To much relief, the brick repaving work on Fourth Street between Park and Pacific avenues in Bremerton will be completed before the Armed Forces Day Parade marches along the spiffed-up block on Saturday, May 19.

A few finishing touches — new decorative street lights and an emblem of an anchor and compass that will be embedded in the center of the Fourth and Park intersection — will have to wait until after this weekend, but the project is essentially finished. read more »

In my view, the Ford Fiesta rates well against an impressive choice of recently redesigned subcompacts. Completely redesigned in 2011, Fiesta offers no significant changes for 2012. Any bugs have been worked out in the first year, yet the design is still new enough to offer the latest advances in safety and fuel efficiency. read more »

Lee Murray has been surfing since the late 1960s, starting out at age 12 in California. But several years ago, Murray discovered standup paddling — and that was pretty much the end of his surfing days. Now, he no longer has to wait for the right wind and other conditions, and can go out on the water any time.

“The paddle completely changes it. Surfing is a difficult sport and windsurfing is the same, because you have to learn so many things,” he says. “Flatwater paddling is the easiest sport to learn that I’ve seen. It’s simple — you need a board, a paddle and a swimsuit.”

Murray was so hooked into his new hobby, last October he decided to start a new business in downtown Gig Harbor, Lee’s SUP. read more »

It was part science fair, part home show and, in a way, part group employment interview.

About 75 Bremerton High School students participated in Energy Week held April 18-20. They were divided into teams tasked with designing a “home of the future” that uses alternate sources of energy such as solar, wind and geotherman; and marketing their model to prospective investors — community members who volunteered to judge the student presentations. read more »

The Gig Harbor Fly Shop, less than four years old, has created a following all over Puget Sound. Popular with both beginner and experienced anglers, the shop offers everything needed for a successful fishing outing — from gear, DIY fly-tying supplies and insulated clothing, to classes, guided trips and fishing kayak rentals.

For owner Blake Merwin, the shop’s many offerings are a way to get more people attracted to the sport of fly fishing. That’s why he keeps his class fees low — he says he has among the lowest class prices in the country read more »

For the past few years, the Kitsap Peninsula has been working on its reputation as much more than Seattle’s neighbor “only a ferry ride away.” Outdoor adventure sports enthusiasts are “discovering” the area and its rich water and land opportunities.

Last year’s visit by nearly 300 Microsoft employees for a play day is one example. The company-sponsored outing included golf and kayaking. And it’s not the first time groups of several hundred people have descended on the peninsula for some organized recreation read more »

Craig and Wendy Gurney have been in business for five years, providing tile installation service. Their Poulsbo business, Gurney’s Tile Work, has done well despite being a startup in a downturn — so well, in fact, that the couple decided last year to expand by opening a showroom.

“The timing was good. We felt like if we didn’t do it, somebody else was going to capitalize on it,” Craig Gurney said. read more »

The 42nd Earth Day marked its anniversary on Sunday April 22 … and the weather cooperated with a warm sun-filled weekend worth celebrating here in the Northwest!

The annual Sinclair Earth Day Environmental Cleanup volunteer crews met again at the Port Orchard site on April 21. The Bremerton site took a leave — first time in 17 years — and will convene again for Coastweeks 2012 in September. read more »

Like many coffee shops, the RPM Café in Bremerton offers various conveniences in addition to espresso — from comfy seating and wireless Internet access, to quick breakfast and lunch fare. Customers can claim a chair and hang out for a few hours, or they can grab coffee and food on the run.

What makes RPM Café different is its unlikely location. read more »