Bainbridge Conversation

Town & Country Market released an artist’s rendering this week for a proposed remodel of its iconic Winslow store.

The project will bring the market onto a single story and generally modernize the 56-year-old building. The familiar reader board sign on Winslow Way will remain intact.

T&C first announced the proposed remodel in 2012. The company filed an initial project application with the city Thursday, according to a news release. Remodeling work could begin in early 2014 depending on the permit timeline.

Island architects Devin Johnson and Priscilla Zimmerman are designing the project. Tom Chiado is project manager. Abbott Construction of Seattle is the general contractor.

Company representatives say the extensive remodel signifies T&C’s commitment to staying put in downtown Winslow.

“We feel now is the right time,” T&C Chairman Larry Nakata said in the release. “We are fully committed to downtown and recognize the store’s place in our island’s history. We want to be part of Winslow’s exciting future.”

The Loverich and Nakata families opened the Winslow market in 1957. The store expanded in 1990, adding a cafe and floral department. Town & Country Markets now operates five stores.

Street of the Week: Grow Avenue

Location: Runs north/south between Winslow Way and High School Road

History: Grasshoppers drove Ambrose Grow to Bainbridge Island. Grow, a Civil War veteran, left his home of Kansas after reading a New York newspaper article about “beautiful Bainbridge Island.” (The article was supposedly written by Riley Haskinson, an early settler of Eagle Harbor.) The Northwest locale, Grow hoped, would mean fewer bugs to contend with every year.

In 1881, Grow and his wife Amanda moved west with six of their children (older sons Frank and W.M. joined their parents later). The family started the long journey with a wagon train but ran into difficulties as their traveling money ran out. Eventually though the Grows made it safely to the shores of Bainbridge where they played a prominant role in the island’s early history.

Among other contributions, the Madrone School was built on land donated by Grow; his youngest daughter, Carrie, was the school’s first teacher.

The family patriarch died in 1909, at the ripe old age of 84 leaving behind a whole new crop of Grows.

Source: “Bainbridge Through Bifocals,” Elsie Frankland Marriott, 1941.

This occasional Islander series explores the history of island street names, as compiled by Elinor Ringland and fellow Bainbridge Island Historical Society volunteers.  If you have an island road story to share, email Ringland at elinorjoe@msn.com.

Bainbridge Island’s Brendan McGill beat out chefs from around the nation Tuesday to win the title of “The People’s Best New Chef” from Food & Wine Magazine. McGill is the owner of Hitchcock restaurant on Winslow Way and the accompanying charcuterie and deli.

The Food & Wine competition featured chefs from 10 regions across the United States. Online voting was open March 11-18.

In his Q&A for the contest, McGill credited local farmers with shaping his cooking style:

 “The farmers really drive the menu. I just buy what they give me… It’s of the moment.” Truly, though, “This is more like what Jacques Pépin’s mom did than some kind of revolution.”

We featured Hitchcock in the Islander in 2011. You can read the story below:

Hitchcock — Bainbridge Islander 9.30.11 by tsooter

The Bainbridge Island Museum of Art announced a June 14 opening date this week, while beginning a final fundraising push. The museum needs another $1.2 million in donations to close out its capital campaign, according to a Tuesday news release. The overall campaign goal is $15.6 million.

The 20,000-square-foot museum is under construction on the northwest corner of Winslow Way and Highway 305. It will house a permanent collection of contemporary art as well as traveling exhibits and arts programs. Initial exhibits and programs will be announced in April.

The museum will operate in an “open house” format for its first month, with hands-on activities for visitors, according to the release. Admission to the museum will be free.

The museum opened an auditorium and classroom spaces in 2011, providing new venues for community events. A full opening was scheduled for the summer of 2012 but the date was pushed back as fundraising lagged.

(Illustration by Coates Design)

Streets of the Week: Brien Drive, Shannon Drive, Bjune Drive

Location: Winslow waterfront.

History: Developer Ed Stafford worked in the area just south of the bustling Winslow Way business district.

Nearby Eagle Harbor and the island yacht club kept the area busy while Waterfront Park ensured the developement’s natural beauty.

As Stafford’s work in the area drew to a close, he had to decide what to name the development’s streets. He looked to his three children for inspiration when christening the three parallel roads.

Brien got his own street. So did Shannon. But what about Betty June? It was from a light-hearted blending of Betty June’s names that Bjune Drive was born.

This occasional Islander series explores the history of island street names, as compiled by Elinor Ringland and fellow Bainbridge Island Historical Society volunteers.  If you have an island road story to share, email Ringland at elinorjoe@msn.com.

Here’s the Friday preview: Bainbridge edition for Feb. 1. Feel free to give your own event a plug in the comment section below. Above, the Sing Out! community choir performs at last year’s event. Sing Out! returns Saturday. Details below. (Tad Sooter, file photo)

Weather: The National Weather Service is feeling optimistic about our weekend. Patchy fog and sun are expected today and Saturday, followed by a cloudy Sunday. Rain should return early next week.

Sports: No home action for the Spartans today. Boys swimming competes in the Metro League championships in Seattle this afternoon and Saturday. Gymnastics rolls into the Metro championships at Roosevelt today.

Wrestling has a conference meet at Nathan Hale today and Saturday. The boys and girls basketball teams are away at Lakeside this evening.

See a full Spartans schedule here and follow the Sun’s Prepzone on Facebook for updates.

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Here’s the Friday preview: Bainbridge edition for Dec. 14. Feel free to give your events a plug in the comment section below. Above, a detail from the 2013 Kids Can Make a Difference calendar, illustrated by Ordway Elementary third graders. The calendars, which benefit programs on Ometepe, are available at Ordway through Dec. 21.

Weather: The National Weather Service predicts rain showers and temperatures in the low 40s this weekend.  Expect a little wind as well, with gusts up to 25 mph.

Sports: Another full slate of winter sports today. Wrestling is away at the Hammerhead Invitational in Silverdale. Bainbridge gymnastics welcomes Bellingham, Mercer Island, Squalicum and Sehome at 6 p.m.

Spartans basketball hosts Franklin. Girls varsity tips off at 6:15, followed by the boys at 8 p.m. A home swim meet was postponed.

See a full Spartans schedule here and follow the Sun’s Prepzone on Facebook for updates. (more…)

Here’s the Friday preview: Bainbridge edition for Nov. 16. Feel free to give your events a plug in the comment section below. Above, island artist Kristy Tonti paints a holiday scene on a Winslow Way shop window Monday. (Tad Sooter photo)

Weather: It looks like we’re back to our regularly scheduled fall weather. The National Weather Service predicts clouds and rain showers this weekend with temperatures in the 40s.

Sports: Spartans hoopsters don’t get much of a holiday. The boys basketball sees its first action at a South Kitsap High School jamboree at 7 p.m. Saturday.  The girls start their season at Bremerton Monday and wrestling visits North Kitsap for a tournament Wednesday.

See a full Spartans schedule here, and follow the Sun’s Prepzone on Facebook for updates.

Around the island:

• The post-Thanksgiving weekend calendar is a little sparse, but there are a few events worth checking out around town. The Winslow Mall will debut a giant inflatable snow globe today (pictured sans snow), which shoppers can climb inside of. The attraction is a fundraiser for the July Street Dance and will be open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. each weekend during the holiday season.

• KiDiMu will raise it’s Giving Tree Saturday in support of Helpline House’s holiday program. Families can pick gift tags from the tree and bring unwrapped presents to the museum until Dec. 8. Contributing families receive a free pass to KiDiMu.

• Monday is your chance to meet Bainbridge’s new city manager. Island forum VillageSpeak will host a potluck and discussion with Doug Schulze at 6:30 p.m. at the Office Xpats center in the Bainbridge Pavilion.

• Pick up this week’s Islander for more event listings and tell us about your events in the comment section below.

Inside the Islander: Young Bainbridge filmmakers hope t0 make second season of their web-based sitcom.

The week in review:

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for updates throughout the week. Contact Bainbridge reporter Tad Sooter at tad.sooter@gmail.com.

Here’s the Friday preview: Bainbridge edition for Nov. 16. Feel free to give your events a plug in the comment section below. Read the Sun’s regional Friday preview here. Above, Ordway Elementary students carry donations toward Helpline House on Nov. 9. Helpline House launched a special three day holiday food drive yesterday. (Tad Sooter photo)

Weather: “A major change in the weather is coming this weekend,” the National Weather Service warns. The first in a series of winter storms is predicted to arrive tonight or Saturday morning, with heavy rain and wind expected.

Sports: Bainbridge swimmers capped their season with three state titles, taking second as a team. The winter sports season begins after the Thanksgiving holiday.

Around the island: 

• Call it Green Friday. A gift exchange hosted by the Bainbridge LDS church celebrates recycling and reusing. It begins this evening, when islanders can drop off lightly used items for re-gifting from 4-9 p.m. People who drop off items receive credits. They can return between 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Saturday to “shop” for other people’s re-gifted items. The church is located on Madison Avenue, next to Ordway Elementary. See full gift guidelines here.

• Northwest musician Gary Stroutsos performs improvisational flute music and Native American stories at 7:30 p.m. tonight at Bainbridge Performing Arts. Tickets are $12 for adults. The performance coincides with a display of native art on featured at BPA through the end of the month.

• Bainbridge Island Youth Orchestra presents its free fall concert from 7-8 p.m. Saturday at Island Church, 9624 Sportsman Club Road.

• Pick up this week’s Islander for more event listings and tell us about your events in the comment section below.

Inside the Islander: A “Soup’r” new restaurant opens in the Pavilion.

The week in review: 

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for updates throughout the week. Contact Bainbridge reporter Tad Sooter at tad.sooter@gmail.com.

Here’s the Friday preview: Bainbridge edition for Nov. 2. Feel free to give your events a plug in the comment section below. Read the Sun’s regional Friday preview here. Above, a still moment on Eagle Harbor Thursday after days of heavy rain. (Tad Sooter photo)

Weather: The National Weather Service is boldly predicting partly sunny skies and a high of 58 degrees for today. Expect rain to return Saturday and Sunday.

Sports: The playoffs are in full swing. Spartans swimmers take to the pool for the district prelims at 4:30 p.m. today on Mercer Island. Football visits Columbia River High at 7 p.m. tonight. Bainbridge volleyball beat Bellevue 3-0 Thursday to earn a shot against Mercer Island in the district semifinals 11 a.m. Saturday at Chief Sealth.

A long list of playoff matches are slated for Saturday. See a full sports schedule here and follow the Sun’s PrepZone page on Facebook for updates.

Around the island: 

• The First Fridays Art Walk for November runs 6-8 p.m. tonight in Winslow. See a full gallery lineup here.

• The first-ever Poncho Walk, organized by GO! Bainbridge will begin at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at Bainbridge Public Library. The winter walk series will continue on the first Sunday of each month.

• Cyclists of all ages and levels are welcomed to the Farm Fresh Bike Scramble, a fundraising ride for the Gear Grinders high school mountain bike club. The event begins at 8:30 a.m. Sunday at Johnson Farm.

• Pick up this week’s Islander for more event listings and tell us about your events in the comment section below.

Inside the Islander: Read about the Bainbridge bag ban and the history of Beans Bight.

The week in review: 

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for updates throughout the week. Contact Bainbridge reporter Tad Sooter at tad.sooter@gmail.com.

The island’s ban on plastic shopping bags begins Thursday. We’ve posted some of the basics below. Let us know what you think of the bag ban by taking our poll below or leaving a comment.

Why a bag ban?

The City Council unanimously approved the bag ban this spring as a way of reducing litter and unnecessary waste, while promoting reusable bags. Bainbridge is the fifth Washington city to ban plastic bags and the first in Kitsap County. Seattle banned plastic shopping bags in July.

What are the rules?

Starting Thursday, retailers are no longer allowed to provide those thin, single-use plastic bags at checkout. Paper bags will still be available, but the ordinance requires retailers to charge 5 cents for larger paper bags (this doesn’t apply to qualifying low income shoppers).

There are a few exceptions to the ban. Plastic bags are allowed for restaurant take-out food, produce, greeting cards, small hardware items, newspapers, dry cleaning and waste.

What stores does this apply to?

Short answer: All of them. This ban applies to all retailers across the island, not just supermarkets. It also applies to farmers markets and vendors  at festivals. Food banks can still use plastic bags.

Where can I get reusable bags?

Reusable bags are available at island grocery stores and some other retailers. The city is handing out a cloth “Bainbridge Bag” tonight during the Winslow trick-or-treat event from 4-6 p.m, and at the library and City Hall starting Thursday.

Where can I get more information?

The city has more details and links on its Sustainable Practices page. If you’re interested in the nitty gritty, you can read the ordinance here. Watch for a full bag ban story Thursday in the Kitsap Sun.

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Photo credit: Larry Steagall/Staff Photo

Here’s the Friday preview: Bainbridge edition for Oct. 26. Feel free to give your events a plug in the comment section below. Read the Sun’s regional Friday preview here. 

Weather: If you like rain with your clouds you’ll love this weekend’s weather. Rain is likely tonight through Sunday with temperatures in the low 50s, according to the National Weather Service.

Sports:  The Spartans are grinding into postseason and the football team was surprised to find itself in the playoff hunt. Bainbridge plays West Seattle at 5 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Seattle for the seventh spot in the district playoffs. The swim team already boasts an impressive list of athletes qualified for state. See a full sports schedule here and follow the Sun’s PrepZone page on Facebook for playoff updates.

Around the island: 

• Halloween is officially next Wednesday, but the weekend is packed full of spooky events nonetheless. For the second weekend, visitors can experience “Blackbeard’s Bilge,” a haunted event in the basement of the Battle Point Park Transmitter Building. The “Bilge” is open 7-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and entry is $5 ($10 for a group of three). Consider this event PG-13 rated (not appropriate for young children).

• Island Center Hall hosts a night of live storytelling beginning at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. The fright-level will rise through the evening beginning with stories for very young children and concluding with stories for teens, along with an open mic session. Tickets are $5 in advance or $10 at the door. Find full details here.

• Bring a pumpkin and carving tools to IslandWood from 1-5 p.m. Sunday to craft Jack-o’-lanterns with the help of kitchen staff. Other HOWL-o-ween festival events will spice up the night. Costumes encouraged.

• And finally, we know it’s not a weekend event, but the island’s Trick or Treat Downtown event will be held 4-6 p.m. Oct. 31 in Winslow.

• Pick up this week’s Islander for more event listings and tell us about your events in the comment section below.

Inside the Islander: Julia Bringloe’s bravery in Afghanistan put her among an elite class of flyers.

The week in review: 

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for updates throughout the week. Contact Bainbridge reporter Tad Sooter at tad.sooter@gmail.com.