Wednesday, July 31, 2024

Fast Ferries from Kingston, Southworth

Face Threat of Cancellations this Fall

Published in the Kitsap Sun July 30, 2024

Photo: Meegan M. Reid/Kitsap Sun, 2021

Riders from Kingston and Southworth may see their fast ferries canceled more often this fall, thanks to repairs on two boats announced by Kitsap Transit. 

Two backup vessels will undergo repairs, scheduled to last until mid-November for one and early 2025 for another, Kitsap Transit said Tuesday. That means, until further notice, if either ferry experiences a mechanical issue that forces it out of service, all sailings may have to be canceled on that route.

The routes each operate with a primary vessel as well as a backup. The Enetai and Commander, built in 2020 and 2021, respectively, and the system's two newest ferries, were both taken out for the same diagnosis – an unanticipated failed part in the jet propulsion system, Kitsap Transit said in a statement. Neither vessel can return to service until the U.S. Coast Guard confirms the part is replaced satisfactorily. 

Read the full article here

August Membership Luncheon

Wednesday, August 28, 2024, 11:00 am

Join us as we close out summer with our annual New Member Showcase Luncheon on August 28th. Members who have joined the GKC in the last year are invited to have a display table at this popular luncheon for no tabling fee. Reserve your table now by contacting Tiffany at the Chamber.

Enjoy the opportunity to share your business with the greater business community, community leaders and other attendees. Members who are not new in the last year are welcome to have a display table if space is available. Contact the Chamber to reserve your spot or get on the list.

This month's luncheon will be at the Kitsap Conference Center in Downtown Bremerton. Paid parking is available on the Green Level.

RECAP: Education Carnival & Luncheon

Popular annual event moves to Olympic College

Thank you to the many booth sponsors and silent auction donors for making our annual Education Carnival a fun-filled fundraiser for the Greater Kitsap Chamber Foundation's scholarship programs. We're excited to have raised roughly $2000 in scholarship funding. So much fun was had at our new location at Olympic College, click below to download your favorite pictures! Photos courtesy of Tiffany Diamond Photography.

Bremerton GreenDrinks @ USS Turner Joy

Thursday, August 8, 2024, 5:00 pm

Save-the-Date: GKC Business Awards Gala

Friday, November 1, 2024, 5:30 pm

Nominations open August 14th!

Kitsap Building Association Works to

Fill Trade Jobs in Kitsap

Future B&B Auto owners, Mieke and Jeremiah Anderson accept the July Member of the Month from Irene Moyer and David Emmons at last week's Education Carnival & Member Luncheon. Congratulations, Mieke, Jeremiah, Joel and team!

www.bnbautorepair.com

SCORE: Creating a Quick Business Plan

Wednesday, July 31, 2024, 1:00 pm

Join us and other entrepreneurs in this hands-on workshop where you will write your “Unique Value Statement” for your new product or service. This is a concise description of your product or service and explain the unique value your product or service provides to your customers. As part of the workshop, participants will receive real-time feedback from a SCORE mentor to help them fine tune their Value Statement. 

In the second part of the workshop you will use the “Lean Canvas” to begin the process of turning your product/service into a business. In this interactive session, you use the canvas to help guide you in expanding the information in the Unique Value Statement by capturing key ideas, concepts and strategies about your business in the canvas. This creates a basic framework that you can use to complete YOUR full, detailed business plan. 

Have paper, a pencil or a pen ready as the goal of this workshop is for all participants to leave with a draft of their “Unique Value Statement” and “Lean Canvas.”

Workshop Fee: FREE

The Magnetic Brand Storytelling Workshop

Wednesday, August 7, 2024, 11:30 am

Tell a magnetic story...and customers will line up to do business with you. Present the wrong story, however, and watch your customers flee!

​

Attend the "Magnetic Brand Storytelling Secrets Workshop" and discover your business's magnetic customer attraction formula.

​Get ready to take the reins of your business's narrative. This hands-on workshop will equip you with the tools to craft your highly magnetic brand story.

​This workshop will help increase engagement and sales conversion no matter where you connect with customers.

​Your hosts, Collin Dayley and Jeff Leisawitz, bring over 50 years of practical brand storytelling experience.

​Register today! Lunch provided.

Kitsap Job Training & Education

Classes Held August 5th through September 26th

CMMC-PNW: From Compliance to Advantage

Tuesday, August 20, 2024

Learn more about the certification your business needs to secure Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program (SIOP) contracts at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. Billions of dollars are headed to Kitsap in the next decade as part of this contract - make sure your business is ready for it!

Estate Planning Seminars

Thursday, August 22, 2024, 2:00 pm or 5:00 pm

Become familiar with estate planning processes and tools, including a will, trust, powers of attorney, and life insurance. Presented by Andrea Grosso, Financial Advisor at Edward Jones. Featuring Attorney Kevin Cure of Sanchez, Mitchell, Eastman & Cure, PSC.

Registration encouraged. Seminars are FREE and open to the public.

SBA Launching New Loan Option

Courtesy of Puget Sound Business Journal

Published June 6, 2024, updated July 28, 2024

More details are emerging for the Small Business Administration's new structured line of credit loan program that aims to offer more flexibility to lenders and small-business owners.

The 7(a) Working Capital Pilot Program will use a fee structure similar to the agency’s existing Export Working Capital Program and its SBA Express loans offering, under which there are no fees for loans under a certain amount but gradually scale up as the loan gets larger. The fee structure also changes based on whether the loans are shorter or longer than 12 months.

The line of credit would be extended by existing SBA 7(a) lenders and backed with an SBA guaranty.

Read Andy Medici's full article here

Courtesy of FastCompany.com

• Why Gen z and millennial workers are motivated differently
• It's not just you. Your coworkers really are getting more annoying
• What is coffee badging? How some hybrid employees are finding a new way to quiet quit
• Why does it seem like Gen Z workers are always late?

Courtesy of entrepreneur.com

• Turn your fear of AI into profit - follow these steps to transform your company and boost your profits
• How to transform public services with innovative digital solutions

3rd Quarter Webinars for Small Businesses

Courtesy of the L&I Small Business Newsletter

L&I Essentials for Business webinars cover:

• essentials about workers' compensation, quarterly reporting, what to do if your employee is injured, workplace safety and health requirements, wage and hour laws, and contractor registration rules;
• how to access a range of L&I resources and services designed to help your business save time and money; and
• various ways L&I partners with you to keep your workforce safe and healthy. 

Upcoming monthly 80-minute L&I Essentials for Business Webinars will be held:

• Wednesday, Aug. 28, 9 - 10:20 a.m.
• Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2 - 3:20 p.m.

Webinars are also available in Spanish (Fundamentos de L&I para negocios - Talleres en línea):

• Martes, 6 de agosto, 6 - 7 p.m. en español
• Miércoles, 9 de octubre, 10 - 11 a.m. en español

The Greater Kitsap Chamber will be coordinating quarterly sessions in-person and via Zoom. Contact the Chamber to learn more.

10 Ways to Get Prepared for End-of-Year Giving

Published on TechSoupe.org

Photo: July 25, 2024

Did you know that about 30 percent of all annual donations to nonprofits occur in the month of December? Not only that, but according to Nonprofits Source, the last three days of the year alone account for 10 percent of all annual charitable giving.

To help you make the most of this critical period, we've compiled 10 effective ways to prepare for end-of-year-giving.

Read the full blog post here

'Street Medicine' Project with Local Fire Depts Aims to Ease Burden on Hospital ER

Published in the Kitsap Sun, July 25, 2024

Kitsap County will expand its innovative CARES Program next year through a new state initiative that aims to improve outcomes for unhoused populations and deliver street-level health care.

Poulsbo Fire Chief James Gillard said a $200,000 grant from the Washington Health Care Authority will allow Kitsap’s three Fire CARES teams to take on additional referrals from homeless outreach teams; place medical providers in the field through a partnership with St. Michael Medical Center; and deliver life-saving opiate medication.



“We’re addressing our two main limitations with our CARES programs,” Gillard told the Kitsap County commissioners this week. “It’s sustainable funding and our limited capacity to help these vulnerable community members.” 

Read the full story here

Kitsap Public Health District Reminds

Public to Prepare for Wildfire Smoke

Hotter and drier weather in the Pacific Northwest this summer could set the stage for a long and intense summer wildfire season, according to the Washington State Department of Health. More wildfires create the potential for more smoke to drift into our region, increasing health risks for people of all ages. As of July 24, there are six large fires burning statewide.

Now is the time to prepare your home and workplace for smoky days ahead. Keep in mind that some supplies, such as fans, filters, and air conditioners, could be more difficult to find as summer progresses. Scroll down for more tips and resources or visit our Air Quality and Smoke Page. 

English and Spanish versions of our wildfire fact sheet are available here or click on the graphic.

North Kitsap School District Seeks Six-Year Facilities, Technology Capital Levy

$32 million levy will be on November ballots

Published in the Kitsap Sun, July 29, 2024

North Kitsap School District will ask voters during the November special election to pass a six-year capital levy to raise roughly $32 million, aimed at providing funding in two major areas from 2025-30: facilities and technology.

North Kitsap school board members Mike Desmond (president), Breanna Martinez (vice president), Beverly Godfrey, Stacy Mills and Edward Wright unanimously voted to approve the levy measure at Thursday's regular meeting at the district administration building in Poulsbo. The levy requires 50% plus one vote in order to pass during the election.

During the levy planning process, the district's facilities advisory committee met eight times from April through July, held three community forums and toured four schools (Pearson, Suquamish and Wolfle elementary schools and Kingston Middle School) in an effort to identify priorities.

Read the full article here

Silverdale GreenDrinks @ Rivulet Silverdale

Wednesday, August 7, 2024

Federal Civilian Hiring Event

August 9-10, 2024, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

CrowdStrike Crash and Summer Slowdown Lead to Steep Drop in Blood Donations

Blood banks are reporting a critical need for donations. An unexpected combination of a worldwide computer systems crash and a seasonal drop in donations has hurt the supply of lifesaving blood and blood products in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.

Type O-positive donors, who make up 38 percent of the population, and O-negative donors, the universal donor type, are especially needed. Donors are encouraged to make an appointment soon so our region can be better prepared for the rise in demand that comes with the summer travel and outdoor activity season.

The CrowdStrike outage last week that disrupted airlines, hospitals, and other businesses also impacted local blood collections. The shutdown of information systems delayed critical blood supply shipments and affected donation scheduling. Bloodworks Northwest alone had to cancel 248 donation appointments because of the outage – one-quarter of the total for that day.

Blood banks were already seeing a seasonal drop in donations. Summer means schools and colleges are on break. Many people schedule vacations and travel, which means students and workers who regularly donate are less likely to have the time and opportunities.

“Running out of gas on your summer road trip is inconvenient, but ensuring our hospitals have enough blood is crucial,’ said Michael Martinez of Vitalant’s Spokane region Regional Blood Services. “You can make a significant impact by donating blood at a center or drive. In just one hour, you can help ensure trauma centers have the blood they need to care for patients this summer.”

Appointments can be scheduled at your convenience and take about an hour. Learn more details, including eligibility requirements, by visiting Northwest Blood Coalition members’ websites:

• Vitalant
• Cascade Regional Blood Services
• Bloodworks Northwest
• American Red Cross

Kitsap County Cornhole Classic

Saturday, August 10, 2024, 11:00 am

Masks Still Available

Free at the Greater Kitsap Chamber & Visitor Center

The Greater Kitsap Chamber still has some supplies available if your local business is in need of KN95 masks. Pick up your supply at both GKC locations today. Available while supplies last.

Silverdale @ Sunset Concert Series

Wednesdays beginning July 31st, 6:30 pm

Clearwater Casino Resort:

Judas Rising NW Chapter - Judas Priest Tribute

Friday, August 2, 2024, 8:30 pm

Gimme Shelter - Rolling Stones Tribute

Saturday, August 3, 2024, 8:30 pm

Taste of Kitsap Returns

August 2nd & 3rd, 2024

West Sound Film Festival

August 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 2024

VMFH & CK Performing Arts Center Presents:

The Wizard of Oz

August 8th - 11th, 2024

KCMT Encore! Presents:

Grease

August 9th - 18th, 2024

2024 Kitsap Wine Festival

Saturday, August 10, 2024, 2:00 - 5:00 pm

Since it began 16 years ago, the Kitsap Wine Festival has featured live music, delicious foods, craft beer and of course, great wines. You'll have the opportunity to explore and discover a wide variety of wines by sampling bottles featured by our ever-expanding slate of participating wineries. Find a new favorite and take it home. Our retail wine shop provides an expanded selection of wines and an assortment of fun wine-related treasures. You'll want to compliment all of your delightful sipping by noshing delectables offered by our amazing food vendors. Round out your day of summer fun out with games like cornhole and ladder golf on the gorgeous waterfront at the Kitsap Wine Festival!

Ticket sales end at 10:00am PST on August 9th, 2024 or when event sells out. Tickets include a commemorative cup, swag bag, food samples and 10 wine sampling tickets. All attendees must be 21+.

Information on participating wineries and food vendors can be found here.

Bremerton Airshow

August 17th & 18th, 2024