August Thrive

Lace y Cha mber of Commerce

thrive!

August 2013 / Vol. 14, No. 8

The Lacey Chamber board and Lacey City Council joined the College Point Storage team for a ribbon cutting on Thursday, June 20. See page 5.

Inside this issue Calendar of Events

2

President’s Message

3

Changes

4

College Point Storage Grand Opening

5

Avoid “Cramming” for College Savings

5

Thank you Chamber, From Stephanie

6

Summer’s End Car Show

7

Business is Booming!

8

Sunscreen Thoughts and Tips

9

Ways to Make Marketing Eco-Friendly

The 3rd Annual South Sound BBQ Festiaval was a HUGE success! For pictures, winners, and sponsors see page 12.

Save the Date!

Saturday, October 19

10

Lacey 3rd of July Fireworks Celebration 11 Think Military and Holidays Now

11

South Sound BBQ Festival Thank Yous

12

Ambassador’s Corner

14

Sentinel Landscape Partnership

15

Follow us on:

Design and layout of the Thrive newsletter is performed by Essential Business Support.

Lacey Chamber Auction

T HChamber I N K First ¾¾ Jill Lane, Funeral Alternatives, had Annie’s Unique Gifts & Gift Baskets make her a basket for their Lakefair donation. ¾¾ Courtney Schrieve, North Thurston Public Schools, went to Bron’s Automotive for work on her Mini Cooper. ¾¾ John Pazar, Clear View Auto and Window Glass, used Sign-A-Rama for lettering on his storefront. ¾¾ Mariah Gates, Chase Bank, had her windshield replaced at Clear View Auto and Window Glass.

August Chamber Events

15

Thursday—Auction Committee Meeting 3:00 p.m.

Chamber Conference Room

6

Tuesday—Military Affairs Council 8:00 a.m.

Hawks Prairie Restaurant 8306 Quinault Drive NE

21

Wednesday—Education Council Meeting 1:00 p.m.

Brandman University 1445 Galaxy Dr. NE, Suite 201

7

Wednesday Topic: Business Strategies Speaker: Tammy Redmon, Business Coach Registration begins at 11:30 a.m.

Program begins at noon Saint Martin’s Worthington Center Cost: members prepaid online $18/at the door $25 Please prepay at www.laceychamber.com/register-overview/ Thank you to our Forum & Media Sponsors:

27

Tuesday—Ambassador’s Committee 12:00 p.m. (noon) Dirty Dave’s Pizza Parlor 3939 Martin Way E.

28

Wednesday—Board Meetings Executive 8:30 a.m.

Complete Board 9:30 a.m.

Chamber Conference Room

28

Wednesday—5:01 Surge!—hibu Hosted at the Chamber Office 8300 Quinault Dr NE 5:01-7:00 p.m.

RSVP to info@laceychamber.com

Morningside

96.9 KAYO

8

Thursday—Member Orientation 10:30 a.m.-noon and 5:30-7:00 p.m.

Chamber Conference Room RSVP to Fred Wright, 491-4141

8

Thursday—Membership Committee Meeting 1:00 p.m.

Chamber Conference Room

9

Friday—Government Affairs Council Meeting 11:30 a.m.

Panorama—Chambers House Restaurant 1751 Circle Lane SE

Weekly

LINC Meetings—Lacey Inspires Networking Communities Tuesdays, 11:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m.

Copper Creek Coffee Company 4120 Martin Way E

Wednesdays, 7:15-8:45 a.m.

Best Western Suites in Lacey 8326 Quinault Dr. NE

Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m.

Round Table Pizza 1401 Marvin Road NE Space is limited in both groups, contact Fred Wright 491-4141 to reserve your spot. Free to attend, just the cost of your meal.

Sponsors Forum Sponsor Morningside 809 Legion Way SE Olympia, WA 98507 360-596-3520 www.morningsideservices.com Media Sponsor 96.9 KAYO 1700 Marine Drive Olympia, WA 98501 360-943-1240 www.kgyradio.com 5:01 Surge! hibu Tacoma, WA 98402 www.yellowbook.com

2

August 2013

President’s Article

By Lowell Gordon, The Creative Office

H

opefully you didn’t miss the recently concluded Lacey Chamber South Sound BBQ Festival. This year we had more sponsors, more vendors, and the largest attendance we have ever had. We can proudly say it was the best Lacey Chamber South Sound BBQ Festival ever.

Everyone agreed that Huntamer Park was the perfect location for the event. Yes, Stephanie, you were right. With lots of green grass, shade from trees, power to the vendor booths, a built in stage, and plenty of parking, this was a great location.

Then, add fun events for the kids, great vendor booths and great food, this was truly a huge success. Thank you to all of our sponsors, vendors, backyard Joe’s, participants, and all of the many dedicated volunteers who made this a fantastically successful event. A special thank you to Dan and Shelley Nicholson from D Zines, who chaired the event committee, along with the committee members who spent many hours to make sure the event was successful. I would also like to give a special thank you to our events coordinator,Stephanie Hemphill, for another fantastic job of making sure all of the details and planning were taken care of. Speaking of Stephanie, I’m sad to say Stephanie is leaving the Lacey

Chamber to pursue a new career path. Stephanie brought to the Chamber a new enthusiasm and energy that will be sorely missed. Her strong attention to detail, hard work, and love for the Chamber helped to make this event along with all of the Chamber events successful. We all wish Stephanie the very best in her new endeavors, and we are sad to see her go.

Now that our summer of events has wrapped up, it is time to turn our thoughts to our fall fund-raiser, the annual auction.

The auction committee has already started planning and has chosen The Roaring 20’s as this year’s theme. Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 19, for another year of great auction items and fun. Also, I want you to all start thinking about how you can contribute to the auction. What kind of auction items would you like to see at this year’s event? What would you be most likely to bid on? And, would you be willing to donate items to the auction. The success of this event is contingent on the quality of items we have to sell. If you would like to be on the auction committee, you can join us on Thursday, August 18, at the Chamber office at 3:00 p.m. I hope to see many of you there!

Please make your reservations for the upcoming Chamber Forum on Wednesday, August 7, at 11:30 a.m. at Saint Martin’s Worthington Center. Our program speaker will be Tammy Redmon, business coach, and she will be speaking on business strategies.

Board of Directors Executive Committee Lowell Gordon, President, The Creative Office, 754-1732 Angelique Wilson, President Elect, Professional Temp Staffing Agency, 786-8443 Madelin White, Vice President, Merle Norman Cosmetics, Wigs & Day Spa, 491-4911 Mike Harris, Treasurer & Board Member, Columbia Bank, 459-3344 Marny Bright, Secretary & Board Member, Business Examiner, 878-2158 Felix Peguero, Past President, Edward Jones Investments, 438-0341 Board of Directors Casey Cochrane, Puget Sound Energy, 786-5987 Tom Carroll, Network Communications International, 701-1532 Al Eckroth, Virgil Adams Real Estate, 701-3307 Grace Kendall, FASTSIGNS, 438-3800 Dan Nicholson, D Zines: Creative Solutions and Graphic Designs, 253-307-4903 Courtney Schrieve, North Thurston Public Schools, 412-4418 Thane Bryenton, RelyLocal-Olympia, 556-9696

August 2013

3

Changes

By Fred Wright, Executive Director, Lacey Chamber of Commerce

C

hanges—we face them every day of our lives.

Some we love, others we hate. Some are just part of daily life and we adjust. Some take a bit more time to get used to.

It was a sad/happy day that I learned that Stephanie would be moving on to a new position.

It took a while for me to get used to the idea that she was really going. I knew the moment I met her that she would be moving on someday, but I had hoped to be able to work with her a bit longer.

but happy to know she will continue to be a part of our Lacey Chamber community as a volunteer and friend. Stephanie will be at the August Forum, so please be sure to thank her for her service to our Chamber.

Working with Stephanie has been a tremendous experience.

She is such a wonderful and talented person. She has been a true joy to work with because of her positive and professional approach to everything. She has a zest and zeal for life that has infected all of us. We are sad to see her leave the position

Website Change Ahead….

I am proud to announce that we have hired Madeline Veria Bogacz who started on the 23rd of July and had a week to learn from Stephanie. Madeline is a real find for us as she is an Air Force veteran that was an event coordinator during her time of service. She has been planning events of some kind most of her life and to have a job like this has been a dream for her. You will love her energy, ideas, enthusiasm, and work ethic. Please be sure to introduce yourself to her at the August Forum.

Finally it is an honor to announce that we have a new Lacey Chamber website in development! Yes it is true, that old, pretty, but non-functional, site will soon be a thing of the past. We plan to introduce the new site with a whole host of valuable new membership features at the October forum.

Automotive Tip of the Month Ever hear a loud squeal after you start your engine that goes away quickly? You might not worry because the noise disappears right away. What is happening is the alternator belt is loose and slipping. When the engine is first started the alternator charges heavily to fill the battery back up after the starter motor has drawn it down. The alternator resists being turned in proportion to how much voltage it is trying to produce. Even though the noise goes away quickly, this should still concern you. You may need full alternator output someday on the freeway when running lights, wipers, radio, heater, ignition system, etc. are all running At this time, you may find yourself stuck on the road. A worst case is in our shop today. The slipping belt finally melted and came off, stranding an out-of-town person in a car with no power steering or water pump operation. Fix that squeal!

4

Have Credits, But No Degree?

If you have credits from past college work, Evergreen can help you improve your job security and qualify for better paying positions by finishing your bachelor’s degree.

Stop Waiting. Get Started. admissions.evergreen.edu/transfer

August 2013

College Point Storage Grand Opening

O

n June 20, the Lacey Chamber, joined by members of the Lacey City Council and the 96.9 KAYO team, was happy to officially welcome College Point Storage to Lacey and the Chamber. Guests enjoyed tours of the brand new, state-of-theart facility, dined on appetizers, and had a selection of beer and wine from Chamber members The RAM Restaurant & Brewery and Medicine Creek Winery. Manager Kaci Johnson and part owner and past Lacey Chamber President Jeff Powell shared the features of College Point Storage. They include 24-hour, high-tech security technology; coded electronic gate access; and a fully enclosed facility, as well as service amenities such as truck rentals; heated spaces; covered loading and unloading zones; and packing, moving, and storage supplies. A highlight of the evening was the 96.9 KAYO live broadcast complete with ticket give-aways for a Taylor Swift concert and an appearance by the KAYO Girls. The event concluded with Deputy Mayor Jason Hearn and Chamber Vice President Madelin White officially welcoming the College Point Storage team to the community and cutting the red ribbon.

Tim Shaw, ThurstonTalk.com, won a D Zines notebook during the drawing conducted by 96.9 KAYO!

Avoid “Cramming” for College Savings Submitted by Paul Muldoon, Edward Jones

I

f you have children, you’re keenly aware that it’s getting close to back-to-school time. Today, that might mean you need to go shopping for notebooks and pencils. But in the future, when “back to school” means “off to college,” your expenditures are likely to be significantly greater. Will you be financially prepared for that day?

It could be expensive. The average cost for one year at an in-state public school is $22,261, while the comparable expense for a private school is $43,289, according to the College Board’s figures for the 2012–2013 academic year. And these costs will probably continue to rise.

Still, there’s no need to panic. Your child could receive grants or scholarships to college, which would lower the “sticker price.” But it’s still a good idea for you to save early and often.

To illustrate the importance of getting an early jump on college funding, let’s look at two examples of how you might fund a college education. A 529 plan is one way—but not the only way— to save for college. (The following examples are hypothetical in nature and don’t reflect the performance of an actual investment or investment strategy.)

Example 1: Suppose you started saving for your child’s college education when she was three years old. If you contributed $200 a month, for 15 years, to a 529 plan that earned 7% a year, you’d accumulate about $64,000 by the time your daughter turned 18. With a 529 plan, your earnings grow tax free, provided all withdrawals are used for qualified higher education purposes.

August 2013

(Keep in mind, though, that 529 plan distributions not used for qualified expenses may be subject to federal and state income tax and a 10% IRS penalty.)

Example 2: Instead of starting to save when your child was three, you wait 10 years, until she turns 13. You put in the same $200 per month to a 529 plan that earns the same 7% a year. After five years, when your daughter has turned 18, you will have accumulated slightly less than $15,000.

Clearly, there’s a big disparity between $64,000 and $15,000. So, if you don’t want to be in a position where you have to start putting away huge sums of money each month to “catch up” on your college savings, you’ll be well advised to start saving as early as possible—specifically, during the first few years of your child’s life.

Of course, given all your other expenses, you may find it challenging to begin putting away money for college. And with so many years to go until you actually need the money, it’s tempting to put off your savings for another day. But those “other days” can add up—and before you know it, college may be looming.

Consequently, you may want to put your savings on “autopilot” by setting up a bank authorization to move money each month into a college savings account. And, as your income rises, you may be able to increase your monthly contributions.

Save early, save often: It’s a good strategy for just about any investment goal—and it can make an especially big difference when it comes to paying for the high costs of higher education.

5

Thank You Lacey Chamber, From Stephanie

H

ow many people go to work every day and truly love their job? As we all know, that is a hard question to answer.

For most of us, we love some parts of our job and don’t like others. Some days we are excited to get up and go to work, and other days we can’t stand our job and dread getting out of bed. Well, let me tell you that every day for the last year-and-ahalf, I have loved my job as the event coordinator at the Lacey Chamber of Commerce. I have loved working closely with the Ambassador team, I have loved answering the interesting visitor center questions, I have loved planning Chamber fund-raisers, I have loved seeing all of your smiling faces at the Forum the first Wednesday of every month, and I love the friendships that have been created out of this position.

So, why would I ever want to leave this position? For those of you who don’t know, I have accepted a position with the Council of Presidents. It is an association comprised of the presidents of the six public baccalaureate-degree-granting colleges and universities. In 2011, I graduated from the University of Washington (Go Dawgs!) with a degree in political science, and my career goal was to work with a state legislator. I have a fascination with the political process, and it is really what drew me to the political science program at UW and what has now drawn me to the position at the Council of Presidents. In short, I want to put my degree to use and take another step toward my career goals.

Although I am very excited to start on this new path in my career, I am very sad to not be working with each and every one of you.

I remember being so overwhelmed at my first Forum, partially because it was my third day on the job, and partially because I was so worried about getting to know each of you as well as Tony

and Sceni did. Almost two years of events, phone calls, e-mails, begging for sponsorships, begging for participation, and begging for volunteers later… I am happy to know all of you so well! I will miss seeing Dan & Shelley Nicholson at my desk almost every day; I will miss Tuesdays and Thursdays with Arvilla Moore; I will miss handing out lunch tickets to our members who attend EVERY Forum; I will miss the feeling of exhaustion and exhilaration after a major fund-raiser is complete; I will miss the fourth Wednesday of the month with the board of directors; I will miss the ambassador meetings; I will miss talking Seahawks with Fred Wright, Lowell Gordon, and Mike Wolfe; and the list goes on and on, and on.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me in this position, and I am confident that Madeline will feel just as welcomed and supported as she takes over my position. You will all absolutely love her energy and zeal for this position. As we interviewed her, I knew right away that she has the same passion for this position as I do and that she will exceed all of your expectations. I want you all to know that, although I am not an employee of the Chamber anymore, you have not seen the last of me! My pom-poms will still be at the auction (Tom, Andrew, and Dusty be prepared!) and I plan on volunteering for the great events that this organization will continue to produce. Thank you again so very much for such an amazing time and I will see you all soon!

Join Us Get the most out of your membership. Join a committe or council and gain exposure for your business. Contact the chair of the committee you are interested in.

Committees & Chairs Ambassadors–Madeline Veria Bogacz, Lacey Chamber 491-4141 Auction–Madelin White, Merle Norman Cosmetics, Wigs & Day SPA, 491-4911 BBQ–Stephen Capps, BECU, 800-233-2328 and Dan & Shelly Nicholson, D Zines: Creative Solutions & Grahpic Designs 253-307-4903 Education–Angela Grant, Club Z! In-home Tutoring Services, 438-9800 and Courtney Schrieve, NTPS, 412-4418 Fundraising–Fred Wright, Lacey Chamber, 491-4141 Government Affairs–Michael Jackson, Cascade Driving School, 943-1123 Golf–Angelique Wilson, Professional Temp Staffing Agency, 786-8443 Military Affairs–Ken Swarner, The Ranger/Northwest Airlifter, 253-584-1212 Membership - Madelin White, Merle Norman Cosmetics, Wigs & Day SPA, 491-4911

6

August 2013

Summer’s End Car Show We know exactly what you are thinking… “Didn’t the summer just start!? So why in the world is the Chamber promoting the end of it!?” Well, yes, in our neck of the woods the summer did just start, but according to the moon and other astrological sources the summer ends next month, and, therefore, the Summer’s End Car Show is just around the corner! Lucky for us, the sun is still out in late September and the Chamber gets to partner with the City of Lacey to produce a fantastic event for our community!

We are asking for your help in two ways. First, mark your calendars for Saturday, September 21, for the event at Huntamer Park, and second, support the event by being a trophy sponsor! In order for the Lacey Chamber to fulfill our duty as partners of this event, we need to sell trophy sponsors. Each trophy sponsorship is $50, and your business name will be recognized at the event as a sponsor. You can even pick your own category and be there to help present your award!

If you would like to participate, call Madeline Veria Bogacz, Chamber event coordinator, at 360-491-4141.

QuickBooks Tip of the Month Keyboard Shortcuts Ever get frustrated by all the ways to do one task in QuickBooks? Instead of searching for the right tool bar and not finding what you need, here are some keyboard shortcuts to help you access the forms and information you need on a regular basis.

Write a check – Ctrl W View bank account register – Ctrl R Create an invoice – Ctrl I View Chart of Accounts – Ctrl A Open Customer List – Ctrl J Search – Ctrl F Print – Ctrl P KDH Business Services, LLC Kelli Hegsted, MBA www.kdhbookkeeping.com 360.754.9545

August 2013

7

Business is Booming!

Renewals

New Members

1-2 Years

8

AYCH Electronics 7837 Martin Way S, #103 Olympia, WA 98516 Contact: Mireille Takajian (360) 539-5156 Website: www.aych.com Category: Computer— Networking & Programming

Lacey Roofing—Spark!

5868 Pacific Ave SE Lacey, WA 98503 Contact: Lanny Slater (360) 943-4232 Website: www.laceyroofing. com Category: Roofing

Blue Summit Realty 9323 Martin Way E, #112 Olympia, WA 98516 Contact: Brandon Johnson (360) 688-4073 Website: www. bluesummitrealty.com Category: Real Estate

Ricardo’s Restaurant 5211 Lacey Blvd Lacey, WA 98503 Contact: Rick Nelsen (360) 413-9995 Website: www. ricardosrestaurant.com Category: Restaurant

Faith Assembly of Lacey Vantiv Merchant Services 3-4 Years Earth Friendly Products— Ignite!

5-9 Years Columbia Bank Greater Olympia Dixieland Jazz Festival Lucky Eagle Casino—Boom!

Shipwreck Beads—Ignite!

Squaxin Island Tourism Department

10-14 Years Employment Security Department Red Lion Hotel—Ignite!

15+ Years Acme Services Group Anchor Bank—Ignite!

Behavioral Health Resources Olympia Automall Association TCMS

August 2013

Sunscreen Thoughts and Tips!

Submitted by Joanna Power, Isagenix

S

un protection is essential. As your body’s largest organ, your skin may absorb ingredients from topical products, so avoid sunscreens that contain phthalates (which can disrupt endocrine and hormone levels) and PABA (which can cause photosensitivity and phototoxicity).

Find a sunscreen that contains broad-spectrum sun protection using zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, an effective blend of dermatologist-tested natural minerals that work synergistically to block the sun’s harmful UVB and UVA rays. There are moisturizing formulas that also contains green tea, aloe vera gel, chamomile extract and pro vitamin B5. A great sunscreen provides a unique dual approach that both protects and replenishes to reduce the signs of aging!

Nneka Leiba, senior analyst with the Environmental Working Group and an author for the group’s 2013 Guide to Sunscreens, said the FDA has been promising stricter standards since 1978.

Leiba says, “A consumer wanting to buy a sunscreen product still cannot be assured that the product that they’re picking up on the shelf is safe and effective.” Even though sun protection awareness has increased in recent decades, the incidence of melanoma continues to rise. Leiba says this has to do with a combination of factors, including inferior sunscreens on

the market and consumer misuse. “Also, the FDA has not set guidance on certain ingredients in sunscreens, such as retinol palmitate, which government testing has shown will increase the risk of skin tumors and lesions on sun-exposed skin,” she said.

Leiba offers the following dos and don’ts for consumers: 1. Do use sunscreen containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These offer broad spectrum protection and have minimal absorption through the skin.

2. Don’t use sprays or powders.

3. Don’t use products containing oxybenzone, which readily penetrates the skin.

4. Don’t use sunscreens over SPF 50.

Joanna Power has a master’s degree in public health and an undergraduate degree in exercise science. A former Division 1 athletic trainer, Joanna has always had an avid love of athletics.

She is the mother of two epic young “men in training” and holds a black belt in Tang Soo Do martial arts. She may be reached @ joannapower25@gmail.com or (360)701-4231.

August 2013

9

Two Ways to Make Marketing More Eco-Friendly Submitted by Grace Kendall, FASTSIGNS

O

n April 22, 2013, schools, businesses and communities around the U.S. celebrated Earth Day. It’s a special day of the year that highlights environmental responsibility and promotes eco-friendly lifestyles.

Society has progressively become more environmentally conscious. According to the Environmental Protective Agency (EPA), the recycling rate in the U.S. has dramatically increased over the past 30 years, from a 10 percent recycle rate in 1980, to 34 percent in 2010. The EPA also reported that in 2010, Americans recovered almost 65 percent of municipal solid waste through recycling.

We can all play a part in helping the environment and minimizing waste, even in business. When it comes to marketing and signage, here are two surefire ways your business can ‘go green’ this year: Upcycle. Upcycling is taking something used or no longer needed, and making it into something valuable again. Have you ever wondered what happens to all those campaign banners, posters and signs once they aren’t needed anymore? Instead of throwing them away at the end of a campaign or event, why not reuse them to create custom-designed promotional products.

That’s what Brent Pettersen and Greg Shugarts of FASTSIGNS® Kirkland have begun promoting through their unique UpCycle

10

Program. The center offers customers the option to reuse banners and signs, which the center initially created, and turn them into creative, branded items. It takes a marketing event or campaign even further; it is eco-friendly; and the upcycled items are perfect for post-event gifts, promotional items and employee keepsakes.

For example, FASTSIGNS of Kirkland provided Microsoft with approximately 700 campaign banners for the launch of the company’s first tablet, the Microsoft Surface. After the campaign ended, the center used the banners to design and create 1,000 brand-inspired messenger bags, which are a convenient size to fit Microsoft Surface tablets (pictured on the right). This solution sustained both Microsoft’s campaign as well as the environment.

The possibilities of what you can upcycle with your banners and signs are endless.

Digital signage. Another way to minimize waste, as well as visual clutter, is to go digital. If you have frequently changing information, such as events, new products or seasonal promotions, digital signage is a great way to display your message without constantly having to produce and print new signs. It saves you time and energy, and it saves excess waste products.

What are you doing to ‘go green’ this year?

August 2013

Lacey 3rd of July Fireworks Celebration The Lacey Fireworks Spectacular on the evening of July 3 was fabulous. This was the second year the City of Lacey, and the Lacey Chamber of Commerce, with the support of so many businesses in area, kept the tradition alive.

Thank you to our sponsors: Capital Development Company Droll Landscape Hanson Motors Lacey Cross Road Center Obee Credit Union Olympia Federal Savings Panorama City Phillip, Wesch and Burgess Port Commissioner – Bill McGregor Prime Development LLC Puget Sound Energy Rainier Dodge Shipwreck Beads South Sound Bank Tags Award and Specialties Twin Star Credit Union WSECU

The new location in Bush Park has become quite popular, as over 10,000 people were able to enjoy this year’s show. Many of those families attending gathered in the Crossroad Center parking lot. Many smiles and happy faces were seen as they waited for the show, which started at 10:15 p.m.. The fireworks show lasted about 16 minutes and ended with a beautiful grand finale. The city closed off both College Street and Yelm Highway to help facilitate a quicker exit for the crowd once the show was over. It was a great way to kick off the 4th of July holiday.

HUGE thank yous go to the following businesses who sponsored this year’s firework celebration.

Think Military and Holidays Now Submitted by Ken Swarner, The Ranger/Northwest Airlifter

W

ould your business like to make an impact with our local troops this holiday by getting involved with either your time or treasure (or heck, why not both).

There are two special programs that will kick off soon that connect you and your organization with local military leaders, troops, and military support organizers.

First, Santa’s Castle on Joint Base Lewis-McChord is a toy store that opens during the holidays so lower income military families can receive toys for their children without having to go to the civilian world for help. It is a warm, hospitable, and caring place that makes sure that the children living in the homes of our nation’s heroes receive a fitting holiday experience.

But, of course, we need to get the toys into the Castle, and that is where you come in. The Ranger newspaper and America’s Credit Union are teaming up to get out the word and collect the toys. You could offer up your space as a collection point, working with your customers and employees to help the collection. Or, you can deliver your donations directly to any America’s Credit Union branch, including the one in Lacey near

August 2013

Home Depot. We’ll also need folks to help us deliver the load to the Castle on JBLM in mid-November.

For more information, please contact me, Ken Swarner, at (253) 584-1212 or publisher@northwestmilitary.com.

Second, The Association of the United States Army and the Pierce Military Business Alliance will team up again to provide turkeys for Thanksgiving and hams for Christmas to troops needing extra help this year on all local military bases. You can participate in what is affectionately known as the Turkey Drop and Ham Grenade by donating money for the purchase of the meats. You can also get involved on delivery day to the bases.

For more information, please contact Carlene Joseph at Carlene.

Joseph@Harborstone.com.

As I’ve stated before, one in 10 Lacey residents are active troops at JBLM. The folks receiving this special assistance this holiday are our neighbors. Please consider helping out these causes.

Ken Swarner, (253) 584-1212 The Ranger/NW Airlifter/Weekly Volcano/Stars & Stripes www.northwestmilitary.com

11

3rd Annual South Sound BBQ Festival Thank Yous Capital Sponsors

Rainier Sponsors

On Saturday, July 6, the Lacey Chamber hosted the 3rd Annual South Sound BBQ Festival at Huntamer Park. The setting could not have been better with blue skies, 80 degree weather, and shaded lawns for patrons to throw a picnic blanket out on and eat the best BBQ the South Sound has to offer. Over 10,000 people attended the festivities! The festival showcased the best in barbecue with ten professional vendors providing ribs, chicken, burgers, hotdogs, coffee, pies, ice cream, and shaved ice. Lines at each of the vendors never died down, and the vendors worked hard all day to keep up with the demand. New this year was the BBQ Pit Pass with a “Vote for your favorite BBQ” ticket. The BBQ Pit Pass encouraged attendees to visit at least 15 of our 40 non-food vendors in order to be entered to win one of many prizes. The people voted and Nisqually Red Wind Casino won the 2013 People’s Choice Award! In addition to the great food, the festival was full of attractions and entertainment. The stage was jam-packed all day with performances by The City Comes Alive, Blues Redemption, Debbi’s Dance Etc., and Premier Martial Arts. Also back for another year was the always popular ACU Wing Eating Contest. Once again, CenturyLink sponsored Blue Thunder, Blitz, and the Sea Gals at the festival, who cheered on the wing eating contestants. Other events and attractions included a Backyard Joe BBQ competition, classic cars, giant pink slide, tumble bus, bounce houses, and giant obstacle course. Beautiful weather and great barbecue, coupled with a ton of entertainment, made for a superb community event.

Winners Backyard Joes Grand Champion: Noel Ostrander, Hawks Prairie Rotary Seafood: Mike Hoke, Left Foot in the BBQ Baby Back Ribs: Noel Ostrander, Hawks Prairie Rotary Chicken Thighs: Rick Myer, O’Blarney’s Brisket: Sandi Christianson, PS Custom Designs Open: Dave Langston & Jim Larson, Morningside Pros Grand Champion: Nisqually Red Wind Casino Reserve Grand Champion: South Bay BBQ 1st Place: Lucky Eagle Casino

Cascade Sponsors Anchor Bank BECU Business Examiner Cabela’s Coffee News Columbia Bank

12

D Zines: Creative Solutions & Graphic Designs OBee Credit Union Patrick Davidson, Guild Mortgage Stars & Stripes Sunbelt Rentals

Puget Sound Sponsors

Chris Lester Insurance Hickey Electric Hometown Property Management Island Johnny’s Olympia Federal Savings Star Rentals

Special Thank Yous TAGS Trophies Kids N’Motion Debbi’s Dance Etc. Premier Martial Arts Dirty Dave’s Pizza Parlor Ricardo’s Restaurant Blues Redemption The City Comes Alive Graeme Sackrisson Creative Office

Jerry Farmer The City of Lacey Pacific Stage B&R Flooring America

Food Vendors

Ben & Jerry’s Big Daddy’s Concessions Debi’s Custom Cupcakes FORZA Hawks Prairie Casino Lucky Eagle Casino Nisqually Red Wind Casino Paprika’s Catering Pellegrino’s Italian Kitchen South Bay BBQ

Other Vendors

Adamson Chiropractic College Point Storage Costco Dinner’s Done Right Earth Friendly Products Energy Efficiency First Finnigan Chiropractic Homeless Backpacks Insurance Plus Liberty Mutual Lucky Dog Casino

Old Ranger Smoked Products Pinnacle Health Solutions Soaring Sensations Thurston County Solid Waste Trinity Massage & Wellness TwinStar Credit Union Xerox

Backyard Joes Alan Gruse Chris Jackson Clint Egge Demetrius Forte Sr. Demetrius Forte Jr. Jeffery Proulx John Spencer Marv Kopp & Sons Meren Gadman Mike Hoke Morningside Noel Ostrander Sandi Christianson Rich Rau Rick Myer Steve Marich Tim Braniff

See BBQ Thank Yous on page 13.

August 2013

August 2013

13

Ambassador’s Corner

Wade Hyatt RICOH, USA

Ambassador Details How long have you been an ambassador?

1 year.

Why did you choose to become an ambassador?

I was somewhat new to the area and thought it would give me a great chance to get to know a lot of people in a short period of time.

What benefits does RICOH get from you being an ambassador?

It’s a chance to serve in the community and work with some really great people.

What do you enjoy the most about being an ambassador?

Working with some really great people who truly care about their community.

What is your favorite ambassador memory?

Oddly, I think it would be setting up for the BBQ Fest in 2012. The conditions were miserable. It was hot and we were setting up a huge area spread all over the parking lot of Cabela’s, but I heard almost no complaining. Everyone worked really hard even though it was miserable and put together a great event. I loved the teamwork that was shown, even though most of the people serving would probably have rather been somewhere else. Watching that many people giving up their own time and working in less than ideal conditions was awesome.

BBQ Thank Yous Volunteers

Tyler Wilson Wade Hyatt Dave Johnson Jim & Angelique Anderson Ross Irwin Susan Cook Kaci Johnson Rick Nelsen Garrett Gunderson Tom Culleton Steve Shippee Melissa Stone Kasandra Jaquez Marny Bright

14

Angelique Wilson Kat Free Kim Parks Mike Harris Jackie Thein Thane Bryenton Grace Kendall Shirley Jones Barbara St. John Arvilla Moore Tabitha Johnson Don Riggan Chris Lee Renee Harlow Leahra Gould George Sharp Stewart Ridgeway

Personal Details Favorite Sport?

Basketball Favorite Actor?

Kevin Costner Favorite Movie?

Field of Dreams Favorite Vacation Spot?

Ireland Favorite Childhood Toy? Nerf Football What is the first thing you recommend someone new to Lacey do?

Go to Dirty Dave’s of course! After that, go visit Tolmie State Park. I love the beach and it’s really beautiful there.

Larry Blume Greg Stevens Carrie Boyd Debbi Boyd Shelbi Boyd Kelly Wilson Greg Wilson Conner Wilson DJ Dorsey Marsha Longmeier Evelyn Venesky Lisa Hodgson Marie Gibson Terryl Graham Shawna Gasak Mike Wolfe Desmond Walker

2013 BBQ Festival Committee Dan & Shelley Nicholson Stephen Capps Sean Finney Chris Lester Madelin White Jayne Bradley Shelly Bourn Jill Lane Charlotte Dickison Patrick Davidson Amber Young Laurie McNally Lowell Gordon

August 2013

Sentinel Landscape Partnership Hits Home DoD spends millions to protect species close to JBLM Submitted by Ken Swarner, The Ranger/Northwest Airlifter

T

he Sentinel Landscape Partnership, a pioneering collaboration among the Department of Defense, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Department of the Interior, was created to restore and permanently protect significant habitats for species that are close to being listed under the Endangered Species Act. It is also intended to protect private and agricultural lands from development, and allow for the DoD’s training mission to continue.

Recently it was announced that the partnership had chosen the land adjacent to and surrounding Joint Base Lewis-McChord, specifically the South Puget Sound prairies, as the pilot area.

Since JBLM owns a large amount of land, that has been utilized for training and thus left as open spaces, those areas have become a primary habitat for certain species, which are finding it harder to exist in the developed areas outside of the base.

“The Sentinel Landscape Partnership here was grown out of a very strong existing partnership between JBLM and local preservation societies,” explained Hannah Anderson, Regional Rare Species Program manager with the Center for Natural Lands Management (CNLM), which is headquartered in Olympia. “CNLM has been working with Fort Lewis for two decades, both on and off the base, as part of the Army Compatible Use Buffer Program.”

The ACUB program identifies critical land around installations and allows military facilities to partner with agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to share the cost of acquiring conservation easements from willing landowners.

Anderson believes that the South Sound prairies, mostly lying in Thurston County and parts of western Pierce County, were

August 2013

selected as the first Sentinel location due to the strength of the JBLM ACUB. In total, JBLM, via the DoD and the Army, will contribute $4.1 million to the Sentinel project, which is in addition to $3 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, $1.8 million from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and $3.6 million from state and local government sources. Non-cash contributions will also come in from other local organizations, like CNLM and the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Monies will go toward buying land outside of the base’s gates and then preserving it in order to shield local species like the Mazama pocket gopher, Taylor’s checkerspot butterfly, and streakhorned lark. Funds can also be utilized for agricultural easements that allow farmers and ranchers to continue working their respective properties.

“The goal is to increase the size and numbers in these particular species,” Anderson said. “By expanding these species in the protected prairie areas outside of the base, the DoD can perhaps face less restrictions from the Department of Fish and Wildlife Service because the potential training activities on their land would not be ruining the environment where the majority of a species exists.”

The first property protected under the partnership, the Violet Prairie-Scatter Creek Preserve in Tenino, will receive its designation soon, though Anderson clarified that the rest of the properties included under ACUB will also eventually be covered by the partnership.

15

The Lacey Chamber of Commerce 8300 Quinault Dr. NE, Suite A Lacey, WA 98516 Phone: (360) 491-4141 Fax: (360) 491-9403 E-mail: info@laceychamber.com Website: www.laceychamber.com

PRSRT STD U.S. Postage Paid Olympia, WA Permit No. 60

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

BOOM!

IGNITE!

SPARK!

“Local branding on a world of products.”

Mike Wolfe

ORIGINAL

ORIGINAL OUTLINE

HEAVIER OUTLINE