Resource Center

I have included web site links that I believe might be of interest to you. Inclusion in the list does not constitute an endorsement and, as always, use caution when providing personal information to any web site. If you have feedback to share on these sites, please email me at wpaulson@windermere.com
Area Information Resources
Hood Canal Bridge Project
- The Hood Canal Bridge is in the final phase of replacing the east half of the bridge. A five week closure took place in May and June of 2009. Click for details and photos about the project.
Jefferson County Historical Society
- Want to know more about Jefferson County’s past? This is a great place to start the process. The site includes historical information and describes the research resources the society maintains.
Jefferson County Links
- A compilation of links for organizations throughout Jefferson County including the communities of Port Ludlow and Port Townsend.
Jefferson County Property Information
- Access tax records, plat maps and plat maps overlaid on aerial photos for all property in Jefferson County. Search by Tax ID Number, by address or by clicking on a map (Click on maps icon, then parcel map).
Jefferson Rainfall Map
- A rainfall map for Jefferson County, showing in detail the rainshadow effect of the Olympic Mountains. The map is provided by Jefferson County. Downloads a PDF File, so download time may be long.
Kitsap County Home Prices
- A Kitsap County resource gives the median home prices and compares the selling prices to assessed values in each of the county’s five school districts.
Kitsap County Links
- A compilation of links for organizations throughout Kitsap County including Chambers of Commerce, governments, schools and virtual communities for Poulsbo, Kingston, Bainbridge Island and other Kitsap communities.
Kitsap County Property Information
- Access tax records, plat maps and plat maps overlaid on aerial photos for all property in Kitsap County. Search by Tax ID Number, by address or by clicking on a map.
Kitsap Rainfall Map
- A rainfall map for Kitsap County, showing in detail the rainshadow effect of the Olympic Mountains. Map Courtesy of All Point Home Inspections.
Kitsap Trends
- The Kitsap County TRENDS Report is a semi-annual magazine that focuses on population demographics including income, growth, real estate sales and other information related to Kitsap County, WA
State Rainfall Map
- Maps showing the wide variation of rainfall in Kitsap and Jefferson counties due to the Olympic Mountain rain shadow effect.
State Well Report Data Base
- A Washington State online database of well reports for all wells having them. A well report describes the location, ownership, construction details and the soil and rock composition of a completed well.
Recreation
Foulweather Bluff Preserve
- At the northernmost tip of Kitsap County, Foulweather Bluff Preserve combines forest, marsh, and 3,800 feet of beach, making it one of the most valuable wildlife havens on the Kitsap Peninsula.
IslandWood
- A 255-acre natural habitat nestled into the south end of Bainbridge Island. Through scientific inquiry, technology and the arts, children and adults are immersed in a powerful, diverse educational experience.
Jefferson County Parks
- Jefferson County Parks Department site includes directions to each facility, events, fee schedules and available sports programs.
Jefferson Events Calendar
- Event calendars covering a wide range of activities from musical and theatrical performances to lectures about sea life under northwest docks.
Kitsap County Parks
- Kitsap County Parks Department site includes directions to each facility, events, fee schedules and plans for future development.
Kitsap Events Calendar
- Event calendars covering a wide range of activities from musical and theatrical performances to lectures about sea life under northwest docks.
Olympic National Park
- Offers descriptions of facilities, program schedules, and maps for one of the most diverse parks in the National Park System. The Olympic National Park has old growth and temperate rain forests, jagged, glacier-capped peaks, and over 60 miles of wild Pacific coast.
Olympic Peninsula
- A valuable resource for planning a trip to the Olympic Peninsula, or simply learning more about it. Besides the normal community and lodging links, it includes peninsula web cams and a description of peninsula lighthouses.
The Historic Schooner Adventuress
- Sound Experience sails the historic schooner Adventuress, providing hands-on environmental education and leadership experiences for youth and adults. On exciting voyages aboard the historic schooner Adventuress, participants learn about the majesty and vulnerability of our region's definitive resource, Puget Sound.
West Sound State Parks
- Links to the pages describing facilities at each state park on the west side of Puget Sound, including several along the Hood Canal and on the Olympic Peninsula.
Buyer's and Seller's Resources
Buyer's Information
- Information to help you understand the process of purchasing a home, including frequently asked questions.
Normal Lifespan of Home Components
- Information provided by Freddie Mac that gives a rough guide for estimating the normal life of various household components. Complements of All Point Home Inspections.
Real Estate Articles
- Read articles about topics ranging from proper pricing of your home to the disclosure required of an individual when selling real estate.
Remodel and Repair Costs
- Information provided by Freddie Mac that gives a rough guide for estimating remodeling and repair costs. Complements of All Point Home Inspections.
Remodeling Payoff
- Outlines the costs of specific remodeling and home improvement projects and the estimated percentage return in various markets should the house be sold a year later.
Seller's Information
- Information to help you understand the process of selling a house. Includes frequently asked questions.
Cultural
Bainbridge Performing Arts
- Bainbridge Performing Arts educates, entertains and encourages youth and adults in the performing arts of theatre, music and dance.
Centrum
- Centrum—Port Townsend, Washington's home for the arts and creative education, where people of all ages and all places come to celebrate their passion for creativity, visual arts, traditional music, writing, jazz, dance, theatre, and classical music.
Olympic Music Festival
- Imagine a turn-of-the-century dairy farm nestled on 55 acres of tranquil farmland on the Olympic Peninsula and the sounds of exquisite chamber music floating in the air. That’s the Olympic Music Festival’s "Concerts in the Barn.” An unforgettable Northwest experience!
The Admiral Theatre in Bremerton
- The Admiral was transformed in the '90s from a 1940s era movie house into a one-of-a-kind live performance theatre and facility for multiple community uses. It hosts comedy, music performances, vintage movies, lectures and similar events.
The Jewelbox Theatre in Poulsbo
- A unique and intimate theatre. The Jewel Box Mission Statement is: To enhance the community through theatre excellence in a destination setting.
Relocation Resources
A North Kitsap County Introductory Movie
- A short narrated movie introducing you to North Kitsap county, and communities such as Poulsbo, Port Gamble and Kingston. Don't forget to turn on your speakers.
Do-It-Yourself Moving
- Planning tools and products to help that money saving do-it-yourself move go smoother.
Moving Boxes
- Patented, reusable moving boxes direct from factory. Company claims that setup is easy, no tape is required, and boxes have handles.
Moving Consulting and Services
- Moving Link works for the customer rather than the mover, linking that customer to a cost effective and quality moving service that fits their individual needs. Provides the leverage to secure the mover's best crews, deep discounts, and overall service.
Olympic Peninsula Lodging
- Olympic Getaways is dedicated to nooks and crannies of the Olympic Peninsula often overlooked. Includes special places to stay and exciting things to do.
School and Neighborhood Reports
- Access reports on communities and public and private schools in the area and throughout Washington. Also you can request reports for communities and schools anywhere in the country.
Waterfront and Marine
Area Marina and Protected Moorage Information
- A page I have compiled with descriptions, and links where available, for marinas in the area and protected bays where one might find year-round deep water boat moorage. Includes the ability to search for homes in the area of the marina or waterfront homes on the protected bay.
Boating Resources
- A valuable source of boating information such as weather reports, tides and current information and the location of pump-out facilities, plus links to other boating sites. The site’s goal is to improve boating safety in Washington State.
Port Townsend Marine Science Center
- Offers hands-on, live exhibits and educational programs. A great chance for kids to see all sorts of Pacific Northwest sea life up close.
Puget Sound Shorelines
- Information about shorelines and aquatic wildlife plus tips about building and living on waterfront property.
Shoreline Stewardship Guidebook
- Information to provide you with a greater understanding of the natural environment at the shoreline and tips for living in harmony with the Puget Sound or Hood Canal. Downloads a PDF File, so download time may be long.
Washington Tide Tables
- Tide tables for Washington State, with locally corrected tables for specific sites like Poulsbo, Seabeck and Port Ludlow.
Washington Waterfront Ownership Principles
- This document is a brief overview of the principles affecting the ownership of waterfront property in Washington State, including definition of terms like meander line, and first and second class tidelands.
Wooden Boat Foundation
- The Wooden Boat Foundation is dedicated to the preservation and celebration of traditional maritime skills, culture, and heritage through education.
Wooden Boat School
- The Northwest School of Wooden Boat building's mission is to teach and preserve the skills and crafts associated with fine wooden boat building and other traditional maritime arts.
Home
Ownership
Around the House
- A place where home owners can connect with the experts and each other on matters relating to their homes, their community and their environment.
Environmental Home Center
- In the decade since they started, the Environment Home Center has grown from a tiny storefront in Seattle to become a national distributor of green building supplies and household products. If you are considering building a green home, or making green improvements to you existing home, this is a great place to start.
Fine Homebuilding
- Online edition of a great printed magazine for homebuilders, trades people, do-it-yourselfers, and people planning to have a home built. Contains tips and selected articles from the magazine.
Green Home Environmental Store
- A comprehensive source of green products for use throughout the home. Offerings include such diverse products as recycled paper products, natural personal care products, LED light bulbs, windup radios and high efficiency refrigerators.
Home Tips
- One-stop resource for help with home improvement, remodeling, home repair, decorating and major purchases of appliances and other home products.
HouseLogic
- National Association of Realtors® web site, a free source of information and tools that can help you make smart and timely decisions about your home.
Hummingbirds
- A resource to help you make your garden more hummingbird friendly. The site includes feeder and plant suggestions.
Onsite Sewer System Handbook
- If you own a home with an Onsite Sewer System (OSS - also called a septic system), or are considering buying one, this handbook is invaluable. It helps you understand how the systems work and how to maintain them.
Pet Safety - Toxic Plants
- What is safe for our pet cats and dogs to chew, eat, and gnaw on? The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has a posted a list of plants and substances poisonous to cats and dogs at this site.
Remodeling Payoff
- Outlines the costs of specific remodeling and home improvement projects and the estimated percentage return in various markets should the house be sold a year later.
Wild Flower Information
- The web site of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. The site contains a national directory of over 1000 native plants, including photos, range and habitat for each.
Wild Flower Source
- A supplier of wildflowers that are suitable for the Northwest, and a good source of information about them.
General Interest
Atomic Clock
- Displays the exact time as provided by the two time agencies of the United States. Offers downloadable software that enables your computer to synchronize its clock with the time supplied on this site.
Comprehensive Information Source
- An amazing compilation of links ranging from extensive news resources (including international, on-line television, business and lifestyle news), to health and travel resources.
How Things Work
- How Stuff Works contains thousands of descriptions of how stuff works. From engines to sunglasses, nuclear reactors to Christmas--there is something for everyone.
Is That Really True?
- That story that your sister-in-law just sent to you and forty other people sounds true. Put it to the test here.
Technology Terms Defined
- Online dictionary and search engine for computer and internet technology terms that range from the basic, such as cookie, Internet, network, and html to the more technical 802.11, SCSI, TCP/IP and SSL.
Weather - Current and Forecast
- Packed full of weather related information for the US and the world. You can search for weather by city, Zip Code, airport code or country. Local towns include Poulsbo, Bainbridge Island and Port Ludlow.
Worldwide Satellite Photos
- Visit virtually anyplace in world with satellite photos. Click on an area and zoom in to see the details.