Daily Archives: February 26, 2014

Bainbridge Legacy Organic Vodka captures ‘World’s Best’ crown

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You can add vodka to the list of things Bainbridge Island is known for after Bainbridge Organic Distillers’ Legacy Organic Vodka was crowned the “World’s Best Vodka” at the World Vodka Awards in London recently.

More than 1,000 brands from 25 countries entered the 8th annual competition that also includes the best brandy, calvados, cognac, gin and rum. An independent tasting panel that included journalists, retailers and industry reps judged the entries.

So what did the experts have to say about Legacy Organic Vodka? Check out this rave review:

“This is an excellent spirit that’s well balanced and full of individual character, great potential for cocktails. It has a powerful but soft nose with berry fruits and grain coming through. Rich, creamy, marshmallow flavours develop nicely on the palate.”

They also gushed over the company’s bottle design, which also won top honors:

“A confident well-considered look combining a clean cut, modern classic bottle shape with a strong, well-designed tactile label. Technically well executed and applied.”

Bainbridge Organic Distillers, which plans to release its Legacy Organic Vanilla Vodka next month, can be found in fine restaurants and retail outlets in Washington state and California.

City hires first community engagement specialist

Kellie Stickney beat out at least 29 other applicants to be named the city’s community engagement specialist – a new position that aims to help Bainbridge Island do a better job of telling its story.

The advertisement for the opening boasted an annual salary ranging from $62,595 to $78,499.

Stickney, 31, comes to the island with 10 years of experience working with nonprofits and cities such as Lynnwood and Sea-Tac. For the past four years, she has worked as the marketing and outreach director for Seattle’s SustainableWorks, a nonprofit general contractor and energy efficiency program.

“It is an honor to have the opportunity to use my skills and experience to serve the residents of Bainbridge Island as their community engagement specialist,” said Stickney, who will start her new job March 10. “I’m looking forward to working with residents and city staff to build an even stronger and more connected Bainbridge community.”

Stickney, who was born and raised in Hermiston, Ore., earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Gonzaga University in 2004 and a master’s of public administration from the University of Washington in 2009.

Kellie Stickney starts working as the city of Bainbridge Island's first community engagement specialist March 10.
Kellie Stickney starts working as the city of Bainbridge Island’s first community engagement specialist March 10.

Bainbridge police blotter, Feb. 26

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Feb. 26 blotter

The following items were taken from Bainbridge police reports by  reporter Ethan Fowler. For more blotter, visit bainbridgeislander.com and click on Bainbridge blog link on the right side of the screen.

Feb. 25
Mailbox theft: A woman living in New Hampshire reported that she sent three Christmas cards to her sister and her two daughters on Dec. 21  that were never received by them. Two of the cards contained $20 checks and the other had a book of stamps and a picture. The victims didn’t report the case to police, but the alleged theft did coincide with the time frame and location of other pieces of stolen mail on the island.

Feb. 24
Malicious mischief: A custodian reported the doors of the big gym located between Bainbridge High School and Eagle Harbor High had been pried open sometime during the night. There were two 1-inch wide flat indentations on the metal door. Repairs to make the door lockable are estimated at least $200. No items apparently were missing. The doors have two security cameras above them and school staff will report back to police if they find anything of interest on the camera footage.

Malicious mischief: A 70-year-old woman living at 200 block of Parfitt Way reported four paintings that were hanging in a public foyer next to an elevator were found in a dumpster nearby. A frame on one of the paintings was damaged and would cost an estimated $100 to fix.

Warrant by outside agency: A 51-year-old woman living at the 10000 block of Madison Avenue was stopped by the Forks Police Department. She was stopped for a warrant for driving while license suspended in the first degree with a bail of $5,000.

Feb. 23
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs: A 54-year-old man living at the 1000 block of Storecrest Lane was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Police received a call of a possible DUI vehicle leaving Safeway and officers were able to locate the car. While conducting the stop, the driver put his vehicle in reverse and damaged the officer’s patrol car and caused an unspecified amount of damage. An officer believed the man’s impairment was caused by alcohol and a central nervous depressant. The man was arrested and booked in Kitsap County Jail for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs with a $5,000 bail.

Theft: A 43-year-old woman living on the 8000 block of Rosario Place  reported that her son’s trumpet was missing. Her son had asked a male  classmate in the Pep Band to put his instrument away for him and the classmate instead put it in a trash can. When her son went to the trash can, the trumpet wasn’t there and hasn’t been located by either the school administration, band teacher or janitors. The trumpet was purchased in 2010 and is now valued at $150.

Theft: A 51-year-old man living at 4000 block of Point White Drive reported that his boat parked on a trailer in the driveway of his home with a canvas covering it had items stolen from his boat and yard. The owner found the smaller of two motors, a Yahama 8-horsepower engine valued at $400, dismantled, a Lowrance fishfinder that was mounted on a console that was valued at $550 missing and Scotty downriggers valued at $1,400 missing as well. He also discovered a red yard sculpture with the phrase Life is Wonderful valued at $200 missing.

Feb. 22
Verbal dispute: A 52-year-old man was accused of nearly hitting a 59-year-old bicyclist while he was backing out of a condo driveway at Madrona Way and Madison Avenue as he drove his car with his two sons riding as passengers. The driver allegedly got out of his car and stepped on the bicyclist’s toe and refused to let him leave. One of the driver’s sons, who had gotten out of the car with his father, told officers that he allegedly saw the bicyclist hit his dad with his bike.