Renna bails out of race

A City Council candidate withdrew from the race Wednesday, citing a time crunch imposed by an unforeseen primary election.

Frank Renna, a six-year island resident, had filed to challenge North Ward incumbent Councilwoman Debbie Vancil.

But marketing consultant Jeannie McMacken’s entrance into the race necessitated a Sept. 20 primary election, more than a month before the Nov. 8 general election.

“(My) late start, coupled with the tight time frame mandated by an unanticipated primary election, has led me to reluctantly conclude that…I lack the necessary time to wage a successful grassroots campaign this year,” Renna said in a statement.

Renna’s exit drops the District 7 council race down to two candidates, but his name will still appear on the primary ballot. The deadline for deletions from the ballot was Aug. 4.

September’s primary will now feature only one contested Bainbridge race. The mayor’s seat has three challengers – Nezam Tooloee, Will Peddy and Michael Berry – who will face off against incumbent Darlene Kordonowy in the primary.

Renna had put growth management at the forefront of his two-week campaign.

“At this critical juncture in Bainbridge Island’s growth, we need development managed to project our island’s unique, fragile quality,” he said. “I will continue to work to support those who share similar visions and concerns.”

– Tristan Baurick

Play for a Cure raises $76,000

The 2005 Wing Point Play for a Cure raised $76,000 at this year’s two-day event in mid-July for the Puget Sound affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Foundation in the fight against breast cancer, according to event co-chair Deb Maier.

The annual event, which included golf tournaments for men and women, tennis and bridge tournaments, silent auctions, a gala dinner and a live auction, has raised $214,000 over the last three years.

More than 200 sponsors, volunteers, participants and major sponsors — General Construction, Manson Construction and Nelson Wood and Glass — pulled together for the fund-raising event.

Of the proceeds, 75 percent will stay in Puget Sound to provide education, screening and treatment to underserved people and 25 percent will support national research to find a cure for breast cancer.

Firefighters join MD battle

Bainbridge Island firefighters will participate in a fundraiser called “Fill the Boot” to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

From 12-6 p.m. tomorrow, Bainbridge Island Firefighters, Local No. 4034, will conduct a fund-raiser at the ferry terminal. The firefighters will have their boots held high so motorists may give their dollars and change to support local “Jerry’s Kids.”

In past years during the “Fill the Boot” program, Washington firefighters raised more than $400,000 for local children and adults battling MD. For more information, call 842-7686.

Pies fuel pedal power Sunday

The pie pans will be spinning with the bike wheels Sunday morning at the annual Bike for Pie fund-raiser for Squeaky Wheels, the island’s bicycle advocacy organization.

Riders have a choice of two courses, the traditional 25-mile main route that wends through about half the island and a shorter family route at a more leisurely pace that includes few hills and covers 7 miles one way.

The ride begins at 10 a.m. Aug. 14 at the corner of Madison and Winslow Way. Purchasing advanced tickets at B.I. Cycle, Classic Cycle or Dana’s Showhouse is recommended. Only a limited number of tickets will be sold the the day of the event.

Each ticket holder will receive a free T-shirt featuring a painting by island artist Peggy Brunton of – what else – bicycles and pies.

There will be both sweet and savory pies for riders to feast on at the start, middle and end of the ride, including Steve Neff’s famous blackberry pie, quiches, rhubarb, blueberry and others by local bakeries and gourmet volunteers.

The main route runs from Winslow Way up Ferncliff then down Wing Point Way, Grand Avenue, crossing the highway at Sportsman Club Road to New Brooklyn, Mandus Olson, Koura, Miller, Fletcher Bay, Fort Ward, Rockaway Beach through Eagledale and up Wyatt Way back to Winslow.

The easier “family” route goes up Madison to High School Road, Miller and Fort Ward and then doubles back.

– Tina Lieu

Pianos play for their repair

The two grand pianos at Messenger House have served island students well and now the kids are returning the favor.

Suzuki piano students of Keely Parrin and Peggy Swingle and members of the Summer Chamber Music Concert Series will hold a concert to raise money for the refurbishing of the pianos at 7 p.m. Aug. 18 at the Bainbridge Commons. Suzuki Parents Piano Association is sponsoring the event and hopes to raise $3,000 to put the pianos in good working order.

Works will include chamber music, Rachmaninov Preludes, works of Chopin and Fauré’s Dolly Suite for two pianos. Admission is by donation, which is tax-deductible.

One piano needs a new set of bass strings and both need to be cleaned, voiced for a proper tone, and regulated to correct the amount of pressure needed to press the keys.

Students take their lessons on the pianos and play recitals on them for Messenger House residents two to four times a year.

– Tina Lieu