Wednesday, March 26, 2025 | | |
Gas Tax Increases Key to Fueling
Washington Transportation Budgets
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Published in the Washington State Standard, March 24, 2025
Photo: Bill Lucia/Washington State Standard
Washington drivers would see higher gas taxes beginning this summer under transportation funding plans state House and Senate lawmakers unveiled Monday.
The chambers approach what would be the first gas tax increase since 2016 a bit differently.
The Senate’s proposal would raise the tax 6 cents per gallon, bringing it to 55.4 cents — not including the 18.4 cent federal rate. The state tax would then rise by 2% annually to account for inflation starting the following year.
The House goes bigger, looking to raise the state tax 9 cents, and then index it to inflation.
Both hikes would take effect July 1. The Senate gas tax proposal would raise $1.5 billion over the next six years, lawmakers say. The House: $1.8 billion.
Washington’s gas tax is already the third-highest in the nation behind California and Pennsylvania, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Read the full article here
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Last Chance to Register is Today!
March Membership Luncheon
Thursday, March 27, 2025, 11:00 am
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NOTE: New Date for March due to the KEDA Spring Forum
Join us on Thursday, March 27th at the Kitsap Conference Center as we talk about one of the biggest economic drivers in Kitsap County - tourism. Hear from local Destination Marketing pros at Visit Kitsap Peninsula, as well as from area small-business owners who feel the impacts of the tourism economy daily. Find out how your business can benefit from this boost and prepare for events - and people - coming to Kitsap!
Paid parking is available at the Kitsap Conference Center on the Green Level. Lunch registration is open until March 25th.
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Join the GKC Board of Directors
Applications open through April 8th
| | Are you interested in becoming more involved at the Greater Kitsap Chamber? We have volunteer positions open for the 2025-26 year, including on the Board of Directors, Chamber Committees, and the Chamber Foundation Board. Contact Irene to learn more and to submit an application today! The deadline to apply is April 8th. | | |
Chamber: Off the Clock @ Oxford Suites
Tuesday, April 15, 2025, 5:05 pm
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Save-the-Date: Armed Forces Day Parade
May 17, 2025, 10:00 am
| | Insurance Needs for You & Your Employees: Business Health Trust Has You Covered | | |
Big changes are coming to healthcare and insurance in 2025. Did you know the IRS has expanded preventative care benefits for high-deductible health plans? This includes coverage for over-the-counter contraceptives, continuous glucose monitors, and certain insulin products.
Our partner, Business Health Trust has summarized the insurance and healthcare changes impacting Washington employers and employees this year.
Click the link to read:
🔗 Article Link: https://businesshealthtrust.com/news_insights/insurance-changes-in-2025-what-you-need-to-know/
Not a BHT member? Are you ready to build a better benefits package? Email quote@businesshealthtrust.com to learn more and get a free quote.
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Renew your membership today to ensure your benefits as a member of the Greater Kitsap Chamber! Questions about when to renew or how to upgrade your membership? Need a new membership window cling or digital badge? Contact David now!
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Missed a previous edition of the Chamber's Community Connections?
View all the past issues on our website HERE.
| | New Members - Welcome to the Chamber! | | |
Bremerton School District
Subcontractor Outreach Event
Thursday, March 27, 2025, 4:00 pm
| | Arnold's Home Furnishings | | |
Unique Offerings: Stylish, Functional, and Timeless
Arnold’s Home Furnishings is more than just a furniture store—it’s a destination for homeowners seeking both aesthetics and functionality. From classic to contemporary styles, their showroom features a diverse selection of living room, bedroom, dining, and home office furniture, along with home décor, mattresses, and custom upholstery options.
Reasons to Choose Arnold’s Home Furnishings:
- Wide Furniture Selection – Sofas, sectionals, dining sets, bedroom furniture, and more
- Custom Upholstery – Personalize your furniture with a range of fabric and color choices
- Mattresses & Sleep Solutions – High-quality mattresses for a restful night's sleep
- Home Décor & Accents – Stylish accessories to complete any room
- Interior Design Assistance – Expert advice to help bring your vision to life
- Top Furniture Brands – Featuring trusted names in the industry for durability and comfort
Arnold’s commitment to quality craftsmanship means customers can invest in pieces that stand the test of time. Their staff takes pride in helping each customer find furniture that reflects their personal style and enhances their home’s functionality.
A Community-First Approach
Beyond furniture, Arnold’s Home Furnishings is deeply invested in the Bremerton community. Supporting local events, charities, and organizations, the business believes in giving back to the people who have supported them for decades. Their longstanding presence in the region has made them not just a business, but a trusted partner in the community.
Experience Arnold’s Home Furnishings Today
For those in search of stylish, well-crafted furniture with exceptional customer service, Arnold’s Home Furnishings is the place to go. Visit their showroom in Bremerton, WA, explore their offerings online at arnoldshomefurnishings.com, or follow them on Facebook for the latest updates and design inspiration.
Whether you’re redecorating, furnishing a new home, or searching for the perfect statement piece, Arnold’s Home Furnishings has the expertise and selection to bring your vision to life.
| | Weekly Legislative Update | | |
Courtesy of the Association of Washington Business
Photo: Bill Lucia/Washington State Standard
Budget proposals: On Monday, Democratic lawmakers in the Washington Legislature released their operating budget proposals for the 2025-2027 biennium, funded by billions in new and higher taxes.
Senate budget writers unveiled a $78.5 billion operating budget plan, which calls to increase state spending by about about 9% compared to the current budget.
House budget leaders put forward a $77.8 billion budget proposal, increasing biennial spending by about 8%.
Tax increases: AWB News has a detailed summary of the tax proposals in each budget.
The Senate plan calls for $17 billion in new taxes: a wealth tax, new payroll tax on large employers, removing the 1% cap on annual property tax growth, and repealing 20 tax preferences. It also proposes lowering the state sales tax rate from 6.5% to 6%.
The House plan proposes $13 billion in new taxes: a wealth tax, B&O tax surcharge on large corporations and higher surcharge on financial institutions, plus increase to the property growth tax limit.
Four of the proposed tax increases would be the largest in state history, Washington Research Council budget analyst Emily Makings writes.
Revenue forecast update: The state is projected to bring in $845 million less in tax revenue compared to earlier projections. Notably, revenues are still projected to increase by about $10 billion over the next four years — and that’s without any of the proposed new taxes.
AWB’s statement: AWB joined the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce, Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, and Washington Roundtable to express disappointment over the proposed revenue package and budget.
“For months, our organizations have urged lawmakers to craft a sustainable budget that corrects a well-worn pattern of overspending. However, it appears they are doing exactly what they have said they intended from the start: raise business taxes as high as they possibly can,” the organizations said.
How to help: The People for an Affordable Washington Campaign is calling on legislators to make smarter spending decisions. Click here to email your lawmakers, or donate here (contributions are reportable to the PDC).
What’s next: Lawmakers held public hearings on their budget proposals at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
The Senate and House will now negotiate and pass a final budget by the end of the legislative session on April 27.
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23rd LD's Session Update w/Rep. Greg Nance
Thursday, March 27, 2025, 3:00 pm
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Judge Overturns Washington Natural Gas Measure Approved by Voters
Supporters say they'll appeal to the State Supreme Court
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Published in the Washington State Standard, March 21, 2025
Photo: Jerry Cornfield/Washington State Standard)
A King County Superior Court judge on Friday invalidated the ballot measure approved by voters in November that seeks to slow Washington’s shift from natural gas toward technology like electric heat pumps.
Superior Court Judge Sandra Widlan ruled that Initiative 2066 is unconstitutional because it runs afoul of a provision limiting citizen initiatives to no more than one subject and requiring them to contain the full text of the portion of state laws they would alter.
In issuing her decision from the bench, Widlan said the purpose of the single subject requirement is to prevent “logrolling”’ or pushing through “undesirable legislation by attaching it to desirable legislation.”
“This is a difficult task in the present case, because the body of the initiative is so broad and free ranging that it makes it hard to say with any precision what the general topic is,” Widlan said, according to a press release from the coalition of groups that filed the lawsuit.
Read more here
| | Business & Professional Development Committee | | Member Education & Training Resources | | |
SCORE: Lead Generation Decoded
Wednesday, March 26, 2025, 4:00 pm
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Is your business generating enough leads to meet your revenue requirements? Do you have an organized, and automated way to capture leads? If not, then join us for a workshop on generating leads for your business.
Using marketing techniques centuries old, and tools of today, you can generate leads, track them, and monitor your success cost effectively. Leads are the lifeblood of every business, profit or otherwise. You can even integrate traditional media with digital methods for a highly effective lead generation process. You will also learn highly effective long term customer or client sustainment processes as well.
Registration Fee: FREE
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Lunchtime Lightning Talk: Tax Season Survival
Thursday, April 3, 2025, 11:30 am
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Stressed about tax season? You're not alone!
Join us for our Lunchtime Lightning Talk on Tax Season Survival on April 3rd from 11:30 AM-1:00 PM (in person only) at Vibe Coworks in Poulsbo. Hear from fellow business owners, including Carolyn Olson from Accell Accounting and Income Tax, Marit Bockelie from Marigold Mindset & Wellness, and Shannon Raymond-Becker from Pier 52 Bookkeeping as they share their own tax season stories, tips, and what’s worked (and what hasn’t!). BYO lunch and come hang with us!
No judgment—just real talk, support, and a chance to connect with others in the same boat.
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Washington State Dept of Labor & Industries: Business Essentials Webinar
Friday, April 18, 2025, 9:30 am
| | Business News & Resources | | |
Human Resources Lunch & Learn
Wednesday, April 2, 2025, 11:45 am
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Join us for WSHRMA’s April Lunch & Learn on April 02 at Skookum Contract Services from 11:45 AM – 1:00 PM. This session, “DEI Backlash and the New Rules of the Road for Employers,” will explore the evolving landscape of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the workplace and provide practical strategies for navigating challenges.
Don’t miss this important discussion! Reserve your spot today.
As an employer, it’s easy to feel paralyzed from the whiplash of the last decade. From #MeToo to COVID. From the great DEI awakening to the great resignation, it feels impossible to keep up with the pace of change. Now, with the Trump Administration’s Executive Order on DEI and major corporations dropping their DEI initiatives like a hot potato, we appear to be on the front end of a major backlash. How are employers supposed to navigate executive orders threating federal investigations into DEI practices after spending the last four years convincing their employees and customers of their commitment to DEI? We are now in a world where the only thing employees seem to agree upon is their right to sue their employer.
Join us for a webinar where we discuss where we’ve been, what we’ve learned, and what the new lessons are for employers plunging headlong into the DEI backlash. In a world where employers face more contradictory demands than ever, they must double down on their commitment to their employees’ success.
| | 24 Entrepreneurs Named to the 2025 Matchstick Lab Micro Business Accelerator | | |
Matchstick Lab announced the 24 participants of its third and largest Micro Business Accelerator cohort to date. The dedicated thirteen-week program is specifically crafted to build community amongst peers, and accelerate the entrepreneurial endeavors of small business owners who are ready to take their ventures to the next level.
Matchstick Lab Executive Director, Alanna Imbach commented:
“Entrepreneurship is tough, but it doesn’t have to be lonely. The Matchstick Lab Micro Business Accelerator is all about building community, making meaningful connections, and turning ambitious ideas into reality. We’re honored to support this incredible group of business owners as they take the next big steps in their ventures.”
Thanks to additional funding secured by the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance (KEDA), the program has doubled in size and extended its geographic reach for 2025, offering dedicated workshops in both the North and South ends of the county to increase accessibility and impact.
Learn more about Matchstick Lab 2025 Cohort here
The Greater Kitsap Chamber sends extra congratulations to members, Himesh Bhargo (TheKitsap.com), Jim Cook (White Barn Decor), Jon Berkimer (The Westsound Company), and Mariah Mendez (Honeybee Horticulture) on their selection!
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Small-Business Grants to Apply
for in March 2025
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Courtesy of the Puget Sound Business Journal
Image: Getty Images (Amanda Rohde)
About 53% of business owners surveyed by the Small Business Majority were worried about tariffs negatively impacting their business, while 77% were worried about tariffs impacting the American economy more broadly. The survey also found that over the past three months, business revenues decreased for 42% of entrepreneurs and stayed the same for 34% over that period. Just 24% of small businesses reported revenue increases.
A separate survey from small-business networking platform Alignable found that 30% of small businesses anticipate revenue losses due to tariffs proposed by the Trump administration. Just 18% believe it will boost their sales.
"Small businesses are already navigating a financial minefield — rising costs, inflation, and economic uncertainty," Alignable CEO Eric Groves said in a press release. "Now, the threat of new tariffs could be the breaking point for many.”
For small businesses looking to bolster their financial state or take their business to the next level amid the uncertainty, we have assembled a list of small-business grants that are open for applications.
Honeycomb Credit offers ‘breakthrough’ grant
Small-business investment platform Honeycomb Credit is offering a $10,000 breakthrough grant to support small businesses achieving their next big step, whether it’s a new location, launching a food truck or franchising. Applicants must own a business to qualify. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on April 2, 2025, with the grant winner to be announced by April 11, 2025.
Cognac brand Remy Martin offers $20,000 grants
Creatives and entrepreneurs contributing to their local culture in a few select cities are eligible for the Remy Martin This is My City Microgrant. The grant is for entrepreneurs in Chicago, Detroit, New York City and Atlanta, with a winner in each city getting the money and one-on-one mentorship from an established figure in their field. The grant coincides with the release of limited edition bottles designed to mimic the culture and flavor of each city.
This is My City grant honorees will be announced in June 2025. Applicants can submit their entries on RemyMartin.com/en-us/This-Is-My-City Applications close April 11, 2025.
$5,000 Faire Small-Business Grant
Independent retail stores or those who soon plan to open a retail store can win a $5,000 grant in Faire merchandise to help stock their store. Applicants need to provide a few details and submit a short video on how the grant money would help. Applications are due March 31, 2025, and winners are announced April 30, 2025.
$10,000 DoorDash disaster relief grants
Restaurants across the country hit hard by a natural disaster can apply for $10,000 grants, courtesy of DoorDash.
The Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund, a partnership between DoorDash, financing platform Hello Alice and the Global Entrepreneurship network, is open to restaurants in state or federally declared natural-disaster areas. The grant windows operate on a rolling bases, with four a year.
To be eligible, restaurants must have a brick-and-mortar location, fewer than 50 employees per location, be open at least six months and have less than $3 million in revenue per location.
The first window for applications is open until March 3. Winners will be announced in April.
Additional grants business owners can apply for throughout 2025 include:
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Quick and interesting reads for employers, employees,
local leaders, and everyone in between!
| | The Greater Kitsap Chamber is proud to serve as a resource partner with the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries. Stay tuned to this section quarterly for education, resources and more from L&I. | |
1st Quarter Webinars for Small Businesses
L&I Essentials for Business webinars cover:
- Essentials about workers' compensation, quarterly reporting, what to do if your employee is injured, workplace safety and health requirements, wage and hour laws, and contractor registration rules;
- How to access a range of L&I resources and services designed to help your business save time and money; and
- Various ways L&I partners with you to keep your workforce safe and healthy.
Upcoming monthly 80-minute L&I Essentials for Business Webinars:
| | Nonprofit News & Resources | |
How to Increase Retention by Creating
a Sense of Belonging for Your Donors
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Published on NonProfitPRO.com, March 24, 2025
Image: Getty Images by Yuichiro Chino
A lot of direct response fundraising centers on showing your donor what they can do as an individual — and that’s important. Donors need to feel that they’re personally empowered to make an impact. But there’s another side to the coin. Donors also want to be part of something. They want to feel included. They want to belong.
And why not? It’s an instinct as old as humanity. We’re social animals. We collect into groups. Church groups, neighborhood groups, groups at work, groups of softball players, groups of oboe players, and on and on.
But here’s the problem. For many donors, giving is a solitary activity. You get an appeal letter in your mailbox or an email appeal in your inbox. You open it, glance through it, and decide whether to write a check or give online. Not a lot of shared experience in that.
Sure, some donors will attend your nonprofit’s events. Some will take the tour. But most probably won’t. That doesn’t mean they shouldn’t feel like they’re part of the team. Because they certainly are.
Read more here
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City Council Votes to Delay Paid Parking
in Downtown Poulsbo to 2026
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Published in the Kitsap Sun, March 25, 2025
Photo: Kitsap Sun
Paid parking in downtown Poulsbo is coming, but it'll wait another year.
After years of discussion and research, the Poulsbo City Council on March 19 passed a resolution to explore implementing options that will increase awareness of parking availability and enforce some parking limits on and around Front Street, but delay paid parking until 2026. A month earlier the council considered charging for parking as soon as this summer.
Referred to as “option three,” the city will aim to improve signage, increase employee parking spaces and enforce parking restrictions, which means issuing tickets, by this summer. New signs would display time limits on spaces and designate employee and customer parking spots, which are planned to be enforced by a third party company which specializes in parking management.
Read the full article here
| | State Funding for West Sound Tech Modernization Project in Jeopardy | | |
Published in the Kitsap Sun, March 25, 2025
Photo: Meegan M. Reid/Kitsap Sun
West Sound Technical Skills Center Director Ryan Nickels and a handful of students recently traveled to Olympia to meet with representatives from Kitsap's legislative delegation in an effort to lobby for state funding for completion of the Bremerton center's two-phase improvement and modernization project.
West Sound Tech previously received nearly $53 million in state funding for the first phase of the project, which is slated to conclude later this year. Nickels and project team leaders were relying on a second-phase funding request — totaling $54,059,947 — to be included in the 2025-2027 legislative budget. That funding is in jeopardy due to the state's projected budget shortfall.
Heading into next month's budget deadline, there is no funding currently allocated for the second phase of the project. Last Friday, Nickels, five West Sound Tech students and several project leaders visited with the offices of 23rd District Sen. Drew Hansen and Rep. Greg Nance, 26th District leaders Sen. Deb Krishnadasan and Rep. Adison Richards, and Sen. Drew McEwen and Rep. Dan Griffey from the 35th District to make their case for securing project funding.
Read more here
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KPHD: Overdose Awareness Training
Wednesday, March 26, 2025, 6:00 pm
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Daffodil Festival
Saturday, March 29, 2025, 11:00 am
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Poulsbo 47.7 Hour Film Screenings
Saturday, March 29, 2025
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We had 9 teams dare to write, shoot, and edit their films in only 47.7 hours during the weekend of Feb 28 - Mar 2. Now let's watch them together in Poulsbo at Western Red Brewing on March 29th!
Both the first-place winner (determined by jurors) and the Audience Award winner will be announced at the 7pm showtime. We'll also have a 4pm screening for anyone who would like to attend an earlier showing. Audience members can vote for their favorite in both showtimes.
1st Place Prize: $10,000 (contract to produce a commercial)
Audience Award: $1,000
This event is a collaboration between the Poulsbo Film Festival and Visit Kitsap Peninsula. The intent of this new program is to bring aspiring and professional filmmakers to the community of Poulsbo to produce an original short film within the city limits over a span of 47.7 hours.
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Kitsap Humane Society: Pints for Pets
Saturday, March 29, 2025
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Live Well Kitsap Community Hike
Saturday, April 26, 2025, 10:00 am
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Bremerton Central Lions Club
Centennial Celebration
Saturday, April 26, 2025
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Masks Still Available
Free at the Greater Kitsap Chamber & Visitor Center
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The Greater Kitsap Chamber still has some supplies available if your local business is in need of KN95 masks. Pick up your supply at both GKC locations today. Available while supplies last.
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Can I still get COVID-19 tests?
You can order free, at-home COVID-19 tests from CovidTests.gov
Tests are available from many pharmacies and retailers. Healthcare providers can provide testing. If you test positive for COVID-19, follow CDC guidance.
If you need tests for your organization, contact Kitsap Public Health at ready@kitsappublichealth.org or 360-728-2235.
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Free immunization clinics for children
Kitsap Public Health is offering free immunization clinics for children 18 and younger on Jan. 22 and Jan. 23 in Bremerton. Our clinic provides flu shots, COVID-19 vaccines, and routine childhood immunizations.
Learn more and book an appointment at kitsappublichealth.org/clinic.
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Admiral Theatre Presents:
Skerryvore
Friday, March 28, 2025, 7:30 pm
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What are Skerryvore? They’re like no one else. Epic of melody, intimate of feeling and plugged into the roots of Scotland but blasting out to the world.
Three time winners of Scotland’s ‘Live Act of the Year’ award, Skerryvore have evolved from their humble beginnings to become one of the country’s leading forces in a thriving live music scene. At the forefront of a movement that has reinvented and reignited a traditional Scottish scene for a modern, multicultural audience, the band have brought their high energy performances to audiences across the globe. From their early days in Scottish West Coast halls and bars, to festival crowds in the USA, Canada, Australia and throughout the UK and Europe, Skerryvore’s wide range of influences and talent produce a musically expansive, immersive yet intimate set that excites and captivates audiences.
With a mix of bagpipes, fiddles, accordions, and whistles, alongside guitar and vocals, underpinned by driving bass, drums and keys, Skerryvore represent the best in contemporary Scottish traditional music. Their now 7 studio albums demonstrate the wide range of influences the individual musicians bring to the mix – a unique fusion of folk, trad, pop and rock.
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Clearwater Casino Presents:
Hair Nation - 80's Rock Tribute
Friday, March 28, 2025, 8:30 pm
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CODA - Led Zeppelin Tribute
Saturday, March 29, 2025, 8:30 pm
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Port Gamble Theatre Presents:
A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder
March 28-April 13, 2025
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Winner of the Tony Award, this brilliant and hilarious musical follows Monty Navarro, a charming and ambitious man who discovers he's eighth in line to inherit the prestigious D'Ysquith family earldom. Determined to speed up his ascension, Monty hatches a clever scheme to eliminate the relatives ahead of him, all while juggling the affections of two beautiful women. Don’t miss this side-splitting musical comedy! Recommended for ages 10 and up. Contains adult themes, humor, and farcical situations.
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Purchase Tickets Now: Bremerton Air Show
July 12 & 13, 2025
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If you are a vendor looking to be a part of the 2025 Bremerton Air Show,
please visit their vendor site HERE.
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Stay in the know with what's happening for events
in Central Kitsap by checking out and liking the
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Have something to share? CLICK HERE to submit stories and
events for our weekly Community Connections!
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Bremerton Office (360) 479-3579 | 705 Pacific Avenue in Downtown Bremerton
Silverdale Office (360) 692-6800 | Kitsap Mall
PO Box 1218 Silverdale WA 98383
If you need assistance, please contact us directly.
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