Food Bank hosts Holiday Meal Bag distro

Sequim Food Bank offers its free Holiday Meal Bag distribution for Thanksgiving from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20 in Carrie Blake Community Park.

Families can drive to Trinity United Methodist Church, 100 S. Blake Ave., to be checked in by volunteers and then be directed into the park’s north entrance.

Each bag will include a 3-pound turkey breast with gravy, box stuffing, canned green beans, canned corn, canned fruit cocktail, pancake mix, peanut butter, potatoes, bread, butter, milk, and eggs.

Organizers note they’ve changed from issuing a gift card during the Covid-19 pandemic to offering a 3-pound turkey breast.

Sequim Food Bank, 144 W. Alder St., is open 1-4 p.m. Mondays and Fridays, and 9 a.m.-noon Saturdays. For more information, visit sequimfoodbank.org.

Sequim Schools open referral for Highly Capable Program

The Sequim School District has opened its referral process through Jan. 31 for students currently in K-12 who may qualify for Highly Capable (Hi-Cap) Program services.

Anyone may refer students, including but not limited to: teachers, parents/guardians, staff, friends, students, and members of the community, however, parent/guardian permission will be required for testing.

If you are unsure of the characteristics of Highly Capable learners, refer to davidsongifted.org/prospective-families/gifted-traits-and-characteristics.

Referral forms are online at the district website sequimschools.org/instruction/highly_capable___hi-_cap_/process_and_forms.

Paper referral forms are available upon request. Referral forms must be fully completed and received by close of business on Jan. 31. Due to time constraints, referrals received after then will not be considered. All referrals must be returned to Highly Capable Program Coordinator Jodi Olson at Sequim Middle School, school building secretaries or the District Office.

Questions concerning Hi-Cap services in the Sequim School District may be directed to Olson at 360-775-7083 or jolson@sequimschools.org. More information can be accessed on the Sequim Highly Capable Program webpage at sequimschools.org/instruction/highly_capable___hi-_cap_.

Students who were previously identified by Sequim School District will continue to receive services and do not need to re-apply.

Free state park days announced for 2025

Staff with the Washington State Discover Pass Program recently announced 12 Discover Pass free days for 2025 when visitors won’t need a Discover Pass to park a vehicle at a Washington state park or on lands managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).

The 2025 Discover Pass free days are:

• Wednesday, Jan. 1, New Year’s Day, First Day Hikes*

• Monday, Jan. 20, Martin Luther King Jr. Day

• Sunday, March 9, Billy Frank Jr.’s Birthday

• Wednesday, March 19, State Parks’ 111th Birthday

• Tuesday, April 22, Earth Day

• Saturday-Sunday, June 7-8, Free Fishing Weekend

• Thursday, June 19, Juneteenth

• Saturday, Aug. 9, Smokey Bear’s Birthday

• Saturday, Sept. 27, National Public Lands Day

• Friday, Oct. 10, World Mental Health Day

• Monday, Nov. 11, Veterans Day

* First Day Hikes is a national initiative led by America’s State Parks, encouraging people to ring in the New Year surrounded by nature.

The Discover Pass is required to park on state lands managed by Parks, DNR and WDFW with more information at parks.state.wa.us.

Disabled veterans office closes for holidays

The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) office at the Sequim Museum & Arts administration building at 544 N. Sequim Ave., will close Wednesday, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. It will reopen 10 a.m.-2 p.m. every Wednesday to serve veterans who are needing help with claims or other information.

Services are free and veterans do not have to be members of DAV to receive assistance. The office is by walk-in; no appointment is necessary.

For more information, call 360-775-6482.

Elections office seeks voter’s guide arguments

The Clallam County Auditor’s Office seeks individuals to serve on a committee to draft a Voters’ Guide argument for the February 11, 2025 February Special Election. Committee members must reside within the district they will be preparing “For” or “Against” statements.

Clallam’s Online Voters’ Guide and Printed Voters’ Pamphlet includes information designed to help voters better understand the voting process and measures when casting their ballots.

Each measure appearing in the guide/pamphlet includes the official ballot title, explanatory statement, and arguments “For” and “Against” the measure. Individuals are needed to serve on the following committees:

• Sequim School District No. 323, Proposition No. 1, Replacement Educational Programs and Operations Levy; Committee “Against” the measure,

• Sequim School District No. 323, Proposition No. 2, Bonds to Replace and Upgrade Deteriorating Schools and Improve Safety; Committee “Against” the measure.

The deadline for an interested party to request a committee appointment is noon Dec. 20. Statements are due no later than 4:30 PM.

See the Election Guide for Jurisdictions and Candidates for additional information and statement deadlines at clallamcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/16019.

If you would like to serve on one of these committees, email elections@clallamcountywa.gov and include the following information: applicant(s) name; voter registration address; phone number; district and measure for which you wish to write a statement.

‘Have you heard from Johannesburg’ film shown in PA

The Emmy-winning film “Have you heard from Johannesburg” will be shown at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19, in the Port Angeles Library’s Raymond Carver Room, 2210 S. Peabody St., Port Angeles.

The Clallam Palestine Action Group presents the free showing with organizers saying the film looks at the many companies that had business ties in South Africa and the international grassroots campaign to get them to leave the country. Despite propaganda campaigns and payoffs by the South African government, more than 350 companies eventually stopped doing business in South Africa, with a loss of hundreds of millions of dollars to the South African economy causing a financial crisis and making it clear that the days of the apartheid regime were numbered, organizers said.

Polar Bear Dip readied for Jan. 1

Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County invites the community to the 37th annual Polar Bear Dip at Hollywood Beach in Port Angeles at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan.1, an event started by volunteer Dan Welden to help raise funds for the organization.

Hot drinks, tasty muffins, a crackling fire, and participation certificates will be available.

Participants can donate online at volunteerhospice.org, at the event, or at VHOCC’s offices at 829 E. 8th St., Port Angeles. For more information about the event, contact Welden at 360-477-2586.