Brewocracy Now

Brewocracy Now ~ 3/30/23

Brewocracy Now on March 30 featured a grab bag of different topics.  Co-host Taylor Clark talked to John Mauro about recently passed changes supporting housing, and we looked towards what will be happening to support housing going forward.  John talked about The Community Read event last Tuesday and an upcoming meeting in Chimicum about the pool.  John asked that if people have time, could they please fill out the Pool Survey (linked here) which closes Friday, March 31 at 5pm.  We also heard some pending budget items at the state level that might possibly benefit Port Townsend, and then, sadly, we ran out of time.  

Nature Now #612
Backyard Habitat, part 2

(Reprise Airdate: March 30, 2023) Ron & Rosemary Sikes invite Nature Now host Debaran Kelso and recorder Meg Amos to their backyard wildlife sanctuary in Port Townsend to discuss how to create and improve wildlife habitat in our own backyards (Part 2 of a two-part program).

Friends of Lighthouse, part 1

(Airdate: March 30, 2023) Located at the edge of Admiralty Inlet is one of the more unique locations to volunteer – Point Wilson Lighthouse. The Point Wilson Lighthouse is one of the most important navigational aids in Washington, connecting Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca and has been serving the navigational needs of our waterways since 1879. Missy Nielsen of Everybody Can visits with Dick Richardson and Dave Ehnebuske on location to learn more about the Point Wilson Light Station Preservation Project and the unique volunteer opportunities at this iconic landmark.

Booklovers’ Cafe – Anna Quinn, Angeline

(Airdate: March 28, 2023) Anna Quinn returns to Booklovers’ Cafe to introduce her new novel  Angeline. Erica Bauermeister says “Angeline is a call to open arms, a clear-eyed view of our often flawed humanity and how the power of compassion can change everything.” Cris and Anna talk about the setting in a liberal convent on an island in the Pacific Northwest and all about the humans inhabiting this place without revealing Angeline’s story. Anna unravels the mystery of her past in dream-like layers. The prose is poetic with messages for all readers. Anna is the founder of Writer’s Workshoppe in Port Townsend and the author of the bestseller, Night Child.

Pool and Bench Build

(Airdate: March 27, 2023) This week, host Jim Burke interviews Carrie Hite about the effort, finally, this year to replace the Mountain View Pool and community engagement. Jim also interviews Lisa Widner who is organizing the Community Bench Build Challenge with the goal of bringing highly decorated benches to Point Hudson.

Mortality and Beans

(March 27, 2023 – Mortality and Beans) Life is good, except when it’s bad, so cover yourself with beans for the ultimate experience in self-realization.

Heads Up on Local Housing

On Monday evening, March 13, KPTZ presented two recorded half-hour programs addressing the current challenges and lack of housing in our community, hosted by KPTZ News Producer Jim Burke.
– Housing Connections, part 1 covered “What Is a Comprehensive Housing Plan and Why Does Port Townsend Need One?” and features Kim Herman, Peggy Webster and Naushard Cader. 

– Housing Connections part 2 discussed “Inclusionary Zoning Myths” will feature Judy Alexander, Fred Kimball, and Kim Herman.

On Tuesday, March 14, as part of KPTZ’s Pi Day event, Housing Connections, part 3 was a special live forum to address the challenging housing situation in our area, in an employer-focused panel discussion, moderated and hosted by Phil Andrus. The forum comprised Jake Beattie, Northwest Maritime Center, Linda Rosenbury, PT Schools Superintendent, Buster Ferris, Edensaw Woods, and Chief Bret Black of East Jefferson Fire Rescue.

Brewocracy Now ~ 3/23/23

KPTZ News Producer Jim Burke sat in for Taylor Clark this week and with his co-host, City Manager John Mauro, spoke with Planning and Community Development Director Emma Bolin and Mayor David Faber. They discussed:

  • What happened at council Monday, what it means, and what to expect next Monday.
  • How’s it is part of the City’s bigger picture housing strategy.
  • And, if time allows: what’s next?

Nature Now #611
The Manis Mastodon, part 1

(Airdate: March 21, 2023) Host Debaran Kelso speaks with special guest Clare Manis Hatler about finding what came to be known as “The Manis Mastodon” on their farm in Sequim in 1977. It is still one of the most significant archaeological finds in North America!  Part 1 of a two part program.

Put a Wrap on Recycling

(Airdate: March 21, 2023) Missy Nielsen of Everybody Can visits with the Port Townsend High School Students for Sustainability (SFS). This year they traveled to Olympia to advocate for Washington state’s WRAP Act, (Washington Recycling And Packaging Act ) which included packaging and bottle bill provisions. This act intends to extend producer responsibilities for certain packaging and paper, create a container deposit system that includes reuse targets, “truthful labeling” rules, and minimum recycled content standards for items like plastic thermoform containers, food tubs and single-use cups. While the bill ultimately did not move forward these students are not dissuaded and plan on bringing this bill forward at next session. Join us as we speak with the leadership team of the Students for Sustainability at P.T.H.S. 

Sara Penhallegon and Her Baby Bison

(Airdate: March 21, 2023) Maryanne interviews Sara Penhallegon, the brains and heart behind Center Valley Animal Rescue. Literally thousands of animals – both wild and domestic – have been rescued by Sara and her team. When that confused coyote somehow wandered into the hospital, it was Sara who rushed in to tranquilize and ultimately stitch her up. There’s also that bison who was born to a starving mom. The newborn bison was hand-fed largely by Sara. Not surprisingly, he now thinks Sara is his ‘mom’. That means when he gets lonely, he sometimes breaks out of his quarters and heads for mom’s living room where he was nurtured back to health. He now weighs upwards of 700 pounds and is still a growing boy! Sara’s stories are amazing. But she needs donations to her non-profit to continue her mission.

County Public Health Report ~ 3/20/23

The following is a recording of the presentation during the Public Health briefings at this week’s Board of County Commissioners meeting made by Jefferson and Clallam County Public Health Officer Dr. Allison Berry. Also Willie Bence, Director of Emergency Management, gave a report. The summary below was provided by Jim Burke, producer of KPTZ’s Tuesday’s Local News.

Dr. Berry said that news of transmission and disease from COVID-19 is “relatively good,” and on the national level, cases, hospitalizations and deaths are on a downtrend this week. We are down to 334 deaths per day nationwide due to COVID-19, but for reference, she added that number is about three times the death rate of a severe FLU season. Jefferson County Public Health reports the two-week COVID-19 case rate is 221 per 100,000 people, still in the high category. 32 new cases were added in the past week, so there have been 7,080 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began. There were no deaths this week. No one is currently hospitalized with Covid-19 in Jefferson County. Willie Bence spoke about resilience on the Olympic Peninsula in light of the Hood Canal bridge closures planned for this summer,

Autumn is a Big Mess

(April 20, 2023 – Autumn is a Big Mess) Ray’s obsessive need for control falls by the wayside when Autumn arrives.

Discovery Bird Rescue

(Airdate: March 20, 2023) In a reprise of a show from last year, host Steve Evans is given a tour of Discovery Bird Rescue by Cindy Daily, the amazing woman who has spent up to 12 hours a day, seven days a week for 14 years (without pay) to build a showcase hospital, rehabilitation center, haven, and conservation educational center for the wild birds of the Olympic Peninsula and beyond.

Here’s the THING!

Do you love community radio? Do you love music? Do you love the sprawling beautiful lawns of Fort Worden? If you answered yes to any of the above then we have an opportunity for you! From now till Monday March 20 at 5 pm, if you become a sustaining donor to KPTZ at any price, you will be entered to win a pair of 3-day Festival Passes to THING this August at Fort Worden. You can donate online at kptz.org, call us at 360-379-6886 or stop by the Mountain View Station to make your donation. The drawing winner will be announced by Chris Bricker on his show Tuesday, March 21 at 9:30am.

KPTZ is pleased to partner with STG once again for THING Fest. The THING comes back to Fort Worden this August. Listen below where KPTZ’s Charlie Bermant interviews Festival Producer Adam Zacks. They discussed THING lineup and coming back to Port Townsend. Listen in below. THING passes for locals are available for purchase at 20% off online pricing, and no service charge fees, in person at the Fort Worden Commons building.

Brewocracy Now ~

John and Taylor’s guests today were Melody Sky Weaver from the Port Townsend Library and Monique Gray Smith, who did the young adult adaptation of Braiding Sweetgrass which the Port Townsend community read this month. We had a very soulful conversation that is hard to characterize here. Just listen! And read!

Nature Now #610 Sense of Place – What Does That Mean

(Airdate: March 15, 2023) Host Nan Evans talks with David Williams, a
Seattle-based naturalist about the concept of a “sense of place”. What does that mean? How can awareness of our own “sense of place” deepen our connections with the natural world? How can we use “sense of place” to work together to make the world a better place?

Booklovers’ Cafe – Monique Smith, Braiding Sweet Grass (YA)

(Airdate: March 14, 2023) Cris talks with the 2023 Community Read author Monique Gray Smith about her adaptation for Young Adults of Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teaching of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer. This edition is a delight to hold and view with added illustrations by Nicole Neidhardt. All three of these women represent tribes from different locations in North America. Monique is an author and teacher in her own right and we also talk about her own path and books. Most recently Tilly and Crazy Eights was published and listed for Canada Reads 2021.

Elephant in the Room

(April 13, 2023) – Elephant in the Room) A pesky pachyderm is in the parlor and no one wants to talk about it.

Housing Solutions/Powering Our Future

(Airdate: March 13, 2023) This week Jim Burke talks with Liz Revord of the Housing Solutions Network to discuss the future of housing in Jefferson County. Then Him talks with Gary Nelson who, along with with Doug Rodgers, is leading a webinar from Jefferson County Library called “Powering Our Future- Energy Independence for The North Olympic Peninsula” which starts March 15, 2023 on This week Jim Burke talks with Liz Revord of the Housing Solutions Network to discuss the future of housing in Jefferson County, and with Gary Nelson who, along with with Doug Rogers, is leading a webinar from Jefferson County Library called “Powering Our Future- Energy Independence for The North Olympic Peninsula” which starts March 15, 2023.

Our Working Waterfront ~ 3/10/23

“Schooner’s Row” – four Tall Ships: Adventuress, Alcyone, Canadian sister ships Pacific Swift, and Pacific Grace

(Airdate: March 10, 2023) In this edition of Our Working Waterfront, co-host Eron Berg gives us an update on the multiple projects in progress and funding opportunities for further development here at the Port of Port Townsend. Then co-host Port Commissioner Pam Petranek joins KPTZ’s Chris Bricker as they explore the boatyard in search of Tall Ships. In a rare occurrence, six historic schooners were hauled out in the same window of time—a rare opportunity not to be missed! We speak with Skippers, a Mate, and Deckhands alike.

Brewocracy Now ~ 3/09/23

Co-host John Mauro is back from his break and reflects on what that meant for him as well as the excellent work of the city leadership team while he was gone.  We discussed city efforts to pay off some of our debt and why that is important.  John also talked about efforts by the city to coordinate the replacement of our pool including a planned public meeting “Healthier Together” that is coming up at the Fort Worden commons. on March 14.  Mark your calendars! (Note: Our planned guest, Monique Gray Smith was delayed due to travel problems and will be joining us next week)

Nature Now #609
Gray Whales

(Airdate: March 8, 2023) Join Nan Evans and John Calambokidis, whale scientist, as they discuss gray whale migrations from Baja California to the Arctic – how does that epic voyage benefit the whales? Recording the program from Mexico where she was visiting a gray whale breeding and nursery grounds, John helps Nan understand what she experienced. Plus, John and Nan ponder whether gray whales are actually friendly toward humans.

Jeffco Repair to the Rescue

(Airdate: March 7, 2023) What do torn sweaters, broken lamps and dull knives have in common? JeffCo Repair! Yes, Jefferson County Repair group, sponsored by the Port Townsend Marine Science Center, in partnership with Local20/20 Beyond Waste Action Group are invested in educating our community in how to assess repair options as well as providing modest repairs on a range of household items. Listen in as Missy Nielsen of Everybody Can speaks with Mandi Johnson of the Port Townsend Marine Science Center and Dave E, master fixer and volunteer about the opportunities to hang onto that beloved item, diverting it from the landfill.

County Public Health Report ~ 3/06/23

The following is a recording of the presentation during the Public Health briefings at this week’s Board of County Commissioners meeting made by Jefferson and Clallam County Public Health Officer Dr. Allison Berry. Also Willie Bence, Director of Emergency Management, gave a report. The summary below was provided by Jim Burke, producer of KPTZ’s Tuesday’s Local News.

Dr. Berry said that COVID-19 nationally and statewide is downtrending, and yet there are still over 500 deaths per day across the US due to COVID-19. 25,000 people have died in 2023 so far in the US and in 2022, COVID-19 was the third leading cause of death nationally, and the 6th leading cause of death in Jefferson County. Jefferson County Public Health reports that 44 new cases were added in the past week, so there have been 7,099 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began. No one is currently hospitalized, Unfortunately, we are reporting one death this week. The individual was in their 60s with multiple chronic conditions and not up to date on COVID-19 immunizations, bringing the total number of those who have died to 35 due to COVID in Jefferson County.