Bloedel walk
Join creative resident Carla Bengtson for a sensory walk at Bloedel Reserve, focusing on sight, sound, scent, touch, and movement. Visitors will immerse themselves in the sensory information of the reserve’s flora and fauna.
Artist Carla Bengtson collaborates with scientists, composers, dancers, and perfumers on projects exploring the sensory worlds of other creatures while raising awareness of our own. She is an internationally exhibiting artist with numerous awards, including the National Endowment for the Arts and the Ford Family Foundation.
Register at bloedelreserve.org/event/carla-bengtson/
Arms Around Bainbridge
Join AAB’s 18th annual around-the-island swim relay Aug. 10, its biggest fundraising event of the year. You can swim or paddle in the relay, or if you’re new to open-water swimming, join the Arms Across Blakely short swim in Blakely Harbor for ages 10 and up.
Register for the event or donate at armsaroundbainbridge.org/events
Fort Ward run
Join ParkRun every Saturday at 9 a.m. at Fort Ward for a fun and friendly 5k community event!
Whether you want to walk, jog, run, volunteer, or just spectate, everyone’s welcome. After the run, gather for a post-ParkRun coffee at The Marketplace at Pleasant Beach, where runners process the results. It’s free, but you have to register beforehand at parkrun.us/register/?eventName =fortward
Tennis tourney
Bainbridge Island Tennis Association’s annual tennis tournament is Aug. 24, a flighted round robin for men, women and mixed doubles.
Matches are at Bainbridge High School courts from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with skill levels 3 to 5. Dinner and exhibition match will follow at Wing Point Golf Club at 5 p.m. Cost is $45 per player for ages 18 years and older. Entry deadline is Aug. 7.
More info at bainbridgecta@gmail.com
New sign
Troop 1804 will be hosting a ceremony Aug. 4 at 1 p.m. for the installation of a new interpretive sign at the Exclusion Memorial.
Mia Espiritu, a student at North Kitsap High School, has chosen to create a new interpretive sign to replace an aging and weathered sign at the entrance to the Memorial. She hopes to earn her Eagle Scout badge with the help of this community project, which is sponsored by the Exclusion Memorial Association and the National Park Service.
City taskforce
The city of Bainbridge Island is looking for applicants to join its Human Services Funding Task Force. Applications are due July 31.
Every year, the city provides financial support to local nonprofit organizations to bolster human services programs. Using a two-year funding cycle, the city invites proposals from nonprofits that aim to serve BI residents. The task force reviews these proposals and makes funding recommendations.
Apply at bainbridgewa.gov/705/Human-Services-Funding-Task-Force
Lodging tax
The city of BI is seeking members for the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee. The LTAC reviews and comments on proposals for expenditures from the city’s Lodging Tax Fund, also known as the Civic Improvement Fund. This fund, created through a state tax on overnight stays (hotels, motels, and B&Bs), supports tourism promotion and the operation of tourism-related facilities.
The committee includes two members from BI businesses that collect lodging taxes and two from businesses or agencies eligible for lodging tax funding. LTAC members meet in the fall to review project proposals, typically attending 1-2 orientation meetings and 2-3 proposal review meetings.
To apply, visit bainbridgewa.gov/236/Lodging-Tax-Advisory-Committee
DOL closed
BI’s Department of Licensing office for boat and car registration and titling will be closed through Aug. 6.
The Chamber office will remain open for tab pickups ordered before July 23rd, and the fishing and wildlife licensing office and guest services will continue to operate as usual.
For urgent matters, please contact the Chamber office for assistance in locating the nearest DOL office.
Paramedics graduate
The Medic One Foundation recently announced the graduation of Medic One Paramedic Training Program’s 50th class, highlighting two who will be returning to Bainbridge Island to serve their community with the BI Fire Department. Ben McCarty and Annika Thornburg have successfully completed the 10-month training program.
Deans list
Roan Dalton of Bainbridge Island was named to the dean’s list at Tufts University in Massachusetts for the Spring 2024 semester. Dean’s list honors at Tufts University require a semester grade point average of 3.4 or above.
Hybrid ferries
Washington State Ferries has a new partner coming aboard for its journey to zero emissions by 2050, contracting with marine technology electrification experts ABB to support the design and construction of five new hybrid-electric, 160-auto-capacity ferries.
ABB will select and integrate the technology that will power the new vessels, from the engine and batteries to the propellers. They will design a complete propulsion system, oversee the timely delivery of equipment, and offer expertise in equipment installation and commissioning, a WSF news release states.
In late May, WSF invited shipyards across the country to bid on construction for the five new ferries. The contract award to one or potentially two shipbuilders is expected in early 2025, with delivery of the first two vessels expected in 2028.
ABB will also play a role in training WSF’s crews on the operation and maintenance of these new systems.
Critical Areas
Kitsap County’s department of Community Development is conducting a required periodic review of its Critical Areas Ordinance. Following public comment and hearing with the Planning Commission on the preliminary draft (issued March 8), a revised draft is now available for additional public comment.
Comments received by Aug. 7 will be incorporated into a comment matrix for review by the board, but all comments received up through the public board hearing of the CAO Aug. 26 will be considered. The CAO is the portion of local code which provides development standards for protecting the environment and minimizing risk to human safety.
Critical areas include: wetlands; fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas (streams); geologically hazardous areas; frequently flooded areas; and critical aquifer recharge areas.
The Washington Growth Management Act requires local jurisdictions to: designate and protect critical areas; review and evaluate their CAO during the periodic update to their Comprehensive Plan; and use “best available science” in developing regulations to protect critical area ‘functions and values.’
Based on these GMA requirements, there are proposed changes during this periodic update to be aware of, including increased stream buffer widths.
Phlebotomy program
Olympic College is launching two new Phlebotomy certificate programs for fall and winter quarters as part of its ongoing initiative to expand healthcare programs to meet demand for healthcare workers.
Launching this fall, the Phlebotomy for Healthcare Professionals Certificate of Recognition program, designed for working healthcare professionals, can be completed in just one quarter. And the Phlebotomy Certificate of Completion program, launching Winter Quarter, can be completed in as little as two quarters with both online and evening in-person coursework.
Upon completion of either program, students are eligible to take the national certification exam and fulfill the State of Washington Department of Health certification requirements for becoming a Medical Assistant-Phlebotomy.
Healthcare expansion is made possible thanks to $6 million of American Recovery Plan Act funding, and $2.5 million from Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. The overall project could result in 600 additional students across 10 new proposed programs.
