Sandra White: July 2009

  Port Townsend Changes Rules on "McMansions"

 The Port Townsend City Council is working on a resolution that would limit the size of homes according to the lot size and floor -area ratio.    The idea is to prevent "McMansions" .  A 5000 sq. ft. lot would be limited to a 2500 sq. ft. residence, or 50%  floor-area ratio.   A 14,200 sq. ft. lot would be limited to 38.5% or a maximum of 5500 sq.  ft.

 The new ordinace would increase the number of historic structures subject to design review and protected from demolition.  As of now, only commercial properties have been under this rule.  Properties currently zoned R-lll will be changed to R-ll. 

This is a double edged sword!  The people who want to keep Port Townsend a small rural seaport village are in control.  I do love the village atmosphere and charm of Port Townsend, but it is not practical to deny property owners the right to use their property as they see fit to the highest and best use.  Not to mention new development and tax revenue.  Stay tuned for the outcome. 

http://www.porttownsendrealestatesearch.net/

This weekend in Port Townsend, July 24,25 & 26th.  What a great venue for some outstanding music!  Presented by Centrum as the culmination of a weeklong workshop for about 500 students of all ages, and experience.  Some are young teens, and some are experienced performers coming to hone their craft with some great musicians from around the world. 

This will be the 10th year I have attended and I think around 30 years for Centrum.  Main stage shows are in the McCurdy Pavilion at Fort Worden, Friday and Saturday nights with an afternoon concert on the grass on Saturday.  The performers then will be in 8-10 club venues in Port Townsend,  later in the evening.  For $20 you get a ticket to all clubs and you can wander from one to another until the wee hours.  There will also be 2 venues for those under 21. 

                              Musicians playing for diners at Dream City Cafe in Port Townsend

The Artistic Director is John Clayton, who always gives a great perfomance on the big stage as well as in the clubs.  This year he will be leading the Big Band Concert , and the Clayton Brothers Group. 

For a complete list of performances and ticket information go to: www.centrum.org/jazz

                                                  Bud Shankand Big Band  2002

Jazz Festival / McCurdy Pavillion 2002

  http://www.porttownsendrealestatesearch.net/

Port Townsend Boat Haven

Located in central Port Townsend on the waterfront, this is a hub of activity full of interesting ships, marine related businesses, a few funky restaurants and a brewery.  There is also a popular walking trail that is part of the Larry Scott Trail that goes past the mill and for many miles into Cape George. 

Some very large and expensive ships are built, repaired, or restored at the Port Townsend Boat Haven.  There are many marine related businesses, large and small.  Used boat equipment, a full marina, laundromat, bathrooms and Coast Guard nearby.

Shop for used boat equipment      Port Townsend Brewery

                                                                        Blue Moose Cafe

Last month one of our favorite Realtors was hit by a car while riding her recently purchased motorcycle.  She had multiple injuries and broken bones, and tho she is in a wheelchair  her spirit is still in tact and she sounds great.  

Recently  an e-mail went out to our board to find help with building her a ramp to get in and out of her home.  Before I could even think about it, the answer came from the "Bluebills", a local organization of retired Boeing employess living on the Olympic Peninsula.

                                                          Port Ludlow Bluebills

Organized in 1996 as a part of the Boeing Retiree Program and named after Bill Boeings 1915 plane, called the Bluebill.  Their main focus is helping those in need with various building needs in the line of rehab and repairs.  They currently have 1500 members and work all over the Olympic Peninsula, repairing, moving families, and organizing Christmas charity. 

                                                           Original Bluebill

             Bluebills at work                                                                Bluebills Christmas Project

 http://www.porttownsendrealestatesearch.net

Port Townsend is a haven for artists, craftsmen,and writers.  You can practice your craft, take lessons, or just enjoy the work of others. 

The Gallery Walk is a favorite of local residents and visitors alike.  Held the first Saturday evening of every month from 5:30 pm 5to 8 pm, it is sponsored by the many galleries and venues and artisans in Port Townsend.  You just arrive downtown and start your tour.  This is a very short and easy  walk,  about 2 blocks along the downtown waterfront of the Historic District.  The galleries showcase local artists and offer refreshments, information and special displays.  It is not unusal to see watercolors by your favorite podiatrist, or sculpture offered by your next door neighbor. 

Some regular participants include: 

Gallery 9, Port Townsend Art Gallery, Williams Gallery, Earthenworks Gallery, Artisans on Taylor, Max Grover Gallery. 

Port Townsend has a great Whale Watching tour from April through September, which leaves from Point Hudson aboard the "Redhead".  This is a trip you do not want to miss!

The orcas live in pods and travel around the San Juan Islands in their quest for salmon, which is the mainstay of their diet.   The naturalists in the area have studied these whales for years, know their numbers, give them names and recognize them by their dorsal fins and other markings.  There are 3 pods in this area and are named by letters, the only one I can remember is J Pod.   Unfortunately they appear to be dwindling in numbers and the crew is very careful to disturb them as little as possible.  Sightings are guaranteed and usually plentiful as you can tell from my photos.

Naturalists study the pod and keep track of their numbers by the markings on the dorsal fins. 

           Dorsal fin                                                                                Seals on the island

                                                Friday Harbor on San Juan Island

The "Redhead" departs early morning, travels across the channel and heads to Friday Harbor, a wonderful destination in itself.   There is a 2 hour stop for lunch and a leisurly stroll around the small town.

Along the way you see the many orcas, porpoises which play with the boat and an island where there are seals sunning themselves on the beach.  There are also sightings of river otters, puffins and eagles. Also seen is the Humpback Whale and the Grey Whale.

                            The "Redhead" moored at Point Hudson, in Port Townsend

The "Redhead" is a very comfortable craft, with comfortable seating at individual tables,  a very friendly and accommodating crew, and a great snack bar.  For sailing schedule:

 www.pugetsoundexpress.com/index.htmls

http://www.porttownsendrealestatesearch.net

Port Townsend is a special place for any golfer.  Temperate climates, only 19"of rainfall and very few days with  snow on the ground, plus 15 hours of daylight in summer makes a perfect environment for year round golf.  There are two courses in Port Townsend, and many more in the surrounding areas within a 30-45 min. drive.  Both clubs have organized play, both mens and ladies groups,  plus special events and  tournaments all year long.

 Port Townsend Community Golf Course

1948 Blaine Street

The location in the heart of town makes for easy access in your golf cart from most of Port Townsend.    This nine hole, public course is open year round, and you can walk the course if you prefer.   Fees range from $12.50 for 9 holes to $25.00 for 18 holes, with money saving passes and special rates for seniors and junior players.

 The scenery is outstanding with views of Olympic Mountains, a small lagoon with beautiful fowl, and lovely trees.  There is a pro shop and café, covered parking for your cart and a good driving range.       

DISCOVERY BAY GOLF COURSE

The oldest golf course in the state of Washington (previously known as the Chevy Chase Golf Course)  this course is located just 5 miles outside Port Townsend on Discovery Bay.  This is a  serene and lush setting with 18 holes, beautiful greens, water and mountain views surrounded by forests of tall evergreens.

Fees range from $18 for 9 holes to $32 for 18 holes on weekends.  You are allowed to walk or you can use a cart, or pull cart.  There is also a café and lovely deck overlooking the grounds and the bay.

 www.discoverybaygolfcourse.com

  http://www.porttownsendrealestatesearch.net

I was just going through photos in my camera's memory card and came across some I took on a trip to New York, and wanted to share these.  This was taken at Ground Zero of the World Trade Center.  I was really interested in seeing this, after hearing so much about it.   There is a chain link fence all around it, with a lot of workers inside.

                                     Photo of remaining staircase, with American Flag   May. 2008

I was struck by the number of people on their way from Wall Street offices to the train during evening rush hour, and no one even glanced at the site.  It apperared that for most of them it has just faded into the background.  That is understandable when you see it everyday, but I hope it never will for the rest of us.

http://www.porttownsendrealestatesearch

I live around the corner from this project and yet knew nothing about it.  I was walking my dogs and came upon a class of  Port Townsend High School seniors taking a field trip to see this experimental garden which will be grown with less water than normal farms.   This farm is located in an area know as "Happy Valley" which is sheltered from the wind, and has sunshine all day. 

The land belongs to a Port Townsend citizen and was donated for this project.  The crops are  varied and planted in rows with white wooden markers.  There are 19 varieties of wheat, 18 varieties are a trial for Washington State University.  Wheat is the most widely cultivated plant in the world.  There are also rows of  flax, corn, barley, oats, amaranth (which has 16% more protein than corn, rice or wheat) and  millet, a relatively new grain for Americans (used for bird seed ).  I also saw some very beautiful and tall Sunflowers. 

Harvesting will be in July, August and September.  Hopefully, we will have some news on how the experiment went and what was produced. 

http://www.porttownsendrealestatesearch.net/

Incredible and unique center for the arts

Over 30 years ago some visionary citizens had an idea of a better use for the old, sprawling 1890's army base on the waterfront in Port Townsend called Fort Worden.  This was the beginning of Centrum,  a unique center for education and enjoyment of the arts, serving local citizens and visitors from all over the world. The facilities of Fort Worden include many buildings that were barracks, officers quarters, shops, hospital, theater, chapel, along with bunkers, acres of forest with trails, and a gorgeous shoreline with lighthouse.  It is also home to award winning Copper Canyon Press, Goddard College and a Woodworking School.  There is also a relatively new conference center and Coffe Shop.  (If you saw the movie "An Officer and a Gentleman" you will have seen many of the grounds and buildings, as that movie was filmed in Port Townsend").

        Entrance to Fort Worden on Cherry Street                         Wheeler Theater

Centrum operates in co-operation with Washington State which owns the site,WA State Art Commission, Dept. of Recreation and Parks, and Department of Public Instruction.  It relies on benefactors donations, fund raisers, grants, and thousands of volunteer hours to carry out it's programs. 

       This years Centrum Volunteer Job Fair                  Inside the tent with cookies and assignments

Workshops on writing, dance, music, and theater are held throughout the year many with festivals and/or performances at the end of the weeklong study.  The workshops are taught by master artists from around the world and the performances at the end of the workshop week are simply wonderful.

This past week we enjoyed the annual Fiddle Tunes workshop and festival.  Over 500 workshop participants took part in a 5 day workshop, performances on the green on Friday which is free to all, a Cajun and Swing Dance, a concert Saturday night before the fireworks. 

This is the Mcurdy Pavillion and if you look closely you will see it is the original balloon hanger.  Big and  drafty and not insulated, but it is a great venue for large crowds.   This is where the main stage performances take place, with fairly good acoustics and even a dance floor.  

Coming up this month we will have Jazz Port Townsend, workshop, stage performances and my favorite, Jazz in the Clubs where artists perform in our local clubs in small and intimate settings.   The last week of July brings us the Blues, workshops, performances and Blues in the Clubs.  

If you are going to be in the area in July you can go to www.centrum.org for a schedule of performances.  You will hear some great music in an awesome setting. 

www.porttownsendrealestatesearch.net