Sandwich boards

Reality meets outrageous humor

As the Chef and owner of downtown’s MorMor Bistro & Bar, I just had to laugh when I flipped open the NKH to see the headline “Menace to Society?” with a crisp clean photo containing a picture of a few well- maintained downtown advertising sidewalk boards “one of which belonged to me and my business”.

Truly don’t get me wrong, I value all the concerns of keeping a tidy and safe business core for all to enjoy but I had to chuckle that the article showcased a beautiful photo of Front Street containing five sidewalk signs that are part of a representation of the economic vibrance & health of our city with an article headline that shares it’s name with a 1990’s inner city Hollywood gangster movie highlighting social decay, murder and rampant drug use.

If you wanted a better photo of the “menace” you could have taken one across the street showing the wide array of poorly maintained ad boards that spend most of the day laying face down on the sidewalk covered with mud and leaves and chained to the city street signs like a pack of orphaned dogs!

Not all businesses take perfect care of their ad signs but most do.

As a 4th generation downtown Poulsbo business owner I look at the sign situation like a great representation of our city’s economic health.

We are blessed to have a multitude of dedicated small business owners who care greatly about this city, their shops and the customers that frequent them.

When I come to work everyday and go outside to sweep my sidewalk and put out my sign that says (Open For Business) – I don’t feel like a “menace,” I feel like a valuable part of the city, and part of a thriving community full of like minded vendors that all say “We are here to serve, and we want you to shop Poulsbo”!

I know that some of the signs get kind of crazy at times and maybe even dangerous when they impede on foot traffic. But the truth is those are the kinds of problems that most small towns wish they had!

I am excited to be a part of the continued growth of Poulsbo and am totally willing to always work with the city to ensure a safe & quality downtown core.

I do however hope that we can always remember the shop owner’s intentions as well! In my location I enjoy as good exposure as any business could dream of, but I still like to be able to show newcomers to the town where my entrance is, that we have a wheelchair ramp and a few other pertinent business details on my sign.

And as fellow business owner Tammy Mattson pointed out – think of some of the other shop owners with hidden entrances and second story storefronts! Those vendors need all the support that we as a city can afford them. Let’s continue to change, continue to grow, learn from mistakes and always improve as a city.

But let us all be proud of the fact that aggressive and passionate business owners are not a menace – but rather a blessing to a strong city on the move!

John M Nesby,

Chef / Owner – MorMor Bistro & Bar

NKSD

Thank you, school board

The North Kitsap School District staff and students would like to express their appreciation for the personal commitment our Board of Directors, Tom Anderson, Dan Delaney, Melanie Mohler, Ed Strickland and Val Torrens, and for the countless volunteer hours they commit to serve the students, school district staff, families and communities of North Kitsap.

As your representatives of our public schools, they symbolize our communities’ commitment to high quality education standards for our children. During the past year they have: eaffirmed our district’s high academic standards, approved the school district budget which spends resources closest to the student and classroom, monitored student performance and approved our schools’ student learning improvement plans, monitored and approved expenditures for capital projects: completion of Kingston High School, modernization of North Kitsap High School Phase II, and upgrades at Spectrum Community School. Additionally, they entered into a partnership to initiate North Kitsap Regional Events Center Project, Phase I: North Kitsap School District Stadium and Strawberry Fields. When you feel appreciative of children’s learning opportunities, their lower class sizes at grades K-6, their transportation to and from school, their breakfast and lunch programs, their sports, music and school activities programs, their before and after school services, their safe and healthy schools, or improvements in school facilities, think of the school board members.

Our school board members give unselfishly week after week to support and improve public education services and the learning opportunities for our children in North Kitsap. We ask that you take a moment during the next several weeks and thank them for their leadership, service and commitment to our children’s education and future.

Dr. Eugene J. Medina, Superintendent

NK School District

Daphne Davies, President,

NK Education Association

Patricia Moore, President

NK School Administrators Association

Dave Dumpert, President

NK Classified Administrators and Supervisors Association

John McVay, President

Service Employees International Union, No. 925

Steve Swearingen, President

NK Transportation Employees/NEA-WEA

Bob Reister, President

Public School Employees of NK

Lee Hodin, President

NK Athletics and Activities Alliance

An Egg-cellent find

Breakfast at Emily’s

Early Friday morning a neighbor friend and I decided to head out in search of a “good egg.” In other words, we were looking for the elusive egg breakfast said to be extinct in Poulsbo. We were happy to find Emily’s Bistro on Powder Hill open bright and early serving a hot breakfast and espresso. We sat down to enjoy quiche, breakfast sandwiches and tea and received fast and friendly service.

Emily’s Bistro is a great find!

Megan Lindahl,

Kingston