Port Townsend, WA

Port Townsend is a special place for any golfer. Temperate climates, only 19"of rainfall and very few days with snow on the ground, plus 15 hours of daylight in summer makes a perfect environment for year round golf. There are two courses in Port Townsend, and many more in the surrounding areas within a 30-45 min. drive. Both clubs have organized play, both mens and ladies groups, plus special events and tournaments all year long.

Port Townsend Community Golf Course

1948 Blaine Street

The location in the heart of town makes for easy access in your golf cart from most of Port Townsend. This nine hole, public course is open year round, and you can walk the course if you prefer. Fees range from $12.50 for 9 holes to $25.00 for 18 holes, with money saving passes and special rates for seniors and junior players.

The scenery is outstanding with views of Olympic Mountains, a small lagoon with beautiful fowl, and lovely trees. There is a pro shop and café, covered parking for your cart and a good driving range.

DISCOVERY BAY GOLF COURSE

The oldest golf course in the state of Washington (previously known as the Chevy Chase Golf Course) this course is located just 5 miles outside Port Townsend on Discovery Bay. This is a serene and lush setting with 18 holes, beautiful greens, water and mountain views surrounded by forests of tall evergreens.

Fees range from $18 for 9 holes to $32 for 18 holes on weekends. You are allowed to walk or you can use a cart, or pull cart. There is also a café and lovely deck overlooking the grounds and the bay.

www.discoverybaygolfcourse.com

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I live around the corner from this project and yet knew nothing about it. I was walking my dogs and came upon a class of Port Townsend High School seniors taking a field trip to see this experimental garden which will be grown with less water than normal farms. This farm is located in an area know as "Happy Valley" which is sheltered from the wind, and has sunshine all day.

The land belongs to a Port Townsend citizen and was donated for this project. The crops are varied and planted in rows with white wooden markers. There are 19 varieties of wheat, 18 varieties are a trial for Washington State University. Wheat is the most widely cultivated plant in the world. There are also rows of flax, corn, barley, oats, amaranth (which has 16% more protein than corn, rice or wheat) and millet, a relatively new grain for Americans (used for bird seed ). I also saw some very beautiful and tall Sunflowers.

Harvesting will be in July, August and September. Hopefully, we will have some news on how the experiment went and what was produced.

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Incredible and unique center for the arts

Over 30 years ago some visionary citizens had an idea of a better use for the old, sprawling 1890's army base on the waterfront in Port Townsend called Fort Worden. This was the beginning of Centrum, a unique center for education and enjoyment of the arts, serving local citizens and visitors from all over the world. The facilities of Fort Worden include many buildings that were barracks, officers quarters, shops, hospital, theater, chapel, along with bunkers, acres of forest with trails, and a gorgeous shoreline with lighthouse. It is also home to award winning Copper Canyon Press, Goddard College and a Woodworking School. There is also a relatively new conference center and Coffe Shop. (If you saw the movie "An Officer and a Gentleman" you will have seen many of the grounds and buildings, as that movie was filmed in Port Townsend").

Entrance to Fort Worden on Cherry Street Wheeler Theater

Centrum operates in co-operation with Washington State which owns the site,WA State Art Commission, Dept. of Recreation and Parks, and Department of Public Instruction. It relies on benefactors donations, fund raisers, grants, and thousands of volunteer hours to carry out it's programs.

This years Centrum Volunteer Job Fair Inside the tent with cookies and assignments

Workshops on writing, dance, music, and theater are held throughout the year many with festivals and/or performances at the end of the weeklong study. The workshops are taught by master artists from around the world and the performances at the end of the workshop week are simply wonderful.

This past week we enjoyed the annual Fiddle Tunes workshop and festival. Over 500 workshop participants took part in a 5 day workshop, performances on the green on Friday which is free to all, a Cajun and Swing Dance, a concert Saturday night before the fireworks.

This is the Mcurdy Pavillion and if you look closely you will see it is the original balloon hanger. Big and drafty and not insulated, but it is a great venue for large crowds. This is where the main stage performances take place, with fairly good acoustics and even a dance floor.

Coming up this month we will have Jazz Port Townsend, workshop, stage performances and my favorite, Jazz in the Clubs where artists perform in our local clubs in small and intimate settings. The last week of July brings us the Blues, workshops, performances and Blues in the Clubs.

If you are going to be in the area in July you can go to www.centrum.org for a schedule of performances. You will hear some great music in an awesome setting.

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Chief Chetzamoka was head of the local Clallum Indian Tribe. In 1851 he befriended the white settlers who came to Port Townsend, and this gorgeous park was dedicated to him. Chetzamoka is one of my dog's favorite words, right up there next to "beach".

Chief Chetzamoka !860's photo of Clallum Indians on the beach

Located on the waterfront with incredible views of Admiralty Bay, the Cascade Mountains and the San Juan Islands this 10+ acre park has something for everyone. A favorite place for weddings, reunions, etc. Views of covered arbor, park and bandstand, flora and pond.

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Bandstand for concerts, weddings and other celebrations.

Pond and flora

Shakespear in the Park stage Kitchen and Butterfly gardens

Sandy on bridge over creek Pathway leading to the beach. Just a short walk to Water Street

Great spot for watching the cruise ships and regattas.

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Summer has arrived in Port Townsend just in time for our favorite "Festival of American Fiddle Tunes". Held at Fort Worden, and produced by Centrum, this week long workshop is taught by experts and professionals in the field. This is the 33rd year and attendance is expected to be approximately 500 students; culminated with performances in the McCurdy Pavillion and in our downtown clubs.

This Saturday, the Fourth of July we will have a Performance on the green.

Workshop session Performance on the green Performer

The workshops are held Monday through Friday with total immersion in the regional folk styles.

Weekend performances are given in the large McCurdy Pavillion, Saturday afternoon on the greens at McCurdy Pavillion, and Thurs. through Saturday nights in the Clubs in downtown Port Townsend. Also on Saturday night there will be fireworks at Fort Worden presentd by our local Rotary Club.

Coming later in the month will be "The Blues Festival" probably the most popular and well attended, and my favorite the "Port Townsend Jazz Festival". Our summer will be full of music and happy visitors.

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