JUNE 2026: *Hesitate to do the weather, but at least the sun is back? In national & world news, looks like the president is trying to steal money from the government again while also installing a professional wrestling ring at the white house for the country’s anniversary. Absurd. Global wars continue. Oil executives warn of even higher gas prices ahead. The Knicks are in the NBA finals for the first time since the last time in 1999. Serena Williams returns to professional tennis. And the World Cup kicks off this month, with six matches being played in Seattle. Meanwhile in Kitsap….
WE’VE GOT THE WORLD CUP TOO! Downtown Bremerton is ramping up for the soccer tournament which some refer to as the biggest party in the world, as an officially sanctioned Fan Zone. A big neon sculpture of a whale tail was delivered to Quincy Square, commemorating the occasion, last month. A giant LED big screen is next which will broadcast matches at recurring outdoor block parties this month into the start of July. That stretch of Fourth Street will be closed to auto traffic for the Zone. There are eight official viewings scheduled, starting June 12 and ending July 6, plus the slew of various community events planned for the downtown corridor throughout the summer. Planning for the FIFA event has been years in the making through local tourism organs and the city’s downtown association. The number of travelers and tourists expected remains uncertain due to ongoing complications of international travel, increasing fuel prices and some regional hotels reporting less-than-expected reservations. Fingers crossed none of the ferries are out of commission. Either way, this town should at least have a sweet place to watch the World Cup. Can we bring a couch? Full schedule & stuff at downtownbremerton.org
IF YOU’RE COMING TO THE PARTY from Port Orchard, plan ahead. It looks like roadwork is about to get nutty in South Kitsap while the state continues its effort to remedy fish passages. Road closures are planned on the Highway 3 corridor near Gorst for 16 days in addition to a months long closure on Sedgwick replacing a bridge over Salmonberry Creek. Both starting the same day on June 13. Plus roundabout installation planned for Lund, ongoing work near the Southworth ferry terminal and upcoming work planned for Bay Street. Check in on road stuff at wsdot.wa.gov & kitsap.gov
MEANWHILE ON BAINBRIDGE: The island is not a certified World Cup Fan Zone. (‘Thankfully,’ one of its city counselors noted in a meeting earlier this year.) However, the Bainbridge High boys’ soccer team did just win the state championship. So did the boys’ baseball team for the second year in a row.
AND IN THE INTEREST OF WHALE TAILS, gray whales have been dying at alarming levels in the region for the second year in a row, numbering more than two dozen in the state and more than 50 reported for the West Coast so far this year. One hundred and twenty in total were reported last year, just shy of the worst year on record, at 122, in 2019. On another side of fish stuff, the state department of fish and wildlife switched to a completely digital system earlier this year in an abrupt shake up for fishing licenses, leaving purchasers looking to buy the physical license at their local fish & game outlet out of luck. Even some of the stores didn’t know the switch was coming until their machines stopped functioning. Licenses are now available exclusively online. They can be printed at home, but you’ll have to find your own waterproof paper. Or trust that your phone will be in service range to operate the app to document your catch? Sign in at wdfw.wa.gov
AND IN POULSBO… Putt Putt Clash, the 5th annual DIY mini-golf event founded on Bainbridge a few years ago, moves to the lawn at Poulsbo’s waterfront park this year. The event is July 25. Bryce wrote in to give builders a heads up to get started on their creations. Register and more at puttputtclash.com. Meanwhile… Old school, in person ‘give-me-all-your-money-or-else’ bankrobbers try to make a comeback at a local credit union in Bremerton last month. The thieves are apprehended before they got through Gorst. And, Also, Plus… Happy Pride… Happy Juneteenth… And Happy Graduation. <3smokestack
