(first airdate: April 12, 2016) Our Town Host Maryanne McNellis interviews Dave Timmons, Port Townsend’s City Manager. Timmons walks a tightrope of expectations from gentrification to housing trusts that could somehow make affordable housing a reality instead of a vision. It’s not an easy job – it was so tense when he first took over that his dog would literally growl when anyone spoke the words “city manager.”
(first airdate: March 29, 2016) THE HAUNTING SOUNDS OF SINGING BOWLS. Our Town Host Maryanne McNellis interviews Ron Myhre, owner of one of Port Townsend’s most eclectic shops – The Curator’s Eye. His tiny closet of a shop, tucked under the Bishop Hotel, houses many mysteries including Tibetan “singing bowls.”
(first airdate: March 15, 2016) GASOLINE, GROCERIES & GROWLERS. Our Town Host Maryanne McNellis interviews the ambitious young entrepreneur P.D. Sandhu, president of Pacific Liquors. P.D. purchased both the Chimacum gas station (aka Templetons) and the Port Hadlock Liquor Store. He’s all about customer service and is combining the two franchises into a venue where you can gas up, buy chicken and even shop for liquor. It’s a very California concept where the liquor stores really are the convenience stores.
(first airdate: March 1, 2016) WOULD YOU LIKE FRIES WITH THAT, DEARIE? Our Town host Maryanne McNellis interviews Sam (Sandra) Johnson, a long-time waitress at Don’s Pharmacy’s Soda Fountain. Sam spills the beans about the regulars lingering on “their” particular stools and dishes up dirt about the alternative “city council meetings” held at Don’s every Saturday morning.
(airdate: February 16, 2016) DANCING ON THE ROOF TOPS OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. Our Town Host Maryanne McNellis interviews Jordan Eades, co-owner of Hope Roofing and the new President of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce. Jordan and Zack Eades are young professionals who bring tremendous energy to the business scene. They love a good party too.
(airdate: February 2, 2016) WHO DO YOU CALL WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT? Our Town Host Maryanne McNellis interviews Jim Parker, the head of Public Utility District #1. Jefferson County voters chose a PUD over a for-profit electric company but it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. Still, 98% of our electricity now comes from non-carbon sources.
(Airdate: January 18, 2016) THE FLUID WORKPLACE OF THIS CENTURY. Our Town host Maryanne McNellis interviews Frank DePalma and Heather Dudley Nolette, founders of The CoLab, a shared workplace for people who are “location independent.” Sometimes telecommuting from home or a coffee shop is not all that business-like. The CoLab is an innovative professional workspace serving a diverse community of entrepreneurs.
FEAST WITH YOUR EYES FIRST. Our Town Host Maryanne McNellis interviews culinary legend Daniel Knudson on the best and worst of holiday feasts. Knudson, who is currently a fixture at Key City Fish, reveals secrets to the perfect (or more perfect) holiday meal.
Our Town host Maryanne McNellis interviews Amanda Mulholland, the new Director of the Jefferson County Farmers Market. Amanda grew up in PT, but it was her stint in Uganda with the Peace Corp. that focused her passion on safe, sustainable food. She’s had elaborate gardens and raised chickens at home. But running the Farmer’s Market gives her scope to broaden her mission, taking our Farmer’s Market to the next level.
Our Town Host Maryanne McNellis interviews Jessica Wall, a young, ambitious banker with First Federal. Wall says that banking is one of the few industries where you can start at age 18 with no degree (as she did) and work yourself up into the executive ranks. This single 20-something also manages find time to to play and party in Port Townsend.
