About Jefferson County, WA

Port Townsend is experiencing our first real spring weather this week, and just in time for our wonderful Rhody festival. Always a great reason to spend a few days in this charming Victorian Seaport Village.

The festival was started in 1935 when a local businessman contacted the Hearst News Organization with an idea to film the rhododendrons in bloom as a part of their "short subjects" popular in movie theaters in those days. The business community then organized a Queen competition to have a group of young women in the photos. The townspeople could vote by spending money at local participating merchants.

The following year the American Legion liked the enthusiasm generated by the event and decided to go forward with an annual event which became the Rhody Festival we enjoy today. The festival has been going on ever since except for the war years of 1942-1945.

In the 1950's the Port Townsend Chamber of Commerce took over and more activities have been added until now it is a week long celebration. There have been golf tournaments, boat races, air show, cow chip throwing, bed race, trike race, beard growing contest, and more.

There was some talk this year of not having our Kiddy Carnival, but I see it is now being set up for Friday evening. Also on Friday will be the Fish Fry, and The Bed Races. Thursday afternoon will be the terrific Pet Parade for pets ranging from rabbits to goats and horses, and of course the family cats and dogs. The main event will be held early on Saturday afternoon: The Rhody Parade. Rhody Run will be held on Sunday morning.

Coming up next Sat. April, 30th. here in Port Townsend, Wa. 10:00 to 4:00. Price of ticket in advance is $14.00. One very wonderful kitchen on the tour is in the old Cracker Factory building in the historic downtown area. Current owners have done a major remodel on this wonderful old building that still has the original oven in the brick walls. This is worth the price of the ticket.

The property has potential for views of the straits & is located next to Seaview Estates & the neighbor hood of Bell Street. Lots of new & wonderful homes in both areas. This property can be developed into 4 lots with road and utilities coming from Cook avenue. Maybe put your home on one and sell the others???? Offered for $239,000. NWMLS #105513.

Last week Port Townsend had a public discussion on "Affordable Housing" sponsored by the local paper, with the idea of brainstorming on how to build homes the average working person in town can afford. The average income here in our county is below $50,000 and most family size homes are priced above those people's qualifications to buy. Not to mention lack of funds for a down payment.

Our local newspaper, The Port Townsend Leader's front page was all about "Affordable Housing" last week, with MLS photos of examples of what your income could buy you here in Port Townsend, and articles re: the problem. We have a very active chapter of Habitat for Humanity here in town, but they can only do so much. The city has acquired a few lots for construction of lower priced homes, but otherwise not much has been accomplished over the years here in Port Townsend.

Right now, prices are heading in the right direction (down) to help solve this problem, but it occurs to me that people have to learn to live with a bit less. Maybe not every child can have their own bedroom and bathroom ( I shared a bedroom with my sister for all of my childhood, and our house had only one tiny bathroom and I am relatively ok today), and folks will have to get by with a smaller home and forgo a new granite filled kitchen. What we really need is more jobs paying a good living, not more government intervention.

On April 29th there will be a tour of the available commercial/retail space available for lease or sale in the Historic Uptown district. There are approximately 28 - 30 vacant storefronts in Port Townsend right now , and several empty buildings.

This is a great time to start your own business, or move or enlarge your existing business with rents low and many choices available, and perks such as free rent for several months, or other incentives.

The tour begins at Mount Baker Block Building at 213 Taylor Street at 4 PM.