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Booklovers’ Cafe – Teresa Janssen, The Ways of Water

(Airdate: January 2, 2023) Cris Wilson discusses The Ways of Water, a first novel with long time Port Townsend resident, Teresa Janssen. The story builds on family lore and deep research telling the life of a young girl in the early 20th Century, living in the hard scrabble desert of the American Southwest. The story flows with twists and turns, devastating yet hopeful and determined. It is full of rich sensory images and emotional and descriptive language. Too often in history the lives of the humble and especially the women are left untold.  Teresa has remedied this oversight with a terrific book for everyone!

Brewocracy Now ~ 1/04/24

Taylor Clark and co-host John Mauro talked with Port Townsend Director of Public Works Steve King as we looked down the line at planned maintenance for our extensive sewer system and what that might mean for service rates.

#652 A New Year’s Reading List

(Airdate: January 3, 2024) Nature Now hosts Debaran Kelso, Nan Evans, and Jackie Canterbury have a good time sharing their favorite recent natural history books. Join the fun and start your 2024 “to read” list. And, if listeners want to add their favorites, drop the team an email at naturenow@kptz.org.

County Public Health Report ~ 1/02/24

Public Health Officer for Jefferson and Clallam Counties, Dr. Allison Berry gave a public health report to the Jefferson Board of County Commissioners on January 2, 2024. Also along was Jefferson County Director of Emergency Management Willie Bence. Dr. Berry mentioned that there is a surge going on of COVID-19, especially of the latest variant: JN-1. Gatherings and events around the holidays contributed to the surge, and she said there are also more cases of Influenza and RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) and now strep. She said that a sore throat with a fever, without hoarseness and loss of voice are the hallmarks of strep. Because strep is a bacterial infection antibiotics are indicated, so getting a throat swab at the doctor’s office is needed. She also said that if a parent suspects their child has any of these maladies that calling the doctor’s office in the middle of the night is possible and a good idea. In answer to a listener’s question about deer being carriers of COVID, for most people keeping your distance from deer would keep you safe. You will get Covid by being exposed to people who have Covid-19. Hunters should mask and wear gloves while dressing their prey. Willie Bence spoke about the mild winter we have had so far, which is likely to continue and that the Warming Center in the Pope Marine Building in downtown Port Townsend is open every day. He also spoke about the NIXLE Alert service, a voluntary free subscription service which can provide warnings in the event of emergencies and extreme traffic delays on major routes of more than a half an hour. You can sign up on the Jefferson County Department of Emergency Management website.

Poet Laureate of P.T.

(Airdate: January 1, 2024) Jim Burke spoke with Connor Bouchard-Roberts who is the first poet laureate of Port Townsend, and Lindsey Wayland, Chairperson of the Port Townsend Arts Commission, about the Poet Laureate program and how it came to be. Both Connor and Lindsey read Poems during the program which demonstrated how poetry can provoke and inspire.

#651 Christmas Bird Count History and Trends

(Airdate: December 27, 2023) Jackie Canterbury talks with Dr. Steve Hampton about the oldest citizen science program of its kind, the Audubon Christmas Bird Count or CBC.  The CBC began on Christmas Day 1900 as a way to count birds rather than shoot them as people began to become visibly concerned about declining bird populations. Today the CBC occurs each year from December 14 through January 5 relying on volunteer birders.  Audubon and other organizations use the 122 years of data to guide conservation efforts, including the greatest challenge of all, climate change. “There is nothing else like the CBC in terms of geographic coverage and time,” says Geoff LeBaron, Christmas Bird Count Director for the National Audubon Society.  And none of it would happen without dedicated volunteers.

OWL, part 2

(Airdate: December 26, 2023) OWL360 is an organization that invests in the young adults of Jefferson County, through a range of services and activities. OWL360’s mission is to support young adults as they seek their path to a sense of place and purpose. From leadership development to housing and health care resources, OWL360 is a place that endeavors to support sustainable independence. Missy Nielsen of Everybody Can speaks with Executive Director Kelli Parcher and Emily Abell, Pfeiffer house resident manager, about the support, resources and opportunities for growth as they move into the world. This is part 2 of a 2-part show.

#234 1st Presbyterian Church 150th Anniversary, part 2

(Airdate: December 26, 2023) Maryanne interviews Steve Shively, an Elder of the First Presbyterian Church. This is Part #2— covering the 150-year history of the Church and simultaneously examining the history of Port Townsend itself. The venerable church became an elegant 600-seat gathering place just before the vaporization of the dream of PT becoming the NYC of the West. Each decade it echoed the ups and downs of the local economy. According to Steve, it has been ahead of the curve on some social trends —including ordaining women in the 1950s. “We want to be an incubator for social change,” he says. ECHHO, the group that loans or gives medical equipment such as wheelchairs or walkers is actually housed in “the manse,” which was built as housing for the pastor of First Presbyterian. In addition, it is currently partnering with groups on issues as diverse as immigration rights, affordable housing, LGBTQIA rights and more. On a very practical local note, there’s a free charging station for electric vehicles in its parking lot.

The Greatest Gift

(Airdate: December 25, 2023) For Christmas Day, 2023 Attention Please! presents Don White’s adaptation for radio of The Greatest Gift by Philip Van Doren Stern, the story which inspired the film It’s a Wonderful Life. In the cast is Don White as George Pratt and the late Lawrie Driscoll as the mysterious stranger. Heather Dudley Nollette plays George’s mother, Ma Jenkins and George’s wife, Mary. Scott Nollette plays Jim Silva and Art Jenkins.  Also in the cast are Heather and Scott’s youngsters Elan and Aiden. The Whiteout Theatre Troupe first performed The Greatest Gift at the 2017 Holiday Extravaganza.

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