One of the most frequently asked questions I get from the local media is, “How are businesses doing?” The Chamber is conducting a survey of businesses to see how you fared during the holiday period. We’d like to invite your participation. The survey can be found on the Chamber’s Web site on the front page at www.silverdalechamber.com. It will be live until Friday, Feb. 6.

The link for the Trader Joes location request also is still up on our site. I would really encourage people to take a moment or two and explain to their management team that there is indeed a market in Silverdale for their store.

A lot of people make resolutions in the New Year. Quite often these are around a desire to become more self-sufficient, perhaps even taking the step toward owning your own business. If this is a direction you are hoping to take in 2009, put the resources of the Chamber to work for you. We have business assistance partnerships that you can take advantage of at no cost and you don’t have to be a member.

I’m not a resolution maker, though I do try to set some goals. In 2009, I’d like to convince my financial institution that it would be a great idea to have deposit/withdrawal slips available to people in the drive-through before they get to the tubes. I want to be very proactive in bringing the businesses that you would like to see into Silverdale. I need your suggestions for this one though; otherwise my efforts might be rather short-sighted. (How many stores catering to miniature horses can a community support?) I hear all the time that you want more restaurants in the area, drop me a note and tell me what you are craving.

The Chamber has several events coming up in the not-too-distant future that you might wish to put on your calendars. The second annual Westsound Business Expo is Feb. 19 at the Kitsap Fairgrounds Pavilion. The collaborative effort between all the Chambers on the peninsula is a great opportunity for professionals and consumers.

Our Military Appreciation Day is April 4, also at the Pavilion. This is a new location for the event. We are hoping to increase the number of businesses and organizations that want to get involved and show their support for area service members and their families as well as bringing in more interactive displays from the commands of Naval Base Kitsap.

The Chamber also has adopted the Central Kitsap Family Night event. It is our hope to re-energize the committee and bring even more attractions to the event. The event will take place at President’s Hall on the evening of April 7. The goal of the event is to promote the “Family Night” concept and give families ideas they can adopt for their own evenings. The event committee is hard at work building an entertainment schedule and lining up a number of community resources to provide information.

If you’d like more information on any of these events, contact the Chamber office at (360) 692-6800 or info@silverdalechamber.com.

Darla Murker is the executive director of the Silverdale Chamber of Commerce.