$1.3 million grant
Bainbridge Island Land Trust was awarded a grant of almost $1.375 million from the state Wildlife and Recreation Program for acquisition and stewardship of Rockaway Bluff Preserve.
WWRP seeks to acquire habitat lands before they are lost to other uses. The land trust also will use the grant for invasive species control and signage.
When the 35-acre parcel of mature forest became available in 2020, the trust worked with supporters to establish the Rockaway Bluff Preserve. The trust recently acquired an additional 10 acres. Later this year, the trust plans to open Rockaway Bluff Preserve to low-impact public use.
About 100 visitors recently attended an Open House at the preserve. They took a guided tour of the trail, learned about its history and ecological significance of the site, and participate in educational activities. “Rockaway Bluff Preserve is a treasure for our community,” said Cullen Brady, executive director of the trust.
Remembrance Day
A Day of Remembrance community service event will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 19 at the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial at Pritchard Park.
Voluteers will prune vegetation, remove weeds, spread mulch and clean the outdoor art features of the historic site. Tools will be provided. All ages are welcome.
The day commemorates the 81st anniversary of the signing of Executive Order 9066, which incarcerated Japanese Americans during World War II.
Apply school board
Applications are being accepted to become a member of the Bainbridge Island school board.
The appointed terms will end in November, when elections will take place.
If applying for District 4, the south end of BI, apply before March 9. Candidates will be interviewed March 23 and one will be appointed March 30.
For District 1, the north end of BI, apply between March 9 and April 6. Candidates will be interviewed April 20 and one appointed April 27.
Go to bisd303.org for details.
Center expansion
The senior population is growing on Bainbridge Island, so the Senior Center should too, executive director Reed Price said at their annual membership meeting Feb. 8.
Price talked about doubling the size of the 6,500 square foot size center by adding a second floor. He also talked about the need for more affordable housing on BI for seniors.
The center’s membership has skyrocketed from 770 to 1,810 since Price took over in 2017. And BI’s 65+ population makes up 26.4% of its 25,000 residents.
Awards return
Delayed due to COVID, the Bainbridge chamber is bringing back its Business Awards from 5-9 p.m. April 29 at The Manor House at Pleasant Beach in Lynwood Center.
The event is only for guests and chamber members, who also recently received nomination forms. Tickets include food choices. There will also be a beer-wine open bar. The event includes a reception at 5, awards at 6 and dancing at 7.
Finalists will be announced in March, followed by a second round of voting.
At the last event in 2019, Reed Price was Citizen of the Year; Jake’s Pickup, Small Business; First Federal, Medium Business; Fairbank Construction Co., Large Business; and the BI Historical Museum, Nonprofit Business.
Added this year are: New Business, Business Leader and Lifetime Achievement. Winners must be chamber members, except for Citizen of the Year.
Swing concert
A Hot Club Swing Concert with Ranger and the “Re-Arrangers” with Dave Stewart will take place from 7-9 p.m. Feb. 17 at the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, 550 Winslow Way E.
Back at BIMA for the first time in three years, the concert will feature Stewart on vocals, acoustic and electric mandolins, plus Ranger Sciacca on violin. The band evokes the spirit of a Paris cafe and the raucous energy of a Romani campsite, its news release says.
Admission is by donation. Reservations recommended by emailing info@RangerSwings.com.
Help baseball
Volunteers are needed to help fix up the Bainbridge High School baseball field before the season starts.
Monica Knight, one of the key organizers, said there will be work parties Feb. 17 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., along with from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 18-19 and 25-26.
Volunteers mainly will be painting and staining the interior of the home and visitor dugouts.
Supplies are needed; phone Knight at 206-390-4280.
