HURRICANE RIDGE IS mostly covered by a small blanket of snow these days.
That blanket will remain untouched for the near future, and will only grow in the coming days and weeks.
But it won’t be long before skiers and snowboarders are gliding at the Ridge — except for the five days a week it is closed, that is.
To herald in the upcoming snow sports season, and to raise money for the kids, will be Winterfest on Saturday at the Vern Burton Community Center in Port Angeles.
This annual fundraiser supports winter sports education at Hurricane Ridge.
The event will feature a prime rib dinner prepared by Next Door Gastro Pub, live and silent auctions and live music by Bill and Rudy.
Following the auctions, a series of short films featuring local skiers and snowboarders ripping it up at the Ridge will be shown. These are the top films from the VideOlympics, a film festival and contest that was held in the spring.
This year’s films include “Hurricane Ridge — Party Like It’s 1999” and “2013 Hurricane Ridge Baked Slalom” by Tim Stanford, “1 Day at Salt Creek” by Bill Roberd, “Hurricane Ridge Film Fest” by the McColl Brothers, “Dedicated” by David Herberg, “Olympic Decathalon” by Sean Halberg,” “Just for the Huck of It” by Stephan Canale and “Paradise” by the Z Boys.
All proceeds from Winterfest will go to snow school and ski team operations, as well as scholarships to underprivileged youth in the community who would like to learn how to ski, snowboard or participate on ski team.
Tickets are $45 in advance and $50 at the door. Children 12 and younger are $25.
Individual tickets can be purchased at Swain’s General Store, Necessities and Temptations, Brown’s Outdoor, which are all in Port Angeles, and at Brian’s Sporting Goods in Sequim.
Community tables are $320, a $5 per person savings. For further information regarding community tables, phone Eric Flodstrom at 360-452-2327 ext. 30.
The doors open at 5 p.m. and the event begins at 6 p.m.
For more information, visit www.hurricaneridge.com.
Puget Sound Anglers meeting
The next gathering of the Puget Sound Anglers’ North Olympic Peninsula Chapter is today at 6:45 p.m. at the Trinity United Methodist Church located at 100 S. Blake Ave. in Sequim.
Troy Hatler from Aqua Tech Marine in Bremerton (learn more at www.aquatechmarineservices.com).
He will discuss boat and motor winterizing and storing procedures for optimizing engine life and performance.
Salmon advisory group
The state Department of Fish and Wildlife is seeking nominations through Friday, Dec. 6, for membership on its Puget Sound Salmon Sportfishing Advisory Group.
Up to 15 qualified individuals will be chosen for the advisory group for 2014 and 2015. Those selected will provide guidance to state on issues affecting recreational salmon fisheries in Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Members of the group will be expected to meet three or four times each year and participate in the annual salmon season-setting process known as North of Falcon.
They also are expected to communicate policy decisions to sportfishing groups in their areas.
“We’re looking for people with first-hand knowledge of marine and freshwater sport salmon fisheries in Puget Sound, and have the ability to communicate their ideas to fishery managers and with fellow anglers,” Ryan Lothrop, the state’s Puget Sound recreational salmon manager, said in a news release.
Nominees do not have to be affiliated with an organized group, and current members of the advisory group may be reappointed.
Nominations must be submitted in writing with the following information:
■ Nominee’s name, address, telephone number and email address.
■ Relevant experience and reasons for wanting to serve as a member of the advisory group.
■ Nominee’s effectiveness in communication.
■ Name and contact information for any individual or organization submitting a nomination.
Nominations may be submitted to Lothrop by mail to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, 600 Capitol Way N., Olympia, WA, 98501; or email Ryan.Lothrop@dfw.wa.gov.
For more information, phone Lothrop at 360-902-2808.
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Sports Editor Lee Horton appears here Thursdays and Fridays. He can be reached at 360-417-3525 or at lhorton@peninsuladailynews.com.