“It’s one of the last island icons, and I was very conscientious about making sure to discuss the move with the Deschamps family and getting their blessings,” said Georg Syvertsen, who has owned the agency since 2000.

The new owners, Rod and Barb McKenzie, will merge Deschamps Realty with their Bainbridge Island office of Coldwell Banker McKenzie, and relocate the newly expanded agency to the building Deschamps has occupied for more than 45 years. The family has requested that the name of the business be retired, so the merged company will continue on as Coldwell Banker McKenzie.

“We’re not really planning any changes,” Barb McKenzie said. “We’ll keep the same ideals as we have at Coldwell Banker McKenzie, and we’ll bring in some practices from Deschamps… and mix their ideas with ours...   (Full Article)

Kate Bode is unlike many other connoisseurs who appreciate a very good cup of coffee: She just couldn’t find the right decaf that didn’t taste bitter. But when the Action Now Property Management Co. manager discovered Storyville Coffee, located just a couple of miles from her Bainbridge Island office, her search was over...   (Full Article)

The city of Port Orchard has been studying the potential impacts of annexing McCormick Woods, and will open discussions with residents regarding their interest in joining the city. City officials will hold a meeting on Nov. 15 to present information to property owners...   (Full Article)

A new, recently released survey of likely Washington State voters shows 2004 Republican gubernatorial nominee Dino Rossi in a statistical dead heat with incumbent Democratic Governor Christine Gregoire in a hypothetical rematch...   (Full Article)

Before the end of this year, two somewhat faded silver screens in an 85-year-old movie theater will flicker back to life in downtown Port Orchard. Newly renamed “The Orchard,” the theater will feature independent, art and classic films within a completely remodeled environment reminiscent of its earlier days as one of the most popular (and oldest) theaters in Kitsap County...   (Full Article)

Contradicting the trial-lawyer supporters of Referendum 67 and his own previous public comments, Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has openly admitted that insurance rates for Washington families and businesses will likely increase if voters approve Referendum 67...   (Full Article)

A celebration of local philanthropy took place when the Kitsap Community Foundation (KCF) recognized individuals and organizations that have exceeded the accepted bounds of generosity. The Celebration of Philanthropy was held at the Kitsap Conference Center at Bremerton Harborside and both bestowed honors on specific recipients and paid tribute to the spirit that compels people to donate their time and financial resources...   (Full Article)

In the 1980s I worked for the IT division of a large federal contractor. We were early adopters of email technology. Nowadays we can’t imagine what we would do without email, but in the 1980s email was just getting started. Employers were trying to understand how it fit into the workplace, and employees were learning how to utilize its capabilities...   (Full Article)

An effective sales manager juggles many balls in fulfilling his responsibility to the company, but perhaps nothing is more important than his willingness to get out “in the field” with the sales team itself. According to Vistage sales management experts John Asher, Jack Daily and Paul Goldner, sales managers can exert great influence and provide vital guidance during field calls with their salespeople...   (Full Article)

Bill Benson, owner of Posh Speakers, is perhaps best known as the guy who built the three-story high, functional speakers at his former business, Nuts About Hi-Fi, that were a landmark on Silverdale Way for almost two decades. What most people don’t know, is that Benson has also owned Posh Speakers for the past five years...   (Full Article)

The United States Senate has approved $6 million in funding, which will allow the United States Navy to purchase several of Port Orchard-based SAFE Boats International’s newest boat. The funding was added to the fiscal year 2008 Department of Defense budget by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Senator Maria Cantwell...   (Full Article)

Jan started her consulting firm at the beginning of the year. As with many new business ventures, money was tight, but her network and marketing efforts began to pay off and her client base began to grow. By mid-year she had several clients she was working with regularly, and she was confident that things would proceed steadily...   (Full Article)

When Mayor Cary Bozeman first saw Bremerton, he drove down Washington Avenue toward the ferry dock, he was shocked at what lay before him. There was some of the finest-quality waterfront land in all of the Puget Sound region — and it was being used as a parking lot. From that parking lot has sprung a conference center, hotel, and now condominium residences...   (Full Article)

The State of Washington and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) have accepted an application filed by the founders of Liberty Bank of Washington. The Board of Directors and management, who are all recognized business leaders in the community, plan to open the new bank during the first quarter of 2008. The first branch will be in Poulsbo...   (Full Article)

Rotary International has awarded the Bainbridge Island Rotary Club $289,000 to further the Club’s efforts to build water wells in rural Uganda. Every 15 seconds, someone in the world loses his or her life either because of a lack of water or because the available water is contaminated...   (Full Article)

The 2007 Kitsap County Youth Conference, held recently at the president's hall, was an overwhelming success. Sponsored by Mothers Against Drunk Driving of Kitsap County (MADD), the conference gave 115 Kitsap County Junior High students the chance to learn the consequences of using illegal drugs, alcohol and tobacco. The students then used their new knowledge to create and implement “Local Team Action Planning” projects at their schools...   (Full Article)

St. Anthony Hospital in Gig Harbor has started recruiting for several key positions at the new hospital, expected to open in early 2009. Franciscan Health System has begun accepting applications online for the St. Anthony Hospital positions of chief operating officer, director of perioperative services, director of acute care services and director of emergency services...   (Full Article)

Westbay Auto Parts, Inc., which has locations in Kitsap County and Gig Harbor, will be using NAPA Auto Parts as its primary parts and accessories supplier. “We chose to join the NAPA Auto Parts program because it allows us continued growth and the tools to provide our customers with the best parts and service in the industry”, said Ken Price, president of Westbay Auto Parts...   (Full Article)

Puget Sound Energy recently honored Kitsap Consolidated Housing Authority, Executive Director Norm McLoughlin for his outstanding civic contributions by dedicating a natural gas lamp, installed at the waterfront walkway near the new Harborside Condominiums, in his honor...   (Full Article)

The Northwest Chapter of Paralyzed Veterans of America (NWPVA) has chosen Sen. Derek Kilmer (D-Gig Harbor) as the recipient of its Glenn Galbreath Award for his work on veteran’s issues...   (Full Article)

The first Kitsap Bar Association and Kitsap County Medical Society Foundation sponsored, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Golf Tournament, was held Sept. 4 at the Kitsap Golf and Country Club. Over $4,500 was raised to benefit breast cancer research, with over 100 participants throughout the day...   (Full Article)

The Puget Sound region’s newest meeting space, the Fountain Room, is now open. Located in Harborside Fountain Park on the Bremerton waterfront, the 1,650-square-foot facility can accommodate groups of between 10 and 200 guests.

Kitsap Conference Center at Bremerton Harborside operates and manages the Fountain Room. “We’re thrilled to be managing the new Fountain Room, a truly beautiful reception and event space,” said Erik Ruud, general manager of Kitsap Conference Center at Bremerton Harborside.

Jodi Eicher, a graduate of the Washington CASH program, Shirley Hall, Amy Shelman owners of Crafters Gift Shoppe have announced the opening of a new store in Towne Center Mall in South Kitsap.

Crafters Gift Shoppe offers hand crafted and collectible items to fit any budget. Each vendor offers a range of items, from handmade soap, candles, cloth books, teddy bears, felted and crocheted items.

“We want our customers to find what they are looking for when they need a gift item, something for children, a holiday present. Our shop is here for people who believe that handmade items are always something special,” Eicher said. The store will be open seven days a week during regular mall hours.

Reach Crafters Gift Shoppe at (360) 874-7735.

Blondie’s Restaurant has moved out of its former location in Key Center and into new digs at Bethel Centre in Port Orchard, located near the intersection of Bethel and Sedgwick Roads. Bethel Centre includes the recently opened roller rink, as well as other businesses and professional offices.

In addition to its regular fare, the new restaurant will include catering for any occasion from a small home get-together to a large office party.

The Port Washington BizBuilders will be convening at JW’s Restaurant on Wheaton Way every Thurs. at 7:30 a.m. Tom Fletcher, associate broker with Century 21, and the chapter chairperson, elected to make the change because there is more room for growth and the menu is extremely affordable.

The Port Orchard accounting firms of Cox & Lucy CPAs, PS and Peterson & Jake, CPA Inc, recently announced that effective Nov. 1, the two firms will merge. The new firm of Cox, Lucy, Peterson & Jake CPA LLC will be located at 1590 Bay Street which is the current location of Cox & Lucy CPA.

Don Cox and Gary Lucy have been practicing in Port Orchard as Cox and Lucy CPAs since 1983. Michelle Peterson and Dawn Jake will bring a combined 24 years of experience practicing in Port Orchard to the new firm.

This is the second local CPA firm merger in as many months. Last month, Port Orchard’s Southard, Beckham, Atwater and Berry announced its merger with longtime Silverdale accounting firm Tucker and Buskirk.

People in 40 states have purchased more than 500 bundles of fresh-cut Kitsap-grown lavender from Hansville grower Labyrinth Hill during the current season, reports CEO Susan Harrington. This followed a year of greatly increased sales of dried lavender buds via the company’s website, LabyrinthHill.com. Dried buds are used to make fragrant crafts and as wedding throw in lieu of rice and birdseed.

“We market Kitsap-grown lavender as the finest available,” Harrington says. “We are working with other local growers to create a Kitsap ‘brand’ recognized not only locally, but throughout the U.S.” Harrington, a WSU master gardener has helped other North End growers launch small-scale lavender farms and conducts workshops on lavender cultivation, labyrinth design and marketing.

For the fifth year in a row, the Bremerton Rotary handed out 375 dictionaries to every 3rd grader in the Bremerton School District. Twenty-two Rotarians joined co-chairs Marilee Hansen, Shawna Bliss and the exchange student from Brazil, Gustavo Fabron, at West Hills Elementary School.

Four of the Rotarians got caught in the shut-down at Naval Avenue while the police were searching for a gunman, but still entered the two darkened 3rd grade classrooms and distributed the dictionaries. Two of the Rotarians did get stopped on the outside of the lockdown, including the president, Steve Landau and Peter Braun. According to co-chair Marilee Hansen, it was difficult to tell who was more excited this year – the children or the Rotarians.

The minimum wage in Washington will increase by 14 cents to $8.07 an hour on Jan. 1, 2008. The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) recalculates the state's minimum wage each year in September as required by Initiative 688, which was approved by voters in 1998, and requires the minimum wage be adjusted each year according to the change in the federal Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) during the 12 months ending each August 31.

Washington's minimum wage applies to workers in both agricultural and non-agricultural jobs, although 14- and 15-year-olds may be paid 85 percent of the adult minimum wage.

Workers are peeved by companies that don’t listen and that pay poorly. One in three employees are disgruntled and are contemplating quitting their jobs, according to a study by Discovery Surveys in Sharon, Mass.

The top four reasons for disenchantment include: management’s failure to listen to employee input and act on suggestions, low pay (60 percent of workers believe they are underpaid), lousy internal communications, and failure to recognize and reward top performance.

Then again, Express Services of Oklahoma City notes in a recent survey that slightly less than half of workers polled “plan on never leaving,” while 71 percent plain to remain for at least five years.

The findings crossed generational barriers: 54 percent of workers age 25 to 44 intend to hang around, along with 56 percent of those 45 to 54, and 64 percent of those 55 and older.

Express termed it “reassuring” that employees are displaying loyalty.

Joe Roszak has accepted the position of executive director at Kitsap Mental Health Services (KMHS) effective January 2008. Roszak will take on the leadership role at KMHS when Larry Keller retires from the position at the end of this year.

Roszak comes to KMHS from Fulton, N.Y. where he served as executive director of Oswego County Opportunities Inc., a human services agency comprised of eight divisions, including mental health, delivering services to 24,000 clients annually at 62 work sites. Previously he served as executive director of Riverside Center in Winston, Ore. for 16 years.

“I am looking forward to the privilege and the challenge of heading an agency with the reputation and prestige that KMHS enjoys in its community and in the state of Washington”, says Roszak, “and my family and I are also looking forward to being back in the beautiful Pacific Northwest again.”

Gig Harbor Peninsula Area Chamber of Commerce Director Kim D.E.D. Hails has resigned her position after five and a half years of service. Hails has decided to pursue new personal and professional challenges.

“It has been such a pleasure working with all of the board members and the membership at large for the past five years,” Hails said. “It has been a real honor to have represented and supported the amazing folks who make up the Gig Harbor/Key Peninsula business community.”

Members of the Chamber’s Executive Committee have initiated a professional search for a new director and are working to devise a plan to make this transition as smooth as possible.

The law firm of Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro (HBSS), which has offices in Seattle, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Phoenix, Chicago and Boston, has filed a proposed class-action lawsuit against WSB Financial Group Inc. the Bremerton-based holding company of Westsound Bank...   (Full Article)

Dino Rossi today announced his candidacy for governor of the state of Washington at 11am this morning. The former state Senator told an energized audience of over 300 at a standing room only Issaquah Village Theater, that Washington needs a new leader for a new era in state government...   (Full Article)

As part of its largest grand opening in company history, Kohl’s Department Stores will officially open its Silverdale store Nov. 14. One of 95 stores to open nationwide this fall, the Silverdale store will create approximately 150 jobs in the area. Located at 10315 Silverdale Way, the store is one of seven to open in Washington this fall, bringing the state total to 13...   (Full Article)

Bremerton-based WSB Financial, the parent company Westsound Bank, announced preliminary earnings for the third quarter on Oct. 24. The bank is scheduled to release final numbers on Nov. 14. It isn’t a pretty picture.

Westsound Bank President and CEO Dave Johnson also noted Chief Financial Officer Mark Freeman has been granted a leave of absence for health reasons, and the bank is seeking an interim CFO...   (Full Article)