New director at Land Trust

The Bainbridge Island Land Trust has hired Asha Rhenberg, an experienced conservation professional and new resident to the island, as its executive director. She replaces Karen Molinari, who left the post last month.

From 2002-2006, Rhenberg served as the conservation director for the Inland Northwest Land Trust in Spokane.

After moving to British Columbia in 2006, she was on the board of the Bowen Island Conservancy until moving to Bainbridge Island in May with her husband, Larry Pluimer, who works for Amazon.com in Seattle.

Barry Fetterman, president of the Land Trust board of directors, said a hiring committee interviewed eight of the 31 candidates who applied for the position.

Fetterman said Rehnberg also has a background in real estate law, working in the 1990s as a paralegal in the real estate department of a law firm in Minneapolis, Minn.

Molinari served as the organization’s director for eight years.

She helped guide the nonprofit through the addition of 12 conservation easements and aquisitions of the Close and Pritchard Park properties. BILT most recently secured the “Heart of the Forest” property, a 19-acre parcel that will eventually create a public corridor between two portions of Grand Forest Park.

History board keeps its own

The City Council Wednesday unanimously approved the reappointment of Linda Costello and Sandra Burke to the Historic Preservation Commission.

Costello is a self-employed architect. She’s worked with several property owners on the island to restore historic structures.

Burke is also a self-employed architect and member of the Bainbridge Island Historical Society. She has lived on the island for 40 years and was a founding member of the Manzanita Neighborhood Association.

Both are entering their second term on the six-member commission, which provides technical assistance to owners of historic properties and keeps a local register of historic landmarks, among other duties.

Their new terms will end in 2011.

Days of wine and strolling

Gerard and Jo Ann Bentryn open their arms and doors to the island with summertime strolls at the Bainbridge Island Vineyards and Winery.

The tours run at 2 p.m. Sundays and mix Gerard’s blend of viticulture and philosophy.

Visit www.bainbridgevineyards.com or call 842-9463 for information and directions.