Sandra White: Washington: Port Townsend: Downtown Port Townsend

When I moved here 10 years ago, it seems to me Port Townsend  had only one strand of decorations in the downtown area.  Now we have two!  We also have a very beautiful tree (donated by one of our county commisioners from his own yard) at the Haller Fountain which was decorated on a gorgeous sunny morning today.  

Organized annually by Port Townsend's Main Street Organization, the downtown decorations are put up with the help of an entire company from the Jefferson County fire department, several city and park employees as well as a multitude of volunteers.

Financed by private business, the city of Port Townsend year. In previous years his arrival was by tugboat, however his boat sank in Alaska this last year and a more conventional mode of transportation has been chosen.

 The annual tree lighting and christmas festivites marked by Santa's arrival is scheduled Saturday at 4 pm.  There will be caroling, carriage rides and a $1000  sweepstake prize of shopping money for one lucky person.

 To learn more about Port Townsend please visit my website

PORT TOWNSEND'S HAUNTED BUILDINGS 

 Port Townsend is a favorite place for some amateur ghost hunters, and their findings include 3 well known historical buildings.  Using film, digital cameras, audio and video recording systems, and computerized surveilance gear they feel they can determine extra paranormal activity.  They feel Port Townsend is one of the most haunted communities in the state of Washington.   

 The "Commander's House" at Fort Worden showed some "orbs" (not visible to the naked eye) in photograpy taken by a  team of "ghost hunters" that visited Port Townsend  in 2006.   Built in the late 1800's and open to the public as a museum, this wonderful home overlooks the Parade Grounds at the fort. 

Another rich field was the Manressa Castle (built in 1891)  with many local ghost stories, surely embellished over the years,  The group found a lot of unexplained activity in the attic  and orbs have been photographed there as well.   Some hotel guests have reported individual incidences ( a broken grandfather clock in the foyer that chimes, ghostly shapes and cold breezes.)    Film crews come regularly to the former Jesuit seminary to photograph in hopes of finding some evidence.   

The Palace Hotel (1889) is the favorite place of ghosts in the downtown area of Port Townsend.  Average tourists have reported many stories of unusual activity ( a strange presesence)  and employees have also seen or felt strange things at the hotel.  

 Atop the staircase is a large portrait of the Lady in Blue, a mournful, mysterious woman from decades ago whose legend paints her as having ties to a former brothel that operated at the hotel from 1925 to 1933. The spirit of the Lady in Blue is believed to leave the portrait to walk the Palace halls in search of a lost lover.

Happy Halloween!

Port Townsend 27th Annual Kinetic Skulpture Race  

 This event 10 years ago was one of my first clues about  this kinky, funky little town, unlike any other! .  No one had prepared me for the antics I was about to encounter, from the racers themselves, the event organizers, the Kinetic Kops and most of the towns people dressed in the strangest and most original costumes I had ever seen.   

 The race entrants must design and build a contraption, called Kinetic Sculptures, that will run on pavement, water and through mud bogs.  They range from sophisticated and large to a bicycle enclosed in a banana shaped cover on pontoons or innertubes,  and are run by teams in costumes that range from clever to twisted.  Even more  amazing are the spectators, dressed in whatever strikes them, the crazier the better.  There will be 15 entries this year.

 Events are non stop beginning Saturday with the Wannabe Parade down Water Street, where all people in costume are welcome to march down the street to the sounds of the Port Townsend Peoples Band.    Next, comes the downhill ride to test brakes, then the water trials through the bay to test for sea worthiness.  This takes place in any kind of weather with the exception of white caps on the bay. 

   Saturday evening there is the Koronation Kostume Ball (The Rose Hips Ball) held at the American Legion (the main fundraiser for the event)  There will be dancing to music by the Turner Brothers, and admission is $15.00  Kandidates for Kween go on stage at 9:30 dressed in their zaniest costume with the theme this year: Unbirthday Teaparty. Kandidates must tell a joke, perform a talent, and offer a recipe.  The Kween and her court will reign over the main event on Sunday and carry that prestegious title till next year.  No cameras allowed, as "what happens at the Rose Hips  ball stays at The Rose Hips Ball!"  

 Sunday is the big race day, beginning at 10:30 am.when the Skulptures line up; presentations at 11 am. and race begins at low noon.  1:30 Kwicksand at Fort Worden, 2:30 Dismal Bog at the fairgrounds, 5:30 post race ceremony at Legion Hall.  

 Rules are: 

1.   Mediocrity rules
2. Bribes are expected
3.  Cheating helps  

You know you have been here too long when all this seems very normal.  Gotta run to get my costume ready!        

The 10^th anniversary of the Port Townsend Film Festival is starting today, September 24 and will run through Sunday.  The person most responsible for the success of our festival, director Peter Simpson  passed away this year, and he will be sorely missed by the community, festival staff, and volunteers. 

 Described on the program as "a film lover's block party", Port Townsend is just the perfect venue for this celebration of great films and filmmakers.  The main stage is in our beloved Rose Theater, with movies also shown at the Uptown Theater,  The Pope Marine Center, and the Upstage.

 The films are chosen by 12 Port Townsend Film Festival reviewers who screened 255 films this year to pick the 60  plus films that will be shown this weekend, some documentary, features and short films.

This year our celebrity guest will be Cloris Leachman, the Oscar and Emmy winning actress known for character roles and a long run on the Mary Tyler Show.  There will be an evening with Cloris and she will be available for an exchange with the audience.

 There is something for everyone, including free outdoor movies on the street in front of the Rose.  On Friday night they will be showing one of my favorites as a kid, An American in Paris with Gene Kelly.  There is a beer garden with drinks and light meals, and of course the best popcorn ever is served at the Rose.

The weather is perfect and I promise this will be a great experience you won't foget, so hop on a ferry and come on over!

Watch a video of storm surge downtown Port Townsend in February of 2007
My son shot this amateur footage the morning after a night of 70 mile per hour winds!

The storm destroyed a restaurant ironically named "The Surf"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tjld4ulvyx4

Quaint and charming, this gem is one of 2 theaters in Port Townsend, located just off Water Street in the heart of the Victorian downtown area.  As you pass, you are drawn in by the wonderful posters in the widows, sweet little box office, and the aroma of fresh popcorn, made the old fashioned way and served with real butter. 

Originally opened in 1907 with vaudeville shows and live musical productions, it moved to it's current location in 1908 and began showing the latest innovation, moving pictures.

 In 1958 the Rose closed and would not re-open again until 1992 under the ownership of Rocky Friedman, a nice guy with a dream and a love of movies.  (Financed by local citizens, who also helped with the painting of the building).  Rocky added the smaller cozy theater called the Rosebud, which fills up quickly with a popular movie.  The movies begin with a short talk about the film and a request to clean up after ourselves.  On Mondays there is a door prize for some lucky winner just for coming.

  Rocky studied film making in Southern California and moved back to the Northwest with the hopes of becoming a screenwriter.  Rocky and The Rose are devoted to bringing art to Port Townsend in the form of good movies.  A big part of the Port Townsend Film Festival, it also hosts a lecture series called  School of Athens Lectures, with subjects such as Archeology, Nature Photography, and Symbolism of Ancient Zen Temples. 

 I will just stick with the movies, most  of which are the artsy type, or often foreign film or festival winners. 

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. 

In the category of Port Townsend's most interesting real estate, the Eisenbeis Building also know as the Cracker Factory Building was built in 1889.  (Crackers were baked in building attached.)  Located in Port Townsend's original town-site on bustling Water Street the building was occupied by Delmonico's Hotel and Restaurant, and then later became the home of Olympic Hardware.  I believe the hardware store started in the 50's or 60's and I have been told that up on the 3rd floor you could find any part or gizmo you ever dreamed of. 

This wonderful old building was renovated by investors and about 2 years ago, just as the market hit it's peak.  That timing was incredibly unlucky for these investors, but at this point there is one condo sold, and some interest in the retail area.       

The building is being marketed today as retail space for lease or sale on ground and mezzanine floors, and condos on floors 3 and 4.  With high ceilings, good window space with water and city views, and beautiful wood flooring, these are very upscale and lovely condos.  Ranging in price from $299,000 to $489,000 which is a considerable reduction in price (50%) of the original prices.  The entire building is also for sale.  Marketed by John L Scott, Port Townsend, but not my listing.

                                                 Delmonico Hotel...late 1800's

       Building Exterior today                                                                       Living room in furnished model

       Water view from model                                                       Model bedroom

           Living room windows                                                Kitchen with granite and stainless steel

Hallway with beautiful original woodwork

 http://www.porttownsendrealestatesearch.net/

On the waterfront in this historic seaport village, this new center will be quite an addition to Port Townsend.  In the planning process for almost 15 years, this ambitious project is beginning to take shape and form for all to see.  There will be "hard hat" tours beginning May 31. 

In August 2000 the land was purchased( a former bulk oil terminal ) for $950,000, which was contributed partly by 1200 individual donors.  Clean up of the property  was finished in July of 2002 and a new deep water pier was completed in 2004.  There are names of donors etched into the piers planks. 

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There are two main buildings with 26000 sq. ft. and flexible spaces which will be used for on the water activities, school programs, demonstrations, exhibits, classes and workshops.  There will be open patio space and public areas (40,000 sq. ft.)  and a "chandlery" with maritime books and art work.

The Public Commons area will be paved with 1400 pavers laid in the shape of a compass rose and engraved with the names of community members who have donated to the project. 

There will also be a boardwalk linking the center to the city park, piers and docks with deep-draft moorage for historic and educational vessels providing docking for ships or small boats. 

Be sure to check out the progress of this incredible center the next time you are in Port Townsend. 

 http://www.porttownsendrealestatesearch.net/

I figure if I keep writing about Port Townsend and even 1% of you come to visit, it will be a tremendous boost to our economy.  This is a wonderful spot on the waterfront in Port Townsend with a very interesting history.

Clam Cannery

This is a great old building that was used for clam canning dating back to the year 1885. Eventually and more than once,   Port Townsend had a big depression era when everyone moved away and the population was down in the 2000 range. 

The cannery was in use again around the 30's and was next to the ferry dock.  Sometime later it fell into disrepair, and was home to lots of pigeons and sea gulls. 

A very ambitious business man fell in love with Port Townsend and this wonderful old building and bought it with plans for renovation, including a restaurant on the ground floor and retail shops or condos on the top floor.  He has also leased the old ferry dock above and plans to make use of it one day.

It has been at least 5 years that I know of and probably longer in getting this project together, but I believe it will happen soon.

The upper floor is now finished with beautiful condos and are being offered for rent or for sale.   They feature a smashing view of the bay and shipping lanes,as well as the Islands of the San Juans, and Cascade Mountains.  The decor is beautiful and upscale with granite and stainless steel, hand-forged steel, hammered copper, concrete floors and counter tops, hand-blown glass fixtures, radiant floor heat, hand-built custom cabinets and top of the line appliances.

During this month and next since our bridge is out and we are floating out here by ourselves the owner is offering to fly people to his units in a seaplane.

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 One of my favorite photos I have taken of a Bald Eagle was taken on a piling out in front of this building.  From here you can walk to any number of good restaurants with live music,  our wonderful Rose Theater, or some pretty great little shops.  By the way, this is not my listing!

http://www.porttownsendrealestatesearch.net/