County library district receives $10k grant

The Jefferson County Library District has been selected as one of 240 libraries nationwide to participate in an American Library Association (ALA) initiative that provides community engagement and accessibility resources to small and rural libraries to help them better serve people with disabilities.

The competitive ALA award comes with a $10,000 grant that will help the Library District in Port Hadlock add a wheelchair lift to their Bookmobile to make it ADA-accessible. Adding a lift to the Bookmobile will enhance accessibility for individuals with disabilities, allowing them to enjoy library resources and services in their own neighborhoods. The project aligns with the Library District’s mission of serving all Jefferson County residents, regardless of their abilities or limitations.

Installation of the lift on the Bookmobile is expected to be complete by the end of the year. 

Since 2014, ALA’s Libraries Transforming Communities initiative has re-imagined the role libraries play in supporting communities. 

AAUW honors local artist

and activist

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) is celebrating its 75th year in Port Townsend, and this year is recognizing women of the global majority who live and work in the region, adding to its rich community culture.

For the month of March, the AAUW honors Cecilia Flickinger, a local artist and activist. Flickinger is originally from Guam, and she and her husband have lived and volunteered in the Port Townsend community for many years. She is well-known for her weaving, acrylic and watercolor paintings, and foil embossing artwork. Flickinger is also a passionate activist, calling upon all people to “flip the switch of our old ways of thinking.” She became more vocal after the death of George Floyd, and upon seeing the hardships endured by immigrant families at U.S. borders. Flickinger said she is passionate about public education concerning colonization and the imperial militarization of the Pacific, and past and ongoing harm to the land and people of Oceania. “What is our collective story? Who do we want to be, and how do we want to be in community with each other?” Flickinger asks.

Peninsula College and Jefferson Healthcare offer sponsored CNA class

Peninsula College, in partnership with Jefferson Healthcare, has announced the offering of a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) class in Port Townsend, with tuition fully covered for all enrolled students for the spring quarter.  

The Certified Nursing Assistant class provides comprehensive training and practical experience, and represents an investment in healthcare education and community service by the Peninsula College Foundation. 

Classes will be held April 4 to June 7 at Fort Worden, with clinical sessions designated at Jefferson Healthcare to provide an immersive learning environment. Class capacity is set at 10 students to ensure personalized attention for each student. 

Applications for the program are due April 3, and students must have completed vaccination requirements, including tuberculosis screening, urine drug screening, and vaccinations for hepatitis B, COVID-19, influenza, measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis and varicella. 

Jefferson Healthcare is designated as the primary clinical training site, offering access to specialized facilities and equipment beyond what Fort Worden can provide. 

The full tuition sponsorship by the Peninsula College Foundation requires no additional conditions beyond enrollment, attendance, and meeting the entry requirements of the program. This effort reflects the Foundation’s dedication to advancing healthcare education and creating career pathways for graduates. CNAs are essential in various healthcare settings, and this program aims to equip students with skills for effective patient care.

Those interested in learning more about the CNA class, the application process, and other details may contact Kate Dexter, nursing program specialist, at kdexter@pencol.edu.

Kiwanis host volunteer work party celebrating 75 years

The Blue Heron Middle School and OCEAN School Campus is getting a boost from the Port Townsend Kiwanis Club this spring. 

To celebrate their 75th anniversary, Port Townsend Kiwanis is hosting a volunteer work party followed by a community celebration for all to attend. 

Club members, Blue Heron students, East Jefferson Rivals girls’ softball team and parents will start at 9 a.m. to create a welcoming garden in front of the OCEAN school office, a bench and garden in front of the main office, improvements to the softball field dugouts and changing rooms, and artwork for the track and field fence with positive messages selected by students. Others may volunteer to help with the work by contacting the Kiwanis Club coordinator shown below. 

A free lunch will be provided by the school to all volunteers and at 2 p.m. a community-wide celebration will commence to celebrate 75 years of service by Kiwanis and honor their partners. 

Port Townsend School District is a longtime partner of PT Kiwanis. Youth in Port Townsend and surrounding communities have benefited from the local Kiwanis club through service projects and fundraisers such as Backpacks for Kids, Christmas for Children, Toys for Tots, Stars of Tomorrow, Dinner & A Murder Show, Classic Car Show, Touch-a-Truck, 7th Haven Playground, Teen Leaders Awards, Haunt Town, and college scholarships for high school seniors. 

“The Port Townsend Schools are honored to have been chosen for the Kiwanians’ 75th anniversary project,” said Port Townsend Schools Superintendent Linda Rosenbury. “We are so appreciative of all their support over the years. Our staff has been partnering with their members to plan campus upgrades at our middle school that involve students and community members. We look forward to an intergenerational day of service that has a long-lasting impact on everyone who enjoys the Blue Heron/OCEAN Campus.” 

Call Melanie Bozak at 360-531-1329 or email mabozak@gmail.com to learn more or RSVP for the March 16 event.