Celebrate Earth Day at Manchester Park

OLYMPIA — Earth Day on Saturday, April 22, will be celebrated at more than a dozen state parks, including Manchester State Park near Port Orchard.

Kitsap County Master Gardeners and native plant specialists will be on hand from noon to 6 p.m. at the park as part of Native Plant Appreciation Week. The interactive presentation will begin at the Torpedo Warehouse.

Visitors can get information about local native plants, ask questions and join a guided tour of the park’s interpretive trail, which is short and level. All ages are welcome.

Earth Day events around the state include work parties to remove invasive plants, guided hikes to learn about native plants and interpretive programs for young people and adults.

State parks on Earth Day, April 22, can be visited for free — a Discover Pass for day-use visits to parks by vehicle will not be needed.

Sedgwick closures expected until April 28

SOUTHWORTH – South Kitsap drivers can expect delays on Sedgwick Road — also known as State Route 160 — from milepost 4.8 near Banner Road to milepost 7.3 in Southworth while utility crews trim trees adjacent to the highway. The closures — weather permitting — will run through April 28.

The work will require closing the eastbound SR 160 lane for periods of up to 30 minutes between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. each weekday through April 28, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.

During those times, a single alternating lane of traffic will be flagged through the work zone, WDOT spokeswoman Shari King said.

Motorists will also encounter shoulder closures on the south side of SR 160 during those hours.

Drivers are encouraged to allow extra time to travel through the area. King said high winds could postpone the work.

Thinking of running for office? Workshop to show you how

PORT ORCHARD — Interested in running for office? The City of Port Orchard is hosting a workshop April 27 to provide information to prospective candidates considering a run for local office.

The workshop, which will run from 6-7:30 p.m. at City Hall, will give attendees information they’ll need to get started, including an overview of eligibility, filing for office, public disclosure requirements and press considerations.

A panel of local officials will provide their own “lessons from the trenches.”

Four Port Orchard City Council seats will be up for election later this year.

Three South Kitsap School District director seats are on the ballot, as well, as are a South Kitsap Fire and Rescue commissioner seat, a seat for Port of Bremerton commissioner, and commissioner seats for West Sound Utility District, Port of Manchester and Sunnyslope Water District. Call the city clerk’s office at 360-876-4407 for information.

Friends of Manchester Library to participate in Kitsap Great Give

MANCHESTER — The Friends of Manchester Library once again will be participating in the Kitsap Great Give with an event scheduled May 2.

Kitsap Great Give is a 24-hour online giving event organized by the Kitsap Community Foundation and presenting partner United Way of Kitsap County.

The event generates funding for numerous charities and nonprofits in Kitsap County.

The Friends of Manchester Library will be one of about 200 recipients from the event this year, according to John Winslow, the organization’s director.

The Kitsap Great Give event will run from midnight to 11:59 p.m. on May 2. Those wishing to participate can make donations at www.kitsapgreatgive.org.

All donations made during the event will be proportionally matched by a local bonus pool organized by Give Local America.

The local bonus pool will comprise sponsorship dollars donated by United Way of Kitsap County, as well as corporate and individual sponsors.