Pritchard Park plans evolving
Early visions for Pritchard Park were unveilled Friday at City Hall by graduate students from the University of Washington School of Architecture and Planning.
The students are working with various stakeholders, including the city, the park district and environmental agencies to better integrate the 50-acre park’s varied history and terrain.
A 10-person committee was created last month to help guide design.
The work presented this week will be available online beginning next Friday. Go to www.biparks.org to view and post comments.
Another presentation will take place later this month. A preferred alternative will be offered in the fall, following a series of public meetings.
The students spent the last five weeks identifying design challenges, the biggest of which is pollution caused by the creosote plant that once sat on the land. They divided the park into four distinct regions – the Japanese Internment Memorial, shoreline, uplands and the creosote site.
(The other) Tawresey runs
John Tawresey of Winslow will run for the Bainbridge Island School Board in November.
Tawresey, who said he is “winding down” his role as chief financial officer at Seattle consulting engineer firm KPFF, will seek outgoing board member Cheryl Dale’s seat.
“I’m getting into retirement mode,” Tawresey said. “It’s time for me to participate and try to give something back.”
Tawresey said he and his wife, Alice, former mayor of the city of Winslow, have long been active in education. He has taught a structural engineering course at the University of Washington for 25 years, and saw three of his own children graduate from Bainbridge schools.
“It’s a great district,” he said. “There’s a lot going on with its finances and construction and I’d like to help.”
Dale, who has served on the board since 1999, earlier this year said she wouldn’t run for re-election. Neither will current board president Bruce Weiland, who has served since 1995.
Patty Fielding, who before she retired was a master planner in the health care industry, is seeking Weiland’s seat. Dave Pollock, first elected in 2003, said he will seek re-election.
Boater’s Fair next Saturday
Salty skippers understand the responsibility that comes with being on the water, but the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 48 wants to broaden the island’s body of knowledge.
Next Saturday it will present the second annual Boater’s Fair, a half-day series of demonstrations and information sessions that aims to outfit boaters of all ages and stripes with the information they need to cut the waters with competence.
“It’s a whole gamut of things that we’re covering in a fun atmosphere,” said Grant Winther, Flotilla Commander and one of the event organizers.
The U.S. Coast Guard and the Bainbridge Fire Department will stage demos from 10 a.m. to noon at the city dock at Waterfront Park. At the Commons, the USCGA will have information booths covering a range of topics including water safety and survival skills, radio communications, the rules of navigation and docking and nautical knots. There’s also a special section on water-proofing children.
Free hot dogs, chips and drinks will be on hand for sustenance.
In addition to this annual event, the USCGA offers a monthly boating course that Winther said is starting to catch on now that the Washington State Boating Safety Education Bill will require boat operators to take an approved boater safety education course.
“I think the boating public is becoming more aware of the necessity for having some type of education because the boats they buy are bigger, faster and harder to handle,” Winther said, citing the dangers of being caught in an overwhelming situation without knowing safety procedures.
“We don’t really want to frighten people,” Winther said. “But I think that the risk warrants people paying more attention and doing some basic education.”
In anticipation of the Boater’s Fair, Mayor Darlene Kordonowy officially declared May 12 Boating Safety and Education Day. Winther said that last year roughly 150 people attended the event although organizers thought they’d be lucky to get 50. So this year, he anticipates a crowd.
“The extra thing about free hot dogs doesn’t hurt,” he said.
The second annual Boater’s Fair runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 12 at the city dock and Bainbridge Commons. For a full event schedule, go to www.kitsapcoastguard.org.
Asthma walk a family affair
With a husband, daughter and mother who have asthma, islander Lara Lant has lived with the disease day in and day out for a long time.
“We’re a typical family, but we have asthma,” Lant said.
For that reason, the Puget Sound chapter of the American Lung Association selected Lant as the Family Chair for the 4th annual Blow the Whistle on Asthma walk. She and her family will front an expected 1,000 walkers in Sunday’s 5K event at the University of Washington’s Husky Stadium.
Representatives of the Puget Sound chapter of the American Lung Association say they’ve already surpassed their initial $100,000 fundraising goal. Lant and her family have raised $500, well beyond the $200 goal they set for themselves.
“Everybody was just shooting money at us,” Lant said.
Lant’s involvement in the walk has exposed her to experts in the field and armed her with new knowledge about asthma diagnosis, maintenance and treatments. She also learned of support groups for parents of asthmatics.
“This has been wonderful…I get to meet all the top dogs,” Lant said. According to the American Lung Association, close to 20 million Americans suffer from asthma and more than 500,000 live with the disease in Washington State. Asthma is responsible for more lost school days than any other chronic disease.
Sunday’s walk will support the American Lung Association’s research and education efforts. Lant also has personal goals to help raise awareness of asthma in the general community and stay in tune with research and education efforts.
“One day it’d be great to not have to deal with this at all,” she said. “To just be done.”
The Blow the Whistle on Asthma walk starts at 9:30 May 6 in the circle in front of Husky Stadium. Check-in begins at 8:30. To participate, sponsor a participant or get general information, visit www.asthmawalk.org
Slate set for BPA’s season
Disguise, discovery and a narrative arc of twists and turns will hallmark the 2007-2008 Bainbridge Performing Arts theatre season.
Mainstage highlights will include a spooky and pulse-pounding October production of the Broadway musical “Jekyll & Hyde” directed by Steven Fogell, followed by Shakespeare’s comedy “As You Like It,” directed by Ellen Graham in December.
In February, Kate Carruthers will helm Jane Martin’s madcap “Anton in Show Business.” And then just in time for spring blooms, Teresa Thuman will direct Marsha Norman’s family show “The Secret Garden.”
Also on deck are music, dance, comedy, original and international works plus education programs. BPA will formally announce its full season offerings and sponsors in early June.
