TODAY

CHILI COOK-OFF: Calling all chili-lovers — again as the Lincoln Avenue Bible Church chili cook off tradition continues for a fifth year on May 17. There will be special activities for kids, including hula hoop contests, a coloring poster contest, and guessing jars — plus a special salute to the families of USS Stennis service members. “Soup’s on” right after the Armed Forces Day parade; bowls will be available from noon to 2 p.m. Go to Lincoln Avenue Bible Church, located right next to Olympic College:  1250 Lincoln Ave.  You’ll find ample parking. The public is welcome to attend. Questions? Phone the church office (Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) at (360) 373-5075; e-mail: office@labchurch.org; or see our Web site:  www.labchurch.org. 

HEARING LOSS:Learn about Hearing Assistive Technology (hearing aids, phones, assistive listening devices) from John Allen at the May 17 meeting of Hearing Loss Association of Kitsap County (formerly SHHH) in the Iris Room at Silverdale Harrison Hospital, 1800 Myhre Road. Here’s the opportunity to actually try this equipment in challenging listening situations. (Park in lower parking lot, proceed through main door at that level—labeled Iris Room ahead on left.) Everyone welcome. Meetings are amplified and individual assistive listening units are available. This meeting will also have realtime captioning. Free hearing loss information available at HLA Kitsap meetings: brochures, handouts, news letters and flyers that you may take home (please do not take multiple copies so that our supplies remain available for others). Online see more information on our state HLA Web site: www.hearingloss-wa.org and national HLA Web site: www.hearingloss.org. You can go online free at Kitsap County Public Library branches where library staff will assist you. Future HLA Kitsap meeting details will be posted on the state HLA Web site, in Kitsap County newspaper meeting notices and in periodic mailings.

MONDAY 19

BIZ WORKSHOP: WaMu presents a free small business event “Business Banking Made Personal” from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. May 19 at the Kitsap Conference Center in downtown Bremerton. Visit a WaMu location near you or register today at www.seeuthere.com/nwsmallbusiness. Space is limited.

LIBRARY CELEBRATION: The Bremerton School District and its Early Childhood Care and Education partners will be holding a special Library Celebration for families on the following nights: May 19, 4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m. at Kitsap Library, Sylvan Way Branch and at the same time and place on May 27. At this event, children and families will receive free books, library cards, a book bag and pamphlets on reading. About 600 children are taking part in this program. For more on this project contact Donna Gearns at (360) 473-1064 or the Special Programs office at (360) 473-1061.

WEDNESDAY 21

ALZHEIMER’S SUPPORT: Ashley Gardens at Bremerton, an Alzheimer’s and memory care community located 3231 Pine Road, will host an Alzheimer’s and dementia support group at 7 p.m. May 21. The support group will be held at The Willows at 3201 Pine Road and hosted by Ashley Gardens at Bremerton’s life enrichment director Janet Presley. This group is open to the public at no cost.

The group provides a forum to share information, resources and coping techniques for persons with dementia, their caregivers, family and friends. For information, call (360) 478-7277 or visit www.cascadeliving.com.

WEEKEND WROCK: Free Show at OC Bremerton May 21, Trashed Idols from Hollywood May 24, Zombiefest at the Charleston May 25.

THURSDAY 22

ART DEDICATION: There will a dedication ceremony for the first public art funded by the city of Bremerton’s 1 percent for the arts program from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. May 22 at the Art Morken Law Enforcement Building, 1025 Burwell Ave. For more information contact, Pam Bykonen at (360) 473-5202.

FRIDAY 23

CVG GETS CLASSICAL: The Bremerton art gallery hosts a world-renown concert violinist in tandem with esteemed Northwest classical guitarist May 23.

UPCOMING

GRAD NIGHT: The BHS Grad Night Committee will be hosting a fund-raising lunch at the Outback Steakhouse in Bremerton on May 24. Two seatings are available: the first lunch will be from 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., and the second lunch will be from noon – 1:30 p.m. The menu will include BBQ chicken, steak, burgundy mushrooms, rice, hot bread, a variety of beverages and dessert for only $15 per person. There will also be a silent auction and donations are appreciated.

PHOTO SHOW: The Pacific Northwest Photographic Society announces its annual invitational photo show. The annual show is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. May 24 and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 25 in Presidents Hall at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds. Additional information and entry forms available at www.photosocietynw.org or by e-mail at pacphoto1@aol.com.

HOMEBUYER CLASS: The Kitsap Housing Coalition (KHC), in conjunction with the WA State Housing Finance Commission (WSHFC) and the Bremerton Housing Authority (BHA), are offering a free First Time Home Buyer Class on from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 31 at the Westpark Community Center 76 Russell Rd in Bremerton.

This class is a five-hour course, designed to educate perspective home buyers on the home buying process, available assistance programs, credit repair, planning and budgeting, how to choose a realtor, and negotiating. This course is required for many available first time homebuyer and down payment assistance programs. The certificate issued is good for two years. There is no charge for the class or handouts.

The class is taught by local instructors, trained by the WSHFC. It is co-sponsored by the WSHFC, KHC and KCCHA. Seating is limited. For reservations, contact Ann E. Garner at (360) 792-8506 or e-mail her at agarner@bremertonhousing.org.

SCHOLARSHIP DINNER: On June 2 the Olympic College Foundation will award approximately $165,000 in scholarships to 85 new or continuing Olympic College Students at the 2008 Donors and Scholars Dinner at the Kitsap Conference Center in Bremerton. Scholarship awards range from $200 to $3,000 per academic year for educational costs and will be presented to students at the dinner. The dinner is a celebration of Olympic College Foundation donors, as well as the student scholars who are so deeply affected by their generosity. The event is by invitation only and approximately 300 guests will attend. For information, contact Joan Hanten, executive director at (360) 475-7120.

BOWLING PARTY: The staff, parents, and students at Armin Jahr will be having a Bowling for Bytes fund-raiser at the Bremerton Bowl on June 7. The fund-raiser begins at noon and proceeds from the bowl-a-thon will be used for purchasing new computers and document cameras. For information, contact Armin Jahr at (360) 473-4100.

ONGOING

FARMERS MARKET: The Bremerton Farmers Market’s 2008 season will run every Thursday from 4-7:30 p.m. through Oct. 9. The market is in the parking lot of the Seaside Community Church, at Evergreen Park in Bremerton. Local farmers will be selling their homegrown produce and plant starts and artists will be offering their handmade works. Also, live entertainment, BBQ, plus new vendors products including homemade breads and sodas. Farmers needed. Information: Tiffany, (360) 621-5934, bremertonmarket@gmail.com or www.bremertonmarket.com.

CPR/FIRST AID CLASSES: The American Red Cross is Offering CPR, First Aid and other preparedness classes in Kitsap County during the month of May. All classes will be held at the West Sound Service Center at 811 Pacific Ave. Classes are as follow:

Adult CPR with First Aid – Wednesday, May 21, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. cost: ($55)

Adult, Infant and Child CPR and First Aid – Sunday, May 25, from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. cost: ($70).

Adult CPR – Tuesday, May 27, from 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. cost:($36)

First Aid – Thursday, May 29, from 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. cost:($36)

For information or to register for any classes, call (360) 377-3761. Pre-register because class size is limited.

SPANISH IMMERSION: The Bremerton School District is currently accepting registration for its elementary Spanish immersion program. This year the district plans to offer this program to English–Speaking kindergarten and first grade students. The curriculum and instruction of this program is designed to help children become bilingual in English and Spanish. The current kindergarten teacher, Hortensia West, is allowing up to three adult classroom visitors per day on Tuesday, Wednesdays and Thursdays. If you would like to visit the classroom or have other questions about Spanish Immersion, contact Sue Shipley at sueaship@comcast.net or (360) 649-6445.

FUTURE FESTIVAL: Historic Port Gamble will be the setting for the greenest outdoor sustainability festival in Washington, August 2-3. The Great Peninsula Future Festival will mix interactive displays of green concepts, products and services with family entertainment, live music, food and hand-made crafts. For a vendor kit e-mail: Info@GreatPeninsulaFutureFestival.org. Call (425) 788-7496 or visit www.GreatPeninsulaFutureFestival.org.

CHORUS REHEARSALS: Kitsap Pines Chorus of Sweet Adelines will host chorus rehearsals every Tuesday from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church, located at 1410 Ohio St., Bremerton. Women of all ages interested in barbershop style singing are welcomed to join. For more information, call Kathy at (360) 297-8414 or visit the Web at www.kitsappines.org.

CHESS: The Kitsap County Chess Club will host games at the downtown Bremerton library from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays during the month of March. For information, call (360) 377-3955.

FARMERS MARKET: The Bremerton Farmers Market is seeking vendors for its 2008 market season, including farmers and artisans, as well as musicians to perform at the market. The season will run every Thursday, May 15 through Oct. 9, from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the parking lot of Seaside Community Church at Evergreen Park. For more information, contact Tiffany at (360) 621-5934 or bremertonmarket@gmail.com. Application packets can be found on the Web, www.bremertonmarket.com.