Hughes, Gallagher read at bookstore

Poets Holly J. Hughes and Tess Gallagher will read from “Beyond Forgetting: Poetry and Prose About Alzheimer’s Disease” at 3 p.m. Sept. 27, at Eagle Harbor Book Co., 157 Winslow Way. This free, public event will be followed by a question-and-answer period and a book signing.

After losing her mother to Alzheimer’s in 2001, Hughes put out a call for submissions to create an anthology of poems about experiences with the disease. Within a few months, she received 500 submissions from which she and an editorial board selected work from 100 writers. Tess Gallagher, who also had just lost her mother to Alzheimer’s, wrote the Foreword. Washington poets Lana Hecht Ayers, Alice Derry, John Davis, and Kay Mullen also will read.

The poems and prose, which are grouped by a variety of perspectives on the central theme, are followed by a note from the author about their personal experience with Alzheimer’s.

The book is published by Kent State University Press as part of their Literature and Medicine Series. For more information, call 842-5332 or visit www.eagleharborbooks.com.

BI Harvest Fair shares farm life

Johnson Farm on Fletcher Bay Road is abuzz with activity in preparation for the annual Bainbridge Island Harvest Fair, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 27. Open to the public, this popular event celebrates farm culture by sharing information on farming techniques, tools, and animals. Visitors can walk the grounds and see demonstrations on sheep shearing, apple cider making, and cooking with locally farmed food. Local music and the wine and beer garden can be enjoyed throughout the day.

At 1 p.m., Joel Sackett will take a community photograph and judges will begin tasting pies in the pie-baking contest. Visitors have until 3 p.m. to submit their zucchinis for a chance to win the $100 prize. To end the celebration with a fluorish, doves will be released from the main stage at 6 p.m. followed by another community photo.

A park-and-ride shuttle service has been added this year for every ferry arrival from 11 a.m. The last return will drop off in time for the 6:20 ferry. The shuttle also makes stops at Bethany Lutheran and Strawberry Hill Park.

The event is free and open to the public, but donations are greatly appreciated. Proceeds go to the Trust for Working Landscapes, which manages 60 acres of public farmland on Bainbridge, including Johnson Farm. In 2009, the 10-acre farm lived up to the “working landscape” name with 14 new p-patch community gardens, a new irrigation system, and additional trees planted in the apple orchard. For info: www.trustforworkinglandscapes.org.

Writer Evison wins book award

Bainbridge Island writer Jonathan Evison won the 2009 Washington State Book Award in fiction for his 2008 debut novel “All About Lulu” (Soft Skull Press). Winners of the annual nod were announced Sept. 22 by the Washington Center for the Book at Seattle Public Library. Evison, along with five other winners, will receive $1,000 and be honored at a public ceremony, 7 p.m. Oct. 14 at the Seattle Public Library.

Formerly known as the Governor’s Writers Award, the Washington State Book Awards began in 1966 to recognize literary merit and books of lasting importance. Two other Bainbridge Island writers made the top five list in the fiction category. Carol Cassella, whose book “Oxygen” was published by Simon & Schuster, and David Guterson, who wrote “The Other” (Alfred A. Knopf), were both named as finalists.

‘Almost Perfect’ art sale at BAC

Bainbridge Arts and Crafts holds its annual “Almost Perfect” sale Sept. 25-27. Thousands of ceramics, jewelry, paintings, woodwork, and more, from more than 70 artists will be on display at resduced prices. On Sept. 25, only BAC members may buy and memberships are available. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 25, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 26, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 27. For more info, visit www.bacart.org.

Kids can dig in at KiDiMu event

Kids of all ages will get a chance to be part of building the new children’s museum from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 26, at The Island Gateway Corner (State Route 305 and Winslow Way).

This free family event includes bouncy houses, crafts and entertainment. The first 150 children to arrive will receive a commemorative hard hat and shovel to help with the “ceremonial dig.” The official groundbreaking ceremony starts at 1 p.m. Call 855-4650 or visit www.kidmu.org.