Our Town

(Airdate: October 1, 2024) Maryanne interviews Ann Rabb, owner of architectural design firm Greenpod. For over 20 years Ann has been studying how to design and build healthy homes. Her passion is how to make homes green and healthy. The construction field has changed dramatically over the past two decades. For example, it’s now possible to do away with concrete foundations by using 6-feet-long screws to attach the building. “SIPs” construction is also becoming popular – that stands for “structurally insulated panels.” Forget what you think you know about modular homes – a lot has changed. Ann is looking for “solutions for singles and seniors.” Port Townsend has newer regulations allowing two ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) on each property and has also approved tiny homes on wheels. Ann predicts both measures will help create more affordable housing. Her website — greenpod.design —showcases some possibilities.

(Airdate: September 17, 2024) Maryanne interviews Karyn Stillwater, a veteran yoga instructor who is now leading groups who are routinely jumping in the Salish Sea. It’s called “cold plunging” and Karyn is a proponent of the medical benefits of regularly dipping into icy water. There’s no set temperature for your submersion but it has to be cold enough to be downright “uncomfortable.” Her group meets down in the water off Fort Worden three times a week. Karyn’s training is with Dutch master Wim Hof. She’s about to do additional training in Poland with Wim Hof and will soon be offering more foreign-based workshops. She’s already offering some foreign wellness workshops (website: karynstillwell.com).

(Airdate: September 3, 2024) Maryanne interviews Neil Nelson, the newest member of the Port Townsend City Council. A Council member is moving so Neil was selected to fill out the remaining 18 months of that term. Neil is founder of the residential construction firm Piece Wurx. As a General Contractor he is acutely aware of the housing shortcomings in our community. For the past three years he’s been on the Planning Commission, learning the ins and outs of zoning and other building regulations. He wants to help streamline the process and hopes to accelerate the addition of multi-family buildings in PT. He describes himself as an “eternal optimist”. He wants to work with the Council to “find ways to say yes” to thoughtful development. Right now, he’s coming up to speed on all city issues, including our growing pothole epidemic.

(Airdate: August 20, 2024) Maryanne interviews Ellen Falconer, massage therapist and mindfulness coach. Ellen hopped through several careers before ending up here. She worked in radio for a while then studied marine technology and became an “ordinary seaman” for Arco Marine. Those four-months-long voyages at sea became rather long and somewhat tedious. She was then an EMT, worked in bakeries, and vet’s offices. She spent years as a sail maker culminating in a stint as director of the Wooden Boat Festival. She studied massage and became licensed. But along the way she discovered mindfulness training. She now teaches “mindfulness-based stress reduction” through Olympic Peninsula Mindfulness (olympicpeninsulamindulness.com). One lesson: “zebras don’t get ulcers.”

(Airdate: August 6, 2024) Maryanne interviews Mary Irwin, Senior Mediator & Interim Executive Director of the Peninsula Dispute Resolution Center (CDRC). Getting a divorce? Have a nasty landlord/tenant problem? Dozens of such reasons might send you to the non-profit CDRC. It can be quite affordable and they don’t turn anyone away for lack of funds. Even after years of mediating case after case, Mary still finds the work immensely rewarding. Every childcare plan is unique and every dispute can raise new twists on fairly old situations. Most people think their divorce or their wrongful termination tops most other conflicts. Perhaps — but the basic theme is the same. Still, conflicts evolve. For example, mediation wasn’t really necessary for vaccination decisions until the pandemic. Mediation continues to be quite common.

(Airdate: July 9, 2024) Maryanne interviews Tara McCauley, Executive Director of the Jefferson County Historic Museum, in downtown Port Townsend. She grew up on Vashon Island and at first thought she’d be a teacher. But her love of museums led her to discover a way to combine teaching with museums. After a couple of stints at Seattle-area museums Tara arrived here in 2019. She was only recently promoted to Executive Director and has an ambitious program of “reimagining” the museum. There are major changes now happening as she reshapes the museum to “integrate art and history.” Our museum will never be the same. Still, the artifacts from the rough and rowdy days of sailors and “ladies of the night” are safely tucked away in archives.

(Airdate: June 25, 2024) Maryanne interviews Jim Lopez, President of the PT Senior Association. Jim’s a Vietnam vet who used the GI bill to help get him through college. Then came a long career in business & finance. Oddly enough for a town that’s perpetually short on employment opportunities, a job offer lured him to PT. And what better place to retire? Many people confuse the Community Center with the Senior Association. It’s the Association that oversees everything from bingo games to a pool room. Organizations including AA, AlAnon, Disabled Vets, Photography Club, Computer Club all meet at the Center. Senior lunches are offered five days a week. But everything’s currently suspended for a couple of weeks while the building undergoes some renovation. It will all be back in July (contractor permitting)

(Airdate: June 11, 2024) Maryanne interviews Kevin Mason, local legend and musician, who is most recently known for his headline-grabbing “Raccoon Lodge” on Clay Street. When the 150-year-old tree in his yard was torn apart by PT’s notorious winds, he decided to create something worthy of our arts community. It was almost razed by city officials until there was quite a community outcry. Kevin is now a fixture singing dance tunes at the Concerts on the Dock. He also croons “classic vintage cocktail music.” But his background is much more colorful. His mechanical bent first led him to jobs repairing equipment. That somehow turned into a career designing fantastic nightclubs. Y2K ignited his fascination with computers. So he became a web designer. His love of music took a backseat until after he relocated to PT. Now he’s singing again.

(Airdate: May 28, 2024) Maryanne interviews Kim Rafferty, chair of the IDD (Intellectual and Developmental Disability Advisory Board). Public resources to handle such disabilities are extremely limited. For example, Jefferson County has only two adult family homes, each with the capacity of only eight residents. Kim has a son with intellectual disabilities. Her profession as a nurse helped guide her to find the best possible resources for him. Interestingly, identifying and beginning treatment before the age of three can be crucial for life-long development. Close to 40% of those who enter programs before the age of three end up catching up with their peers by the time first grade starts. Progress has been slow in creating programs for adults with disabilities. But some major companies – such as Safeway, Quimper Mercantile and QFC – have stepped up to the plate and now have job opportunities in place. Kim and her colleagues are looking to expand more resources & opportunities for those struggling.

(Airdate: May 14, 2024) Maryanne interviews Jefferson County Sheriff Joe Nole, the top law enforcement officer in Jefferson County. As a young man, his dream was to become a wildlife biologist. He was working for the Forest Service near Quilcene when he realized that a big part of that job was law enforcement — such as enforcing regulations that kept motorcycles out of the National Parks. Next stop was the Police Academy and he soon began a career with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department. He rose through the ranks and decided to run for Sheriff in 2018. Sheriff Nole is a big fan of newer programs that offer counseling and treatment in lieu of jail time. He would like to see more mental health professionals partnering with the police force.