Point Wilson Lighthouse Dedication and Open House
It was an appropriately wild and stormy day at the end of last month which marked the Dedication of the Point Wilson Lighthouse. The program started with a moving blessing and song by members of the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe, by which time the wind had abated and blue sky appeared. The event was both touching and informative particularly as this was my first visit to the lighthouse. There was also representation from the Coast Guard, Washington State Ferries, PT City Council among others. I felt honored to be asked to help out with four of our Centrum volunteers for house tours and parking. Becky Berryhill, Centrum’s Youth Program Manager was also introduced and is looking forward to Lighthouse involvement in her future programs. Sounds like a perfect match! If you’re interested in volunteering for the Point Wilson Lighthouse, volunteers are needed in many areas including house tours, restoration and maintenance, grounds maintenance, fundraising and public outreach. Volunteering or not, I highly recommend a visit to the lighthouse which is open at weekends through the winter.
Thanks to you volunteers for helping out recently at the Lighthouse Dedication and the Madrona dance concert, and of course to everyone who helped out at Jazz back in July. Your efforts were much appreciated by all. Even though there were four or five of us helping out recently, a little seems to go a long way! Here’s hoping that we’ll be back into our usual routine next year. Concert and event announcements about in person/virtual/hybrid formats will be made during the first quarter of 2022. Watch this space and keep your fingers crossed. In the meantime, there is still plenty to keep you occupied so check out the offerings below and seek out more!
Creative Aging Conference
Friday, December 10th, 2021 9 am – 3 pm PST online
The Frye Art Museum and Centrum present the 2021 Creative Aging Conference, a virtual program designed for lifelong learners and professionals from diverse disciplines. Rooted in a discussion of compassion and empathy, the conference will focus on how we care for ourselves, each other, and the natural world. Speakers from multiple disciplines and life experiences will offer perspectives on the many ways we seek and build connections across time, culture, and language.
Please click here to read about this outstanding selection of speakers and for more program details including registration.
PT Marine Science Center
“Southern Resident Killer Whales:
Status, Trends, Solutions”
Sunday, October 17, 3 p.m. via ZOOM Free
The southern resident orcas that frequent Puget Sound are unique in the world and one of the most ancient and intelligent animal societies on Earth. In this talk Lynda Mapes, environment reporter for the Seattle Times and author of the newly-released book Orca: Shared Waters Shared Home, will explore and explain the natural history and biology of the southern resident orcas and what makes these families of orcas in our midst so special. She will explain the risks that threaten their survival, and discuss solutions to this extinction crisis.
Lynda V. Mapes is a reporter at the Seattle Times, where she specializes in coverage of the environment. Over the course of her career she has won numerous awards, including the international 2019 and 2012 Kavli gold award for science journalism from the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the world’s largest professional science association.
The lecture is online and free but please RSVP to receive the Zoom link.
A worthwhile challenge!
Disability Mobility Initiative Kicks off Week Without Driving
October 22 – 29, 2021
Next Friday, Disability Mobility Initiative will launch its inaugural Week Without Driving.
What is it like to try to get around your community without driving yourself? For people who can drive, and can afford a car, this isn’t something you think about. But for nearly a quarter of the people in our state – people with disabilities, young people, seniors and people who can’t afford cars or gas, this is our every day.
You can see more of Disability Rights Washington stories in this KIRO7 segment, and if you haven’t checked out their story map and research paper, now’s your chance!
#WeekWithoutDriving isn’t a disability simulation or a test of how easy it is to find alternatives. We know that it is far simpler to give up your keys if you can afford to live in a walkable area well served by transit, or can outsource your driving and other transport and delivery needs to other people. Instead, this is a learning experience to inform the decisions our leaders make about land use, climate, health equity and transportation access and funding.
Help Disability Rights Washington get the word out!
Life Long Learning….it never stops
As always, there are numerous ways to keep the creative juices flowing and mind and body active right on your doorstep. Click on the links to register for courses at Northwind Art (formerly Port Townsend School of the Arts) Madrona and Peninsula College.
I’ll leave you with a tuneful memory of beforetimes as well as a time to look forward too! I had the pleasure of listening to Centrum faculty, Jonathan Doyle and Matt Weiner (and Kit Stovepipe, not featured below) playing at FinnRiver last weekend. Live music – love it!
Please stay in touch and feel free to drop us a line. We love hearing from you!