Red Barn music and barbecue open house set

Colleen Slater, KP News

New program directors Laura Condon and Jeremy Schintz pose in front of the Red Barn Youth Center. The center is hosting an open house Aug. 9. Photo courtesy of Glen Ehrhardt

The Red Barn Youth Center hosts SPLASH, an open house celebration featuring music and barbecue sandwiches, on Aug. 9 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Two new program directors will be on hand to meet and greet the public and show off the Key Center facility.

There is a whole host of entertainment slated.

The Key Peninsula Youth Orchestra opens the schedule at 11 a.m., and at noon, the Rusty Roots Band will perform. The Bluegrass Minstrels, including members of The Rusty Roots, begins at 1 p.m. Following them at 2 p.m. is Solarplex, a local trio of strings and drum.

Stunt Doubles Band from Seattle, the final musical group, plays genre fun rock from 3-5 p.m., sponsored by Crime Stoppers through Dan Wilson at Allstar Guitar in Gig Harbor.

According to organizers, The Skit Chicks Comedy Team will entertain between the musical groups and chef Oliver Coldeen’s famous barbecue sandwiches plus chips and cole slaw will be available for a donation.

“It is amazing what can happen with a little faith,” said Glen Ehrhardt, vice president of the Red Barn Youth Center. “We were seeking one qualified person (for program director), but two equally qualified applicants were uniquely suited for the position.”

Both applicants, with different but complementary skills, were hired.

Laura Condon, a graduate from the University of Texas at El Paso, College of Education, majored in interdisciplinary studies and minored in middle grades education. She is licensed in English language arts and reading/social studies and in pedagogy and professional responsibility. Her student teacher training in middle school included eighth-grade English language learners.

Jeremy Schintz, a trained professional marriage and family counselor, has 15 years of experience as a counselor and subcontracted employee through agencies like Child Protective Services and other organizations. He has engaged with clients, professionals and community resources, law enforcement and other contacts to achieve goals of treatment or participate in legal proceedings.

The Red Barn Youth Center is located at 15921 84th St. KPN, just south of the Key Peninsula Library in Key Center. For information, visit redbarnkp.org or call 884-6255.