Bainbridge Island briefs

History changes

The newly named Bainbridge History Museum is also changing its logo and website to be more inviting to residents and tourists alike.

“We want to remain a forward-looing, backward-preserving organization for this wonderful place,” museum executive director Amber Buell said.

The logo of the former BI Historical Museum is the schoolhouse on the campus, and the webwork is more user-friendly. See it at bainbridgehistory.org

The museum gathers stories from residents, offers speaker series and virtual programs, and supports things such as the Pickleball Founders Tournament and summer cruise around BI.

Earth Expo

Earth Expo will take place at Battle Point Park on Bainbridge Island April 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Take part in any of the dozens of nature-focused activities as you talk with local businesses making strides in an earth-friendly economy and conservation-focused organizations ready to spark inspiration for your next steps in sustainability, a BI Metro Parks & Recreation District news release says.

There will be an on-site work party, along with music and food.

Admission is free and parking is available on-site. For more go to biparks.org/special-events

NATO discussion

The future of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is the topic in the Great Decisions series at the Bainbridge Public Library from 2-3:30 p.m. April 7.

The event is free with donations welcome and refreshments provided.

NATO turns 75 this year, but since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February of 2022 it has come under increased scrutiny. Now in its 18th year, the Great Decisions series is non-partisan. Attendees watch a 25-minute Foreign Policy Association video before the discussion. John Koenig, retired deputy permanent representative to the U.S. Mission at NATO will be the moderator.

Ars Poetica

Several Ars Poetica events are taking place in April in Kitsap County, including one in Bainbridge.

Judges have selected poems written by local poets. Photographers in the BI Photo Club have selected one or more poems to interpret through their photos. The artwork will be on display at the BI Senior Center all month.

The poems will be read and photos discussed at a public event at 7 p.m. at the senior center. There also will be an online discussion of the displays at 1:30 p.m. April 15. Go to biseniorcenter.org/events/photos-ars-poetica/

Super parks

Howard Frumkin shares the “Superpowers of Our Parks and Trails” April 25 for youth, family health and wellness at the Bainbridge High School theater.

Sample the latest research, consider what it means for family lifestyle choices and broader policies, and explore ideas to integrate parks and trails time into our busy lives.

The event is free, but preregistration is encouraged at www.biparksfoundation.org/superpowers

“Science tells us what we already sense to be true, that we’re healthier and happier when we immerse ourselves in the natural world through our parks and trails,” said Mary Meier, BI Parks & Trails Foundation executive director.

Frumkin, of BI, is an internist, environmental and occupational medicine specialist and epidemiologist.

Gymnast wins

Emme Baldwin, 9, of Bainbridge Island won an all-around gold medal at the recent state USA Gymnastics meet.

Her all-around score for Level 3 was 37.125.

She goes to Ordway Elementary School and trains at Cascade Elite Gymnastics West in Silverdale.

Picture book

Former Bainbridge Island librarian Audrey Barbakoff’s debut picture book is coming out April 23.

“The Schlemiel Kids Save the Moon” is a modern twist on a Jewish folktale. When misguided adults believe the moon has plunged into the lake, it’s up to the Schlemiel siblings to save the day.

To celebrate the launch, a public event will take place April 28 at Sisters’ Cider House.

PSE upgrade

The Bainbridge Island Planning Commission will have a public participation meeting on Puget Sound Energy’s Murden Cove Substation Upgrade April 11 from 6-8 p.m.

Open mic

Bainbridge Open Mics take place the third Thursday of each month from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Bainbridge library.

Signup starts at 6:45 p.m. Poets are asked to keep their readings to four minutes or less. Wine, tea and cookies are served.

The free events are hosted by BI Poet Laureate Michele Bombardier. The event is sponsored by that program and the Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network with funding from the Bainbridge Community Foundation and the city.

For details go to www.bainbridgeislandpoetlaureate.org.

IslandWood trails

IslandWood is opening its trails on its campus to the public April 7.

The free event allows visitors to roam the 250-acre campus, which features wildlife at Mac’s Pond along with treehouses, the Canopy Tower and suspension bridge.

Weed fighters

Volunteers are sought to help the Weed Warriors remove invasive weeds and spread mulch April 14 from 1-3 p.m. at Strawberry Plant Park, 240 Weaver Road NW on Eagle Harbor.

RSVP by texting 206-755-8461.

Also, free weed disposal will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 21 and 28 at the Vincent Road Transfer Station. Only invasive species will be accepted.

BIMA events

Bainbridge Island Museum of Arts has two events coming up.

From 6-9 p.m. April 12 is dinner and wine pairing with Vintage Wine Bar at Harbor Square.

Also, April 15 from 7-8:30 p.m., there will be a Curated Conversations and book signings with authors Saaha LaPointe and Tayi Tibble.

Both writers touch on themes of cultural identity, generational trauma, urban and pop culture from Twilight to Twin Peaks, rewritten mythologies, gender, and how art, community, and nature can help us heal, a BIMA news release says.

For details go to www.biartuseum.org

Murder charge

A Bremerton man is dead and a suspect in custody in an alleged stabbing homicide on Easter Sunday.

Emanuel Calderon, 35, pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder in Kitsap County Superior Court April 1. Bail was set at $1 million, prosecutors calling the suspect an extreme risk to the public given the relentless details of the crime outlined in court documents.

Bremerton police were dispatched to the 800 block of 6th Street at 9:12 a.m. March 31 where they discovered the victim lying in the parking lot of 7-Eleven. The man, identified in court documents as Phillip Graff, was confirmed dead at the scene by responding aid, probable cause documents noting a trail of blood that had led to the victim’s collapse and multiple stab wounds to the neck, chest and back.

Witnesses said they saw Calderon and a woman yelling at each other. The victim got out of a truck as the woman got into it. A witness said he saw 10-11 stabs inflicted as the victim tried to run away before collapsing on the ground.

Bus service

Kitsap Transit’s on-again, off-again plans to roll out Sunday bus service in Port Orchard, Silverdale and Poulsbo is back on again, set for June 16.

When Phase 2 starts, Route 8–Bethel will operate in South Kitsap every half-hour from 8 a.m. to 4:25 p.m. and Route 332–Poulsbo/Myhre will operate between Poulsbo and Silverdale every hour from 8:30 a.m. to 4:25 p.m, a KT news release states.

Phase 2 was scheduled to start March 10, but was paused to give the agency time to evaluate the potential financial impact of Initiative 2117, a November ballot initiative. Executive director John Clauson indicated that I-2117, if passed, could result in KT potentially losing $30 million in Climate Commitment Act funds through 2029 — $21 million on the transit side, $9 million on the ferry side. However, the blow to the agency’s financial condition wouldn’t force hard decisions until 2028.

Finance director Paul Shinners estimated the annual direct cost of Sunday bus service was $1.4 million — $351,000 for Phase 1 (Bremerton), $702,000 for Phase 2 (Port Orchard, Silverdale and Poulsbo) and $351,000 for Phase 3 (Bainbridge Island). Sunday service was launched in Bremerton last September.