New bus route
Kitsap Transit is adding a new bus route between Kingston and Bainbridge Island starting Dec. 8.
Route 391 will serve both ferry terminals, plus time points at the Bayside Church Park & Ride, George’s Corner Park & Ride, Suquamish Park & Ride, and the Clearwater Park & Ride at Highway 305 and Suquamish Way. In Kingston, Route 391 connects to the Fast Ferry and Washington State Ferries’ Kingston/Edmonds route.
Route 391 will operate weekdays from 4:29 a.m. to 8:50 p.m.
Replace Randall
With state Sen. Emily Randall (D-Bremerton) set to resign Dec. 8 to assume her new role as U.S. Representative for the state’s 6th Congressional District, replacing retiring Derek Kilmer, the process to appoint her successor in the 26th Legislative District is underway.
The 26th district encompasses parts of Pierce and Kitsap counties. Per state law, the district’s Democrats nominated three candidates. The candidates: Deb Krishnadasan served on the Peninsula school board for six years and has worked as a volunteer in education for 15 years. Laurel Kingsbury is an educator in the Peninsula School District, a PenMet Parks commissioner and a former Congressional staffer. Renee Hernandez-Greenfield is a tribal member who works in early childhood education and is an adjunct professor at Tacoma Community College.
The joint legislative authorities will make the final selection Dec. 11 at 9 a.m. at the Red Barn Youth Center on the Key Peninsula, 15921 84th St. NW, Lakebay, WA. Remote participation is available by calling 253.215.8782 and using Webinar ID: 937-0065-3122. You can also use this link: https://piercecountywa.zoom.us/j/97661787423. The meeting will include an opportunity for community members to share their input during a public comment period. Attendees can also observe the interview and appointment process firsthand.
New director
Rafe Wysham has been named Kitsap County’s new director of the Department of Community Development.
Wysham joins the county after 26 years in the US Navy. He graduated from the Naval Academy in 1998 where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Oceanography. He most recently served as the executive officer of Naval Base Kitsap, retiring last month.
“The Department of Community Development serves a crucial role related to the county’s housing affordability, environmental preservation and economic development, so finding the right person was our top priority,” said Katie Walters, county commissioners chair. “Rafe Wysham was the unanimous choice of all interview panels for his strong leadership skills, professional abilities, knowledge of and commitment to this area, and ability to bring a team together for a common purpose.” Wysham was selected from over 90 applications received from all over the world.
County administrator Torie Brazitis said: “DCD was hit hard over the past five years by record permit volumes, the COVID-19 pandemic and staff turnover during the Great Resignation, which made it challenging to stabilize operations. Our most critical need in this position is leadership and staff development.”
Wysham will replace interim director David Lynam, who had been serving since acting DCD director David Kinley resigned in May and DCD director Jeff Rimack left the county in March. Lynam will return to his role as fire marshal.
Sewage spill
A sewage spill of 127,500 gallons as of 4 p.m. Dec. 2 has been reported by Kitsap County Public Works.
Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Northwest, in coordination with the Kitsap Public Utilities District, was responding to a sewage spill near Naval Base Kitsap – Keyport.
The spill started and was reported to Navy personnel around 11 a.m., resulting from work being conducted for a contracted underwater ground monitoring project, a Navy news release says. The spill started when a contractor hit the Kitsap County sewer line 12 feet below ground.
The area affected is the east shoreline of Kitsap Peninsula from the 14000 block of Sandy Hook Road NE to the 13000 block of S Keyport Road NE, including all of Liberty Bay and Keyport. West shoreline of Bainbridge Island from the intersection of NE Morris Boulevard and Sunset Avenue NE to Battle Point.
A no contact advisory is in effect through Dec. 8. Shellfish harvesting advisory is in effect through Dec. 22. Signs will be posted at public access points. For details go to kitsappublichealth.org/beaches.
Tuba Christmas
The free annual Tuba Christmas Concert will take place from 3-4 p.m. Dec. 7 in Poulsbo.
Instead of outdoors at the Muriel Iverson Williams Waterfront Park, the event is moving indoors to stay out of the weather at the historic First Lutheran Church. The public will hear traditional Christmas carols and be invited to sing along.
Tuba Christmas is a music concert held in cities worldwide that celebrates those who play, teach, and compose music for instruments in the tuba family, including the tuba, sousaphone, baritone and euphonium, though some participants bring rarer members of the family such as the helicon, ophicleide, serpent and double bell euphonium.
Attendees can drop off non-perishable food items that will be donated to the North Kitsap Fishline Food Bank.
Christmas concert
The Spirit of the Season, a free concert by Crescendo, will take place Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. at Rolling Bay Presbyterian Church, 11042 Sunrise Drive NE, Bainbridge Island.
The song list includes holiday favorites, such as the Beach Boys’ “Little Saint Nick,” along with “Holly Jolly Christmas” from the movie “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” “Hanarot Halalu,” a traditional Hanukkah song, and Jose Feliciano’s rocking salute to Christmas, “Feliz Navidad.”
In addition, the Bainbridge High School Choir Club will perform.
Crescendo is led by Wendi Olinger with accompaniment by Catherine Benson. The group of 36 singers is part of Ovation Performing Arts Northwest, a nonprofit BI-based theater and performance group. For details go to ovationmtb.com/crescendo.
Community concerts
Two Bainbridge Island churches will have concerts for the community this month.
Community Caroling will take place at Eagle Harbor Congregational Church Dec. 21 at 4 p.m. Bainbridge Chorale, Ovation MTB and Amabile Choir host the event, which will feature holiday songs and Christmas carols. Any donations will benefit Helpline House.
Also, a Messiah Sing-Along will take place Dec. 28 at 7 p.m. at Rolling Bay Presbyterian Church. Admission is $15; youth 18 and younger free with an adult. A tradition since 2009, it features professional soloists and instrumentalists.
More music
The Bainbridge Chorale and Bainbridge Youth Choir will perform a Family Holiday Concert Dec. 14 at 3 p.m. at Rolling Bay Presbyterian Church.
Those 18 and younger free with an adult.
Also, the Bainbridge Chorale will present “Love’s Pure Light” later at 7 p.m. and also at 3 p.m. Dec. 15. It will perform new arrangements of traditional holiday carols, along with new works by contemporary composers.
Ski movie
Josh Anderson’s third ski movie Mad/Love will be shown Dec. 22 at noon at the Lynwood Theater.
The Bainbridge Island man’s first two movies are on Youtube. They are “Ski for the Love” and “Home Sick! Too Good to Leave.”
BIMA events
Soul Fusion artist Grace Love is back at Bainbridge Island Museum of Art at 7 p.m. Dec. 14.
Also, Dec. 7 from 4-8 p.m. is the Winter Night Market on the Island Gateway Plaza.
Finally, Noogie’s Time to Shine will be Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. Participants will see and discuss the film with executive producer Jim Knipfel.
Gift guide
The small community of Olalla is putting out a Holiday Gift Guide.
It is also introducing a community calendar so folks can keep track of the goings-on there. See www.iloveolalla.com/events
BI police log
11-24: Domestic violence, 14900 block Sunrise Drive NE
11-25: Warrant, 8800 block Madison Avenue N.
11-26: Assault, no address provided.
11-27: Theft, 8000 block Hidden Cove Road
11-29: Assault, 900 block Madison Avenue N.
11:29: Burglary, 15600 block Agatewood Road NE
11-30: Burglary, 6600 block NE New Brooklyn Road
