calendar - Experience Anacortes

SEPTEMBER 2013
819 Commercial Avenue
Anacortes, WA 98221
360.293.7911
info@anacortes.org
www.anacortes.org
Volume 23 / Issue 9
calendar
chamber luncheon
Wednesday, September 4 3:30 pm
Marketing & Promotions Division Meeting
Chamber Office
Vicki Stasch
V
Tuesday, September 17 3:30 pm
Board of Directors Meeting
Anacortes School District Conference Room
icki Stasch, Management Consultant, will lead us in a chamber networking
program in which everyone will have the opportunity to meet and talk to
others about their work or business. This session will be a totally interactive
experience. Vicki brings us 30 years of experience as a facilitator, consultant
and trainer for team building, strategic planning, leadership development,
conflict management; change management and other topics with the goal
of creating healthy positive work environments. Since moving to Anacortes full time in 2011 she has
volunteered as a board member for the Anacortes Family Center and rows with OARSS.
Pat Barrett, our luncheon sponsor and President of Barrett Financial, Ltd. and his staff, have
been working with their clients for 25 years discovering what is important to them so he is able to
tailor wealth plans that help them to achieve their life goals. Whether is strictly for their retirement
needs, financing their children’s college education, or helping their investments grow to fund those
large purchases. Pat is more than just a financial advisor to his client’s, he builds strong personal
relationships with them, becoming completely vested in their entire life picture.
Lunch will be served by Gere-a-Deli ($15) an Anacortes institution, family owned and operated
since 1981, serving up the seasons best for all catering events.
Please RSVP online at www.anacortes.org and we’ll see you at the
Lutheran Church at 22nd & O on Thursday, September 12th. Bring
a gift for the give-away!
Thursday, September 19 5:30 – 7:00 pm
Business After Hours
Heart of Anacortes/Rockfish Grill
business after hours
Tuesday, September 10 Membership Division Meeting
Chamber Office
4:00 pm
Wednesday, September 11 2:30 pm
Economic Development Division Meeting
Chamber Office
Thursday, September 12 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Chamber Luncheon
Anacortes Lutheran Church
Thursday, September 12 3:45 pm
Governmental Affairs Division Meeting
Chamber Office
Friday, September 13 Finance/Executive Meeting
Chamber Office
Tuesday, September 24 VIC Meeting
Chamber Office
10:30 am
9:00 am
cornerstone members
TESORO
Puget Sound Refinery
Heart of Anacortes & Rockfish Grill
“W
hat is the heart of a town? The heart of a town is
the people. At the Heart of Anacortes our vision
is to bring people together through art and music. We
want people to come, to make friends and understand
what we are as a community.” An extraordinary gathering
place located just a few blocks from the Guemes Channel in the historic Old Town area.
Rockfish Grill is an Anacortes institution, they specialize in Northwest food: seafood, pub favorites
and their signature wood fired pizza made with fresh local ingredients, serving ales
and lagers brewed right next door at the Anacortes Brewery. The brewery creates
over thirty styles annually all of which are available at the Rockfish, their companion
business H2O and many accounts locally and throughout seven counties in western
Washington. All three businesses collaborate with the Heart of Anacortes to produce
regular events. Please join us on September 19 at 5:30PM as we host a joint afterhours in the Heart garden. RSVP online at www.anacortes.org.
Tim Eslick, Proprietor
Tel: 360.293.8757
Cell: 360.770.3813
Anacortes WA
www.eslickhousewatch.com
Supporting Home Owners At Home Or Away. . .
a message from the president
Exercise Your Privilege to Vote
Y
our chamber is all about business, jobs
and keeping a good economy happening in
Anacortes. Quite a number of positions are up
for grabs on this year’s slate of elected officials.
mayor of Anacortes, four city council positions,
three commissioner positions for the Port of
Anacortes, two commissioners for Island Hospital, two school district board positions and three
Fidalgo Pool Commissioners.
Only 57% of Anacortes’ 10,980 registered
voters got out to vote in the primary. That number
is a shame. We can do better. It’s easy with a
mail in ballot or simply drop your ballot off at the
Anacortes Library’s drive up drop box. Easy, done.
When you have an opportunity to meet with
these candidates—ask them the hard ques-
tions: what will do they for Anacortes’ economy
to bring family wage jobs to Fidalgo Island, to
create a positive business experience for existing and new businesses. Candidates will be
holding coffee get-togethers, will be walking the
neighborhoods, standing at the grocery stores
to ask for your vote. Do vote, but don’t just give
it away—be informed on how these candidates
stand on business issues.
The chamber surveyed candidates and
those Q&A’s will be posted on the chamber website for your review after September 20th. Check
it out. The League of Women Voters will be holding a candidate forum on Wednesday, October 2,
6:00 p.m. at City Hall for contested races. Listen
to what they have to say and be ready to ask
questions. The October
10th chamber luncheon
will feature ‘candidate speed dating’.
Candidates with their
opponents will move
from table to table to
have intimate conversations—responses to your
questions at each table. This luncheon is not to
be missed.
Remember, the Anacortes Chamber is about
jobs, business and the economy. Don’t let your
voting privilege be unspoken. Get out your vote
and make it count. Your vote is your voice.
—
­ Kathy Larson
Puget Sound Energy
SENIOR RESOURCE FAIR
NAVIGATING
THE FUTURE
RETIREMENT..
Where Life Begins!
SAVE THE DATE
Friday, Sept. 13, 2013
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
ANACORTES BAPTIST CHURCH • 2717 “J” AVENUE • ANACORTES, WA
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
Treating Illness, Cultivating Wellness
902 28th St.
Anacortes, WA 98221
Alethea Fleming, ND
360-630-3022
www.vitalagingclinic.com
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member profile
The Gentry House
Melissa Snodgrass-Wold, Site Director
S
kagit Adult Day Program (SADP) opened in
October 1992 as a non-profit organization to
provide a social environment that supported individuals with a dementia or Alzheimer’s disease
and to provide respite to the caregiver. It first
opened in Burlington two days a week, five hours
a day. There was one employee at that time with
board members volunteering.
With community support, SADP was able to
have a permanent home in Burlington located at
116 N. Skagit Street. It is known as the Bradford
House, named after a founding board member. It
is now open M-F, 8-5.
The Gentry House, located at 1208 7 too was
named after a founding board member. The location in Anacortes was made possible with the
help of many community members. Christ Episcopal Church made available to SADP the house,
which was remodeled with funds from
an Anacortes Block Grant and furnished
with a Brookdale Grant which continues
to follow the progress of the program.
The Gentry House serves many people
from Anacortes, but also reaches those
living in La Conner and Oak Harbor.
SADP is unique and the focus is to provide a
therapeutic environment that gives purpose and
meaning to those with a dementia or disability,
and to provide support and education to the
caregiver. Their program is designed to nurture
participants’ physical and emotional well-being
by providing group contact and interactions
with peers facing similar circumstances. They
specialize in Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease,
but also serve many clients without memory
problems. Activities are supervised and modified
for each person’s abilities and include: Music,
Exercise, Sports/Games, Memory Stimulation,
Pet Therapy, Intergenerational Activities, Outings,
Gardening, Cooking, Woodworking and more!
Melissa is a LPN and currently has 2 staff
members and many volunteers working with her.
Helping people live their life to the fullest has
always been a passion of hers and she is very
excited to be a part of the SADP. SADP continues
to be a non-profit organization and is dependent
on dedicated volunteers and by donations from
the community. Come stop by and meet Melissa
and her staff! It is where friendships are made!
Learning aboard
Adventuress
The schooner Adventuress invited local
service clubs and educators aboard for a
sail to learn about their sailing programs
for youth and their mission to educate and
inspire communities to make a difference for
our marine environment in mid-August.
To learn more about the Adventuress check
out their website at soundexperience.org.
3
FLOORING CONNECTIONS INC.
Considering Buying or
Selling Real Estate?
Experience Matters.
Allen Workman
Managing Broker
360.770.4948
Full time top producing Real Estate Broker
Experienced negotiator • Exceptional Marketing
Top Search Engine placement
AllenW@JohnLScott.com
Hardwood • Laminate • VinyL
Carpet • traVertine • SLate • tiLe
9019 molly Lane • anacortes
pHone 360-588-9663
Residential and CommeRCial
2013
Ambassadors
Carla Cummins—All About Honeymoons &
Vacations
Lara Dunning—Fine Edge
Jim Gordon—Freedom Wireless Media, Inc.
Jack Hamilton—Cap Sante Court Retirement
Community
Make It Yours!
By Kevin Hoult, MBA
Fifth drawing winner of
Thank You Thursdays
is Georgia Mehan.
Barry Harter—Central Payment Corporation
Lisa Helm-Morrow—KeyBank
Lanaya Holm—Opulence Salon & Day Spa
Sarah Jurkovich—Washington Federal
Kari Kennedy—KeyBank
Matt McKay—Nantucket Inn; Anchor Catering
Jeffery Pleet, CLU, ChFC—Edward Jones
Therese Rudzis—Individual member
Michelle Scheremeta—Aulday Bookkeeping
Solutions
Veronica Spencer—Take Shape For Life
Mary Staley—Marketing with Mary
Mark Van Oort—Business Bank
Boyd Veer—Seaside Autobody & Accessories
John Williams—Skagit Publishing
819 COMMERCIAL AVE STE. B
ANACORTES, WA 98221
(360) 293-5533
HOURS: MON–FRI 9AM–5PM
www.flooringconnectionsinc.com
Encouraging Words
Jessica Cantrell—Farmers Insurance
4
Your connection to quality flooring
Georgia won by shopping at Upstage
Boutique & Men’s Store.
Look for a list of participating businesses
at anacortes.org
Come see us
for all your
vehicle or
vessel needs!
Registration renewals, title
transfers, disabled parking
placards, monthly tonnage, trip
permits, dealer work.
H
ave a store, restaurant or service office in Anacortes? When was the last
time you took a good look at your business
“face?” What meets the eye will set the tone
for how prospective customers judge you,
whether or not they patronize you and how
they will describe you to their friends.
Does your storefront stake a claim in the
minds of passersby? Are you memorable,
magnetic and motivating? Maybe?
Here are some tips for a more memorable you.
You only get seconds to make a first
impression—drivers need big, bright sources
of information to remember you as they pass
by in three to five seconds. Information is
easiest to see when it’s above the pedestrian
“head line,” facing oncoming traffic at a
slight angle to reduce glare.
Pedestrians will give you 10 seconds, if
you’re lucky, to look at displays from slightly
above head height to about waist high.
Change out storefront displays once
each month, create a 12 month planner and
take a clear photo of the front of your business to use to plan your work.
Would you like to know more? Call
Kevin, your free and confidential business
adviser at (360) 336-6114 – do it today!
Interested in starting a new business? Call
James at (360) 336-6114 to get started!
Encouraging Words is a service of EDASC,
enhancing our quality of life through the creation and
preservation of healthy businesses and good jobs.
Learn more at www.skagit.org.
AT
T H E
F R A M E M A K E R
Regional Fine Art and Custom Picture Framing
420 Commercial Ave. • Anacortes • 360-293-6938 • www.scottmilo.com
Shell Puget Sound Refinery
S
ince the fifties, Shell Oil Company and its
employees have celebrated their roles as
prominent players in the culture and economy of
the greater Anacortes area. In business terms,
the Anacortes refinery fulfills an important
regional role as a West Coast gasoline and diesel
fuel producer—a reliable source of vital energy
products with a consistent priority and focus on
safety, health and environment. From a “neighbor’s” perspective, Shell and its 400+ employees have established a reputation for bringing
energy and enthusiasm to the local economy and
to surrounding communities and organizations
including the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce.
Refinery Manager Tom Rizzo, a native Texan
who now calls Anacortes home, embraced a
leadership tradition established by a long line
of predecessors. Rizzo understands that the refinery business is as much about people as it is
about product. “Our plant is operated by people
who are very talented, knowledgeable—and
proud of the role this refinery plays at so many
levels,” said Rizzo. “Our employees and their
families routinely step into opportunities to contribute, from schools and youth sports to service
organizations and non-profits such as the United
Way.” The refinery manager was among several
dozen employee volunteers and their families
who recently took part in the annual Anacortes
4th of July Parade. As usual, Shell’s glimmering
fire engines brought up the rear of the parade,
handing out beaded necklaces and candy. Like
his fellow volunteers, he enjoyed the opportunity to “give back to the community” and gain
some insights into how Shell is perceived by its
neighbors. “In a world where the pace seems to
accelerate in all areas of our lives, we have employees who can be counted on to show up and
contribute their very best,” said Rizzo. “That attitude applies to work and community alike—and
it is gratifying to see the positive impact Shell
has as we partner with our neighbors toward
common goals.”
5
DOES YOUR FINANCIAL ADVISOR KNOW
YOUR FINANCIAL GOALS? IF NOT LET'S TALK.
DOES YOUR
ADVISOR
KNOW KNOW
DOES
YOURFINANCIAL
FINANCIAL
ADVISOR
YOUR FINANCIAL GOALS? IF NOT LET'S TALK.
YOUR
GOALS? IF NOT LET'S TALK.
Jeffery C FINANCIAL
Pleet
Financial Advisor
.
Jeffery
C Pleet
630 Southeast
Midway
Financial
Advisor
.
Jeffery
C Pleet
Boulevard
630
Southeast
Midway
Financial
AdvisorWA 98277
Oak Harbor,
. Boulevard
360-679-2558
Oak
Harbor, WA 98277
630
Southeast
Midway
www.edwardjones.com
www.edwardjones.com
Member
MemberSIPC
CIPF
Member
MemberSIPC
CIPF
www.edwardjones.com
Member
MemberSIPC
CIPF
Your Anacortes American print subscription
now includes premium access to local news
and online-only content from your computer,
tablet or mobile device.
Visit goanacortes.com!
360-679-2558
Boulevard
Oak Harbor, WA 98277
360-679-2558
ambassador profile
Veronica Spencer
V
eronica “the Vagabond” Spencer loves
people, laughing, and adventure. A zest
for travel and her nursing license led her from
California to Alaska, Europe, and Seattle, where
she met Steve Spencer, who lived aboard his
sailboat Silmaril and dreamed of “sailing into
the sunset.” They married, semi-retired in their
40’s, and headed to Glacier Bay, the Queen
Charlotte Islands, around Vancouver Island,
and Mexico, where Silmaril still resides. They
traveled and lived aboard Silmaril or in a 19’
motorhome for more than 5 years…and still
speak to each other!
Through a happy accident, they arrived
in the Anacortes area and fell in love with the
people, the town, and the access to nature and
sailing. They describe this area as “the pot of
gold at the end of our rainbow” and purchased
their first-ever land-based home, aptly named
“Vagabonds’ Rest.”
As many do, Veronica had fought a constant
struggle with her weight, which was beginning
to affect her health. Four years ago she saw an
ad in the Clamdigger for Take Shape for Life, a
comprehensive program for healthy weight loss
and creating healthy lifestyle behaviors. She lost
30 pounds in 10 weeks, felt fantastic, and was
so excited that she became a Health Coach to
share this gift of health and hope with others.
You can visit her website at http://veronicaspencerrn.tsfl.com.
Veronica thrives on helping people make
their lives better in any way she can and has
thoroughly enjoyed being an Anacortes Chamber
member. She became an ambassador to expand
and deepen friendships, meet and support local
new members
ANCHOR ART SPACE
216 Commercial Avenue
Anacortes, WA 98221
www.anchorartspace.org
Jasmine Valandani
info@anchorartspace.org
Art Gallery
DIVERSINT
1404 E. College Way
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
(360) 982-2195
www.diversint.com
Chris Crider
chrisc@diversint.com
Computer Sales and Service
FAVORITE ASSOCIATES, INC.
3205 Wetmore Avenue
Everett, WA 98201
(425) 252-7575 ext 103
www.favoriteassociates.com
Christine McClaran
cmcclaran@favoriteassociates.
com
Consulting
6
business
owners,
and make
a deeper
commitment to
her community.
Steve & Veronica will
eventually bring Silmaril back to the NW and
return to Alaska before finally “swallowing the
anchor” (retiring from the sea). They also like
hiking, kayaking, camping, bird watching, and
astronomy.
Fun Fact: Veronica was an avid Mickey
Mouse Club fan and yearned to be a Mouseketeer (she still does!) She has memorized many
of their songs. Ask her to sing one for you
sometime!!
member renewals
IMAGE360
789 Chrysler Dr
Burlington, WA 98233
(360) 299-0430
image360bwa.com
Tina Powers
tina.powers@image360.com
Signs
WHIDBEY SUN & WIND LLC
987 Wanamaker Rd
Coupeville, Washington 98239
360-678-7131
www.whidbeysunwind.com
Lori Christian
info@whidbeysunwind.com
Electrical Contractors
SORIA REAL ESTATE
515 E. Fairhaven Avenue
Burlington, WA 98233
(360) 755-0888
www.soriarealestate.com
Amber Soria
info@soriarealestate.com
Real Estate
YOUTH DYNAMICS
2410 J Avenue
Anacortes, WA 98221
(360) 293-3509
www.yd.org
Rich Heidecker
rheidecker@yd.org
Youth Services
THOUSAND TRAILS ENCORE
16362 Snee-Oosh Road
LaConner, WA 98257
(360) 466-3112
www.equitylifestyle.com
Nancy Geddes
laconner_mgr@equitylifestyle.com
RV Park/Resorts
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Alley Cat Antiques
Anacortes Dental Care—David L. Olausen
Anacortes Farmers Market
Anacortes Hearing Center
Anthony’s Restaurant
Buer’s Anacortes Floral and Gift
Central Payment Corporation
Chinook Enterprises
Costco Wholesale
Fidalgo Animal Medical Center
Island Internal Medicine
Tom Kuhn
John C. Olsen
Orcas Island Eclipse Charters & Whale
Watching
Rockfish Grill/Anacortes Brewery/H2O
Ship House Inn
Trident Seafoods Corporation
Anthony Young
We would like to thank
the following businesses
for their support:
Barrel:
• Birch Equipment
Keg:
• KWLE 1340AM The Whale
• Shell Puget Sound Refinery
• Tesoro Refining and Marketing Company
Growler:
•
•
•
•
Anacortes American
Cap Sante Court Retirement Community
Golden Services, LLC
Lynne M Lang Accounting and
Business Services Co.
• Rockfish Grill/H2O/Anacortes Brewery
• Swinomish Casino & Lodge
Yard:
• Nantucket Inn
• Trident Seafoods
Stein:
•
•
•
•
Barnett Implement
Business Bank
Fidalgo Country Inn
Island Rental and Supply
Pint:
• Bank of the Pacific
•Gere-a-Deli
• Tammy Cotton Insurance Agency Inc.
• Whidbey Island Bank
Sixteenth
Boat Show
Show
EighteenthAnnual
AnnualFall
Fall Boat
Sixteenth
Show
Free
FreeAdmission
Admission
Free
Free Parking
Parking
Yacht Brokers
Brokers
Yacht
Marine
Trades
Marine Trades
CAP
SANTE
BOAT
HAVEN
CAP
SANTE
MARINA
CAP
HAVEN
1019
Avenue
Anacortes,
WA
Sept. 27-28
&Q29,
2013 Anacortes,
— 5:00 pm
1019
WA
• 10:00 am
September
28
10:00 am
am –
– 5:00
5:00 pm
pm
Septemberwww.anacortesboatshow.com
28 – 30, 2012 • 10:00
888-811-2252
www.anacortesboatshow.com
www.anacortesboatshow.com
1019 Q Avenue
Anacortes, WA
888-811-2252
More
Boats
• Best
from
the best
brokers,
new
& pre-owned.
At
boats
ranging
up
to
• Best
from the
the best
best
brokers,new
new&&pre-owned.
pre-owned.
Atleast
least75
75floating
floating
boats
ranging
upyachts
to 65 feet
yachts
from
brokers,
Look
for
the
Big
White
Tent
filled
with
electronics, rigging,
Look
rigging, marine
marine services
services---everything
everythingyou
youneed!
need!
Lookfor
forthe
theBig
BigWhite
White Tent
Tent filled
filled with
with electronics,
rigging,
marine
services
everything
you
need!
Sponsorships are still available;
please call Cecilie at the chamber to inquire:
360-293-7911.
7
PRESORTED
STANDARD
US POSTAGE PAID
ANACORTES, WA
PERMIT NO. 44
819 Commercial Ave., Suite F
Anacortes, WA 98221
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
chamber officers
vic (visitor information center) statistics
Executive Board
June 2013
June 2012
June 2013
June 2012
Visitors
18261695
Relocation Requests
14
15
Phone Calls
255
286
Web Visits
14,199
14,074
Information Requests
46
69
Web Page Views
36,667
42,129
Visit us on the web at www.anacortes.org
Volunteer Hours
446
313 Thank you, volunteers! PRESIDENT
Kathy Larson Puget Sound Energy
PRESIDENT ELECT
Mark Lawrence Simply Yards Landscape and Design
TREASURER
Karin Baldwin Quantum Construction
PA S T P R E S I D E N T
Kristi Gabrielse Ana-Cross Stitch
B OA R D M E M B E R AT L A R G E
Matt Miller Read Me A Story
Board of Directors
Jody Ayón Shell Puget Sound Refinery
Bela Berghuys Islands Inn
Dan Cameron Tesoro Refining & Marketing Co.
Duane Clark Cap Sante Court Retirement CommunityPeggy
Flynn pflynn+associates
Jim Gordon Freedom Wireless Media, Inc.
Bob Hyde Port of Anacortes
Gary Jacobson Attorney
Dean Maxwell City of Anacortes
Curt Oppel John L. Scott Real Estate
Andy Schwenk Northwest Rigging
Mary E. Staley Marketing With Mary
Bernadette Stanek Island Hospital
Chris Terrell How It Works
Carol Van Iterson Bank of the Pacific
Mark Wenzel Anacortes School District
Chamber Staff
Stephanie Hamilton Executive Director
Mary Talosi Visitor Information & Operations Director
Cecilie Miller Event & Communications Director
Kristi Daniels & Crystal Johnson Licensing Sub-Agents
Photography by Steve Berentson
Newsletter designed by LMac Graphics
BIER
ON
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