Kitsap Transit Enhances Island Bus Services

In response to requests from the Chamber and our community partners, Kitsap Transit is enhancing its Bainbridge Island bus service:

1. New trial of hop-on service with BI Ride now connecting Ferry Terminal & Winslow Way from 9:30am-3pm Mon-Sat
2. New scheduled pickups at Bloedel Reserve from 4pm to 7pm on weekdays (after BI Ride ends for the day)
3. All routed buses can be flagged anywhere outside of Winslow until around 7pm for a simple return to the ferry terminal

West Sound Tech Granted $41M For Improvements, Expansion

In a significant commitment to improving workforce training in Kitsap County, the state legislature recently pledged millions of dollars to expand Bremerton's West Sound Technical Skills Center for the first time since the 1970's.

The capital project provides an opportunity to increase the school’s number of instructors, increase enrollment by approximately 45%,and add expand programs training young people to enter construction, manufacturing, childcare, healthcare, automotive repair, cosmetology, the culinary arts and more.

ZEV Co-Op Launches Island EV Carshare Service

The City of Bainbridge Island, in partnership with Zero Emissions Vehicle Cooperative (ZEV co-op) and Mobility for All, officially launched the island's first electric vehicle carshare program (and the new public EV charging stations at City Hall).

As an introductory offer, there are currently $0 program sign-up fees, and cars available for rent (including insurance) at just $5/hr or $40/day through the ZEV mobile app.

Local Foundation Pledges $500k To Exclusion Memorial

A significant donation from the David & Carol Myers Foundation will supplement the recent $613,150 grant from the National Park Service in helping complete the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial project.

BIJAEMA Executive Director Ellen Sato Faust has revealed plans to submit permit applications for the $4M visitor center by the end of this month in an effort to break ground on the project by the start of 2024 and finish construction after a year’s work.

New PSE Program Offers Free EV Chargers To Island MultiFamily Properties

Local multifamily property managers and owners can prepare for the future of transportation by installing new electric vehicle charging at low or no cost with the help of PSE's new Up & Go Electric for Multifamily program.

Qualifying apartment buildings, condos and more can have up to 4 new EV chargers installed and maintained by PSE - with up to 100 percent of the cost to install and maintain electric vehicle charging covered through PSE.

Do You Have A Little Time For Bainbridge On July 4th?

With a couple of weeks to go until the big day, the Chamber would love a few more locals to volunteer to help the team at our Island's biggest annual event, the Grand Old 4th!

There are a few volunteer spots open:

• Parade Marshal (get a behind the scene look at how the parade is put together and view the floats before the public)
• Road Closure Barricades (assist with traffic control and pedestrian support)

Each shift only lasts a couple of hours, and you can choose then best time for you via the signup link here below - our community truly appreciates the support & hopes you can help!

Changes To Business License Renewals Coming Soon

Starting in July, Washington's Business Licensing Services will ONLY send electronic renewal notices to the email address on the license account.

These notices will now no longer be sent to business mailing addresses unless specifically requested by the license holder in advance.

Notifications about the change are posted on the state and local licensing links, but the summary is that this is now is the perfect time to head online and update your email/location info.

Housing, Transportation On Agenda At City Council, Planning Commission

CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION

Tuesday, June 20, 6pm - Agenda includes:  

Item 3A. - Overview of how Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council works with municipalities, tribes, and county to better serve residents

3B. - City's finance department will present best known options for funding Affordable Housing & Sustainable Transportation on Bainbridge Island

Smart Commuting Workshop

Thur, June 22, 10am - Noon

Need more ways to help your staff get to work on Bainbridge Island, 7 days a week?

In partnership with the Chamber, Kitsap Transit is offering a FREE workshop on Thursday, June 22 at the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art for employers, employees, and the public to learn more about its transportation services and receive one-on-one assistance to craft a new commuting plan for your company.

Come along to learn more about vanpools, carpools, and recent enhancements to Kitsap Transit's scheduled and on-demand buses...

GO4 Schedule Announced

Starting the day off with a Pancake Breakfast at 7am, then join the car show, street fair, and Kids Zone at 9am, followed by the mile-long parade at 1pm, and finish this family-fun day with live music from Soul Siren.

We hope you can join us for all the festivities!

Stars & Strikes: Baseball Game

Mon July 3, 12pm

Take me out to the ball game! Kick off the July 3 & 4 celebrations by joining the alumni and current BHS baseball players to root root root for the home team.

The Annual Stars & Strikes Alumni Baseball Game is a 4th of July tradition on Bainbride Island! Come see former BHS players and special guests play against each other to help raise money for the BHS Baseball Program. Hosted by BHS Baseball Boosters, this years game will include a baseball themed silent auction, concessions and more!

This event takes place at BHS Baseball fields.

Grand Old 4th of July

We are preparing to celebrate the Island's largest and longest-running island tradition - The Grand Old 4th!

As your hosts, the Chamber is still accepting entries for the Classic Car Show - but only until June 23!

Important Deadline Date:

• June 23 - Car Show Entry Deadline

Stop by the Chamber Office (395 Winslow Way) to pick up a poster, artwork by Eleanor Ford.

WEAVE PRESENTS

WEAVE is cultivating an artist-centered, all-ages, equity-based, community-driven venue with an urban feel right here on Bainbridge Island.

Based out of Rolling Bay Hall on Bainbridge Island, within the aboriginal territory of the “People of Clear Salt Water” [Suquamish People], WEAVE Presents is a nonprofit performing arts organization that hosts world-class musicians, showcases our local arts community, and invites audiences to acknowledge and celebrate the multi-racial, multi-ethnic roots of American culture. 

Bainbridge Escape Adds New Winslow Entertainment Option

Bainbridge Escape - The Mystery of History is a historic interactive escape room, which revolves around the story of David Caplan, famed fugitive from the 1910 Los Angeles Times Bombing.

The adventure brings an epic, historically relevant story to life in a one-of-a-kind tactile experience. 

Reservations are strongly recommended; however, they do accept in-person reservations, and can book you in if space allows.

Bainbridge Escape is located at 440 Winslow Way E, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 and will open Monday June 26.

Pegasus Adds Live Music, Extended Hours, Hot Cakes

Live entertainment has returned to the Pegasus Coffee House on Parfitt Way, bringing with it an extension of weekend operating hours, and some menu changes designed to better serve customers on those late afternoon and evening hours.

Music dominates Friday nights, joined by a rotation including trivia, painting, and surprises on Saturday.

A selection of local beers and wines are now available to accompany those extended hours, and in addition, via a new partnership with Seattles' Hot Cakes Molten Chocolate Cakery, customers can now enjoy Hot Cakes’ renowned Dark Decadence and Vegan Gooey Brownie cakes at Pegasus every day after 3pm.

BIMA Staying Open Late on Fridays & Saturdays

Bainbridge Island Museum of Art (BIMA) will experiment with extended evening hours this summer beginning June 30, 2023 the museum will stay open until 8:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

The BIMA Bistro will be open and serve beer, wine, and snacks while the Museum Store will be open for shopping. This effort was inspired by recent shifts in visitor trends, with day-trippers coming to visit Bainbridge Island later in the day than in previous years. 

Submissions Closing for the Bainbridge Island Film Festival

The deadline to submit to the inaugural Bainbridge Island Film Festival is June 30th.

Entry fees are waived for Kitsap County films and filmmakers.

BIFF will screen over a dozen feature films and 30+ short films across the Lynwood Theatre, Bainbridge Cinemas, and BIMA from Sept 21st-24th. 

Advertise in Show the Love Summer Guide

Show the Love Staycation and Summer Season Guide will help locals rediscover what's in their own backyard.

Share your marketing message to welcome people to Stay, Shop and Dine local. 

Ads rates start at $220 and will be inserted in The Bainbridge Review newspapers county-wide on July 28th, and the deadline to participate is Wednesday, June 21st.