Simply Sublime Espresso

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I recently had breakfast at Simply Sublime Espresso ( 2803 Kitsap Way Bremerton, Washington 98312.). I had one of the  breakfast sandwiches with sausage,cheese, and egg which was really good. The price was also very reasonable at under four dollars.

The waitress was busy with handling drive-thru orders, but she was very friendly and made sure everything was ok.

For those living in Bremerton or if you are visiting the area, give  Simply Sublime Espresso a try.

Trip To Port Orchard

Yesterday, I took a trip to Port Orchard portorchard.net. Port Orchard is a  fairly old (incorporated 1890), but growing community about a mile across Sinclair Inlet from the city of Bremerton, Washington. bremerton.com My means of transportation was an old boat named "The Carlisle II".

 The Carlisle II is one of the few remaining boats of "The Mosquito Fleet." The Mosquito Fleet at one time consisted of hundreds of small boats that took passengers and cargo all over The Puget Sound. Highways, cars, and other means of land transportation made the Mosquito Fleet unprofitable and most of the boats are gone now, but the Carlisle II and a few other old timers still make the Bremerton-Port Orchard run about every half hour. The cost is a two dollars  for an adult one-way ticket.

Drug Addiction

Yesterday, I found two syringes on the sidewalk of the Warren avenue bridge that connects east and west Bremerton. It is no secret that Bremerton has a serious drug problem.Recently, there was a proposal to open a Methadone clinic downtown, but the city council voted it down. I have never really understood addiction. If any of my readers have any thoughts on the subject, please write me @ dragonfly6160@yahoo.com and I will put your responses in my blog. Thanks.

Power Scooter Breakdown

Not long after my unintentional panhandling, I noticed a young woman attempting to push a power scooter with an elderly man in the seat up a slight incline. I ran over to help and it turned out that the battery on the scooter had been drained of power and needed to be recharged and the young woman was trying to get the man and his scooter back home.

I decided to help her and together we were able to push the  unpowered scooter and the man up the slight rise. It was a relief to get to the top. Eventually the scooter's owner was able to maneuver the scooter to his house.

Water Pipe Leak

Today, as I was walking near the Warren Avenue Bridge which connects east and west Bremerton I noticed a leak in a large water pipe that runs under the bridge. I went to city hall and reported the leak to the public works department. Hopefully I saved the city a bit of trouble.

Young Sailor

A few days ago, I noticed a sailor with a cast on her foot trying to get through the door of a mini-mart that I was just entering. I held the door open for her and I was struck at how very young she was. I am so grateful for the American young people that sacrifice so much to serve their country and I wish that we had leaders with the wisdom to be damn careful before putting our soldiers in harms way.

Strange Encounter Six

Today, I visited Bremerton's Forest Ridge Park, which in my opinion is Bremerton's best park. As I was walking down a driveway in the park, I noticed a car that had the engine running, but there was apparently no driver or passenger in the vehicle.

  Of course I thought that was very odd, but I decided to give it some time in case there was a perfectly logical explanation. I walked a short distance and then after a couple of minutes I returned to the car (which was still running) and found a young man fully reclined in the drivers seat. I knocked on the window and asked him if he was all right. The young man indicated that he was. I contemplated whether I should call the police to be sure,but decided not to. I hope that I did the right thing. Later on, I noticed the car was gone.

Courage Under Fire.

In one of Bremerton's parks there are two actual anti-aircraft gun platforms from a World War Two era ship. Each platform was operated by two gunners.

For a few moments, I tried to imagine what it must have been like during a battle with the guns blasting away and your shipmates depending on you to destroy the enemy aircraft before they could damage or sink the ship.

It must have taken tremendous courage for the gunners to stay at their posts while enemy planes beared down at them at 400 miles an hour.

What is that noise?

For the past few days, a regular pounding noise has been coming from the Naval Shipyard. In my imagination, I see a giant pounding a huge nail. I am curious as hell as to what the actual cause is.

Strange Encounter Five.

Just before the Warren Avenue Bridge in Bremerton I passed a young man who was carrying a large golf club and was walking a Pit Bull. I suppose if one security method failed he could fall back on the other.

Smoking in Bremerton

For whatever reason, Bremerton has an excessive number of smokers. Everywhere I go in the city, I smell cigarette smoke and cigarette butts litter the sidewalks. Someone once told be that Bremerton residents smoke so much because of the bad weather, but Bremerton's weather is no better or worse than other Puget Sound cities.

 My own feeling is that the cigarette plague is related to the Naval Base that gave Bremerton life. Because of the machismo nature of military life, smoking might seem daring and exciting.I wish every smoker could see how nasty,dirty, and inconsiderate tobacco use actually is.

Strange encounter three

Yesterday,I was sitting on a bench at one of Bremerton's parks when a young man approached me and asked "Is my time up?" I told him that I didn't know what he meant by the question.

He then went on to talk about the various stages of life and again he asked "Is my time up?" I asked the man how old he was and he held up two fingers on one hand and three fingers on the other hand. Not understanding I said "five?" and he said "no, twenty three" I told him that he had plenty of time left.

The odd question made me uneasy, and I decided that it was best that I move on.

Relay For Life

http://www.relayforlifeofbremerton.org/  For those that live in the Bremerton, Kitsap County area of Washington State, The American Cancer Society will be having a relay for life at  Central Kitsap High School track June 25th & 26th, 2011 from noon to noon.

            Email-mailto:Email-bremertonckrfl@gmail.com

Armed Forces Parade

Today, I attended the annual Bremerton Armed Forces Parade and I have to say that I enjoyed it very much and I learned to appreciate our armed forces a little more. The sight of an elderly World War Two veteran marching in the parade while carrying an oxygen bottle touched me deeply.

 In addition to the military exhibits, there were also a grab-bag of other themes including a group that advocates for the mentally ill. The school marching bands were great. The dedication and hard work that these kids put in for their performance gives me great hope for the future. One remarkable young girl was doing gymnastic moves on the hard pavement.

The weather was a little dreary, but the crowd was large and there was a great deal of cheerful interaction between spectators and the marchers.

In some ways, Hometown parades are a reflection of America, and judging from today, I would say that we are doing ok.

Sara Burke

Sara Burke was a Bremerton resident who was murdered on May 3, 2011. She was only 19 years old. A fund has been set up for Sara's family at US Bank branches. Please give if you can.

Events Of The Day

http://www.pugetsoundnavymuseum.org/  This morning, I visited the Puget Sound Navy Museum which is located not far from the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. The navy museum has various exhibits that illustrate the history of the naval shipyard and its contributions to recent and past history. There are also interactive exhibits for children and adults. Admission is free, but you can make a contribution if you wish.

As I was walking home, I helped a young woman change a tire on her Jeep. I enjoyed the chance to help someone, as I have been helped by strangers many times.

Strange Encounter Two

This afternoon when I went to the john in a Bremerton park, I found a teen-age boy and girl having an animated conversation inside the bathroom. The boy was annoyed that I had interrupted his little chat. The girl was embarassed and quickly left. Later, the couple asked me to sell them a couple of cigarettes. (I don't smoke). Then they asked if they could use my cell phone for a local call. I agreed  they could for a dollar.And so ended strange encounter number two.

Strange Encounter

This morning, I was sitting on a bench at the Bremerton marina when a young man came up to me and asked if I was in the zombie movie. With him was a young woman in full zombie make-up. I answered "no."  I think I understand what Dan Rather must have felt when he was asked by a stranger "Kenneth, what is the frequency?"

http://www.krl.org/     For those visiting the Seattle-Bremerton area be sure to check out the  beautiful downtown Bremerton public library at 612 fifth st. 98337. The library was designed by architects Charles V. Rueger and Frank B. Smith and was completed in 1938. The library is a reminder that even in hard times of long ago some  public officials cared about design and art.

New City

I have recently moved to the city of Bremerton, Washington. Bremerton is located in the south Puget Sound region about 20 miles west of Seattle. Bremerton's economy revolves around a naval base and naval shipyard.  Several massive aircraft carriers can be seen anchored near the shipyard waiting for repair and refitting.