Anacortes Communicator Anacortes Communicator

The
Anacortes Communicator
Volume 17 / Issue 1
Calendar
January 2007
January 9
Ambassador Lunch, 11:45
Aloha Paradise Grill
January 9
Annual Membership meeting, 5:30 p.m.,
Salvation Army building on “R” Ave.
January 11
Business Connections Lunch
11:30 a.m., Salvation Army building
January 18
Skagit County Chambers
Installation, 5:30 p.m., Skagit Casino
January 19
Finance/Executive Cmte., 10 a.m.
Chamber
January 23
Board of Directors, 3:45 p.m., Chamber
January 25
Business After Hours, 5:30 p.m.
Majestic Inn & Spa
January 30
VIC meeting, 9 a.m., Chamber
Attorney General
visits January 12
Please join us in welcoming
Rob McKenna, Washington State’s
Attorney General. He will be at
the Chamber office on January 12
from 11:00 a.m. until noon to meet
and greet Chamber members and to
exchange ideas.
This is a great opportunity to become
acquainted with a key player
in Olympia.
A Newsletter of the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce
Business After Hours at Majestic Inn & Spa
Our opening 2007 Business After Hours
will be hosted by the Majestic Inn & Spa on
Thursday, January 25.
Note that the date of the
After Hours event has
been changed for this first
month of the year. Normally
the event is held
on the third Thursday of
each month.
This After Hours will
serve not only to showcase
the beautiful Majestic
Inn & Spa, but also as
our 2007 officer installation
event. Outgoing
board members will also
be recognized for their
contributions.
As always, the Business
After Hours session will
feature doors prizes and the opportunity to network
with other business people. Don’t forget
Annual membership meeting January 9
Pull out your shiny new 2007 calendar and
mark Tuesday, January 9, 5:30 p.m. for the
Chamber’s annual membership meeting.
Board President Vince Oliver and Executive
Director Mitch Everton will provide a review
of past Chamber achievements and preview
2007 budget and goals.
“It’s been an exciting year,” noted Oliver of
2006. “I appreciate the leadership and support
Business Connections Lunch, January 11
The holidays are over and now it’s time to
refocus your marketing efforts.
Join other Chamber members at the Business
Connections Lunch on January 11 at 11:30
a.m.
This is a pure networking event where
members bring marketing materials and spend
time sharing the features and benefits of their
your business cards.
RSVP today at 293-7911. Reservations
Majestic Inn & Spa, as viewed from the roof of the New Wilson Hotel.
are extremely important as our hosts make
preparations for their guests.
evidenced by so many people over the past
few months. I look forward to continued
work with staff and volunteers as we
tackle the goals we have outlined for the
coming year.”
That’s January 9, 5:30 p.m. at the Salvation
Army, 3001 “R” Avenue. Please
RSVP by calling the Chamber business
office at 293-7911.
business. Top 5 Reasons to come to the
Business Connections lunch: Attract new
clients, find new vendors, learn more about
your fellow members, win prizes, eat a free
lunch. Free? Well, okay. The networking
event will cost you $10 but the lunch is
on us. You must RSVP to the Chamber no
later than Wednesday, January 10.
819 Commercial Ave. Anacortes, WA 98221 Ph: (360) 2937911 Fax: (360) 1595 E-mail: info@anacortes.org Web site: www.anacortes.org

A Message from the President
Four new divisions move forward on 2007 initiatives
December was a busy time at the
Chamber. I want to thank all of our
members who
helped contribute
to a successful
Holiday
season. The
Celebration/Art
Walk, street
lighting, holiday
banners,
carriage rides,
and merchant
Vince Oliver
window decorations
were
well received and contributed significantly
to the festive spirit in town.
The coming year will be both challenging
and exciting—our agenda is ambitious.
I believe our new divisional structure will
result in a more proactive Chamber. A few
of the initiatives that I expect you will see
Tourism Marketing
We consider how to draw tourists, what to do with them
By Steve Berentson
You might think the season for “making
a list and checking it twice” is past,
but at the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce
we are busy combing through last
year’s tourism marketing plan with new
and renewed “partnerships” in mind.
As noted last month, our list of tourism
partners ranges from local publishers
(Skagit Valley Publishing and MacGregor
Publishing companies, for example) to the
Anacortes Arts and Skagit Valley Tulip
festivals.
We have also agreed to invest once
again in a “Treasured Islands” cooperative
that includes tourism marketing organizations
from the San Juans, Whidbey and
Camano islands. That partnership will in-
in 2007:
� A membership directory
� A redesigned website, incorporating
ease-of-use with increased functionality
� Creation of a blog, allowing Chamber
members to effectively network on-line
� Banner advertising, increasing member
reach to web visitors
� Position papers/membership surveys
on key topics
� Quarterly member forums incorporating
areas of interest
� Quarterly new member orientation
sessions
� A quarterly breakfast networking
meeting
� Redesigned events, including a new
shoulder event—the Salmon Derby in
March—which the Chamber is promoting
� A renewed focus on business development,
with video streamed to the website
� Enhanced partnerships with both the
clude display ads in Sunset magazine and
a new European travel magazine, among
others.
Changes to the Chamber website
(www.anacortes.org) are already underway,
in cooperation with Chamber
member How It Works and a committee of
volunteers. We will also explore opportunities
to tell the Anacortes story elsewhere
on the web.
As we move into 2007, we are working
diligently to prepare for Chamber of
Commerce events including the Waterfront
Festival, Shipwreck Day and the Anacortes
Jazz Festival. We are also working
closely with the Port of Anacortes and the
Fidalgo Island Chapter of the Puget Sound
Anglers Association, proud sponsors of
City and the Port
Each of our divisions—Membership,
Marketing & Promotions, Economic
Development/Governmental Affairs, and
Finance—is focused on a number of action
items. They will be actively meeting
on at least a monthly basis beginning
this month. I will be reporting on their
initiatives and recommendations in later
columns.
Please make a note on your calendar
that our annual membership meeting will
be held on January 9, 5:30 p.m., at the Salvation
Army. We will review key aspects
of our 2007 Plan at the meeting. I would
appreciate your attendance and input.
On behalf of the Chamber of Commerce,
I wish you a happy, healthy,
and productive New Year. As always, I
welcome your comments. I can be reached
by e-mail (voliver@islandhospital.org) or
telephone (299-1300).
the Anacortes Salmon Derby scheduled
March 10 and 11.
We met recently with representatives of
Washington State Ferries (WSF) in regard
to marketing the 2007 season for the Anacortes/Sidney,
B.C. ferry. Reduced rates
will once again be offered for RVs and
buses, but we will also place new emphasis
on pedestrian and vehicle travel, a plan
that inspires its own set of challenges. This
season opens on April 1. Look for exciting
developments regarding that opening date.
A re-designed tourism brochure has
once again found its way onto our “to do”
list, and we look forward to continued
cooperation between the Anacortes Cham-
(Continued on page 3)

Member Profile
Anacortes Marine
Supply & Hardware
It began in 1913. Seven years after arriving
in the U.S. from Greece, Efthemios
“Mike” Demopoulos moved west, settling
in Anacortes. Mike began scouring roadsides
for discarded items that he figured
were resalable. He expanded his business
after saving enough money to buy a horse
and cart, and in 1910 purchased waterfront
property downtown for his ‘Anacortes
Junk Company.’
After securing financing three years
later, Mike started a marine supply and
hardware store to accommodate the burgeoning
fishing industry in town.
Today Marine Supply continues to carry
marine, clothing, hardware, antiques,
How to draw tourists,
what to do with them
(Continued from page 2)
ber, its neighbors and the state tourism
organization.
It is our hope that your 2007 “to do”
list includes a tourism category as well.
How do we draw tourists, and how do we
treat them once they are here? How can
we contribute to a memorable experience,
the kind that leads to return visits? How
can we encourage tourists to “linger” here,
rather than having a hit-and-run experience?
We will continue to share our plan with
you. Please feel free to share your ideas
with us.
Consider an insert
in the Communicator
Take advantage of the opportunity to share
news or promotions with other Chamber members
with an insert into the monthly Communicator.
In 2007 the insertion rate will be $75.
and surplus
merchandise
too-numerous
to list. People
know that if
it’s available
anywhere, it’s
available at
Marine Supply.
Whether you
are stocking a
fleet of purse
seiners or a
cottage kitchen,
you’ll probably
find it here.
With its wood-burning stove, oiled
wooden floors, and thousands of bins
stocked with surplus, the current store provides
a “journey” back into the past - and
the future. Marine Supply is going strong,
having upgraded from the original ledgers
to computer accounting systems and a
Destination Downtown Anacortes
members made a decision at their November
meeting to suspend operations for the
first half of 2007, review Chamber progress
mid-year, and based on that review,
potentially disband.
The Chamber wishes to recognize this
organization for its many accomplishments
over the years and the significant
impact it has had within Anacortes. We
intend to continue DDA’s focus on pro-
web presence. Mike’s grandson, Steve,
now runs the business, which is listed on
the Washington Centennial registry of
historic places. If you are a visitor to the
Northwest, this is one store worth looking
for - we’re located at the water’s end of
Commercial Avenue in Anacortes. Stop by
and visit, 202 Commercial Avenue.
DDA contributions recognized
Special
Thanks to...
The following businesses added to the excitement
of the Business After Hours at Upstage Boutique
and Men’s Store with their generous donations of
door prizes:
Cap Sante Inn
Lighthouse RV Park & Mini Storage
Mark Nilson Mortgage Consultant
Read Me a Story
Upstage Boutique & Men’s Store
moting our merchants and the ambience of
our downtown corridor. A special thanks
to Duane Clark and his commitment to
DDA—your efforts and results are greatly
appreciated.
Next ‘Taste’ Jan. 17
As planned, the “Taste of Anacortes”
has been transitioned to the Anacortes
Restaurant Trades Association. Call Nicole
Holbert at The Adrift for information
(293-0653).Tickets for the Jan. 17 “Taste
of Anacortes” will be available
at the Chamber.

Member Renewals
American Cancer Society
Anacortes Chocolate Factory
Bayshore Office Products
Calico Cupboard
Daniel W. Rasmussen DMD P.S.
Earthbound Used Books
Fidalgo Bay Resort
Insights Gallery
Jennings Chiropractic
Kenmore Air Express
Lakeside Industries
Magic Earth Landscaping
March Point Cogeneration Co.
Mortgage Master
Northwest Cedar Homes, LLC
Paratrovich, Nottingham & Drage, Inc.
Petrish, Nick
Phillip W. Maden, DDS
Pizza Factory
Quantum Construction
Radio Shack
San Juan Islands Visitors Info
San Juan Motel, Sonia Inc.
Secure 1 Networks
Ship Harbor Yacht Charters
The Donut House
Transpac Marinas
Village Pizza
Watertown Pub & Grill
FULL-SERVICE
DOCUMENT CENTER
Come see our remodeled
copy center and showroom!
Copies, prints, scans, faxes,
blueprints and much more!
603 Commercial Avenue
293-4669
printshop@bayshoreoffice.com
Ambassadors Corner
Mary Staley
Mary Staley has lived in Anacortes
for 16 years. Her story is one of those
that fairy tales are made of, at least in
her opinion. While visiting her friend in
Mount Vernon,
Mary stumbled
into what she
now calls home:
Anacortes.
Mary had visited
Seattle several
times but had
never been north,
so she decided
Anacortes was
the “discovery
Mary Staley
destination” for
this particular day.
As she turned onto Commercial Avenue,
Mary had her breath taken away. She realized
that the overwhelming feeling in her
stomach, as she explored this charming
little town, was the sensation that “I had
just come home for the first time in my
life.”
The scenery, the parks, the houses, the
waterfront, the people, and the overall
feeling of the quiet, calm, yet contented
bustling town called Anacortes gripped her
in every sense. That night she approached
her friend and asked her if she would
mind having a roommate for the next few
weeks. Mary informed her that she was
going to go back over the mountains,
put her house on the market, pack up her
belongings and move to Anacortes.
The rest is history.
Mary says she could not have asked
for a better place to raise her children.
While her children were young she placed
her career on hold. She became involved
with The Anacortes Co-op Preschool. She
enjoyed the opportunity to be president
of the school’s board of directors for two
years.
As Mary’s children grew she moved
right along with them. Volunteering at
Whitney Elementary, then at Mt. Erie
Elementary, and then at the Anacortes
Middle School.
Reflecting on the experience of working
with the Anacortes School District, the
teaching staff, and the administration staff,
Mary said, “I have never seen a school
district where the majority of the staff are
so passionately committed to teaching our
children.”
Along the way Mary also had the
chance to work for Frank and Priscilla
Michaud at The Store Grocery for several
years. She was also employed by Zee Hogan
at Maison et Jardin. Mary said, “Having
the opportunity to be a part of these
small businesses helped me to observe and
learn about the small business climate here
in Anacortes.”
Now that Mary’s children are in high
school she has turned her sights back to
her career. Mary has been firmly entrenched
at Chandler’s Square for the last
four and a half years as the Marketing and
Community Relations Director.
Mary says her experiences for the last
16 years have helped her tremendously
with her position at Chandler’s Square, as
a Chamber Ambassador, as a Rotarian, and
as a committed part of this extraordinary
community. She said Anacortes “is full of
some of the nicest people you could ever
hope to meet, people who contribute to the
feeling that you have just come home for
the first time in your life!
See the Communicator in color at
www.anacortes.org/chamber

New Members
Jean Groesbeck
Individual – Real Estate
Real Estate sales and marketing
3018 Commercial Avenue
Anacortes, WA 98221
Phone: 293-8008; Fax: 293-4049
Email: jean@jeangroesbeck.com
www.jeangroesbeck.com
Marine Documentation
Services, Inc.
Vessel Title Company
Norm Havercroft
212 Commercial Avenue
Anacortes, WA 98221
Phone: 293-3272; Fax: same
Email: mayday@sos.net
Richard T. Broderick, A.I.A.
Individual/Architect
Quality and innovative design services
to complement your lifestyle and building
site. Free consultation.
PO Box 1685
Anacortes, WA 98221
Phone: 840-7390
Email: rscbrod@comcast.net
www.richardtbroderickartchitect.com
Anacortes Family Medicine
Anacortes Family Medicine provides a
comprehensive range of services and
is owned by Island Hospital.
2511 M Avenue, Suite B
Anacortes, WA 98221
Phone: 299-4211
Fax: 299-4213
Email: sharris@islandhospital.org
www.anacortesfamilymedicine.com
Terry Christiansen
Individual
1004 Commercial Avenue/PO Box 351
Anacortes, WA 98221
Phone: 293-6031
Email: terry.christiansen@verizon.net
Barrett Financial, Ltd.
Financial advisory and wealth management
services.
Patrick J. Barrett
11987 Marine Drive
Anacortes, WA 98221
Phone: 293-6287
Fax: 360-397-0376
Email: pat.barrett@lpl.com
www.lpl.com/pat.barrett
Member News Notes
Relay for Life, July 20-21
American Cancer Society’s Relay For
Life: It’s about being a community that
takes up the fight!
Join your community in the fight
against cancer at the Relay for Life of
Anacortes, 6 p.m. July 20 to noon on July
21.
We are currently recruiting for committee
members, team captains, corporate and
in-kind sponsors. Now is the time to get
involved in this important and fun community
event. You can make a difference. For
details please call team recruitment leader
Jean Houston at 293-2406.
Elisabeth’s Cottage by the
Sea
Retail – Jewelry & Gifts
Jewelry, wines and wine tasting, gift
items, loose beads and findings.
Elisabeth Freeland
619 Commercial Avenue
Anacortes, WA 98221
Phone: 588-1890
Email: tomyzgurl6@aol.com
This Website A ‘Glass Act’
Anacortes technology retailer redefines
window shopping: CompuMatter, LLC
recently unveiled ‘Multi-Media Glass’ on
its storefront window. Multi-Media Glass
is an acrylic glass technology that allows
users to view digital video, websites and
more on their own storefront window. In
addition they will be able to hear website
audio due to a sound solution that turns
glass into a stereo speaker. The technology
also allows users to interact and navigate
through a website by simply touching on
the glass while standing outside the store.
Mayor Dean Maxwell (center) and Chamber President Vince Oliver were on hand to help Jay
Leporé (with scissors) and staff celebrate the grand opening of CompuMatter at 619 Commercial
Avenue.

Maison, Anaco Bay Inn win lights contest
Each year businesses in Anacortes
festoon their buildings to celebrate the
holiday season, and the Anacortes Chamber
of Commerce holds a White Lights
contest for member businesses who want
to participate.
The official judges, volunteers from
Caught in the Act
of Doing Business
Caught in the Act of Doing Business
recently at Watermark book store were
Dave Taylor (left) and Nick Miller. Holiday
shopping found the downtown
store teeming with customers looking
for books such as regional star
Annie Leibovitz’s “A Photographer’s
Life: 1990-2005.” Watermark is an independent
book store, owned by Patti
Pattee.
Chamber now offers
banner ads on website
Members can now purchase banner ads
on the Chamber website for as little as
$25/month (with a one-year agreement).
Our website currently averages more than
30,000 visits per month, allowing banner
advertisers great exposure with low
cost. The ads will be located on the top or
bottom of all pages except the home page.
Advertisers will be rotated as visitors
navigate through our site. Please contact
Stephanie Hamilton, 293-7911, for details.
the Visitor Information Center, have announced
the 2006 winners of two categories
– large and small businesses.
Maison et Jardin is the first place winner
for small business and Anaco Bay Inn for
large. They will each receive a certificate
Area Chambers meet Jan. 18
Join Skagit County Chamber Executive
Directors (SCCEDA) for one of the best
county-wide networking and social events
of the year on Thursday,
January 18 at the
Skagit Casino Resort.
Board chairpersons
and presidents from
six Skagit County
chambers of commerce
will recognize
new and continuing
board members for
Dr. Violet Malone their organizations.
The event begins at 5:30 p.m. and ends at
for a free insert in the Chamber newsletter.
Creative Concepts and Majestic Inn and
Spa are both second place for their categories.
This year the honorable mention
was awarded to the Arch – which acts as a
beacon to downtown.
RSVP to Anacortes Chamber, 293-7911
8 p.m.
Featured speaker will be Dr. Violet
Malone, Professor (emeritus) at Western’s
Woodring College of Education. Malone,
who believes learning is a lifelong process,
started her career at WWU in 1991.
She spent most of her career working
with adults undergoing some phase of
transition. In 1999 she was named to the
Adult and Continuing Education Society
International Hall of Fame. Her academic
background includes a doctorate in adult
education from Florida State University.
For more information contact Mary or
Stephanie at 293-7911.

Anacortes celebrates Christmas 2006
Our 2006 Community Christmas Tree Lighting was a
wonderful celebration launching the holiday season.
The staff and board of the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce
extends thanks to the many people who made
this event happen: Matt and Bonnie Kerschbaum – for
our beautiful tree; Finn’s Photo, Brian Geer, Don Spurling,
Curt Oppel, John Bruemmer, Phil Burton, Martin
Monahan, Jesse Talosi, Jack Hamilton, Linda Everton,
Anacortes High School Transition students, the City
Mary Talosi records visits with
Santa
Criers ring their bells
Mitch Everton in Santa hat Stephanie Hamilton and friend
Hundreds gathered for the season’s kickoff event
of Anacortes – thanks for decking the halls all over
town; Judy Jewell, Blake Thompson, the Fidalgo and
Mt. Erie elementary choirs, the Anacortes High School
Jazz Band and Choir, the An-o-Chords, and Anacortes
Fire Department – you brought sparkling entertainment.
Hundreds also enjoyed a free horse and carriage
ride, sponsored by the Chamber and participating merchants.
Once again, this was an exciting time of the
year!
County Commissioner Don
Munks enjoys a carriage ride
(above). President Vince Oliver
dons hat, steps on stage (right).
Community Christmas tree lighting at Chamber building

VIC Statistics
Thank You, Volunteers!
November 2006
Visitors 547 (686 - 2005)
Phone Calls 216 (244 - 2005)
Information Requests 33 (39 - 2005)
Relocation Request 16 (30 - 2005)
Web Sessions 24,110 (18,508 - 2005)
Chamber Offi cers
Executive Board
President
Vince Oliver / Island Hospital
President-Elect
Robin Pestarino / AllData Shredding
Secretary
Zee Hogan / Maison et Jardin
Treasurer
Carol Van Iterson / Horizon Bank
Past President
Bill Berry / KLKI Radio
Executive Director
Mitch Everton
Board of Directors
Patti Anderson / Captain’s Place
Chris Borgen* / Anacortes School District
Bob Hyde* / Port of Anacortes
Mike King* / City of Anacortes
Mark Lione / Cap Sante Inn
Pat Meyer / Viking Moving Services
Curtis Payne / Farmer’s Insurance Agency
John Pope / Tesoro Refi ning & Marketing Co.
Nate Scott / Windermere Real Estate
Peter Steffen / ABC Yacht Charters
Dave Storkson / San Juan Lanes & Stork’s
Mike Trafton / Bank of the Pacifi c
Thomas Wood* / Shell Puget Sound Refi nery
* Ex-offi cio
Staff
Licensing
Executive Director
Sub-agents
Mitch Everton
Events Coordinator
Stephanie Hamilton
Offi ce Manager / VIC
Coordinator
Mary Talosi
Kristi Daniels
Kathleen Mitchell
Beverly Babarovich
Newsletter Editor
Steve Berentson
Thanks, VIC
Volunteers!
Anacortes
Chamber of Commerce
819 Commercial Ave., Suite F
Anacortes, WA 98221
Visit us on the web at www.anacortes.org
Among the Chamber’s most valued “assets” are its Visitor Information Center (VIC) volunteers, who
were treated to a wonderful holiday gathering thanks to Flounder Bay Restaurant at Skyline. Our
thanks to our precious volunteers and to Flounder Bay for a festive event that included delicious
food and refreshments.