The 2024 Military Appreciation Day event was a big hit with the community in March. The Kitsap County Fairground Pavilion was filled with families as the Greater Kitsap Chamber welcomed more than 1,400 people to celebrate the military community and to learn about businesses and organizations around Kitsap. It was a record turnout post-pandemic and […]
People & Places
West Sound has an incredible number of talented artists, interesting people, fascinating places and popular destinations. We love to share their stories with our readers. These articles are only a sample of what we have in West Sound Magazine each issue — subscribe to the print version to see all of what we have to offer!
Heidi Groothuis
Heidi Groothuis is the young owner of Heidi Lou Cosmetics inside Pink Purr Couture Lash Lounge and Permanent Jewelry in Bremerton. Permanent makeup is “using a tattooing technique to achieve some kind of cosmetic effect, like eyeliner, lipstick or eyebrows,” Groothuis explains. She does eyebrows and when she had her own eyebrows done, she saw […]
Chef Paul Mancebo
Agate Restaurant offers an efficient and tempting menu in an attractive, craftsman-style space next to the Bainbridge Museum. Crafted by chef and owner Paul Mancebo, the menu uses ingredients sourced from local farms and seafood suppliers, then is “influenced by flavors from around the world.” The result is a creative, yet harmonious selection of dishes. […]
Ribbon Cutting Launch of Partnership in South Kitsap to Support Students in Greater Need
An affiliate of the nation’s leading dropout prevention organization, Communities in Schools of Peninsula (CISP) works with school administrators, teachers, students, families and communities to identify the greatest needs among the student population and then provides applicable interventions, resources and support to meet those needs. “Many young people we serve are facing challenges both inside […]
Wearable, Fashionable Art
Even as a young girl, Elizabeth Garver knew that she was an artist. She began to sew at an early age and created a variety of art throughout her school years in her hometown of Buffalo New York. Her love of fabrics, design, patterns and color led her to Buffalo State College, where she graduated […]
The Short and Winding Road to Victoria, British Columbia
As the Black Ball Ferry “Coho” enters Victoria Harbor following its 90-minute crossing of the Salish Sea from Port Angeles, the stately Fairmount Empress hotel — Victoria’s centerpiece — comes into view. The scene is a bit “Oz” in nature: The stunning building is so perfectly placed, it feels as if the bucolic harbor was […]
Leadership Kitsap Celebrates 20 Under 40 Awards
Leadership Kitsap hosted the 20 Under 40 Awards Program at the Kitsap Conference Center in January, recognizing 20 exceptional business and civic leaders under the age of 40 who are making a great impact in business, philanthropy and their communities. Carli Meurs, executive director, welcomed guests along with Rachelle Turnbull of Clark Construction and Nathan […]
Fish, Frogs & Frolic
The Tahuya Community Club started in 1973 with monthly meetings, guest speakers and community services. Raised in Tahuya, Earl Sande was guest speaker at a recent club meeting. He discussed growing up in Tahuya and shared excerpts from his book, “Fish, Frogs & Frolic.” Sande recently retired and closed Earl’s Marine. For 19 years wrote […]
Celebrating Community and Healing
Gig Harbor artist Mardie Rees’ statue, “Saint Anne,” was recently unveiled at the Saint Anne Hospital in Burien. Virginia Mason Franciscan Health (VMFH) commissioned Rees to create the likeness of patroness Saint Anne for the hospital. Saint Anne was the mother of the Virgin Mary and considered to have the eternal presence of a grandmother […]
