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Home My WebLink About12(360) 379-5047 (email: citycouncil@cityofpt.us) www.cityofpt.us December 2011 City of Port Townsend From Mayor Michelle Sandoval Happy Holidays to all of you. As we enter this reflective time of year and think about our many blessings, I consider it my good fortune to live in this vibrant community. I would like to thank all of the volunteers who help this city thrive and to all the city staff who keep the city running. There is so much good that happens in our fine com- munity and it is important we take the time to cele- brate those accomplishments. I have written in this column before about how strong- ly I feel concerning the schools and that our kids are in need of our support. I am again turning my column over to a non-profit doing good work in the schools. Thank you Port Townsend and may we all have a healthy and prosperous New Year! “Jefferson County Farm to School Coalition (JCF2S) is a community-based non-profit organization working to improve the nutritional value of food served in Jef- ferson County Schools. JCF2S also operates the School Garden and Compost Programs that reach 500 students in Jefferson County. These hands-on garden classes teach horticulture, science, nutrition, history, environmental stewardship and enhance classroom success. Currently, all Grant Street classrooms, Quilcene classrooms grades K-8, and selected high school students participate in garden programs. Chimacum School students are also becoming in- volved. In 2010/2011 community support of JCF2S has been instrumental in: Continuing school garden educational programming at Port Townsend's Grant Street Elementary and Quilcene K-12 School Increasing Quilcene School's local food purchases by 10% Obtaining healthier breakfast options at Grant Street School Creating a Port Townsend School District Wellness Committee Achieving a new PTSD wellness policy which requires the reduction in highly processed foods, the inclusion of more fresh and whole foods and encouraging the integration of a school garden program with nutritional education Procuring Washington State Dept. of Agriculture training for school food service staff and local farmers Developing a new school garden and composting program at the Chimacum School Your support will sustain school garden programs and promote the work for healthier food choices for the students of Jefferson County. Learn how you can help the children and families in “growing our future” at Jefferson County Farm to School Coalition, P.O. Box 945, Port Townsend, WA 98368 or by visiting www.jcfarm2school.org. ” Port Townsend Public Library receives national STAR rating!!!! Library Journal’s fourth national rating of public libraries has named the PT Public Library one of “America’s Star Libraries,” a distinction based on level of service and expenditure category. (http:// www.libraryjournal.com/) The Library received a three-star rating (out of a possible five) based on service categories of circu- lation, visits, program attendance and public inter- net terminal use. Only 262 libraries across the na- tion received a star rating including three in the State of Washington. This star recognition highlights the Library’s high level of service delivered by a dedicated, profes- sional staff and demonstrates just how much the community uses its library. Congratulations Port Townsend Library Community Victorian Homes Tour Presented by the Victorian Society in America—Northwest Chapter. December 4, 2-8 p.m. Featuring three of Port Townsend’s most beautiful private Victorian homes: - James Stockand House c. 1887 - FW Hastings House c 1889 - Max Gerson Home c. 1889 Tickets are limited and can be purchased at http://www.victoriansociety-northwest.org/. Light refreshments will be served and holiday music will add to the ambiance at each home. Follow Me to PT Enjoy our Hometown Holidays Dec. 3 at 4:30 come join us for: Haller Fountain Community Treelighting and Santa Visit • Caroling with the Wild Rose Chorale • Santa’s arrival by vintage Fire Engine No. 3 • Holiday Sweepstakes winners announced! (Sponsored by the PT Main Street Program, the City Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, First Federal and participating merchants.) Dec. 15-23, many shops will be open to 7 p.m. Dec. 31, First Night Celebration downtown (www.jchsmuseum.org) For additional information on holiday events, vis- it www.enjoypt.com, www.ptguide.com, and www.ptmainstreet.org. Purchase a collectible Main Street Christmas ornament featuring Fire Engine No. 3 - on sale at select shops in Port Townsend. Happy Birthday PT Shorts PT Shorts turned fifteen last month. PT Shorts is a free hour long program of dramatic short readings held the first Saturday of each month from 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. in the Cotton Building and coincides with Gallery Walk. If you are interested in directing or reading for PT Shorts, please contact Catherine McNabb at 379-5089 or click on the PT Shorts banner at the KCPT website www.keycitypublictheatre.org. Art of Giving Friday, December 16, from 2 - 4 p.m. experience the "Art of Giving.” Come join us at the PT Library as we create wonderful seasonal crafts for sharing with family and friends. This program is a free family event, all ages are welcome. On Monday, December 19 join us for PT Library's Holiday Open House 2 - 5 p.m. Come and enjoy delicious refreshments and live music. Holiday Safety The winter holidays are a time for cele- bration, and that means more cooking, home decorating, entertaining, and an in- creased risk of fire and accidents. Google “holiday safety” and you will find tips to make your holiday season safer and more enjoyable. Among them: Don’t leave cooking unattended. It is the leading cause of home fires in the U.S. Take a moment to inspect strings of lights and hang them properly. Buy children age appropriate toys. Avoid trimmings that resemble candy. Poinsettias are known to be poisonous to humans and animals, so keep them out of reach of children and pets. If you are travelling for the holiday, make sure a trusted friend, neighbor or the police are keeping an eye on your house. First Night December 31, 2011 Celebrate New Year’s Eve at First Night where activities begin at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Decem- ber 31. It is an alcohol-free New Year’s Eve community celebration organized by Jefferson County Historic Society (JCHS) and sponsored by First Federal Savings and Loan. All activities take place in and around Port Townsend’s historic City Hall between 6-9 p.m. Visit www.jchsmuseum.org for a schedule of events and event passes.