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COVER STORY
Aqua Express and community
bring Kingston-Seattle ferry route to life
By Maura Hallam Sweley |
After nearly a decade of effort, Kingston’s new passenger-only ferry to Seattle is finally a reality. The new service, run by private company Aqua Express, was celebrated with a community open house and ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday, January 15. Full-time, commuter-hour service began on Tuesday, January 18.
The road to establishing the new ferry service in Kingston was not an easy one.
“It’s a long time coming,” said Sonny Woodward of John L. Scott in Kingston and member of the Greater Kingston Chamber of Commerce’s ferry committee.
Kingston has been working to establish passenger ferry service since 1995 or 1996, estimated Woodward. In early 1997 the Kingston Chamber formed its ferry committee and tasked the committee to work to make the ferry a reality. Woodward and Tom Waggoner, owner of Kingston lumber and head of the Kingston Chamber’s ferry committee, described the committee members as “cheerleaders for the process,” keeping high-speed water technology in front of the county and state legislators.
The first major event the committee staged as part of its efforts was a ferry demonstration day in September 1997... (Full Article) |
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AMI International:
Naval Marketing Intelligence. Huh? |
| Naval marketing intelligence…these words usually inspire “cloak and dagger” images. For Bremerton based AMI International they represent a successful business opportunity. AMI specializes in tracking naval industrial activities around the world... (Full Article) |
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Alternative energy —
alternative economic development?
By Tim Botkin |
| What if Kitsap County was able to attract several high technology businesses to a new advanced business park, using the Port of Bremerton’s air and rail facilities? Would we be interested? What if those companies and jobs put Kitsap on the map as a major player in one of the largest growth industries in the world... (Full Article) |
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Keeping your identity as your company grows
Local art glass company explores architectural territory
By Rodika Tollefson |
| After about 15 years of working with glass and selling his artistic works at various galleries across the country, Scott Curry knows a lot about the medium. Curry Art Glass, owned by Scott Curry with wife Laura, has been making beautiful sconces, lumières, and many other glassworks. Yet when he got the chance to create glass blocks for the Lower Manhattan redevelopment project about a year ago, he knew he had ventured into new territory... (Full Article) |
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New center offers assistance for
business owners and owner-wannabes
By Rodika Tollefson |
| Starting a new business can be a daunting task, and many people give up the dream after being overwhelmed with all the startup aspects. Costs are another major challenge, especially for anyone who needs to do research or hire consultants... (Full Article) |
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Environmental
Rich Passage passenger-only fast ferry study
“Reliable and affordable cross sound transportation is critical to the long-term financial success of Bremerton and Kitsap County” ~ Bremerton Mayor Cary Bozeman
By Kathleen Byrne-Barrantes |
| Designed to investigate the feasibility of adding passenger only fast ferry service between Seattle and Bremerton, the Fast Ferry Research Project was initiated in June 2004. It is funded under a federal grant program administered by the Federal Transportation Administration and is being conducted under the direction of Pacific International Engineering, PLLC (PI Engineering) of Edmonds... (Full Article) |
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Ecology announces highest priority
projects for funding
By Kathleen Byrne-Barrantes |
Centennial Clean Water Fund and EPA-319 grants project rankings were announced and can be viewed on Ecology’s web site at: www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/funding/2006.
Project proposals were evaluated and scored by Ecology staff... (Full Article) |
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Arts Research Project includes
comments from Kitsap |
| Kitsap area residents provided specific feedback for the Greater Seattle arts marketplace through a recent arts research study. Encore Media Group collaborated with 12 area arts organizations to conduct what they believe is the largest and most comprehensive audience study ever done in the Puget Sound area... (Full Article) |
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KREDC BRE Program Spotlight:
Paratransit Services;
Brokering Medicaid transit services |
| Mention brokerage services to most people and they think of stocks and other financial matters. But there are other types of brokerage services and Paratransit Services of Bremerton is a recognized leader in the brokerage industry of Medicaid Transportation services. Started in 1980, Paratransit Services is a nonprofit transportation company that specializes in providing high-quality... (Full Article) |
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KREDC BRE Program Spotlight:
Twiss Analytical Laboratories:
One of a kind private lab in Kitsap |
| Do you own a private well and want to know what’s in the water? Is your backyard garden soil suitable for growing tomatoes? Twiss Analytical Laboratories can give you the answers. Steve and Becky Twiss started the company in 1990. Their facilities are located in the Twelve Trees Business Park in Poulsbo. It is the only privately owned environmental and drinking water quality laboratory in West Puget Sound... (Full Article) |
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Bruce’s Recycling Company: Where one man’s trash is another man’s treasure
By Maura Hallam Sweley |
| When you pull up to Bruce’s Recycling Company at the end of Barney White Road in Port Orchard, it doesn’t look like much. Aging hulks of cars parked along the side of the road across the way. A dirt driveway running between chain link fencing. The sign at the drive reads simply, “Bruce’s Recycling Company.” Beneath that there are other, less welcoming signs. “Private Property.” “No Trespassing... (Full Article) |
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Club Meridian: A unique place to get healthy |
| Is your New Year’s resolution to exercise at a state-of-the-art health club in Kitsap County? How about getting away to a world-class resort for some R&R? You can combine both as a member of the brand new Club Meridian on Bainbridge Island... (Full Article) |
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County administrator accepts new post |
| Kitsap County Administrator, Malcolm Fleming will leave the county after seven years to become Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Bellingham. Fleming’s last day with Kitsap County will be Feb. 25... (Full Article) |
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Harrison staff give to tsunami relief effort |
| Harrison Hospital has made it possible for the numerous employees that have inquired how they can best help the victims of the Southeast Asia tsunamis and the humanitarian crisis they’ve created to donate the value of annual leave hours... (Full Article) |
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Reuse-A-Shoe athletic shoe recycling
comes to Kitsap |
| Kitsap County Public Works and Leadership Kitsap are teaming up with Nike and the National Recycling Coalition to bring the innovative “Reuse-A-Shoe” program to Kitsap County. Over twenty businesses located throughout the county are collecting athletic shoes of all brands, which will be sent back to Nike, ground up, and remanufactured into basketball and tennis courts, athletic fields, running tracks, and/or playground surfaces... (Full Article) |
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Cosmo’s Deli kicks off plans for
fifth year in Port Orchard |
| In addition to gearing up for construction of their new building, which will be located across the street from their current location, Cosmo’s Deli co-owners Shelly Lewis and Christina Balazs hope to add a few more ways for people here to experience quality home-style Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. Newlt planned events are... (Full Article) |
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Hearings Board upholds Bainbridge Island
Shoreline Master Program Amendment |
| In a major blow to property rights advocates, the Central Puget Sound Growth Management Hearings Board (CPSGMHB) has upheld the Bainbridge Island city ordinance that amends its Shoreline Management Master Program (SMMP). The ordinance essentially limits all new dock development in Blakely Harbor... (Full Article) |
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JPL Habitability:
Making things no one else does |
| Whether it is a Navy Super-Carrier, locker room for a semi-professional hockey team, or residential kitchen, — no job is too big or too small for JPL Habitability Incorporated. Located just east of the Manette Bridge in Bremerton, JPL is a privately owned business specializing in metal and wood products fabrication... (Full Article) |
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Paladin Receives $1.8M to expand
bio-terrorism detection program |
| Paladin Data Systems recently announced that it has been awarded a $1.8 million contract from the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command to conduct additional research and expand the Outbreak Detection Information Network... (Full Article) |
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Sponsors needed for NM 2005 Relay for Life |
“Hats Off for a Cure!” is the theme for the 2005 American Cancer Society Relay for Life of North Mason.
Relay is a team event, conducted annually in thousands of communities by local volunteers to raise awareness about cancer while raising funds to support cancer research, education, advocacy and patient services through ACS... (Full Article) |
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Port passes resolution supporting
SK school levy |
| The Port of Bremerton Commissioners recently passed a resolution at their Jan. 11 meeting in support of the South Kitsap School levy... (Full Article) |
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A&B Specialized Transport hits the road |
| Owners Amy and Barry Muhlbaier, the A&B of A&B Specialized Transport, recently announced they have begun operation of a door-to-door airport shuttle, that runs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year (weather providing) from old Belfair Valley Road, Port Orchard to Manchester, to Mason County line, to Gig Harbor, Fox Island, up to the Narrows Bridge... (Full Article) |
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American Marine Bank opens new
Port Angeles Safeway branch |
| On Jan 18, American Marine Bank (AMB) and the Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony for AMB’s new branch, located in the Port Angeles Safeway. This is the second Safeway branch of four planned by the bank. The Sequim branch opened on Dec.17, and Belfair and Port Townsend are set to open in the first quarter of this year... (Full Article) |
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ActiveLight and Projector
Wholesale Supply merge |
| Poulsbo’s ActiveLight, Inc., a distributor of advanced displays and dynamic signage solutions, and Projector Wholesale Supply (PWS), a specialty distributor of professional projection solutions, announced that the companies have combined products and services, and both will now operate under the ActiveLight brand... (Full Article) |
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Financial conference to be held
in Kitsap County
“Chicken Soup For The Soul” Author Mark Victor Hansen featured speaker |
| The Institute for Financial Literacy & Economic Development has scheduled a major financial conference for April 1, at the Kitsap Pavilion. Doors open at 7 a.m. and the event runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The conference is being held by the newly organized, Institute for Financial Literacy and Economic Development and The New War on Poverty... (Full Article) |
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Performance audit bill drafted in Senate |
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Sen. Pam Roach (R-Auburn) has drafted a performance audit bill reflecting 100 percent of the model language the Evergreen Freedom Foundation (EFF) submitted to legislators in the form of a performance audit (www.effwa.org/auditpledge.php) pledge last year... (Full Article) |
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Bremerton Symphony announces
awards of Youth Showcase |
| The Bremerton Symphony Youth Showcase, in its second year of highlighting area orchestral instrumentalists from 3-18 years of age, took place on Jan. 8 at North Kitsap Auditorium. Twenty-seven young musicians in four age categories performed live for a panel of judges. Winners were selected in each category and awarded: $150 for private lessons and recognition to private lesson teacher; side-by-side live performance with Bremerton Symphony Orchestra on Feb 5, and special award ceremony... (Full Article) |
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OC Board approves new trustees
for Bremer Trust |
| The Olympic College Board of Trustees has approved the appointment of Betti Sheldon and John Mitchell as new trustees to the John Bremer and Edward Bremer Consolidated Trust (Bremer Trust) in a special meeting on Jan. 4. They will be joining Mike Connolly, Olympic College vice president of administration, who has been sole trustee since 1987... (Full Article) |
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Bagwell joins Wolfe Law Office |
The Wolfe Law Offices recently announced that Ken Bagwell, previously a deputy prosecuting attorney with the Kitsap County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has joined the firm as an associate attorney.
Bagwell, a Poulsbo resident, will focus his practice in representing clients in the area of misdemeanor criminal defense matters including DUIs and traffic infractions, wills/powers of attorney/health directives, dissolutions and commercial transactions.
The Wolfe Law Offices, which has locations in downtown Bremerton and Seattle, will continue concentrating its practice in the areas of business and corporate transactions and disputes, real estate, civil litigation and estate planning.
Reach the firm at (360) 782-4200. |
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Kilmer to serve on Economic Development,
Transportation Committees |
Twenty sixth district State Representative Derek Kilmer (D-Gig Harbor) has been named to the House Economic Development, Agriculture, and Trade Committee as well as the Transportation Committee.
Kilmer was also appointed vice chair of the House Technology, Energy, and Communications Committee. |
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Hoke delivers keynote speech in Anchorage |
Bill Hoke of Hoke Consulting in Bremerton recently returned from Anchorage, Alaska, where he made a keynote speech to the Alaska Chapter of the American Marketing Association, as well as conducting his ‘90 Minute Marketing Plan’ workshop.
Hoke also developed “The 60 Minute Membership Plan, which successfully helps organizations increase membership. He presented that to a special session of the Building Association Industry of Washington’s (BIAW) annual meeting in Tacoma.
Reach Hoke at (360)271-9448, or hoke@hokeconsulting.com. |
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Madler honored as Towing Operator of the Year |
| Ron Madler, owner of Kitsap Towing and Road Services was recently awarded Tow Operator of the Year by Washington Tow Truck Association. Madler was recognized for his contribution to the Washington Tow Truck Association, the towing industry and the community. Kitsap Towing and Road Services can be reached at (360) 297-8600. |
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Pinnacle Business Connections
announces meetings |
Pinnacle Business Connections, a local networking group created to help businesses 18 months or older “profit by connections” holds meetings on the first and third Tuesday of each month. The next scheduled meetings will be held on Feb. 8 and 22 at the Magnolia Café in downtown Poulsbo, from 11:32 a.m. to 12:47 p.m. There is no cost to attend, but it is recommended you buy your own lunch.
This is a networking organization founded for one purpose: to share confidential business leads and information among its member firms. Membership is open to only one business of each category. |
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Silverdale Allstate agent rewarded
for volunteerism
$500 grant presented to Silverdale Rotary Club Foundation |
Bud Grahn received Allstate Insurance’s Agency Hands in the Community Award for his commitment to volunteering in the community. With this award comes a $500 grant from The Allstate Foundation for the Silverdale Rotary Club Foundation where Grahn volunteers.
“Allstate believes that it is very important for corporations to take an active interest in the communities they serve. Allstate is proud to support such a worthwhile cause through the Allstate Foundation,” said Michelle Lee, vice president for Allstate’s Northwest Region. “The grant from the Allstate Foundation will provide much needed support for the work of Silverdale Rotary Club Foundation.” |
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Printery produces 30th annual wall calendar |
Printery Communications announced the 2005 edition of its 30th annual complimentary customer wall calendar, this year featuring four paintings by renowned Northwest artist Luke Tornatzky. Tornatzky’s work is also shown at Earthenworks Gallery in Port Townsend, and he is represented by Kimsey Miller Gallery in Seattle.
“We are so happy to showcase Luke’s work this year,” says Mike Kenna, founder and president of Printery Communications. “It perfectly expresses a feeling of value, quality, and our sense of place in Kitsap County.”
Printery Communications can be reached at (800) 339-1256 or at www.printery.com. |
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Local firm markets new
environmentally safe solvent |
Westech Aerosol Corporation, located in Port Orchard, recently announced a new Hazardous Air Pollutants-free (HAPS) solvent, WT-AR. This product does not contain any chemicals on the governments HAPs list and is legal for use in the state of California and the marine industry, where environmental regulations are strictest. WT-AR removes solvent-based adhesives and is available in 13-ounce cans and 9-pound canisters.
Westech Aerosol can be reached at (360) 674-2051, (877) 674-2010 or at www.ok2spray.com. |
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Doozie announces closure
of retail store in Winslow |
To clear the way for continuing renovations of the buildings at Winslow Corner, owner Dee DuMont recently announced that the retail store Doozie will close on Feb. 12. “Fond Farewell” sales, including items from Fortner Books, will be ongoing up to that date, and all store fixtures are included. Store hours will continue to be 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.
Doozie Design Services, which include upholstering, slipcovers, and custom sewing, will continue to operate from the company’s studio location elsewhere in Winslow. The business phone number (206) 842-3439 remains the same. |
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New NW-oriented gift shop opening in Poulsbo |
Downtown Poulsbo will be the location of Pacific Northwest Selections, a new retail establishment. Located at 18801 Front Street, the shop will feature local and regional products and creations, such as smoked salmon, lavender products, glass and art works, from Washington, British Columbia and Alaska.
Pacific Northwest Selections is locally owned and operated by Diane Naber of Kingston. |
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Renaissance Medical Center opens in Bremerton |
Drs. Zara Sultan, Salimah Dhanani and Rahim Dhanani recently announced the grand opening the Renaissance Medical Center, located at 2641 Cherry Avenue.
They will be providing general pediatrics and internal medicine, taking into account the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of each patient.
Additional services included are: on-site lab and X-ray, well child exams for all ages, free blood pressure checks, sports physicals, circumcisions, ADD and ADHD testing and treatment, DOT physicals and L&I claims.
Renaissance Medical Center can be reached at (360) 373-6656. |
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Chamber sponsoring expo at Kitsap Mall |
The Silverdale Chamber of Commerce is hosting its second Home Based Business Expo at Kitsap Mall on May 14. Applications are now being accepted.
The Chamber is partnering with Kitsap Mall to provide this opportunity for home-based business owners to market their products and services to a large consumer audience. The event is open to chamber members and non-members.
Contact Darla Murker at the chamber office, (360) 692-6800 or at communications@silverdalechamber.com for more information or to register. |
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Bay St. Custom Framing says “Thank you” |
Mallory Jackson, owner of Custom Picture Framing on Bay St. in downtown Port Orchard recently announced she would celebrate her ten year anniversary in business with some special events:
- Saturday, Feb. 5: Plein Air artist Dianne Gardner will demonstrate her art in oils from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Saturday, Feb. 12: Local oil painter Roy Carr will be demonstrating seascape painting from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Saturday, Feb. 19: Gala Open House from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For more information call (360) 876-1031.
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Leadership Kitsap accepting applications |
Applications for the 2005 Leadership Kitsap class, can be picked up at the Leadership Kitsap Office located inside of the United Way. The address is: 2135 Sheridan Rd., Bremerton. Applications may also be downloaded from our website: www.leadershipkitsap.org
For information, call (360) 782-1058. |
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Engholm joins John L. Scott in Silverdale |
John L. Scott Silverdale managing broker, Larry Kaplan recently welcomed Andrea Engholm to his team as a sales associate.
Engholm brings experience working at Prudential and an extensive knowledge of computers and technology to the firm. Besides earning her real estate license, Engholm has obtained her teaching credentials, earned the Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR) designation, and is an active member of the Washington Association of Realtors.
Engholm may be reached at (360) 692-9777. |
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