a weekly digest for bainbridge business owners and our island community
BUSINESS & COMMUNITY NEWS
GIVINGTUESDAY - TODAY IS THE DAY TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT
GivingTuesday reimagines a world built upon shared humanity and generosity.

It's global network collaborates year-round with a common mission to build a world where generosity is part of everyday life.

Image courtesy of COBI
BIG COBI WASTE REDUCTION CHANGES COMING FOR FOOD, BEVERAGE, LODGING ON ISLAND
Effective January 1, 2023
The final parts of City Council's 2021 Waste Reduction ordinance will soon come into full effect as of 01/01/23:
  • Onsite dining must use reusable (made of metal, ceramics, glass) instead of disposable food service ware
  • To-go orders must use home compostable food service ware (made with natural fibers)
  • Plastic disposable food service ware will not be allowed for either onsite dining or to-go orders
  • Customers will be encouraged to bring their own reusable containers for take-out (and a 25c fee must be imposed on all single-use to-go cups)
  • Local lodging establishments will no longer be allowed to offer single-use personal care products, unless it is in home compostable packaging

For detailed information of the new regulations (including approved product lists, and instructions on how to apply for individual exemptions and exclusions), head to COBI's 2023 Waste Reduction Resources webpage
WASTE REDUCTION ASSISTANCE: COBI'S HOME COMPOSTABLE PRODUCT FAIR
Mon Dec. 12, 1-3pm at City Hall

Do you own or manage an Island food/beverage/lodging business and/or are personally interested in learning more about the upcoming new waste reduction requirements on Bainbridge?

All are encouraged to attend a Vendor Fair at City Hall on Dec. 12 to learn more about the ordinance from City staff, talk to suppliers, and test home compostable service ware sample products.


In addition, over the next few weeks, look for the Chamber's Business Ambassador team to visit all affected locations on Bainbridge to offer practical support and gather feedback both before and after the new regulations go into effect on 01/01/23.

HELP AVAILABLE FOR BOTH EMPLOYERS & EMPLOYEES TO GET COVERAGE THROUGH WA HEALTHPLANFINDER
Enrollment is now open through January 15 via Washington Healthplanfinder, the state’s official online marketplace for individuals and families to find, compare and purchase high-quality health insurance.

Support to navigate the process of getting health insurance is available online, via email, and over the phone to help all business owners and workers :

VISIT BAINBRIDGE ISLAND LAUNCHES STARRY NIGHTS AND NO CITY LIGHTS CAMPAIGN
Visit Bainbridge, the island's Destination Marketing Organization has been hard at work preparing a coordinated campaign to bring visitors here for the holidays.

Based around trading the bustle of bright city lights for the cozy warmth of starry nights and evergreens on Bainbridge, the campaign features over a dozen events to partake in during the next 6 weeks at Bloedel, BIMA, Pleasant Beach Village, and more.

Away from the Island, the new campaign is now running ads on air at Spotify, and online in ParentMap, NorthWest Travel, Southbound Magazine, and 425 Magazine.

Courtesy of Washington Economic and Revenue Forecast Council
STATE TAX REVENUES PROJECTED TO CLIMB $1.4B OVER EXPECTATIONS
Even in the shadow of a much-rumored potential recession, Washington state tax collections will likely come in $1.4 billion higher than previously forecast over the next three years.

As shown in the graph, this data is collected by the Washington Economic and Revenue Forecast Council for the State Legislature to prepare them for writing WA's annual budget.
YOUR BUSINESS CAN BE FEATURED IN "BEST PLACES TO WORK" NEWSPAPER SECTION
Would you like to have a photo of your business featured in Sound Publishing's "Best Places to Work in Kitsap County" Section?

The deadline is Fri Dec. 2 to submit photos of employees performing their job or photos of your business, photo credit will be given to participating companies.

NEWS IN BRIEF
CHAMBER UPDATES & EVENTS
Image courtesy of Pleasant Beach Village
RSVP NOW FOR AFTER HOURS HOLIDAY PARTY ON DEC. 8 AT THE MANOR HOUSE
Join the the Pleasant Beach Village team for the next Chamber After Hours at The Manor House on Thursday Dec. 8 at 5:30pm.

Complementary wine courtesy of Eleven Winery and food from The Manor House will be available for all.

Bainbridge Island General Store pop-up in the Chamber Window
CHAMBER SPOTLIGHT: BROWSE BAINBRIDGE VIA THE ISLAND GENERAL STORE ONLINE
Continue your holiday shopping and small business season online at the Bainbridge Island General Store.

Returning for another holiday season, the island's online general store helps locals browse Bainbridge, find what you need, and connect directly to business's own websites.

Browse more than 60 vendors by visiting the Bainbridge Island General Store this holiday season!

More details on display in the Chamber Spotlight window right now (as sponsored by our partners at PSE)
MEMBER & COMMUNITY EVENTS
Image courtesy of Kitsap Transit
BI RIDE VIRTUAL FOCUS GROUP
Tue Dec. 6 & Wed Dec. 7
You are invited to give your feedback to help increase ridership for BI Ride Bus service.

Attend two virtual focus groups:
  • Tue Dec. 6, from 1 - 2:30pm
  • Wed Dec. 7, from 6:30 - 8pm

Image courtesy of OfficeXpats
BOOKS AND AUTHORS EVENING
Thu Dec. 1, 5 - 7pm at OfficeXpats
Bainbridge Island is home to almost a hundred authors and quite a few of them have found a creative home in the OfficeXpats writers’ groups. 

Some of our local authors will be speaking about their books, the writing process, and the value of a writing community to support the creative process. 

THE HOLIDAYS ARE HERE AT PLEASANT BEACH VILLAGE
There are many festive family activities to experience at Pleasant Beach Village from designing a Gingerbread House to Ice Skating to spending time with Santa. Click on the photos for more information and other holiday events at the Village.
Gingerbread House Party
Pleasant Beach Skating Rink
Meet Santa at The Manor House!
Image courtesy of stock images
ELF ON THE SHOP SHELF
Dec. 1 through Dec. 23
The Downtown Association is bringing back Elf on the Shop Shelf for the Holiday Shopping Season.

Retailers collect your Elf on the Shelf from BIDA to hide in your shop.

Participants can pick up a "Bingo Cards" at Calico Toy Shoppe (290 Winslow Way) beginning on Nov 30.

“Colors Sprawling and Dancing with Spirit"
by Lea Basile-Lazarus 2022
FRIDAY ART WALK AT JEFFREY MOOSE GALLERY CELEBRATING TWO WOMAN ARTISTS
Friday Dec. 2, from 6 - 8pm
Kick off First Friday Art Walk at Jeffrey Moose Gallery immersing yourself with artwork from two Alaskan artists: Jennifer Angaiak Wood and Lea Basil-Lazarus.

A reception will be held on Fri Dec. 2 starting at 6pm, the exhibit will run through Jan. 3.

TOYS FOR TOTS MOVIE DAY
Saturday Dec. 10 at 11am
The 2022 Toys for Tots Day at the Movies tradition is back with the showing of The Polar Express on Dec 10, in partnership with Bainbridge Cinemas.

Admission is free, toy donations appreciated, and financial or food donations will be accepted for The Helpline House.

HOLIDAY EVENTS OVERVIEW
BLOEDEL RESERVE "WINTER OF WONDER"
Dec. 1 through Jan. 8
BAINBRIDGE WINTER STUDIO TOUR
Fri Dec. 2 to Sun Dec. 4, 10am - 5pm
BAINBRIDGE BREWING'S 10TH ANNIVERSARY
Friday Dec. 2 & Saturday Dec. 3
BIMA'S WINTER NIGHT MARKET
Fri Dec. 2 & Sat Dec. 3, 4 - 8pm
OVATION'S HOLIDAY PERFORMANCE
"THE SOUND OF MUSIC"
Opening Dec. 2
SONGS OF HOPE, JOY, & PEACE AT BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH
Friday Dec. 2 & Saturday Dec. 3
Kidimu
SOCK SKATING AND OTHER HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES AT KIDIMU
Now through Wednesday Feb. 1
CHRISTMAS TREES AND VISITS FROM SANTA CLAUS AT SUYEMATSU FARMS
SHOP ITALIAN THEMED GIFTS AT VIA ROSA'S HOLIDAY MERCATINO
PEGASUS HOLIDAY PROMOTIONS
BUSINESS SURVEY
KITSAP BUSINESS SURVEY
Q: What would help you as a Kitsap consumer to better shop small, shop local?
Please select from the list below
More discounts for locals
More marketing from individual companies
More community-wide marketing campaigns
More local ecommerce options
Same-day local delivery
Wider variety of small local businesses
Q: How significant of an impact does lack of workforce housing have on your ability to hire & retain staff?
BAINBRIDGE ISLAND RESULTS
KITSAP COUNTY RESULTS
Total Responses: 342
LOCAL HEALTH UPDATES
Image courtesy of Bainbridge Prepares
Current COVID Cases per 100,000
  • Bainbridge Island: Unavailable
  • Kitsap County: Unavailable

NOTE: As of Oct. 6, 2022, KCPH suspended updates due to inability to receive accurate reporting from St. Michael's Medical Center

Kitsap County External Resources:
FREE CHAMBER MEMBER RESOURCES
PSE POP-UP SPACE:
6' x 6' space with display stand, power, internet + 43" monitor -
Avail. for 1-week-or-2-week slots.


BAINBRIDGE FILMWORKS:
Make your home or business available to film/tv productions via a new WA Filmworks partnership


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


VIA ROSA CONFERENCE ROOM:
Seating for 10 people, a 50” video screen + giant whiteboard wall – Avail. for 60 or 120-min sessions