Fire destroyed a large garage and the recreational trailer it contained at a New Brooklyn Road residence early Tuesday.
Nearly two dozen firefighters, including a water tender from North Kitsap Fire and Rescue, responded to the 2:44 a.m. blaze, which also roused many neighbors from their beds to watch.
A 40-by-60-foot building, which the owner said housed a volume of dried wood in addition to the travel trailer, was fully involved when crews arrived on the scene, Chief Jim Walkowski said.
The blaze took 45 minutes to extinguish; concerned that the flames would spread to the tinder-dry vegetation around the building, firefighters also turned hoses on nearby trees and shrubs.
The building and contents were a total loss; the home itself sits some distance away and was not threatened. Cause of the fire is still under investigation.
It was the 15th call in 24 hours for the department, which usually sees five to seven calls per 24-hour shift, Walkowski said.
With moisture well below average and more dry weather predicted, Walkowski said the wildfire threat on Bainbridge Island is the worst it has been in 13 years.
The department responded to 14 brush fires in July. Fire officials urge island residents to refrain from using open flames outdoors, and to remove vegetation within 50 feet of their homes, or to keep it cut low and well watered.
– Douglas Crist
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***Poulsbo council OKs Wal-Mart
Rejecting calls for further environmental review, a split Poulsbo City Council Thursday OK’d development of a Wal-Mart retail store in the new Olhava development west of the city.
The group Citizens to Stop Wal-Mart had challenged the development’s environmental studies, citing concerns that runoff would damage nearby Johnson Creek.
The council rejected the appeal by a 4-2 vote.
At the close of the public hearing – the seventh since Wal-Mart announced plans to move into the Poulsbo area – Mayor Donna Jean Bruce sought to assuage the concerns of appellants.
“This has to be disappointing to you, but you hung on however-many nights,” she said. “If you don’t want to shop at Wal-Mart that’s fine, but the city’s going to do all it can to make sure the environment is protected.”
In a prepared statement, Wal-Mart opponents said their plans “include the possibility of taking further action to overturn these results.”
No timeline has been set for the store’s opening.
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***Ferry tax hike meeting set
Kitsap Transit and the city will host a meeting to discuss passenger-only ferry plans, particularly as they relate to Rich Passage, at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 19 at City Hall.
The POF Investment Plan calls for service from Bremerton, Southworth and Kingston to Seattle. Kitsap Transit officials and representatives from Art Anderson & Associates will be on hand to discuss the plan and to address “wake wash” concerns.
Kitsap Transit in November will ask voters to approve a three-tenths of 1 cent sales tax hike, to restore current foot-ferry service in Kitsap County – the Bremerton run will end Sept. 19 – and expand service to include a Kingston-Colman Dock route.
That route is said to be key to cutting down cross-island commuter traffic from North Kitsap to the Winslow terminal.
More information on POF Investment Plan is available online at www.kitsaptransit.org.
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***Weekend holds abundant art
Spend your Sunday relaxing and being entertained at the 18th annual Outdoor Music and Art Festival, noon to 6 p.m. at Waterfront Park.
Organized by the park district, this free festival offers an afternoon of music, art and food for all ages to enjoy. Highlights include work by local and regional artists along Brien Drive; ethnic and traditional cuisine for sale on the perimeter of the park; a student art show at the Commons; an exhibition of work by local photographers at the Commons; and hands-on arts and crafts booth near the tennis courts for children ages 4-10, sponsored by the Teen Center
The musical line-up, MC’ed by Eddie Williams, includes some of the top performing groups in the Northwest.
Noon: Village Drum and Masquerade offers electrifying performances of traditional arts from the Republic of Liberia,West Africa.
1:30 p.m.: The Scott Cossu Quartet performs a mix of jazz, folk and blues inflected by Cossu’s study of American and European indigenous music.
3 p.m.: The Barbed Wire Cutters bring a playful spirit of experimentation and finesse to bluegrass.
4:30 p.m.: The Duffy Bishop Band cap off the day with a great set of rhythm and blues.
In conjunction with the Outdoor Music and Arts Festival, Bainbridge Island Arts and Humanities Council presents its quarterly Arts Walk, “Homeland,” noon to 5 p.m. Sunday in Winslow.
Details about Arts Walk venues and shows can be found at www.artshum.org.
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***Kiwanis seeks top islander
The Kiwanis Club of Bainbridge Island is seeking nominations for the 2003 Citizen of the Year.
Service organizations, religious institutions and other charitable groups are being asked to nominate individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the community.
The recipient of this year’s award will be honored at the Kiwanis annual installation dinner on Sept. 27 at Wing Point Country Club.
Nominations are due by Aug. 25 to the Kiwanis Club, P.O. Box 10602.
They should include the person’s name, address, and phone; a summary of his or her contributions to the community; and the nominating person’s name and contact information.
Endorsements from other community leaders and organizations in support are also encouraged.
For a nomination form, contact Greg Geehan at 855-1238.
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***Habitat fete this Sunday
Habitat for Humanity will celebrate the completion of its latest Bainbridge Island home in a ceremony at 2 p.m. Aug. 3 at 7611 Hidden Cove Road. Construction of the home was sponsored by Rolling Bay Presbyterian Church.
Information: 855-8083.
