Council Members, City Manager Available This Week For Community Conversations

Sat Mar 4, 10 am - 12 pm

Do you have questions regarding waste reduction, speed limit changes, local transportation, or the upcoming updates to the Winslow Subarea Plan?

This weekend's Central Ward meeting will provide that opportunity, as it features Councilmembers Leslie Schneider and Clarence Moriwaki, and At-Large Councilmember Kirsten Hytopoulos, together with City Manager Blair King, in an open discussion format at City Hall.

No RSVP's are necessary, just head on down and speak on up.

State Bans PFAS in Food Packaging

In addition to the local waste reduction and food service ware item regulation imposed by COBI, the State also has new rules banning certain types of food packaging from having any kind of PFAS (aka 'forever chemicals') being intentionally added to them.

As of this month, though state law RCW 70A.222.070 food packaging manufacturers, distributors, and retailers may no longer manufacture, sell, or distribute wraps, plates, food boats, pizza boxes with forever chemicals in them.

Island Insights: City Council Member Jon Quitslund Outlines New Hopes for Winslow Subarea Plan

Jon Quitslund is a current member of the Bainbridge City Council, and a former member of the Island’s Planning Commission, giving him a detailed understanding of the current Winslow Subarea Plan guidelines and the opportunities to update them and better support the area’s future growth.

In this guest essay, he provides context to the upcoming process,m

Local Government 101: A User Guide To City Council Meetings

City Council meetings are not intended to be intimidating, but to many they are.

The latest installment in the Chamber's new series explains the types of council meetings, the elements of a council agenda, and provides a guide on how to speak up, share your voice, and help shape the future of Bainbridge Island...

On The Agenda: City Council Business Meeting

Tue February 28 at 6pm

Consent Items

• 5E - Survey and Critical Areas Evaluation for the Head of the Bay project 
• 5F - COBI and BI Parks & Rec enter into interlocal agreement for Disaster Response Support

Regular Agenda

• 8C - updating the definition of a bicycle
• 8D - Approving naming process for the new Police/Court building

Agate Pass Bridge Work Underway

Mon Feb 27 through Thu Mar 2

The final round of bridge cleaning & inspection began on Monday, February 27th.

Work is planned to run from 8:45am to 2pm through Thursday March 2. Lengthy delays should be expected, with traffic reduced to one lane of travel across the bridge.

Less Than 10 Spots left for

March's After Hours

Spring into Spring with the Chamber's next member mixer - coming (this time on a Tuesday Evening) to Sisters' Cider House at Hildebrand on March 21.

If you would like to come sample locally-made delicious beverages - move fast, as there are very few spaces left, RSVP today to gain entry!

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

Business Owners: Come Talk Waste Reduction with City Staff and Council Members

Wed Mar 22, 3pm - 4pm

Have questions, suggestions, or comments about the new COBI food and beverage service ware regulations?

In partnership with the Bainbridge Island Downtown Association, the Chamber would like to invite all impacted local business owners to a coffee and chat session at 3pm on March 22 at the BIDA offices (147 Madrone Lane N).

Both City staff and Council Members will be present to hear your thoughts.

Bainbridge Business Awards Tickets On Sale For Members

Sat April 29, 5:00-9:00 pm

Note: Chamber Members, please check your emails - today is the last day to nominate your neighbors in any of 7 categories...

The Chamber is bringing back the Bainbridge Business Awards as a casual, fun event on April 29 at The Manor House - Pleasant Beach.

Tickets (priced at $70) are on sale now for Chamber members and their guests. Each ticket includes event entry, a variety of food choices, and a beer/wine open bar.

if you are not a member but would still like to join the fun, please email Jessica.

Call for Artists for Bainbridge's New Police/Court Facility

The City of Bainbridge Island is issuing a Call for Artists to provide art for a building which will serve both as the police station and municipal court. The building is currently under renovation and will be opened in the fall of 2023. All artists, including women and those who identify with a marginalized community, are encouraged to apply.

The artwork should support and reflect the justice and public safety functions of the facility and respond to the City’s values related to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Submittals DUE March 3 by 4 pm, click for info

Take Your Seat in BPA's New Buxton Center

Only 11 seats remain available for dedication in the newly renovated Hodges Hall at Bainbridge Performing Arts!

Don't Miss your chance to leave a lasting legacy for yourself or a loved one.

Click to learn more and leave a lasting mark

Land Title Company

Land Title Company first opened its doors in 1968. They offer insurance to protect homeowners and lenders against monetary loss from unknown problems that occurred during the transfer of ownership of property.

From their inception, the mission has been to provide customers and clients with consistent, courteous, and dependable service during their real estate transactions.

Throughout the last half-century Land Title Company has enjoyed being steadfast chamber members.

Learn more from the Land Title Company website

T&C Wine Tasting Celebrating Women's History Month

Thu Mar 2, 3 - 5 pm

Celebrate Women's History Month and sample wines from woman owned wineries at T&C.

This free event takes place by the meat section at the Bainbridge Island T&C Market.

Bill Marler Interviews Author Jeff Burnside About New Book

Thu Mar 2, 6 pm Eagle Harbo Book Co.

Journalist/Author Jeff Burnside will be in conversation with Bainbridge Island legend Bill Marler to discuss regarding Cashup Davis: The Inspiring Life of a Secret Mentor, which Jeff co-authored with Gordon W. Davis.

The book details the extraordinary life of 19th century immigrant, James "Cashup" Davis – beginning with his modest arrival in the Palouse, a rural area in Eastern Washington, his creation and operation of a wildly successful stagecoach stop, culminating in his audacious plan to build a luxury hotel atop a lofty, windswept butte in the middle of nowhere. 

This event will be a rollicking review of Washington State history and the characters who made this state.

RSVP to ensure your seat at this event 

First Friday Art Walk

Friday March 3, 6pm - 8pm

Visit Bainbridge Island Library and view artwork from Martha Rogers with a meet & greet from 5-7 pm.

Linea Lundmar's art will be on display at Bainbridge Arts & Crafts.

Realogics Sotheby's will be displaying artwork from Steven Fogell.

Join BIMA for an opportunity to see Sarah Fetterman’s Lost in the Familiar performance art installation at 6pm and 7pm. 

For more information visit The Island Wanderer

Manor House Concert Series: Elena Maque Band

Sat Mar 4, 7pm

A university-trained vocalist and saxophonist, Elena Maque has spent years honing her craft and wowing audiences throughout Russia, Europe, and the United States. Her ability to cross-pollinate jazz with funk and pop has been a magnet for fans globally. As a result, it is not unusual to find a guest DJ scratching beats as Maque spices an up-tempo swing tune with sophistication while honoring the jazz vernacular in her execution.

Click to learn more and purchase tickets

The Edge Improv at BPA

Sat Mar 4, 7:30pm

For nearly a quarter century, The EDGE Improv has ingeniously improvised facts of all persuasion. Their promise of “imagination on demand” routinely relies on audience suggestions.

Click to learn more and purchase tickets

Northwest Newcomers to Gardening & Other Classes Offered at Bainbridge Gardens

Spring is in the air and Bainbridge Gardens has a plethora of activities to get your outdoor space blooming! From a Northwest Newcomers class on March 8 or 11 to a Bonsai Workshop on March 12 - there is plenty to do for you and your green thumb.

Review all the activities and sign up for classes

Pleasant Beach Village & Lynwood Theatre Present The Gothard Sisters

Thu Mar 16, Lynwood Theatre

As the headline of the 3-day celebration of St. Patrick's at Lynwood Center, enjoy an evening of contemporary Celtic music with The Gothard Sisters.

As a dynamic supergroup blending Celtic, folk, classical and new age musical influences, the Gothard Sisters bring songs to life with violin, acoustic guitar, mandolin, bodhran, djembe, whistle and vocal harmonies.

Click here to learn more & purchase tickets

KEDA 2023 Annual Meeting & Economic Forecast Luncheon

Thu Mar 30, 11:30am - 1pm

KEDA's Board of Directors invites you to join them March 30th from11:00am- 1:00pm for our Annual Meeting and Economic Forecast Luncheon at the Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort & Conference Center.

Featuring economists Hart Hodges and James McCafferty, co-directors of the Western Washington University Center for Economic & Business Research who will present an economic forecast.

Early bird tickets are available through March 12.

Register & click here for more info

Each month the Kitsap Chambers of Commerce ask a single question to gather information on our communities and our county...

Q: How often do you shop at local stores (not including grocery stores)?

Local Ranking Factors That Help Your Small Business' SEO

If you have a local business selling products or services, you have to think about the local ranking of your website.

Local SEO will help you surface related search queries in your area.

As Google shows local results first in many cases, you need to make sure Google understands where your location is.

In this article, we’ll go over everything you can do to improve Google’s understanding of your location, which improves your chances of ranking locally.