PORT TOWNSEND — Navy officials will take public comment on a proposal to increase the number of jets at its Whidbey Island base at a meeting in Port Townsend from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. today.
The meeting at Fort Worden Commons will be the first held on the proposal on the Peninsula.
The Navy is seeking to have up to 36 EA-18G Growler aircraft at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.
Growler pilots practice landing in short runway techniques used for aircraft carrier takeoffs and landings.
The sound carries across Admiralty Inlet to Port Townsend and other areas on the Peninsula, residents say.
The public comment period ends Jan. 9.
Information about preparation of an environmental impact study on the plan can be found at www.whidbeyeis.com.
Written comments can be submitted to the EA-18G EIS Project Manager, Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Atlantic, Attn: Code EV21/SS, 6506 Hampton Blvd., Norfolk, VA 23508.
Comments also can be submitted online at the project website and at scoping meetings.
During the meetings on the Growler jets, Navy officials will not discuss or take public comment on a controversial proposal for electronic warfare on the West End, they say, despite some requests to do so.
The electronic warfare range proposal calls for using electronic emitters to help train aviators from NAS Whidbey Island in electronic warfare.
Longhouse film
PORT ANGELES — A documentary about the Peninsula College House of Learning, also known as the longhouse, will be screened at 12:35 p.m. today.
The free screening of “House of Learning: The Spirit of the Peninsula College Longhouse” will be the college’s Studium Generale program at the Little Theater on the college’s Port Angeles campus at 1502 E. Lauridsen Blvd.
The screening will be followed by a question-and-answer session, as well as a celebratory reception with refreshments in the on-campus longhouse.
Rescue open house
QUILCENE — Center Valley Animal Rescue is inviting all animal supporters to attend the annual holiday open house at the ranch, located at 11900 Center Road, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Featured at the event will be guest artist Mena Quilici, Sophia of Limitless Henna and Catherine Hesrrick, who will offer chair massages.
Visitors can bring a camera and have their photo taken with Santa. The center requests no pets.
Sweet treats, apple cider and coffee will be served.
Themed baskets will be raffled off, and a silent auction will be held.
For more information, visit www.centervalleyanimalrescue.org.
Author to ink pre-published books soon
SEQUIM — Author Lindy MacLain will autograph The Curse of the Neverland at the Soroptomist Gala Gift Show at the Sequim Boys & Girls Club, 400 W. Fir St., from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
MacLaine will have a limited number of pre-published copies available to purchase and autograph.
The book, published by Artisan Bookworks, is expected to be out March 12.
The Neverland is dying of a fairy’s vanity, a pirate’s greed and a dragon’s appetite.
Its only hope lies with Peter Pan’s granddaughter, Piper, and her motley group of fellow foster girls.
For more information, phone MacLaine at 360-477-4638, email lindy@piperpanandhermerryband.com or visit www.piperpanandhermerryband.com.
Hospital gift shop
PORT TOWNSEND — The Jefferson Healthcare Hospital Auxiliary will host a free holiday event from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday for children, friends, grandparents and the rest of the family.
Kids of all ages are invited to stop by and visit Santa. His elves will greet children at the Sheridan Street entrance lounge with peppermint candy canes and toys.
There will be a photographer station to take pictures with Santa for $7.
Visitors can enjoy cookies while browsing the hospital gift shop’s large selection of holiday gifts and stocking stuffers.
Children are encouraged to bring their letters to Santa, where they can be dropped off in the special North Pole mailbox.
All proceeds from holiday shopping at the hospital gift shop will support health care scholarships, services and equipment at Jefferson Healthcare.
Checkpoints meet
PORT ANGELES — This month’s meeting of Stop the Checkpoints will be held at the Museum at the Carnegie, 207 S. Lincoln St., at 2 p.m. Saturday.
The group will analyze President Barack Obama’s executive orders on immigration and provide resources on what the application process will be.
The meeting also will include plans for a forum series and a new meeting time and day for next year.
