NOTE: “Today” and “tonight” refer to Friday, Dec. 4.
A breakfast with Santa, a ‘Gift of Giving’ benefit dinner and an animal rescue open house are among the activities planned on the North Olympic Peninsula this weekend.
For information about “The Nutcracker” ballet in Port Angeles this weekend, and other arts news, see Peninsula Spotlight, the Peninsula Daily News’ weekly entertainment magazine included with today’s PDN.
Information also is available in the interactive calendar at www.peninsuladailynews.com.
PORT ANGELES
Medieval times
PORT ANGELES — Bella Voce and Vocal Unlimited, two of Port Angeles High School’s choirs, will host the ninth annual Madrigal Dinners tonight and Saturday at the Castle of Thermopolis — the Port Angeles High School cafeteria.
All ages are welcome at the 7 p.m. events, which have a medieval theme and feast — wassail, bread and cheese, butternut squash soup, roasted vegetables, marinated chicken, miniature cheesecakes and cupcakes — plus storytelling and music.
The cafeteria is located at 304 E. Park Ave.
Tickets are $25 in advance, with proceeds to help the choirs travel to and perform at February’s Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival at the University of Idaho.
To purchase, contact Port Angeles High choir director Jolene Dalton Gailey at 360-565-1535 or jgailey@portangelesschools.org.
Home canning
PORT ANGELES — The Washington State University Extension will host a workshop, “Preserving the Catch: Home Pressure Canning of Seafood,” from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
The free class will be held at First Step Family Support Center, 325 E. Sixth St. and taught by Betsy Wharton, WSU Extension food preservation advisor and proprietor of the Clallam Canning Company.
Participants will learn about food preservation, including a hands-on salmon canning demonstration. Jars, frozen salmon and recipes will be provided.
Attendees will have the opportunity to take home two jars of salmon and
recipes.
The class size is limited to eight. For information, contact the WSU County Extension Office at 360-417-2279.
Santa at salon
PORT ANGELES — Sassy Kat Salon and Boutique will host Santa from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday.
The public is invited to bring cameras and see Santa at the salon at 105 E. First St.
For information, call 360-417-0800.
Swordmaster visit
PORT ANGELES — Swordmasters from the Seattle Kendo and Iaedo School, including head instructor Alan Lindwall, will conduct a free sword fighting class at White Crane at 2 p.m. Saturday.
White Crane is located at 129 W. First St.
Anyone wishing to participate must sign a waiver for injury.
Participants are encouraged to bring a toy for Toys For Tots.
For information, call 360-808-2271.
CreativiTea
PORT ANGELES — Hot tea will be served during an afternoon of holiday paper-craft creation at the Port Angeles Library beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday.
At CreativiTea at the library at 2210 S. Peabody St., attendees will use discarded book pages to create holiday-themed crafts, such as ornaments, garlands, bows and gift tags.
A variety of stamps, inks and other supplies will be available to add personal touches to artwork.
CreativiTea is a free program, supported by the Port Angeles Friends of the Library. All ages are welcome to attend.
Handmade book crafts repurpose books that would otherwise be discarded.
Projects will range in complexity from holiday paper chains to intricate woven star ornaments.
To learn more, visit www.nols.org and select “Events,” or contact the library by calling 360-417-8500 or sending an email to PBelfry@nols.org.
Cradle of Caring
PORT ANGELES — A Port Angeles Food Bank drive for baby items will be held at the Walmart Supercenter from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
The drive at the store at 3411 E. Kolonels Way seeks donations of baby food, diapers, wipes or cash to enable the food bank to provide supplies for the smallest in need.
All proceeds will go directly to the food bank.
For more information, phone Vickie Larson at 360-457-9444 or email noseyjoe@olypen.com.
Food drive
PORT ANGELES — The Northwest Harvest Food Drive will seek non-perishable food or monetary donations from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
The drive, hosted by U.S. Bank and the Port Angeles Food Bank, will be in the parking lot of U.S. Bank, 134 E. Seventh St.
The wish list includes canned tuna or chicken, canned fruits and vegetables, soups, beans and dry boxes of macaroni and cheese or other dried food options.
Proceeds will go to the Port Angeles food Bank.
For more information, phone the food bank at 360-452-8568.
Genealogy party
PORT ANGELES — The Clallam County Genealogical Society will host a holiday party and silent auction for the public from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday.
The party will be at the Research Center, 402 E. Lauridsen Blvd.
The auction will start at 1 p.m. and close at 3 p.m.
Auction items include gift baskets, books, collectibles, glass and pottery.
For more information, phone 360-417-5000.
‘Afoot’ runs to Sunday
PORT ANGELES — “The Game’s Afoot, or Holmes for the Holidays” is the Port Angeles Community Players’ comedy thriller running through Sunday.
In it, the Broadway star William Gillette (Pete Christensen) invites his friends and associates to his place for Christmas Eve.
All is lively until the bunch of drama queens and kings become entangled in a murder mystery and Gillette, who’s famous for playing Sherlock Holmes on stage, must assume the role in reality.
Curtain time is 7:30 tonight and Saturday; a matinee is slated for 2 p.m. Sunday at the Port Angeles Community Playhouse, 1235 E. Lauridsen Blvd.
Tickets are $14 in advance for adults and $7 for students at Odyssey Bookshop, 114 W. Front St., or at the door.
For information, visit PACommunityPlayers.com or phone 360-452-6651.
Dinner, concert
PORT ANGELES — A Gift of Giving dinner, concert and silent auction to benefit the Captain Joseph House Foundation is scheduled for 5 p.m. Saturday at C’est Si Bon restaurant.
Tickets are $80 for the public and $70 for those in the military at the restaurant at 23 Cedar Park Drive.
Special guests will be Nancy Rumbel and Eric Tingstad, Grammy Award-winning artists.
A no-host cocktails and silent auction is planned at 5 p.m. and a concert at 7:30 p.m.
For information, contact 360-460-7848.
BLYN
Ancestral stories
BLYN — Master storyteller and Jamestown S’Klallam elder Elaine Grinnell will share traditional stories from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Grinnell will speak at Red Cedar Hall on the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribal Campus, 1033 Old Blyn Highway.
She is a Native American cultural storyteller of the Jamestown S’Klallam tribe who specializes in the stories of her ancestors, presenting ancient teachings and lessons through the art of storytelling.
Reservations are requested.
To make reservations, or for more information, phone 360-681-4632 or email library.jamestowntribe.org.
SEQUIM
Women’s chorale sings
SEQUIM — The NorthWest Women’s Chorale will present “Gaudete!” (“Rejoice!”), a concert of gospel and other Christmas music at the Dungeness Valley Lutheran Church, 925 N. Sequim Ave., tonight.
Music from the Americas, Hungary and Latvia will begin at 7 p.m., with admission a $15 suggested donation.
Breakfast with Santa
SEQUIM — Parenting Matters Foundation and the First Teacher program will offer a fundraising Breakfast with Santa at the Sequim Middle School cafeteria from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday.
The breakfast will be at the Sequim Middle School cafeteria at 301 W. Hendrickson Road.
Admission is $10 for those 11 and older; $5 for those between 2 and 10 and free for children under 2.
The ticket includes the meal and a free book for each child, crafts for children, toy trains to play with and raffle items from community supporters.
Tickets are available online at 2015breakfastwithsanta.brownpapertickets.com or at the door.
For more information, phone Cynthia Martin at 360-681-2250.
Singer-songwriter showcase
SEQUIM — A Singer-Songwriter Showcase featuring James Johnson will take place at 6 p.m. Saturday.
The free event will be at Nourish Restaurant, 101 Provence View Lane.
Johnson will play acoustic guitar and share some of his contemporary original tunes.
Santa visit
SEQUIM — Santa Claus is coming to Hardy’s Market, 10200 Old Olympic Highway, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
There will be free pictures with Santa, hot cocoa and snowflakes.
Winter bird care
SEQUIM — Christie Lassen of Wild Birds Unlimited will talk about bird feeding and bird feeders at the Dungeness River Audubon Center in Railroad Bridge Park from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday.
The $5 class at the center at 2151 W. Hendrickson Road in Sequim is the December program for the Backyard Birding series presented by the Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society.
The class is open to the public.
After five classes are attended, a free year of membership in the society is offered.
Lassen’s presentation will cover general bird feeding, including types of feeders and different feeds for attracting specific birds with an emphasis on the over-wintering species.
She will include specific ideas for providing continuing winter water supplies and meeting the needs of the Anna’s Hummingbird which has started staying on the North Olympic Peninsula throughout the year.
For more information, go to www.olympicpeninsulaaudubon.org or call 360-681-4076.
Discussion group
SEQUIM — The Sequim Great Decisions Discussion Group will talk about “Delusions of Grand Strategy: The Problem with Washington’s Planning Obsession” when it meets from 10 a.m. to noon today.
The group will meet at the Sequim Library, 630 N. Sequim Ave.
The suggested background reading for this discussion is the article “Delusions of Grand Strategy” from the November/December issue of Foreign Affairs, published by the Council on Foreign Relations.
New members are always welcome.
For more information, contact John Pollock at jcpollock@olypen.com or 360-683-9622, or visit http://tinyurl.com/SequimGreatDecisionsDiscussion.
Meet the author
SEQUIM — Author Jonathan Evison will present his latest novel at Hart’s Fine Books from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. today
Evison will sign copies of This is Your Life, Harriet Chance!, at the store at 161 W. Washington St.
Evison — who lives in Sequim part time and Bainbridge Island part time — is the author of 2011’s West of Here, a saga set on the Elwha River, as well as the Washington Book Award-winning novel All About Lulu and the 2012 best-seller The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving.
For more information visit http://tinyurl.com/p75wefn or phone Celeste Bennett at 360-683-8080.
Family Flicks
SEQUIM — The Sequim Library will host Family Flicks with “Meet the Robinsons” at 2 p.m. Saturday.
The free 2007 computer-animated film will be shown at the library at 630 N. Sequim Ave.
It tells the story of a young inventor named Lewis who sets off on a time-traveling journey to find the family he never knew.
Lewis discovers that the fate of the future rests in his hands, but he can’t save it alone — he’ll need every bit of help he can get from the Robinson family, who help him learn to keep moving forward and never stop believing in himself.
For more information, phone 360-683-1161, visit www.nols.org or email youth@nols.org.
‘Finish a Project’
SEQUIM — Free Finish a Project By Christmas workshops are set at A Dropped Stitch from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. today.
The yarn shop is located at 136 S. Second Ave.
Nationally certified knitting instructor and co-owner Nora Polizzi will offer learn-to-knit sessions, while spinner and felting instructor Lauralee De Luca will show visitors how to make felted holiday ornaments.
For information, phone the shop at 360-683-1410.
Paddle Smart clinic
SEQUIM — The North Olympic Sail and Power Squadron is offering a free safety clinic for paddlers from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday.
The clinic will be at the Sequim Library, 630 N. Sequim Ave.
The Paddle Smart clinic is an introduction to canoeing and kayaking.
The clinic covers basic paddling equipment and terminology, how to use canoes and kayaks and safety.
Safety topics include the risks associated with paddle sports and what paddlers can do to minimize those risks.
If a canoe or kayak is on the holiday wish list, this is an opportunity to learn more about using them.
For more information on this event or other classes offered by the North Olympic Sail and Power Squadron, phone Tom O’Laughlin at 360-670-2798 or visit www.northolympicboaters.com.
PORT TOWNSEND
‘A Christmas Story’
PORT TOWNSEND — Key City Public Theatre presents “A Christmas Story,” a comedy about a boy, his family and his great longing for a particular Christmas present, at the Key City Playhouse.
The playhouse is located at 419 Washington St.
Curtain times are 7 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, with matinees at 2:30 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 20. Two more Saturday shows are set at 4 p.m. on Dec. 12 and at 11 a.m. on Dec. 19.
This run also has two pay-what-you-wish performances: this Sunday at 2:30 p.m. and next Thursday, Dec. 10, at 7 p.m.
And while all shows are child-friendly, three specially priced family shows are offered. These performances, which feature treats for kids and a chance to have pictures taken on stage with the characters, are at 7 p.m. this Sunday, at 4 p.m. on Dec. 12 and finally at 11 a.m. on Dec. 19.
Tickets are $3 for small-child lap seating, $7 for ages 12 and younger, $10 for ages 13-18, and $10 for any adult who comes with a child.
Call 360-385-KCPT (5278) for tickets.
For the rest of the run, tickets are $20 for Thursday and Sunday evenings and all matinees; $24 on Friday and Saturday evenings and $10 for students at any performance.
Details and reservations are available at keycitypublictheatre.org.
‘Wine and Sign’
PORT TOWNSEND — The Writers’ Workshoppe, 820 Water St., will host “Wine and Sign,” an evening with local author-illustrator Richard Jesse Watson, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
During this event coinciding with Port Townsend’s free Gallery Walk, Watson will sign copies of his books, share a glass of wine and join in some literary conversation.
Copies his books, including The Night Before Christmas, will be available for purchase.
St. Nicholas Players
PORT TOWNSEND — A “Golden Christmas Gift from St. Nicholas to the People of Port Townsend” will be presented free at St. Herman of Alaska Orthodox Christian Church from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. tonight.
The Fourth Century Players will perform the St. Nicholas story/puppet show at the church at 1407 30th St.
They will tell a story about St. Nicholas, Bishop of Myra and Lycea.
Also planned are music, refreshments and Christmas carols with a special visitor.
For more information, phone 360-385-0585 or visit www.orthodoxporttownsend.com.
Glacier talk slated
PORT TOWNSEND — Bill Baccus will give an illustrated presentation on the changes in Olympic National Park glaciers at 4 p.m. Saturday.
“Glaciers of Olympic National Park: Past, Present and Future?” takes places at Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 2333 San Juan Ave.
The lecture is free and open to the public; voluntary $5 donations would be appreciated to defray expenses.
Recent monitoring of two park glaciers for a multi-year study helped track glacier response to annual weather patterns and climatic variations.
The data provided a more accurate record of glacial contributions to Olympic Peninsula rivers and revealed loss of nearly a third of small alpine glaciers in the park and larger glaciers diminished in both surface area and volume.
Baccus, a physical scientist, has been employed by the National Park Service for the last 30 years to work on the North Coast and Cascades Network long-term monitoring program.
He operates a system of climate stations within the park to study winter snow pack, glaciers, mountain lakes and coastal ecosystems.
For more information, visit the Jefferson Land Trust Geology Group’s website at www.quimpergeology.org.
Letter write-a-thon
PORT TOWNSEND — Jefferson County’s Local Group 1106 of Amnesty International will hold a letter write-a-thon from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday.
The write-a-thon will be at Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 2333 San Juan Ave.
Participants will write on behalf of 13 detainees, including Leonard Peltier, who has served 38 years in detention.
For information, contact Hal Bertilson at hbertils@me.com or call 360-774-1122.
Conversation Cafe
PORT TOWNSEND — The Conversation Cafe topic will be “migration,” when the group meets at 11:45 a.m. today.
The group meets every Friday at Alchemy Restaurant, 842 Washington St., Port Townsend.
Buying food is not required.
The gatherings conclude before 1:30 p.m.
All are welcome.
Free day at museums
PORT TOWNSEND — Saturday will be a free day for Jefferson County residents at two museums operated by the Jefferson County Historical Society: the Jefferson Museum of Art & History and the Commanding Officer’s Quarters at Fort Worden.
The Jefferson Museum of Art & History at 540 Water St. will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Commander’s Quarters at 200 Battery Way, Fort Worden, will be open from noon to 5 p.m.
Free Day at the Museums is supported by the Port Townsend Arts Commission.
PORT HADLOCK
Family art classes
PORT HADLOCK — The Jefferson County Library offers Family Art classes for all ages on the first Saturday of the month, including this Saturday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Artist Sidonie Wilson will teach a “build a box” class, with a demonstration and time to make boxes for gift-giving.
Space in the workshop is limited, so participants can sign up at the Jefferson County Library, 620 Cedar Ave., or phone 360-385-6544.
More information can also be found at www.jclibrary.info.
Boffer swordplay
PORT HADLOCK — The Jefferson County Library will host boffer swordplay from 2:45 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. today.
The free program at the library at 620 Cedar Ave. is for children from 9 to 18 years old.
Boffers, constructed of foam-wrapped PVC pipe, duct tape and some imagination, are used in live-action role-playing games and mock combat.
Boffers will be available, but participants are invited to bring their own.
Participants should wear comfortable clothes and expect to be outside for part of the time, weather permitting.
For information, contact Brwyn Griffin at 360-385-6544 or bgriffin@jclibrary.info.
Beach cleanup
PORT HADLOCK — The Friends of Chimacum Creek will host a cleanup on Irondale Beach from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday.
The group will meet at Irondale Beach County Park, 562 Moore St.
Volunteers are asked to bring garbage bags and wear garden gloves.
For information, call 360-531-0167.
CHIMACUM
Handel’s “Messiah”
CHIMACUM — The Community Chorus of Port Townsend and East Jefferson County is marking its 40th anniversary by presenting Handel’s “Messiah,” at the Chimacum High School auditorium at 3 p.m. Sunday.
Rebecca Rottsolk will conduct more than 100 choral singers, 14 soloists and a 19-piece orchestra at the school at 91 West Valley Road.
Tickets at the door are $15.
Advance tickets are available at brownpapertickets.com and a limited number are at Crossroads Music in Port Townsend, 360-385-1471.
For more information, phone 360-385-1402 or visit www.ptchorus.org.
JOYCE
Lions breakfast
JOYCE — The Crescent Bay Lions Club will host a benefit breakfast from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sunday.
Breakfasts are held every Sunday through May 8 except Dec. 20 and Dec. 28 at the club on state Highway 112 and Holly Hill Road.
The cost is $7 for adults and $4 for children 12 and younger.
The menu includes eggs cooked to order, hot cakes, French toast, biscuits and gravy, hashbrowns, ham, sausage, bacon and coffee.
Proceeds help Crescent Bay Lions members support Crescent school yearbooks, scholarships for Crescent High School seniors, holiday food baskets, glasses for the needy and other community projects.
FORKS
Friends book sale
FORKS — The Friends of the Forks Library will host a book sale from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.
Books for all ages will be for sale at the Fork Library at 171 S. Forks Ave.
For more information, phone Joyce Dillon at 360-640-8985.
Christmas concert
FORKS — Prince of Peace Lutheran Church will host the NorthWest Women’s Chorale performing “Gaudete!” in a Christmas concert at 2 p.m. Saturday.
The suggested donation is $15 with a reception to follow at the church, 250 N. Blackberry Ave.
Library story time
FORKS — The Forks Library will offer a story time for preschoolers at 10:30 a.m. today.
Weekly story times for preschoolers up to 5 years old take place at the library at 171 S. Forks Ave.
Story times feature rhymes, songs, dancing and books for young children.
For information, call 360-374-6402, ext. 7791.
Breakfast with Santa
FORKS — The West End Business and Professional Association will host a Breakfast with Santa from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday.
The breakfast will be at the Forks Congregational Chruch, 280 Spartan Ave.
Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children under 12.
Pictures with Santa are $5.
For information, contact Warren John at 360-374-9382.
Dinner fundraiser
FORKS — Forks Congregational Church will host a benefit spaghetti dinner from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday.
Tickets to the fundraiser at the church at 280 Spartan Ave. are $10 for adults, $6 for seniors and children and $30 for a family.
The dinner wil raise money for for junior high students to take a trip to Florida as a science trip next year.
Book signing
FORKS — Chinook Pharmacy will host a book signing with local author Lonnie Archibald from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Archibald will sign copies of his book, Here on the Homefront — WWII in Clallam County at the pharmacy at 11 S. Forks Ave.
QUILCENE
Open house
QUILCENE — Center Valley Animal Rescue’s Holiday Open House will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
The open house will feature chair massages with Catherine Herrick, LMT, henna tattoos from Sophia of Limitless Henna and many baskets for raffle.
Visitors are welcome to tour the ranch, located at 11900 Center Road, and enjoy savory and sweet treats, coffee and cider.
Special guest Braden Duncan of Clockwork Art will be there with original paintings and holiday greeting cards.
Adoptable animals will be available to meet; do not bring any pets.