Haggar Scribner Project Asks Key Questions About The Future of Winslow

From the minds of longtime island physicians and Bainbridge families comes a landmark proposal located on Ericksen Avenue, just north of Winslow Way that could re-shape the downtown area in a meaningful and dramatic way. 

According to it's leaders, the Haggar Scribner Project has the potential to better connect civic and cultural life, create new public open space and pedestrian corridors, provide new mixed-use commercial and housing options, and add much-needed underground parking to downtown.

At tonight's City Council meeting, an agenda item will consider if this project can move through the planning process simultaneously with the current revisions of the Winslow Sub-Area Plan and All-Island Comprehensive Plan, or whether it must wait for those to be completed - which could force discussion of the project to pause for up to 2 years.

Also on the City Council Agenda This Week:

Tue February 14 at 6 pm

• Proclamation for Black History Month
• Discuss Housing Action Plan Framework
• Preliminary Transportation Scope of Work for the Eagle Harbor/Wyatt Non-Motorized Improvement Project
• A Motion to Approve a Public Hearing with Puget Sound Energy to Resolve the Appeal by Stetson Ridge Homeowners Association
• Update on Climate-Related Flooding Impacts on Public Infrastructure

Allowing More Vehicle Pursuits Up For Executive Session Discussion at State Legislature

A chance to see the details and progress of House Bill 1363 (companion bill SB 5352) will be available via an Executive Session this week.

This is the bill that looks at community safety in general, and specifically considers returning more of the ability to pursue suspected wrong-doers by Washington Law Enforcement Personnel.

In the form of increased property thefts both for businesses and homeowners, the effect of the previous reduction of the ability of cops to chase robbers has become more and more obvious as time goes by.

Watch the session at 8am on Thursday Feb 16, reach out to your local representatives, and/or share your opinion via letter or phone call.

Vote BI as Best Western Small Town Today Until Feb 20

Bainbridge Island is currently No. 2 in the voting for Best Western Small Town as we head into the LAST Week of the USA Today Travel Award Nominations! 

Learn more about USA Today's 10 Best Awards for 2023

Help to bring this incredible Travel Award home to Bainbridge by voting once a day through Feb. 20! 

Each vote shows support for our local businesses, restaurants, artisans, hotels, galleries, performing arts centers and more as visitors help sustain them year-round. 

Reach 60,000+ Island Visitors Via The New Chamber Map

Now is the time to get great exposure for your business with an ad in the 2023-24 Chamber Map, with pricing starting at $600 (and discounts for Chamber Members).

The map will begin with a 60,000 copy print run for distribution on the island, on the ferry, across the county, and (coming soon) the revamped Colman Dock.

The double-sided color map covers the whole island map on one side and a zoomed-in map of the Downtown Winslow district on the other.

The ad confirmation and artwork submission deadline is Feb 28 - are there are just a few spaces remaining for local businesses...

Click for the pricing & spec sheet - here is a link for our previous chamber map.

Bringing in the Love at the February After Hours

Thank you for all those who joined us at Madison House for our Valentine-themed February After Hours - the third such event in a row to sell out and create a capacity crowd.

Kara, Carrie, Jim and the Bainbridge Senior Living team welcomed us with tons of yummy culinary treats including sweetheart cookies and chocolate covered strawberries (Jessica's favorite).

The event's main entertainment was the 'love' themed Photo Booth presented by Bainbridge Event Rentals.

Help in setting the mood came from wine courtesy of event sponsor Eleven Winery, beer from Bainbridge Brewing, and an amazing raffle prize of a free half-page ad from PNW Bainbridge magazine.

Join the Chamber at the next After Hours on March 21 as we celebrate Spring at Sisters' Cider House (on a Tuesday Evening) - RSVP early to ensure entry!

Tickets are always free for Chamber members, and available to non-member guests for $20.

Bainbridge Business Awards Tickets On Sale For Members

Sat April 29, 5:00-9:00 pm

The Chamber bringing back the Bainbridge Business Awards on April 29 at The Manor House - Pleasant Beach.

This new casual, fun event night out is an upbeat celebration of the island's dynamic and diverse business community.

Schedule of events:

5pm - Reception Hour/Apps/Drinks

6pm - Award Show/Heavy hors d'oeuvres

7pm - After Party/Dancing/Drinks

Tickets are on sale now for Chamber members and their guests and include event entry, variety of food choices, beer/wine open bar - if you are not a member but would like to join us, please email Jessica.

Note: Chamber Members, check your inboxes - The 2023 Award Nomination Ballots were just sent out!

20% off Custom Apparel This Month at Skyhawk Press

Skyhawk Press is a local female-owned business here to help you level up your branding game this month with a special 20% discount on all new orders! 

This is a chance to get the company that creates exclusive merch for the Liverpool and the OL Reign soccer teams working for you - whether you’re a company, team, church or group, let Skyhawk help you elevate your brand with custom printed and embroidered apparel. 

No minimums. No set-up fees. Unlimited colors. Order now and get ready to turn heads!

Learn more at the Skyhawk Press website, then call (360-626-1089) or email the team (and don't forget to let them know that you want that February Special)!

YAMA Repeats as World Whiskey Award Winner

For the 6th time Bainbridge Organic Distillers - Yama Mizunara Cask Whiskey has once again taken home the award for Best American Grain Whiskey in the World Whiskies Awards! 

Yama Mizunara Cask Whiskey is the world's first and only non-Japanese whiskey to be aged exclusively in 100% new cooperage made from Japanese Mizunara oak sourced at the legendary Mizunara auction on the Japanese island of Hokkaido.

Congratulation Keith Barnes in person as you pick up a bottle at Bainbridge Organic Distillers (9727 Coppertop Loop NE; Ste 101).

Click to read more about this win

Rotary Auction/Rummage Sale Looking For 2023 Sponsors

The 2022 Bainbridge Island Rotary Auction & Rummage Sale was the most successful in its 62-year history - raising $729,386!

One of the reasons for that success was an early investment of $50,000 from 25 local sponsors.

You could assist Rotary in this massive annual undertaking by reaching out to Marina Cofer-Wildsmith, Tom Lindsley, or Tom McCloskey by the end of March as a sponsor for the 2023 event.

Email Tom McCloskey to find out more

The Institute for the Future

IFTF was founded in 1968 as an independent, public-interest nonprofit and a spinoff from RAND Corporation with original support from the Ford Foundation - it's currently the world's oldest continuously running futures research and educational organization.

Our founding articles of incorporation state that “it is imperative that society acquire the necessary tools, methods and research capabilities to identify and cope with socio-economic questions before they become tomorrow’s critical problems.”

This was a revolutionary call-to-action at a tumultuous time in history—a call for a more rigorous systems approach to the future that would help people find agency in their own expertise to be better prepared in uncertain times.

IFTF's Distinguished Fellow Bob Johansen has written numerous top-selling business books including Office Shock and Full-Spectrum Thinking. Bob recently moved to Bainbridge and is assisted various local groups envision the future of our Island.

Learn about the IFTF at their website

Annual Agate Pass Bridge Work Starts Next Week

Mon Feb 13 until Thu Mar 2

Annual work on the Agate Pass Bridge on State Route 305 is coming up soon, starting on February 13.

Work is planned to happen 8:45am. to 2pm each weekday and 7:15am to 2pm Saturday and Sunday.

Full details from WSDOT

Heads Up: Joe's Restaurant Closed for a Week

Wed Feb 15 - Tue Feb 21

Joe's at Pleasant Beach Village will be closed for maintenance & deep cleaning.

For more info & to view the menu

Bainbridge Open Mic at BARN

Thu Feb 16, 6:45 pm

BARN is offering Open Mic for poets of all experience levels to read their work to an appreciative audience.

This is a great opportunity to reach new readers and meet people who love words as much as you do. It takes courage to share your work with others.

Click here for more info on this free event

Cold Brew Coffee Clubhouse

Sat Feb 18 & Sun Feb 19, 8 am - 5 pm

Join Lost Brew Coffee at Miller Bay Estates to test some new items like Cold Brew Concentrate, House Made Syrups & Cold Foams - plus some fun Valentine's Day flavors.

The event is at 22125 Sunridge Way NE Poulsbo, WA - coffee roasted by Laughing Duck Coffee.

Learn more about this event & Lost Brew

A Matter of Loyalty: Poetry, Stories, Images

Sat Feb 18, 5:00 pm

In honor of the Day of Remembrance (DOR), Poet Sharon Hashimoto will read from More American, winner of the Washington Book Award.

She will be joined by Bainbridge Island’s own Lilly Kodama, Ken Matsudaira, and Clarence Moriwaki to examine through poetry, stories, and images the complexities of what it means to be American for Japanese Americans given the legacy of community trauma.

The Day of Remembrance is a day of observation for the internment of Japanese Americans during WWII.

Reserve your free ticket & learn more

Jenny Davis Jazz Quartet - Manor House Concert Series

Sat Feb 18, 6:00 pm

Composer, bandleader and critically acclaimed jazz vocalist Jenny Davis has shifted the focus of her art to reflect her life as an advocate for change.

This aspect of her life’s work cuts deep on, Rearranged (the Yeoman Warders Project), her fourth album as a leader.

It is an album in which the art of composition takes center stage, as all but three works featured here have been crafted by Davis.

Buy tickets & learn more

Day of Remembrance, BI Japanese American Exclusion Memorial at Pritchard Park

Sun Feb 19, 10 am - 12 pm

Join the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial Association, the Bainbridge Island Parks & Trails Foundation, and Bainbridge Island Metro Parks for a morning of community service and stewardship.

Volunteers will help care for the grounds of this Bainbridge Island historic site, pruning vegetation, removing weeds, spreading mulch, and cleaning outdoor art features. All tools are provided. This is a wonderful volunteer opportunity for all ages.

The Feb. 19 Day of Remembrance commemorates the 81st anniversary of the signing of Executive Order 9066, authorizing the wartime incarceration of Japanese Americans.

All tools are provided, register to volunteer

Business Owners Invited: Community Chats on Waste Regulations

Tue Feb 21, 3-4 pm, at BIDA

The City is continuing its series of monthly “COBI Chats on Waste Regulations” to connect with local businesses impacted by the 2023 waste reduction regulations. These are open house sessions that any local business owner can come talk to city staff in person...

When: Tues., Feb. 21, from 3 - 4 p.m.

Where: Bainbridge Island Downtown Association (147 Madrone Ln. N)

Learn more and view dates for future “COBI Chat” sessions on the website.

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

Q: How often do you eat at local eateries (by buying a meal via dine-in, take-out or delivery out)?

7 Essential Steps for a Successful Local Marketing Strategy

Implementing a local marketing strategy is essential for any local business that hopes to succeed in today's web-first world.

As consumers are king in the retail world and content is king in the online world, businesses must ensure that they write web content to promote their business locally and acquire a target audience.

Click to read more and learn steps to promote your brand and products in-house and online

COVID Cases per 100,000

Jan 23 - Jan 30, 2023

• Kitsap County: 51 cases
• WA State: 65 cases

Washington State County External Resources:

• Department of Health Summary
• Testing Clinics
• Vaccine Clinics County-wide