April 2010
Serving Port Townsend, Tri Area & Port Ludlow
April Speakers Port Townsend Chamber of Commerce luncheon meetings are held at the Port Townsend Elks Lodge, 555 Otto St., at noon each Monday, federal holidays excluded. Everyone is welcome!
April 5 – Daniel Erickson, Coldwell Banker Town & Country Sales Management: How do sales managers develop and grow business? People skills that will keep your business thriving, the importance of planning for success, setting priorities and problem solving are some to the areas Dan will focus on.
April 12 – Mike Pollock, Jefferson Transit Mike will talk about new routes being introduced on April 11 to make getting around Port Townsend and Jefferson County by bus even easier!
April 19 – Janette Force, PT Film Festival Janette will introduce the Chamber to the Port Townsend Film Festival and the demographics of its audiences. She promises not to just talk about their incredibly cool movies!
April 26 – Will O’Donnell, PT Farmers Market Did you know that Port Townsend is home to one of the nation’s biggest and most successful small-town farmers markets? Will plans to update Chamber members on growth at the market, changes and additions in 2010.
Jefferson Transit will debut new routes April 11 to make getting to work more efficient and convenient . Schedules match starting and quitting times for most major employers. Photo by Janice Wrhel
Transit rolls out new routes By Christina Pivarnik With the upcoming 40th anniversary of Earth Day, it’s a great time to celebrate going “green” by riding the bus! Jefferson Transit is launching improved routes effective April 11 to make getting around Jefferson County even easier. The new routes were based on public input to make riding the bus as convenient as possible for everyone. As an example, there will be more rides and earlier/later service to Castle Hill, Fort Worden and North Beach. Every bus will go both downtown and
uptown in Port Townsend, increasing dramatically the daily number of trips to these areas. The new in-town “connector” routes will run in opposite directions, shortening round-trip rides in many cases. And commuting by bus just got much easier with schedules that match the starting and quitting times for most major employers. This means you’ll be able to avoid the dreaded two-hour “parking shuffle” downtown. Top that off with saving money – up to $7,200 per year if you give up your car – and enjoying the fact that life just got much better. Not to mention that
riding the bus reduces stress by giving you a few minutes to relax. Longdistance commuters will realize another advantage – the ability to go between Port Townsend’s downtown/uptown and Brinnon, Quilcene, Poulsbo or Sequim without transferring buses. How can you find out about the new routes and how to use them? • Go to jeffersontransit.com to review the new schedules and route maps. • Pick up a new bus schedule on any Jefferson Transit bus or at the Visitor Information Center near the Haines
❱ Continued on page 2
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Bungalow on the Bluff Sirens Valley Tavern Finnriver Farms & Cidery NW Olympic Glass
Build trust with employees Kris Nelson President
is not any of those things, but rather, what I have learned about the basis of a good working relationship. To me, the whole dynamic starts with trust. The employee trusts the employer to be in charge of making sure the books balance and the customers come, that their jobs – as long as they follow some predetermined guidelines – are secure, and that they get paid so they can provide for their lives. This is an enormous responsibility. The employer, in turn, entrusts the employee with the success of their business, which most likely the employer has worked incredibly hard and given much of herself to create. It is often the employer’s lifeblood and passion. Every one of us dreams of finding employees who care for the well-being of our businesses as much as we do. It is interesting that we all, whether employees or employers, make these leaps of faith every day with out any thought to it. When you stop and think about the delicate balance of this agreement, one word leaps out: trust! Unfortunately, this agreement can and often does break down. The employee needs or thinks she deserves more than she is getting, she doesn’t feel valued or respected (a huge factor by
It seems when I ask most owners of small businesses their favorite and least favorite parts of their businesses, the answer often seems to be employees. I am no different. My single Kris Nelson favorite thing about my business is my staff. They are amazing, incredible, and do way beyond what I ask of them. They are people who take pride and ownership in their work. I don’t know how I got so lucky, but I am. It has not been all roses, though. I have also experienced many employees who don’t bother to show up, lie, steal and harm each other and my business in a variety of deliberate and nondeliberate ways. The employee-employer relationship is a complex one. There are style differences, expectation and qualification differences, and personality differences. Actually, now that I think about it, the list of things that can go right or wrong in a work environment is pretty immense. What I want to share here
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every employer’s style is different, and I by no means am suggesting that mine is the best, it seems to me unlikely that more and longer manuals with more and longer requirements will somehow make employees care more about our businesses and therefore strive for our success. I understand the uncomfortable risk of having to trust our employees with our success. I have been burned by it many times, but turning them into human robots has never worked for me. Time and time again I have been rewarded by the success of trusting my staff far more than I have been burned by it. We all want guarantees, but in a human relationship that is simply not possible. By entrusting our employees with the success of our businesses, they are given the opportunity to achieve– and yes, some won’t; however, in my experience, most do far better than just what our measured expectations require. For me, getting to know my staff has given me the opportunity to find out what they need and what their ideas to make the business succeed are. My two cents: Listen to them. Trust them. Give them a chance to invest in their success – our success.
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the way), or sometimes she simply doesn’t recognize or care about the fine balance of this dynamic. On the other side of this relationship is the employer, whether wonderful or horrible as a boss, trying to balance numbers – including the cost of employees. Labor and Industries coverage, unemployment coverage, Social Security and any benefits quickly add up, and the cost often gets the unknowing business owner in trouble. Most people don’t realize that it costs somewhere between 20 to 30 percent more per hour in taxes and benefits for an employee. The problem that concerns me is that employers with added monetary stresses are starting to see their staff more as numbers than individuals and are focusing more on employee productivity and employee theft than successful work environments for employees to thrive in. We are now figuring out ways to be able to reduce our part of having to trust our employees – all the while wanting more from them. We spend lots of money on equipment to see what “they” are doing. We have moved away from a manual on guidelines and expectations and seem to be heading toward something closer to a signed guarantee of contract performance. Though
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April events
April 10-11 • Port Townsend Antique Show at the fairgrounds starts at 9 a.m.; Sue McIntire, 385-1013. April 17 • Earth Day Clean Up! There will be an effort on the part of Main Street and the community to put in a little extra for our clean environment; Mari Mullen, 385-7911. April 22-25 • Centrum hosts its Choro Workshop. A public concert in the fort’s Wheeler Theater is at 7:30 p.m. on April 24; 385-3102. April 24 • 13 Annual AAUW/UWF Kitchen Tour on Marrowstone Island, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tickets: $14 in advance, $18 on day of event. Lunch tickets, $14, must be purchased in advance. Obtain tickets at Dana Pointe Interiors, Dream City Catering, Green Eyeshade and Kitchen & Bath Studio; 379-6454 April 24 • NW Maritime Center Swap Meet is from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Sue Cook, 3853628. April 24 • Spring Migration Cruise starts at 1 p.m. at Point Hudson Marina, $55/person. Sponsored by PT Marine Science Center, 385-5582 ext. 104. April 24-25 • 10th Annual JeffCo EXPO starts at 9 a.m. at Jefferson County Fairgrounds; Sue McIntire, 385-1013. April 28 • Walk a Mile in her Shoes. Meet at Rotary Park at 6 p.m. Registration forms found at Port Townsend Police Department, Food Coop, Jefferson Healthcare, Dove House; Jeannie Ram, 385-5292.
Passenger ferry plans in the works
Mixer celebrates a pair of businesses Michelle West, at left, of Evergreen Fitness and Linda Lockwood cut a ribbon at the March mixer at Evergreen Fitness to celebrate Linda’s new business: Linda Lockwood Accounting & Business Consulting Services.
Marketing plan touts new ferry By Christina Pivarnik With the new Chetzemoka ferry coming online in August, the City of Port Townsend is collaborating with various regional tourism partners on a marketing promotion to build awareness and excitement about the new ferry with its improved, reliable access to the Olympic Peninsula and the north sound. “We’re looking forward to the launch of the new ferry connecting Port Townsend and Keystone,” said Port Townsend Mayor Michelle Sandoval. “Our business community and the entire region depend upon a reliable and efficient transportation linkage to our economic base, and the ferry is our most critical link to our cities and towns.” The marketing promotion
is planned to capitalize on the cultural significance of Chief Chetzemoka for the area. He was known as a peaceful man and wise diplomat who epitomized collaboration between the local tribe and the original settlers. The campaign will honor not only the chief but also that spirit of cooperation through partnerships that will expand the reach and impact of the new ferry. Washington State Ferries, the Olympic Peninsula Tourism Commission, the city Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, the county Tourism Coordinating Council, Whidbey Island tourism entities, the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe and the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe will partner in the
promotion. It will include a teaser campaign to build a little buzz centered on “Who is Chetzemoka?” It then will evolve into a pre-launch campaign around “What is Chetzemoka?” that speaks to the spirit of the chief and celebrates the Native American culture and history of the region. It will culminate in “Where is Chetzemoka?” as part of the launch, and will address the increased access that the new ferry brings to the Olympic Peninsula and Whidbey Island. The marketing promotion will be launched in early April to include media outreach, social media, advertising and a community event. Christina Pivarnik is the contracted marketing director for the City of Port Townsend.
Chamber contacts Chamber Staff
Executive Board
Interim Director Jennifer Wells MacGillonie jennifer@ptchamber.org
President Kris Nelson Siren’s Pub
Business Office Admin. Janice Wrhel admin@ptchamber.org
Vice president Kim Aldrich Cobalt Mortgage
VIC Manager Karen Anderson info@ptchamber
Secretary Molly Force N.D. Prosper Natural Health Past President Mike Cavett FairWinds Winery
Treasurer Kerry Robinson Frontier Bank Directors Dana Petrick Dana Pointe Interiors Chuck Russell Valley Tavern Patrick Irwin Platt Irwin Law Firm Fred Obee The Leader Linda Streisguth Puget Sound Energy Thatcher Bailey Centrum
Vi Koenig PT Laundromat Jeff Chew Peninsula Daily News Marliyn St. Clair Victoria House Piper Diehl Ludlow Bay Wellness Spa Kathy Sharp Piano Studio David So Inn at Port Hadlock Nancy McConaghy Coldwell Banker Le Hornbeck PT Computers
Newsletter Advertising Kathryn Peterson of the Leader 360-385-2900 We welcome your editorial submissions on topics of interest to Chamber members. We reserve the right to edit all submissions. Please submit articles to jennifer@ptchamber.org. 440 12th Street Port Townsend 360-385-7869 www.ptchamber.org
Long talked about and longed for, passenger-only ferries may soon be a reality as a quick way to get to Seattle. There are currently two proposals under way that will connect both Kingston and Port Townsend to Seattle. The Port of Port Townsend has submitted a grant request for federal funding in the 2010-12 biennium. The port is the applicant for a $1 million federal transportation appropriation that went to U.S. Sen. Patty Murray for her consideration and inclusion in the transportation appropriation bill. The money would be used for purchase of a passengeronly boat for service between Port Townsend and Seattle, equipping and refitting of the boat, plus start-up operational expenses. The boat could operate seven days a week as
early as this fall. The Port of Kingston has recently purchased two vessels for its passenger-only ferry service between Kingston and Seattle, which is slated to begin in October. The port purchased The Spirit of Kingston, a 72-foot catamaran ferry that was built five years ago by All American Marine in Bellingham. The vessel was recently in the Port Townsend Boat Haven for inspection, which it passed. The Port of Kingston has also purchased the MV Victoria Express from Victoria Rapid Transit, the operators of the passenger service between Port Angeles and Victoria. The passenger ferry would offer two commuter runs in the morning and afternoons, Monday through Friday, starting in early October.
Transit: New routes coming ❱ Continued from page 1
Place Park-and-Ride. • Go to Google Transit (maps.google.com) and click on “Get Directions.” Enter your trip’s beginning and ending addresses, date and time you wish to travel, and then choose “By public transit” from the drop-down menu. Trip options will appear automatically, complete with maps and approximate travel time. Google Transit will even compute how much money
you’ll save by taking the bus versus driving your car. For example, you’ll save more than $40 for one round-trip to Poulsbo from Port Townsend! • Call Jefferson Transit customer service at 360-3854777. Give it a try for free for two weeks, from April 11 through April 24. And especially remember to ride Jefferson Transit on April 22 – Earth Day. As Jefferson Transit notes: “No fuss. Ride with us!”
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April 2010 Port Townsend Chamber Newsletter 3
Briefly... Mixer April 13 – Peninsula Credit Union The April mixer is hosted by Peninsula Credit Union at its Port Townsend branch. Diana Kenyon, branch manager, invites Chamber members to celebrate Peninsula Credit Union’s one-year anniversary at its current location. There is the usual food, drink and fun. The party is set for 5:30-7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 13 at 1250 W Sims Way, across the parking lot from QFC.
Open house, ribbon cutting at T’s Restaurant The Chamber Ambassadors will help T’s Restaurant celebrate its grand opening with a ribbon cutting. It has been nine months since Nancy and Gary Tocatlian moved to their new location at Point Hudson. “We couldn’t have done it without all your support, smiles and hugs. You have no idea what that means to all of us,” the Tocatlians said. “We’ve had some bumps along the way, but hopefully when you dine with us next time, you’ll notice that we have grown into our new, wonderful space.” On Monday, April 19 from 4 to 6 p.m., T’s hosts its grand opening with celebratory ribbon cutting and specials on drinks and food.
Ambassador program welcomes all! The Jefferson County Chamber Ambassadors are having a great time! This is an ever-growing fun, social group that is getting together once a month. We spend some time talking about new businesses that we can welcome, or businesses that have something new going on that we can celebrate. We 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 next Ambassadors meeting is on Thursday, April 29 at the Upstage Restaurant, 5:30-7 p.m. We would love more Ambassadors from Port Ludlow and Tri-Area, and plan to have future gatherings in those communities.
Chamber about building relationships By Jennifer MacGillonie Executive director April has never been my favorite month. It’s tax month! In my old life (Don’t we all have an “old life” from before we arrived here?), I Jennifer MacGillonie actually was an accountant and tax preparer. I worked with my dad in the Magnolia neighborhood in Seattle, where we both grew up. We had a small accounting and tax practice, and I had many clients with small businesses. I loved doing accounting, but taxes? Not so much. The weeks leading up to April 15 were crazy and stressful, but we always had a big celebration
Vote for our nominees in contest for the best of the Northwest It’s on! More than 900 nominees are currently competing for the title of the Northwest’s Best, sponsored by KING 5 TV. Voting ends Sunday, April 11. Many Jefferson County Chamber members are nominated this year. Please vote for your favorites today – and let’s show that Port Townsend is the Northwest’s Best! We congratulate the following Chamber nominees: Palace Hotel, Harborside Inn, Manresa Castle,
Hadlock Days vendors and volunteers needed for this year’s event
4 April 2010 Port Townsend Chamber Newsletter
Puget Sound Express, Wooden Boat Festival, Fort Worden State Park, The James House B&B, Inn at Port Hadlock, An Inn Between, Chevy Chase Beach Cabins, Commander’s Beach House, Port Townsend Aero Museum, Old Consulate Inn, Holly Hill House B&B, Morgan Hill Cottage, and 7 Cedars Casino. Please vote for Port Townsend as the Best Tourist Town at best.king5.com/ contests/best-of-northwestescapes/4764.
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Hadlock Days is a community event that delivers fun for the whole family – and builds relationships in our community. This year’s event is July 9, 10 and 11. The Hadlock Days Association is looking for vendors to participate. Vendor forms can be found on its website, hadlockdays. com.
dinner when it was over and closed the office on April 16 so we could sleep in. When I moved to Port Townsend nine years ago, I purchased The English Inn B&B. Most people only know me as a B&B owner. Besides the fact that I was on the Chamber board for six years, I’m sure many members wonder what I know about business. Always good at math and numbers, I started doing bookkeeping while I was in college studying biology and chemistry. In the 1980s, I worked for Seattle’s Best Coffee, working my way up to accounting manager. I started my own accounting practice 20 years ago, and joined my dad’s tax practice when he moved it from Fairbanks to Seattle. I had a wide variety of clients, many from the old Norwegian neighborhood of Ballard, including one of the crab boat
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captains on “The Deadliest Catch” TV show. My dad passed away in 2000, and wanting to escape the “big city,” I moved to Port Townsend. I continued my practice here, and still have a few loyal clients that I have worked with for many years. Being an accountant taught me to be very organized, detailoriented, and able to handle lots of different projects at once. I always say my best talent is being able to balance any checkbook. But I also don’t think I fit the stereotype of an accountant. Many people ask me what the Chamber can do for their business. One thing the Chamber can offer is relationships. Being a business owner can be very isolating. We get stuck in our offices or stores, working with customers and employees, and running our businesses. I started going to Chamber meetings when
I moved here just so I could meet people. I have seen many friendships develop from this Chamber. It’s not all about getting new customers and networking, it’s also about connecting with other likeminded people. The Chamber facilitates this, giving people an opportunity to meet and get to know our neighbors, leading to friendships and relationships. Sure, we all would like more customers, and we join Chamber to get them. But Chamber is also about building community through relationships. I wanted to share a little about my past to show we all have a story. Knowing each other’s stories leads to making connections and relationships. Being a Chamber member makes you part of a community. It’s not always about what Chamber can do for your business, but how you can be part of the community of business in Jefferson County.
Eissinger joins RE/MAX First Inc. RE/MAX First Inc. of Port Townsend is pleased to announce John Eissinger, GRI, has joined the firm. He will be the designated broker for the company according to owner Charlie Arthur. John brings 10 years of real estate experience to and has been an associate broker for the past
six years. He is also a licensed real estate instructor. He is active as a State Director with the Washington Realtors and in the community through LTAC and Sunrise Rotary. RE/MAX is located in the Madrona Hill Office Buiding, 2500 W. Sims Way. Call 360301-2378.
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‘Fam’ tours valuable to our VIC volunteers By Karen Anderson
The volunteers at the Visitor Information Center are continuing the 2010 Familiarization Tours in style. The end of February marked the second tour of the new year, with a third right on its heels. These tours are set up between Chamber members and the VIC with the intention of helping the volunteers get to know some of the businesses in East Jefferson County a little better. January’s Fam Tour was with four of the delicious restaurants in downtown Port Townsend: The Spot Café, The Public House, The Silverwater
Café and Sirens Pub. February’s tour was with four very different and unique B&Bs in the Uptown portion of Port Townsend. One of the newer B&Bs in Port Townsend is the Takaki House. It’s set off the road a little and easy to miss if you’re not on the lookout for it. Once you’re there, though, you’re in a wonderful, peaceful haven of Port Townsend. A private oneroom getaway with a backyard view that bypasses lower Sims Way and takes you right out into Port Townsend Bay. Margaret Takaki is a humble artist with beautifully detailed work. You just might leave the Takaki House with a sculpture
under your arm as well as some beautiful memories. Just up the road, we walked into the Old Consulate Inn and received the intricate history on this grand, old Victorian. Mike, Sue and Marianne DeLong know this house inside and out. Eight unparalleled rooms, each with its own private bathroom, and a large dining area on the main floor make for a true Victorian experience. Ceilings follow the peaked roofline and cantilever into the bedrooms. A game room in the finished basement includes a standardsize pool table and an ornate Scrabble board. If you like hot, thick soup, full of flavor, Mike
One of the newer B&Bs in Port Townsend is the Takaki House. It’s set off the road a little and easy to miss if you’re not on the lookout for it. Photo by Karen Andeson
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The tour of Fort Worden opened some eyes among the volunteers, who thought they knew all there was to know about the fort. Photo by Karen Anderson makes the best in the carrot variety! One of the great things about this tour was how close these accommodations are to each other. After leaving the Old Consulate, many of the volunteers trotted up the street to the Bungalow and Hideaway on the Bluff. Each of the two gorgeous private rooms in the same location has been made to feel as if the other doesn’t exist. Both have an incredible view of the bay from the top of the hill on Washington Street. One room is casual, while the other is quite modern. They offer a completely different feel from our typical historic Port Townsend. At our final stop, we were greeted by John Eissinger in an apron, welcoming us into the historic farmhouse B&B. The Blue Gull Inn’s quiet sunroom on the back of the house looks out onto a gorgeous gardenscape. Some of the rooms’ private baths have deep, jetted tubs with brass fixtures, and large windows with light curtains to ensure the bather gets ample sunlight for a relaxing bath. Renee Eissinger served delightful teacakes and
sandwiches around her large dining-room table. I felt right at home in such a pleasant and airy atmosphere. We have such a variety of places to send overnight/vacationing guests in our lovely town! March gave our volunteers a fantastic tour of Fort Worden State Park. Everyone says they’ve been to Fort Worden. They’ve seen Fort Worden. They’ve hiked Fort Worden. We were taken to places we didn’t know existed at the fort. We got the dirty details about all things Fort Worden, from its pre-fort days to its current uses. Fort Worden can accommodate more than 1,200 people at once. During the summer months, it is completely booked. Think of how many people that means are coming into Port Townsend! The amount of information the fort volunteers have is vast. Fortunately, for us, they made a book – and we got a copy of it! Come into the VIC to learn about the fort, whether you need to know how to get to Battery Tolles or how much Alexander’s Castle rents for this year. More tours are in the works. We will be including Port Hadlock and Port Ludlow in future Fam Tours. Thank you to those who have participated in our Volunteer Fam Tours this year so far! The Spot Café, The Public House, Silverwater Café, Sirens Pub, Takaki House B&B, The Old Consulate Inn B&B, The Bungalow and Hideaway on the Bluff, The Blue Gull Inn B&B, and Fort Worden. April 2010 Port Townsend Chamber Newsletter 5
Ludlow Friday Market to open
Main Street Earth Day cleanup set Port Townsend has a long and proud history of supporting Earth Day, with volunteers stepping forward each year to rejuvenate the town by picking up litter, weeding, painting and planting more greenery to beautify the environment. Since the Port Townsend Main Street Program started the Earth Day Spring Clean Up in Port Townsend in 1991, local merchants and volunteers have joined in, planting flowers, touching up business storefronts, weeding treewells and cleaning sidewalks. Volunteers are invited to join in to make Port Townsend sparkle for spring. “Our volunteers are the
By Arlene Obtinario Sandie Schmidt, Port Ludlow Friday Market manager, is looking forward to opening day on Friday, May 7, and is busy lining up vendors for the outdoor marketing venue designed to entice both local and visiting shoppers. The market opens at 9 a.m. and closes at 2 p.m. and continues on each Friday through Sept. 24. The Port Ludlow Friday Market sets up next to the lower Port Ludlow business center, which is just below Oak Bay Road off of Breaker Lane. There is ample parking in and around the commercial center, and several of the local businesses welcome the additional traffic. In fact, Chamber of Commerce businesses Ludlow Bay Massage & Wellness Spa, Dana Pointe Interiors Inc, Therapeutic Facials, Hear For Life Audiology LLC, Karen
The Port Ludlow Friday Market sets up next to the lower Port Ludlow business center, which is just below Oak Bay Road off of Breaker Lane. Best & the Best Team, Coldwell Banker Forrest Aldrich and the two Port Ludlow banks – Kitsap Bank and Columbia Bank– are all located in the commercial centers supporting the festivities of the Port Ludlow Friday Market. Sandie is enthusiastic about opening day and exclaims, “New vendors come and go each week,” so there is always a wonderful variety of products and “your favorite vendors are eager to start.” Take the opportunity to
Breakfast meeting to focus on transportation update
visit with and purchase from the following Port Ludlow Friday Market vendors: Pescador Farms Produce Stand with Pete and Kathy, Ike’s Fresh Seafood, Chou’s Flower Arrangements, Skunk Island Furniture featuring handcrafted outdoor furniture, Gert from Oma’s Acres, and The Bell Street Bakery. New vendors interested in participating in the Port Ludlow Friday Market can contact Sandi at 360-437-0882 or sjsandra5@ msn.com.
Mark your calendars to attend the Transportation Merchant Breakfast on Wednesday, April 28 from 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. at The Public House in Port Townsend. On the agenda are service updates from Jefferson Transit, details about a new private shuttle service, Washington State Ferries fuel surcharge update, a
WSU president to host Town Hall The public is invited to a Town Hall meeting from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on April 27 with Washington State University President Elson S. Floyd. The meeting takes place at Northwest Maritime Center and Wooden Boat Foundation, 431 Water St., Port Townsend. A reception follows the
We feature delicious daily specials. Beer • Wine • Cocktails
Dr. Hank Snelgrove, owner of Oak Bay Animal Hospital in Port Hadlock, has received his certification in veterinary acupuncture from the Chi Institute of Veterinary Medicine. The institute is associated with the University of Florida’s School of Veterinary Medicine Neurology Department.
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6 April 2010 Port Townsend Chamber Newsletter
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report from the Port of Port Townsend and the Port of Kingston on passenger-only ferries, and Main Street news. The cost is $5 at the door for members and $7 for nonmembers. Coffee and muffins are served. RSVP to the Port Townsend Main Street Program, admin@ ptmainstreet.org or 385-7911.
Snelgrove certified in animal acupuncture
meeting. President Floyd says he would like to gather ideas about how to more effectively align Washington State University’s initiatives with the issues facing Jefferson County. To learn more, contact Janet Johnson at janetj@wsu.edu or 509-335-7564.
Looking for a great business lunch spot?
heartbeat of the Spring Clean Up,” says Mari Mullen, executive director of the Port Townsend Main Street Program. Thinking about volunteering? Main Street invites you to join in Earth Day activities. Please wear work clothes, and bring garden gloves and tools. Meet at 9 a.m. at Adams Street Park on Saturday, April 17. To learn more, contact the Port Townsend Main Street Program at 385-7911 or admin@ptmainstreet.org. The Port Townsend Main Street Program thanks Henery’s Garden Center for its support of Earth Day activities.
W N M E N TA L A
Snelgrove attended postdoctorial courses at the Chi Institute over the past two years and successfully passed his qualification examination. This qualification permits him to administer animal acupuncture for various conditions, ranging from pain management and arthritis to gastrointestinal and behavioral problems. Listed on the register of the China Society of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, Snelgrove is currently studying Chinese herbal treatments to complete his master’s in traditional Chinese veterinary medicine through the Chi Institute. He is available by appointment at Oak Bay Animal Hospital, 385-PAWS (7297).
Profiles
Sepler a friend of Fort Worden By Patience Rogge Every property owner in Port Townsend knows Rick Sepler as the director of Development Services and Planning Department for the City of Port Townsend, but few may be aware that Rick also serves as president of the Friends of Fort Worden State Park Conference Center. When I asked Rick how he became involved with Fort Worden, he explained that since he first moved to Port Townsend 20 years ago, he and his family have gone to the park almost daily from their home nearby. When he learned of the existence of the Friends of Fort Worden, the nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds to enhance the park and provide amenities not in State Parks’ budget, Rick felt becoming an active member was not only payback for the enjoyment the park had given his family but also the perfect community activity for a civil servant involved in often controversial decisions. “Fort Worden is a much-loved asset everyone appreciates; no one argues with that,” he states. As a board member for the past several years, and now as president, Rick has loaned his considerable talents as an artist and an organizer to Friends’ activities. The Fort2Fort Bike Ride, a supported charity bicycle tour to be presented on Sunday, June 6, is Rick’s special project. As the name implies, the tour includes a fun ride from Fort Worden to Fort Townsend State Park, a more challenging loop between the two parks, or a metric century round-trip to Fort Flagler State Park and back. “I’m an adult-onset athlete, and bike riding is the perfect antidote to my sedentary lifestyle. I’ve participated in rides all over the state, so this project is a natural extension for me,” he explains. “Bike Magazine has called Port Townsend the best place to live and bike in America. We have the terrain, not too much traffic,
Rick Sepler
and spectacular scenery in East Jefferson County.” Now in its fourth year, the Fort2Fort is anticipated to attract between 200 and 300 riders coming from all over the Puget Sound region. Rick notes that local businesses and civic organizations have been supportive of the ride – the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce is among its supporting sponsors. The ride will be staged from McCurdy Pavilion, where food and beverages will be available along with entertainment provided by local musicians. All proceeds will directly benefit Fort Worden, providing funding for building restoration, interpretative signage, community programs, trails, historic programs and recreational facilities. For more complete information about the Fort2Fort Bike Ride, visit fort2fortride. org. For information about the Friends of Fort Worden and its activities, visit fwfriends.org.
Team Jefferson leading effort to bring broadband Broadband access may be the most cost-effective strategy to improve public efficiencies and expand local economic development. Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, stimulus dollars are being made available to fund projects through the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP). In an extraordinary innovative and collaborative effort, more than 25 public and private anchor institutions across Jefferson County have come together in a broadband coalition to advance economic, education, health-care,
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include Jefferson County; City of Port Townsend; Port of Port Townsend; Jefferson County PUD 1; Brinnon, Quilcene, Chimacum and Port Townsend school districts; Jefferson County and Port Townsend libraries; East Jefferson Fire Chiefs Association; health-care, law-enforcement and emergency services; Fort Worden and Fort Flagler state parks; Jefferson County courts and others. Jefferson County is one of 19 counties working with NoaNet to prepare the request for round-two funding. The grant proposal results will be announced by September.
Export strategies seminar set by county’s Team Jefferson Do you export? Are you interested in exporting? Do you need new foreign buyers? Want to learn about fresh export markets? Statistics show 95 percent of potential customers are outside the United States. Tap into a large and growing market share! The Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce and EDC Team Jefferson are teaming with the Export Finance Assistance Center and invite you to attend a seminar designed for both new-to-export companies and experienced exporters. At the seminar you will learn to: • Identify foreign markets and newly available resources. • Learn how to access working capital. • Understand loan and working capital programs geared toward start-ups and small
Business lunch? We can help!
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municipal and public safety interests. This coalition is convened and led by EDC Team Jefferson, Jefferson County’s economic development agency. The broadband coalition is partnering with the Northwest Open Access Network (NoaNet) and Washington State Department of Information Services in support of the BTOP broadband project. The coalition has been meeting since December 2009 to develop this proposal for funding, which, if successful, would significantly improve fiber and wireless technology in East Jefferson County. Coalition participants
businesses. • Learn how to make your operation globally competitive. • Explore free and low-cost services and programs provided by the state, U.S. Department of Commerce, Small Business Administration, and Impact Washington. All are designed to help you find buyers and expand and finance exports at little or no cost. Join us from 3 to 5 p.m. on Monday, April 19 at the WSU Spruce Room in Port Hadlock. Space is limited! To register or learn more, call the Jefferson County Chamber office at 3857869. The seminar will be interactive, with plenty of time for networking, questions and one-on-one counseling sessions. Let us help you grow your business in the global marketplace!
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Lunch & Dinner • Open Wed.-Mon., Closed Tues. • Outside Dining Reservations welcome 360-385-0700 141 Hudson St. at Point Hudson, Port Townsend * Not valid with any other coupon, discount or holidays. One coupon per table. Offer expires 4/30/10.
April 2010 Port Townsend Chamber Newsletter 7
volunteer of the month
Brantner: he’s a natural! By Karen Anderson
When I told Ron that he was our April Volunteer of the Month, he declined. “Give it to someone else,” he said. Just saying those words made me want to bestow him with the title of VOTM even more. Ron is a long time member of the Elks Lodge and the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the local credit union. He’s used to being elected for various things. So deal with it, Ron! Ron Brantner spent most of his life in and around Chicago. He was painfully shy while in school. I wouldn’t normally allow myself to tell the community something like that about someone, but this is Ron we’re talking about here. These days, when asked how he’s doing, his stock response is, “Eh, the same… charming and good looking.” Shy, Ron is no longer. The good looking part came naturally. The proof is in the pudding… he’s won four beauty pageants. The charming part he had to work on by taking drama and public speaking classes when he was in high school and college. But, it turned out, he was a natural at that, too. He never wrote a speech for any of his public
speaking classes, he just got up and started talking. Once the comfort settled in, he took it a step further and started dancing. Ron Brantner Picture, if you will, a pink plaid jacket doing the Jitterbug across the floor. Ron knows all the moves. He still makes sure each of the ladies get a chance to take a twirl when there’s a dance at the Elks. What else could go with good looks, charm, acting, and some soft shoe? Music, naturally. If there’s a concert in town, you can bet you’ll see Ron there. He volunteered for Centrum for eight years, listening to the fiddles in particular, and he makes sure that he hears the PT Summer Band any time they perform. He never learned an instrument, but his appreciation for music has continued to grow to this day. Ron has a lot of stories, and no matter what the subject is they all have a punch line. He attributes his sense of humor to his younger days when he was too shy to play the leading man (voted “Leading Man” by the girls in his
high school drama class), so he took the comedic parts. He also became quite the prankster. Watch out on April Fool’s Day. Chances are that if you’re in Ron’s good graces, you may get an unusual phone call or news which will get you wondering. Ron worked in and operated various credit unions throughout his adult life. It wasn’t something he told me, but his ethics are outstanding, and there were a couple of work related stories he relayed which had an enthusiastic and vindicated fist pump at the end. Here’s the best part, being a member of various groups where long, tedious meetings are required, Ron made sure those meetings were as interesting and as lively as possible. He would do anything from dressing up and making a grand entrance, to singing his reports. Anything you can imagine. Ron is the guy you want to have your next meeting with. The man has no shame. He doesn’t care if you are laughing with him or at him, as long as you’re laughing. But keep an ear close to the ground and one eye over your shoulder, because he could be sneaking up on you. Well, naturally.
PRSRT STD U.S. Postage Paid Port Townsend, WA Permit No. 34
VIC visits on increase The trend of lots of visitors coming in our door is continuing as once again March numbers top past years. We had 811 visitors sign the guestbook in March (788 in 2009, 804 in 2008). We are starting to get ready for the busy spring and summer months. So if you have ever
been curious about meeting the visitors who are arriving in Port Townsend, or if you have a yearning to help people out and answer questions, want to go on our great famaliarization tours or just need something more to do – come down to the Visitor Information Center and volunteer.
Make sure QuickBooks is working for you By Linda Lockwood You’re using the immensely popular QuickBooks software to maintain the “books” for your business, but errors in the way you’re using this great software might be causing you to unknowingly under-report your expenses and over-pay your income taxes! QuickBooks is fabulous bookkeeping software, and its ease of use is a real attraction for owners of small businesses who want to maintain their own books. But QuickBooks will not force you to follow generally accepted accounting principles, and it will dutifully allow you to post transactions incorrectly just as easily as correctly. You hear the little “chime” and feel confident that the posted transaction sent the money to exactly the right accounts. But these incorrect postings can result in account balances that bear no resemblance to your business’s actual financial condition, which means that the financial statements you give your CPA for your annual income tax filings could be incorrect and could cause you to pay a lot more in taxes than you really need to. Here are some common bookkeeping sins that QuickBooks might be allowing you to commit: 8 April 2010 Port Townsend Chamber Newsletter
Your credit card and accounts-payable payment transactions don’t get posted to expenses. You double-book the revenue when a customer replaces a bounced check. You’re using a petty cash fund but don’t accurately record the expenses when the money is spent. You’ve lent your company money and it’s slowly paying you back. But you’ve failed to correctly record the loan in QuickBooks and perhaps you’re not receiving interest. Your payroll taxes are not being properly calculated and expensed. You have multiple businesses being tracked in one QuickBooks company – allowing you to transfer payments between bank accounts without properly recording the related expenses. You don’t use the proper procedures to ensure that all your expenses are getting recorded. This is especially an issue if you use automatic payments and debit cards. These are just a few examples of common mistakes that can cause you to “overstate” your net income, which will result in paying taxes on income you never earned. But don’t despair; most of these issues can be easily corrected by modifying parameters in your QuickBooks setup or changing some of
the procedures you’ve been using to post transactions. Most business owners view bookkeeping as a “necessary evil” and are often lulled into believing that “as long as the transaction posted, it must be right.” But this “head in the sand” complacency could be causing you to pay lots of money to Uncle Sam that you don’t need to. This is your money, so spending a little time to make sure your “books” accurately reflect your business results could help ensure that you’re not giving it away unnecessarily! Linda Lockwood lives in Port Townsend and operates a bookkeeping/accounting and business-consulting service. She specializes in helping companies establish and maintain their bookkeeping systems, to ensure that their account balances are always accurate. Linda has over 17 years of accounting experience, and her professional and straightforward approach to accounting solutions can be a real benefit to small businesses. Contact her for an “accounting tune-up” or for any bookkeeping questions or issues you may have: 360-531-0854 or lindalockwood@cablespeed.com, or visit lindalockwoodconsulting.com.
Member of the month •
Subway Sandwiches Mickey Davis 1300 Water St., No. 101 Port Townsend, WA 98368 360-385-1463