 a.m. on Monday morning, someone attempted to burn down our now-famous Forks High School sign. A bench/planter box located nearby was also burned. Damage was minimal, but police are looking for a person of interest who was seen in the area. Anyone with relevant information should contact the Forks Police Department.
Further details on the alleged arson can be found in the Forks Forum and the Peninsula Daily News.