NEWS BRIEFS: National Book Award winner to give keynote address at fundraising dinner tonight … and other items

PORT ANGELES — National Book Award winner Sherman Alexie of Seattle will give the keynote address at Peninsula Behavioral Health of Port Angeles’ annual fundraising dinner tonight at 7 Cedars Casino.

Tickets for the $95-a-person event are sold out, said Rebekah Miller, the nonprofit facility’s development coordinator.

Alexie, an author, poet and filmmaker, will talk “about his world view as well as the need to overcome the stigma and marginalization of mental illness,” Jennifer Jerez, a client and event management associate with the talent agency Royce Carlton Inc., of New York, N.Y., which represents Alexie, said this week in an email.

Alexie won the 2007 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature for “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian.”

The semi-autobiographical, illustrated first-person novel is about a 14-year-old Native American teenager growing up on the Spokane Indian reservation, where Alexie grew up. The teenager was born with hydrocephalus, which Alexie also has, and struggles with his identity while attending an all-white school in Reardan.

The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe and the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe are major sponsors of the event, Miller said.

The 2016 dinner raised $18,000 for Peninsula Behavioral Health, she said.

Unity speaker aims to expand consciousness

PORT ANGELES — Unity in the Olympics’ 10:30 a.m. Sunday worship service guest speaker will be Roy Holman.

His lesson is titled “Expanding and Stretching into the New Paradigm.”

According to a news release, “Many of us are expanding, but not always in the right places. How do we truly expand our consciousness and align with the Divine?”

Holman is based in Everett, where he has run Holman Health Connections since 2000.

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

Child care is available during the service.

Prayer breakfast

PORT ANGELES — The 19th annual Community Prayer Breakfast will be held in the St. Anne Room at Queen of Angels Catholic Church, 209 W. 11th St., from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Thursday.

The Rev. Gail Wheatley of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church will be the guest speaker.

This event is open to the public.

Music will be provided by Shawn Dawson.

Tickets for the breakfast cost $9 and are available for purchase at KONP, 721 E. First St.; from any Kiwanis member; or at the event.

The breakfast is sponsored by the Kiwanis Noon Club of Port Angeles and prepared by members of the Knights of Columbus.

For more information, phone Cal Mogck at 360-683-4934.

Speaker event, potluck

SEQUIM — The Sisters will have a potluck and speaker event at the Sequim Worship Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday.

Lynette Hardy and Dovell Marks will address the event’s theme of “Sought Out” Isaiah 62:12 at the center, located at 640 N. Sequim Ave.

This event is free and open to the public.

Hardy is currently working on a book and her pastor’s license and will speak first, after which the lunch potluck will be held at noon.

Marks, a prison ministry leader and speaker, will then share various insights.

Those interested in participating in the potluck are encouraged to bring a dish of their choosing.

Donations for the ministry are accepted.

Organizers ask that those interested register in advance so they know how to accommodate for everyone.

To register, phone 360-681-0307.

Film screening

AGNEW — The Peninsula Evangelical Friends Church will present a free screening at 7 p.m. Monday.

The movie, titled “Is Genesis Real History?,” will be screened at the church, 1291 N. Barr Road.

Child care will be provided.

For more information, contact Diane Hanes at 360-417-0422 or dhanes@tfon.com.

Quilt donation

PORT ANGELES — The Holy Trinity Quilters recently sent 115 handmade quilts to the Lutheran World Relief headquarters.

The quilts were constructed throughout the year by more than 15 quilters and were blessed by the church’s congregation during a recent 9:30 a.m. worship service.

The relief headquarters will distribute the quilts to families in need around the world, according to a news release.

The church’s quilters have participated in this annual event since 1968 and have contributed more than 3,136 quilts.

For more information, phone 360-452-2323.

Port Angeles beauty stylist now at new home

PORT ANGELES — Hair & Makeup by Jocelyn DeChenne recently began working at a new location in Bliss Salon Co. & Apparel, located at 207 W. First St.

DeChenne is a stylist, makeup artist and bridal specialist who also does photoshoots as well as fashion shows.

To schedule an appointment, phone 707-812-8641.

Agent of the Month

PORT ANGELES — Marc and Pat Thomsen, aka Team Thomsen, of Coldwell Banker Realty have been named Agent of the Month for April.

The designation is accomplished by producing the highest amount of business transactions in a month’s team, according to a news release.

To reach Team Thomsen, contact MThomsen@olypen.com or 360-417-2782.

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