“Grab and Go” West End Veterans Event
Voices For Veterans, a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization, in collaboration with the North Olympic Regional Veteran’s Housing Network (NORVHN), will be holding a “Grab and Go” event on Thursday, May 6 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Transit Center in Forks.
Because of Covid-19 restrictions, and uncertainties about gathering, the decision was made not to have a regular Stand Down at the Elks Lodge. There is still hope for the October Stand Down in Port Angeles and as information becomes available it will be published.
This Grab and Go event is low-key, for west end veterans only, and will focus on distributing bags of flyers/handouts from various organizations that help and support veterans that can be contacted if the veteran has questions or needs assistance.
Voices For Veterans is disappointed that for a second year they have been unable to put on the yearly Forks Stand Down, but in the interest of keeping providers, volunteers, and attendees safe and healthy this was chosen as a way to keep in touch with the area veterans and to remind them of all the services that are available to them and that they are not forgotten.
Please come out and pick up a bag and let us know how you are doing and if there is anything specific we can help you with. Please wear a mask and do not come if you are sick.
For more information or to get questions answered email voicesforveterans@yahoo.com or cdrlgilchrist@gmail.com
Bogachiel Garden Club Plant Sale
Mark your calendar for the annual garden club plant sale to be held on Saturday, May 15, starting at 10 a.m. at 415 G. St. Lots of plants to choose from, also flea market items for sale.
Free Legal Service
Free legal advice is available to seniors 60 and older on civil issues such as Wills and Powers of Attorney, Transfer of Assets/Estate Planning, Social Security and Medicaid, Property Issues, and more. Appointments will be conducted by telephone or Zoom/Skype. The next Senior Legal Advice Clinic is May 10. Call Susie at 360-374-9496 ext.2 for more information.
Tax Aide
One more chance …Saturday, May 8 at the Forks Assembly of God Church, 81 Huckleberry Lane, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Appointments required call 360-452-6541.
Forks Chamber
Scholarships
The Forks Chamber of Commerce is offering two $1,000 Scholarships to Forks area graduates. Information regarding requirements/application is available at https://forkswa.com/chamber-documents/
Nurturing an Inclusive Library: Community Survey
The North Olympic Library System (NOLS) NOLS is seeking feedback about your experiences at the library. Complete the survey for a chance to win a $25 gift card! Your response will help the library better understand and strengthen equity, diversity, and inclusion practices at NOLS.
The survey is available online at nols.org/community-survey in English and Spanish. Paper copies of the survey are available in English and Spanish at all NOLS branch libraries, and you can also complete the survey on an iPad during in-library hours. The survey will be open through Monday, May 17 and takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. All responses are anonymous. There is an option to give contact information to be eligible to win a gift card. Gift cards were generously donated by the North Olympic Library Foundation.
NOLS has partnered with Ascending Leadership, an equity, diversity, and inclusion consultant, to review policies, practices, collections, programs, and resources at the Library. Feedback from community members and organizations is an important part of the assessment. The goal is to learn more about how NOLS can best offer equitable and accessible services to all community members.
For more information about this work, visit www.nols.org, email Discover@nols.org, or call 360-417-8500.
Last COVID vaccine clinic
FCH held a COVID-19 vaccination clinic on April 30. This was the last scheduled vaccination clinic at this time.
If the 30th of April did not work for you and your family, please visit clallam.net/Coronavirus/ or call 360-417-2783 to schedule an appointment with the Clallam County Health Department.
Clallam County Department of Health is offering LOCAL vaccination appointments on Thursdays.
Call Tina Moody at 360-374-3121 or email her at tmoody@co.clallam.wa.us
Historical Trauma Focus of Peninsula College Screening, Discussion
Historical trauma is the focus of a two-part Peninsula College event, sponsored by Studium Generale, Magic of Cinema, The Center the House of Learning, PC Longhouse.
On Tuesday, May 4, from 5-7 p.m., and on Thursday, May 6, from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., audiences are invited to a screening of the film Dodging Bullets.
Dodging Bullets, a 2015 documentary, confronts historical trauma through interviews and discussions with young Native Americans whose lives are stricken by the effects of this trauma. Historical trauma is the emotional and psychological wounding over lifespans and across generations and communities caused by massive group experiences of violence and destruction of cultures, traditions, and identities. The film explores research that develops a better understanding of trauma and provides insight into ways Indigenous and non-Indigenous individuals can help communities work through this trauma and support healing.
The people interviewed in the film come from a variety of social and economic backgrounds: a middle-school student living on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation recovering from the trauma of losing her brother to a shootout with police; a former A.I.M. (American Indian Movement) soldier who, now late in life, speaks about the importance of love; a sociologist and psychologists who are focused on on-site research studies in Indian country; an NIH-funded scientist who has studied and evaluated the epigenetic changes caused by trauma; a recovering alcoholic who has gone back to culture and is working with youth in Indian country to teach them mino bimaadiziwin (to lead a good way life).
The substantial impact of Dodging Bullets comes from the personal stories captured of First Nations People who are resiliently living with the effects of historical trauma. Ultimately, it will take understanding and acknowledgment of historical trauma and modern-day issues, as well as systemic changes to health care, before there can be true healing in Indian Country. Without serious change, the scars of their ancestors will continue to haunt the Seventh Generation (a term used to describe contemporary Natives who are seven generations after the last Indian Wars were fought).
To join the screening via Zoom, use the following link: https://pencol-edu.zoom.us/j/82059572372. Meeting ID: 820 5957 2372
On Thursday, May 6, from 12:30 – 2 p.m., join Studium Generale for a discussion of historical trauma with Kendra Aguilar (Luiseno) and Gayla Johnson (Lower Elwha Klallam).
Kendra Aguilar is a Payomkowichum (Luiseno) descendant and graduate of Evergreen’s Native Pathways and MPA-Tribal Governance programs. Her doctoral work focuses on the impacts of Indigenous Educational Trauma, both individually and generationally, and community-based approaches to solutions and repair.
Gayla Johnson is an enrolled member of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe and has lived and worked in Clallam County her entire life. She shared the following: “In the past 3 years my life focus has been geared towards bringing community awareness to Generational Trauma, Two Spirit and our people walking in two worlds through Native eyes. I want folks to understand that no matter what race or color, we all have culture within us and learning about yourselves can lead to an open conversation and sharing similarities, differences and understanding of those who are different than us.”
To join the screening via Zoom, use the following link: https://pencol-edu.zoom.us/j/89616075652. Meeting ID: 896 1607 5652
The screenings and discussion are free and open to the public.
Candidate Filing Period
The five-day candidate filing period for Clallam County local elected offices is nearly underway. Candidate filing will be open for five days from May 17 – 21. Candidates are encouraged to file as early as possible to avoid technical or processing issues.
Due to COVID-19, the Clallam County Auditor’s Office is open with a limited capacity. For ease and expediency, we recommend candidates file online. Candidates may also file by paper through the mail, or drop them in our drive-up drop box at the courthouse.
Links and contact information will be available at clallam.net/Auditor/Elections.html.
Clallam County residents that wish to file for office should first review the “Elections Guide for Jurisdictions and Candidates” available on our website. This guide has important dates, contact information, and rules for local candidates and ballot measures.
All candidate filing fees must be received by the Auditor’s Office no later than 4:30 p.m. Friday, May 21 to complete the filing process. Candidates that file online can pay with a debit or credit card; the Auditor’s Office accepts payment by cash or check only. Filing fees are non-refundable.
Important Links/Information:
Filing Week
Online – Available starting at 9 a.m., May 17 through 4 p.m., May 21.
Mail – Filings accepted starting May 3 through 4:30 p.m., May 21.
Drop box – Available starting May 17 – 4:30 p.m., May 21.
In Person – Available starting at 9:30 a.m., May 17 through 4:30 p.m., May 21.
Late/Incomplete filings will NOT be accepted.
Clallam County Auditor’s Office
Hours: 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday -Friday
Phone: 360-417-2217
