Community news briefs — Dec. 19, 2018

Hood Canal Bridge closures set

From 10 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 20, to 2 a.m. Friday, Dec. 21, motorists can expect to encounter up to four closures of the Hood Canal Bridge for annual crew winter training.

Each closure could last up to 60 minutes as crews conduct emergency evacuation training on the bridge. Crews will regularly allow traffic to proceed between each closure.

The training prepares Washington State Department of Transportation bridge maintenance crews for specific bridge activities related to winter storms, state officials said last week. The training is conducted at night when traffic volumes are lighter.

Drivers are encouraged to sign up for WSDOT email updates and check the WSDOT Hood Canal Bridge webpage for up-to-the-minute bridge information. Other driver tools include WSDOT signing up for Hood Canal Bridge text messages: Send a text message to 468311 with the words “wsdot hood. To unsubscribe, send a text message to the same number with the words “wsdot stop.”

Community invited to free band concert

The Sequim High School Band’s Winter Concert is set for Thursday, Dec. 20, at the SHS auditorium, 533 N. Sequim Ave. Band director Vernon Fosket will lead the Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble and Jazz Band in an evening of holiday music. Admission is free.

Candlelight service, ‘Messiah’ set at Trinity

A Christmas Eve candlelight service with a living nativity is set for 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 24, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 100 S. Blake Ave.

The service includes traditional carols, handbells and other special music, the Trinity Singers choir and soloists. The nativity (no live animals) is part of the church’s Advent study of “The Legend of the Christmas Rose.”

Concluding the service will be the singing of “Silent Night” and “Joy to the World,” accompanied by the lighting of individual candles.

The church also will host the 19th annual Handel’s “Messiah” sing-along from 1-3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 29. Those attending will be given scores and invited to sing along with the chorus.

Fire district moves meeting

Board commissioners for Clallam County Fire District 3 will meet at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 2, at the district headquarters, 323 N. Fifth Ave. The meeting replaces the scheduled regular board meeting set for Jan. 1, a legal holiday. Call 360-683-6834 or see www.ccfd3.org.

Commission considers wireless policies

The Clallam County Planning Commission meets at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 19, at the Clallam County Courthouse, 223 E. Fourth St., Port Angeles.

The agenda includes a review of Wireless Communications Facilities policies. Call 360-417-2277 for more information.

State parks offer New Year hikes

Washington State Parks invites the public to start 2019 off with a First Day Hike on Tuesday, Jan. 1, at nearly 40 state parks across Washington. No Discover Passes will be required to take part.

Participating parks include Fort Worden Historical State Park and Fort Flagler Historical State Park in Jefferson County.

At Fort Worden, take a self-guided 2.5-mile hike that includes views of Admiralty Inlet and shipping lanes, Point Wilson lighthouse, the Cascades, Strait of Juan de Fuca, San Juan Islands and the Olympic Mountains. Or, meet at 1 p.m. for a group hike to view the fort’s historic and photogenic mortar batteries.

At Fort Flagler, meet at 11 a.m. with a flashlight and check out Fort Flagler’s bunkers on a 2-mile walking tour guided by a historian (most of the tour is ADA compliant and stroller accessible).

Senior menu set

Sequim Senior Nutrition Site menus are served at 4 p.m. at Suncrest Village Retirement Apartments, 251 S. Fifth Ave. Suggested donation is $5 (60 and over), $8 guest and a 24-hour advance reservation is needed. RSVP (at least 24 hours in advance) to 360-683-8491. Menus are subject to change.

Thursday, Dec. 20: Green salad, broccoli chicken w/Alfredo sauce, dill carrots, dessert

Friday, Dec. 21: Beet salad, pot roast w/carrots and potatoes, orange slices, dessert

Dec. 24-26: CLOSED.

Scouts to recycle trees for fundraiser

Boy Scout Troop 1498 hosts their annual fundraiser, picking up Christmas trees in early January to be recycled.

Scouts will pick up trees on Saturday, Jan. 5; suggest donation is $20. Scouts cannot accept flocked trees.

To RSVP or for more information, call Noel at 360-460-3634 (leave voicemail). Or, email to Sequim Troop1498@gmail.com. Funds raised help scouts attend a camp.