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Our Working Waterfront ~ 3/11

In this special Fund Drive edition of Our Working Waterfront, KPTZ’s Chris Bricker, along with co-hosts Port Commissioner Pam Petranek and Port of Port Townsend’s Director Eron Berg, update us on happenings around our busy Boat Yard. Then we speak with marine trades and sailing icon Diana Talley about her project to explore the vast network of women here who love the sea and are deeply connected to it. She also arranged the first-ever group photograph of waterfront women, taken at Port Townsend’s City Dock on March 11.Then we pay a visit to Greg and Joey Veitenhans (pictured above) as they sit on the port rail of f.v. Voyager.  Greg speaks of five generations of fishermen, tells us how he met his wive, Ava, and what it was like to raise two sons, Henry and Joey, on a fishing boat.  Greg and family could ply us with enough stories for three more episodes! Joey, by the way, just earned his 100-ton Master Captain’s license at age 19.

Brewocracy Now with John Mauro ~ 3/10

This week on Brewocracy Now, City Manager John Mauro and KPTZ’s were joined by Port Townsend Police Department ‘s newest officer, Kamal Sharrif. Officer Sharrif comments on joining the Department from his previous assignment in King County, provides insight into the intricacies of policing, and the skills necessary to effectively and compassionately protect the public.

Nature Now #557 Raptors

(Airdate: March 9, 2022) Mary Robson interviews Gary Bullock and Bob Boekelheide about a winter survey they conducted. They explain what they found and how raptors fit the balance of nature. 

#196 Artis the Spoonman, Musician

(Airdate: March 8, 2020) Our Town host Maryanne McNellis interviews Artis the Spoonman, a talented and eccentric musician. After dropping out of school in the 10th grade, Artis spent a few years in the Navy. He says his two goals from childhood were being a musician and seeing the world. He figures he’s accomplished that. Artis has played with the likes of Frank Zappa and showcased his spoon-playing skills on the David Letterman show (among many TV appearances). Over the years he’s played gigs all over the world. He’s as comfortable busking on the street as he is playing with the Seattle philharmonic in a white silk tuxedo. Artis is proud of his “heritage in the hippie world” thanks to his free-spirited Mother. A Northwest native, Artis was a fixture at the Pike Place Market in Seattle for many years. But he ended up here in Port Townsend a few years ago. He loves it here but he’s worried about gentrification. After all, he’s not all that gentrified.

PT Heritage Association

(Airdate: March 8, 2022) The Port Townsend Heritage Association is coming out of COVID-19 and putting on the Port Townsend Victorian Heritage Festival for 2022, on April 29, 30 and May 1.  KPTZ’s Missy Nielsen talks with board president Tracy Wirta and board member Kathy Knoblock about what’s going on.  Learn more about how to get involved!  

County Public Health Report ~ 3/07/22

The following is a summary of the presentation during the Public Health briefings at this week’s Board of County Commissioners meeting made by Jefferson and Clallam County Public Health Officer Dr. Allison Berry. Also Willie Bence, Director of Emergency Management, gave a report. The summary below was provided by and used with the permission of Jefferson County Government.

Public Health Officer Dr. Allison Berry today said Jefferson County’s COVID-19 case numbers continue to drop. She announced that our documented case rate is 385/100,000 with a 10% positivity rate. “This week, we are transitioning from the pandemic phase of our response to the endemic,” Dr. Berry said. “In the endemic phase, we are transitioning to a period where where don’t think COVID-19 is going to overwhelm critical parts of our infrastructure.” She said our society will be able to function with this level of disease right now. She noted Jefferson is moving toward “not mandating” masks in indoor spaces, but rather “recommending them.” The reason: our case rates are still relatively high. “So right now, in Jefferson County, if you walk into a room with 25 people and you’re all unmasked, there is a 17% probability that one of those people has COVID-19,” she explained. “And so that’s why we still recommend you wear a mask because that’s a pretty high probability that someone has COVID-19. When we see those case rates continue to go down, when they get to less than 100 cases per 100,000, that probability goes down to 5%. And so that’s why we think it’s reasonable to start unmasking when we get to that rate.”

Director of Emergency Management Willie Bence said DEM efforts are focused on an after-action review of Jefferson’s COVID-19 response. His team is restocking KN95 masks in some stores and will continue as long as the state program is making them available. If you are looking for a booster dose, are homebound, or have limited mobility, call 360-344-9791 and leave a message. Bence said his team is “happy to come and pay you a visit.” Vaccinations are increasing at about 1% a week. There is a rise in vaccinations for kids in our community. Currently 53% of middle- and high school-aged kids are fully vaccinated.

Submit your Public Health questions to Dr. Allison Berry and Willie Bence by emailing contactus@kptz.org. Note: The weekly deadline for these to be submitted is on Fridays at noon, to be answered at the following Monday’s BOCC meeting.

Lively Libraries

(Airdate: March 7, 2022) The directors of the two libraries in our county tell what’s coming to their libraries in the coming months. Tamara Meredith, Director of the Jefferson County Library, talks of leading her library out of the COVID-19 pandemic after implementing innovations to keep it open. Melody Sky Weaver, Director of the Port Townsend Library, introduces this year’s Community Read and upcoming library activities.

Community Tides ~ 03/04/22

On alternate Fridays during the noon hour, hosts Chris Bricker and Siobhan Canty, President and CEO of Jefferson Community Foundation meet to discuss new developments, new paradigms, and the new normal in Jefferson County as we roll towards springtime and all that it offers. Any museum experience is shaped by the people who care passionately about this work. There are countless stories beneath the surface of our communities, just waiting to be brought to light.

Having earned a Masters degree in Museology from the University of Washington, Shelly Leaven’s connection with Port Townsend began when she was an intern at the Center for Wooden Boats in Seattle. Her interest in the the Arts, the natural world, and related non-profit organizations eventually led her here to raise a family and take the position as the Historical Society’s Executive Director in 2018.  She brings a quality perspective on what history means for us today, and the chance to offer a revitalized vision for the 139-year-old organization. If objects, walls, pictures and art could talk, what would they say?  And how would they say it?

Brewocracy Now with John Mauro ~ 3/03

Today on Brewocracy Now KPTZ host Tim Quackenbush and City Manager John Mauro were joined by Port Townsend Library Director Melody Sky Weaver. Topics discussed included: the current Community Read, effects of book banning efforts in other parts of the country on Port Townsend, and the upcoming tour for new City Council members of the Port of Port Townsend.

Northwest Marine Trades Association

(Airdate: March 2, 2022) Coastal Cafe‘s guests this week are George Harris, the President of the Northwest Marine Trade Association (NMTA) and Jay Jenning, Vice President of Government Affairs. George and Jay spoke with host Aaron Barnett about upcoming life jacket legislation in Olympia, Southern Resident Killer Whale regulations, boat sales in the age of COVID-19 as well the 75th celebration of the NMTA’s creation. 

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