a weekly digest for bainbridge business owners & our island community
BUSINESS & COMMUNITY NEWS
COME JOIN THE GRAND PARADE!
The centerpiece of the Island's Grand Old 4th festivities is the Hometown Parade, running over a mile-long route through Winslow from 1pm.

Today is another beloved day on the Island's annual calendar - applications are open to join that parade on foot, animal, wheels and more - for just $30-$60 (depending on type of entry)...

Thanks are due to Hometown Parade presenting sponsor First Fed, and all our community partners - we could not do this without your support!

Register your entry online here (or drop by the Chamber office and fill out a paper application form)
Image courtesy of COBI
TIME TO HAVE YOUR SAY ABOUT ONE WAY ON GROW & LOVELL AT NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING
Wednesday May 4 at 5pm
Vital? Unnecessary? Not sure, and want to learn more?

A much-talked about proposal from the city's Sustainable Transportation Plan wants too make both Grow and Lovell Avenues one-way-only streets (Grow Northbound and Lovell Southbound).

Creating one-way roads on Grow and Lovell would be a dramatic change to traffic flow to and from the High School, but could also open up a 10’-wide lane for pedestrian and bicycle access as well as increased signage.

Feedback from this meeting as well as a series of zoom polls, letters and other direct feedback will all be presented for discussion at City Council at the May 24 meeting.
Image courtesy BI Historical Museum
HISTORICAL MUSEUM DEBUTS NEW COMMUNITY EXHIBIT
Friday May 6 from 10am-6pm
Celebrate at the opening ceremony for the museum’s new exhibit - Our Community: Past to Present (OCPP).

The exhibit illuminates 13 of the island’s diverse communities and presents beloved yet previously untold stories of the people who live, work, and play here (including a business community element co-curated by the Chamber's Stefan Goldby) with historical content paired with hands-on learning activities for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.

The opening celebration features speakers or demonstrations from the Bahá’ís Faith group, the Indipino Community of Bainbridge Island and Vicinity, Bainbridge Island Japanese American Community, and museum staff.
Image courtesy of Maternal Center of Excellence in Sierra Leone
FASHION FORWARD FOR FEMALE EMPOWERMENT & MATERNAL HEALTH 
Friday May 6 at 5:30pm
Bainbridge Island Youth Partners in Health’s Engage Chapter presents the Female Power Fashion Show benefiting the Maternal Center of Excellence in Sierra Leone.

Come dressed in your best Spring florals and pastels to BIMA and support exceptional leading females from our own community as they model to the theme Mother Spring.

Doors open at 5PM.
Image courtesy of Moonlight Market
FIRST FRIDAY IS FULL OF FUN AS ART WALK & MOONLIGHT MARKET ALIGN
Friday May 6 at 5pm
Alongside the events at the Historical Museum and BIMA above, this Friday’s May Art Walk also features art showcases up and down Winslow way - including Lindsay Peyton & Tessa Poag at Sotheby's and Len Eisenhood: Trees at Jeffery Moose Gallery.

Enjoy art, hands-on kids activities at KiDiMu, an all-ages dance with DJ MIXX America at BIMA + wonderful bites and delicious drinks up and down the street.

It’s also simultaneously the start of Moonlight Market's 2022 season at Bainbridge Island Town Square (between BPA and City Hall).

Head up the hill to enjoy a different flavor of art and artisans, food, music, and drinks from than 30 local vendors...
Image courtesy COBI
CITY PREVIEWS MADISON AVENUE IMPROVEMENTS

Following on from a Public Works open house onApril 27, the city is in the early design phase of the planned – and much needed – improvements for Madison Avenue utilizing an already-awarded $1.4M federal grant.

The bundle includes:
  • Widened sidewalks & protected bike lanes between Wyatt Way and High School Road
  • Pavement restoration
  • Sewer and non-motorized improvements between High School Road and SR305

In order to meet the grant requirements, construction must start by Summer 2023.
Photo courtesy of COBI
WINTERGREEN SUBDIVISION UPDATE
Virginia Mason Franciscan Health and developers of the Wintergreen residential site – at Highway 305 and High School Road in the space between Virginia Mason and Walgreens – continue to work through negotiations for a settlement so the project can proceed. 

The project design calls for the development of 73 single-family homes, 31 of which would be sold and managed as affordable housing by Housing Resources Bainbridge for income-qualified households. 

At issue is the ratio of parking for the number of dwellings being built and the potential impact that could have for the neighboring medical facility and its patients when they come for care.
Image courtesy of COBI
PATRICIA CHARNAS SELECTED AS NEW CITY PLANNING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
With more than 26 years of planning experience, Patricia (Patty) Charnas, will start work at COBI on May 16. 

Ms. Charnas is a Kitsap resident with a decade of service with the county, but comes to Bainbridge from a most recent position as Jefferson County's Director of Community Development.

Patty also previously worked for the U.S. Dept. of Interior and EPA, and is a past president of the Washington State Association of County and Regional Planning Directors.

In her new role, Patty will implement the city’s land use policies and regulations through planning and building permit review, ordinance development and code compliance.
Image courtesy of COBI
2022 GO4 POSTER CONTEST OPEN FOR YOUNG ISLAND CREATIVE ARTISTS
The Chamber and Bainbridge Youth Services are excited to invite all current elementary, middle and high school students of Bainbridge Island to enter their designs for the 2022 GO4 Poster.

The creator of the winning entry will receive a $500 cash prize to support their artistic endeavors, courtesy of a generous sponsorship by Chamber Champions Puget Sound Energy.
NEWS IN BRIEF
CHAMBER EVENTS
CHAMBER AFTER HOURS @ ELEVEN WINERY
Thursday May 12 at 5:30pm
The next installment of the Chamber's 2022 After Hours series of member mixers heads up to Day Road to visit Eleven Winery on Thursday May 12.

Join us as we celebrate the arrival of Spring (we hope!) with an indoor/outdoor soiree at the home of our After Hours presenting sponsor, with tasty treats provided by Fig & Spice ...
RIBBON CUTTING: BLOEDEL RESERVE OPENS ARRIVAL GARDEN & PLAZA
Friday May 13 at 1pm
It's a post-pandemic brave new world and we're looking forward to our FIRST Chamber ribbon cutting ceremony in years!

Join us as we celebrate with the Bloedel Reserve team as they unveil their brand new Arrival Garden & Plaza created by Landscape Designer Erin Hill.

The ceremony is part of Bloedel welcoming the public for an all-day Open House and Garden celebration and membership drive, starting at 10am.
YOUR INPUT REQUESTED
KITSAP BUSINESS SURVEY
Q: What do you think is the best way to announce a new business to our community?
(please chose your top answer)
Grand Opening Party
Ribbon Cutting / Press Event
Social Media Blitz
Direct-Mail / Postcards
Print Advertising
Other (respond via email below)
Recent Results:

Q: What should be the focus of our chamber website?

BAINBRIDGE ISLAND
KITSAP COUNTY
136 Total Responses
NEW MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
HARBOR AUDIOLOGY & HEARING SERVICES
325 Tormey Lane NE #44
Harbor Audiology opened its doors on Bainbridge Island only a couple years ago and is thrilled to join our amazing community from their home at Hildebrand.
 
The highly trained staff offers everything from free screenings to comprehensive hearing diagnostic services, the audiologists and specialists are equipped to program devices from a large variety of manufacturers.

Harbor is credentialed with nearly all commercial insurances, Medicare, most Medicaid plans, and workers compensation claims.
 
Telehealth, remote programming, onsite diagnostics, consultations, and education are also available!
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
Image courtesy State Farm
STATE FARM OFFERING FREE OFFICE FURNITURE
Looking to deck out your budding business office or start-up space?

As part of her relocation project (to Knechtel Way) Paula Weissinger of State Farm has several items that must leave their current offices on Parfitt Way ASAP: 

  • 2 L-shaped desks w/credenzas
  • Office chairs

The best part is the price: FREE!

MEMBER NEWS & EVENTS
Image courtesy Keith Brofsky
BIMA MOMENTUM FESTIVAL
All Month Long
It’s back! BIMA’s annual event brings the best of contemporary artists together for a monthlong celebration.

Here’s the schedule:
  • May 14 @ 6pm – Brazillain guitarists Ze’ Paulo Becker + Nando Duarte
  • May 20 @ 7pm – Susan Lieu presents “140LBS: How Beauty Killed My Mother”
  • May 21 @ 11am – Mario Kart 8 Tournament; two age groups 12 and under and 12 and older. Entry fee is $10 for players.
  • May 22 @ 2pm – Indie-folk and synthpop artist Tomo Nakayama performs.
GSBA & BIMA HOST TRAINING TO SUPPORT LGBTQ+ EMPLOYERS, EMPLOYEES
Wednesday May 11 from 3:30-6:30 pm
Join GSBA and BIMA for a LGBTQ+ workplace inclusivity training for small businesses.

Topics include:
  • Navigating employment practices
  • Workplace safety and culture 
  • Advocacy 

Afterwards, mix and mingle with speakers, community members, and organizations while enjoying complementary local bites and sips. 

BUSINESS ACADEMY
BIZ TRAINING: Small Biz Week Virtual Summit
May 2-5, all day
The National Small Business Week Virtual Summit is a free, annual online summit is offered to small business owners, entrepreneurs, and those aspiring to start their own businesses. 

This 4-day, action-packed event honors small businesses around the country with educational sessions, online business resources, and exciting speakers.

Learn about:
  • Accessing critical federal resources
  • New business strategies
  • Meet other business owners
  • Chat with industry experts
BIZ TRAINING: SETTING UP FOR SUMMER
Wednesday May 4 at 10am
Wondering what summer tourism may look like?

Join the Washington Hospitality Association's Anthony Anton as he speaks with industry leaders, including Tom Norwalk of Visit Seattle about future forecasting and setting your best foot forward for 2022.
Image courtesy of Google
BIZ TRAINING: BOOST YOUR BUSINESSES THROUGH BRAND BUILDING
Thursday May 5 at 9am
Learn how to make a strong brand that makes an impression and drives dollars for you in this FREE session presented by Google and Canva for National Small Business Week.


BIZ SUPPORT: UPCOMING STATE GRANTS & AID
The next round of state grant support and aid is on its way to businesses.

Here’s a quick look at what’s coming: 
  • $70M - Working Washington Round 5
  • $5M - Convention Center Grants
  • $100M - Hospitality Sector Grants
  • $5M - Relief for large arts, heritage and sciences and nonprofit organizations (reimburses mandated COVID testing costs)
  • $34.5M - Small Business Innovation & Competitiveness Fund
  • $20M - Small Business Disaster Relief Program

Check in regularly with the Washington State Department of Commerce to check your eligibility and enrollment dates. 
JOB & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
CITY OF BAINBRIDGE SEEKS COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR
OLYMPIC COLLEGE JOB FAIR
Wednesday May 4 from 12-3pm
BAINBRIDGE ISLAND HEALTH & REHAB HIRING SEVERAL POSITIONS
Image courtesy of Keith Brofsky
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR NAT'L PARK SERVICE ON BI
Volunteers would be located at the BI Japanese American Exclusion Memorial
LOCAL COVID UPDATES
BY THE NUMBERS: COVID RATES
Current Cases per 100,000
  • Bainbridge Island: 219 (up from 136)
  • Kitsap County: 153 (up from 83)

Bainbridge Cumulative Total Cases

  • Bainbridge Island: 1,963
  • (60 new since last week)

As of April 23, 2022

Kitsap County External Resources:
FREE CHAMBER MEMBER RESOURCES
VIA ROSA CONFERENCE ROOM:
Seating for 10 people, a 50” video screen + giant whiteboard wall – Avail. for 60 or 120-min sessions


PSE POP-UP SPACE:
6' x 6' space with display stand, power, internet + 43" monitor -
Avail. for 1-week-or-2-week slots.


BROCHURE RACKS:
Newly-expanded capacity for 4x9" promo cards in our indoor and outdoor racks at both Ferry Info Kiosk + Winslow Way Info Desk.