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Hi Kitsap County, we made it to Thursday! In today’s edition: Quirky small-town getaways, ferry schedule changes, Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas concert, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Quirky getaways beyond city limits: WorldAtlas names five one-of-a-kind Washington small towns, with Poulsbo on the list alongside Leavenworth and Forks, a timely reminder of day-trip ideas close to home for Kitsap residents — see the five featured towns.
Guide future school builds: South Kitsap School District is seeking architecture, engineering, and construction management firms for projects, requesting Statements of Qualifications to select a firm to serve as the district’s agent and advocate — see submission requirements and timeline.
New timetables affect travelers: Washington State Ferries winter schedule is now in effect through March 21, 2026, with adjustments on Seattle to Bremerton and Fauntleroy to Vashon to Southworth that Kitsap riders should note — see which routes change.
Are you overpaying? The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. I was paying over $300 for ONE car until I checked out various quotes, switched providers, and ultimately cut my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably losing money too — this free comparison tool makes it easy.
Gold & silver are hot: Gold just had its best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150% in 2025… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. If you’re curious about adding precious metals to your portfolio as a market hedge, American Hartford has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Transforming a key corridor: Planning for fixes at the Gorst bottleneck is moving forward. The project has $82.5 million for initial design, paid for by Move Ahead Washington. Early concepts add lanes on Highway 3 and improve bike and pedestrian safety, with four options from an overpass to bridge or land bypass See what’s planned for Gorst.
Clean cut, no drama: At Switchblade Barbershop, the essentials are dialed in: fades, beard clean-ups, and shaves, handled by a small crew you actually get to know. When the week needs a reset, you leave fresh, lighter, and feeling like you finally checked one big thing off.
Serene island reset: When your brain needs do-not-disturb, visit Bloedel Reserve for mossy trails, mirror-still ponds, and that slow exhale you forgot. Wander the loop, let the trees recalibrate you, then head back to your inbox calmer, clearer, and a few notches less spicy.
A new haircare solution: My hair’s been thinning and I’ve been quietly ignoring it, hoping it’ll fix itself. Plot twist… it hasn’t. When I finally started looking into what I should do, there were so many options I didn’t know where to start. I stumbled on Keranique, and its simplicity really sold me. One kit, no pills, no choosing products, and no confusion whatsoever. It’s also on sale with a money-back guarantee (although I doubt you’ll need it).
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📆 Around town this weekend
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🐱 Animal Education Series: Kitten Development and Care @ Poulsbo Parks and Recreation | Friday (1/16) at 5:30 PM – Your crash course in kittenhood, courtesy of the Kitsap Humane Society Foster Team, in Kitsap. Learn to tell a bottle baby from a tiny parkour artist, tackle basic care, and handle orphaned kittens. Great for the foster-curious or the cat-adjacent, and yes, it’s free.
⛄ Snowman Wooden Sled @ Eleven Winery | Friday (1/16) at 5:30 PM – If your winter decor needs an upgrade, paint an 18-inch wooden sled at Eleven Winery, snowman and bird pals included, glass in hand, and no experience required. Pre-registration is a must, reserve by Tuesday, January 13, and yes, they mean it, no credits, no refunds.
💃 Swing, Waltz & More @ Bainbridge Island Rowing | Friday (1/16) at 7:00 PM – Trade your fleece for dancing shoes, and spin through Lindy, waltz, and whatever the DJ throws on. There’s a no-pressure beginner lesson to keep toes out of danger, and it benefits the Bainbridge Rowing scholarship fund. Suggested donation is $20 adults, $10 students.
♻ Recycle Your Tech @ Walmart Poulsbo | Saturday (1/17) at 9:00 AM – Clear out that drawer of mystery cables, dead printers, and the VCR nobody will admit they still own. Free tech recycling drop-off with Kiwanis, SBK Recycle, and Walmart, and if you toss in a donation, it stays local and helps kids.
🐦 Port Orchard Waterfront Birding Field Trip @ Etta Turner Park | Saturday (1/17) at 9:30 AM – Stretch your legs along the Port Orchard waterfront with Kitsap Audubon on a relaxed winter birding stroll, scanning Sinclair Inlet for loons, grebes, and other seasonal show-offs. Expect a social pace, a coffee stop, and leaders who actually know their ducks. Register: https://www.mobilize.us/audubon-chapters/event/877231/
🌿 Winter Skills of a Naturalist: The Quiet Science of Mosses @ IslandWood | Sunday (1/18) at 1:00 PM – Swap the treadmill for a winter forest wander into the quiet science of mosses. Ancient, resilient green carpets that outlast droughts, scandals, and our attention spans. Sharpen your naturalist skills, slow down on purpose, and finally admire the fuzzy stuff in your own backyard.
🎻 Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas @ Seabeck Conference Center | Sunday (1/18) at 1:30 PM – Scottish fiddle legend Alasdair Fraser and cello ace Natalie Haas are lighting up Seabeck with reels, goosebumps, and that telepathic duo magic. Think chamber intimacy meets dance-floor lift, all in crisp Hood Canal air. Bonus, Celtic Arts Foundation members snag a discount.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Kitsap County report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 48°F – Low: 39°F – Precip: 0%
Mostly sunny. High near 48, with temperatures falling to around 46 in the afternoon. Northeast wind 6 to 10 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 39. North northeast wind 6 to 9 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 50°F – Low: 38°F – Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 50. North northeast wind around 8 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 38.
This house is wild
2023 modern design meets Northwest character in a 4-bed, 4-bath home with a versatile MIL suite for guests, multigenerational living, or income. A three-tier layout takes in Dyes Inlet and mountain views, and private beach access adds a coveted shoreline perk.
High-end finishes include quartz countertops, birch cabinetry with soft-close, full-extension drawers, 10-foot ceilings, tiled showers, and a soaking tub. A cozy fireplace centers the great room, accented by a rare 200-year-old wood mantel. Central Kitsap location puts PSNS, the Navy Base, and the Bremerton Ferry under 10 minutes, and Bangor about 15, with shopping close by.
Take a peek inside →
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