2023 Will See Only One Contested Council Election

Last Friday was the last day to file for local office in Kitsap County.

When the smoke cleared, three Bainbridge council positions had just one declared candidate in each: returning candidates Brenda Fantroy-Johnson (North Ward) and Leslie Schneider (Central Ward), along with newcomer Ashley Mathews (South Ward, replacing Michael Pollock who elected not to run again). All three will now run unopposed.

This means that the At-Large race becomes Bainbridge Island's only contested city council position with incumbent Kirsten Hytopoulos facing up against a returning challenger in Dick Haugan (who ran against Val Tollefson in 2013).

This means there will be no primary elections at all, so in the run up to November's General Election, stay tuned for in-depth profiles and Chamber Conversations with all 5 declared 2023 candidates.

Ed Prunes Career at Bloedel

Bloedel Reserve, Bainbridge Island's 140-acre public garden and forest reserve, announced that long-serving President & CEO Ed Moydell will step down on August 15 to become President & CEO of Holden Forests & Gardens in Cleveland, OH.

Moydell has been with the Reserve since 2009, first arriving as Associate Director before his appointment as Executive Director in 2010 and then President & CEO.

Under his leadership, the Reserve has evolved into a wide-ranging community organization, expanded their number of people served, developed key mission-based programs, and completed a $25M fundraising campaign.

BARN Promotes Art Accessibility, Eyes Expansion

Playing with ideas, materials and professional-grade equipment is central to the ethos of the Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network, better known as BARN to its 1,164 members. 

Housed in a 25,000-square-foot building designed by a renowned Seattle architect, BARN sits on 1.8 acres of a former Christmas tree farm, an easy 15-minute drive from the Bainbridge Island ferry terminal. 

With an eye to the future, BARN entered a purchase agreement to buy a 1.8-acre parcel adjacent to its current property in 2021 and has raised $220,000 of the $800,000 sale price.

Short Term Rental Regulation Considered For Bainbridge

In response to a presentation made by City Manager Blair King at last week's May 16 City Council Study Session, council members began to consider whether regulation is needed around local Short Term Rental (STR) units.

This would include both those units rented out by individuals and those that go through well-known platforms like Airbnb or VRBO. It may, or may not include units being rented that are on the same property occupied by their owners as their primary residence (i.e. renting out a guest house, ADU, or carriage house).

Having attended the May 16 Council Study Session in person, the Chamber was happy to see that the original agenda item was truly intended as the beginning of a community-wide conversation, one the Chamber is fully engaged in on behalf of our members.

Public Hearing For Housing Action Plan

Thur May 25, 6pm

The City of Bainbridge Island and ECONorthwest

partnered to create Housing Action Plan (HAP) to identify ways to meet housing needs now and into the future.

Housing diversity, especially when it can also address our community's desperate need for workforce housing is a key issue for the Bainbridge Chamber - read more about the HAP

in our recent article Housing Action Plan Is Critical Element To Address Decades-Old Bainbridge Issue.

The Bainbridge Island HAP provides a factual basis for revising policies and implementing strategies for the Comprehensive Plan Housing Element and could inform subarea planning and strategic planning efforts.

On Thursday night, a public hearing to discuss implementation of the HAP is open to all island residents, and attendance can be in person at City Hall or virtual via Zoom.

New Audio Tour for Japanese American Exclusion Memorial

The Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial winds through a wooded park down to the Eagledale ferry dock where the first of more than 120,000 Japanese and Japanese Americans were forced into internment camps in 1942.

A new audio tour is now available on the National parks mobile app, and it's not just for visitors, but for people all over the world to hear stories directly from some of the 227 Japanese Americans who were once forced from their homes here on Bainbridge Island.

After Hours Bloomed at Bloedel Reserve

Under the blue skies and sunshine, Stefan, Jessica, tj and 50+ members joined Ed Moydell and his team at Bloedel Reserve for our May After Hours event.

Guests strolled through the house, checked out the rhododendron garden and enjoyed an evening on the terrace with tasty treats.

A special thanks to Eleven Winery for their ongoing donation of delicious complimentary wine.

Cogwheel Construction to Host June After Hours

Thur June 8, 5:30pm

We invite you to join us at the next after hours on Winslow Way at The Orchard Patio at 143 Ericksen Ave NE, hosted by Brandon Keller and Cogwheel Construction.

Enjoy delish and fresh oysters from Salish Sea Greens and thanks to Eleven Winery for their ongoing donation of delicious complimentary wine.

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

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 delighted to have registration open for the Street Fair (all vendors, including food) & Hometown Parade, as well as to humbly ask for Community Volunteers to consider signing up to be part of the fun.

Important Upcoming Dates:

• June 2 - Street Fair Vendor Deadline
• June 16 - Parade Deadline
• June 23 - Car Show Deadline

Enter The GO4 Car Show

The 2023 Grand Old 4th Car Show on Bainbridge Island application is open.

Register any array of vehicles including classics, foreign, motorcycles, and military. Viewing by the public takes place from 8:00am to 2:00pm.

Online registration ends on Friday, June 23 – but you can still register onsite on July 4 at the Car Show – as long as there is space available. Therefore, don’t wait and register today!

Blue Coast Web, LLC

Blue Coast Web loves creating beautiful things for the web.

They are a small-ish digital agency with big ideas and a knack for creating moving experiences.

From discovery to launch, Blue Coast Web takes the details very seriously but also know how to have fun along the way.

Ann Jessen and her team's work includes:

- Brand and identity systems

- Web design and development

- Video design and production

- Presentation design

BIMA Bash! Auction Catalog Now Available to Peruse

Celebrate BIMA's 10 year anniversary by attending their annual Bash! on June 9 & 10.

Each piece of art in the auction was generously donated by one of 200 artists, makers and collectors who hold a piece of BIMA in their heart.

Tickets are available for purchase for their Bash!

$75 Special at Island Fitness

Get full access to open gym and group fitness classes for $75 for 30 days at Island Fitness.

Learn more at their gym at 190 Madison Ave.

Amelia Wynn Wins Seattle Wine Gold Medals

Recently 10 Amelia Wynn wines were awarded Gold Medals at the 2023 Seattle Wine Awards receiving scores of 91-94 pts. 

2019 Syrah “The Rocks” Gold 94 pts

2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley Gold 93 pts

2020 Tempranillo Wahluke Slope Gold 92 pts

2020 Sangiovese Red Mountain Gold 92 pts

2020 Tempranillo Wahluke Slope Gold 92 pts

2020 Merlot Walla Walla Valley Gold 92 pts

2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Gold 91 pts

2021 Grenache Rose Gold Horse Heaven Hills 91 pts

2021 Pinot Gris Yakima Valley Gold 91 pts

2021 Albariño Yakima Valley Gold 91 pts

2020 Grenache Noir Silver Horse Heaven Hills 89 pts

2020 Petite Sirah Silver 88 pts.

Learn About their Wines & Winery