BI phones down
The city of Bainbridge Island phone system was down, a Nov. 4 news release states.
The telephone provider is working to repair it but there is not an estimated time for the repair to be completed.
In the meantime, people can send an email to cityadmin@bainbridgewa.gov, and the city will route the concern to the appropriate department for follow-up. If the issue is time sensitive, call 206-670-3919 or 206-580-6735.
There are no known issues with calling 911 for true emergency situations. The city will notify the community when phone service is restored.
Mental health training free
Free Mental Health First Aid training is available to community members who want to learn to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders in adults and youth.
The trainings are open to adults, ages 18 and older.
A class about youth will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 22 at the Bainbridge Island library. One on adults will be Dec. 20 at the same time and place. Another one for adults will be at the same time Dec. 6 at the Kitsap Regional Library at Sylvan Way in Bremerton.
Whooping cough up
Whooping cough (pertussis) is increasing in Washington, and two cases were reported in Kitsap County in the last week.
Whooping cough is a highly contagious illness caused by bacteria. Whooping cough spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Without treatment, a person can spread whooping cough for more than three weeks after becoming sick.
People with whooping cough often have symptoms similar to a cold and can develop a severe cough that lasts for weeks. For some, coughing can be severe enough to cause vomiting, seizures, or even rib fracture. Infants are at greatest risk. While most infants do not have a cough, they can struggle to breathe. About one-third need treatment in a hospital.
TDOR at BIMA
Transgender Day of Remembrance will take place at 4 p.m. Nov. 17 at the Bainbridge Island Museum of Arts.
Organizers said all are welcome to read names and hear allies speak of hope and acceptance, and the health of kids.
Eve Palay says in a news release that the local event started in 2017. A panel will talk about equity in the Pledge of Allegiance’s vow for “Liberty and Justice for All.” The event is put on by Rainbow Crew NW, Transfriending, BI-North Kitsap Interfaith Council, Bainbridge Pride and Queer Elders Family Group from the BI Senior Center.
“This kind of support is not common in this country, certainly not in these times,” Palay says, adding they do not read the names of trans people who were murdered or committed suicide in the past year as victims, but, “we welcome the spirits of those who had too little welcome in their lives.”
Scout food
Cub Scout 4496 is having its annual food drive on Bainbridge Island to help Helpline House.
In years past, over 2,000 pounds have been collected. The drive this year is at Safeway Nov. 16 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Meet mayor
Bainbridge Island Mayor Joe Deets is having office hours to talk with folks about city business Nov. 9 from 10 a.m. to noon at CUPS Espresso, 123 Bjune Drive SE in Winslow.
Cookbook author
Eagle Harbor Books will host author Cat Bude at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 13.
Bude will talk about her new cookbook French Kitchen Lessons.
Christmas gifts
Operation Christmas Child is again having a drive for shoeboxes filled with toys and other goodies in Kitsap County.
The shoeboxes go to children in need in over 170 countries in the world. Last year, nearly 11.3 million shoebox gifts were collected worldwide. Gifts can include: school supplies, personal care items, sports balls, stuffed animals, clothes, watch, hats, doll, art supplies, jewelry and sunglasses.
Shoeboxes are collected at two locations in Kitsap Nov. 18-25 at various times: North Kitsap Baptist Church, 20516 Little Valley Road NE in Poulsbo; and Silverdale Community Church, 9982 Silverdale Way NW in Silverdale.
For other ways to donate, go to samaritanpurse.org
Pet adoption
Kitsap Humane Society is providing an adoption fee of $50 for all cats and large dogs older than six months, throughout November as the organization is at capacity and asking for help in finding temporary or permanent homes for its resident companion animals.
“We have enough space for about 55 dogs and 100 cats here at the shelter,” KHS communications director Mike Bush said. “Unfortunately, because of the tremendous influx of strays over the past couple of weeks, we are at capacity and urgently need to find homes for these terrific animals.”
Anyone who is interested in fostering a dog or cat, either long- or short-term, visit kitsap-humane.org/get-involved/foster-care/. If you are interested in adopting an animal, the shelter is open for adoptions from noon to 5 p.m., every day except Tuesdays.
KHS is asking those who find a stray dog or cat to hold onto them and follow the organization’s recommendations in reuniting them with their person rather than bringing them to the shelter. Those recommendations can be found at kitsaphumane.org/resources/lostfound-pets/.
Social justice
Putting the Social in Social Justice: Celebrating the Organizations Serving Kitsap County will take place Nov. 19 from 6-8 p.m. at Olympic College Bremer Student Center, 1600 Chester Ave. in Bremerton.
This is an opportunity for local organizations, community members, advocates and allies to meet, learn more about each other, network, collaborate and celebrate. The event emphasizes the importance of developing relationships and fostering collaboration among organizations dedicated to social justice. There will be refreshments, interactive activities and a raffle. Admission is free – drop in anytime. A short program begins at 6:30 p.m. with introductions of participating organizations, announcements of upcoming events, volunteer opportunities and information on how to get involved.
