Peninsular Thinking

I am not making this up. Bremerton is changing its name.

I am not lying. I am only taking it out of context.

You saw the headline and thought, “What the what?” And then you’re thinking, “Hasn’t Bremerton already had enough of a facelift?” Well, downtown maybe.

For all the things you can complain about this city, its name probably isn’t one of them. It’s not like anyone is saying, “Oh, we’d all be part of the 1 percent if only our city weren’t named ‘Bremerton.’”

The story in the picture here comes from Austin, Minnesota, and the Bremerton in question is a townhome complex there that’s getting its name changed to ‘Meadows West.’ Seriously? That’s an improvement? No. Either it’s an insult or a recognition that a townhome complex doesn’t deserve to carry Bremerton’s name.

It got me to thinking, though, what if Bremerton really did change its name? What would be some good candidates? If we wanted to anger our neighbors across the inlet we might call it “Cedar Cove.” I thought of some other ideas:

A. Ferryland
B. Really West Seattle
C. Shipyardia
D. Bremerton Island (The New York Times already called it that once anyway.)
E. Gatesville (after William Gates, Sr.)
F. North Los Angeles (Go Dodgers!)

I’m open to your ideas. Let’s compile a few and have a vote.

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In the course of researching our story on the re-opening of the old Wig Wam Tavern in Gorst, I heard that Scott Kirvan has plans to open a microbrewery at the old Beachcomber restaurant in Port Orchard. He’s got his sights set on a soft opening early in July with a grand opening a couple of weeks later.

The name planned is the Slaughter County Brewing Company, referring of course to the name that Kitsap County had before it became Kitsap. In January 1857, legislators named the newly formed county after William A. Slaughter, an Army Lieutenant who had been killed by Indians on the White River a year before. Maybe they thought the name wasn’t too inviting, because on July 13, 1857, Slaughter County was renamed Kitsap County to honor Chief Kitsap, a Suquamish military leader. But of course Slaughter County sounds so much more colorful, so folks who want to sound edgy have resurrected it on occasion.

Kirvan, who’s been making beer at home for 25 years, will be brewing on the premises in a “three-barrel brew system), which makes about 100 gallons at a time. He’ll offer other beers and ales, including some hard-to-find varieties.

“We’re going, stylistically, for a place that’s rustic with a maritime and pirate influence,” Kirvan said. “We’ll do some live entertainment, but we’ll stick with things like Irish bands, jug bands. …We’re not (at least as long as we can avoid it) going to carry hard-liquor and we really don’t want to be seen as a another night club in Port Orchard — our focus is on our beer, but we want to create a welcoming neighborhood atmosphere, in a striking location, that serves the folks that don’t like the night-club scene.”

On the menu is food that looks quite upscale for pirates. An example: Bagna Calda, confit de garlic in butter oil and anchovies — served hot with crostini.

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In case you missed it on Kitsap County’s website, here is a map showing the county’s plan for keeping roads open during snow.

Red routes showing the main roads are given high priority. The county’s goal is to get and keep them open within the first 36 hours.
“Primary roads provide the highest degree of mobility, serve major centers of activity, and are high traffic volume links between suburban centers and outlying communities. Crews plow and sand primary roads first, and continue until they are clear. When primary roads are clear crews move to secondary roads.”

Blue routes are secondary. The county gets to them as they are able, but within the first 36 hours, if snow continues to fall, they’ll focus on the primary routes.
Secondary routes “link local communities with primary roads. Secondary roads may enter residential neighborhoods, provide direct property access, and move traffic from primary roads to local access roads.”

“Local access roads serve residential single family homes, multiple dwelling developments, commercial business offices, and industrial development. They also provide access to developments from secondary roads, and provide circulation through neighborhoods. Crews work on local access roads after primary and secondary roads are cleared.”

County Plow Map

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Bruce Bryant of Poulsbo has set up a webcam overlooking Poulsbo from somewhere high in the hills near Raab Park.

I, for one, will be checking it a lot today. The sun is shining brightly in Bremerton right now (3:24 p.m., Saturday). I just returned from Silverdale, where it was also a sunny, sunny day. The picture in Poulsbo, though, is a little gray. And they were snowed on earlier.

Feel free to let us know if you see snow at your house, or anywhere you’re traveling. Of course I’m most interested in Kitsap weather, but if you’re in Iowa or something I wouldn’t stop you from chiming in.

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Kitsap County joins two Oregon communities in ranking high in per capital participation with the Peace Corps in 2011. Eugene and Roseburg in Oregon are also on the organization’s Top Ten list.

This is the first year for Kitsap, labeled “Bremerton-Silverdale,” the traditional grouping when organizations like this issue lists categorizing Census groups.

Kitsap has 9.1 volunteers per 100,000 residents according to a Peace Corps press release, which follows.

Oregon is the third highest volunteer producer and Washington is seventh, per capita.

Bremerton-Silverdale Debuts at No. 7 on Peace Corps’ List of Top Volunteer Producing Metropolitan Areas Per Capita
Seattle Ranks No. 6 Among Metro Areas; Washington Ranks No. 6 Among States

SEATTLE – December 8, 2011 – The Bremerton-Silverdale area makes its debut on the Peace Corps’ Top Metropolitan Areas list this year. Twenty-two currently-serving Peace Corps volunteers call the Bremerton-Silverdale area home, making it the No. 9 metropolitan area in the nation for producing Peace Corps volunteers per capita.

“Washington is the anchor for the Peace Corps in the Northwest,” Peace Corps Regional Manager Janet Allen said. “Many cities, towns and universities across the state have made huge contributions to the 50-year legacy of the Peace Corps. It’s no surprise to see several metro areas in Washington on the Peace Corps rankings this year.”

Seattle ranks No. 6 among metropolitan areas and Washington ranks No. 6 among states. Olympia ranks No. 13 among metropolitan areas per capita.

Historically, Washington has produced 8,631 Peace Corps volunteers who have helped promote a better understanding between Americans and the people of the 139 countries in which they have served. This ranks the state No. 3 for historical production of Peace Corps volunteers behind California and New York, respectively.

To see the full list of Peace Corps Top States and Metro Areas, visit www.peacecorps.gov/media .

Peace Corps’ nine regional recruiting offices across the United States work to recruit and provide information and guidance to prospective Peace Corps volunteers. The Peace Corps Northwest Regional Office serves Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. Peace Corps representatives work locally throughout the region. Applicants are encouraged to plan ahead and apply for Peace Corps service one year in advance of their target departure date.

The Peace Corps is recruiting Americans from all backgrounds and skill levels. Americans with backgrounds in agriculture, the environment, teaching English as a second language, and other technical or language skills related to Peace Corps assignment areas, such as French or Spanish language, are encouraged to apply online at www.peacecorps.gov/apply .

About the Peace Corps: President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps on March 1, 1961, by executive order. Throughout 2011, the Peace Corps is commemorating 50 years of promoting peace and friendship around the world. Historically, more than 200,000 Americans have served with the Peace Corps to promote a better understanding between Americans and the people of 139 host countries. Today, 9,095 volunteers are working with local communities in 75 host countries. Peace Corps volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a 27-month commitment. Visit www.peacecorps.gov for more information.

*Peace Corps data current as of September 30, 2011. The metropolitan area data used to determine Peace Corps’ rankings is derived from the most current U.S. Census Bureau “Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Area” data. The U.S. Census population data is based on 2009 estimates. Volunteers self-report their home city and state on their Peace Corps application.

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I’m working on Labor Day, so I feel entitled to burden you with inanity.

Across from the office is the downtown Bremerton branch of the Kitsap Regional Library. A kid in a banana suit just tried to get in.

I don’t have much more to say about it than that. Well there is the thought that this isn’t exactly banana suit weather, but I’ve officially been an adult for 31.5 years now. Better that, though, than being forced to wear the sheep costume I saw on the street corner in front of Target in Silverdale earlier today and yesterday. However much they’re paying that person is not enough.

Is there a mascot costume appropriate for temperatures in the 80s? If there is not, then I suppose a banana is as appropriate as any.

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In today’s Kitsap Sun, we are launching a series on the post-recession workplace. It’s not only about where people are working — and why — it’s about how each of us feels about the work we do day in day out.

We’re looking for plenty of reader involvement, and we have a few themes in mind:

Kitsap’s Dirtiest Jobs (the portable toilet business is just the beginning — one pest company owner told me he doesn’t do lice anymore)

New on the Job (first “real” jobs and new careers)

Life’s Clones (making a living off those of us too busy to cover the basics)

Feeding Kitsap (food services routinely ranks among the top five of Kitsap industries)

Bean Counters (with the recession we have developed a heightened respect for those adept with numbers)

New Beasts (jobs that didn’t exist before the Internet)

Green Jobs (turning out to be underwhelming according to one local jobs expert)

The Military Connection (no way could we ignore this category)

Even if your job doesn’t fit into a category, tell us about what you do to make a living and why it matters. Find us on Facebook and at the Kitsap Sun’s Peninsular Thinking blog, email chenry@kitsapsun.com or call (360) 792-9219. Remember to leave your contact information.

Thanks, Chris Henry, reporter

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On Thursday, I am going to do an interview with someone who lives on Cozy Lane in South Kitsap. Sound like a nice place.

As I’m out and about, I often wonder how some of these, typically rural, streets got their names. For example, Baby Doll Lane, also in South Kitsap, has a story behind it that I once knew — heard it from an old-timer. But in the course of daily dumpings of my mental trash, I’ve forgotten it. Can anyone help me out?

I’ve always been fond of Egg and I Road in Port Ludlow, which surely must have been inspired by the 1945 book by Betty McDonald about her life on a chicken farm in Chimacum.

I’ve noticed many roads that seem to be named after an individual or family, probably the first person to build there.

Kitsap County has just passed a new resolution to impose some uniformity of addressing, which will help firefighters and other first responders locate homes in case of emergency. The version that passed was revised, reducing the number of new road names to less than the 200 officials originally expected. Neighbors will be able to name their road by coming to a consensus. If they can’t, or won’t, the county will choose the name.

Do you live on a road with an interesting name? If so, what’s the story behind it? And if you lived on a road without a name, what would you call it and why?

Chris Henry, reporter

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To help those affected by the earthquake and tusnami (and impending nuclear crisis) in Japan, businesses and individuals from the Kitsap Peninsula have started donation drives and offering help through the Navy and relief organizations. Here are several efforts that we know of so far.

• Poulsbo Company Grounds for Change has created a Japan Relief Blend to raise money for Mercy Corps. It will donate $2 from each $10 bag sold.

• Members of the Peninsula Japanese Women’s Club started calling friends and family Monday to collect donations, which they will give to the Red Cross. The club is comprised mainly of older women who were born in Japan and came to the Kitsap Peninsula, often with their Navy husbands. (Disclaimer: My grandma belongs to this group, which is how I know about and trust it enough to mention it.)

• Bainbridge Gardens will match up to $1,000 of customers’ donations to the American Red Cross. People can drop off their donations at the gardens at 9415 Miller Road NE.

• Naturally 4Paws in Silverdale has set out a donation jar and will pledge 100 percent of Thursday’s profits to benefit the World Vets organization.

If you know of other local fundraisers, please let everyone know about it in the comments or e-mail sunnews@kitsapsun.com.

Additionally, dozens of nonprofit relief agencies are collecting donations online:

• You can donate directly to the Japanese Red Cross Society through Google
• International Medical Corps Emergency Response Fund
• Peace Winds America
• Convoy of Hope
• Global Giving
• Doctors Without Borders

As always, be careful to whom you donate money. Donations scams started popping up shortly after this disaster. The Secretary of State’s Office has a good guide on how to avoid scams while helping earthquake and tsunami victims.

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Jason Beattie, a 1996 Bainbridge High School graduate and music video director, is planning another project in his old stomping grounds. Beattie, now with Ghost Town Media of Los Angeles, in July shot a video at Bremerton’s Skateland featuring U.K. singer Cheri Moon.

On Friday, he was back in Kitsap, speaking at Bainbridge High School and planning for an upcoming video production of a song by Steve Aoki, a nationally known DJ and founder of Dim Mak Records. The song, called “Wake Up,” features electronic music and essentially no lyrics, unless you count when Aoki screams, “Wake Up.”

See an example of Aoki’s music below.

In choosing Kitsap County as the location for the video, Beattie wanted to break out of the monotony of L.A. videos by showing viewers a new area of a the country and a culture they may not be familiar with. He thought a spot featuring Native Americans would fit with the message of the song.

“Obviously, growing up here, (local tribes are) a big part of all our community here in the Pacific Northwest,” Beattie said. “The concept is really kind of shining a light on the Native American community. I think a lot of people don’t see this community, and it’s kind of a wake-up call for some people.”

Beattie is drawn to Kitsap County for obvious reasons, but will Kitsap become the next big location for music videos? Why not? We already have our partially rotten foot in the door with “Zombies of Mass Destruction,” filmed in Port Gamble.

Beattie said of Kitsap, “I’d love for it to be my hidden gem here, because I think it is. For this video, I’d like to shine a light on the community.”

Beattie has contacted members of the Suquamish Tribe to broadcast the need for Native American families, children and dancers. Members of other tribes also are welcome to tryouts at a yet-to-be-disclosed Poulsbo location Monday through Jan. 17. Contact aokicasting@gmail.com.

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