Artist sought for downtown

The Bainbridge Island Arts and Humanities Council is accepting applications for an artist consultant to join design teams for Winslow Way and Waterfront Park.

“It’s all finally happening,” said Janice Shaw, public art program administrator. “We saw it as an opportunity to add an artist so that we could enrich the planning process with an artistic sensibility and an awareness of creative possibilities and facilitate integration of art into the streetscape and park.”

Winslow Way is being redesigned with utility improvements planned, Shaw said, while a new master plan is under way for the five-acre park. The plan “has focused on an upper terrace with a staircase, promenade and an earth-sheltered bathhouse with a viewing deck.”

The consultant contract calls for compensation of $20,000 for up to 18 months of employment – $15,000 for work on the Winslow Way Street Improvements Plan and $5,000 for the Waterfront Park Master Plan design – plus related travel and incidental expenses.

An optional site tour for interested artists will leave from City Hall at 10 a.m. Sept. 11. Joining the tour will be a Public Art Committee representative, the project manager, Winslow Tomorrow director Sandy Fischer. They will provide an overview and answer questions about the project and process.

Interested artists should submit a letter of interest, a resume and up to 12 digital images of past work to: Bainbridge Island Public Art Program, Bainbridge Island Arts and Humanities Council, Marge Williams Center, 221 Winslow Way West, Suite 210, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 by Sept. 27.

More information is available at www.artshumm.org, or by contacting Janice Shaw at jqs53@msn.com or 842-7901.

– Rhona Schwartz

Let’s harness the sunlight

The second annual Bainbridge Island Solar Outreach Forum will feature numerous practical uses for solar-based technology

The free event, held this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at City Hall, will include experts in home energy efficiency and the viability of harnessing solar power in the Puget Sound region.

Following presentations, island residents with solar power will talk about their experiences.

The forum will include examples of solar and renewable energy programs from other communities in Washington state, including the City of Ellensburg’s “Community Solar Garden”, the local green power program by the Orcas Power & Light Cooperative and Vashon Island’s public utility initiatives.

“There will be time for people to ask questions, interact and discuss what can and should be done on Bainbridge Island to secure our own energy future,” said Joe Deets, one of the events organizers.

Deets said all are invited, but a particular welcome is directed to local real estate agents, architects, builders, home buyers and city planners.

For more information, see www.sustainablebainbridge.net.

– Tristan Baurick

The fine art of food waste

The Washington State University Kitsap County Extension is sponsoring a composting workshop that is intended to help people in high density areas create a more efficient food waste and fertilizer process.

“This is about creating a more sustainable environment,” said Kathy Morse, who will help to conduct the workshop. “And to pass the planet to your offspring in better shape than you found it.”

The compost process, called “Bokashi,” was developed in Japan in response to the increase in both population density and gardening interest.

“It helps to keep stuff out of the landfill,” Morse said. “You don’t have to buy compost or haul away garbage. You support a more sustainable environment.”

Participants will mix their own Bokashi, and learn to compost their kitchen waste with no foul odors. Aside from vegetables, the process accommodates meat and protein.

The Bokashi created at this event uses molasses, effective microorganisms and fermented wheat bran. It takes two months to create ready-to-use compost, with no odor or flies.

“The best part of this is how quickly it works,” Morse said. “When it is applied directly to the soil it provides the right mix of microorganisms and you can plant near the compost pile pretty much immediately.”

Morse said the process was inexpensive. The cost of a bucket is the only required investment.

The workshop takes place from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 23 at Raab Park Garden Area in Poulsbo. It costs $15.

Necessary products are available at wholesale prices, and participants are asked to bring work gloves, a bucket and rain gear.

For more information or to RSVP contact the extension office at (360) 337-7157.

Cantwell to visit Kitsap

U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell will visit Kitsap County on Friday, the first time she’s come to the county since beginning her re-election campaign.

Cantwell is expected to tour Bremerton, but tour stops have yet to be announced.

Mike McGavick, Cantwell’s Republican opponent, has visited Kitsap several times in recent months, most recently for Silverdale’s Whaling Days. No other Kitsap events for McGavick are currently scheduled.

U.S. Reps. Norm Dicks and Jay Inslee, who both represent Kitsap, said Cantwell has provided support on specific issues important to Kitsap. Dicks mentioned support of the local military and the anti-meth program, while Inslee said she was instrumental in pushing through support of Bainbridge Island’s memorial to Japanese internees.

Those interested in attending should contact Cantwell’s headquarters (206) 217-2006, or the Kitsap County Democratic headquarters at (360) 698-6833 for time and place.