I so enjoy springtime in downtown Bremerton! I love it when they bring out the flower baskets. I love hanging flower baskets and just put mine out this past weekend at home. So I was thinking about the annual Park and Rec Flower Basket and Plant sale. The flower baskets are smaller versions of the hanging planters which are placed on the City’s Downtown streets each Summer. Here is the information!

The Park and Recreation Department will hold a Flower Basket and Plant sale from 8:00AM to 5:00PM on Friday, May 8th at the Sheridan Community Center 680 Lebo Boulevard.

For additional information, or to pre-order baskets, please call Cynthia at 360-473-5425

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

I moved to the Bremerton area in 2002 because of changes the City of Bremerton was implementing. Specifically The City of Bremerton Revitalization Projects that were to begin. In the last six years several projects have been completed and 2007 was the year of several “dedications”. The Norm Dicks Government Center and City Hall was opened in 2004. The Kitsap County Housing Waterfront Condominium Project was complete in 2007 along with the Harborside Fountain Park project and the Bremerton Naval Museum with Fountain Viewing Room. Just this past summer the completion of The Port of Bremerton Marina Expansion was celebrated. The Ferry Tunnel project to be completed by 2009.

I was looking for a community that was small with a vision of economic success and a true passion for the area and its heritage. Having a downtown area on the water was a huge factor for me. I have to be close to some kind of easily accessible water. Bremerton has that feel and has amazing water access with the vision to continue improving the waterfront area for the community.

Water for some reason can make or break a community. If a city can use the waterfront in a positive way the possibilities and economic growth can be amazing. In September the City of Bremerton is hosting the “Urban Waterfront Revitalization Conferance” at the Kitsap Conference Center in downtown Bremerton. Of course I don’t agree with Seattle PI business reporter Bill Virgin’s first remark in his article, “On the waterfront: Cities aim to maximize shoreline’s allure”, but I do agree with the statements that we love to be in, around or on the water.

After looking at the event program and the schedule speakers I would love to attend to just listen and learn, however with a $350 price tag I will be sitting this one out and will hopefully be able to blog about the conference from what I can glean from the blogosphere.

Are you looking for some free Wi-Fi to have with your cup of joe? There’s a new spot in town where you can enjoy espresso, lunch, dinner and yes free Wi-Fi right across the street from Evergreen Park! The Second Park Lounge & Cafe’ opened a few weeks ago conveniently located just across from Evergreen Park, at 1223 McKenzie Street. Do you know where the Bremerton Farmer’s Market is held? If you do then you know where Second park Lounge & Cafe’ is – it’s right next door.

A couple of weeks ago my friend Roberta Anderson and I met for lunch at Second Park to try the place out. I can say the service was excellent and with the awesome weather we were able to dine out doors! What a gorgeous setting they have there. The cafe’ is currently open seven days a week at seven am. You can call ahead with your order if you would like.

Second Park is operated by Robert Gray who has an amazing vision for this new “hot spot”. Currently you can enjoy awesome food, your favorite coffee or a glass of wine. There is also a classy lounge upstairs, where you can meet your friends for a relaxing evening. The possibilities are many for this new spot and with the expansion of the Bremerton Boardwalk connection to Evergreen Park in the near feature Second Park Lounge & Cafe’ will be a destination for anyone on the Boardwalk.

A few items from the menu:

• Pizzas: Four Cheese, Pepperoni, Specialty Pizza (this one is loaded!)
• Wraps: Southwest Turkey Wrap, Cajun Wrap (mmm w/Frank’s hot sauce)
• Pastas: Tortellini, Creamy Alfredo, Spaghetti, Ravioli, Lasagna and Mac & Cheese! (these come with soup or salad and bread – all $10.99 and under!)
• Salads: Caesar, House, Chef, Cobb (this was good!), Cream pasta
• Soups: French Onion, Chili, Split Pea, Calm Chowder, Italian Jambalaya (that sounds interesting)

Of course there are several cold and hot sandwiches and even an Appetizer menu. There are always some pastries and a variety of desserts!

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.

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.

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 :: 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!!!

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.

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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