Rich Jacobson ~ ActiveRain Community Builder

In the early 80's, after the Kitsap Mall was completed, growth in and around the Silverdale WA area literally exploded, and a badly needed retail mecca for residents was created. To this day, it has continued to attract many of the national chains and big box stores.

By far one of my favorites is the COSTCO Wholesale store here in Silverdale.

Founded by current CEO James Sinegal, and headquartered here in Issaquah, WA, COSTCO has over 500 locations worldwide, with nearly 125,000 employees, and ended their fiscal year last September with almost $59 billion in sales (about half of that was just to my family!)

Now granted, when you shop at COSTCO, you normally end up with about a 3- months supply. However, with a family like mine, having 3 teenage boys, a 3-months supply lasts about 3 days!

I realize with a "warehouse-style" store you lose some of the intimacy normally associated with smaller shopping venues. But the value and benefits that COSTCO offers, clearly outweighs it.

Let's face it, while COSTCO does offer a wide variety of products, and at some very attractive prices, who are we kidding?

It's ALL about the "FREE SAMPLES!"

Who cares if they've got the lowest priced milk in town. Just give me those free smoked weenies!

Seriously though, one of the things that really makes it easy and enjoyable to shop at COSTCO is their extremely liberal return policy. As long as you haven't drop-kicked it across Montana or dragged it behind your car on the interstate, they'll take it back, receipt or no receipt, and they refund you in CASH!

Then, you can take your money and run over to get one of those really inexpensive Jumbo Polish Dogs and fountain drink for only $1.50! Boy, it doesn't get any better than that!

So, if you're new to the area and looking for a place to stock up, make your way to the COSTCO Warehouse store in Silverdale, WA. And don't forget the smoked weenie!

COSTCO Warehouse

10000 Mickelberry Road NW

Silverdale, WA 98383

(360) 692-1140

Regular Hours:

M-F 11:00am - 8:30pm

Sat. 9:30am - 6:00pm

Sun. 10:00am - 6:00pm

One of the more difficult challenges in moving to a new area is finding a good, reputable auto repair shop. There are few things worse in life than having your car breakdown in a strange city and not know where to take it.

If you have recently moved to the Kitsap Peninsula in picturesque Washington State, then you are most fortunate. One of the best auto repair shops is right in your own backyard!

Town & Country Auto Repair, located right off of Hwy. 3 on Chico Way, has truly been a Godsend for our family. When we moved to Silverdale WA, our kids were younger and we only had one car - the Soccer Mom Mini-Van. Now, as our kids have grown (teenagers, don't ya just love 'em!), we have added 4 other cars to the collection! Several of them are very basic, "Point-A to Point-B," high miles used cars (Two of which were thankfully donated by friends or family). Of course, the more cars you own, the greater your chances of needing repairs, especially for the older ones.

I highly recommend the expert mechanics at Town & Country Auto Repair without reservation, and for the following reasons:

These guys are like the "Boy Scouts of Auto Repair!"

They're Trustworthy - they always do what they say they're going to do and "when" they say they'll do it!

They're Helpful - each one of their technicians has been professionally trained and certified. Several of them are specialists for various systems or vehicle makes. They are able to troubleshoot even the most challenging problems quickly.

They're Friendly - you feel like you're one of the family. They actually make you feel like you're the most important customer they have!

They're Thrifty - here's an amazing concept: they'll only do the work that is needed or necessary! They'll give you options, but they never sacrifice on safety related issues. They don't gouge their customers, but provide excellent work at a very reasonable price!

Okay, so they're not Clean, but what would you expect from guys who crawl under cars all day!

So if your car or truck needs a doctor, check out the boys at:

Town & Country Auto Repair, 3420 Chico Way NW, Bremerton, WA 98312

(Corner of Chico Way & Erlands Point) (360) 692-2262

One of my favorites things I enjoy about living on the beautiful Kitsap Peninsula here in scenic Washington State, is taking my boat out on the Hood Canal, part of the extensive inland waterways of Puget Sound. The Hood Canal is a long, deep, narrow strip of water wedged in between the Kitsap Peninsula and the picturesque Olympic Peninsula. The Olympic Mountain range rises up rather dramatically from the edge of the water. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking.!

One of the many benefits of boating on the Hood Canal is going crabbing. The Dungeness crab is the prized catch in these waters. The season typically opens the first week of July and runs through Labor Day weekend. The Washington Department of Fish & Game is extremely active in monitoring sports fishing in our state, so you better be in compliance with all current rules and regulations! (WA Dept. of Fish & Wildlife)

We launch our boat out at Miami Beach in Seabeck. We learned through experience to be mindful of the tide schedule. If you go out too close to low tide, you will have a rough time getting your boat down the ramp. So we usually launch an hour or two before the peak of high tide. (WA Tide Schedules)

Once on the water, we head over towards Dabob Bay, just around the Toandoes Peninsula, and prepare to lower our crab pots. You can purchase crabbing gear from the Sportsman Warehouse in Silverdale. You can figure on spending a minimum of $80 per rig, including the crap pot (cage), buoy & flag, 100' of weighted line, bait box, and weights. Being bottom-dwellers, crabs will eat just about anything, but they seem to be partial to salmon guts. Several of our area supermarkets (Silverdale Red Apple Market and Central Market in Poulsbo) save the guts when they clean the fish, and sell them for crab bait.

We lower the crab pots (usually in about 60 to 80 feet of water) and head over to Pleasant Harbor, a quaint little port nestled on the Olympic side. They have a convenience store, pizza parlor, and deck overlooking the harbor. We'll grab some cold drinks, pork-out on pizza, and catch some rays as we wait a couple hours in hopeful expectation that our pots will fill up.

We head back and pull up our crab pots, carefully extracting the prized booty. We prefer to clean the crabs while we're out on the water. It makes for less clean-up later and allows you to put more edible crab into the pot when cooking. We also bring back salt water with us, to use for boiling the crab in. Some people prefer to use fresh water and add a crab boil spice pouch. I have found that boiling the crab in saltwater gives it a really great natural flavor. There is a difference of opinion on how long to boil the crab. I have found that 12 to 15 minutes is more than enough time. I'll drain the water, and put the crab into a big stainless bowl, covering it with ice to cool it quickly. Some people like to dip their crab in melted butter, but I prefer to eat it right out of the shell.

There are few things better in life than spending a few relaxing hours out on the Canal, bringing home some fresh crab, and porking out!

One of the challenges when relocating to a new area is finding out where the good restaurants are.

One of my favorite spots right here in Silverdale WA is the Silver City Restaurant & Brewery.

The two owners, Steve and Scott, got their start back in 1990 when they opened "Top Notch Burger" in East Bremerton. A second location soon followed here in Silverdale (where Silver City is currently located).

In 1996, after coming to the realization that putting the major burger chains out of business wasn't going to happen, the decided to switch gears, and get into the growing brewpub business. They sold their Bremerton location and remodeled the Silverdale location into the popular eatery and microbrewery it is today.

You can begin your eating experience by making a selection from one of their tasty appetizers, such as Dungeness Crab Rolls or Mac's Steamed Clams. Their menu includes a delicious selection of Angus steaks, pasta dishes, specialty pizzas, soups and salads. The House Specialities include such popular offerings like Beer Battered Halibut & Chips, Northwest Crab Cakes, and Porter Glazed Salmon. In addition, there is a nice variety of Sandwich choices for the lunch fare like Jamaican Jerk Chicken, BBQ Shredded Pork, and the Asian Noodle Wrap.

The Brew Master, Don Spencer, with over 20 years brewing experience, oversees the daily production of 10 standard beers (from Yellow Jacket Golden Ale to Panther Lake Porter) and 10 seasonal beers (including Duckabush Brown Ale and Sasquatch Stout). Many of these brews have won numerous awards in the US and worldwide.

So whether its a power lunch with a valued business client, taking your family out for dinner, or celebrating an occasion with that special soneone, Silver City Restaurant & Brewery is an excellent place for great food, great brews, and great friends!

Silver City Restaurant & Brewery

2799 NW Myhre Road, Silverdale WA 98383

360.698.5879; fax: 360.308.9080

(photos courtesy of Silver City Restaurant & Brewery)

Need to put a little 'spice' back into your State Association Conference? Agents falling asleep during presentations at the Corporate Retreat? Tired of hearing the same ole' topics over and over again? And David Knox just charges way too much?

"Never fear, Spanky, help is on it's way!"

~ Now available for the 2008-2009 season! ~

Internationally acclaimed* speaker,

Rich Jacobson

Community Builder and Social Media Guy for ActiveRain

Now scheduling speaking engagements for 2008 and 2009!

As a currently licensed/practicing real estate agent and Community Builder for ActiveRain, Rich is uniquely suited to educate and motivate real estate professionals on the value/benefits of conversational blogging and social networking. His presentation methods are practical, applicable, and entertaining (Plus, he's just a really nice guy!)

Rich will astound your co-workers, and impress your boss with such timely topics as:

"Developing an Effective Social Networking Strategy"

"Paramount Points of a Perfect Post"

"How to Incorporate Blogging into Your Marketing Plan"

and many more

Book an engagement with Rich for your next event NOW!

(* I have a cousin in Canada, and a friend on MySpace who lives in Japan)

I grew up in an age of loyalty. Sports fans loved their players, and the players loved them back. You had your teams, and you were committed to them, through thick and thin. The players shared the same commitment, and stayed on the same team their entire career, giving much needed order & balance to the universe.

By the time we moved to Lawerence, Kansas, I had become pretty disenchanted with professional sports in general. 'Love of the Game' had been replaced by love of the money. The concept of team effort and discipline had become a distant after-thought to self-centered, overgrown egos and bling.

Living in a university town will change your perspective on sports.

There are fewer programs with more history and tradition than Kansas Basketball. Roy Williams was coach when we arrived. He ran a clean program. You never had any recruiting violations, or players having run-ins with the law. Players graduated, many with honors. The town loved their team, and the team loved 'em back by their level of play.

I've attended a number of sporting venues in my life. A day game at Wrigley Field would certainly make my Top Five list, especially whenever Harry Caray would sing "Take Me out to the Ballgame" during the 7th inning stretch.

But the Top Spot would easily go to a KU basketball game at Allen Fieldhouse. Dedicated in 1955, the Fieldhouse was named after Dr. Forrest C. "Phog" Allen, who coached the men's basketball team for nearly 40 years. It's official crowd capacity is 16,300, of which 7,000 is dedicated to insanely screaming college students.

From the singing of the National Anthem, the treasured school alma mater "Crimson & Blue," and the Rock Chalk Jayhawk chant, the crowd begins to warm up. But when it's tip-off time, and the balls in play, grab your ear plugs, cuz' the Fieldhouse ROCKS! The decibel levels rival any heavy metal band on tour.

My first game was against Indiana, and the hopes that Bobby Knight would toss a few chairs. No such luck, but we totally kicked their butts!

We gained a whole new appreciation for collegiate sports back then, and an undying love for KU Basketball!

"ROCK CHALK, JAYHAWK - GO KU!"

Okay, so it's been nearly 7 years since we left Lawrence, and headed out West to Washington State. You'd think by now I would've found some place to get a decent haircut!

Fat chance!

You see, quite honestly, it's hard to find a reasonable barber, especially when you've experienced Haircut Heaven!

Yes, that's right, Haircut Heaven. I'm talking about John Amyx and Downtown Barber in Lawrence, Kansas!

We lived in the Land of the storied Jayhawks for 10 years, and our regular trips to John's chair were a cherished tradition.

I have three sons, and they were all much younger back then. They loved getting their heads 'buzzed' and hangin' out with Dad down on Mass Ave on a Saturday morning.

John always had some sage words of wit and local observation to share. Although, he never really talked. It was more like coherent grumbling.

The topic of conversation usually centered on KU's hopes of making it to the Dance that season. I don't think they ever served people from Manhattan or Columbia, but I could be wrong.

Every once in a while, you stumbled upon a local celebrity. Scott Pollard pulled up in his Caddy one time. My youngest son, Luke, thought he had totally cool sideburns like Elvis.

Experiences like Downtown Barber and John Amyx are those rare 'slice-o-life' moments you learn to relish and treasure forever. They can never be repeated. And you really down want them to be.

If you live in the Lawrence KS area, and are looking for a great Barber, look no further!

Back last month, a Keller Williams agent out of Gig Harbor WA posted a comment to one of my articles on SOUNDBITEBLOG. After tossing a few e-mails back and forth, I sent him an invitation to join our beloved network.

Please take a moment to send an e-mail welcoming Matt Thomson to our ranks! He is affiliated with the Keller Williams office in Gig Harbor WA, and also maintains an 'outside' blog, "Gig Harbor Undressed." (please don't be worried. There is no nudity on his blog, except for maybe pictures of his dog, Sebastian)

It's great to have some new faces in our own neighboring Rain Puddle! Other recent new members are Jo Soss, an agent with Skyline Properties, and Marlene Scheffer of Realty Station, both based in nearby Bremerton WA.

Let's All make it one of our New Year's Resolutions to spread the ActiveRain Cheer and invite more people to participate and benefit from this great community!