REVIEW BAINBRIDGE ISLAND
PURE PERFECTION: Spartan JV lacrosse goes undefeated. A20
FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2013 | Vol. 113, No. 19 | WWW.BAINBRIDGEREVIEW.COM | 75¢
Finding Rhodes out of the darkness Bainbridge man devotes life to others who have hit the skids BY CHRIS FRANCIS
I
Bainbridge Island Review
n 1973, at the age of 20, Bainbridge Island resident Steve Rhodes enlisted in the Marine Corps. And, by 1978, he was kicked out of the Marines thanks to alcohol abuse and left with nowhere to go. Today he could point out the alleys in Seattle where he once slept. He shares stories about his crippling substance addictions that kept him on the street. But in 1993, when he saw the white collar of a Lutheran minister and asked for help, he got started on his own bumpy road to recovery. Today, Rhodes lives on Bainbridge Island where he operates Rhodes to Recovery, which he describes as “an outreach program for street people, individuals with drug addictions, and those who have lost hope.” The program began in October 2011 after Rhodes received a visit from his cousin who had come to see the new, sober life Rhodes had made for himself. “They heard about the whole train wreck,” Rhodes said, “But they had never been here.” “[My cousin] told me, ‘Steve, you need to be doing this — giving back
Islanders pack city hall for last hearing on new shoreline rules Voices of fans and foes in attendance BY RICHARD D. OXLEY Bainbridge Island Review
Chris Francis / Bainbridge Island Review
Steve Rhodes and his tricycle carriage, clothing items knitted by Churchmouse Yarns & Teas Charity Knitters, coffee and a pair of folded aluminum chairs. and helping the homeless because you’ve been saved. You’re one of them. They’ll listen to you,’” Rhoades said. Despite the drama of Rhodes’ past, Rhodes to Recovery is a simple program. In his free time, Rhodes makes trips to downtown Seattle
stocked with supplies the homeless need — mostly food and clothes. He also brings along a thermos of coffee and a pair of folding aluminum chairs. Rather than just giving out jackets SEE JOURNEY, A13
Bainbridge’s update to its Shoreline Master Program will soon leave the island’s shores and move into the next phase toward completion, but not before the community and the council has had one last opportunity to weigh in. Donning badges stating “Send it on,” a large contingent of supporters of the updated but controversial Shoreline Master Program showed up for Wednesday’s public hearing on the updated plan. It was perhaps the largest show of support for the SMP in the wake of considerable opposition that has consumed past meetings on the plan. Even so, their combined
message was clear: Enough is enough; send the update to the Department of Ecology for review. But supporters weren’t the only ones in the room Wednesday. The hearing also attracted the passionate criticisms of shoreline homeowners and others that oppose the updated regulations. Activist Gary Tripp, who has championed the opposition to the update of the program, began rallying his supporters early in the week via email. Tripp showed up to city hall an hour early for the meeting and claimed once again that the rewrite of the regulations will make it impossible for homeowners to build docks, beachside stairs and bulkheads. “It doesn’t do any good to say we are going to protect the island by taking away water-dependent uses,” SEE HEARING, A7
Town & Country planning remodel of Winslow store BY RICHARD D. OXLEY Bainbridge Island Review
Bainbridge Island’s signature grocery store is about to get a facelift to prepare it for the future. The Town & Country Market in downtown Winslow has been a Bainbridge Island feature, and proudly so, for more than 55 years. With a grocery, deli, bulk food section, cafe and floral department, it has served as a gathering spot for islanders. But the store is looking ahead at a remodel that will bring a more modern look and feel.
“We feel now is the right time,” said Town & Country Markets’ Board Chairman Larry Nakata. “We are fully committed to downtown and recognizing the store’s place in our island’s history,” he said. “We want to be part of Winslow’s exciting future.” Nakata is son of the company’s co-founder Mo Nakata. Town & Country officials submitted paperwork to the city of Bainbridge Island Thursday in order to begin the permitting process. The company hopes to start SEE REMODEL, A24
Photo courtesy of Town & Country Markets, Inc.
Town & Country Market officials hope to begin a remodel of the Winslow grocery store during the first quarter of 2014. The remodel will likely take a year to finish.