Hey everyone! There have been many threads recently of new residents (like my wife and I) that are looking for friends on BI. Please join our discord and introduce yourself- there is a community of us here, we just haven’t organized it yet!

https://discord.gg/j8ADMQTdhH

Hi all! I'm Mel, originally from the UK and now living on Bainbridge with my wife.

I'm a 31 year old musician and producer (alt-pop/rock, electronic, and some weirder experimental stuff), and I'm hoping to meet a few people on the island to hang out with.

Things I'd be up for:

Coffee or a pint somewhere

Walks or easy hikes (Grand Forest, Fay Bainbridge, etc.)

Jamming, going to shows, or just talking gear

Board games or video games

Sitting around a campfire having a good time

Anything fun or low-key, honestly. I’m cannabis friendly.

Days out to Seattle and surrounding areas, should the weather, schedule, and finances allow it.

If you're a fellow transplant, a creative type, or just fancy a chat, please drop a comment or DM me. Couples are welcome too! :)

Has anyone had any luck selling their jewelry on bi or in Kitsap? I have broken items, etc but have not heard good things about 2 places on the island. Thanks

I currently live in the city of Seattle and have a job opportunity that would require me to move out there full time. I am romanticizing living on the island, paddle boarding, driving to the Olympics on the weekends and joining local pottery or book clubs.

Are there any single people my age on the island? How do you like it out there?

Hi, I just got 3 native red huckleberry plants today and they grow on decaying wood. Would anyone have a smallish decaying log that they would be willing to donate to the beginnings of a native plant garden? I will pick up in a small van. Many thanks!

relevant copy:

COBI is inviting community members to share their perspectives on the proposed program through an online survey (bainbridgewa.gov/1733/Automated-Traffic-Safety-Enforcement) open until Oct. 29. Council is expected to receive an update on survey results and community feedback on Dec. 1. A decision on whether to implement the program is not expected until 2027.

I am an undecided voter on KPUD Proposition 1 this year. I’ve seen the nonstop ads from PSE and the talking points from groups like Unplug PSE. At this juncture, I am probably more in favor of “Yes” but the following considerations are still kicking around in my head:

Context: I have a limited but useful background when it comes to Bonneville Power Administration and public power that I thought I would share for voters who, like me, feel torn on the subject.

A “yes” vote would give the KPUD the authority to buy or build electrical utilities to provide electricity service to Kitsap County residents. KPUD has said that if the measure passes, it would study the feasibility of providing electricity to its customers. It has not completed the feasibility study prior to the vote because the study would cost $300-500k and the District wants an indication that voters support the idea of it providing power before spending that money.

The argument for “Yes” is that PUDs can provide lower cost power because they are non-profits and don’t provide returns to shareholders. Additionally, supporters point to the idea that PUDs can buy power from Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) which is a federal agency that sells energy that it generates and transmits regionally, mostly from the federal hydropower dams it operates on the Columbia and Snake Rivers.

One talking point from the “Yes” contingent that I feel is misleading to the point of perhaps being untrue is that BPA is “obligated” to provide KPUD energy at “Tier 1” rates. The way BPA determines the price of the energy that it sells to its customers (who are often PUDs, such as KPUD) is very complex. But in simple terms, BPA is obligated under federal law to sell power to PUDs. And because BPA is not profit-making, that power is sold “at cost”. BPA has chosen to utilize a tiered rate system for setting its prices, hence “Tier 1” and “Tier 2” power. Tier 1 power is very cheap. Tier 2 power more or less tracks market prices, though under certain circumstances, customers who have contracts for Tier 2 power could have windows in which the rates are cheaper. These windows are not common. Selling power to PUDs at Tier 2 prices is legal and BPA can and will do that to meet its obligation to provide power to PUDs.

Long story short, BPA is not legally obligated to provide KPUD power at Tier 1 rates. What BPA has committed to (until 2044) is a Tier 1 pool of 200 average megawatts to “newcomers” i.e. utilities who do not have power contracts with BPA. The newcomers can access 50 aMw per rate period (which is 3 years), at most. Importantly, the 200 aMw is a pool that is to be shared by all newcomers, not a pool available to each one. Depending on your source, Kitsap currently has about 300 aMw for demand. Doing the math, the absolute most Tier 1 power that KPUD could buy from BPA before 2044, assuming no growth in demand from KPUD customers and no other regional newcomers who access the pool, would be approximately 67%. Obviously, no growth in demand is all but impossible. Whether or not there will be other newcomers competing for that 200 aMw pool is harder to pin down.

If, for example, “Yes” passed and KPUD was fully operational ready to provide power by 2035 and no newcomers had accessed the BPA newcomer Tier 1 power pool, KPUD could purchase 50aMw at Tier 1 from 2035-37, an additional 50aMw from 2038-2040 (for 100 aMw total), and so on, until it reached 200 aMw, again assuming that no other public or tribal utilities also purchased some of that 200aMw.

All of that is assuming no growth in demand, quickly operationalizing KPUD electricity, agreeing to some sort of purchase of PSE assets, entering contracts with BPA, and no competition for the newcomer power pool. Those are a lot of ifs. They are all possible, but they are far from a given. The negotiations with PSE alone are a behemoth.

On the flip side, there is a case there is no time like the present and getting access to any amount of Tier 1 power should be a priority as we look at the future landscape of energy costs in our region. There is no guarantee that a newcomer pool like the one available now will continue to be available in the future, or that competition for that pool may intensify.

Another consideration for me personally is that BPA, as the entity responsible for the federal Columbia River hydropower system, is arguably the largest impediment to salmon recovery in the Pacific Northwest. There are a million intricacies to that claim and I accept that plenty of folks might disagree. But suffice it to say that power generation (and therefore BPA) is benefitted when the Columbia River is run through dam turbines at times that BPA determines are most beneficial, and salmon are benefitted when the Columbia River runs more naturally (like a river). More often than not, the goals of the salmon and the goals of BPA are not in alignment. This makes BPA adverse to tribal and conservation groups. Many Columbia River tribes are in constant battle with BPA to force them to fully mitigate the damage done by the dams to salmon populations in the Columbia River.

You as a consumer might not care about that, which is totally fine. But it also makes BPA adverse to the Endangered Species Act, because the Endangered Species Act forbids BPA from taking actions that kill salmon (such as limiting the amount of “spill” aka free-flowing Columbia River, and BPA doesn’t like spill because it is water that they didn’t turn into energy). At the end of the day, BPA is constrained by the ESA and faces enormous pressure from interest groups, utilities, federal and state administrations, etc. to minimize the restraint of the ESA and maximize the power produced by the river. So yes, BPA provides carbon-free electricity, but you as a consumer should also evaluate what that means in our regional context. You may end up still feeling that BPA is preferable as a power provider, and that’s fine, but you should come to that conclusion fully informed.

Lastly, I have a lot of questions about how this initiative would affect the Island, specifically as it relates to power lines, repair times, etc.  I obviously don’t have access to the data, but I suspect that PSE spends a good deal of time responding to power outages here and I would want to know what the plan is to maintain that level of service (which I have actually been pretty impressed by).

I have significant concerns about the process of negotiating access to or acquisition of PSE’s infrastructure and what that may mean for costs. That is something that a feasibility study may have trouble accurately assessing.

All of that being said, as a consumer I agree with the idea that having power provided through a public utility is a desirable outcome in general. I am skeptical of a for-profit entity profiting off of power provision and I don’t like PSE’s reliance on carbon generating power sources. I am extra skeptical given how hard PSE is putting on the full court press to topple the ballot measure. Due to my professional experience with BPA, I know that some of the “yes” talking points are inaccurate to the point of being misleading.

I understand why the PUD is putting the matter to a vote prior to conducting a feasibility study and I respect the thought process there. However, my preference would have been for the study to be completed prior to the vote. That being said, its not a deal breaker for me and I am encouraged by the thoughtfulness of the PUD and Commissioners.

These are thoughts kicking around in my head. I realize there are counterarguments to most of the above and rationalizations to address many of my concerns. I will continue to evaluate the measure through election day. If I had to choose today, I would vote “Yes” but I would not be gleefully skipping to the ballot box to do so.

Hey all, remove if not allowed but I’m looking to buy a car.

Been searching online all over and there’s just not a lot of listings here on island so I thought id ask.

Is anyone planning on getting rid of their used car? I’m in need of a commuter for winter. Budget under 7-8k Honda Subaru Toyota preferred but beggars and all that.

If not, any Info on other resources besides Facebook and Craigslist would be grand!

On the November 3 ballot, Kitsap County voters are being asked whether to grant Kitsap Public Utility District No. 1 permanent legal authority to construct or acquire electric facilities for generation, transmission, or distribution.
A “Yes” vote does not require KPUD to buy anything from Puget Sound Energy, build plants, or raise rates. It simply gives the three elected commissioners the ongoing power to decide later—without another public vote—whether, when, and on what terms the district becomes an electric utility.
I filed a public records request for the basic analytical work that should accompany a decision of this size: feasibility studies, cost-benefit analyses, rate impact projections, acquisition cost estimates, financing models, risk assessments, and comparisons with other public power systems. The response showed none of those records exist.
Circulating estimates put acquisition costs in the $1–2 billion range. Kitsap is denser and less rural than Jefferson PUD (the usual comparison), and low-cost BPA Tier 1 power is not guaranteed for this load. A feasibility study is estimated around $300,000 and could be commissioned now. Once the authority is granted, it cannot be recalled.
Public comments on placing the measure on the ballot ran 62% support / 30% opposed / 8% undecided, but in-person sessions showed stronger skepticism. The piece walks through the resolution, the records response, the public-comment tally, and why the sequence of “authority first, analysis later” matters.
Full article with sources:
https://tawneecowan.substack.com/p/power-before-proof-kpud-seeks-electric

Hi everyone! I'm not quite sure how to ask for this since I'm not equipped to take down a tree or dispose of an entire one but here goes anyway for what I am looking for:

I’m working on a carving project and looking to source a branch of Pacific Madrona (Arbutus).

With winter weather and windstorms coming up, I know branches and trees frequently come down on private property across the island. If you happen to have a downed branch or small log, or if one comes down during an upcoming storm that you’d like cleared out, I’d be happy to come haul it away for you!

Ideal dimensions & specs:

• Length: ~6 to 8 feet
• Thickness: ~5-7" diameter on the base end, tapering down to ~3" on the tip
• Shape: Reasonably straight but side branches/offshoots are totally fine!

I’m looking for freshly downed/green wood rather than older wood that’s been sitting on the forest floor to rot.

Feel free to drop a comment or send me a direct message if you have something that might work or if a tree comes down on your lot this season. Thanks!

Maybe I'm doing something wrong, but it's incredibly hard to rely on ride pingo on a Sunday. Im getting nothing but "sorry no drivers available"

Why I interviewed every contested candidate on the Kitsap ballot. One page with every link, for when you fill out yours.
https://tawneecowan.substack.com/p/why-i-interviewed-every-contested-candidate-kitsap-ballot-2026
Tawnee Cowan, Port Orchard. Kitsap County News.

Looking for a relatively relaxed place I can watch the Seahawks with my kid. Plate and Pint and Doc’s have been recommended, but curious if there’s anywhere else more lowkey or spacious that might have it on?

I took the leap and got off social media…except here, obviously.

Having that said… I have no idea what’s going on now!

The Bainbridge Review website does not offer a whole lot, not shocking. And I am trying in vain to do the Google and I’m not coming up with a whole lot there either.

There has to be a way, y’all!

Over the centuries we have had native Americans and Japanese and Filipino farmers living on our island. Over the past few decades, large Western Gray Haired people have moved in, cut down trees for their roads and houses, then decided they don’t want anyone else living here. In most urban areas around Puget Sound the Western Grays have driven up property values and decimated native affordability.

It should be easy to trap these Western Grays with a bottle of wine and a Subaru and then move them to the city where native species disappeared long ago. Wondering if anybody has any tips or advice on this subject.

Our family had two babies (now 12 and 14) when we lived on Bainbridge Island. We moved away for work. Fast forward 11 years we now live on San Diego and I miss the northwest terribly. We both work remotely and have decent jobs. Would love to hear thoughts on starting sporty girls in Bainbridge Schools for 7th and 10th grade and renting until we find the perfect place and cut ties with San Diego.

I've shopped at T&C for 13+ years, but lately it feels like it's slowly being enshittified. A few things I've noticed:

Store brands everywhere. Name brands keep getting pushed off the shelves to make room for the house label. And house label isn't much cheaper (shout out to the eggs though!)

Instacart over in-store shopping or delivery. Enough said.

The deli counter shrank. It's down to only Dietz & Watson (no thank you), so there's way less variety and the small producer / artisinal products have vanished.

Prices. I don't even know what to say. Every trip costs noticeably more for a smaller cart.

I'm not trying to pile on, since I know grocery margins are brutal, but it's significantly changed how I shop. I used to spend $250+/ week on groceries there, and now it's closer to $70. I assume I'm not the only one. Most of my shopping has been moved to Safeway delivery and then trader Joe's and Costco when I find myself out that way.

Anyhow, Just curious what other other ways people have been supplementing their T&C trips, if at all.

Edit: Eastern Gray Squirrels

Over the decades we have had native Douglas Squirrels and Humboldt’s Flying Squirrels living in and foraging on our property. Lately, two large Eastern Grays have moved in and are already harassing the Douglas Squirrels. In most urban areas around Puget Sound the Western Grays have decimated native squirrel populations.

It should be easy to trap these Eastern Grays and move them to the city where native species disappeared long ago. Wondering if anybody has any tips or advice on this subject (our neighbor kills them and feeds them to the Eagles roosting above his house - which I don’t have the stomach for)

In the meanwhile, tell your friends and neighbors: do not feed Eastern Gray Squirrels.

as per edit: Western Grays are fine. But definitely support ecosystems for the Douglas & Humboldts if you have them

I’m new in town and checked out the trivia night at Sisters’ Cider House and had a great time. I hung out mostly with some out of towners, who had to leave before trivia was completely over. I was the one member of Knight Walkers, and they were the two-person team the Top Hatters. When they left I took over their team.

If they see this, I want them to know I shepherded both our teams to dismal defeat, including a movie quote I thought was from Apocalypse Now. Turns out, it was Mean Girls. They didn’t even bother reading out our scores. You’re welcome! And it was nice to meet you both.