News Roundup — New Hollydays Guide has it all/Give now, give thanks later/Ferries adjust to smoking ban

Published 5:00 pm Wednesday, November 16, 2005

New Hollydays Guide has it all

A festive guide to the island’s holiday happenings now is available from downtown merchants and the chamber of commerce.

Prettily packaged in red by former local artist Claire Russell and sporting a vivid poinsettia photograph by Dawn Ziegelmayer, the “Hollydays Guide” is a gift unto itself from the Downtown Association – and immensely useful.

The guide features details on island-wide events from Nov. 19 through Dec. 25. Starting off the holiday season are the Downtown Open House from 2-8 p.m. on Dec. 1 and the Community Tree Lighting Ceremony at 5:30 p.m. that evening at City Hall Plaza.

Santa Claus, his elves and Mayor Darlene Kordonowy will arrive by fire truck to light the first 30-foot community tree, as the Bainbridge High School Band and Community Singers lead the crowd in caroling.

At 6:15 p.m., a parade will lead the march to the second tree lighting on Winslow Way, with entertainment and refreshments.

The guide includes a map to Holidays on the Farms, featuring Holly Lane Gardens and Harmony Acres Farm; the Winter Studio Tour; and Christmas in the Country, which showcases arts and crafts in historic homes and art studios.

Information on special holiday performances and advertising by local merchants who made this guide possible also are featured.

“The Hollydays Guide is beautiful and the same size as the Walkabout Guide,” said Cris Beattie, executive director of the association. “This is the first year it is in this format.”

The guide is being given to Seattle hotels and local businesses, as well as select locations that distribute Bainbridge Island Downtown Association materials, she said.

To help the downtown area look its holiday best, Beattie invites Bainbridge merchants and residents to the annual “Light Screwing Party” from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Nov. 18 at the Commons.

“We will be screwing in the big light banners that go across the street. These banners are 25 feet long,” said Beattie, adding that a lot of helping hands are needed.

Those who attend the decorating party will enjoy soup, salad and bread free of charge. RSVP to Beattie at 842-2982 or office@bainbridgedowntown.org.

– Rhona Schwartz

Give now, give thanks later

As Thanksgiving approaches, there will be islanders thankful for food on the table and others thankful that they can help neighbors in need set their table.

This coming Sunday from 12-3 p.m. and Monday from 8-9:30 a.m., Helpline House’s Project Wishbone will be accepting donations of holiday food boxes for families in need at 282 Knechtel Way.

Requested items to complete a food box include: frozen turkeys (10-12 pounds), stuffing mix, potatoes and onions, fresh or canned vegetables, fruit and yams, cranberry sauce, rolls, butter, pumpkin or apple pies, whipped cream and foil roasting pans.

Appreciated extras include holiday napkins and decorations, canned gravy, olives, pickles, nuts, Jell-O or pudding mix, marshmallows and sparkling cider and juices.

Nonperishable donations may be dropped off 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays before Nov. 21.

Alternately, a tax-deductible donation of $40 will feed a family of four; $60 will feed six.

Often families needing help are those hard hit by recent layoffs, illnesses or unexpected expenses. Last year, the project helped out more than 150 families, and the need is expected to be greater this year. In the last year more than 500 families used the Helpline food bank each month.

Ferries adjust to smoking ban

Ferry commuters who want to enjoy an after-work smoke may be forced to walk the plank.

“Most of our customers are very enthusiastic about the new smoking ban,” said Washington State Ferries Director of Operations Traci Brewer-Rogstad, speaking about the state-wide smoking ban approved by voters Nov. 8.

But Initiative 901’s “no puffin’” rule within 25 feet of doorways could have ferry customers “swimming in Puget Sound.”

I-901 expands the Clean Indoor Air Act by prohibiting smoking in buildings and vehicles open to the public. The ban also restricts smoking within about 8 yards of doorways and ventilation openings.

WSF is working with the state Attorney General’s office to determine the intent of I-901 as a new smoking policy is crafted for state ferries.

“Washington State Ferries wants to implement this change, but we want to do it right,” Brewer-Rogstad said. “We are aware of the adjustment some customers on our longer ferry routes will have to make and we want to give them as much notice before implementation as possible.”

Smokers can currently light up on a section of the rear upstairs deck. They can also smoke in some areas of ferry terminals.

The large number of windows, doors and ventilation openings at terminals also makes implementation and enforcement of the new ban challenging for ferry officials.

“We face a variety of issues,” Brewer-Rogstad said. “While it is fairly easy to eliminate smoking on vessels, the terminals are a different matter.”

– Tristan Baurick