Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce Weekly Newsletter March 11, 2008

Weekly Email NewsletterDateline: March 11, 2008 From the Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce www.bainbridgechamber.com
NEWS OF THE WEEK

March Luncheon - March 19th - Tomorrow!!! Date: Wed. March 19. Time: 11:30 a.m. Cost $15. Place: Wing Point Country ClubProgram: Key Note Speaker, Jon Rose, of Olympic Property Group, ""Watchable Wildlife Trails and What They May Mean for Tourism and the Local Economy." Jon's comments will be preceded by a local panel comprised of Karen Molinari of the Bainbridge Land Trust, Terry Lande from the Bainbridge Parks Dist., and Ryan Vancil from Trust for Working Landscapes, who will discuss the work their group's are doing in the areas of trails development, land set asides, acquistions, etc.
Register & Info: 842-3700.

BRING YOUR BAG DAY - We want to help our fellow islanders get into the habit of using resusable bags when they shop. And not just in grocery stores, but for all shopping. We are planning a community-wide initiative to do just that, with a planned launch to coincide with island Earth Day Events on April 19. Attached is a Bag and Order Form that merchants can fill and order bags for use for the Earth Day event and beyond.

Bainbridge Island Tourism Alliance RFP - The newly-created Bainbridge Island Tourism Alliance (Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Association, Lodging Association, and Arts and Humanities Council) seeks a Tourism Specialist to assist in the development of a near-term plan for positive and collaborative tourism promotion strategies that will benefit the Bainbridge Island economy. Six month contract. Application deadline: 3/21/08.For full prospectus, contact: Zon Eastes, Executive Director Bainbridge Island Arts and Humanities Council
221 Winslow Way West, Suite 201 Bainbridge Island 206.842.7901 director@artshum.org

Winslow Streetscape Survey - As you may know, the Winslow Way Streetscape project is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2009.
We want to hear from you your thoughts about this project. Please take a few moments to answer this quick ten-question survey:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=Uszjssn_2f1K7lHs3YXHLBUQ_3d_3d

NEWSLETTER DEADLINE - The deadline for inserts into the Chamber's hard copy April newsletter is Friday March 21. To reserve an insert space, please call Betsy Leger, (206) 842-3700.

UPCOMING CHAMBER EVENTS
Home & Garden Show - The Fifth Annual Show will be held Saturday March 22, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Woodward Middle School. Trade show featuring Exhibitors, Presentations and Demonstrations. More than 75 Exhibitors on hand. Featured speakers, Cisco Morris, James Cutler, Antique Appraisers Kathleen Victor and Don Jensen, who will evaluate household antiques and family heirlooms., plus others. The Home and Garden Show is being produced by the Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Wells Fargo Bank, Prudential Northwest Real Estate, Winslow Paint Company, Ace Hardware, Bainbridge Gardens, Bainbridge Wireless Computers, Bainbridge Review, and Westsound Home and Garden Magazine. Info, please contact the Chamber at (206) 842-3700 or www.bainbridgechamber.com .

Speaker Schedule10 amJuried Artists RosterPresented by Bainbridge Islandarts & Humanities Council11 amJames Cutler, Architect- Sustainable Building and other Stories NoonAffordable Housing Solutions, Accessory Dwelling Unit Panel Discussion1 pmMarianne Binetti - gardening columnist and author2 pm Terry Moyemont - Mediterrean gardening the Northest 3 pmCiscoe Morris - the unflappable Northwest gardening guru will discuss all things green. 10:00-4:00 Antique Appraisers – Bring your antiques and have them appraised at the Home & Garden Show Also: Home Improvement Demos

March After HoursDate: Thursday, Mar. 27thTime: 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.Host: Rotary Club and Wing Point Country Club, at Wing Pt. Network with business friends and associates and learn more about the Bainbridge Rotary Club and Wing Point Golf & Country Club.
COMMUNITY /MEMBER EVENTS

JOB OPPORTUNITY - The BAINBRIDGE ISLAND LODGING ASSO. is seeking a Marketing/Management Consultant. Applicant must demonstrate knowledge & expertise in website management and marketing activities. Limited term contract. Experience / non-profit helpful. Send resumes and/or inquiries for full prospectus or request for more information to:
Bainbridge Island Lodging Asso., P. O. Box 10895, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110.

Location-based Advertising with Google - WSTPA, March 20 Event - You're driving down the road and Google feels the advertisements you hear on the radio should match the stores you are driving by based on your GPS location. Advertisements talk about nearby locations and offer directions via GPS navigation. Is it coming, and if so - when? What are the privacy and security implications? Presenter: TBA. Unless otherwise noted, all meetings take place from 5:30p-7:30pm at the Poulsbo Regional Library's Community Room. Meetings are free to WSTPA members, and $5 for non-members.* RSVPs are required.
CALL TO ARTISTS: BAINBRIDGE ARTS FAIR, JULY 11-13, 2008The first annual Bainbridge Arts Fair is now accepting applications from fine art and crafts artists across all mediums. This juried fair will take place at the Waterfront Park July 11-13, the same weekend as the 20th Annual Bainbridge in Bloom. The Bainbridge Arts Fair will be promoted through the Bloom and independently. For application and guidelines, call BIAHC at 206.842.7901, email admin@artshum.org, or visit www.artshum.org and click on Bainbridge Arts Fair. The Bainbridge Arts Fair is a production of the Bainbridge Island Arts and Humanities Council. Deadline: March 20, 2008.
THEATER/GALLERIES
Bainbridge Arts & Crafts - 151 Winslow Way E. For more information on curent programs, contact Victoria Josslin, Director of Education and Information, 206.842.3132 or Victoria@bacart.org The BAC Gallery is open Monday – Saturday, 10-6; Sunday, 11-5.
A is For Artists’ Gallery - 123 Bjune “91 steps south of Winslow Way at Madison & Bjune” 206.842.2434 10am-6pm Mon–Sat 11am-5pm Sun 206.842.2434 www.aisforartistsgallery.com “Exploring the Emotions of Color” Artists’ reception First Friday, March 7 5-9pm
The Island Gallery - The Island Gallery continues its popular Spring Concert Series with a second evening of chamber music on Friday, March 28th at 7:30 p.m. The program will include: Mozart: Oboe Quartet Pergolesi: Trio Sonata Prokofiev: Quintet Op. 39 Hindemuth: Eight Canons . Featured Performers: Laura De Luca, clarinet; Ben Hausmann, oboe; Stephen Bryant, violin, Sue Jane Bryant, viola; Joe Kaufmann, bass. Location: The Island Gallery, 100-106 Madison Avenue N., All three concerts in this series will be performed prior to the gallery concert in the following Bainbridge Island art classrooms: Odyssey, Bainbridge High School, and the Island School. The students will draw, paint or color at will. Five works will be chosen for display at the next gallery concert. Come experience the connection between music & art!
The Gallery at Grace Grace Episcopal Church 8595 NE Day Road 206-842-9997 Contact: Ann Strickland annie@gracehere.org Hours Monday-Friday 9-3 Sunday 8-noon And by appointment.

March 22: Romancing the Buddha /BPA
Michael Lisagor, a Chamber member, performs in the high energy premiere of his one-man play based on his thought provoking book. Michael uses humor and honesty to share how he has dealt with the impact of his wife’s multiple sclerosis and his own inner demons while finding happiness and hope in our turbulent society. Suitable for all ages. Profits from this performance will be donated to the second annual Bainbridge Island MS Walk, held on April 12, 2008.Performance: Saturday @ 7:30 p.m.Tickets: $15 per person @ Eagle Harbor Book Company (206.842.5332) and Island Fitness (206.842.5720) . Info: www.BainbridgePerformingArts.org

First Sundays the Commons presents Duo Patterson, the violin and viola, husband and wife duo of Ron and Roxanna Patterson on Sunday, April 6 at 4:00pm. Duo Patterson was formed in 1980 in the Principality of Monaco under the encouragement of Princess Grace and has performed in recitals and as soloists with orchestras in France, Italy, Monaco, England, Spain, Switzerland, Czechoslovakia, Germany and the United States. The have performed often on European and American television and have recorded for VOX, CRI AND Ante Aeternum records. They have given many world premiers as well as having duos for violin and double concertos with orchestra written for them. Ron Patterson is currently a professor of violin at the University of Washington. On their Bainbridge concert Duo Patterson will be performing a varied program including works by Handel, Mozart and Martinu. The concert takes place at the Bainbridge Commons which is located next to the Senior Center on 402 Brien Drive by Waterfront Parks. Admission is at the door (no advanced ticket sales) $20 adults, $15 seniors, $10 students. For more information go to: www.firstsundaysconcerts.org


GOVERNMENT

March 19 City Council Meeting - The agenda for this Special City Council Meeting will include the Nexus Study on Affordable Housing, and discussion of unfinished business on the Quay Apartments, including consideration and approval of conditions attached to various agreements with the City of Bainbridge Island regarding the Quay Apartments transaction, including Security/Rents, Indemnification, Required Documentation, and Feasibility Conditions. 6 - 9 pm at Council Chambers, City Hall, 280 Madison Ave. N. Info: Roz Lassoff, City Clerk, 780-8624, rlassoff@ci.bainbridge-isl.wa.us or visit www.ci.bainbridge-isl.wa.us.
March 24 Building Division Closed for Training The City's Building Division will be closed to allow staff to attend trainng. There will be no building counter services or inspections. Inspections requested before 3 pm on the previous business day (Friday, March 21), will be scheduled for Tuesday, March 25. Builidng counter services will also be closed on Thursday, March 27, however, inspections will occur as usual. For information, contact 842-2552, or email pcd@ci.bainbridge-isl.wa.us.
March 27 Building Counter Services Closed for Training - The City's Building Counter Services will be closed on March 27 to allow staff to attend training. Building inspectioins will occur as usual. For information, contact 842-2552, or email pcd@ci.bainbridge-isl.wa.us.
Business License Changes – In an effort to ensure that all Island businesses have current business licenses, the City is strengthening its efforts to bring companies with lapsed licenses into compliance. City code requires all businesses that are located on or solicit business on Bainbridge Island to acquire a business license and renew it annually. The licensing process triggers a review to ensure that new and renewing businesses are in compliance with City regulations like zoning and signage rules, as well as Health Department standards. The City also collects Business and Occupation (B & O) tax from licensed businesses under state law. Initial license fees are $25 for small businesses (those receiving less than $18,000 in annual income) or $50 for regular businesses registering before business commences; the fees double for companies filing after beginning business activity.

“The City is committed to working with businesses to keep them in compliance with our regulations,” said Code Enforcement Officer Meghan McKnight. Close to 80% of the 2,800 businesses licensed by the City renewed through the regular process this spring, and multiple reminders have been sent by the Finance Department to those that have been operating without a license or that have not renewed.

Sixteen companies that have not responded to renewal efforts for two years have now been referred to Code Enforcement. They will be notified via certified mail sent Monday that failure to bring their license current within two weeks will carry a penalty of $500 per day in accordance with BIMC 5.04.030. Failure to bring B & O taxes current within three weeks will carry an additional penalty of $1,000 or jail time, in accordance with BIMC 5.06.030 and .040.

According to Elray Konkel, Director of Finance and Administrative Services, updates to the City’s accounting system this year have given staff greater ability to cross-check business license records with other databases, including the state’s monthly reports of sales tax receipts, allowing more accurate identification of out-of-compliance businesses. “Extra efforts by Finance Department staff to bring all businesses up to date this spring should assist with improved compliance and fewer violations in the future,” he said.

“This is really just a matter of fairness and good business practices,” said Acting City Administrator Matt Haney. “We hope this action will encourage all Island businesses to respect the process and keep their licenses current.”

More information and application forms are available on the City’s website at www.ci.bainbridge-isl.wa.us.


Have a Great Week!
Kevin Dwyer, Executive DirectorBainbridge Island, WA. Chamber of Commerce 590 Winslow Way East Bainbridge Island, WA. 98110 (206) 842-3700, voice; (206) 842-3713, fax www.bainbridgechamber.com