NEWS BRIEFS: Dog park meeting set for today in Port Townsend . . . and other items

Published 12:01 am Wednesday, September 9, 2015

PORT TOWNSEND — A meeting to discuss establishing a dog park in the Port Townsend area is set from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. today.

The meeting will be at the at the Port Townsend Community Center, corner of Lawrence and Tyler.

Rick and Debbie Jahnke of Port Townsend are spearheading an effort to create a fenced, off-leash dog park.

Debbie Jahnke said a representative of the nonprofit FETCH (Free Exercise Time For Canines and Humans) will talk about the group’s work in establishing five dog parks on Whidbey Island.

For more information, search for “Port Townsend Dogs” on Facebook, visit porttownsenddogs.org or email dropparks@gmail.com.

Homecoming plans

PORT ANGELES — Port Angeles High School Roughriders are planning the week’s activities for Homecoming 2015 — named “Riders” the Musical — from Monday, Sept. 21, through Saturday Sept. 26.

The community is invited to celebrate Roughrider spirit by participating.

■ Monday, Sept. 21: Spirit dress theme is “Parents in High School.” Buff Puff Game, main gym, 7 p.m. Donation of canned food requested for food drive.

■ Tuesday, Sept. 22: Spirit dress theme is “Tourist Day.”

■ Wednesday, Sept. 23: Spirit dress theme is “Class Color Day.” Tug-of-War/flag football game, Elks Park, 7 p.m. Donation of canned food requested for food drive.

■ Thursday, Sept. 24: Spirit dress theme is “Class Theme Day.” Food drive ends.

■ Friday, Sept. 25: Spirit dress theme is “Green & White Spirit Day.” Morning homecoming assembly, 8:50 a.m. Homecoming parade from Clallam County Courthouse to Civic Field, 5:30 p.m. varsity football game, Roughriders vs. Bremerton, Civic Field, 7 p.m.

Halftime entertainments will include performances by the Port Angeles High School Marching Band, Cheer Squad, plus homecoming royalty and a carriage race.

■ Saturday, Sept. 26: Homecoming dance, main gym, 8 p.m.

Marine workshop

PORT TOWNSEND — A one-day, all-inclusive Marine Weather Workshop will be held at the Northwest Maritime Center, 431 Water St., from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3.

The workshop is taught by marine weather experts Jay Albrecht and Dave Wilkinson, and it prepares boaters for safety on Northwest waters.

The workshop is co-sponsored by Washington Sea Grant, the maritime center and WSU Jefferson County Extension.

Topics covered include:

■ Relationships of atmospheric pressure and wind.

■ Determining the path and speed of squalls.

■ Strong wind systems found in the Northwest and offshore and how to avoid them.

■ Key features of low-pressure systems.

■ How 500mb wind patterns can help one find “weather windows” for safe passages.

■ How pressure gradients affect wind in Washington waters.

■ What is a computer model? How do they work, and what can they give?

■ How to get Northwest Weather Service and associated weather, forecast and model data on a computer.

The cost of the workshop is $80.

Preregistration is required via Sarah Fisken at sfisken@uw.edu or 206-543-1225.

Washington Sea Grant, based at the University of Washington, provides statewide marine research, outreach and education services, helping people to understand and address the challenges facing Washington’s oceans and coasts.

The National Sea Grant College Program is part of NOAA.

Visit wsg.washington.edu for more information.

PA CAN meet is scheduled this evening

PORT ANGELES — PA CAN, aka the Port Angeles Citizen Action Network aiming to address Port Angeles’ drug problems, has its next meeting at 6:30 tonight.

All concerned residents are encouraged to attend the session in the county Board of Commissioners’ meeting room (160) at the Clallam County Courthouse, 223 E. Fourth St.

The group welcomes newcomers who want to join projects, including:

■ Working with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula to expand programs and attendance.

■ Supporting Oxford House, a network of houses for recovering addicts in Clallam and Jefferson counties.

■ Supporting the Port Angeles School District’s efforts to have alcohol-drug counselors at the middle and high schools.

For information, see PA CAN’s Facebook page or visit www.RevitalizePortAngeles.org.

Port Angeles School Board meeting

PORT ANGELES — The Port Angeles School Board will consider enrollment and policies when it meets Thursday and for its annual planning workshop Friday.

The Thursday meeting will be at 7 p.m. at the Central Services Building at 216 E. Fourth St., with an executive session set for 6:30 p.m.

The Friday workshop will be from noon to 7 p.m. at the North Olympic Peninsula Skills Center, 905 W. Ninth St.

At the planning workshop, the board will discuss strategic planning, enrollment figures and budget matters.

Mystery novelist

PORT ANGELES — J.A. Jance, a prolific mystery novelist, will make an appearance in Port Angeles this Friday evening to mark the release of her 51st book.

Admission is free to Jance’s 7 p.m. program at the Port Angeles Library, 2210 S. Peabody St., and since her previous visits have been highly popular, fans are encouraged to come early.

Jance’s new one, just out this week, is Dance of the Bones, a novel in which two of her longtime characters, Seattle detective J.P. Beaumont and Arizona sheriff Brandon Walker, join forces to go after two cold cases more than 1,500 miles apart.

Suddenly the cases have become hot again — and connected.

For information about Jance’s visit, phone the sponsor, Port Book and News, at 360-452-6367.