Fresh Connections – The Parfitt Way Blog

Coyote Woodshop Owners Drew Reynolds & David Kotz

At the annual Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet  held on January 25^th, 2014 I made a presentation of a series of 20 photographs that were displayed for 20 seconds at a time… Pecha Kacha style. Concurrently, I read a 20 second profile of the business and other interesting facts about the industry.

This year’s presentation theme was about the often anonymous businesses that contribute to the island’s economy through manufacturing and industrial operations. The intent was to illustrate that the commercial capacity of Bainbridge Island is not just the retail storefronts that everybody is familiar with; but, there is also a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit that works, often hidden amongst the trees, if you will, that goes relatively unnoticed.

The photos were taken by Mr. Joel Sackett.

I’ve uploaded the slideshow here for you to take a look: Slideshow

Every Tuesday at Bainbridge Island Brewing Company, a group of wool-clad islanders sit in a circle around heaping piles of yarn, casting and binding and looping and dropping stitches in the slow, methodical creation of their latest sweater, cowl, fingerless gloves, or beanie. The gathering, called Stitch ‘n Bitch, consists of local folks interested in textiles, knitting, drinking craft ales, or genuine conversation.

Knitting has always seemed out of reach—an unachievable skill. I tried to learn a few times, but constantly dropped a stitch in each row, making tiny little triangles that were ultimately useless. I gave up, and as the years have passed, so have the windows of opportunity to learn this social folk tradition. Ironically, I always imagined the years passing while I knit socks on the front porch, swaying in a rocking chair and watchin’ the crops grow. The time had come!

When I approached the group for the first time, I was met with warm smiles and chairs slid over to make room for me. They continued on with their conversations while their buzzing fingers robotically repeated pattern after pattern, seemingly detached from the rest of their bodies. Impressed and intimidated by their dexterous mobility, I introduced myself as an aspiring knitter with an unfortunate “ya can’t teach an old dog new tricks” disposition. The group deflected my lack of confidence, having all been there at one point, and offered words of encouragement, assuring that I would be able to knit and create in no time. Then, one stitcher pulled a beautiful ball of steel blue merino wool from her bag and held it out to me.

“Here, learn with this!” she suggested.

“For me? You’re just giving this to me?” I asked, shocked.

“Do you like it?”

“Yes, it’s amazing!”

“Then make something beautiful with it!” She smiled, and everyone continued on chatting.

No big deal. Just a perfect ball of merino wool yarn. Gifted to a stranger, no less. What a community we’ve got here on the island! The next day I bought my first pair of knitting needles–sized nine per suggestion of the group–and began courting a lifelong relationship with knitting. Since that first Stitch ‘n Bitch, I haven’t come far with the craft, but I have built relationships within the group. Each stitcher has a loving, warm character. Often they’ll cook each other food and bring a sharing dish to the gatherings.

The gatherings are organized by Tatyana Vashchenko, co-founder of Local Color Fiber Studio, a fiber dying duo consisting of Tatyana and Emily Tzeng, who cultivate and forage various plants to use for dying natural yarns. These two sell their organically pigmented yarns at farmers markets and online at localcolorfiberstudio.com. Come meet Tatyana, Emily, and the rest of the Stitch ‘n Bitch craftspeople on Tuesday nights between 7 and 9 PM at Bainbridge Island Brewing Company. Support your community, support local art, and, while you’re at it, support local beer!

At around seven o’clock on Thursday nights, Pegasus Coffee Shop undergoes a transformation: the small tables, previously occupied by laptops and foamy lattes, are rearranged and used as placeholders for cocktails, tall beer, and sheets of music at the dawning of Biscuits & Gravy, a three-hour jam session hosted by local musician Ethan Joseph Perry. Folks flood in through both entrances with instruments in tow, greeting each other with nods, hugs, and playful banter between old friends.

Incoming musicians strategically dance across the coffee shop, raising instruments above their heads and shuffling through the maze of chairs, tables, guitar cases, and people in order to grab a spot in the large circle materializing around the front fireplace. Non-musicians also take their place around the bar, ready for the pickin’ party to begin. People walking past the front windows often stop and smile, curious and warmed by the sight of community collaboration. A few welcoming waves from the jam circle urges them to come inside and join; they laugh, shaking their heads as if to say, “I couldn’t do that!” and walk away with a smile equal to ours.

Then, with a one, two, a one, two, three, four, the atmosphere ignites into a frenzy of string instruments and vocals as the group begins the ascent. Laughter and side conversations at the bar are drowned out by the fifteen or more new and veteran musicians encouraging each other to play loud, sing out, take it away, and bring it back. The choice of song is determined by a clockwise rotation around the circle, with each musician bringing a different flavor to the group. An old Grateful Dead tune may be replaced by a John Prine sing-a-long followed by a little Neil Young, and so it goes. The keeper of the song also passes along jam solos to various members of the group. Courageously and at a moment’s notice, the soloist takes the song to a new level. You’d think they’ve been playing together for years—and, in many cases, you’d be right.

I sit high on a stool behind the circle’s inner layer of musicians waiting for a song I know, a wave I can catch and ride straight on home with the rest of the crew. As soon as it hits—that old familiar tune—I sing out in harmony with the women and men around me, and our voices blend with the fiddle, guitars, mandolin, banjo, stand-up bass, harmonicas, and impromptu table drums, swirling in a vortex around the circle and reverberating off of the tiny coffee shop’s walls. Every Thursday, the energy is palpable, the happiness contagious, and the feeling of community undeniable. At the stroke of ten o’clock, the session comes to an end with Pete Seeger’s “Goodnight Irene,” and the musicians part ways, ready to do it all again next week. Join in!

EduCulture is partnering with the Harbour Pub this autumn on a fundraising campaign to benefit the edible education programs.  The Pub has a feature story about the work of EduCulture on their fall menu, encouraging patrons to contribute to supporting our work through the One Call for All campaign or directly through our non-profit organization.

For every dollar donated to EduCulture directly or through One Call for All during this fall campaign, the Harbour Pub will contribute a dollar, matching up to $7500 in contributions.
This opportunity to raise $15,000 will go a long way to build the needed infrastructure to further develop the edible education programs to meet their growing numbers of participating students and teachers.

We encourage you to consider making a tax-deductable contribution to EduCulture that can be generously matched by the Harbour Pub! (Please indicate “Pub” on your donation forms so they can better track these donations.

Monday nights are Trivia nights at Bainbridge Island Brewing!  Begun in January of this year and hosted every Monday from 7-9 p.m. (unless there’s a Seahawks game), these trivia nights draw crowds from both on and off the island.

And it gets rowdy.

Chuck Everett, one of the owners of Bainbridge Island Brewing, commented on the energy of the weekly event, saying he looks forward to it every week.

“It’s very lively,” he said.  “Typically there are anywhere between 8 and 15 teams going on.”

Chuck said that there are plenty of regulars, but also competitors that come from off the island.  Prizes and bragging rights are highly sought after.  First prize is awarded five pints of beer, second prize gets three pints, and third place winners receive one pint.

One of the brewery’s Trivia regulars is Bainbridge’s own Houston Wade.  Houston is a trivia-hopper, and has been to countless trivia competitions both on and off the island.  He has been attending Bainbridge Island Brewing’s Trivia night since June.  His answer when I asked about his favorite part of Trivia?

“Crushing everybody,” he replied.  He noted that his team usually holds their own against competitors.

Team sizes can vary.  One person can make a team, or a large group can as well.  Houston noted that he has seen up to 15 people on one trivia team.

Monday night Trivia is hosted by local islander Steve Nagel, of  Trivia Time Live .  Bainbridge Island Brewing provides snacks, and players are welcome to order out pizza and bring it with them.

Beat the Monday blues and head over to Bainbridge Island Brewing to play some trivia!  Just make sure you get there early.  It does fill up.

Cycling knows no season on Bainbridge Island but October is a very special month for cruising the lanes and roads for fun, exercise and good causes. October 13 brings out the crowds for the Second Annual Farm Fresh Scramble. This event is a fund raiser for the Gear Grinders High School Mountain Bike Club for their upcoming season. Made up of participants from Eagle Harbor and Bainbridge High Schools the funds support the team with transportation, equipment and other supplies. As this is not an official school sponsored sport, memberships and events are the main revenue source. Join in the fun and support the team. The event runs from 9am to 4:30pm and is at the Johnson Farm, (south of High School Road on Fletcher Bay Road). This event is open to all and is not just for the experts. Visit here for details

Touring Bainbridge Island is always a fun and popular trip. Riding the ferry from downtown Seattle is a marvelous way to start any ride and the first stop is always in town for coffee and to tank up on some healthy snacks for the trip. Making a loop visiting the parks that are the crown jewels of Bainbridge Island is a great way to spend any day. Fort Ward, Blakely Harbor Park, Gazzam Lake nature Preserve and the rotary Centennial Park are just a few. Here are details on locations of the parks, amenities and hours. Plan your trip soon.

All of this can serve to get the cyclist prepped for the big one. The Chilly Hilly on the last Sunday in February. At 33 miles with about 2,700 feet of elevation gain this is always a ride to remember. Start by visiting the Cascade Bicycle Club website and check it out. Register early, there is no limit to how many ride but the record was set in 2010 with 6.029 riders. Chilly Hilly reminds you that winter is no excuse to stop riding spring is just around the corner.

If you’re anything like me, you’re a total sucker for anything autumn.  Pumpkin spice lattes, jack o lanterns, leaves changing color on the trees, the return of the regular Northwest downpour…it’s time to snuggle up in a warm blanket and take it all in.

The Harvest Fair is a beloved island tradition that helps everyone celebrate all the things that we love about fall.  Sponsored by Friends of the Farm, a local nonprofit working to preserve the wonderful tradition of local farming, this annual event brings people of all ages together to enjoy a day filled with harvest celebration.

Come on down to Johnson Farm this Sunday, September 29, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and take part in everything from apple cider-making to sheep shearing.  Pony rides, pie contests, local music, and yummy food are some of the other activities everyone can enjoy.  Local master gardeners will be on hand to discuss their craft and their food.  For those of us that are old enough, a beer and wine garden awaits for tasting!

Donations to Friends of the Farm are welcomed upon entry.  Donations to the organization are used to support the continuation of the Harvest Fair itself, as well as other work Friends of the Farm does throughout the year.  Friends of the Farms works to provide access for local farmers to raise crops, repairs and maintains structures on farmland, and helps increase community awareness.

Shuttle rides to and from the event are available from both the ferry terminal, from Bethany Lutheran Church on High School, and from Strawberry Hill Park, also on High School Road.

Help celebrate the changing of the seasons! And let’s face it…no one is ever too old for a good old-fashioned tractor ride.

Please visit the Friends of the Farm website for more information and directions to Johnson Farm, at www.friendsofthefarm.org

Massy Ferguson Plays at the After Party

Lynwood Center, a small business and residential area on the south end of the island, has undergone a major facelift in the past few years, and is now as lively as ever.  New restaurants and apartments occupy the space, and live concerts and the Sunday farmers’ market have been drawing folks like never before.  This Saturday, September 14^th, the fun continues with what promises to be a fantastic block party at the sixth annual Taste of Lynwood.

Concerts, food, games, a beer garden…the Taste of Lynwood will have it all, and admission is free!  The party begins at 8 a.m. and will long after the sun goes down at 11 p.m.

Live music will begin at 11:45 a.m. and will continue on the main stage until 8.  Johnny Bregar, a local artist, will kick everything off.  He will be followed by The Paperboys and then Leroy Bell and His Only Friends.  After 8 p.m., all those 21 and over are invited to hit up the Treehouse Café Stage to hear Missy Ferguson.

In addition to live music, food and craft vendors will be open for all to enjoy.  This year also marks the first ever Classic Car Show at the Taste of Lynwood.  And if you’re feeling particularly athletic and energized, take part in the Baker Hill Fitness Challenge.  The challenge includes running up Baker Hill, burpees, squats, and a surprise event before running back down the hill.  If you’re like me, however, you’ll be more than happy to stay at the bottom of the hill and enjoy a beer at the beer garden.

For more information on the Taste of Lynwood (everything from band descriptions to directions), please visit the event website at www.tasteoflynwood.org.  Rain or shine (this is Washington, after all), the Taste of Lynwood promises a fun time for everyone!

Set aside Saturday August 24th for the wine, food and music event of the summer. What can make a better summer day than sipping the fine wines of all seven of Bainbridge Island’s wines, eating one’s way through a festival all the while listening to the great musical talents playing from noon to 6:00 PM on the streets of Winslow?

Music includes artist Zach Fleury who is well known locally for his vocals and guitar playing accompaniment. He’ll be at the Harbor Square Wine Shop and Tasting Room with Lean Davidson from 12 to 2 pm. Taste the pressings from Rolling Bay Winery as well as Result of a Crush Winery by former Islanders Amanda and Angela Reynvaan. Get current details here.

From 2:30 to 4 Bainbridge Island Radio and Benjamin Doerr rock the Winslow Mall so come and taste the offerings by Sleight of Hand and Balboa Wineries.

From 1 to 3 Beads of Bainbridge will be offering instruction of creating your own wine accessories. Be creative, sip fine wine and enjoy learning a new craft. Cost of materials only.

From 2 to 4 pm join  Soup’ r Burger and sample local beers with your burger or pair a meal with your favorite wine at several locations in downtown. Follow your nose and your appetite for great food and adult beverages.

The day winds up with the Bainbridge Island History Museum Charity Gala ($75). Starting at 6 pm. Rub elbows, and bend a few, with winemakers, musicians and islanders while sampling the best wines, live music and tales from the Island.

The event is just a short walk, drive or cycle from the Seattle ferry and is an annual event for wine, music, food and summer lovers from everywhere.

Tonight’s Snackdown Menu includes Whole Roasted & Smoked Kapowsin Pig with North Carolina BBQ Sauce & Slaw mini-sandwiches; Baywater Shellfish Salish Blue Clams steamed  with Chef Jeff’s homemade Chorizo; Taylor Shellfish Winterbrook Oyster Shooters with a Bainbridge Organic Legacy Vodka Float, NW Farro and Veggie Salad, & Pegasus Delectable Sweet Tarts

Samples from Bainbridge Organic Distillers & Bainbridge Island Brewery!

After Hours Absinthe Lounge begins a 8PM

Happy Friday!