“Two challenges to the legal residency of Bainbridge City Council candidate Bill Nelson were filed this week, leaving county election officials to determine whether Nelson is eligible for a central ward seat.Nelson filed last week for the open central ward, position 4 seat, joining Wing Point activist Bill Knobloch and espresso vendor Houston Wade in a three-way race. “
“Karen Carpenter Baker’s impulse to document women’s lives may be an inheritance from parents who published a Kansas newspaper for years. I came from a family that was constantly asking questions of people, Baker says. Although at the time it did make bringing boyfriends home somewhat difficult, today I see wanting to know and to document as natural expressions of curiosity. Baker’s photographs of women in the context of their lives – surrounded by children, furniture, the tools of their trades – are on view through August at the Harbour House Pub. “
“The landscape for this fall’s city elections is set. Now comes the tough part – making intelligent choices from among the candidates, which is what a campaign, at least in theory, is supposed to be all about.Early on, candidates tend to deal in generalities like preserving the island’s character. Consistent with that theme, we’ve heard much about saving farmland and open space, respecting our environment and maintaining diversity on the island through affordable housing.Also, candidates will inevitably offer leadership and vision, at the same time promising to be accessible and ready to listen to the people. “
“For new Bainbridge Arts and Crafts director Marian Holt McClain, working for the arts organization is like coming home.Art has been a strong personal passion and interest all of my life, McClain said. I’m returning from a 30-year career in the convention industry. Last March, the BAC board tapped McClain to evaluate the organization and its development. “
“The ferry parking problem is much like the affordable-housing problem on Bainbridge Island – the free market isn’t producing what the community says it wants.But the two issues move in opposite directions. While the marketplace produces too little affordable housing, planners fear that, left to its own devices, the market would produce too much ferry parking. If we allowed unlimited parking, it’s so lucrative that there would be no incentive to develop the land, said Kathy Cook of the city planning department. “
“Islanders have many different visions for this community, and we wouldn’t presume to articulate all of them. We feel comfortable, though, asserting that not one of us envisions the island as a parking lot.Yet without action on the city’s part, that is what is likely to occur at and around the ferry terminal, where the demand for parking far exceeds the limited supply. “
“Nothing like a little controversy to inspire new candidates.Citing his disapproval of recent traffic calming projects and plans for a roundabout at High School and Madison Avenue, 20-year-old Houston Wade has entered the fray for the central ward, position 4 city council seat. “
“Artists like Jane Martin develop unique processes – and then step back out of the way to let them work.In the exhibit opening Aug. 4 at Bainbridge Arts and Crafts, Martin shows earth-toned jewelry that bears the imprint of construction.I take advantage of so-called ‘mistakes,’ Martin said. When I was at school, and someone said ‘This is how you have to do it,’ I’d try it that way once – and then do it my own way.This is about my artistic expression. I’m an artist who happens to make jewelry. “
“You could see them sporting Mariners caps and oversized tickets to the All-Star baseball game in Seattle, circling in vain for a parking space at the ferry terminal.Then you could see them give up, drive back into downtown Winslow, leave their car in a two-hour parking space and catch the boat – in so doing, joining the growing legion of illegal ferry parkers.We are in danger of being strangled by a string of vehicles looking for non-existent parking places, said Mayor Dwight Sutton. They are occupying our streets and not doing anything at all for downtown.While it takes a high-profile event like July’s baseball All Star game to cast the problem in dramatic relief, proximity to Seattle is both boon and bane of Bainbridge.Island residents take advantage of the fact that the big city is only 35 minutes away. Studies show that almost half of island households have at least one daily cross-sound commuter, and those who don’t go daily do go frequently. “
“A salmon big enough to be the one that got away is swimming next to city hall.The Bainbridge salmon is part of Soul Salmon 2001, a school of 200 Puget Sound fish sponsored by groups and individuals to benefit local programs and charities.The eight-foot long fiberglass sculpture, decorated by artist Sally Prangley Rooney and commissioned by Debbie Brainerd, will be dedicated in a ceremony at 12 p.m. Aug. 1 outside the city hall south entrance. When the truck delivering the salmon pulled up to my studio in May, it looked like someone had caught the biggest fish in the world, Rooney said. Now it looks like something out of a story book – it just brings a smile to my face. “
“Some new faces and a few familiar ones came forward to seek public office as filing week wound down Friday afternoon.Through 2 p.m. Friday, just two hours before the cutoff, all city races were shaping up to be contested. “
“Editor’s note: This is the third article in a monthly series examining the island’s faith community. As the parishioners file out of Unity Church’s Sunday service at the Bainbridge Performing Arts Playhouse, there’s no handshake from pastor Vici Derrick – it’s a full hug.Thank you and God bless you, one says.Oh, he does indeed, Derrick replies, and he blesses you, too.Sort of a combination Della Reese of television’s Touched by an Angel and the Statue of Liberty, the regal Derrick embodies Unity’s upbeat approach to Christianity. “
“The first day of candidate filing Monday produced a contest for Bainbridge’s north ward city council seat, when Christine Nokes and Deborah Vancil filed for the seat to be vacated by Liz Murray.Vancil, a planning commissioner, had previously announced her intent to run for the seat. Nokes, a Point Monroe resident, could not be reached Tuesday.In the central ward, Bill Knobloch is the first declared candidate for the seat presently held by Merrill Robison, who has said he will not seek re-election. At least one other candidate is expected to file by week’s end. “
