When I went to college, I stopped a few hobbies I had started in my youth, i.e. sleeping and pleasure reading. Once the diploma was in my hot little hand, I was more than happy to pick up sleeping and reading again.
There was one hobby, however, that I didn’t pick up so easily. Surprisingly enough, it was the hobby that helped change my life when I was 14.
POULSBO — When the Poulsbo City Council approved a $500,000 increase in the city’s 2006 budget, it did so with confidence that the Olhava revenue stream would finally flow.
Six months into the new year, monthly sales tax reports have continued showing increases of no less than $33,000, which was in the January report.
It’s been a long, long time coming but the Miss Washington crown has finally made its way back to Kitsap County as Kristen Eddings showed the state just how talented she is. Next year, she’ll be wowing the entire nation.
While Eddings hails from Silverdale, she’s no stranger to North Kitsap and was Miss Poulsbo 2002, then she was crowned Miss Kitsap 2006, then Miss Washington 2006, next up Miss America.
PORT GAMBLE — Dogs of all shapes, sizes, colors and breeds were the stars during a competition created just for them to showcase their skills. They wagged their way to Port Gamble, taking over the town for the weekend and strutting their stuff.
They and their owners came from all over, following behind with leashes, bowls, food, water, kennels, tents, kiddie pools and any other necessary — and not so necessary — supplies. Friday, Saturday and Sunday were all about the dogs.
KINGSTON — With the sounds of family fireworks shows in the background, people gathered at the Kingston Cove Yacht Club Tuesday for the chance to win a lamp that looked very much like a colorful explosion.
The celebration of independence and this country was the backdrop for a small, but important raffle that supported the Kathleen Sutton Inspirational Fund. Though the fund assists fewer than 20 local women, the cause goes beyond numbers.
HOOD CANAL — Budget overruns on Washington State Department of Transportation ongoing structural improvements to the Hood Canal Bridge just aren’t floating with 23rd District Representative Bev Woods (R-Kingston).
And as the ranking Republican on the House Trans-portation Committee, she’s looking to land some of the officials responsible in hot water.
KEYPORT — Amidst a conglomeration of Americans, riding in formation on various modes of transportation, including a kind old man on a stand-up scooter, red, white and blue llamas and Uncle Sam strapped to the back of a golf cart, Nathanyl Behrens stood proudly on Washington Street in Keyport.
KINGSTON — Like a Whistling Pete, Kingston’s Fourth of July celebration started off quietly, gradually getting louder before reaching a near deafening crescendo Tuesday night.
Every park in town was sparkling with various booths, musicians and hordes of people who said they wouldn’t be anywhere else on the holiday.
POULSBO — The State Route 305 Force Main installation has slowed traffic recently, but it hadn’t resulted in any road closures until this week.
The intersection of SR 305 and Liberty Road was closed Wednesday and Thursday night to traffic attempting to cross the highway as crews from Stan Palmer Construction of Port Orchard installed the sewer line through the intersection.
I hate going back to work after those long holiday weekends. It’s not so much that, all of the sudden, I’m forced to wake at 6 a.m. and spend hours on end editing, writing and the like. It’s the fax machine and e-mails — more specifically the tragedies they spew forth like a shopping list for the Grim Reaper.
POULSBO — All four North Kitsap Babe Ruth teams have a shot at winning the state title.
Following last week’s Washington State District 4 tournaments, NK’s 13-, 14-, 15- and 16-year-old All-Star teams have earned berths to their respective state tournaments, which will begin next week.
Last weekend, North Kitsap’s 13-year-old All Stars traveled to Sequim for two days of district action and came away with confidence after two solid wins.
POULSBO — Taking a break from the typical summer pastimes, local kids can get their technological kicks this summer at the Olympic College-Poulsbo campus.
As OC-Poulsbo enters the third year of its summertime Edventure program, its focus has centered heavily around technology and digital arts. And while courses will be managed inside a classroom setting, the subject matter is far more exciting than anything one would likely find in a traditional textbook.
POULSBO — Recalling memories of the ill-fated country western concert during the 2000 Viking Fest at the North Kitsap High School stadium, Councilman Mike Regis Wednesday took aim at a proposed noise ordinance exemption for the North Kitsap Relay for Life.
The annual event, which raises funds for the American Cancer Society, is set to get stepping July 15-16 at the North Kitsap High School stadium.
POULSBO — If at first you don’t “suc-seed†try, try, try again. That’s exactly what Cindi Wise did as she won the women’s watermelon seed spitting contest at Poulsbo’s Third of July celebration.
“I just feel very lucky, and I’ve competed every year since it began,†Wise said.
With a launch of more than 34 feet, Wise said the key to this year’s success was her family.
“I owe it all to my caring and loving family,†she said. “They’re my cheer squad.â€
KINGSTON — There are few days on which one feels more autonomous than the day they receive their driver’s license, but the Poulsbo Parks and Recreation summer sailing camps are likely second-best.
Imagine being 10 years old and enjoying the freedom of heading to the bay, rigging up a boat and sailing around by oneself any day of the summer.
EGLON — Providing the best service possible to North End residents and businesses is a goal that North Kitsap Fire & Rescue works hard to achieve. It aims to improve response times and strives to work in the community to support healthy and safe activities.
POULSBO — After a decade working at a pizzeria, sisters Kristin Brown and Sara Nance decided the time was right to do some baking of their own.
With Brown’s son, Jake, providing the necessary inspiration and motivation, the pair opened Baby Jake’s Pizza on Jensen Way in late December 2005.
“She and I had worked together for about 10 years at another pizza parlor, and we wanted to try it ourselves,†Brown said.
There will be plenty of rock ‘n’ roll, as well as rhythm and blues, country swing, jazz and more as summer concerts across Kitsap County get underway this week.
All of the concerts are free and suitable for the whole family. Of course, if you’re a taxpayer you’re paying for them anyway — all are sponsored by local government parks and recreation departments.
OK, let’s get this straight right off the top: I was not lost. I was just momentarily … misplaced. I was in the right place, the trail was in the wrong place.
The plan was to hike up the Gold Creek Trail, billed as a 2.2 mile hike with a 1,000-foot elevation gain and panoramic views from the top of Green Mountain. Sounded good.
North Kitsap’s Little Leaguers are hitting mid-stride today as the Washington state District 2 Little League tournaments transform Bainbridge Island into softball city and South Kitsap into baseball county.
Passion, excitement and hope kicked off the tournaments spanning all age divisions June 30, but as the brackets begin to thin out, sorrow and disappointment will undoubtedly appear as there can only be one champion.