Marci's
Corner
We have a new blog on LaconnerChamber.com now and we will be upgrading our website in the upcoming months!
Chamber Chat happens on KAPS and KBRC every week. We chat about upcoming events so let us know what is happening with your business!
NEW BUSINESSES!
La Conner Rentals, Tim Dunlap & Gordy Bell. Now offering U-Haul trailers in addition to tools & bikes for rent. Located at 306 Morris St., 360-466-1002 Hours: 8-5 Mon-Sat, 10-4 Sun .
Wags and Rags - Pet Lovers boutique. Owned by Eleanor Harboard and located at 602 S. 1st St, La Conner. 360-399-1888, Hours: 10-5 daily.
CHAMBER DUES
New Chamber Membership year begins July 1st - invoices going out next week for dues.
GROUPS IN TOWN
The Washington State Association of County Clerks will be in La Conner from Monday, June 20 - Friday, June 24 for their annual conference. There are approximately 40 clerks plus many spouses staying for the week. Please be sure to give them a warm La Conner welcome when they stop by your store!
LA CONNER BANNER PROJECT
The Rotary Club of La Conner is in the process of updating the banner posts at the entrance of town. If you are a non-profit organization and want to participate, contact club members Jerry 708-8807 or Martin 770-7392. $100 one time donation is suggested.
ADVERTISING
KVOS is partnering with Groupigg Couponing. If you'd like to know more about this marketing idea for your business, contact the account rep for METV and KVOS, Sarah Williams, 360-392-2920.
WELLNESS GUIDE FOR LA CONNER
Contact Marci if you'd like to participate with an ad in the "go to" guide for wellness practitioners and body workers/spas/health providers in La Conner. 360-466-4778.
GOLF TOURNE & WINE FESTIVAL
EDASC Golf Tournament and Wine Festival committee head is Kellie Flaig. She is reaching out to local businesses for donations for the Silent Auction and Raffle at this event. Last year over 1,000 guests perused silent auction items. An auction item donation form needs to be filled out and sent back if you are interested. Contact Kellie Flaig kflaig@janicki.com
CANOE JOURNEY SOUVENIR BROCHURE
La Conner Weekly News is producing a full-color souvenir brochure to commemorate the Canoe Journey Paddle To Swinomish 2011. The keepsake quality booklet will be packed with information about the event and the Swinomish and La Conner area. Printing 10,000 copies, which will contain at least 20 pages. The front and back covers will be glossy and the inside pages will be bright white (not dull newsprint) and every page will be full color. The advertising deadline for this publication is June 25 and you can get your business information before thousands of visitors for as little as $100. Contact La Conner Weekly News 360-466-3315 if interested.
SUMMER LONG I-5 lane closures
Repairing and repaving 12 miles of northbound I-5 between Burlington and Bellingham started in May. You can expect the lane closures weeknights throughout the summer from 8 p.m. to 10 a.m. You will likely see heavier traffic in the early hours of the closures, and also in the later morning hours, right before crews pull off the roadway. So if you have to travel during the lane closures, you will likely save some time if you plan your trips around those hours. Questions and comments to Dave Chesson at 360-757-5970 or dave.chesson@wsdot.wa.gov .
BOARDWALK
As you are probably already aware, the Town of La Conner is working on grants to help finance a Boardwalk along First Street, starting at La Conner Marina and ending at Calico Cupboard. The designs incorporate features unique to La Conner, including a pavilion at the north end of town near the La Conner Marina, which will offer amenities such as a panoramic observation deck, outdoor cooking facility, picnic tables, recreational rentals, and a drop-off location for charter buses. The boardwalk will then meander south along the waterfront offering scenic views of the Swinomish Channel, and convenient access to our shops and restaurants. Visitors and residents alike will enjoy strolling along the boardwalk, which will significantly enhance the waterfront area in our beautiful, historic town. To view the conceptual designs, please visit www.townoflaconner.com. You can help with the grant funding by taking a few minutes to write a letter to the Skagit County Commissioners and telling them, in your own words, what an asset this Boardwalk will be to La Conner and to our economy. Ron Wesen is Commissioner for La Conner and you can address your letter to his attention. BUT , DO NOT MAIL THE LETTER to the Commissioner's office. Once you have your letter written, please drop it off at Town Hall where Mayor Hayes will gather all letters and submit to the County Commissioner's office.
ENVISION SKAGIT 2060
If you missed the June 16 meeting and presentations, check out the website for updates. The intention of this group is a cooperative visioning for the next 50 years in Skagit County www.skagitcounty.net/envisionskagit
INVESTMENT PLANNING
Monthly coffee club at Edward Jones. Contact Linda Ryan, Financial Advisor, Edward Jones , 708 E Morris St Ste C La Conner, WA 98257 , (360) 466-2933 for July's date. www.edwardjones.com
FIREWORKS
Fireworks over the Channel will happen on Sunday, July 3rd and $2,500 is left to be raised to pay for the display. If you would like to help make this year's fireworks show happen, please either drop off your contribution at the Visitor Center located at 606 Morris St, open 9-4 M-F, 12-3 Sat & Sun, or mail to POB 1610, La Conner OR you can call with a credit card at 466-4778. Thank you to WAVE Broadband, Shelter Bay Community, La Conner Senior Center, and W C Harvey of Shelter Bay! The Chamber is just a pass-through of the money for this annual event.
Be sure to stop by the Visitor Center to pick up your La Conner Coupon Book, good for all of 2011 and cost just $2. Find out more details about upcoming Events and Happenings by visiting your chamber.
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COMMUNITY OR HEALTH RELATED
FARM PRODUCE
La Conner Flats Farmstand has started their Summer hours. The Farmstand will be open daily: Sunday - Friday 11-6:30, Saturday 9-3. Wonderful fresh produce straight off the farm!
SKAGIT WATERSHED LETTERBOX
Be sure to shop at the Co-Op in Mount Vernon on Friday, June 24 as 4% of sales goes to help Skagit Watershed Letterbox Letter box on Facebook Page. La Conner has one hidden, final clues come out next week! Become a friend of Skagit Watershed Letterbox. Click here for more info.
SALON ROUGE - RELAY FOR LIFE
Salon Rouge has formed a team and will be closed Saturday, June 25th for Relay For Life in Anacortes, WA.
When: June 25th - June 26th
Where: 3:00 pm - 9:00 am
Time: Anacortes High School upper field. They will hold a fundraiser on-site of this event. ALL donations will go to
RELAY FOR LIFE. We will be doing several services (haircuts, nails, chair massages...) Drop by!
ANATOMY WORKSHOP
Join Crescent Moon Yoga for our first workshop in our NEW SPACE! "The Joint will be Jumping Anatomy Workshop" with Alexis Britton.
Uncover and discover more about the beauty of our joints and how we can use our practices for more stability and strength. We will have demos and illustrations and asana to experience the proper alignment for balance and alignment. A fun two-hour workshop suitable for all levels. July 10th and August 21st , 9:15 to 11:15 am. Both Workshops $50.00, One Class $30 . Contact for Registration: Jennifer 360-298-0293 at new location at 521 Morris Street, La Conner.
HEALTH & SAFETY FAIR
La Conner Medical Center will be holding a Health and Safety Fair at the Bay View Fire Dept Saturday July, 9 1:00- 4:00 pm. Every one welcome to attend. 1257 C street Mt. Vernon.
SUMMER READING PROGRAM
With the theme, One World Many Stories, Summer Reading starts throughout Skagit County on June 6th. Children and teens can sign up and get a reading log at La Conner Regional Library starting June 1st. (You do not have to be a library card-holder to participate.) Each week, those children who bring in their reading logs are eligible for the weekly prize drawing. (Thanks to our generous local merchants!) Children are asked to read (or be read to) an average of 100 minutes per week throughout the 8 week period. A complete listing of performances and activities is available at the library and on our website: www.lclib.lib.wa.us . If you have any questions about Summer Reading, feel free to call 466-3352 and ask for K.J.
CHAMBER NIGHT AT THE RACES
Skagit Speedway invites all Chamber members in Skagit County to "Chamber Night at the Races" on Saturday, July 30, 2011. Gates open at 5:45, racing starts at 7pm.
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LISTEN TO MARCI EACH MONDAY MORNING
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ANNUAL WELLNESS GUIDE
 La Conner has long been associated with art and creative expression. A group of our local holistic practitioners are making an effort to bring visability to our healthy lifestyle here and La Conner's impressive array of wellness and fitness providers. The purpose of an annual guide is to assist the community in its search for information about local practitioners and services. To participate in this new guide or to obtain advertising information, please call Marci at the chamber office 360-466-4778.
 There will be a WELLNESS SUMMIT here in La Conner on October 7-9 called La Conner Wellness Adventure Weekend. Many local hotels are offering specials and a host of wellness providers, workshops and services will be offered in town that weekend. Advertising on social media and our website, you can choose to advertise in summit materials or advertise in the wellness guide above. Please call Marci if you would like more information on how to participate, 360-466-4778. |
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GOVERNMENT
AFFAIRS UPDATE
Breakthrough on workers' comp as House Bill 2123 is passed by WA State legislature. Bill is expected to prevent double-digit rate increases next year for most employers, in part by allowing for voluntary structural settlements. Organized labor denounced the plan, even though everyone from Gov. Chris Gregoire to House Speaker Frank Chopp - who had been firmly in labor's corner - called it fair for everyone.
Reminder of Government Affairs Calls
Each Monday morning the Skagit Business Alliance holds conference calls with the Association of Washington Business and rotating state representatives. The calls usually start at 8:10am each Monday morning and will continue throughout the current legislative session. For more information on the current call schedule contact Kristen Whitener at (360) 428-8547 or e-mail kristenw@mountvernonchamber.com. Here is the number to join the conference call:
MeetingPlace Main Number 425-456-2500
Toll Free Number 888-228-0484
Meeting ID: 9999
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Business Updates
>Crescent Moon Yoga Studio is moving. Check out the new location at 521 Morris Street, La Conner. Old Childhood Bliss Building is now a Yoga Studio.
>The Heron Inn will have their Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting on Wednesday, July 6th from 5:30-7 PM.
Please stop by and meet our new neighbors Kate Howell and Alvin Anders.
>Nasty Jack's Olde Time Photos
is offering locals and chamber members 25% off photo sessions taken during the month of June. The most fun you will ever have getting your picture taken! Photos printed while you wait. Fun for the entire family, even your pets. Call 466-3209 for an appointment or just stop by.
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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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& Prime Rib House
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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
La Conner Chamber of Commerce
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La Conner Chamber Board Meetings
are held the third Tuesday of the month. 8:30am
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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AUCTION Items Needed
We are still in need of auction items for the La Conner Classic Boat & Car Show on Saturday, August 13th.
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.
NEW BOARD MEMBERS
JULY 19 - NEXT BOARD MTG
New Chamber Board approved at last week's retreat, Officers are:
President - Rick Thompson
(La Conner Channel Lodge/Country Inn)
Vice President - Kari Vandenbosch
(La Conner Seafood & Prime Rib House)
Treasurer - Cathie Wyman (Wyman Park)
Secretary - Liz Theaker
(La Conner Quilt & Textile Museum) Marci
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Applications now being accepted for the Class of 2012 Early Bird Applications ~ $100 discount For Application Packets and Information, please contact Kathryn Bennett, Director. (360) 395-8727 bennettrk@comcast.net
Mariners Sports Shuttle
Bellair Sports Shuttle
to Mariners game.
Mariners play the Tampa Bay Rays. Ride to the game for only $23 Round trip.
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Washington Tourism Association
Tourism Marketing Presentation meeting on July 7th. More info here. ALL BUSINESS OWNERS WELCOME! The La Conner Chamber has become a member of WTA and so has La Conner Channel Lodge/Country Inn.
Since the WTA Industry Summit of March 31 we have received an abundance of messages,
inquiries, invitations and pledges of support. There is much work to do. The WTA is still run by an interim Board of 5 Directors and a few exceptionally devoted volunteers. We have had numerous offers of help and are
working our way through those offers. We have contracted some administrative support
and are now inviting applications for an Interim Director. The Interim Director will help the
WTA navigate through the transition of the next few months as the State Tourism Office closes at the end of June, and then through a busy Fall and Winter.
Stay tuned for more to come, and thank you for your encouragement and support.
We are very excited about the progress we are making and the clear prospect of
WTA serving as a viable and sustainable means to market our state and your businesses!
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Rotary Welcome Banner
As you may have noticed, there is a new support system to hang event banners and for the logo's of all not-for-profit organizations at the entrance to La Conner -  Thank You to Rotary of La Conner for financing & installing this!! The fence section is where any Service Organization, Museum, Chamber can place their logo sign showing their meeting time. These should be ready made and available to order from your headquarters as you see them on many Town entrances. Call Marci for details.
Future of Retail Article
The Retail 11 conference was held this week with Jamie Nordstrom kicking off the event discussing the fast-paced challenge of retail technology and providing customer service to the company's growing Internet business. Nordstrom is a 110 year old company that prides itself on service.
"We don't let off the gas on the culture of our company," said Jamie.
But what has changed in the last ten years is the definition of service. Stores can't just be good shopkeepers anymore. They have to have a more global view even if they just have one store. "The problem is that the pace of change requires you to think like a growth business or you will get eaten by those who are," said Jamie.
Customers are becoming very savvy about items in the store. They know their prices and they know where they can find choices. The Internet has brought transparency to the market and given customers more choices. This prompts retailers to be thinking ahead about their values and practices. In Nordstrom's case, this means that the great customer service is a core value that requires the company to continually focus its practices to match. Consumers now access online sales through Facebook, tweets and other experiences that all drive customers to a specific product or store.
Jamie sees 80 percent of Nordstrom's growth as a company to be in the online business. Square footage growth has slowed down and is not expected to recover soon. He pointed to a number of examples where companies have been successful. Customers like the new technology and things like flash sales. Online weekend sales are "going gangbusters," Jamie said. The challenge is to find ways to talk to customers so Nordstrom can continue to improve its service.
Jamie also noted that if operating margins shrink, so be it. It's been a sobering wake up call to see how the Internet has changed everything - how you talk, invest, and figure out tomorrow's success. The event was co-sponsored by WRA, Opus Law Group and the University of Washington Foster School of Business.
NATIVE JOURNEY
OPENING NIGHT GALA
A special invitation and ticket price for our fellow La Conner Chamber of Commerce members - $25 per person. Just call the Museum for reservations and say you are a chamber member!
Skagit County Historical Museum Presents, Native Journey, Opening Night Gala
July 21st - 6 - 9 PM, Tickets $35 per person, Light Native Fare and Wine Bar.
Silent Auction, Live Auction at 8 PM A Blessing, A song and Drumming to open the exhibit
featuring Swinomish Tribal Members at 7 PM. Skagit County Historical Museum, 501 South 4th Street, La Conner. To reserve your ticket, call 360-466-3365
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