Tuesday, February 22, 2022
Important News for You
WA to Lift Indoor Mask Mandate on March 21st
Washington's statewide indoor mask mandate, one of the few left in the country, will lift on March 21, including at schools and child care facilities, Gov. Jay Inslee said Thursday.

And starting on March 1, vaccine verification or proof of a negative COVID-19 test will no longer be required for attendance at large events.

Masks will still be required in health care settings, like hospitals and doctor's offices, and at long-term care facilities and prisons and jails. They will also still be required on public transit, taxis and ride shares and school buses. 

Private businesses and local governments that want to require masks for employees, customers or residents can still require them.

Chamber News
Check out and like the
Virtual Membership Luncheon
Wednesday, February 23, 2022, 11:30 am
Member News
New Members - Welcome to the Chamber!
Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue Board of Commissioners Guy Earle, Ken Erickson, Bob Muhleman, Nate Andrews and Chief John Oliver (left to right) dig a shovel of dirt at the groundbreaking ceremony of Station 52 on February 16. The construction is estimated to complete in February 2023. Peiyu Lin/Kitsap Sun
CKFR Breaks Ground for New
Olympic View Fire Station
On Wednesday morning, a groundbreaking ceremony where the new Olympic View Community Fire Station will be built over the following 12 months marked the first step of a series of CKFR's projects to combine, replace or remodel its nine fire stations. All of the new fire stations will meet seismic standards, which means the buildings will better resist an earthquake, fire officials said.
Pictured: Mark Hughes, Central Kitsap Community Council, CKFR Chief John Oliver, County Commissioner Ed Wolfe, and Irene Moyer from the Chamber.
"It's a replacement of a station that lasted over 50 years. Hope it's good for another 50," CKFR Fire Chief John Oliver said. The current Olympic View station, Station 52, was built in 1963.

Haselwood YMCA Welcomes
New Executive Director
The Haselwood YMCA recently announced Emily Morisawa as the new Executive Director, beginning work in Silverdale on February 14. Morisawa comes to Central Kitsap after serving as the Association Membership Experience Director for the YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties.

Harold Shea was promoted to serve as the Operations Director for the YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties after six years at the Silverdale location.

Moving Day Set for Silverdale Library
The Silverdale branch, currently located on Carlton St., will be closing Saturday, March 5 at 4 p.m., to prepare for the opening of the new Silverdale library. The book drop at the Silverdale branch on Carlton St. will remain open until March 31

While the Silverdale location is closed, the public is invited to check out the Sylvan Way branch in Bremerton. During the closure, any outstanding holds can be picked up at this location. 

The new Silverdale library, located at the south end of the Central Kitsap High School campus is opening soon! Visit online to check out our progress and get updates on opening day. 

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!

Member Spotlight
Member of the Month 1st Security Bank Highlights Local Business:
Peninsula Construction Services, LLC
Peninsula Construction Services is a family owned and operated business that takes home building to the next level. Wayne Kentner has been building and designing residential projects for over 31 years, and his vision is to create & design homes with quality craftsmanship, transparency, meticulous attention to detail and timeless finishes. As a general contractor and home builder, PCS can help you with anything that deals with construction – from landscaping, residential bathroom & kitchen remodels, to new home construction. Peninsula Construction Services is one call for all your construction needs - contact Wayne and his team now!
206-276-2669 | PENINCS881PW
Education Committee
Ending the Absurdity of Pointless Meetings
Tuesday, March 8, 2022, 8:00 am
Utilizing Job Training & Internships
Tuesday, March 15, 2022, 3:00 pm
With the frightening statistic that 50% of all youth coming out of the foster care system wind up homeless, combined with record labor shortages across most employment sectors, it’s time for businesses and communities to think of alternative answers, and perhaps more job training and internships are a solution.

Cody Clark from The Coffee Oasis will share the different programs he administers with youth in Kitsap County, with an emphasis on The Coffee Oasis’ job training and internship programs.
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.
Member Education & Training Resources
7 Things Businesses Should Know About Accepting Cryptocurrency as Payment
From the U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Cryptocurrencies, a tradable digital asset or digital form of money, are growing in popularity with Americans. After initially taking a wait-and-see approach, more businesses are accepting Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as a form of payment. Roughly one-third of small business owners and top-level executives say their companies currently accept cryptocurrencies according to a recent survey by business invoice software provider Skynova.  

Tax Saving Strategies for Small Businesses
Friday, February 25, 2022, 1:00 pm
This workshop focuses on the Federal tax saving strategies that work best for small businesses, which are:

  • Electing S-Corporation status with the IRS.
  • Maximizing the deduction for business use of the home.
  • Demonstrating two ways you can compute the deduction for business use of personal vehicle.
  • Providing you examples of 7 different retirement plans and showing you which one is best for you.
  • Describing how to maximize the benefits of health savings accounts.
  • Show you the difference between smart equipment purchases and not-so-smart ones for maximizing the tax benefit.
  • Explain the difference between cash versus accrual accounting and let you know which is better for you.
  • And much, much more!
This workshop is presented by SCORE Business Mentor Joe Heinrich. Joe is a retired CPA having worked for 12 years with KPMG, an international accounting firm, and 22 years with Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. in various finance executive positions. Over the past 11 years since his retirement, Joe has help hundreds of small business owners make their businesses more profitable, eliminated problems with their accounting, assisted them in obtaining financing for their business and helped them save thousands of dollars of Federal and Washington taxes. 

Workshop Fee: $55
Government Affairs Committee
"Move Ahead Washington"
AWB Explains $16B Transportation Package
Get your Week 6 recap from Brad Boswell and team today, with all the latest from Olympia through February 18th, brought to you by your Silverdale and Bremerton Chambers of Commerce.
LIVE: Updates w/Brad Boswell
Friday, February 25, 2022, 8:30 am
Join us for live Q & A with Brad Boswell as we close out Week 7 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.
AWB Amplified:
Let's Focus on Economic Recovery
Military Affairs Committee
Military Appreciation Day 2022
Saturday, March 5, 2022, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
The Military Affairs Committee of the Silverdale Chamber of Commerce is excited to be just weeks away from the return of Military Appreciation Day . Join us at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds on Saturday, March 5th to showcase your business to our military community and supporters.
 
Sponsorships are still available and vendor applications will be accepted through February 25, 2022. Questions? Contact David at the Chamber.
Sponsors and participants as of Thursday, February 10th.
Business Resources
KEDA just updated their Kitsap Community Economic Profile in partnership with Western Washington University's Center for Economic and Business Research.

In this publication, KEDA traditionally favors accuracy over speed, so most of the data used for the economic analyses is from 2020, as it's the most recent year for which there is robust, reliable information in house that can inform across a variety of metrics tracked annually.

Chamber members get 15% off with code CHAMBER. Contact Crista Magneson for more information and other discounts.
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Work Session
Tuesday, March 1, 2022, 9:00 am
Kitsap County News
The Kitsap Road Report is updated each week. This latest update was released on February 18, 2022.
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:

  • Illahee Rd NW between NE Sylvan Way and Brownsville Hwy NE (TU-FR)
  • Seabeck Hwy NW between NW Anderson Hill Rd and NW Newberry Hill Rd (TU-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.
COVID-19 Updates & Resources
“While masks will no longer be required in many settings after March 21, Kitsap residents should feel empowered to keep wearing masks to protect their health and the health of people around them. Masks remain an essential tool for preventing the spread of respiratory illnesses.”

— Dr. Gib Morrow, Kitsap Public Health District Health Officer

Kitsap Public Health District does not anticipate continuing any masking requirements at the county level beyond the requirements enacted by the state. 
COVID-19 Vaccine & Testing Resources
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.
Community Information
Kathleen Sutton Fund Hosts Volunteer Meeting
Thursday, February 24, 2022, 6:30 pm
Silverdale Visitor Center
Unique Shopping Finds in Silverdale:
Lisa Stirrett's Glass Arts Studio
God Is a Scottish Drag Queen
Friday, March 4, 2022, 7:30 pm
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.
Black Violin: Impossible Tour
Saturday, March 5, 2022, 7:30 pm
Black Violin is led by classically trained string players Wil B. (viola) and Kev Marcus (violin). Joining them onstage are DJ SPS and drummer Nat Stokes. The band uses their unique blend of classical and hip-hop music to overcome stereotypes while encouraging people of all ages, races, and economic backgrounds to join together to break down cultural barriers. In the past 12 months, the band has performed for over 100,000 students in the US and Europe and has partnered with Yamaha and NAMM (National Association of Music Manufactures) to continue supporting music education.
Contact Us
Have something to share? CLICK HERE to submit stories and
events for Tuesday's Community Connections!
360-692-6800
David Emmons
President/CEO
Irene Moyer
Director of Member Relations
Marisa Acuna
Finance Manager