Fort Worden State Park

Easter Brunch at Fort Worden

The Commons at Fort Worden will be hosting an amazing brunch on Sunday, April 4, from 10am to 2pm.

You and your special guest(s) will enjoy a selection of local, fresh, and sustainable goods; a carving station with regionally grown and sustainable roasted meats, an omelet station, Pane d’ Amore bread and pastries, cage-free scrambled eggs with Beecher’s Flagship White Cheddar cheese, organic potatoes, waffles and French toast with warm maple syrup and cheese blintzes.

In addition, the brunch will showcase local cheeses, locally grown vegetables and salad greens, homemade dressings, and house made breakfast items.

Bon Appetit indeed!

Please call 360-344-4441 for reservations.  The Easter Brunch is $21.95 per person. Children 4-8 years old are half price, and children 3 and under are no charge. Parties of 8 or more will be charged 18% gratuity.

Woodworking School Open House - March 7th 2010

The Port Townsend School of Woodworking opened its doors in March 2008. Two years on, they are thriving! 

Sunday March 7th from 11:00am - 6:00pm, the School will be hosting an open house. You can see the facilities and meet the founders. We're told that local faculty members will also be on hand for you to get to know.

An array of demos will be presented during the day (we'll announce the detailed schedule nearer the date) so you can learn about Gypsy Wagons, Coopering, Turning, Hand Tools and some advanced furniture making techniques.

The School is in the process of transforming into a non-profit; the directors will be on hand so you can find out more and learn how you can help.

For more information, visit the Port Townsend School of Woodworking's website, or call them at 360-344-4455.

Latest Research on Tracking Blue and Humpback Whales

Recent studies are revealing secrets of blue and humpback whale migrations and underwater behavior. Using new tags attached with suction cups, this work is providing a unique view into the underwater lives of these giants – as well as the threats they face. 

John Calambokidis, a research biologist and co-founder of the Cascadia Research Collective will discuss the latest research on whale tracking. In addition to photographs, John’s talk will feature new footage taken from the back of a blue whale.

His presentation will be part of the Port Townsend Marine Science Center's Annual Meeting, which will be held at February 20, at 4pm at the Port Townsend Yacht Club. Admission is free to PTMSC Members, $7 to non-members.

Brad Matsen Speaks About Jacques Cousteau

Twenty years ago, maritime writer Brad Matsen hung out at the Port Townsend Marine Science Center, where he became acquainted with the Pacific spiny lumpsucker, one of the Center’s smallest attractions. That visit turned into “Shocking Fish Tales,” a classic little book about the wonders of the Northwest marine environment. Since then, Matsen has become a celebrated maritime writer, with books on salty topics ranging from commercial fishing to the sinking of the Titanic.

On February 13 at 4:30pm, Matsen will read from his new book: Jacques Cousteau: The Sea King - a highly-praised biography of the famous ocean naturalist. Matsen will be available for a book signing following the presentation.

When: February 13, 2010 4:30 pm
Where: Northwest Maritime Center, Maritime Heritage Building
Admission: $10, $7 for PTMSC and NWMC members. To register, call 385.5582 ext. 104.

Salsa Dance Intensive Featuring Roger Chen and Century Ballroom

A 4-Day Latin/Salsa Dance Retreat - March 18-21st

Come to Fort Worden for our first-ever Salsa Dance Intensive, running concurrently with Centrum's Latin Jazz Intensive, March 18-21, 2010.

Madrona MindBody Institute is joining forces with the Century Ballroom in Seattle and Centrum to bring together a great group of dance faculty who will ignite your love for this dance form.  This is a 4-day salsa dance dream - housing and on-campus options are available.

The Intensive will offer Salsa classes On1 and On2 for both intermediate and advanced dancers. Roger Chen of MamboHustlers will teach On2 while the Century Ballroom instructors will teach On1. Each day will start with a footwork and styling class for all levels.

There will be three intro classes offered over the weekend called “dancing outside the box” to expand your dance repertoire – we’ll be teaching West Coast Swing, Bachata and one still TBA. The weekend will include daily classes plus three nights of dancing, culminating on Saturday with a live band!  In addition to a variety of Salsa classes, there will be a special session led by the music faculty for the Latin Jazz Intensive on hearing and understanding Latin rhythms.

Beginning level evening (open to public) classes will be held on Friday and Saturday Nights, and we'll hold a smokin' Salsa Dance Party on both Friday and Saturday nights (9pm-2am open to the public), DJ'd with Seattle's favorite - Victor Chavez. Visit the Salsa Intensive site for more information, schedule, preview instructors, cost and to register or call 360.344-4475.

Ruth Zaporah and Action Theater Improvisation

Madrona MindBody Institute, Fort Worden's well-being and moving arts center, delights in bringing Ruth Zaporah and her improvisational physical theater practice, Action Theater, to Port Townsend for a special 4 day retreat March 25-28th, 2010.

Action Theater:
The Improvisation of Presence

This workshop is for the novice as well as the experienced; all those who relish living in a human body and like to move.

Through action participants learn about the present moment - how to be here, unveiling themselves to themselves, one moment at a time, one moment leading to the next. This awareness in action invites the possibilities of freshness intrinsic to improvisational action. These 4 days of method offer a map, a way to proceed.

Ruth Zaporah is a New Mexico based performance artist, director and teacher. She is internationally known for her innovative work in the field of physical theater improvisation, and is a two time recipient of National Endowment Choreography Fellowships. She was recently selected to be a U.S. Cultural Envoy.

Call 360.344.4475 or visit Madrona MindBody's website for full details and to register. The retreat is limited to 25 participants, and 4 work-trade scholarships are available.  Housing options are available.

Grunt Sculpins at Port Townsend Marine Science Center

If you want to stay on top of happenings over at the Port Townsend Marine Science Center, consider subscribing to the Port Townsend Marine Science Center Blog.

Focusing especially on the science that takes place at the Center, the blog is a great resource for students of marine science as well as those of us just wishing to know a bit more about the world around us.

Their current post focuses on the Grunt Sculpin. It's not a band...it's a fish...and eggs are hatching right now.

Fort Worden State Park Holds Silent Auction of Unclaimed Property

Fort Worden State Park has scheduled an auction of unclaimed property, pursuant to Washington State Law.  

The silent auction will be held on Dec 5th from 12 noon to 3 pm in the Chapel.   People can preview the auction items from 10 am to noon to preview and to register for the auction.  Bidding will begin at noon and go until 3 pm.  All sales are cash only.

A yummy bake sale, free coffee, and free money saving coupons to Fort Worden partner organizations will be available.  Other items, not part of the auction, including slate and old military odds and ends will also be for sale

Each year, Fort Worden collects hundreds of items that have been left behind by guests and visitors.  These items are stored in our lost and found room for at least 60 days.  If no one claims these items before sixty days, the items are eligible for auction or donation.  The process allows the park to dispose of the accumulated unclaimed property.  This is the first year that the Fort is conducting an auction of these items.  Proceeds from the sales will go to the parks’ renewal and stewardship account.

Items that will be auctioned include jewelry, bikes, helmets, books, cell phone accessories, clocks, blankets, assorted electronic adapters, camera, footballs, toys, kitchen and house wares, beach towels, glasses, shoes and sandals, coats and jackets, and lots and lots of clothes.

View the complete list of items online through December 4, 2009, or in person at Fort Worden customer service office in Building 200 from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm daily.  Claims against the property listed on the auction block must be made in writing to Fort Worden State Park prior to Dec 4, 2009.  You will be required to fill out a property claim form and return it to the park office prior to Dec 4, 2009.

Fort Worden State Park makes no guarantee or warranty, expressed or implied, of any nature as to the condition of the goods offered for auction.  Any questions, please contact the park office, e-mail FWadmin@parks.wa.gov, or call 360.344.4400.

Woodworker's Ball 2009

Break out that black tie, pull on those Carhartts, dust off the woodshavings, and put on your dancing clogs (or boots)!

On Saturday, November 28, The 2009 Woodworkers Ball celebrates two years at Fort Worden and the launch of the new "Port Townsend School of Woodworking and Preservation Trades."

The doors will open at the Fort Worden Commons at 6:30pm. We'll have an hour of happiness from 7-8:00pm with a light jazz accompaniment. Serious dancing to the music of Seattle's Brickhouse Show Band starts at 8:00pm.

Tickets are $20 per person, or $30 per couple. You can purchase tickets online at the Woodworking School's website.

For more information, contact the School at 360-344-4455, or visit their website at http://www.ptwoodschool.com

Holiday Celebrations Are Delicious at Fort Worden

Whether it's a holiday or corporate party, a family wedding celebration, or a pull-out-all-the-stops grand holiday gala, the amazing culinary team at Fort Worden works with you to create a unique custom event perfectly tailored to your needs.

Our artful creativity and passion for fine locally-grown food makes it possible to fully customize made-from-scratch menus, featuring the best seasonal ingredients. We seek out local growers and producers, procuring the freshest regional food available to ensure that we serve only the best at your event.

To begin planning your event, view our holiday menu, or for more information, contact the Bon Appétit at Fort Worden catering department 360.344.4441.