(Airdate: March 11, 2025) We’re in Gansu Province, visiting the Yugu minority, 60 kilometers west of Zhangye. The Yugu fled here over 500 years ago, to escape the Islamic fanaticism of Tamerlane. Despite their warnings to the Chinese, Tamerlane was just considered another border bandit.
Podcasts
The Hobbit
(Airdate: March 10, 2025) KPTZ’s Genevieve Barlow spoke with some of the company of the Port Townsend Youth Theatre and OCEAN production of The Hobbit: Marc Weinblatt – Director/Project Coordinator, Luca Tapogna (16) – Gandalf, Caleb Sigmond (12) – Bilbo, and Ruby Groussman (15) – Balin/Voice of Smaug. Fans of the book and movie can expect Bilbo the hobbit, Gandalf the wizard, dwarves, elves, goblins, a giant dragon and, of course, Gollum! This exciting youth project provides the opportunity to make theater not only fun and entertaining, but also a powerful multi-generational educational experience as participants range from grades 2 – 12. This ambitious production features costumes by Libby Wennstrom, giant puppets and shadow puppetry under the guidance of Puppet Masters, Celia Fulton-Walden and Thaddeus Jurczynski, and live music led by Kristin Smith. For more information about the production- click here.
Kai Tai Prairie
(Airdate: March 10, 2025 – Kai Tai Prairie) – A precious remnant of what was,
County Connections
(Airdate: March 7, 2025) This week on A SPECIAL KPTZ March Gladness Fundraiser edition of County Connections Jim Burke spoke with his co-host Commissioner Greg Brotherton who was beaming in remotely from the Connectivity Summit at Chimacum High School. They talked about the many ways in which KPTZ is a vibrant conduit between the County and the community. They also spoke with Danny Milholland of the Production Alliance who are producing this 3-day event. Friday is 80 employers recruiting youth, Saturday there are 120 organizations from around the county looking for connection and support from the community, and there are IGNITE TALKS, 5-minute inspirational speeches on a range of thought provoking topics. For more information, go to www.theproductionalliance.org/events/connectivity.
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Brewocracy Now ~ 3/06/25
KPTZ’s Taylor Clark and cohost Port Townsend City Manager John Mauro talked about the importance of building community and looking forward toward the future. In the second half of the broadcast we explored some details about the city’s budget in response to some of the things Taylor has been reading on social media about the budget not being balanced. Listen in to hear John’s explanation, it’s quite interesting.
State of the City
(Airdate March 5, 2025) KPTZ aired the 2025 Port Townsend State of the City meeting live from the Port Pavilion at Point Hudson with Port Townsend Mayor David Faber and City Manager John Mauro. ( We recognize there were sound quality issues due to the zoom feed, and we will be working to correct those next time we do a broadcast like this.)
#713 – Our Favorite Books
(Airdate: March 5, 2025) This week Nature Now hosts, Jackie Canterbury, Nan Evans, and Debaran Kelso, got together to share their best reads and top “wish list” books to read in the coming year. As naturalists, the choices include some great natural history picks. But their eclectic tastes range across poetry, philosophy, history, personal reflections of authors, and art. Tune in to hear their conversation and to share in the fun they all had doing this program.
Community Tides ~ 3/04/25
In this edition of Community Tides, Chris Bricker and Siobhan Canty visit with Ben Wilson, founder of Color of Sound and curator of Black Film in the Pacific Northwest, a weekend celebration of regional Black Cinema that takes place March 14 through 16. Port Townsend Film Festival is co-presenter with Color of Sound for this inaugural event at the Rose Theater.
Also joining our discussion will be filmmaker Anthony Tackett, Director of “June” and “Perspectives on Violence.” along with Port Townsend Film Festival’s Executive Director, Danni McClelland.
Silk
(Airdate: March 4, 2025) We’re in the town of Zhangye, and we’re now looking for something to do. We think it’s time for something different, so we decided to visit one of the small ethnic minorities along the Silk Road. It just so happened that 60 kilometers west of Zhangye is the county seat of Sunan, home of the horseback- riding, mutton-eating, milk-tea-drinking Yugu, living along the flank of the Chilean moutains.
David and Tracy Grisman – Rocket Surgery
On March 3, KPTZ 91.9 hosted David Grisman and Tracy Grisman at our Fort Worden studio for an interview and the performance of three original songs. Topics included his storied musical history and collaborations throughout his career. Other topics included his Acoustic Disc record label and his connection to Port Townsend. The songs included a tune written for his daughter for her wedding. Charlie Bermant conducted the interview. Chris Bricker managed the sound.
