Reporter Central Kitsap
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013 | Vol. 29, No. 9 | WWW.CENTRALKITSAPREPORTER.COM | 50¢
Performing arts center takes the stage
never got built.” What’s now being looked at is a center that would With any luck at all, fun- be build using grants and draising for a new perform- money given by foundaing arts center in Silverdale tions. There would need will be underway within to be a capital campaign to months. help fund the project. “2014 is going to be our But the location for it is year,” said Irene Bowling. proposed to be on commuBowling is part of a group nity campus in Silverdale, that is working to build the on property that the counWest Sound ty owns. Performing Currently Arts Center. the cam“Right now “This would be a pus houses we don’t regional thing. We the YMCA, have any could draw the Pacific a commuarchitectural nity center Northwest Ballet concepts or known as the a good idea when they tour. CSTOCK of what the There’s really nothing b u i l d i n g , project will of the size needed and a Kitsap cost. But for those types of C o u n t y within the performances north Sheriff ’s prefirst few cinct office. months of of Tacoma on the “We need the coming (Kitsap) peninsula.” something year, we will – Irene Bowling much bigger have those than what is things ready there now to show the public.” (the CSTOCK building),” The performing art cen- Bowling said. “Something ter was one of two topics that could handle the discussed at a meeting of the Bremerton Symphony Central Kitsap Community and traveling theater and Council (CKCC) last week. musical groups that perThe council is an advisory form things like ‘The Lion group to the Kitsap County King.’ Even the high schools commissioners. Both a per- around the area don’t have forming arts center and what they need.” a proposal new library in She said Central Kitsap Silverdale were detailed to High and Klahowya just a few dozen residents who have small auditoriums and attended the meeting. Olympic High has no perBowling, a well-known formance stage. piano teacher in Kitsap “This would be a regional County, has been actively thing,” she said. “We could seeking a performing arts draw the Pacific Northwest center for the Central Kitsap Ballet when they tour. area since a ballot measure There’s really nothing of the for a center was passed in size needed for those types 1994. of performances north of “The $6 million levy was Tacoma on the (Kitsap) passed through the Central peninsula.” Kitsap School District, but While she’s not certain somehow, the money was what size auditorium will used for other things and the performing arts center SEE ARTS CENTER, A17 BY LESLIE KELLY
LKELLY@SOUNDPUBLISHING.COM
Seraine Page /Staff photo
Second-grader Cody Sigman raise his hands as a boa contrictor tightens itself around him during “The Reptile Man” show. Nearly 400 Silver Ridge Elementary students, parents and staff enjoyed the Family Night event sponsored by the PTA.
Reptiles give kids a big thrill BY SERAINE PAGE SPAGE@SOUNDPUBLISHING.COM
Hands-on learning took on a whole new meaning for students at Silver Ridge Elementary during a recent evening family event at the school. Scott Petersen, also known as “The Reptile Man,” has been visiting several area schools with his crew of reptiles, including venomous snakes. Petersen brought reptiles of a variety of sizes, including an alligator snapping turtle, a milk snake, an alligator and others for students to see. “Kids love Lucy the alligator,” Petersen said of the tiny alligator he brought with him. Petersen has performed at more than 800 schools in the Pacific Northwest, according to his website. The former biology teacher taught students how to deal with wild reptiles and even performed tricks, like making his alligator, Lucy, fall
Seraine Page/ Staff Photo
Students pet a tortoise during “The Reptile Man” event. asleep by rubbing her eyes. “I thought it was awesome,” said Faith Jernigen, a fourth grader at the school. “I liked when the alligator fell asleep.” Nearly 400 were in attendance for the event, filling every available space in the school’s gymnasium, including the floor, where most students sat. Parents filled in the chairs in the back, and staff members
lined the perimeter of the room. With each new reptile that Petersen pulled from its plastic bin, children squealed with delight. Several of the species considered dangerous in nature — such as a diamondback snake — were brought out inches away from students. But, Petersen said that each poisonous snake has had its venom taken out, creating
no threat to any person who may handle one. Prior to pulling it from its box, Petersen stuck his microphone inside for students to listen to the sound of the rattler when the diamondback gets agitated. He reminded students that in nature snakes are not to be picked up, and that students should walk away, especially from snakes. With his alligator snapping turtle, he demonstrated how fierce the animal becomes when approached. The turtle grabbed at a glove that Petersen waved near its mouth. “He’s afraid of people,” Petersen told the students. The presentation came during the PTA’s “Family Night” a thrice-yearly event which features familyfriendly activities. Special guest appearances like “The Reptile Man” happen every once in awhile, said Silver Ridge PTA President Sheila SEE REPTILE MAN, A17