PORT TOWNSEND — Calcutta-born poet Sayantani Dasgupta and Eric Greenwell, a writer, teacher and editor of the Fugue literary journal, will share a reading at the Northwind Arts Center, 2409 Jefferson St., on Thursday. Admission is free to the 7 p.m. program.
Dasgupta likes to explore the intersection of one’s personal story with political turmoil, popular culture and religious fundamentalism, especially in South Asia. A teacher at the University of Idaho, she’s also at work on a memoir about her family, whose story is partitioned across three countries: Bangladesh, India and the United States.
Greenwell, besides editing Fugue, publishes his own poems in journals such as Main Street Rag.
To find out more about Thursday’s gathering and future events in the Northwind Reading Series, phone Bill Mawhinney at 360-437-9081, and for details about other activities at the arts center, see www.NorthwindArts.org.
Poetry author
SEQUIM — Writer Holly Hughes will give a free poetry reading at the LARC Gallery, 425 E. Washington St., on Thursday, and all lovers of literature are invited.
Light refreshments will accompany the 7 p.m. reading.
Hughes’ newest book is Sailing by Ravens, a portrait in poetry of a sailor and her ocean.
Hughes is also co-author of The Pen and the Bell: Mindful Writing in a Busy World (Kent State University Press).
A resident of rural Jefferson County, she teaches writing workshops around the Northwest and has spent more than 30 summers working on the water in Alaska in a variety of roles, including commercial salmon fishing, skippering a 65-foot schooner and as a naturalist on ships.
For more information, phone 360-775-9816. To find out more about the writer and her work, see www.PenandBell.com.
Live music
PORT ANGELES — Classic pop and soul music from the 1950s and ’60s will fill Bella Italia, 118 E. First St., as Rachael Jorgensen, Mickey Burnett, and Barry Burnett arrive for the next episode of Third Thursday Live.
A few country songs will be in the mix too as Rachael, Mike and Barry play from 8:30 p.m. till 10 p.m. There’s no cover charge at Bella, while dinner reservations and information awaits at 360-457-5442 and bellaitaliaPA.com.
Scholarships, medical grants now available
The Clallam County Physicians Community Benefit Fund is accepting applications for both medically related academic scholarships and community grants, to be awarded in 2015.
The fund was formed in 1995 when Regence BlueShield joined with Clallam County Physician Service Inc., a company made of local physicians to provide health care to Clallam County residents.
To be eligible, a student must be a graduate of a Clallam County high school, have been accepted into or be a currently enrolled student in a fully accredited professional school in a medically related program and making satisfactory progress.
Applications may be obtained by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the Clallam County Physicians Community Benefit Fund, P.O. Box 3005, Port Angeles, WA 98362.
Applications must be submitted by June 2.
‘Battle of Books’
PORT ANGELES — Fourth-grade students from Port Angeles elementary schools will participate in a trivia-style “Battle of the Books” competition at the Port Angeles Library, 2100 S. Peabody St., at 6:30 p.m. Friday.
For the past five months, Port Angeles Library staff have been visiting fourth-grade classes at six Port Angeles schools to facilitate book club discussions for students.
The program will culminate when teams of students from each school compete for a trophy by answering questions about the books they’ve read.
All participating students receive free copies of the books and a T-shirt featuring original artwork by a participating student.
For more information, phone the library’s Youth Services Department at 360-417-8500, ext. 7705; email youth@nols.org; or visit www.nols.org.
Cajun dance slated
PORT TOWNSEND — A Cajun dance will be held at the Quimper Grange, 1210 Corona St., from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, March 22.
The cost is $12.
A special pre-dance instruction will teach dancers the moves.
Dance instruction begins at 7 p.m. The main event begins at 7:30 p.m. with Folichon’s Cajun-style music.
For more information, phone 360-385-1667.
Victorian-era boutique set at thrift store
PORT TOWNSEND — Seattle Children’s Hospital is sponsoring a Bargain Boutique at 2120 W. Sims Way from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. today through Monday.
The boutique, featuring the theme of Victorian Memories, has a selection of vintage baby clothing and lace, including a baby baptismal dress and bobbin.
For more information, phone Sue Garlinghouse at 360-385-6639 or email sue.garlinghouse@seattlechildrens.org.
Drink & Draw set
PORT ANGELES — The Loom Lounge will host a Drink & Draw session upstairs at Studio Bob, 118½ E. Front St., from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday.
Doors open at 6 p.m.
There is no cover, and the event is open to all ages.
Beer, wine, nonalcoholic beverages and food are available for purchase.
For more information, email Wayne King at wakingstorm@yahoo.com or visit The Loom LLC’s Facebook page.
NAMI film
PORT ANGELES — The Clallam County National Alliance for Mental Illness, or NAMI, organization will show the film “Call Me Crazy” at Olympic Medical Center, in the basement at 939 Caroline St., at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
The film brings together an all-star cast with five interwoven stories regarding how everlasting bonds of love and family can overcome life’s most challenging mental illness hurdles.
Jennifer Hudson plays “Maggie,” a female veteran who returns home from war to her family only to have her life shattered with the onset of post-traumatic stress disorder.
People with a desire to learn more about mental illnesses, as well as those who have a mental illness or a family member suffering with mental illness, is welcome to attend.
Refreshments will be served.
For more information, phone 360-461-3859 or 360-452-4235.