Podcasts

County Public Health Report – 6/06/22

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. The summary below was provided by and used with the permission of Jefferson County Government. Also Willie Bence, Director of Emergency Management, gave a report.

COVID-19 case rates remain high in Jefferson County, according to County Health Officer Dr. Allison Berry, but they seem to be plateauing. She told Commissioners today we have an 18% positivity rate, with a case rate of 823/100,000. There has been no surge in hospitalizations. “It’s interesting that we are seeing very, somewhat different patterns than what we’re seeing in the rest of the country,” she said. “Much of the rest of the country has experienced a surge in hospitalizations. The Northeast, the South and Midwest were really hit hard by a surge in hospitalizations. But in Jefferson and Clallam Counties, we really have not seen that. And that is most likely due to the very high rates of vaccination we have in our communities.” Dr. Berry said she’s hopeful that “we are moving truly into a more endemic phase of this virus. Now variants can always throw a wrench in those plans. But so far, we are moving into a more hopeful direction.” She recommends that everyone continue to wear masks in indoor settings.

Submit your Public Health questions to Dr. Allison Berry and to Willie Bence 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.

Outdoors, on Foot in Secret Gardens and on Bikes on Vancouver Island

(Airdate: June 6, 2022) This edition of Attention Please! begins with a short interview about the Jefferson County Master Gardeners Foundation’s Secret Garden Tour. The second part of the show is about bicycle touring and camping on Vancouver Island.

Community Tides ~ 06/03

On alternate Fridays, KPTZ’s Chris Bricker and Siobhan Canty, President & CEO of Jefferson Community Foundation, connect with special guests to discuss fresh ideas, new paradigms, and the “new normal” as we navigate into the future here in Jefferson County. On today’s show, we’ve gathered a wonderful panel to bring us the good news about affordable housing here in our communities. Joining us are Heather Dudley-Nollette, Director of Development, and Mike Moore, Director of Housing and Asset Management for Bayside Housing & Services; Jaime Maciejewski, Executive Director for Habitat for Humanity East Jefferson County; and from Housing Solutions Network, Carla Main and Steve Moore. There’s a lot happening, and the panel’s here to describe the current dynamic panorama of returns from community investment, involvement, and political will. Then we talk about the work ahead and how you might want to get involved!

Brewocracy Now with John Mauro ~ 6/02/22

Today on Brewocracy Now KPTZ host Taylor Clark and City Manager John Mauro discussed the following topics: the hiring of Emma Bolin to be the new Director of Planning and Community Development; the Edge Lane Road Pilot Program on Blaine Street; and how to use the City’s inquiry website.

#201 John Clise, Renaissance Man

(Airdate: May 31, 2022) Our Town host Maryanne McNellis interviews John Clise, a man who embraced and enjoyed several different careers over his first 90 years of life. John grew up in Seattle, served as a translator in the Korean war and finished his undergraduate degree at Stanford. After returning to the Pacific Northwest, he spent some years in his family’s business. He was working out of an office at the Pike Place Market, which at that time was under threat of developers turning it into offices and condos. John was part of the group that successfully “saved” Pike Place by getting its historic designation. He went on to become Executive Director of Pike Place for nearly a decade. Looking for a new adventure, John decided that Port Townsend would be his next home base. He soon realized that he had to find a career on the Olympic Peninsula. He found out that the venerable Aldrich’s Market was teetering on the brink of insolvency. So he bought it and owned and operated Aldrich’s for years. During that time he also turned to local politics — serving on Port Townsend City Council and becoming Mayor in an era before the town had a City Manager. The job was much different than it is today. At some point John thought he might retire. He sold the store and completed his mayoral duties. But he’s not exactly one to sit back and take in the view. He was soon mentoring small businesses and became a versatile actor with Key City Players, playing everything from kings to monsters. He also volunteered and became a key part of the team at KPTZ-FM. What’s next?

Nature Now #569
Marine Mammal Stranding

(Reprise Airdate: June 1, 2022) Host Debaran Kelso is joined by guests Betsy Carlson of the Port Townsend Marine Science Center and Dr. Fred Sharpe of the Alaska Whale Foundation for a discussion about marine mammal stranding in our area (Part 1 of a two part program).

Bakers Rise to the Challenge

(Airdate: May 31, 2022) Community Loaves Founder Katherin Kehlri joins Missy Nielsen of Everybody Can to share the story of how passionate bread bakers produce fresh baked bread for their communities in need throughout the Puget Sound. Listen in and learn about the newest “Hub” located here in Port Townsend.

Sustainable Community Access

(Airdate: May 30, 2022) Attention Please begins this week with a discussion of Car Free Day on June 1, the work of Students for Sustainability at Port Townsend High School and Local 2020. The second part of the show presents the work of Accessible Community Advisory Committee.

Through Science to Health ~ 5/27/22

In our final regular edition of Through Science to Health, KPTZ host Chris Bricker speaks with Dr. Christine Skorberg, Medical Director of the Women’s Health Clinic at Jefferson Health Care. While in search of a new and all-inclusive name for the Clinic, her colleague, Dr. Asif Luqman, suggested its new appelation, OB/Guyne Clinic. Dr. Skorberg discusses her philosophy of relationship-based medicine, which is centered on listening, honest conversation, and respect for patients including all races, sexual orientation, situations, and lifestyle. She describes the panorama of care and guidance that ranges from birth to vintage years and covers the services offered at the Clinic. Chris would like to acknowledge his former co-hosts who have provided their expertise, insight, and talent at different times over the course of our program’s run: Kate Keenan and Lynn Sorensen. A big Thank You from the Heart for your earlier contributions to the show!

Brewocracy Now with John Mauro ~ 5/26/22

Today on Brewocracy Now KPTZ host Taylor Clark was joined by City Manager John Mauro and special guests Nation West, City Manager of Port Angeles, and Matthew Huish, City Manager of Sequim. They discussed the importance or regional collaboration and the efforts they have made to advocate for communities on the Northern Olympic Peninsula.