Here it comes, that time of year we all pine for during that dark period after the glow of the winter holidays has long gone. It is spring and I can’t wait to get started on those home and yard projects I have been mulling over all winter.

Every year there is always chatter about how improved the overall look of Bremerton could be if more property owners took the time to perform some very basic maintenance on their yards and homes.

A vast majority of the complaining has to do with mowing, weed pulling and keeping the garbage picked up and to a certain point I fully agree.

When we purchased our home and moved into our now Union Hill neighborhood in 1998, only two houses on our block — one of them being ours — regularly mowed their yards. I am happy to report that things have very much improved over the years as one neighbors maintenance efforts appears to drive others in the immediate area to increase their own efforts.

On the topic of improvements, this past weekend, Jason and I had a wonderful time at the Kitsap Home and Garden Show that was held out at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds. It is not a very big show, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in the fact that the individual vendors you are interacting with are truly local to the Kitsap area.

There was a wonderful display by the Bremerton City Nursery where we purchase most of our plants, garden supplies and vegetable starts. If you have questions about how to get started with some of your projects this year, then John, Theresa and their knowledgeable staff are there to help you out.

We also had a great discussion with a local general contractor, Clausen Homes who will be able to help with our upcoming remodel plans for the kitchen and basement. Even better, they are customers on Jason’s delivery route. Pre-existing community connections are always a plus when you are trying to keep your purchases and dollars “local.”

By the end of the day we gained information on flooring from a very entertaining sales representative from All Floors and More as well as being able to switch our internet and TV service provider without all of those seemingly endless and annoying phone calls that always make that process as drawn out as possible.

Overall it was a very nice show that provided some significant opportunities for current and future improvements.

In the coming months more shows of the home a garden variety will be springing up all over the region. Take the opportunity to check them out and get inspired to improve your own space. The rest of Bremerton will thank you for it.