Commemoration of Bataan Death March

BREMERTON – The Filipino-American Community of Kitsap County and the Far East POWs International Association will be conducting a commemorative event on Saturday April 11 at 10 a.m. at Bataan Park at the corner of Sylvan Way and Olympus Drive, to remember the Bataan Death March of April 1942. This is an annual event intended to keep alive the historical recollection of the early days of World War II in the Pacific, and to remember the lessons learned from the events that took place at that period of time. Everybody in the community is cordially invited to attend.

Silverdale horseshoe league starts in April

SILVERDALE – The Silverdale summer horseshoe pitching leagues will start the second week of April. The club’s drop-in leagues meet at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds Courts on Thursdays at 2 p.m.

For more information, contact Carol Sperber, secretary of the Kitsap County Horseshoe Pitcher’s Club, at csperber1@gmail.com or 692-9315.

Water Festival April 14

CENTRAL KITSAP – The 21st annual Water Festival is Tuesday, April 14 at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Learn about one of Kitsap’s most precious resources – water – through hands-on activities and exhibits. http://www.kitsapgov.com/sswm/water_festival.htm.

Humane Society annual meeting April 11

SILVERDALE – On Saturday, April 11, from 3-4:30 p.m., Kitsap Humane Society will host its annual board of directors meeting at the Oxford Suites Silverdale, 9550 NW Silverdale Way. The public is invited to attend.

Director of shelter medicine, Dr. Jennifer Stonequist, Animal Welfare Director Natalie Smith, and Executive Director Eric Stevens will share accomplishments of the past year, including how Kitsap Humane Society was able to adopt out over a thousand more animals compared to the previous year. Recent shelter enhancements, such as a free-roam kitty lounge, and plans for the future also will be discussed.

Additionally, the 2014 Kitsap Humane Society annual report will be distributed, and there will be an opportunity for audience questions and comments.

Kitsap Humane Society is a private, nonprofit, charitable organization that has been caring for animals in need since 1908. KHS admits more than 5,000 animals per year and has one of the highest lives saved rates in the U.S. KHS’ vision is that every adoptable companion animal has a home. For more information, visit kitsap-humane.org.

Students can visit Japan

BREMERTON – The City of Bremerton and the Bremerton Central Lions Club are accepting applications for exchange students to visit Kure, Japan – Bremerton’s sister city – for four weeks this summer departing on July 20. Three students will be selected to represent the City of Bremerton.

The program is offered to 10th, 11th and 12th grade students at Bremerton High School, Central Kitsap High School, Olympic High School and Klahowya Secondary School.

Students interested in applying may obtain application forms from the school counseling/career center, the Mayor’s office at City Hall in Bremerton or at www.ci.bremerton.wa.us.

Application forms must be received by the Mayor’s office no later than Thursday, April 16.

For more information, call Elaine Valencia in the mayor’s office at 360-473-5266.

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, April 9 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.

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.

Washington Sea Grant and the Gig Harbor Boat Shop are co-sponsoring a Marine Corrosion Protection Workshop. Topics covered will include: Galvanic corrosion of aluminum, steel, and bronze; Crevice corrosion of stainless steel; Poultice corrosion of aluminum; Corrosion-potential testing; Potential monitoring systems for aluminum and bronze; Advantages and disadvantages of various anodes; Analysis of wood damage from excessive zinc; Controlled potential systems for wooden boats; Coatings for propellers and propeller shafts; Test methods for detecting AC and DC stray current.

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.

AARP Smart Driver course

Be a safer driver with the AARP Smart Driver program. Bremerton Senior Center, 1140 Nipsic Ave. April 20-21, also 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.

Author to speak April 25

SILVERDALE – Elizabeth Corcoran Murray, author of A Long Way from Paris, will speak at Barnes and Noble at the Silverdale Mall on April 25 at 2 p.m. Murray’s searing non-fiction story of a city girl struggling to survive a vicious winter herding goats in the mountains of southern France in 1980 has received critical acclaim. With photos and maps, Murray will describe her adventure living without running water or heat and barely speaking French.

Kitsap Rescue Mission will host its sixth annual Dinner of Hope

BREMERTON — Enjoy an evening of food, fun, fellowship and find out what’s new at Kitsap Rescue Mission during the sixth annual Dinner of Hope. The dinner will be hosted Saturday, May 2 from 6-8 p.m. at the Gold Mountain Golf Club.

Learn how you can be a part of the solution for homelessness in Kitsap County.

If you are interested in hosting a table, contact Jenny Kucera at 360-509-2951 or exeasst@kitsaprescue.org.

KMHS offers mental health first aid training

BREMERTON – Mental Health First Aid is a nationally acclaimed training course recognized for its effectiveness in educating adults about how to respond to mental health problems and for reducing the stigma that often prevents people from seeking help.

Certified instructors from Kitsap Mental Health Services will offer the eight hour course to the Kitsap community Wednesday, April 29. Participants learn to assess a situation and respond to signs of mental health concerns, such as helping a person through a panic attack, or talking with someone who is anxious or depressed. The course is useful for everyday events, and especially helpful to people working with the public.

Cost for the training is $30; with registration required no later than April 24. For more information, or to register on-line visit www.kitsapmentalhealth.org.

Managing health costs

SILVERDALE – Donald Logan, an Edward Jones financial advisor in Silverdale, is sponsoring Managing Healthcare Costs Workshop from 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, April 23 at 2416 NW Myhre Rd Suite 102 in Silverdale. For more information, call 360-692-1216.

(Note: Updated time and date) Shakespeare auditions at Jewel Box Theatre April 11-12

POULSBO – Auditions for “The Taming of the Shrew/Tamer Tamed” will be held Sunday, April 12 from 6-8 p.m. and Saturday, April 18 from 1-4 p.m. by appointment at the Jewel Box Theatre in Poulsbo. Prepare a two-minute monologue. Shakespeare, Moliere, or classic literature preferred. Monologue does not need to be memorized. This unique combination of “The Taming of the Shrew” by William Shakespeare and “The Tamer Tamed” by John Fletcher will be performed in Victorian/Steampunk style July 17 through Aug 2. Fridays and Saturdays at the Jewel Box, and Sundays at Poulsbo’s Muriel Iverson Waterfront Park. Parts for eight men and eight women. Email/call for audition appointment musikforhire@comcast.net or 360-509-5475.

Auditions are held at the theater, which is located at 225 Iverson St. in downtown Poulsbo (across from the Post Office). Enter through the main doors.

Bonsai Club hosts former Pacific Rim curator

BREMERTON – The Evergreen Bonsai Club will host David DeGroot, recently retired as curator of the Pacific Rim Bonsai Collection, at its April 17 meeting.

DeGroot will present a program on displaying bonsai, including the use of decorative screens, stands, and companion plants.

The meeting will be on Friday, April 17, at 7 p.m. at the Crossroads Neighborhood Church, 7555 Old Military Road NE, in Bremerton. Admission is free and guests are welcome. For further information, please contact Ruth Anderson, 360-626-1264 or rutha33@msn.com.

Silverdale book sale April 11

SILVERDALE – The Silverdale Friends of the Library will hold their April monthly book sale on Saturday, April 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Hess room of the library, located at 3450 NW Carlton St. in old town Silverdale.

There will be an excellent selection of books for all ages and interests.

The library depend on the community to supply it with used books in good condition to keep our book sales providing such great selections.

Books may be dropped off at the library during regular library hours.

The popular Monday sales will continue on April 6, 13, 20 and 27, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

All proceeds go to support the many programs the library provides to the community.

State Parks offers two ‘free days’ in April

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will offer two “free days” in April. Visitors will not need to display a Discover Pass for day-use visits to state parks. The two dates are April 4, a springtime free Saturday, and Wednesday, April 22, Earth Day.

Free days are in keeping with legislation that created the Discover Pass, a $30 annual or $10 one-day permit required on 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 to access WDFW and DNR Lands on State Parks free days.

The remaining 2015 State Parks free days are as follows: May 10, June 6, June 13, Aug. 25, Sept. 26 and Nov. 11.

Kitsap MS walk April 11

SILVERDALE – Walk MS 2015 will connect thousands of people across Washington this spring – and comes to Silverdale on Saturday, April 11.

Walk MS: Kitsap County, presented by Haggen Northwest Fresh, begins at 9 a.m. at Klahowya Secondary School in Silverdale. It’s one of hundreds of fundraising walks across the nation that draw 300,000 people to the MS movement. Proceeds from Walk MS support research and local programs and services for people living with multiple sclerosis or who are affected by the disease.

To start a team, make a donation, sign up to volunteer or learn more, call the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater Northwest Chapter, at 800-344-4867 and press 2, or visit www.walkMS.org.

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.

Registration open for third annual ‘Fore the Animals Golf Tournament’

SILVERDALE – Now is the time to register for Kitsap Humane Society’s third annual Fore the Animals Golf Tournament. Sign up today at kitsaphs.ejoinme.org/golf2015. KHS plans on making this year’s event on May 15 the most doggone fun ever.

If you’re not able to golf, please consider visiting the registration page to give a donation in lieu of your attendance. Money raised by the tournament at Port Orchard’s Trophy Lake Golf and Casting goes directly toward saving animals’ lives.

Kitsap Humane Society is a private, nonprofit, charitable organization that has been caring for animals in need since 1908. KHS admits more than 5,000 animals per year and has one of the highest lives saved rates in the US. KHS’ vision is that every adoptable companion animal has a home. For more information, visit kitsap-humane.org.

Employers can learn to develop  safety committees

BREMERTON – The Department of Labor and Industries is offering a free workshop to help employers comply with state law and develop effective safety committees. The next workshop in Bremerton is May 13 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the L&I office in Bremerton at 500 Pacific Ave. on the 5th floor conference room. Please register in advance by calling 1-800-574-2829 or visit the website at www.lni.wa.gov. Be sure to reference course number 3-20-002.

Washington State law requires employers, depending on their size, to hold safety committee meetings or have in place a formal safety committee. This workshop is designed for those employers who are required to have a safety committee and will provide participants with information on how they can ensure the cusses of their safety committee and how the safety committee can be utilized to assist in preventing injuries and controlling your claims costs. The work shop will cover what are the Washington State requirements for conducting safety meetings, the purpose, goals, and functions of a safety committee.

Learn how to build a lasting business

BREMERTON – The Kitsap Business Forum will present “Lessons From Those That Last: Innovation and Relevance in an Ever Changing Market” on April 14.

Shannon Bruce, with Excell Puget Sound, will lead a panel discussion of Kitsap innovators who will share their challenges and provide valuable lessons that will help businesses remain relevant and thrive in an ever changing market. The panel will consist of Anna Reyes-Potts, Trulife; Bruce MacDonald, Applied Technical Systems; Jill Jean, Kitsap Regional Library; and Larry Nakata, Town & Country Markets.

Attendees will walk away with new perspectives, insight on what to “start doing,” “stop doing” and “do more of,” best practices and resources for leadership growth and sustainability, as well as inspiration and courage to move you to action.

The forum will be hosted on the third floor of the Kitsap Conference Center, 100 Washington Ave. in Bremerton.

Parking is provided in the Anthony’s parking spaces, first floor blue level for this event only. Program runs 7:30-9 a.m.

Anyone interested in attending should RSVP to 360-692-6800, or go online to register at http://KitsapBusinessForum.com.

Verksted Gallery celebrates 28 years

POULSBO – The Verksted Gallery on Front Street in Poulsbo will celebrate its 28th anniversary and will have non-stop live artist demonstrations like wood turning and pottery throwing. Free cake and refreshments will be served. 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 18937 Front Street, in Poulsbo.

Martha and Mary Luncheon April 26

POULSBO – Martha and Mary Generations of Care luncheon and auction will be hosted Sunday, April 26 at the Kiana Lodge in Poulsbo.

Here’s a small sample of what people can expect to bid on: A getaway in Sunriver, Oregon, for two. A full-year membership to the Resort at Port Ludlow Golf. Seattle arts and sports packages. Kitsap dining and entertainment packages. Fabulous baskets ranging from an aquarium set-up to a “girls-night-in” basket. Two separate flight experiences: take a ride in either a World War II bomber-or a fun and fast Van’s RV-7.

Call 360-626-7879 or visit www.marthaandmary.org/events/ for more information.

Babes in Toyland ballet April 18-19

Dance Arts Theatre of Silverdale will perform a “Babes in Toyland” ballet at the Bremerton High School Performing Arts Center on April 18 at 7 p.m. and April 19 at 2 p.m. Reserved seats are $20. General admission $15. Senior citizens, students and children are $10. Tickets available at the Silverdale Chamber of Commerce, Irene’s School of Dance in Silverdale, CJ’s Evergreen General Store in Bremerton. Call 692-4395 for more information.

Meeting to discuss future of Silverdale community center

SILVERDALE – The Future of Silverdale Community Center will be discussed at a Central Kitsap Community Council town hall meeting on Thursday, April 16 from 7-9 p.m. at the Central Kitsap School District Jenne-Wright gymnasium. Structural damage to the community center has resulted in its partial closure. Several of Kitsap’s non-profit and community groups have been displaced and need alernative meeting space. Please come share your vision for a new community center with county commissioner Ed Wolfe. Jenne-Wright is located at 9210 Silverdale Way NW.

Lend a helping hand to the elderly, disabled

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