Tuesday, February 15, 2022 |
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Mask Requirements in WA Could Soon Change |
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Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said Wednesday that he expects this week to announce some details for when the state will end COVID-19 emergency mask requirements that cover schools and businesses.
In a Wednesday news conference, Inslee also announced that an outdoor mask requirement for people at gatherings of 500 or more would end effective Feb. 18.
Pictured: Washington Gov. Jay Inslee puts on a mask after speaking last year at the state Capitol in Olympia. His office said Wednesday, Feb. 9, that the state is in talks about when to lift the mask requirements. (Ted S. Warren / AP)
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Virtual Membership Luncheon
Wednesday, February 23, 2022, 11:30 am
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Have you answered our weekly
survey question yet?
How confident are you today that your
business can emerge from the pandemic
stronger than it entered it?
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(Please choose one answer)
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The 6 Chambers of Commerce in Kitsap County are asking the same question of our members to provide both local and countywide insight into what our business community is experiencing. If you are a member of multiple Chambers, please complete only one Chamber's survey for your business each week. |
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Lift: Kitsap Women's Leadership Network
Wednesday, February 16, 2022, 11:45 am
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Are we really surprised by "The Great Resignation?" After two years of COVID, women are reassessing what's important in their lives and careers. In our next gathering, we will take a deeper look into authenticity and letting go of who you’re supposed to be and engage with who you are!
"Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we will ever do." - Brené Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection
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Suitcases on Standby Travel Hosts
Vacation Planning Pop-Up
Monday, February 21, 2022, 12:00 - 2:00 pm
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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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Member of the Month 1st Security Bank Highlights Local Business: Lisa Stirrett |
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If you haven’t visited Lisa Stirrett’s Glass Art Studio in Silverdale, it is a must see! While you’re there, sign up for one of their many art classes, ranging from custom creations to mosaic hangings to quilting with glass. Also learn about their Creative Warrior Empowerment, products with a purpose, Lights of Affirmation and Freedom Butterflies programs. |
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9536 Silverdale Way NW
Silverdale, WA 98383
(360) 613-5472
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"If we can think it, we can make it."
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February 15th UpLift Cancelled
Please stay tuned for next month's event!
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Created by the Kitsap Business Forum, UpLift Kitsap is a free interactive online series fostering strong and resilient business leaders. If you're interested in speaking at an upcoming UpLift Kitsap, please contact the Kitsap Business Forum Steering Committee HERE.
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Ending the Absurdity of Pointless Meetings
Tuesday, March 8, 2022, 8:00 am
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Teams and leaders spend 30% or more of their time in meetings. So why are meetings not more productive and effective or, at least, getting better? Beyond the time and money wasted in poorly run meetings, bad meetings have real consequences leading to decreased morale, frustrated staff, stagnated creativity, and personnel departures.
Whether you are leading the meeting or are a member of the team, this program will provide practical tips and insights that will allow you to create more effective collaborative experiences for everyone.
What you will learn:
- The Number 1 mistake that causes meetings to go off track;
- 2 psychological principles that drive better teamwork;
- 3 ground rules that will increase creativity while decreasing conflict;
- The perfect meeting size - how many people are too many;
- Using roles to increase efficiency and develop leadership skills;
- 4 engagement strategies that save time/increase participation and energize team dynamics; and
- Two effective phrases that can eliminate75% of all dysfunctional meeting behavior.
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Presenter: Michael Chaleff
Michael is a communication consultant and coach whose primary focus is helping people to speak with confidence, clarity and persuasion. These skills are never more needed than in meetings. Michael’s experience spans two decades, from combat operations in the First Gulf War to arguing cases as a criminal prosecutor in Federal Court. He routinely coaches individuals, corporations and Federal Agencies on how to create better meetings and to help participants acquire the skills needed to speak persuasively in those meetings.
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Member Education & Training Resources |
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L&I Essentials for Business
Thursday, February 24, 2022, 10:00 am
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KEDA Hosts a DEI Work Session
Tuesday, March 1, 2022, 9:00 am
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Becoming a Facebook Master:
The Latest Tips and Tricks for Facebook
Wednesday, February 16, 2022, 11:00 am
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Knowing how to use Facebook can change your business overnight by driving customers to your website and your business. Getting more customers will lead to more sales in this very competitive business environment. And more sales means more profits for you!!
Attendees to this workshop will learn the following key features about Facebook:
- How people see and react to 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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Government Affairs Committee |
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Get your Week 5 recap from Brad Boswell and team today, with all the latest from Olympia through February 11th, brought to you by your Silverdale and Bremerton Chambers of Commerce. |
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LIVE: Updates w/Brad Boswell
Friday, February 18, 2022, 8:30 am
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Join us for live Q & A with Brad Boswell as we close out Week 6 of the 2022 Legislative Session. If you have questions about specific legislative action in Olympia or you're following particular bills, here is an opportunity to be updated live with the Chamber's political consultant. |
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AWB Amplified: Record Reserves Mean
Now is the Time for Tax Relief
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Dems Introduce New Transportation Package
"Move Ahead Washington" Proposes Infrastructure Investments to Benefit Kitsap County
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Ferry Investments
For residents in the 23rd District and other Puget Sound communities dependent on reliable ferry service, the last few years have been frustrating as service disruptions have upended our lives. Thanks to your strong voice for change, the new transportation funding package includes several key investments to strengthen Washington’s ferry system, in one of the largest transportation proposals for ferry improvements in recent history:
- $1.3 billion to complete four new hybrid-electric vessels, replacing aging vessels and helping to reduce fuel costs and air, water, and noise pollution
- $193 million to electrify and retrofit vessels and terminals, including two jumbo vessel conversions
- $350 million to support operations and rebuild a strong, reliable workforce
- $160 million to make repairs and preserve older vessels in the fleet
- $6.5 million for Kitsap Transit’s all-electric Fast Foot Passenger Ferry
Community Transportation Improvements
The package also includes funding to address some of our biggest transportation challenges, investments to improve the way we move around our community, and some toll relief for drivers.
- A 75-cent toll reduction for cars on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, holding tolls steady until the bonds are paid off (projected 2032).
- $18.5 million for upgrades along SR 104 to reduce congestion in Kingston caused by back-ups at the ferry terminal.
- Pedestrian and bike safety improvements on the Warren Avenue Bridge, creating a safer and view-filled community asset.
- A comprehensive investment into multimodal transportation, including funding for Kitsap Transit to expand service.
- $3 billion in culvert replacement and stormwater improvements, to help bring back salmon and keep Puget Sound clean.
- AND, for families, a proposal for youth ages 18 and under to ride free on ferries and transit!
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Over the weekend, lawmakers in the House of Representatives pulled House Bill 1837 out of the Rules Committee, meaning they could vote on it at anytime. Please email your legislator today and let them know this would be harmful for employers and for the health of Washington's economy.
If adopted, HB 1837 would allow the state Department of Labor & Industries to impose costly and unnecessary ergonomics regulations on employers. Nearly 20 years ago, voters passed Initiative 841, repealing the state's burdensome, expensive and unproven ergonomics standard.
It wasn't needed then, and it's not needed now. Employers are already required by law to provide a safe working environment for all employees, and L&I can cite employers for ergonomic issues. Passage of HB 1837 would simply add costs to employers at a time when many are already struggling with workforce and supply chain issues.
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Military Affairs Committee |
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Military Appreciation Day 2022
Saturday, March 5, 2022, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
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Sponsors and participants as of Thursday, February 10th. |
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It's not too late to participate - registration is open until February 25th! |
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The New Norm: Kitsap Coworking Spaces Grow |
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Originally published in the Kitsap Sun, February 11, 2022
Matthew Copus and his 50 team members used to start every working day at their company's office in Poulsbo. But not anymore.
Last August, Assured Partners, the nationwide insurance company Copus works for as an agency president, stopped leasing its office on 10th Street because of low usage of the workspace during the pandemic.
Instead, the Florida-based insurance firm supported its staff's work in flexible spaces by paying some membership fees at Vibe Coworks in Poulsbo, Kitsap's largest coworking space.
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Public Private Strategies Presents:
Black Small Business Conversation
Wednesday, February 16, 2022, 11:00 am
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Kitsap Lawmakers Host Ferry Town Hall
Saturday, February 19, 2021, 11:00 am
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County Shares Priorities for 2022 |
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After two years of responding to challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are grateful for Kitsap County’s resilient communities – and to everyone who has stepped up to help one another! We remain focused on ensuring and improving your health, safety and quality of life, and offer you this preview of what’s ahead in 2022.
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Presidents' Day Holiday Schedule |
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On Presidents' Day, Feb. 21, Routed buses will operate reduced service schedules or may not operate. Please see your route schedule for availability and times of service or use our route lookup tool online at kitsaptransit.com/holiday-schedule.
- The Port Orchard Ferry will operate on a Sunday schedule, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
- Kitsap Fast Ferries will operate normal weekday service.
- BI Ride will operate 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (after 4:00 PM must be booked through Ride Pingo app). Kingston Ride Fast Ferry Commuter and Southworth Ride Fast Ferry Commuter will operate normal weekday service. Kingston Ride, Nollwood Ride and SK Ride will not operate.
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Ride ACCESS? Call Customer Service at 1.800.422.2877 to find out details on their service.
- There will be no Worker/Driver service. Some Vanpools may not operate; call your vanpool driver for information.
Kitsap Transit's Customer Service Office at the Bremerton Transportation Center and Customer Service phone lines will be open from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The Administration Office and ORCA call center will be closed. Call 1.800.501.7433 with any questions prior to the holiday.
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The Kitsap Road Report is updated each week. This latest update was released on February 11, 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 locations listed below. Expect moderate delays between 5 and 10 minutes:
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Illahee Rd NE - Entire length of road (MO-FR)
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Seabeck Hwy NW between Leeward Ave NW & NW Pioneer Rd (MO-FR)
Expect moderate delays on Blackbird Drive NE from the intersection of NE Fairgrounds Road for PSE utility work. Traffic control is in place between hours of 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. and the work is expected to be completed by February 28th.
WSDOT Project Alert: Construction crews working on the SR3 Chico Creek fish barrier removal project. Temporary speed limit reduction to 45mph in both directions on SR3 along one-mile section for the duration of the project. 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.
With the new wave of cases due to the Omicron variant, testing availability and resources are being strained both locally and nationally. Testing appointments or at-home tests may be difficult to find. Please be patient as you seek a test and plan well in advance if you need a test to participate in activities such as travel. KPHD has updated our list of organizations providing COVID-19 testing in Kitsap County here.
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Multiple Federal Hiring Events
February 15 & 16, 2022
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Silverdale Visitor Center |
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Day Trip from Silverdale:
WA State Parks
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Kitsap County is a gateway to outdoor adventures with 5 state parks in county and 13 more on the Olympic Peninsula (not to mention Olympic National Park). Plan your next weekend away with a stay in Silverdale and find your adventure all around.
When you purchase a Discover Pass, you aren't just buying a parking pass. You are directly supporting the preservation of public lands. Not only does the Discover Pass give you access to state parks, it also offers you access to millions of acres of state recreation lands in Washington, including:
- More than 100 developed state parks
- More than 350 primitive recreation sites, including campgrounds and picnic areas
- Nearly 700 water-access points
- Nearly 2,000 miles of designated water and land recreation trails
- More than 80 natural areas
- More than 30 wildlife areas
Today, when you buy the Discover Pass, you are helping to keep the state’s wonderful outdoor recreation sites open and accessible to the public.
Annual and one-day passes:
- The annual pass - $30. Good for one year from the date of purchase.
- Day-use pass - $10. Good for the date marked on the pass.
Transaction fees may apply depending on where you purchase the pass.
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Judy Collins
Saturday, February 26, 2022, 7:00 pm
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Judy Collins has long inspired audiences with sublime vocals, boldly vulnerable songwriting, personal life triumphs, and a firm commitment to social activism. In the 1960s, she evoked both the idealism and steely determination of a generation united against social and environmental injustices. Five decades later, her luminescent presence shines brightly as new generations bask in the glow of her iconic 55-album body of work, and heed inspiration from her spiritual discipline to thrive in the music industry for half a century. |
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God Is a Scottish Drag Queen
Friday, March 4, 2022, 7:30 pm
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Winner of ‘Best of Fest’ an astounding 18 times, critically-acclaimed and award-winning comedian Mike Delamont brings his hit one man show to theatres around the country. While God has chosen to present himself to us in order to clear up some misunderstandings and fallacies regarding himself and his role as the Almighty… most of all this show is a way for God to let off some steam about what humans have been doing & not doing and his attempts to remain calm in the face of their actions. Delamont embodies this character with such ease that you actually start to believe his explanations for the many issues he discusses. |
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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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Marisa Acuna
Finance Manager
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