NEWS BRIEFS: Port Angeles City Hall parking lot to undergo repairs starting today . . . and other items

PORT ANGELES — The City Hall parking lot along Fifth Street will undergo repairs beginning today — including both driveways to Fifth Street.

Project duration is one to two weeks, depending on weather, city officials said.

During construction, the parking lot will be closed and the utility bill drive-up drop box available for walk-up access only from Fifth Street.

Handicap parking will be temporarily relocated to the east City Hall parking lot adjoining Peabody Street.

Community dance

PORT ANGELES — The Just for Fun dance group will host an all-ages community dance featuring the Jimmy Hoffman Band at the Vern Burton Community Center, 308 E. Fourth St., on Friday night.

Adults in Steve and Ann Johnson’s Just for Fun swing-dance classes of the past month are invited to come free, while others are asked for a $5 donation at the door.

Youngsters 14 and younger get in free when accompanied by an adult.

Rock ‘n’ roll and country music and dancing will go from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, while guests are welcome to bring soft drinks and snacks to share.

‘Bag It!’ screening

SEQUIM — Nash’s Farm Store, 4681 Sequim-Dungeness Way, will screen “Bag It!” at 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 13.

The film is free and open to the public.

“Bag It!” is about plastic and its all-encompassing role in our lives and effect on our environment, done with humor.

For more information, visit www.nashsorganicproduce.com/events.

Retired employees meet Thursday

PORT ANGELES — Clallam County Chapter 23 of the Retired Public Employees Council will meet at the North Olympic Skills Center, 905 W. Ninth St., at 12:30 p.m. Thursday.

The election of officers for the next two years will be held.

Bob Zindel and Lois Danks will report on the results of the successful retired public employee Legislative Lobby Day in Olympia.

Guest speaker Debbie Axelson, state executive board member, will update the group on the status of several bills currently in the state Legislature, including one which would give some retirees a second chance to sign up for Public Employee Benefit Board health insurance.

All retired public employees and guests are invited to attend and get information about retirement and Social Security issues and opportunities to participate in activities.

Naturalist course

PORT TOWNSEND — For those interested in coastal bluffs, beaches, shellfish and intertidal habitats, WSU Extension is offering a new beach naturalist course from March 26-April 30.

Classes are held Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Students will learn about intertidal critters, coastal geology, kelp, plankton, oceanography and much more.

“We have an amazing group of instructors this year,” WSU Water Program Coordinator Cheryl Lowe said.

“I’m excited about our continuing partnership with the Port Townsend Marine Science Center, North Olympic Salmon Coalition and Washington Sea Grant, among others. Not only do participants explore special places with local and regional experts, they will make new friends and join in a tradition of service to the community.”

Applications are being accepted through Friday.

Classes are held primarily in Port Townsend but include field trips throughout East Jefferson County.

Participants are asked to volunteer 40 hours for local marine-related programs with WSU Extension, the Port Townsend Marine Science Center, the Jefferson Marine Resources Committee and others.

Activities include beach monitoring, public outreach and restoring habitat.

The cost is $120 plus a refundable $40 deposit when volunteer hours are completed.

Scholarships are available.

Visit http://jefferson.wsu.edu/nrs for more information or email Lowe at Cheryl.Lowe@wsu.edu.

‘To Light a Candle’ to be shown Friday

PORT ANGELES — A screening of “To Light a Candle” will take place in Peninsula College’s Pirate Union Building, 1502 E. Lauridsen Blvd., at noon Friday.

“To Light a Candle” is a documentary by journalist Maziar Bahari about human rights abuse and issues of religious freedom in Iran, in particular related to the Baha’i minority in Iran.

This showing is free and open to the public.

For more information, contact Gary Melendy at gmelendy@pencol.edu or 360-417-6365.

Kids read to puppy

FORKS — Dog Tally and her trainer, Sherry Schaaf, of Olympic Gentle Paws Therapy Dog Club will be inside the Forks Library, 171 S. Forks Ave., listening to young readers of all ages beginning at 3:30 p.m. the third Tuesday of every month, March through May.

The first event is this Tuesday.

For more information about this and other programs for youths, email youth@nols.org, visit www.nols.org or phone 360-374-6402.

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