Peninsular Thinking

Well look who’s moving up in the world.

You’ll recall we wrote about “Tent Man” Don Strom of Olalla in August. He’s the guy who turned heads with his floating tent, made of old hot tub covers and what-not, gliding inches above the chilly waters of Puget Sound and later the toxic-algae laden waters of Long lake County Park.

In this recent photo, posted to the Kitsap Sun’s Facebook page by alert reader Taumy Laughlin, you’ll see Tent Man has made himself a cozy little cottage on the water, complete with window box and American flag … looks like something that might entice Hansel and Gretel or Beaver Cleaver.

“Yes, the once dung gray tent has now transformed into a beautiful swan of sorts,” Strom said.

When I asked if he’d taken up residence in the waterborne abode, Strom replied, “I cannot confirm or deny at this time.”

As it turns out, Tent Man has a kindred spirit out there in Kitsap County. After the story ran, I heard from Barbara Burns, writing on behalf of her inventor husband Brett Dawson, who “can’t stand email,” so relied on his spouse to reach out.

Mrs. Burns was hoping I could connect her to Strom. (I directed her to the phone number at the bottom of the story, since Strom was trying to rent the tent out.)

“I would very much like to introduce him to my husband, Brett Dawson, who would be thrilled to work with him on a propulsion system for in-line skates, or any other oddball project for that matter,” Barbara wrote.

“My husband is a compulsive builder and tenacious engineer and has thus far been unsuccessful finding like-minded people who are interested in building unique things. He has built a robot mailbox holder (you can see it on reddit), an electric lawn cart for hauling brush, an electric bicycle where the wheel is actually the motor, numerous fighting robots (one of which he competed with at Battlebots in San Francisco) and more.

“Brett is also a somewhat shy outdoorsman who would happily live outside if I would join him (which I will not, because I like sheets and running water), Barbara informed me. “To compensate, he’s got a shop that’s bigger than our house.”

I searched high and low for a video of the robot mailbox, which I told Barbara I would love to see in action. But it turns out a video would be pretty boring.

“It doesn’t actually move,” Barbara replied. “It just looks like it can.”

Love it. A robot with potential.

Tent Man, clearly, you have competition.

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With weather in the 70s and 80s, sunny with the occasional summer thunderstorm, snow and ice may be the last things on our minds. But when frigid, dark days close in on us, we can take comfort from knowing that four of Kitsap County’s snowplow blades now sport works of art created by local schoolchildren.

Students from Manchester, Brownsville, Green Mountain and Breidablik elementary schools were selected by county public works officials in May from among 14 competing schools to decorate the plow blades. The contest was modeled after similar competitions in other jursidictions around the United States. Teachers  used the art project as a teaching opportunity, according to Anne Giantvalley, a teacher at Manchester Elementary. The students got a field trip to the public works department. They submitted drawings, then the classes involved voted on their favorite designs, which were chosen for transfer to the snow removal equipment. When it came time to paint, the county brought the blank canvass blades to each school.

“Our students learned about design and had to work collaboratively to complete the painting in a limited time in some inclement weather too,” Giantvalley said. “Students also had the opportunity to see the truck bring the blade and unload it – quite fascinating.”

We may not need it now, but tuck this link to the county’s snow removal plan in your bookmark bar for when the snowflakes start to fall. Now, get out and soak up the sun while it’s here.

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Gordon Andrews is a florist by trade, but we’re not just talking your daisies-in-a-teacup florist — no disrespect to florists of that genre. Andrews, with a specialty in estate management, does things in a big way. When he was living in San Francisco, his clients were countesses and other multi-millionaires, including the Ghirardelli family of chocolate fame. Such was the size of their digs that some had whole rooms devoted to floral arranging.

When Andrews moved to Bremerton in 2005, he brought with him a large stash of silk flowers. He became involved with the Bremerton Arts Commission, through which he attended an event at the Norm Dicks Government Center. There, he saw a black canvass.

Andrews got permission to create floral arrangements for the desk, where concierge Patty Stewart presides. The work is all gratis.

“I just wanted to share some of the things that I can do,” Andrews said.

The dramatic bouquets rotate about monthly. Andrews has been at it since December, and people have noticed.

“I can’t tell you how many people walk right up, shake my hand and say thank you,” he said. “I think little things like that make a difference.”

People have donated silk flowers toward the cause. “It’s a community effort,” Andrews said.

For more information or to donate silk flowers, contact Patty Stewart, concierge, on the main floor of the Dicks center.

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Sometimes what drives you to read a book goes beyond an intense interest in the subject matter. It’s a good day when the experience is a good one.

It was with Celeste Cornish’s The Voyages of Starship Sid.

Cornish, a former reporter who wrote for us and for the folks at Sound Publishing, tells the story of Sid Ivins, a fourth-grader at the fictitious Walter Mondale Elementary School in Bremerton. Sid, who wants to be an astronaut, has Asperger’s Syndrome, which leaves him highly functioning on the autism scale, but offers him challenges when it comes to his social skills.

Sid tells his own story:

“‘Where in the world did you find that many pairs of vampire teeth in June?’ Mom asked George.
“‘I ordered them online. Mom left her credit card out on the dining room table so I used it,’ he said, and mom cracked up.
“‘They come in packs of twelve and I wanted to make sure I had enough, so I ordered twelve packs.’
“‘That’s one hundred and forty-four vampire teeth,’ I said. ‘That should be enough to get us through the summer.’
“Mom laughed again, even though nobody told a joke.”

Cornish is familiar with the Asperger’s topic generally. She is a substitute paraeducator in the Central Kitsap School District. She wrote the book in part so people will have a better understanding of the condition.

“They don’t fit in and they know they don’t fit in,” Cornish said. “There’s nothing physically wrong with them, but it’s a hard for them. It’s a really hard road for these kids.”

The book, which is aimed at a younger market but is fun for adults as well, does do a good job of illustrating how the condition shows up. Cornish hopes when adults see the kid who tears up his homework because he believes that will make it go away, or won’t stop talking about one subject, or who doesn’t seem to have an “edit” feature in his or her brain, that they will pause and understand that this is part of what you get with “Aspies.”

Sid has trouble getting acceptance from some of his friends, too, including an annoyingly persistent bully named Julie Michaels. Yep, the bully is a girl. But Sid does have his friends, and his life is a full one. His future is promising. Cornish said the more high-functioning adults with Asperger’s can do well in technical fields.

The book does what Cornish hoped. It’s a fun read, for one thing, but I learned a lot.

Cornish, by the way, has lived in Bremerton since 2002 and is married to U.S. Navy Master Chief Bryan Cornish. The two are parents to an 11-year-old son, Joshua.

The book is available at Amazon.com. She can be reached at celestercornish@yahoo.com.

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Jack Kienholz of Seabeck is offering a $200 cash reward for the return of his driftwood sea serpent.

This is not just any chunk of wood magically transformed through an overactive imagination. It’s a family heirloom.

Jack’s mother-in-law, Faye, found it while strolling on the Pacific Coast more than 20 years ago. The sea serpent stayed at their little bungalow at the ocean for many years, said Jack’s friend Tara Tulp, who notified the Kitsap Sun of the disappearance on his behalf.

“When Faye passed away, Jack and his wife Dianne brought it home and placed it on their private beach in memory of Dianne’s mother,” Tara said. “Dianne loved that sea serpent very much, a memory of wonderful times spent with family at the ocean. Dianne passed about two years ago and Jack is now a widower. So, I’m sure you can imagine the sentimental value that it holds for him.”

The accidental artwork went missing about Aug. 22 from the beach on Jack’s property on the 14000 block of Seabeck Highway. A week before the disappearance, a woman walking on the beach offered Jack $500 for the sea serpent.

“I said, ‘If you give me $5,000, I still wouldn’t sell it,’” said Jack.

So if you’re driving around and happen to see the sea serpent — not to be confused with the the driftwood dragon that’s been on Chico Way for years — give Jack a call at (360) 830-0239.

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Brynn writes:

Each year the Clear Creek Task Force holds an annual salmon adoption event to help raise money to pay for trail maintenance throughout the year.

A plain, wooden salmon is given to those who wish to “adopt” it, then they are asked to decorate the fish and return it for judging. The money spent on the adoption goes to the trail. If you’re thinking about adopting a salmon, the deadline to turn it in is Sept. 17.

Here’s the details from the Task Force:

Celebrate Clear Creek: Salmon Run Adoption Certificate

Salmon sponsors purchase artboard for $15, $25, or $25 for the “Catch-All” category. After decorating both sides of a salmon and naming it, the salmon art is donated back to Clear Creek for judging, awards and prizes. Vote for your favorite Salmon online at www.clearcreektrail.org.

Judges award first, second and other winners, award prizes and auction off Salmon Art at Celebrate Clear Creek on Saturday, Oct. 1 at the Clear Creek Interpretive Center located off off Levin Road and Bucklin Hill Road.

Salmon run proceeds will benefit development and maintenance of the Clear Creek Trail system. Salmon can be picked up at the following locations: Old Town Custom Framing, 3255 NW Lowell St, Silverdale WA 98383, 360 698-1507; Clear Creek Interpretive Center, for times visit www.clearcreektrail.org.

For more information: clearcreektrail@yahoo.com

All entries must be returned by September 17, 3 p.m. to be eligible for auction and prizes.

 

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Proving that we really can all get along, the Port of Bremerton, city of Port Orchard and city of Bremerton will team up over Memorial Day weekend for Kitsap Harbor Festival.

The port is hosting the festival to showcase its marinas on either side of Sinclair Inlet. City governments, chambers of commerce and community groups all have their oars in the water to offer up a boatload of fun.

At the heart of the festivities will be boats: big, small, vintage, military and famous. Scheduled events include a visit from tall ships, boat shows and races, food and entertainment.

Port Orchard is using the festival to roll all its wacky maritime festivities into one weekend, including turning the town over to pirates, a murder mystery contest, a Dingy Derby Race, a seagull wing cooking contest and … the ever lovin’ reason we are Port Orchard, while other, more sane towns are not … the Seagull calling contest on Sunday.

Bremerton’s waterfront will be alive with action, including a Bridge-2-Bridge Run, arts and antique show, Kitsap Car Cruz with live entertainment, scuba demos, tours of an historic Coast Guard vessel and more.

Linking the two fair cities over the weekend will be the Bremerton to Port Orchard foot ferry, operating every 30 minutes from 8:30 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. Saturday through Monday. The fare is $2 each way. The port and both cities contract for the service, which is no longer provided on Sundays by Kitsap Transit.

Events are on the Bremerton Boardwalk (B) or Port Orchard waterfront (P), unless otherwise specified. For a complete listing of events, visit the Port of Bremerton’s Kitsap Harbor Festival page.

Saturday, May 28
7 to 10 a.m.: Bremerton Lions Club Pancake Breakfast (B)

8 a.m.: Registration, 4.4-mile Bridge-2-Bridge Run/Walk (run starts
at 9 a.m.) (B)

9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Kitsap Arts & Antique Show/4th Street Market (B)

9 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Farmers Market and Pirate Marketfaire (P)

10 a.m. to 7 p.m.: Bremerton Boardwalk Festivities, crafts, merchants, food, scuba demos; remote underwater vehicle demos at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m.; beer garden, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Kitsap Library story time, 10:30 to 11 a.m., Carrie Kay, 1 to 1:30 p.m., Northwest Navy Band, 5 to 7 p.m. (B)

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Kitsap Harbor Regatta (both)

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Kitsap Car Cruz (B)

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Murder Mystery Weekend Registration & Clue Gathering (P)

10 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Bay Street Merchants’ Beer Garden; separate kids’ root beer garden (P)

10 a.m. to 7 p.m.: Historic military vehicle display (B)

10 a.m. to 7 p.m.: Tours of Comanche 202 – Historic U.S Coast Guard Vessel (B)

10 a.m. to 7 p.m.: Tall Ship Tours and Cruises – exact times to be scheduled by ship captain (B)

11 a.m. to 5 p.m.: B.O.O.M Pirates at the Marina Park (P)

11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Pirate Costume Contest (adults, kids, pets) (P)

11 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Kids’ Pirate Zone (Mermaid Cove) (P)

1 p.m.: Kids’ Pirate Story Time (kids ages 2-5) at the Port Orchard Library (P)

1:30 to 2:30 p.m.: Land Lubbers Pirate Dingy Derby Race (P)

4 p.m.: Free movie (Blackbeard’s Cove) at Port Orchard Library (P)

6:30 p.m.: Pirate Ball at Moon Dogs Too, music by Soulstice, (kids welcome until 8 p.m.)

Sunday, May 29
8 a.m. to 10. a.m.: Pancake Breakfast at Amy’s On The Bay benefiting the South Kitsap Helpline (P)

9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Farmers Market and Pirate Marketfaire (P)

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Kitsap Harbor Regatta (both)

10 a.m. to 7 p.m.: Tall Ship Tours and Cruises – exact times to be scheduled by ship captain (P)

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Historic Military Vehicle Display (B)

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Tours of Comanche 202 (B)

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Bremerton Boardwalk Festivities (see above); beer garden 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Kitsap Library Storytime 10:30 to 11 a.m.; Freckles Brown Band, noon to 2 p.m.; freestyle 3 to 5 p.m. (B)

10 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Bay Street Merchants’ Beer Garden/separate kids’ root beer garden (P)

11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Murder Mystery Weekend continues (P)

11 a.m. to 5 p.m.: B.O.O.M Pirates at the Marina Park (P)

11 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Kids’ Pirate Zone (Mermaid Cove) (P)

11:45 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.: Coroner’s report: Hear the gritty details surroundin’ the murder and piece the mystery together. (P)

Noon to 2 p.m.: 23rd Annual Seagull Calling Contest Contest (P)

Noon to 2 p.m.: “Seagull” Wings Cook-Off (amateur setup at 9 a.m.) (P)

4:30 p.m.: Murder Mystery reveal and cannon show (P)

Monday, May 30
Note: Monday events are held in Bremerton only.

10 a.m. to noon: Memorial Day Service, USS Turner Joy (DD951)

10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Bremerton Boardwalk Festivities; 10 to 10:50 a.m., Carrie Kay Patriotic Songs; 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m,. Synergy Dance Company; 1 to 3 p.m., Joey Dean Band

10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Tours of Comanche 202, historic Coast Guard vessel

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South Kitsap High School Presents its 15th annual Senior Art Show

When: 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 20
Where: Common Project’s Area of South Kitsap High School, 425 Mitchell Avenue, Port Orchard.
What: Guests will enjoy more than 300 photographs, 100 paintings and drawings, displays of ceramics, wooden boat projects, graphic art, videos, clothing design and more.

Attendees will have a chance to vote on “Best of Show” and participate in a silent auction of various pieces of art work. The funds from the auction go into a scholarship fund.

For more information contact SKHS photography instructor Robert Davis at (360) 874-5600.

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That goofy Mattress Ranch guy. You never know what you’ll see at his store on Highway 16 in Gorst.

For several weeks, I’ve been driving by, wondering about the large cow with boxy looking sides. As it turns out it’s a bull, although the apparatus that would have made that obvious is lacking.

Billy the Bull hails from Texas, where he served as a bigger-than-life advertisement for a steakhouse. Ted Sadtler, Mattress Ranch owner, found him on his travels through the Southwest and had to have him, said his daughter-in-law Yvonne Sadtler. Sadtler towed him him all the way home. He has plans to enter him in local parades.

Billy’s boxy look is left over from the steakhouse signs, since removed. He looks like several grown men could climb inside and hide, like the Trojan Horse.

With a secret weapon like that Port Orchard allied with Gorst might actually be able to conquer Bremerton.

Here are some of Billy’s buddies.

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So I’m working on this story for Wednesday about “Loose Ends” from 2010, in which we follow up on stories run earlier in the year. One is about this MTV video shot in Bremerton (at Skateland roller rink), and there’s this Port Orchard Police Department patrol cruiser in a couple of shots. Way to muscle in on Bremerton’s turf, POPD. … I’m just sayin’ …

In other Bremerton news, there is a dead dog in the parking lot off Warren and 4th Street.

We were alerted to the canine carrion by reporter Tristan Baurick, whose mother lives nearby. Tristan, formerly a freelancer covering Banbridge Island, joined our staff at the end of November, replacing Derek Sheppard, who went to make videos for Bastyr University in Seattle. Six degrees of separation and all that jazz.

Tristan described the hapless animal as “post-apocalyptic.” Now there’s a writer for you. “This dog has been there for a long time. It’s kind of being picked apart. … It’s pretty disgusting,” he said. Which reminds me of that old Loudon Wainwright song …

The dog did not appear to have been abused, Tristan said, just ignored. To the Kitsap Humane Society’s credit, once Tristan alerted them to the dog, they quickly agreed to remove the carcass.

Also today in Bremerton, I understand, the city’s latest sculpture is being installed. Is there a connection? Probably not. I’m just sayin’ …

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