And the winners are...

Congratulations to the winners and nominees of the 2022 Best of Bainbridge awards announced this week in a special supplement of the Bainbridge Island Review.

With dozens of awards across 40 pages of winners, this is a great chance to discover a new island business, or be reminded to go visit an old Bainbridge favorite...

The city's planning commission completed their review and approved Ordinance 2022-14 at last week's meeting.

The new ordinance establishes minimums for installation of EV charging in parking areas of all new commercial/residential development projects.

The ordinance will now go to City Council fro final approval before the end of the year. If passed, the new regulations will impact projects going before the city from Jan. 1, 2023.

The Inn at Pleasant Beach has launched its own complimentary shuttle service with 2 initial goals in mind:

Inn guests can add the shuttle to their bookings; locals can talk to their servers to book.

Shuttles run every Wednesday to Sunday from 2pm to 10pm.

Volunteerism is down about 70% across all nonprofit sectors since the beginning of the pandemic according to Bainbridge Community Foundation’s latest State of the Sector Report.

The report indicates that the largest barrier for nonprofits was connecting with volunteers for opportunities offered in the community.

In response, BCF has launched a new Volunteer on Bainbridge Facebook page to connect volunteers and nonprofits.

Based on Debbi and Paul Brainerd's bold 1999 vision to preserve and transform 255 acres of forested land, IslandWood has been planting the seeds of change by acting as a national leader in environmental education since 2002.

Today, IslandWood teaches thousands of students annually through its community stewardship program, graduate program partnership with the University of Washington, and professional development courses for teachers.

Congratulations on this landmark moment, and thank you for creating one of Bainbridge's island treasures.

Last week’s city council meeting saw the city’s 2023-2024 biannual budget rolled out.

Overall, the city will spend a total of $137.7 million over the two years. Revenue is expected to grow by about 5% in 2023 and only 1% in 2024 and spending will be up 8% in the first year and fall to 7% in the second.

Public comment will be taken Oct. 11 and again on Nov. 8

There is no city council study session or planning commission meeting this week, but next week's meeting is a big one that will include:

The median two-bedroom home price in Seattle has reached $609,950 and to afford it, you’ll need to make more than $170,000 each year, according to the latest report from Realtor.com

Seattle is now among the most expensive markets to purchase a home - only six US cities require larger estimated incomes:

In contrast, that same median 2-BR home requires an annual income of $83,670 for a home in Spokane.

With the sun shining, many Islanders reported seeing our resident orcas frolicking through Rich Passage and even in the shallows of Blakely Harbor Oct. 2.

Uploaded by Parks & Trails Foundation Executive Director Mary Meier, the Blakely Harbor video features what appears to be a transient orca hunting a small porpoise and zooming away.

Transient and Bigg's Killer Whales are known to be generalist eaters consuming fish, but also seals, sea lions, dolphins, porpoises and other marine life.

Check out the short video here

Please join the Chamber in celebrating Joe & Natasha Pendergraft's Little Harbor Company with a special ribbon cutting ceremony at 4pm in the Winslow Mall.

Little Harbor Company is a children's boutique that carries high quality exclusive brands, locally made goods and the ability to shop from the comfort of home.

Special giveaways and free kids face painting will be available from 3pm to 5pm - see you there!

Join us as our Chamber After Hours heads to the wonderful and playful world of KiDiMu for a festive evening of pumpkins and potions...

Sip on potions (wine), and snack on Halloween-appropriate offerings as you decorate mini pumpkins, network, and of course play!

Tap into your inner child - with beverage in hand, of course, thanks to Eleven Winery generously donating the evening's libations...

Founded in 1989, the Bainbridge Island Land Trust has since safeguarded more than 1,500 acres of critical island habitat.

Right now, in the Chamber's Winslow Way Window Pop-Up, learn more about the Land Trust's recent Rockaway Bluff acquisition, stewardship, volunteer opportunities, Stand For The Land campaign, and the upcoming Native Plant Sale.