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COVER STORY
Boys and Girls Club kicks off in Bremerton
Business community opens its wallet. Jerry and Nancy Reid,
and their firm, Reid Real Estate, jump starts fundraising
with $100,000 donation
By Rodika Tollefson |
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A brand new Boys and Girls Club in West Bremerton is off to a good start, thanks to Kitsap area businesses and individuals who helped raise operating funds at a kick-off dinner held on April 15, at the Admiral Theater. The event was a virtual “Who’s Who” of Kitsap County. Keynote speaker, Bremerton Mayor Cary Bozeman, shared his personal experiences as a Boys and Girls Club member growing up, as well as some from his career as an executive director of the organization in King County.
The club, which is set to open later this year at the Naval Avenue Elementary School, has been in the planning stage for about three years, with the first step resulting in a new organization — the Boys and Girls Club of Kitsap County. Initially, the club tried to secure a location at the fairgrounds but when that fell through, the school site became an opportunity. The school is “an ideal place,” says Jerry Reid, because it has a gymnasium, a covered play area, a huge library and is a safe and secure area. The club will utilize a portable building at the school and add another portable as soon as the funds are available... (Full Article)
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Setting the Table for Economic Development
By David R. Porter, Executive Director
Kitsap Economic Development Council (KEDC) |
| There is a running joke among economic development professionals that we “shoot at everything that flies overhead and take credit for anything that falls to the ground.” I believe that we should only take credit where there is a record of engagement with a prospect or client... (Full Article) |
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WSTPA as a force multiplier
By Doña Keating
WSTPA President |
| West Sound Technology Professionals Association (WSTPA) entered its sixth year of operation in 2006. True to form, we reach out to our member and constituent base – which continues to grow – in an effort to better understand if we’re on the right track, and how we can successfully address the needs and interests of not only technology professionals but the community-at-large, as it impacts all users of the tool... (Full Article) |
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Kitsap Business Assistance Center:
Helping businesses succeed
By Wendy Miles |
| The Kitsap Business Assistance Center (KBAC) — a service to help businesses become successful — celebrated its Grand Opening in January 2005 with a keynote address from Congressman Norm Dicks... (Full Article) |
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State Supreme Court to review lawsuit
aimed at silencing talk radio hosts |
| In the lead up to last November’s election, a Washington trial court ordered Yes912.com, the campaign sponsoring the I-912 initiative to repeal the 2005 gas tax increase, to report favorable discussions of the initiative on two talk radio shows as financial contributions subject to regulation under Washington’s campaign finance laws... (Full Article) |
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Act Two for Simple Act Computers
New space, new employee, renewed dedication to customer service
By Maura Hallam Sweley |
| Ben Thomas started Simple Act Computers six years ago as a one-man show. At the time the company focused mainly on support with a retail element, including online sales through the company’s web site. For the first few years Thomas ran the company from the kitchens, living rooms and garages of the homes where he lived — not an ideal working space when you’re trying to configure multiple computers for a business client... (Full Article) |
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Goodbye Mervyns, hello Kohl’s
Kohl’s pays $14 million for Silverdale Mervyn’s building
By Maura Hallam Sweley |
| Kitsap Mall officials can’t talk about it and Kohl’s won’t talk about it. But documents filed with the county show that on March 31 Kohl’s Department Store, Inc., purchased the Mervyns building at the Kitsap Mall in Silverdale from MDS Realty II LLC for $14 million... (Full Article) |
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Environmental
Kitsap Trees & Shoreline Association (KiTSA)
Incorporated on Earth Day 2006 |
| From seas to trees, the KiTSA non-profit organization will promote environmental education advocacy and action. Borne from three groups that have been working collectively in the watershed for over 16 years, the group chose Earth Day, April 22, 2006 to make the organization official... (Full Article) |
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2006 Kitsap Small Business Conference
How to Succeed in Business was a Success!
By Jane Lindley |
| If the Kitsap County Community Development Corporation (KCCDC) hadn’t put fliers out at WSTPA’s monthly meeting, I might have missed a jewel of a conference. Imagine this, you’re a small business owner looking for financing only to be asked by Joan Broughton of Evergreen Community Development to explain why to representatives of Washington Mutual, KCCDC, and Community Capital Development... (Full Article) |
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Environmental
The Pacific Northwest Salmon Center vying for IAC grants to expand vision
Every creature is better alive than dead, men and moose and pine trees,
and he who understands it aright will rather preserve its life than destroy it.
~Henry David Thoreau, “Chesuncook,” The Maine Woods, 1848
By Kathleen Byrne-Barrantes |
| The Pacific Northwest Salmon Center (PNWSC) vision was created by a motivated public dedicated to protecting the Wild Salmon as essential to the environment and culture of the Pacific Northwest... (Full Article) |
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Port Orchard Rotary raises $21,750
in honor of Frank Haberlach |
| During Port Orchard Rotary’s 49th Annual Crab Feed and Auction, the club’s premier annual fundraiser, a separate 10-minute fundraiser was held in honor of Rotarian Frank Haberlach, who passed away earlier this year... (Full Article) |
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Hearing less often means earning less |
| Have you heard? New research indicates that there may be a relationship between your hearing and your income. A new survey by the Better Hearing Institute shows that working Americans who ignore their hearing problems are losing at least $100 billion a year in earnings... (Full Article) |
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Lasik practice opens in Gig Harbor
By Rodika Tollefson |
| A new practice recently opened in Gig Harbor offers a full array of Lasik services as well as eye exams. Harbor Lasik Center, located at 7901 Skansie Avenue, is a partnership of four physicians and two center directors... (Full Article) |
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Environmental
Watson Funiture wins federal
GSA Evergreen Award
EnviroStar honored nationally for environmentally-friendly practices |
| The Kitsap County Chapter of the Puget Sound regional EnviroStars program proudly announced that Poulsbo-based Watson Furniture Group, a 5-Star EnviroStar rated business, was recently honored by the General Services Administration (GSA) with an Evergreen Award for “exemplary environmental practices” related to recycling, affirmative procurement and waste reduction... (Full Article) |
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McMahan confirms bid for Senate |
| Recently, Lois McMahan (R) confirmed she will be running for the State Senate seat for the 26th District declared vacant at the end of the legislative session by the retiring Senator Oke... (Full Article) |
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Court makes transcript of ruling in
I-601 lawsuit available to the public |
| Although Gov. Chris Gregoire stated that the government would appeal Snohomish County Court Judge James Allendoerfer’s ruling which invalidated several new taxes, as of April 4, the Attorney General’s office had not signed a proposed order that would enable such an appeal to go forward... (Full Article) |
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Mauren out as County Facilities,
Parks and Recreation Director |
| Mark Mauren recently stepped down as down as director of Kitsap County’s Department of Facilities, Parks and Recreation, amid some quiet controversy. The question is, did he jump or was he pushed... (Full Article) |
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GSA may propose policies to
allow billions to go to large firms |
| Small business owners across the country have begun to voice their concerns that the General Services Administration (GSA) is about to propose policies which would allow billions of dollars in small business contracts to be diverted to large firms... (Full Article) |
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KEDC board endorses SEED project |
| The Board of Directors of the Kitsap Economic Development Council (KEDC) recently passed a resolution in support of the Port of Bremerton’s Kitsap SEED Project, following a presentation by members of the project management team. The endorsement will facilitate the continued involvement of KEDC staff... (Full Article) |
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Bilski joins CFA |
| Jeff Bilski recently joined CFA Northwest Mortgage Professionals as Vice President of Lending. He has more than 18 years of experience in the financial services industry. He will work out of the Bainbridge Island office, providing a variety of mortgage lending services to his customers... (Full Article) |
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NKBA to hold introductory
membership meeting |
| The newly-formed Olympia-West Sound chapter of the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) will be holding an introductory meeting on May 18, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. The event will take place at Contract Sales in Silverdale, which is located next to Frontier Bank on Silverdale Way... (Full Article) |
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Local boutique first to carry CHANEL line |
| Adam & Eve Clothing Company, located on Winslow Way in downtown Bainbridge Island has been selected to be the first independent boutique to carry the CHANEL skincare, cosmetics, and fragrance lines.
Owner, Robin Callahan, said the store underwent a strict review process by CHANEL, and was selected based on its commitment to having certified estheticians who will be specially trained.
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Local online lingerie retailer
adds Canadian fashion line |
| Silverdale’s Elegantunderwear.com will now carry the Vancouver BC-based underwear line called Smart Ass™ which displays a message on the backside.
Women who have had their thongs viewed when they bend over will soon be flaunting messages to those wandering eyes. Smart Ass™ thongs — the creation of Vancouverites, Alix Cameron and Cindy Ball — carry a pithy message on the back waist band to be seen by onlookers. The thongs have been the recent rave of both Canadian and the American fashion magazines, as cutting edge and innovative style. The firm is currently the only online retailer in Washington state to carry the Smart Ass™ line of women’s thongs.
For more information about elegantunderwear.com, contact Rolly Rollison at (360) 447-8331 or rolly@elegantunderwear.com.
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Robert’s Clip Joint adds new stylist, new hours |
| Julie Stark has joined Robert’s Clip Joint, as a stylist. She has been doing hair for the past 10 years while continuing her education. With the addition of Stark, the shop has also changed its hours; it is now open Mon. – Fri. from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sat. from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sun. from 12 to 5 p.m. |
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Heidi Miles joins West Sound Workforce |
| West Sound Workforce has hired Heidi Miles as its new client relations representative. Miles has nearly 20 years experience in advertising sales, marketing, event management and human resources.
Her background includes work for a local plumbing supplier and for Alaska business publications. In her new role at West Sound Workforce, Miles will be responsible for working with local Kitsap County businesses to help fill their temporary and permanent staffing needs. She can be reached at (360) 394-1882.
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PSNS and IMF honored as OSHA Star |
| On April 12, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) presented the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (PSNS) and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (IMF) with its highest level of recognition for safety and health excellence. OSHA recognized PSNS and IMF for many practices such as the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) for employees, its Fall Protection Program, and the increased frequency of formal safety inspections. |
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West Sound Technical Skills Center
earns 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.
In addition to recycling automotive wastes, the entire Skills Center campus has a comprehensive recycling program for office paper, aluminum, glass, plastics, packaging materials, and rechargeable batteries.
The Automotive Technology Program also incorporates environmental stewardship into its curriculum. The shop operations class includes training on spill response, waste management, and pollution prevention, and students are required to know how to interpret a Material Safety Data Sheet for all hazardous products they use.
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OC seeking volunteers from
business, professions |
| Olympic College is seeking community participation on advisory committees in the following professional-technical programs: Business Management, Electronics, Integrated Multimedia, Technical Design, and Welding. Advisory committees are made up primarily of private sector members who volunteer their time, talent and knowledge to help plan and strengthen education programs within their area of expertise.
Committees meet quarterly (approximately 2 hours each meeting) throughout the school year. Term of service is 1-3 years.
From information, or to volunteer, contact Sharon James, Advisory Committee Program Coordinator, at 475-7559, or sjames@oc.ctc.edu.
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Team Women announces Gig Harbor chapter |
| Karyn Fagan, the founder of Team Women, has announced the addition of a new chapter located in Gig Harbor. It provides professional business women with a chance to build business and increase sales through face-to-face networking. Meetings are held every two weeks.
For information about the Gig Harbor chapter, contact Judi Finneran at (760) 639-2823 or judi@teamwomen.com.
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Quicksilver’ event building momentum
More sponsors sign on |
| The Quicksilver hydroplane races and water sports festival that will be held Aug. 19 – 20 on Dyes Inlet, recently named three community partners.
Dominos has been named the official ‘Quicksilver’ pizza, while Countrywide Home Loans, Inc. and Waste Management will be supporting the event in other ways, including providing the dumpsters needed to ensure the park and beach remains clean.
For more information visit www.quicksilverhydroraces.com.
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Cosmo’s announces special brunch menu |
| Cosmo’s Ristorante & Delicatessen in Port Orchard is gearing up for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day with special brunch menus as well as dinner specials to celebrate the occasion.
The menu will be filled with tantalizing delights such as Eggs Sardou, poached eggs atop steamed and marinated artichoke hearts and covered with spinach-hollandaise sauce. Many of the items will be accompanied by Prosecco, the Italian version of Champagne, and special drinks from the full spirits bar will also be on the menu.
Brunch hours on Mother’s Day (Sunday, May 14) and Father’s Day (Sunday, June 18) will be 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. with dinner hours beginning at 4 p.m. and continuing until 8:30 p.m. Reservations can be made for parties of eight or more.
For more information or reservations, call Cosmo’s at (360) 895-3138.
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Checkered Flag Club elects board of directors |
| The Checkered Flag Club, the business group supporting the location of a NASCAR track in Kitsap County, recently elected its board of directors. The board of directors includes: Rick Flaherty, co-chair; Dick Davis, co-chair; Pete Crane, president; Dee Coppola, vice-chair; Stacey Tucker, executive vice president; Roger Nance, vice president; Mike Brown, vice president; Van Vlist, vice president; Virgil Hamilton, vice president; Jack Johnson, vice president; Richard O’Neill, treasurer and Ron Perkowicz, secretary.
For more information about the Checkered Flag Club visit www.wewantracing.com, or call (360) 917-0128.
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Granato retires from Silverdale Chamber |
| Silverdale Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sam Granato officially retired as of April 21, just a few days before his 70th birthday. Granato, former mayor of Bainbridge Island and owner of the Lynnwood Theater, has been the Director since December 2005.
“The past five and one-half years have been fun and fruitful,” he stated. “I shall miss Silverdale and the wonderful people who have so generously given of their time and resources to advance the interests of their community and who have made my job so much easier.”
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Local business group installs new officers |
| The Olympic Business Exchange, local chapter of BNI (Business Network Int’l), announces new leadership team for the coming year: Dr. Michael Wagner, president; Jon Byrd, vice president; and Christa Elin, secretary/treasurer. Additional team members include: Jolie Brown, Peter Demerick, Adam Derr, Leslie Dullum-Tutterow, Kathleen Haag, Dagmar Lacy, and Jack Radner.
For more information call Wagner, (360) 692-3800 or visit Olympic Business Exchange Thursdays, 7:30 a.m. at Silver City Brewery and Restaurant in Silverdale.
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Hennessy joins local United Way staff |
| Patricia M. Hennessy has been hired as the director of resource development for United Way of Kitsap County. She has been working in the non-profit sector for over 10 years and has been involved with a number of program and organizational development projects, mostly in health care. Her position with United Way will involve grant writing, fund development, marketing initiatives and media relations. |
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Pheasant Fields Farm launches CSA program |
| Pheasant Fields Farm announced recently that applications are being taken for the farm’s Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. This program provides families and organizations an opportunity to purchase a “share” of the farm’s annual production. The CSA program offers 26 weeks of produce shares beginning with the first week of May through the end of October. Additional items are available to add to the weekly share including flowers, eggs, and fresh poultry.
For more information call (360) 697-6224, email pheasantfields@yahoo.com, or visit www.pheasantfields.com.
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Ryan Resources plans expansion |
| Ryan Resources, Inc. has closed on new property, consisting of four different parcels (totaling 2.7 acres), between Ramsey Rd and Gieger Rd on the north side of Sedgwick Road in Port Orchard. The firm is planning new facilities for itself and intends to develop the property for multi-commercial.
Ryan Resources, Inc. can be reached at (360) 876-9300.
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Long lauded by Bremerton
Symphony Association board |
| Past President Tom Long was recently honored by the Bremerton Symphony Association’s Board of Directors for his service to the organization. Current President Jim Kendall cited Long’s hard work and dedication to the Symphony in developing a core of dedicated concert sponsors and corporate donors, the board presented Long with a gift.
Long, who was President of the Bremerton Symphony Association for the 2004-2005 season, recently returned to work in Bremerton. His support and efforts on behalf of the Symphony have continued to improve the stability of the Symphony’s development cycle.
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Area copywriter selected for
several annual reports |
| Bainbridge Island-based copywriter Jeff Fraga has been selected to write a number of 2005 annual reports for companies in a variety of industries headquartered throughout the country.
Fraga recently completed work on the annual report for Bellevue-based Esterline, Inc. He will also be writing annual reports for other local companies, including Emeritus, Inc., as well as for New Jersey-based Maidenform, Inc. and Atlanta-based AFC Enterprises.
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KITCO Delivery gets new owner,
buys Hare Express |
| Bruce Candioto recently bought KITCO, a 12 year-old courier service supporting local businesses, from Barry Bialik and has expanded the firm’s service to include Mason and Jefferson counties.
Also, Hare Express, a Realtor-to-Realtor advertising business, has been sold by Good News Communications to KITCO Delivery Service.
For more information call (360) 895-0136 or visit www.kitcodelivery.com.
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Auditions for Bremerton Symphony
Youth Orchestra set |
| Friday, May 12 and Sat., May 13, by appointment, at Olympic College, any student musician who has had at least one year of experience on an orchestral instrument is welcome to audition for the Bremerton Symphony Youth Orchestra. Woodwind and brass players younger than the 7th grade should have at least two years of experience on their instrument. Auditions are heard by members of the BSA artistic staff. All qualified students will be offered placement in the orchestra, based on skill and experience as demonstrated in the audition. Call the Bremerton Symphony office for more information or to schedule an audition time: (360) 373-1722. |
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Melanoma golf fundraiser
celebrates 5th anniversary |
| May is Melanoma Awareness Month and the 5th anniversary of the Randy G. Johnson Melanoma Foundation. “Rock On” is the theme for the annual golf tournament and is now taking registrations. The tournament will be May 13 at McCormick Woods.
To register, or for more information, visit www.rgjohnsongolfmem.golfreg.com or call (360) 895-1708.
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Olympic Surgical opens new clinic in Gig Harbor |
| Olympic Surgical Associates, now located at Harrison’s South Kitsap medical complex in Port Orchard, recently opened a new branch located at 2727 Hollycroft St. Ste 470 in Gig Harbor.
For more information call (360) 895-0588 or visit www.olympicsurgical.com.
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Custom garment printing company
opens in Kitsap |
| Ink-A-Bles, using a T-Jet2 garment inkjet printer can do custom t-shirts and other clothing in small quantities without the additional set-up charges needed for silkscreen. The T-Jet2 is also unique in that it can print white ink on darker garments without the “painted on” feel of traditional screen printing.
Using sublimation printing, Ink-A-Bles can do a wide variety of custom novelty and specialty items such as mugs, jewelry, name badges, car flags, tote bags and others.
Visit www.Ink-A-Bles.com or call (360) 930-0013 for more information.
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KCDEM has updated its Web site |
| Kitsap County Department of Emergency Management (KCDEM) recently updated and reformatted its Web site. The focus of the site is preparing residents of Kitsap County for an emergency. The site has a library, quick links, and will be updated daily with news, alerts, and special features and will act as a centralized online disaster preparedness information center.
For more information, visit www.kitsapdem.org.
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Gig Harbor firm partners with Verizon
on Texas deal |
| Gig Harbor information services firm Posdata has partnered with Verizon Business to provide repair, refurbishment and distribution services for Verizon Business Systems in support of the State of Texas Department of Fish and Wildlife Hunting and Fishing License Sales System. Under the agreement, point of sale devices and license printers will be repaired and refurbished at the company’s Kentucky facility.
Verizon Business’s agreement with Posdata runs through August 2008. Gig Harbor-based Posdata offers complete solutions, including systems consulting, application design, installation and testing, training and maintenance services
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Studio Experience taps Jarvis, will sell direct |
| Studio Experience announced recently that they will begin selling their branded line directly to authorized dealers who focus on custom installations. To oversee this new strategy, Dave Jarvis has been brought on board to serve as director of business development.
For more information on Studio Experience visit www.studioexperience.com or call (800) 667-6147.
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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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Department of Revenue offers
free business tax workshop |
| The Bremerton office of the Washington State Department of Revenue is hosting a free business outreach workshop to help new and small business owners understand their tax reporting responsibilities. The workshop will take place on Wed. May 3 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Sheridan Park Community Center, rooms B and C, located at 680 Lebo Boulevard in Bremerton.
For more information or to register visit www.dor.wa.gov or call (360) 478-4964.
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Potting Sisters return to Clear Creek Nursery |
| The Potting Sisters, Karen Brown and Janice Adams, will be returning to Clear Creek Nursery on Sun., June 25 from 10 a.m. to noon and Saturday, Aug. 19 from 10 a.m.
They will give a brief explanation of container planting, including tricks about drainage, to having color all year long. In a step-by-step class, The Potting Sisters will help pick out personal plants and different materials; and help the attendees put the plants into a container.
For more information or to register, call (360) 308-8210. The cost is $10, which includes a coupon, plus class materials.
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Consultyou.net completes Web site |
| Consultyou.net, a Bainbridge Island Web site design company has completed work on a Web site for the Pacific Regional Council of Carpenters.
The firm specializes in media sites utilizing Podcasting, Blogs, RSS News Feeds, and audio/video content. Some works in progress include Emerald BioSystems on Bainbridge Island, two sports medicine Web sites for Los Angeles doctor Scott Powell and Stetson Powell Group in Los Angeles.
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Local doctor retires |
| Recently, William E. Underdown, M.D. announced his retirement from the private practice of medicine effective May 31. Dr. Underdown has served as a family practice physician in Bremerton for nearly twenty one years. Among other activities, he served as the medical director of Hospice and was a past president of Kitsap County Medical Society.
Underdown is currently the medical director of the Kitsap Recovery Center, and will continue in that capacity after retirement. He would like to express his gratitude to his staff, patients and medical colleagues for a rewarding career.
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Consignment boutique opens in Bremerton |
| Bella Luna Consignment Boutique recently opened at 600 Veneta Ave. in Bremerton. The shop carries women’s and children’s used clothing, new toys, wooden puzzles, See Kai Run baby shoes and Imp Wear (handmade fleece jackets and hats).
Bella Luna can be reached at (360) 479-5119.
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