Category Archives: Business Beat

Seiko Time

My old Seiko quartz watch tells the time, day, and date.

In July when the USA celebrates its 250th birthday, my Seiko watch (see photo) will also reach a milestone—50 years under my ownership. Following a recent cleaning and servicing, it’s keeping accurate time again. Will it last another 50 years? If it does, I won’t be around to see it, but hopefully a younger family member will.

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A Mysterious Old Sign

CAPT MADISON sign: faded but still legible

The faded CAPT MADISON sign shown in the photo has been attached to the side of a blue house in Silverdale for decades. While photographing it during my bike ride today, I wondered yet again who or what Captain Madison was.

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Stairs to Somewhere

Shortcut stairs as viewed from the top (left) and bottom (right)

A long flight of stairs (see photo) that connects Oyster Bay Court to Kitsap Way might be one of Bremerton’s least known, and least used, shortcuts. Located just behind the Family Pancake House, the stairs have been there for years, possibly decades. Although I have ridden by the upper entrance hundreds of times on my bike, it was only last week that I stopped to take a closer look.

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In-Something-Out

The logo tells you what to do.

Think of the care In-N-Out Burger has taken to build its brand. Despite a cult-like demand from potential customers in unserved areas, it has expanded slowly, only adding franchises at a rate that allows it to maintain the quality of its burgers, fries, shakes, and service. But even with corporate advertising, splashy media coverage, a great logo (see screen capture), and my own customer experiences, until last week I was spelling and pronouncing its name incorrectly.

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A Green December

Strip mall sign: big sale at Reef Cannabis

During Black Friday and Cyber Monday retailers try to lure shoppers in with big sales and massive discounts. Reef Cannabis in Bremerton (see photo) also wants to cash in on the holiday shopping season. Reef is having a sale that lasts for the entire month. Perhaps the owners are hoping for a green December.

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In Praise of Frozen Beef Stew

Are Yellowstone entrees as good as the episodes?

Before last week I couldn’t have written a post like this one. Not because frozen beef stew should be avoided, but because I hadn’t tried it.

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TJ’s Greeting Cards

Great cards for 99 cents each

Stamping is a hobby where talented artists create elegant greeting cards for every occasion. But if stamping isn’t your thing and you need that perfect card for a special person or event, the next best thing is to visit the card rack at Trader Joe’s (see photo). It’s my go-to place for greeting cards.

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Local Rite-Aid Closure

Another Kitsap County Rite-Aid has closed.

The black plastic covering the word Pharmacy (see photo) confirms it: This Rite-Aid has closed. That and removal of “Rite-Aid” from the brick-front siding that flanks both sides of the front entrance. Black is for funerals, right? I was left pondering two questions: where will I get my flu and covid shots this fall and what’s next for the corner of National Ave & Kitsap Way in Bremerton?

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Easiest Dryer Repair Ever

Note the new white selector knob.

A few weeks ago my GE dryer died overnight. One day it worked; the next day it wouldn’t start. The resulting repair, professionally done, might approach record territory for its speed and simplicity. Although I’m out almost $200, I’m happy with the result.

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Wild Horse Closure

Wild Horse Visitor Center with wind turbines in the background

This isn’t a secret. The PSE Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility and Renewable Energy Center (see photo), located near Ellensburg, Washington, has been closed for at least month and perhaps longer. Recently, though, the message on their web page became more specific and made me realize that the visit I had been planning is a no-go—for 2025 anyway.

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