County Commissioners Weighing Candidates For Next 23rd District Senator

The Kitsap County commissioners have now begun interviews with candidates intending to fill the 23rd Legislative District Senate seat that was vacated when former Senator Christine Rolfes was herself named a county commissioner. 

Cancialosi and Hansen are residents of Bainbridge Island, and Felix lives on the Port Madison Indian Reservation, though the district covers an area that includes Bainbridge and stretches down the eastern side of Kitsap County and into Bremerton.

Washington State law states that legislative vacancies are filled by the county's Board of Commissioners, choosing from a list of candidates recommended by the political party committee of the candidate that held the seat that becomes open.

Overnight Roadwork on SR 305 All This Week

Mon Aug 21 - Fri Aug 25

If you’re planning a late-night trip on our Seattle/Bainbridge route next week, plan for possible travel delays on State Route 305.

There will be intermittent lane closures on the highway between Agate Pass Bridge and the Bainbridge ferry terminal from 10:30pm to 4am from Monday Evening (Aug. 21), through the morning of Friday, Aug. 25.

Potential backups of 10-15 minutes in either direction will be possible as WSDOT maintenance crews replace pavement markings on the roadway.

Inn Moratorium Repeal On Planning Commission Agenda

On August 24, the planning commission will consider new regulations on Inns in Neighborhood Centers (NC) outside of Winslow (with an Inn defined as “a building or group of buildings containing up to 15 guest rooms, where, for compensation, lodging is provided for transient visitors.") via select changes to Ordinance 2022-25 that include:

1. Repeal of the temporary moratorium on new inns in NC zones that was enacted by council on an emergency basis back in February

2. Adding new "Use Specific Standards" for inns in NC zones to limit total number of inns to 3 at Lynwood, 2 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.

At this time, there are not any new inns or planned expansions in Rolling Bay and Island Center, while Lynwood Center has 2 existing inns, plus one new inn that has already received land use approval.

Also on the agenda:

• Public Meeting regarding Brown Bear Car Wash
• Public Meeting regarding PSE's Murden Cove Substation

Ferrymageddon Reminder:

Let Suppliers/Vendors Know About WA Ferry Issues

Dear Bainbridge business owners,

This is a friendly reminder to let your suppliers know that from Sept 7 to 13 Washington State Ferries is not going to allow any cars, trucks, bicycles, or motorcycles on the Bainbridge Island-Seattle boats 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.

Making things even more interesting, there will be only one boat service for passengers on the route instead of the usual two, and a bonus third boat (for vehicles and passengers) will be added on the Kingston Route whenever crewing and vessel availability allows for that entire 7-day period.

We can all but hope that the USPS is ready to drive around!

Planning Begins For WA Law Offering New Pathways To High School Graduation

In a state-wide attempt to offer better pathways for young people into a wider variety of career paths, Washington students will soon be able to directly use workforce experience to graduate high school. 

The law, approved during this year’s legislative session, allows high school students to move toward graduation by completing a “performance-based learning experience,” such as professional skill-building, internships, or community service in place of class credits and academic testing. 

Approval of the proposed rules for HB 1308 is set to take place at the September Board of Education meeting.

The UPS Store - Bainbridge Island Store

If you need a Mailbox with a real address, printing, shipping, Notary, Passport Photos or shredding, visit The UPS Store at 321 High School Rd NE.

The Bainbridge store location is 100% Island owned and operated.

The Chamber was happy to partner with the Friends of the Bainbridge Troll to help unveil Pia The Peacekeeper at Sakai Park, alongside Mayor Brenda Fantroy-Johnson, Councilmember Leslie Schneider, Police Chief Joe Clark, Park Commissioners Dawn Janow and Ken DeWitt, Park District Executive Director Terry Lande and Division Director Dan Hamlin, Arts & Humanities Bainbridge Interim Executive Director Jackie Muth and Chamber President/CEO Stefan Goldby.

August After Hours Member Mixer Is Sold Out

After a month's break (due to the tiny community gathering that it is the Grand Old 4th), the Chamber's popular series of member mixers resumes at the end of this month.

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.

One note: This waterfront Rolling-Bay adjacent property has very limited parking, so guests will be asked to park in the lots at Rolling Bay Presbyterian Church.

This event is now fully-rsvp'ed, but we are still taking names for our waitlist - and if anyone can't make it, their place will go to you!

Give The Gift Of Via Rosa 11

A well-stocked pantry is a gift to yourself and a gift to give others. Via Rosa 11 brings the flavor and flare of Italian food culture through carefully selected imports…

Inspired by Pino and Lani's own Italian adventures, these items make perfect host gifts or a nostalgic souvenir from travels of your own.

Explore Italy and live la dolce vita!

2 Week Membership for the Price of 1 at Island Fitness

Island Fitness has created a 2-Week membership special to help ease disrupted routines during ferry construction and back to school week on Bainbridge. 

Beginning on September 1, a 2-week (14 consecutive days) membership will cost just $50+tax, limited to 1 per person.

Seattle Children's Foundation Art Collection Sale

Fri Sept 1, 6-8pm

Join the Bargain Boutique crew for an evening of art, entertainment and purpose!

Enjoy a unique opportunity to view and purchase wonderful Northwest-inspired artwork - textile, pottery, paintings, prints, lithographs and more, as donated by the Preston-Kuppe fundraising Guild.

Enjoy wine, bites, and live guitar while you consider adding to your personal collection at the Bargain Boutique - 1050 Hildebrand Lane.

All profits go to uncompensated care at Seattle Children’s Hospital.

Join Kitsap Employers At The WorkSource Autumn Job Fair

Sept 13, 10am-2pm

WorkSource is a statewide partnership of state, local and nonprofit agencies that provides an array of employment and training services to job seekers and employers in Washington.

Last year, WorkSource professionals helped some 170,000 workers and nearly 5,600 Washington employers.

The Kitsap Job Fair event will be on September 13th from 10am to 2pm at WorkSource Kitsap, 3120 NW Randall Way in Silverdale.

Requirements: A WorkSourceWA.com

employer account with current jobs posted.

Free Seminar: Best Practices For Business Structure/Ops

Wed Aug 30, 6-7:30pm

Join Whitney Tatum and participate on this workshop focused around business structure, operations and efficiency.

At this networking event, you will learn more how to create a solid foundation for your business by creating basic policies and procedures to structure and protect you and your business.