The Chamber's 1-on-1 Community Conversation with Leslie Schneider

As part of the Chamber's ongoing efforts to help inform the Bainbridge community, the Chamber is conducting in-depth interviews with each of the candidates in the upcoming City Council elections.

The same 12 questions are asked of each candidate, with up to 45 minutes for full and unabridged answers. Both text transcripts and the original unedited videos are available.

Head on over to the Chamber website to see and hear what Leslie Schneider, Central Ward candidate, has to say about the challenges and potential solutions for the future of Bainbridge Island.

Election Ballots should be in your mailbox now.

Time To Vote: General Election Ballots Are Out

Voters throughout the entire county will have a chance to elect candidates in cities, school districts, fire districts, port districts, utility districts and park districts.

In addition to the Chamber's own 1-on-1 chats with the City Council candidates, we also recommend taking a look at the recent League of Women Voters of Kitsap Candidate Forum with Dick Haugan & Kirsten Hytopoulos.

Drop your completed ballots any time until November 7 in the Dropbox in the parking lot by the Aquatics Center at 8489 Madison Avenue N.

On The Agenda:

Tonight at City Council

• Public Hearing on potentially increasing 2024 property taxes by 1%, increasing the total collected locally by $82,951
• Further discussion around updating the ordinance and repealing the current moratorium on building inns in Neighborhood Centers, after input from public comment and planning commission (vote scheduled for Nov. 14 meeting)
• Authorize City to partner with Housing Resources Bainbridge in applying for a $480k grant for Ericksen Affordable Housing Project.
• Authorize contract with a State Lobbyist Gordon Thomas Honeywell Government Relations for $51,600/year
• Proposed modifications to the City Biennial Budget (mostly in response to inflation)

Upcoming Open Houses for Winslow Subarea Plan

Join the City of Bainbridge Island for an Open House in November to learn more about elements of the proposed updates for our Winslow Subarea Plan.

Environmental Impact Statement Open House

Wednesday October 25; 4-6pm

More details

Virtual Open House via Zoom Webinar

Thursday, November 2; 7:00-8:30 pm

Zoom Link

In Person Open House

(Hosted by Planning Commission)

Thursday, November 9; 6:00-8:00 pm

City Hall 280 Madison Ave. N

Additional information about the project alternatives, previous public workshops, and indeed all the documentation produced to date can be found on the City's project website...

Home Compostable Product List Open For Business Owner Feedback Until Sunday 10/29

On September 12, 2023, the City Council passed Ordinance No. 2023-24, to amend regulations around disposable food service ware items and waste reduction, while repealing the 25c Cup Fee.

Impacted business owners are currently being personally visited by the Chamber's Business Ambassadors, and are encouraged to give feedback to the the City on an initial list of 16 proposed products before 10/29 through the online feedback form linked to below.

Halloween After Hours Party at John L. Scott a Few Spots Left

Thu Oct 26, 5:30pm

Ready for a spooktactular Chamber member mixer? As we write, there are a few spots left, so act quickly!

Come party with Randi, Caron & the John L Scott Team at their Winslow Way offices on Thursday, October 26 from 5:30 to 7:30pm.

Costume Contest Categories include:

• Best Costume
• Most Original Costume
• Sparkiest Costume
• Coolest Costume
• Funniest Costume
• Scariest Costume

Complimentary wine will be provided by our event partners and sponsors at Eleven Winery alongside tacos from Aceitunos and Bainbridge Event Rentals is donating their Lightning Photo Booth to capture the moments.

Tickets are always free for Chamber members and available to a limited number of non-member guests for $20.

BI Japanese American Exclusion Memorial Launches Capital Campaign

The Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial Association (BIJAEMA) proudly announces the launch of its campaign to raise $4.0 million for a new Visitor Center, located at the historic site of the Eagledale ferry dock on Bainbridge Island. 

The Visitor Center will house additional interpretive materials, providing a deeper educational experience for the more than 10,000 walk-in visitors and 50+ private educational tours the Memorial hosts annually.

State-of-the-art audiovisual equipment will support access to digital resources, making history come alive for generations to come. 

Dia de los Muertos at BIMA

Since opening in 2013, Bainbridge Island Museum of Art (BIMA) has hosted an exhibition and community event honoring the Mexican cultural celebration Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) annually each fall.

In honor of the tenth anniversary of both the Día de los Muertos program and the museum’s opening, this year’s celebration will include an even larger-scale exhibition inspired by Día de los Muertos featuring the work of local artists, with the community day celebration welcoming visitors of all ages on October 28 starting at 11:00 AM in the BIMA galleries.

Can You Find Me... & My 8 Friends at Johnson Farm

Nine Scarecrows, created by teens at BARN and donated to Friends of the Farms, are currently hiding somewhere at Johnson Farm, located off Miller Road on Twin Ponds Road. 

Find them all from now through Sat Oct 28 

Once you find them, take your picture with one or all and post photos on either Facebook or Instagram using #friendsofthefarmscarecrows or tag @friendsofthefarms on Insta. 

Spread the word, tell others to enjoy and please, do not move or disrupt the Scarecrows!

Introducing PSE's Bill Discount Program

Income-eligible customers can now reduce their Puget Sound Energy (PSE) bills by up to 45% a month through the Bill Discount program.

Applying for the program is easy and only takes a few minutes to fill out the online application (no income documentation or social security number is required).

To see if you are eligible before applying, just go to pse.com/discount. By answering three questions, using the program’s widget - household size, county of residency and household income - you will instantly learn if you are eligible for an energy discount.

Bainbridge Workshops & Assistance Application:

• BI Library: Oct 24, 4:30-5pm presentation & 5-7:30pm application assistance

♪ Do You Want to Own A Restaurant? ♪

After more than a decade on Bainbridge Island, local culinary legends Greg & Betsy Atkinson have decided the time is right to sell Restaurant Marché.

The new owners can choose to continue the tradition of french cuisine, or transform the place into something completely different from what Greg & Betsy have done - in Greg's own words, they, "built a theater and now anyone can put on a show there..."

How to Use Current Technology To Maximize

Productivity and Profits in Your Business While

Staying Protected and Secure

Designed to help small businesses equip themselves with the best technology and practices available today to increase productivity and profitability and protect them against online threats.

Featuring well-known business leaders, tech experts and leading minds showing small businesses how to compete and succeed in many aspects of their business with a concentration on utilizing technology to be productive, profitable and protected​.

This free online event includes Shark Tank’s Robert Herjavec, co-Founder of Siri-Adam Cheyer, and best-selling author and entrepreneur extraordinaire Mike Michalowicz.

Celebrate Fall & Halloween, Bainbridge Island Style

Bainbridge Islanders love their holidays and celebrating Fall and Halloween!

There’s a lot going on throughout the month and Island Wanderer Blog has compiled a list of what’s happening: from costume swap at KidiMu to Pumpkin Walk at Bainbridge Gardens and the annual Trick or Treating event on Winslow Way.

Don your costume and get ready to celebrate cooler nights, falling leaves, pumpkin picking, haunted hayrides, Dia de Los Muertos, & ghost stories.