Community briefs (May 8, 2015)

Published 4:27 pm Thursday, May 7, 2015

Septic Sense workshop offered in Bremerton

BREMERTON – Kitsap County residents are invited to a free workshop to learn how to keep their septic systems working well and lasting longer. Well maintained septic systems will save homeowners money and keep bacteria and nutrients out of local creeks, lakes, and Puget Sound.

The workshop will be held May 12 at Green Mountain Elementary, 3860 Boundary Trail NW, in Bremerton.

This free event runs from 6-8 p.m. and will include information about:

• How septic systems work.

• Best ways to care for them.

• How to detect if a system is failing and what to do next.

• Low interest loan programs for septic repairs.

• Attendees will also receive a free “green” cleaning kit (one per household).

• Refreshments provided.

“Just like maintaining your house, e.g., the roof, the furnace, or a coat of paint, your septic system also needs to be maintained,” said Eva Crim, Kitsap Public Health District. “We can help you by providing information on what you can do to take care of your septic system investment.”

Registration is required and space is limited. Register today at: http://septicsense.bpt.me or call 360-337-7157 ext. 3244.

Learn more at www.cleanwaterkitsap.org.

Harrison offers free skin cancer screening

SILVERDALE – Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. More than two million people are diagnosed annually with skin cancer. Harrison Medical Center, a part of CHI Franciscan Health, is holding a free skin cancer screening on May 9 at Harrison HealthPartners clinic in Silverdale to help educate the community and raise awareness about the dangers of skin cancer. A team of dermatologists will provide screenings, answer questions and provide tips on cancer prevention.

The screening will be held Saturday, May 9, from 8 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. at Harrison HealthPartners Family Medicine and Dermatology, 9927 Mickelberry Road, Suite 131, Silverdale.

To register call 1-866-844-WELL (9355) or visit harrisonmedicalcenter.org/events.

State Parks offers three ‘free’ days

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will offer three “free days” this month and next month. Visitors will not need to display a Discover Pass for day-use visits to state parks on May 10, June 6, and June 13.

Free days are in keeping with legislation that created the Discover Pass, a $30 annual or $10 one-day permit required for vehicle access to recreation lands managed by Washington State Parks, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Department of Natural Resources. The Discover Pass legislation provided that State Parks could designate up to 12 “free days” each year when the pass would not be required to visit state parks. Discover Pass is required on WDFW and DNR Lands on State Parks free days.

The remaining 2015 State Parks free days are Aug. 25, Sept. 26 and Nov. 11.

Silverdale Friends of the Library book sales.

SILVERDALE – The Silverdale Friends of the Library will hold their monthly book sale on Saturday, May 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Hess room of the Silverdale Library, located at 3450 NW Carlton St. in old town Silverdale.

The popular Monday sales will be held on May 11 and 18 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be no sale on Monday, May 25 (Memorial Day) when the library will be closed.

There is always a need for books and media in good used condition. Donations may be dropped off at the library during regular library hours. Proceeds from the book sales go to support library programs that serve all Central Kitsap residents.

Learn more about Social Security

SILVERDALE – Donald Logan, a financial advisor in Silverdale, is sponsoring “Understanding Social Security” from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 28 at 2416 NW Myhre Road Suite 102 in Silverdale. For more information, call Logan at 360-692-1216.

Business forum tips and tools

PORT ORCHARD – The Kitsap Business Forum will present “Business Hacks: Tricks, tips, tools and resources you’ll wish you had known sooner!” on May 12. David Bryant Mitchell, PMR Business Coaching and Consulting, will lead a panel discussion. The panel will consist of Megan May, business research expert at Kitsap Regional Library; Tom Eckman, lecturer for innovation and entrepreneurship at the University of Washington; and Kathy Cocus, business development director at Kitsap Economic Development Alliance.

Attendees will walk away with new resources, ideas on how to easily reduce costs, and ideas to make themselves and their teams more efficient and effective.

The forum will be held at Park Vista Senior Living, 2944 SE Lund Ave. in Port Orchard from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. There is no cost to attend.

RSVP to 360-692-6800, or go online to register at http://KitsapBusinessForum.com.

Bonsai show May 8-10

Evergreen Bonsai Club’s annual show will be take place in Center Court at the Kitsap Mall in Silverdale during mall hours Friday, Saturday, Sunday, May 8, 9 and 10. Trees on display will be by local artists as well as internationally known artists. There will be frequent bonsai design demonstrations.

The club will not have any other meeting during May.

For further information, contact Ruth Anderson 360-626-1264 or rutha33@msn.com.

AARP Smart Driver course

BREMERTON – Be a safer driver with the AARP Smart Driver program. Bremerton Senior Center, 1140 Nipsic Ave. June 22-23 (Mondays and Tuesdays). 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. $15 for AARP members; $20 otherwise. Attendees receive a certificate that may be good for an insurance discount. Pre-registration required. Call 360-473-5375.

Learn how to Stand a Watch

PORT TOWNSEND – Washington Sea Grant, the Northwest Maritime Center, and WSU Jefferson County Extension will cosponsor a workshop on Basic Watch Standing on May 29 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the Northwest Maritime Center in Port Townsend.

Topics covered include navigation basics, charts, latitude and longitude, compass and bearings, tides and currents, rules of the road, navigating a route, navigation aids, electronic navigation, depth sounders, radar basics, chart plotters/GPS autopilot, communication, good crew habits including when to wake your skipper.

This workshop is for anyone who is interested in working on commercial fishing vessels or has some experience and would like to learn more. Cost is $50; pre-registration required. Contact Sarah Fisken at 206-543-1225 or sfisken@uw.edu.

Kitsap Beach Naturalists training through May 14

POULSBO – Washington State University Kitsap County Extension and Washington Sea Grant present the 2015 Kitsap Beach Naturalist training, an opportunity for the public to take a series of classes to learn more about marine life and shorelines, both in the classroom and while exploring beaches.

Classes take place 6-9 p.m. Thursday evenings through May 14 at the Poulsbo Marine Science Center, 18743 Front St. Adults and teens are welcome; children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Cost for the six sessions is $65. Scholarships are available.

Surrounded by water, the Kitsap Peninsula is an amazing place to learn about and enjoy sea life. Over the course of six evening classes and a variety of field trips, participants learn about sea stars, clams, crabs, and other critters, as well as seaweeds and plants that live on local beaches. Discussion will also focus on Salish Sea oceanography, shoreline living, conservation, and restoration.

After the training, participants will be qualified to volunteer in exciting service projects, which include beach explorations, local community events and service and monitoring projects that help protect and enhance Kitsap shorelines.

For more information, go to http://ext100.wsu.edu/kitsap/beach-naturalists/ or register online at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/935697.

Outdoor club meets first Wednesdays

BREMERTON – Peninsula Wilderness Club is an informal organization for people interested in the outdoors. Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m.

Meetings are held at the VFW Hall at 9981 Central Valley Rd. Go online to www.pwckitsap.org.

Learn how to control marine corrosion

GIG HARBOR – Rust never sleeps, but this hands-on workshop will show how to protect boats from all types of marine corrosion.

The workshop will be hosted May 31 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Gig Harbor Boat Shop, 3805 Harborview Dr. The cost is $60. Pre-registration required. To register or for more information, contact Sarah Fisken at 206-543-1225 or sfisken@uw.edu.

Lend a helping hand to the elderly, disabled

CENTRAL KITSAP – Volunteer Services, a program of Catholic Community Services, is seeking volunteers throughout Kitsap County that would be in interested in providing a little help to low-income elders and disabled adults with yard care, by installing grab bars and by providing for transportation needs.

With the help of community, Volunteer Services can assist those that cannot afford to pay for the type of help they need or do not qualify for assistance elsewhere, or do not have family or friends available to them.

Volunteer Services helps those in need in several ways such as driving clients to medical appointments or the grocery store, running errands or shopping for those that are housebound, making minor home repairs, and helping with yard care. Lend a hand with light housework, by building wheelchair ramps and by installing grab bars.

Mileage reimbursement is provided upon request.

For more information on volunteering contact Program Coordinator Donna Jones at 360-405-0072 ext. 3 or via email at DonnaJ@ccsww.org.