New leads at BSO and BPA

David Upham will raise the baton as music director for the 2007-2008 Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra season.

Having served as a clinician and teacher across the country, Upham recently acted as a conductor with the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra and has also conducted at the Marrowstone Summer Music Festival in Bellingham and the Northwest Mahler Festival among other festivals.

Upham was one of several guest conductors who stepped in to help complete the 2006-2007 season in the wake of Alan Futterman’s departure after just two concerts.

For his inaugural season, the BSO’s 35th, Upham has conceived fall, winter and spring performances inspired by Viennese classics, opera and the natural world. He’s also planning an April collaboration with the Bainbridge Island Youth Orchestra.

“Organizationally, I believe we are headed ever more and more in the direction of really connecting with the broader cultural and artistic community on Bainbridge Island,” Upham said. “That is my desire.”

Meanwhile, Bainbridge Performing Arts has tapped Austin Smith to serve as production manager and technical director while BPA veteran Mark Sell is on sabbatical in New Orleans.

Smith, a Florida native, has extensive educational and professional experience in theatrical and production design including lighting, construction, sound and set design.

– Lindsay Latimore

BCF awards local grants

The Bainbridge Community Foundation has awarded grants to 18 local non-profit organizations for its 2007 Community Grants program.

The grants were awarded to a wide range of organizations that provide a variety of community services and support.

The Foundation’s Community Grants program has grown substantially over the past year, with 24 organizations submitting grant proposals – a 20 percent increase over last year. The number of grant recipients increased by almost a third, while the total dollars awarded increased nearly 40 percent.

With a combined total of $67,650 in grants to local non-profit organizations, the Foundation and its donor-advised funds were able to award full or partial grants to over 70 percent of the organizations that sent proposals.

This year’s grant recipients included the following:

Bainbridge Arts & Crafts: $3,250 to underwrite costs of “Mixed Nuts” art exhibition.

Bainbridge Island Arts & Humanities Council: $2,000 to purchase and upgrade software and a computer.

Bainbridge Island Historical Society: $1,500 to fund photography displays for new exhibits.

Bainbridge Island Japanese American Community: $1,500 to fund videography, transcription and tapes needed to record six oral histories.

Bainbridge Island Parks Foundation Transmitter Building Project: $2,500 to complete building accessibility improvements.

Bainbridge Island TV: $9,500 to purchase a video switcher for the community TV studio.

Bainbridge Island Youth Soccer Club: $4,000 to pay for soccer goals for renovated fields.

Bainbridge Schools Foundation: $5,000 to support reading and academic remedial programs.

Bainbridge Youth Services: $2,600 to provide operational expenses for youth counseling services.

Friends of Avery Cancer Caregiver Network: $2,500 to fund program support for families and people dealing with cancer in their families.

Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers: $4,000 to provide operational expenses for community-based services.

Island Music Guild: $6,000 to support growth and transition of the operational model.

Kids Discovery Museum: $3,300 to fund an early childhood development program.

Kitsap Legal Services: $3,500 to operate a legal clinic for low-income clients on Bainbridge Island.

Marge Williams Office Center: $7,000 to fund a new photocopier for the nonprofit office center.

PAWS: $1,500 to pay costs of veterinary bills for low-income, disabled and elderly owners of PALS pets.

Sound Works Job Center: $3,000 to provide operating support for low-income clients’ job search needs.

West Sound Wildlife Shelter: $5,000 to fund the replacement of a roof on the main building.

As part of its service to the community, Bainbridge Community Foundation will conduct three educational seminars for non-profits beginning next fall. The seminars will cover the topics of basic nonprofit accounting and strategic planning and fund-raising, and will be free of charge for non-profit attendees.

Is it better than Craigslist?

Kitsap County’s new online rummage and recycling website, 2Good2Toss, claims it just might be.

In response to the 1989 Waste Not Washington Act, the Kitsap County Public Works Solid Waste Division in 2004 teamed up with the Washington State Department of Ecology to create this community-based method for keeping items “in the system” and out of landfills.

From cribs to couches and violins to vintage gear, 2Good2Toss features nothing over $99 and a good number items that are free.

Visit www.2good2toss.com/kitsap/. One caveat: those who list items must be residents or business owners in Kitsap County or the North Mason High School District.

Get a handle on knotweed

The Kitsap Conservation District and Kitsap Noxious Weed Control will present a knotweed workshop at 6:30 p.m. July 24 at the island’s new Hidden Cove Park near Spargur Loop.

Knotweed, the highly invasive and rapidly spreading plant, remains prevalent on Bainbridge. The workshop will cover the treatment of large and small populations; the proper disposal of cut stems; and the proper usage of chemicals.

For information, call Brian Stahl of the Kitsap Conservation District at (360) 337-7171 x23 or Dana Coggon of Kitsap Noxious Weed Control, (360) 307-4242.