Action Plan Seeks To Address Bainbridge Housing Issue

The state legislature’s passing of House Bill 1220 in 2021 was aimed at addressing its housing crisis at the community level over time.

The bill changed requirements in the Comprehensive Plan update process cities must undertake to come into compliance with state law within the Growth Management Act.

This created a new level of impact for the upcoming Winslow Subarea Plan and island-wide Comprehensive Plan, and so the City of Bainbridge Island engaged experts, and began begin working on research and policies to move us in the right direction – via a new Housing Action Plan.

State-Wide Single Family Zoning Debate Plays Out In Edmonds, Kirkland, Burien

As House Bill 1110 proposes duplexes, accessory dwelling units, cottages and town houses as state-wide solutions to meet the demand for housing and to diversify neighborhoods where people of color have historically been excluded, foes say zoning decisions are best handled by cities, warn about unbridled development ruining the character of neighborhoods and say density won’t immediately yield much affordability.

HB 1110 and other proposals meant to increase housing choices are sparking conversations not only in the Legislature but across the Seattle area, from quiet cul-de-sacs in Kirkland to upscale avenues in Edmonds and unpretentious blocks in Burien. Each community tells part of the story.

Winslow Apartment Complex Lowers Rental Prices

The new management team at Camelia Apartments is lowering monthly rental prices for new renters.

As of Monday they still had 3-bedroom units (starting at $2350) and 2-bedroom units (starting at $1895) available to rent.

Along with new prices the Camelia units are being updated with new paint and new flooring.

Chamber Workshop: BIPD Public Safety For Business Owners

Wed April 5, 9 - 10am

Bainbridge Business owners – come get free guidance on best practices when it comes to securing your location, and understand what the Police can and cannot do in response to property crime on Bainbridge - in this special Chamber workshop in the BIMA Auditorium led by Police Chief Joe Clark and Community Resource Officer Zach Burnham.

Apply Today for $100M In State Grants For Lodging & Hospitality Businesses

April 6 deadline

The Washington State Department of Commerce has begun to accept applications for $100M in grants available to local businesses in the hospitality and lodging industry that suffered direct losses due to the pandemic.

The grants are targeted primarily at small businesses with $5 million or less in annual gross receipts or sales within designated NAICS codes.

Learn more and apply

On The Agenda:

City Council Regular Business Meeting

Tue March 28 at 6pm

Key Items:

Item 5F: Amending bike definition to include e-bikes

Item 8A - Winslow Subarea Plan: Recommendation from Planning Commission to diversify the steering committee: 2 council, 1 planning commission, 1 race equity, 1 climate action, 1 position from another committee.

Item 8C - Presentation about the health and effectiveness of city advisory boards/committees and what could be done better

Item 8E - Request from Councilmember Deets to reconsider a motion earmarking early stage funding for Connecting Centers (Sustainable Transportation Plan) near Lynwood Center and a community petition project to add shoulders for Valley Road near Rolling Bay. 

Get Your Tickets for 2023 Business Awards, Last Few Days for Member Voting

Sat Apr 29, 5 - 9pm

There are now just 4 weeks to go to the big night, and less than 50 tickets left for purchase for our 2023 Business Awards Show/After Party at The Manor House!

The all-inclusive tickets are priced at $70 for members and their guests.

Thank you to Eleven Winery for donating wine and Town & Country Markets for supplying desserts.

Members – check your email inbox for your official ballot to vote for a winner in each of the seven categories between now and March 31… contact the chamber if you cannot find your ballot.

Oh, and a friendly reminder that ONLY votes from Chamber members will count in the final tally, and only 1 vote per member!

Sisters' Cider House After Hours an Effervescent Success!

A lively crowd of 60+ members joined us on March 21 at Hildebrand to celebrate the addition of Sisters' Cider House to the Bainbridge Island business community.

With over 10 ciders on tap, guests were able to taste intriguing flavors (like Snake Oil, Guava Rum, & Sweet A$$ Bourbon) and pick their new favorites.

Thank you Randi and Caron for hosting such a fun event & Kinetic Capital for providing delicious food from Sisters' neighbor Bene Pizza.

In The Window: Montessori Country School

Celebrating their 50th year, Montessori Country School provides a comprehensive Montessori program serving parents & infants, toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarteners, and Elementary grades one through six.

Students become confident, joyful, lifelong learners on their beautiful Bainbridge Island campus.

See their display in the Chamber Window right now and read more about the Montessori Country School

BIMA Place Glass Globes Around Kitsap Parks

A county-wide scavenger hunt starts Saturday April 1 in honor of BIMA's 10th Anniversary.

Be on the lookout for 200 glass orbs hidden across public lands across Kitsap in this you find it, you keep it event.

Working in partnership with Bainbridge Island Metro Park & Recreation District, Kitsap County Parks Department, Poulsbo Parks & Recreation, and Tacoma youth development arts non-profit Hilltop Artists, young glassblowers are creating 200 unique glass balls stamped with BIMA’s logo. 

Treasure Trek Rules & More Info

Register for BYS Peer Support Groups for Parents

March 29 deadline

Parent peer support groups, offered in both

English and Spanish, are starting the week of April 10 for parents of children 5-18 years old.

These groups are designed to connect and support parents in similar life stages.

To Register and Get Details

Plum Store's Annual Haiku Competition Happening Now

March 31 deadline

Take advantage of your poetic expression for the opportunity to win a $50 Plum Gift Certificate.

A haiku also depicts a tiny moment in time and includes a kireji (a cutting word) that creates a pause or sense of closure. 

Email Up to Two Haiku Poems to Plum

Brunch is Back at Pegasus

Bainbridge has another brunch option... choose between paninis, bagels, or egg sandwiches at Pegasus Coffee House until 2pm daily.

Visit Pegasus at 131 Parfitt Way

Full Menu Back at Harbour Public House

The Harbour Pub is proud to announce their full menu is back, plus the favorites are still available... Grab your favorite drink to pair with a chowder, kimchi poutine, or Alaskan Cod fish & chips.

Check Out Their Menu at 231 Parfitt Way

BCF Community Nonprofit Grant Applications Open

April 4 deadline

BCF’s Community Grants Cycle is now open and accepting applications for the 2023 Community Grants Cycle from all sectors of the nonprofit community through April 4.

Nonprofit leaders are encouraged to reach out to Debbie Kuffel to discuss funding opportunities for specific programs, capital projects, and general operations.

Learn more from BCF and apply

Book Ads in Discover Kitsap

April 5 deadline

Discover Kitsap is Kitsap's premier tourism publication. Available on Kitsap/Seattle area ferries & terminals Memorial Day through Labor Day, as well as inserted into Sound Publishing's Kitsap newspapers and available online all year long.

Plan your summer advertising to include this award-winning tourism publication.

Pricing and to learn more, reach out to Brenda

Bob Johansen Hosts "What is Office Shock?"

Thu Mar 30, 5:30 - 7pm

Join author Bob Johansen for a discussion on his newly released book, Office Shock at OfficeXpats.

Bob will share insights, engage in lively conversations, present illustrations, and interview a local remote worker to showcase the Seven Spectrums of Choice and help us design our own way of working for the future.

Register & click for more info

Four Free Online Programs on Finances & Investing

Mar 30, Apr 6, Apr 13 &

Apr 20, at 4:30pm

Financial literacy is empowering—yet good, practical education about financial management is too often out of reach for people, especially those with limited incomes.

On behalf of BCF, every year Paul Merriman organizes free virtual events with speakers who are nationally renowned experts in their fields in order to help educate our community on how to better plan for our futures.

This year, each event is targeting a specific age group on topics relevant to their stage in life.

Learn more & register for these free events

Celebrate Trees in April for Earth Month

April is Earth Month on Bainbridge Island 2023! Sustainable Bainbridge is celebrating with activities and events for all ages for Earth Day and Arbor Day during the entire month of April and beyond. 

Everyone can take action and join activities to support, celebrate, and learn more about our environment and beautiful planet Earth. 

Celebrate with the Earth Action Calendar

Each month the Chambers of Commerce ask a single question to gather information on our communities and our county...

Q: How many times a month do you use Kitsap Transit's Scheduled Bus Routes or BI Ride?