a weekly digest for bainbridge business owners and our island community |
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BUSINESS & COMMUNITY NEWS |
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WORK READY BAINBRIDGE:
CHAMBER & BYS ANNOUNCE YOUTH COMMUNITY SUMMER EMPLOYMENT & WORKFORCE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
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The Chamber and Bainbridge Youth Services are joining forces to create a new eight-week summer employment and workforce certification program connecting local youth employees (ages 16-24) with employers and the local business/nonprofit community on Bainbridge Island.
Launching as a pilot program to provide motivated local candidates with meaningful summer work in our community, there are 10 initial slots available for 2022.
Applications are now open through the end of May for both employers and employees...
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Image courtesy of Kitsap Transit |
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BRB: BREMERTON TO BAINBRIDGE FOOT FERRY DISCUSSION PROPOSED |
At this week's council regular business meeting, the Island will hear the first snippet of an exciting potential project that the Chamber has been quietly exploring with Councilmember Leslie Schneider and Kitsap Transit.
Council will hear a formal request to discuss the need, potential benefits, and feasibility of a new foot ferry route between Bremerton and Bainbridge Island at a future council study session.
This council action follows weeks of exploratory discussions around a daily commuter service, and a weekly leisure service connecting the Island with Central and South Kitsap.
“There is a long way to go to make this extra ferry route dream a reality, but the prospect of working together with businesses, nonprofits, community leaders, and our county neighbors is one that the Chamber warmly welcomes..."
Stefan Goldby - Chamber President/CEO
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ALSO ON THE AGENDA FOR THIS WEEK'S CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday May 10 at 6pm
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- Design review of Madison Avenue Improvements + cost alternatives
- Update on Winslow Subarea Plan Project preparation
- Consider new Green Energy contract with PSE
- Review role and support for all city committees
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COBI PLANNING COMMISSION:
Thursday May 12 at 6pm
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This week's agenda includes
- Discussion of Housing Resources Bainbridge's Eriksen project which would create a new multi-family apartment building with 22 affordable units.
- Discussion on the city’s Housing Design Demonstration Program
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Image courtesy of Visit Bainbridge Island |
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GET CLIMATE SMART: MEET MAY'S BIKE EVERYWHERE CHALLENGE HEAD ON |
This May, in honor of Cascade Bike Club's Bike Everywhere Month, Bainbridge city officials are challenging Islanders to rethink their commutes.
Nearly 50% of car trips are less than 3 miles long - so start by replacing just one car trip to reduce your climate impact and enjoy the double benefit of also improving your overall physical health.
You can also earn points in the COBI Climate Smart Challenge by taking a bike ride this month!
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GSBA TRAINING TO SUPPORT LOCAL LGBTQ+ EMPLOYERS & EMPLOYEES AT BIMA
Wednesday May 11,3:30-6:30pm
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Please join the Chamber and GSBA at BIMA for a LGBTQ+ workplace inclusivity training session aimed at local small businesses.
Topics include:
- Navigating employment practices
- Workplace safety and culture
- Advocacy
Afterwards, mix and mingle with speakers, community members, and organizations while enjoying complementary local bites and sips.
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DID WE MENTION FREE WINE!?!? JOIN US AT THE CHAMBER AFTER HOURS HOSTED BY ELEVEN WINERY
Thursday May 12 at 5:30pm
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Join us as Chamber After Hours hits the winery! That's right we're headed up to Day Road to visit Eleven Winery on Thursday May 12.
Join us as we celebrate the arrival of Spring (we hope!) with an indoor/outdoor soiree at the home of our After Hours presenting sponsor, with tasty treats provided by Fig & Spice ...
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CHAMBER RIBBON CUTTING @ REVAMPED BLOEDEL RESERVE ARRIVAL GARDEN & PLAZA
Friday May 13 at 1pm
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It's a post-pandemic brave new world and we're looking forward to our FIRST Chamber ribbon cutting ceremony in years!
Join us as we celebrate with the Bloedel Reserve team as they unveil their brand new Arrival Garden & Plaza created by landscape designer Erin Hill.
The ceremony is part of Bloedel welcoming the public for an all-day Open House and Garden celebration and membership drive, starting at 10am - but please note that entry, while free that day, is still via timed appointment only...
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JOIN IN THE GO4 FUN - REGISTRATIONS NOW OPEN FOR ALL EVENTS |
Whether you're in the mood to march down main street, want to show off your artisan goods, or are a gearhead eager to share your restoration work with the world, this year's Grand Old 4th celebrations have something for you...
Registration is now open for vendors and entries in all GO4 events:
- Hometown Parade
- Car Show
- Street Fair
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IN THE WINDOW: ISLAND VOLUNTEER CAREGIVERS |
Since 1996, Island Volunteer Caregivers has worked within our community to support life-enriching connections between caring people and the elderly and persons with disabilities to enable their independence, dignity, health and well-being.
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THANK YOU TO ALL OUR RENEWING MEMBERS |
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The Chamber is grateful for the support of each and every member - and would like to recognize those that renewed their membership during April - Thank you! |
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- Bainbridge Isl. Little League (2)
- Bainbridge Island Metropolitan Park & Recreation District (39)
- Bainbridge Island Museum of Art (11)
- Bainbridge Prepares (2)
- Bainbridge Vineyards (8)
- Breath Cafe (2)
- Carney-Cargill, Inc. (31)
- Columbia Bank (74)
- Coquette Bake Shop (3)
- Cross Cultural Journeys (6)
- Fletcher Bay Winery (12)
- Foster Law Group (20)
- Grounds for Change (9)
- Isla Bonita Restaurant (22)
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- Island Bite (2)
- Jeanette Alexander Graphic Design (30)
- Marge Williams Office Center (19)
- Masters Law Group PLLC (14)
- Miguelitos Cocina Mexicana (12)
- Perfect Little House Co. (12)
- Sabine, Naturally! (3)
- Sherrard McGonagle Tizzano & Lind (22)
- Shirvan Rug Gallery (19)
- Sound Publishing / Bainbridge Island Review (31)
- Sustainable Bainbridge (15)
- Via Rosa 11 (8)
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(number denotes total years of Chamber membership) |
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Q: In your opinion, what are the most important challenges facing your business/organization today?
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(please chose your top answer)
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Infrastructure + Land Use (water, power, broadband, roads, bridges)
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Lack of Child Care for Employees
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Lack of Qualified Workers (education + workforce)
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Lack of Access to Capital for Investment
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Other (please use email response button below)
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Recent Results:
Q: What do you think is the best way to announce a
new business to our community?
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OUR COMMUNITY: PAST TO PRESENT - NEW EXHIBITION NOW OPEN AT BAINBRIDGE HISTORICAL MUSEUM
Ongoing
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The brand new main exhibition at the Historical Museum explores the idea that Bainbridge Island is a vibrant city enlivened by many smaller communities of people who live, work, and play here.
Pulling together stories and objects from thirteen Island communities ranging from African-American to Indipino, Food to Forestry, Pride to Pickleball, and much, much more, this bold new effort modernizes and expands on what was there before...
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BPAA OPEN HOUSE & ASTRONOMY TALK
Saturday May 14 at 3pm & 7:30pm
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After 2 years Battle Point Astronomical Association is reopening.
Join them at an open house and tour the Edwin E. Ritchie Observatory and catch a glimpse of the Ritchie Telescope – the largest publicly-accessible telescope in the PNW!
Following, John Goar of the Olympic Astronomical Association will give a talk outlining his personal "Quest to View 100 Comets."
Weather permitting, we’ll have a star party after the presentation.
Masks and proof of vaccination required to attend in person.
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2022 PENINSULA HOME AND GARDEN EXPO
All Weekend, times vary
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Planning on some work around the house and looking for ideas, contractors and more?
Look no further than this weekend’s big event at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds & Events Center.
Adults are $10, Teens/Military are $8 and Kids under 12 are free with paying adult.
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Image courtesy Wineries of Bainbridge Island |
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CHEESE + WINE? WE’RE IN!
WINE ON THE ROCK RETURNS
May 20-22, times vary
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Enjoy delectable local cheeses paired right alongside Bainbridge Island’s delicious wines at the spring Wine on the Rock event May 20-22.
All 7 wineries are participating and ticketholders get to make reservations for each winery at times that work for them.
Tickets include a special event wine glass, tote bag and wine and cheese.
Tasting Passes are $75 ea. and designated driver passes are $25.
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Are you an amazing local website designer... or do have you recently hired one? Enquiring minds want to know!
The Chamber has a number of upcoming digital projects to build at both at a local and a county level, and as ever, we obviously would like to #BuyBainbridge whenever possible.
Island digital experts - this is your time to shine...
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BIZ TRAINING: HOW TO CLEAN UP A HACKED WORDPRESS SITE
Thursday May 10 at 1pm
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What happens after the hack?
Learn how to clean up your WordPress site after being hacked with some simple, proven guidelines with WordPress security expert Kathy Zant.
The course is FREE.
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BIZ TRAINING: ESD & SOUTH KITSAP CHAMBER WEBINAR SERIES
Thursday May 12 11am-1pm
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The South Kitsap Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the state’s Employment Security Department, will host one webinar a month from March to September, focused on crucial business topics including:
- Local Planning
- Labor Market Information (May 12, 11am-1pm)
- Tax & Wage
- Paid Leave
- Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) & Federal Bonding
- Washington CARES Act
Take one or take them all.
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BIZ SUPPORT: UPCOMING STATE GRANTS & AID |
The next round of state grant support and aid is on its way to businesses.
Here’s a quick look at what’s coming:
- $70M - Working Washington Round 5
- $5M - Convention Center Grants
- $100M - Hospitality Sector Grants
- $5M - Relief for large arts, heritage and sciences and nonprofit organizations (reimburses mandated COVID testing costs)
- $34.5M - Small Business Innovation & Competitiveness Fund
- $20M - Small Business Disaster Relief Program
Check in regularly with the Washington State Department of Commerce to check your eligibility and enrollment dates.
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JOB & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES |
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WATSON FURNITURE SEEKS STUDIO DESIGNER, DIRECTOR OF MARKETING + More |
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OLYMPIC COLLEGE HIRING PUBLIC RECORDS MANAGER |
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CLARK CONSTRUCTION SEEKS PROJECT LEADERSHIP TEAM COORDINATOR, ENGINEER + SUPERINTENDENT |
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Image courtesy of Keith Brofsky |
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR NAT'L PARK SERVICE ON BI |
Volunteers would be located at the BI Japanese American Exclusion Memorial
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BY THE NUMBERS: COVID RATES |
Current Cases per 100,000
- Bainbridge Island: 180 (down from 219)
- Kitsap County: 167 (up from 153)
Bainbridge Cumulative Total Cases
- Bainbridge Island: 2,018
- (45 new since last week)
As of April 30, 2022
Kitsap County External Resources:
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FREE CHAMBER MEMBER RESOURCES |
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VIA ROSA CONFERENCE ROOM:
Seating for 10 people, a 50” video screen + giant whiteboard wall – Avail. for 60 or 120-min sessions
PSE POP-UP SPACE:
6' x 6' space with display stand, power, internet + 43" monitor -
Avail. for 1-week-or-2-week slots.
BROCHURE RACKS:
Newly-expanded capacity for 4x9" promo cards in our indoor and outdoor racks at both Ferry Info Kiosk + Winslow Way Info Desk.
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