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COVER STORY
The big speakers are coming down...
By Maura Hallam Sweley |
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Those of you who used the enormous speakers outside Silverdale’s Nuts About Hi-Fi as a landmark will have to find something else to use as a navigational aid. The high-end stereo and home theater system business, which has resided in its Silverdale Way location for the 20 years it’s been open, is moving.
“The big speakers are going to be coming down April 1,” said Nuts About Hi-Fi owner Bill Benson.
It’s a move that no one, least of all Benson, expected to happen. “This kind of popped up on us,” said Benson.
But when American Marine Bank approached Benson — who also owns the building — with an offer too good to refuse, he didn’t balk at the chance to lease the space to them. The bank plans to do a complete interior remodel, add a drive-through window and even have a gourmet coffee shop out front.
“It’s going to be gorgeous,” said Benson... (Full Article)
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Lawsuit filed to invalidate Brown’s election
Suit claims Brown lied about his residency
By Lary Coppola |
| All the questions about newly elected County Commissioner Josh Brown's qualifications to hold office may become moot if a lawsuit filed by Central Kitsap resident Robert Ross is successful. In the suit, Ross claims Brown lied about his official residency and doesn't live in the district he was elected from, nor has he ever lived in the apartment he gave as his residence... (Full Article) |
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WINNERS IN BUSINESS
Whole new way to serve ice cream
on Bainbridge
By Kevin Dwyer |
| The madness began the moment Ana Orselli and husband Jerry Perez opened their new ice cream shop last June in an alleyway location, just off Winslow Way, on Bainbridge Island... (Full Article) |
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Community Supported Agriculture:
A growing farm business model
By Rodika Tollefson |
| While many people migrate indoors during the rainy fall and winter seasons, for the local farmer, the work has only started. For farmers who run a CSA — Community Supported Agriculture — the pressure is especially on to plan for the busy season ahead... (Full Article) |
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ENVIRONMENTAL
A trip into the environmental future…
By Tori Dulemba, Execitive Director,
Pacific Northwest Salmn Center, and Kathleen Byrne-Barrantes |
| The year is 2020 and we’re spending the day at the Pacific Northwest Salmon Center in Belfair. The kids are going for a class called Finding Wetland Wildlife, and my husband and I are going to explore the new exhibits and walk the trails... (Full Article) |
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Common misconceptions about
the Better Business Bureau |
| The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is a name well-recognized by most businesses and consumers. Founded in 1912 and overseen by the Council of Better Business Bureaus, a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Washington, DC, the Better Business Bureau system is prevalent across the United States... (Full Article) |
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Random survey shows strong support
for passenger-only ferries plan
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| The Marine Transportation Association of Kitsap (MTAK) has released the results of its 800-respondent random survey conducted on the Kitsap Transit Draft Passenger-Only Ferry Investment Plan. Overall, respondents were very positive about the need for fast passenger-only ferry service between ports in Kitsap County and downtown Seattle and many recognize that local support is essential to make the service a reality... (Full Article) |
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Movement afoot to reclaim
Heronswood gardens
By Maura Hallam Sweley |
| Horticulturists and gardening enthusiasts everywhere were saddened in May when W. Atlee Burpee & Co., owner of Heronswood Nursery, abruptly closed the famous Hansville property and moved the nursery stock and business back to Burpee headquarters on the east coast. But a new organization has recently surfaced that is giving hope to Heronswood fans that the garden gates may open to the public once again... (Full Article) |
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OC receives approval for
4-year degree program |
| Olympic College (OC) received a nod from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, which approved the college’s proposal for informal candidacy at the baccalaureate level while retaining accreditation for associate degrees. The candidacy will allow Olympic College to begin reviewing student applications and formally admitting them to the Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program, which will begin in the Fall... (Full Article) |
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Bremer Trust’s 2006 OC contribution 325K |
| Bremer Trust Trustees announced that they have transmitted $325,000 to the Olympic College (OC) Board for the College’s use within the guidelines of the legal Trust agreements. The amount of the contribution this year is $25,000 larger than the 2005 transmittal... (Full Article) |
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Mor Mor Bistro hosts second annual
charity dinner and wine auction |
| Mor Mor Bistro in downtown Poulsbo recently hosted its second annual Wine Auction and Charity Dinner. The event is sponsored by Mor Mor owners John and Laura Nesby and raises money for local charities, including Relay for Life, the Kitsap Humane Society and the Poulsbo Historical Society... (Full Article) |
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Putaansuu named to fill Moore vacancy |
| Rob Putaansuu, manager of the Port Orchard branch of Columbia Bank, has been selected by the Port Orchard City Council to fill the seat left vacant by the resignation of Tye Moore on Oct. 25... (Full Article) |
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IRS ‘alerts’ the latest in phishing scams |
| As the tax-return season gets under way, taxpayers beware: Scam artists are always finding new creative ideas to dupe people, and they have found another perfect way by sending bogus emails telling the recipients they are due an IRS refund. Once people follow the link, the trick becomes pretty common — they are asked to disclose personal information that can be used for identity theft or for stealing financial assets... (Full Article) |
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Kilmer named vice chair of Senate
committees on economy, education |
| Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-Gig Harbor), elected last month to the 26th Legislative District Senate seat vacated by the retirement of Sen. Bob Oke, has been selected to serve as the vice chairman of both the Senate International Trade & Economic Development Committee and the Senate Higher Education Committee... (Full Article) |
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Local tire store owner retires,
sells stores to Les Schwab |
| As of Dec. 31, Kitsap County’s five Mansker Tire Centers were taken over by Les Schwab Tire Centers of Washington. Formerly owned by Kitsap County resident Gary Mansker, the stores were sold to Les Schwab so that Mansker could retire after five decades in the business... (Full Article) |
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WSB Financial Group, Inc.
completes initial public offering |
| WSB Financial Group, Inc., the bank holding company for Westsound Bank, announced that it has completed a public offering of 2,645,000 shares of common stock at a price of $16.50 per share, including 345,000 shares pursuant to the exercise in full of the underwriter’s over-allotment option... (Full Article) |
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Canterwood Golf hires general manager |
| Canterwood Golf and Country Club’s Board of Directors approved the hiring of Kurt Burmeister for the position of general manager. Burmeister’s experience in golf course construction projects and in membership marketing made him an attractive candidate for the position... (Full Article) |
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Business Journal seeking volunteers
for “Dress for Success” makeover |
| It may sound clichéd, but the clothes you wear do, in part, make the man (and woman), especially when it comes to professional success. Most of us know this, but many of us don’t quite know how to make that happen when it comes to our own wardrobes... (Full Article) |
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Bainbridge Island now a BizBuilder city |
| The new Bainbridge Island BizBuilders will meet every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at the Best Western on High School Rd in Winslow. For more information call Mike Davidson at (360) 710-1374 or visit www.bizbuilderswa.org. |
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McKay accredited by IIB |
| Kitsap County businessman Jim MacKay has been accredited by the Institute for Independent Business (IIB). His recent accreditation will expand access to the Institute’s network of Associates in Kitsap, Jefferson and Mason counties. Reach MacKay at (360) 895-4272 or via email at jimmackay@iib.ws. |
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YWCA lands $20,000 grant from Mary Kay |
| The YWCA of Kitsap County has received a first-time grant of $20,000 from the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation. Grant funds will be used maintaining the ALIVE Shelter facility and providing domestic violence support groups and housing advocacy.
The Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation, founded by Mary Kay Ash in 1996, began providing grants to domestic violence shelters in 2001. In 2005, the Foundation awarded $4.7 million in grants to support its causes which include breast cancer and domestic violence.
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Lantz to continue as Judiciary Chair |
| State Representative Pat Lantz was recently selected by her legislative colleagues to continue chairing the House Judiciary Committee. Lantz has headed the committee, which considers a wide variety of subjects relating to civil and criminal law including guardianships, court administration and drunk driving, since 2000. The committee also addresses family law issues such as marriage, divorce, child support and adoption. Reach Lantz at (360) 786-7964. |
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WorkSource receives a $1.2 million grant |
| WorkSource offices will soon have new computers, software and other tools available to them, due to a $1.2 million grant from the Employment Security Department. The department will distribute $100,000 grants to each of the state’s 12 workforce development councils.
The money was provided to the state through the federal Workforce Investment Act and must be used to enhance local service capacity, technology and/or facilities at local WorkSource offices.
For more information on WorkSource or to find a local office, visit www.go2worksource.com.
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New graphic design firm opens in Kitsap |
| Shiloh Schroeder recently announced that she has purchased the print and web marketing portion of Sloan Creative Group, where she worked as art and production director for the past 4 years. She will run the company as Shiloh Schroeder Design offering the same web and print marketing tools as before.
The company’s offerings include website design and development, ecommerce creation and customization, corporate identity, print media, and marketing. For more information, visit www.shilohprint.com.
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TaTu Barbecue in a new location with new hours |
| TaTu Barbecue has moved into a new building at Lemolo Market, located at 16670 Lemolo Shores Drive NE in Poulsbo. Along with the move, Tatu Barbeque has changed its hours to Wed. and Fri. from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturday from 11:30 to 6 p.m. |
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KCF announces search
for new executive director |
| Kitsap Community Foundation recently announced that the organization is seeking a new executive director. Jennifer Green has served as the organization’s executive director for the past three years and is leaving in January to return to school and pursue other interests.
The Foundation will be actively seeking and interviewing qualified candidates in January. A job description and criteria for the position is posted on the Foundation’s website.
For information about the Foundation and application guidelines visit www.kitsapfoundation.org.
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Liske now branch manager at First Federal |
| First Federal Savings & Loan Association recently announced that Kelly Liske has accepted the branch manager position at the Port Townsend branch located at 1321 Sims Way. She manages the day-to-day operations and supports the staff on delivering customer services. Liske can be reached at (360) 344-4912 or kliske@ffpa.com. |
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Mayflower recognizes Evergreen Transfer |
Mayflower Transit recently honored Evergreen Transfer & Storage, Inc., located in Port Orchard. It was honored for these achievements during 2005:
- Million Dollar Club Award, $1 million level
- IMPACT Award, recognizing agents who made a positive impact in the area of cargo claims reduction and prevention as measured by cargo claims liability percentages.
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KCF announces 2007 grant cycle |
| The Kitsap Community Foundation (KCF) recently announced that it will be accepting grant applications for its 2007 grant cycle from Jan. 1 through Feb. 15. Grants are made only to qualified non-profit organizations, including units of government and schools. Grants are not made to individuals.
Interested applicants should review the website for grant application criteria and guidelines at www.kitsapfoundation.org, or may contact the foundation at (360) 698-3622 or at kcf@kitsapfoundation.org to receive a copy. Grants range in amounts of $500 to $2500.
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SR 3 Belfair Bypass open house on Jan. 9 |
| Options for dealing with increased highway congestion in the Belfair area will be the subject of an open house scheduled for 4 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 9.
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is seeking public input as it considers potential locations for a limited-access highway that would improve traffic flow and enhance safety on State Route (SR) 3.
Presentations on potential bypass routes will be made at 4:30 and 6 p.m. at the Mary E. Theler Community Center, 22871 N.E. SR 3, in Belfair.
For more information on this project, please visit the Web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR3/BelfairBypass or e-mail Michele Britton, project engineer at brittom@wsdot.wa.gov.
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Eighth grader partners to open a restaurant
as a home school project |
| Chase Ryan and his mom opened Phatti Pita, located in Port Orchard at the Fred Meyer complex on S.E. Sedgewick, in July and haven’t looked back. “I told my mom that pita places were going to be really big and that we should have our own and it turns out I was right, there are Pita franchises selling like crazy across the country.” Chase says. “I wouldn’t have gotten this kind of education in public school, that’s for sure.” They said the internet was a great tool for them in doing research. |
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Rockefeller named to two
environmental committees |
| Sen. Phil Rockefeller was recently named vice chair for two Senate committees: Natural Resources and Water, and Energy and Environment. In addition, he will continue his work on the Ways and Means Committee, which is responsible for writing the state operating and capital budgets.
“Serving on two environmental committees, as well as my involvement with the Puget Sound Partnership, offers some exciting possibilities for synergy,” Rockefeller said. “We will all benefit from cleaner air, water and energy.” The legislative session begins Jan. 8 and is scheduled to last 105 days.
Reach Sen. Phil Rockefeller at (360) 786-7644.
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Kitsap County Recycling Education
Program honored |
| Colleen Minion-Pierce recently accepted the Recycler of the Year Outstanding Public Education award for education efforts for pre-K–12 programs. Kitsap County was recognized for its redesign of classroom presentations and aligning them to the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL).
“Our classroom presentations increased over 100 percent, reaching more schools and students with thea waste reduction, recycling, and sustainability message”, said Minion-Pierce. The award was presented by the Washington State Recycling Association.
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Kitsap Credit Union opens
S.K. High School branch |
| Kitsap Credit Union opened a new campus branch on Dec. 12 at South Kitsap High School. Eight students were selected through an interview process to work in the branch under the direct supervision of Credit Union employees. These unpaid positions are part of the students’ classroom curriculum.
Students and staff will be able to make basic transactions and get information about loans and other credit union products and services through the branch. Credit Union employees have been conducting various classroom workshops as part of this partnership. They include career and education opportunities, identity theft, budgeting, credit, financial planning, savings and investing, how to buy a car and basic checking account money management.
The South Kitsap High School campus branch is located in the school’s ticket booth in the student Commons area, and is open five days a week during lunch hours.
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