Rotary to host haz-mat day

It may be hard to kick the habit of tossing old cans of oil-based paint or bags of fertilizer into the garbage can.

But the Bainbridge Island Rotary Club wants to help remind islanders that these and other hazardous materials, including stains, solvents and any garden product with a “Caution” or “Warning” label don’t belong in the local land-fill but instead in the capable hands of Kitsap County Hazardous Waste Collection.

To encourage responsible disposal habits and participate in Kitsap County’s outreach and education program, the Rotary Club, the City of Bainbridge Island and the Bainbridge Fire Department have joined forces, as they do every other year or so, to organize a free local hazardous waste collection event to be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 15 at the city’s operations maintenance facility at 7305 Hidden Cove Road.

Rotary Club member and event coordinator Don Mannino, a self-described member of the “dirty hands committee,” said that more than 450 Bainbridge residents deposited over 26,000 pounds of paint and yard material at the last event in 2005.

“It’s a big deal,” he said.

At this year’s Bainbridge event, the county will be collecting oil-based paint and garden chemicals only. Mannino stressed, however, that the county collection station, located near the Bremerton airport, accepts many more types of waste such as water-based and latex paints, light bulbs, automotive products and corrosive cleaners.

“The purpose of this outreach is to pick up a bunch of stuff and get it out of circulation,” he said, “and to let people know that the facility exists.”

To get more information and a complete list of materials that the Kitsap County Household Hazardous Waste Collection station will accept, call (800) 825-4940 or visit www.kitsapgov.com/sw. Or call the city hot line at 789-3702.

– Lindsay Latimore

Parks to study piling removal

A handful of community members voiced opposition Thursday over tentative designs for Blakely Harbor Park which could include the removal of pilings and jetties, and the demolition of the historic mill generator building.

“I was surprised that we were talking about a plan to demolish the generator building,” Jerry Elfendahl told the park board. “There is a tremendous cultural interpretation opportunity for that area.”

Attendees said environmental hazards posed by pilings, and the dangers to salmon caused by stone jetties in Blakely Harbor, were embellished.

There were also concerns about the environmental impact of removing such a large structure, which is why a previous task force concluded the building should remain standing and serve an alternate function, such as a site for boat storage.

But park officials approved feasibility studies on restoration projects at both Blakely Harbor Park and Pritchard Park.

The studies carry a price tag of $350,000, city Associate Planner Peter Namtvedt Best said, to be covered by grants from the Salmon Recovery Funding Board and Natural Resource Damage Assessment funds. Studies could begin in January 2008.

“The preliminary park plan calls for further study of restoration potential out there,” Best said. “A lot of people we’ve talked with think there is great potential for habitat restoration.

“There are historic features that people care about, but the site is more complex and more unknown than that,” he added. “There is a lot of sawdust and bark chips spread on the tidal areas and that has habitat impacts.”

The park was the home of the Port Blakely mill town, from which century-old pilings and jetties remain. The land was purchased by the Park District in 1999.

– Sean Roach

Get tabs off fridge, on boat

City Harbormaster Tami Allen wants to issue a friendly reminder to Bainbridge boaters who have received their new vessel tabs to put them on. According to state law, vessels that are in state waters for more than 60 days are required to display their vessel registration.

“We want to remind people that when they move to Washington with a boat, or buy a new boat, they need to title and register it in 60 days,” Allen said. “I think most people know that they should be current when they’re underway, but boat owners also need to be aware that their tabs should be up-to-date at any time they’re in the water – even if they’re moored.”

In an effort to educate boaters, Allen and Marine Officer Ben Sias spent time this summer patrolling the island’s harbors, noting boats with expired tabs and mailing reminders to their owners.

They started in Eagle Harbor and moved on to Port Madison and Blakely Harbors, sending reminder letters to 19 owners in Port Madison this past Monday. Next week, they plan to check boats in Manzanita and Fletcher Bay.

Beginning next week, Allen and Sias will start issuing citations to those still out of date after the first gentle reminder. The cost of a ticket for expired tabs is $257.

For more information on licensing and other boating regulations, visit the state Department of Licensing website at www.dol.wa.gov, or the Harbormaster page in the Planning and Community Development Department section of the City’s website, www.ci.bainbridge-isl.wa.us.

Residents can also stop by City Hall for pamphlets on water sport and anchoring and mooring regulations. Allen can be reached at 780-3733.

Ovation shows announced

Fresh on the heels of the success of “Oklahoma,” Ovation! Musical Theatre has announced its upcoming season.

The company will perform Englebert Humperdinck’s “Hansel and Gretel” with a full orchestra for the holiday season. In addition to principal roles, the show will feature a youth chorus and and roles for 14 dancers. Auditions will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 23 at the Bainbridge Commons; a complete list of parts is at www.ovationmtb.com.

For summer, the company will take its first foray ino Stephen Sondheim territory with the Tony award-winning “Into the Woods.” Auditions will be held in January, with rehearsals to start in April.

Another Tony award-winner, Lionel Bart’s “Oliver!” is on offer for the 2008 holiday season.

Based on Charles Dickens’ novel of the same name, the musical features memorable numbers such as “Food, Glorious Food” and “I’d Do Anything.” Auditions are slated for Sept. 2008.

All productions will be directed by Ovation’ s artistic director, Ron Milton, with musical direction by Corinna Lapid-Munter and costume design by Barbara Klingberg.

To schedule an audition for “Hansel and Gretel,” call 842-0472 or email info@ovationmtb.com.