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COVER STORY
Bremerton Boys & Girls Clubs officially opens
By Lary Coppola |
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After a considerable amount of hard work by a small, but dedicated group of Bremerton community leaders, the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound hosted the official Grand Opening of the Bremerton Boys & Girls Club. Located at Naval Avenue Elementary School, the official grand opening ceremony took place on March 26, and recognized all the donors and other people behind then scenes that worked tirelessly to bring the new facility from concept to reality.
The expansion of the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound into Kitsap County was made possible under the board leadership of Jerry Reid, owner of Reid Real Estate, Peter Braun of the Orchard Group, which owns the local Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and KFC restaurants, former Seattle Seahawks kicker Norm Johnson, now with Reid Real Estate, Bremerton attorney Ed Wolfe, financial professional Terry Stein, and 17 other dedicated board members from the community... (Full Article)
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Angel won’t seek third term as commissioner
By Lary Coppola |
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In a surprise announcement, South Kitsap County Commissioner Jan Angel, a Republican, said that she has decided not to seek a third term as county commissioner. Originally elected in 2000 when she unseated Democratic incumbent Charlotte Garrido, and re-elected by a wide margin in 2004, Angel told the Business Journal in an exclusive interview that there were a number of reasons for her decision, as well as timing of her announcement.
“I wanted to give both the party and any potential candidates enough time to organize their base of support, as well as get up to speed on the issues.” She added, “I also believe that two terms is more than enough time for someone in this job... (Full Article)
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Great Western Sports Ends Pursuit
of Speedway Development Project
in Kitsap County |
| Despite the support of Lt. Governor Brad Owen, bill sponsors Rep. Geoff Simpson (D-47) and Sen. Brian Hatfield (D-19), U.S. Congressmen Norm Dicks and Adam Smith, Bremerton Mayor Cary Bozeman, Kitsap County Commissioner Jan Angel, other community and political leaders, and tens of thousands of residents and fans, Great Western Sports (“GWS”) has decided to end its pursuit of a motorsports and multi-use recreational facility in Kitsap County... (Full Article) |
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Abel To Bow Out As P.O. Mayor |
| In a press release issued the afternoon of April 2, Port Orchard Mayor Kim Abel announced she will not seek a second term as mayor... (Full Article) |
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Major restructuring of
Kitsap Economic Development Council
Can a new name, new board and new initiatives revitalize this organization?
By Maura Hallam Sweley |
| In 1983 the Kitsap Economic Development Council (KEDC), then later renamed the Kitsap Regional Economic Development Council, was formed with the purpose of helping to stimulate the Kitsap County economy and bring businesses to the area. But in recent years the KEDC seems to have languished, and the organization has been criticized as being ineffective. Some have even gone so far as to call the organization useless... (Full Article) |
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New Gig Harbor gym aims for classy clientele
By Rodika Tollefson |
| A new fitness center in Gig Harbor hopes to attract new clients who are looking for personal attention, results and a nice atmosphere. The Club at Gig Harbor, which opened in January, uses a business model that is not too common for gyms... (Full Article) |
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HUMAN RESOURCES
Dealing with the issue of religion
in the workplace
By Julie Tappero |
| One of our job seekers recently commented that she felt that she was having difficulty obtaining employment due to the fact that her Muslim religion required her to wear a hijab (head scarf). One of our employers asked us if he could put information about his religious values in his employee handbook. Another one of our clients made it clear that he started his employees’ day with prayer, and then asked us if we thought that was okay... (Full Article) |
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Art Anderson Associates receives
AWB Workplace Award |
| The Association of Washington Business (AWB) recently presented Bremerton’s Art Anderson Associates with one of fifteen Better Workplace Awards. The honor is given to Washington businesses that demonstrate innovation in the areas of workplace safety, job training and advancement and benefit and compensation packages. The award was presented by Governor Christine Gregoire and AWB President Don Brunell at the Association’s 2007 Legislative Day, held on Feb. 7... (Full Article) |
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Rossi warns Port Orchard Chamber
state budget isn’t sustainable
By Lary Coppola |
| Dino Rossi, head of the Forward Washington Foundation and a former state senator and 2004 gubernatorial candidate, addressed a luncheon meeting of the Port Orchard Chamber of Commerce last month. His message to the friendly and receptive audience, which was a Who’s Who of the South Kitsap business community, was a very simple one — in spite of an almost $2 billion surplus, the state is headed for serious financial trouble... (Full Article) |
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Ethics in business: Part One
“If you have integrity, nothing else matters.
If you don’t have integrity, nothing else matters.”
~ Alan K. Simpson, Wyoming Senator 1979-1997
By Wendy Miles |
| In this world of seemingly endless stories of poor customer service, employee thefts and scams such as Enron and WorldCom scandals, ethics in business is a hot topic. Over the next three articles we will take a closer look at this sensitive and important topic... (Full Article) |
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ENVIRONMENTAL
USGS correlate urban metrics with
reduced Herring spawn in Liberty Bay
By Kathleen Byrne-Barrantes |
| United States Geological Survey (USGS) scientists presented preliminary evidence that links shoreline development to reduction of herring spawn (observed egg deposits) in Liberty Bay and Port Orchard at the Puget Sound-Georgia Basin Research Conference held in Vancouver, B.C. March 26-29... (Full Article) |
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How does attire impact potential
for advancement? |
| Climbing the career ladder requires the appropriate gear, say executives surveyed recently. Ninety-three percent of managers polled said a person’s style of dress at work influences his or her chances of earning a promotion... (Full Article) |
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Hourly employees tend to be
most loyal to employers |
| Those who punch time clocks don’t appear interested in looking for new jobs, according to a new study... (Full Article) |
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Wet Apple Media to be
honored with Earth Day award |
| The Kitsap County Board of Commissioners, in conjunction with its annual Earth Day Awards, recently announced that Port Orchard-based Wet Apple Media, publishers of the Kitsap Peninsula Business Journal, WestSound Home & Garden Magazine, Remodel Kitsap Magazine and Kitsap Peninsula Builder, has been selected to receive the Outstanding Achievement in Environmental Education – Community award... (Full Article) |
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First Annual Living Room Makeover |
| Northwest Design Center in Poulsbo was inspired by the television show Extreme Home Makeover to do something similar in Kitsap County. With generous assistance from other local businesses they developed the Living Room Makeover Contest... (Full Article) |
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Grounds for Change donates
$5,000 to Suquamish Elementary |
| In support of its mission and its membership with one percent For the Planet, Grounds for Change recently made a $5,000 donation to the Suquamish Environmental Education (SEE) Boosters at Suquamish Elementary. As a member of one percent for the Planet, Grounds for Change commits at least one percent of its total sales to environmental organizations each year. In addition to SEE Boosters, Grounds for Change is donating to the Northwest Shade Coffee Campaign and Save Our Wild Salmon, both Washington-based organizations... (Full Article) |
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Union membership roles
are slowly growing smaller |
| Union membership rolls are getting shorter, according to new research by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. Approximately 12 percent of American workers were union members last year, down from 12.5 percent in 2005. The rate was 20.1 percent in 1983... (Full Article) |
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Symphony offering Music Camp scholarships |
| Bremerton Symphony League Music Camp Scholarships in the amount of $300 will be awarded in May to two young musicians who attend an orchestral or vocal music camp during the summer.
Applications are now available, and the deadline is April 9. For more information or to request an application, contact the Symphony at (360) 373-1722 or pick up an application at its office, 532 5th Street, Suite 16 in Bremerton. Applications are also available online at bremertonsymphony.org,
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Bainbridge Chamber accepting nominations |
| The Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce recently announced that it is accepting nominations for Business Person or Couple of the Year. The Chamber annually seeks out the person, persons or couples whose successful business enterprise, community involvement and community contributions have helped make a difference in the community.
A potential nominee does not have to be a Chamber member to qualify for this award. Winner(s) will be honored at a special Chamber luncheon on May 16, at Wing Point. Nomination ballots are available online at www.bainbridgechamber.com or at the Chamber office, 590 Winslow Way East.
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Home Tech Wiring opens in Port Orchard |
| Home Tech Wiring, Inc. is an electrical contracting firm that recently opened in Port Orchard. The firm is also a Building Industry Consulting Service International (BICSI) member. The staff have all earned professional certifications that supersede industry standards. Its licensed electricians boast years of experience, and include a certified fiber optics installer and factory trained certified installer in firestop. Reach Home Tech. Wiring, Inc. at (360) 340-8468. |
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Ruff’s Equine Shoppe open |
| Don and Patricia Ruff, owners Ruff’s Equine Shoppe (formerly known as The Equine Shoppe), recently announced that the tack shop is re-opening its doors. Hours are Fri. 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Sat 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sun 12 to 4 p.m. The tack shop offers horse-related items from blankets to saddles, riding attire and grooming products for western, English, recreational and competitive equestrians.
Ruff’s is located at 25874 Canyon Rd NW in Poulsbo and can be reached at (360) 779-5459.
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The Cutlery Shoppe opens in Port Orchard |
| The Cutlery Shoppe, LLC is a new business now open in downtown Port Orchard. The firm specializes in German and American fine cutlery including Wusthof, J. A. Henckels, Shun and Boker. It will feature quality made name brand fishing and hunting knives, elaborate selection of pocketknives, service and tactical knives, swords and accessories.The hunting, fishing, tactical, and traditional pocket knives are individually hand-picked.
The manufacturer’s represented by the firm include: Ka-bar, Smith & Wesson, Remington, Buck, Columbia River Knife and Tool, Harley-Davidson, United Cutlery Brands, Colt, SOG, Kershaw, Gerber, Cold Steel, Leatherman, Hen & Rooster, Boker, German Eye, Browning, Winchester, Spyderco, and Case,to name a few. Professional knife sharpening services are also available. Hours are from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Mon. through Sat.
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Everblooms marries The Beautiful Bride |
| Everblooms, a silk florist, and The Beautiful Bride, a wedding gown rental studio, have merged into Everblooms Botanicals, LLC, located at 19351 8th Ave, Suite 202 in Poulsbo.
The two independent companies merged last fall to create one entity to better serve the Kitsap bridal community. It will include a full line silk florist, which also provides plants and flowers for area businesses and homes, and a bridal boutique giving brides a unique opportunity to rent a designer gown and accessories at the fraction of the cost of purchasing.
Contact Everblooms Botanicals at (360)598-3731 or (360)394-1535.
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Port Orchard Bay Street Association
kicks off Spring with a raffle |
| The Port Orchard Bay Street Association is kicking off spring with a Spring Break Raffle. This first annual event will take place from April 3 – 8. Visitors can stop by The Cutlery shop on Bay Street, downtown Port Orchard, to purchase raffle tickets and free maps.
After visiting over 16 downtown businesses, which will have a prize on display, visitors will choose which raffle to enter. The drawing will take place on Wednesday, April 11 and the winners will be notified via phone.
Staples in Port Orchard and Beta Sigma Phi of Port Orchard has donated the materials for the raffle. For more information call Events Coordinator, Laney Kallio at Laney Lu’s Closet, (360) 874-2688.
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Paratransit opens office in Willows, California |
| Paratransit Services, with corporate headquarters located in Bremerton, has recently established an operations office in Willows, Calif. The new Willows office now houses administrative, dispatching, and vehicle operations personnel for Paratransit Services’ Glenn County operations. Paratransit Services is the public transit contractor for the County, operating under contract with the Glenn County Regional Transit Committee. |
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Insurance and taxes top
small business concerns |
| Small business owners who set 2007 goals and objectives indicate the cost of insurance (64 percent) and taxes (62 percent) top their list of concerns for this year. These findings come from the Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index, a nationwide survey of business owners.
Rounding out the top five concerns for 2007 are energy prices (54 percent), government regulations (45 percent), and finding qualified employees (42 percent).
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Olalla design firm offers customized
start-up kits |
| Dana J. Davis, owner of DJ’s DeskTop Design, of Olalla has announced a new start-up kit for small businesses, clubs and non-profit organizations. The new start-up kit includes business cards, letterhead and envelopes, and thank you cards. Other items can be tailored to the kit as well. “The work is 100 percent customized for each business or organization and includes’ enough of each item to get started,” Davis said.
Davis is a graduate of the Washington CASH micro-credit program in Kitsap County and Group Member of Washington CASH Success group, BLISS. DJ’s DeskTop Design can be contacted at (253) 853-5330 and djsdesktop@earthlink.net.
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Kitsap Bank welcomes Gail Schow |
| Seven year banking veteran Gail Schow recently joined Kitsap Bank’s Sheridan Village branch in Bremerton as operations manager. She was most recently employed by Westsound Bank.
“Gail is knowledgeable, not only in banking, but in management and training as well,” remarked John Barmuta, senior vice president/branch administration. “We are pleased to have her leadership in our Sheridan Village branch.”
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Bremerton to receive $3.9 million
for sewage treatment upgrades |
| Governor Christine Gregoire recently signed legislation awarding $71 million in infrastructure loans to 19 communities across Washington. The funds will help local governments improve sanitary sewer systems, domestic water and storm water services.
The low-interest loans are administered by the Public Works Trust Fund and help local governments and public utilities finance critical public works projects. Funds come from the Public Works Assistance Account, which is administered by the Public Works Board.
Approved for funding were the following projects for the City of Bremerton:
- $675,000 to upgrade a sewage pump station, increasing capacity from 1,900 gallons per minute to 3,500 gallons per minute, and eliminating sewage overflow into Puget Sound.
- $3 million to upgrade and improve a treatment plant, create redundancy for essential treatment processes and replace 20-year-old components.
- $300,000 to construct approximately 1,300 feet of new sewer interceptor and collector pipes to replace old sewer pipes.
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Local Allstate agents win Honor Ring award |
| Allstate Insurance Company recently recognizeda pair of local Allstate agents for being top sales producers in auto, property, commercial and life insurance.
Recognized were Randi Jantz, who operates agencies in Poulsbo and Port Orchard, and Bob Scharf, located in Silverdale.
In addition, the agents were recognized by the Northwest Regional office for their high standards in customer satisfaction, retention and profitability.
“The Allstate Honor Ring award has been a symbol of outstanding achievement for more than forty years,” said Michelle Lee, field vice president of Allstate’s Northwest Region. “It has been worn with pride by generations of Allstate agents and recognizes them for their performance and dedication to serving and protecting customers. We applaud their great work.
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Lincoln joins Timberland Bank’s Poulsbo branch |
| Linda M. Lincoln has joined the staff of Timberland Bank as assistant vice president and manager at the Poulsbo branch. The announcement was made by Michael R. Sand, president of the institution.
Lincoln has over 28 years experience in banking, most recently with US Bank in Medford, Ore. She recently relocated to the Kitsap area where she will focus on mortgage and consumer loan origination in addition to marketing the bank’s niche lending solutions for land, land development and owner/builder construction financing.
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Waterfront CPA Group to host CPA Shred Fest |
| Worried about identity theft? Bring old documents with sensitive personal information for free shredding to the “CPA Shred Fest” hosted by Waterfront CPA Group of Silverdale on Sat., April 14 from 9 a.m. to noon in the parking lot of the Land Title Building in Silverdale (9657 Levin Road).
Individuals may bring private or sensitive documents for on-site shredding, including tax returns, bank statements, cancelled checks, investment records, and personal bills.
Shredding will be provided by All Shred of Bremerton. All shredded paper is then recycled. All documents will be shredded on-site by the company’s mobile unit and a “certificate of destruction” will be issued. The first twenty (20) lbs are free; additional shredding is $.20 per pound. For additional information, call (360) 692-2689.
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Silverdale Chamber sponsoring
home-based business expo at Kitsap Mall |
The Silverdale Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual Home Based Business Expo at Kitsap Mall on April 21. Applications are now being accepted. As an organization dedicated to promoting and growing businesses, the Chamber is partnering with Kitsap Mall to provide this opportunity for home-based business owners to market their products and services to a large consumer audience.
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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A Little Spit and Polish slated for Kitsap |
| Cheri Fiorina, a graduate of the Washington CASH micro-credit program in Kitsap County, has announced the opening of a new full service cleaning business, A Little Spit and Polish. The company is pledged to be a “green cleaner,” and specializes in private home cleanings and rental clean up, as well as providing lawn and garden maintenance, moss removal and pressure washing services.
“We can provide both light and deep cleaning services and are happy to give free consultations.” Fiorina said. Reach her at (360) 830-5665 or ALSAP@earthlink.net.
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