Mandala offers workshop on indigenous people

The Mandala Center for Change, in association with the Port Townsend Friends Meeting, presents “Idle No More – Decolonizing Our Activism” a one-day workshop facilitated by Sweetwater Nannauck exploring ways to build alliances with indigenous people.

The event is set for 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Saturday, March 11 at the Friends Meetinghouse, 1841 Sheridan St. Suggested donation is $100, with no one turned away for lack of funds.

The daylong workshop incorporates indigenous teachings and offers participants suggestions for how to be a good ally and build authentic alliances that reflect indigenous-led organizing. Welcoming of people from all backgrounds, the event includes self-reflection, group participation, small group discussions, group meditation and positive actions individuals can take.

Nannauck advocates for the protection of the fragile environment of the Northwest coast, for tribal sovereignty rights and the traditional way of life of native people. She is a longtime community organizer, activist for police accountability and for native artists’ rights. Nannauck is part of the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian tribes of southeast Alaska.

Jamestown hosts native film night

Jamestown S’Klallam Tribal Library presents a screening of “3 Feet Under: Digging Deep for the Geoduck” at 6 p.m., Wednesday, March 8 at Red Cedar Hall Community Center,

1033 Old Blyn Highway.

This film continues the tribe’s celebration of traditional foods along with the “Salish Bounty” traveling exhibit from the University of Washington’s Burke Museum. The exhibit is to be on display in Red Cedar Hall through April 14.

Jamestown S’Klallam Tribal youths welcome attendees with a singing and drumming.

“3 Feet Under” explores how the geoduck has garnered a devoted following in the Pacific Northwest over the past century. The film follows Jack, a longtime Seattleite who was raised in a kosher Brooklyn home, as he prepares for his annual geoduck dig. Jack provides insights into his transformation into a seasoned Pacific Northwesterner and connoisseur of the “king of clams,” according to a press release.

Following the film, Kurt Grinnell, tribal council member, is set to talk about the tribe’s geoduck business.

Forum weighs medical marijuana issue March 10 at QUUF

A forum on medical marijuana is set for 7-9 p.m., Friday, March 10 at Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 2333 San Juan Ave. The event is free and open to the public; donations are appreciated to continue educational events.

This forum is to be moderated by Nikki Russell, United Good Neighbors director of development, and include perspectives from four panelists: Dr. Kim Rotchford, Port Townsend Police Sgt. Troy Surber, Kody McConnell and Dr. Dick Lynn.

Rotchford is a medical doctor who treats pain management and recommends medical marijuana for various maladies; Surber is a well-informed police officer who sees the problems and the benefits of medical marijuana; McConnell, owner of Chimacum Cannabis Co., sells medical marijuana and provides advice on use of products in various forms; Lynn, a hospice doctor, is researching the subject, but does not currently “recommend” medical marijuana, according to a press release.

For information, call Jeanette Richoux at 379-4895

WSU offers Beach Naturalist course; application deadline March 10

Applications are due March 10 for the 2017 Beach Naturalist course offered by WSU Jefferson County Extension.

This year’s six-week class is offered 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Thursdays, March 23-April 27 in Port Townsend. The course is designed for anyone interested in shoreline and marine resources.

Guest speakers address marine and beach-related topics, such as nearshore habitats, seaweeds, coastal geology, shellfish, ocean acidification and habitat restoration. Speakers include Hugh Shipman (Washington State Department of Ecology) on coastal geology and bluff erosion; Jeff Adams (Washington Sea Grant) on intertidal species and habitats; filmmaker John Williams on impacts to the nearshore; Teri King (Washington Sea Grant) on shellfish harvesting; Dave Rugh (whale biologist) on marine mammals; and Bob Simmons (WSU Extension) on stormwater.

Classes are held primarily in Port Townsend, but include field trips throughout East Jefferson County. Participants are asked to volunteer 40 hours at local conservation organizations over the next year or so, participating in activities such as salmon and forage fish monitoring, public outreach and restoring habitat. Scholarships are available. For more information, visit

extension.wsu.edu/jefferson/nrs/beachwatchers/ or contact Cheryl Lowe at 379-5610, ext. 230, or

cheryl.lowe@wsu.edu.

Senior Singles meet March 14

at Fiesta Jalisco in Hadlock

Senior Singles next meet at 5 p.m., Tuesday, March 14 at Fiesta Jalisco Mexican Restaurant, 10893 Rhody Drive, Port Hadlock.

The event is open to the first 22 people who sign up. Call Peggy at 437-9935.

QUUF celebrates Billy Frank Jr. Day

Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship hosts a celebration of Billy Frank Jr. Day, 7-9 p.m., Thursday, March 9 at the QUUF hall, 2333 San Juan Ave., Port Townsend.

The community is invited to join the Native Peoples Connections Action Group in honoring Billy Frank Jr.’s lifelong efforts to defend native treaty rights and restore habitat for fish and shellfish. The event includes a screening of “Back to the River,” a short documentary produced by nonprofit group Salmon Defense. Marlin Holden, Jamestown S’Klallam elder, is to introduce the film.

Nostalgia plays at Arts to Elders

The band Nostalgia makes its eighth appearance for the Arts to Elders program in a concert set for 2:30-4:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 14 at Discovery View Retirement Apartments, 1051 Hancock St. The concert is free.

The five-piece instrumental group plays “standard” music for dancing and entertainment from the ’40s and ’50s.

The group features Al Harris (piano), Mark Holman (saxophone, flute and guitar), Owen Mulkey (percussion and guitar), Rex Rice (trombone) and Mary Lou Montgomery (alto saxophone and vocals).

Genealogical Society to meet March 18, talk naturalization records

Evelyn Roehl, a professional genealogist and owner of Kin Hunters Historic Research Service in Seattle, is to be Jefferson County Genealogical Society’s (JCGS) guest speaker at its monthly meeting at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, March 18 at the Tri-Area Community Center, 10 W. Valley Road, Chimacum. The public is welcome to attend.

Roehl’s topic is “Pledging Allegiance: The Paper Trail to Naturalization Records.” Naturalization records are known to be a gold mine of information about ancestors, according to a press release. Roehl is also set to talk about research techniques and tips; finding records; historical information about naturalizations and citizenship; changes in laws and practices; and court systems.

Roehl, a professional genealogist since 1995, also translates Latin, German, French and Scandinavian records.

Seed exchange set for March 19

The sixth annual plant and seed exchange is planned for 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Sunday, March 19 at the Quimper Grange, 1219 Corona St.

The popular community event is the brainchild of Ashley Kuehl and Jennimae Hilliard, and helps launch the spring planting season. Attendees can bring overabundant seeds, plant starts, divisions, bulbs and any other plants that need a new home to thrive in, and take home some new seeds and plants.

Refreshments are provided; donations are accepted to help cover the cost of the event. For more information, email

treehugger@yahoo.com.

Hadlock Veterinary Clinic accepts

pet food donations

Hadlock Veterinary Clinic was welcomed by the national nonprofit Pets of the Homeless as a new donation site.

Donations of pet food and supplies can be taken to 842 Nesses Corner Road, Port Hadlock. Donations are then to be delivered to a local food bank, homeless shelter or homeless encampment.

The program is an ongoing national effort to regularly supply donated pet food to local people who cannot afford to properly provide for their pets, according to a press release.

More than 14,200 pets have been medically treated through the assistance of Pets of the Homeless, and 444 tons of pet food collected and distributed. There are more than 430 donation sites nationwide.

Pets of the Homeless has provided more than $439,000 in veterinary care to pets of the homeless.

Hadlock Veterinary Clinic accepts pet food donations year around. For more information, call 385-2020.

(Compiled by Leader staff writer Katie Kowalski.)