Events

STORYTIME AND HARVEST TIME: The costume character Spot the Dog to visit Barnes & Noble in Kitsap Mall for storytime and pictures; Sat., Sept. 19, 11 a.m.; later in the day, Lorene Forkner, author of “Canning and Preserving Your Own Harvest,” will offer tips on all aspects of preserving, from drying to pickling, what supplies are needed and how to make the moset of your bountiful garden; 2 p.m. Info: (360) 698-0945.

GET PREPARED: Discussion with “You Only Die Once: Preparing for the End of Life with Grace and Gusto” author Margie Jenkins; Fri., Sept. 18, 1-4 p.m. or Sat., Sept. 19, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., doors open 45 minutes prior to events; Central Kitsap Presbyterian Church, 9300 Nels Nelson Road, Bremerton; free. Info or registration: (360) 744-6760 or www.harrisonfoundation.org.

LATIN MUSIC DUO: Collective Visions Gallery to feature historic Latin folk music and song with Abel Rocha and Madeleine Sosin; Fri., Sept. 18, 7 p.m.; 331 Pacific Ave., Bremerton; $14 advanced sales, $17 at the door. Info or tickets: (360) 377-8327 during business hours.

MEET THE WRITER: Author talk and book signing with Paul Stillwell, an independent historian and former director of the U.S. Naval Institute’s history division; Sat., Sept. 19, 2 p.m.; Naval Undersea Museum, 610 Dowell St., Keyport. Info: (360) 396-5547.

WYA OPEN HOUSES: Washington Youth Academy, a free federal- and state-funded residential and post-residential program for 16-19 year olds who dropped out of high school or are at risk of dropping out, is hosting open houses for prospective youth and their families; Saturdays, Sept. 19, Oct. 17, Nov. 21, 10 a.m.; Wednesdays, Oct. 14, Nov. 18, 5:30 p.m.; 1207 Carver St., Bremerton. RSVP or info: (877) 228-8947, (360) 473-2615, (360) 473-2617 or www.ngycp.org/site/state/wa.

GET YOUR SKATE ON: Bremerton Ice Center to host Free Adult Skating Night, an introduction to the Bremerton Figure Skating Club; Sat., Sept. 19, 5:30-7 p.m.; 1950 Homer Jones Drive, Bremerton; all are welcome including beginner skaters. Info: robbin@thewinningmix.com.

DINO DAYS: Kitsap Mall is bringing back the Mad Scientist activity in which children are invited to participate in an archaeological dig to discover dinosaur bones; Sat., Sept. 19 and Sun., Sept. 20, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., center court, with a special dinosaur teeth project from 1-3 p.m. Sat. only. Info: (360) 698-2555.

HELP THE HUNGRY: Karin Kay Properties will bring food and monetary donations to Kitsap County’s food banks by sponsoring Minder Farm’s corn maze the week of Sept. 21-25; the community is encouraged to bring nonperishable items, which will earn them $1 off admission to the corn maze; located off State Route 303. Info: (360) 479-7653 or officemanagerkkp@yahoo.com.

APOLOGIST SPEAKS: Eric Barger, a noted Christian apologist, is slated to speak at Central Valley Christian Fellowship; Sun., Sept. 21, 11 a.m.; 6689 Central Valley Road, Bremerton. Info: (360) 698-1031.

GOLD STARS: A Gold Star luncheon honoring Gold Star families; Wed., Sept. 23, 1 p.m.; VFW Post No. 239, 190 S. Dora Ave., Bremerton; $5 per person. RSVP by Sept. 18: (360) 377-4633 or (360) 277-3490.

MEET THE AUTHOR: West Sound Reads presents author Philippa Gregory who will make a presentation and do a reading of her new novel, “The White Queen;” Sat., Sept. 26, 4 p.m.; Bremerton High School Performing Arts Center, 1500 13th St., Bremerton. A portion of event proceeds benefit the Kitsap Regional Library Foundation. Info: Suzanne Droppert at (360) 779-5909.

EAGLES RECRUITING: Bremerton Eagles No. 192 are hosting a membership drive featuring $20 dues special; Sat., Sept. 26, 9 a.m.-midnight; 205 Sixth St.; music by Rock Traditions in the remodeled lounge, 8 p.m.-midnight; no cover. Info: (360) 373-4944.

SNEAK PEEK: Kitsap-Bremerton Athletic Roundtable reception to preview an elaborate display opening next summer of Kitsap County’s sports history with emphasis on the area’s top coaches and sports promoters; Fri., Oct. 2, 5-8 p.m.; Kitsap County Historical Society Museum, Fourth Street and Pacific Avenue, Bremerton; free. Info: (360) 479-6226.

DADDY’S GIRL: Father Daughter Dance, presented by the Professional Fire Fighters of Kitsap County Local 2819, to benefit the IAFF 2819 Benevolent Fund; Fri., Oct. 2, 6-9 p.m.; President’s Hall at the Fairgrounds; open to the public; $12 per person, includes a rose and picture for each daughter; cake, beverages and snacks available. Tickets: www.firefightersdance.org.

CALLING FUTURE 4-H’ERS: 4-H Youth Development Program to host its annual Welcome to 4-H event to help educate youth 5 years old and in kindergarten to 12th-graders about the benefits of the program; Sat., Oct. 3, 3-5 p.m.; President’s Hall, Kitsap County Fairgrounds. Info: Kelly Fisk at kfisk@co.kitsap.wa.us or (360) 337-7162.

SCOUT SEARCH: Scout registration for anyone who is interested in joining Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts or any adults who would like to be volunteers; Sat., Oct. 3, noon-3 p.m.; Elks Lodge, 4131 Pine Road, Bremerton. Info: Margie Torbron at (360) 373-7409.

GET THE SKINNY: Lap-Band information seminar on the FDA-approved minimally invasive surgery available at Harrison Medical Center; Sat., Oct. 3, 1 p.m. (future dates as well); Orchid Room, Harrison Silverdale; free. Pre-registration required: (866) 722-6363. Info: www.pacsurgical.com/events.htm.

RESPONSIBLE OWNERS: Animal Rescue Families is offering spay/neuter certificates from 10 a.m.-noon every Sunday at Petco in Bremerton in September and October; certificates are good for cats and dogs older than 3 months and dogs must be less than 100 pounds and younger than 7 years old; limit four pets per family; $20 co-pay for each pet, cash only.

Meetings

POLIO SUPPORT: The Kitsap Polio Support Group to meet; Sat., Sept. 19, 1-3 p.m.; Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue Station 56, 6470 Seabeck Hwy NW. Info: Bob Miller at (360) 692-1381.

HEARING HELP: The Hearing Loss Association of Kitsap County to feature Dick Meyers, owner of Pure Direct Sound, who will discuss how to hear better with your hearing aids using inexpensive assistive technology; Sat., Sept. 19, 1-3 p.m.; Harrison Medical Center Silverdale, 1800 NW Myhre Road. Info: (360) 871-0997, jcallen@hearingloss-wa.org or www.hearingloss-wa.org.

GARDEN CLUBS UNITE: The quarterly meeting of Cross Sound District garden clubs to feature Dan Larson of the U.S. Department of Agriculture who will present “Our Natural Resources” followed by a catered luncheon and flower show by Bainbridge Island and Poulsbo Garden Clubs; Mon., Sept. 21, 10 a.m.; West Side Improvement Club, 4109 “E” St., Bremerton. Info: (206) 842-3590.

LADY DEMS: The Kitsap County Democratic Women to put on a no-host buffet luncheon followed by a program featuring a representative from Washington Families Standing Together discussing Referendum 71 and a representative from Poulsbo Mayor Kathryn Quade’s office who will discuss Poulsbo city issues; Wed., Sept. 23, 11:30 a.m.; AA China Buffet, 3583 Wheaton Ave., Bremerton; all are welcome. Info: Jo Fox Burr at (360) 613-4042.

MOAA MEETS: The Kitsap Chapter of the Military Officer’s Association of America to feature guest speaker Capt. Mark J. Olson, USN, Commanding Officer of Naval Base Kitsap; Fri., Sept. 25, 11 a.m. social hour, noon lunch and program; Elks Lodge, 4131 Pine Road NE, Bremerton. RSVP by Sept. 18 or info: (360) 871-3159.

BIPOLAR TALK: The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Kitsap County is hosting guest speaker Lori Woodward Bobo who will discuss bipolar disorder and pregnancy; Thurs., Oct. 1, 7 p.m.; Kitsap Mental Health Services, 5455 Almira Dr NE, East Bremerton.

SPEAK PROUDLY: Toastmasters International is a nonprofit organization that provides a supportive and positive learning environment to help people excel in speaking, listening and leadership skills; Wednesdays, 7-8 p.m.; Subway party room, 3850 Kitsap Way, Bremerton. Call or e-mail for a free reservation: Dave Harris at (360) 478-7089 or Harriscd.wa@comcast.net.

AMERICAN RED CROSS CLASSES

The American Red Cross has a number of upcoming classes offered at the West Sound Service Center, 811 Pacific Ave., in Bremerton. To register, call (360) 377-3761 or visit the Web site at www.westsoundredcross.org.

Adult CPR — Tues., Sept. 22, 5:30-9:30 p.m.; $36.

First Aid — Thurs., Sept. 24, 5:30-9:30 p.m.; $36.

Adult CPR and First Aid — Sat., Sept. 19, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; $55.

Adult, Infant and Child CPR and First Aid — Sun., Sept. 20, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; $70.

Seven-hour HIV/AIDS Prevention — Sun., Sept. 27, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; $65.