calendar End of Year Holiday Luncheon chamber luncheon

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1 DECEMBER 2016 calendar cornerstone members TESORO Puget Sound Refinery chamber luncheon 819 Commercial Avenue THE ANACORTES COMMUNICATOR The Newsletter of the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce Volume 26 / Issue 12 Thursday, December 1 Ambassador Meeting Friday, December 2 Chamber Tree Lighting Chamber Parking Lot Friday, December 2 Chamber Sponsored Holiday Art Walk Downtown Anacortes Saturday, December 3 Chamber Sponsored Holiday Art Walk Downtown Anacortes Tuesday, December 6 Retail Trades Meeting Tuesday, December 6 Marine Trades Division Meeting 11:45am 6:00pm 6:00pm 6:00pm 8:30am 10:00am Wednesday, December 7 3:30pm Marketing & Promotions Division Meeting Thursday, December 8 Chamber Luncheon Majestic Inn and Spa Thursday, December 8 Membership Division Meeting Friday, December 9 Economic & Development Division Thursday, December 15 Multi Chamber Business After Hours Quantum Construction Inc. Friday, December 16 Finance/Executive Meeting Tuesday, December 27 Visitor Center Volunteer Meeting 11:30am 4:00pm 2:30pm 5:30pm 10:30am 9:00am Chamber office will be closed Monday December 26th and January 2nd. End of Year Holiday Luncheon Please join us for our last luncheon of the year on December 8th, 2016 at the Majestic Inn and Spa. This holiday networking luncheon will give members a chance to connect with fellow business professionals and celebrate the season. This luncheon is sponsored by Scott Milo Gallery at the Framemaker who offers custom picture framing and a fine art gallery featuring regional artists. The shop is open six days a week, from 10:30am 4:30pm and by appointment. They open each gallery show with an artist reception on the First Friday each month. The frame shop offers hundreds of custom frame samples, a computerized mat cutter for expert precision and qualified staff to design and build the perfect picture frame to preserve your pieces. The art gallery represents over 60 regional artists with about ten shows per year. You will find original paintings, glass work, wood tables, sculptures, jewelry and textile work. Visit the shop at 420 Commercial Avenue in Anacortes or online at The lunch will take place at the Majestic Inn and Spa. Please RSVP and pay online or in the chamber office to receive the $15 luncheon rate. Payment at the door at the time of the luncheon will be $18. Bring a gift for the giveaway. business after hours It's a holiday event that you won't want to miss! Quantum Construction welcomes you to the December All Chamber After Hours on December 15, 5:30p.m. Hearty appetizers and desserts with a festive holiday theme catered by Gere-a-Deli, a custom picked wine selection by wine expert Frank Michaud of The Store in Anacortes, tastings by Deception Distilling, and a beer selection from the Skagit Valley College s Craft Brewing Academy, this event will be the perfect way to relax and unwind during the busy holiday season. There will be fun activities, networking with members from other Skagit County Chambers, prizes and giveaways. To top it off, we know that the Seahawks are playing that evening, so we ll have the game on as well! What s better than a catered event with your friends to watch the Hawks crush the Rams? Bring a giveaway gift to showcase your business! Please RSVP on the chamber website.

2 Financial solutions for life. Anacortes Office (360) Member FDIC peoplesbank-wa.com a message from the board chairman Dear Chamber Members: As we wind down 2016 and gear up for another great year, I wanted to highlight some of our accomplishments. The Spring Wine Festival was a great success this year over We increased attendee satisfaction of the event from a 32% to 90% positive feedback. Part of that was from the implementation of a VIP hour, which allowed for true wine aficionados to have a more personal experience with the wine makers. Bier on the Pier sold out this year with 2600 beer enthusiasts in attendance. A primary emphasis of producing these large events is to ensure the rest of the community reaps the rewards guests spent the night in paid accommodations and 31% of attendees traveled more than 50 miles to join us. Guest satisfaction continued to be high with a 91% positive rating (and happy people stay longer in communities and spend more). The Membership Division implemented a retention schedule that calls for more chamber interaction with members throughout the year by utilizing board members and ambassadors. member profile The Division also held a Membership Drive last month bringing in seven new members and more importantly having non-staff out telling our story to future prospective members. Experience Anacortes continues to be a major focus for the staff and board. Close to 300 community members have attended the Promise Learning Experiences and shared how they would live out the Promise. Acting as the Destination Marketing Organization, staff is ensuring advertising efforts reflect the Promise. Collectible cards have been produced as gifts to guests of our island and are distributed at tourism related retailers (member and nonmember businesses). Some plans for next year include implementing action steps for Experience Anacortes to move forward to ensure our destination IS your island getaway. One example would be to finalize welcome signage and design new banners for South Commercial Avenue. We will be adding Anacortes students to the Promise Learning Experiences as well. As the city moves into the implementation phase of the Comprehensive Plan, we will ensure the business community stays involved. As EDASC continues to move forward with its strategic plan, we will partner in job creation and business retention by offering opportunities here on our island. Personally, I would like to find a community service project that chamber members can work towards together. I am excited to serve as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for your chamber this year and I look forward to working with you. If you have input or would just like to chat I can be reached at Brian Johnson Anacortes Construction Services Want to look good and feel great? Come in and experience boutique shopping at its very best. Classic Style and Company opened in July 2014 in a small 300 square foot space in the front of KP Studios (now ACME Creative). Lori Maul opened the shop with her hand knit sweaters and vests, knitting machine in the window, and a few hats. She wasn t sure the direction the business would take but had done her research and decided Anacortes was the place. She was right. In July of last year, the shop moved a few doors down to 711 Commercial Avenue. She and husband, Dan, renovated the shop, which offered more space, better light, and easier access for customers. Classic Style is not trendy but instead offers beautiful clothing with an artistic flair. The shop caters to mature women and carries some garments especially for petite women. They also feature something very unique: professional handmade garments and accessories from local designers and artisans. At Classic Styles you will find fine fabrics, flattering styles, simple lines, and garments that are easily packable for travel. Come peruse their unique collection of jackets (both dress and cold weather), hand knit sweater and shawl collections, hand-stitched local bags and jewelry, and stunning hats for everyday and special occasions. They seek out specialty garments and small designers in order to support small businesses, and frankly, they often have innovative designs and fabrics otherwise unseen in the marketplace. Come let Classic Style and Company help you find the right garment with the right fit for the right occasion. They are proud to be part of Anacortes and appreciate the community s support of their shop. For more information, please visit their website at classicstyleco.com or come for a visit. 2

3 AT THE FRAMEMAKER Regional Fine Art and Custom Picture Framing 420 Commercial Ave. Anacortes In keeping with our Coastal Christmas theme, the community tree this year is made up of over 125 crab pots. Working in collaboration with the Department of Fish and Wildlife, we were able to find pots seized from Canadian commercial crabbers illegally fishing in Washington and were slated for recycling because they do not meet Washington State Regulations. Now they have a second life and will be used in the years to come for our community tree. A tremendous thank you to Andy Schwenk of Northwest Rigging for transporting them from Ferndale to his business. Ralph Downes and Russ Mullins with DFW were key to making all this happen. Jason Dunton of Duntons Welding helped again with the trunk or, as we refer to it, the anchor, for our tree. All the garland has been donated by Costco and the tree toppers, made for us by the Anacortes High school arts club last year are again being used. The hundreds of buoys beautifully decorated covering the tree were done at this year s Anacortes Arts Festival Youth Discovery Area. These too can be used for years to come. Once again the lobby of our building, AKA Santa s workshop, will be beautifully decorated by Kathleen Johnson. We hope you will join us on Friday December 2nd from 6-7pm for the tree lighting celebration. Local elementary schools, the high school as well as the An-O-Chords and Salvation Army Brass band will perform. Santa will of course be there to help light up the tree -- and then stay for photos after! new staff Nancy Rytand joined the staff as the Events and Communications Coordinator back at our Board Planning Session on October 18th. She s no new face to Anacortes or the chamber. Nancy moved to here from Kirkland in 1996 with the family business, Transpac Marinas. Wanting to get to know more people in the area she dove into the coffee business, which was where she met the majority of her extended family. For the past several years she s been working in the development and events arena with the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, Burlington Chamber of Commerce, Island Hospital Foundation and lastly with EDASC and the Leadership Skagit Program. (We should note that with the addition of Nancy, the entire staff of the chamber are Leadership Skagit graduates!) Winters you can find her vacationing in warmer weather climates and in the summer, it s crabbing on her SUP off their beach home on Smilk Bay. Good thing she know about crab pots as her first event here, the annual Christmas Tree Lighting, involves constructing our community tree out of crab pots. Nancy is excited to join the staff and be back home and looking forward to working with all of you on the events for Anacortes. You can reach Nancy at or nrytand@anacortes.org shop anacortes dollars Did you know about our Shop Anacortes Dollars? They are a great way to encourage spending with local merchants, and give a local gift that's just as good as cash. These are sold in $5 increments at the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce. They're great to give as teacher appreciation gifts, stocking stuffers, employee incentives/ rewards, birthday gifts, or any other reason you might want to treat someone! There's no expiration date, and they never decrease in value. Currently participating business are online at anacortes.org/shopanacortes. If you are interested in joining the program, please contact Amanda Hubik at the chamber to have your name added to the list. As always, if you have any questions, please give us a call at

4 YOUR TIME IS VALUABLE. We take the burden of business supply management off your shoulders. With an Ace Commercial Account, we deliver: Janitorial and sanitation products Property management supplies Paper products and more Contact our B2B specialist Brent at or call or apply online today at TheSupplyPlace.com/05588 November 26th Sponsor Locations: The Good Stuff Arts and Anacortes VIC December 2nd Annual Christmas Tree Lighting - Free! Location: 819 Commercial Avenue Time: 6pm December 2nd Chamber Holiday Art Walk - Free! Location: Downtown Anacortes Time: 6pm-9pm Sponsor Locations: Tides of Anacortes and Anacortes VIC Christmas Parade - Free! Location: Downtown Anacortes Time: 12:00 noon Chamber Holiday Art Walk - Free! Location: Downtown Anacortes Time: 10am-4pm Celebrate the Season Opening Day ($5 per person/$20 per family at the door) Location: Port of Anacortes Event Center Time: 12 noon 5pm Breakfast with Santa ($6) Location: Anacortes Senior Center nd Street, Anacortes Time: 8am-11am December 4th Celebrate the Season ($5 per person/$20 per family at the door) Location: Port of Anacortes Event Center Time: 12 noon 5pm December 9th & 10th Winter Wonderland Walk at Washington Park - Free! Location: Washington Park Sunset Avenue, Anacortes Time: 5pm-8pm December 10th Sponsor Locations: Pearl Buttons and Buer's Floral December 10th & 11th Fidalgo DanceWorks presents The Nutcracker Ballet ($12-$17) Location: Anacortes High School; Brodniak Hall th Street, Anacortes Time: 730pm on December 10th; 2:30pm on December 11th December 14th Celtic Christmas Celebration - Free! (with donation - $25 if reservation) Location: Port of Anacortes Event Center 100 Commercial Avenue Time: Doors open at 6:30pm December 15th-17th Deck the Docks at Cap Sante Marina Location: Cap Sante Marina 1019 Q Avenue December 16th-17th Bowman Bay Holiday - $5 donation Location: Bowman Bay at Deception Pass State Park Time: 4-7pm December 17th Sponsor Locations: Classic Style & Company and Toy Stories December 17th Jingle Bell Dash 5k Run/Walk & Kids Dash to Santa Location: Seafarers Memorial Park Building 601 Seafarers Way Times: Registration begins at 9am December 17th Fidalgo Danceworks: Winter Celebration Location: Anacortes High School; Brodniak Hall th Street, Anacortes Time: 3:00pm December 17th "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" - $20 Reserved seating Location: ACT Theater, 918 M Ave December 24th Sponsor Location: Anacortes VIC ANACORTES PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT presents a free holiday event Wonderland Walk at Washington Park Rain or Shine! More info at cityofanacortes.org or

5 ExpEriEncE MattErs REAL ESTATE Considering Buying or Selling Real Estate? Full time top producing Real Estate Broker Experienced Negotiator Exceptional Marketing Top Search Engine Placement RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL & LAND Allen WorkmAn Managing Broker allenw@johnlscott.com ACME Creative * (retail goods only) 705 Commercial Avenue Alley Cat Antiques * 301 Commercial Avenue Anacortes Candle Company * 619 Commercial Avenue, Mezzanine Anacortes Diving & Supply 2502 Commercial Ave Anacortes Health & Nutrition * th Street Anacortes Oil & Vinegar Bar * 704 Commercial Avenue The Apothecary Spa * 419 Commercial Avenue AwesomeSomething 3015 C Commercial Avenue Bayshore Office Products * 603 Commercial Avenue PUNCH AND WIN! Pick up a punch card by shopping at participating stores between November 21st and December 24 and be entered to win weekly prizes, plus a grand prize drawing worth over $750! Double Punch Days Wednesday December 7, 14 & 21 - Shops Open Late (until 7:30pm) December 14 & 21 BikeSpot 210 Commercial Avenue Bloom Apothecary * 1019 Q Avenue (Little Chicago) Boxes and Bears * 709 Commercial Avenue Buer s Floral and Vintage * 720 Commercial Avenue Burton Jewelers * 620 Commercial Avenue Camwood Jewelers * 516 Commercial Avenue Classic Style & Company * 711 Commercial Avenue Donatello Gifts * 702 Commercial Avenue Epicure for the Passionate Cook * 714 Commercial Avenue Fidalgo Artisan Yarn Company * 711 Commercial Avenue, Suite B Gifts & More at Island Hospital * th Street (Near Central Registration) The Good Stuff * 902 8th Street In Stitches Quilt Shoppe * 820 Commercial Avenue Island Styles th Street Lil Tugs Children s Boutique * th Street Marine Supply & Hardware* 202 Commercial Avenue Pearl Buttons * 904 Commercial Avenue Pelican Bay Books * th Street The Red Snapper 501 Commercial Avenue Re-Feather Your Nest * 909 Commercial Avenue Scott Milo at the Framemaker * 420 Commercial Avenue Sebo's Henery Hardware * 1102 Commercial Avenue Sheely s Floral & Gifts * 1420 Commercial Avenue Skagit Cycle * 1620 Commercial Avenue Tides of Anacortes * 804 Commercial Avenue Toy Stories * th Street Watermark Book Company * 612 Commercial Avenue For more information and a list of participating merchants, visit anacortes.org/keepthecheerhere * Chamber Member Take a stroll through the woods and enjoy the music and lights of this magical event! View decorated campsites, feel the delight of familiar holiday music, and have cookies and hot chocolate as treats. Friday, December 9 5pm-8pm Saturday, December 10 5pm-8pm 5

6 thanks Thanks to United Way of Skagit County for sponsoring our November Luncheon and to Fidalgo Bay Resort for hosting. Thanks also to the following businesses for bringing a giveaway prize. Anacortes Arts Festival Express Employment Professionals Fidalgo Bay Resort Interpreting Technology Papa Murphy s Pizza Peoples Bank Port of Anacortes Commissioner Bill Short Scott Richards Insurance, Inc. Skagit Valley Tulip Festival United Way of Skagit County Welcome Wagon Thanks to Anacortes Oil & Vinegar Tasting Bar for hosting our November Business After Hours. Thanks also to the following businesses for bringing a giveaway prize. Anacortes Candle Co. Anacortes Construction Services LLC Anacortes Oil and Vinegar Bar Bank of the Pacific Classic Style & Company LLC CompuMatter Computer Store Cynthia Richardson Donatello Gifts Fidalgo Pool & Fitness Center Gateway Bed & Breakfast Land Title and Escrow Lighthouse Park R.V. Park & Mini Storage Portalis Skagit Signal Toy Stories Unique Romance Travel & Destination Weddings 2016 ambassadors Ericka Bakkom E Fresh Design, LLC Taylor Bannister Boys & Girls Club Jeremy Carter Washington National Guard Barry Harter Central Payment Corporation Rich Heidecker Youth Dynamics Brenden Jones Key Bank Sarah Jurkovich Washington Federal Jeri Kaufman Welcome Wagon Dan Maul Classic Style & Company Brad Moore Sign Dog NW Karen Norvell Caliber Home Loans Richard Riddell Town Crier Bill Robards North Sound Pest Solutions Cathy Rockwell Cathy s Accounting and Bookkeeping Service LLC Sarah Sanders Cap Sante Court Retirement Community Veronica Spencer Take Shape For Life Mary Staley Marketing WITH Mary Charles Yousling - Waddell & Reed Inc renewals Anaco Bay Inn Anacortes Health & Nutrition Anacortes Kayak Tours Anacortes Yacht Sales/AAA Yacht Finders Bella Ve Permanent Make Up and Healing Arts Best Western Plus Harbor Plaza and Conference Center El Jinete Mexican Restaurant Fidalgo Auto Parts Fidalgo Country Inn Frida's Gourmet Mexican Cuisine Marketing with Mary Tides of Anacortes Whidbey Coffee Wilhoit, Steven new members Bear, Barbara (360) bbear831@gmail.com BreakThrough (360) info@breakthroughwmt.com 3014 Commercial Ave Suite C Fresh Air Systems (360) adam@freshairwa.com Avon Allen Rd Mount Vernon, WA Hyde, Bob Island Behavioral Medicine (360) info@islandbehavioral.com 3014 Commercial Avenue Productive Dentist Academy (800) marketing@productivedentist.com 404 Commercial Ave. Anacortes Si Senor (360) jessica_gaspar@live.com th Street Anacortes UPS Store, The (360) store6773@theupsstore.com 1415 Commercial Ave Anacortes 6

7 Come see us for all your vehicle or vessel needs! Registration renewals, title transfers, disabled parking placards, monthly tonnage, trip permits, dealer work. 819 COMMERCIAL AVE STE. B ANACORTES, WA (360) 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! ambassador profile Jeri was born in Dinuba, a small town in the San Joaquin Valley of California. She was raised on a farm, and says the best thing about the Skagit Valley is it reminds her of her childhood. She is married to Jerry and you might have seen them dancing. She has three children and nine grandchildren. She enjoys gardening, golfing and is an artist. If you are lucky you might be the recipient of one of her paintings at the monthly chamber luncheon. You will also know her as the Skagit County Community Marketing Executive for Welcome Wagon. She introduces your business to the new mover. She would love to meet you. This holiday season, look for ways to engage with people in a positive, sincere and thankful way. Engage with others, be welcoming. Be helpful, show kindness and consideration. ribbbon cuttings Congratulations to Bastion Brewing on their Ribbon Cutting! Pictured here with owners Joe & Christine Behan, is Brian Johnson (Chamber Board Chairman), Congressman Rick Larson, Mayor Laurie Gere, employees Marissa Pratt and Evan Barnett along with many numerous chamber members to help celebrate. 7

8 PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID ANACORTES, WA PERMIT NO Commercial Ave., Suite F CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED chamber officers Executive Board CHAIRMAN Brian Johnson Anacortes Construction Services VICE CHAIRMAN Nancy Dalton Gateway Bed and Breakfast vic (visitor information center) statistics October 2015 October 2016 Visitors 2,811 2,775 Phone Calls Information Requests Thank you, volunteers! October 2015 October 2016 Relocation Requests Web Users 13,193 14,529 Web Page Views 30,765 32,124 Visit us on the web at TREASURER Mary LaFleur ALT Insurance BOARD MEMBER AT LARGE Dennis Richards Island Hospital PAST CHAIRMAN Chris Long Jolly Mon Charters Board of Directors Patti Anderson Williams & Nulle Sandra Benton THink Studios Cory Ertel Shell Puget Sound Refinery Kristi Gabrielse Windermere Mayor Laurie Gere City of Anacortes Matt Gill Tesoro Refining & Marketing Co Diana Jordan-New Bank of the Pacific John Olsen Anacortes Oil & Vinegar Bar Jeff Pleet Edward Jones Leslie Powell Lighthouse Memory Care Gina Walsh Peoples Bank Mark Wenzel Anacortes School District Peter Whiting Seattle Yachts Allen Workman John L. Scott Dan Worra Port of Anacortes Chamber Staff Stephanie Hamilton President Sandy Swartos Visitor Information & Operations Director Amanda Hubik Marketing & Promotions Director Nancy Rytand Events & Communications Coordinator Kristi Daniels & Crystal Johnson Licensing Sub-Agents Photography by Steve Berentson