Our DOL Agent will be on vacation Fri Sept 1 - Wed Sept 13.

Many vehicle/vessel registration renewals can still be purchased online and picked up from the Chamber from 9-5, Monday-Friday (as can fishing/hunting/crabbing licenses)

Drew Hansen Selected As 23rd District Senator

The Kitsap County Board of Commissioners appointed State Rep. Drew Hansen Aug. 23 to fill the vacancy of state senator representing the 23rd Legislative District, replacing Christine Rolfes, who resigned after her recent appointment as a Kitsap County Commissioner.

Kitsap commissioners conducted interviews with three candidates (Drew Hansen, Chris Cancialosi, and Brynn Felix) nominated by county Democrats to fill the vacated Senate seat.

Kitsap Democrats now will begin the process to fill the seat Hansen vacates in the state House of Representatives by proposing three candidates to the county commissioners, to conduct interviews and make the appointment.

Congratulations from the Chamber, Drew!

$2.5M In Federal Funding Awarded for New Fletcher Bay Road Bridge

Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) recently announced $18.3 million in federal grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration to improve fish passage in areas that include Bainbridge Island, Port Orchard, and Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe.

The City of Bainbridge Island will receive over $2.5 million for Springbrook Creek Fish Passage Restoration, Culvert and Weir Removal Project to remove a 60-inch failing culvert (currently only 33% passable to fish) and weir (a 100% fish passage barrier) and replace it with a 60-foot bridge.

The bridge will be on the part of Fletcher Bay Road that runs East-West, just east of its intersection with Springridge Road NE, and just west of the intersection with the North-South running Fletcher Bay Road/Miller Road.

BCF Issues Annual State Of The Sector Report

Bainbridge Community Foundation (BCF) Community Report provides an amazing overview of what Bainbridge Island community has to offer - the opportunities that await us, and the challenges we can work together to overcome.

Now in its third iteration, this report has evolved from a post-COVID pandemic analysis to a broader look at the community as a whole.

See BCF Executive Director Jim Hopper and Community Impact Officer Dana Binnendijk present and discuss the report at the Bainbridge Public Library on Thursday, September 14, 2023 from 11AM - 12:30PM.

At the event, receive your copy of the report and a guide to how all of these topics impact sectors, individuals and families on Bainbridge.

Planning Commission Requests Public Input On Neighborhood Center Inns

At the August 24 Planning Commission, the commission decided that they want to hear from residents and businesses that live in all of the islands neighborhood centers (NC) at a public hearing on September 28 prior to making any decisions regarding regulations on Inns.

The main consideration is around endorsing a new "Use Specific Standards" for inns in NC zones which would:

• Cap the total number of inns allowed to 3 at Lynwood Center, and 2 each in Rolling Bay and Island Center
• Prohibit inns on adjacent properties, and;
• Require that each inn within a specific NC area are separately owned and operated.

The plan is for the new regulation to remove the need for the current moratorium on new inns.

A Detailed Look At The Winslow Subarea Plan

What do you want in Winslow? That’s a really broad question, and it brought many broad answers at the recent Winslow Online Vision Workshop.

The main topics covered were organized into 7 areas of discussion: Climate, Mobility, Amenities, Open Space, Housing, Zoning/Planning, and Community Feel.

Jennifer Sutton, city planner, said at the conclusion that all of the feedback that’s happened at various events over many months will be considered as a draft Winslow Subarea Plan is made in the fall. Residents will have another opportunity then to provide additional feedback.

Ferrymageddon Prep:

Let Suppliers/Vendors Know About Issues, Customers About Specials!

Dear Bainbridge business owners,

This is a friendly reminder to let your suppliers know that from Sept 7 to 13 Washington State Ferries will reduce service to a single boat and on that boat will not allow any cars, trucks, bicycles, or motorcycles on the Bainbridge Island-Seattle route at all.

While WSDOT replace the 50-year-old overhead passenger walkway on BI, you may need to find new ways to get your deliveries and supplies to your place of business.

Do remember that in an attempt to help, WSF will at least be adding a 3rd boat to the Kingston-Edmonds route for the week...

If your business is running deals, holding events, or doing anything special during Ferrymageddon™, please contact the Chamber so we can let everyone know in next week's Chamber News!

First BI Comprehensive Plan Workshop & Project Kick-Off

Help provide feedback for the Future of Bainbridge Island in the Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update.

This is the beginning of the planning process focused on the entire island.

Wed Sept 2, in person at Woodward Middle School Commons, 4-6pm Open House, 6-8pm Workshop.

Sept 28-Oct 29, Participate online with virtual workshop and public feedback space.

KOLOS Ceramics

Dariia is a local Bainbridge ceramic artist and she creates artsy and colorful one-of-a-kind cups and home decor.

Her macaron magnets look good enough to eat!

Chamber Supports New Local Innkeepers Group

Bainbridge Innkeepers is a group of Bainbridge Island lodging providers - short term rental hosts and hoteliers alike - which formed in June under the umbrella (and around the conference table) of the Chamber.

They aim to speak out on behalf of their businesses, guests and the innkeeper community concerning the regulation of lodging establishments on Bainbridge.

They are also working to collect and share news about new opportunities to help businesses and our island short term rental community thrive.

We also hear rumors of fun social gatherings being about to be announced...

August After Hours Member Mixer Is Very Sold Out

With only a few days left for August After Hours, please take note - we are now only accepting names for the waitlist and parking is limited so we ask guests to park at Rolling Bay Presbyterian Church.

Supported by our sponsors Eleven Winery, this month's event showcases an important sector of business on Bainbridge with a garden party visit to one of the island's premier Airbnb locations, courtesy of Dahlia Bluff Cottage and Studio Margo Photography.

This event is now fully-RSVP'ed, and the waitlist is full - but look for details about the September After Hours in next week's Chamber News!

Solve The 'Crime Of The Century' At BI Escape Room

If you like solving puzzles and crimes, there’s a new escape room on Winslow Way for amateur sleuths to test their skills at solving the “crime of the century” that took place on Bainbridge Island in 1914.

Bainbridge Review reporter Nancy Treder recently tried her hand at playing detective with her family at Nathana and Erika Thayer's new Escape Room at 440 Winslow Way East.

Bainbridge Island Dog Club: For The Love Of dogs!

While Andrea and Brad Bernadt were both still commuting to Seattle for work their dogs were cared for at an indoor facility, but that presented its own problems.

The experiences would plant the seeds and inspire a new adventure for the couple, the creation of a specialized dog club.

As most of us know, Bainbridge Islanders love their dogs (and all their pets for that matter), and we have a strong canine community here.

Through careful and well thought out research, they began to create a plan to fill that void. In June of 2022, the Bainbridge Island Dog Club (BIDC) was created.

Film Festival Announces Lineup

The inaugural Bainbridge Island Film Festival has announced the primary lineup of films for its inaugural fest, September 21st - 24th.

The inaugural festival will be held at Lynwood Theatre, Bainbridge Cinemas, Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, and Island Center Hall.

The festival will feature 12 feature films and over 30 short films from around the island and around the world, as well as Q&A’s, panels, and events, including an opening night celebration at the Manor House.