County to offer ‘Septic Sense’ workshop
Maintaining your septic system will save money and keep pollution out of our local waterways. Kitsap County residents are invited to a free workshop to learn how to keep their septic systems working well and lasting longer.
The workshop will be Jan. 22 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Eagle’s Nest, 1195 NW Fairgrounds Road, Bremerton.
Topics include: How septic systems work; best ways to care for them; how to detect if a system is failing and what to do next; low interest loan programs for septic repairs and local water quality improvement projects. Space is limited. Register today at: www.brownpapertickets.com/event/539091 or call 360-337-7157 extension 3244.
Farm business planning course offered
WSU Kitsap County Extension will offer its popular Ag Entrepreneurship Course on starting and sustaining a profitable small farm or agricultural enterprise beginning Jan. 22.
Community members are invited to sign up for this intensive, hands-on learning opportunity. The course features a full line-up of local guest speakers: bankers, accountants, attorneys, and successful farm owners.
Participants will gain skills in business planning, direct marketing and record-keeping. They’ll also receive information on federal and state programs targeted to the needs of small producers.
The course is designed for both beginning farmers as well as current growers who are looking to take their farm in a new direction. Guest lecturers are regional growers who are models of sustainable agriculture in their farming and marketing practices.
Participants will complete the course having developed a business plan they can take to the bank to finance their new enterprise or use as a roadmap for their farm business. The Ag Entrepreneurship course costs $250, including materials.
The course will be on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Norm Dicks Government Center located at 345 Sixth St. in Bremerton.
To register or for more information contact Diane Fish at 360-337-7026, dfish@wsu.edu. Registration information can also be viewed on the web at: www.county.wsu.edu/kitsap/.
‘Leadership Kitsap’ hosts skills workshop
On Feb. 26 from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., Leadership Kitsap will host a networking and training workshop titled “Redefining Your Relationship to Conflict.”
The event will allow participants to: Explore a more complex structure for understanding the aspects of conflict, identify their personal narratives regarding conflict, create realistic expectations for the engagement of conflict, and maintaining health and wellness when engaging long term conflict.
Greg Abell, a senior partner with Sound Options Group, will lead participants throughout the event. The cost of the event is $100 before Feb. 1. After that, the price will jump to $125. For more details, visit www.leadershipkitsap.org or call Kathy Nelson at 360-782-1058.
EWU announces its fall semester Dean’s List
Eleven students from Silverdale and Bremerton made the Dean’s List last semester at Eastern Washington University.
They are Asiya Akhgar, Leandra Cooper, Kristin Duprie, Samantha Honsowetz and Lauren Luther, all of Bremerton.
Jessica Enebo, Kimberlee Kamas, Jessica Meier, Nicole Stearman, Myranda Stout and Katey Thompson, of Silverdale, were also on the list.
To be named to the list, students must earn 12 hours and receive a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
Humane Society hits new spay/neuter record
Kitsap Humane Society (KHS) surpassed all of its previous spay/neuter surgery records by performing 4,407 surgeries in 2013, an increase of 18 percent over 2012, it was announced recently.
Of these surgeries, 2,329 were low-cost surgeries for pets of low-income owners, an increase of 39 percent over 2012.
“Our Spay/Neuter Program has had a direct impact on reducing the number of stray animals in Kitsap County,” said Dr. Jennifer Stonequist, director of shelter medicine. “Due to the significant increase in spay/neuter surgeries over the past three years, including 2013, Kitsap Humane Society has seen a 17 percent reduction in stray animals brought to the shelter, a critical part of our strategy to reduce pet overpopulation.”
KHS maintained its high lives saved rate of 94 percent. More than 4,200 animals were rehomed, and 52 percent of stray dogs were returned to their owners.
KHS significantly improved its customer service for adoptions and other services. Kitsap Humane Society’s Facebook followers rated their experience as 4.5 out of 5 stars.
A recent adopter said: “Everyone was super helpful in allowing me to get my beautiful cat. He’s a doll, and even though he has incredibly long hair you could tell how well cared for he was. No mats at all. They (KHS staff and volunteers) really care about their animals and helping them get good homes.”
KHS completed its new Small Dog Kennel. The new kennel area resulted in a more diverse dog population at the shelter, some of which were rescued from overcrowded shelters in eastern Washington and California and were quickly adopted by families in Kitsap County.
KHS balanced its budget for the first time since 2010.
“We broke even in 2013, but just barely, with the help of a one-time grant from PetSmart Charities which paid for the higher number of spay/neuter surgeries,” said Executive Director Eric Stevens. “Our fund raising efforts in 2014 will now focus on rebuilding cash reserves (completely depleted in 2012 prior to our management of the organization) and seeking community support for our critical spay/neuter programs, which receive no public funding.”
