PATRIOT BREMERTON
kitsapweek N o v e m b e r 2 5 - D e c e m b e r 1 , 2 0 11
Flip Over For KITSAP
Classifieds REAL ESTATE
NOW
LIFE AND CULTURE
week’s
highlights
DANCE OF THE SUGAR PLUM FAIRY Dance Arts Theatre of Silverdale presents its 24th annual production on Nov. 26 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 27 at 2 p.m., at the Bremerton High School Performing Arts Center, 1500 13th St., Bremerton. Reserved seats, $15; general admission, $12; seniors and students, $8. Info and tickets: (360) 692-4395.
The end
of a
tree-dition
Annual festival takes a ‘bough’ BY ERIN JENNINGS Kitsap Week
DESSERT THEATER The sun will come out tomorrow at Silverdale Baptist Church’s 13th annual Christmas Dessert Theater. This year’s show is “Annie,” Dec. 2-4 and Dec. 8-11 at the church, 8278 State Route 303 NE, Bremerton. Tickets are $12 and include dessert. Info and tickets: www. silverdalebaptist.com.
O
ne year, her tree had a sleigh theme. Another year, it was decorated with vintage-looking dolls. This year’s theme is “Cooking with Claus” and features gingerbread. For each of the last 24 years, Sandra Carlson has decorated a Christmas tree, each with its own unique theme, for the Festival of Trees. So she wasn’t
about to miss the 25th and final event. “It’s very sad,” the retired librarian said. “I’ve known [about the finale] for almost a year. By the time this year’s festival comes around, most of my grieving will be done.” After this weekend’s festivities, Harrison Medical Center Foundation is bowing out of the annual fundraiser where decorated trees are auctioned off to raise money for the foun-
dation. Foundation director Stephanie Cline cited many reasons why the event is coming to an end. “When you approach a significant milestone, it’s always an opportunity to stand back and consider, ‘Where does this fit in?’, ” Cline said. “In the case of Festival of Trees, it’s a wonderful event and people love it, but there has been some trending we have watched for a See TREES, Page 2
Kitsap Week Sugar plum fairies, Daddy Warbucks and the end of a tradition
A section of the Bainbridge Island Review | Bremerton Patriot | Central Kitsap Reporter | North Kitsap Herald | Port Orchard Independent
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2011 | Vol. 13, No. 44 WWW.BREMERTONPATRIOT.COM | 50¢
Kitsap holiday happenings
iLearn, we learn Bremerton School District incorporates iPod and computer technology to help struggling readers
Kristin Okinaka/staff photo
Michael Nunley, a fourth grader at View Ridge Elementary School, uses the Read 180 computer program in class Nov. 17. The Bremerton School District has several programs involving technology that engage struggling readers at the elementary level. BY KRISTIN OKINAKA KOKINAKA@CENTRALKITSAPREPORTER.COM
JJ Swanson/staff photo
The senior troupe of Irene’s School of Dance does a final dress rehearsal of the ‘snow forest’ scene for the production of the Nutcracker, which will occur Nov. 26 and 27 at Bremerton High School Performing Arts Center.
From whimsical Christmas puppets to barbershop choirs, these arts events usher in a festive holiday season BY JJ SWANSON JSWANSON@SOUNDPUBLISHING.COM
Temperatures are dropping, and the early birds have already begun stringing up their twinkling lights. With Thanksgiving and the December holidays just around the corner, the Kitsap County art scene is growing into its full force. Rehearsals go around the clock for shows that expect to dazzle and even melt the heart of the biggest Grinch. For those who can’t wait, take note of events which begin as early as the day after Thanksgiving.
NUTCRACKER Nothing says holidays like going to see the Nutcracker with the fam-
ily. This year Bremerton High School will be hosting three dance troupes on separate dates. Right after Thanksgiving, on Nov. 26 and 27, the Dance Arts Theatre and Irene’s School of Dance will take the stage for their 16th annual performance. Last week, the dancers from Irene’s performed a preview of the show at Brownsville bazaar. “The excitement started growing then, having the costumes on, the dancers all had looks like ‘wow, it’s really here,” said Irene Miller, founder of the school. Dancers of all ages from kindergarten to senior company have been rehearsing for the event since October. In addition to normal classes, there are Saturday and Sunday Nutcracker
rehearsals which run for the whole afternoon. “We rehearse different parts on different days so the young ones don’t have to be there the whole time, but it’s still a good time commitment,” said Miller. Miller explained that there have been a couple minor injuries, like twisted ankles and sprains, during rehearsals. Also, the flu has taken out some of her dancers. But the show will go on. Miller said that audiences this year can look forward to Act II variations and a snow scene which should be “truly visually stunning,” as well as comedic numbers from Mother Ginger and the buffoons. According SEE ARTS, A9
Logan Kerr, a fifth grader at View Ridge Elementary School, prefers working on the computer to a paper and pencil method. In class, he is able to use the computer program Read 180, that helps students with reading comprehension and spelling. Logan doesn’t have a computer at home but he knows what he would be doing if he did. “It broke the other day,” Logan said of his home computer. “If I did [have one,] I’d be doing this.” The Bremerton School District has many programs via the use of computers — and iPods — to help struggling students with reading. Because technology has become an everyday tool in the lives of many children, these programs aren’t difficult to use. For those who may not be introduced to the tech-
nology at home, the classroom is a place where they can learn while getting help in areas of reading that may be difficult for them. “Students in our school, some have access to technology,” said Korene Calderwood, Logan’s teacher at View Ridge. “We do have families that don’t have computers. We’re trying to bridge that gap so they don’t have a technology deficit.” For Logan, 10, it’s about making spelling interesting and gaining the motivation to want to do better. “It’s more fun on the computer because you can type it in. It would take you longer on paper,” he said last week. Not only is Read 180 fun for students like Logan, but because it keeps the scores of the different activities in a point system, students feel like SEE iLEARN, A8