Kitsap County Bites :: SoundBiteBlog.com

“It was an intense junkyard dogfight. Taunting slurs and jeering insults flew across the hardwood. Both sides got into foul trouble early.”

And that was just from the fans!

Last nights Narrows League Boys Varsity Basketball game pitting the (5-1) Central Kitsap Cougars against the (1-3) Bellarmine Prep Lions was fast and furious from the opening tip-off to the final buzzer in the 4th period.

Led by Abdul Gaddy, the #2 ranked Point Guard in the Country, the Bellarmine Boys managed to head into the locker room at the half with a slight lead. Then, towards the end of the 3rd period, the momentum seemed to shift in their favor as the Lions approached a double-digit advantage.

But coming off an emotional last-minute loss to Mt. Tahoma last Friday, the Cougs rallied back to take the lead and never looked back.

And now for just a few casual observations as a parent in the stands…….

This year’s squad has some really incredible potential. There’s a wide range of skilled starters, and a very deep and talented bench. If they can learn to trust one another, play unselfishly, and work together as a team, they could be the team to beat in the State Finals.

While Basketball is very much a ‘team’ sport, one player demonstrated extra effort last night, and really helped to keep us in the game – Job well done to Matt Wain!

Many times, the difference between a win or a loss is crowd support. This is especially true for games played on the road. A HUGE kudos goes out to the Cougs JV Basketball team and a wonderfully rowdy group of CK High Football players who helped to keep our team’s spirit fired up! The entertaining verbal volleys being tossed from one side of the gym to the other are part of a longstanding tradition among high school and collegiate athletic events. So, unless there’s an imminent threat of bodily dismemberment, or people are throwing bad fruit at the Refs, these ‘spirited’ jeers and taunts should not be silenced or micro-managed. These games are very special moments in our kids lives. Allow them to enjoy the moment! Otherwise, people will stop coming to the ‘away’ games, and everyone loses, maybe even literally!

Our next game is at CK High this coming Thursday, Dec. 18th, against North Kitsap. JV starts at 5pm, and Varsity at 7pm.  Go COUGS!

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Tags: 2008-2009 Boys Varsity Basketball, Bellarmine, central kitsap high school, Matt Wain, Scott McMinds

One of the challenges when moving to a new area is finding local businesses that you can trust. This is especially true when dealing with repairs to your car or truck. Given all the complexities of today’s automobiles, even the most basic maintenance requirements can be rather daunting and mysterious. Fortunately, here in Kitsap County, the choice of reliable auto repair shops is an obvious one – Town & Country Auto Repair on Chico Way in Bremerton WA. You’re biggest challenge is going to be getting scheduled for an appointment, so give yourself some time. But trust me, it’s well worth the wait! The highly qualified Technicians at Town & Country Auto Repair will skillfully diagnose whatever problems your car or truck is experiencing, and will give you an honest & fair estimate of what is needed to fix it. What I appreciate about Town & Country Auto Repair is that they never compromise on vehicle safety. If it’s a matter of your personal safety, they won’t cut corners. But they also give you options – do you want to try a used part? A certified re-built? A new component? The Guys at Town & Country Auto Repair understand the difficulties of making ends meet in today’s troubling economy. They’ve built a solid reputation for quality workmanship at affordable rates. For all of your auto repairs needs, call Town & Country Auto Repair (360) 692-2262 Town & Country Auto Repair 3420 Chico Way Bremerton, WA 98312 360-692-2262 Google Map

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Posted in Business Bites, Kitsap County Bites | 1 Comment »

Tags: auto repair, bremerton WA, Kitsap County WA, town & country auto repair

Local Fishing and Boating Enthusiasts breathed a collective sigh of relief recently as the announcement was made that the seemingly ill-fated Olympic View Marina Project was revived from it’s death throes. According to reports in the Kitsap Sun, The WA State Department of Ecology formally approved the permit which allows the long-delayed demolition and construction work to finally commence. However, the ultimate extent and scope of the project is still in question, pending a required amendment to the Kitsap County’s shorelines plan. Evidently, back in 1976, for reasons no one seems to know, the surrounding shorelines were designated a ‘conservancy,’ and as such, prevents any expansion beyond the existing borders of the previous marina. The current development calls for a larger marina footprint and a much needed breakwater. Fortunately, wiser and cooler heads at the Dept. of Ecology have prevailed. As quoted in the Kitsap Sun, Jeannie Summerhays, Director the the NW Region, stated, “Ecology has seen the benefits of this project from the time we first become aware of it. We thought a solution was possible, and I am pleased to we have arrived at one.” When questioned about the pending amendment, Geoff Tallent, Manager of Ecology’s Regional Shorelines Section said, “We think an amendment makes sense and is consistent with the goals of the state Shoreline Management Act.” To read the full story, go HERE.

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Tags: hood canal, olympic view marina LLC, seabeck marina

This coming Friday could be Doomsday for the long awaited and much-anticipated Olympic View Marina Project out in Seabeck. How this has remained under my radar, I have no idea. Tonight, while taking a walk with my wife, I ran across fellow RE agent, Nick Blickhan (Nick and I had worked together at the Windermere office here in Silverdale). As a waterfront resident of Seabeck WA, Nick has been keeping close tabs on the progress, or lack thereof, of the Olympic View LLC Marina Project. Four partners purchased the fledging property a few years ago, and put together a very detailed development plan. At considerable expense, they effectively jumped through each and every hoop that the County and State required, and in most instances, went way beyond what was necessary. From every indication, it appeared that things were moving forward, and the much needed marina would become a reality. Unfortunately, due in large part to one lone, dissenting squeaky wheel, the ear of the WA Department of Ecology has been effectively bent, and it appears that the project is headed to a devastating demise. Evidently, the neighborhood squeaky wheel is one of these types who defines/measures ‘Smart’ growth by how far you can bury your head in the sand. Nevermind that the dire needs of the many clearly outweighs the preferences of the few, or, in this case, the one. Nevermind that the partners paid exceptionally close attention to detail in their plans towards maintaining and even enhancing the existing environmental integrity of the areas impacted by the proposed marina development. Nevermind that the marina would have a very positive impact on the financial stability of existing Seabeck merchants/businesses, and long-term residential property values. Nevermind that area boat owners would finally have badly needed basic marina services and mooring space available. The closest marina is Pleasant Harbor, over on the western side of Hood Canal, just south of Brinnon. You can moor your boat there, but it takes nearly an hour by car to get there. The Olympic View Marina Project should make complete sense – ecologically, or otherwise. While it could be argued that some commercial developments are not necessarily environmental-friendly, this project clearly fulfills the demand for highest and best use. Although Kitsap County Commissioner, Josh Brown, has voiced his full support for this project, but his influence may not be enough to affect the outcome. The WA State Department of Ecology is issuing their final verdict on the project this Friday. In my humble opinion, the Dept needs to step up and display some backbone. Rather than buckling under the incessant whining of one solitary voice, the project should be measured and approved on the merits of the significant positive impact it will have on the environment/habitat, and the true value that quality marina services will offer to our community.

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Posted in Bite Me Blogs, Bites of Washington, Kitsap County Bites, Seabeck WA Real Estate | 4 Comments »

Tags: Josh Brown, Kitsap County WA, olympic view marina LLC, seabeck marina, WA Dept of Ecology

The men’s slow pitch softball team from New Life Church here in Kitsap County WA has received the prestigious #1 ranking by the USSSA (United States Specialty Sports Association). Here’s a snapshot of the Top Ten team rankings:

(For a complete list of the team rankings, GO HERE)

Our family knows several of the team players, like Little Dick, but one in particular is a very special friend, Josh Phillips, Owner/President of Ethos Builders in Poulsbo WA. Josh is good friends with our oldest son, Ben, and is married to Mallory (Gaboriault). Mallory’s parents live in the house behind us, and their dog, Prince, is on permanent loan to us.

Congrats to Josh and the rest of the team for such an amazing accomplishment!

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Tags: ethos builders, josh phillips, new life church, soft pitch softball, usssa