(Airdate: October 31, 2021) Cris Wilson is delighted to talk to Lyanda Lynn Haupt about her latest book, Rooted: Life at the Crossroads of Science, Nature, and Spirit. This book is a philosophical and personal exploration into the ecology of the Pacific Northwest. It is truly a celebration and guide for us all to find wonder and belonging.
Compass Tour of KPTZ Studios at Fort Worden

(Airdate: October 30, 2021) After a decade of working in the cramped quarters of a former portable classroom at the Mountain View Commons, KPTZ will soon be moving into a spacious new facility in what is said to be Fort Worden’s first building. This week on the Compass, we tour the new studios as the remodel nears completion, and talk about the importance of community radio and the opportunities the move presents.
Community Tides ~ 10/29
Japanese families have a prominent history on the Olympic Peninsula. Joe Kawamoto, until his recent death, owned a picture-perfect farm, north of Quilcene on US 101, and just north of Lake Leland. Joe’s wife, Margie, decided to sell the farm. Enter the Jefferson Land Trust, and the efforts of Margie and family to preserve this historic dairy and farm, owned and farmed by the Kawamoto family for the last 100 years. To tell us more of these efforts and of the sale, Blaise Sullivan, the Jefferson Land Trust’s Stewardship and Conservation Coordinator, and Sarah Spaeth, the Trust’s Director of Conservation and Strategic Partnerships, join Siobhan and Chris for an enlightening and paradigm-shifting conversation about the process.
Brewocracy Now with John Mauro ~ 10/28
Today on Brewocracy Now, KPTZ host Tim Quackenbush and City Manager John Mauro discussed the upcoming Town Hall regarding the Sim’s Gateway project, along with the importance of public input into project planning. John Mauro explained the relationship between the Hearing Examiner and the development approval process in Port Townsend, along with an overview of the City’s finances.
Email your questions in advance to [email protected].
Skillmation
(Airdate: October 28, 2021) Where Community Members and Students Engage and Innovate. Have you been looking for a tangible, time-constrained, and highly impactful opportunity to volunteer? Skillmation might be the organization for you. Skillmation, focused on connecting community members with a legacy of wisdom and expertise to those seeking mentorship and networking, is launching new programs in the Port Townsend School District. Listen in as Missy Nielsen of Everybody Can chats with Gary Smith, Subject Coach Lead and Ben Bauermeister, board member and “mentor wrangler,” as they describe the opportunities to connect with students. They offer insights and support through the Food Innovation Program for 9th graders. Folks with deep knowledge in sciences or physics can find additional opportunities to connect with these students through the newly launched Subject Coaching Program. Join us to learn more.
Local News for 10/28/21
Tom Melancon Candlelight Concert
KPTZ partners with Trinity United Methodist’s Candlelight online Concerts to present a special concert on the radio featuring singer-songwriter Tom Melancon. Half of the donations from Mr. Melancon’s concert will be given to the Society of St. Vincent De Paul East Jefferson County, whose mission is to respond to the emergency needs of people in our community by offering financial assistance and referrals as necessary. Tune in to KPTZ on Thursday, October 28 from 7 to 8pm for this live event. More info and link to watch the live stream at Trinity United Methodist Church’s website.
Tom Melancon is a songwriter, performer and recording artist from Seattle, Washington. Tom grew up in Northern Nevada and played bass guitar with several local bands in Reno, earning notice as an accomplished live performer, recording musician and songwriter. Since moving to the Pacific Northwest over 20 years ago, Tom has continued to play bass guitar with local bands, but also started turning his focus more to songwriting and solo performance. Tom joined Mark Huff from Nashville, Tennessee on several PNW tours in 2016 and 2017. In 2019, Tom started taking voice lessons from Alicia Dara and formed his current band American Flats with local musicians Scott Hutchins, Mark Wooten, and Andy Spath. American Flats is quickly earning a reputation as a hard-hitting Americana and Rock band, playing local venues and working on a new recording project with Johnny Sangster from Crackle and Pop Studios.
When Tom plays solo, he brings a mixture of the hard-hitting Americana that American Flats delivers along with other heartfelt Folk-Rock songs that he’s written and recorded. The vibe is dusky vocals with a hint of the open spaces of Nevada and the heartbreak of being alive in a complicated world.
City Council Candidates Forum Available for Viewing

Anyone unable to attend the October 7 Port Townsend City Council Candidates Forum can now view the video of the candidates for Position 1: Cameron Jones and Ben Thomas – and Position 5: Tyler Vega and Libby Wennstrom – via a link posted at https://www.lwvwa.org/Jefferson or on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uG2mNm241u8. The League of Women Voters encourages all voters to watch the forum, view the candidates’ websites, and read their responses to written questions on Vote411.org prior to voting.
The League of Women Voters of Jefferson County sincerely thanks moderator Renee Klein, co-sponsor (the American Association of University Women-Port Townsend), and media partner (KPTZ 91.9 FM, Port Townsend’s Community Radio) for their support of the forum. They are equally grateful to local filmmaker Dennis Daneau, who edited and produced the video. For additional information, contact the League of Women Voters-Jefferson County at [email protected].
Ballots for the November 2 election will be mailed starting October 13 and must be turned in by November 2. New online and mailed-in registrations to vote must be received by October 25. In-person registration at the Jefferson County Courthouse is possible during business hours through November 2. See the Jefferson County Elections website at https://co.jefferson.wa.us/1266/Elections for more information on deadlines and ballot box locations.
Jefferson County has an Accessible Voting Unit located in the Courthouse, next to the Auditor’s Office. Access is available weekdays from 8:30am to 4:30pm. Election Day hours are from 8:30am to 8pm. Questions: 385-9119. Or email [email protected].
Hood Canal Oyster Initiative
(Airdate: October 27, 2021) Coastal Café host Aaron Barnett spends the morning with a group of middle school students working to help the native Olympia oyster. The Hood Canal Shellfish Initiative Implementation Project is focused on advancing a custom-fit strategy for restoration of Olympia oysters in Hood Canal. With data collected by these middle schoolers, the initiative hopes to create detailed “restoration prescriptions” for potential growing sites.
Nature Now #539
Ecological Benefits of Community Forests
(Reprise Airdate: October 27, 2019) Erik Kingfisher and Carrie Clendaniel from the Jefferson Land Trust join Nature Now host Nan Evans at Valley View Forest south of Chimacum to talk about the ecological health of forests, optimizing ecological and human benefits from a “community forest’, and recent activities at Valley View.









