Rich Jacobson Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Agent

One of my favorites things I enjoy about living on the beautiful Kitsap Peninsula here in scenic Washington State, is taking my boat out crabbing 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.!

To learn more about recreational crabbing out on the Hood Canal WA, go to Crabbing in the Hood.

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Rich Jacobson is a licensed real estate professional providing empowerment and relentless representation for his clients of residential properties and vacant land throughout all of Kitsap County WA and portions of Pierce, Mason, and Jefferson Counties. You can also find him at KitsapLife.com and SOUNDBITEBLOG.

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)

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!