CJ’s Evergreen General Store :: Memories Made :: Bremerton WA : Video Series

Do you remember the “little store” in your neighborhood growing up? Finding a nickel on the sidewalk meant you could run down and buy a handful of candy. If you are my age you can remember penny candy, bottled soda and hand scooped ice cream cones. When my boys were growing up there was a “little store” in the neighborhood were we would stop after a day of work, school and daycare. The sought after items had changed from penny candy to Captain Crunch ice cream bars or Big League shredded baseball gum in the pouch ( yes I know that probably isn’t PC now days – nothing fun is) but the memories are the same.

In Bremerton there is a hidden treasure – a “little store”, located in the Evergreen Park neighborhood that is providing this generation of Bremerton kiddos those kinds of childhood memories. CJ’s Evergreen General Store is located across the street from Evergreen Rotary Park at 1417 Park Avenue.

I have had the privilege of meeting the owner CJ at the Bremerton Farmer’s Market one Thursday BBQ’ing up some burgers for the market’s crowd. I had been asked in a blog to write an article on CJ’s Evergreen General Store and so I thought since it was located by the Bremerton Farmer’s Market location I would stop by the market and then head on off to the store. To my surprise there CJ and her crew at the Farmer’s Market holding one of their many BBQ events. I had a quick chat with CJ between all those wanting those awesome smelling burgers and then headed off down the street to CJ’s Evergreen General Store to meet her manager Lisa and take a tour. Little did I know that CJ’s husband would be the one giving me the tour and that I would also get to meet her darling girls! CJ’s Evergreen General Store is truly a passion for this family. CJ is the one that has the vision and the amazing energy and her family gives her all their support!!

Walk inside and you are going to hear “Welcome to CJ’s” cheerfully called out from the counter. To the left you can see the fresh ice cream and espresso area, straight ahead you will see the coolers and to the right the true to the theme of all general stores the counter with the candy! There aren’t many isles and so it is amazing that you can shop for dinner, pick up some fishing tackle and buy your lottery tickets all in one stop! CJ is so accommodating that if you need a “special order” item you can bet she will try and find it and will usually carry it for you. This place is totally one of the neighbors.

CJ’s Evergreen General Store is more than just the local neighborhood market, it is a place for neighbors to meet and socialize. You can sit outside on the walk and enjoy Dillanos Coffee and Ootopia Espresso from the deli. On a rainy day you could sit inside at the tables right by the deli. CJ’s deli has a very unique list of weekly specials, if you wear your pajamas on Friday you can receive a free drip coffee! How fun is that! Always available to help you with your fundraiser, family gathering or neighborhood BBQ CJ’s can do the cooking for you. Give them a call for deli sandwiches, homemade chili, clam chowder and chicken noodle soup. Order your “home baked” cookies, brownies and double crust fruit pies and for the holidays you can special order holiday cookies, cheesecake and of course those awesome pies.

CJ’s Evergreen General Store is also a very welcome participant to many of the local Markets, Fairs and happenings. You will find the BBQ at the Poulsbo’s Farmer’s Market, BUGS May Fest, Bremerton’s Farmer’s Market, Simply Renewed 4^th Street Market, and of course at Concerts in the Park. CJ’s Evergreen General Store is an amazing place and a business that is very excited about the Bremerton community.

Stop in and say Hi, have a Moxie, Nesbitts or Bubble UP and if you don’t know what those are then have a Faygo instead!

All I can say is I wish I was within walking distance!! The Evergreen Park neighborhood is very lucky! Memories are going to be made!

Just one last thing….CJ’s is an amazing supporter of Local Vendors – here is a partial list

CJ’s Evergreen General Store :: Across from Evergreen Rotary Park, 1417 Park Avenue, Bremerton WA 98337 :: 360-479-2708 :: cj@cjgeneralstore.com :: Open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Weekends.

Bremerton WA Real Estate Market Report Recap | May 2008

Please, forgive me for being so late with the Month of May’s activity, sometimes business gets in the way, which is a very good thing in this market! Here is the Real Estate Market Activity for January – May 2008. Check back each month to see the monthly 2008 trend for Bremerton WA.

This is the Market report for the Bremerton area of Kitsap County which includes the NWML areas of 146,148,149,150 which are areas that all have Bremerton as the city for address purposes.

There are currently 644 homes for sale with 6 of those homes listed as a contingent sale and 44 of those listed as STI (subject to inspection) which means there is a contract that has been presented and excepted by the seller with the condition of the home inspection. Once the home inspection has taken place these 44 homes will either go back on the market or be listed as pending and will not show in the active section of the Northwest Multiple Listing Service. (NWMLS) For all calculation purposes all 694 homes are seen as still being “on the market” because in all reality they are.

During the Month of May 124 homes were new to the Bremerton area Real Estate Market with a median price of $263,975.

During the Month of May 30 homes went under contract and were removed from the active Bremerton homes data base. The median price for Bremerton area homes was $249,450 with a market time of 91 days (median).

During the Month of May 65 homes sold – which means that ownership changed hands and there are new owners listed on the tax records recorded at the Kitsap County courthouse. These Bremerton area homes were on the market 71 days (median) and sold for a median price of $220,000.

The Absorption rate in the Bremerton area is 46.27 weeks or approximately 11.57 months of inventory if the current conditions remain unchanged.

An absorption rate is the mathematical relationship of supply and demand. The absorption rate is the number of months it would take to sell the entire inventory of homes in the Bremerton area of Kitsap County if the pace were to stay constant.

My definition breaks down like this…

Normal Market – Between 5 and 6 months of inventory.

Seller’s Market – Between 1 and 4 months of inventory.

Buyer’s Market – 7 months and higher.

If you would like to find out the value of your home please feel free to contact me via phone or email. I would be more than happy to supply you with a FREE Market Analysis .

If you would like to purchase a home in the Bremerton WA Real Estate Area please give me a call or contact me via email. We can discuss your future plans and I can set you up on an email campaign to receive the hot new listings quicker than YOU can find them.

“Statistics not compiled or published by NWMLS.”
Equal Opportunity Housing
All information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed

Bremerton WA :: Things to Do | Video Series |WWI Memorial

Located near the public boat launch at Bremerton’s Evergreen Park is the Bremerton WWI Memorial. The memorial is in memory of the local men who fought and died in WWI. There are 20 Names engraved on plates attached to the stone structure. This time of year the memorial is so gorgeous because of the flowers that are in full bloom. Stop when you are at the park and pay your respect to those that died for our freedom.

Bremerton WA :: Things to Do | Video Series |Farmer’s Market

Bremerton WA :: Farmer’s Market from Jo Soss on Vimeo.

It’s Market Time!!
Bremerton Farmers Market’s is in full swing! The activity has been great even though the weather has not been the best. Every Thursday, through October 9^th, at 4pm across from Evergreen Park in the Seaside Church’s parking lot you can find farmers, unique food sellers and high quality arts.

While I was at the market there was a constant stream of shoppers having fun talking with the local vendors and ordering some BBQ from CJ’s Evergreen General Store’s stand.

Farmer’s Markets can be such a great way to meet others in your community while sharing a passion for organic gardening, beaded jewelry making, compost tweaking and several other homemade type products.

I found this too be true when I had a nice visit with “Made in Manette”, Lisa of Lisa’s Leafs and with CJ owner of CJ’s Evergreen General Store. I also received the scoop on Luigi’s bakery and will have to pay a visit to their new location. They are new to the Bremerton area only being open for about 3 months.

The Bremerton Farmers Market is on the lookout for some musicians that would fit in with the Market’s atmosphere at the park. If you know of any have them call (360) 621-5934.

See you on Thursdays!!!

Bremerton WA :: Things to Do | Video Series |Evergreen Park

This last Thursday and today Saturday, June 14th, were great for getting out and about in the Bremerton area. We finally received some sun and even though the temperatures were only in the mid 60’s it was perfect!

I decided to visit some of my favorite places in Bremerton and shoot some video so you can see this gorgeous area. One of the reasons I chose to live in Bremerton was because of the water. I love being around water and if I can’t be on an ocean beach I will take any beach. This is why Evergreen Park is my favorite park in Bremerton. This must be a lot of “Bremertonites” favorite too!!

Evergreen Park is the city’s premier park with the highest use rates. The location is just amazing. I love just walking the trails and being able to just sit and watch people, birds and weather.

If you need a place for a family picnic this is the place. There are 5 shelters and 39 picnic tables. The park encompasses 10 acres and had 1900 feet of shoreline. And can you believe – A boat launch!

If you want to BBQ there are 4 located at Evergreen Park. If you want to have some games you could arrange to have a volleyball tourney with friends on the sand volleyball court. Or just shoot some hoops with your kiddos at the 2 ½ court basketball courts.

For the younger kids there is a huge play area with lots of climbing and imagination equipment. Plenty of parking (75 spaces) and if you need you can reserve a shelter by calling the Bremerton Park and Recreation department at (360) 473-5305.

Bremerton WA :: Things to Do | Video Series |Evergreen Park Boat Launch

Located at Bremerton’s Evergreen Park on the Port Washington Narrows is the Evergreen Park public boat launch. Here you can launch your vessel and park your vehicle and trailer in the reserved for vehicle with trailer parking spaces.

Evergreen Rotary Park :: 1400 Park Avenue
• 10 acres, • 1,900 feet of shoreline, • 1 group shelter, • 5 shelters, 39 picnic tables
• 4 BBQs, • 2 half-court basketball, • 1 boat launches, • 1 sand volleyball court, • 75 parking spaces

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Bremerton : The 4th Street Market : Arts, Antiques and FUN!

I love Google Alerts! They help me keep up to date on my local area and the happenings that others are writing about or are doing!

This morning an alert for the words “Bremerton WA” took me to Betsy Kornelis’ blog titled b.chic design and a story about upcoming markets. I just had not heard of the 4th Street Market in Bremerton so was off to the link she provided – Simply Renewed. Here I found all the information about the 4th Annual 4th Street Market Art, Antiques & More open street market in downtown Bremerton.

This open-air market is featured as Bremerton’s first urban Art & Antique Market and is located on 4th Street in downtown Bremerton.

2008 Schedule: June 14th, July 12th, August 9th

The hours are 9am to 4pm and of course there is no admission – way cool when things are FREE!! This sounds like fun for the whole family. I think I will check it out this Saturday and take some pictures and a feature video so check back next week for the scoop!

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Kitsap County Flag Day :: Disposal Day

Flag Day is Saturday, June 14th and commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United Sates which happened on June 14, 1777 by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. In 1916 President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation making June 14th the official Flag Day and in August of 1949 National Flag Day was established by an Act of Congress.

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So on Saturday, June 14th if you have a flag, fly it proudly. If your flag is in need of disposal you can take it to The Fleet Reserve Association, Branch 29 located at 521 National Ave South, Bremerton for their annual flag disposal. The Fleet Reserve Association will have its annual United States Flag burning ceremony to dispose of all unserviceable flags collected for disposal.

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You may bring your flags to The Fleet Reserve Association any day between 6am and midnight prior to June 14th. The Fleet Reserve Association, Branch 29 provides a dignified ceremonial disposal for the community each year. The ceremony will take place at 9am, Saturday, June 14th at The Fleet Reserve’s rear parking area, 521 National Ave South, Bremerton.

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The History of Flag Day

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Kitsap County Buyers :: Are you looking for a Walkable Neighborhood?

I have always enjoyed walking, but while raising a family I never lived in an area that was close to much of what I needed. The house I own now is very close to shopping but feels very remote, I have the best of both worlds. I chose my home based on how close it was to certain establishments. I wanted to be able to be close to services in case of some kind of emergency. I never thought about the exercise or the green effect walking could do for me.

When it snows here in the Oyster Bay area of Bremerton for some reason the elevated area I live on gets more snow than other areas close to the Charleston district. When it snows I can not pull out of my garage and get up the hill in front of my home. It makes me feel more in control when I know that I can walk to shopping if I needed.

With gas prices and environmental concerns many buyers in the Bremerton area are really looking at what is in walking distance to the properties they are viewing. Buying a house in a walkable neighborhood is also good for your health.

Here are some facts about walking from the new site that is assisting buyers and real estate agents on the “walkability” of neighborhoods in their area. WalkScore.com

• Better health
• Reduction in greenhouse gases
• Transportation options
• Social interaction
• Stronger local businesses

Below is what a WalkScore would look like. This is one if you lived on High Ave in Bremerton. You can use this tool on any address, just remember that it isn’t fool proof. My home has a 58 score but the large QFC grocery store isn’t listed and is about .09 miles from my home. Click on the WalkScore link above to find your WalkScore.

Puget Sound Military Guide :: Did you get yours?

The Puget Sound Military Guide has been out to the NEX, MCX, PX and well all the X’s over the last couple of weeks. I picked mine up at Naval Base Kitsap – Bremerton. Inside you will find a ton of information about all of the bases in the Puget Sound area which includes maps and local tourist type information.

Seattle Coast Guard, Fort Lewis, Madigan Army Medical Center, McChord AFB, Tacoma VA Hospital, Naval Base Kitsap Bangor, Naval Base Kitsap Bremerton, NUWC Keyport, Naval Hospital Bremerton, Naval Station Everett, Smoky Point, Pacific Beach Resort, Whidbey Island, Jim Creek Recreation Area and Port Angeles Coast Guard Group Air Station all have sections.

This publication is loaded with all the highlights of our wonderful Washington State and has all the information you need to explore all over the state.

The publication is free to all military and their dependents. You can pick one up or if you are not in the area just give me a call and I will pick one up for you as long as you are a military member or dependent of one.

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