Illahee Meeting on Monday (11/29/10) at 6:15 pm - 11/27/10

Meeting Signs Up in Illahee.  There are 10 signs up around the Illahee Community, though there are usually a few more that were lost.  If your neighborhood needs a sign, please let us know and we will contact the Illahee Community Club.

Meeting is at the Port of Illahee's New Office.  The Port of Illahee meeting place is at 5560 Ocean View Blvd, which is a block up Ocean View from Illahee Road, near the Illahee community dock.

Time is 6:15 pm.  We were initially told the meeting would be at 6:30 pm so we asked "why the change?"  Seems the evening meetings at the library were always at 6:15 pm because they closed at 8 pm, and all the signs already had 6:15 pm on them, so that is what it now is.

Agenda.  We also found out that the agenda will include a summary presentation of 16 Illahee projects that are either currently going on or are being proposed, including Rolling Hills Golf Course, Timbers Edge, the Illahee Preserve, and Illahee Creek.  We were amazed at the number of Illahee projects and think this a presentation of interest to all residents.

Tight Meeting Room.  We have been asked to advise residents that the meeting room is smaller than the library's, so it may be a little tight.  There are some bringing extra chairs to add to those that are already there.

Questions?  We think we will be able to answer any questions regarding this meeting so if you have any give us a call at 479-1049.

Jim Aho

Miscellaneous - 11/24/10

November Winter Storm.  Monday's snowfall and then later in the day and early Tuesday, the cold north wind has left its mark on Illahee.  Tuesday morning found trees and power lines down, evidently from some wind gusts from the west, and icy roadways.  We went walking around part of Illahee on both days and the difference was striking.


Another Chipmunk.  On Monday we saw a chipmunk scouring for food in the snow, and wondered why it wasn't hibernating.  We think by Monday evening it was wondering the same thing.  We have heard that chipmunks hibernate in the winter and expect that is true, but we were told by the property owner that this guy was back at his bird feeder on Tuesday in the frigid weather.

Young Deer.  We also watched a young deer on Monday as it seemed fascinated by the snow.  Unfortunately is was snowing hard at the time and the photo of the deer at the side of the road is obscured.

Leaning Power Pole.  This leaning power pole on East Blvd was reported to us early Tuesday morning and was taken care of by late in the afternoon.

Trees Down.  Not only did some people loose power Monday evening, but they were having problems getting out of their areas due to fallen trees.  The fallen tree photos were from Quinault Drive, Sunset (East End), and Hicks Ave.  The Sunset tree took down the power line and left bare wires on the ground.

Power Outages.  There were lots of power outages in Illahee (which goes from 30th Street on the south end, to University Point on the north end), which have mostly been taken care of from what we have heard.  Those in the more central or historic part of Illahee were more fortunate with this storm as they only had some power fluctuations.

Humming Birds.  On Tuesday morning we had a report of 5 humming birds sitting on this feeder, and another one close by, evidently waiting for the sun to thaw the frozen sugar water.  We asked them for a picture but they could only get two of them at the feeder.

Photos & Reports.  If you have any photos or reports you would like to share, please send them on.

Jim Aho

Wildlife & Miscellaneous - 11/21/10

Chipmunks.  We know there are a number of Illahee residents who have chipmunks in their yards.  We snapped a photo of one during a recent walk.  

Deer.  We heard about a big 4 point buck that got hit and killed on McWilliams last week.  The county hauls dead deer away if they are aware of them.  In past years there are usually 2 or 3 local deer, that we know of, that get hit by cars during the rutting season.

More Wildlife Comments Soon.  We realize that we need to report on some pressing matters and will continue later with more wildlife photos and information.

Illahee Creek Culvert.  Of concern to many in Illahee is the status of the Illahee Creek Culvert.  It has filled to a point where a major storm could cause major problems and possibly wash out the culvert and road.  We took a couple of photos this week to give you an idea just how much sediment has accumulated.  This is one of the possible agenda items that could be brought up at the upcoming Illahee Community Club (ICC) meeting.

ICC Quarterly Meeting 11/29/10.  The Illahee Community Club (ICC) has scheduled its quarterly meeting for next Monday evening (11/29/10) at the Port of Illahee's meeting room at 5560 Ocean View Blvd from 6:30 - 8:00 pm.  They were unable to find available times at the library and are thankful that the Port of Illahee has a place within the community where they can meet, though it may be a little crowded (it is a big room but not as big as the library meeting room) and there are currently not enough chairs (if anyone knows where they can get some folding or stacking chairs, the ICC would like to talk with you).  Parking is also limited and people will probably need to park at the Illahee store or along Madrona.  We  will send out a reminder of this meeting and hopefully an agenda later in the week.

Saturday's Preserve Work Party.  We really should have let people know about the amazing work party the East Bremerton Rotary scheduled this past Saturday (11/20/10) but we knew it was going to be big and didn't want to flood the area with too many people.  We aren't exactly sure how they do it, but they keep getting bigger work parties each time they schedule an event.  So how big was this event?  If you count just the people who signed in there were 32 from the aircraft carrier John C Stennis, 14 from Naval Base Kitsap, 19 from the East Bremerton Rotary, and 8 from the Illahee Community, which totals 73.  We have attached a group photo that was taken at the end of those who were still there.  

Piles of Wood Chips Moved.  Over the past 5 months tree companies have been dumping chips at the Preserve.  When they filled the normal chip delivery area, they started dumping them in the parking lot, and we had to move some as it is an offense to block the handicapped parking areas.  The goal was to get rid of all those chips by placing them on the trails and around the parking lot, which they did.  See the picture of them loading chips and then realize the group photo was taken were the chips were previously.

Dedication Comments.  We have been told a number of times about how those who attended the Illahee Preserve dedication (on October 26th) enjoyed it in spite of the rainy weather.  We were also told that the dedication was so special for one family that they donated $500 to the Illahee Forest Preserve (IFP), which is the support non-profit group for the Illahee Preserve.  It was the IFP that paid to have the dedication rock moved into place, and paid for the dedication plaque and installation.  If any others are interested in contributing, the IFP is a 501.c.3 non-profit corporation and gifts are tax deductible, as allowed by law, as is the Illahee Community Club, PO Box 2563, Bremerton, WA 98310.

Volunteer Supported.  We should note that the Illahee Preserve is a Kitsap County Heritage Park that is an experiment in which primarily volunteers plan, support and maintain the Preserve.  This is possible because of the support of the East Bremerton Rotary, who not only supports with work parties, but also has paid for the signs at Thompson Lane and the Almira parking lot; along with support from the IFP, the Illahee Preserve Stewardship Committee, the Illahee Community Club, the Illahee Community, and the Port of Illahee.   The experiment is working as more and more volunteers show up to help and support the Preserve.  Thanks to all involved!!!

Jim Aho

Illahee Preserve Dedication Report - 11/15/10

ILLAHEE PRESERVE DEDICATION - OCTOBER 26, 2010 

Second Hand Information.  The following report is based on second hand information so we thank those who passed on the following information.

Windy & Rainy Weather.  The weather couldn't have been worse with rain and wind during the dedication.

Two Tents Were In Place.  Thankfully the county had set up two tents for those attending next to the Almira parking lot.

Why a Weekday & Morning Dedication?  It was one of the few times available for both Frank Chopp and Josh Brown.  Frank is the Washington State Speaker of the House in Olympia and has a tight schedule and this was a date that worked for him and Josh Brown.  

Why was Frank Chopp Recognized?  Frank was just one of the two people specifically named on the dedication plaque.  The other was Audrey Boyer, an Illahee resident, who was Frank's teacher years ago.  It was because of that teacher student relationship that Audrey and Kitsap County Commissioner Chris Endresen approached Speaker Chopp about what needed to be done for Kitsap County to be able to purchase the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Illahee Forest.   

Commissioners Were Supportive.  In order for the process to move ahead the other commissioners also had to be in agreement, which eventually involved three other commissioners in addition to Chris Endresen, Tim Botkin, Patty Lent (who attended the dedication), and Jan Angel.  The second line on the dedication plaque recognized the County Commissioners.

Visionary Citizens and Volunteers.  The third line on the plaque recognized the visionary citizens and volunteers, who for over 25 years were working for the purchase and establishment of the DNR property for a preserve and park.  It took all three groups to "Save the Forest" and the dedication ceremony recognized their achievement.

Eagle Flying Over the Ceremony.  Some of the attendees found it striking, even ominous, that during the dedication ceremony a bald eagle circled overhead as if to thank the recipients for saving one of the few forested areas between Bremerton and Silverdale.

A Moving Ceremony.  In spite of the inclement weather, we were told the ceremony was very moving.  Josh Brown was the master of ceremonies, Frank Chopp was reminiscent and humerous, Dori Leckner spoke for the Park's Department, Vic Ulsh spoke for the Stewardship Committee, Jim Trainer talked about the trees in the Preserve, and Judith Krigsman paid tribute to Audrey Boyer.

John Lind Photos.  John Lind is an Illahee resident who has been our unofficial photographers and we have included some of his photos of the dedication.  We are working at getting the rest of them on the illaheecommunity.com website.

Written Input Requested.  If you attended the dedication ceremony, we would like to have you provide a written report of the dedication so that we could pass it on.

Jim Aho

Lost Cat - 11/9/10

Returned From Trip.  We just returned from an extended road trip and need to catch up with Illahee issues.  We were able to put out an Update while on the road notifying residents of the Illahee Preserve Dedication that took place on October 26th and will put an Update regarding that event after we talk with some of those who attended, since it was not covered by the local press.  

Lost Cat.  We received the following email on November 3rd and just verified tonight that the cat has still not been found. 

We're looking for a cat - black with a little white on his neck and paws.  About 8 years old.  "Buzz"  The cat lives in Illahee North, and he's been gone since early Monday morning.  Please look in your garages and cars and anywhere a cat could go to hide.  He disappeared the morning it rained so hard.

Please e-mail me if you have seen him:  laurie@marbledog.net

Other Items?  Since returning we have noticed boats, divers and submersibles working along the shoreline north of the Illahee dock.  They appear to be looking for something and we presume they must be military since there appear to be no markings on the boats.  Let us know if you have any information about what might be going on, or if you have any other information to be passed on.

Jim Aho