October 2013
Luncheon Speakers Jefferson County 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!
Oct. 7 - City Council Forum
Michelle Sandoval, Bob Jautz, Patrick Moore, Catharine Robinson, Pamela Adams and Harold Sherwood answer questions. Sponsor Port Townsend Library
Oct.14 - No Meeting Columbus Day holiday.
Oct. 21 Home Rule Charter
Advocates for and against the Home Rule Charter proposal for Jefferson County exchange views. Sponsor KPTZ.
Oct. 28 - Erin Brown, Julia Danskin Brown, Financial Counseling Supervisor and Compliance Officer for Jefferson Healthcare and Danskin, Jefferson County Public Health Manager, explain the new Washington Health Insurance Exchange program and the Get Covered Jefferson County campaign. Sponsor Seaport Landing.
Ajax serving fun with fine food The Ajax Café, housed in Sam Hadlock’s original 1880era home on the Port Hadlock waterfront, has remained virtually the same for 36 years. Joe Rudder opened the café in 1977 when he and his band needed a place to play music. Current owner, Kristan McCary, was aboard her father’s crab boat when he took her to the abandoned waterfront and up the dock to the Ajax for dinner. She was nine years old and enchanted. As a young woman, she went to work at the Ajax as a waitress and with two other waitresses, Eileen Stemle and Laura Ferguson, bought the business in 2004, from then-owners Tom and Lynda Weiner and Kathy Williams. Becoming sole owner in 2007, just as the economy crumbled, Kristan has had astounding success (and rave reviews) as a restaurant owner. She employs 23 people, hires local musicians and buys a majority of her inventory from local seafood and beef purveyors and from growers, cheesemakers and brewers on the Olympic Peninsula. She’s also made improvements to the property, recently installing one of Ann Raab’s “Green Pod” buildings to host “Bill the Wine Guy’s” tasting room, and is renovating garage and office space behind the building. The Ajax Café is rooted in the local collective imagina-
Kristan McCary was aboard her father’s crab boat when he took her to the Port Hadlock waterfront and up the dock to the Ajax for dinner. She was nine years old and enchanted. Now she owns the place. Photo by Jan Halliday. tion, not only because of its hidden location. Whether you arrive by water or by land, you are suddenly in the 1800s, to the remnants of what was once a prosperous waterfront that failed in the early 1900s after mill closures. Only a few buildings remained by 1977: Sam Hadlock’s old house, two structures now hous-
ing the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding and a row of seven cabins built in the 1920s. Hadlock’s two-story home also known as The Galster House, was used for various purposes until Joe Rudder opened the Ajax in 1977. Almost everything in the Ajax, all the old hats, art and
posters on the wall, the album covers used as menus, the mismatched painted wooden chairs, the salt and pepper shakers and the goofy tableware–have been donated by locals along with their stories. Just the other day, someone brought in a treasured 50-year-old Payson Utah ReContinued on Page 2
Busy summer comes to an end, and county politics pick up steam
Farm Tour WSU’s annual Farm Tour provided lots of fun for adults and kids. Here, kids meet goats at Sunfield Farm.
Ajax: Waterfront classic Continued from Page 1 sistol cowboy hat, made in Texas. The first Ajax piano, an upright, was going to be thrown off the dock and used as a mooring anchor, but was rescued before it hit the water by Ajax founder Joe
Rudder. When the piano tuner gave up on it a few years ago, Gretchen and Mike Chesley gave the Ajax a new upright, old and solid oak. Kristan said she hopes to be in Port Hadlock for a long time. “I’ve looked at other
locations, some of them on Bainbridge,” says Kristan, “Our food would be the same, but this is about more than good food. It’s about coming down that long hill to Sam Hadlock’s house on the old waterfront. I don’t think the Ajax would be the same anywhere else.”
By Dominic Svornich We’ve almost made it! We are dangerously close to wrapping up summer season here in Jefferson County. I hope many of you had Svornich a chance to see some films at the 14th Port Townsend Film Festival, check out the amazing boats and vendors during the 37th (37th, can you believe that??) Wooden Boat Festival, or toss some kegs at Hadlock Days. It’s been an absolutely incredible, unseasonably warm, and busy summer around here, so I hope everyone’s getting a chance to decompress a little! Word from merchants throughout the county has been positive regarding our summer season, with many experiencing a great year for sales, if not the best they’ve
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2 October 2013 Jefferson County Chamber Newsletter
to come. I encourage all of you to become familiar with the individuals and issues you’ll be voting for this fall, and become a part of these changes. Understand how your votes will affect your business. Get out and network with fellow businesses, and keep up the energy from this summer through the fall and winter months. Shop local, visit your fellow businesses and hopefully we’ll see you at one of our upcoming mixers or weekly luncheons. We’ll be hosting election forums, so please try to come out and hear what our candidates have to say. Check our website at jeffcountychamber. org for more details and a full schedule for our luncheon speakers. Dominic Svornich is Operations Manager at Kitsap Bank and this year’s Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce President.
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had. The weather was certainly a factor, but I like to think it’s more to do with all the energy surrounding our communities right now, and the general improvement our economy has experienced in the last year. We have businesses throughout Jefferson County expanding and diversifying, and becoming more sustainable for their future successes than they have been in recent years. We’re also entering a season of campaigns and elections which may further shape our county for many years to come. Besides our new superintendent for the Chimacum School District and an influx of many new faculty members for Port Townsend, there are hotly contested school board seats for the first time in a while. The “home rule” charter has also kicked up some controversy, which has potentially huge ramifications for how we govern locally for decades
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Visitor Information Center works for whole county By Karen Anderson Last June, I had the opportunity to present to the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce what I have seen first-hand to be the benefits of the Visitor Information Center (VIC) to Chamber members. I was honored when asked to make the same presentation to Tri-Area business owners to help those outside of Port Townsend understand how the Port Townsend VIC works for their businesses, as well as businesses throughout East Jefferson County. My observation during these presentations was that my audience was largely composed of professionals who already effectively use the VIC as a promotional tool for their business. This article is to help those who currently do not use the VIC make educated choices when considering the VIC as a means of business promotion. First, a little VIC background: The Port Townsend VIC is open 362 days a year and operated by more than 50 volunteers. Some of these volunteers have been giving their time to the VIC for more than 15 years. They have seen it all, and subsequently know it all. They also volunteer at other non-profits in the area and therefore have the inside scoop on several community activities. Many of the more than 15,000 annual visitors who come into the VIC are actually here to visit the entire Olympic Peninsula. Port Townsend is just one stopping point on their tour. VIC volunteers are trained to know about everything our area provides from places to
way to becoming passé. Travelers are able to access so much information on computers and smart phones, why should you invest in an outdated form of promotion? Our VIC has recognized the need to take steps toward the digital age. Our volunteers are working with computers, QR codes, smart phones, and are always dreaming up new ways to retain our relevance when we reach Karen Anderson eat, to rooms to sleep, to complete digitization. things to do. Ultimately, Conversations have begun our goal is not only to pro- about apps and hand-held vide excellent customer media players for visitors service, but also to keep to take with them, as well visitors in East Jefferson as digital after-hours inforCounty as long as posmation at the VIC. As it is sible by offering them with all evolution though, the things they want and transition is a slow enjoy. This also educates process, especially while visitors in all of the posmany of our customers sibilities and encourages haven’t made the digital recurring trips. leap themselves yet. Baby But what about people Boomers still dominate who aren’t traveling? A the traveling demographic. substantial percentage of Though some are ‘plugged our visitor log is filled by in,’ many still require that people who already live piece of paper in their in East Jefferson County. hands and good old fashThese folks are not neces- ioned eye contact, and the sarily looking for the VIC needs to be able to tourism ‘Rule of three’ accommodate. The great (eat, sleep, play). These thing about this is that our customers are looking for volunteers get to continue services and businesses to provide the human conthat do not strictly operate nection that is being lost on tourism. Our partnerin today’s modern society. ship with the Chamber of It is that valuable human Commerce provides the connection which helps knowledge needed about visitors decide where they service based businesses will be staying, or which to continue our reputahike they will be going on, tion for superior customer or whether or not they will service. be moving to our area. Volunteers also handle The first thing you will all phone calls for outgosee when walking in the ing information and reloVIC’s front door are loads cation packets. Relocation of brochures. It’s a bit packets are tailored per overwhelming, so we have request with information organized them to make about businesses and serbrowsing for something vices in the area specific particular easier. Having to potential newcomers’ your brochures at the Port needs. Townsend VIC is a ChamSome people believe ber benefit, and non-memthat VICs are on their
ber businesses must join before displaying their brochures. Some Chamber businesses don’t have brochures and therefore that benefit is not included in the basic Chamber membership. The advantage your business has with brochure service at the VIC is, for 14 cents a day, you get your name in front of those 15,000 visitors mentioned previously. And, let’s face it, people are more receptive to pictures than to verbal suggestions. However, the combination of the two is powerful. But you’re on the fence about brochures. After all, you have to design and print them and those things cost money. So what’s your incentive? How can you take this benefit to the next level and really work it? Ask your customers where they heard about you. Was it from the VIC? An easy way to track your return on investment is to offer a little something extra that doesn’t cost you very much. Turn your brochure into a coupon or include a teaser about a free sample or small discount when your potential customer brings the rack card into your business. This is also an easy way to reuse your rack cards and save on your printing costs. Place your brochures in multiple venues and label them with a code. When your coupon/brochures come back to you, you know where your advertising is most effective. So you’ve decided to place your brochures in the VIC and they have wonderfully enticing pictures and a small discount or teaser of what’s to come. What is your
next step? Competition is healthy and abundant in the area, so how do you get volunteers to reach for your brochure first? The answer? Provide a Familiarization Tour to VIC volunteers. A Familiarization Tour offers a firsthand experience at your business where you will receive the undivided attention of VIC volunteers to tell them everything you want visitors to know. Don’t stop there. Offer volunteers a sensory experience. The more thorough your tour, the easier it will be for them to think of you first while providing information to your traveling guests. Each Familiarization Tour will include an article in the Chamber Newsletter which is direct mailed to over 400 businesses and inserted into The Leader which is distributed to over 22,000 readers in the large majority of Jefferson County homes and businesses. With one simple 20-40 minute tour of your business, you will effectively tell over 22,000 people what you want them to know… for free. This ‘free’ part is key. People love the word free. They also love the word ‘discount’ which brings us to the reader board on Sims Way. The reader board is available for use
by anyone regardless of Chamber membership. The pricing was determined by what people told us they felt the monetary value was, and then that number was lowered. How much is it worth to your event for more than 18,000 people to see your advertisement each day for one week? I’m guessing you’re thinking a fairly high number. The full price of the reader board is less than that and your Chamber membership grants you 40 percent off of that price. Are you a nonprofit? Non-profits receive another $10 off. The reader board is available for reservation from now through the end of 2014. Come into the VIC and check the reader board schedule for availability. While you’re in the planning process of your event, it’s a good idea to know what else is happening at that time. The more people you can get to your event without having to split your numbers with another business, the better for everyone. The VIC offers a list of annual community events for you to make the best choice while scheduling. The VICs ultimate goal is to get visitors to where they want to be and to make sure that their trip is Continued on Page 4
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Visitor Center: Help volunteers get familiar with your business Continued from Page 3 as good as it possibly can be. When locals come in the door, we want to make sure they have the most accurate information for what they need regardless of their membership status. For these two things to happen, we have to know everything that’s going on. We need to know if the parking is going to be a hardship where people are going. We need to know if the hotels are booked. We need to know if the ferry is full. We even need to know if there is an accident blocking traffic on the way into or out of town. These types of things don’t have anything to do with the Chamber, but the VIC tracks that stuff anyway. We track all accommoda-
tions in East Jefferson County. As a Chamber member, we want you to know that we promise to recommend your accommodation first; but as an organization looking at the big picture, we also want to keep travelers in the area, which means that when our Chamber member hotels and getaways are full, we will recommend local, nonChamber lodging before sending guests to other counties. Similarly with restaurants, the VIC will recommend the membership first, but in keeping with our goal of offering the best possible customer service to encourage return travelers, we are happy to speak to the specific needs, desires, and/or restrictions of our customers.
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The VIC also offers a community bulletin board where members and nonmembers are encouraged to post community events. If you are considering Chamber membership for the first time or are wondering about new ways to maximize your Chamber benefits, come into the VIC and take a look around. The VIC volunteers are here to work for you. You get out of this what you put into it; so use your Visitor Information Center. Come in, get to know your volunteers, let them know who you are and what you do because people do business with people they know. Karen Anderson is the manager of the Port Townsend Visitor Information Center.
Celebrating one year Dogspaw and Cats Too celebrated its first anniversary with a ribbon cutting featuring a canine friend and a bunch of Chamber Ambassadors who supplied the big scissors. From left is Sigrid Cummings (USANA Health Sciences), Karen Anderson (PT VIC), Mickey Davis (Subway Sandwiches), Pam Lampman (US Bank), Laura Brackenridge (Chamber of Commerce), two customers, Maria Pace (owner) Vi Koenig (PT Laundromat & Self Service Car Wash). Terry handles the dog duties. Photo by Steve Mullensky
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Lowering prices not always the ticket to increased sales By Elaine Jones The Great Recession has put pressure on prices in the vast majority of businesses. The temptation is to lower prices - but a business that is losing money on every sale is not sustainable, and a higher volume of poorly priced sales only makes matters worse. Serving the high end and/or a very specialized niche can insulate a business from this. And it is good to remember that pricing is a “signal of value,” that is, a higher price indicates that someone thinks the product or service is worth more. A high-priced item may lend prestige to the owner. My consulting business was once hired by a client who said he was looking for someone to add expertise in an area he knew little about. He told me he couldn’t really evaluate the qualifications of the bidders. We were chosen because we were the most expensive, so he figured we must be the best. But there are steps that any business in any marketplace can take to keep pricing at a sustainable level. A recent Inc. Magazine blog post by sales guru Geoffrey James listed reasons people are willing to pay a premium price, ranging from convenience factors, like being easier to buy or arriving more quickly, to “high-touch” factors like friendlier customer service, good recovery from mistakes and a personal relationship. Only a few items on his list dealt with unique “must-have” features or your product lowering the cost of
some activity or product. Still more interesting is the experience of a man named Rob Walker. Mr. Walker bought a variety of items, each costing less than $5. He asked writers to devise a story that featured each item, giving it a human context. Then he posted each item on E-Bay with its accompanying story. Author Ty Montague reported the results: “On average the value of the objects rose 2,700 percent -- that’s not a typo: 2,700 percent.” A small jar of mayonnaise originally costing less than a dollar sold for $51, for example. We are all familiar with instances of this. The art world is an example. Some good paintings sell for $300, while others sell for $3,000. The difference? The context and story that accompanies them. The television show “Shark Tank” also illustrates this point. The “sharks” get excited when the person asking for money has a great story and personality to go with the product; they tune out as soon as the person doesn’t seem to have a coherent story well told.
Thanks to our top chamber contributors!
A client of mine recently signed a distribution Business investors agreement with a global leader in his industry. Their comment toPort him: Ludlow Port Hadlock East Sims 74 Breaker 69 Oak Bay Road 2313 East Sims Way “We love the story that Lane Ludlow, WA 98365 Port Hadlock, WA 98339 Port Townsend, WA 98368 goes with yourPortproduct, it 360-437-7863 360-344-3424 360-385-0123 will help our salespeople to sell it.” *New loan requests only. Single family owner-occupied homes only. 80% loan to value; subject to current appraisal from a Kitsap Bank approved If you would likeappraiser. to 5 year balloon with loan payment amortization not to exceed 20 years. Must have auto charge to Kitsap Bank deposit account. Other limitations may apply. Limited time only. **On all loans over $50,000. learn more about how to engage customers through both telling and living a story, go to vimeo.com/71901344 for a good video by Ty Montague, the author of the book True Story, How to Combine Story and Action to Transform Your Business. In any event, before you conclude that your prices are a problem, consider one or more ways you might add value in intangible ways that customers are willing to pay for. Elaine Jones is a certified business advisor at the WSU Small Business Development Center in Port Townsend. The Center provides confidential, one-on-one advising for existing and aspiring business owners at no cost to the client. Contact her at elaine. jones@wsbdc.org or call 360-344-3078.
Briefly The following Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce meetings and events are coming in the month ahead: • Oct. 8, 5:30 to 7 p.m. - After Hour Mixer at Circle & Square Auto Care, 10953 Rhody Dr., Port Hadlock. • Oct. 9, 8 to 9 a.m. Executive. Board Meeting at the VIC, 440 12th St., Port Townsend. • Oct. 16, 8 to 9 a.m. - Board of Directors Meeting at Jefferson County Library, 620 Cedar Ave., Port Hadlock. • Oct. 17 - 5:30 to 7 p.m. - Ambassador’s Meeting at Fiesta Jalisco Mexican Restaurant, 10893 Rhody Dr., Port Hadlock.
Business builders • Port Townsend Computers • Homer Smith Insurance • Port Townsend Paper Co. • Port Townsend Laundromat • Food Co-op & Self Service Car Wash October 2013 Jefferson County Chamber Newsletter 5
New members
oCToPuS garDenS DiVing Octopus Gardens Diving is a unique and full service diving center with equipment, training, service, and custom travel adventures for new and experienced divers. Our dive shop is also the home of one of the most well respected equipment service labs in the country. Our mission is to provide the best customer service of any dive shop in the USA. On Jan. 1, 2012 Don and Diane Peterson opened their doors. They chose Port Townsend for its amazing diving, and because it offers many diversions for divers and their non-diving family members in a beautiful historic setting. Don has been diving since the early ‘70s and
turned pro in the ‘80s. Since then he has trained thousands of recreational, commercial and public safety divers. He and his instructor wife Diane customize their training to individual needs. Students can receive extra care or extra challenges depending on their style of learning. Octopus Gardens wants to work with other chamber members to inspire more visitors to experience the joy of Port Townsend. Current technology now allows divers to be warm and comfortable in the water all year round. Our message to divers from the Seattle area, Eastern Washington and nearby states is that you don’t have to get on a plane to access beautiful and exciting diving. And
6 October 2013 Jefferson County Chamber Newsletter
while you are here, there are hotels, restaurants, shops and activities that will make you want to stay forever! Be sure to check us out at octopusgardensdiving.com and then come for a visit. We are located at 2900 Washington Street in Boat Haven Marina and open every day except Wednesday. Call 360-385-3483 (DIVE) or email info@ octopusgardensdiving. com. PorT TownSenD SunriSe roTary Port Townsend Sunrise Rotary Club is a part of the Rotary International community service organization of diverse business and professional leaders. The largest of Rotary International’s projects is the effort to eradicate polio. Since 1988 polio has been reduced in the world by more than 99 percent Locally the Sunrise Rotary supports many community activities including providing every Jefferson County third grade student a beautiful new dictionary. Know a third grader? Ask for a look! Sharing a peek with adults is part of the magic. Sunrise Rotary supports the backpack program furnishing weekend meals for otherwise hungry young students. We remain involved in young lives by advising the Port Townsend High School Interact Club. Each year the Sunrise Rotary sends and receives foreign exchange students, enriching the high school experience and spreading international goodwill. This year we are hosting a student from Croatia, and we have sent a Port Townsend student to the Canary Islands.
Owned and operated by Damian and Lelah Wright, Wright Away delivers quality food from participating restaurants right to your door using fuel efficient scooters and top quality delivery containers. Our club administers the operated by Damian and ful and valuable asset to SAT tests in this part of the Lelah Wright, Wright the community of Port State of Washington for col- Away delivers quality Townsend. Perfect for lege bound students. Money food from participating any occasion, we deliver earned from this service has restaurants right to your to your home, work, or established an endowment door. Using fuel efficient even to your favorite fund that now provides scooters and top qualpub. We will deliver to annual scholarships for ity delivery containers, the beach, to your boat, Jefferson County students Wright Away delivers or to your favorite outto attend local vocational or food orders from some door festival. Customers trade schools. of the finest restaurants have used our service Funds for our programs in town, restaurants who to provide meals for a are provided by community have not been able to meal train, serve food support of fundraisers such offer delivery until now. for family gatherings, or as our “Driving in the Dark” The customer places cater a business meeting. nighttime golf tournament the order with Wright Anytime, you want high and “Running of the Balls” Away by either calling quality food delivered event at the start of the or conveniently ordering to you, Wright Away has Rhody Parade. online. The Wright Away you covered! We look forward to an team then places the For more informaactive membership in the order with the restaurant, tion and to place an Chamber of Commerce as a picks it up and delivers it order, visit our website part of the business network fresh and fast for a small at wrightawaydelivery. and as a participant in com- delivery charge ($5 incom or call us at 360munity service programs. side city limits and $7.50 385-AWAY (2929). The to Cape George). Wright Away family Wright Away Delivery looks forward to conwrigHT away DeliVery Wright Away Delivery opened in October 2012 tinuing to serve Port is Port Townsend’s only and with almost a year in Townsend some of the business, Wright Away finest food the Pacific multi-restaurant delivhas proven a successNorthwest has to offer! ery service. Owned and
Put your Chamber membership to work and boost your business Connecting with your community and getting to know fellow businesspeople is the most powerful benefit of belonging to your chamber of commerce. Nurturing these relationships helps build your business even as you involve yourself in issues important to you. Here are a few of the ways you can benefit from chamber membership: You belong to THE business organization that matters! Know that your membership helps support and promote all the businesses in our community. Weekly Monday luncheon meetings at the Elks at noon are a perfect opportunity to mingle and bolster your business network. Monthly Chamber Mixers, the second Tues-
day of the month from 5:30 to 7 p.m., are a great place to socialize with community members, and you have the opportunity to showcase your business by hosting a mixer. Read the monthly Newsletter to keep abreast of pertinent topics facing our business community. Enjoy contributing your own business news to share with other chamber members by submitting an article. Weekly e-Letter updates are a quick and easy way to keep updated with chamber activities and business news. Use the online networking tools provided by the chamber, including Facebook and Twitter. Join the chamber’s Ambassador Program. Become a cheerleader
and promote the chamber in the community while socializing with likeminded and fun chamber members. Visitor Information Center volunteers can direct business your way! If you haven’t made a point to contact VIC manager Karen Anderson to schedule time to stop by the VIC to introduce yourself and your business to the VIC volunteers and sales force, you are missing out. Or, schedule a Familiarization Tour for the volunteers to come see your business. Increase your online exposure on jeffcountychamber.org, which lists a directory of chamber members. You can further improve your exposure online by having an expanded listing.
Mixer at Key City Public Theatre Key City Public Theatre Artistic Director Denise Winter addressses Chamber members who showed up for a recent mixer. In addition to stage shows, KCPT offers year-round events that include concerts, outdoor theater and more. Since 2010, KCPT has garnered numerous awards and honors for artistic merit including its first Washington State Arts Commission, Humanities WA and National Endowment for the Arts grants.
Chamber contacts Chamber Staff Executive Director Teresa Verraes director@jeffcountychamber.org Event Coordinator Laura Brackenridge admin@jeffcountychamber.org 385-7869 VIC Manager Karen Anderson info@jeffcountychamber.org (360) 385-2722 EXECUTIVE BOARD President Dominic Svornich Kitsap Bank President Elect Amanda Funaro NW Maritime Center
Past President Fred Obee The Leader
DIRECTORS Heather Bailey Jefferson Healthcare
Vice President, Records Molly Force N.D. Prosper Natural Health
Judy Cavett Fairwinds Winery
Vice President, Finances Jake Beattie NW Maritime Center Vice President, Outreach Jordan Eades Hope Roofing Vice President, Membership Cammy Brown Peninsula Legal and Secretarial Services
Suzy Carroll Uptown Nutrition Justin Jackson Middletown Dreams: A Pin Bar Austin Henry Altas Technologies Vi Koenig Port Townsend Laundromat & Self Service Car Wash Nancy McConaghy Coldwell Banker
Debbie Wardrop Resort at Port Ludlow Jennefer Wood Maestrale Carol Woodley Hadlock Motel & Hadlock Realty Advertising Sara Radka The Leader 360-385-2900 The content of this publication is prepared by the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce for its members. We welcome submissions. Send articles and photos to director@jeffcountychamber.org or mail to 440 12th St. Port Townsend, WA 98368.
Mari Stuart Community Enrichment Alliance October 2013 Jefferson County Chamber Newsletter 7
Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce 440 12th St. Port Townsend, WA 98368
PRSRT STD U.S. Postage Paid Port Townsend, WA Permit No. 34
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Joint mixer A huge crowd turned out in Port Ludlow for the joint mixer with the Kingston Chamber of Commerce. The event featured fun and games, food and drink and the chance to get to know our neighbors to the south in Kitsap County. Photo by Steve Mullensky
Community School keeps doors open About a month after the board decided to close the doors to the school last spring, a grassroots effort of parents, with the leadership of veteran educator Rita Hemsley, led to the board decision to reopen this Fall. Jefferson Community School (JCS) is an accredited independent school offering engaging and experiential academics to grades 7-12. The challenging academic program is coupled with extensive world travel experiences (including Vietnam, Costa Rica, Mexico and Thailand) and is designed to
prepare students for an ever-changing future with 95 percent of graduates attending four-year colleges. As valuable as their world travel experiences are, so too are their relationships with the local community. Students not only enjoy lunch at local restaurants, Crossfit training at PT Athletic Club, longboat, navigation and sailing at the Maritime Center and science class at the Marine Science Center, they also contribute to their community through service learning, such as cleaning the food bank for UGN day of caring.
8 October 2013 Jefferson County Chamber Newsletter
Students also work in internships and service learning mentorships with local organizations and businesses. Recently, students hosted a luncheon and discussion with Harry Osterreicher, the grandson of Portugese Ambassdor Souza Mendes, whose film Disobedience played in the Port Townsend Film Festival. A few of the unique program options students may choose to develop include aviation/aeronautics, woodworking, art with local artists, video productions and public speaking/drama and equitation. JCS is
pleased to open doors this fall with a solid enrollment of twenty students. Part of the new model Dr. Hemsley has introduced includes an invitation to the community to participate in select JCS courses. Currently, Conversational Spanish and Public Policy Analysis are available for audit by community members. Contact the school for an application by calling 360-385-0622. JCS has been an important community member since 2004 and, now stabilized, looks to continue its ‘Community at Home and Kinship with the
World.’
Jefferson Community School is an accredited independent school offering experiential academics to grades 7-12.