NEWS BRIEFS — Single-payer health care forum set Saturday in Port Townsend . . . and other items

Published 12:01 am Friday, November 21, 2014

PORT TOWNSEND — A panel of experts will discuss what a single-payer health care system would mean at a forum Saturday.

The forum will be from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 2333 San Juan Ave.

On the panel will be state Rep. Steve Tharinger, D-Sequim, who represents the 24th Legislative District, which covers Jefferson and Clallam counties and part of Grays Harbor County; Dr. Ken Fabert of Physicians for a National Health Plan; Matt Ready, a Jefferson Healthcare commissioner; and Patrick Noonan, a medical device consultant with Healthcare for All-Washington.

The moderator will be Bertha Cooper of the League of Women Voters of Clallam County, one of the sponsors of the forum.

Lauridsen bridge

PORT ANGELES — Traffic may be slowed over the Lauridsen Boulevard bridge at Race Street on Monday.

Crews will trim trees around power lines over Peabody Creek from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Two-way traffic will still be flowing, but drivers are asked to slow down.

Holiday swag sale continues

PORT ANGELES — The parents of Port Angeles High School’s senior class of 2015 is selling holiday swags until Wednesday.

Proceeds go toward helping the class have a drug- and alcohol-free graduation party.

Swags are one for $20 or two for $35.

Color choices are red, white, blue, holiday print or silver.

Parents will be selling at the Vern Burton Christmas Fair as well, Dec. 6-7.

Pick up preordered swags at the center, 308 E. Fourth St., during the fair, or parents can deliver them to residences.

For more information or to place an order, phone Kim O’Keefe at 360-808-2212 or email kiminpa@q.com.

Turkey Trot slated

PORT ANGELES — The Sequim Gym Turkey Trot 5K and 10K will kick off Thanksgiving day (Nov. 27) morning at 9 a.m.

Sponsored by Northwest Massage, the race starts at Strait View Drive and U.S. Highway 101.

Race day registration and bib pickup begin at 8 a.m. by the parking lot.

Pre-registration online at www.tinyurl.com/pc8ovk2 is $15 before Tuesday; the price increases to $20 after that. Race-day registration is $25.

Families of up to six people who sign up before Tuesday are $35.

If possible, racers are encouraged to carpool.

For more information, email sequimgym@yahoo.com or visit http://tinyurl.com/pdn-2014turkeytrot.

‘Gateway to Grace’ topic of talk

PORT ANGELES — Unity in the Olympics, 2917 E. Myrtle St., will hold a 10:30 a.m. service Sunday with guest speaker the Rev. Deborah Brandt.

The lesson is “The Gateway to Grace.”

Brandt is an award-winning journalist who spent more than 30 years in broadcasting. She is an ordained metaphysical minister.

A Thanksgiving potluck dinner will follow the worship service.

Free child care is available during the service.

A time for silent meditation will be held from 10 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.

All are welcome.

Taize service set

SEQUIM — All are welcome to the ecumenical Taize service at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 525 N. Fifth Ave., at 7 p.m. Monday.

There will be a meditative, candlelit atmosphere that includes singing simple, repetitive songs during the hourlong service.

Taize will continue to be held the fourth Monday of each month, but there is no Taize service in December due to the holidays.

Services resume in January.

Buddhist teachings

SEQUIM — “The Practice and Breakthrough of Happiness” will be held at the Sequim Library, 630 N. Sequim Ave., from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

Admission is a suggested donation of $10 to $15.

This teaching is open to all.

Participants can learn the fundamental principles of Buddhist view and gain a clear understanding of “The Four Noble Truths of the Enlightened,” the first teaching of Buddha Shakyamuni.

This teaching will focus on how positive thinking benefits ourselves and others and how to integrate virtuous practice and activity into our daily lives.

For more information, email port.angeles.dzogchen.sangha@gmail.com or phone 360-477-5445.

Resource Fair

PORT ANGELES — In cooperation with Stevens Middle School Principal Chuck Lisk, Clallam County Prevention Specialist Leeann Grasseth organized a Community Resource Fair, which was held during fall parent-teacher-student conferences recently in the school’s gym.

More than 20 local agencies participated in the event to help parents learn about offerings for families from these agencies.

Participants were provided with a stamped card to visit vendors as an incentive to win one of more than 20 prizes.

Local vendors J.C. Penney, Reflections Counseling, Clallam Transit, YMCA, Parent Line, Peninsula College Upward Bound, Phoenix Dragon, Westside Pizza, Klallam Counseling, Port Angeles Healthy Youth Coalition, William Shore Memorial Pool and Subway donated about $1,810 in “prizes.”

Agencies in attendance were The Answer For Youth, Lower Elwha Youth Coalition, Prevention Works!, Volunteers in Medicine of the Olympics, We’re In This Together, Upward Bound, Serenity House, Phoenix Dragon Martial Arts, Olympic Peninsula Rowing Association rowers, Clallam County Sheriff’s Office, Healthy Families, Lower Elwha Domestic Violence, Clallam County Juvenile Services, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula, Peninsula College, Washington State Extension 4-H, Klallam Counseling, My Choices, Peninsula Dispute Resolution Center, Peninsula Behavioral Health, Port Angeles Healthy Youth Coalition and the Port Angeles School District.