BUSINESS & COMMUNITY NEWS |
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Image courtesy of plasticfreerestaurants.org |
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NONPROFIT PROMISES TO HELP BAINBRIDGE RESTAURANTS MOVE FROM PLASTIC TO RENEWABLE SERVICE WARE |
Plastic Free Restaurants is a West Coast nonprofit with a mission to eliminate petroleum-based, single-use plastic from restaurants and schools by subsidizing the purchase of reusable replacements.
In short, they pay businesses to stop using plastic - but on Bainbridge, they can only do so until May 31st, 2022.
This is a program ONLY available to business owners making the leap well-ahead of COBI's ordinance that will make the change mandatory at the start of 2023.
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TONIGHT'S CITY COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
Tuesday March 8 at 6pm
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Sanjay Bhatt of Kitsap Transit will present an update to City Council members regarding BI RIDE’s performance since its relaunch in July 2021, including weekly ridership data and fresh solutions to the key rider issues so far...
Also on tonight's agenda:
- Confirmation of Planning Commission appointments
- Letter of support protecting the Minidoka National Historic Site and Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial
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2 MAJOR PROJECTS GO PUBLIC AT PLANNING COMMISSION
Thursday March 10 at 6pm
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- Bethany Affordable Housing Project
Housing Resources Bainbridge and Bethany Lutheran are in favor of the density bonus formula prescribed in the city ordinance which would yield a total of affordable housing 21 units on this 8-acre property.
There are concerns that the impractical conditions may be placed on the project regarding income eligibility, ratio of rental units to ownership units, and rent criteria, jeopardize the funding and viability of the project.
- New Hyla High School Proposed for Ericksen Ave
Hyla has submitted a proposal to renovate four existing Winslow office buildings on Ericksen Avenue and create a new 9th-12th grade educational facility.
The private school currently operates its middle school on Bucklin Hill Road, serving grades 6-8.
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UPDATE: NEXT STEPS SET FOR ISLAND'S GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN |
The Ground Water Management Plan exists to determine Bainbridge's water infrastructure projects and safeguard the city’s water supply.
After hearing feedback from the public presentation of March 2, City Staff have been directed to better understand:
- How groundwater is used for drinking water
- How land use affects groundwater
- How to update the water monitoring report to include the local monitoring network
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(LOTS OF) CHAMBER UPDATES |
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BAINBRIDGE B2B FUN IS BACK:
CHAMBER AFTER HOURS SERIES TO RESTART MARCH 24
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In another sign of optimism, the Chamber's monthly After Hours business mixer returns for the first time in a long time on Thursday March 24 at 5:30pm.
To get things started, the Chamber Team is hosting an open house (and thank-you party) at our newly-remodeled offices on Winslow Way.
Come on in, hang with your fellow Bainbridge business owners, and enjoy some sparkling conversation and tasty complimentary beverages courtesy of new event sponsor Eleven Winery.
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TODAY IS THE DAY: APPLY TO JOIN THE GRAND OLD 4TH'S STREET FAIR FUN NOW |
As of right now, it is possible to book your Street Fair booth - whether that booth is for food/drink, arts/crafts, games/amusements, or simply sharing general info about your business/organization with thousands of new friends on July 4th.
In order to increase the traditional hometown flavor of the 4th, Chamber Members now receive a pricing discount (though a sprinkling of great regional vendors will also be very much welcome)!
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NEW POP-UP SPACE ON WINSLOW WAY AVAILABLE TO CHAMBER MEMBERS |
With our office renovation project now complete, a new zero-cost pop-up space in the Chamber window is now available for booking in 1 or 2 week sessions to all members WITHOUT their own location in Winslow.
Promote your services, boost a campaign, or even come sell your art or products - the space is ready and waiting (after our initial bookings from BCF and BYS are complete)...
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NEW WINSLOW WAY CONFERENCE ROOM AVAILABLE TO CHAMBER MEMBERS |
Need a space in Winslow to hold a management meeting, client greeting, or business development icebreaker?
As of today, a new, zero-cost meeting space is ready for all Chamber members to come on in and utilize…
With seating for up to 10 attendees, a 50" video screen, and a giant whiteboard wall, all is ready to host your next group meeting...
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TWO NEW WAYS TO JOIN THE CHAMBER TEAM |
With all the new activity at the Chamber, we have flexible, part-time openings now available for:
- Licensing Trainees
- Island Ambassadors
- (and front desk volunteer spots too!)
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Q: After the mask mandate ends on March 12, what will the mask policy be at your business? |
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Masks still required for customers and staff
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Masks still required for staff only
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Masks optional, but encouraged for customers and staff
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Masks optional, no guidance provided
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Recent Results:
Now that Gov. Inslee will soon end the mask mandate, what level of in-person event are you comfortable with?
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FAM JAM AT KIDIMU
Saturday March 26 - 10am to 2pm
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Bring the family for a free, outdoor celebration at KiDiMu with hands-on activities, a “touch a truck,” music from Johnny Begar, storytime with Kitsap Regional Library, and street tacos from the Bainbridge Apothecary and Tea Shop Taco Barn.
Most importantly, be sure to grab the museum’s second edition of the Explore Bainbridge activity book. This year’s edition theme is walkable Winslow.
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GROWN UP MINI GOLF AT KIDIMU
Saturday March 26 - 6pm to 9pm
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It's an adults take over at KiDiMu for a Mini Golf fundraiser that putts over, under and through the museum's exhibits. Afterward, head upstairs to the “clubhouse” where a DJ, food and drinks are provided.
Tickets are $50 and it is requested that you come dressed in your “country club” best.
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Image courtesy of University of Pittsburgh |
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KITSAP COUNTY EARTH DAY NOMINATIONS OPEN NOW |
Nominate your favorite environmental project completed by an individual, group, or business for the Kitsap County Earth Day Awards.
Nominees do not have to live in Kitsap County but their efforts for the nomination must have occurred within the county.
Award recipients will be recognized at the April 25 County Board Commissioners Regular Meeting.
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BAINBRIDGE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES |
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Image courtesy of Madison Diner |
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COMMERCIAL KITCHEN AVAILABLE IN WINSLOW |
The Madison Diner kitchen is offered for 3rd-party use as a commercial kitchen between 5pm and 5am daily.
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BUSINESS EDUCATION & SUPPORT |
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KITSAP BUSINESS FORUM: BETTER UTILIZING JOB TRAINING & INTERNSHIPS
Tuesday March 15 at 3pm
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See how your business can utilize job training and/or internship programs to give youth a fighting chance in today’s post-pandemic world while helping ease any labor shortages you might be facing.
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WA DEPT. OF ECOLOGY SEMINARS TO HELP COMPLY WITH NEW PLASTICS LAWS
March 9 + March 23 at 10am
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- Plastic trash bags
- Plastic beverage bottles
- Plastic bottles for household cleaning/personal care items
to include minimum amounts of recycled plastic.
If you’re a producer of the included products and offer them for sale or distribution in WA, you must register with DoE on or before April 1, 2022 (no joke!).
To help comply with the new law, state ecology staff are hosting two special free online sessions:
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Image courtesy of Gov. Jay Inslee's Office |
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STATE MASK MANDATE ENDS AT MIDNIGHT FRIDAY NIGHT |
Gov. Jay Inslee moved up the date in response to CDC and federal officials’ guidance and dwindling cases and hospitalizations of COVID-19 in the state.
Mask requirements in private businesses and local jurisdictions may continue to vary - Please let us know what you plan to do in this week's survey in this email...
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Image courtesy of Kitsap Health |
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COUNTY-WIDE COVID RATES FALL BELOW RE-TRANSMISSION RATE LEVELS ACROSS KITSAP |
As of March 8, the latest Kitsap County COVID infection rates are now down to just 81 cases per 100,000 residents. This is the first time under 100/100k since before the Omicron surge.
Island numbers are down to 72 cases per 100k, but all parts of the county are now also below 100/100k.
Since the start of the pandemic, there have now been 1,778 total cases recorded on Bainbridge, only 12 of them new over the past week.
Vaccination rates on Bainbridge continuing to lead the county - more than 99% of Islanders aged 12 and above are vaccinated, alongside 74% of 5 to 11-yr-olds.
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FREE AT-HOME COVID TESTS + N95 MASKS AVAILABLE ONLINE |
Free tests from the new federal website are being distributed.
Free tests from Washington State are being restocked:
Millions of free N95 masks are being distributed to pharmacies and supermarkets, including Safeway, Rite Aid, Walgreens on Bainbridge (limit 3 per person).
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ERASE THE WASTE TABLE-TENT SIGNAGE AVAILABLE FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES |
To help explain Bainbridge's new restrictions on single-use plastic to consumers, COBI has begun to send out free table-tents to our local eating and drinking establishments.
If you have not yet received yours, or need some more, please come pick them up for free at the Chamber office.
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