Chamber Newsletter - January 2011

Luncheon Speakers

January 2011

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!

Jan. 3 -- Fort Worden Collaborative This month we have several presentations from the Fort Worden Wilson Keegan Collaborative partners. Scott Wilson, publisher of the Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader, will give an update on the higher education collaborative; Erin Fristad, director, will update us on Goddard College; and Tom Keegan, president of Peninsula College, will speak about the proposed remodel of Building 202.

Jan. 10 -- Peggy Hanson, Jefferson Transit Peggy Hansen, general manager of Jefferson Transit, will give an update on the budget status going into 2011. Jefferson Transit Authority Board approved a sales tax proposition for the Feb. 8 election. Tim Caldwell, chairman of the Jefferson County Residents for Transit, will also be present to answer any questions.

Hanson

Jan. 17-- Fort Worden Collaborative, Part II Our second of the series from the Fort Worden Collaborative partners. Kate Burke, manager of Fort Worden, Alex Bryan of Third Ear Project, and Janet Jones of Copper Canyon Press will each present what they see happening at Fort Worden.

Jan. 24 -- Tim Lawson

Burke

MacGillonie bids fond farewell

By Jennifer Wells MacGillonie Executive Director This is my last article that I will write as the executive director of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce. And I have such a mixture of feelings as I write this.

I am so proud to have had the privilege and honor to lead our Chamber. I have been passionate about this Chamber and have devoted myself to make this an outstanding business organization that is relevant and forward-thinking. I always tell people that I am so lucky

cessful merger, setting a new standard in our community on partnerships between Port Townsend and unincorporated Jefferson County. We have a new Visitor Information Center, a strategic plan that will lead us moving forward, and we have increased our methods of communication so our members and the community know what the Chamber is doing. Even though we do not have my replacement hired yet, we do have a committed board that will continue our goals and mission into the new year.

I am deeply sad to be leav-

ing this wonderful community that has been my home for the past 10 years. I have made so many friends and have had amazing experiences. It’s not always easy living in this little town, but I feel this will always be my home.

But, also, I am very excited to have a new opportunity as the CEO of the Camarillo Chamber in Ventura County, Calif. It’s a bigger community and a bigger chamber and I can’t wait to see what possibilities await me in this new chapter in my life.

Farewell my friends!

An exciting year lies ahead for chamber

By Kim Aldrich President As I write this, it is still December and the holidays are right around the corner.

I just came from lunch with Lawson outgoing executive director Jan. 31 -- Chamber Jennifer MacGillonie and President update three of our new board members. We met to discuss the Chamber update: Kim Aldrich, Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce Chamber and both what they president, will speak about the Chamber’s want to achieve as members strategic plan and lay out the vision for the of the Board of Directors Chamber moving into 2011.

Aldrich and also what is expected of them.

Breakfast meeting at I came away from the Fiesta Jalisco meeting grateful I will have Chamber update and networking Jan. 4 from 7:45 to 9 a.m. at such a strong group of people Fiesta Jalisco Mexican Restaurant on Rhody Drive in Port Hadlock. surrounding me as I begin Meet new Chamber staff and board members. We start with my term as president. Each of networking time, so bring plenty of business cards. them is vibrant, creative and Tim Lawson, one of the founders of Port Townsend School of Woodworking and Kate Burke, manager of Fort Worden, will describe creating a historic preservation training program at Fort Worden.

to have the best job in the county!

I am happy to be leaving at a high point with a much stronger MacGillonie Chamber than when I started. I thank the board for their support and dedication. And I thank each and every member for your support and involvement.

Much has been done in a short time. We’ve had a suc-

forwardthinking.

I am very fortunate.

The search for our new executive director is under Aldrich way.

A search committee was formed, the job was posted, and we are working through the resumes we have received. There are some very good candidates, and I look forward to working with the Search Committee. We hope to finish the process early in the year.

On Jan. 22 we will be holding our board retreat.

During that time, the Strategic Planning Committee, formed at the 2010 retreat, will present their plan, some of which has already been put in place.

We will then discuss how we want to implement the plan, work on structures and systems, and set our course for the new year.

Jan. 28 is the Business Leader of the Year and Citizen of the Year dinner and the installation of the Board of Directors for 2011.

In the last couple of years of board service, I have learned that I get out of

Chamber what I put into it.

It is much more than weekly meetings and a membership directory; it is a group of business people who have a desire to make our communities better places.

My goal this year is to continue to support that countywide sense of community. All of us breathe a sigh of relief when we cross the bridge and know we are almost home. All of us enjoy the benefits of living here, and all of us have a desire to live a successful and rich life here in Jefferson County.

I am looking forward to working with you to make that happen.

Eaton takes the reins at Food Co-op The Food Co-op Board of Directors is very pleased to announce the hiring of Kenna Eaton to the position of general manager. Kenna brings a wealth of experience from her long tenure at the Moscow Food Co-op in Moscow, Idaho, where she has been the general manager for 19 years.

In addition to her appreciation for the Food Co-op and the Port Townsend community, the opportunity to live close to the sea and the Olympic wilderness were major draws to Kenna and her husband, Tim. And, having been raised in England, Kenna knows what she’s getting into when she trades off the sunshine of the Palouse for the maritime climate of Port Townsend.

Kenna holds a degree in horticulture from the University of Delaware, where she met her husband, Tim, who she married in 1983. They moved to Moscow in 1981, where Kenna began working at the Moscow Co-op in 1982 after volunteering as a cashier for a year.

Kenna became the general manager of the Moscow Co-op in 1992.

Kenna and Tim have

Kenna Eaton is the new general manager at the Port Townsend Food Co-0p. Kenna brings a wealth of experience from her long tenure at the Moscow Food Co-op in Moscow, Idaho, where was the general manager for 19 years. two children: Caitlin, 23, who is studying nursing at Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho and Robinson, 25, who is working for Apple in Portland, Ore., while studying marketing at Portland State University.

In a statement written by Kenna, she states: “I am really excited to come to work for the Food

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“I think it’s important to note right off the top that this is the only position I applied for. I have a great job in Moscow. I love be-

ing the GM of a thriving, robust food co-op. However, with the closing of my husband’s nursery this summer, another victim of the economy, and the kids leaving home, it seemed like serendipity when this position opened up. What an opportunity to realize several dreams at once: living closer to the water, living closer to my son [in

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Portland] and still working at an awesome co-op. I am excited to try and follow in Briar’s footsteps in helping the Food Co-op realize its mission and at the same time help grow the local economy.

“Again I am honored and excited to be chosen for this position and look forward to living and working in your community.”

At a recent management retreat with her Moscow staff, managers were asked to answer the question: What attributes does Kenna have that we value and want to keep?

The list of their answers included statements about Kenna’s positive attitude and the fact that Kenna never asks her staff to do something she wouldn’t do herself. Favorably for the Food Co-op Board, which has been attempting strategic planning, Moscow staff rated Kenna’s courage to develop vision as a trait they didn’t want to lose when she leaves.

Kenna will be in the store working for a week beginning Jan. 3 and will return to begin full-time on March 1, 2011.

Welcome Kenna and Tim!

Record breaking holiday season for CEA Community Enrichment Alliance has a record-breaking holiday The Community Enrichment Alliance (CEA) in Port Ludlow began the holiday season with its annual silent auction to benefit the victims of domestic violence and abuse.

Many volunteer hands went into creating beautifully wrapped baskets, glittering crystal, uniquely displayed dolls and a table full of gift certificates. More volunteers made hors d’oeuvres and served wine.

When the doors were open, people came to enjoy, to bid and to find gifts. It was a record year with over 400 auction items, and so many people that we ran out of wine and food, but were able to raise over $10,000.

There are still a few expenses to be paid, but that is a record for CEA. In December it was the Holiday Home Tour that benefits Chimacum High School with scholarships. This time it was the generous people of Port Ludlow who decorated and opened their wonderful homes to everyone to share their treasured collections, beautiful setting and spirit of giving. Again it was a record for CEA at over $3,000.

Silverwater Café celebrates 21 years On Oct. 16, the Silverwater Cafe celebrated its 21st birthday under the continuous ownership of David Hero and Alison Hero Powers. From their start as a seasonal fish and chips stand to their current full-service dining establishment in the restored historic Elks building, their journey has been both challenging and exciting.

“Wow,” says Alison, who was only 24 years old when they got started, “It’s like raising a child. You put your heart and soul into it every day, and then one day you realize it’s all grown up. And you feel proud.”

The Silverwater started out in 1989 on the abandoned Quincy Street ferry dock, where it became known for its unique “paddle through” window. “Since we were on a dock over the water, we decided to put a basket on a rope and offer our fish and chips to passing boaters,” reflects Alison. “It was an instant success. The community

David Hero and Alison Hero Powers have taken the Silverwater Cafe from a fish an chips stand on the waterfront to one of the most popular restaurants in Jefferson County over the last two decades. loved it.” the couple expanded to Shortly after opening create the original Silverthe fish and chips stand, water Cafe, behind what was then the Town Tavern in the ND Hill building. Their goal was to create a community meeting place

Building Business, Building Community

Communicate through our business blog on jeffcounty chamber.org, our weekly e-newsletter and our newsletter.

If you’re not tuned in you are missing the most current news available on issues that matter to your business.

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

where people of all walks could enjoy a hearty meal and the company of friends. That goal continues to be the cornerstone of their establishment.

In 1995, with help from customers and friends, they purchased the historic Elks building, next to the Rose Theatre, and completely restored and refurbished the building.

“That was probably the most challenging thing I have ever done,” says David. “We hauled 120 tons of rubble out of the building in my pickup truck. There were many nights when we didn’t think we would ever make it.” They did make it, and the Silverwater has grown to become what it is today.

The Mezzaluna Lounge, with its leather chairs, quiet music and cozy ambiance, was added to the upper level of their restaurant in 2005.

Alison’s woodworker husband, Patrick Powers, hand built the solid cherry wood bar and cabinetry that define the space.

Since its inception, the lounge has become a favorite hangout for locals after a movie or just for a quiet evening out. “I think

that lounge has brought us back to our roots,” says Alison. “We have always seen our mission as giving the community a place to connect, a place to unwind. That’s more important now than ever.”

To top things off, David and Alison created Studio 49, a private events and community gathering space, on the third floor of their building. With its 16-foot ceiling, panoramic views of the city and the water, and its elegant décor, the space has hosted dozens of weddings, private parties and community events.

Community has always been a focal point of the Silverwater since its beginnings. Through countless fundraisers, donations and hosted events, David and Alison have given more than $250,000 back to the community over the life of the Silverwater. “We’re all part of a larger family,” says Alison, “I’m not sure people really understand how much the business community does for our town. But we do what we can. It’s what neighbors are for.”

Nominations wanted for business leader, citizen The Chamber will be celebrating the Business Leader of the Year and Citizen of the Year awards, and installation of the Chamber Board at a dinner Jan. 28.

The community is encouraged to submit nominations. The business award was renamed the Tim Caldwell Business Leader of the Year in 2007 after the Chamber’s former manager for his dedication to the business community. Nomination forms and criteria can be found at jeffcountychamber.org, by calling the Chamber office, or picking up forms at the Visitor Information Center or at the offices of the Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader. The deadline for nominations is Jan. 11.

Traditionally a Sunday brunch, this year the Chamber will be holding a dinner at the Northwest Maritime Center.

This award ceremony is a longstanding tradition. The first Citizen of the Year was awarded in 1949 to H.J. Carroll. The Business Leader of the Year was added and awarded to Scott Wilson from the Leader in 1998. The Chamber will also be celebrating and installing the new board of directors at the event.

Chamber contacts Chamber Staff

Executive Board

Executive Director President Jennifer Wells MacGillonie Kim Aldrich director@jeffcountychamber.org Cobalt Mortgage VIC Manager Karen Anderson info@jeffcountychamber.org Membership Director Heather Flanagan

Vice president Fred Obee The Leader

Secretary Molly Force N.D. membership@jeffcountychamber.org Prosper Natural Health 379-5380 Past President Kris Nelson Siren’s Pub

Treasurer Kerry Robinson Frontier Bank

Directors Jordan Eades Hope Roofing Chuck Russell Valley Tavern Ron Ramage Quimper Inn Katherine Brady Brady Chiropractic Linda Streisguth Puget Sound Energy

Judy Cavett FairWinds Winery Carol Woodley Hadlock Realty & Hadlock Hotel Debbie Wardrop Resort at Port Ludlow Vi Koenig PT Laundromat Terra Tosland Worldmark Club Piper Diehl Ludlow Bay Wellness Spa Nancy McConaghy Coldwell Banker

Newsletter Advertising Sara Radka The Leader 360-385-2900 We welcome your submissions. The Chamber newsletter is a great way to let other members know what’s going on with your business. If you have news to share, send articles and photos to director@ jeffcountychamber.org or mail to 220 12th St. Port Townsend, WA 98368.

January 2011 Jefferson County Chamber Newsletter 3

Profile

Wanda Mawhinney looking forward to leading Ludlow Artists’ League

By Patience Rogge The Port Ludlow Artists’ League is an active part of the East Jefferson County cultural scene, according to its 2011 president-elect Wanda Mawhinney.

With a membership of more than 80 people interested in many diverse forms of artistic expression, the group meets on the third Wednesday of each month. Meetings feature demonstrations of various art forms and non-members are welcome for a nominal donation. The league maintains a gallery adjacent to Columbia Bank, at 9500 Oak Bay Rd. in Port Ludlow, where works such as oils, acrylics, watercolors, pottery, baskets and fused glass are on display for two-month periods. In addition to the gallery, the bank shows pieces by an Artist of the Month on its walls, opening with a first Friday reception. Before assuming the presidency of the league, Wanda managed the gallery for four years.

“We also hang works by our members in several local businesses for three-month periods,” states Wanda. “Community support is building, and we reciprocate with activities like the chair-themed charity auction we held during the Port Ludlow Art Walk in July that raised more than $2,000 for OlyCAP. We have an auction to support scholarships for Chimacum High School graduates who meet the grade requirement and indicate they are interested in some area of the arts, not necessarily the visual arts. Some of our members volunteer in

Briefly...

Chamber Business After Hours Mixer Jan. 11, 5:30-7 p.m.

The January Business After Hours Mixer will be hosted by Kitsap Bank at their Sims Way Branch at 2313 E. Sims Way in Port Townsend. Aaron Stark will be catering the event and local wineries will be featured. Come enjoy food, drinks and fun. Be sure to come with plenty of business cards and be ready to mingle!

The Chamber’s Business After Hours Mixers are the area’s premier networking opportunity, offering members a chance to meet other business people and represent their products or services in a relaxed social setting. Food, drink, music and good company are all in “the mix.” We’ll get started at 5:30 p.m. and will wrap up by 7 p.m.

The Chamber Ambassadors The Ambassadors group will be meeting on Thursday, Jan. 20 at the Valley Tavern in Port Hadlock, 5:30-7 p.m. Please contact the Chamber office to find out more about this fun program and how you can be involved, or to talk about having a ribbon-cutting or celebration at your business.

All members are welcome to be a part of the Ambassador group. This is an ever-growing, fun, social group that is getting together once a month at various member restaurants. 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.

Wanda Mawhinney says Port Ludlow is a wonderful place to find people who share similar interests. She will guide the Port Ludlow Artists’ League in 2011.

the local area schools to bring art to underserved students. At Christmastime, the league raises money to donate to a needy family, and we plan to continue our participation in Port Ludlow Days.”

Wanda and her husband, Bill, a poet, have resided in Port Ludlow for five years after moving form Arizona.

In Tucson, where she lived for over 35 years, Wanda owned her own neuromuscular therapy business and taught yoga. A devastating forest fire in the White Mountains, where they had built their retirement home, gave them the incentive to relocate to the green, temperate Pacific Northwest.

Wanda says, “This is a great place to find people who share your interests.

After I retired, I took up art, and to come to such a small

4 January 2011 Jefferson County Chamber Newsletter

community that has so many people involved in the arts was a pleasant surprise.

It truly is an incredible arts community. Since I didn’t have formal training in art (my degree is in education), I don’t feel bound by limits.

I mostly work with large canvases in oils and acrylics but enjoy experimenting with encaustics, a technique that involves working with hot wax and a variety of

materials.”

Membership in the Port Ludlow Artists’ League is open to all for a fee of $35, and offers opportunities to participate in its activities as well as discounts on supplies at a number of arts stores in the area. To learn more about the league, visit portludlowtoday.com and click on the link to the league, or call 360-4377906.

Celebrating 60 years!

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The Chamber would like to thank the following members for being part of this group: Sherry Kack – Professional Referrals (and organizer for the group); Carol Woodley – Hadlock Realty & Hadlock Motel; Heather Flanagan – Certified Life Coach and Chamber Membership Director; Marilyn St. Clair – Victoria House; Mark Cole – Upstage Restaurant; Melinda Short – Oasis Daycare & Preschool; Mickey Davis – Subway; Nina Dortch – Holly Hill House; Nancy Tocatlian – T’s Restaurant; Sandi Bird – Life Care Center; Vi Koenig – PT Laundromat & Car Wash; Viva Davis – Hadlock Realty; Riannan Clark – Jefferson Title Co.; and Pam Lampman – Wells Fargo.

Member orientation meeting Jan. 31 We offer a member orientation meeting every month on the last Monday following our regular member luncheon meeting at the Elks at 1 p.m. Open to all members, and especially new members, this is the perfect way for you to learn how to maximize your membership!

Chamber Board retreat Jan. 22 The retreat is held at the Cotton Building (old police station) in downtown Port Townsend. The board will be reviewing the strategic plan and setting goals, committees and course of action for 2011.

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Brady Chiropractic: passionate about health, wellness “What troubles me,” Dr. Jerry Brady says, “is that in our country one in two people will get cancer, one in three will get heart disease, and one in eight will develop diabetes. Alzheimer’s dementia is expected to cost us $20 trillion over the next 40 years and bankrupt the system.

I say, the U.S. doesn’t have a ‘health care’ system. It has a crazy and expensive ‘disease management’ system.

It is broken and it will never be fixed when so much money is earned from our illnesses.”

“Imagine if many of these diseases could be prevented?” Dr. Brady asks. “Clearly, that would require correct health information and education with some lifestyle and habit modifications. I want to improve my patient’s chance to live a healthier life, to be more proactive toward wellness. That is my hope, my purpose and my passion. The word ‘doctor’ means teacher. We’ve somehow lost that notion and have become a society of pill takers. In a typical medical visit the doctor spends less than eight minutes and gives out another prescription. Heard a TV ad lately? The side effects are more dangerous than the disease for which it is taken. Reading the fine print of all medications consumed is a must.

“I want to insure that my patients understand that the nervous system (brain and spinal cord) is the boss of the body.

It runs all the other systems including immune defenses and hormones.

If it doesn’t work right,

“ I want to improve my patient’s chance to live a healthier life, to be more proactive toward wellness.

That is my hope, my purpose and my passion.”

Jerry Brady nothing works right.

That is why people need to get their spines corrected since the spine houses and protects the nervous system that tells the body what to do and when to do it.

When structural integrity is sound, nutrition works better, sleep is enhanced, exercise goes better – one is healthier and happier.

“My practice also uses “science-based” nutrition to stabilize one’s biochemistry.

This includes blood and urine lab testing, plus tests to identify environmental toxins in the body. Investigational lab testing is especially helpful if an individual wants to discover in advance what may be going wrong long before it becomes a serious disease. It makes sense to be proactive and prevent disease. When

you wait for medical intervention it is often too late. Therefore, we also stress eating a balanced diet for life and use supplementation as needed strengthening all systems of the body.

“A healthy nervous system and good nutrition promotes wellness and disease prevention.

Sounds simple? It is.”

Brady Chiropractic has built a viable health practice on these principles.

Patients know it works as they see the results.

Dr. Brady, a graduate of the University of Minnesota and Northwestern Health Science University, is now in his 30th year of delivering quality health services.

“We landed in Port Ludlow following a dream to live closer to nature, to have a small horse farm for our two Polish Arabian horses and to be near a great golf course.

We now have an organic garden and orchard in our back yard that offers us a chance to stay connected to the land. Look around at how lush it is. Kathryn and I consider ourselves Northwesterners in our hearts. We moved to the Northwest two decades ago, first living in Portland, a few years in California for post-graduate training and then moving here. We fell in love with the beauty and peacefulness of this land and sea.

When we opened our natural health practice, over six years ago in Port Ludlow, we became an integral part of the fabric of this community. We want to thank everyone for the warm welcome and your loyalty. We could not have made it without you.”

Kathryn Brady adds: “Our patients are amazed at how good they feel after a visit to our office.

That is why our business continues to grow by word of mouth. Each week we have more and more patients that graduate to ‘wellness care’ having fully handled their health challenge. We are an alternative resource helping folks maintain a vibrant level of health and avoiding unnecessary

drugs and surgeries.

“Our focus is mostly about prevention of health problems. After all, what you prevent you don’t have to cure. We also work closely with allied professionals from all branches of the health arena co-managing recoveries and rehabilitation of injuries and chronic illness in an evidence based formula. Conditions range from the myriad of aches and pains of the body to conditions like fibromyalgia, peripheral neuropathy, hormonal imbalances and diabetes to weight management and sports health.”

Dr. Brady states: “The prevailing condition in America is inflammation.

Joints are on fire, the gut is on fire, the heart is on fire and the brain is on fire. Medicine labels these as arthritis, colitis, diabetes, coronary heart disease, Alzheimer’s, etc., and then they treat the name.

“Our main job is to put out the fires by balancing the body with common sense approaches.

When patients get on our programs they start eating better, sleeping better, and exercising more. The result is health and strong resistance to disease. That

is why they send their friends. People will promote the things that make them feel good. Most people know that health is not just the absence of disease. It is a robust vibrancy with energy and interest in life. Healthy people are happier. That’s our passion.”

SPECIAL OFFER: In the spirit of this season of giving, if you, or someone you know who lives nearby, would like to feel better and be happier, contact Brady Chiropractic Health & Wellness to take advantage of this year’s holiday gift package.

You will receive a nocost introduction to services that will include a 10-point check-up on your spine (your nervous system function), blood pressure and health and wellness survey to find out if our services can help you.

There is no obligation and you could discover how to feel better again.

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Rhody Drive Self Storage January 2011 Jefferson County Chamber Newsletter 5

Chamber welcomes newcomers to business community

By Heather Flanagan

New members

The following businesses joined the Chamber of Commerce recently.

Thecarwash

Do you want to recapture the joy you felt when you first went through the It’s a Small World ride at Disneyland, except without all the annoying multi-ethnic animatronic dolls? Then come to “thecarwash,” located on Howard Street, the second roundabout as you leave Port Townsend.

You will feel the joy because: 1) your car is getting clean; 2) you are warmly inside it (instead of freezing in your driveway with the hose); 3) your car is going through a state-of-the art “green” cleaning machine; 4) you are being treated like an honored member of the community.

The Carwash, Inc. is a locally owned family business created and lovingly run by the Shirley and the Lytle families. Tom Zmolek is the general manager.

Paul Lytle is the Detail Shop guru

Bonnie and Warren Osmer invite people to come and browse the selection at the Big Pig Thrift Store in Port Hadlock. and co-owner. Ruth Lytle and Brent Shirley also offer their creative visioning for thecarwash’s journey. According to Shirley, “thecarwash is a $2,000,000 investment in the community.”

Other than the tech support for the “beyond green certi-

The crew behind the new the car wash are Brent Shirley, Paul Lytle, Ruth Lytle and General Manager Tom Zmolek.

6 January 2011 Jefferson County Chamber Newsletter

fied” MacNeil car wash system, thecarwash only uses local contractors for its other needs.

McNeil is the “Cadillac of car wash systems” and uses the latest treatment and recapture technology available. Shirley says, with a twinkle in his eye, “You don’t come to Port Townsend unless you’re green!”

Thecarwash is located at 515 Howard St. Open at 8 a.m. seven days a week. Call 360-379-5717; visit their website at thecarwashinc.com.

warmth of the owners and staff.

Bonnie and Warren Osmer are so fun and have the most wonderful stories.

The Osmer’s are also committed to supporting the community.

They make contributions to the Pregnancy Resource Center, 4-H, Center Valley Animal Rescue, JeffCo Fair and the Tri-Area Food Bank, to name a few.

Come find your treasure (or drop off your old treasure) at the Big Pig Thrift Store, located at 811 Nessed Corner Road in Port Hadlock. Call 360-379-4179.

Big Pig Thrift Store

Did you know that there is a vortex of irony on Nesses Corner Road in Hadlock? It is the most miraculous thing. If you go into the Big Pig Thrift Store and ask for anything, if they don’t have it in stock, it will show up magically within 48 hours!

Perhaps this is why the Big Pig is known as “absolutely the best thrift store in the Northwest!”

The Big Pig Thrift Store is full of amazing wonders you just don’t see any other place. I really felt like I had discovered a secret treasure trove. I cannot wait to take my kids in to see what tickles their fancy.

Beyond the magic and the clothes, shoes, socks, books, kitchen ware, kids books, games, linens, blankets, sheets, pillows, pet supplies, hardware, gardening stuff, lamps, office supplies, trinkets and treasures, a big part of the Big Pig’s charm is the

HOPE Roofing and Construction

It’s a typical refrain: can’t sell, can’t buy. Doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy your current home. Simple upgrades will help you sell faster when the economy turns around; plus you’ll get more pleasure from your home right now. Ready to make changes? Take advantage of this new Chamber member’s services. Consider investing in an energy-efficient new roof, or making a few upgrades to improve the look and feel of your kitchen.

HOPE Roofing and Construction offers affordable solutions (they work within your budget) that help homeowners get the most pleasure from their living spaces.

HOPE Roofing and Construction is a local, family-owned business that has been serving Jefferson and Kitsap counties for more than

30 years. We are very pleased to have the next generation of HOPE join our business community. You may be familiar with Jim and Marsha Eades, who have enjoyed much acknowledgement in our community. Also working with Jim and Marsha are Zach and Jordan Eades.

Zach, son of Jim and Marsha, has been with HOPE for the last 10 years, working as manager of construction. Zach’s wife, Jordan, offers marketing and administrative support.

Jordan has recently joined our Chamber Board. “I really value the support that chamber offers businesses,” mentions Jordan. “For us, becoming members of Chamber has provided a great forum to connect with other business owners, and helps us keep our finger on the pulse of this community. I look forward to serving on the board and helping other young business owners and entrepreneurs take advantage of this wonderful resource.”

The two values that drive HOPE Roofing and Construction are commitment to craftsmanship and integrity. “Our reputation for excellent work and satisfied customers is proof that, for the craftsman who leads with integrity, there is no gap between form and function, art and shelter, or word and deed.” This conscious living-out of their values helps to explain why HOPE Roofing and Construction has been so successful over the years.

Hope Roofing and Construction is located at 105 Louisa St. off of Frederick Street in Port Townsend. Contact them at 360385-5653. See them on the web at hoperoofingandconstruction.com.

For many new members, business is a family affair

On Common Grounds in Chimacum is a great place to stop for coffee.

On Common Grounds

Have you ever had a lavender latte? No? I hadn’t either until a friend asked me to get her one from On Common Grounds in Chimacum.

This is a great place to drive through for a quick latte or to stop in with your laptop for an extended work session.

Their soup (my favorite) is delicious and filling, and there is always something new to try on the menu.

The thing that really makes On Common Grounds wonderful is the jubilant personalities behind the counter.

There is a vibration here that will lift your spirits before you even take one sip of your coffee! That said, I think I have mentioned before I am very picky about my coffee and they make a great cup o’ joe!

Stop on in and welcome Kelly and her crew to Chamber! Located at the Chimacum Crossroads – 8972 Beaver Valley Rd. Call 360-732-4467.

Peninsula Chiropractic Clinic

There are some people in the world who just seem kinder and gentler than most. Dr. Michael Dam Michael Dam is one of those people you just feel instantly comfortable around.

Michael has owned Peninsula Chiropractic Clinic for almost two years. He is located at 231 W. Patison St. in the Shold Business Park, where you will also find the WSU Extension of-

fice. Michael uses a holistic approach, looking at natural interventions and nutrition in conjunction with chiropractic medicine.

Michael especially likes working with families and has a “family special” he is running through the end of January 2011, which he is going to also extend to his new Chamber family. The offer is a gift certificate for an initial visit that includes a consultation, exam and initial treatment (a $211.55 value).

Michael is kind, gentle and generous!

The next time you feel that tinge in you back that just won’t go away, give Peninsula Chiropractic Clinic a call at 360-385-4900. For more information, see Michael on the Web: penchiroclinic.com.

Banana Leaf Thai Bistro

“Our old friends from Thailand are always so shocked that Tom can cook!” said Freda of her husband.

Freda, Tom and baby Pumada Oppenborn became the new owners of Banana Leaf Thai Bistro last July.

This restaurant is the most recent unfolding of their life of adventure together.

Indeed, in 2008, the Oppenborns decided to leave Bangkok, Thailand, and move to Seattle because they wanted an adventure.

Freda found a full-time job as an office administrator for a sales office and unleashed her organizational skills on the more lackadaisical sales staff. Tom found a job in a restaurant and learned that he was a great cook. “Tom never cooked in Thailand. He was like a prince and his mom did all the cooking,” Freda joked.

As Freda tells me their story, it becomes clear that it is not such a big

Freda, Tom and baby Pumada Oppenborn became the new owners of Banana Leaf Thai Bistro last July. shock that Tom’s young family is now running its own restaurant. When Tom was little, his family owned a restaurant. He is quite knowledgeable about restaurant management and has discovered his gifts in the kitchen. He also has an accounting and finance degree from what translates as the “University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce.”

(Maybe our chamber of commerce should have a university!)

Tom’s aunt owns a famous restaurant, Jubilee Samui, on Samui Island, Thailand. “Tom’s aunt just shared a secret family recipe that we are going to start

making here,” said Freda.

She explained that she and Tom have been looking all over for a special item used to prepare this dish, and it is simply unavailable in the Pacific Northwest. They are going to have to talk with Mom back home and import it!

Tom and Freda are not planning on following the previous plan for Banana Leaf. They added “Thai Bistro” to the name to emphasize that their focus is on authentic Thai food. They are planning on adding lesser-known Thai menu items. They say that guests who have traveled or lived in Thailand really

The staff at McClane’s Cafe insists on using only the best ingredients. That’s why the cafe’s famous fish and chips taste so good -- the fish is fresh, not frozen.

appreciate the authenticity of their food.

Everything they serve is available gluten-free. Right now they are going through the “gluten-free certification” process.

Tom and Freda want to connect with the community in authentic and meaningful ways. Ads in the paper are fine, said Freda, “but we want to get to know the community more.” Tom is living in Port Townsend fulltime and Freda and Pumada commute from Seattle on the weekends. Freda hopes to have a job in Port Townsend in the near future so her family can be together again.

You can enjoy authentic Thai food at Banana Leaf Thai Bistro on Washington Street in Port Townsend across from Memorial Athletic Field, 360-379-6993.

Stay tuned for notification of the launching of their new website!

McClane’s Cafe

You can feel the difference when a business comes from a place of love. McClane’s Cafe between the roundabouts on upper Sims Way in Port Townsend treats everyone like welcomed family.

This includes the business people who come in for lunch, the families who enjoy dinner as well as the “regulars,” homeless folks who come in from the cold to be nurtured by the hot soup Gail McClane keeps on the ready. McClane explains, “There is so much abundance. There is no one who should be hungry!”

McClane’s Cafe not only welcomes every guest, but they will not compromise on quality.

According to McClane, “If the choice is going with lower quality ingredients or raising prices, we will

raise prices. Our food tastes good because we use the best ingredients we can find.” She uses only local, fresh, not frozen, fish and meat from Key City Fish.

“It changes the flavor and texture of the fish when it’s frozen. It’s just not the same.”

McClane jokes, “I am not a chef, I am a mom, so I figure things out and do it my own way.” She shared with me the example of her trial and error method of learning her fryer equipment and how fish need to be prepared for it. She was especially moved to innovate when she read the ingredient list for the “soy oil” the experts suggested she use in the machine.

“I couldn’t pronounce most of the ingredients!”

She decided to substitute a salad oil, not sold for deep fryers, the only extra ingredient of which was a little citrus for preservative. She was so pleased to discover that it resulted in much less “greasy” fish and chips. It’s healthier, too.

McClane’s Cafe is a true family-owned business with Granny Gail at the helm with her husband (of McClane Construction), John McClane’s support. You are likely to be warmly greeted by her granddaughter, Amiee Harding.

Also on the crew is Gail’s daughter and son, Katie Harding and Rick Hobbs.

Dustin Thompson is the cook.Stop in and have yourself some very fresh fish at McClane’s Cafe, Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Kids can enjoy their own menu of tastiness as well.

The address is 2123 West Sims Way Port Townsend. (360) 3795418.

January 2011 Jefferson County Chamber Newsletter 7

Volunteer of the Month

Mitchell greets visitors with a smile

By Karen Anderson VIC Manager Tony Mitchell has been welcoming people to Port Townsend since January 2008. Literally!

Every person who walks in the Visitor Information Center door when Tony is working is greeted with a big smile and a hearty “welcome to Port Townsend!”

He will talk to the children and ask people to bring in their dogs to meet him. He is a lover of life.

Tony grew up running on farms and playing rugby in Worchester, England. His father was the local priest and went on to volunteer as a Navy chaplain during World War II. Tony’s father was a hard worker and told him, “Don’t join the Navy in peacetime, that’s slackers’ work.” Despite these words, at 18, Tony joined the Royal Navy. It was peacetime though, so the Navy taught Tony how to dive and took him to faraway places like Singapore, Australia and Key West, Florida, to become an expert at it.

After a few years, the Navy began to shrink and

Tony Mitchell grew up running on farms and playing rugby in Worchester,

England.

Tony used his skills to get a job in Bermuda, working for a company specializing in oxygen tanks for divers as well as acetylene and CO2 tanks for welding.

While Tony wasn’t working or scuba diving (aqua lunging), he was playing rugby with the Bermuda Renegades. His work and passions took him and his

Follow the Chamber on Twitter, Facebook If you are a member of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce and use Twitter or Facebook -- please follow us @ JeffCoChamber on Twitter and Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce on Facebook.

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

8 January 2011 Jefferson County Chamber Newsletter

wife, Heather, to southern California, where he was able to work and continue to do the things he loved.

Though he stopped playing rugby, he coached the University of San Diego rugby team, the Aztecs, for six years.

Tony and his family moved to the Port Hadlockarea almost 25 years ago.

They wanted to get back to small-town life and be near other family members in this corner of the world.

They ran a small appliance business for many years before retiring.

When I asked Tony to tell me about himself, he laughed and said, “I’m getting old.” You’d never know it by how active he is.

He’s been involved with Rotary since 1991 and started the Sunrise Rotary Club in 1996. These days, he spends a lot of time in his garden, where he grows apples and plums, and walking his two dogs, Millie and Wally.

In the VIC, Tony is a joker. He’s got a one-liner response to anyone with a light-hearted, spunky attitude. His generosity extends beyond the job.

He will give you a ride to where you’re going, and offer his lunch to your dog.

Thank you, Tony, for your warm heart and welcoming attitude.

And thank you to all of our hard-working volunteers!

Call Manwaring Insurance for updates on chamber

health insurance benefit Kristin Manwaring from Kristin Manwaring Insurance presented at our December Member Breakfast Meeting about the changes in the healthcare insurance industry affected by national healthcare reform.

She said things are changing daily as the government defines the legislation.

She is exploring every option for our members to provide us with healthcare benefits for your businesses.

If you use the Chamber benefits or are interested in finding out more information about providing benefits for your business call Kristin at Kristin Manwaring Insurance, 360- 385-4400.

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PORT TOWNSEND, WA PERMIT NO. 34

Business skills course offered How can I create new choices to benefit the business I own or work for?

What business skills can my staff and I learn that will be of benefit to our business and our community?

We’ll help you answer these questions! WSU Jefferson County and Team Jefferson are offering a fresh Business Skills Course, beginning Jan. 20 at the WSU Extension. The 10-week class meets Thursday evenings, 6-9 p.m., with serial entrepreneur and business coach Jim Williams, who has taught his award-winning business planning courses for the Peninsula College Entrepreneur Institute. The fee is $200 for the full 10-week course.

In this course, you’ll learn the core fundamentals of business: operations, marketing and cash flow management. Each course section includes two hours of instruction and discussion and one hour of guided work on your business. There will be time to research your potential market using resources from the Jefferson County Library business resource databases, develop a marketing plan, create or review your operational plan, put your budget and financial statements to work, learn strategies for managing money and explore funding sources. You will also hear local entrepreneurs share their experiences and discuss what they have learned as business owners. The course

culminates with presentations of your business plans and a celebration of your launch into the next phase of entrepreneurship.

Instructor Jim Williams is a management consultant who specializes in sustainable small businesses. Our guest speakers include representatives of LION, the Local Investment Opportunities Network, business developer and marketing consultant Keven Elliff, and a panel of local entrepreneurs.

Member of the month Switch Tactical Marketing Rachael Paz PO Box 1772 Port Townsend (360) 390-8239