Wednesday, November 8, 2023 |
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In observance of Veterans Day, the Greater Kitsap Chamber & Visitor Center will be closed in both of our locations on Friday, November 10th. We will reopen next week in Downtown Bremerton and in Silverdale at the Kitsap Mall with our regular hours. We are grateful for all who have served and honor them this Veterans Day and always. |
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Bremerton Creative District Unanimously Approved by WA Arts Commission |
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The Greater Kitsap Chamber is excited to share that the Washington State Arts Commission has unanimously voted to approve Bremerton's application to become the newest Creative District in the State of Washington. Bremerton is only the 14th Creative District state-wide, and the 2nd in Kitsap County.
Creative Districts are geographically defined areas of cultural and economic activity that often serve as the heart of the local community. They are spaces where art and creativity thrive and places for people to gather and enjoy their community's arts and culture. Bremerton's Creative District spans from Manette, over the bridge, and across the historic downtown area to Olympic College. The district notably includes the soon to be realized Quincy Square on 4th Street, which among many projects, will incorporate a piano keyboard pattern into the actual street.
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Early Election Results for Kitsap Races |
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Bremerton City Council incumbents, Denise Frey and Anna Mockler are poised to return to their seats on the Council for another 4 years, and will be joined by newcomer Jane Rebelowski, according to early returns to the auditor's office. Read more on Bremerton Council races here.
Meanwhile, in other parts of Kitsap County, early leads are taken but some races are still too close to call.
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Gala Nears Sell-Out: Get Your Tickets Now
Thursday, November 9, 2023 | Kitsap Conference Center
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With fewer than 20 tickets left, make sure that you and your business are in the room where it will all happen on Thursday night! Get your tickets now to reserve your place at the table for the 2023 Business Awards Gala. Join us as we celebrate the best of business in our region, with awards given out for best businesses, new business, hospitality and more. We'll also honor local businessman and civic leader, Steve Sego, with the Chamber's most prestigious award for service to Kitsap County.
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November Chamber Luncheon
Wednesday, November 15, 2023, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
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We are excited to be talking about our nonprofit community for this month's luncheon! Please join us for a conversation with Carol Kowalski on the importance of working alongside our nonprofit community throughout the year, and specifically how businesses can create a mutually beneficial partnership with nonprofits that align with their business' mission and vision. We are also excited to host a Nonprofit Showcase of Kitsap organizations; come learn all about the wonderful groups that provide so much in all of our communities. If your nonprofit would like to participate in the showcase, please contact Tiffany at the Chamber now.
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Bremerton GreenDrinks @ Marvin Williams
Thursday, November 16, 2023, 5:00 pm
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Chamber Survey: Workforce Development |
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The Workforce Development Committee is interested in better understanding the workforce needs of local businesses in Kitsap County so that the Chamber is able to provide more tailored support. These are the first of a series of survey questions over the next month aimed at addressing this topic.
Please respond with regards to your business or organization.
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Do you offer any wellness or mental health
programs to support your employees?
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Planning to in the future
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Are you interested in resources or guidance on implementing wellness programs for your employees? |
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Would you be interested in collaborating with local organizations or other businesses to address workforce challenges collectively? |
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(If you answered "yes" to the last question, please share any specific areas of collaboration you'd be interested in (e.g. joint job fairs, skills training programs, etc.) by emailing the Chamber at the link below. |
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*Survey questions are run for 2 weeks to capture all of our readers.
The Greater Kitsap Chamber is committed to learning how best
to serve our business membership and community. Your participation
in poll questions like these help us to work better for you!
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Get the Most Out of Your Member Benefits |
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Insurance done differently. Our benefits partner BHT offers quality, cost-effective medical plans plus a whole lot more, including concierge level customer service and innovative cost-saving programs and resources.
Before you renew this year, be sure to benchmark your benefits with BHT – and learn how purchasing your benefits package through an Association Health Plan can benefit you.
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Renew your membership today to ensure your place as a Charter Member of the Greater Kitsap Chamber! Questions about when to renew or how to upgrade your membership? Contact Irene now!
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Missed a previous edition of the Chamber's Community Connections?
View all the past issues on our website HERE.
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New Members - Welcome to the Chamber! |
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Sound West Group Named Developer of the Year, Marina Square Also Honored |
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Sound West Group was recognized as the 2023 Developer of the Year by NAIOP Washington State, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association. Marina Square was also named Mixed-Use Development of the Year.
Congratulations to the entire team of Sound West Group and their partners!
Photos courtesy of Sound West Group.
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KCF Seeks Nominations
Deadline to Nominate is November 15th
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Presented by the Kitsap Community Foundation, the Celebration of Philanthropy is an annual event that brings our community together to celebrate the spirit of generosity that makes Kitsap a place we are all proud to call home. Nominations for the 2024 Celebration of Philanthropy awards are now open. The deadline to submit a nomination is Wednesday, November 15, 2023.
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Leadership Kitsap:
20 Under 40 Call for Nominations
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Identify business leaders under the age of 40 (as of January 30th of the current award year) who are making an impact in business, philanthropy and/or in their local Kitsap County communities. Nominees should be top leaders in their organization or industry and demonstrate their commitment to the Kitsap community. Nominees must be 39 years or younger as of the awards ceremony date of the current award year to qualify. |
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Clark Construction is all about sustainability and community. Pictured above during the 30th Annual Earth Day on Clear Creek Trail event in April of this year, Clark partnered with Sound West Group as sponsors for this important clean-up day with the community. Students from Central Kitsap Middle School and County Commissioner Katie Walters were also on hand for the clean up and tree planting day. |
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901 Hildebrand Lane | Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 | (206) 842-5450 |
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Member Education & Training Resources |
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Small Business Cybersecurity Training Series
4-part Series Wraps Up on November 15, 2023
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Small businesses are under cyber and data-breach attacks more than ever given the current climate. Cyber attacks happen every day, and for a small business they can be very costly and cripple business operations. Having your systems and information compromised is not only a direct threat to your confidential data, it can also ruin your relationships with customers and cause legal vulnerability. It is imperative to learn how to boost your cyber defense systems.
This four-part training series was developed to help small businesses be cyber safe. The series will be a combination of cybersecurity presentation, subject matter expert panel and Q&A. Join us and become cyber safe today!
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Part 4: Implementation
November 15 @ 1:30 pm
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SBDC: SquareSpace 101
Thursday, November 9, 2023, 11:00 am
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Do you want to use SquareSpace to build or edit your own website? Join us for this webinar on all the ins and outs of SquareSpace. We’ll go over how to select the right template for your business, how to build and edit your pages, change your navigation, fill in your SEO settings, connect to your merchant processor if you want to conduct ecommerce transactions on your site, register your domain, use SquareSpace chat support, and more. |
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WA State Small Business Tech Day
Thursday, November 16, 2023, 1:00 pm
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The event is designed to help small businesses equip themselves with the best technology and practices available today to increase productivity and profitability and protect them against online threats.
Featuring well-known business leaders, tech experts and leading minds showing small businesses how to compete and succeed in many aspects of their business with a concentration on utilizing technology to be productive, profitable and protected.
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Business News & Resources |
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Navy Seeks Properties for Lease
to Support Shipyard Infrastructure
Optimization Program (SIOP)
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Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Northwest, in support of the Department of the Navy (“DON” or “Government”), is seeking information on available properties that can be made available to meet several requirements. The DON is also open to proposed solutions or alternative project ideas to meet the current real estate needs. Responders are encouraged to complete and submit a response to this Request for Interest (“RFI”) in support of their proposed facility, land, project renovation, redevelopment, and/or other ideas/concepts no later than November 24, 2023. The DON intends to use the RFI responses to further evaluate its best courses of action.
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WA to Pursue Linking Carbon Auction
with Others to Reduce Costs
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Merging markets: Washington will pursue combining its carbon market with ones in California and Quebec to help reduce the new program's compliance costs, the state Department of Ecology announced Thursday. KUOW has a full report.
"Connecting the market here in Washington to similar programs elsewhere would create a larger, more liquid market – providing price stability and assurances to participating businesses that would incentivize wise long-term strategies to reduce emissions," Ecology Director Laura Watson said.
Aiming to contain costs: This fall, prices for carbon allowances reached a record high after four auctions, far outpacing earlier estimates. As prices have spiked, businesses have passed those costs onto consumers through higher fuel prices. Linking the markets could help bring down auction prices, making it easier for businesses to comply with the new program.
A 2022 economic analysis done for Ecology showed that combining markets would bring Washington's prices closer to those in the California-Quebec market, which have been notably lower than Washington's, the Washington State Standard reported.
More work needed: AWB Government Affairs Director Peter Godlewski told KUOW the proposed linkage is "a really positive step" to bring stability and predictability to the Climate Commitment Act. However, there are other important adjustments to make the program work for the economy and environment. An AWB Amplified video lays out a path to fix the program.
Next steps: Ecology said the soonest Washington could begin operating in the linked market is 2025 or later -- if California and Quebec agree to combine markets. Meanwhile, the state will hold its final carbon auction of the year on Dec. 6.
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Quick and interesting reads for employers, employees,
local leaders, and everyone in between!
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Nonprofit News & Resources |
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The Greater Kitsap Chamber is proud to be one of only five Chambers statewide selected to partner with the Nonprofit Association of Washington (NAWA) to bring education and resources to nonprofits in Western Washington. Stay tuned to this section of our weekly newsletter for education, resources and more for our nonprofit community.
To learn more about NAWA, please visit their website here.
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QuickBooks Made Easy for Nonprofits
November 7 - 9, 2023, 11:00 am - 1:30 pm
This online webinar is for those using the Online Version of QuickBooks.
Cost: $109/day, or $229 for all three days for NAWA Members / $149/day, or $299 for all three days for Not-yet-Members.
These webinar series of vital QuickBooks information are specifically for non-profit organizations. From basic topics such as setting up correct accounts; entering your programs; and adding your annual budget to more advanced topics such as entering donations and grants; essential reports for the board/auditor; and printing personalized donor thank you letters directly from QuickBooks, Gregg covers all the bases.
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Kitsap County Seeking Volunteers
Residents needed to serve on variety of advisory groups
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Are you a looking for ways to get more deeply involved in improving your community while helping to connect people to local services, address neighborhood concerns and shape the future of Kitsap County?
County Commissioners seek advisory group members representing the diversity of our neighborhoods and communities who want to direct their expertise and lived experience to providing input on county programs, the distribution of funding and review of plans and policy. Your involvement in county government can help make Kitsap a better place to live for everyone.
Consider applying to serve on one of the many Kitsap County advisory groups. Members are appointed by county commissioners to serve as sounding boards and conduits between residents, communities, county staff and commissioners. The time commitment varies for each advisory group. Learn more about each group and find position descriptions for current vacancies at kcowa.us/advisorygroups.
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Veterans Day Holiday Service
Effective Friday, Nov. 10
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On Friday, Nov. 10, the federally-observed Veterans Day holiday, Routed buses will operate Holiday 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.
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Kitsap Fast Ferries and the Port Orchard Ferry will operate normal weekday service.
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The Annapolis Ferry will NOT operate.
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BI Ride will operate from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Trips after 4:00 PM must be booked through the Ride Pingo app.
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Kingston Ride Fast Ferry Commuter and Southworth Ride Fast Ferry Commuter will operate regular weekday service.
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Kingston Ride, SK Ride, Nollwood Dial-A-Ride and Purdy Ride will NOT operate.
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ACCESS service will operate holiday service hours. Any recurring or subscription trips on Nov. 10, will be canceled. Call ACCESS at 1.800.422.2877 to rebook your ride.
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There will be no Worker/Driver service. Some Vanpools may not operate; call your Vanpool driver for information.
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Kitsap Transit's Customer Service Office and call center will be open from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The Administrative Office and ORCA call center will be closed. Call 1.800.501.7433 with any questions before the holiday.
Kitsap Transit buses and ferries will operate regularly scheduled Saturday service on Veterans Day, Saturday, Nov. 11.
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Final County Parks Open House
November 9, 2023
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Bremerton HS Football Secures
First State Berth Since 2012
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Photo: MEEGAN M. REID/Kitsap Sun
Friday began as a special day for Bremerton senior running back Jalin Littleraven-Oliver, who celebrated his 18th birthday. It concluded with Littleraven-Oliver and his teammates partying for another reason.
In the first playoff football game held at Bremerton Memorial Stadium in 30 years, Littleraven-Oliver gained 150 yards and scored three touchdowns as the Knights topped Renton 39-22 in Class 2A West Central District tournament play. With the victory, Bremerton (8-2) is headed to the state tournament for the first time since 2012.
"This may not the biggest team that we've ever had or the fastest, deepest team ever, but we definitely are a team," Littleraven-Oliver said. "We definitely work together and that helped us get the win."
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Seaport Salon Hosts Holiday Shop & Win
Thursday, November 9, 2023, 5:00 - 8:00 pm
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Veterans Days: Honoring All Who Served
Saturday, November 11, 2023, 9:00 am
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50th Annual Christmas Lane at Port
December 1-3, 2023
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Masks & COVID Testing Kits Available
Free at the Greater Kitsap Chamber & Visitor Center
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The Greater Kitsap Chamber still has some supplies available if your local business is in need of KN95 masks or COVID testing kits. Pick up your supply at both GKC locations today. Available while supplies last.
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BCT Presents: Ring of Fire
Now thru November 19, 2023
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From the songbook of Johnny Cash comes this unique musical about love and faith, struggle and success, rowdiness and redemption, and the healing power of home and family. More than two dozen classic hits — including I Walk The Line, A Boy Named Sue, Folsom Prison Blues, and the title tune paint a musical portrait of The Man in Black that promises to be a foot-stompin’, crowd-pleasin’ salute to a unique musical legend.
Content Advisory: Contains some adult language, sexual innuendo, and drug references.
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Art in the Woods
November 10-12, 2023
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14th Annual Port Gamble Ghost Conference
November 10-12, 2023
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The 14th Annual Port Gamble Ghost Conference is planned for November 10th-12th, 2023 at the historic (and haunted) Port Gamble Theater and Hood Canal Vista Pavilion in Port Gamble, WA. This Ghost Conference is one of the longest-running of its kind on the west coast and is suited for those simply interested in the paranormal to those who are seasoned paranormal investigators.
The Ghost Conference offers guest speakers from the Northwest and across the US.
The conference will offer classes, workshops, and a Psychic Gallery Reading with well-known psychic medium Ankhasha Amenti. Also attending this year is Psychic Medium and Numerologist Kelly Brickel from Southern California who will be doing a Numerology Gallery Reading Saturday November 11 at 2pm.
Throughout the weekend, there will also be investigations in some of Port Gamble’s hot spots of paranormal activity like the Walker-Ames House Masonic Lodge, and more. Please note that you must have a conference pass to purchase investigation/class tickets.
Registration for all three days is $45/person, or get a one-day pass for $30. Head over to
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Roxy Battle of the Bands
November 11 & 16, 2023, 7:00 pm
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Presented by the Admiral Theatre: |
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Jake Shimabukuro: Christmas in Hawaii
Friday, November 17, 2023, 7:30 pm
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By now, if you know the ‘ukulele, you might know the name, the innovator who is Jake Shimabukuro. He has captivated audiences around the world with his unique and dynamic style. With his mother as his first teacher of the instrument, Jake embraced a deep love and respect for the `ukulele and has explored new and unexpected ways to push the boundaries of what was possible on the humble four-strings. Each album has showcased his mastery of the instrument and his ability to weave together diverse genres to create a cohesive and captivating musical experience. He is undoubtedly one of the most innovative and exciting musicians of his generation, changing the perception of the instrument itself and breaking barriers of what kind of music it is capable of. |
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Stay in the know with what's happening for events
in Central Kitsap by checking out and liking the
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Have something to share? CLICK HERE to submit stories and
events for our weekly Community Connections!
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David Emmons
President/CEO
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Irene Moyer
VP, Membership & Strategic Communications
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Tiffany Diamond
Events Coordinator
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Bremerton Office (360) 479-3579 | 4th & Pacific Downtown Bremerton
Silverdale Office (360) 692-6800 | Kitsap Mall next to Macy's
PO Box 1218 Silverdale WA 98383
If you need assistance, please contact us directly.
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