Bainbridge Island briefs

Store break-in

Police are seeking information on three people who broke into the Bay Hay and Feed on Bainbridge Island the night of Dec. 12.

Anyone with information is asked to call the business at 206-842-2813, its Facebook page says. Vandalism is obvious, as glass on a door was shattered and a gate torn down. A BI Chamber of Commerce news item says a new van was stolen, along with other items.

Hotel awarded

The Marshall Suites Hotel of Bainbridge recently received two hotel industry awards.

It was awarded the Best Independent Boutique Hotel in Washington state by Lux Life Resort Magazine, and the Travel Award by Kayak and Booking.com. Awards are rated on extraordinary guest service, sparkling clean guest accommodations, and outstanding facilities by guests and visitors.

General manager Christine Cochran accepted the awards on behalf of the team of hospitality professionals who work to ensure guests are safe and happy and leave BI with great memories of their visit. Over the past year, Marshall Suites has served nearly 25,000 guests. The hotel has served BI since 2016. The 51-room all-suite property is a 3-diamond hotel located at 350 High School Road NE.

Energy webinar

Learn how Bainbridge can transition to a renewable energy future by attending a Zoom webinar Jan. 12.

BI was selected as one of 12 communities nationwide to receive technical assistance to help advance goals laid out in its Climate Action Plan. Over the next year it will identify paths toward 100% renewable energy and what technologies would be needed on BI.

Register at bainbridgewa.zoom/us.

Climate change

The Bainbridge Island Climate Change Advisory Committee recently discussed the City Council’s decision to expand the panel from nine to 11 members.

Council liaison Leslie Schneider told them the goal is to get more transportation expertise on the committee since the two are so closely related. Autumn Salamack, the city’s climate leader, said the ultimate goal is to have five of the 11 members be experts in transportation. She said the goal is to have the two new members on board by April.

Deborah Rudnick, secretary of the committee, agreed that’s the right approach. She said casting a wider net would help plans for public safety, for example. Committee chair David McCaughey said it seems like it’s city manager Blair King’s idea that transportation should fall under the climate umbrella.

Park planted

Some Bainbridge Island staffers and BI Rowing volunteers planted Western red cedars, sword ferns and native strawberry along the sidewalk of east Waterfront Park recently.

The project targets an area of the park blighted by invasive ivy and holly. The restoration will make the area more resilient to climate change, a city news release says.

Climate Smart

Nirvana Indian and Nepali Cuisine is the latest business to join the Climate Smart Bainbridge.

The eatery has pledged to use reusable dishes for onsite dining before new waste reduction requirements go into effect Jan. 1. Ten BI businesses are not part of Erase the Waste to reduce the use of single-use plastics.

Correction

Bremerton Race Equity Advisory Committee member Airen Lydick says a Nov. 24 article was incorrect in that he said jurisdictions want committees like ours to focus our attention externally (by holding events, such as cultural celebrations, for example) rather than focusing our attention on identifying systemic racism.