If the unique and quirky sport of roller derby had any skeptics in Kitsap County, a recent national-caliber event has proved that this growing sport not only has a serious following — it’s serious business! The recent roller derby invitational, which attracted 19 teams from all over the country to the Kitsap County Fairgrounds and Pavilion, gave an estimated $725,000 boost to the local economy and brought an early start to the tourism season.
The three-day “Wild West Showdown,” hosted by Kitsap’s own Slaughter County Roller Vixens, brought so many raves from the participating teams and businesses, spectators and organizers that plans are in the works to roll it into an annual show. read more »
The Kitsap Pumas Soccer Camp schedule kicks off on March 29 as the club hosts it’s first-ever “Spring Break” camp on Bainbridge Island at Battlepoint Park from 9-12. The camp runs through Friday, April 2. Cost is $100 for the week, including an official Pumas Camp T-shirt and a ticket to a regular-season Pumas home match. All sessions will be led by the Pumas’ professional players and coaching staff. read more »
President Obama signed sweeping, controversial health care reform legislation that will dramatically increase labor costs for employers as NRF urged the Senate to reject House amendments to the new law that would drive costs even higher and further threaten retail jobs.
Obama signed H.R. 3590, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act — the health care bill narrowly passed along strict party lines by the Senate on Christmas Eve and given final approval by a narrow margin in the House — during a ceremony in the White House East Room. read more »
Buried deep in the health care legislation that President Obama signed is a new requirement that will affect any American who walks into a McDonald’s, Starbucks or Burger King. Every big restaurant chain in the nation will now be required to put calorie information on their menus and drive-through signs.
In other words, as soon as 2011 it will be impossible to chomp down on a Big Mac without knowing that it contains over 500 calories, more than a quarter of the Agriculture Department’s 2,000-calorie daily guideline. read more »
Amid the clothing, toys and other merchandise he hopes will promote his upcoming 3-D animated feature, “How To Train Your Dragon,” DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg takes special interest in some custom-made Oreo cookies.
These aren’t your average Oreos. Instead of the usual vanilla creme that’s squeezed between the chocolate wafers, this filling is red, symbolic of the fiery exhalations from the title character in the movie, due for release. read more »
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Weyerhaeuser Company today announce an agreement to voluntarily increase landslide protections while reviewing two watershed analyses.
Weyerhaeuser has voluntarily agreed to undergo a review of the watershed analyses in the Stillman Creek and Upper Chehalis River watersheds. This action will result in Weyerhaeuser applying current forest practice rules and avoidance measures in addition to the existing watershed analysis. This may result in additional resource protection beyond what is currently required by the watershed analysis prescriptions under forest practice rules. read more »
Cobalt Mortgage welcomes Shelli Cates to its Port Townsend lending center as a residential mortgage banker. She brings over 20 years experience in residential and construction lending and was a consistent top producer at American Marine Bank, now Columbia Bank, in the Port Ludlow branch.
Cates specializes in all types of mortgage lending. She originates purchase and refinances loans, FHA, VA, Jumbo, USDA and construction loans as well as reverse mortgages. She can be reached at (360 379-6461.
The Bloedel Reserve announced that it has received a grant of $20,000 from the Seattle Garden Club. The grant will be used to begin much needed restoration of the Reserve’s Japanese Garden. The Japanese Garden was originally installed in 1961 under the personal supervision of Seattle landscape designer and nurseryman Fujitaro Kubota. read more »
Recently Governor Gregoire signed House Bill 2603 into law. The bi-partisan bill, which passed the legislature unanimously, gives small businesses a grace period of two business days to comply when found in violation of a state regulation. read more »
The Board of Directors for the Association for Healthcare Foodservice (AHF announced that they have approved the affiliation of the Washington State Chapter as one of seven inaugural regional chapters with the national organization. Mary Hanson, manager Nutrition Services & Medical Nutrition Therapy at Group Health Cooperative in Seattle, is the Washington State Chapter president. read more »
The Washington Community for Self Help (CASH) has announced the appointment of new staff to assist in the growth of the Kitsap micro-enterprise and business training programs.
Jennifer Crandall will coordinate loan groups, Mark Eriksson-Humphry is the new volunteer coordinator and Linda Shigaki will work with clients to develop and grow their businesses. read more »
Representative Bruce Chandler (R-Granger) has sent a letter to State Attorney General Rob McKenna asking for informal guidance on a proviso in the proposed 2010 supplemental operating budget. The language, found in the House approved Senate Bill 6444 states: read more »
