Bainbridge Island briefs

MLK events

A Bainbridge Island Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration will take place Jan. 16 from noon to 3:30 p.m.

A community presentation will be from noon to 1 p.m. It’s a Zoom webinar and registration is required at bima.secure.nonprofitsoapbox.com/component/events/event/118

At 1:45 p.m., participants will march along Winslow Way, gather in the plaza in front of BIMA and head to the Winslow Green. The event will feature singing, drumming and call-and-response chanting.

The community rally will be at the gazebo at 2:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, the Multicultural Advisory Council of the Bainbridge Island School District wants to celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. with Virtual Walk anytime between Jan. 15-17.

The event is a mile or any distance you like in your neighborhood or any safe walking path or trail. The council encourages participants to print out an MLK Jr. Virtual Walk sign and carry it with you.

Body identified

The victim of a structure fire in Poulsbo Jan. 3 has been identified as 27-year-old John Atkinson.

The cause of death was inhalation of gasses of combustion, an autopsy done by Kitsap County forensics says. The manner is accidental.

Sewage spill

Part of the eastern shores of Bainbridge Island are closed through Jan. 14 because of a sewage spill Jan. 7.

BI public works reports that 1,500 gallons of sewage spilled.

The Kitsap Public Health District sent out the no-contact advisory warning for the Wing Point area.

Signs are to be posted at public access points from Hawley Cove to Yaquina Avenue.

The public is advised to avoid contact with the water in that area, including swimming, wading or recreation that could lead to water being swallowed or getting into the mouth, nose or eyes. Avoid direct skin contact if possible, and immediately wash with soap and water.

Also, do not harvest shellfish in that area.

For details go to kitsappublic health.org/beaches.

Authors win

Two Bainbridge Island authors are Washington State Book Award winners.

Jennifer K. Mann won for Picture Books for, “The Camping Trip.” She wrote and illustrated the book.

Jennifer Longo won for Young Adult Literature for her book, “What I Carry.”

There were eight winners in all out of 35 finalists. It’s the 55th year of the program, formerly called the Governor’s Writers Awards.

The awards honor outstanding books published by Washington authors in 2020. An award is given based on the strength of the publication’s literary merit, lasting importance and overall quality to an author who resides in the state.

Blood shortage

The American Red Cross is facing a national blood crisis – its worst blood shortage in more than a decade.

Dangerously low blood supply levels are posing a concerning risk to patient care and forcing doctors to make difficult decisions about who receives blood transfusions and who will need to wait until more products become available.

COVID-19 has led to a 10% decline in the number of people donating blood as well as blood drive cancellations and staffing limitations. The pandemic has contributed to a 62% drop in blood drives at schools. Winter weather is another issue.

Donors of all blood types — especially O — are urged to make an appointment now to give in the weeks ahead. Call 1-800-RED-CROSS or go to RedCrossBlood.org

Community Conversations

The will be four breakout sessions at the next Kingston Cares Community Conversation Jan. 22 from 9-11 a.m. via Zoom.

Sessions include: Emergency Preparedness – What can we do to prepare for a natural disaster?; Growth – What are the ways in which we can welcome and integrate new residents and businesses?; COVID-19 Pandemic — How have you adapted, and how can we help each other? Racial Justice – How to address race-based disparities, how to learn more about racial injustice, and how to celebrate and highlight diverse cultures, experiences and ideas in our community.

Community Conversations also will take place Feb. 19 and March 19 with different topics.

If you would like to participate, send an email to kingstonconvo@gmail.com to receive a link to the registration website.

Man charged

A Port Orchard man has been charged with four counts for unlawful entry into the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, following a “Stop the Steal” rally headlined by former President Trump.

John M. Cameron, a 55-year-old real estate broker, was charged with unlawfully entering the Capitol, disorderly conduct aimed at disturbing orderly government business and demonstrating in the Capitol, according to a criminal complaint filed Dec. 10 in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

Cameron turned himself in to federal authorities in Tacoma Jan. 5. He did not enter a plea and was released on bond, according to a report by the Seattle Times.

Cameron posted several photos and videos on Facebook, according to the criminal complaint. Authorities said they also placed Cameron at the Capitol based on interviews and a search warrant served on a mobile device associated with Cameron’s email address.

BIMA movie

As part of its smARTfilm series, the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art is showing the film “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” at 2 and 7 p.m. daily.

The movie stars Donald Sutherland, Veronica Cartwright, Jeff Goldblum and Leonard Nimoy.

Contact BIMA for tickets.

Summer camps

From marine science to cooking to journalism, Islandwood on Bainbridge Island is offering a variety of summer camps.

The full- and half-day camps are nature-based, encouraging children to learn through hands-on exploration. Environmental educators help campers understand their relationship with the environment and the world.

For details email joanh@islandwood.org or phone 206-855-4305.

Theater reopens

The Bainbridge Island comedy group Imagined Reality Improv will be one of the first groups to perform at the Jewel Box Theatre in Poulsbo as it reopens to live entertainment. Their performance will be Jan. 15 at 7:30 p.m.

After being forced to transition to online performances during COVID-19, the theater held its first live performance with a full audience last month. Theater president Cindy Garfein said the key caveat for full capacity is the requirement to show proof of COVID vaccination. Patrons must also wear masks.

Full capacity is 93 seats. People are seated as soon as they arrive. Wine is served, but not food. The 2021-22 season will be shorter than usual, running through May. She said sets are less complicated, requiring fewer volunteers. Check jewelboxpoulsbo.org for more details.

Meet Deets

City Councilmember Joe Deets is having virtual open office hours from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday to talk about city business.

For details go to bainbridgewa.gov/directory.aspx?EID=229

BI police log

Dec. 27 — Marina fire boating incident, Shannon Drive SE

Dec. 29 — Theft, Blakely Avenue NE

Dec. 29 — Assault, malicious mischief, High School Road NE

Dec. 30 — Domestic violence, malicious mischief, NE Wardwell Road

Dec. 31 — Domestic violence, assault 4, Gilmore Way NE

Jan. 1 — Felony mail theft, North Madison Avenue.

Jan. 1 — Residential burglary, Euclid Avenue NE

Jan. 2 — Traffic accident, Meadowmeer Circle NE.