OUR CORNER OF the world is rich in peninsulas Washington’s ferry system connects the Seattle area to a handful of them — and that’s just the highlight reel of the independent land masses scattered throughout our waterways Some islands are close enough for daily commutes; others are true getaways that involve WSDOT reservations drive times and the blissful feeling that you have escaped to the restorative edge of civilization boarding a ferry is a statement that you are ready to surround yourself with nature That mindset also applies to building a home on the other end of that route These two island homes are designed to keep you close to the outdoors even if you’re just doing the dishes (or taking a bath) They offer inspiration on stashing a host of houseguests in close quarters or folding the less-than-scenic aspects of daily life into an open design that’s full of windows but they share a common lesson: When in doubt NOT MANY HOUSES can trace their origin story back to eBay she happened to notice the buyer lived on Bainbridge Island Mary was in the process of coaxing her husband to consider a move north — someplace with seasons and nature and ample coastline Mary messaged the woman to ask if she liked living on Bainbridge The sweater’s new owner responded that she loved it and couldn’t imagine living anywhere else who would say such a thing?’ ” Mary recalls Maybe not so extreme if you live in the Northwest who asked that their last name not be used had visited the region occasionally over the years had an established legal career in California Moving would have meant rebuilding clients and contacts But with retirement on the long-range horizon THE COUPLE HEADED north just to look at houses on Bainbridge; Mary’s new eBay friend even invited them for breakfast They liked the combination of rural lifestyle and proximity to the city Three months after that sweater relocated to Bainbridge They closed on a parcel of 3 secluded woodland acres that included a meadow sloping gently to the south they would build one: a place to immerse themselves in all this newfound nature It was a few years after buying the property and Mary and Terry made the move from California Nils Finne of FINNE Architects delivered a striking design: an entry flanked by a bedroom wing to the west and a space to the east he dubbed the living pavilion Plus enough windows to make every trip for a glass of water feel like a meditative stroll in the forest His knack for bringing the outdoors in was the reason Mary had sought him out “it took me a long time to process the idea of living in such an open space,” she says Mary’s hesitation wasn’t about the walls of glass that stretch 11 feet high in the primary bedroom or privacy concerns that come with a bathroom full of windows Finne’s design brought the kitchen and living and dining areas into a single open space After a lifetime in older homes with segmented rooms Mary had unsettling visions of dirty pots and pans piling up in plain sight “I’m not the kind of neat freak that can always keep it looking good.” Mary decided to embrace her new Northwest environs and go with the more open design One tweak that helped ease her mind: a pantry hidden behind the kitchen’s back wall It parallels the kitchen with a second sink and refrigerator — guaranteed privacy for mess Mary and Terry let Finne and project architect/manager Christopher Graesser run with the design because the couple were still living in California Finne inserted various tactile details intended to keep the modern architecture from feeling overly minimal like a laser-cut steel pattern on the stair railing A folded steel door hides the TV lurking next to the fireplace while a sculptural curve of vertical wood slats in the entry camouflages the coat closet with style “There’s no reason modern architecture can’t embrace craft,” he says Finne envisioned the pavilion with a flat roof of exposed wood beams laid close together He inserted a row of “light monitors,” the geeky architect term for any raised window that exists to bring natural light in since it’s too high to let people look out A nonarchitect might refer to these as a row of tiny dormers Terry’s first reaction was to compare them to gun turrets though the original design called for seven) insert soft north-facing light into that thicket of wood beams Each monitor shifts a little farther from the ceiling’s precise right angles “It’s kind of an abstract idea,” Finne allows But also another tool in the battle between minimalist and barren or impersonal Playing with natural light adds life to such an open space “It actually has a sense of animation to it.” The pavilion that worried Mary has become her favorite part of the house, with its 13-foot ceilings and windows looking out in three directions. Builder Steven Fradkin of Fradkin Fine Construction fretted extensively (and shot plenty of laser measurements) to make sure the geometry of all the doors mullions and clerestory windows lined up precisely Even small discrepancies in the angles of such a linear design would strike the eye as wonky And wonkiness would distract from such sights as deer bounding past a large owl who likes to hang out nearby — and sometimes even a stray river otter making its way up the long driveway from the nearby water taken with the Northwest’s gardening potential boysenberries and salmonberries along one side of the house as the deer try to infiltrate the wire fence around his plantings “I can’t imagine going back to something more closed,” Mary says like you’re camping without any inconveniences.” LEAH MARTIN, THE co-founder of Allied8 a studio of architects and land use planners had visited San Juan Island plenty over the years her travels never took her to Orcas Island University of Washington architecture professor Vikram Prakash rented a house on Orcas for a family vacation in 2019 17 and 15 — plus Martin’s father and his wife Martin and Prakash had considered building a second home grandparents and the generation in between could all decompress together they had a Redfin search set up for property on Orcas a price drop on one property put it within their budget The couple traveled to Orcas Island the next week Martin describes the parcel they ended up buying as “a perfect ridge,” with 150-foot cliffs on either side of the summit Access involves a road full of switchbacks each turn adding another layer of distance between her family and the busyness of regular life the views sweep from Mount Rainier and Eastsound to the south B.C. The 6-acre tract was full of massive old-growth trees and paths formed by the daily comings and goings of island deer Martin’s clients often experience an adjustment between the square footage they desire at first and the size of home that ultimately gets built. “Square footage is so impactful on construction costs,” she says Reducing it is “the best way we can take money out of the project and bring something into budget.” she walked the walk: To keep costs manageable her Orcas home is a mere 17 feet by 76 feet She also included the sort of ingenious space-maximizers only an architect can dream up This slip of a home can sleep as many as 13 people Each of its two levels harbors a double dose of double beds The setup shrinks multiple bedrooms into one minuscule footprint It also ensures houseguests will know one another very well by the time their stay is over The arrangement leaves everyone with enough personal space that nobody feels like the grandparents in the book “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” sardined into a single bed Because Orcas gatherings often include actual grandparents Martin’s family has a system: The eldest family members get dibs on the primary bedroom The stairway to the loft is another idea that sprang from her architect brain. It fits ladderlike against the wall but requires only a gentle nudge to extend outward on casters so it’s easy to ascend. At the top you’ll find a small office space and an open area that can sleep more people, with help from some special beanbags (made by a company called cordaroys) that convert into beds Once the stairs get tucked back upright against the wall a single pin bolts the system safely in place Martin suggested this approach to clients in the past only to have them shy away from such an unconventional solution with a lot of money.” But investing in a bespoke retractable ladder rather than building a traditional staircase saved her hundreds of thousands of dollars “It is the difference between us having this house and not having this house,” she says she’s packed 12 people in for Thanksgiving and filled the home for extended family gatherings and weekends with friends (though its size also suits solo visits Its interior doubles as a display space for drawings and paintings by Prakash’s father the late artist and architect Aditya Prakash A SERIES OF pocket doors lets the home’s second bathroom do double duty Sometimes it’s a private en suite space for the primary bedroom; slide a few doors and it becomes a shared bath when the house is full of guests A wall of closets has the same flexibility; Martin has more storage in this 1,300-square-foot house than she does in her full-size home back in Seattle most stable place to build was also the most scenic: The home sits cantilevered off a bit of exposed bedrock at the top of the ridge Reed and his team didn’t even disturb any trees during the building process A standard window installed right next to the French doors offers massive views without the price tag of picture windows the cinematography of stars in the sky just before sunrise or stone-like islands in glassy water surpassed expectations she and her daughter arrived to find a buck with massive antlers resting in the shade beneath the cantilevered portion of the house It was an affirmation that the home harmonizes with all the life that was here before it For all the attention her design has received The opinions expressed in reader comments are those of the author only and do not reflect the opinions of The Seattle Times Stay secure and make sure you have the best reading experience possible by upgrading your browser and many Kitsap candidates have already submitted their names for the numerous local seats… the BI Metro Park and Recreation District and the BI Parks &… One of Washington’s largest skill-building centers saw a massive funding increase this legislative session YOU COULDN’T ASK for a more peaceful place to put a fortress Fort Ward on Bainbridge Island is a haven of daisy-covered lawns quietly lapping water and seabirds having a constant klatch on crumbling wooden structures just offshore But the site was long a place of vital activity ghostly barracks that look out at one of the island’s many breathtaking views of the water This ideally located area has held many names over the centuries It was originally home to the Suquamish people led by the eponymous Chief Kitsap in the late 1700s/early 1800s when they were visited by equally eponymous explorer George Vancouver who took the liberty of naming the entire island “Restoration Point.” The spot where Fort Ward Park now sits later came to be known as “Bean’s Point” or “Bean Point” or “Beans Point,” named after one of the island’s first white settlers murdered and found “some forty yards from his cabin Army seacoast fort in 1903 and renamed Fort Ward The fort was one of several built to guard Puget Sound from potential attacks from the sea and protect the nearby Bremerton Naval shipyard a Massachusetts-born Union officer in the Civil War who died a war hero from his wounds at Gettysburg and who very likely never set foot in Washington state Outfitted with four batteries with pillar-mounted guns a strait that runs the current path of the Seattle-Bremerton ferry Navy discovered that the fort’s location (and its glorious quiet) made it an ideal place to catch radio transmissions from Japan The Navy took over Fort Ward for radio surveillance and it became a top-secret military listening post for Japanese naval communications known as “Station S” during the second half of World War II the Navy invented a story (that The Seattle Times covered) that it was a Naval Reserve Radio School The fort was abandoned by the military in 1958 and in 1960 it became Fort Ward State Park In 2011 it was transferred to Bainbridge Island and is now called Fort Ward Park you can reach Fort Ward Park by driving through the idyll that is Bainbridge Island so much like a quaint English village you’d expect it to have a high murder rate (beginning with Bean straight path along the water suitable for jogging or stroller-pushing venture into the labyrinth of scrubby vegetation next to the water to discover overlooks and hidden benches both eerie and peaceful you’ll come across ruins of the aforementioned barracks boarded up but seeming to be sleeping rather than dead like a summer camp snoozing the cold months away moss-covered structures of stairs to nowhere can be seen once home to the artillery that pointed out to sea And at the end of the public part of the beach some poetic soul has placed a lonely bench staring out at the sea The bench has become encrusted with marine vegetation and seems the perfect spot for a ghostly widow to stare out at the water waiting place or event tied to particular spot in the Seattle area And we might feature it in a future A Sense of Place story thing or event set in a particular neighborhood or area Share your A Sense of Place idea in the form below, or email it to Tantri at asop@seattletimes.com We’ll reach out to you if we have follow-up questions and you might just see your suggestion highlighted in an upcoming story The Bainbridge Spartans boys soccer team showed out on Senior Night cruising past Kingston 12-0 May 2 at home while… The Bainbridge Spartans girls’ tennis team remains undefeated and atop the Olympic League standings following a narrow 4-3 home victory… Although the nation's music and television regularly tops international charts and is a popular choice on streaming platforms an upcoming showcase on Bainbridge Island is dedicated to empowering diversity through a multi-faceted celebration of Korean culture Choi was inspired to create her own event due to limited Korean representation at the time The series of Asian cultural celebration events put on by Bainbridge Island Museum of Art and Arts Humanities Bainbridge are taking place throughout the month of May in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Related: Bainbridge Island' hosts new annual Asian Arts and Heritage Festival "The event is symbolic for providing a space for people to belong step up in their leadership and shine their own cultural heritage," Choi said Choi is the founder of SolJoy a nonprofit offering leadership training centered around mindfulness and wellness as well as a frequent cultural event planner organizing monthly Korean potlucks in the community She was among eight local artists who won a grant from Arts Humanities Bainbridge through which her vision of a performance that celebrates her Korean heritage while also emphasizing the importance of mental health with mediums ranging from dance to martial arts and poetry The event also includes a fashion show featuring "hanboks," which are traditional Korean clothing BIMA featured artist Bella Kim will help coordinate stage design and Choi is planning to give a performance of her own as well All ages are welcome to join the evening's activities, and Choi encourages those interested in participating in one of the night's planned surprises to attend the upcoming potluck on April 27 "It's supposed to educate people who don't know anything about Korean culture to be like 'Whoa!'," Choi said in reference to the cultural phenomenon of Korean pop culture rising in international popularity which is Chinese for 'Korean Wave' has had and (KPop Idol BTS) going to the White House and the UN to visit The event will also serve as a fundraiser for SolJoy's scholarships for their wellness training geared toward underserved leaders donations will be accepted to benefit the cause All performances will reiterate this year's theme of "finding peace," as a nod to May also being recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month The intersection of these topics is indicative of Choi's passion for educating the community about both subjects as Choi hopes everyone leaves the showcase not only feeling at peace but inspired to take action with prioritizing mental health in their daily lives Choi also hopes her event creates a space in Kitsap's community to gather together under a common purpose of celebrating the importance of diversity especially among the current controversy surrounding the concept people are scared to use the word or any form of it," Choi said we're going to keep using it.' We're going to be bold about it to continue to keep boldly celebrating Korean heritage even in the face of fear and suppression of DEI or other federally cut programs." "Finding Peace: 1st Annual Korean Heritage Night" will take place at Woodward Middle School on Thursday, May 8, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Those interested in attending can register online as well as learn about volunteer opportunities with the festival WorkBoat+ Membership – Free to Join You may unsubscribe from our mailing list at any time Diversified Communications | 121 Free Street NEWS: Long-Delayed USCG Polar Icebreaker Moves Into Full Production Army Corps of Engineers Seattle District has begun work on replacing a deteriorating seawall at Puget Sound’s Wyckoff/Eagle Harbor Superfund site a key step in the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) long-term cleanup of contaminated groundwater Construction of the new perimeter wall began April 18 and is scheduled for completion in April 2028 The project supports the EPA’s mission to protect human health and the environment while opening the door for future public use of the waterfront property The $63.2 million contract was awarded Sept Work is being led by the Seattle District of the Army Corps which it noted has a decades-long partnership with the EPA on remediation efforts at the site “Environmental stewardship is a large component of the Corps’ mission,” said Maj “We’ve supported EPA with their cleanup mission for decades.” Located on the east side of Bainbridge Island the site includes the former Wyckoff Company wood treatment facility and adjacent subtidal and intertidal sediments in Eagle Harbor Long-term exposure to the elements has led to deterioration in portions of the existing steel sheet pile wall The new barrier will be constructed with reinforced concrete using soil mixed in-situ with a cement-bentonite grout A USACE press release noted most of the work will occur on the inland side of the existing structure and will remain out of sight until the original wall is removed this project will expand public access on Bainbridge Island and protect critical habitat,” said EPA Regional Administrator Emma Pokon “We appreciate the Army Corps’ partnership in ensuring clean air water and land for our communities.” The City of Bainbridge Island plans to convert the remediated site into a public park with beach access fulfilling a long-term vision for community use and environmental restoration “Seattle District remains committed to lend our technical expertise to the cleanup improve the environmental health of Puget Sound and convert this site into a beautiful park the community can enjoy for many years to come,” O’Donnell said Become a WorkBoat+ Member Search By State Main Menu A Trail That Connects The Country The Great American Rail-Trail® is the nation’s first cross-country multiuse trail, stretching more than 3,700 miles between Washington, D.C., and Washington State. Learn more about our strategic priorities Bainbridge Island's welcome pole dedication ceremony | Photo courtesy Bainbridge Island Parks & Trails Foundation Crisscrossed by innumerable rivers and lakes the Pacific Northwest is a land of estuaries and bays And just as the land was shaped by glacial forces millennia ago it in turn shaped the First Peoples who came to call it home “We were tied to the canoes as much as we were tied to the land.” It seems perhaps fitting, then, that this region on the western edge of the Great American Rail-Trail® would offer trailgoers a ferry crossing to connect two trail segments separated by Puget Sound The 8.6-mile trip connecting Seattle and Bainbridge Island is the only ferry crossing on the 3,700-mile route Not far from the ferry landing on Bainbridge is the eastern trailhead of the Sound to Olympics Trail; it was here that the Bainbridge Island Parks and Trails Foundation was considering some sort of signage in 2021 “The terminus of the STO [Sound to Olympics Trail] is a great opportunity for placemaking,” said Mary Meier The region “is the ancestral land and waters of the Suquamish tribes; of course Meier’s foundation reached out to the Suquamish tribe to ask if they would collaborate on some interpretive signage “They invited us to work with one of their master carvers,” said Meier We walked the property with her and thought maybe it’ll be a panel or some type of small art installation,” said Meier We were kind of blown away at the suggestion.” This article was originally published in the Winter 2025 issue of Rails to Trails magazine and has been reposted here in an edited format. Subscribe to read more articles about remarkable trails while also supporting our work That idea has now come to life in the form of a recently erected 14-foot carved cedar pole representing Schweabe (an English approximation of his name) for whom Washington’s largest city is named While Schweabe is less well-known than his son Purser opted to carve him because she said he represents the time of first European contact He and his young family “were standing on the cusp of change; every person stands on the cusp of change when they go through their journey in life and you’ve just got to face that with as much grace as you can,” said Purser Describing the symbolism found on her welcome pole Purser explained that transitions in Suquamish art are often represented by a frog a harbinger “of change from the winter to the spring to new life.” A stylized frog is found on the pedestal under Schweabe’s feet—he’s quite literally standing on change “Chief Seattle’s family drew power from the thunderbird.” Clasped in both hands is a paddle representing the Suquamish connection to the region’s numerous waterways Purser jokingly suggested that if one continued carving around the paddle until it was freed from the pole “you could shape it a little bit and use it as a real paddle because the grain is just right.” Purser estimates that the tree she selected for Schweabe is a bit more than 400 years old I have a relationship with that [particular] tree,” she said “It was here when my ancestors were living life in a way that seems more natural and I want to follow along with that.” To that end she gravitates toward traditional carving tools One concession the artist has made to modernity is a small battery-powered chainsaw she uses to make preliminary deep cuts but Purser figures that 90% of the wood removal is done by hand with mallet and chisel she moves to knives so sharp that “the wood is soft—you have to treat it like a peach It’s so much fun to watch the wood come back to life.” Interestingly Schweabe isn’t the only one of Seattle’s parents to take shape at Purser’s hands: She’s also recently completed a complimentary carving of Seattle’s mother Scholitza (an English approximation) holding the infant Seattle That artwork will soon be installed a few miles away in Seattle where the two parents face each other across the Puget Sound Both Schweabe and Scholitza were in the artist’s workshop for a time as the artist worked on both pieces concurrently Early enthusiasm for the welcome pole was evident during its fundraising period and easily continued through the dedication ceremony “It was a gorgeous fall day and so many people showed up,” with Suquamish members and the tribe’s chairman in attendance along with city and county officials joining the artist and her family Meier said she hopes that the pole becomes “a great opportunity to strengthen community connections with tribal members and our neighbors.” Considering the implications of being a segment on a much longer pathway she shared her dream that the welcome pole would “help spark curiosity and create understanding—whether you are a local or visitor from across the country or around the world.” the artist said she hopes the spirit of welcoming that the pole was carved with touches those who visit it “Schweabe is at the start of the trail,” said Purser and I hope that the people who use that trail carry a sense of peace as they walk on it I hope that anybody who comes up to see the pole can carry that with them.” Councilmember for the City of Bainbridge Island and others about the impact of the Great American Rail-Trail on efforts to move forward the local trail network vision how it has inspired collaboration and partnership in new ways and innovative approaches to connecting the route through Washington State The Great American Rail-Trail® is the nation’s first cross-country multiuse trail stretching more than 3,700 miles between Washington Washington’s Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail near Kittitas Valley | Photo by Marilyn Hedges Donate Everyone deserves access to safe ways to walk, bike, and be active outdoors. Rails to Trails Conservancy National Headquarters Learn how to describe the purpose of the image (opens in a new tab) Leave empty if the image is purely decorative Melissa Super-Greene has been selected as the next principal of South Kitsap High School The City of Bainbridge Island is grappling with its long-range plan as the bedroom community and popular tourist destination continues to become increasingly unaffordable for lower-income residents With a mandate to add nearly 2,000 homes through 2044 the city’s commercial centers could see major changes including significant growth within Winslow The City’s ultimate goal is to make housing in Bainbridge Island more affordable but the idea of adding more residents to an island city is receiving a fair amount of pushback from existing residents the 1.5 square mile City of Winslow annexed the rest of the island making it one of the most spread-out municipalities in Washington the nearly 28-square-mile Bainbridge has approximately the same population as Kenmore The 1991 annexation vote was originally intended as a way to manage anticipated growth and treat the island as one community rather than let Kitsap County government manage the island’s periphery the City of Bainbridge Island refers to the single-family zones that dominate the island as the “conservation area.” With some of the highest housing costs in Kitsap County Bainbridge is increasingly becoming a city for older the median age of Bainbridge Island residents increased from 43 to 50 with 35% of current residents aged 60 or older as of 2020 The share of family households with children declined from 49% to 35% over the same timeframe Many employees at the businesses frequented by tourists hopping on ferries from Seattle have been pushed out of the city and many commute from elsewhere in Kitsap County with a clear goal of producing more diverse types of housing and increasing the supply of housing available to people with low and moderate incomes While the city has seen some multifamily development in and around Winslow in recent years new single-family development still vastly outpaces denser development the city saw around 125 new multifamily units permitted compared to close to 350 single-family permits Department of Housing and Urban Development Bainbridge Island has space to accommodate its county-mandated housing growth target — of 1,977 units — with room to spare a law the state legislature passed in 2021 that requires cities to specifically plan for the expected income levels of future residents Bainbridge will have to rezone more of the island to accommodate denser housing that’s more attainable Given the higher incomes of existing residents over 1,400 of those 1,977 units have to be targeted toward people making relatively modest incomes or below Now it’s up to the Bainbridge City Council to decide exactly how to densify to comply with state law the City released a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) looking at two potential growth scenarios: one labelled the “dense centers” options and the other “distributed density.” Under the dense centers scenario Winslow would see the most significant zoning changes to accommodate new development with modest changes to Bainbridge’s satellite urban centers of Lynwood those satellite centers would see more substantial changes Currently Lynwood Center on the island’s south end is a small commercial hub and a few restaurants and other service-related businesses Increasing housing and amenities near the commercial nodes throughout Bainbridge aligns with the strategy that the city adopted in its 2022 Sustainable Transportation Plan, which prioritizes creating multimodal connections to the same centers making it easier to meet one’s daily needs without a car height increases under the distributed density option would be less intense and the overall neighborhood’s boundaries would shift further into the so-called conservation area a framework that would encourage the neighborhood to grow out rather than up That would put new residents further away from services and make trips more likely to be made by car Many Bainbridge Island residents are pushing for a third no zoning changes would occur and the city would continue on its current trajectory with capacity for 592 units within Winslow and only 128 units in the other neighborhood centers But city planners call that action infeasible given the state direction coming in the form of HB 1220 to say nothing of the city’s Housing Action Plan Comments pushing back on more density on Bainbridge were plentiful during the city’s long comment period on the DEIS which stretched from late July to early October “We don’t want to lose the funky having escaped from the big city life,” Bainbridge residents Jane and Steve Hannuksela wrote during the comment period the need for more affordable housing is a very real concern We urge the City to approve increased affordable housing units within the current zoning parameters.” Those comments were far from the overwhelming majority “Although we support an increase in density around Winslow we also believe that more affordable housing around the island would make the island a better place to live It would made our neighborhoods more diverse and attract young couples who are more likely to have children which in turn will help increase school enrollment and lower the average age of those who live here,” David Danielson our business model of necessity limits us to seek employees that can afford to work at or near the minimum wage level yet the island has almost no housing that those potential employees can afford.” As Bainbridge’s main commercial district and a portal to the rest of the region via the 35-minute ferry to Seattle Winslow would see significant changes to its zoning under either alternative Winslow has capacity for 592 units of housing an amount that would increase to 2,386 under the distributed density alternative and 2,868 under the dense centers option — an increase of 303% to 384% Focusing development capacity under the dense centers option would mean height limits near the state ferry terminal would rise from 45 feet to 65 feet the same area where the city is developing a 100 units of affordable housing on the site of a former police station Another 65-foot zone would take shape further inland Along Bainbridge’s “main street” and major tourist draw of Winslow Way height limits would be increased but only to 55 feet with a “transition zone” (paired with a 45-foot height limit) filling in the area in between the Bainbridge City Council is set to select a preferred growth alternative almost certainly some sort of blend of all the options studied several councilmembers have signaled that their north star isn’t a growth plan that will meet the city’s own goals around making the city more affordable but what will check the boxes to comply with state housing mandates “I believe — I don’t know if we’re all there and I think the community is — we want to comply with [HB] 1220 with the minimum amount of increased capacity possible or know we can create the infrastructure in the right time period,” Councilmember Kristin Kirsten Hytopoulos said at an early October study session on the topic “And we don’t want a plan that doesn’t do that I believe that’s our number one goal.” Bainbridge Island City Manager Blair King reiterated this point “One suggestion that we heard is that the Council should direct the Planning Commission to work with [the growth targets] at the legal minimum and that the legal minimum should be addressed and the focus should be on the legal minimum,” King said Bainbridge Island’s own Race Equity Advisory Committee pushed back on settling for a minimum “Given the current median income and cost of housing on Bainbridge we should be ashamed that our leaders would seek the bare minimum in capacity to theoretically meet affordable housing goals as required by the State of Washington,” the committee wrote “Demanding the minimum amount of capacity would not yield the number of affordable housing units needed to meet your established goals we are left with the troubling impression that the Council may not fully support equity on the Island.” the status quo doesn’t look to be an option for Bainbridge Island The question set to be answered in the coming months is whether the city’s leaders will rise to meet the moment or whether they’ll go along begrudgingly a move that likely won’t fully set the city up for success in the coming decades and may not be enough to stem the tide against housing unaffordability Ryan Packer has been writing for The Urbanist since 2015 and currently reports full-time as Contributing Editor Packer has also reported for other regional outlets including Capitol Hill Seattle They live in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle The Urbanist hosts social hour meetups every month. In April, we’re hosting four social events and kicking off our urbanism-themed walking tours starting in Kirkland on April 26 we’ll be hosting a booth at the opening celebration at Downtown Redmond Station Check our urbanist events calendar to see everything happening this month, including events hosted by partner organizations. You can submit your event for inclusion May opens with the area's annual Armed Forces Day Parade and Viking Fest That means festival season is coming to the Kitsap Peninsula Here's a guide to a selection of the celebrations fireworks and more to start planning what you'll stay busy with this May through Labor Day weekend MayBremerton Night Market: This monthly summer event brings artisans live music and more to the Bremerton Boardwalk for a series of evenings outdoors to get to know your community Korean Heritage Festival on Bainbridge Island: Kitsap's first annual Korean Heritage Night will take place at Woodward Middle School from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Part of Bainbridge Island's Asian Arts and Heritage Festival, the event will feature Korean dance and more to celebrate Korean culture and raise awareness about mental health Viking Fest: The annual celebration of Nordic heritage will take place in downtown Poulsbo over an entire weekend beginning on 6th Avenue and Fjord Drive and ending at Martha & Mary Visitors can hear live music along the waterfront participate in a street dance Saturday night enjoy the street fair and other events tied to the community's traditions and culture in the town known as Little Norway Armed Forces Day Parade: The Great Kitsap Chamber will host Bremerton's 78th annual Armed Forces Day Parade in downtown Bremerton. Every year, people visit Bremerton and line the streets to celebrate the Armed Forces in this Navy town with a parade featuring hundreds of entries at 10 a.m. preceded by with the annual pancake breakfast and followed by a Heroes BBQ Kitsap Demolition Derby: The summer series at the Kitsap County Fairground's Thunderbird Stadium opens in May and runs through September Racers run the figure eight around the dirt and see which car emerges from the crashes Wayzgoose Kitsap: The eighth edition of this community arts festival has moved across the Warren Avenue Bridge and will be held at the Sheridan Park Community Center in Bremerton and a large linoleum carving to be printed live when the steamroller is warmed up Kingston Pirate Festival: The third edition of this community event on the waterfront features music entertainment and fun with a swashbuckling theme will perform live-action role-playing throughout the day and involve kids in stories and activities There is also a beer garden and plenty of booths at Mike Wallace Park from 10 a.m Kitsap Juneteenth Freedom Festival: The event in Bremerton against marks Black history and unity in the community at Evergreen Rotary Park Take part in the People's March or join for fellowship and food all afternoon Juneteenth Block Party: A block party will be held on the federal Juneteenth holiday all afternoon outdoor at the Perry Ave Mall Kitsap Medieval Faire: Recreate scenes from the Middle Ages or just be entertained by demonstrations of martial arts and artisans Bainbridge Pride Fest: The island's event to mark Pride month takes place at Waterfront Park in Winslow with a drag hour to kick things off and music and dancing beginning at 1 p.m Bremerton Bridge Blast: The annual fireworks display precedes the Fourth of July by lighting up the night sky above the Manette Bridge at 10:15 p.m Official viewing areas are on either side of Port Washington Narrows along the Bremerton Boardwalk and Evergreen Rotary Park or at Whitey Domstad Park and along 11th Street in Manette Visitors can enjoy live music starting at 11 a.m on the boardwalk and food vendors and entertainment will be at Evergreen Rotary Park from 2 p.m Grand Old 4th of July on Bainbridge Island: The Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce and City of Bainbridge Island again host annual full-day celebration on the Fourth of July There are activities on Winslow Way all day including the always fun Hometown Parade at 1 p.m. Kingston Fourth of July: The Kingston celebration include the annual Tiny Town at Mike Wallace Park and the fireworks display to celebrate Independence Day Fireworks over Sinclair Inlet: The annual display from Port Orchard part of the city's Fathoms O' Fun festival JulyBremerton Air Show: This year's Bremerton Air Show will feature the KC-135 Demonstration Team based out of Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane County as well as the West Coast C-17 Demo Team from Joint Base Lewis-McChord and more classic aircraft The gates at Bremerton National Airport open at 10 a.m Olalla Lavender Festival: Explore venues around scenic South Kitsap in this weekend festival Visitors can chose different "journeys" -- from foodie to self-care to creativity -- and look around farms Kitsap Pride: Now nearly 30 years old Kitsap's annual celebration of and for the LGBTQ+ community has the theme of "Unite" for this year's edition vendors and more are part of the afternoon events at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds Kitsap Tattoo Convention: The Kitsap Tattoo Convention will take place at the Kitsap Sun Pavilion at the fairgrounds Visitors can expect activities including live tattooing Whaling Days: Silverdale's annual parade and street fair will be back including fireworks to kick off the summer weekend of fun on Friday night The parade takes over Silverdale Way on Saturday morning street food and a beer garden near the entertainment stage Taste of Kitsap: More than 20 food vendors will compete for awards voted on by attendees at the two-day festival at the Bremerton Boardwalk Live music and a beer garden are part of the fun as well Manette Edible Garden Tour: Bremerton's every other year tour of neighborhood gardens starts at 10 a.m. offering residents and visitors four hours to wander and pick up ideas in local backyards from edible landscapes to chicken coops and more creativity Crosby Days: The 41st annual edition of the logging festival in the small community on Kitsap's west side Puget Sound Book Festival: This outdoor book fair on the shores of Sinclair Inlet is now in its third year Come to the Bremerton Boardwalk to see books for sale by local shops meet authors and hang out in the beer garden or with food vendors The Cruz: The annual car show that takes over the Port Orchard waterfront nearly moved but it will be back on Bay Street the second Sunday in August Kitsap County Fair and Stampede: This year's Kitsap County Fair and Stampede has a new theme "Barn in the USA," but all the classics will return highlighted by a visit by the Xtreme Bulls on Sunday Kitsap Blues Festival: The second edition of this music festival at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds will feature headliners "Kingfish" Ingram and Eric Gales and music lovers can park RVs and stay to listen visit the BBQ or beer garden and hang out all weekend Performances are scheduled to start Friday at 7 p.m. according to organizers the Admiral Theatre and Kitsap Fair and Stampede Association Bremerton Blackberry Festival: Come to celebrate all things "blackberry" around the Bremerton Harborside and on Second Street downtown over three days Listen to live music and other entertainment acts visit more than 150 vendors on the boardwalk Do you have a summer festival we've missed Email sunnews@kitsapsun.com with the details and we'll add you to the calendar The Bainbridge Island School District and Bainbridge Island Metropolitan Parks and Recreation District both approved an agreement Thursday night to sell nearly 39 acres of school-owned land adjacent to the island's Grand Forest to the parks district for $2.2 million The forested area has long been used by the community as a recreational space that accesses Grand Forest and the pending sale ensures the land remains available for public use the Bainbridge Parks & Trails Foundation and Bainbridge Island Land Trust both facilitating fundraising for the purchase price from community donors The Land Trust agreed with the parks district to covenants and deed restrictions that will in perpetuity prevent residential or commercial development logging or other actions to alter the landscape is contiguous to the Grand Forest East block one of three Grand Forest parcels that provide an environmental wildlife and recreation corridor across the island executive director of the Bainbridge Island Land Trust Brady called the school district property a key piece to "ensure even further protection and keeping (the forest) intact." The move was approved unanimously by the school district's board on Thursday night according to a statement from the school district followed by a parks board meeting where the agreement was also approved The sale is anticipated to close within 45 days "This is about public lands remaining public and the community coming together to make it happen," Mary Meier executive director of the Bainbridge Island Parks & Trails Foundation A purchase of 67 acres along Sportsman Club Road the same year allowed construction of Woodward Middle School in 1994 and Sakai Intermediate School in 1998 There is no plan to build a new high school in the future “This is a win-win moment for the school district and the Bainbridge Island community,” BISD Superintendent Amii Thompson said in a statement “The money from the sale will allow BISD to make crucial seismic retrofits and improvements at the district’s two oldest schools — Ordway Elementary and Commodore Options.” Brady echoed Meier in crediting a broad effort to reach an agreement and raise the money to make it happen though a total amount raised has yet to be announced The initial acquisition of Grand Forest land was made in 1989 and part of a Land Trust initiative and the park now is made up by 240 acres of forests and trails for recreation with connections to larger recreational land like Battle Point Park The east block has parking available on Mandus Olson Road for access "I think what's important is that this was a community effort," Brady said and committed to step up and project something they cared about." Editor's note: This article has been updated to correct Mary Meier's title with the Bainbridge Parks & Trails Foundation and to clarify that both the Parks Foundation and Bainbridge Island Land Trust were involved in fundraising daffodils burst into bloom all over Bainbridge Island Though various stories are told about them the true version is getting lost from our collective memory islander Dick Krutch and his family started planting daffodils along the roadsides near their own home Soon the Krutches began organizing community bulb planting events eventually inviting me to help find volunteer planters they supplied the bulbs and we did the planting “When we came to Bainbridge about 45 years ago Phelps Road and Ellingsen were dusty and unpaved.” Back then he and his family noticed daffodils blooming along the roadsides in the spring explained that the bulbs were planted long ago by Mary Sam includes a life sketch of Mary Sam (1830-1923) Mary Sam was captured as a youngster by Suquamish warriors and raised in the Suquamish traditions She married a Slovakian sailor who jumped ship in Port Madison and because Mary was so locally connected Their son was named Sam Wilson in honor of a family friend and Sam became a well known regional baseball player More flowers: Volunteer effort pivots to pull together Silverdale's new daffodil festival and teaching local women to dry berries and smoke salmon and clams The Sam’s cabin was in the woods behind Ellingsen Road along what was then known as the "Welfare wagon road." For years the foundations of the long-gone log cabin were lined with daffodil bulbs that Mary received in trade from local gardeners The Krutch family decided that “if Mary Sam could take the time to try and beautify the old road we ought to emulate her efforts,” Dick explained After planting daffodils along the backroads of the north end of the island they decided to create a legacy planting program dedicated to Mary Sam Dick Krutch donated well over 100,000 King Alfred daffodils and several places host some of the original bulbs from Mary Sam’s cabin moved some of those old bulbs to the old historic society building at Strawberry Hill Park When the history museum was moved into Winslow we moved some of the bulbs to the the shady fern garden on the library grounds a spot much like the woods around Mary's cabin Several dozen more of the old bulbs were planted in the Waypoint Park by the ferry a letter was published in the local newspaper decrying the proliferation of “non-native since while certainly non-native and definitely persistent the Krutch family donated 700 daffodils to the Friday Tidy to plant at the library The island’s High School Road roundabout was under construction just then and somehow several hundred daffodils accidentally got planted in the roundabout bed the late Junkoh Harui of Bainbridge Gardens donated 2,000 daffodils to plant in the High School Road roundabout The goal for these sturdy bulbs remains to recall the friendly relationship between the original local people and newcomers and honor the island's traditional generosity of spirit and community connections Contact Ann Lovejoy at 413 Madrona Way NE, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 or visit Ann’s blog at http://www.loghouseplants.com/blogs/greengardening/ and leave a question/comment Peninsula Community Health Services could open a new medical clinic on Bainbridge Island early next year agency CEO Jennifer Kreidler-Moss told the Kitsap Sun this week assuming they get funding through the state’s capital budget a federally qualified health center providing primary care and other services in Kitsap purchased a former optometrists office on Winslow Way using just over $1 million in reserve funds They plan to convert the mixed-use retail complex into a primary care clinic with two primary care providers two behavioral health staff serving about 2,500 people per year Permits for the project have already been approved The opening of the project now hinges on state funds The agency has asked for about $556,000 to complete renovations Those funds have been earmarked in the Senate’s capital budget That leaves the project up in the air at a time when money is tight Washington is facing a roughly $14 billion budget deficit over the next four years and it remains uncertain how legislators plan to address that gap A final budget is expected at some point this week before the last day of the state’s regular legislative session on April 27 If state funding for the clinic is not included Kreidler-Moss said the facility will remain vacant and they will try again next year Bainbridge residents have been asking PCHS to build a clinic on the Island for years after a series of providers consolidated or left the community the agency had been unable to afford a space there “We have been asked fairly regularly since 2021 to show up on the island,” she said “We are excited that we finally found something that was within our price range.” Bainbridge Island Mayor Ashley Matthews said the city lost a few providers around the start of the pandemic, including a Swedish-owned primary care clinic that closed in 2021 There is a Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Clinic on the Island at 1344 Wintergreen Lane NE The city does not have enough providers needed to meet the need forcing residents to travel to Poulsbo or take the ferry into Seattle At least 1,000 people living in Bainbridge go to the PCHS clinics in Poulsbo or Kingston Peninsula Community Health Services typically provides care for patients who are under or uninsured the number of patients with commercial insurance has grown to about a third of its payors “At this point there’s just such an access gap for all that we don’t really care what insurance you have,” she said “The access is limited in our county so even if it is a matter of serving more commercial patients out there that will free up more spots at other places.” reporting for the Kitsap Sun and Gig Harbor Now through a program managed by Washington State University my then 70-something-old mom was targeted by telephone scammers Wendy and I celebrated Easter this year by attending the Grace… I’ve noticed a large increase in outdated license tabs Stay in the loop about the best things to do in Seattle every week Use the calendar to select the date(s) you'd like to be reminded about or choose All Event Dates to be reminded every time this event happens Washington's latest precautionary plan aims to safeguard Bainbridge Island against a rare but increasingly likely natural disaster: tsunamis The Washington Emergency Management Division announced the completion of a "Tsunami Maritime Response and Mitigation Strategy" for Eagle Harbor on Thursday which is home to the island's ferry terminal and several marinas and docks This report not only evaluates the risk of tsunamis but also recommends protections the city can take to minimize harm to residents and property The Pacific Northwest lies on top of a major subduction zone with fault lines running under Seattle and Kitsap County Scientists have warned for years that when the fault snaps a major earthquake will most likely wreak havoc along the West Coast if nearby earthquakes strike — a tsunami could wash over the town “Although rare — only one such event has been recorded in the geologic record over the past 16,000 years — a large earthquake on the Seattle Fault has a high potential to generate a tsunami,” EMD's report said “A tsunami could reach Eagle Harbor in less than 10 minutes bringing strong currents and large-scale inundation along the shoreline and low-lying areas.” The plan also evaluates possible effects of a tsunami caused by the Cascadia Subduction Zone tsunami waves could enter the Strait of Juan de Fuca and approach Eagle Harbor a little over two hours later urged residents to head to high ground immediately after the shaking has ceased The statement said evacuation protocols that are already implemented in response to wildfires can be utilized for a tsunami emergency as well The strategic plan also recommends the city shut down harbor infrastructure install emergency equipment surrounding targeted areas increase tsunami evacuation route signs and more EMD's statement also recognized programs and updates to Bainbridge Island's infrastructure that are already in place Bainbridge Prepares is a nonprofit that organizes an emergency response team made up of volunteers emergency supply checklists and educational events They also manage a fleet of private vessels to aid the community during emergencies The City Dock has undergone structural improvements in concern to sea level rise and detection technology that cuts electricity when a stray current is measured “The work Bainbridge Island and its residents have already done in preparing for disasters is admirable – something other communities should look to and replicate,” Weller said in a statement “I’m confident they will continue to work on these challenges.” The full report and past reports can be found on EMD's website, as well as a boater's guide on tsunamis. Filing week is underway May 5-9, and many Kitsap candidates have already submitted their names for the numerous local seats… The Bainbridge Island Land Trust, with its partners, the BI Metro Park and Recreation District and the BI Parks &… One of Washington’s largest skill-building centers saw a massive funding increase this legislative session, and many Kitsap students will be… Aimee Rizzo & Kayla Sager-Riley Seattle is a terrific city to live in. But sometimes you want to go somewhere different, and Renton isn’t going to cut it unless an afternoon testing mattresses at IKEA is your ideal escape. Instead, hop the ferry to Bainbridge Island. When you're taking a break from activities like boutique shopping, pier strolling, and pretending to admire nature, these are the best spots on the island to go for a bite or some drinks. WA 98110">.css-56eu0z{width:1em;height:1em;display:inline-block;line-height:1em;-webkit-flex-shrink:0;-ms-flex-negative:0;flex-shrink:0;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray100);vertical-align:middle;fill:currentColor;}11201 Sunrise Drive NE Bainbridge Island and then eat this excellent food inside or outside at a picnic table While you can mix and match any pasta shape with any sauce the best combination is fusilli with vodka sauce and if they have the special burrata pizza with speck Ba Sa 101 Winslow Way E Bainbridge Island Vietnamese Bainbridge Island This Vietnamese spot on Winslow is our (second) favorite place to sneak away for a day-off lunch on Bainbridge Island. While the menu is stacked with great phở and bánh mì we would come here solely for their puffy salt and pepper tempura prawns with chili oil-slicked egg noodles or order of truffled pork wontons and crackly taro-stuffed egg rolls Enjoy it all in their dining room complete with mellow golden wood and a giant painting of a catfish 8.2Hi Life Chopsticks Stand Poke To do it all during a day trip to Bainbridge, you’ll need a detailed itinerary and a type-A friend to enforce it. But this poke bar located at a former gas station is where to hand that friend a highball and slow down and Suntory Toki whiskey caramel-topped soft serve it's all worth going a little rogue on your tight schedule Blackbird Bakery 210 Winslow Way E Bainbridge Island Bakery/Cafe There are quite a few boutique bakeshops on the island but the first one you need to know about is Blackbird This is where to go for a solid breakfast or snack to go with a latte Even if the person in front of you sends you into a hot rage by claiming the last two slices of almond butter layer cake there are many other delicious things to be had here—mainly Helen’s French Roll which is the minimalist-chic cousin to coffee cake and one of the best pastries in the Puget Sound area The lemon-glazed blueberry scone is also a non-negotiable 8.2Proper Fish British The greatest thing about this British-style fish and chips spot is how enormous their filets of fried cod are—they’re around a foot long with a puffy beer batter that's cracklier than anything produced by a state fair and there are plenty of reasons why we’d hop on a huge watercraft to grab lunch here Bruciato 236 Winslow Way E Bainbridge Island Pizza you can always count on Bruciato to make Winslow Way smell like perfectly charred pizza crust This pizzeria is from the same team behind Hitchcock so you can expect a nicely designed space that’s conducive to relaxing with Aperol spritzes and eating an abundance of buffalo mozzarella Try it after an exhausting day of artisanal salt shopping on the main strip Green Pot Deli 403 Madison Ave N Bainbridge Island This small Vietnamese counter spot serves dry-fried chicken wings that are garlicky and single-handedly worth the $50 round-trip ferry ticket But the hits at Green Pot don’t stop there with beef dumplings in chili sauce and bánh mì loaded with thick Take lunch (wings and all) to enjoy in the grass at the Winslow Green nearby or save it for the upper deck of the overpriced boat ride back to Seattle Jake's Pickup 406 High School Rd NE Brainbridge Island Deli Jake’s Pickup is a grab-and-go takeout operation hidden behind racks of Doritos and gummy bears at a Chevron station where you’ll find some of the best snacks in Washington state and if you think that pulled pork and bbq sauce doesn’t belong with egg and cheese on a breakfast sandwich Don’t forget some chocolate chip sconuts (a revolutionary scone-donut hybrid) for the road Washington 98110">10255 NE Valley Rd Bainbridge Island Bagels At first glance, this Rolling Bay breakfast spot looks like an 1800s schoolhouse. Only instead of chalkdust and accredited teachers in their early teens, there’s an abundance of tasty bagels No need to swim across Elliott Bay to get your hands on a dozen—but there’s a pleasant squish and light crunch to the dough that pairs well with highly concentrated schmears in a variety of good flavors Coquette Bake Shop 140 Winslow Way W Bainbridge Island For pastries, iced coffee and a vibe that channels your inner coastal grandmother Coquette Bake Shop should be one of your first stops This brick-covered bakery serves great French treats and fresh bread—and is the perfect place to pretend you own a farmhouse-style vacation home Don't leave without the “Zest For Life,“ a bundle of croissant dough strips dusted with orange cardamom sugar that tastes like a french toast pull-apart bun but make yourself comfortable outside with a ham and brie baguette to continue the linen-filled Diane Keaton fantasy Fletcher Bay Winery Tasting Room 130 Winslow Way E Bainbridge Island Wine Bar Congratulations—you screwed up and thought the Seattle to Bainbridge ferry schedule was the Bainbridge to Seattle schedule and the next boat back to the mainland isn’t for another hour This is a perfect excuse to drink some wine so walk back up to Winslow and have a flight at Fletcher Bay be it a lime zest-forward Albariño or some strawberry wine that doesn’t taste like Crystal Light The whole interior looks like a beach summer home so naturally you might bump into a bachelorette party or three Bainbridge Brewing Alehouse 500 Winslow Way E #110 Bainbridge Island Brewery If you missed your ferry but aren’t a wine fan They serve a few different types of house-made beers as well as guest taps from Seattle places like Urban Family especially while sitting on a couch and playing board games good at reading boat schedules and just want some beer Rolling Bay Cafe 10355 NE Valley Rd Bainbridge Island American Right across the street from Via Rosa 11 is a little coffee shop that doubles as a flower garden and serves excellent espresso drinks in any flavor combination you could ever want Just make sure you drink it on the patio if it’s warm out Emmy's Vege House 100 Winslow Way Bainbridge Island Vegetarian Emmy’s Vege House is a solid Vietnamese takeout operation. Their menu happens to be vegan and has noodles but we’re fans of anything with tofu and crispy golden rolls It’s perfect for when you’re craving something salty but are also feeling salty about the long wait time at Bruciato Rolling Bay Winery 11272 Sunrise Dr NE Bainbridge Island the friendly winemaker who will shake your hand and encourage you to drink wine immediately Enjoy the wines here in a lawn chair on their grassy patio before bringing a bottle home But not before snacking on the free cheeses and meats available inside The 8-year-old we saw running with flatbread crackers screaming “I can’t stop eating these” is all of us Avoid the unbearable crowds on Winslow at Eleven Winery and just do a tasting here instead The best restaurants where you can impress out-of-towners without spending too much money Your parents sat through your elementary school stage debut as “Fern #2,” and now it’s time to sit through a dinner with them The University District isn’t just for UW undergrads Here are the best bars and restaurants in the neighborhood and the opinion that whatever marinara can do Kayla joined The Infatuation Seattle in 2023 When visiting the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial visitors see a phrase continue to pop up: “Nidoto Nai Yoni.” It translates to “Let it not happen again,” a message the memorial emphasizes to ensure what happened to the Japanese American community on the island over 80 years ago is not only never forgotten Each detail of the memorial has been meticulously planned to portray the injustices the community faced following the bombing of Pearl Harbor It sits on top of the very site that 227 Japanese Americans were forcibly removed from their homes and taken to internment camps for three years The memorial wall is 276 feet long for every Japanese American resident on Bainbridge Island in 1942 with plates displaying the names and ages of each person The deck where they boarded the ferry that took them away from their homes holds outlines of figures with tags cut out and footprints that trail off the edge the organizations behind the memorial are hoping to start construction soon on the final missing piece — a visitor center Ellen Sato Faust, executive director of the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial Association said they have always planned to have a visitor center to help facilitate over 20,000 annual visitors to the memorial “It became a goal of mine to make sure that the visitor center gets built so all of the survivor stories that are already captured in oral histories and BIJAC’s collection at the museum would have a place where the public would get to see them,” Sato Faust said Although schools make up more than half of the private tours BIJEAMA conducts Sato Faust said the teachers are missing a space to sit down with students and discuss the memorial which is one of the purposes the visitor center hopes to embody Planned to be around 1,500 square feet and contain indoor seating for up to 75 people the center will operate as a gathering space for tours with exhibits that display interpreting materials and historic artifacts that complement the memorial with additional context and information After President Franklin Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 Japanese Americans on Bainbridge Island were the first group of over 120,000 Japanese Americans total to be forcibly relocated to internment camps by the federal government and that's what those current structures are supposed to evoke," Sato Faust said "When you look at that wall and you see everybody's name and they just walked right off and onto a ferry with only six days’ notice the humanity and the treatment of the people." The Bainbridge Island Japanese American Community commemorates this date which is planned to be held in the visitor center once it is built This year will mark 83 years since the community’s removal and the event will feature multiple speakers sharing stories that touch on this year’s theme — “A Place to Call Home.” we have somebody who goes along the wall and reads every single name,” said Carol Reitz 'Welcome home Bainbridge Island.’ That really hit me because we are all very familiar with what happened but understanding that it takes a community to be able to welcome people back to make people feel like they can come back and that's what makes Bainbridge Island unique." Over 50% of Japanese American families returned to Bainbridge Island after the war the highest percentage of all communities across the country Reitz said she believes this is due to how integrated Japanese Americans were with the community whereas other cities which usually had Japantown especially now when you see this concerted attempt to fracture families and to export our immigrants," Sato Faust said this is a story where the community made a difference there are occasions when you too can make a difference." Pending the construction of a water main extension and subsequent approval of the center’s building permit by the city BIJAEMA is close to securing the funding necessary waterline construction is estimated to begin in June and sitework for the visitor center may begin a couple months after Sato Faust said BIJAEMA is always looking for donations as visitors are not charged admission to the memorial, and funds are needed to not only account for increases in operating costs but to invest in future exhibits and educational programming. More information on how to donate can be found on their website "Our mission is to not only share the history but also focus on social justice," Reitz said but many people from all over the world can relate to some part of that immigrant story.” Mochi Tsuki, the community festival that celebrates Japanese heritage in the Pacific Northwest with traditional activities each January, returns to Bainbridge Island for the 35th time on Saturday, Jan. 11, hosted by the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Community at Woodward Middle School including the traditional mochi making ceremony that encourages participation Seattle Kokon Taiko performances at 11:45 a.m and lessons in Obon group dancing from 12:45 to 1:45 p.m this year the new sushi takeout restaurant Sushiko will be selling musubi at the event For more information visit https://bijac.org Make an easy one-click donation by selecting any optional tier (total includes ticket and donation): Reduced rates available (apply here) Kick off the riding season with a ferry ride to Bainbridge Island on the 53rd annual Chilly Hilly This 33-mile loop around the island takes you along the shore to soak in Seattle’s skyline and (true to name) up and down some memorable hills. This event is a fundraiser for Cascade Bicycle Club's programming in advocacy we'll start sending a weekly e-mail to riders Make sure you're subscribed to our list to receive these communications Registration closes on Thursday February 20 There is no registration in-person at the start lines. Prices reflect the starting point you select Your registration fee covers mechanical support a fully supported rest stop with snacks and drinks at Battle Point Park a baggage truck for your to store a dry change of clothes and your fare on the WSDOT ferry (if you select the Seattle start line) If you register between January 7 and February 10 your packet will be mailed to your listed primary address (check your profile) If you register between February 11 and 20 your packet will be available at the start line you selected If you did not receive your packet or it was lost in the mail please see us at the green Cascade tents at either start line for a replacement. Riders planning on taking the ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge will need to pick up their replacement packet at the Seattle start line as your bib is your ferry ticket we're providing a separate RWGPS map for riders who would like to ride the shortest option. We encourage you to wait until the day before the event to download these maps to your preferred device for easy access on the day of the event. Printed cue sheets are available at the start line tents The route is marked with navigational markings on the road surface Click through to see the full map on Ride With GPS you will have your ferry fare included in their registration fee Your rider bib acts as your pass on the ferry If you did not select Seattle as your start line you will need to purchase your fare separately Ferries from Seattle to Bainbridge Island depart from Seattle Colman Dock Ferry Terminal. Official ferry times are: 7:55, 8:55, and 9:35 a.m. only. You may return to Seattle on any ferry on the day of the event We are committed to celebrating and promoting diversity in the bicycling community We aim to provide safe spaces at start lines Read our commitment to anti-racism and our participant code of conduct and grievance policy We would like to acknowledge that our rides take place on native land Our offices are located on the traditional land of the first people of Seattle Midpoint (15 miles): Located at Battle Point Park and supported by the Rope Skippers. You can refill your water and electrolyte bottles and enjoy light snacks that will power you for the second half of the ride and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Gluten free and vegan snacks and sandwiches are available Bainbridge Island community groups may provide additional support and snacks. Finish line (33 miles): You can purchase a bowl of chili (veggie or meat) directly at the finish line from Bainbridge Island Senior Community Center You can purchase this in advance as an add-on for $10 NEW for 2025 : Bainbridge Island Rowing is excited to transform our boathouse into a cozy and inviting warm-up zone for riders Baked goods and hot drinks will be available for sale Get your bowl of chili at the Senior Community Center Take a seat in our heated Great Room overlooking Waterfront Park Kick off your clip-ins* and celebrate the day Bainbridge Island boasts camping spots, cottages, hotels, and resorts. See Visit Bainbridge Island for details This ride is supported by Cascade staff and volunteers A baggage truck will be posted near the Bainbridge Island Ferry Terminal for you to drop off a bag with a change of clothes which you can pick up at the finish line start at 11 a.m Support and gear (SAG) vehicles are present on the route and dispatched when you call the ride support hotline SAG vehicles can transport you and most models of bikes in the event of a mechanical or minor medical event You should always call 911 in a life-threatening emergency assisting you with minor mechanical and minor medical issues and helping you to Ride S.M.A.R.T. Mechanics are posted at the Seattle start line and at the mid-point rest stop. They can assist with most common mechanical issues Full service is available at Bainbridge Island Cycle Shop and Classic Cycle Traffic officers are posted at highway crossings Get your bike tuned up and in shape to ride in slick E-bikes of all classes are permitted on this ride as the route is entirely along public roads. you can check out our extensive schedule of Free Group Rides in the Puget Sound area Find rides that fit your schedule and desired pace and distance. Terrain indicates the most common or average terrain type of the ride and should be considered relative to the length and overall difficulty of the ride a long-distance ride with a lot of elevation gain will be overall less challenging than a short ride with equal elevation gain Consider the pace and frequency of regroup as well to understand how advanced a ride may be Join our email list and get the latest from Cascade Bicycle Club right in your inbox Japanese Americans from Bainbridge Island were forced to leave their homes and head to the dock where the Japanese American Exclusion Memorial is now located they held a commemoration ceremony to remember and honor those individuals The event marked 83 years since this happened BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WA - It’s a place that holds powerful and painful memories of the past. During WWII, on March 30, Japanese Americans from Bainbridge Island were forced to leave their homes and head to the dock where the Japanese American Exclusion Memorial is now located it seems as if history is repeating itself they had no idea where they’d be going how long they’d be gone and if they could come back," Carol Reitz President of the Bainbridge Island Japanese Community said The families were forced to leave for three years "This year’s theme was a place to call home," Reitz said Multiple speakers shared their story and the stories of those who came before them They also read the names of the 276 people who lived on Bainbridge Island "Bainbridge Island was one of the most welcoming places for people to return to once they were released from the concentration camps They had the highest percentage of people who were able to return home," Reitz said She’s a third generation Japanese American Her parents and grandparents were imprisoned in 1942 talking about what happened then helps everyone have a better understanding of the generations before them "We’re grateful for all the people who want to know and learn more and understand the connection with what happened then and what’s happening today," Reitz said A time in history that’s never too far from the minds of those impacted by it "The issues are still relevant even more today The Source: Information for this report comes from original interviews from FOX 13's Shirah Matsuzawa Top aide for WA Gov. 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The Bainbridge Island Land Trust has launched a campaign to preserve a nesting site for great blue herons that was put up for sale last year the rookery is one of the few known nesting sites for the birds two undeveloped land parcels that surround the rookery were listed for sale The statement said the listings caused many community members to raise concerns that the habitat could face detrimental effects from potential development Great blue herons are classified as a protected species by the Washington State Department of Ecology and fall under the "sensitive" sub-category which is defined as a vulnerable species that is likely to become endangered without oversight or elimination of threats this site is crucial to the declining species' life cycle The northern parcel already sold; therefore the land trust seeks to acquire the southern parcel Communications Coordinator Mac Davenport said "The Great Blue Heron is an iconic species on this Island and the Winslow Rookery is indispensable for their continued presence here," said Executive Director Cullen Brady in a statement "Conserving this habitat aligns with our mission to conserve and steward the diverse natural environments of Bainbridge Island for the benefit of all." To protect nearly half an acre, the land trust hopes to raise $300,000 and is currently matching donations up to $50,000. To make a contribution or learn more, visit the nonprofit's website After launching a fundraising campaign to purchase a nesting site for great blue herons that faced risk from development the Bainbridge Island Land Trust will acquire the protected species' habitat The land conservation nonprofit announced on Wednesday that they are closing on the purchase of the Winslow Heron Rookery which is home to approximately 25 heron nests along the shores of Eagle Harbor the half-acre of land also includes tidelands wetlands and vegetation necessary for maintaining the area's ecological health “This conservation success demonstrates our community’s deep commitment to protecting Bainbridge Island’s wildlife habitats and natural spaces,” said Cullen Brady the Winslow Heron Rookery will remain a safe haven for great blue herons and other wildlife for generations to come." with a goal of raising $300,000 to secure the $250,000 parcel and cover additional costs associated with acquisition and closing as well as operations and restoration work the nonprofit said "an outpouring of community support" was responsible for the achievement The Winslow Heron Rookery is not open to the public to protect wading birds and their habitat from disruption but visitors are able to observe some of the rookery from Lovell Avenue which saw the return of many herons in late March for their annual nesting season A previously uncleared passing in a wooded area is being turned into a new neighborhood park on Bainbridge Island "8 Acre Woods" is as the name of the park suggests — 8 acres and located near Rolling Bay one of the island’s assisted living centers for seniors The property was gifted by an unknown donor through the Bainbridge Island Parks & Trails Foundation to the Bainbridge Island Metro Park & Recreation District and will be the next installment in the foundation’s efforts to bring more neighborhood parks and trails to lacking residential areas “This marks the third community donation to our Park District in recent years showcasing the incredible philanthropy of our Island,” said Dan Hamlin the park district executive director in a press release who are committed to sharing their resources for the greater good.” Residents in the area can expect unofficial walking trails on the property to be refined as well as amenities like benches and an information kiosk to be added Habitat restoration organized by the park district will clear out invasive plants like ivy from the firs and broadleaf trees that currently cover the land offering nearby access for a quiet walk in the woods and connection with nature,” said Mary Meier the foundation’s executive director in a press release 8 Acre Woods is a part of the over 30 acres of new land the nonprofit has acquired to turn into public parks in the last decade The nonprofit most recently doubled the size of Strawberry Hill Park to 39 acres by obtaining two neighboring parcels An open house and dedication will take place at the new park on Dec Additional information can be found on the foundation’s website