NEWS BRIEFS: Coffee chat set Thursday in Sequim … and other items

News items for the North Olympic Peninsula.

SEQUIM — Sequim community members can talk with Schools Superintendent Gary Neal about the upcoming educational programs and operations levy at an informal coffee chat from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday.

The chat will be at Hurricane Coffee Co., 104 W. Washington St.

The Sequim School District will place a renewal of its levy on the February 2017 ballot.

In 2013, district voters approved a four-year educational programs and operations levy authorizing the collection of $5.78 million per year.

For more information, contact spokeswoman M. Patsene Dashiell at mdashiell@sequim.k12.wa.us.

Blood drive in Sequim set for Tuesday

SEQUIM — The Knights of Columbus, in conjunction with Bloodworks Northwest, will sponsor a community blood drive at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Parish Hall, 121 E. Maple St., from 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The drive is closed between 4:15 p.m. and 5 p.m. for a break.

Donors must be in good health and 18 or older.

For additional information, phone Bill Butcher at 360-461-7113 or 360-681-8679.

Program resumes

PORT ANGELES — “Kindergarten Express,” a weekly program designed for 4- to 5-year-olds, will resume at the Port Angeles Library, 2210 S. Peabody St., at 10:15 a.m. Tuesday.

This North Olympic Library System (NOLS) storytime series features picture books, fingerplays, music, science projects and crafts designed to help prepare preschoolers for kindergarten.

“Kindergarten Express” storytimes are free and will take place every Tuesday from Tuesday to Dec. 6 and from Jan. 3 to May 16.

After each session, parents and caregivers will have an opportunity to visit and swap information about parenting resources in the community.

For more information about storytimes and other programs for youths, visit www.nols.org; phone 360-417-8500, ext. 7705; or email youth@nols.org.

Seeking members

PORT TOWNSEND — Beginning Monday, Sept. 19, Peninsula College’s Vocal Jazz Ensemble will include singers enrolled in the program at the Port Townsend campus.

“There is a lot of enthusiasm for it,” said Vocal Jazz Director Elaine Gardner-Morales of the decision to expand the program. “We are very excited about the opportunity to develop this.”

Ensemble members will meet at the Port Townsend campus at Fort Worden on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

The group will consist of approximately 10 to 12 singers who will join their Port Angeles campus cohorts for concerts, including December’s Jingle

Jazz performance held on the Port Angeles campus and aired live on KONP radio.

Individuals with a musical background who are comfortable in front of a microphone and who have a love for music are encouraged to contact Gardner-Morales at egardner@pencol.edu to audition for a spot.

The Peninsula College Foundation is offering some scholarship assistance for East Jefferson County students with need who wish to enroll in this new Vocal Jazz program.

Enrolled students can contact the foundation office at 360-417-6400 or foundation@pencol.edu.

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