a weekly digest for bainbridge business owners and our island community
Please Note: The Bainbridge Vehicle/Vessel Licensing Agent will return from vacation on Thursday September 22.

Online Renewal Pickups, Fish/Wildlife Licenses and Discover Passes are always available from Chamber staff.
BUSINESS & COMMUNITY NEWS
Image courtesy of Bethany Lutheran
CITY COUNCIL SETS OCT. 11 PUBLIC HEARING FOR BETHANY LUTHERAN'S AFFORDABLE HOUSING DENSITY BONUS
City Council will host a public hearing for the Affordable Housing Density Bonus draft ordinance (2022-02) on Tuesday October 11.

That ordinance increases the density bonus for affordable housing located on property owned or controlled by religious organizations – specifically the Bethany Lutheran proposal.

The church hopes to develop its vacant land into up to 21 affordable housing units, possibly as a pilot for other housing projects on additional island properties owned by religious entities.

Image courtesy WSF
TEMPORARY CHANGES AFOOT AT BAINBRIDGE FERRY TERMINAL 
Last Friday walk-on passengers set foot on the new temporary walkway at the Bainbridge Ferry Terminal for the first time.

The new 100-foot span links to the existing walkway but also allows construction access to drive new piles for a permanent replacement.

Passengers should expect some noise and dust during this project phase, and be informed of several temporary changes (in place through November):

  • Slip 2 becomes primary slip 
  • Vehicle exit lanes realigned 
  • Vehicle staging area reduced by 40 vehicles
  • Vehicles held in the upper holding area 
  • Motorcycles stage in lower lane 5
  • Bicycles stage in lower lane 6

Image courtesy of COBI
WIDESPREAD REDUCTIONS TO ISLAND SPEED LIMITS RECOMMENDED
The city’s presentation regarding a systemic approach to revising speed limits island-wide gained momentum.

Council directed city staff to begin a public awareness campaign for the proposed changes, and to come back with an ordinance for council consideration + a plan for implementation and enforcement if the changes are adopted.

The new speed limit ordinance which would drop many areas from 35 to 30; 30 to 25; 25 to 20 and would correct the patchwork of varying speed limits along the same road or in the same areas.

In 2021, 334 traffic calming requests were made by residents, many with concerns for safety about multimodal transit use along the island’s roadways which have developed in recent decades.



CITY COUNCIL STUDIES PREPAREDNESS TONIGHT
Tuesday Sept. 20 at 6pm
With this weekend's Day of Preparedness in mind (see below), the study session agenda includes updates on the Island's Tsunami Readiness, COVID Response, and more from:

  • COBI Emergency Management Coordinator Anne LeSage
  • Bainbridge Prepares


ANNUAL DAY OF PREPAREDNESS 
Saturday Sept. 24, 10am-2pm
Learn more about what you can do to be prepared in a critical event or emergency at the free, annual Day of Preparedness at City Hall. 

Classes for CPR/AED and Stop the Bleed will also be offered.

Lastly, take the “Are you ‘Bainbridge Prepared’?” Household Readiness Assessment to see how well you are doing and ways you can be more prepared.

Image courtesy of COBI and Coates Design
WINSLOW MALL, HYLA HIGH PROJECTS AT PLANNING COMMISSION
Thursday Sept. 22, 6pm
In its early stages, The Winslow Mall redevelopment project by Canuck Cerise LLC is open for public input at this week’s planning commission.

Based on the early designs submitted, the mall (rebranded as 'Winslow Town Center') will get a significant redesign for flow and mobility as well as adding additional square footage by reorganizing its space with new street-level storefronts, a central staircase, and a living wall.


Also on the docket is the post-public comment deliberation and recommendation for the Hyla High School Site Plan Review - a project which proposes to convert existing office space on Ericksen Avenue into an urban educational campus.



BIMA, ELEVEN WINERY, MORA AMONG KITSAP SUN’S BEST OF THE BEST 2022
Congratulations to our local winners of this year's Best of Kitsap Awards:




North Fork Manzanita by John Knox
BAINBRIDGE ISLAND LAND TRUST AQUIRES 10 ACRES ON MANZANITA CREEK
The land contains 787 feet along the creek with a rich, wetland complex with ample room for young salmon to grow.

The new parcel adds to the 2017 creation of the 13-acre Miller-Kirkman Preserve that serves as the bay’s undisturbed estuary.


Help continue BI Land Trust’s work by purchasing your native plants at their Oct. 8 annual fundraising sale.

NEWS IN BRIEF
YOUR INPUT REQUESTED
KITSAP BUSINESS SURVEY
Q: Would you support a community-wide 'shop local for the holidays' promotional campaign?
(please select an answer)
Yes
No
Need more information
Recent Results:

Q: How important to your business is revenue from visitors and tourism?

BAINBRIDGE ISLAND RESULTS
KITSAP COUNTY RESULTS
284Total Responses
CHAMBER UPDATE
EVENT RECAP: AFTER HOURS AT MODERN COLLISION
A great time was had, and a new potential event space debuted at last week's Chamber After Hours at Modern Collision Rebuild and Service in Island Center.

Decades of work by Micah, Aaron, Tara, and the entire Strom family were recognized, as well as an amazing summer of Classic Car Cruise-Ins (and more than $7,000 raised for Project Backpack) celebrated.

Thank you to all those that joined us among the cars, snacking on Via Rosa lasagna, and sipping tasty beverages from Eleven Winery.


Stay tuned for details of October's After Hours event in next week's Chamber News...
NEW MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
SISTERS' CIDER HOUSE
921 Hildebrand Lane, Suite 111
With a family history of beer and cider making, sisters Caron Anderson and Randi Brown (who are also still active John L. Scott real estate brokers) realized that the downtime of COVID would be the perfect time to turn it into a business.

A great location on Hildebrand Lane was secured (in the same building with HomeStreet Bank), and Sisters' Cider House opened this summer with a wide variety of hard ciders in different fruit flavors featured alongside board games, Skee-ball, soft drinks and snacks.

Adding to the excitement, Sisters' ciders recently took 2nd place prizes at both the Seattle Cider Summit, and the Poulsbrew Festival, beating out a host of well-established PNW brands...

Sisters' Cider House is open:
  • Wed to Sat - 3pm to 9pm
  • Sunday - Noon to 5pm


MEMBER NEWS & EVENTS
BIMA’S ANNUAL ONLINE AUCTION LIVE NOW!
Now through Sunday Sept. 25th
Show your love for the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art in their biggest fundraiser program of the year by bidding on Northwest art and craft and unique experiences - they promise to offer something for every art lover...

BUILDING TRUST: A HRB FUNDRAISER 
Thursday Sept. 22, 5-7pm
Celebrate and support affordable housing in our community by attending a special panel discussion at Wing Point Golf & Country Club.

HRB Executive Director Phedra Elliott will be joined by representatives from OPAL Community Land Trust (Orcas Island) and Proud Ground (Portland, OR) in a panel discussion on working with community and local government to create affordable housing.

For more info, or to be a last-minute registrant, email HRB's Lara Deits
OFFICEXPATS GOES TO 11
Thursday Sept. 22, 5:30-8pm
Join the Xpats crew for a free celebration of their 11th anniversary, via a games night featuring ping pong, poker, people bingo and virtual reality. 

Drop by their office in the Pavilion at 403 Madison Ave N #240 for this all-ages event with food from Casa Rojas. 

To ring in their 11th year, the group is also offering $50 credit good for 50 flexible hours of co-working for new members each month - Valid for up to 3 months ($150 value!).


BAINBRIDGE SYMPHONY 50TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERTS
Thurs/Fri Sept. 22 & 23 at 7:30pm
The Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra returns for a special outdoor performance at The Manor House in Lynwood Center featuring romantic works by Strauss, Bizet, Tchaikovsky, and more.

Join the BSO for this historic two-night celebration with guest conductor Gabriela Garza.

COLD BREW POP UP 
Friday Sept. 23, 10am-5pm
Get caffeinated this Friday with Lost Brew and Laughing Duck Coffee!

The pop up will serve Lost Brew's iced lattes and hot or iced americanos made from cold brewed concentrate.

Learn a bit more about the Cold Brew process while supporting two local Bainbridge businesses...

The event takes place at their roastery - 8040 NE Day Road West, suite 4C.

MANHATTAN SHORT FILM FESTIVAL 2022 @ BIMA 
September 23-25, with 3pm & 7pm showings each day
Join BIMA as they present the 25th Manhattan Short Film Festival, featuring 10 engrossing short films from around the world. 

Each attendee is a part of the festival jury process via vote for best short and best actor. Many past shorts have been nominated for Academy Awards, and two have even won that coveted prize.

The program is slightly over 2-1/2 hours, including a 7-minute intermission, and showings feature all 10 shorts.

Image courtesy of The Island Wanderer
TRAILS WORK PARTY
Saturday Sept. 24, 10am-Noon
Join the Bainbridge Island Park District trails team in conducting maintenance to the Grand Forest West and East trails to return sections of the trail to Class 1 standards, pruning vegetation, raking trail surfaces, and more.

This work party is well suited for children ages 8+ who are comfortable using some small hand tools and walking a mile or so throughout the two-hour work party.

OKTOBERFEST RESOURCE FAIR
Saturday Sept. 24, 10am-2pm
Did we hear great information paired with $1 beers? Yes! 

Get connected with local and regional organizations that can help you better navigate life on Bainbridge Island - all while sipping on samples of delicious beer graciously donated by our friends at Bainbridge Brewing for the Senior Center’s Annual Resource Fair. 

Just in case beer does not close the deal for you, there will also be tasty treats available courtesy of Town & Country Markets...

TURN BACK TIME AT THE HISTORICAL MUSEUM
Saturday Oct. 1, 6-9pm
Dance the night away and raise your paddle high (or dash for dessert) for the Bainbridge Island Historical Museum's second Turn Back Time Gala at Wing Point Golf & Country Club.

Appetizers, dinner, and drinks are included in the ticket price, and auctioneering the lively evening is John Curly. 

CALL TO THE WILD GALA
Saturday Oct. 1, 5-9pm
As the only wildlife shelter serving the western Puget Sound, this gala and online and live auction is critical to helping save and rehabilitate local wildlife as well as support their education programs. 

Online bidding starts today and closes at 4 pm Oct. 1. The live event takes place Oct. 1 at Kiana Lodge.

Image courtesy of Bloedel Reserve
BLOEDEL RESERVE'S SUPER SQUASH SCAVENGER HUNT
October - All Month Long
Join in the fun as the Reserve’s woodland owls lead you on an all-ages scavenger hunt through the gardens in search of gourds, squash, and pumpkins! 

Stop, explore, and snap a photo of yourselves with our friendly garden guides. Guess the weight of our largest pumpkin this year at the Residence and win prizes at the Shop at the Gatehouse when you complete the scavenger hunt. 

BAINBRIDGE BUSINESS ACADEMY
SCALING YOUR STARTUP DURING RECESSIONS & SLOW DOWNS
It may be a different environment, but it doesn’t mean your startup can’t build in a downturn - in fact it can help, according to Jyoti Bansal in a column for Entrepreneur.

The two-time business exec shares these tips from his recession startup scale-ups:
  1. Get ruthless about what customers want (and give it to them)
  2. There’s still money on the table. Pick it up.
  3. Don’t push pause on key hires
  4. Use adversity – and transparency – to rally your team

WASHINGTON BIZFAIR
Saturday Sept 24, 8am-4pm
The 26th Washington State BizFair is FREE with hybrid and in-person options.

Hosted by SCORE, the event:
  • Features small business speakers
  • Connects you with mentors, advisors and trainers
  • Connects you to federal, state, and local government agencies
  • Guides you to funding, legal support, and more

BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
Photo courtesy Pete Saloutos
2 CITY GRANTS AVAILABLE THROUGH SEPTEMBER 29
Lodging Tax Grants: Applications are open for the city's $350,000 lodging tax grants.

Applicants may seek grants for between $2,000 and $175,000 to support tourism marketing efforts, events, and projects.

Individual persons and for-profit, private businesses are not eligible for funding.


Human Services Program Funding:
$660,000 is available to support human services programs that help people meet essential life needs like food, clothing, shelter, and health care.

Applicants are limited to 501(c)(3) nonprofits (but the nonprofits may sponsor projects from individuals or private companies).

JOB & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
ISLANDWOOD SEEKS EXECUTIVE & OPERATIONS ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

MEADOWMEER GOLF + COUNTRY CLUB SEEKS PART-TIME GENERAL MANAGER 
BAINBRIDGE SENIOR LIVING SEEKS WEEKEND RECEPTIONIST

RESTAURANT MARCHE LOOKING FOR LINE COOKS
BI LAND TRUST HIRING PROJECT & DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNICATIONS COORD.

BIMA SEARCHING FOR EXHIBITIONS ASSISTANT 

LOCAL COVID UPDATES
COVID BIVALENT BOOSTERS, VACCINES FOR LITTLE ONES AVAILABLE AT NEW CLINIC
Saturday Oct. 1, 11am-5pm
Bainbridge Prepares, COBI, BI Fire and BI Community Pharmacy will host a COVID Booster Event at Commodore Options Lower Gym.
Eligible individuals for the bivalent booster:
  1. Are 12 and older 
  2. Had the initial vaccine series 
  3. Had subsequent boosters
  4. Waited at least 2 months since last booster

This clinic also has 1st, 2nd, and 3rd-dose vaccines available for pediatric (6 months to 4 years) clients.

BY THE NUMBERS: COVID RATES
Current Cases per 100,000
  • Bainbridge Island: 56 (up from 48)
  • Kitsap County: 66 (same as last week)

Bainbridge Cumulative Total Cases
  • 2,706 (14 new since last week)

As of Sept. 15, 2022

Kitsap County External Resources:
FREE CHAMBER MEMBER RESOURCES
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.


BAINBRIDGE FILMWORKS:
Make your home or business available to film/tv productions via a new WA Filmworks partnership