By Karen Anderson

March 30, the Port Townsend Visi-tor Information Center (VIC) took 20 volunteers to the Inn at Port Ludlow, where they were given a sublime tour by Susan Windle, the catering coordinator for the inn.

During an otherwise gloomy day, Susan brightened our tour with a view of the Port Ludlow Marina, which sits on the edge of the inn’s property, a Native American totem pole where we were told the bald eagles roost in the morn-ings, luxurious rooms with fireplaces and enormous bathtubs, and what the Fireside Restaurant looks like when it’s empty. This last bit will surely not be your experience when you are there tast-ing their delicious mushroom tapenade or savory meatballs with your floor to ceiling window view of the Marina. The full Fireside dinner menu changes frequently, so you’re always apt to find something new.

Things are quiet at the inn, but not because of lack of activity. Carpets are thick as you pad your way down the hall to your room with a view of the marina. Warm and woody conference spaces are available for any group, from a gather-ing of knitters to business PowerPoint presentations, the latter of which was being held that day – we watched plates of strawberry cheesecake parade quietly past our tour.

The Resort at Port Ludlow is highly regarded for its three distinct nine-hole courses, which reside within an official Audubon sanctuary.

If you need a vacation, but don’t want to travel too far, the Inn at Port Ludlow

is near but a luxurious world away.

What Is a Fam tour?FAM Tour is the short term for Famil-

iarization Tour. FAM Tours are generally used in the travel industry as a low-cost or free trip to a point of interest or busi-ness to gain a better understanding, or familiarization, with that destination. The Port Townsend Visitor Information Center (VIC) offers FAM Tours each month to its 60-plus volunteers to new, renewed and seasonal Chamber busi-nesses.

At the VIC, volunteers are asked for referrals for restaurants, accommoda-

tions and fun things to do on a daily ba-sis. They are also put to the test on each shift to answer questions pertaining to local businesses that are also not neces-sarily tourism-related. We recognize that whereas Port Townsend is considered a destination getaway, there are several lo-cal businesses that cater to local neigh-borhood sustainability. VIC volunteers are expected have knowledge or access to information about these businesses as well as destination businesses. FAM Tours can be anything from a 20-minute tour and explanation of what a business’

May2011

Luncheon SpeakersJefferson County Chamber of Commerce lun-cheon meetings are held at the Port Townsend Elks Lodge, 555 Otto St., at noon each Monday, federal holidays excluded. Everyone is welcome!

Continued on Page 8

May 2 – Bill WiseChair of Team Jeff erson, charged

with economic development in the county, will give an update on Jeff erson County business projects, including the Port Townsend Paper Corp. cogeneration project.

May 9 – Rick PetrykowskiFrom wooden boats to diesel

engine repair, Port Townsend Marine Trades Association’s Petrykowski talks about the many ways our active marine trades industry has an impact on our community.

May 16 – Pam RobertsWashington State University’s

interim director will discuss WSU Extension and the role WSU plays in promoting entrepreneurship, local farms and bringing a broad range of educational opportunities to residents of Jeff erson County.

May 23 – Katherine Baril“Will you still love me when

I’m 64?” and other questions of an intergenerational workplace. WSU’s now retired director refl ects on a couple decades of service and off ers her vision on what we need to do in the future to compete and prosper. Baril

Roberts

Petrykowski

Wise

Invite volunteers for a tourThey use the knowledge to promote your business

When people stop by the Visitor Information Center in Port Townsend, the volunteers who staff the center often recommend businesses when answering questions. To make sure they know about you, invite them for a Familiarization Tour.

2 April 2011 Jeff erson County Chamber Newsletter

Member FDIC

First Federal’s Business Banking products and services provide you with the tools you need to grow your business.• Internet Banking Cash Management Services• Merchant Credit & Debit Cards Processing Services• Cash Management Sweep Account• Business Lines of Credit & Commercial Loans• Health Savings Accounts • Remote Deposit Capture

Make it grow.We know what matters most to businesses.

800-800-1577 ourfirstfed.com

Chamber: Hard at work for youSpring marks the

transition from winter to summer – a time of growth, renewal and hope for prosperity.

In this season of renewal and growth, I refl ect on how the Cham-ber can further contribute to the expansion of local sustainability. Growing a sustainable business com-munity provides more op-portunity for the citizens of Jefferson County to “shop local” and support local business. The more we grow, the more variety of goods and services we can provide; encouraging more of our dollars to stay local.

In addition to better serving our communi-ties, we are gaining an understanding of how we can better serve our members. As the new executive director, I have now had time to settle in, gather information and gain perspective on how our Chamber is impact-ing Jefferson County.

I feel it is time to address the recurring question – “What does Chamber do?” – to which I can proudly reply that

the Chamber is hard at work building busi-ness and building commu-nity.

In 2011, the Chamber put in practice a new strategic plan. At the forefront of the strategic plan is the mission: Advocate for, connect with and inform member businesses. Our goal is to meet member needs and exceed expec-tations.

Recently, a Port Townsend business owner came to the Chamber with great concern over pro-posed construction during the height of the tourist season, stating that, “This will destroy our busi-ness.” Recognizing that the proposed work would affect a large portion of merchants, a decision was made by city offi cials to put off the project until a better time. At a state and local level, Chamber is hard at work advocating for businesses in Jefferson

County.Chamber events and

programs provide a forum for connection and educa-tion. In order to better respond to our member’s needs, we have revised our current programs, as well as offering additional programs and educational opportunities.

Our Monday Lunch Meetings and Monthly Business Coffee Talk feature engaging and in-formative speakers. The newly established Young Professionals Group helps our young business owners connect around issues specific to their needs.

In response to our members’ request for assistance with websites, marketing and social media, the Chamber has partnered with WSU to offer “Web 101” classes and will offer a series of marketing classes this fall featuring local marketing and social media consul-tants.

I will continue to encourage feedback and involvement from the business community. You’re membership and

participation will help Chamber grow. Together, we can support local businesses, creating more options for shopping locally. And, even more important, by supporting our business community, we help individuals and families stay local.

A defining moment came for me when a participant in our Young Professionals Group Test Lab was asked about his involvement in Chamber. He explained, “Although most of my business comes from outside Jef-ferson County, I choose to be a Chamber mem-ber, not to increase my own business here, but to support local businesses. My membership is my way of saying that I care about sustainability in Jefferson County and I’m committed to being a part of our business com-munity.”

Thank you for sup-porting your Chamber. Together we can, and will, make a difference.

Yours in service,Teresa VerraesExecutive Director

Teresa Verraes

11th annual Art Wave – children’s art in stores1 19th annual Rhody Tour, Park & Ride Founders’ Day Celebration, City Hall Coun-

cil Chambers “World’s Biggest Disc Golf Weekend,” HJ

Carroll Park1-6 Centrum’s Waterworld6 “Bat Boy the Musical” opens, PTHS Port Ludlow Friday Market OPENS!7 Elks scholarship fundraiser/wine tasting/auc-

tion, Elks Lodge Opening Day on PT Bay8 Mother’s Day10 After Hours, Upstage Restaurant14 KPTZ Radio Launch Party, NWMC14-15 32nd annual PT Arts Guild Rhody

Arts & Crafts Fair, Downtown15 Chimacum Farmers’ Market OPENS! Wheel-In drive-in OPENS!18 76th annual Rhody Festival Trike Race19 76th annual Rhody Festival Pet Parade20 76th annual Rhody Festival Kids Parade 76th annual Rhody Festival Bed Race21 76th annual Rhody Festival Grand Parade Rhody Flower Show, Fort Worden22 33rd annual Rhody Run, Fort Worden Rhody Flower Show, Ft Worden29 Tractor Days, Nordland28-29 Brinnon ShrimpFest30 Memorial Day

Upcoming Events6/1 Wed. Farm-

ers Market OPENS!6/3-5 Classic Mar-

iners Regatta6/5 Fort 2 Fort

Bike Ride6/16 Taste of PT6/18 Secret Gar-

den Tour7/3-10

Festival of American Fiddle Tunes

7/8-10 Hadlock Days

7/16 Airport Daze & Fly-In

7/19 Tribal Paddle Journey7/24-31 Centrum’s Jazz Festival7/31-8/7 Centrum’s Blues Festival8/12-14 Jefferson County Fair8/20 Uptown Street Fair8/20-21 Historic Homes Tour8/20-21 Artists’ Studio Tour9/9-11 Wooden Boat Festival9/17-18 JeffCo Farm Tour9/23-25 Port Townsend Film Festival

May events

April 2011 Jeff erson County Chamber Newsletter 3

Building Business, Building Community

Communicate through our business blog on jeff county chamber.org, our weekly e-newsletter and our newsletter. If you’re not tuned in you are missing the most current news available on issues that matter to your business.

Members are encouraged to submit their news for publication to director@jeff countychamber.org. This is the best FREE advertising available – get your message out there!

“Very fun, great food. Very enjoyable, friendly folks.”

“Excellent…Will be back next year. What a great event. Thank you.”

“Seriously YUMM!”The Port Townsend

Main Street Board and committee members are busy planning the popular “Taste of Port Townsend” restaurant tour for Thurs-day, June 16 from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The Taste of Port Townsend showcases some of Port Townsend’s favorite restaurants and tasty spots all in one night. One ticket gives guests ad-mission to all the venues on the tour. Once again this year, there will be an

option to buy an expanded ticket to participate in the Wine and Cider Tast-ing at the Banquet Room at Manresa Castle from 6:30-8:30 p.m. For ticket information and a list of participating restaurants, wineries and cider makers visit Main Street’s website at www.ptmainstreet.org. To volunteer at the event, please call the office at (360) 385-7911.

Tickets will go on sale in mid-May at Safeway on Sims Way, Quimper Sound (cash/checks only), and at the Food Coop, 414 Kearney.

Sponsored by The Port Townsend Main Street Program and Participating Businesses.

A new wireless Inter-net service provider is up and running at the Port Townsend Boat Haven, with the company sched-uled to expand its service to Point Hudson Marina by the end of April.

“North Olympic Peninsula Data Centers

came to us asking to put wireless service into our facility,” said Port of Port Townsend deputy director Jim Pivarnik.

He added that the port has service already, “but it’s sketchy at best” and not capable of the speed, quality or range of North

Olympic’s equipment.Local company repre-

sentative Leo Boyd II told port commissioners that North Olympic boasts a 15-kilometer range and speeds fully eight times as fast as the port’s current provider – all at a planned $29.95 a month, as com-

pared to $34.95.Customers can also pur-

chase service by the hour, day or week, according to a company representative.

The commissioners voted unanimously in January to have port staff pursue North Olympic’s offer.

Sound Experience, which owns and oper-ates the historic schooner Adventuress, has launched a contest challenging chil-dren, teachers and parents in peninsula-area schools and youth groups to create a short video that answers the question: “Why do you want to sail on Adventur-ess?”

The winning class or youth group will receive a three-hour sail for as many as 45 students, teachers and parents in mid-June from Port Angeles or Port Townsend.

The contest is open to peninsula youths in grades 3-12 along with their teachers and parents. Vid-eos must be two minutes

or less in length. They can be sent either in DVD format to Sound Experi-ence at P.O. Box 1390, Port Townsend, WA 98368 or uploaded electronically. To upload a video, send an email to

zach@soundexp.org for instructions. Videos must be received by Friday, May 6.

The public can vote for their favorite videos from May 9 to May 15. All videos will be uploaded to Sound Experience’s You-Tube channel. The video with the most votes wins, and the winner will be an-nounced on May 16.

To learn more about the contest, go to

soundexp.org.

Port contracts with new wireless provider

Adventuress launches video contest

The schooner Adventuress is a fmailiar sight all over Puget Sound. Sound Experience, which owns and operates the historic ship, is sponsoring a contest for children with a chance to win a sailing trip for a whole class.

Skillets heating up for taste of Port Townsend

4 April 2011 Jefferson County Chamber Newsletter

Isadora arIelle, health coach

I know you can see the sparkle in her eyes! This is Health Coach Isadora Arielle. She specializes in helping women over 50 live in healthy ways for a long, energetic life. Her work focuses on be-ing proactive about one’s health.

Ultimately, this is the best health insurance you could have, as living a healthy lifestyle can pre-vent all sorts of ailments and make you feel a lot better while doing it.

“Rather than dwell-ing on calories, carbs, fats, proteins, restrictions and lists of good and bad foods, I work with my clients to create a happy, healthy life in a way that is flexible, fun and free of denial and discipline,” Isadora says.

Isadora Arielle is joining the Chamber to expand her network and to be a part of this commu-nity. Visit her on the web, www.isadoraarielle.com. Or contact her for a free “Fit and Fabulous Over 50 Strategy Session.” (360) 379-8529

trIcIa GIllespIeTricia Gillespie knows

the value of a comfort-able pair of shoes. That’s

because she has been introducing herself to the residents in Port Hadlock.

Gillespie is a financial advisor for the financial services firm Edward Jones, and her neighbor-hood visits demonstrate the Edward Jones way of doing business -- face to face.

“At Edward Jones, we don’t expect anyone to invest with us until they know our investment phi-losophy,” Gillespie said. “I believe I have a respon-sibility to understand the unique financial needs of each and every client, and that’s why I’m paying them personal visits.”

“That’s one of the things that drew me to this firm,” Gillespie said.

“Edward Jones values the individual investor and understands that people still want to do business with someone they know and trust.”

Gillespie also had to complete one of the most rigorous training programs in the financial services industry.

And although she is well-versed in the techni-cal aspects of investments, the training isn’t over. Edward Jones places a lot of emphasis on continuing education, and its finan-cial advisors train literally throughout their careers.

“I know my clients want a financial advisor who is up to speed on investments and someone they know. That’s why we do things the way we do at Edward Jones,” Gillespie said.

Edward Jones provides financial services for individual investors in the United States and, through its affiliate, in Canada.

Every aspect of the firm’s business, from the types of investment options offered to the location of branch offices, is designed to cater to individual inves-tors in the communities in which they live and work. The firm’s 12,000-plus financial advisors work directly with nearly 7 million clients to under-stand their personal goals -- from college savings to retirement -- and cre-ate long-term investment solutions that emphasize a well-balanced portfo-lio and a buy-and-hold strategy. Edward Jones embraces the importance of building long-term, face-to-face relationships with clients, helping them to understand and make sense of the investment options available today.

Edward Jones, which ranked No. 11 on FOR-TUNE magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” in 2011, is headquar-tered in St. Louis. The

Edward Jones web site is located at www.edward-jones.com, and its recruit-ing web site is www.careers.edwardjones.com. Member SIPC.

GeneratIons dentalGenerations Dental,

headed up by Dr. Greg Barry, has a beautiful of-fice with a very comfort-able atmosphere… except for the fact that it is a dentist’s office, of course. Generations Dental is located inside the Uptown Dental Clinic building. Their mission is to pro-vide affordable dentistry, including extractions and implants. These proce-dures are especially af-fordable because they are not referred out to special-ists but done in clinic and at general dentistry rates.

Generations Dentistry is really committed to serving all generations. In addition to keeping their corrective proce-dures in house, they offer

Free Happy Visits for kids where they show your child all of the fun aspects of dentistry in advance so that when children really need to get checkups they are comfortable and can have a relatively enjoyable time. I asked if I could have a Free Happy Visit and they didn’t seem to think I was a good candi-date for that, sadly.

Generations Dentistry is joining Chamber to be a part of the community, to meet more people, and to enjoy more visibility. We are glad to have them aboard! To find out more contact office manager Kathy Ziebell at 360-379-1591. See them online at www.GenerationsDental.net.

chImacum cornerFarmstand

Have you noticed the big yellow building in Chimacum with the gi-ant chicks painted on the

New members

Welcome these businesses to the chamber!

Isadora Arielle Dr. Greg Barry

The staff at the Chimacum Corner Farmstand welcomes shoppers to the store, which is quickly becoming a central gathering place for the Tri-Area community.

Tricia GillespieContinued on Page 5

April 2011 Jeff erson County Chamber Newsletter 5

side? Well that is Chima-cum Corner Farmstand! The next time you are in the neighborhood you simply must stop by and check out this amazing mecca for local produce and goods.

I had the pleasure of sitting down with co-owner Malcolm Dorn (of Wallyworks Construc-tion). Malcolm explained to me that the purpose of creating the Chimacum Corner Farmstand is to bring sustainability and a community center to Chimacum.

He and his co-owners, Phil Vogelzang, and Katy McCoy, want to ensure that Chimacum thrives. They see community as concentric circles.

In the center for this delightful business is Chi-macum. The produce and other products are sourced first from Chimacum growers. Chimacum Cor-ner Farmstand has taken the community circle out a few miles to supply great wines from Washington. They had to take the com-munity ring out very far to supply local parents with bananas.

Indeed, the focus is on providing what the community wants and needs. Malcolm explained that their vision is not set in stone, but an organic

emerging destination based on listening to the community. Chima-cum Corner Farmstand is joining the Jefferson County Chamber of Com-merce because to do so is directly in line with their values and visions to cre-ate community.

Other staff includes Lindsay Simons, Retail Manager, John Foss, Facilities and Produce Manager, Heidi Eisenhour, Outreach Consultant and a team of vibrantly friendly checkers. Find out more at chimacumcorner.com or by calling 360-732-0107.

Inhealth ImaGInGInHealth Imaging is

now the First Center in Washington State to offer 3-D Digital Mammogra-phy, the Best Defense in Early Cancer Detection.

InHealth Imaging specializes in Diagnos-tic and Preventative Medical Imaging of-fering a full spectrum of imaging equipment including high field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Multi-dector Computer Tomog-raphy (CT), Ultrasound, Nuclear Medicine, 3-D Digital Mammography, Bone Densitometry (DXA), Digital X-ray with Fluoroscopy and Pain Management using guided imagery.

At InHealth Imaging board certified radi-ologists use their vast experience and the most advanced technology to detect life-threatening diseases in their early stages, when they are most treatable. InHealth Imaging strives to pro-vide you with the best imaging technology and information to help you stay InHealth.

InHealth Imaging recognizes the great value in working with and being active in our community and chamber membership provides an excellent resource to keep in touch with those in which they serve.

In Health Imaging is able to accommodate same day and walk in pa-tients and charges do not include any hidden costs or facility fees.

They now offer a ded-icated Patient Account Hotline at (360) 710-6341 providing patient’s access to answers regard-ing insurance premiums or to make arrangements for payment options.

For additional in-formation on InHealth Imaging please contact Director of Development Kelle Kitchel-Cooper @ (360) 774-0431 or Kelle@inhealthimag-ing.com. The web site is inhealthimaging.com.

New Members

By Patrick J. Sullivan of the Leader

Things are looking much better than just a few weeks ago for the Rhodo-dendron Festival, but the community celebration could use more help and donations.

About a dozen people attended an April 7 Rhododendron Festival Asso-ciation board meeting – twice as many as usual. Donations of money, time and ideas are coming in.

The Pay Pal account on the associa-tion’s web page has brought in $630.25. The Rhody association has about $4,000 in the bank.

Plans are taking shape for the “Dude Looks Like a Lady” fashion show, an-other key fundraiser. (Date and location are still undetermined).

The Port Townsend Kiwanis Club and Port Townsend Main Street Program have boosted support that led the Rhody board to move the Kiddie Parade on Friday, May 20 back downtown. It has been staged uptown the past two years.

“Yes, we are encouraged by the sup-port we received at the last meeting,” said Christy Green, association presi-dent and mother of Princess Abigail Green.

People can go to rhodyfestival.org and donate online, or mail a check to the Rhododendron Festival Associa-tion, P.O. Box 766, Port Townsend, WA 98368.

May 6 is the entry deadline for the May 21 Grand Parade. Download your entry form at rhodyfestival.org. Com-mercial entries pay $50.

In terms of bringing the traditional

carnival in for Rhody, Plan A is still to use Jefferson County Memorial Athletic Field downtown –if the field dries out enough to support the equipment.

The Sequim Irrigation Festival do-nated $1,000 for Rhody to buy supplies to finish a float, which at this point is guaranteed only to be in the Sequim parade May 14 and the Rhody Grand Parade May 21.

“Hopefully we will at least get to take the float to the Hadlock and Quilcene parades, too,” noted 76th Rhododendron Festival Queen Emma King, a Quilcene resident and a junior at Chimacum High School.

Long-term fundraising remains an issue, even with anticipated proceeds from this year’s carnival.

Rhody awards the queen a $1,500 scholarship and each princess $1,000 after their successful completion of a one-year commitment.

The money is payable only to a college, university or other accredited school; it is not a cash prize. Queens and princesses who do not pursue such education do not receive the money.

However, a royalty member has two years from high school graduation to collect.

Presently, Rhody potentially owes $1,000 for a 2009 princess (class of 2010) who has not yet gone to college, plus $2,500 for the two girls (class of 2011) who just completed their terms, and potentially $3,500 for the current royal court (one senior and two ju-niors).

“At this point, we do not have that money,” said Stacie Richards, past pres-ident and a Rhody board member.

rIBBon cuttInG at the marKetJefferson County Cham-ber of Commerce staff were on hand to cut the ribbon and help open the Port Townsend Farmer’s market in April. Here, Market Director Will O’Donnell introduces a goat to a market visitor.

Rhody fest gets some help,but more would be welcome

Continued from Page 4

6 April 2011 Jeff erson County Chamber Newsletter

By Patience Rogge

Meredith Wagner, associ-ate director of the Jefferson County Library (JCL), characterizes her role as being “the person behind the scenes who makes stuff hap-pen.” As part of the adminis-trative team with library di-rector Ray Serebrin, Wagner acts as the library’s business manager with responsibility for human relations, fi nance, programming, public and commercial relations.

What she enjoys the most about her job is fi nding an innovative idea, fi guring out how it can be adapted lo-cally and working with staff to implement the project. Two recent examples of innovative programs are the hugely popular “Quick Picks,” which gives readers the opportunity to borrow bestsellers with minimum hassle, and the Book Club Kit, which relieves book club members of having to buy the titles they will be discussing or having to wait for a limited number of copies to be available. Another notable example of Wagner’s creative ideas is the annual Huntingford Hu-manities Lecture, a series of presentations by a variety of authors and thinkers named in honor of Sally Hunting-ford, one of the primary advocates for the establish-ment of library service for the people of unincorporated Jefferson County. In autumn 2011, the lecture will feature Erik Larson, author of The Devil in the White City.

To Wagner, the guid-ing philosophy of JCL is service to the commu-

nity. “This is a place where everybody feels welcome, an important place to go where people share ideas. We provide a portal for people to access technology so they aren’t marginalized. If people aren’t up on how to use technology, the way information is exchanged today, they are more and more left behind. In today’s economy, this community turns to the library increas-ingly as a resource. Our status as an independent taxing district, not part of the county government, provides us the fl exibility to respond to the needs of the community quickly. We also know that the high-touch service our staff pro-vides is important to people and can never be replaced by machines.”

Wagner was hired by the late library director Judy Gunter in 1990 as an

administrative assistant to help in the library’s building expansion. With a background in non-profi t management with the Col-lege of William and Mary and the Chrysler Museum of Art in Virginia, she had the right skills at the right time. During the building project, Gunter was hospi-talized for an extended pe-riod of time due to a heart attack and Wagner bore the responsibility of overseeing

the work. When the library automated and the Coop-erative Library Automated Network (CLAN) was established in the 1990s, it was Wagner who led the effort for JCL.

Now Wagner faces a new challenge with the proposed renovation and expansion of the library building. “After good planning and having done the necessary ground-work, we intend to provide more space for collections and high-demand materials, more room for children’s programs, more seating and more community meeting spaces. This will be accom-plished with a combination of private fundraising and bond funds. We have the facilities planning and cost estimating done. If the bond election in August is successful, the fi rst step will be to hire an archi-tect, then the design work will take about 18 months. Construction will take about a year and the doors will open in summer 2014.”

Meredith Wagner can be reached at the Jeffer-son County Library, 620 Cedar Ave., Port Hadlock, by phone at 385-6544, or by email to mwagner@jclibrary.info.

Looking for a great business lunch spot?We feature delicious daily specials

Beer • Wine • Cocktails

Open @ 11:30 am Daily1038 Water Street, Port Townsend • 360-385-9708

• Pre-Need Arrangements •• Personalized Funeral & Memorial Services •

• Cemetery Markers & Monuments •• On-Site Crematory •

Owned & Operatedby the Robles Family

(360)385-26421615 Parkside Dr., Port Townsend WA 98386

Profile

Meredith Wagner “makes stuff happen” at the Jefferson Coun-ty Library in Port Hadlock.

Looking for effective exposure for your business? Join the Chamber and get some help.

• Visitor Information Center volunteers can direct busi-ness your way! Contact VIC manager Karen Anderson to schedule a time to stop by and introduce yourself and your business to the VIC volunteers and sales force. You can also ask about scheduling a Familiarization Tour for the volun-teers to come see your business.

• Tourism-based members can also participate in special promotional displays at the VIC.

• Increase your online exposure on jeffcountychamber.org, which lists a directory of Chamber members.

• Have the Chamber represent your business at commu-nity events that we participate in, such as the Rhody Festi-val, Jefferson County Fair and Port Townsend Film Festival.

• Decrease your mailing costs by taking advantage of the Chamber’s bulk-mailing permit if you are sending a mailing of 200 pieces or more.

The Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce is dedicat-ed to helping member businesses succeed. Don’t be afraid to ask us how we can help.

Wagner enjoys innovation, action, implementation

Take these simple steps to leverageyour membership

If you are a member of the Jeff erson County Chamber of Commerce and use Twitter or Facebook -- please follow us @Jeff CoChamber on Twitter and Jeff erson County Chamber of Commerce on Facebook.

We use Twitter and Facebook to showcase our

members and bring you the latest business news that is important to our members – so if you’ve got some news, a deal, a Twitter-only special – tweet about it and we’ll help spread the word.

Follow the Chamberon Twitter, Facebook

April 2011 Jefferson County Chamber Newsletter 7

With the completion of construction downtown on Water Street in April, one thought comes to mind: Let’s celebrate!

Through a series of festival-style weekend events from April 29 through the Memorial Day weekend, the community can join in the celebration of the newly completed Civic District, named as such in the City of Port Townsend’s Urban Water-front Plan.

Listed below are just some of the events that will be happening from April 29 through the Memorial Day weekend. Posters will be available with this information, as well as links on the Cham-ber’s website beginning April 1. Please check back as times and events could possibly change.

FrIday, aprIl 29Main Street’s Down-

town Open/Available Space Tour, 4 to 7 p.m.

Get an insider’s look at potential properties for lease or for sale in down-town Port Townsend. Start the walking tour at the Mount Baker Block Build-ing, 213 Taylor St.

saturday, aprIl 30Dedication of the newly

remodeled Cotton Build-ing, 1 p.m.

Following the dedica-tion, the Port Townsend Arts Commission will

have a photo exhibit chronicling the construc-tion of Gerard Tsutaka-wa’s work “Salish Sea Circle.” They will have a panel that will discuss the role of public art in com-munities.

sunday, may 1Main Street’s Art Wave

begins (children’s art is showcased in stores through May).

JCHS Founders’ Day Celebration, City Council Chambers, 1p.m.

This is the annual meeting for the Jefferson County Historical Society and the presentation of the Historic Preserva-tion Awards. Following the presentation, the new Rothschild House Des-sert Cookbook will be unveiled with a reception held in the Cotton Build-ing at 2 p.m.

FrIday, may 6JCHS First Friday Lec-

ture, City Council Cham-bers, 7 p.m.

Popular poet and jour-nalist Mary Lou Sanelli will read from her works.

saturday, may 7The unveiling of “The

Three Otters” at the Northwest Maritime Cen-ter, noon.

The 30-inch-tall bronze sculpture is by re-nowned Northwest sculp-tor and Whidbey Island

resident Georgia Gerber. One of her most famous local pieces is Rachel the bronze pig at the Pike Place Market. This public artwork is made possible by the generosity of the Summit Family Founda-tion.

Opening Day on the Bay/Parade of Boats at NWMC, 1 p.m.

Sponsored by the Port Townsend Yacht Club.

Main Street’s Art Fund-raiser for Children’s Art in schools, all day down-town.

Free Day at the JCHS Museum, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The Jefferson County Museum will be open for evening visitors during Gallery Walk. This is a chance to see the museum and the charming historic photographs of Jumbo the dog, in the City Council Chambers.

Gallery Walk, 5:30 to 8 p.m.

PT Shorts in Cotton Building, 7 p.m.

saturday, may 14Madison Street Arts &

Crafts Fair, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Dedication of Tsutaka-wa “Salish Sea Circle” and dedication of the Community Plaza/Pope Marine Park, 1 p.m.

A variety of children’s art activities will be hap-pening in the Pope Marine Building from 2 to 4 p.m.

A professional photog-rapher will be on hand to “catch the moment” for kids and families with the “Salish Sea Circle” and photos will be available for purchase for a nominal fee.

sunday, may 15Madison Street Arts &

Crafts Fair, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

saturday, may 21Rhody Grand Parade –

in the heart of the Civic District, 1 p.m.

saturday, may 28Follow the fun from

the Farmers Market to downtown or meet us in the park. The New Old Time Chautauqua will of-fer music, juggling, crafts and magic. “Someone will win a prize for the “Best Dressed Bicycle!”

Chamber contactsChamber Staff

Executive Director Teresa Verraes director@jeffcountychamber.org

Event Coordinator Laura Brackenridge admin@jeffcountychamber.org 385-7869 VIC Manager Karen Anderson info@jeffcountychamber.org

Membership Director Heather Flanagan membership@jeffcountychamber.org 379-5380

Executive Board President Kim Aldrich Cobalt Mortgage Vice president Fred Obee The Leader Secretary Molly Force N.D. Prosper Natural Health Past President Kris Nelson Siren’s PubTreasurer Kerry Robinson Frontier Bank

DirectorsJordan Eades Hope Roofing Chuck Russell Valley Tavern Ron Ramage Quimper InnKatherine Brady Brady Chiropractic Linda Streisguth Puget Sound Energy Judy Cavett FairWinds WineryCarol Woodley Hadlock Realty & Hadlock Hotel

Debbie Wardrop Resort at Port LudlowVi Koenig PT Laundromat Terra Tosland Worldmark ClubPiper Diehl Ludlow Bay Wellness SpaNancy McConaghy Coldwell BankerKathryn Brady Brady ChiropracticBill Wise Team Jefferson

Alex Vinniski Ancestral Spirits GalleryDominic Svornich Kitsap Bank

Newsletter AdvertisingSara Radka

The Leader360-385-2900

We welcome your submissions. If you have news to share, send articles and photos to director@jeffcountychamber.org or mail to 220 12th St. Port Townsend, WA 98368.

Chamber after Hours May 10 at The UpstageCome and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow chamber members and guests Tuesday,

May 10 at Chamber After Hours, 5:30 to 7 p.m., this month sponsored by The Upstage & Subway.

The gathering will be at the Upstage, 923 Washington St., Port Townsend. The Upstage serves Northwest and Mediterranean Cuisine at great prices. Refreshments include microbrew beers, wine, and spirits. Generally Upstage is an all-ages venue and is known in Port Townsend as a great place with great entertainment. Programming includes a fine blend of local, regional, national and international acts. A secluded patio with herb garden and propane heaters is adjacent to the restaurant. Subway Sandwiches is located conveniently across from the Port Townsend Ferry landing on Water Street. Subway is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Chamber Ambassadors group meets at the AjaxThe Ambassadors Group meets from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on May 19 at the Ajax Café in

lower Hadlock.

Please contact the Chamber office to find out more about this fun program and how you can be involved, or to talk about having a ribbon cutting or celebration at your business.

All members are welcome to be a part of the Ambassadors Group. This is an ever-growing, fun, social group that is getting together once a month at various member restaurants. Members spend some time talking about new businesses that can be welcomed or businesses that have something new going on that can be celebrated. Ambassadors are planning upcoming open houses and ribbon cuttings. The rest of the time is spent eating, drinking and laughing – and getting to know fellow Chamber members better.

The Chamber would like to thank the following members for being part of this group: Sherry Kack, professional referrals (and organizer for the group); Carol Woodley, Hadlock Realty & Hadlock Motel; Heather Flanagan, certified life coach and Chamber membership director; Marilyn St. Clair, Victoria House; Mark Cole, Upstage Restaurant; Melinda Short, Oasis Daycare & Preschool; Mickey Davis, Subway; Nina Dortch, Holly Hill House; Nancy Tocatlian, T’s Restaurant; Sandi Bird, Life Care Center of Port Townsend; Vi Koenig, PT Laundromat & Car Wash; Viva Davis, Hadlock Realty; Riannan Clark, Jefferson Title Co.; Karen Anderson, Visitor Information Center; Karen Gale, Aloft Images; Pam Lampman, Wells Fargo; Jon Muellner, Windseye Design; and Marilyn Staples, the Green Eyeshade.

MeetingsTuesday, May 3, Coffee Talk, 8 to 9 a.m., Inn at Port Ludlow, One Heron Road, Port

Ludlow.

Friday, May 6, Web Design 101, 6 to 7 p.m., WSU, 201 W. Patison, Port Hadlock

Friday, May 13, Young Professionals Group, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Undertown, 211 Taylor St., Port Townsend

Briefly...

Personalized service for all your insurance needs

www.homersmith.com

Homer Smith Insurance

1-800-464-4140Port Townsend: 360-385-3711

Sequim: 360-683-4970

AUTO ❘ HOME ❘ LIFE ❘ BUSINESSMARINE ❘ HEALTH

Celebrations kick off in civic district

8 April 2011 Jeff erson County Chamber Newsletter

By Karen Anderson

Helen Cleveland is a practical lady. She is appropriate and smart, and when she wears pink, it brings out the rose in her cheeks. She is active and social and loyal and smiles even when she’s expressing her concern or consternation.

Though if you think you can place this woman into a prim and proper box tied with a perfect bow, think again. Helen told me about her adventures while eating crab cakes and Indian Burgers at the Hudson Point Café. She talked about her life being a world traveler. Growing up in Bristol, England, and moving to Montreal, Canada, then to New York City, she developed a love for being in new places. Already in three countries by age 25, she had her sights set on San

Francisco for more new experiences. However, her sights were also set on a handsome young man she worked with named Bob; and Bob gained the upper hand during the Transit Strike of New York in 1966, when he and Helen found themselves walk-ing home from work each night.

Though San Francisco easily took the backseat to marriage and soon after, family, the desire and opportunity for adventure did not. Helen and Bob migrated to Australia together, where they had their daughter, Kelsey. After six years of Aussie life, they found their way back to the states to raise their daughter, but not before living in Singapore for a few years. Helen and Bob raised Kelsey in Minnesota and continued to travel to find adven-ture after adventure. The

most exotic place Helen has been may not be her favorite, but her story about trekking across the Himalayas made it sound like the lark of a lifetime. She chuckled over the memory of being outnum-bered eight to one by men and being one of only four people who spoke English. This woman is serious.

Helen and Bob found their way to Port Townsend, albeit indi-rectly, through Australia. They had met a Canadian/American couple there who owned a home in Sequim. They visited the couple on the Olympic Peninsula, dropped them off at the Port Townsend ferry one afternoon, and the rest, as they say, is history. With one look at the cute, Victo-rian seaport with mountains across the water and in the

backyard, they knew they had found their new home. It’s the place they always come back to no matter where else they go.

Helen figures that she’s the fourth longest employed volunteer at the Port Townsend Visitor Information Center (VIC), starting over 14 years ago. She keeps coming back each week because “it’s a great place to come and meet people,” and she always goes into visitor information centers when she travels. In addition to volunteering at the VIC, Helen is an active volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, Centrum and the Port Townsend Film Festival. “Oh, we’ve been volunteering for the Film Festival since the begin-ning!” she exclaimed after talking about how much she loves the movies.

Don’t let Helen fool you when she sits down quietly to knit or read a book or tackle the garden. We know just the tip of the adventure iceberg that is her life. She did make it to San Francisco, by the way, on her way out of the country though.

Thank you, Helen, for your consistency, hard work, and vast knowledge of Port Townsend. And thank you to all of our dedicated volunteers!

prsrt stdu.s. postaGe paIdport toWnsend, WapermIt no. 34

Member of

the month�

Duane Anderson CPA

261 Margaret St.Port Ludlow, WA 98365

(360) 437-1392

DEAndersonCPA@msn.com

�

volunteer of the monthCleveland has thirst for adventure

Helen Cleveland

activities are to a day trip on the water in the Port Townsend Bay. These trips have become invaluable to businesses, volunteers, tourists and locals.

Need a testimonial? Ask a Chamber member hotel. Hotels make it a practice to ask their guests how they heard about the establishment. Tour-ists each want something different and usually have very specific requests. By seeing each hotel, VIC volunteers have an oppor-tunity to give first-hand information to potential overnight visitors and match them with their ideal sleeping accommo-dation. Don’t stop there though. Events that hap-pen regularly within the community also need to get the word out, not only that they’re happening, but what it is that’s happen-ing and, more importantly, how much fun it is!

If you would like to let our VIC volunteers know what you do and show

them all about it, call the VIC and set up a FAM Tour!

Continued from Page 1

FAM tours: Help the volunteers learn what your business provides