The Kitsap Great Give is a 24-hour "give day" event that unites our community through a special online donation platform to support the many nonprofit organizations that make Kitsap a great place to live - for all of us. Please consider making a charitable donation to one of our many Silverdale Chamber members participating in this year's Great Give.
The Admiral Theatre
The Arc of the Peninsulas
Boy Scouts of America
Bremerton WestSound Symphony
Central Kitsap Food Bank
Central Stage Theatre (CSTOCK)
The Coffee Oasis
Episcopal Retirement Communities Foundation
Holly Ridge Center
Kitsap Community Foundation
Kitsap Community Resources
Kitsap County Association of Realtors Foundation
Kitsap Humane Society
Kitsap Mental Health Services
Kitsap Pride Network
Kitsap Regional Library Foundation
Kitsap Sailing Foundation
Kitsap Tennis & Athletic Center
Leadership Kitsap Foundation
Meals on Wheels Kitsap
NAACP Bremerton Unit 1134
The Paul Linder Educational Foundation
Peninsula Services
Rotary Club of East Bremerton
Rotary Club of Silverdale
St. Michael Medical Center
Stand Up for Kids - Kitsap County
United Way of Kitsap County
West Sound Youth for Christ
Western Washington University on the Peninsulas Scholarship Fund
YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties
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Tickets on Sale Now for April Gala
Thursday, April 21, 2022
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Join us as we honor the businesses, organizations and individuals who made 2021 a great year to live and work in Central Kitsap. Dress in your finest 70s throwback (business attire is also welcome) and enjoy an evening celebrating all things local. |
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Thank you to our Award Sponsors! |
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April Membership Luncheon
Wednesday, April 27, 2022, 11:30 am
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Reserve Your Space Now in the
2022 Destination Guide
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We are pleased to announce our new partnership with Lunar Cow Publishing, a firm specializing in destination marketing for the Silverdale and Bremerton Chambers Destination Guide. We are excited about the opportunities this new publication will offer you.
The Silverdale and Bremerton Chambers Destination Guide is our premier promotional piece. The guide is the first resource that visitors will use when looking for attractions and planning trips to Silverdale and Bremerton.
Participation in the Destination Guide has great advantages. 2,500 printed copies of this publication will be distributed in the best locations to help drive traffic to our advertisers, and our digital GoGuide® will allow you to reach thousands more. Your advertisement in the digital GoGuide® will be
linked to your website, giving readers one-click access to your business.
Deadline to reserve your space is June 3, 2022.
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Local Businesses Invited to Participate:
Armed Forces Day Festival
Saturday, May 21, 2022, 7:00 am to 1:00 pm
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Looking for a clever way to remind the community that your business is open? Think outside the traditional marketing box and enter the Armed Forces Day Parade as a business! Your "live commercial" entry will be seen by thousands. What better way to advertise to the community - join us now!
Parade registration is now open for the
75th Annual Armed Forces Day Festival
Armed Forces Day Parade
10:00 am, Saturday, May 21, 2022
Entry Deadline:
Friday, May 6, 2022
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New Members - Welcome to the Chamber! |
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Welcome to Main Street Membership!
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Member of the Month: Seaport Salon & Spa |
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9130 Washington Avenue
Old Town Silverdale, WA 98383
(360) 698-0781
Hours
Monday - Thursday
9:00 am - 8:00 pm
Friday & Saturday
9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Closed on Sundays
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Peninsula Services Says Goodbye to
Long-time CEO, Jill Robinson
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After 35 years at the helm of Peninsula Services advocating for individuals with disabilities, Jill Robinson, CEO, retired on April 15, 2022. Her long leadership tenure started first as Vocational Director and concluded as Chief Executive Officer for the past 32 years. Her dedication and commitment to the agency's mission have been evident through the many years of growing the agency into what it is today. Holly James, Chairperson of Peninsula Services' Board of Directors, states, "Jill has been the heart and soul of Peninsula Services. The Board, together with the community, wishes her a well-deserved retirement. Jill Robinson made a difference!"
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Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Honored |
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Congratulations to Chamber member, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health for being recognized as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader by the Human Rights Campaign. The Healthcare Equality Index is the nation's foremost benchmarking survey of healthcare facilities on policies and practices dedicated to the equitable treatment and inclusion of their LGBTQ+ patients, visitors and employees.
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Celebrate Indie Bookstore Day
with Wicked Words
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Do you have news you'd like to share about your business or organization?
We'd love to share! Please send information to Irene at the Chamber!
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The Arc of the Peninsulas |
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Established in 1938 by a small group of concerned and passionate parents and community members, The Arc of the Peninsulas has become a catalyst for changing the public perception of people with disabilities, from youth to adult.
Our programs encompass services critical to individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities who reside in Clallam, Jefferson, Kitsap, and Mason counties. Our programs include Parent to Parent Support, Advocacy; Community Engagement, Healthy Relationships training, Success Job training; The Arc Enrichment Center/Friday Night Social (Dance), Specialized Habilitation, Explore Kitsap; Representative Payee.
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3243 N Perry Avenue
Bremerton, WA 98310
(360) 377-3473
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Member Education & Training Resources |
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REPLAY! Kitsap Digital Hour w/Steve Strauss
Taking Your Business to the Next Level
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If you missed out on KEDA's quarterly Kitsap Digital Hour last week, the video replay and presentation slides are now available. Enjoy comments and actionable content from guest speaker, Steve Strauss, USA Today Senior Small Business Columnist and best-selling author.
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Small Business Requirements & Resources:
Start a Business in WA Workshop
Wednesday, April 20, 2022, 2:00 pm
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Are you considering starting a business, or did you recently start one and still have lots of questions?
This free, one-hour webinar will give you a strong foundation for starting a business in Washington. It covers planning, registration and licensing, and other regulatory requirements. You’ll connect with business liaisons from the Governor’s Office of Regulatory Innovation and Assistance, the Secretary of State’s Office, and the Departments of Revenue, Employment Security, and Labor and Industries, who will also provide you information about many free or low-cost assistance programs.
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A Promising Approach to Help Restaurants Recruit & Retain Employees
Thursday, April 21, 2022, 11:00 am
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More people and workforce opportunities are critical to supporting the restaurant industry's economic growth. But the labor shortage has put a strain on restaurants’ abilities to recruit and retain workers. Legislation has been introduced in Congress that, if passed, would expand the country’s workforce specifically in occupations that provide growth opportunities and career paths without a college degree. Learn how restaurants would benefit from the Essential Workers for Economic Advancement (EWEA) Act, how the proposed EWEA program would work, the status of workforce expansion legislation in Congress, and more. |
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How to Become a Facebook Master
Wednesday, April 20, 2022, 1:00 pm
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Facebook is the largest and most important social media platform for business. Learn how to post great content, leverage advertising and call features, develop schedules and routines, and more.
Attendees will learn:
- How people see content on Facebook.
- The connection between Facebook pages and profiles.
- Facebook content strategies and other best practices.
- Understand the basics of Facebook advertising
Workshop Fee: $35
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Buying an Existing Business Step by Step
Friday, April 22, 2022, 1:00 pm
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This 3-hour workshop is designed to give you plenty of practical exercises to give you, the future business owner, real steps to take away and the skills and know-how that you’ll need for:
- Finding a business to buy
- Evaluating an offer to sell a business
- Performing the necessary review and due diligence on the business you want to buy
- Determining a fair purchase price and negotiating the deal
- Understanding the various financing options available to you
- Bringing the purchase of the business to a win-win conclusion
This workshop is also suitable for existing small business owners who are contemplating selling their business in the future. It will help you understand the process the potential buyer will go through to evaluate your business so that you’re better prepared.
Workshop Fee: $55
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Business News & Resources |
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Employer Roadmap: Childcare
Solutions for Working Parents
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From the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
For the duration of the pandemic, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation has received hundreds of queries from businesses regarding strategies to support working parents. But understanding an employer’s options and navigating the childcare landscape can be complex and overwhelming.
This roadmap is intended to help senior leaders and business owners learn their options for supporting working parents with their childcare needs. It is also intended to help leaders understand what to expect when embarking on this journey and how to take action.
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WA Hospitality Quick Bites:
Updates to the State Food Code
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Courtesy of the Washington Hospitality Association
Several changes to the Washington State Food Code went into effect on March 1 with enforcement of these new changes starting on Sept. 1. Are you prepared? Check out our Quick Bites toolkit highlighting these updates to the state food code you need to know.
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Washington Retail: Will these new
employment laws affect your business?
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Salary disclosure mandate - SB 5761 will require employers with 15 or more employees to disclose the wage scale or salary range and a general description, including all the benefits and other compensation to be offered upon hiring.
Effective January 1, 2023, this new law will replace the current requirement for employers to provide salary information after an initial job offer upon request. These new job posting requirements include all forms of publications—paper or electronic—and apply to recruitment by employers directly or via third parties.
One challenge for employers and human resources professionals is the lack of clarity and definitions of “all the benefits” and “other compensation.” This article offers additional views from both supporters and opponents of this bill.
Nondisclosure policies regarding workplace sexual harassment, assaults, and more, prohibited. Proponents of HB 1795 have nicknamed it the “Silence No More Act” because it puts an end to nondisclosure agreements related to a number of alleged conducts in the workplace or at off-site work-related events.
Work-related events are broadly defined as “work-related” events on or off-site and “coordinated by or through the employer, between employees, or between an employer and an employee.”
The prohibition is retroactive as it will void prior nondisclosure agreements of this nature, except for the disclosure of any settlement amounts paid. Employees protected by this new law include current and former employees, prospective employees, and independent contractors. A minimum $10,000 penalty is attached to each violation, plus reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in any civil suit filed under this law. The effective date of this law is June 8, 2022.
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WSHRMA Hosts: Springing Forward!
Wednesday, May 11, 2022, 9:00 am
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Join WSHRMA and the South Puget Sound Chapter for this virtual workshop exploring many issues facing employers today. This is not just for HR professionals, but those who serve as managers, supervisors and company leaders. Gain insight on what's happening on the human resources legal front, share ideas on recruitment and retention, company culture and more. |
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The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has extended the security directive for mask use on public transportation and at transportation hubs until May 3, 2022. Until further notice, masks must be worn at all times when using Kitsap Transit hubs, buses and ferries.
Masks types NOT accepted on Kitsap Transit:
- Face Shields
- Scarves
- Ski Masks
- Balaclavas
- Gaiters
- Bandanas
- Shirts/Clothing as masks
- Knitted or loose fabric masks
- Masks with slits, exhalation valves, or punctures
- Masks that do not fit properly
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New Orca Machines Installed in Kitsap County |
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As part of upcoming improvements to the regional ORCA system, Kitsap Transit is excited to announce the installation of new ORCA vending machines throughout Kitsap County. The new vending machines were installed at several sites throughout Kitsap this week, including the Bremerton Transportation Center, North Viking Transit Center, Wheaton Way Transit Center, Bainbridge Island Bike Barn, Kingston Fast Ferry Terminal and Port Orchard Ferry Terminal (see map below).
Please note that the vending machines are currently deactivated and cannot be used. Customers will be able to use the new machines mid-to-late May.
You will be able to use the new vending machines to:
- Purchase an ORCA card
- Add new product (either a Kitsap Transit product or regional ORCA fare)
- Load your e-purse value and check your balance.
To learn more about the new ORCA, visit myorca.com.
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The Kitsap Road Report is updated each week. This latest update was released on April 15, 2022. |
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Intermittent road closures on Bay Shore Drive NW and Washington Avenue NW for Sewer/Stormwater/Road improvement project.
Crews are doing various maintenance activities at the location listed below. Expect moderate delays between 5 and 10 minutes:
- Olympic View Rd. NW entire length (MO-FR)
WSDOT Project Alert: Construction crews are working on the SR3 Chico Creek fish barrier removal project. As soon as Friday evening, April 15, drivers traveling southbound who exit onto Chico Way NW near Bremerton will not be able to turn left toward Silverdale. All travelers will turn right towards Bremerton. This traffic change will be in place through fall 2023. For details and to sign up for WSDOT electronic updates, visit the WSDOT Project Page.
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COVID-19 Updates & Resources |
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COVID-19 Vaccine & Testing Resources |
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Kitsap County Health District is now posting a regularly updated list of COVID-19 vaccine providers in Kitsap County. This list can be found here.
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Kitsap Conservation District Seeks Volunteers |
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Dickerson Creek Restoration
Monday, April 25th from 9am to 12pm or 12pm to 3pm
2071 Northlake Way NW, Bremerton, WA 98312
Kitsap Conservation Perennial Garden & Hedgerow Maintenance
Friday, April 29th from 12pm to 3pm
10332 Central Valley Rd NE, Poulsbo, WA 98370
Grovers Creek Restoration
Monday, May 2nd from 9am to 12pm or 12pm to 3pm
27236 Balmoral Pl NE, Kingston, WA 98346
Dogfish Creek Restoration
Monday, May 9th from 9am to 12pm or 12pm to 3pm
23139 Big Valley Rd, Poulsbo, WA 98370
Carpenter Creek Estuary Restoration
Monday, May 16th from 9am to 12pm or 12pm to 3pm
10310 NE West Kingston Rd, Kingston, WA 98346
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Silverdale Visitor Center |
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Earth Day is Discover Pass Free Day
Friday, April 22, 2022
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What are you doing for Earth Day? Earth Day, Friday, April 22, is a Discover Pass free day. Check out events all weekend on the park events calendars for Deception Pass, Columbia Hills, Fort Flagler, Lake Sammamish, Lake Chelan and more!
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Admiral Theatre Presents:
The Brothers Four
Friday, April 22, 2022, 7:30 pm
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Now in their 60th year of performing and recording, The Brothers Four continue to delight millions of fans worldwide with their smooth, musical sounds. Since the early 1960s The Brothers Four have played thousands of college concerts, sung for U.S. presidents at the White House, appeared at countless Community Concerts, performed with symphony orchestras and jazz stars and toured dozens of foreign countries. They are truly "America's Musical Ambassadors to the World." |
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Dance Arts Theatre Presents: "Wizard of Oz"
April 23-24, 2022
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Divas of the Northwest
Thursday, April 28, 2022, 6:00 pm
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Join Shay Fox, Starla D’Ville and more as we take over the Historic Roxy Theater in the heart of Bremerton, WA!
Be prepared to see some of the best entertainment that Washington has to offer from the glitz and glamour of the Haus of St James to the high energy of Starla D’Ville and the others! Rest assured that The Roxy will take you on the ride of your life as it introduces you to the DIVAS OF THE NORTHWEST! You are sure to be amazed!
*Show is All Ages
**Must be 21+ to purchase alcohol
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Day Trip from Silverdale:
Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
Now - April 30, 2022
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The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is one of the destination events for the Pacific Northwest, held from April 1-30, celebrating millions of tulips bursting into bloom. As with all things governed by Mother Nature, the tulips bloom according to their own schedule sometime during the festival. The tulips allow us to share our corner of the world and showcase Skagit Valley agriculture. |
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Have something to share? CLICK HERE to submit stories and
events for Tuesday's Community Connections!
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David Emmons
President/CEO
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Irene Moyer
Director of Member Relations
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Joe Barboza
Operations Manager
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Kate Cofer
Membership Coordinator
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Brenda Kelley
Tourism Coordinator
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