Bremerton Marina | The Lone Sailor | He’s HERE!

Watch Bremerton’s Lone Sailor Monument in Video Blogs  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

The “Lone Sailor Project” is over halfway funded and the casting has begun thanks to the support of the local community. It has been reported that all those donations under $100 are what has given the fund-raising project the boost to be able to boast over $210,000 in donations on the way to the $300,000 goal.  The casting has now begun….

I had no idea of the plans to bring a replica of “The Lone Sailor”
here to the Bremerton Marina! How exciting!! I was browsing the local newspaper
The Kitsap Sun and came across the article, ‘Lone Sailor’ Bound for Bremerton Marina. The title intrigued me because I am the spouse of a USN sailor. As soon as I opened the link I knew what this was about. I have been to the U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington D.C. I have stood next to this “Lone Sailor”! The “Lone Sailor” is one of the many focal points at the U.S. Navy Memorial that opened 20 years ago.

The Bremerton statue will be the 11^thduplicate of the original in D.C. The Navy League will be planning the  dedication ceremony so you will want to bookmark their site for the most current updates ==> Navy League of the US | Bremerton - Olympic Chapter. How exciting to have a “National Monument” here in Bremerton. The Navy League is asking for citizen input as to which direction the “Lone Sailor” should face so please go and VOTE. I voted for location number 1.

Have a fine Navy Day!!

Here I am in Washington D.C. August 2003 with the “Lone Sailor”

Bremerton :: 19TH ANNUAL BLACKBERRY FESTIVAL :: Saturday’s 4th Annual BLACKBERRY CRITERIUM Video

On Saturday I spent the afternoon downtown Bremerton to take in the activities of the 19th Annual Blackberry Festival. I parked a couple of blocks from the Bremerton Boardwalk and was glad I did because while on my walk to the Boardwalk I ran into the 4th Annual Blackberry Criterium. I really enjoyed watching the races and took this video to share with you.

Listening to the announcer I learned that these riders were sometimes traveling at around 22 mph! The race runs all day long with lots of different levels and types. There is also a race for those under the age of 11. Total cash prize given out was at least $3600! I was amazed that some of these races were over an hour in duration! I really enjoyed watching this event at the beginning of my day and as I was leaving the festival.

Jo Soss-Olson · WestSoundLive · Copyright © 2008 · All Rights Reserved

Kitsap County Veterans Memorial

Directions:

3200 NW Byron, Silverdale WA

In 2004 the Kitsap County Veteran’s Memorial was dedicated in a ceremony that included speeches, color guards and the raising of the United States flag along with the POW/MIA flag and the service flags of each branch of the military.

I found the original program of the ceremony on the Kitsap County Veterans Memorial web site and found it to be very interesting. I wasn’t living in the area during 2004 and so was unable to enjoy this very impressive ceremony.





I have however, been to the memorial on a few occasions and find it to be one that is very peaceful and inspiring. I guess that is because it is on the waterfront. Something about paying respect to those who have served our Nation in such a setting is very calming.
The Kitsap County Veterans Memorial is located adjacent to Silverdale Waterfront Park next to the gazebo area right down on the shore.

Here is a video I recorded on July 11th.

Silverdale WA : Silverdale Waterfront Park

Directions: 3337 NW Byron St, Silverdale Washington

Silverdale Waterfront Park is more than a county park, it is a community icon. Several activities throughout the year are located at this gorgeous 2.3 acre park on Dyes Inlet of Puget Sound. The park boasts saltwater beach access, a huge kids playground, convenient restrooms, an intimate gazebo, a large picnic shelter, and many picnic tables and other picnic areas.

This park is so much more than your traditional park. You can walk the shoreline looking for sea glass, different types of rocks or maybe even crab. If you walk over to the Silverdale Port Marina Pier you can walk out and might be able to see some kind of sea life like an Orca. Remember not to park at the boat launch area, which is only for vehicles with trailers using the marina’s launch.

The use of flip-flops is helpful on the beach because it is so rocky. Keep an eye on little ones this is not a swimming type of area and there are no lifeguards on duty.

The Silverdale Waterfront Park is a designation spot for Kitsap County activities. Here is a list of the upcoming events.

• The 36th Annual Whaling Days - July 25th - 27th. Whaling Days in an official Seafair Event. For more information just click the link - WHALING DAYS

• Silverdale Thunder - August 9th & 10th. “The Ultimate Hydro Fan’s Boat Race”. For more information just click the link - SILVERDALE THUNDER

• Alzheimer’s Memory Walk - September 20th. The Memory Walk is a non-competitive fundraising celebration to raise awareness and funds for the local community. For more information just click the link - MEMORY WALK

Here is a video I shot July 11th - a weekday with lots of people enjoying the great weather we have been having.

Washington State Ferry System :: Largest in the Nation :: More than Transportation

Can you WiFi on your commute? Can you read a book or knit a scarf on your commute? Many people that live in the Bremerton / Silverdale area of the West Sound do. How do they do that you ask? They work in Seattle and commute on the ferry. The Washington State Ferry System is the largest in the United States and the 3^rd largest in the world! Of the 24 million annual ferry riders in the Puget Sound area 50% of those are commuters. Why commute you ask? The housing in Bremerton / Silverdale area on the Kitsap Peninsula has been more affordable than the housing in the Seattle and surrounding areas of Puget Sound for several years. People realized that you could commute an hour into Seattle from many directions but not one that offered a slower pace of life and more home for your housing dollar as the Bremerton / Silverdale area.

The Ferry is also a huge tourist attraction in Washington State, so even if you don’t commute on the ferry you will enjoy the beauty of Puget Sound on a ferry ride from Bremerton to Seattle. The first time I rode a ferry was while on vacation to the west side of the state from eastern Washington. Once I relocated to Bremerton the ferry became a great weekend “out & about”. We would pack a picnic and off we would go. Yes, I have ridden the ferry just to ride the ferry. The sights and sounds of the Puget Sound are amazing.

Bremerton WA :: Downtown :: Ferry Watching from Jo Soss on Vimeo.

Bremerton / Seattle :: Summer 2008 Schedule

This schedule is effective June 22 through September 27, 2008 The approximately crossing time is 60 minutes. You don’t need a reservation.

Click Here for Schedule ==>

You will be sailing on the M/V Kitsap or the M/V Kaleetan. The State of Washington runs the largest ferry system in the United States and has an amazing website with more information than you will ever need.

Go here ==>

Did you know that you can purchase your ferry tickets online? You can purchase and print very similar to an online airline check in. You just want to make sure you have at least 30 minutes prior to heading to the ferry terminal in downtown Bremerton because the email verification can take up to 30 minutes.

So make sure to check out the “Wave 2 Go” section. Go here ==>

If you are using the ferry system to commute to employment in Seattle you can purchase a monthly passenger use only pass for the Seattle/Bremerton run for $85.80 which will save you approximately $48.00 per month.

Here are some interesting facts about the Washington State Ferry System

• Carries 24 million riders annually.
• 11 million vehicles ride the 200 miles of marine highway
• Commuters comprise 50% of the rider ship
• There are 10 ferry routes with almost 500 sailings per day.
• Very critical link between the urban areas of the east Puget Sound area to the growing communities on the Kitsap Peninsula
• For the last 50 years West Sound residents have used the ferries to commute to the Seattle area
• Critical link for the more affordable housing on the West Sound with key employment centers on the east side of Puget Sound.
• There are 28 vessels and 20 Ferry terminals in the Puget Sound System

Bremerton WA :: Things to Do :: Video Series :: 4th Street Market : Arts, Antiques & FUN!

Do you remember where you were on Saturday, June 14th? I do! I was at The 4th Street Market in downtown Bremerton. There are two Saturdays left this season so be sure to mark these dates on your calendar:

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

This open-air market is featured as Bremerton’s first urban Art & Antique Market and is located on 4th Street in downtown Bremerton. 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. Here is the video I promised in my 1st article.

Bremerton : The 4th Street Market : Arts, Antiques and FUN! from Jo Soss on Vimeo.

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!

Bremerton WA :: CJ’s Evergreen General Store from Jo Soss on Vimeo.

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

Dungeness Valley Creamery (Whole raw Jersey Milk)

Fog Woman Coffee Roaster ( fair Trade, Locally roasted Beans)

Rainhaven Farmstead Microdairy (Grade A Raw Goats Milk)

Hummingbird Hill (Locally Brewed Sodas)

Kim’s Gardens (Fresh Flowers & Plants)

Orca Beverages (Nostalgic Sodas)

Pheasant Fields Farm (Free Range & Cage Free Eggs)

Paul Gregory Farms (Fresh Fruits & Vegetables)

Sequim Valley (Flavored Jams & Syrups)

Stedman’s Bee Supplies (Honey)

Smith Brother’s Milk

Create a Free Slideshow

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 :: 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.

Evergreen Park WWI Memorial from Jo Soss on Vimeo.

---

---

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 :: Evergreen Park from Jo Soss on Vimeo.

Next Page »