Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, a pleasant Kwanzaa and whatever other greetings fit your bill in this holiday season version of Port Townsend Observation Deck News Around Town.

T-SHIRT SAYING OF THE WEEK: “I have ideas for stuff.”

GIVING NEWS: It’s more important to give than to receive, so here is a shout-out to people giving their time and resources this week to help others. From food bank donations to the free Christmas Day meals to Christmas for Children, and so much in between, Jefferson County is fortunate to have such generous spirits of all ages and political and religious orientations. Thank you.

NAME NEWS: The Port Townsend School District is seeking nominations by Jan. 7 to name the new elementary school, slated to open in 2018. It’s possible but seems unlikely that Grant Street Elementary, the school being replaced, would make the cut. Perhaps while you are sitting around the house with family during the Christmas break, especially people with Port Townsend connections, you can think of a meaningful school name. The more options, the more likely a great name emerges. Go to the website at

tinyurl.com/ptschoolname.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: When a restaurant closes to host its own big holiday party, who cooks that dinner?

COLD NEWS: Faucets froze, car washes closed, a chicken coop burned at Discovery Bay – the mid-December cold spell was unlike any lowland Jefferson County has seen for some years. Hopes and dreams of a mythical “white Christmas” won’t come true here – temps are to be in the 40s – but at least we won’t be worrying about frozen pipes.

SCANNER CALL OF THE WEEK: “Domestic violence in progress. A man has pulled a female out of a car by her hair.”

YOU KNOW NEWS: You know it’s a curious outcome when you give away your prized white elephant gift because the statuette reminds you too much of the man you most recently dated. You realize many city streets could use some help, but you know you feel it more when driving slowly in the dark charted locations on the Holiday Lights map. When you’re locked out of the house, you know it’s handy when there is a dog door and someone with you is nicknamed “Shorty.”

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “My [late] mom liked a lot of lights, and I took it to the next level,” says the family organizer of the largest residential Christmas light display in Port Townsend. “I’d like to have more, but I’m out of power. Girl needs a subpanel.”

(Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader editor Patrick J. Sullivan could have used another 50-foot extension cord.)