a weekly digest for bainbridge business owners and our island community |
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BUSINESS & COMMUNITY NEWS |
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Image courtesy Kitsap Transit |
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THE TIME IS NOW TO HAVE YOUR SAY ABOUT THE FUTURE OF KITSAP TRANSIT |
You may have seen the recent coverage of a potential Bremerton to Bainbridge foot ferry (as a partial solution to the workforce crisis affecting dozens of Island businesses, and increasing road congestion at the Agate Pass Bridge).
That concept is part of an overall effort by Kitsap Transit to formulate a Long-Range Transit Plan to serve as a planning tool that will guide transportation operations and direct resources over the next 20 years.
Over the past few days, every resident of the County should have received a postcard in the mail inviting feedback in a new Kitsap Transit Survey - please use the link below to head there now and share your thought (perhaps even selecting ‘New Ferry Route(s)’ as your top priority for that long-range plan?!!)
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Image courtesy Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times
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ISLAND NAMED CULINARY POWERHOUSE BY SEATTLE TIMES |
Not that WE didn’t know, but it’s always AWESOME to someone else share how great our island’s food culture is - as Tan Vinh of The Seattle Times did last week.
We’re honored that he spent the day nibbling through the island’s beloved culinary treasures and hit gold at every turn from hot, tasty croissants, to seafood entrees, pizza, wine, ice cream and beer.
Congrats to everyone and a sincere THANK YOU to the hardworking chefs, bartenders, waitstaff, and creators that have kept our island well-fed throughout the pandemic...
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From left - Jessica Perkins Miller (GO4/Event Chair), Matt Perry (PSE), Michael Birkhead (Grand Prize Winner), Rachel Knudson (Scrappy Arts Lab), and Stefan Goldby (Chamber President/CEO) |
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OFFICIAL GO4 2022 POSTER DESIGN REVEALED, GRAND PRIZE AWARDED |
After a contest featuring more than 50 local entries, congratulations and $500 go to (BHS Senior) Michael Birkhead as the 2022 winner of the Grand Old 4th Poster contest.
In addition, honorable mentions go to 5 other talented finalists:
- Isiah Tweitan, 15
- Abigail Huck, 14
- Kieran Markham, 13
- Romy Greer, 11
- Margaret Taylor, 10
“We had an incredible field of entries this year from all grade levels and it was hard to select just one poster to represent our community’s indelible event: They were all fantastic!”
Jessica Perkins Miller (Chamber Events/GO4 Chair)
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING TONIGHT
Tuesday May 24 at 6pm
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The agenda includes:
- Authorizing $100,000 to Kitsap Transit for marketing and promoting BI Ride
- Maintaining Transportation Benefit Fund Vehicle License Fee of $30 + removing city-imposed spending restrictions
- Review recommendations to develop and implement a new Race Equity Plan + Toolkit
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SPECIAL PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
Thursday May 26 at 6pm
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After a mailing snafu regarding the last planning commission meeting required a do-over, this week's agenda includes:
- Public Comment and discussion of Housing Resources Bainbridge's Ericksen project (includes multi-family apartment building with 22 affordable units).
- Public Comment and discussion of a proposed 5-townhome subdivision along Wyatt Way (to be called Ravenwood)
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Image courtesy Visit Bainbridge Island |
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BAINBRIDGE/FILMWORKS SIGNUP FORM LIVE AT CHAMBER WEBSITE |
If you think your business, property or residence would make a great film location, both the Chamber and WA Filmworks want to know about it.
We’ve created an easy-to-use form that allows easy upload images and submission on details for inclusion in a new (private) directory of Island production locations
And not that we need to remind you, but the promise of a healthy economic windfall to our community at large accompanies productions coming to utilize any location on Bainbridge... so go team!
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Image courtesy Visit Bainbridge Island |
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ONE WEEK REMAINING TO BE A PART OF 2022'S WORK READY BAINBRIDGE PILOT PROGRAM |
The Chamber and Bainbridge Youth Services have joined forces to create a new eight-week summer employment and workforce certification program connecting local youth employees (ages 16-24) with employers and the local business/nonprofit community on Bainbridge Island.
Launching as a pilot program to provide motivated local candidates with meaningful summer work in our community, there are 10 initial slots available for 2022.
Applications are now open through the end of May for both employers and employees...
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A TRIO OF BAINBRIDGE CELEBRATIONS: BLOEDEL, SCOTCH BROOM + PEGASUS COFFEE HOUSE |
2022 is shaping up to be a year of celebration and Chamber staff was out and about in the past few days to help ring in anniversaries and fresh accomplishments across the island.
First up was the Bloedel Reserve’s ribbon cutting for their new Gatehouse and Arrival Plaza on May 13 (with the honors done by hedge trimmers as wielded by Bloedel's Erin Hill). The ceremony also market Bloedel's annual membership drive with special discounts available through the end of May.
Afterward, the elusive Scotch Broom Parade rolled through town. The OG of the flash mob, this parade historically started as a joke but has since evolved into a time-honored tradition where a tiddly-wink game is played for the right to wield the Golden Plunger and a Scotch Broom Queen is randomly chosen to lead the very brief parade, symbolically ridding the island of a noxious and invasive weed.
Finally, Saturday took a TUBULAR turn to celebrate Pegasus Coffee's 42nd anniversary with an 80s-themed party that also marked the return of live music to Pegasus after a 2-year pandemic-fueled pause.
Hooray for more markers of returning normality!
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LAST CALL FOR REBATES: CASH SUBSIDIES AVAILABLE TO BAINBRIDGE RESTAURANTS THAT REMOVE SINGLE-USE PLASTIC SERVICEWARE |
West Coast nonprofit, Plastic Free Restaurants still stands ready to reimburse restaurant owners with up to $5/piece for replacing single-use plastics with reusable metal, ceramic etc dishes/utensils but only until May 31, 2022.
To-date, PFR has eliminated more than 2.6 million pieces of single-use plastics from the waste stream and they are offering to help Island business owners do the same.
It is a simple, easy process, one that is outlined further in a recent article in The Island Wanderer.
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CHAMBER AFTER HOURS HEADS TO VIA ROSA 11 |
Mark Your calendars for TUESDAY, June 7 as we head east to Rolling Bay's Italian Market & Kitchen Via Rosa 11.
Please join the Chamber in celebrating 10 years of the Sordellos bringing Island families together over insanely delicious pastas, pizzas, and more.
Celebratory complementary beverages will be served, courtesy of event sponsor Eleven Winery
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Shannon Raymond-Becker is the founder of Seaside Bookkeeping, where “everyone counts”.
Her goal is to off-load the stress that business owners face in keeping up with company finances, allowing them to focus on the goals and growth of their business they love.
Shannon cheers people on and empowers them with an understanding of their finances while keeping their books up to date and accurate.
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Q: How Many More Employees Does Your Business Need To Be Able To Serve Your Current Customer Demand?
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(please chose a single answer)
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Recent Results:
Q: In your opinion, what are the most important challenges facing your business/organization today?
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SUPPORT THE ARTS, HOUSE THE BIRDS
Thursday May 26, 8-11am
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Bainbridge Senior Living wants to give your backyard birds some new digs in an effort to support arts and art programing at BIMA.
The organization is selling incredible bird houses with a suggested donation of $10/house and all proceeds will go to BIMA.
Grab yours at the parking lot of BI Senior Living at Madrona House (8800 Madison Ave) from 8-11am.
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A SALUTE TO SERVICE: ISLAND MEMORIAL DAY EVENTS |
Help the Colin Hyde Post 172 of the American Legion commemorate the lives dedicated and lost during this Memorial Day Monday, May 30th at a pair of community events:
- 11am – Rededication of the Veterans Memorial Monument at Bainbridge High School stadium (with local Scouts, Superintendent Peter Bang-Knudsen, Mayor Joe Deets)
- 12:30pm – Commemorate 80 years of the Colin Hyde Post 172 Legion Hall with veterans who will speak to its history and pay tribute to past members alongside the U.S. Navy Band Northwest. Refreshments will be served.
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Image courtesy Kitsap Kids' Day |
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KITSAP KIDS’ DAY AT KITSAP COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS
Saturday June 4 10am
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Enjoy a day out with the kids and meet our local heroes!
This year's kids day has live fire & rescue demonstrations, safety tips and ideas, hands-on activities, an obstacle course, entertainment and of course plenty of emergency vehicles and rescue equipment to look at and touch.
The event is FREE to all.
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Are you an amazing local website designer... or do you have one you would like to recommend?
Enquiring minds want to know!
The Chamber has a number of upcoming digital projects to build at both at a local and a county level, and we always want to #BuyBainbridge whenever possible.
Step on up, Island (and Kitsap) digital experts - this is your officially your time to shine...
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BAINBRIDGE BUSINESS ACADEMY |
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TOURISM SKILLSHOP: MAXIMIZING FESTIVALS AND EVENTS
Thursday May 26 at 10am
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What is the best way to maximize your destination event or festival to drive tourism, lodging stays and economic growth? Find out in the next State of Washington Tourism Skillshop.
Learn about event planning, measuring ROI, coalescing community collaboration and funding and implementing sustainability across all areas as well as how use digital marketing, SEO, and social influencers to your advantage.
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REGISTER PLASTICS WITH STATE BY JUNE 15 |
If you’re a producer of covered products sold, offered for sale, or distributed in Washington, you must register with the Dept. of Ecology on or before June 15, 2022.
Washington’s new plastics law, Chapter 70A.245 RCW calls for certain plastic packaging products to include a minimum amount of recycled plastic.
Covered products include:
- Plastic trash bags
- Plastic beverage bottles
- Plastic bottles for household cleaning and personal care products
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SCORE PROVIDES MENTORSHIP FOR SMALL BUISNESSES |
Recently reauthorized with bipartisan support, SCORE helps connect aspiring and current entrepreneurs with education and mentorship services to help them accelerate their business and personal growth.
Join more than 45,000 others and get access to online toolkits, mentorship platforms, counseling, webinars and training programs for FREE.
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JOB & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES |
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COBI SEEKING HOUSING SPECIALIST |
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BUILDERS FIRSTSOURCE HIRING MULTIPLE SALES POSITIONS |
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KITSAP TRANSIT SEEKS CLERK/PUBLIC RECORDS OFFICER |
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BY THE NUMBERS: COVID RATES |
Current Cases per 100,000
- Bainbridge Island: 283 (up from 235)
- Kitsap County: 194 (down from 219)
Bainbridge Cumulative Total Cases
- Bainbridge Island: 2,136
- (54 new since last week)
As of May 21, 2022
Kitsap County External Resources:
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FREE CHAMBER MEMBER RESOURCES |
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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.
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