Election coverage

The first ballot count for the Nov. 4 election comes out after The Leader goes to press on Election Day. 

For local election coverage and preliminary results, check The Leader’s website after 8 p.m. on Election Day. 

Comprehensive coverage will be published in the Nov. 12 edition. 

Golf park lease extended

City Manager John Mauro, in an Oct. 22 letter to the Friends of the Port Townsend Golf Park Board of Directors, formally extended the lease of the golf park through 2046. 

“Thank you for demonstrating that you have successfully completed all of the phase one metrics, sent a thorough Business Plan by the August 1st deadline, complied with all quarterly report financial requests, and have demonstrated the golf course will be a financially sustainable operation,” Mauro wrote, saying the lease has been unaltered. “Thank you also for a collaborative approach to your informative and well-received presentation at the recent city council meeting.”

Mauro reminded the board of Section 11 of the lease, which details each party’s role in any improvements made to the property. 

“We look forward to continuing to strengthen our partnership as we work to serve the current and future Port Townsend community with equitable access to a treasured golf park and open space,” Mauro concluded. 

Library book sale

Head on down to the Jefferson County Library on Nov. 8 to stock up on books ahead of the dark and rainy season. 

The Friends of the Jefferson County Library are hosting their fall book sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. that Saturday at 620 Cedar Ave. in Port Hadlock.

The sale promises hundreds of books across many genres, with most hardbacks priced at $1 and paperbacks at $0.50. 

Held three times throughout the year, the book sales “are a great opportunity to mingle with our neighbors and find some special buys – especially this close to the holidays,” said Dale Hagen, president of the library’s support group of volunteers. “We urge our book-loving friends in Port Townsend to join us.”

Claire Noland, a Friends volunteer who directs the sale, said this year there will be a substantial array of cookbooks and art books. 

Paying members of the Friends of the Jefferson County Library get early access to the sale at 9:30 a.m.  

At 2 p.m., the Friends will kick off the popular bag sale, with visitors filling a shopping bag to the brim with books for just $5. 

Overflow parking is available at Chimacum Creek Primary School, with access through a pedestrian gate in the fence. 

Whale talk

The Port Townsend Marine Science Center will host whale biologist Dr. Fred Sharpe at its “Future of Oceans” lecture series at 3 p.m. on Nov. 16 at the Wheeler Theater in Fort Worden Historical State Park. 

His talk will focus on what can be learned from the sounds of humpback whales off the coast of Southeast Alaska near Five Finger Lighthouse. 

Sharpe, who holds a doctorate from Simon Fraser University, has been researching whales since 1987. He received the Fairfield Award for Innovative Marine Mammal Research and the Society for Marine Mammalogy’s Award for Excellence in Scientific Communication. He is also the co-author of Voyaging with the Whales. 

The event is free, but donations are welcome. 

Alpine workers wanted

The Hurricane Ridge Mountain Operations Team seeks individuals who enjoy working in an alpine setting. 

The team will host a hiring fair on Nov. 8 at the Vern Burton Community Center in Port Angeles from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Those interested in learning more should bring identification, employment authorization and their Social Security number. 

Minors are welcome to apply at the event, but must bring a parent or guardian.