KPTZ 91.9 FM Radio Port Townsend

Max Grover Exhibit at Northwind’s Grover Gallery

KPTZ honors Northwind Art, bringing the transformative power of art to our community and showcasing the talents of artists including Port Townsend’s own Max Grover whose exhibit “New Paintings, Old Drawings” can be seen August 5th through 29th at the Grover Gallery in downtown Port Townsend. This body of work is a combination of oil paintings and drawings that have never been exhibited before, including a newly framed portfolio of ink and white out pieces Grover has been working on since the beginning of the pandemic. For more information to view class offerings and exhibits visit Northwind Art.

County Public Health Report ~ 8/09

The following is a summary 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, along with Dr. Tom Locke, who has stepped back to serve as Deputy Public Health Office. Also Willie Bence, Director, Director of Emergency Management, gave a report. The summary was provided by and used with the permission of Jefferson County Government.

County Health Officer Dr. Allison Berry said the Jefferson County’s COVID-19 numbers are not looking good; now there’s a case rate of 197/100,000 – the highest numbers reported during the pandemic. She said “Hospital Strain” is real, emphasizing that all healthcare workers should be vaccinated. Berry said this is a critical phase of the pandemic and there is a high risk of overwhelming our healthcare system.

Breakthrough infections represent 10% of the positive cases reported in Jefferson. The cases are mild, and none have transferred to others. Berry said that there is recurring misinformation spread about the vaccine. It does not affect pregnant women or their fetus. “COVID-19 is dangerous on mom and on pregnancy itself,” she said. “If you are thinking of getting pregnant, get vaccinated.”

Dr. Berry said that a masking requirement is likely in our future given our capacity limitations in indoor spaces. COVID-19 tests are available at Jefferson Healthcare’s drive-through testing station and at Jefferson County Public Health. Test kits are available at local pharmacies and online. If you feel ill, please get tested.

Given the expected hot weather later this week, Emergency Management Director Willie Bence said that cooling shelters will be open in south county. Information will be available via NIXLE, this county Facebook page, reader boards, and newspapers. To receive notifications from NIXLE: text jeffcodem to 888777.

Submit your Public Health questions to Dr. Allison Berry by emailing [email protected]. Note: The weekly deadline for these to be submitted is on Fridays at noon, to be answered at the following Monday’s BOCC meeting.

Len Enders

(Airdate: June 25, 2021) Len Enders is a visual historian.

Nhatt Nichols

(Airdate: June 25, 2021) Nhatt Nichols is the Leader’s cartoonist.

Jonathan Evison

(Airdate: June 11, 2021) Jonathan Evison on his new novel and general musings.

Will O’Donnell

(Airdate: June 11, 2021) Will O’Donnell and Michelle Sandoval with a therapy session.

PT Marine Science Center buys the Flagship Landing

(Airdate: August 9, 2021) Larry Stein speaks with Janine Boire, Exec. Director of the PT Marine Science Center, about their recently announced purchase of the Flagship Landing building on Water Street. Over the next 4-5 years, the Marine Science Center will move its offices, exhibition space, and most activities to this 130-year-old building on Water Street. The current Fort Worden location will remain part of PTMSC, focusing on field work and education programs.

Compass for 8/07/21

As a virulent new strain of the COVID-19 virus invades the Olympic Peninsula, this week on the Compass we talk with public health officials Dr. Allison Berry and Dr. Tom Locke about the particular danger the Delta variant presents to unvaccinated people, and the unprecedented threats public health officials have faced as they try to assure the safety of the community.

Jefferson County July 2021 Case Numbers

This graph shows the monthly and cumulative number of COVID-19 infections reported in Jefferson County, from March 2020 through July 2021. Data source: Jefferson County Public Health Department website, graph created by KPTZ.

As of July 31, 2021 the total number of COVID-19 cases in Jefferson County was 520. This due to an increase of 70 cases in the past month, a significant increase from 34 new cases last month, due to the Delta Variant.

Community Tides ~ 8/06

In this edition of Community Tides, KPTZ’s Chris Bricker and Siobhan Canty talk with Daniel Ferland, who teaches band and orchestra at Port Townsend High School. (He also serves as Fine Arts Coordinator for the Port Townsend School District. But there’s another hat that he wears, as well.) Dan joins us to discuss his role in an exciting program called YEA Music (Youth Education in the Arts). Its mission is to provide music opportunities to the youth of east Jefferson County that include instruments, instruction and performance. He explains the teaching philosophy upon which the music program is based (El Sistema), tells us about the faculty, and enlightens us about future plans for the Program.

Donate NowRadio Connects Us All!

Currently Spinning on KPTZ