City News Bytes: Boaters Fair Saturday, Ferries Want to Hear From You, Cast Your Vote for BI Reads, New Charging Stations, Rolfes Now a County Commissioner, Japanese Memorials gets Funding, Beach Explorations and Ask a Master Gardener

Kevin Dwyer | Posted on June 8, 2023 |

DON’T MISS THE ANNUAL BOATERS’ FAIR AT EAGLE HARBOR WATERFRONT PARK THIS COMING SATURDAY – A slew of local organizations will be on hand this coming Saturday June 10 at Waterfront Park at the annual Boaters Fair. Representatives from the Bainbridge Police Department, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, Bainbridge Prepares, and the Metro Parks District will be providing demonstrations and safety tips.

In addition, there will be a helicopter rescue demonstration, an 87-foot US Coast Guard Cutter (SEA FOX) on the waterfront, boat tours, paddling, rowing and sailing! There will also be a hydration station, education tables, hot dogs, knot tying, and so much more. The event is free and open to the public. For more information call the city Harbormaster at (206) 786-7627 or email, harbormaster@bainbridgewa.gov

WA STATE FERRIES NEEDS TO HEAR FROM YOU ON SEPTEMBER CLOSURE – The Washington State Ferries (WSF) Seattle/Bainbridge ferry route will be closed to drive on traffic from Sept. 7-13. The closure extends to vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles and electric scooters. The closure is due to the Overhead Loading Walkway Replacement Project. During the six-day closure, four bridge spans will arrive by barge, and will be rolled off into the vehicle holding and exit lanes, then lifted by cranes and set into place.

To help WSF with service planning during the closure, please complete their customer survey by 5 p.m. Fri., June 16.

There will be a special presentation from WSF to Bainbridge Island City Council during the June 13 Regular Business Meeting. Take the WSF Survey HERE

VOTING ENDS ON JUNE 16 FOR NEXT BI READS TITLE – Are you a reader? The next BI Reads choices are:

“Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants” by Robin Wall Kimmere
“The House of Broken Angels” by Luis Alberto Urrea
“A Tale For The Time Being” by Ruth Ozeki

Vote online or use the physical ballot boxes located at City Hall, Eagle Harbor Book Co, the Bainbridge Island Library, and the Bainbridge Island Senior Community Center. The book choice winner will be announced on July 25 at the City Council Regular Business Meeting. Click to Vote

LAUNCH OF NEW EV CAR SHARE AND EV CHARGING STATIONS AT CITY HALL – JUNE 13 – Eagle-eyed islanders may have already spotted four new Public EV Charging Stations at City Hall – paid for with grants from the Washington State Department of Transportation’s Zero-Emissions Access Program.

Two are available for anyone with an electric vehicle to pay and use
Two are dedicated for use by a new community carshare program administered by Bainbridge’s ZEV co-op.

ZEV co-op is a non-proﬁt consumer cooperative: While anyone can access the co-op’s electric vehicles, member-owners enjoy special beneﬁts and democratically control the priorities and direction of the co-op.

The new EV chargers and carshare program will be officially launched with a ribbon cutting ceremony at City Hall on Tuesday June 13 at 4pm

CHRISTINE ROLFES NAMED COUNTY COMMISSIONER – State Sen. Christine Rolfes, D-Bainbridge Island, will join the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners following an appointment to the board.

In an interview with the Kitsap Sun, Rolfes said she planned to step down from her seat in the Senate later this summer, which would set off another appointment process to name a new senator to represent the 23rd District.

Current county commissioners Charlotte Garrido and Katie Walters approved Rolfes appointment Monday morning. Rolfes previously served as a State Representative and Bainbridge Island City Council member. More From The Kitsap Sun

NATIONAL PARKS SERVICE AWARDS MEMORIAL $600,000 – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), and U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (D, W-06) announced June 2 that four Japanese American Confinement Sites grants have been awarded to organizations in the State of Washington, including one that will help fund completion of the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial Visitor Center.

“A new visitor center will help future generations better understand the heartbreaking stories chronicled at the Bainbridge Island memorial, describing how families were forcibly removed from their homes, and will help remind us that we must always be vigilant in fighting prejudice and discrimination,” said Rep. Kilmer. More Details from Rep. Kilmer

WSU KITSAP EXTENSION INVITES YOU TO BEACH EXPLORATIONS 2023 AND ASK A MASTER GARDENER:

Join local naturalists for FREE Kitsap County beach explorations and learn about the wonderful creatures that call our beaches home. Their knowledgeable naturalists will happily guide your journey of discovery while exploring the intertidal zone and the creatures that live in this unique habitat. “These 60-90 minute beach explorations are perfect for families with children of all ages, a great way to get outside, learn something new and have fun! Boots or closed-toe shoes are recommended.” Click here to see full schedule or visit their website at: https://extension.wsu.edu/kitsap/event/wsu-beach-explorations-2023/2023-06-03/

Ask a Master Gardener, every Thursday at Bainbridge Island Library through September. 28th, 3-5pm: Bring your gardening questions to the Bainbridge library! Get science-based answers and recommendations from Kitsap Master Gardeners. For more information, visit their website at:
https://extension.wsu.edu/kitsap/event/ask-master-gardener-bainbridge-island-library/all/

Source Materials and image credits: City of Bainbridge Island and Chamber of Commerce. Photos courtesy of Kitsap County, BIJAM, and WSU Kitsap Extension