Port Orchard, Helpline partnering to collect food for the holidays

PORT ORCHARD — The City of Port Orchard and its Homelessness Committee have agreed to form a partnership with the South Kitsap Helpline Food Bank to collect food donations.

The city is accepting food donations through Dec. 19 on the second floor of the Port Orchard City Hall, 216 Prospect St., Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

South Kitsap Helpline is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing food and other help to Kitsap County residents in crisis.

They provide groceries and other critical assistance to thousands of children, adults and senior citizens living in South Kitsap. Helpline serves more than 17,000 local families annually.

For information about the collection partnership, call 360-876-4089.

Holidays bring changes to solid and household hazardous waste services

PORT ORCHARD — The upcoming holidays will result in several changes to solid and hazardous waste facilities and services.

The Kitsap County Household Hazardous Waste collection facility will close the weeks of Dec. 19 and Dec. 26 for heavy maintenance and reopen Thursday, Jan. 5.

The recycling and garbage facilities in Silverdale, Hansville and Olalla, and the Poulsbo Recycle Center will close Christmas and New Year’s Day. Additionally, all facilities will close at 2 p.m. on Dec. 24. Regular facility schedules are to resume following the holiday.

The Olympic View transfer station will close Christmas and New Year’s Day, and will close at 3 p.m. pm on Dec. 24. Regular facility schedules resume following the holiday.

Waste Management will not provide service on Christmas or New Year’s Day.

Bainbridge Disposal will not provide service on Christmas or New Year’s Day. They will not pick up on Dec. 26. They will pick up one day late for the remainder of the week.

The Bainbridge Island transfer station will close Christmas and New Year’s Day. They will close at 2 p.m. on Dec. 24. Regular facility schedules resume following the holiday.

The City of Poulsbo garbage and recycling pickups will continue on their regular schedule throughout the holidays.

January homelessness count seeks volunteers

KITSAP COUNTY — Kitsap County’s Housing and Homelessness Program is seeking volunteers to assist with the annual Point In Time Count effort to gather countywide individual homelessness demographics.

The information will give local, state and federal government decision-makers a more accurate “point-in-time” reading of individuals experiencing homelessness during a 24-hour period, according to program officials.

The count is to be conducted on Jan. 25-26 in the county. Volunteers can sign up online at www.surveymonkey.com/r/PIT_volunteer or by contacting Amy Musselwhite at amusselw@co.kitsap.wa.us.

You can recycle after holidays – including your Christmas tree

KITSAP COUNTY — While you’re busily decorating your Christmas tree for the holiday season, keep in mind that you can recycle it once the celebration ends.

Take your tree to one of the recycling sites listed below. Some sites are free and some require a small fee or donation (usually less than $5).

Of course, don’t forget to remove the stand, tinsel, decorations, nails and staples.

If you have a food and yard waste cart, cut your unflocked tree until it fits inside with the lid closed.

Some youth and scouting groups pick up trees from the curb for a donation. For a list of known fundraisers, visit http://bit.ly/recyclemytree.

North Kitsap Area

Bainbridge Island Transfer Station

7215 Vincent Road, Bainbridge Island

206-842-0962 Wednesday to Sunday

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.. Closed Christmas Day & New Years Day.

Contact to verify hours and fees.

Tilz Soils and Compost

12112 Miller Rd. NE, Bainbridge Island

206-842-4045

Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m

Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Contact to verify hours and fees.

Olympic Organics

(Kingston/Hanvsille area)

7890 Ecology Road

360-638-0117

Monday through Saturday

8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Closed noon on Christmas Eve through Jan. 2. Fee: $3.75

Fundraiser: NKHS Viking Baseball Team

Central Market Poulsbo

20148 10th Ave. NE

Jan. 7 & 8 only.

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 9am-5pm. Suggested donation: $5.00

Central Kitsap Area

City of Bremerton Public Works

100 Oyster Bay Ave. N in West Bremerton

360-473-5920

Dec. 26 through Jan. 20

24/7 during those dates

Free. Residents only. No overstock from tree lots, farms or stores.

City of Bremerton Water Utility Building

3027 Olympus Drive in East Bremerton)

360-473-5920

Dec. 26 through Jan. 20

24/7 during those dates

Free. Residents only. No overstock from tree lots, farms or stores.

Fundraiser: Boy Scout Troop 1539

VFW Post 4992

9981 Central Valley Road in East Bremerton

Jan. 8 only, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Suggested donation: $15.

If you purchased a tree from this troop, you receive discounted recycling.

Fundraiser: Boy Scout Troop 1541

Taco Bell Silverdale

3051 NW Bucklin Hill Rd. Dec. 31, Jan. 7 & 8 only

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Donation appreciated.

Williams Wood Recycling

12139 Brownsville Hwy NE

360-613-9972

Monday through Friday

8 a.m. to 4:30 pm.

Closed Dec. 24 – Jan. 2

Saturday, Jan. 7 (NK Relay for Life Fundraiser Day: Recycle tree for donation from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.. Call to verify fees for other days)

South Kitsap Area

The Wreath Works

15384 Glenwood Rd. SW, Port Orchard

360-876-0434

Open every day

9 a.m. to dark

Free

North Mason Fiber

NE 431 Log Yard Road, Belfair

360-274-0228

Monday through Friday

7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Closed Christmas Day & New Years Day.

Contact to verify fee.

Note: Flocked trees cannot be recycled and must be disposed of as garbage.

Wreaths and garland can be recycled only if you are able to remove all wire, plastic pieces and non-biodegradable pieces.

For updated information, go to http://bit.ly/recyclemytree.

WSF seeking Southworth ferry route task-force members

SEATTLE — Washington State Ferries is seeking volunteers to be part of the Triangle Improvement Task Force, a citizen advisory group that will be charged with reviewing the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth ferry route — also known as the “triangle route.”

The task force also will be recommending “quick wins” to improve service by summer 2017 and recommend long-term solutions.

The task force will begin meeting in January. It will consist of nine volunteers, three each from the Fauntleroy, Vashon and Southworth communities.

For more information on the process and to apply to be a task force member, visit www.surveymonkey.com/r/7PWMCRD.

Applications for volunteers are due Dec. 27.

KHS adoption event set for Dec. 17-18

SILVERDALE — Kitsap Humane Society is planning a special winter adoption event at the organization’s Silverdale shelter, 9167 Dickey Rd NW.

The Whisker Wonderland event is on Saturday, Dec. 17 and Sunday, Dec. 18 from 12-5:30 p.m.

All new adoption applications must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. on those days.

Adoption fees for adults cats will be discounted 50 percent. All other animals can be adopted for $25 off the regular rate.

Kitsap Humane Society is a private, nonprofit, charitable organization that has admitted more than 5,000 animals per year, with one of the highest lives saved rates in the U.S., the organization says.