Category Archives: Business Beat

A Personal High for Gas

Gas and diesel prices at the Kitsap Way Shell in Bremerton

Even if the last thing the world needs is another observation about high gas prices, the Mud Bay Blog offers this post. Mostly it’s a reminder to me that the price shown in the photo is the highest I have ever paid for a gallon of unleaded regular. Hopefully it is also the high-water mark for the recent round of gas price increases. But that’s a wish not a prediction.

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A New Gas Stove — Finally

The new stove is on the right.

It took most of April to replace my old gas stove (see photo). Along the way I hope I learned to have a bit more patience and also not to use Home Depot’s installation services for any future appliances I might buy from them.

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With Astound Sometimes It Pays to Call

As easy to contact as its predecessor Wave Cable

As a customer of two Broadband companies for years, I’m used to the annual drill. The cable company hikes your monthly bill, and you call them to find out how serious they are about the increase. Today’s call to Astound (see screen capture) was worth the effort — I ended up with a new monthly bill that will be lower than what I’m paying now.

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Paying for Ratings

Nielsen doesn’t really want to know what I watch, or do they?

Yesterday I got a letter from Nielsen (see screen capture), which bills itself as a “global leader in audience measurement, data and analytics, shaping the future of media.” My household has been invited to take part in the Nielsen Media Ratings. The letter was dated April 1, but that was likely a coincidence and not a prank. As an encouragement to participate, Nielsen enclosed a $5 gift with a promise of additional cash gifts in the future.

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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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