Bainbridge Island briefs
Published 1:30 am Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Inslee discussion
Former Gov. Jay Inslee will lead a community conversation called International Cooperation on Climate Change May 4 at the Bainbridge High School Theater from 3:30-5 p.m.
The event is free and donations are welcome.
Frog Rock festivities
Bainbridge Island is set to celebrate the iconic and quirky landmark, Frog Rock, with a series of events during the first week of May. The landmark was created in 1971 by high school sweethearts Bob and Ellen Green.
On May 2, the First Friday Art Walk will feature the debut of the Frog Rock merchandise collection at Millstream, a store located in downtown Winslow. The Greens, now in their early 70s, will be in attendance to share their story and celebrate their creation. Attendees can enjoy Frog Rock and ladybug cookies from Blackbird Bakery, along with a special green cocktail, per a news release. Eight limited edition Bay Hay and Feed hoodies, customized with Bob’s original Frog Rock illustration, will be raffled off.
On May 3, the Greens will repaint Frog Rock to its original design. The community is invited to attend.
For more information, visit millstream.com.
Poster contest winner
10-year-old Grayson Trego of Bainbridge Island took first place in the Washington state portion of the 2025 Northwest Radon Poster Contest.
Open to youth ages 9 to 14, the contest encouraged students to use their creativity to raise awareness about the dangers of elevated indoor radon levels and promote the importance of testing for and mitigating radon gas in homes and buildings, a state Department of Health news release says.
Poetry reading
A free poetry reading by this year’s Poetry Corners poets will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art. The reading will be followed by a reception and the sale of the Bainbridge Island Poetry Corners 2025 anthology.
Now in its 26th year, Poetry Corners provides an opportunity to showcase local poets during April, National Poetry Month.
The Bainbridge Island Poet Laureate Program first invites submissions from poets of all ages. Selected entries are then posted in the windows of downtown shops and other venues throughout April, with a poetry reading at the end of the month at BIMA.
The theme of this year’s Poetry Corners is “All Creatures Great and Small.” All of the poster poems can be viewed on the Bainbridge Island Poet Laureate website.
BIMA events
Bainbridge Island Museum of Art’s first-ever Lū’au takes place May 3 from noon-5 p.m.
Dive into the rich traditions of Micronesian, Melanesian, and Polynesian communities through food, small businesses, and local vendors, a news release states.
The second annual Asian Arts and Heritage Festival takes place at BIMA May 8-31.
BIMA and Arts & Humanities Bainbridge will celebrate the diverse contributions throughout the month of May, culminating in the finale of the festival to commemorate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month at the Filipino American Community Hall May 31.
Spring Bazaar
Discover unique, handcrafted treasures made by more than 40 local artisans at the Spring Bazaar and Open House at BARN May 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Explore fused glass art, handcrafted jewelry, hand-dyed yarns and apparel, limited-edition cards and prints, wood bowls and cutting boards, books from local authors, and much more. Explore BARN’s creative studios and learn about upcoming classes and programs while you shop, per a news release.
Visit bainbridgebarn.org/about/annual-events/bazaar/ for more details and a preliminary vendor lineup.
Statewide pilot
Bainbridge Island Senior/Community Center is one of just ten senior centers across Washington chosen to participate in a pilot aimed at improving the health and well-being of older adults.
Through a partnership with BetterAge, this initiative provides local seniors with a free, science-backed health assessment, personalized recommendations for healthy aging, and a monthly opportunity to win $100 for participation, per a news release
Supported by a grant from the state Department of Social and Health Services, the four-month program empowers older adults to take charge of their well-being through confidential, user-friendly assessments that take just 7 to 10 minutes to complete.
“We are excited to bring this opportunity to our community,” said Reed Price, center executive director. “We’re giving local older adults access to valuable insights and resources that can help them live healthier, more fulfilling lives.”
People can learn more and participate in the assessment by visiting biseniorcenter.org/betterage. James Firman, chief innovation officer for BetterAge, will be on one of the Senior/Community Center’s Something to Talk About podcasts at 1:30 p.m. May 7.
Art, poetry exhibit
Bainbridge Island Public Library will be holding an art and poetry exhibition, “Visual Memoirs: Paintings & Poetry” June 6-28 for local artist Fatima Young and local poet Mary Lou Sanelli.
“Two Bainbridge artists collaborate in this exhibit of friendship in paintings & words to showcase their individual journeys and creative styles,” a news release states. The goal is to inspire and delight the viewers.”
The reception takes place June 6 from 5-8 p.m.
BI author
Bainbridge Island author Kathleen Alcalá’s novel about love and political awakening, “Treasures in Heaven” will arrive in bookstores May 5, and she will give a reading at Eagle Harbor Books June 5 at 6:30 p.m.
The book is about the feminist movement in Mexico that arose and foreshadowed the Mexican Revolution, per a news release. It’s also a tale of love and political awakening.
Alcalá is the author of five additional books, including “The Deepest Roots: Finding Food and Community on a Pacific Northwest Island”, a combination memoir and blueprint for environmental sustainability.
Free concert
A concert called “Here Comes the Sun” will be put on by Crescendo at 7 p.m. May 12 at Rolling Bay Presbyterian Church. The concert is free, but donations are accepted.
Sit back and celebrate warm days ahead with a song list that ranges from Broadway to standards and pop. These include Bob Dylan’s “The Times, They Are A-Changin’”; Beatles’ favorites “When I’m 64” and “Here Comes the Sun”; as well as “May It Be” from “The Lord of the Rings”; the Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations”; “For Good” from “Wicked” and “Closer to Fine” as featured in the “Barbie” movie.
Crescendo is led by Wendi Olinger with accompaniment by Owen Espinosa. The group of 36 singers is part of Ovation Performing Arts Northwest, a nonprofit, Bainbridge-based theater and performance group. For more information, go to ovationmtb.com/crescendo.
Music for All
On April 30 at 6:30 p.m. the Woodward Jazz Band, Woodward Choir and Bainbridge Island Senior/ Community Center’s Evergreen Singers will be performing in the 3rd annual Music For All Generations Concert.
It is a free event that will take place at Woodward Middle School. Woodward students, families and community members are invited to attend.
Judge retires
Kitsap County District Court Judge Jeffrey J. Jahns will retire May 31, concluding over 16 years of service on the bench.
Jahns has served in the court since 2009, following a legal career that included 14 years as chief deputy prosecutor in the Kitsap County Prosecutor’s Office (1995-2009) and 13 years as a criminal defense attorney (1981-1994).
Throughout his career, Jahns received numerous accolades, including serving as Dean for the 2014 Washington Judicial College. He was also an active member of the District and Municipal Court Judges Association’s Board of Governors.
A retirement celebration will be held June 11 at 3 p.m. in the Commissioner Chambers at 619 Division St., Port Orchard. Colleagues, friends, and community members are invited to attend and celebrate Jahns’ retirement.
Pickleball tourney
Registration is now open for the Bremerton Blackberry Blast Pickleball Tournament, held over Labor Day weekend Aug. 29-31.
It will be held at Lion’s Field on Lebo Boulevard. The event includes three days of competitive play, community spirit and plenty of blackberry-themed surprises, per a news release. Players of all skill levels are welcome, with brackets for men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles.
Registration details and tournament information can be found at pickleballtournaments.com/tournaments/2025-bremerton-blackberry-blast. Spots are limited.
Nature walk
The Kitsap County Accessible Communities Advisory Committee will be holding a guided walk through Harper Park April 26 from 1-3 p.m. at 3500 SE Southworth Dr., Port Orchard.
The 0.66-mile trail features a short incline at the beginning, followed by a wide, easily traversed path through the forest of Harper Park, per a news release. The event aims to promote community connection and appreciation of local natural spaces while supporting accessibility for diverse mobility needs.
For questions, contact Ranae Beeker at nursebeeker@gmail.com.
