Beach cleanup

The Fifth Annual Island Beach Cleanup will take place from noon to 3 p.m. Sept. 20 all along the Bainbridge Island shorelines.

New this year is prizes for the Craziest Piece of Trash, and for the coolest upcycle/artcycle of beach trash.

For details go to: www.sustainablebainbridge.org/event/beach-cleanup/

ShoeStrike Saturday

Local climate activists are holding a ShoeStrike for the Climate at Waypoint Park, 555 Winslow Way E, Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Waypoint Park ShoeStrike participants have collected shoes of friends and family who would like to participate in person but cannot because of public safety issues with COVID-19. Organizers will display at least 300 pairs of shoes and use signs and handouts to voice concerns and ideas about climate change.

Visitors may bring shoes. They will be offered information about the proposed liquid natural gas (LNG) facility in Tacoma, the proposed methanol facility in Kalama, and Chase Bank investment in the fossil fuel industry. They will be asked to make a pledge to take actions against climate change.

Scholarship finalists

Six local students have been named semifinalists in the 2021 National Merit Scholarship Program.

From Bainbridge High School are: Ian Cosman, Jacob Kirsch, Audrey Nelson, Nicholas Emerson, Claire Camacho and Jeffrey Tappen. Homeschooler Daniel Stein also made the list.

There were 16,000 semifinalists nationwide in the 66th annual competition. About $30 million will be awarded to some 7,600 winners in the spring.

Wyatt Way

The Wyatt Way Reconstruction project is moving along with some major things happening recently.

Current work is still focused on the west side of the project limits between Grow Avenue and Nicholson Place, where the water main installation is almost complete, and testing was set to begin this week. Also within this zone of the project, the contractor has completed the forms for the concrete retaining wall along the east side of the street, with concrete pours also expected this week. The retaining wall will facilitate construction of the sidewalk on that side of the street.

Also within the work zone east of the Grow Avenue intersection, the contractor has started clearing for street and sidewalk work. The installation of new storm drain pipes also will start in this area this week.

The project schedule has the majority of the work being completed by the end of November.

Shellfish closure

A new shellfish closure area is in effect from Hood Canal Bridge to the south end of Naval Base Kitsap.

The county health department says tests show high levels of marine biotoxin paralytic shellfish poison in the area.

An earlier closure from the bridge to Point No Point remains in effect.

All recreational shellfish harvesting for all species of clams, oysters and mussels are banned.

Shrimp and crab are not included, but crabs should be cleaned prior to cooking, and the “crab butter” discarded.

Rallies Sundays

Black Lives Matter and Native Lives Matter rallies are taking place every Sunday from 1-2:30 p.m. at the intersection of Highway 104 and West Kingston Road, Kola Kole Park.

Participants are asked to join Free Range Films and Resisterhood in chants and songs while bringing signs and drums.

Bridge closure

Travelers the weekend of Sept. 17 will need to plan ahead for possible closures as Hood Canal Bridge undergoes some overnight repairs.

State Department of Transportation crews will be making repairs from 10 p.m. Sept. 17 to 2 a.m. Sept. 18.

The work could be extended due to weather and tidal activity, according to WSDOT.