With only five weeks left until spring is over, I hope that by the time you are reading this that we have had at least a few more days above the mid-50s.  I never thought I would say this but I am beginning to understand the “Snow Bird” mentality.

Down at the port, the fun season is in full swing and the staff is busy tending to the lawns, trees and flower beds and selling lots of that precious marine gas and diesel fuel. The Kingston Farmers Market has a month under its belt.  We have one wedding scheduled in the tent this month and it won’t be long until the events committee from the Chamber of Commerce will be lighting up the stage in the gazebo with our Concerts on the Cove series.  I believe there are eight shows scheduled this year.  And yes, Elvis will be back.  The full schedule should be appearing on the Chambers’ website  www.kingstonchamber.com and listed below.

I am sure you all know by now that we have hired Meisha Rouser as the manager of the Sound Runner passenger ferry service and Ken Brazeau as our senior captain and operations manager. These are two local folks that really want to see the service be successful.  They bring a wealth of business and professional experience to their jobs and it is a joy to be working with them.  Both have been very busy getting the boats ready with trained crews and meeting all of the individuals they need to know to get our service up and running.  The planned start date is now May 31.

The Passenger Only Ferry Advisory Committee has been very helpful in bringing Meisha up to speed on all of the complexities of such an operation.  The committee also has a Special Events sub-committee and they have been active in finding potential uses for the vessels to bring tourism to all of North Kitsap as well as planning events where our local non-commuting citizens may have opportunities to take a ride to games or other events around the sound.  Stay tuned.

For commuters planning to use the Sound Runner service, there will be advantages to coming to Kingston in a car or van pool because the commissioners have set aside 16 parking places for regular commuters in pools registered with the port to have their daily parking included in the ticket price for your ferry ride.  Kitsap Transit has vans available and through their website, a group could organize, save gas and wear and tear on their cars and have a convenient way to get to town.

On the few nice days that we have had recently, I have seen a lot of on the water activity happening because of a new business Kingston Adventures in town.  They have kayaks and paddle boards stored in the ports non-motorized boat facility and you can rent by the day or hour.  It is great to see people out enjoying our beautiful cove.

Also, please remember if you are walking on the beaches in front of private residences that those home owners actually own the tidelands in front of their places and you are encouraged to respect their property as you would expect someone to respect yours.  Saltair Beach aka The North Beach, just north of the state ferry exit lanes is part of the Port of Kingston property and is always open for people to enjoy.

OK, you know I would eventually get to a nautical term such as:  “shiver me timbers.” With such iconic present day screen characters such as Captain Jack Sparrow continuing to entertain us, the term might be due for some explanation.  Timbers were the largest, and therefore the main support beams for the decks and ribs of a ship. Only violent movements, such as heavy seas or a collision, could cause them to shake.  This term came to be used for any deed or action that was deeply surprising or threatening to a sailor.

Well, I’m once again running out of space so until next month, thanks once again for taking time to read this stuff.  I will be seeing you down at the port.

Pete DeBoer is a Port of Kingston commissioner. Contact him at pete@petedeboer.com.

Summer concert schedule

July 9 – Chasing Mona- a variety of music ranging from oldies, rock, rockabilly, country and originals

July 16 – Massey Ferguson Band – raucous rock Americana

July 23 – Impulse- 60’s, 70’s and 80’s pop in a funk/jazz style

July 30 Danny Vernon – “Illusion of Elvis”

August 6—Deseo Carmin – sultry fusion of Latin/flamenco/funk music

August 13 – House of Cards – a good time rock n’ roll band

August 20- Blues Counselors -a tasty mix of danceable blues and R & B

August 27 –Locust Street Taxi – Pop, and swing