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COVER STORY
It’s finally time to “Play Ball!”
BlueJackets opening night to feature EA6B Navy Prowlers flyover
By Lary Coppola |
After years of dreaming, on Friday, June 10, Silverdale attorney and former state legislator Rick Smith will hear two words that will make his longtime dream come true — “Play Ball!”
Smith has tried for years to bring minor league baseball to Kitsap County and he, along with four other business partners, have finally succeeded. The Kitsap BlueJackets, playing in the West Coast Collegiate Baseball League (WCCBL), will open their inaugural season June 10 at the new ballpark at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds.
Smith’s partners in the organization are Charlie Cates and Paul Peterson, owners of the Cloverleaf Tavern in Bremerton, retired jewelers Wynne Goldberg-Littman and her husband Charles Littman, Bruce Bordenick, an engineer at PSNS, and Silverdale C.P.A. Chuck Huddleston.
“This is very rewarding for me,” said an obviously elated Smith. “A lot of people have done a lot of hard work to get us here. This is going to be a wonderful asset for our community.”
“We wanted to give the people of Kitsap County a source of good, wholesome, family entertainment,” added Chuck Huddleston... (Full Article) |
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Listening to help people realize their dreams |
| Ever dream about owning a custom designed home, one that reflects your unique personality? But are you afraid that you can’t afford it? Richard and Kris Swartz of West Sound Design Center, Inc (WSDC) in Kingston, would like the opportunity to show how affordable it can be to build a custom designed home. “Only four percent of the homes built in America are designed by Architects... (Full Article) |
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KEDC’s first BRE program hailed as a success |
| The Kitsap Economic Development Council (KEDC) recently completed its first Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) program. The program started with a comprehensive survey of Kitsap County businesses in the spring and summer of 2004 and culminated in a six-month series of in-depth educational programs. Close to 70 Kitsap County businesses participated in the BRE survey... (Full Article) |
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Bremerton, Bainbridge Island projects
to offer waterfront condos
By Rodika Tollefson |
| Those looking for some urban, luxurious living that doesn’t require things like mowing the lawn will soon have two options to choose from. Two waterfront condominium projects are under way, one in downtown Bremerton and another in Winslow on Bainbridge Island. Neither project broke ground yet, but both were already selling the units... (Full Article) |
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Is Kitsap on the way to becoming an
prohibitivly expensive, elitist area?
Some say the lack of buildable lots has already made it so
By Rodika Tollefson |
| The lack of homes on the real estate market and the escalating prices are nearing a crisis, some people in the industry believe. It’s going to get worse, they say — and it’s all thanks to the Growth Management Act (GMA), which limits the number of available buildable lots... (Full Article) |
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Varieties of VROOM:
Search for an Alternative Fuel
By Bryan Callaway |
| It seems as though every alternative fuel is critically flawed or at least extremely impractical. There is one fuel system, not at all well-known, that doesn’t face these problems... (Full Article) |
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Keeping up appearances
in the workplace a challenge
Clear policies and good communication help small business owners
keep employees appearance and behavior in line
By Maura Hallam Sweley |
| As a small business owner one of your most important assets is your reputation. You’ve got an image to maintain and you rely on your frontline employees to portray that image at all times. So what do you do when your receptionist shows up for work one day with a wild new hair color, or your head cashier arrives sporting a prominent tattoo... (Full Article) |
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Survey says Washington worst in the nation
in small-business environment |
| On the inaugural launch of 26 state-specific quarterly surveys on small-business environments across the nation, Washington ranked dead last in a key component, even worse than notoriously high-tax and high-regulation New York, which came in second to last, according to the new reports from the National Federation of Independent Business... (Full Article) |
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Rates of unscheduled work absenteeism
climbs to a 5-year high |
| The rate of unscheduled absenteeism from the job rose 2.4 percent, a five-year high, according to the Unscheduled Absence Survey by Commerce Clearing House... (Full Article) |
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Hecker Architects determined
to be part of Bremerton’s rebirth |
| Hecker Architects, PS recently moved into its new office space in East Bremerton. Located just off the Manette Bridge owner and principal architect Jeffrey Hecker is excited to be part of Manette’s rebirth. “We look forward to being a positive catalyst for the revitalization of the neighborhood.” Hecker Architects is a firm of local people who are passionate about good design and the creation of inspiring places... (Full Article) |
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Using business cards as a networking tool
By Wendy Miles |
| Business cards… we all have and collect them, but now what? With just a little forethought, some skilled networking and important follow-through, those little rectangles of paper can grow your business. A simple gesture of handing them out, in just the right way, can make all the difference... (Full Article) |
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Worksite Wellness
Competition makes you healthy
By Eugenie Jones, M.B.A. |
| Recognizing the importance of healthy employees, has taken an interesting turn at Peninsula Community Federal Credit Union and O Bee Credit Union. In a very creative approach to worksite wellness, the two organizations have launched a competition, which pits credit union against credit union — to the victor going the spoils, or in this case goes the healthy breakfast... (Full Article) |
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Poulsbo training firm serves
worldwide clientele |
| With clients in South Africa, Spain, Canada and all fifty states, Action Training Systems, Inc is another example of a local business with a worldwide presence. George A. Avila Jr., Founder, President and CEO, moved his business to Poulsbo in August of 2002 after buying out his retiring partner. Action Training previously operated in Seattle and Vancouver, but Avila who had been living in Poulsbo since the mid-90’s, wanted to move the company closer to his home... (Full Article) |
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Idaho debuts aggressive
new business incentive programs |
| With Washington state clearly in its crosshairs, as well as California, Idaho recently introduced a series of aggressive new tax incentives for large and small companies willing to relocate headquarters or major operations to the Evergreen State’s neighbor to the east... (Full Article) |
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Environmental
Low Impact Development conference
opportunity for common ground
By Kathleen Byrne-Barrantes |
Low Impact Development TODAY and TOMORROW is a conference that will be held June 24 from 9:30–11:30 am at the Poulsbo North Kitsap Fire Station on 911 NE Liberty Road off of Hwy. 305 with a site visit planned immediately afterwards.
The event is jointly presented by the Liberty Bay Foundation and Kitsap Home Builders Foundation, and sponsored in part from a Department of Ecology grant through US EPA 319 Non-point source pollution funds for the “Nearshore Habitat Evaluation and Enhancement Project... (Full Article) |
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Afraid of public speaking?
Toastmasters can help
By Linda Thomson |
| What should people do who fear public speaking even more than their own death, or poisonous snakes? It is the number one fear in our nation, with death and snakes lining up as second and third, according to Bill Slach, a 20-year member and past District Governor of Toastmasters International in Kitsap County... (Full Article) |
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Hansville firm helps retailers quit business
By Rodika Tollefson |
| While business owners work hard to make their company profitable over the long term, they may not think much about the day whey may have to close the doors for good. Quitting Business Inc., based in, of all places, Hansville, helps retailers liquidate their stores with the highest net return possible... (Full Article) |
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Port of Bremerton accepts SEED business plan |
| Recently the Port of Bremerton board of commissioners officially accepted the Kitsap SEED Project Master Business Plan from its contract consultants, Sustainable Synergy Partnership... (Full Article) |
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Harrison Hospital launches ‘Vision 2010’
Five-year plan will ensure its future as the region’s top
medical center by updating and improving nine key areas |
| A series of staff meetings will launch a rigorous strategic planning process meant to ensure Harrison Hospital’s future as the premier regional medical center on the Kitsap and Olympic peninsulas and Bainbridge Island... (Full Article) |
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Environmental
Eickmeyer’s Hood Canal legislation
signed into law |
State Rep. Bill “Ike” Eickmeyer’s legislative proposals to help bring Hood Canal back from the near-dead have become the law of the state.
The governor recently signed two key proposals (House Bill 2081 and House Bill 2097) prime-sponsored this year by Eickmeyer, D-Belfair... (Full Article) |
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Bethel Center holds grand opening |
| County Commissioner Jan Angel and officials of the Port Orchard Chamber of Commerce were on hand for a formal “grand opening” ribbon-cutting ceremony at the newly opened Bethel Center commercial complex on Bethel Road... (Full Article) |
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Lent to deliver
“Change starts at home” message
Water quality and housing among region’s most critical issues |
| Kitsap County Commissioner Patty Lent, (District 3), in her role as Washington State Association of Counties (WSAC) western district president, will deliver the call to order message at the opening ceremony of the WSAC Western District Meeting In Kelso June 9-10. Her message: “Don’t try to tackle the world’s problems, or even the problems of the entire state. Do what we as western Washington county officials can do in our own region to improve the quality of life here... (Full Article) |
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Two Sisters Fine Jewelry opens in Bremerton |
| Owners Deborah Hughes and Patricia “Pat” Woodbury recently announced the opening of Two Sister Fine Jewelry, located in the Washington Mutual Building at 520 Pacific Ave. across from the Admiral Theatre in Bremerton... (Full Article) |
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Bosen joins Paladin’s EKO-System team |
| Paladin Data Systems expanded its staff with the addition of Tracy Bosen, who has recently joined the company’s EKO-System team as the client support manager. His primary functions will be to assist new and existing clients with EKO-System implementations and updates and to provide training and direct customer support to new and existing users... (Full Article) |
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KPS Health Plans receives
national marketing award |
| KPS Health Plans has received a 2005 Gold Aster Award honoring excellence in medical marketing from Marketing Healthcare Today magazine... (Full Article) |
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Harrison Hospital and AMI team up with Qwest |
| Harrison Hospital and Advanced Medical Imaging (AMI) announced plans to implement a new high-speed technology that will streamline communication with medical providers across the state, enabling more rapid diagnosis and treatment for patients. The organizations will use Qwest Communication’s metro optical Ethernet service, which will link Bremerton, Silverdale and Port Orchard as well as locations outside Kitsap County... (Full Article) |
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Private sector union membership
falls to 7.9 percent |
| Union membership in the U.S. private sector dropped again in 2004, from 8.2 percent in 2003 to a new low of 7.9 percent in 2004, less than half of what it was twenty years ago and far below its peak of about 35 percent in the early 1950s... (Full Article) |
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Local Toastmasters Clubs |
| In Kitsap, these are the open clubs, their meeting times and places, plus a contact number... (Full Article) |
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John L. Scott ranked 8th most productive
independent real estate firm in two
national surveys |
| Following John L. Scott Real Estate’s most successful year in its 74-year history, the Pacific Northwest-based company was recently ranked the eighth most productive independent real estate company in the nation by two national real estate surveys. These rankings were issued by REAL Trends and National Relocation and Real Estate Magazine, both national real estate trade publications... (Full Article) |
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Penner invited to attend advanced sales school |
MetLife Auto & Home has invited five of its Washington state insurance agents to attend an “Advanced Sales School” held in May. Lisa Penner of the Penner Agency, located at 3100 NW Bucklin Hill, Suite 206-D, in Silverdale was one of those selected.
The Penner Agency can be reached (360) 692-9790. |
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Chamber operations manager earns scholarship |
Frank Gentile, operations manager for the Bremerton Area Chamber of Commerce, has received a scholarship to attend the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for Organization Management. Gentile received a $545 scholarship, which is about half of the tuition for the first year.
Gentile will attend the program offered at Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Colorado this summer. This will be his first year of the four-year program. |
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Wainio joins Kitsap Bank |
Katie Wainio has joined Kitsap Bank as senior commercial lending assistant at the Bank’s Bainbridge Island branch.
Most recently, Wainio was with Sterling Savings Bank serving as a Credit Analyst. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration with a concentration in finance from Gonzaga University. |
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Technical Solutions celebrates
ten years serving Kitsap County |
Technical Solutions, a professional computer technology provider recently announced that it is celebrating 10 years of serving businesses in Kitsap County. In that time Technical Solutions has provided service to a wide range of businesses, including banking, medical, design and architecture. Technical Solutions has seen many changes and events in technology in its ten years from the growth of Microsoft, Y2K, the dot com crash and the economic slow down.
Located on Bainbridge Island, Technical Solutions provides a full range of information technology services, including networking and systems processing. For more information visit www.ts4u.net. |
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Online safety courses offer
convenient training option |
The Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) offers online safety and health training courses that provide basic awareness for employees and employers on a variety of topics. It can be accessed anytime via the Internet. You’ll find training for many industries and hazards, with topics such as confined space hazards, fall protection, noise exposure, lawn mower safety, ladder safety, personal protective equipment and teen worker safety.
The online training modules are interactive and easy to use. Photos and graphics reinforce the training concepts, and participants can print out a personalized “certificate of completion” when finished.
Check out L&I’s online training courses at www.LNI.wa.gov/Safety/TrainTools/online/courses/. |
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Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce names
Eisenhauer Business Person of the Year |
For his business savvy and philanthropic bent, John Eisenhauer, the founder and president of Mercury Online Solutions, has been named the Chamber’s 2005 Business Person of the Year.
Eisenhauer’s 10-year-old company, is located at 600 Ericksen Avenue in Downtown Winslow, in a building he purchased last year. The firm is a worldwide provider of digital signage and interactive kiosk networks, with about $20 million in annual sales. The company’s soaring business success was recognized last fall when the Puget Sound Business Journal named Mercury Online as the state’s fastest-growing private company, with a three-year compounded annual growth rate of 386 percent.
Others nominated for the award this year included: Dr. Thomas Haggar of the Winslow Clinic, Mary Hall and Ken Schuricht of Winslow Hardware and Mercantile, Georg Syversten of Deschamps Real Estate, and Joan Svardh of Kitsap Bank. |
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Harbour Marina inproves waste management
with new dockside pump out |
Harbour Marina, a forty-five-slip marina in operation since 1982 on Bainbridge Island, recently started-up its new dockside pumping system.
The new system, the first of its kind in Eagle Harbor, places a hydrant connection within 50 feet of every boat in the marina. Each boat slip will now have access to a waste connection much like the connections used for shore power, telephone and cable. The dock master supplies a 60-foot hose with the standard hose end that matches the deck plate normally used for waste pump-out. The waste, once pumped out will be discharged into the city sewer. |
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Northwest Design Center opens in Poulsbo |
The Northwest Design Center and Furniture Gallery recently opened in Poulsbo. Transforming 40,000 square feet of retail space previously known as the Poulsbo Market, into a home furnishing store, offering a wide variety of furniture, art and accessories.
Constance Swanlund, owner of Bad Blanche Collection, has introduced products that are imbued with energy, style with distinct designs, and affordability for over 20 years.
Also located within the Design Center, located on State Hwy 305 and Hostmark, is the Northwest Design Studio and Caffe Divano. |
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NorthwestNet completes
McKenzie website redesign |
Northwest Network Services Inc., recently announced that it has completed the renovation design of the website for McKenzie Associates, a real estate brokerage based on Bainbridge Island.
NorthwestNet has completed an entirely new design and architecture for web site located at www.cbmckenzie.com, utilizing state of the art content management technologies. |
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HETP changes to 501(c) (3) |
Educational Training Partners (ETP) recently announced approval of its application for non-profit status under section 501(c)(3). This classification allows the organization to pursue tax-deductible donations to fund valuable training and resources for early childhood educators, administrators, nannies, and parents.
Its non-profit status provides reduced mailing rates for the agency’s popular quarterly newsletter and discounts from vendors and suppliers. The long-term goal is to raise a majority of funding through cash donations and project grants.
Educational Training Partners may be reached at (253) 853-3499. |
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Twiss adds new customer
service drop off location |
Twiss Analytical Laboratories of Poulsbo recently announced its newest customer service drop off location in Port Angeles. Customers can now leave their drinking water samples at John L. Scott, located at 934 Front Street, for pickup on Tuesday before 11 a.m.
Twiss Analytical can be reached at (360) 779-5141. |
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Local Allstate agency honored nationally |
Robert Scharf has been recognized by Allstate Insurance Company for high standards in customer satisfaction, customer retention and profitability, and earned an invitation to attend Allstate’s National Conference in May.
The Robert Scharf Agency is located at 3320 NW Bucklin Hill Road in Silverdale. |
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Bayside Broiler in Poulsbo has new owner |
Bayside Broiler, a waterfront restaurant in Poulsbo, was recently purchased by a Michael Buholz, from Roberto Soltero, Soltero owns several Mexican restaurants in the county, including Los Cabos Grill and Taco Loco. The sale price was reported as $400,000.
Buholz, 32, has worked in restaurants throughout the Pacific Northwest, most recently at the Silver City Restaurant and Brewery in Silverdale. He plans to make some changes to the menu and will include new fresh food entrees each week.
The restaurant, which has an outside deck, is about 10,000 square feet and can seat 250 people. |
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Low Impact Development workshop set |
The Homebuilders Association of Kitsap County (HBA) will hold its first Low Impact Development Workshop on June 24, at 9:30 a.m., at the Poulsbo fire station.
This workshop is geared to builders, developers and planners, and will be followed by many other public forums targeted at various stakeholders including property owners. For information, call HBA at 360-479-5778. |
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Sarah’s Place receives adult care license |
Sarah’s Place Inc., an adult family home in Port Orchard, has recently been licensed by the State of Washington to provide services for six residents. Owned by Carolyn Meisner, it will provide 24-hour care for senior citizens.
Sarah’s Place can be reached at (360) 876-6057 or on the web at www.sarahsplaceinc.com. |
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EPA Brownfields grant
for properties in Bremerton |
The Kitsap County Consolidated Housing Authority (KCCHA) scoreed a $200,000 cleanup grant for the 0.31-acre site on 7th at Park and Warren Avenues. The former Drycleaners (1923-1972) site has area poverty levels of 56.3 percent, the highest in all of Kitsap County, and minorities twice the county's average.
"The KCCHA plans to redevelop this low-income neighborhood, provide affordable housing using “BUILT GREEN” quality construction, and improve accessibility of essential community services as Kitsap Community Resources (KCR) relocates here," said Kathleen Byrne-Barrantes, grants consultant for the KCCHA. Grant funds will also be used to support community involvement activities. |
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Super WebGirl is now Super Web Group, Inc. |
Super WebGirl, Inc., located on Bainbridge Island, recently changed its name to Super Web Group, Inc. to reflect the majority of its clients and its mission to support organizations and companies that reduce environmental impact.
Super Web Group can be reached at (206) 842-2983 or via email at jane@superwebgroup.com. |
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Bradwell promoted to commercial loan specialist |
Kitsap Bank announced that Jill Bradwell has been promoted to commercial loan specialist. In her new position, she will serve commercial customers out of Kitsap Bank’s Poulsbo branch.
Bradwell has previously served as senior commercial lending assistant at the Bank’s headquarters in Port Orchard and has been in banking for twelve years. |
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Kitsap Bank promotes Sue Cilinceon |
Kitsap Bank recently announced the promotion of Sue Cilinceon to vice president and manager of Kitsap Bank’s newly formed branch liaison services. In her new position, Cilinceon manages the consumer online banking and business cash management functions for customers, and the technical help desk support for Kitsap Bank employees.
Cilinceon has been in banking for sixteen years, and with Kitsap Bank for four years. |
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Realty Station welcomes agent Terry Wimmer |
Realty Station recently announced that Terry Wimmer has joined the sales team.
Wimmer has been involved in the Kitsap County real estate business for more than two years, and recently obtained her real estate license.
Reach her at (360) 377-5699. |
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Radovich Development buys former city hall |
| The Bremerton City Council approved the sale of the old city hall building to the John Radovich Development Co. for $930,000. The property, located at 4th Street and Washington Avenue, includes 12,895 square feet, three-story office building, nearby parking lot and a small park. The sale, pending the 120-day due diligence period, would be finalized in October 2006 giving the City time to relocate the police department and courts. |
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Ridgemont Terrace earns perfect
rating from state |
| For the second year in a row, Ridgemont Terrace Senior Living Center received at deficiency free or perfect inspections from the State of Washington Aging and Adult Services Survey Team. |
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HBA offering first aid/CPR training
and certification |
The Home Builders Association of Kitsap County will offer a course in first aid/CPR training and certification. The class, presented by Affordable First Aid, will be held on June 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Complimentary coffee and bakery breakfast will be available. The cost is $35 for HBAKC members and $45 for non-members. Advance registration is required.
The HBA of Kitsap County can be reached at (360) 479-5778 or via email at info@kitsaphba.com. |
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Keating Homes relocates to
Arbor Business Park |
Keating Homes recently relocated to the Arbor Business Park in North Kitsap from the Miller Bay Area. Keating Homes is a 14-year veteran of building homes in Kitsap County and is an active member of the Homebuilder’s Association (HBA).
The firm received the first place award in the 2004 Parade of Homes and is currently building new homes in the “Summerwood” development on Bainbridge Island.
For more information, visit Keatinghomes.com or call Arbor Business Park at (360) 297-4027. |
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Peninsula Fire Extinguisher opens
Safety Supply Store |
Peninsula Fire Extinguisher Service, located at 20373 Viking Avenue in Poulsbo, recently announced the addition of its Safety Supply Store, providing DOT and ANSI compliant hard hats including pink ones, safety vests, reflective t-shirts, caution tape, first aid and disaster kits, glow sticks, safety glasses, emergency lighting and other safety related items.
Peninsula Fire Extinguisher Service can be reached at (360) 598-3300. |
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Kitsap Conference Center
exceeds Q1 projections |
According to Erik Ruud, general manager, the Kitsap Conference Center has exceeded its first quarter projections and is on target for the rest of 2005. Projections for 2005 include: service to 35,000 guests, $1,872,000 added to the local economy and generation of 3,778 hotel room nights in the city.
The 2004 highlights include: 18,000 guests served, $820,000 added to the local economy, generated 390 event specific hotel room night between October-December 2004. |
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Kitsap Bank promotes two in South Kitsap |
Kitsap Bank recently announced two promotions in its South Kitsap branches. Lisa Gooch, who served the Bank previously as a customer service representative at the Poulsbo branch has been promoted to operations specialist. In her new position, Gooch will serve as operations specialist to Kitsap Bank branches located in South Kitsap County. Gooch has been an employee of Kitsap Bank for almost fourteen years.
Regina Yanas, has been promoted to operations supervisor. Yanas previously served as customer service representative in the Bank’s South Kitsap County branches. |
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S.K. Helpline’s “Vintage to Vogue”
set for June 4 |
The South Kitsap Helpline is hosting the third annual “Vintage to Vogue” fundraising auction and dinner on Sat. June 4 at 6 p.m. at the Port Orchard Knights of Columbus Hall, located at 1153 Mitchell Road.
Auction items range from a variety of themed baskets, sports memorabilia and game tickets to museum admissions, boat cruises, private wine tastings, golf packages and collectibles.
Call (360) 876-4089 for tickets or more information. The tickets are $25 each. |
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Cosmo’s chef-owners teach
class and host event dinner |
On Wednesday, June 15, from 6 to 8 p.m., the chef-owners ofa Cosmo’s Deli in Port Orchard, Shelly Lewis and Christina Balzs, will teach a cooking class on dishes of the region of Sardegna Italy. The cost is $30 per person and includes all ingredients and recipes. Contact South Kitsap School District, Community Schools at (360) 874-7000; seats are limited.
Also, Cosmo’s will host a five-course regional dinner of the same region in Italy with wines on Saturday, June 18 from 6 to 9 p.m. Seats are limited, the cost is $54.95 per person.
Cosmo’s Deli is located at 1960 SE Lund Avenue in Port Orchard and can be reached at (360) 895-3138. |
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