Miscellaneous Items - 7/11/10

More Deer Responses.  We received some more responses to the question of whether there were so many deer in the area that they should be thinned.  Thank you for all your responses!

The geese are just fine and so are the deer.  Leave alone those creatures that make this area so precious to live in. 

Please do not consider thinning out the deer. We love our deer and giving them safe sanctuary and would never want "thinning" of them or any of our wildlife. Ever! Thank you.

On the deer, if anything we should check with the County health deparment, deer are a vector for Lyme's disease, and the ticks which spread it don't differentiate between deer, humans or dogs. Spraying plants with really thin egg solution is alleged to keep the deer away from plants. (I like deer too, and I don't like raccoons either). 

I agree about the 'Scarecrow'.  I have tried sound alarms and they are ineffective.  My son has a scarecrow and it works great for him. 

As for whether there are too many deer:  When I begin to feel this way, I hear an evening 'bang' from somewhere down the hill from me and the problem disappears.  I must presume that firecrackers keep deer away for good ;-)  Otherwise, I do enjoy seeing them -- out of my garden.

Thanks Jim, this was a good read and you get an idea how your neighbors are feeling. We are lucky to live here. 

We used to live on Vashon, which has a high deer population.  Vashon is more rural than the Ilahee area, and it is still legal for hunters to take deer.  Even so, the deer population on Vashon became so large that the poor things started dieing of starvation and disease.    Deer were also killed or subjected to a variety of euthanasia options after being hit by cars.  I agree that deer are cute, but without natural predators there are more now than at any time in history.  Thinning is much more humane than starvation or death by automobile.  We need to be careful that we do not 'love them to death'.

Mulching Work Party on Monday Evening.  On Monday (7/12/10) we will spread the last of the mulch on rain garden plot #4 at the Almira parking lot to the Illahee Preserve.  It shouldn't take long so we are starting at 5:30 pm and should finish up at 7 pm.

Bill Green Memorial Gathering.  There will be a memorial gathering for Bill Green at the Elks on Friday, July 16, 2010, from 3-5 pm.  Many of us remember Bill when he was a lineman with Puget Power some years ago and took care of Illahee whenever the power went out.  

For those of us who were neighbors we knew Bill as one of the nicest, gentlest  and most helpful persons around.  The neighborhood got together for birthdays and other occasions and we often shared tools and helped each other on projects and functioned like a neighborhood family and we will especially miss Bill as a friend and neighbor. 

Illahee Road Accident.  Those who live along Illahee Road know that the curve at the bottom of Illahee hill is a place where there are frequently accidents.  On Saturday evening another accident occurred and people were lucky to not be seriously injured.  We received the following report on an accident that occured when a driver coming down the hill ran head-on into another car and the support they got from one of their neighbors:  

Irwin and Judith Krigsman would like to thank Mike Manske, our neighbor, for being a johnny-on-the spot and a good Samaritan on Saturday July 10, 2010.

 

As we were returning home early Saturday evening around 6 p.m. we were involved in what could have been a deadly accident 20 feet from our driveway into our home.  From out of nowhere coming down Illahee Road on the curve, an unisured, unlicensed, driver crossed over the center line hitting us so hard that our airbage deployed and shocked  us beyond belief.  After hitting us, the car crashed into the vehicle behind us before doing a 180 and coming to a stop. 

 

Mike Manske appeared from out of the blue and stayed with us through the entire ordeal.  Without his calm deameanor, his directing of traffic and accident conditions on Illahee Road, we would have been far worse for wear.  Mike stayed with us until the whole incident was over, carried our belongings into a safe place, and departed when the situation was finally under control.  We are fortunate to have him as our neighbor.

 

Illahee Road has become so dangerous, particularly at the bottom of the hill. This was the second major accident  at that location in the past three weeks.  We believe the time has come for action and involvment by Kitsap County to improve road conditions.   We were lucky, the next person may not be.

 

Mike Manske, hero of the day, we honor you!

Thank goodness for air bags as they saved the Krigsmans from injury.

Only One Comment on the Beach Access Issue.  On our last Update we provided two links to articles in the Kitsap Sun regarding beach access and have only received the following comment so far.  

While waiting for a friend to arrive home in Indianola, I took a few minutes to walk down the dock then onto the shoreline just to see since I had never been there before.....and won't again!  One local made it perfectly clear that I was not to be on this property and pointed me to the extremely unfriendly signs that had been posted not only on the property itself, but also on the dock..."Residents only".  As I'm certain you can tell by the "tone" of this message, I cannot believe someone would be so rude to a visitor.  I can only hope Illahee folks are not nor will become like those people.  We all take pride in our neighborhood and projects that benefit us all, and I hope we can all share in the beauty of where we live without being concerned we are creating an enemy.

Let Us Know Your Thoughts.  Continue to let us know your thoughts regarding deer and beach walking.

Jim Aho

Illahee Preserve Items - 4/8/10

New Update Recipients.  We have a number of new recipients of our Updates, with many being users of the Preserve.  We want to let them know that the Illahee Preserve is a Kitsap County Heritage Park purchased in 2001.  It is the result of a 25 year community campaign to preserve this former Department of Natural Resources (DNR) land and sections of the Illahee Creek watershed for future generations.  The campaign and vision continues with community volunteers taking the lead in planning, supporting, and maintaining the Preserve.  This is especially significant during tough economic times when some parks close because of strapped local budgets.  The goal of the Preserve is to only ask for county support for major things like parking lots and restrooms, and we were happy to have the county park's build the new Almira parking lot in 2009.

Illahee Preserve - Almira Parking Lot.   The main entrance to the Illahee Preserve is at the Almira parking lot where eventually there will be a restroom (the sewer line is already in), an anticipated shelter similar to the one at Anna Smith park, a play area for children consisting on natural features such as rocks and wood, and a large "dedication rock" that was unearthed when the parking lot was being constructed.

Dedication Rock.   The large polymorphic erratic rock that was found during the parking lot construction was considered a convenient find.  The construction team was considering burying it, which is what they usually do, but thought it so unique they asked if we wanted it left exposed.  The first thought was to put it directly in the line of sight as cars entered the parking lot and thus its current placement.   At an estimated 8 - 9 tons it did sink into the ground in its current location and when the maintenance gate for the detention pond was installed the anticipated "prominent" locating became more obscure, which then prompted the Stewardship Group and their Non-profit Support Group (the Illahee Forest Preserve Corporation) to find a better and  more prominent location for the rock.

New Rock Location.  It took months of discussion and input from many to determine where best to place the dedication rock.  Even at that it was decided to make the rock foundation semi-permanent in case a better location might be found when the future restroom, shelter, and play area were constructed.  So the foundation for the rock consists of a dug out area roughly 3' by 11' in which a geo grid mesh was placed, which was filled with crushed rock, and a generous dressing of washed 3/4" river rock.  Some have said the rectangular site looks like a grave.

Moving the Rock.  The next step in the process is to get the rock moved from its current location to the new more prominent site described above.  Chico Towing has volunteered to help with getting the rock moved and is currently researching how to make it happen.  They can move the rock, but feel getting in properly situated at the new site may require some more sophisticated equipment, so they are currently working on those issues.  We will be there with our cameras when the rock is moved into location.

Dedication Plaque and Art Work.  A polymorphic erratic rock like this warrants some special attention and the Stewardship Group and the Non-profit support group are working together to determine what art work can be inscribed on the rock, and what a dedication plaque should say.  We have heard they are talking with a talented rock artist about what might be done.

Future Restroom.  In our discussions with Preserve people they say they are looking for a future restroom similar to the one the county put in at Old Mill Park in Silverdale.  The sewer line for the restroom was installed when the parking lot was put in so only a water line would need to be required.  We hope this is an item in the Park's Department budget in the near future.

Future Shelter.  When some of the Preserve group noticed the relatively new shelter at Anna Smith Park near Silverdale, they said that something like this is what is needed at the Almira entrance site.  Let member of the Preserve groups know if you agree.

Future Play Area.  Long ago when the Stewardship Committee and the Park's Department were working on the Stewardship Plan for the newly acquired DNR land, it was decided the area should be a nature and wildlife preserve, and thus the name Illahee Preserve.  The plan called for an emphasis on the natural features, and so when a play area was being discussed it was decided it should be one of primarily natural materials such as rocks and logs.

Demonstration Native Plant Rain Garden.  The Demonstration Native Plant Rain Garden also fits the emphasis on natural features, in this case being native plants, which are more drought tolerant than may others.  The key to the rain garden will be signage that will explain the rain garden concept to encourage all homeowners to consider residential rain gardens for their home sites.

Rain Garden Weeding & Mulching Party Scheduled for April 17th.  Over a month ago, on March 6th, nearly 25 volunteers planted over 500 native plants in 5 rain garden plots.  It is now time to weed those plots and mulch around the plants so we will be ready for a hopefully weed free summer and with a thick layer of mulch, a summer of minimal watering.  Our volunteer botanist, Aimee Weber, will be on hand to make sure we are taking out only the weeds and not some recently planted or emerging native plants.  The weeding and mulching party will begin at 9 am on Saturday, April 17th, and should finish by 11 am.  We will need some extra wheel borrows to haul the wood chips we are using as mulch.  If you have any questions call Aimee at 405-1613 or myself at 479-1049.

Related Item - Jim Trainer Recognition.  The Illahee Preserve and the Illahee Community are fortunate to have a resident forester whose name is Jim Trainer who is always supportive of our natural resources and especially trees.  Jim will be recognized for the planting of his millionth tree at the Central Kitsap Community Council Town Hall Meeting.  It will be Wed 4/21 at 7pm at the Jenne Wright CKSD Admin Building on Silverdale way and Munson.  Residents and Preserve users are invited.

Jim Aho

Misc. Items of Interest - 4/19/08

Local Runner Featured. Many of you have likely noticed a very fast runner training in Illahee the past few years. Joggers in the area have been reminded of the difference between jogging and running as they have been left in the dust wondering who just passed them. Well, the mystery for many was solved by way of an article in the Kitsap Sun. Click here to read the article.

The runner is Illahee resident Sarna Becker and her story is in the article. Good luck Sarna in your quest to get to the Olympics!

KCFEM Meeting Report in the CK Reporter. Many people in Illahee did not see this report in the paper on Saturday. The reason is half of the people in Illahee receive the Bremerton Patriot and the other half the CK Reporter. The dividing line is somewhere around McWilliams and 3rd Street. We have linked the story titled "Illahee Residents Vent Frustrations to Dept of Emergency Management" so those who don't receive the CK Reporter will know what was said.

Upcoming Illahee Planning Meeting. The next county led Illahee planning meeting will be on Monday (4/28/08) evening between 6 and 9 pm at the Unitarian Church on Perry Avenue. This will probably be a pivotal meeting with decisions on Chapter 3 issues such as zoning, densities, lot sizes, view protection, and height restrictions. Needless to say it is important to have as many Illahee residents in attendance as possible. Note that the meeting duration is being increased to 3 hours in order to finish up on the environmental issues not completed during the meeting last Tuesday (4/15/08).

Do you want more information? Some have asked that we provide more information on the critical items in the chapters to be discussed so they will have a better idea if they are really interested in attending the meeting that evening. We will be checking with other residents to see if they feel likewise before doing so. Please let us know if you also would like more information prior to the meeting.

Jim Aho