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MARCI'S CHAMBER CORNER
MARCH 2011 - NEW & RENEWED CHAMBER MEMBERS
Please join me in welcoming the new owner of The Heron Inn and Day Spa, Kate Howell & Lesia Anders. Kate will run the Heron Inn and Day Spa, with a qualified staff, and expects to open the Inn around April 10th. The Inn has had a lot of work done on the inside and outside and is destined to be a high point of many visitors' stay in La Conner! You can find more information at www.theheroninn.com, located at 117 Maple Ave., La Conner. Please join me in welcoming a new member to the La Conner Chamber of Commerce. Cedar Bluff Cottage is owned and operated by Dawn & David Chaplin. Located in the Conway/Stanwood area, this totally restored 100-year old cottage can easily accommodate 5-6 people and overlooks the Skagit River Delta. Visit www.cedarbluffcottage.com or call (360) 445-3333 to make reservations. Please join me in welcoming a new member of the La Conner Chamber of Commerce. The Rustic Door is owned and operated by mother and daughter, Erika McCoy and Almeda Giles. Opened in May 2010, The Rustic Door is a unique shop with one-of-a-kind treasures for your home and garden. Specializing in vintage items, re-purposed furnishings, antiques, glam and baby gifts. Located at 15211 McLean Rd, (look for the white door along the road) 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM Tuesday - Sunday. Email is therusticdoor@gmail.com, call 360-420-7981 or become a "friend" on Facebook.
Thank you to our renewing Members:
InnerWave Center, owned and operated by Joan Cross since 2007. Specializing in Neurofeedback which focuses on re-training brain activity to improve control, performance and stability. Located at 125 Washington St, La Conner. Email joan@innerwavecenter.com or call 466-1614.
Step Outside, owned and operated by Christie Jurkovich since 2004. A retail show store - the only family shoe store in Skagit Valley! Located at 105 S. First St, La Conner and Open daily 10 am - 5pm. Call 466-3397 or email step-outside@verizon.net.
Native Springs Spa, owned and operated by Joan Barlow, LE since 2003. A spa boutique offering unique natural treatments for the skin. Smoothing and healing clay soothes and smooths skin. Free of harsh chemicals or preservatives. Soothing organic lines of skin care products to use at home and healing treatments in a warmed facial bed. You'll be radiant and relaxed when you leave.
Located at 125 Washington St. in the wellness center. Call 360-708-8313 or check out our website: www.nativesprings.com
Best Tiny Town!
Be sure to vote for La Conner as "Best Tiny Town" in King 5 Evening Magazine's Best of the Northwest Escapes - currently running #2, deadline April 19th<------
Going LIVE with Tripadvisor
Here is an example of some FREE advertising that Julie Burgmeier has helped put in place. 
LaconnerChamber.com TripAdvisor on the bottom of our home page in exchange for a FREE rotating spotlight on TripAdvisor's home page.
Letter to Your Chamber
I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the gracious and generous hospitality that was extended to me and my colleagues by you, the La Conner Chamber of Commerce and everyone involved with making our visit so pleasant.
Everything from the wine tasting reception with Jeff at Hellman's Vineyard Wine Shop, the delicious dinner at the Seafood and Prime Rib restaurant, our delightful overnight stay at Katie's Inn and Cindy's amazing breakfast, to the tours of all the overnight facilities available in La Conner, an awesome lunch at the La Conner Brewing Company and the museums.
Your attention to detail was exemplary and once again very much appreciated.
I look forward to recommending La Conner as a day trip or vacation destination to our guests, as well as friends and family.
Best regards,
Terry Keifer
Concierge
Crowne Plaza Seattle
1113 6th Ave.
Seattle, Wa 98101
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To Our Caring Community
Debra Matteson, a wonderful artist and vital member of our La Conner community, has been diagnosed with metastasizing Leiomyosarcoma, a rare cancer that has attacked her uterus, liver, pancreas and bone. Financial assistance is needed to help defray the costs of large insurance premiums and medical expenses. Very aggressive treatment, along with her
amazingly positive attitude and tenacious will to fight and win this battle, can be made a little easier for Debra with the help of our generous community. Two Moons Gallery hosted a benefit sale of donated art and other items and services from many of Debra's friends on March 29, her birthday. You can contact Two Moons and find out how you can help. It is a great opportunity to collect some fine art, purchase some needed services or items, get a tax deduction, and help in Debra's fight for her life. Cash donations are also welcome. A fund has been set up by the La Conner Soroptimists and ensures all donations are tax deductible.
Thank you.
Two Moons Gallery & Gifts,
Soroptimist International of La Conner
And Friends of Debra Matteson |
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Concert this Saturday
Saturday at 3:30pm, April 9, 2011 - Maple Hall
Tickets at the door and at The Next Chapter 466-2665
Honoring this year's emerging artists from Skagit and surrounding counties. Eight individual artists and five more in a Brass Quintet will entertain and amaze us through the afternoon. Come and give your voice of support to young people who are making their way toward a musical career.
This is the final LIOPA concert for this season. Thank you to all La Conner businesses who have welcomed our posters, brochures, and bookmarks over the season. Your support is appreciated. Sincerely, Richard Tomkinson
Tulip Frolic this Saturday
Businesses (especially restaurants) will need to be prepared, supposed to be sunny!
Nasty Jack' s Olde Time Photography
Nasty Jack's Antiques now offers Olde Time Photography! 15 minutes of fun, a lifetime of memories. Couples, Families, Friends, Pets, or by yourself. Custom-made costumes and props. Nasty Jack's Antiques voted People's Choice Winner as Best Antique Store in 2010, 2009, 2008. Located at 103 Morris St., La Conner WA, 360-466-3209.
Tulip Town offers Free Local Nite
FREE Locals only night at Tulip Town on April 20th, 5-7 pm
Board Meeting & Networking
April 19th at 8:30 am (anyone is welcome) and Networking Hour from 10:00am-11 on April 19th - both at the Civic Garden Club.
EDASC Classes
Schmooze fair is on April 14th !!
Also... a variety of workshops are at the EDASC offices at 204 West Montgomery. Register on-line at least 24 hours (although, why wait - do it now!) before the workshop at www.skagit.org. Business Advisor - Economic Development Association of Skagit County
360-336-6114 Office
360-542-4024 Direct
Edward Jones Coffee Club
We have Coffee Club here at the office on Friday, April 29th. RSVP's need to be called in to Debbie at (360) 466-2933. Linda Ryan| Financial Advisor |Edward Jones
708 E Morris Street STE C|La Conner, WA 98257
Ph: 360-466-2933| Fax: 866-462-5208
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Hanging Flower Baskets
La Conner's hanging flower baskets are coming May 3rd!
Gregg Westover, co-owner of the Olive Shop & Ginger Grater, will be watering the flowers once again and nurturing them into glorious blooms along Morris and First Streets! Flower baskets will be on display through the end of August. We are SOLD OUT already on purchasing these for your home.
Spaghetti Sauce Cook Off Fundraiser
Just a reminder that on Thursday, May 12th the Chamber will host a Spaghetti Sauce Cook-Off at Maple Hall from 4:30 - 7:30 PM. These dinners are fun and the money raised will help fund the flowers and labor to keep them maintained. Thank you to all of La Conner's Chamber Members whose support helps finance these annual flowers that add so much to our town!! Email or call in your order. You can pick out your baskets the morning of May 2nd (I will let you know if that date changes).
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New law ends sales tax exemption for B.C. shoppers
Gov. Gregoire this week signed a bill that ends a sales tax exemption for Canadian shoppers visiting Washington.
Last summer, British Columbia adopted a new value-added tax in place of its provincial sales tax. The Department of Revenue ruled that the change made British Columbia shoppers eligible for a sales tax exemption.
But Whatcom County and the City of Bellingham disagreed and sued. An eventual injunction by a Skagit County judge last summer halted the exemption. Gregoire's signature puts into law the end of the exemption.
WRA became involved in the issue seeking clarity on whether retailers could offer the exemption, which had been boosting sales. WRA is disappointed that retailers have lost the option to increase sales that could lead to additional hiring. |
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Washington State Travel Planner
Here is a look at the Washington State Travel Planner ad that has been translated into four different languages and will be distributed internationally CLICK HERE. We just wanted you to be aware of the efforts put forth by Skagit Tourism towards the international market.
Bring on the visitors! We're ready to welcome them!
Thank you for your continued support of Skagit Tourism.
Sincerely,
Lennart Bentsen
Hampton Inn & Suites
Skagit Tourism Board Chair
& Karen Mills
Membership & Tourism Director
Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce
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Guest Dock Visitors!
April 2011
Fidalgo Yacht Club,
April 1,2,3 - 800 feet
American Tug,
April 27,28,29,30 - 900 feet
Emerald Rose,
April 15,16,17 - 150 feet
Bellingham Wheel and Keel,
April 15,16,17 - 800 feet
Being updated with what groups and conferences are taking place helps us all.
Lucas Villard, Marina Service Representative
lucasv@portofskagit.com
P.O Box 1120, La Conner, WA 98257
(360)466-3118 Fax (360)466-3119 |
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LISTEN TO MARCI EACH MONDAY MORNING
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PADDLE TO SWINOMISH 2011
CANOE JOURNEY - JULY 25-31
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Fireworks!
Each year the professional fireworks display is put on by Eagle Fireworks out of Kent, WA. This year will be the 30th year that Eagle Fireworks has done the La Conner show! The firework display will take place on Sunday, July 3rd at 10 PM. The parade on First Street and children's activities at Pioneer Park will happen on Monday, July 4th. The entire show costs $5,000 for the 20-30 minute display. If you would like to contribute any amount of money toward this incredible show - please mail a check to POB 1610, La Conner 98257 or stop by the Visitor Information Center at 606 Morris Street, hours open are Monday-Friday 9-4, Saturday 12-3.
Although this is not a Chamber sponsored event, we feel that this "Show Must Go On" and are happy to collect the money to support this truly fantastic show for the community.
** we are trying to raise $5,000 for the display. So far WAVE Broadband has committed $1,000 and Shelter Bay Company has committed $500. "Only" $3,500 left to go! |
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KEEP US INFORMED!
Let us know what is going on with you! Your current events and happenings on the website are all updated based on the information you provide to Marci and your chamber staff. Any pictures that would entice visitors to stay and play, please send them too, we can use them in the monthly news for visitors.
Thank you,
Marci Plank
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 | | Photo Credit: Trevor Anderson |
& Prime Rib House
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La Conner Chamber of Commerce
Marci Plank
Executive Director
PO Box 1610
La Conner, WA
360.466.4778 or toll free 888.642.9284
Reinhild Thompson VIC Director PO Box 1610 La Conner, WA 360.466.4778 or toll free 888.642.9284
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La Conner Chamber Board Meetings
are held the first Thursday of the month. 8:00am
Location: La Conner Garden Club ~Open to all Members~
If you have comments or questions for the board and are unable to attend, email Marci Plank with "Member Comments" in the subject line. They will be read at the board meeting.
OUR COMMUNITY
TOWN COUNCIL |
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Welcome Wagon
Would you like the new chamber members to know about your business??? The La Conner Chamber now has an Ambassador Committee to help welcome new businesses to town and encourage them to become members of the Chamber.
The committee is putting together a "Welcome to La Conner" gift bag for each business that becomes a new member of the Chamber. We are asking for your contribution to this gift bag in any form that you care to provide. If your business has 'giveaway' items that you would like to include, excellent.
Each bag will contain a 2011 La Conner Coupon book, so for those of you in the coupon book the recipient will have use of your coupon. We would need 10 of your gifts to start with which should last a few months. We have 8 new businesses opening this week and next and hopefully more are coming!
Ideas: Museums can offer free admission with info on their current exhibit
Banks can offer free pens, coffee cups, notepads, etc.
Any business can offer something small with a business cards attached or a "stop by and receive"...card
The idea is to welcome new businesses to La Conner and let them know about who their neighbors are.
If you would like to participate, please drop off your 10 items at the Visitor Center or let us know and we will be happy to stop by and pick them up.
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