Easter bunny photos at Kitsap Mall through March 26

SILVERDALE —The Easter Bunny will be at the Kitsap Mall March 3-26 to pose with children for photographs. All children receive a free packet of carrot seeds from Bunny just for visiting.

Hours are: Monday – Saturday, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Extended hours are: March 18, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.; March 25-26 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.

The bunny will be at the north court of Kitsap Mall, 10315 Silverdale Way NW, in Silverdale. Several photo packages will be available for purchase. Personal photos are not allowed. For more information, call 360-698-2555.

The mall will be closed on Easter, Sunday, March 27.

Ad exhibit at Kitsap History Museum

BREMERTON — Marshall McLuhan once wrote that ”Ads are the cave art of the 20th century.” Learn more about early Kitsap advertising with a new exhibit that opens March 4 at Kitsap History Museum.

Advertising has been used for centuries to communicate the availability of goods and services. By the time Kitsap became a county in 1857, advertising had already begun the shift from simple announcements to persuasive sales pitches.

“Your Ad Here! 80 Years of Kitsap Print Marketing” will explore the evolution of print advertising and its reflection of and influence on American culture from the late 1800s through the 1960s. The exhibit first opened to the public on First Friday, March 4, at 5 p.m.

Learn more at www.kitsapchs.org.

911 dispatch service reconfiguration meeting set for March 14

BREMERTON — Kitsap County’s emergency dispatch service, Central Communications, also known as CENCOM, is preparing to transition from a county agency to a separate legal entity.

For many years, Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue has had an inter-local agreement with CENCOM and has invested public funds and incurred liabilities for the benefit of CENCOM. Such funds and liabilities have been used to acquire necessary property for the operation of CENCOM.

In preparation for the creation of the new and separate legal entity, CKFR will transfer its interests and its liabilities associated with CENCOM to Kitsap County so that Kitsap County can transfer all interests and liabilities to the new public entity, Kitsap 911.

The purpose of the move is to improve the efficiency of the governance of the county’s emergency dispatch service.

All county police and fire agencies are participating in a similar action.

The public is invited to attend a public hearing on this topic at CKFR’s next Board of Commissioners meeting at 4 p.m. on Monday, March 14. The meeting will be held at the CKFR Administration Building, 5300 NW Newberry Hill Road in Silverdale.

CKCC meets March 17

The March Central Kitsap Community Council meeting will be 7 p.m., March 17, at the Central Kitsap Fire and Silverdale Water District Building, 5300 NW Newberry Road, in Silverdale. The meeting will include a presentation from the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance by Kathy Cocus.

Wine and spirits store opened at The Trails March 10

SILVERDALE — Total Wine & More celebrated its grand opening at 9 a.m. on March 10.

The store will carry 8,000 wines, 3,000 spirits and 2,500 beers, and is located at The Trails at Silverdale, 11066 Pacific Crest Place NW, Suite A110, in Silverdale. It is located next to HomeGoods.

A 10-percent military discount will be available Tuesdays and Wednesdays on all Winery Direct wines, Spirits Direct spirits, beer singles and cigar packs.

Until Sunday, March 13, a portion of Total Wine & More’s sales will be donated to the Kitsap Great Give on May 3. Kitsap Great Give is a day of giving produced by the Kitsap Community Foundation and the United Way.

The store has close to 20,000 square feet of retail space and features a climate-controlled wine room for rare selections and a walk-in humidor for fine cigars, as well as space for private tastings, consumer education classes, community meetings and special events.

Meeting on widening of Silverdale Way set for March 15

SILVERDALE — The Silverdale Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a business meeting with the county regarding plans to widen Silverdale Way. The meeting is 7:30 – 9:30 a.m. at the Jenne Wright Building, 9210 Silverdale Way NW.

Republican women to hold meeting about sex trafficking problem

BREMERTON — What do you know about “sex trafficking?” Shared Hope is an organization fighting this societal problem, which is present in Kitsap County. The Silverdale-Seabeck Republican Women and representatives from Shared Hope will discuss the topic and address the “buyers,” the victims, the warning signs and domestic minor sex trafficking. The meeting will be 11 a.m. on March 28 at the Cloverleaf Grill, 1240 Hollis St., in Bremerton. For more information, contact Joan Gorner at jwgorner@outlook.com or 360-697-7914.

Witness Weekend March 11-12

SILVERDALE – The Wesleyan Covenant Connection’s Great Witness Weekend will be 7 p.m. on Friday, March 11, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 12, at Silverdale United Methodist Church. Lunch is provided. This free event is open to everyone. This will be a time to hear ordinary people talk about experiencing Jesus in their lives. The event is for those who want to be encouraged in their faith or if they are curious about what God is doing in people’s lives. For more information visit www.goo.gl/ho0Pph or email We3Witness@gmail.com.

Silverdale girl wins Revolutionary War essay contest

SILVERDALE — Heather Schronce, a junior at Central Kitsap High School, was named the winner of the John Paul Jones Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution knight essay contest. The essay is about an event, person or ideal associated with the American Revolution or the U.S. Constitution.

Schronce also won $500 at the Washington SAR State level and will go on to compete in the national contest in July in Boston.

Her parents are Jeff and Veronica Schronce of Silverdale.

The goals of the 127-year-old patriotic organization include promoting patriotism, and building respect for American history and the founding fathers. The SAR also supports veterans in VA hospitals, the Boy Scouts and ROTC cadets.

The John Paul Jones Chapter meets at Ambrosia Catering, 4954 State Hwy 303, East Bremerton. For more information, visit wassar.net.

Lark named to RIT Dean’s List

ROCHESTER, New York – Anthony Lark of Bremerton was named to the Dean’s List at Rochester Institute of Technology for the fall semester 2015-2016. Lark is studying in the career foundation program.

Degree-seeking undergraduate students are eligible for Dean’s List if their term GPA is greater than or equal to 3.4; they do not have any grades of “Incomplete”, “D” or “F”; and they have registered for, and completed, at least 12 credit hours.

Rochester Institute of Technology is home to leading creators, entrepreneurs, innovators and researchers. Founded in 1829, RIT enrolls 18,600 students in more than 200 career-oriented and professional programs, making it among the largest private universities in the U.S.

WSU President’s Honor Roll for Fall 2015 – Western Washington

PULLMAN — Washington State University’s President’s Honor Roll for the 2015 fall semester recognizes students who stand above the rest with excellent academic performance. To be eligible for the honor roll, undergraduate students must be enrolled in a minimum of nine graded hours in a single term at WSU and earn a grade point average of 3.75 or earn a 3.50 cumulative GPA based on 15 cumulative hours of graded work.

Bremerton: Ashley Pecson Abenojar; Ashley Brook Anderson; Terrin Anne Arestad; Michaela Ann Attaway; Michael James Austin; Elyse Rose Beckett; Blake LeeAnn Bynum; Kristina Danielle Carr; Sierra Morae Dix; Jared A. Dragovich; Cassandra Hildegard Draper; Forrest Orion Fanara; Jacob Tyler Foutch; Erika Rae Giesbrecht; Alejandra Nuno Gutierrez; Bryan Scott Huddleston; Marilyn Rose Jewett; Michael William Jewett; Jacqueline Nicole King; Heather Marie Korten; Donald Conner LeGare; Joanne Dizon Magtibay; Benjamin Kenneth Merrill; Trang Nguyen; Madalyn Noel Pearson; Mark Summerhays Pitcher; Kathalena Rose Raposa; Rebekha Danielle Rice; Shelby Aidan Romero; Thomas John Rook; Samantha Ann Ryen; Ruby Mae Arcega San Pedro; Hai Duc Ta; Joshua David Wood; Connor Thomas Wright; Cody Francis Yeik; David Mark Young; and Rebecca Michiko Young.

Seabeck: Adam James Burchett; Kelsey Renee Dammeyer; and Rebekah Leanne Nelson.

Silverdale: Savannah Marie Bussard; Benjamin Tzongtang Cheung; Maureen Crowe; Katie Kerbell Decker-Fisk; Erika Rene Halverson; Marissa Lynn Smith; Sara Elaine Van Natta; and Luke Francis Vybiral.

Danielsen on Dean’s List at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

TROY, New York — Heather Danielsen, of Bremerton, has been named to the Dean’s List at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for the Fall 2015 semester. The Dean’s List recognizes full-time students who maintain grade-point averages of a minimum of 3.0 out of a possible 4.0 and have no grades below “C.” Danielsen studies Design, Innovation and Society.

Founded in 1824, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is America’s oldest technological research university. For nearly two centuries, the Institute has been a driving force behind breakthroughs in engineering and science in virtually every arena-from transportation and infrastructure to business, medicine, outer space, and cyberspace.

Hills makes Emerson College Dean’s List

BOSTON — Kelly Hills of Bremerton has been named to the Emerson College Dean’s List for the Fall 2015 semester. Hills is majoring in media arts production. The requirement to make Emerson’s Dean’s List is a grade point average of 3.7 or higher.

Emerson College educates individuals who will solve problems and change the world through engaged leadership in communication and the arts, a mission informed by liberal learning. The College has approximately 3,780 undergraduates and 670 graduate students from across the United States and 50 countries. For more information, visit emerson.edu.

Kids baseball clinic April 5

BREMERTON — The Olympic High School Baseball program will sponsor the 14th annual Baseball Skills Clinic, directed by OHS Head Baseball Coach Nate Andrews. The program is for children grades kindergarten through 8th during spring break, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 5, at the Kitsap Fairgrounds baseball complex. Registration will take place the day of the event. Injury prevention, throwing, catching, sliding, base-running, bunting, hitting and fielding will be taught. Registration is $35, which includes a T-shirt if registered by March 20. Registration the day of the clinic is $40. The OHS gymnasium will be used if the field is unplayable so please bring tennis shoes in case of poor weather conditions. Registration forms are available via email request and on the program’s web site, olhs.cksd.wednet.edu/baseball. For more information contact Andrews at 662-2711, or email natea@ckschools.org.

Silverdale library books

SILVERDALE — The Silverdale Friends of the Library will hold their monthly book sale 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 12, in the Hess room of the library, located at 3450 NW Carlton St. in old town Silverdale.

Monday sales will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on March 14, 21 and 28.

The library depends on and appreciates community efforts to supply them with used books in good condition to keep the book sales going. Books may be dropped off at the library during regular library hours.

Senior singles meet March 20

BREMERTON — Kitsap Senior Singles will meet 1 p.m. on Sunday March 20, at 3201 Pine Road NE (the Willows senior apartments in East Bremerton.)

All senior singles are welcome. Bring a favorite dish to share. For more information call 360-871-2996.

Bonsai club meets March 18

BREMERTON — The Evergreen Bonsai Club will meet at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 18, at Crossroads Neighborhood Church, 7555 Old Military Road NE, in Bremerton. Charlie Anderson will discuss bonsai forests and will then repot a large ginkgo forest from a wooden box into a bonsai pot. For further information, contact Ruth Anderson at 360-626-12264 or email rutha33@msn.com. Guests are welcome for this free event.

Fitness center seeks food drive donations

BREMERTON — Curves International, Inc., one of the largest chains of fitness centers for women in the world, will have a Curves Food Drive through March 31 at participating Curves centers across the U.S. Curves is inviting both non-members and members to take part in the food drive by bringing in a bag of non-perishable food or a monetary contribution of at least $30 to be donated to a local community food bank.  All new members who make a food or monetary donation will receive a $0 enrollment fee when joining Curves (monthly membership fees still required.)

“We are excited to take part in the Curves Food Drive this year as it brings the community together to feed the needs of our local food banks while bringing women together in their health and wellness,” said Lisa Meyer of Curves of Bremerton. “This year, donations will benefit Bremerton Foodline and Central Kitsap Foodbank.”

For more information, visit Curves.com or Curves of Bremerton at 1748 NE Riddell Road, in Bremerton or call 360-479-7111.

Mariners to encourage healthier lifestyles

BREMERTON — CHI Franciscan Health has entered into a multi-year agreement as the Seattle Mariners official “Partner in Health” in a three-year affiliation to promote CHI’s “NW Healthy” message of health and wellness.

“Consumers are taking a more active role in their own health care decisions. This partnership will help CHI Franciscan reach Mariners fans across the Pacific Northwest promoting an active, healthy lifestyle,” said Kevin Mather, Seattle Mariners president.

Through the partnership CHI Franciscan will deliver health tips at Safeco field and on Mariners TV and radio broadcasts featuring Mariners Hall of Famer Dan Wilson.

Wilson will deliver the messages on ROOT SPORTS, which reaches 3.2 million households across five Northwest states, and on the Mariners flagship radio station, 710 ESPN Seattle, and the Mariners Radio Network. Messages will also appear during games on MarinersVision at Safeco Field.

License approved for Silverdale ganja shop

SILVERDALE — The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board gave the green light to a new Silverdale marijuana retail store.

According to the LCB website, the new business will be called Fillabong and has a registered address of 2839 NW Kitsap Pl., just east of Kitsap Mall. The license was approved Feb. 26.

Higher temps, rain reduce snowpack

SPOKANE — El Nino did a number on Washington this past month with temperatures ranging from 5-15 degrees warmer than normal. However, rain was plentiful in most areas of the state. According to the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, this combination not only melted low– and mid–elevation snow, but also led to a decline in snowpack percentages.

“The decline in snowpack was due to the lack of normal snow accumulation for February and not the melt. These conditions also attributed to the sharp increase in snowpack density, or quantity of water in the snow, which means that we are about a month ahead of where we should be,” said NRCS Water Supply Specialist Scott Pattee.

According to Pattee, if these trends continue we will see an early start to spring melt and the possibility of rare spring flooding. The latest National Weather Service three-month outlook short term forecasts are calling for cool and wet weather for the first half of March but then falling back into a warmer and possibly dryer second half. Long range forecasts for the spring continue to be warmer and dryer than normal with less certainty on precipitation amounts.

The March 1 statewide Snowpack Telemetry readings were 100 percent of normal, down from 109 percent Feb. 1 and 120 percent on Jan. 1.

Hancock, Stadshaug engaged

Mark and Susan Silas Stadshaug of Bremerton are proud to announce the engagement of their daughter, Amy, to Robert Hancock, son of Bill and Susan Hancock of Indianola. Amy is a 2003 graduate of Olympic High School and a 2007 graduate of the University of Washington. Rob is a 2005 graduate of North Kitsap High School, attended WSU and graduated from Olympic College. Amy worked as a client service manager for a law firm in Bellevue and also enjoys event planning and retail management. Rob is employed as a Seattle Police officer. The couple plan to be married in June in Port Gamble and will make their home in Kirkland.