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.

More in News

Jen Colmore, Sequim Food Bank’s community engagement coordinator, has been hired as the executive director. She will start in her new role after outgoing director Andra Smith starts as executive director of the Washington Food Coalition later this month. (Sequim Food Bank)
Sequim Food Bank hires new executive director

Sequim organization tabs engagement coordinator

Sara Nicholls, executive director of the Dungeness Valley Health and Wellness Clinic, also known as the Sequim Free Clinic, inspects food items that are free to any patient who needs them. Soroptimist International of Sequim sponsors the food pantry, she said. (Austin James)
Sequim Free Clinic to celebrate 25th year

Volunteer-driven nonprofit will reach quarter-century mark in October

Weekly flight operations scheduled

Field carrier landing practice operations will take place for aircraft… Continue reading

“Angel” Alleacya Boulia, 26, of St. Louis, Mo., was last seen shopping in Port Angeles on Nov. 17, National Park Service officials said. Her rented vehicle was located Nov. 30 at the Sol Duc trailhead in Olympic National Park. (National Park Service)
Body of missing person found in Sol Duc Valley

Remains believed to be St. Louis woman

Dan Willis of Port Townsend, a docent at the Point Wilson Lighthouse at Fort Worden State Park, conducts a tour for interested visitors on Thursday. The lighthouse was built in 1878 when Congress approved $8,000 for the light and foghorns. Although the facility is still an active U.S. Coast Guard station, the equipment is monitored and operated remotely and no keepers are present. Regular tours on Saturdays and Sundays will resume in May. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Lighthouse tour

Dan Willis of Port Townsend, a docent at the Point Wilson Lighthouse… Continue reading

EMT Teresa DeRousie, center, was recognized for her long service to Clallam County Fire District 2. Presenting the award were Deputy Fire Chief Kevin Denton, left, and Chief Jake Patterson. (Clallam County Fire District 2)
Clallam 2 Fire Rescue hosts awards banquet

Clallam 2 Fire-Rescue recognized career and volunteer members during… Continue reading

Construction set to begin on new marine life center in Port Angeles

Groundbreaking event scheduled for April 8 at Pebble Beach Park

A seal pops its head out of the water as a dory rower propels his craft in the calm waters of the Salish Sea. Whidbey Island is in the distance. Today’s high temperature is forecast to be in the low 50s with partly cloudy skies. Rain is set to return this weekend. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Rowing on the Strait

A seal pops its head out of the water as a dory… Continue reading

Fire protection may impact insurance rates

New protection class considers nuanced data

The view looking south from Hurricane Ridge, where variable winter weather has limited snow coverage and contributed to pauses in snow sports operations in recent weeks. (Washington’s National Park Fund)
Lack of snow has impact at Hurricane Ridge

Water equivalent well below average for February

Port Angeles secures grant to aid in salmon recovery

State Department of Commerce to provide city with $109,000