Wednesday, September 10, 2025 | |
WA Supreme Court Will Decide if Natural Gas Measure Passed by Voters is Legal
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Published in the WA State Standard,
September 4, 2025
Photo: Jerry Cornfield/WA State Standard
The fate of a voter-approved measure to slow Washington’s shift from natural gas toward technology like electric heat pumps will be decided by the state Supreme Court.
Chief Justice Debra Stephens signed an order Wednesday to have Washington’s high court directly review a lower court ruling invalidating Initiative 2066 that passed last November.
The initiative targets changes to the state energy code that offer builders incentives in the permitting process for choosing electric heat pumps – which provide both heating and cooling in the same unit – instead of natural gas furnaces.
And it seeks to repeal provisions in a year-old state law intended to accelerate Puget Sound Energy’s transition away from natural gas. It prevents approval of utility rate plans that end or restrict access to natural gas, or make it too costly.
In March, King County Superior Court Judge Sandra Widlan struck down the measure. She ruled that it 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.
Widlan said the purpose of the single subject requirement is to prevent “logrolling”’ or pushing through “undesirable legislation by attaching it to desirable legislation.”
Initiative sponsors maintain it complies with all constitutional constraints and sought direct review by the state Supreme Court.
Read the article here
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Chamber: Off the Clock
Tuesday, September 16, 2025, 5:05pm
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September Membership Luncheon
Wednesday, September 24, 2025, 11:00am
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Save-the-Date: GKC Business Awards Gala
Friday, December 12, 2025, 5:30pm
| Nominations for the 2025 Business Awards Gala are now open! Help us celebrate the stars of our local business community and nominate a standout business, nonprofit, or festival by clicking here. | RECAP: Port-to-Port Pop Up Ferry | |
During Labor Day weekend, the GKC hosted the Port-to-Port Pop Up Ferry, where 1,500 people took a special 1-hour cruise aboard the historic Carlisle II, Kitsap County’s last operating mosquito fleet ferry. Whether people rode the ferry to the Bremerton Blackberry Festival or just came along for the ride, the Port-to-Port Pop Up Ferry was a great way to close out the summer in true-Kitsap style. Thank you to all of the GKC volunteers who helped make the Port-to-Port Pop Up Ferry such a success!
Read the article here
| Highlight Your Business with Tabling Opportunity at Chamber Luncheon | | |
Accessible Healthcare with NICE
Business Health Trust Has You Covered
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Business Health Trust and Nice Healthcare are making it easier for businesses in Washington to offer high-quality, low-cost health care.
No more waiting rooms, no more long commutes. Nice Healthcare® is now available for eligible Business Health Trust members.
Easily book same-day care with the NICE app and access virtual primary care, mental health support, physical therapy and more at no cost to you or your employees. In-home visits are available in many areas starting in July.
Learn more about benefits and eligibility from our partner, Business Health Trust.
🔗 Webpage Link: https://businesshealthtrust.com/products/nice-healthcare/
Questions? Contact BHT!
(425) 201-1972
nice@businesshealthtrust.com
Not a BHT member? Are you ready to build a better benefits package? Visit bhtquote.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! | Marina Square Will Be Welcoming a New Waterfront Restaurant This Year | |
Char Kitchen will bring fire-inspired fare and cocktails to Marina Square serving residents, guests, and the community. The owner is a local restauranteur who is excited to be bring Northwest-inspired cuisine and seasonal local favorites.
One of Char Kitchen’s main priorities is focusing on healthy, high-quality ingredients. They’ll be grinding their own patties for burgers and offering vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options.
The full-service restaurant and bar will feature a 900 sq. ft. outdoor dining deck overlooking the waterfront, large screen TVs for watching sports, and a cozy fireplace seating area. Char Kitchen specializes in catering and will be excited to partner with Marina Square for events on the spectacular rooftop deck and surrounding outdoor spaces.
Char Kitchen is estimated to open in Q4 2025 and is located on the 3rd floor of Marina Square Suites.
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First Time Home Buyer Class
September 9 - September 30, 2025, 4:00pm
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Fall for the Arts Auction & Gala @ OC
Saturday, September 13, 2025, 6:00pm
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Brews, Bites, & Business
Tuesday, September 16, 2025, 5:00pm
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Leadership Development Workshop
Thursday, September 25, 2025, 4:00pm
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Hearts for Housing Fundraising Breakfast
Habitat for Humanity of Kitsap County
Wednesday, October 1, 2025, 8:00am
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KHS Gala Dinner & Auction
Saturday, October 4, 2025, 5:00pm
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You're Invited: Tessera Speaker Series
Thursday, October 9, 2025, 10:00am
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Tessera (Formerly Skookum) is excited to welcome you to our second annual Speaker Series event! This year, we’re honored to welcome Melissa Stockwell as our keynote speaker.
In 2004, Melissa became the first female American soldier to lose a limb in active combat. Her journey didn’t stop there. Melissa went on to become a Paralympic medalist, author, mother, entrepreneur, and motivational speaker—inspiring countless people with her resilience and determination.
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Olympic College: Annual Community Luncheon
Monday, October 13, 2025, 11:00am
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For 30 years the Olympic College Community Luncheon has brought together a community of individuals who are passionate about student access, achievement and success at OC. This year’s theme – Rooted in Community. Built for Possibility. – celebrates the powerful role that partnerships play in expanding opportunities for students. Olympic College is rooted in community, responsive to the needs of our growing region. And like the students we serve, OC is built for possibility, helping to meet our community’s workforce and educational needs.
This year, we invite you to give a lunch and get a lunch. Our generous sponsors have covered the cost of your meal, so your purchase of a ticket for the OC Community Luncheon will directly support OC’s Hunger Free Campus Initiative – donating a meal to a student in need.
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CMMC-PNW 2-Day Conference
October 27 - October 28, 2025
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CMMC-PNW 2025 is the Pacific Northwest’s most targeted event for defense contractors preparing for CMMC certification. Whether you’re just starting or preparing for a Level 2 audit, this event gives you the clarity and tools to succeed.
What You’ll Learn
- The difference between FCI and CUI – and how to handle each securely
- How to determine whether Level 1 or Level 2 certification is required
- How to self-assess, prepare for third-party audits, and avoid common mistakes
- How to implement enclave solutions and isolation strategies to reduce cost and risk
- What Rule 32 and Rule 48 mean for your current and upcoming DoD contracts
- Step-by-step walkthroughs of real-world compliance strategies
CMMC-PNW 2025 will be hosted at the Clearwater Casino in Suquamish, WA, a scenic venue offering convenience and comfort for attendees.
A limited block of discounted hotel rooms will be available to conference participants. Group rates are valid through September 15, 2025, or until sold out. Be sure to reserve your room early once booking links are released.
| Register Now: LKPI Fall Seminars | | Leadership Kitsap's Premier Institute is thrilled to announce the fall seminar schedule with registration now open. These hands-on workshops are built for leaders across Kitsap and their teams to learn and grow together. Space is limited, so reserve your spot now! | | |
Changing Faces, Changing Places
Share your business news today
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Has your team recently welcomed a new hire, celebrated a promotion, or marked a retirement? Kitsap Business magazine's Changing Faces, Changing Places section highlights the people powering our local business community. Chamber members are invited to share their staff updates for inclusion in an upcoming issue.
Send your announcements to news@kitsapbusiness.com and let us help you recognize the faces behind your success.
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The Greater Kitsap Chamber is proud to recognize Kuresman Insurance Agency as our September Member of the Month! With 65 years of industry experience, Kuresman Insurance has been a steadfast provider of personalized insurance solutions and a proud supporter of the local community. The Kurseman team brings decades of experience and a deep commitment to helping neighbors protect what matters most.
Insurance with Integrity
Kuresman Insurance stands out as an independent agency offering personalized coverage through top-rated carriers. Whether it’s auto, home, life, or business insurance, their team works closely with clients to craft policies that fit individual needs and budgets. Their customer-first approach ensures that every policy holder receives thoughtful guidance and dependable protection.
A Legacy of Service and Support
For nearly seven decades, Kuresman Insurance Agency has grown alongside the Kitsap community, adapting to changing needs while staying true to their values. Their commitment to community is evident in their active sponsorship of beloved local events, including performances and programs at the Roxy Theatre, the annual Whaling Days festival, and much more.
We celebrate Kuresman Insurance not only for their business excellence but also for their ongoing contributions to the vitality of our region. Thank you Kuresman Insurance Agency for over 50 years of Chamber membership!
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Eggs & Issues Returns
Annual election forum beginning Oct 7th
| | The Chamber’s Eggs & Issues Candidate Forums are a long-standing tradition started by the Bremerton Chamber over 25 years ago. They are a moderated public forum that brings candidates together with the public over breakfast. The Greater Kitsap Chamber carries on that same tradition with our series of forums at the Cloverleaf Bar and Grill in East Bremerton. Following the same practices, we offer an opportunity for candidates to discuss issues and answer questions posed by the voters in attendance and moderated by a member of the Chamber’s Advocacy Committee. We strive to ensure that we provide an unbiased, judgment-free platform and will remain unfettered by the media. | | Business & Professional Development Committee | | Member Education & Training Resources | | |
SBDC: Profit-Driven Pricing
Thursday, September 11, 2025, 1:00pm
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Join us for a focused session on building smart pricing strategies that drive profitability. We’ll cover:
- Cost-Volume-Profit (CVP) analysis and break-even points
- Key factors in setting effective prices
- The Four P’s of Marketing and how pricing fits in
- A brief look at tariffs and their impact on global pricing
This webinar is ideal for business owners, marketers, and professionals involved in pricing decisions. Gain the tools to price with confidence and strategy.
The instructor, Ann Zimmerman, is a Washington SBDC Certified Business Advisor. She earned her BA in Accounting from Western Washington University and received her Master’s degree in Accounting and Tax from Washington State University. Ann has over thirty years of experience in business and has worked in various industries including retail, construction services, manufacturing, healthcare, and not-for-profit.
Registration Fee: FREE
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WTIA Founder Cohort 13
Application deadline: Friday, September 12, 2025
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WTIA Founder Cohort program helps approximately 20 venture-scale, seed-stage startups
grow and scale over the course of 6 months. The program blends virtual and in-person
elements and is open to early stage tech startups based in Washington. WTIA and their partners will provide founders with a roadmap that will help guide them through their next
milestones as they navigate increasing revenue, securing investment, and growing the team. The program kicks off on Friday, November 10, 2025. Apply here
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SCORE: Reach Your Target Customers
Monday, September 15, 2025, 10:00am
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In this Marketing workshop, we start by helping you identify your target market. These are your best potential customers and knowing them helps you create a better product or service. It also makes all your promotional efforts more focused and effective.
We show you how to finalize the design of your product or service and make sure it’s right for your target market. Then we take you through how to create a value proposition that perfectly captures the unique value your product or service brings to your customers. Next you have to build your marketing message. That’s the information for your brochures, websites, and anything else you use to sell your product or service. We will also review a number of promotional methods and help you draft a promotional plan for your business.
This workshop focuses on hands-on exercises to help you create a target market, value proposition and promotion plan for your business.
Registration Fee: FREE
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SCORE: Redesign Your Website for 2025
Wednesday, September 17, 2025, 1:00pm
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When did you last look at your business’s website? Or perhaps you are still trying to develop one? Websites remain an incredibly popular destination for site traffic. When you add up all of the functions and ways they can work for and represent your business, nothing works harder online than a professional website.
It can also be daunting to create one with various tools and design suggestions floating around. In this workshop, we will cover recent trends in website design for businesses and other organizations. That will include the latest in content and design best practices and what tools you can use to create a site and why. But most importantly, we will cover the 10 key elements of website design that determine whether a website is just OK or great. We will also touch on submitting your site to Google for rankings and security and hosting considerations.
So, if you want to super-charge your website and make it an active resource for getting new customers, this workshop is for you!
Registration Fee: FREE
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Data Axle Workshop @ Sylvan Way Library
Thursday, September 18, 2025, 12:30pm
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Summit Workshop: SBA Business Financing
Friday, September 19, 2025, 10:00am
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Biz Fair is Coming to Puyallup
Saturday, September 20, 2025
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WSHRMA: Fall Leadership Conference
Wednesday, November 12, 2025, 9:00am
| | Business News & Resources | | |
Navigating the New Tax Law
What Small Businesses Need to Know
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Read the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Guide to learn how to take advantage of the recently enacted “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which includes substantial tax reforms to support the growth of small businesses. Small business owners can take advantage of these tax breaks starting now for expenses dating back to January 20, 2025.
This guide outlines the most impactful provisions of the law, including permanent deductions, enhanced credits, and expanded eligibility criteria. It provides clear, step-by-step instructions to help business owners navigate the changes and optimize their tax strategies.
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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. | | |
Don't Open Your Door to Fraud
Beware of Paving Scams Ripping Off Consumers in WA
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Fraudsters claiming to be legitimate contractors have been knocking on doors soliciting paving work around the state, according to the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), law enforcement, and the Better Business Bureau. These scammers are notorious for doing shoddy or incomplete work, overcharging customers by thousands of dollars, and then disappearing when the customer tries to follow up.
In recent weeks, paving scams have been reported in King, Pierce, Skagit, Clark, Snohomish, and Grant counties. Some consumers have been swindled out of thousands of dollars.
Many of the door-to-door pavers are not registered with L&I, which verifies registered contractors have liability insurance and a bond, and meet other requirements. Unregistered contractors leave consumers with little financial recourse if there are problems.
How the scam works
Typically, a stranger claiming to be a legitimate paving contractor knocks on doors in a neighborhood, saying he has asphalt left over from another job. He offers a bargain price to pave or seal the homeowner’s driveway.
When the contractor says the job is finished, however, the bill is thousands of dollars higher than the initial quote. Victims may later discover the paving was poorly done with cheap materials but can no longer reach the contractor.
Similar schemes promote roof replacement, chimney repairs and other home improvement jobs.
Verify contractor registration at ProtectMyHome.net
Homeowners who need home repairs should look for contractors themselves, instead of hiring someone who shows up uninvited at their door.
Consumers also should:
- Get three written bids.
- Only hire contractors registered with L&I.
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Report fraudulent contractors at Lni.wa.gov/ReportAContractor or call our fraud hotline at 1-888-811-5974.
Homeowners can verify contractor registration and get more tips at ProtectMyHome.net.
| | Nonprofit News & Resources | |
How Nonprofits Can Scale Smarter
Amid Rising Demand and Tight Budgets
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Published in Nonprofit Pro, September 3, 2025
Photo: Getty Images/SDI Productions
Nonprofit leaders are facing a hard truth: The need for services is growing faster than the resources to meet it. Demand is rising, financial pressure is mounting, and many organizations are grappling with operational constraints — yet real‑time access to decision‑making data remains limited.
A recent survey found that 85% of nonprofits expect service demand to climb in 2025, while 36% ended 2024 with an operating deficit — the highest in a decade.
When the demand for services surges and resources shrink, nonprofit leaders face an impossible choice: Scale back services or stretch systems past their breaking point. For many, that moment is already here. Under these circumstances, scaling services without losing sight of the mission isn’t just a challenge but a mandate. With the right mindset and strategies, Nonprofits can achieve both growth and purpose.
Read the article here
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Kitsap Community Foundation
Grant Cycle Open!
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Funding opportunities are now available for nonprofits serving Kitsap and North Mason Counties. Hosted by Kitsap Community Foundation, this annual grant cycle connects local nonprofits with resources to power their mission and strengthen our community. Applications are due by 5pm on Monday, September 15.
This cycle includes funding opportunities through:
- KCF Community Impact Grants – up to $5,000 for programs and operations that strengthen our communities
- Foster Care & Family Reconciliation – up to $7,500/year for two years for programs supporting youth transitions or family healing
- Youth Mentoring – up to $1,400 for programs pairing young people with supportive mentors
- Kitsap County Association of Realtors Foundation (KCAR) – New this year! Details coming soon
- Women’s Giving Circle of the Kitsap Peninsula – up to $10,000 for large orgs, $2,500 for small orgs serving women and/or children
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Tree Farm Outside Bremerton
Could be Kitsap's Next 'Community Forest'
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Published in The Kitsap Sun, September 4, 2025
Image: Kitsap Sun File
A forest conservation project in Kitsap County was one of just eight nationwide selected for a recent round of U.S. Forest Service grants, moving ahead a process aimed at preserving public access, forestry and habitat on timber land east of Green Mountain.
The Great Peninsula Conservancy will receive $600,000 toward an ongoing effort to establish what is formally known as a community forest, similar to GPC's 202-acrea Newberry Forest, outside Silverdale, and a 467-acre parcel known as The Divide, in North Kitsap. The community forest model sets aside timber land for public activities, like trails, while also preserving some forestry and selective logging, done with community input and planning.
The potential Green Mountain East Community Forest, as the project is referred to in an announcement issued August 25 by the U.S. Forest Service, could potentially include up to 350 acres of private forestland just west of Bremerton, known as the Ueland Tree Farm. Still operating as a working forest, some of the trails on Ueland property are open for non-motorized public use, including a popular one from Lebers Lane, just off Northlake Way, to the Dickerson Falls, along Dickerson Creek. Both GPC and Ueland confirmed that the Dickerson Creek watershed and surrounding area is of high interest to protect through the conservation process.
"These forestlands adjacent to the City of Bremerton and its Urban Growth Area are well-suited for the community forest model, which will help to preserve critical habitat and wildlife corridors, protect the existing trail system for continued public recreation, and engage local community members and partners in forest management planning," Monica Montgomery, conservations projects manager for Great Peninsula Conservancy, said in an email.
Read the article here
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Open House: 6th Street Improvement Project
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
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Silverdale
Drivers should plan for lane closures beginning Monday, Sept. 8, as the Navy begins seismic upgrades on the Anderson Hill Road railroad bridge near the Old Frontier Road intersection in Silverdale. One lane will be closed Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Both lanes will reopen Friday through Sunday. The initial construction phase is expected to last 4-6 weeks, though the schedule may be extended depending on the scope of repairs and technical requirements.
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BSD: Meet the New Superintendent
September 11 - September 22, 2025, 5:00pm
| Drop by and get to know Dr. Slade McSheehy, the new Bremerton School District Superintendent! He looks forward to meeting and hearing from you! | |
Bridging Bremerton
Saturday, September 13, 2025
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Bainbridge Quilt Festival
Saturday, September 13, 2025, 10:00am
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Bobby Jo Valentine Concert
Saturday, September 13, 2025, 7:00pm
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Port Orchard Night Market
Saturday, September 13, 2025, 6:00pm
| | Port Orchard's waterfront outdoor market featuring local artisans, music, food, games and more! Family-friendly fun September 13 from 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm. | | |
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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Clearwater Casino Presents:
Non Jovi Bon Jovi Tribute
Friday, September 12, 2025, 8:30pm
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Infinity Project: Journey Tribute
Saturday, September 13, 2025, 8:30pm
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Bioluminescence Kayak Tour @ Port Gamble
September 2025
| | As summer winds down, Port Gamble Bay becomes lantern-lit—no electricity required. Glide through velvet-black waters alive with bioluminescent glow aboard sit‑on‑top kayaks, guided by naturalists and surrounded by untouched shoreline and midnight skies. Each paddle stirs the water into shimmering stardust beneath your hull. Perfect for all ages and experience levels, this two-hour, guided journey is as magical as it gets. Eight dates available in September. Last tour of the season is September 20, Olympic Outdoor Center, Port Gamble. | | |
BCT Presents: To Die For
September 5 - September 28, 2025
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Step into the gothic mansion of Carla Woods, a best-selling historical romance writer whose life is anything but dull. Carla has a penchant for playing dangerous mind games—especially with her secretaries. But when a mysterious, devastatingly handsome stranger appears on a dark and stormy night, the game takes an unexpected turn.
Is this charming newcomer merely payback from a disgruntled past employee, or could it be... love's destiny? As secrets unravel and the line between fantasy and reality blurs, Carla finds herself caught in a thrilling battle of wits where every twist could be her last.
Run Time: Approximately 2 hours.
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Kitsap Forest Theater Presents:
A Midsummer Night's Dream
September 6 - September 21, 2025, 2:00pm
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Concerts at Port Gamble:
Stephanie Schneiderman Trio
Saturday, September 13, 2025, 7:00pm
| Stephanie Schneiderman is one of the Pacific Northwest's most celebrated singer-songwriters, combining elements of folk, Americana, trip-hop and pop— into a beautifully dark and deeply introspective sound that is as lush as it is intimate. Her acoustic trio features Jenny Conlee (Decemberists) on accordion, Keith Brush (Blue Cranes) on upright bass, who lend their melodic indie-rock sensibilities to her songs to create a magnetic live performance that old and new fans will revere. | |
Port Townsend Film Festival
September 18 - September 21, 2025
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The Kareem Kandi World Orchestra @ Roxy
September 25, 2025, 7:00pm
| The Kareem Kandi World Orchestra is a dynamic and innovative ensemble committed to providing high-quality performances and music education to communities worldwide. Through a blend of concerts, workshops, compositions, recordings, and cultural exchanges, the orchestra brings people together through the universal language of music, with a special emphasis on the rich traditions of jazz. | |
Fall Festival @ Winney Farm
September 27, 2025, 11:00am
| Save the Date for the annual fall festival at Winney Farm! Live Music, Corn Maze, Pumpkin Patch, Hay Rides, Farm Animals, Kids Activities, Great Food, Beer Garden! Winney Farm's newly created non-profit, "Sharing and Spreading Hope" is offering this community event with no cost for admission or activities! | |
Immersive Tour Offering Visits to
Historic & Cultural Suquamish Sites
June - Sept 2025
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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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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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