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COVER STORY
My Gym: Teaching children to lead
healthy, active lifestyles
By Maura Hallam Sweley |
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Childhood obesity is a growing health crisis in the United States. According to the American Obesity Association approximately 30 percent of children ages 6 to 19 are overweight and around 15 percent are obese. Sedentary lifestyles are a well-known contributing factor to obesity in children, and there are clear connections between obesity in children leading to obesity in adulthood.
My Gym, founded in 1983 in southern California, is working to turn those numbers around with innovative programs designed to teach children skills they need to develop physically, as well as cognitively and emotionally. My Gym’s corporate mission is to “create facilities, programs and services that empower youngsters by helping them acquire the skills, confidence and positive self-image needed to become healthy young adults... (Full Article)
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Barnes and Noble making the move
to Kitsap Mall
Nordstrom store definitely not in the cards,
but a Kohl’s may be in the mall’s future
By Maura Hallam Sweley |
| Although Kitsap Mall officials won’t confirm any plans, it appears to be official that Barnes & Noble Booksellers will relocate its Silverdale store into the space soon to be left vacant by Gottschalks when the department store closes its doors this month... (Full Article) |
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Poulsbo moves forward on 10th Avenue site,
petition campaign against it continues
gaining steam
By Maura Hallam Sweley |
| As the closing date approaches on the purchase of land on 10th Avenue for Poulsbo’s proposed new municipal campus, community members who are opposed to the site are busily gathering petition signatures in hopes of getting the city council to consider other options... (Full Article) |
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Sweet tooth: Chocolate whets one local
teenager’s appetite for business
By Maura Hallam Sweley |
| In spring 2005 West Sound Academy freshman Peter Crabtree took a culinary arts class with some of his friends. One of the things that they learned to make was truffles... (Full Article) |
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Dealing with electronic sexual harassment
in the workplace
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| We are a small company. Our employees are all pretty friendly, and like to send each other funny e-mails. No one has objected to this, but one of the owners says she is worried that we could end up with a lawsuit. Should we ban these e-mails... (Full Article) |
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Port Orchard Sets the Table for Business
By Wendy Miles |
| Kim Abel, Mayor of Port Orchard, has been working diligently with the City Council and the Chamber to develop business. Recently I met with her to talk about the City’s progress and strategies the Mayor has for businesses in and around her city... (Full Article) |
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Environmental
Earth Day and other goings on
around the Sound
By Kathleen Byrne-Barrantes |
| Earth Day Events in Kitsap County The 16th annual Sinclair Inlet Earth Day Cleanup, sponsored by the Kitsap Diving Association and Kitsap Trees & Shoreline Association (KiTSA) will take place on April 15, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Volunteers will meet at Bremerton Boardwalk pumphouse next to Harborside Parking Garage and the Annapolis Dock in Port Orchard... (Full Article) |
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Oxford Suites Hotel delayed, but by what?
By Maura Hallam Sweley |
| In 2003 Bend, Oregon-based Baney Corporation, which owns and operates the Oxford Inn and Oxford Suites hotels, purchased land along Bayshore Drive, adjacent to the Dyes Inlet waterfront, with plans to build a new 104-bed hotel. A flurry of construction activity began on the lot in mid-2005, and then stalled out... (Full Article) |
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Kilmer announces run
for 26th District Senate seat |
| State Representative Derek Kilmer (D-Gig Harbor) has announced that he will seek election to the State Senate from the 26th Legislative District. Kilmer, who was elected as State Representative in 2004, is running for the seat vacated by retiring State Senator Bob Oke... (Full Article) |
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YWCA announces 2006
“Women of Achievement” |
| The YWCA of Kitsap County recently announced 14 “Women of Achievement” honorees. Since 1989, the YWCA has honored over 300 exceptional local women, who have made tremendous contributions to our community... (Full Article) |
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Viking Bank to open branch on Bainbridge |
| Viking Bank is pleased to announce that it will be opening a loan production office on Bainbridge Island shortly, with plans to convert the office into a full-service branch in the Fall of this year... (Full Article) |
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Downtown Port Orchard could see
seven story addition
By Rodika Tollefson |
| An Oregon-based developer hopes to build a multi-use building that would become the tallest structure in downtown Port Orchard... (Full Article) |
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McKenna disappointed in State
Supreme Court decision on teacher fees
AG says he will appeal case to US Supreme Court |
| Attorney General Rob McKenna has announced he will appeal the state Supreme Court decision in State ex rel. Public Disclosure Commission v. Washington Education Ass’n, et al. To the United State’s Supreme Court... (Full Article) |
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KCR Capital Campaign passes halfway mark |
| Kitsap Community Resources’ $1 million capital campaign recently exceeded the halfway point with receipt of a $75,000 check from the Medina Foundation of Seattle. The total raised to date is close to $575,000... (Full Article) |
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American Red Cross honors local heroes |
| The American Red Cross Serving King and Kitsap Counties announced those who were honored on March 9 for heroic acts in the past year. The fourteen people who were recognized at the Seventh Annual American Red Cross Real Heroes Breakfast are... (Full Article) |
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Marine Science Center to receive
$250,000 from state coffers
By Maura Hallam Sweley |
| Supporters of Poulsbo’s Marine Science Center — which was forced to shut its doors in March 2005 — finally got some good news last month with the announcement that the state legislature included $250,000 in its 2006 budget to help with startup costs for a new center... (Full Article) |
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Gig Harbor photographer
earns professional honors |
| Renee Crist owner of Photo Pro Photography and Photo Pro Film and Digital in Gig Harbor was recently honored with three Awards of Merit for her photographic images... (Full Article) |
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Pacific Northwest Salmon
Center seeking nominations |
| Preparations for the Pacific Northwest Salmon Center’s fourth annual Wild Salmon Hall of Fame Awards Ceremony are under way. Nominations are now being sought for the Sept. 23 celebration in Bremerton. The Wild Salmon Hall of Fame is an integral part of the Salmon Center, slated to begin operation in 2008... (Full Article) |
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West Sound Technical Skills Center
receives top EnviroStar rating |
| The West Sound Technical Skills Center’s Automotive Technology Program has earned the top EnviroStars rating – five stars – for its pollution prevention efforts and innovative automotive repair education program... (Full Article) |
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New owners, new name at Harley dealership |
| Legend Harley-Davidson is the name new owner Dale Bone has chosen for what’s been known as Destination Harley Davidson in Silverdale since it opened almost 10 years ago... (Full Article) |
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Kerkes named Employee of the Quarter |
| Lana Kerkes has been named as Kitsap Bank’s Employee of the Quarter for Q4, 2005... (Full Article) |
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Art Anderson expands its corporate vision |
| Art Anderson Associates announced the addition of Doron Zilbershtein to the position of chief visionary officer. In addition to taking on the traditional responsibilities of a chief operating officer, Zilbershtein will be leading strategic initiatives to better align the company with new challenges and opportunities as it expands on its fifty-year tradition of delivering excellence through engineering... (Full Article) |
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Steelhead Productions introduces
“Turnkey Options” at guaranteed prices |
| Poulsbo-based Steelhead Productions, a provider of high-quality trade show exhibits and turnkey trade show services, introduced its Turnkey Options service at Exhibitor2006 in Las Vegas... (Full Article) |
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Tacoma Mall to get “Extreme Makeover” |
| Tacoma Mall, which was originally built in 1966, will soon be getting a major facelift. The work will be done in two phases and take most of the next three years... (Full Article) |
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Practical Applications Music Studios open |
| Bub Pratt has opened Practical Applications Music Studios, which provides music lessons for all levels, styles and instruments, including voice, in the student’s home within Kitsap County.
Pratt is a former student of the Olympic College jazz program and plays in venues throughout Western Washington.
For information, call (360) 471-6570 or email bubpratt@yahoo.com.
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Transcription service opens |
| Sidney Carol Noel is now offering transcription services in Bremerton, including word processing, typing, dictaphone, transcription, and medical transcription. She uses MS word, Word Perfect, Access, Power Point, Lotus123, and Excel and offers reasonable rates, fast turn-around, and delivery services.
For more information contact Noel at (360) 373-4248.
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Energy tech companies get new
regional source of seed capital |
| Early-stage companies working on energy-related technologies may soon experience a surge of seed funding from a new industry-focused angel group. Northwest Energy Angel Group, a regional angel investor group, is aiming to provide the financial fuel to get these new power ventures up and running. The group currently has 15 active members, with plans to grow that to 20 by June.
Entrepreneurs or energy businesses interested in being considered by the group for investment should contact Nate Silverman, (206) 616-7153 or visit www.nwetc.com.
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Gig Harbor Farmers Market opens |
| Gig Harbor Farmers Market opened this year on Apr. 1 and continues each Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Sept. 30. The market is located at Stroh’s Gig Harbor Field, just off Hwy 16 in Gig Harbor.
The market offers handcrafted soaps, skeins of hand-carded angora and wool, beaded jewelry, pottery, local honey and cut flowers, as well as live entertainment of folk, pop, rock, and country music.
For more information about the Farmers Market events and activities visit www.gigharborfarmersmarket.com.
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Landscape company continues to grow |
| Jobrina’s Hydroseeding, formerly located in Port Orchard, has expanded and relocated to Bremerton to better serve the entire Kitsap Peninsula. The company specializes in lawn installations, but has added irrigation and rock walls to the services offered. Reach Jobrina’s Hydroseeding at (360) 479-4253, visit www.kitsaphydroseed.com. |
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Hitchman earns real estate license |
| Moira Hitchman, of the Carver Real Estate Group, Inc., in Silverdale, recently completed extensive in-office training as well as web-based training and received her Washington State real estate license.
Hitchman works with the deaf and hard-of-hearing, and has worked as a tutor to deaf students at both the elementary school level and as a paraprofessional educator with deaf and hard of hearing students at the high school level.
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Loan joins First American Title in Port Orchard |
| First American Title announced the addition of Elaine Loan to its escrow operation. Loan has over 33 years of experience in Kitsap County and will work out of First American’s Port Orchard office at 2475 Bethel Road. |
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Realty Station agents attend IBA conference |
| Realtors from Realty Station in Bremerton recently attended the Independent Brokers Association annual conference in Seattle. Janice Beam, Renee’ Chester, Marlene Scheffer and Terry Wimmer attended the symposium. Educational seminars included legal updates, property inspections, and business planning.
Realty Station can be reached at (360) 377-5699.
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Clear Creek Nursery launches new Web site |
| Recently, Clear Creek Nursery, Inc. launched a new website with updated photos, class schedules and information. Clear Creek’s goal is for more people to use the website as a resource and become familiar with the many aspects of the company.
Users are able to ask questions on the “ask the experts” page, register for the Greenback Rewards Club, learn about landscape architecture and read employee bios. Also, with the nursery’s all-new construction and the change of the seasons, the website can be updated with new photos regularly and will have updates on the expansion process.
Visit Clear Creek Nursery, Inc. on the web at www.clearcreeknursery.net.
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Island wildlife shelter changing name |
| The Island Wildlife Shelter is changing its name. It will now be called the West Sound Wildlife Shelter. The shelter has been helping animals in its current location since 1999. Each year the number of animals it helps grows. In 2005 alone, it provided assistance to 577 animals.
The West Sound Wildlife Shelter can be reached by calling (206) 855-9057 or for more information check the website at www.westsoundwildlife.org.
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Kitsap Bank employee celebrates milestone |
| Kitsap Bank has announced the milestone anniversary of long-time employee, Joyce Taylor. Taylor, who serves as senior vice president and manager at Kitsap Bank’s Mortgage office in Gig Harbor, just celebrated 20 years with the bank. |
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Roadrunner changes name
to “A Good Map Company” |
| Roadrunner Maps has been serving Western Washington and the Puget Sound area since 1986, and has recently changed their name to “A Good Map Company, Inc.” Along with a change in name, the web address has been updated to www.agoodmapcompany.com. |
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Wild Horse BBQ opens in Poulsbo |
| The Wild Horse BBQ was recently opened in the Poulsbo Village Shopping Center by owners Stephanie and Kevin Ryan and Carol Tong.
The restaurant features chicken, ribs, pulled pork, and sandwiches. It also offers bourbon pecan pie, tart cherry pie, and chocolate brownies. Beer and wine are also available.
The Wild Horse BBQ has a western flare with barn wood, western art, some of Stephanie Ryan’s barrel racing history, as well as unique black and white photos of rodeo rough stock. The eatery is open Mon. through Sat. from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Catering is available for lunches and dinners, call the restaurant at (360) 697-1459.
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Miller named Small Business Leader of the Year |
| Michael L. Miller, president of Rice Fergus Miller Architecture and Planning in Bremerton, has been named Small Business Leader of the Year by the Milgard School of Business at the University of Washington. This honor is awarded annually to local leaders who exemplify outstanding business achievement in the South Sound region.
The Fifth Annual Business Leadership Awards gala dinner will be held on Apr. 5 at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center. Tickets for the awards dinner are $125.
For more information or to register, contact the Milgard School of Business at (253) 692-5630 or go to www.tacoma.washington.edu/business.
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Bank of America recognizes Reynolds |
| Once again, Bank of America has named Jeff Reynolds as one of the top business bankers in the Northwest. Reynolds, a senior vice president with the company has been with the bank for 26 years and works with businesses throughout Kitsap, Jefferson and Clallam Counties. |
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Two Daigle Design projects win honors |
| The judges of American Corporate Identity 2007 have selected two projects by Daigle Design for recognition, including a logo design for Vineyard Lane and a stationery design for Calico Cat. Reach Daigle Design at (206) 842-5356. |
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The Dashing Concierge open in Bremerton |
| Kerri Dashkovitz has opened The Dashing Concierge in Bremerton, a new concierge business that offers a variety of services to those who are too busy to complete their every day errands. This includes everyone from the busy professional, to the hectic housewife, to the elderly.
Among some of the services are; Costco shopping, grocery shopping, picking up prescriptions, or finishing those last minute errands before leaving on vacation.
The Dashing Concierge can be reached at (360) 536-5678 or thedashingconcierge@comcast.net.
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Quickly verify I-9 status after hiring |
| The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Basic Pilot program to check I-9 information – part of the SAVE (Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements) plan – has been expanded from six to all 50 states.
All employers are now eligible. It allows participants to electronically (through the web) verify the work authorization of all newly-hired employees, using databases of the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration.
Employer participation is voluntary and free, but registration with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is required. A memorandum of understanding must also be signed, agreeing to use the system only as it was intended.
For more information, call (888) 464-4218 or visit: http://uscis.gov.
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Kitsap Bank honored for Eagle Scout support |
| For over thirty years Kitsap Bank has honored each Boy Scout achieving the Eagle rank in Kitsap County by presenting a commemorative item at their Court of Honor. Those achieving the coveted rank of Eagle Scout in Kitsap County receive an Eagle Scout ring paperweight from the bank.
In recognition of the bank’s long-term support, the Boy Scouts of Kitsap County presented Kitsap Bank President and CEO, James Carmichael, with a plaque at its annual Kitsap Friends of Scouting Leadership Breakfast on Feb. 15. Accepting the honor on behalf oof the bank, President and CEO Jim Carmichael said, “Kitsap Bank considers it our honor to be able to recognize those individuals who have attained the rank of Eagle Scout.”
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Host families needed for
summer exchange students |
| Lions Clubs International is currently looking for host families for its summer 2006 Youth Exchange. Hosting periods are two to three weeks long, and occur at various times from late June to mid-Aug. There are four young people coming from Japan as well as several from Norway, Belgium, Italy and Finland.
For more information on hosting, visit www.lionsyouthexchange.org or contact George Robison via email at georgerobison@centurytel.net.
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Spur Me On opens for business in Silverdale |
| Spur Me On, located at 2839 Kitsap Place NW, Suite B in Silverdale is a new resale consignment horse tack and show clothes store offering new and used items for the equestrian.
For more information contact Rose Mumford at (360) 692-1420.
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New local video and Web design firm opens |
| A Video Presence.com is a new video production and web design company. Owner Dave McKnew has been creating videos since 1993 and designing web pages since 1995.
The firm likes to focus on videos such as “how to,” presentations, videos for web streaming, DVD and CD business cards and commercials.
Visit www.avideopresence.com or call (360) 731-3725 for more information.
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Amy’s Decadent Chocolates now open |
| Amy’s Decadent Chocolates has opened a shop at Sixth Street and Wycoff Ave. in West Bremerton. The shop offers handcrafted chocolates in a variety of flavors including dipped strawberries, gourmet caramel apples, espresso, ice cream, and specialty cookies. It also offers gift baskets which can be shipped anywhere.
Reach Amy’s at (360) 377-2252 or visit www.amysdecadentchocolates.com.
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Los Cabos to open in historic Silverdale location |
| A new Los Cabos restaurant is on its way to Silverdale — and will be located in the former Elsie’s restaurant on Silverdale Way. Los Cabos has five other locations, including in Poulsbo, Bremerton and Port Orchard, owned and operated by five members of the same family.
“We have a lot of business from Silverdale customers,” owner Roberto Soltero, who is the general manager for all the restaurants, said about the decision to expand to Silverdale. He believes the new location will not negatively impact the other Kitsap restaurants because of their growing customer base.
The building, which the family is leasing, has been undergoing major remodeling in the last six months. The family has operated the Kitsap restaurants for about eight years. Soltero said the Silverdale diner, which will seat 140 people and will include a small bar, will provide the same family atmosphere and cooking from scratch as the other locations.
The restaurant is slated to open the first week of April.
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Silverdale Chamber sets home-based
business expo |
| The Silverdale Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual Home Based Business Expo at Kitsap Mall on April 22. Applications are now being accepted.
Applications are available online at www.silverdalechamber.com. For more information contact Darla Murker at the Chamber office at (360) 692-6800 or communications@silverdalechamber.com.
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Mason EDC gives recognizes PUD |
| The Economic Development Council of Mason County has bestowed its 2005 Staff Excellence Award upon Mason County Public Utilities District #3, in recognition of its outstanding work in economic development. PUD #3 supports the EDC in a number of ways including marketing; national training and lead generation; investing in infrastructure including fiber optics; staff support; and site selection assistance. |
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Quicksilver hydroplane festival names
beneficiary, marketing partners |
| The ‘quicksilver’ hydroplane festival has announced the addition of two partners.
Toys for Tots, Olympic Peninsula detachment of the Marine Corps League will be the designated beneficiary of 100 percent of the funds raised through pit tours at the event.
The Silverdale Chamber also recently secured the services of Muncey Marketing to assist with sponsor acquisition in connection with ‘quicksilver.’ Muncey Marketing is owned and operated by the Muncey family, a name synonymous with marine motorsports for over 50 years.
At the end of the 2005 season, the Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing Association (ULHRA) named ‘quicksilver’ the race site of the year. The ULHRA currently race a 9-race series and will make their stop in Silverdale this year Aug. 18, 19, and 20.
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McCabe awarded professional designation |
| A Kitchen That Works founder Molly McCabe was recently awarded the designation of Associate Kitchen and Bath designer by the National Kitchen & Bath Association. The certification is granted to those who successfully complete a multi-part exam, have four or more years of industry experience and have completed over 30 hours of instruction.
McCabe can be reached at (206) 780-1906 or molly@akitchenthatworks.com.
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State disability committee seeks new members |
| Applications are being accepted from Washington State residents who are interested in serving on the governor’s committee on disability issues and employment.
To be considered for an appointment with the committee, citizens must be a person with a disability, have a family member with a disability, be an advocate for people with disabilities, or be an employee or volunteer of another disability organization. Volunteers who are appointed will serve terms of one to three years.
The application is available in alternate formats of large print and Braille or by e-mail request and are due by July 31, new members will be appointed by the governor in December.
For more information or to receive an application, contact Debbie Himes at (360) 438-3246 or (360) 438-3167 TTY, or by e-mail at dhimes2@esd.wa.gov.
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New mobile shredding service open
in Kitsap County |
| AllShred, sponsored by Peninsula Services, a United Way non-profit group that assists developmentally disabled adults gain meaningful employment, began service on Mar. 7.
AllShred offers two services: AllShred employees pick up the documents or other materials that need to be shredded, and transport them to the company’s security facility to be destroyed. The second service has employees bring a truck with an industrial shredder mounted on it to the business location, and shred the documents on-site, ensuring a complete and witnessed destruction.
AllShred can be reached at (360) 731-6695.
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Magnolia Spice and Tea opens second store |
| Magnolia Spice and Tea now has two locations – East Bremerton on Fairgrounds Road and the new store located at 2600 NW Randall Way, Suite #119 in Silverdale. The shops feature over 100 types of loose teas and a wide variety of bulk spices. Also featured are Market Spice, Numi, Republic of Tea, Metropolitan, and Harney & Sons boxed tea bags and many British varieties. Both stores are open Mondays 2 – 5 p.m. and Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Teapots, infusers and gift baskets are also available.
For more information contact the East Bremerton store at (360) 692-1160 or the Silverdale store at (360) 698-8327.
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Benefit concert for Helpline House
set for April 22 |
| Concerts West One (CWO) Productions presents Diane Zeigler and Friends in concert at The Playhouse, 200 Madison Avenue North, on Bainbridge Island, Saturday, Apr. 22, at 8 p.m. All proceeds benefit Helpline House.
Tickets are $10 for students and $20 for adults, and are available at The Glass Onion Music and The Pizza Factory on Bainbridge Island.
Visit Zeigler’s web site at www.dianezeigler.com. For additional questions and information, contact CWO Productions at (206) 842-0282.
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Bonjour Belyear’s Latte opens
at Hank’s Grocery |
| Bonjour Belyear’s Latte is now open at Hank’s Grocery, 3629 Chico Way in Bremerton. Regular hours are 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Bonjour Belyear’s Latte can be reached at (360) 621-4806.
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Pat’s Cookie Jar celebrates 25 years |
| On April 15 Pat’s Cookie Jar Restaurant and Bakery, located at 3561 Wheaton Way in Bremerton, will celebrate its 25th anniversary. Festivities start with a week long celebration beginning April 10, serving free cake and cookies everyday. On Wed. April 12, the restaurant will be serving from its original menu of 1981. |
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Mabbitt joins Wave Broadband |
| Wave Media, a division of Wave Broadband of Kirkland recently announced the addition of Marianne Mabbitt to the cable TV advertising department as account executive. Working out of the Port Orchard and Port Angeles offices, she will market commercial air time to businesses and organizations on these as well as other Wave Broadband systems. Wave currently inserts local commercials on 20 cable networks and plans to expand that number in the second quarter.
Mabbitt is well known in local cable circles, and brings extensive local marketing experience to the position, including the initiation of the first local cable TV ads aired in Kitsap and Clallam counties in l986.
Reach her at (360) 876-1188, or mmabbitt@wavebroadband.com.
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