Wednesday, January 15, 2025 | |
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Bremerton Selected as 2026 FIFA
World Cup Soccer Fan Zone Site
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Published in the Kitsap Sun, January 14, 2025
Photo: Representatives from Seattle FIFA World Cup and the nine fan zones across the state meet at Lumen Field; courtesy of Katie Walters
Bremerton and Kitsap County will be one of nine locations in Washington designed to serve as "fan sites" during next summer's FIFA World Cup, local organizing committee SeattleFWC26 revealed Tuesday during a gathering at Lumen Field in Seattle.
The men's soccer tournament, which will run from June 11 through July 19, 2026, will be jointly hosted by Seattle and 15 other cities across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Lumen Field is scheduled to host six matches.
Read the full story here
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Chamber: Off the Clock
Tuesday, January 21, 2025, 5:05 pm
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Join us for your newest opportunity to network in Kitsap County! Presented by the Greater Kitsap Chamber, this night is all for and about businesses and organizations across our region. Tickets are $20 at the door! | |
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January Membership Luncheon
Wednesday, January 22, 2025, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
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Join us as we welcome 2025 and jump right into this year's legislative ssession and how it will impact local businesses and employers. Monica Blackwood of West Sound Workforce and Chair of the GKC Workforce Development Committee will share insights with us on issues that may find the floor in Olympia this session, emerging employment trends for 2025 and more! You won't want to miss this informative luncheon!
This month's luncheon will be held at the Kitsap Conference Center. Paid parking is available on the GREEN (2nd level) underneath the Conference Center.
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Save-the-Date: Military Appreciation Day
Saturday, March 15, 2025
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Contact Tiffany to sign up now or to secure your sponsorship! | |
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Looking for a Travel Escape in 2025?
Travel Abroad with the Chamber
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Contact Irene to learn more! | |
Insurance Needs for You & Your Employees: Business Health Trust Has You Covered | |
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Big changes are coming to healthcare and insurance in 2025. Did you know the IRS has expanded preventative care benefits for high-deductible health plans? This includes coverage for over-the-counter contraceptives, continuous glucose monitors, and certain insulin products.
Our partner, Business Health Trust has summarized the insurance and healthcare changes impacting Washington employers and employees this year.
Click the link to read:
🔗 Article Link: https://businesshealthtrust.com/news_insights/insurance-changes-in-2025-what-you-need-to-know/
Not a BHT member? Are you ready to build a better benefits package? Email quote@businesshealthtrust.com to learn more and get a free quote.
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Renew your membership today to ensure your benefits as a member of the Greater Kitsap Chamber! Questions about when to renew or how to upgrade your membership? Need a new membership window cling or digital badge? 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! | |
Located at The Trails in Silverdale | |
GKC Members Enjoy Discount at Oxford Suites | |
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Book online using the promo code CHAMBER or contact
Sales Manager, Jamie Murray here.
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We're excited to recognize the Leadership Kitsap Foundation, members of the Chamber since 2016, as our January 2025 Members of the Month.
Leadership Kitsap, based in Bremerton, Washington, is a distinguished non-profit organization dedicated to cultivating community leaders equipped to drive positive change within Kitsap County. Established in December 1993, the foundation has been steadfast in its mission to develop informed, prepared, and engaged leaders who contribute significantly to the region's growth and cohesion.
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Legislative Day & Hill Climb
Wednesday, February 5, 2024
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Join the Greater Kitsap Chamber as we participate in AWB's annual Legislative Day and Hill Climb! Bring your business concerns directly to Olympia, speak to our local legislators, and learn about policies and legislation that could impact Kitsap-county businesses. Registration includes transportation to and from Olympia. | |
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Hospitality Industry: Legislative Alert
Interchange Fee Bill (SB 5070)
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Courtesy of the Washington Hospitality Association
On Friday, January 17th, the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee will hear a proposal to help lower costs for the hospitality industry.
SB 5070 will prohibit credit card interchange fees on sales tax and gratuities. According to the National Restaurant Association, this will save the average restaurant in Washington $7500 in interchange fees annually.
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Why It Could Be a Big Year
for Education in the WA Legislature
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Published in The Seattle Times, January 14, 2025
Photo: Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times
State lawmakers have a lot of ideas about how to improve education in Washington this year: Making schools safer. Tamping down on cellphone use. Letting parents record meetings where their child’s special education services are discussed.
But the question of money looms over education in this year’s legislative session, which began Monday. Washington faces a multibillion-dollar budget gap as the K-12 system is struggling to meet inflationary costs and high student needs. Local leaders are asking for more support from the state, and Washington parents have mounted bake sales to call attention to the funding issue.
Some education advocates and lawmakers are pushing for new taxes to fill the gap. The state’s incoming governor, Democrat Bob Ferguson, says he won’t consider tax increases until the budget has been scoured for efficiencies. But he said last week he wants to preserve K-12 education while pursuing across-the-board cuts at most state agencies.
Read the full story here
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Fix Our Ferries Townhalls
Community meetings across Kitsap
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Representative Greg Nance of the 23rd Legislative District will again be hosting townhalls across Kitsap to talk about fixes for our Washington State ferry system. Save the date to bring your questions, hear complaints and suggestions, and find out what our state legislators have planned moving forward to fix our ferries.
SAVE THE DATE
1pm Saturday, January 18 — Bremerton Norm Dicks Center
1pm Saturday, January 25 — Kingston Village Green
1pm Saturday, February 1 — Bainbridge City Hall
1pm Saturday, February 8 — Poulsbo City Hall
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Business & Professional Development Committee | |
Member Education & Training Resources | |
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Get Certified as a Woman-Owned Business
Wednesday, January 15, 2025, 10:00 am
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Getting certified as a woman-owned business opens doors to new opportunities and partnerships. It connects you to supplier diversity programs at major corporations and government agencies, and provides an equal opportunity to compete for contracts.
In this webinar, presented by the Women’s Business Enterprise Center (WBEC), you’ll learn about the benefits of certification and how it can position your business for growth. Finally, you’ll learn about the WBENC, its certification program, eligibility requirements and the application process.
Learning Objectives:
- Learn about WBENC and the significance of WBE certification
- Review WBE eligibility requirements and required documentation
- Explore the application process, including costs and timeline
- Discover the benefits and opportunities available to certified women-owned businesses
This webinar is FREE for all attendees.
Live attendees will receive the slide deck and a link to this webinar recording.
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SCORE: Creating a Quick Business Plan
January 21, 2025, 12:00 pm
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Join us and other entrepreneurs in this hands-on workshop where you will write your “Unique Value Statement” for your new product or service. This is a concise description of your product or service and explain the unique value your product or service provides to your customers. As part of the workshop, participants will receive real-time feedback from a SCORE mentor to help them fine tune their Value Statement.
In the second part of the workshop you will use the “Lean Canvas” to begin the process of turning your product/service into a business. In this interactive session, you use the canvas to help guide you in expanding the information in the Unique Value Statement by capturing key ideas, concepts and strategies about your business in the canvas. This creates a basic framework that you can use to complete YOUR full, detailed business plan.
Have paper, a pencil or a pen ready as the goal of this workshop is for all participants to leave with a draft of their “Unique Value Statement” and “Lean Canvas.”
Workshop Fee: FREE
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Business News & Resources | |
Grant Opportunity for Small Non-Profits | |
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The Olympic Workforce Development Council is proud to sponsor a Small Non-Profit Business Grant with our Commerce Reinvestment Program (CRP) initiative, in collaboration with WorkSource Clallam and WorkSource Kitsap.
The CRP initiative aims to support non-profits serving Black, Latine, and Tribal communities in Clallam, Jefferson, and Kitsap Counties.
Selected organizations are eligible to receive up to $10,000 toward growth and expansion asset purchases.
Deadline for Applications: January 31, 2025
Grant Award Announced: Beginning of March 2025
Click here: Commerce Reinvestment Funds Grant Application
Solicitud de Subvención CRP disponible en Español.
Para cualquier pregunta, contacte a: Frank Portello.
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National Human Trafficking Prevention Month | |
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Courtesy of the Washington Hospitality Association
January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. To get involved and show your support, the American Hotel and Lodging Association has put together a social media toolkit with resources and suggested content to amplify the hospitality industry's collective efforts.
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Quick and interesting reads for employers, employees,
local leaders, and everyone in between!
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The Greater Kitsap Chamber is proud to serve as a resource partner with the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries. Stay tuned to this section quarterly for education, resources and more from L&I. | |
New Year, New Updates! Information Updates with 2025 Effective Dates | |
Wage Changes | Effective Jan. 1, 2025
- Minimum Wage
- State minimum wage is $16.66 per hour.
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Be sure to check local ordinances for any regional minimum wages.
- Overtime-Exempt Minimum Salary Threshold
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To be eligible for overtime exemption, employees would need to meet certain duties tests and be paid a minimum of the following salaries, depending on the employer size: $69,305.60 a year for small employers (1-50 employees) and $77,968.80 a year for large employers (51 or more employees)
- Non-compete Agreements
- Non-compete agreements, which prevent employees and independent contractors from working for a competitor or starting a similar business, are enforceable in Washington only if the worker earns above an annual threshold amount.
- The annual earning threshold for employees is $123,394.17.
- The annual earning threshold for independent contractors $308,485.43.
- Outside Employment
- Employers can’t restrict their employees’ outside employment or self-employment unless they are paid at least twice the minimum wage: $33.32 per hour, or $69,305.60 per year.
- Exceptions apply for some instances of scheduling issues or clear conflicts of interest.
- Rideshare Driver Rates
- Drivers for rideshare companies, like Lyft and Uber, must earn at least a minimum amount.
- For trips within Seattle, drivers must earn at least $0.68 per passenger platform minute and $1.59 per passenger platform mile, or $5.95, whichever is greater.
- For trips outside of Seattle, drivers must earn at least $0.39 per passenger platform minute and $1.34 per passenger platform mile, or $3.45, whichever is greater.
Expansion of Paid Sick Leave Usage (ESSB 5793) | Effective Jan. 1, 2025
- The use of sick leave extended to include caring for any family member living with the employee or who is dependent on the employee for care.
- The expansion allows employees and Transportation Network Company drivers to use sick leave when a child's school or care facility closes due to a government-declared emergency.
Adult Entertainment Standards (ESSB 6105) | Effective Jan. 1, 2025
- New safety and health and labor standard requirements for adult entertainment establishments are in effect, including provision of panic buttons, security personnel, certain financial protections, and more.
Expansion of Equal Pay & Opportunities Act (HB 1905) | Effective July 1, 2025
- Amends the current Equal Pay and Opportunities Act, which previously focused on gender equity, to include employees who are members of a protected class. Protected class means a person’s age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability.
Time-loss Benefits (HB 1927) | Effective July 1, 2025
- An injured worker who is unable to work due to injury can now receive wage replacement income from L&I sooner. Instead of 14 days, the temporary total disability now only needs to last for seven days to access the time-loss benefits for the first three days after their injury.
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Whether you’re thinking “let it snow!” or feel ready for a summer day, changing weather conditions present different hazards each season. Winter especially brings challenges with icy, wet weather and limited daylight hours, so check out a few of these winter safety tips:
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Nonprofit News & Resources | |
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SPiN: Strategic Planning in Nonprofits
3-Part Series for Washington Nonprofits
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Thursdays, January 16, 23, & 30, 2025 (Online Only)
4:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Cost: $75 for NAWA Members / $150 for Not-yet-Members
Is strategic planning on your radar? Do you need to clarify the strategic direction of your organization and the strategies that will be used to achieve your vision while also ensuring organizational health and sustainability? If you answered yes, join this three-part webinar series that will set you on the path to developing a plan that does not sit on a shelf collecting dust! Strategic planning aligns your people and resources around a plan to achieve your mission.
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Nonprofit Fundamentals Series | |
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A Familiar Face Returns to Kitsap
as Poulsbo's City Administrator
City's first City Administrator starts position this week
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Published in the Kitsap Sun, December 19, 2024
Photo courtesy of Rob Gelder
The new year will officially introduce the newest addition to Poulsbo's city government, when former county commissioners Rob Gelder returns to Kitsap as the first city administrator.
Mayor Becky Erickson announced Gelder's appointment in a statement on Wednesday and confirmed he will take up the position on January 16.
"Rob brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that will be invaluable to our city’s future," Erickson said in a statement. "His background in leadership, budget management, policy development, and strategic planning will help provide the stability and guidance needed as Poulsbo moves forward."
Read the story here
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Firefighters from Every Kitsap Fire Agency Deploy to California Fires | |
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Published in the Kitsap Sun, January 13, 2025
Photo courtesy of Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue
A task force comprised of firefighters from each department in Kitsap County have traveled to Southern California to assist with containing the unrelenting wildfires sweeping the Pacific Palisades neighborhood outside Los Angeles.
Last week North Kitsap Fire & Rescue, Bainbridge Island Fire Department, Poulsbo Fire Department, Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue, Bremerton Fire Department and South Kitsap Fire & Rescue each sent four firefighters trained in wildland firefighting. While SKFR will join Pierce County’s respective task force, the Kitsap team will be led by one of the battalion chiefs from NKFR, according to Poulsbo Chief Jim Gillard.
Read the full story here
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Quincy Square to Celebrate Groundbreaking
Monday, January 20, 2025, 2:30 pm
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Silverdale Macy's to Close as Company Announces Reorganization Plan | |
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Published in the Kitsap Sun, January 9, 2025
The Macy’s at the Kitsap Mall in Silverdale is among the 66 locations the retail giant plans to close during the first few months of 2025, the company confirmed Thursday.
The company said in statement the move was part of its “Bold New Chapter” strategy, which was announced last year. The plan involves closing roughly 150 underproductive stores over a three-year-period in an effort to restore sustainable sales growth.
“Closing any store is never easy, but as part of our Bold New Chapter strategy, we are closing underproductive Macy’s stores to allow us to focus our resources and prioritize investments in our go–forward stores, where customers are already responding positively to better product offerings and elevated service,” Tony Spring, the chairman and chief executive officer of Macy’s, said in a press release.
Read the story here
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Ferguson May Delay Converting
Ferries to Electric Power
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Published in The Seattle Times, January 10, 2025
Photo: Kevin Clark/The Seattle Times
Describing the Washington State Ferries system as “in crisis,” Gov.-elect Bob Ferguson said he may postpone the ongoing work to convert the fleet’s largest ferries to electric power.
“That is something I’m very interested in,” he told a group of elected officials, business representatives and ferry advocates gathered at Clinton Community Hall on Wednesday, a week before he formally takes office.
Ferguson said delaying conversion was “not ideal,” and that no decision would be made until he had “conversations with folks who have a big role in all of that.”
Still, it’s a stark departure in policy from that of outgoing Gov. Jay Inslee, who Ferguson described as a “close friend of mine and an ally.”
While he vowed to stay the course on the larger project to electrify the fleet, beginning with the construction of up to five new electric ferries, Ferguson said he’s tasked his budget team with finding a way to get more boats on the water, and faster.
Read the full story here
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My Furry Valentine
Now thru February 14, 2025
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Clearbrook Open House
Saturday, January 18, 2025
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Bremerton School District: Bond Updates | |
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YMCA Offers Joining Special in January
Find Your Y at Our Silverdale & Bremerton YMCAs
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Bremerton HS Wrestling Seeks
Business and Community Support
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The Bremerton High School men's and women's wrestling programs are currently raising funds to address a critical need: replacing the practice wrestling mats and purchasing updated gear for their wrestlers. The mats currently being used have served the team for many years but are now worn with holes, creating safety concerns. Additionally, outfitting the growing men’s and women’s programs with proper gear is essential to their success and safety on the mat.
On behalf of the wrestling team booster organization, Dennis Malcom of Honey Malcom Winery invites members of the Greater Kitsap Chamber to rally in support of the youth in our community through partnership in achieving this goal. By contributing to their efforts, you will directly impact the lives of local student-athletes, helping them to grow in confidence, discipline, and teamwork.
How You Can Help:
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Sponsor the Team: Your business logo can be featured on new wrestling mats, banners, or promotional materials.
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Make a Donation: Any amount, big or small, will make a difference in reaching our fundraising goal.
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In-Kind Support: If your business can provide services or products, such as event hosting, catering for fundraisers, or printing services, we’d love to collaborate.
In appreciation of your support, the team will proudly recognize your business on social media platforms, at wrestling meets, and during their community events. Your generosity will help ensure a safe and supportive environment for these student athletes to thrive.
For more information on how you or your business can support, please contact Dennis Malcom via email HERE or at (360) 620-8827.
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Masks Still 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. Pick up your supply at both GKC locations today. Available while supplies last.
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Can I still get COVID-19 tests?
You can order free, at-home COVID-19 tests from CovidTests.gov
Tests are available from many pharmacies and retailers. Healthcare providers can provide testing. If you test positive for COVID-19, follow CDC guidance.
If you need tests for your organization, contact Kitsap Public Health at ready@kitsappublichealth.org or 360-728-2235.
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Free immunization clinics for children
Kitsap Public Health is offering free immunization clinics for children 18 and younger on Jan. 22 and Jan. 23 in Bremerton. Our clinic provides flu shots, COVID-19 vaccines, and routine childhood immunizations.
Learn more and book an appointment at kitsappublichealth.org/clinic.
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Admiral Theatre: Comedian Kevin Nealon
Friday, January 17, 2025, 7:30 pm
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Kevin Nealon is an Emmy and SAG-nominated actor and comedian who sets himself apart from other comedic performers with his unique sense of humor, dry wit and likable demeanor. Nealon is best known for his nine-year stint as a cast member of NBC’s Saturday Night Live, and received critical acclaim for his role in the hit Showtime series Weeds. Kevin currently produces and hosts his digital series Hiking with Kevin, and tours his stand-up globally. He will be releasing his latest book, I Exaggerate: My Brushes with Fame (Abrams), on October 25, 2022. Part art book, part memoir -- the book is full of original full-color caricatures Kevin has created along with funny, endearing personal essays about his famous friends.
Nealon’s extensive television credits include the CBS sitcom, Man With a Plan, in which he starred alongside Matt LeBlanc; Showtime’s Weeds, which ran for eight seasons and was honored at the 2006, 2007 and 2009 Golden Globes with nominations for “Best Television Series Comedy or Musical.” In 2007 and 2009, Weeds was nominated for the Screen Actors Guild Award for “Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series.” Additional television roles include two critically acclaimed stand-up specials for Showtime; and a number of appearances on Hot In Cleveland, Franklin & Bash, Monk, Curb Your Enthusiasm and Still Standing.
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Clearwater Casino Presents:
Chicago Tribute Authority
Friday, January 17, 2025, 8:30 pm
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Randy Linder - Creedence Clearwater Tribute
Saturday, January 18, 2025, 8:30 pm
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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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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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