Conserve water
Water system customers, especially those in the Rockaway area, are being asked to conserve water and reduce irrigation by 50 percent of current usage to ease pressure on aging infrastructure.
Some customers are using eight times more water than the entire system uses on an average day, which leads to long well pump runs that can damage or burn out the system.
To ensure potable water is available in the Rockaway Beach area, the city has activated an emergency intertie to provide water to the 67 homes served by this system. The 19-year-old pump that serves this area has been required to operate excessively to fill the 130,000-gallon storage tank.
Fish barrier
Work begins Aug. 8 on a fish barrier removal project on Bainbridge Island.
The project will focus on Murden Creek under Highway 305.
Travelers will generally see construction during daytime hours each weekday near Sportsman Club Road NE.
The state Department of Transportation will keep travelers moving throughout construction. Crews will build a temporary two-lane bypass road that will create a work zone to rebuild the stream. The culvert will be replaced with a new 120-foot-long bridge.
“SR 305 is a busy and critical link on Bainbridge Island, so we plan to maintain two-way traffic during this work,” WSDOT project engineer Amy Amos said.
Replacing the culvert increases the likelihood of migration in a more natural creek environment.
Call for artists
Applications are available for the 39th annual Winter Studio Tour on Bainbridge Island.
Artists do not need to own a studio or live on Bainbridge. The event takes place Dec. 2-4 at artists’ studios and community halls around the island.
It is a juried art show, seeking professional work, designed and crafted by thce artist, with original designs, and quality craftsmanship. Artwork should portray the “hand and spirit of the artist.” Artwork that is mass-produced with the use of commercial kits or molds, pre-fabricated forms or imported items are not eligible. The deadline to apply is Aug. 23.
To apply, go to the “For Artists” page on the Studio Tour website: www.bistudiotour.com or call Dinah Satterwhite at 206-842-0504.
PSE grant
Puget Sound Energy has awarded the Suquamish Tribe a $101,164 grant to help build a 32.6-kilowatt solar array on the Suquamish Family & Friends Center.
The funding, part of PSE’s 2021-22 Green Power Solar Grant program, will generate an estimated 29,956-kilowatt hours annually, offsetting an estimated 77 percent of the Family & Friends Center’s annual consumption. The result: clean energy lowers operating costs through lower utility bills.
“We are thrilled to see our Family & Friends Center now getting literally energized by the power of the sun,” said Barb Santos, Suquamish tribal member and director of the center. “Protecting the environment and fighting climate change are Suquamish values. Solar power is playing an increasingly important role on both fronts.”
The solar project directly benefits tribal families and employees as the Family & Friends Center hosts youth activities and sporting events for the community. Panels for the solar project are installed and will be operational this summer.
Since 2019, PSE’s solar grant program has awarded more than $3 million to fund 48 new, local projects for nonprofits, public housing authorities and tribal entities serving low-income and/or BIPOC community members. The program is made possible by PSE’s Green Power and Solar Choice customers.
Tour Aug. 14
Due to a challenging growing season, the July 31 Blueberry Farm Tour and U-pick blueberries and dahlias event at Bainbridge Blueberry Co. was canceled.
The next tour is scheduled for Aug. 14 at Butler-Green Farms.
For details go to https://bit.ly/Farmtrips
Blood drive
A blood drive is taking place Aug. 8 at Village Green Community Center, 26159 Dulay Road NE in Kingston.
Appointments and masks are required.
To sign up go to Schedule.BloodworksNW.org or call 1-800-398-7888.
Visually Impaired Persons Support Group
The next VIPs meeting will held at the Bainbridge Senior Center August 10 at 1:30-3:30 p.m., where Jess Henderson from the BARN will explain the Companion Program which is making classes accessible to VIPs. RSVP at (206) 780-2835.
