Sandra White: January 2010

This tea pot is mad as hell! Tea Party to be held at the Chimacum Grange this afternoon.   See you there.  Bring your signs.

The Department of Ecology is trying to limit growth and therefore a private citizen's right to use his property by tripleing the current setbacks from waterfront, creekfront, or wetlands.  This could render a 5 acre parcel unusable.  They also want to limit the water we use by a morotorium on wells,  

Washington State Attorney General, Rob McKenna has requested legislation  to WA  congress to rein in the abuses of taking private property in the state through the Community Renewal Law's power of "eminent domain".  One issue is taking private property and allowing private citizens to develop it, and the other issue is the "blight" reason for taking the  property.

The hope is to narrow this definition which is vague and too broad.   "Blight" may include an entire area which includes property that is not "blighted" in with the the  rest, and "blight"  also includes inappropriate uses for the land, issues of diversity of ownership, high levels of crime, unemployment, or poverty. 

 In the past 10 years Washington local governments have applied the CRL to take property of more than 71,000 residents. 

 The bill Att. Gen Mckenna is backing is Hb2423/SB6199 and HB2425/SB 6200

Bread for Haiti

People in the  small town of Port Townsend are doing what they can, and there are examples in every corner of our daily life.  One that stands out is my favorite  bakery.

Sunday Jan. 24 the Pain d Amore Bakery baked twice the amount of bread for the day and gave all the proceeds($12,000+) to Haiti relief. 

Besides being a benevolent family owned business, they have bread and pastries that are the best you will ever have.  Located Uptown they have a small bakery with benches in front, hot coffee, newsapaper and a water bowl for Bowser. 

 I have heard a lot about this trail since I moved to Port Townsend over 10 years ago, but learned a lot about it last week on a walk with my Shih Tzus. Teddy and Lulu.

After doing an errand in the Cape George area I decided to check out the most recently finished trailhead of the Larry Scott Trail, which was well worth the time. 

It has a circular parking lot, picnick table, and porta-potty for the convenience of hikers, bikers and equestrians. 

Named after Larry Scott who was a cycling enthusiast here in Port Townsend who died in 1991.  He and his wife Judy met with other cyclers weekly for long bicycle rides and were in search of dedicated mulit-use trails.  Larry was the momentum in getting this done.  Through the efforts and support of the Jefferson County Public Works and a lot of volunteers, this trail is beautifully manicured with mile post markers, and scenic beauty on both sides. 

Port Townsend's San Juan Grocery

Built in 1940 and once a busy grocery store, this building is located on over one acre of prime real estate where North Beach and Uptown neighborhoods converge, at the intersection of San Juan and F Streets.   A mixed use commercial zoned property it presents many opportunites for development.  Near the Port Townsend Golf Course, schools, churches and residences.   Currently offered for $850,000

Port Townsend's airport is located 4 miles SW of the city of Port Townsend, and is officially known as the Jefferson County International Airport.   It is owned and operated by the Port of Port Townsend, and  has a runway of 9000 x 75.  It is  used by small aircraft and only during daylight hours, so the impact on the area is minimal.

The airport has some new hangers and taxiways, which are for sale or for rent, and a new Flight Museum.  There are aircraft services, gas, flight lessons and private charters available.  Also a customs office for international and Canadian flights.

There is a wonderful little cafe called the Spruce Goose which has good food and a great view of the planes coming and going. 

Port Townsend Paper Mill

                                                                       Started in 1928 by Crown Zellerbach, the mill was a boon to a sagging economy and a welcome addition to the area as the largest employer in Jefferson County.  Still a regular   topic of conversation due to the key waterfront parcel it occupies, the plume of (what is that white stuff?) and occasional strong smell. 

 One big boon to the city of Port Townsend  was a large and reliable supply of water piped, over 30 miles from the Big Quilcene River.  It  still the largest employer in Jefferson County but that has gone from a high in 1955 of 850, to less than 300 at present, turning out 325,000 tons of unbleached paper and cardboard every year.  Ownership and management has changed hands several times over the years, and during the past 10 years the bag department has closed and the future has seemed less predictable. 

 Some residents are dreaming of the first class destination resort that could go in that lovely waterfront acreage, and others fear the loss of the jobs, and time it would take to put something in it's place.   Only time will tell!

      Located in Glen Cove on Mill Rd. 

  Port Townsend Neighborhoods  Part 7

   Quilcene, WA                                                                             Quilcene is a small community near Port Townsend with the abundant natural beauty of dense forest areas, the Quilcene River, tall mountains and beautiful small harbors and beaches. 

 There are many historic photos of logging tall trees, families picnicking on the beaches, and my favorite historic spot, Linger Longer Lodge, which burned to the ground on Halloween night in 1959.

 Today, there is very little commercial activity, but a wonderful place to live with acreage and space.  The photo shows the main intersection of town, with one small grocery store, a gas station and 3 or 4 restaurants.  Down the road a bit there is a church, a campground and forest ranger station where you can get maps of the wonderful hiking and camping areas.  Home prices in this area are a real value. $100K up.

Quilcene Main intersection

A great way to stay in Port Townsend is to rent a cottage. There are over one hundred rental cottages in Port Townsend. Mostof them sleep four or more guests and have all the comfort and amenities of being at home. Unpack just once and set up your office, kitchen and living area as though you were at home.

With easy parking for many cars and close proximity to historic Fort Worden, the Birdnest Cottageshown above is a favorite destination for travelers needing short or extended stays. The kitchen has absolutely everything a gourmet cook would need to feed a large group. There is directv, broadband internet, upgraded furniture and two private outdoor deck with a view of the water and light house.

A smaller property located at F and Cherry Street,  "Almost Uptown Cottage" is adjacent to the Port Townsend Municipal golf course and is convenient for walking almost anywhere in the city. This modern cottage has wood floors, front loading washer and dryer, directv upstairs and downstairs, a high definition dvd player with a widescreen television and a modern kitchen with a glass top stove.

This unit has a private driveway and is secluded from the road. Many designer touches and upgrades make this cottage very comfortable for two to four people.

Port Townsend Gingerbread House Contest

Historic Port Townsend Sites appear in Gingerbread House contest sponsored annually by Aldriches Market in Uptown Port Townsend. 

 The artistic and talented people in Port Townsend turn out with some interesting "Gingerbread Houses" and here are two of my favorites this year.  On display at Aldriches Market throughout the Christmas season, and looking good enough to eat!

Port Townsend Bell Tower

Erected in late 1890's to call the volunteer firemen, and through a bell code, could tell them where to meet.  It was renovated after 2000 with grants and donations totalling over $140,000 and is the last one of it's type left in our country. 

Point Wilson Lighthouse

 The original light dates back to 1879, and is under the control of the US Coast Guard and is occupied by the crew of the  Port Townsend Cutter the Osprey.   The current building was built in 1913, and is no longer needed for navigation, so will be turned over to Fort Worden State Park.