BONNIE’S FLOWER MARKET BLOOMS

Bonnie’s Flower Market, located inside the Northwest Design Center on State Route 305, is now open for business. The European-style flower market offers top quality products at market value pricing. For more information, call (360) 697-9975.

LIBERTY BANK

REACHES MILESTONE

Liberty Bank has collected letters of intent of more than $7 million, passing the half-way point to its capital fundraising goal of $11.5 million.

This milestone has been reached in just more than three months since the bank-in-organization received its application acceptance from the FDIC and was cleared to begin seeking shareholders.

“This is a very exciting step forward and brings us that much closer to opening our doors and satisfying our goals of serving the community’s banking needs,” said Bill Fogarty, CEO.

Liberty Bank, which is still in the process of receiving final application approval from the FDIC, is accepting letters of intent from potential shareholders.

“The support from the community has been incredible as evidenced by the fact that most of our shareholders are from Kitsap County. People want a locally owned and operated banking option that they can be assured has the best interest of their personal and business finances at heart,” Fogarty said.

This bank-in-organization will begin collecting on the letters after final application approval is received from the FDIC. Fogarty expects that this will come within the next several weeks and in time to open by the end of the second quarter.

Liberty Bank is the first community bank to open in Kitsap County in nearly nine years. Liberty Bank investor receptions are planned for Tuesday evenings in March and April from 6-7 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Express located at 19801 7th Ave. NE in Poulsbo. Non-binding letters of intent will be available for potential shareholders. Minimum investment is $20,000.

RSVPs are appreciated, but not required. To RSVP or for more information, please call 360-710-1776.

QUINN/BREIN EXECUTIVE SELECTED BY TAPROOT

Wendy Johnson, vice-president of the Bainbridge Island-based public relations agency Quinn/Brein, has been appointed to manage and oversee a service grant for Taproot Foundation. This non-profit group matches working business professionals with local non-profits to help with marketing, PR, human resources and information technology projects.

The project Johnson has been selected to lead is for Northwest SEED, a local organization that helps communities establish use of renewable energy resources. As account director, Johnson will appoint and direct a marketing team consisting of handpicked professionals from four other Northwest agencies. The project involves conceiving, designing, and creating key collateral materials for Northwest SEED.

“I’m honored to have been given this opportunity. Taproot’s philosophy of bringing people together for a common goal resonates with me. This project is all the more dear to me because of Northwest SEED —

ACCEPTING NEW MEMBERS

Kitsap Referrals is welcoming new members to join their networking group of business professionals. Kitsap Referrals is a venue for local businessmen and women to make professional contacts which will generate referrals and help provide quality service to each other and the community. Guests are encouraged to attend a future meeting to learn more about the organization. The group meets every Tuesday from 1-2 p.m. at the Poulsbo Library, located at 700 NE Lincoln Road, with free lunch served for guests. For more information on this group, visit www.kitsapreferrals.com. To RSVP, call Dawn Tobel at (360) 271-1762 or e-mail Steve Komar at skomar@farmersagent.com.

AUDIOMAGUS OPENS KINGSTON SHOWROOM

Audiomagus.com, the ground-breaking online retailer of high-end, low-cost audio products, has opened its showroom in Kingston.

“Offering award-wining products that deliver high-end performance at down-to-earth prices, Audiomagus is at the front of a major shift in the stereo audio market,” said Mike Wyatt, president of Audiomagus.com. “Our products deliver performance equal to systems that cost 10 times – or more – the price. We are a little company trying shake things up.”

Audiomagus is based in Kitsap County, but the company’s sales are worldwide.

“It is one way that we work to be recession-proof,” Wyatt said.

Audiomagus is introducing new products almost monthly.

“We are also advocates for local business,” Wyatt said. “We want to establish and grow manufacturing here in the US, and build a strong and stable local business that can provide good jobs.”

The company’s approach has been well-validated in the audio press. Reviews have consistently been very positive as the products continue to collect awards.

Showroom and listening room are open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The showroom is located 26343 Bond Road NE, Suite 102, in the Kingston’s West Industrial Park.

Toll-free telephone: 866-808-9567. Website: www.audio-magus.com.

PENINSULA CREDIT UNION SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE APRIL 4

Peninsula Credit Union is now accepting applications for its 2008 scholarship program. The program includes three scholarship opportunities. This year they are happy to announce they have raised the amount each recipient will receive by $500, for a total awarded amount of $4,500.

Students pursuing academic or vocational education within their membership area are eligible to apply. Applicants must be a Peninsula Credit Union member or a dependent of a member before submitting their application. Employees, volunteers and the dependents of Peninsula Credit Union are not eligible. The Peninsula Credit Union board of directors will decide upon the recipients of the Sel Vander Wegen, Sandy Latham Community Service and Peninsula Credit Union Scholarship. Applications and additional information are available at www.pcfcu.org.