COVID-19 Update on Mon, Dec 14th *Update*
The Weekly COVID-19 update with Jefferson County Public Health Officer, Dr. Thomas Locke at today’s meeting of the County Commission. To watch live or recorded videos of the entire 9 a.m. Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting, including the 9:45 a.m. COVID-19 update, go to the website for videos of meetings. You can choose “Streaming Live” or, if viewing later, “Recorded.” You can also listen live to Dr. Locke at 9:45 a.m. on KPTZ or later on the KPTZ home page. And see below, in Community Notices, how to be COVID S.M.A.R.T.!
Local 20/20 Council Meeting – Wed, Dec 16th *Online*
The monthly Local 20/20 Steering Council meeting is open to all and welcomes those interested in active involvement in Local 20/20 leadership. Newcomers are always welcome. If you’d like a virtual orientation, please email Marlow. For online meeting information, contact Mark.
Time: 4-6 pm Location: Zoom meeting
Tiny Home Communities as Supportive Housing – Wednesday, Dec 16th *Online*
Jefferson County’s housing crisis is going from bad to worse as the economic impact of COVID-19 hits. This webinar demonstrates why Tiny Home Communities are an effective, sustainable solution to the housing affordability crisis. This webinar on supported, self-governing tiny home villages for the unhoused and housing precarious features a presentation on Bellingham’s Unity Village by co-founder Doug Gustafson. A panel discussion follows with Gary Keister, Executive Director of Bayside Housing; Josh Castle, Director of Community Engagement for Seattle’s Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI); Jesse Thomas, co-founder of the Community Build Project constructing 12 tiny shelters; Barbara Morey, housing advocate and Joint Housing Task Force member; and Brian Thompson, who gives a hand up to fellow tenters through advocacy and teaching survival skills. Register here. Send questions here.
Time: 6:30-8:00 p.m. Location: Online.
Coffee with PT City Manager John Mauro on KPTZ – Thurs, Dec 17th
Brewocracy on KPTZ this week from 12:10 to 12:40 pm. Discovery Road DJ host Tim Quackenbush hosts Port Townsend City Manager John Mauro in a live broadcast that encourages productive dialogue. John takes questions that listeners call in to 360-215-7270 during the 12:10 to 12:40 p.m. broadcast. You can also email questions to Tim Quackenbush. See the KPTZ event page here for links to join the Zoom meeting. Or simply tune in to KPTZ at 91.9 FM. Check KPTZ for the schedule, and find recorded conversations on the Discovery Road page.
Shy Acre Farm 1st Annual Winter Solstice Celebration – Thurs-Mon, Dec 17th-21st *New*
In celebration of the longest hours of darkness, all are invited. Community participation is central to creating an abundant display of light on the hillside. Tell your family and friends! You can sign up here (click on calendar day) for a private, self-guided exploration of the farm and a labyrinth pathway of luminaries. After signing up, we will send you luminary-art-making tips, a cultural history of the winter solstice, and directions to the shadow art play kit. People are encouraged to contribute luminaries by placing along the path during your visit. For more information, you can email Shy Acre Farm or go to their website.
Discovering the Forest Online Series with Jefferson Land Trust – Fri, Dec 18th *Online*
Jefferson Land Trust is offering a new class (an offshoot of the popular Nature In Your Neighborhood program) once a month to learn about community forests: how we can tell if they’re healthy, ways we can ensure they thrive, and how a forest’s abundance can nourish our community. This monthly series from November through February will feature a variety of local community members who will guide these events. Visit the website here for more information and to sign up.
Time: 4-5:30 pm Location: Online
Sign Up Now for WSU Extension’s Online Home Horticulture Class this Winter *Online*
Would you like to be a better gardener? Learn more about soil, composting, diagnosing plant problems, growing fruit and vegetables, and much more at the WSU Home Horticulture course online this winter. The wide range of topics will be taught by WSU faculty, staff, Master Gardeners, and other regional experts. Saturday mornings, January 9 to April 24 (excluding April 3), 2021 from 9:00 a.m. to noon.
Students will have access to the WSU Extension online Master Gardener Training Modules and the Master Gardener manual. There is the option to earn a Home Horticulture Certificate by completing assigned homework and quizzes. Please note: if you are interested in using this class as a step to become a Jefferson county Master Gardener, please contact Bridget Gregg for details. Tuition for this comprehensive course is $300.
Register here . Spaces are limited and registration will close on December 18th or when the class is full, whichever comes first.
Port Townsend Farmers Market – Sat, Dec 19th
This is the last Port Townsend Saturday Market until the spring! Come between 10 am-2 pm. Hours for online store pickup are 10am-noon.
You can place your order online here from 5:30 pm Tuesday through 1 pm Thursday and pick it up at the Port Townsend Community Center from 10 am-12 pm on Saturday. There is an option for bike delivery of online orders from the farmers’ market. Find out morehere. Don’t forget your mask!
Due to Covid-19, the Farmers Market will not be able to offer it’s festive conclusion of Holiday Market. Many of the market’s artisans, food producers, and farms are adding items to the Online Store. We will be offering a discount in the store the week of December 13th-19th, to celebrate the season and help you find your holiday gifts!
Time: 10 am-2 pm Location: Uptown, Tyler Street.
Give Jefferson through Dec 31st. *New*
For over 60 years, United Good Neighbors has championed local organizations that provide for the basic human needs of individuals and families. Your donation to Give Jefferson supports frontline efforts delivering food, shelter, healthcare, education, and hope to our neighbors most in need. All donations this year will be matched by All in WA, a statewide relief effort supporting families and workers impacted by Covid-19. Every dollar donated stays in Jefferson County. Give Jefferson helps our community weather uncertainty and recover from crisis!
Washington Climate Assembly Livestreamed – Tues, Jan 12th *New* *Online*
The WA Climate Assembly is a virtual event convening 80 Washington State residents in January 2021 to learn about, discuss, and recommend climate change solutions for consideration by the State Legislature. Assemblies have been used worldwide to help shape the work of governments, and this virtual event will focus on climate mitigation strategies that equitably support communities disproportionately impacted by climate change. Assembly members will be chosen through a lottery to accurately represent the state in terms of demographics such as age, race/ethnicity, geographic distribution, and political perspectives. The event will be live streamed and recorded starting on January 12, 2021 via Zoom and available for subsequent viewing on the WA Climate Assembly’s website and YouTube channel.
To learn more visit WA Climate Assembly. Join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #WAClimateAssembly.
Taming Bigfoot Is Back! – Sign up by – Fri, Jan 22nd
The hugely popular and engaging “Taming Bigfoot” community carbon footprint reduction competition is returning. Perhaps you participated last time (5 years ago). Perhaps you heard about it and wanted to participate next time. Perhaps you are new to this and want to learn more. Visit here for more information and an application to form and/or join a team. Teams are forming now. Applications are due January 22, 2021. Find out how you can be part of this next competition and invite friends to join too! Have fun working on our elusive BIG carbon FOOTprint!
This is a subset of the full announcements. Read the full version, including Community Notices and Resiliency Readings.
