About Port Townsend's Downtown Port Townsend

PORT TOWNSEND'S HAUNTED BUILDINGS

Port Townsend is a favorite place for some amateur ghost hunters, and their findings include 3 well known historical buildings. Using film, digital cameras, audio and video recording systems, and computerized surveilance gear they feel they can determine extra paranormal activity. They feel Port Townsend is one of the most haunted communities in the state of Washington.

The "Commander's House" at Fort Worden showed some "orbs" (not visible to the naked eye) in photograpy taken by a team of "ghost hunters" that visited Port Townsend in 2006. Built in the late 1800's and open to the public as a museum, this wonderful home overlooks the Parade Grounds at the fort.

Another rich field was the Manressa Castle (built in 1891) with many local ghost stories, surely embellished over the years, The group found a lot of unexplained activity in the attic and orbs have been photographed there as well. Some hotel guests have reported individual incidences ( a broken grandfather clock in the foyer that chimes, ghostly shapes and cold breezes.) Film crews come regularly to the former Jesuit seminary to photograph in hopes of finding some evidence.

The Palace Hotel (1889) is the favorite place of ghosts in the downtown area of Port Townsend. Average tourists have reported many stories of unusual activity ( a strange presesence) and employees have also seen or felt strange things at the hotel.

Atop the staircase is a large portrait of the Lady in Blue, a mournful, mysterious woman from decades ago whose legend paints her as having ties to a former brothel that operated at the hotel from 1925 to 1933. The spirit of the Lady in Blue is believed to leave the portrait to walk the Palace halls in search of a lost lover.

Happy Halloween!

Port Townsend 27th Annual Kinetic Skulpture Race

This event 10 years ago was one of my first clues about this kinky, funky little town, unlike any other! . No one had prepared me for the antics I was about to encounter, from the racers themselves, the event organizers, the Kinetic Kops and most of the towns people dressed in the strangest and most original costumes I had ever seen.

The race entrants must design and build a contraption, called Kinetic Sculptures, that will run on pavement, water and through mud bogs. They range from sophisticated and large to a bicycle enclosed in a banana shaped cover on pontoons or innertubes, and are run by teams in costumes that range from clever to twisted. Even more amazing are the spectators, dressed in whatever strikes them, the crazier the better. There will be 15 entries this year.

Events are non stop beginning Saturday with the Wannabe Parade down Water Street, where all people in costume are welcome to march down the street to the sounds of the Port Townsend Peoples Band. Next, comes the downhill ride to test brakes, then the water trials through the bay to test for sea worthiness. This takes place in any kind of weather with the exception of white caps on the bay.

Saturday evening there is the Koronation Kostume Ball (The Rose Hips Ball) held at the American Legion (the main fundraiser for the event) There will be dancing to music by the Turner Brothers, and admission is $15.00 Kandidates for Kween go on stage at 9:30 dressed in their zaniest costume with the theme this year: Unbirthday Teaparty. Kandidates must tell a joke, perform a talent, and offer a recipe. The Kween and her court will reign over the main event on Sunday and carry that prestegious title till next year. No cameras allowed, as "what happens at the Rose Hips ball stays at The Rose Hips Ball!"

Sunday is the big race day, beginning at 10:30 am.when the Skulptures line up; presentations at 11 am. and race begins at low noon. 1:30 Kwicksand at Fort Worden, 2:30 Dismal Bog at the fairgrounds, 5:30 post race ceremony at Legion Hall.

Rules are:

1. Mediocrity rules
2. Bribes are expected
3. Cheating helps

You know you have been here too long when all this seems very normal. Gotta run to get my costume ready!

The 10^th anniversary of the Port Townsend Film Festival is starting today, September 24 and will run through Sunday. The person most responsible for the success of our festival, director Peter Simpson passed away this year, and he will be sorely missed by the community, festival staff, and volunteers.

Described on the program as "a film lover's block party", Port Townsend is just the perfect venue for this celebration of great films and filmmakers. The main stage is in our beloved Rose Theater, with movies also shown at the Uptown Theater, The Pope Marine Center, and the Upstage.

The films are chosen by 12 Port Townsend Film Festival reviewers who screened 255 films this year to pick the 60 plus films that will be shown this weekend, some documentary, features and short films.

This year our celebrity guest will be Cloris Leachman, the Oscar and Emmy winning actress known for character roles and a long run on the Mary Tyler Show. There will be an evening with Cloris and she will be available for an exchange with the audience.

There is something for everyone, including free outdoor movies on the street in front of the Rose. On Friday night they will be showing one of my favorites as a kid, An American in Paris with Gene Kelly. There is a beer garden with drinks and light meals, and of course the best popcorn ever is served at the Rose.

The weather is perfect and I promise this will be a great experience you won't foget, so hop on a ferry and come on over!

Watch a video of storm surge downtown Port Townsend in February of 2007
My son shot this amateur footage the morning after a night of 70 mile per hour winds!

The storm destroyed a restaurant ironically named "The Surf"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tjld4ulvyx4

Jefferson Community School

Located in the heart of Port Townsend's historic district in the Templars Building this school appears to be thriving. The school is offering a unique choice that differs from our Port Townsend public schools in curriculum, philosophy and class size for students in grades 6 through 12.

As I wandered into the summer session one July afternoon, I was greeted by the director, Linda Maquire, who welcomed my questions and my camera. There were about 10 students enjoying a music appreciation class, with a teacher strumming a guitar and singing a Beatles tune.

There were other classrooms and conference rooms, including a computer lab.

The school emphasizes individualized education in small multi-age classes with a flexible curriculum, including field trips to other regions of the US and other countries. I was told (because I asked) that they were able to present both sides of the political spectrum to their students.

Tuition is around $7200 per year and you can get more information and an application from their website:

www.JeffersonCommunitySchool.com

http://www.porttownsendrealestatesearch.net/