Public art
This year’s public art winner for the Bainbridge Island Something New V People’s Choice Award is Steve Jensen for his “Viking Vessel” located on Winslow Way.
A reception will take place from 5-6 p.m. May 25 at the BI Chamber of Commerce, 395 Winslow Way E.
Meanwhile, entries are sought for artwork for the 6th annual event next year. Deadline is May 19. Winners are put on display for one year at five locations in downtown BI.
The People’s Choice winner gets a $1,000 stipend.
‘Arrive Alive’
State Patrol conducted a High Visibility Enforcement “Arrive Alive” emphasis May 5 in an effort to reduce serious injury and fatal collisions, as well as deter crime.
Total contacts in the 24 hours from 6 a.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday by Kitsap and Grays Harbor officers were 308 with 220 speeding, 12 seat belt violations, 10 electronic device violations, seven collisions, eight alcohol and four drug DUIs, one vehicular assault, one assault hit and run.
The first four months of this year, troopers have investigated 10,200 collisions statewide, 177 with serious injuries and 64 fatals. While there were almost 400 more collisions by this time last year, there were also 187 serious injuries and 95 fatal.
Botanical tours
To celebrate its 50th year, Dolphin Place Open Space and Puget Sound Native Tree Conservancy are opening up for public tours.
They will be Sundays at noon on May 21, June 25, July 9 and Aug. 20 located on Little Manzanita Bay on Bainbridge Island.
Guests will go on a guided botanical walk through a small native garden with one of the largest collections in the world of trees native to Puget Sound. Site includes five distinct ecosystems and estuary. Limited to 14 people per date. Must be able to navigate stairs and nature trails. Wear jeans and hiking shoes (possible mud). No children (rare delicate plants).
Go to www.DolphinPlaceOpen.Space to sign up.
Safety event
Boat and fire extinguisher safety checks will take place May 20 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Winslow Wharf Marina parking lot, 141 Parfitt Way SW on Bainbridge Island
Save money on servicing extinguishers and purchasing flares; disposed of expired flares and fireworks; and ensure you boat is Coast Guard regulation compliant.
For details email sisenman@gmail.com
School sweep awards
Three St. Cecilia Catholic students swept the recent Law Day Essay Contest on “Democracy” put on by the Kitsap County Bar Association.
Eighth-grader Logan Maxwell was first with his essay called “The Instability of Political Factions.” He won $350 at a ceremony at the county courthouse in Port Orchard.
Seventh-grader Nolan Riley was second, winning $250, for his essay on “Dictatorship from Democracy.”
Another seventh-grader, Colette Bower, was third winning $150 for her essay called “Common Good and Common Ground.”
Band awards
The Bainbridge High School Jazz 1 and Jazz 2 bands recently competed in the Bellevue High Jazz Festival against 24 other bands from around the Northwest.
BHS musicians who received Outstanding Soloist Awards were: pianist Miles Wieland, trombonist Margaret Haley, trumpeter Stella Saleh, bassist Grady Nordstrom and saxophonists Lang Armstrong, Isaiah Beyer and Connor Firth.
WEAVE concert
The Lore Filgueira Group will perform at the Rolling Bay Hall on Bainbridge Island May 20.
Doors open at 6:30 with the show starting an hour later. For tickets go to weavepresents.org
PAWS fundraiser
PAWS of Bainbridge Island and North Kitsap will host the “Diamonds Are FURever” Gala Fundraiser June 3 from 5:30-9 p.m. at the Suquamish Clearwater Casino.
Proceeds pay for PAWSBINK programs including adoption services, veterinary financial aid, and spay/neuter assistance.
Attendees will enjoy appetizers and drinks, a silent auction, entertainment and a three-course dinner.
Tickets for $150 each are available at pawsbink.org/paws-gala/
Flu deaths up
Following two seasons of unusually low flu activity, the 2022-23 flu season was the deadliest in five years.
A total of 262 Washingtonians died from the flu, including 257 adults and five children, which is a tenfold increase compared to 2021-22.
This year’s flu vaccine reduced risk of influenza A-related hospitalization among children by nearly three-quarters and among adults by nearly half. Despite vaccine effectiveness, flu vaccination rates have decreased nationally in certain groups; for children 6% and pregnant women 15% compared with pre-pandemic rates.
Meet Deets
Bainbridge Island Councilmember Joe Deets is having his open office hours May 20 from 10 a.m. to noon at CUPS Espresso at 123 Bjune Drive SE in Winslow. Everyone is welcome to talk about city business.
