Category Archives: Business Beat

Opting Out of Catalogs

Recycle Bin

No more please, I’m trying to quit.

I get too many catalogs in the mail. Don’t need them, don’t read them, don’t look at them. They all go straight into the recycle bin (see photo). Is there a way to fight back against this waste? Since there’s no unsubscribe link for catalogs, I’m trying a different approach toward reducing my recycling footprint a few shoe sizes.
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The Mystery Man

Including a photo would make him less of a mystery.

I haven’t seen the mystery man recently. So I’m going to rely on memory in an attempt to describe him. My last sighting was at least a couple of weeks ago—before a series of February snowstorms buried Bremerton and put bike rides on hold. I’m sure he’s fine though and will become part of my morning routine again soon.
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Another Roof Leak

Chimney Flashing

A troubled area

The people at Patriot Roofing in Gig Harbor, Washington, stand behind their work. That’s based on the company’s quick and professional response this week to the latest leak in a troubled area of my roof (see photo). The best part: They did the work at no charge.
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Dancing Man in Belfair

The parts come with a great guarantee.


The dancing man phenomenon has spread to Belfair. Local Wrench auto repair, located at 23530 NE State Route 3, just added one of the quirky inflatables to advertise that they use genuine ACDelco parts. Local Wrench provides auto repairs and services for all makes of foreign and domestic cars and trucks. So, along with the General (GM), perhaps auto makers everywhere are dancing for joy.

I’m not an expert on dancing men, despite numerous previous posts about them, but this one looked new when I stopped for a photo this afternoon. It could be his first week on the job.

There’s No Money in It

Wanna buy a former bank?


The former Kitsap Bank branch on Marine Drive (see photo) was listed as a commercial property for sale on the Reid Realty web site this week. At $350K it might be a good buy. However, there’s no money in it—bank money that is. Customer deposits and accounts, including my safe deposit box, were moved to the downtown branch when the Marine Drive branch closed last June.
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Used Horseshoes Wanted

An unusual request


I have no idea why Kitsap Muffler in Gorst wants used horseshoes (see photo). Nor do I know if they are seeking the outdoor game pieces or the metal objects that protect a horse’s hooves. But since you don’t see a sign like this often ever, I figured it was worth a blog post. The phone number (360-373-3101) is a bit hard to read; it’s the number for the shop in Gorst.
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Dancing Tax Man

A dancing Uncle Sam


It’s tax season. In case anyone didn’t know that, a few weeks ago Liberty Tax Service on Kitsap Way stationed an employee out front who waves a sign urging people to come in and get their taxes done. Dressed as the Statue of Liberty, he’s there rain or shine and never seems to tire. Apparently more street-level advertising was needed though, as today they added a dancing tax man (see photo). I like the patriotic look, but I hope the new dancer doesn’t replace the real person. Although the photo doesn’t show it, the inflatable is unusual in that it has two blowers—one for each leg.

The Mud Bay blog can’t resist adding a post every time a new dancing man is spotted in the area. Previously I have run photos of dancing men in Silverdale, Port Orchard, and various locations on Kitsap Way. Where is the next one going to show up?

Where Did My ATM Go?

OK, it wasn’t exactly my ATM. But it was close and convenient and I used it a lot. For as long as I can remember there’s been a Bank of America ATM at the QFC at Oyster Bay Plaza on Kitsap Way. Not any more.
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Construction Begins

Soon to be a hardware store

It’s great seeing new businesses open on Kitsap Way in Bremerton. Last week I read in the Kitsap Sun that Ace Hardware will be building a store next to Arnold’s Furniture. As the photo shows, despite wet drizzly weather, construction is underway.
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A New Business in Chico

What matters is what’s inside.


Creative Looks, a hair salon, opened in Chico this week. I know this because Cindy, the lady who cuts my hair, works there and today was haircut day. Chico is a small community on Chico Bay in Dyes Inlet northwest of Bremerton.
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