Sandra White: Washington: Port Townsend

Port Townsend's FROGGY BOTTOMS

A beautiful wetland area is in the heart of a small Port Townsend neighborhood between  San Juan Ave and the non-motorized trail.  It is much prettier in the winter when there is a pond, but yesterday as I passed on my morning walk it was full of beautiful singing birds. 

A small urban oasis, Froggy Bottoms  is a work in progress, done by volunteers with the co-operation and assistance of the Puget Sound Water Quality Team.  Animals, plants and environmental conditions all interact to create a diverse ecosystem.  Strategically placed snags, stumps, and rock piles provide homes for wildlife to thrive and multiply. 

Froggy Bottoms will remain a public open space where people can enjoy nature and such things as birdwatching. 

Artists Rendering of Froggy Bottoms

Froggy Bottoms June 29, 2009

Some of these old looking photographs were taken from a kiosk at the entrance to Froggy Bottoms.  The rest are all my photos taken yesterday. 

Device to measure depth of pond

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There is a wonderful farm in the very center of town called Collingwood Farm, complete with fields of vegetables and flowers, portable greenhouses, old farmhouse and farm stand.  I find this absolutely amazing because in the hot market of 2007 this land of approximately 4-6 acres could have been sold off for any number of residences, or mixed use projects.  This is one block from my home and a wonderful walk for me and my dogs.  There is a large parcel on the corner for sale for $1,000,000 plus zoned for retail, mixed use of condos and stores.

Sign on F Street in Port Townsend                                                                           View of fields from Non motorized trail

        Portable greenhouses                                                        Farmstand on F Street open 24 hours

Street signs on F Street. 

The vegetables from Collingwood are fresh, organic and sold at the Saturday and Wednesday Port Townsend Farmers market, as well as the vegetable stand.  Many times late at night I have stopped in at the farm stand which leaves its doors open 24 hours a day and has a payment jar using the honor system.  There are fresh vegetables, flowers, jars of honey, sauces and  organic coffee.   

This weekend the Washington Association of Realtors is sponsoring a statewide open house tour.  It will be held on Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 1 pm and again from 2 pm to 4 pm on both days.  This will give agents an opportunity to hold 4 listings open and the public will have a large inventory of of homes to preview.  Our local board is supplying us with special signs, balloons and print-outs of the tour and there is a full page ad in our local paper. 

I think we are all pretty excited about this idea and hope it will bring out some buyers.  Open houses are not the norm in our real estate area and there is not always a good turn out.  I think it is just not what people are used to here.  I always found in So. California the people at open houses either were not serious enough to hire a Realtor or just not ready to buy.  But, this is a different time and a different market, so I am going to go now and print more fliers for tomorrow. 

I will be in Uptown from 11-1 at 1234 Franklin Street, a wonderful historic Victorian on a R-3 lot with a seperate studio.

From 2-4 I will be in the Bell neighborhood at 4760 Bell Street, a beautiful and spacious NW style home with a one bedroom apt. and a 12,000 + sq. ft. lot. 

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Happening today in Port Townsend!  We have sunshine, ocean breezes and a lot of people in town for this annual event.  There are nine private gardens on display, all located within walking distance in the Uptown area.  Featured gardens will demonstrate things such as drought tolerant and deer resistant plants, shade solutions, and a shared vegetable patch.  There will be composting techniques and lots of ideas on landscaping your own backyard. 

This event is sponsored by the Jefferson County Master Gardners, a group connected with Washington State University Extension.  A Master Gardner is trained under the auspices of WSU to provide information to home gardners about  practices for sustainable gardening, pest management, efficient watering systems, soil improvement and choosing proper plants. 

In addition, the Master Gardners group does plant clinics, speaker series, youth education, and advanced training.  These incredible gardners have their plants and flowers on display at the Jefferson County fair every year and they are truly beautiful and amazing. 

 http://www.porttownsendrealestatesearch.net/

                     This This private non-profit organization is all about preserving our land, open spaces, and habitat.  So far this group is stewarding 7865 acres in this area.

 The office is located in Port Townsend, but projects are county wide and donations of land and money from citizens along with the plans and ideas of members make it happen.

My first recollection of this organization is from the time one of our local realtors started a drive to collect $75,000 to retain trees that line the entrance to our city, as they were in danger of being cut down.  This realtor came to our office meeting with a flyer and pledge cards, and did make it happen. 

Examples of Recent Projects:

Chimacum's Glendale Farm     

An easement was created to provide a buffer zone for salmon and wildlife habitat.  This farm is 187 acres and is one of the largest farms in the county dating back to the 1850's.  By creating this buffer the land will remain in agricultural zoning.

Winona Wetlands

There is a new campaign designed to raise matching funds from the county of $100,000 to protect a 5 acre parcel that home to one of the most important habitat located in the Quimper Wildlife Corridor

Chimacum Creek

Heron Pond

This is a beautiful area of 60+ acres of non-commercial open space shared with 11 residential homesites on the perimeter.  This is a wonderful community of lovely NW style homes on 5 acre parcels with pasture and wetlands in the center all protected by a conservation easement.

 Today, June 13th there is a tour of Tarboo Farms, a resoration and protection project  which has been aided by the Jefferson Land Trust.  Tour is 11 am to 4 pm.  Bring your lunch. 

http://www.porttownsendrealestatesearch.net/

Last week I showed this home to one of my Buyer's and thought it was interesting enough to share.  I personally have never come across a home owned by a county, so presenting an offer on  this will be a first for me. 

The previous owner was growing canibus in his yard and I suspect in an attic that is quite large with very big un-characteristic skylights.  It is my recollection that this resident was warned a few times before the home was confiscated.  What I don't know is why a neighboring county owns this home, and not our county of Jefferson. 

MLS description:

"The J. W. Griffiths House is described on the National Historic Registry as one of the finest intact Victorian residences outside the historic district.This home offers spectacular water views on the second & third levels and a secret garden Morgan Hill location. Two and one half story, wood frame structure w/brick masonry foundation. Wonderful Vintage Victorian detailing throughout. scrollwork and gingerbread trim plus fish scale wood shingles adorn this painted lady."

This is a great house, on a wonderful 10,000 sq. ft. view lot in one of the cities most popular neighborhoods.  So much deferred maintenance, yet so much potential.  Gorgeous woodwook and flooring throughout, tall ceilings and generous sized rooms.  This home was originally marketed around $800,000, but after a few nibbles and an inspection the price has been lowered to the low $500,000 range.  This is not my listing.

Top photo shows front of home with date carving.

Right:  Dining room with door to front porch. This beautiful dark rich wood is an example of the woodwork and detail throughout the house.

Carriage House in back of house

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                                                                            View of neighborhood and bay from upper deck

Disclaimer: Information is based on data available to the associate, including county records.The information has not been verified by the associate and should be verified by the buyer.

http://www.porttownsendrealestatesearch.net/

http://www.porttownsendrealestatesearch.net/

The cultural events that go on in this area of the Northwest are truly amazing.  For a geographically large area with a very small population it is quite an accomplishment.  One that has been going on in an area between Port Townsend and Sequim is the Olympic Music Festival. 

This is held on a sunny and tranquil 55 acre farm in a beautiful area, dense with forest and snuggled under the Olympic Mountains.  The concerts are held in a barn and can also be heard from the grassy knoll.  Tickets range from $18 to $30.  People are invited to bring a picnic lunch and snacks for the outdoor area or you can purchase a box lunch for $13.00.  Atmoshpere and dress is casual on stage and off and music is classical from the most beloved classical composers.

This all began when in 1966 members of the Philadelphia String Quartet moved to Seattle to become the University of Washington Quartet in Residence.  During their 30 year tenure they made numerous tours and recorded the chamber music repertoire.

In 1984 Alan Iglitzin, a group member, founded the Olympic Music Festival.  Since it's opening season, the Festival has grown from three weekends to twelve.  Today more than 10,000 people attend "Concerts in the Barn".  A must for Port Townsend folks, some people come from California and Canada. 

This summer's schedule is starting June 27 with Chopin, Schubert and Brahms.  The last perforamance weekend is September 5th and 6th.   These performances can be heard on KING FM and are featured throughout the year on NPR's "Performance Today" 

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I love my office and all the agents and staff.  Really a great bunch.  Here is one that is making a difference in our community.  This woman is behind a new program to help people in need in Jefferson County with their winter heat. 

 Temperatures here can get just below freezing at night and stay that way for a good 3-4 months in the winter.  Jan Marquardt in our office applied to Realtor Magazine Good Neighbor Award for a grant to help out and is one of the finalists to receive $1000 to be used in conjunction with our local aid group, OlyCap which is helping with this program.

The idea is to organize donations of wood from property owners, tree cutters, haulers, stackers, and last but not least,  money.  Wood will be delivered for home heat to those that cannot afford elecric heat or propane. 

Jan is a successful realtor who still finds time to help others and a very nice person.  I am so happy to be associated with her.

http://www.porttownsendrealestatesearch.net/