Slow Down, You're on Island Time: Bainbridge Speed Limits To Drop Immediately

What Is Happening? Phased in over the next few months, speed limits on many of our secondary arterial and side-roads will change. 

• Roadways that are at 35 mph will drop down to 30 mph
• Side-roads and local access, or non-posted roadways, will drop from 30 mph and 25 mph down to 20 mph

Why Are We Talking About This? The adoption comes after a year of research conducted by Transpo Group of Kirkland who was commissioned by the city to evaluate the issue (view the full presentation here). 

What's Next?

• Now: City will publicly communicate more about the changes to residents
• Winter/Spring: Traffic stops will enforce current speed limits and educate about upcoming changes. Public Works will install new speed limit signs
• Spring/Summer: Roadways with recorded higher rates of speeding will be prioritized for active enforcement.

New Kitsap Group Starts Talks About Improving Health Care

The first meeting of a new group of local elected officials, community representatives and health care officials took place Wednesday afternoon to discuss the widening gaps in the Kitsap's healthcare system generated a daunting list of needs, problems, and challenges.

Led by Kitsap County Commissioner Rob Gelder the group (including Bainbridge's new mayor Brenda Fantroy-Johnson) will now meet regularly to try and address county-wide issues a lack of staff and services, workforce housing, lack of credentialed schooling for health programs, and more.

Annual Agate Pass Bridge Work Starts In 2 Weeks

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

Bridge cleaning will be completed, as well as any minor repairs - which means that things are fixed proactively, before they become a problem.

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

Take A Moment To Support State Tourism Funding

House Bill 1258 is scheduled for a hearing this Wednesday (February 1) at 4pm in the House Appropriations Committee.

This bill would allow the state tourism program to continue its work and expand industry programming through essential operational funding. You may also submit written comment in support of the bill.

To support this bill, simply record that by signing in online before 3pm Wednesday (Feb. 1).

Be Our Valentine at

Chamber After Hours on Feb 9

+ Photos of Last Week's Event

We had an incredible (and sold out!) After Hours to kick off 2023 at Paula Weissinger's - State Farm Insurance office - a big thanks to her team, Erika Thayer at the Bainbridge Apothecary & Taco Barn for catering the evening, and Eleven Winery for delicious complementary wine.

See all the fun in our new January After Hours Event Gallery

In less than 2 weeks, we will be celebrating the love at Bainbridge Senior Living - Madison House for a Valentine's themed After Hours on February 9 at 5:30 pm

There are already less than 20 spots left for February: click here to RSVP today - members (free) and guests ($20).

BPA Announces the '23-'24 Mainstage Season

From "The Prom" to "The Book of Will", the new season of shows from Bainbridge Performing Arts has a performance that will fit everyone's favorite genres.

All shows are planned to be staged at the new Buxton Center (due to be completed in the Fall)...

Take a peek at BPA's 2023-2024 season

Teen Talking Circles

Teen Talking Circles train caring and passionate adults to lead groups anywhere in the world to support the positive mental health of adolescents.

The first Teen Talking Circle Facilitator's Training took place in 1998 and officially became Teen Talking Circles in 2001. 

Since then they have trained adults, from every walk of life and profession, and brought powerful circling methodology to communities locally and globally.

Their dedicated facilitator's vision is to provide all teens a safe space to tell the truth. 

Learn about their work & visit their site

"What is Editing?"

a 3-Part Series

Feb 1, Feb 22, & Mar 22

Following the popular “Books and Authors” event in December, OfficeXpats and UW professor of editing Matthew Bennett have teamed up to offer three new workshops on the editing process for writers.

Come join OfficeXpats in the first of the series, “What Editors Do For Writers” on Wednesday February 1 at 4:30pm.

Register and learn more from OfficeXpats

Celebrate FeBREWary at T&C

Thu Feb 2, 2 - 4pm

Head over to Winslow to sample & enjoy a selection of free Northwest Beer samples on Thursday at the Bainbridge Island Town & Country Market.

Visit 343 Winlsow Way for (sample-sized) free beer!

February First Friday Art Walk on Winslow

Fri February 3, starting at 6 pm

As the days start to get longer (yay!), spend this coming Friday visiting local museums, galleries, and shops and partaking in First Friday Art Walk.

BIMA is celebrating the start of Black History Month with Black Love Market presented in the Galleries for a special pop up with curated vendors. 

Photographer Kate Deveaux will have a meet & greet and exhibit at Bainbridge Public Library from 5-7 pm.

Check out BIDA for First Friday Art Walk Info

Visit The Island Wanderer for Art Walk Listings

BHS Teacher Mary Rowland's Exhibit Opens at Jeffrey Moose Gallery

Fri February 3, 6 - 8pm

Painter and Bainbridge Island High art teacher Mary Rowland will exhibit recent works at Jeffrey Moose Gallery for the months of February and March.

Rowland, who received a BA from Macalester College, St. Paul, MN and an MEd from Arizona State University, has taught at BHS since 2003.

When not teaching, she is painting or printmaking everyday in her second story studio out on Point No Point in Hansville, with an expansive view on Puget Sound towards Whidbey Island.

Visit Jeffrey Moose's page for information

Island Life Artisan Gifts Hosts Anna Okrasinski-Maddox

Fri February 3, 6 - 8pm

Anna became an artist to explore life’s deepest questions through a variety of mixed media.

Her newest exploration is art you can wear; Flotsam Studio jewelry is inspired by rusty treasures washed up on the shores of the Puget Sound, weathered coffee cans, old decorative tins, and a love of reusing and repurposing old junk.

Visit 488 Winslow Way to meet Anna

Kindergarten Info Sessions with BISD

Feb 8, 15, & 16

Welcome class of 2036! There are 3 upcoming Kindergarten Program nights for family members of young ones.

General BISD Kindergarten Program:

WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 5:30 p.m.

WHERE: Wilkes Elementary, 12781 Madison Ave. (Representatives from all BISD elementary schools will be in attendance

Mosaic Home Education & Odyssey* Multiage Information:

WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 6:30 p.m.

WHERE: Commodore, 9530 NE High School Road

El Velero* Spanish Immersion Kindergarten Information:

WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 16 at 5:30 p.m.

WHERE: Ordway Elementary, 8555 Madison Ave.

*Admittance to Odyssey and El Velero is via a lottery

Tell us a bit about your family and your student by completing this brief form.  

Wine on the Rock-

Wine and Chocolate

February 9 - 11

Tickets are now available for Wine on the Rock, which includes a wine flight paired with chocolates at each of the four wineries, and special event wine glass.

Grab your sweetie or best pal and celebrate Valentines Day with Fletcher Bay, Rolling Bay, Eagle Harbor & Eleven wineries! 

Reserve your tickets & learn more

Volunteer Opportunity: National Park Service Guide on Amtrak Trains

Looking to volunteer for the Amtrak Trains & support the National Park Service, join the information meeting on Sat Feb 11 at 1 pm.

Meet at the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, 319 Second Ave South, Seattle.

Email you name, address and phone number

Helping Hands Needed for Chilly Hilly

Sun February 26

Squeaky Wheels is partnering with Cascade Bicycle Club to provide volunteers for the 2023 Chilly Hilly on Sunday, February 26.

Volunteers will direct riders along the route, give much-appreciated encouragement and perform some safety monitoring (e.g. slow down).

Shifts are 2.5-3 hours - between 8:30-9:30am, or 11:00am-12:30pm; sign up in pairs, individually or as a group!

Review the available slots on Signup Genius and click on the button to sign up

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)?

Institute for the Future Research Assistant

Email for more information & to apply

Western Washington University Certified Business Advisor

For more information & to apply

Streamliner Diner Seeking Various Positions

Email for more information & to apply

Fieldstone Memory Care Caregiver & Other Positions

For more information & to apply

For Rent: 3,080 sf Retail Unit at Harbor Square

Expansive corner retail unit with high ceilings, big windows, and loads of natural light in a mixed-use development only one block from the Seattle-Bainbridge Island ferry terminal. 

Approved uses include restaurants, craft food and beverage, personal and professional services and commuter-oriented retail sales.

In addition to any patch & repair, priming, cleaning, and deferred maintenance items required, the Landlord offers a tenant improvement allowance of $13.00 per sqft.

864 Winslow Way images & floor plan

Best Practices to Improve Your Social Selling Efforts in 2023

According to Accenture, social commerce sales reached $492 billion worldwide in 2021 and are forecasted to triple to $1.2 trillion by 2025.

The market opportunity is vast for retailers willing to embrace a human-centric approach to online shopping that can strengthen consumer relationships.

Improve your social selling efforts in 2023

COVID Cases per 100,000

Jan 9 - Jan 16, 2023

• Kitsap County: 49 cases
• WA State: 55 cases

Washington State County External Resources:

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