Local News for 4/08
Buskers on the Block
KPTZ celebrates The Port Townsend Main Street Program who present Buskers on the Block through the month of May, bringing live music and performance to Port Townsend’s historic districts every Thursday and Saturday at 2pm – at the Tyler Street Plaza, Haller Fountain, and other locations, to be announced. These small-scale performances are part of the “Love Where You Live” campaign. More information and a schedule here.
Nature Now #509
Springtime in the Quimper Corridor
(Airdate: April 7, 2021) Celebrate Port Townsend’s natural treasure, the Quimper Wildlife Corridor, with Nan Evans. Nan and her guests take listeners on a virtual field trip looking for the first signs of spring. Special guests are Sarah Spaeth, Director of Conservation and Strategic Partnerships with the Jefferson Land Trust; and local naturalists Wendy Feltham, Geoff Hammerson, and Chloe Lampert. (Pre-recorded as part of the Jefferson Land Trust Conservation Breakfast in March 2021)
Local News for 4/07
KPTZ Exclusive ~ 4/06
Students for Sustainability Take Action
(Airdate: April 6, 2021) This student-led organization is dedicated to taking action to mitigate climate change not only at the local level, but also advocate for changes at community and state levels. These students have pressed legislative changes such as the straw ban and have presented their work to aspiring Washington state middle school students also committed to protecting the environment. Listen in as co-presidents Lochlan Krupa and Hailey Gallagher, discuss with Missy Nielsen of Everybody Can their legislative efforts towards an “idling ban” as well as their plans for a demonstration native garden. Join us!
Everybody Can airs alternate weeks on Tuesdays or Thursdays, in the noon hour.
#174 Summer Races Are On
(Airdate: April 6, 2021) DANIEL EVANS: BOSS SAYS SUMMER RACES ARE ON! Our Town host Maryanne McNellis interviews Daniel Evans, Race Boss for the Northwest Maritime Center. It looks like our beloved R2AK (Race to Alaska) is cancelled again due to the pandemic. But here’s the good news: two other summer races look like they are happening! The Seventy/48, the human-powered race between Tacoma and Port Townsend, will start on June 4. That’s 70 miles in 48 hours. And there’s a new race too. The Washington/360 will cover 360 miles of all Washington state waters in an engine-less race. Right now its unclear how much on-shore partying will happen around the races. But the Maritime Center has an elaborate online system where you can track the boats (and Stand-up Paddle boards) in real time, 24/7.
Silent Request for Your Support
A year ago we all entered a Twilight Zone episode where, from one day to the next, life changed profoundly. As the COVID-19 virus spread exponentially around the world, we isolated ourselves from community, friends, and even family. In isolation we watched, horrified as the death toll rose to unbelievable levels, in part due to a paralyzed federal government. Many of us suffered the wrenching loss of family or friends to the pandemic.
Yet it is now spring, and with the widespread distribution of vaccines there is a palpable feeling of hope in our community. It’s almost like spring has entered our hearts, allowing us to believe we have surpassed the worst period many of us have experienced in our entire lives. We yearn for things to return to normal, though it is unclear what normal life will be; we shall have to define the new normal, together.
Silent Request for Your Support
A year ago we all entered a Twilight Zone episode where, from one day to the next, life changed profoundly. As the COVID-19 virus spread exponentially around the world, we isolated ourselves from community, friends, and even family. In isolation we watched, horrified as the death toll rose to unbelievable levels, in part due to a paralyzed federal government. Many of us suffered the wrenching loss of family or friends to the pandemic.
Yet it is now spring, and with the widespread distribution of vaccines there is a palpable feeling of hope in our community. It’s almost like spring has entered our hearts, allowing us to believe we have surpassed the worst period many of us have experienced in our entire lives. We yearn for things to return to normal, though it is unclear what normal life will be; we shall have to define the new normal, together.
Throughout the past year KPTZ has, through the dedication of our small staff and many volunteers, operated as close to normal as it could. In fact, I am so proud of how the station grew its presence in the community by:
- becoming the main local conduit for COVID-19 information via Dr. Locke’s weekly updates to the county and city councils,
- broadcasting important local meetings,
- hosting John Mauro for City Manager weekly access to the public,
- expanding daily local news, as well as offering National Native News.
The pandemic has had a transformative impact on fundraising for KPTZ, as it has for many non-profits. Forced to abandon traditional biannual on-air fundraising weeks (which may be a relief to many including myself) we have shifted to short on-air appeals and even “silent” requests, reaching out to you directly for support.
This is one of those silent requests for your donation.
One major drawback of traditional community radio on-air drives is that it conditions listeners to think they should give once a year, which distorts our income, whereas expenses are constant. That is why we encourage you to become a sustaining donor, to convert your giving to a monthly payment, just like you probably do for other media sources. As a sustaining donor I do not have to wonder if it is time for me to donate because I know I am doing it regularly. And, it allows me to consider giving extra when I receive an appeal like this one.
Federal stimulus payments to you could help KPTZ.
I recognize that there are many unprecedented needs in our community, and that the many organizations working to meet those needs could put better use to the stimulus checks I receive than I can. So I have been fortunate to be in a position to redirect those funds to causes that matter to me. If KPTZ matters to you, and if you financially do not need your stimulus check, please consider using it to stimulate us! Yet just as importantly, think about the impact your giving can have on other worthy organizations.
Thank you very much for your support.
Cheers,
Robert Ambrose
President, KPTZ Board of Directors
Host, Rhythm Connection (Tuesdays 1-3pm)
Photo credit: Allan Bruce Zee
Allan Bruce Zee Photography
County Public Health Report ~ 4/05
Today, April 5, Jefferson County Public Health Officer Dr. Tom Locke shared his assessment of the pandemic in Jefferson County and answered questions submitted by KPTZ listeners. Department of Emergency Management Director Willie Bence also gave an update on current Emergency Operations actions, in light of the most recent developments.
Click here to read complete notes on today’s briefings
Submit your Public Health questions to Dr. Tom Locke 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.
