Briefs

Tree lighting

The Bainbridge Island Downtown Association and the city are putting on their annual holiday tree lighting and festivities event at Town Square Nov. 26 at 6 p.m.

A holiday menorah will be on display as well.

Hot cider and s’mores cooked up by local police will be served, and Santa is expected.

The Bainbridge High School band, school district 100-plus member choir, Bainbridge Ballet Nutcracker and Crescendo Singers are all expected to perform.

The event coincides with Shop Mall Saturday, the nationwide effort for people to support their local businesses.

Seabird 12th

Brendan’s McGill’s Bainbridge Island restaurant, Seabird, has been named the 12th best new restaurant in the country by Esquire magazine.

Its review praises chefs McGill and Grant Rico for their “Creamy uni French toast, halibut ceviche with zippy leche de tigre and jalapeño crema, and sablefish in a delicate almond broth fortified with spicy salsa macha.”

It goes on to say, “You would be remiss to miss the vegetables—they’re just as compelling as their oceanic counterparts. The roasted salsify slathered in a brown butter sauce and served with a rich, runny duck egg and roast carrot fricassee will make you think of vegetables in a whole new way.”

The Seabird for years was Cafe Hitchcock. McGill owns other eateries on BI and in Seattle.

Night Market

Bainbridge Island Museum of Art is having its first Winter Night Market Dec. 2-3 from 4-8 p.m.

Each night the plaza will be filled with lights, music, food and holiday drinks, and 20-plus of local vendors, just in time for the holidays. There will be a free photo booth and free movies in the Frank Buxton Auditorium.

There will be activities for all ages throughout the museum as well as the plaza, which will have fire pits to help keep participants warm. Come make a gingerbread house with KidiMu, or write a letter in the galleries to a loved one or Santa.

Play at library

Island Theatre presents a dramatic reading of “Augusta” at 7:30 p.m. at the Bainbridge Public Library Dec. 3-4.

A $5 minimum donation is suggested.

The dark comedy has Molly and Claire cleaning houses for wealthy summer people in Maine but their world is rocked by Jimmy, their new boss who is abusive and seductive. The three find themselves in a relationship with twists, turns, betrayals, power grabs, moral dilemmas and, ultimately, a crime that provides an unexpected ray of hope.

Augusta is directed by Steve Stolee and features islanders Sabrina Fiander, Cathy Richards-Ingram and Dustin Ingram. It is recommended for high school age and older.

Island Theatre is returning to the library after a long COVID hiatus. The audience should appreciate the higher stage and improved lighting for improved visibility.

The nonprofit theater is run by volunteers. For details go to www.IslandTheatre.org.

$3,000 raised

Bainbridge students raised over $3,000 for a medical university Nov. 12 by bringing together an array of panelists with different backgrounds in public health.

The Bainbridge Island Youth Partners In Health Engage Chapter hosted expert panelists at the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art. The event included: Dr. Stephanie Farquhar, a professor of public health from the University of Washington, Dr. Rabi Yunusa, a physician and researcher focused on structural violence, and Dr. Neil Gupta, former chief medical officer for Partners In Health in Rwanda.

The event showed the importance of intersectionality within public health, aligning with the youth’s project, the University of Global Health Equity. That medical university is reshaping the way medicine is taught using global health leadership and the “One Health Approach”: incorporating animals, humans and the environment. That holistic approach is a crucial aspect needed within public health. The panelists shared how their work involves intersectionality, and how that is needed for all issues.

Along with BIMA, others involved included: the BI Senior Center, Bainbridge Community Foundation and the 1066 Fund.

Youth involved

The city of Bainbridge Island has developed a curriculum to help students get involved in its Climate Smart Challenge.

Autumn Salamack, the city’s climate officer, and Hannah Ljunggren, climate outreach coordinator, customized the challenge for fourth- through 12th-graders. “The goal is for teachers and groups to use the lesson plans to talk about climate change,” Salamack said, adding she hopes the students also take the challenge with their families. BI has reached about the halfway point of having 250 households involved by the end of 2022.

Students can measure their carbon footprint and learn how to reduce it. The lesson plans are posted on the city’s website for all. Resources for younger students will be available soon. For details, go to bainbridgewa.gov/ClimateSmartBainbridge.

BI Ride

Kitsap Transit and the city of Bainbridge Island want to increase the use of the on-demand BI Ride program.

The goal is to reduce carbon emissions and increase transportation safety and accessibility on BI. BI Ride allows you to schedule rides anywhere around the island, but many are unfamiliar with it, a city notice says.

They are looking for people to participate in Zoom virtual focus groups Dec. 6 from 1-2:30 p.m. or 6:30-8 p.m. Dec. 7. The groups will look at messages and motivations that would increase ridership.

If chosen, you will get a $75 Visa gift card. To apply go to www.surveymonkey.com/r/7TQMLX8.

Eat too much?

Islandwood is going to help if you eat too much on Thanksgiving.

It is offering a free open trails day Nov. 25.

You can explore six different natural ecosystems, visit their canopy tower and treehouses, walk across their suspension bridge and relax at Mac’s Pond. They even suggest bringing some Thanksgiving leftovers for a picnic.

New commissioner

Joey Soller is set to be appointed the North Kitsap representative on the Planning Commission.

County Commissioner Robert Gelder made the recommendation, which will go to the full board Dec. 12.

Soller has been involved in the real estate industry since 1995, a managing broker specializing in commercial real estate with KW Commercial. Her team runs the residential sector of Force 10 Property Group. She’s also involved in community service and numerous industry groups.

Get $350

Puget Sound Clean Air Agency is offering $350 for people who recycle their old wood-burning stoves and inserts because of the pollution they cause.

For details go to pscleanair.gov.

Local author

Christina A. Kemp of Bainbridge Island has written her first book called, “Across the Distance.”

She has a master’s degree in counseling psychology and is also a writer and teacher.

Her book is a memoir about the people who shaped and wounded her, along with her determination to learn from those encounters. Readers are bound to identify with her situations, a news release says. “Her words reflect the boundless depths of loss, the power of healing and sacred truths that lay within…us.”

The 230-page book is available at Eagle Harbor Book Co. in Winslow.

BI police log

Nov. 13 – Sex offense, Madison Avenue S.

Nov. 15 – Traffic accident, Finch Road NE at NE New Holland Court

Nov. 15 – Traffic emphasis, Winslow Way E.

Nov. 15 – Traffic accident, NE High School Road

Nov. 16 – Theft, Winslow Way E

Nov. 16 – Vehicle theft, Rockaway Beach Road NE

Nov. 17 – Traffic accident, NE Day Road E at Phelps Road NE

Nov. 18 – Theft, Wing Point Road NE

Nov. 18 – Traffic accident, Blakely Avenue NE at NE Old Mill Road

Nov. 18 Residential burglary, Agate Street NE