NEWS BRIEFS: Delays expected today on U.S. Highway 101 at Elwha River bridge … and other items

PORT ANGELES — Traffic will be cut to one alternating lane at the Elwha River bridge on U.S. Highway 101 today.

Drivers can expect the lane closure and delays at milepost 239 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., said Claudia Bingham Baker, state Department of Transportation spokeswoman.

Crews will survey the road’s centerline, working on the hill east of the bridge, Bingham Baker said.

Transportation is considering seven alternatives for retrofitting or replacing the bridge. The now-wild Elwha River has eaten 14 feet of the riverbed around the bridge piers, causing concern for Transportation engineers.

To comment on the alternatives, go to http://tinyurl.com/PDN-elwhariverbridge.

PA students delivered 32 holiday meals

PORT ANGELES — Port Angeles High School Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) students delivered 32 Thanksgiving dinners to the five Port Angeles School District elementary schools for distribution to families in need prior to the holiday.

“This is double the number of baskets that we prepared last year,” DECA adviser Jennifer Rogers said. “We also provided two baskets to the high school. The dinners included a turkey, cranberries, stuffing, gravy, green beans, corn, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie fixings.

“All of the food was donated by the DECA members and the turkeys were donated by local businesses. We are thankful for the huge support from local businesses, providing us with 34 turkeys.”

Fundraising event

PORT ANGELES — The Kiwanis Club of Port Angeles will sponsor the Ugly Christmas Sweater Pub Crawl & Poker Walk from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 22.

Seven bars and restaurants in the downtown area are participating, “though we do hope to have additional establishments join in,” said Darcey Beck, event coordinator and Kiwanis member.

The event will be held in conjunction with the annual Port Angeles Downtown Association’s Shop Till You Drop event.

Tickets for the pub crawl are $10 in advance at kiwanispubcrawl.brownpapertickets.com; at the check-in point (CrabHouse Restaurant, 221 N. Lincoln St.), they will sale for $15.

Tickets include entrance into the Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest and two beer tickets to be used at specified locations.

A special price and drink for designated drivers is $7 and can be purchased at the check-in point.

At the 6 p.m. check-in, participant will receive bracelets, beer/drink tickets and a map/info flier.

“The Poker Walk will also start at this point [for an additional $5 entrance fee], where those who pay to play will receive playing cards at each location they attend. At the end of the night, they present their best 5-card poker hand for a chance to win 50 percent of the poker walk proceeds,” Beck said.

The night’s events will conclude with the musical duo Bread & Gravy performing at The Metta Room, 132 E. Front St., as well as the ugly sweater contest and announcement of Poker Walk winners. The winners of the ugly sweater contest (best individual and best couple) will receive cash prizes.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Kiwanis KidsFest, Back to School Event, Babe Ruth Softball, Olympic Peninsula Boys & Girls Club and Kiwanis Club of Port Angeles service projects and organizations.

For questions and information on the pub crawl and the club, visit the club’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/kiwanisportangeles or email info@kiwanisofpa.org.

Solstice ritual

PORT TOWNSEND — Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 2333 San Juan Ave., plans a celebration of the winter solstice Wednesday, Dec. 21.

“Honoring the Dark: A Winter Solstice Ritual,” scheduled from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., will feature silence, meditation, music, song and ritual, according to a news release.

The public is invited, including older children. Child care will be provided.

For more information, contact Siena Foxx at siena.foxx@gmail.com or 360-379-0609, or visit http://tinyurl.com/pdn-QUUFsolstice.

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